Buying a new TV? Don't make these 5 mistakes

Holiday promotions make December the perfect time to upgrade your home theater. The only question: Which TV is right for you? Tap or click for five of the best budget TVs on our radar.

The quality of streaming, sports and your weekend movie marathon all depend on the right device. There’s a lot to choose from, so we’re here to set the record straight.

Ready to buy? Before shopping, check out these five tips when buying a new TV.

1. Be price-savvy

Some manufacturers put certain features in the spotlight when branding lower-end smart TVs. For example, an ultra-wide screen at a low price is attractive — until you realize that color depth and image clarity suffer significantly. You might even miss out on advanced features like picture-in-picture or automatic device integration.

What is the best defense against this? Knowledge. Understanding what you want and some inquiry whenever you see a stellar deal that feels too good to be true. Sometimes a hefty price tag isn’t worth it, but in many cases, you’ll be paying for a much higher standard.

2. Go for 4K, not 8K

One harsh industry truth: The maximum resolution of a smart TV actually exceeds the production standard that your favorite content streams to you. While the footage may have been shot in 8K, this figure is reduced when delivered and broadcast.

While 8K is technically a more immersive image, spending more in this area isn’t the wisest use of your TV budget, at least for now. You’ll get a better bang for your buck with a 4K set.

RELATED: Simple steps to improve your new or old TV’s picture quality

3. Invest in good HDR

Resolution is one thing, and image quality, bit depth and color gamut are another. HDR (high dynamic range) is no joke in this regard and can make your favorite shows and movies shine like never before.

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Tech you didn’t know you needed - 10 handy gadgets worth buying

In the consumer tech world, there’s always something new to buy. Want to know a secret? Many upgrades aren’t worth your money and time.

That 8K TV? Not necessary until there’s more supported content. Expensive HDMI cables? The gold plating looks nice, but the cheap ones do the same job.

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Bravo! Samsung has a new TV that comes with a free 8K TV, valued at $8,000. The 114-inch “ultra-premium” set costs $132,630 and uses Micro-LED display tech for enhanced colors, brightness and response times. They’re also throwing in a discount on a new pair of speakers and a $2,200 hotel stay. Sorry, but this offer’s for Korea only for now.

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The biggest annual technology convention is just around the corner. But since the pandemic has brought in-person events to an abrupt halt, this year’s CES will be an all-digital affair.

As usual, some of the major television brands got a head start before the live-streamed event kicks off next week. Tap or click here for a refresher course on some of last year’s strangest tech to debut at CES.

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