Missing Fire Stick remote? With the Amazon Alexa Voice Remote Pro, say, “Alexa, find my remote.” It’ll ring if it’s connected to your Fire TV and within 30 feet. For an older remote, use the Fire TV app.
TV myths you need to stop believing
4K always looks better? Leaving your TV on saves it? Pricey HDMI cables improve quality? Let’s bust these common TV myths once and for all.
You can watch “Severance,” too: For the first time, Apple TV+ is available on Android. The app has been around for years and the reviews stink, so expect some bugs along with the $9.99-per-month charge.
$70 a month
For DirecTV’s sports-only subscription. MySports, available in 24 metro areas, includes 40 sports from ESPN and Fox Sports, plus local channels, the NFL and MLB networks, NBA TV, and lots more. There’s golf, too. Tee-riffic!
📺 Sit in the right place: The ideal distance to sit from your TV primarily depends on its resolution.
- Standard definition (SD): Sit 4 to 6 times the screen’s vertical height away from the TV. In other words, if your TV’s height is 18 inches, you’ll want to sit about 9 feet away.
- High definition (HD or 1080p): Sit 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen’s diagonal length away.
- Ultra-high definition (UHD or 4K): Sit 1 to 1.5 times the screen’s diagonal length away.
So, if you have a 55-inch 4K TV, you’d want to sit about 55 to 82.5 inches (4.6 to 6.9 feet) away for the sharpest image and best experience. Adjust to your comfort and room size, but keep this ratio in mind!
What the big print giveth, the small print taketh away: Paramount and YouTube TV couldn’t agree on a renewal contract, so you’ll lose 23 channels today. If you really need CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central or one of the others, try Tubi for a free trial. Just remember to set a reminder to cancel! If tug-of-war drags on for “an extended period of time,” YouTube will give subs an $8 credit. Gee, thanks. Speaking of, ditch the subscriptions you don’t use. I did, and I used the app that makes it easy: Rocket Money. They find everything and cancel whatever you no longer want.
Rude awakening: Ever fall asleep watching TV? If you have a Roku, press the asterisk button on your remote to open the menu. Scroll to Volume mode and use the arrows to change it. Leveling makes sounds even so things like ads won’t jolt you awake. Night mode makes quiet sounds like whispering louder and lowers more intense sounds, like shouting.
Hidden HDMI hack: Look at your TV. Spot an ARC port? You can use the Audio Return Channel to connect a soundbar or AV receiver with just one cable. Sweet — better audio quality and no extra wires.
LG's new $60,000 transparent TV
LG’s latest TV offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and turns into clear glass when off — a true sci-fi marvel.
December 21st, 2024
Drones over New Jersey and a wild nuclear theory. Plus, a Secret Santa scam, LG’s pricey see-through TV, and a lawsuit hitting Amazon’s One Medical.
📺 For your weekend binge: Check the time commitment before you let someone lure you into the extended-cut “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Bingeclock is great for movies. Tiii.me has TV show times. Btw, 11 hours and 22 minutes for LOTR.
⌛ Quick TV tip: You might be tempted to change your TV’s picture mode to Game for football, but that mode is for video games. The best setting for sports is Cinema or Movie. Sports mode is generally too bright, so the game may look washed out.
Don't fall for the allure of a cheap, huge TV
Not all discounted TVs are created equal. Here’s how those too-good-to-be-true prices might leave you with a lackluster screen and how to shop smarter this season.
Why you need an outdoor TV antenna
Netflix crashed during the Tyson-Paul fight, leaving millions without a stream. Here’s how a simple TV antenna could be your family’s backup.
How to change settings to speed up your TV
Is your menu screen constantly buffering or your remote lagging? Check out these three easy tips to boost your TV’s performance and get back to watching fast!
📺 A TV is a watching machine: LG smart TVs now show ads before the screensaver kicks in. No word yet if it’s limited to specific models, but they’re live on the new flagship G4 T showing LG products and third-party promos. Fortunately, you can turn it off. If you have an LG, go to TV Settings > Additional Settings and disable Screen Saver Promotion.
Google Search is dying
Younger people are turning to AI chatbots, TikTok and Reddit for answers instead. Gen-Z is also sticking with older cars to avoid new tech and high costs. Plus, Chipotle is using robots for avocado prep, and we’ll show you how to turn your smart TV into a photo frame.
📺 The first time I saw a universal remote, I thought, “This changes everything”: Upgrade to a bitchin’ universal remote that controls it all and lets you set up shortcuts, aka macros. Say you make a “Movie Night” macro that turns on the TV, soundbar and streaming box, then switches the TV to the right HDMI output. This brand is regarded as the best out there. Enjoy!
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A remote you won’t lose: The latest OS for the Apple Watch, watchOS 11, got a snazzy upgrade people who lose the TV remote often are sure to love. With watchOS 11, you can turn the Digital Crown on your smartwatch to control the volume, and you can tap the three-dot menu button to mute or unmute and power your Apple TV on or off.
🚨 Watching you, watching me: Nearly 1.3 million Android TV boxes across 197 countries are infected with Vo1d malware. Compromised devices include the R4 TV Box, the KJ-SMART4KVIP and TV Box models that use Android 12.1. All run outdated Android versions with unpatched security holes. If you have an Android TV box, make sure the firmware is updated and that it’s Play Protect certified.