The Fixya Television Report focuses on common issues and solutions for popular high definition televisions from manufacturers such as LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio. This report is designed to give users a look into common problems associated with the most highly sought-after televisions on the market today.
Our report found consistent problems across all televisions with their internet connectivity, apps, and picture quality. We also found each individual brand had varying severity of their common problems, along with unique and specific issues with their products that weren’t found with their competitors.
If you’ve recently shopped for a new television, you were likely overwhelmed by the number of available options. Televisions are a staple in homes, and now the industry has moved towards “smart televisions” that include internet connectivity and a wide selection of multimedia apps. These features have become an important aspect when choosing the right television, especially since they offer seamless integration with popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, that also means dealing with new and different issues that aren’t found on traditional televisions without those advanced features.
Choosing the right television brand for your needs can be a time consuming process, especially if you want to avoid headaches when using it on a daily basis.
Which is where we come in.
Using unique and proprietary data found on Fixya, this report covers the most common issues and solutions that each major television manufacturer has with its products, giving you the tools to find a solution. We’re putting the spotlight on television problems so you can see all their common issues in high definition.
Let’s get started.
Top 5 Recommended Products for Common Problems with Popular High-Definition Televisions1. Roku Express
If you’re experiencing issues with your smart television’s built-in apps, consider a separate streaming device. The Roku Express is an extremely popular thanks to its price and how easy it is to setup. Simply plug it into your television with the included high-speed HDMI cable, configure your internet connection, and you can start streaming. It features a straightforward and intuitive interface and easy-to-use remote, getting you access to popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, and much more.
Product Features:Easy setup with included high-speed HDMI cable
Straightforward and intuitive user interface
Convenient remote
Access to popular streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, and more
2. NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender
Using a WiFi range extender allows you to expand your WiFi coverage if your television is far away from your router. This particular WiFi extender from NETGEAR adds WiFi coverage up to 1,000 square feet and provides up to 750Mbps performance when using dual band and patented FastLane technology. More importantly, it has a wired Ethernet port so you can run a cable directly to your television while installing the extender in a subtle location behind your television.
Product Features:Extends wireless coverage up to 1,000 square feet
AC750 WiFi speed—up to 750Mbps performance
Works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with WiFi
Wired 10/100M Ethernet port
If you want the optimal viewing experience, you’ll want to mount your television on the wall with a fully adjustable wall mount. tune your watching experience by wall mounting your television. This particular mount is constructed from heavy-gauge steel so it supports television screens up to 125 pounds is ECHOGEAR’s full motion articulating TV wall mount. It offers up to 22” of extension, 130° of swivel, and 15° of tilt, so you can fine tune and adjust for the optimal viewing angle. It’s designed to accommodate almost any VESA pattern, which means it’ll be compatible with most major television brands.
Product Features:Heavy-gauge steel construction to support screens up to 125 lbs
Extends up to 22”
130° of swivel
15° of tilt
Accommodates almost any VESA pattern, compatible with most televisions
4. GE Universal Remote Control
For users experiencing issues with their television’s remote control, you’ll want to invest into a universal remote. One popular option is GE’s universal remote control, which allows you to operate up to 4 different audio and video components including televisions, Blu-Ray/DVD players, cable/satellite receivers, streaming media players, and more. This universal remote will work with all major brands and supports thousands of the latest audio/video equipment. It does not, however, work with the Roku streaming stick, Amazon Fire TV stick, and other RF streaming devices.
Product Features:Control up to 4 different audio/video components
Includes most common buttons found on remote controls
Works on all major brands including LG, Vizio, Sony, Panasonic, Insignia, Sharp, Toshiba, and more
Requires (2) AAA batteries, which are not included
5. Vizio 2.0 Channel Sound Bar
Some television manufacturers have to find ways to cut costs and instead of sacrificing on video quality, they sacrifice on audio. If the audio quality of your television isn’t up to par, consider adding a sound bar.
Vizio’s 2.0 channel sound bar is a great and affordable unit, providing you with 95 dB of room-filling sound with less than 1% total harmonic distortion. This sound bar’s frequency range is 70 Hz to 19 KHz and features built-in Bluetooth so you can listen to your music with a tap of the finger. It provides premium audio with DTS Surround Sound, DTS TruVolume, and DTS TruSurround.
