Your Smart TV Giving You Fits? You Might Be Able To Fix Things With A New, Inexpensive Streaming Device.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday come out of the shadows and into the BUY NOW! bomb mode. Sales pitches are expected to focus on better picture quality and bigger screens, but some will suggest better software that will make smart TVs even smarter. TV technology means you can stick with what you have.

"Almost every smart TV problem can be solved with an external streaming device like a Roku player, Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV streaming box," says CordCutterConfidential's Jared Newman.

According to Newman, it is infallible; Not only can you connect one of these devices to your existing TV for a much better Smart TV experience, but you can also save hundreds of dollars without throwing out your current device and buying a new one. .

"This may be an obvious point to tech-savvy people, but I've heard from many people over the years who have assumed they have to replace a perfect TV because of slow software, outdated apps, or poor WiFi - Fi-Fi connection Although TV manufacturers prefer to buy a brand new TV to solve these problems, I assure you there is a better way,” said Newman.

what to look for

This may be new to you, and it certainly was new to us, but Newman says external boxes/players are often faster than your smart TV's built-in software, and depending on the TV manufacturer, they may have the best apps. You have the choice as an optional extra. Bonus.

Before you jump in and buy one, though, Newman suggests making sure there aren't any problems with your Wi-Fi network. A call to your ISP can identify problems and save you even more money. more money

Among the streaming devices Newman says will do this, he mentions:

Roku 4K streaming stick. "[It's] easy to use, supports Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+," Newman said. The lowest prices found by ConsumerAffairs were at BestBuy, Amazon and Roku for $24.99 and Walmart for $24.98.

The Roku Streambar ($130) and Streambar Pro ($180) offer consumers twice the power of soundbars and streaming boxes, giving you an enhanced Smart TV experience along with better sound quality along the way.

Chromecast with Google TV (HD). Chromecast was one of the creators of streaming devices, and it's still around and popular. Amazon lists the device for $18, while Best Buy and Google list it for $19.99. "A nice upgrade for older 1080p TVs... Unlike other remotes in this price range, the remote has volume and power controls so you don't have to turn the remote off," says Newman.

Apple TV 4K. Apple doesn't do anything about entry-level pricing, but Newman thinks this box is a good choice if someone can afford $99, thanks in no small part to its fast performance and ad-free menu system.

Buying a new streaming device is only half the battle

Newman cautions that buying a new streaming device will definitely force your TV to do some new tricks, but there may be some configuration involved in your smart TV's settings.

"A lot of modern smart TVs really want you to use their built-in software for post-purchase monetization, and it's used by default when you turn on the TV," Newman said, pointing to smart TVs that can prompt the user. through these rings.

Samsung TV
Vizio SmartCast TV
LG TV
Roku TV
TV Fire TV Edition
Google TV

Rather than delve too deeply into the technical issues, if you have one of these TVs, you can read Newman's steps to easily adjust these settings at the bottom of this site.