Lately the term HDR (high dynamic range) has been popping up in some of our coverage of new 4K TVs, and soon, if not already, you’ll hear the phrase bounced around at electronics stores and dealer showrooms. So what, you’re probably asking, is HDR for TVs and why should you care? HDR or high dynamic […]
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7 Top Products for Your Smart Home
Insteon Apple HomeKit-Enabled Automation Hub Insteon is offering a smart home hub that works with Apple Homekit, as well as a new app that works with the Apple home automation platform. Announced in June 2014, HomeKit allows users to control devices individually or in pairs, all via Apple’s Siri voice assistant. This means you can […]
Get the GuideTop 10 Must Have Features in a Smart TV
Speed, streaming, and universal search reign supreme.
A whopping number of new TVs claim to be Smart TVs in some way or another, no matter how stupid the built-in “smart” features really are. In fact, Smart TV is such a vague term that just about any TV with built-in Internet connectivity and a couple of incredibly lame apps can boldly claim the […]
Get the GuideHisense Prices H7 Series 4K TVs at $598
The new 4K TVs will include a 3840 x 2160 resolution and smart TV features.
The new 4K TVs will include a 3840 x 2160 resolution and smart TV features.
Get the Guide7 Ways to Beef Up Your Wi-Fi Coverage
We have simple advice to improve your wireless devices' connections.
We have simple advice to improve your wireless devices’ connections.
Get the GuideSharp Promises Beyond 4K TV with New UHD Model
The upcoming 80-inch 4K TV promises an image that's actually closer to 8K.
The upcoming 80-inch 4K TV promises an image that’s actually closer to 8K.
Get the GuideSamsung 2015 4K TVs Include Curved SUHD and UHD Models
The latest 4K TVs also have Samsung’s new Tizen smart TV platform.
Get the GuideSmart TVs: Streaming & 4K Expand the User Experience
Content streaming is now a standard part of household entertainment. Parks Associates, a consumer electronics research firm in Dallas, finds that more than two-thirds of U.S. broadband households connect an entertainment device—a smart TV, gaming console, streaming media player, or smart Blu-ray player—to the Internet, and connection rates have been steadily increasing. Between 2013 and 2014, the percentage of U.S. broadband households with a smart TV connected to the Internet increased by 50%, while the percentage of households with a streaming media device increased by 100%. In general, the smart TV is the most common connected device, with the exception of the connected game console.
Get the GuideTips for Shopping the Showroom Floor
It’s never a good idea to buy a Smart TV based solely on specs, cosmetics, or some well-written ad copy. A Smart TV’s on-screen user interface (UI) may be simple or complex, beautiful or ugly, heavenly or hellish, but there’s really no way to tell without giving it a thorough test drive. Some important things to take note of are: how long it takes for the Smart TV to turn on; how much time it takes for apps to load; and how quickly the Smart TV is able to switch between apps. If any of these steps seem to take a long time in the middle of a busy showroom, it’s going to feel like you’re living in slow-motion when you’re using the Smart TV in a quiet family room.
Get the GuideMust Have Smart TV Features
Tear down a Smart TV conceptually (don’t worry—no TVs of any kind were harmed for this article), and you’ll find that three key aspects form its foundation. At a bare minimum, your Smart TV should have all of the three listed below to ensure that you get your money’s worth. Even if TV A and TV B both possess these three important elements, it’s rare that they’ll look and perform exactly the same (unless they’re from the same manufacturer and product line). In addition to these common features, you’ll want to understand the key differences between them, too, in order to make a wise purchasing decision.
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