Product Features:95 dB of sound with less than 1% total harmonic distortion
Frequency range: 70 Hz to 19 KHz
Built-in Bluetooth
DTS Surround Sound, DTS TruVolume, and DTS TruSurround
Samsung Televisions Samsung Televisions Synopsis:
Originally founded in 1938 as a trading company, Samsung is a South Korean multinational company that is now one of the world’s largest technology companies, as well as consumer electronics maker and chipmaker. The company as we know it entered the electronics industry in the late 1960s and is now one of the largest television manufacturers in the world.
Along with smartphones, tablets, and televisions, Samsung’s products can also be found in your kitchen in the form of high-tech refrigerators. The company’s influence in the television industry is second-to-none and has consistently delivered solid products to the market. With a wide variety of offerings, Samsung’s televisions appeal to a broad group of consumers with different needs and desires.
That doesn’t mean the company’s televisions are perfect. Samsung’s HD, 4K, 8K, and LED televisions do have a range of issues that affect a variety of their devices. Let’s take a look at three of the most common problems found on Samsung’s televisions.
Common Problems for Samsung Televisions App IssuesAs we mentioned before, the majority of televisions available today have smartphone-esque features that allow you to access various apps and services in today’s connected world. That includes popular services such as Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Although you can get access to those with devices like a Roku or Apple TV, having them baked into the television makes it easier to use.
Unfortunately, integration with those apps isn’t flawless. Many users run into issues with the apps freezing, video not buffering, slow loading times, and lag. And although Samsung has expanded the number of apps available on its televisions, there are still some notable ones missing such as VRV and Crunchyroll.
These issues may not directly affect the picture or sound quality of the television, but consumers should be aware of the problems since streaming apps have become one of the leading ways to watch media. If using these apps are a significant selling point during the buying process, you’ll have to decide whether you want to use a separate device such as a Roku or Apple TV for streaming services.
That being said, Samsung is constantly updating its televisions’ firmware and the apps to resolve some of these issues. Again, keep in mind that not all popular streaming services are available on every television, so if it’s important to you, make sure to check that a particular service is available before buying that model television.
If you are running into app issues on your Samsung television, here are some suggestions.
The FixMake sure your television has a good connection to the internet whether it’s through WiFi or a direct Ethernet connection.
Run the internet setup found in the settings of your television to test the connection, ensuring it’s good enough for streaming content, especially if you’re trying to stream 4K content.
If a specific app freezes or won’t load for any reason, do a cold boot on the television. There are a few ways to do this, but the easiest is to hold down the Power button on the Samsung television remote until the television turns off and on again—this normally takes about 5 seconds.
If you are using a universal remote, or can’t do a cold boot with the Samsung remote, unplug the television from the wall outlet or surge protector, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.
If your Samsung television uses a Smart Hub, you can look in the settings menu for a way to reset the Smart Hub. This should be done as a last resort however.
If you’re tired of dealing with the built-in Samsung apps, you can get yourself a streaming media player. There are plenty of options available at an affordable price, here are a few recommendations:
1. Roku ExpressThe Roku Express is an extremely popular device thanks to its price and how easy it is to setup. Simply plug it into your television with the included high-speed HDMI cable, configure your internet connection, and you can start streaming. It features a straightforward and intuitive interface and easy-to-use remote, getting you access to popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, and much more.
Product Features:Easy setup with included high-speed HDMI cable
Straightforward and intuitive user interface
Convenient remote
Access to popular streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, and more
2. Apple TV
If you’re a fan of Apple devices and willing to spend a bit more of your hard-earned cash, take a look at the Apple TV 4K device. Unlike the Roku Express, which supports HD, the Apple TV is capable of streaming 4K HDR (high dynamic range) content with Dolby Vision and HDR10, along with Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound. If you’re used to using an Apple iPhone, voice search by asking the Siri Remote will be second nature. You can also view photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad on your television. Naturally you’ll have easy access to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, and more—along with Apple’s upcoming new streaming service.
Product Features:4K HDR streaming device with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound capabilities
Powered by Apple’s A10X Fusion chip for ultra-fast graphics and performance
Voice search with Siri Remote
Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards
View photos and videos from your iOS device on your television
Access to thousands of apps including Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, and more
3. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
If you want 4K streaming capability but don’t want to shell out the money for an Apple TV 4K, take a look at Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K. Like the Roku Express, it’s an affordable and easy-to-use option, and this device plugs straight into an HDMI port on your television, so you don’t even need an HDMI cable. It uses a built-in WiFi antenna that has been optimized for 4K streaming and you can launch and control content using Alexa Voice Remote, which is handy if you have any Echo devices in your household. Get access to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and more.
Along with 4K support, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K also has Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+. You can experience immersive sound with Dolby Atmos on select Prime Video titles.
