Beware these five myths when buying a TV
Buying a TV can be stressful enough – deciding which brand to go with, what screen size, and how much to spend – but compounding the experience is being upsold to invest in specific features, pricier cables, or an extended warranty.
Hold your ground, dear shopper, as you need not bow to the pressure.
Oh sure, some things are worth considering – like a gamer choosing a 120Hz television over 60Hz, for a smoother and more responsive experience – but there is a lot you really don’t need.
Despite what the salesperson tells you at the big box store (or what’s listed as “Recommended for you” upon checkout at your favorite online retailer), the following are a few things you likely can pass on.
Myth 1: You need 4K on a small TV
Instead of a Full HD (1080p) television that boasts roughly 2 million pixels (the little dots that make up the image), a 4K TV has more than 8 million pixels. This bump up in resolution translates to an incredibly clear image.
But if you’re shopping for a small-ish TV (by today’s standards), like a 40- or 42-inch model, there’s no point in going with 4K as you won’t likely see a difference between a 4K and 1080p HD picture.
The only exception is if you sit really close to the television.
Buying a 4K TV is a no-brainer if it’s a 55-inch TV or bigger, even though you would need to be sitting less than 8 feet from a 65-inch TV to even notice the difference between 4K and 1080p HD, according to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
Myth 2: The timing is right for 8K
While the sales rep may suggest otherwise, you don’t need to buy an 8K television just yet.
Why? They’re not cheap, there isn’t a lot of 8K content to justify the investment (though it can upscale to near 8K quality), and the jump from 4K to 8K isn’t as significant as HD to 4K (or SD to HD).
Also, while you may hear phrases like “you’re future-proofing your investment,” chances are new television technologies will debut between now and when 8K becomes mainstream, and you might miss out on them (just as early
buyers of 4K did with Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, and so on).
Also, to get the most out of 8K resolution – when playing 8K content from a PS5 or Xbox Series X video game, or 8K YouTube channel – you’ll only really appreciate it on a larger screen, such as 80 inches and larger.
Unless you’re an early adopter with deep pockets, pass on 8K – for now.
Myth 3: Only buy premium HDMI cables
While I may get pushback from some home theater enthusiasts, most people can’t detect the difference between an HDMI cable purchased for a buck at your local dollar store and one that comes in a fancy box at a boutique electronics retailer.
Seriously, for years I’ve compared the video and audio quality between noname and brand-name HDMI cables, and you’d be hard-pressed to know the difference.
Granted, there are a few things you might be paying for with expensive cables: thicker shielding (to reduce electronic interference from, say, a power cord), better connectors (e.g. gold tips), and longer length, but it’s difficult to justify the huge price discrepancy.
When in doubt, ask to try out the cord at your local electronics store before taking it home.
Myth 4: You need to buy an extended warranty
While an extended warranty may buy you some peace of mind should anything go wrong, you do not need one.
Consumer Reports editors say those who buy extended warranties and service contracts for consumer electronics rarely use them for repairs. What’s more, the same survey found that the vast majority of repairs were made while items were still covered by a factory warranty.
Extended warranties are big business for retailers. According to the newsletter Warranty Week, it’s a $40 billion business in the U.S. alone.
Buying items with some credit cards extends warranties at no additional cost. If you’re not sure whether your card provides such a perk, contact customer service to ask. Some retailers, such as Costco, also provide an extra year of protection at no cost.
Even if you have an issue with your gadget, the extended warranty you bought might have fine-print terms that can limit or disqualify your claim.
Myth 5: You're stuck with the ‘soap opera’ effect
You excitedly take home your sleek new television and while the picture certainly looks sharp, there’s something a bit odd about the image. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but that TV show or blockbuster movie you’re watching almost looks like it was shot with a cheap camcorder instead of highend video camera.
You’re certain “Yellowstone” wasn’t filmed on the same set as “The Young and the Restless,” though it appears to be so.
What you’re experiencing is often referred to as the “soap opera effect.”
What’s happening here is really motion smoothing, designed to decrease blur and make movements seem more fluid and lifelike. But it could look odd.
You aren’t stuck with it – even if this “feature” is enabled by default.
Enter the Settings menu on your television you’ll be able to turn it off – or in some cases, adjust its intensity to find a happy medium between smooth motion and little or no “soap opera” effect.
It might be listed as “Motion Interpolation” or “Motion Smoothing,” or called something else by the television manufacturer. Samsung, for example, might call it “Auto Motion Plus,” while some Sony models refer to it as “MotionFlow,” or “TruMotion,” with LG.
Can’t find the setting? Just Google the manufacturer of your TV and something like “motion smoothing” and you’ll find the right info to disable it.