4 Smart TV Features You’re Paying Extra For That Don’t Matter

When you’re in the market for a new Smart TV, it’s easy to get caught up in the marketing hype surrounding the latest and greatest features. Manufacturers love to tout their cutting-edge technology, promising an unparalleled viewing experience that will revolutionize your entertainment setup. But the truth is, many of these features are nothing more than expensive gimmicks that you’ll never actually use or benefit from. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at four Smart TV features that you’re paying extra for but that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Useless bloatware and Smart TV software support

Depending on the manufacturer, your Smart TV may come pre-loaded with a plethora of apps and features that you’ll never use. These can range from manufacturer-specific channels and services to third-party apps that have little to no relevance to your viewing habits. While some of these apps may be useful for certain users, for the most part, they’re just taking up valuable storage space on your TV.

What’s more, the long-term software support for these built-in apps is often lackluster at best. As your TV ages, you may find that fewer and fewer apps are supported, leaving you with a device that’s quickly becoming obsolete. In contrast, external streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku are regularly updated with the latest features and app support, ensuring that you always have access to the content you want.

So, while the internal software experience of your Smart TV may seem like a big selling point, it’s really just a nice-to-have feature that doesn’t significantly impact your overall viewing experience. Instead of paying extra for a TV with a fancy operating system, focus on the hardware specs that actually matter, like display quality and connectivity options.

8K resolution on consumer displays

One of the most hyped-up features in the world of Smart TVs is 8K resolution. With four times the number of pixels as 4K and a whopping 33 million pixels total, it’s easy to see why manufacturers are pushing this technology so hard. However, the truth is that for most consumers, 8K is nothing more than an expensive gimmick.

For starters, the human eye simply can’t perceive the difference between 4K and 8K resolution on most consumer-sized displays. Unless you’re sitting extremely close to a very large screen (think 80 inches or more), you’re unlikely to notice any significant improvement in picture quality. In fact, a study conducted by Warner Bros in 2020 found that most consumers couldn’t tell the difference between 4K and 8K displays, even when using an 88-inch screen.

Furthermore, the content available in 8K is still relatively limited. While some streaming services and Blu-ray discs offer 8K options, the vast majority of content is still produced and distributed in 4K or even lower resolutions. This means that even if you do invest in an 8K TV, you’ll likely be upscaling most of your content, which can actually lead to a decrease in picture quality.

Finally, 8K TVs are still quite expensive, with many models costing thousands of dollars more than their 4K counterparts. Given the limited benefits and high cost, it’s hard to justify spending the extra money on an 8K TV when a high-quality 4K model will serve most users just fine.

Motion smoothing or interpolation

Motion smoothing, also known as motion interpolation, is a feature found on many high-end Smart TVs that aims to reduce motion blur and make fast-moving images appear smoother. While this can be beneficial for certain types of content, like live sports or video games, it’s generally considered a detriment to the overall viewing experience for most other types of content.

The reason for this is that motion smoothing works by inserting artificial frames between the original frames of a video, effectively increasing the frame rate. While this can make motion appear smoother, it also introduces a noticeable “soap opera effect” that many viewers find distracting and unnatural. This is especially true for movies, which are typically shot at 24 or 30 frames per second (fps). When motion smoothing is enabled, the frame rate is artificially increased to 60 fps or higher, resulting in a look that many cinephiles find unappealing.

Some newer TVs even feature a “Filmmaker Mode” that automatically disables motion smoothing when detecting movie content. However, this is more of a band-aid solution than a true fix, as it still requires users to manually enable the mode and doesn’t address the underlying issue of paying extra for a feature that actively detracts from the viewing experience.

Your Smart TV’s internal speakers

When it comes to audio quality, the built-in speakers on most Smart TVs leave a lot to be desired. This is especially true for newer, thinner models that prioritize sleek design over audio performance. As a result, many manufacturers have started touting their “premium” audio technologies as a way to differentiate their products and justify higher price tags.

However, the truth is that no matter how advanced a TV’s internal speakers may be, they’ll never be able to match the audio quality of a dedicated sound system. This is due to the physical limitations of TV design – thinner displays simply don’t have the space for proper speaker components that can handle lower frequencies and produce a wide soundstage.

Instead of paying extra for a TV with fancy built-in speakers, it’s generally recommended to invest in a separate soundbar or surround sound system. Not only will this give you much better audio quality, but it also allows you to upgrade your audio setup independently of your TV, ensuring that you always have the best possible sound no matter which TV you’re using.

If you do decide to stick with your TV’s internal speakers, pay attention to the spatial audio technologies that the manufacturer supports, such as Dolby Atmos. These technologies can help create a more immersive audio experience by adding a vertical dimension to the sound, making it feel like it’s coming from all around you.

In conclusion, while Smart TVs continue to evolve and add new features, it’s important to remember that not all of these features are worth paying extra for. By focusing on the core aspects of a TV that actually impact your viewing experience – like display quality, connectivity options, and audio performance – you can ensure that you’re getting the best possible value for your money. Don’t be swayed by marketing hype or fancy-sounding features that you’ll never use – instead, invest in a TV that meets your specific needs and delivers a great viewing experience at a reasonable price point.

tags

Smart TV features, 8K resolution, motion smoothing, internal speakers, bloatware, software support, streaming devices, picture quality, audio quality, Dolby Atmos, Filmmaker Mode, consumer displays, TV shopping, budget-friendly options, entertainment setup, viewing experience, marketing hype, gimmicks, hardware specs, connectivity options, sleek design, soundbar system, surround sound, immersive audio, vertical dimension, core aspects, value for money, specific needs, reasonable price point.

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