Product Features:4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos support
WiFi antenna design is optimized for 4K Ultra HD streaming
Launch and control content using Alexa Voice Remote
Access to plenty of apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and more
Extremely easy to setup and use
WiFi Issues
Smart televisions need an internet connection in order to take advantage of their apps, and typically that means WiFi connectivity. While some televisions do have built-in Ethernet ports, wired internet connections typically do not suffer from any sort of major issues. That’s not the case when it comes to wireless connections, and some of Samsung’s televisions are problematic in this department.
Fixya users report experiencing spotty and unreliable WiFi connections with their Samsung televisions, causing issues with streaming services. Other users have trouble setting up their wireless connections and know that it isn’t due to a bad network or router since their other devices connect just fine.
That means the television itself is the reason for spotty wireless connectivity, which is an issue if you’re relying on the internet for your media content.
If you’re experiencing WiFi issues with your Samsung television, here are some suggestions.
The FixMake sure your Samsung television is up-to-date with its software. Check for any software updates from your main menu and update if necessary.
Similar to experiencing issues with your apps on your Samsung television, you can try doing a cold boot to see if it resolves any WiFi issues. The easiest way to do this is to hold down the Power button on your Samsung remote until the television turns off and on again—this normally takes about 5 seconds.
If you are using a universal remote, or can’t do a cold boot with the Samsung remote, unplug the television from the wall outlet or surge protector, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.
If your television supports a wired connection but you can’t easily get an Ethernet cable to the television, purchase a WiFi extender so you can easily route a cable to your television. This also makes for a cleaner install.
If your WiFi connection is stable but you’re having issues buffering or streaming content, you may need to purchase a new router. Streaming 4K content requires a lot of bandwidth and older wireless routers may not be able to keep up.
1. NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender
Using a WiFi range extender allows you to expand your WiFi coverage if your television is far away from your router. But if that’s not the case and your Samsung television just has issues connecting to your router, you can also use the WiFi extender to directly hook an Ethernet cable to your television so you no longer have to deal with using a wireless connection. This particular WiFi extender from NETGEAR adds WiFi coverage up to 1,000 square feet and provides up to 750Mbps performance when using dual band and patented FastLane technology.
More importantly, it has a wired Ethernet port so you can run a cable directly to your television while installing the extender in a subtle location behind your television.
Product Features:Extends wireless coverage up to 1,000 square feet
AC750 WiFi speed—up to 750Mbps performance
Works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with WiFi
Wired 10/100M Ethernet port
2. TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
If your current router is a few years old, you could get a stronger and better WiFi connection by purchasing a new router. An affordable option comes from TP-Link with the AC1750 wireless router. This particular dual band router offers up to 1750Mbps speeds (450mbps for 2.4GHz + 1300Mbps for 5GHz), making it ideal for 4K streaming. With 4 Gigabit LAN ports, you can also connect multiple devices directly to the router. It also works with Alexa, so you can control the product through Alexa devices.
Product Features:Dual band router offering 1750Mbps (450mbps for 2.4GHz + 1300Mbps for 5GHz)
3 external antennas
4 Gigabit LAN ports
Integrated USB port to easily share content across the network
2 year and free 24/7 technical support
Viewing Angle
Naturally, not all televisions are created equally and if you’re doing in depth research on a particular Samsung display, there’s a good chance you’ll hear complaints about viewing angle. Although Samsung has a long history of producing high-quality televisions that deliver crisp colors and solid picture quality, some of their televisions do suffer from poor viewing angles.
This occurs when users are sitting to the side of the television rather than looking at it directly straight on. So while viewers sitting directly in front of the screen get to appreciate a great picture, those off to the side can’t say the same. Poor viewing angles normally result in a decrease of picture quality, with unnatural color desaturation and an overall “washed out” look that appears to reduce the sharpness of the image.
This issue doesn’t pose a huge problem if you’re not often entertaining a group of guests, or you know you’ll have direct line-of-sight with your television. But if you do have a seating arrangement setup at an angle that isn’t directly in front of the television, those viewers might not get an optimal experience.
Issues with viewing angles are caused by the display that is being used in the television, which means there isn’t exactly an easy way to fix the problem. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a solution at all.
The FixIf you’re not satisfied with the viewing angle of your Samsung television, look into an adjustable wall mount. This will allow you to easily adjust the angle of your television, compensating for any issues you may experience while viewing the display.
The ideal wall mount offers full motion adjustability so that it can tilt, swivel, and extend in every direction.
1. ECHOGEAR Full Motion Articulating TV Wall Mount
Constructed from heavy-gauge steel so it supports television screens up to 125 pounds is ECHOGEAR’s full motion articulating TV wall mount. This wall mount offers up to 22” of extension, 130° of swivel, and 15° of tilt, so you can fine tune and adjust for the optimal viewing angle. It’s designed to accommodate almost any VESA pattern, which means it’ll be compatible with most major television brands, including Samsung.
Product Features:Heavy-gauge steel construction to support screens up to 125 lbs
Extends up to 22”
130° of swivel
15° of tilt
Accommodates almost any VESA pattern, compatible with most televisions
Vizio Televisions Vizio Televisions Synopsis:
In recent years, the Vizio brand has grown from being a small television manufacturer based in Irvine, California to a household name. Although it doesn’t produce products on the same scale as competitors such as LG, Samsung and Sony, Vizio captures a decent market share by focusing on quality displays at an affordable price.
Although we aren’t here to compare prices on televisions, it’s worth mentioning that one of Vizio’s main selling points is its pricing, and buyers should be aware of that fact when shopping for a new television.
Affordability comes at a price however, and there are numerous problems associated with Vizio televisions. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ones.
Common Problems for Vizio Televisions Remote ControlThe remote control may be one of the most basic features of a television, but it’s also the main device you use to interact with the display. That means having issues with the remote isn’t ideal and unfortunately for many Vizio owners on Fixya, problems with the remote control are common.
These issues vary in severity across a wide range of Vizio offerings. Some users report their remotes don’t work at all, or in some cases, only the volume buttons work. For others, only a certain segment of buttons does not respond to inputs, while others say the mute button won’t unmute the television—they have to adjust the volume instead. Other issues include the remote not sending commands to the television, or working correctly one moment only for it to have issues the next time they pick it up.
Naturally, a remote that doesn’t do what you need it to do is a frustrating experience when you’re using your television. Luckily, there are some things you can try to resolve these issues, although one of them costs you money but does add convenience.
The FixThis may seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Check to make sure the batteries in your remote control work before moving onto other steps.
Make sure nothing is blocking or interfering with the infrared (IR) sensor on your television. If there is something in the way, move it and then test the remote again.
If certain buttons aren’t receiving inputs, you can try to power cycle the remote. Pull the batteries out of the remote, and push every button on the remote to make sure none are stuck or wedged down.
If you’re experiencing intermittent issues with your remote, the problem could be with the television itself. Power cycle the television by unplugging it from the power outlet, waiting about 30 seconds, and plugging it back in.
If all else fails and nothing works for your Vizio remote, consider investing into a universal remote control. These devices will allow you to control more than your television, which comes in handy if you’re using a receiver or media player with your television.
1. GE Universal Remote Control
If you’re unable to get the Vizio remote that came with your television to work, there are plenty of universal remote control options. One extremely affordable choice is GE’s universal remote control, which allows you to operate up to 4 different audio and video components including televisions, Blu-Ray/DVD players, cable/satellite receivers, streaming media players, and more. This universal remote will work with all major brands and supports thousands of the latest audio/video equipment. It does not however, work with the Roku streaming stick, Amazon Fire TV stick, and other RF streaming devices.
Product Features:Control up to 4 different audio/video components
Includes most common buttons found on remote controls
Works on all major brands including LG, Vizio, Sony, Panasonic, Insignia, Sharp, Toshiba, and more
Requires (2) AAA batteries, which are not included
2. Logitech Harmony 650 All-in-One Remote Control
If you’re willing to spend a bit more on a universal remote, consider one of the many options from Logitech. The Harmony 650 supports up to 8 devices, allowing you to replace up to 8 remotes in your living room. This universal remote control features a bright color screen and one-touch activity buttons that turns on all the devices associated with that activity.
The Logitech Harmony 650 is compatible with over 225,000 devices from over 6,000 brands.
Product Features:Support for 8 devices
Bright color screen
One-touch activity buttons
Compatible with over 225,000 devices from over 6,000 brands
Sound
In recent years, Vizio’s brand popularity has increased thanks to how affordable its televisions are. Generally, Vizio’s products provide a quality viewing experience at a price lower than its competitors, but some Fixya users report issues with the sound quality from their Vizio televisions. Overall, Vizio owners say their televisions don’t produce a comparable listening experienced compared to the majority of competitor’s models.
Issues range from “flat” sound that lacks depth and doesn’t have much bass, to an airy quality no matter how high the volume is set. Other users report their televisions making a humming sound when it’s being used, which gets louder as the sound volume gets higher. Unfortunately these sort of issues can ruin the viewing experience and is disappointing to users who expect the audio quality to match the picture quality.
If you’re experiencing sound issues with your Vizio television, here are some suggestions and recommendations.
The FixStart with the simple things and check to make sure the volume level of your television isn’t set to zero and that the television isn’t muted.
Make sure your television’s speakers are turned on by navigating through the menu to “Audio” or “Audio Settings” and make sure it says “On” next to the “TV Speakers” setting.
Check to make sure all the cables connected to your television are securely connected. It won’t hurt to disconnect and reconnect all the cables.
If you’re experiencing audio fluctuations where voices are too quiet and background noises are too loud, you can try turning off the “DTS TruSurround” setting on your television. You can find this setting in the “Audio” menu under the “Surround Sound” option.
If that doesn’t help, you can also try turning off “DTS TruVolume” under the “Volume Leveling” option in the “Audio” menu.
If your sound issues have to do with the quality of the television’s speakers, you’ll want to look into purchasing a sound bar or external speakers for your television.
1. Vizio 2.0 Channel Sound Bar
It might sound strange to recommend a Vizio sound bar when you’re experiencing audio issues with your Vizio television, but there’s a reason why Vizio’s televisions are more affordable compared to the competition. The company has to make compromises somewhere to bring the cost of their televisions down, and in some cases, it’s by using poor quality speakers.
Vizio’s 2.0 channel sound bar however, is a great and affordable sound bar, providing you with 95 dB of room-filling sound with less than 1% total harmonic distortion. This sound bar’s frequency range is 70 Hz to 19 KHz and features built-in Bluetooth so you can listen to your music with a tap of the finger. It provides premium audio with DTS Surround Sound, DTS TruVolume, and DTS TruSurround.
Product Features:95 dB of sound with less than 1% total harmonic distortion
Frequency range: 70 Hz to 19 KHz
Built-in Bluetooth
DTS Surround Sound, DTS TruVolume, and DTS TruSurround
2. Bose Solo 5 Sound Bar
If you’re not keen on spending money on a Vizio sound bar, you can’t go wrong with a Bose offering. The Solo 5 is a popular sound bar, designed to deliver more distinct dialogue, richer soundtracks and effects, as well as deeper bass. It’s a simple solution that offers flexible placement options and even has a dialogue mode so every word is clear and easier to understand. This sound bar also supports Bluetooth connectivity, so you can wirelessly stream music from any of your devices. It also includes a universal remote, so you can control your television and other devices from one source.
Product Features:Easy to setup
Dialogue mode for clear audio
Bluetooth connectivity
Universal remote
Flexible placement
App Issues
As we detailed with Samsung televisions, manufacturers are incorporating apps to make streaming content as seamless as possible. Unfortunately, like Samsung, Vizio’s integration of those apps hasn’t been flawless.
Although the apps are always being updated and added, Vizio’s app selection is a bit on the weaker side compared to other streaming devices from Roku or even a video game console like the Sony PlayStation 4. More importantly however, Fixya users report the apps on Vizio’s televisions often experience slow loading times and are laggy while streaming. Others say they have issues even connecting to the apps.
If you’re experiencing issues with the apps on your Vizio television, try these suggestions.
The FixCheck to make sure your Vizio television is connected to the internet. Go under the “Network” section in the menu and select “Test Connection” to verify you have a good connection to the internet.
Power cycle your television by turning off your television and unplugging the power cord. Wait for about 15 seconds before plugging your television back in.
If those recommendations don’t work, attempt to reset your Vizio television back to factory default settings by going under “System” in the menu, then “Reset and Admin,” then “Reset TV to Factory Defaults.”
Like our recommendations for Samsung televisions that experience issues with their apps, you can always purchase a separate streaming device.
If you’re tired of dealing with the built-in Vizio apps, you can get yourself a streaming media player. There are plenty of options available at an affordable price, here are a few recommendations:
1. Roku Express
The Roku Express is an extremely popular device thanks to its price and how easy it is to setup. Simply plug it into your television with the included high-speed HDMI cable, configure your internet connection, and you can start streaming. It features a straightforward and intuitive interface and easy-to-use remote, getting you access to popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, and much more.
Product Features:Easy setup with included high-speed HDMI cable
Straightforward and intuitive user interface
Convenient remote
Access to popular streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, and more
2. Apple TV
If you’re a fan of Apple devices and willing to spend a bit more of your hard-earned cash, take a look at the Apple TV 4K device. Unlike the Roku Express, which supports HD, the Apple TV is capable of streaming 4K HDR (high dynamic range) content with Dolby Vision and HDR10, along with Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound. If you’re used to using an Apple iPhone, voice search by asking the Siri Remote will be second nature. You can also view photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad on your television. Naturally you’ll have easy access to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, and more—along with Apple’s upcoming new streaming service.
Product Features:4K HDR streaming device with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound capabilities
Powered by Apple’s A10X Fusion chip for ultra-fast graphics and performance
Voice search with Siri Remote
Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards
View photos and videos from your iOS device on your television
Access to thousands of apps including Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, and more
3. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
If you want 4K streaming capability but don’t want to shell out the money for an Apple TV 4K, take a look at Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K. Like the Roku Express, it’s an affordable and easy-to-use option, and this device plugs straight into an HDMI port on your television, so you don’t even need an HDMI cable. It uses a built-in WiFi antenna that has been optimized for 4K streaming and you can launch and control content using Alexa Voice Remote, which is handy if you have any Echo devices in your household. Get access to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and more.
Along with 4K support, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K also has Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+. You can experience immersive sound with Dolby Atmos on select Prime Video titles.
Product Features:4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos support
WiFi antenna design is optimized for 4K Ultra HD streaming
Launch and control content using Alexa Voice Remote
Access to plenty of apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and more
Extremely easy to setup and use
Sony Televisions
Sony Televisions Synopsis:
Like Samsung and LG in this report, Sony is a well-known, multinational brand that specializes in a variety of consumer electronics. One of its most popular product lines is its family of television offerings, with a wide variety of styles, designs, and functionalities. Although Sony’s television business is widespread, that particular segment hasn’t been very profitable for Sony over the years.
This isn’t necessarily due to the quality of Sony’s televisions however, but rather it can be attributed to other factors such as research and development, production, manufacturing, and other business-related expenditures.
Among owners, Sony’s televisions are generally well-respected and there are plenty of options to choose from for consumers. But despite being a major brand name, Sony’s televisions do have its fair share of issues that consumers should be aware of when shopping.
We'll break down some of the most common issues below.
Common Problems for Sony Televisions Internet FunctionalityLike many other televisions that rely on an internet connection to access streaming services such as Netflix, Sony’s televisions often have issues with weak connectivity when it comes to WiFi, resulting in slow internet speeds. Many Fixya users report their Sony televisions’ wireless experience to be lacking, with problems ranging from spotty and unreliable connection to slow load times, difficulty getting online, and intermittent coverage that comes and goes depending on the time users are accessing the device.
Many of these issues aren’t due to a faulty internet connection either, as users say their WiFi is working correctly on other connected devices including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. That means these connection issues can be attributed to the television itself, which is inconvenient since the internet is often used to stream content to the television.
If you’re experiencing internet connectivity problems with your Sony television, here are some suggestions.
The FixCheck to make sure a valid IP address has been assigned to the television. You can do this by going to the “Menu” and select “Settings.” Under the “Settings” category, select “Network” and then “View Network Status.” Make sure the IP address that has been assigned is within your home network.
Make sure your WiFi signal strength is strong. If your WiFi signal strength is weak, you will want to move the television closer to your router, or install a WiFi extender so you can get a better signal near your television.
You can also experience issues if your television is too close to your router. Sony recommends that your television and router are at least 3 feet apart.
Check to see if there are any devices in range of the television that could cause electromagnetic interference. That includes microwave ovens, cordless phones, garage door openers, and wireless toys. Do what you can to keep your television away from those devices.
If your router supports multiple frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), try a different frequency with your television.
Restart both your router and your television by unplugging both devices from their power outlets. Wait 30 seconds before plugging them back in and check to make sure you have a strong connection.
If your router is fairly old, you may want to invest into a newer model that can provide more widespread coverage.
1. NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender
Using a WiFi range extender allows you to expand your WiFi coverage if your television is far away from your router. But if that’s not the case and your Sony television just has issues connecting to your router, you can also use the WiFi extender to directly hook an Ethernet cable to your television so you no longer have to deal with using a wireless connection. This particular WiFi extender from NETGEAR adds WiFi coverage up to 1,000 square feet and provides up to 750Mbps performance when using dual band and patented FastLane technology.
More importantly, it has a wired Ethernet port so you can run a cable directly to your television while installing the extender in a subtle location behind your television.
Product Features:Extends wireless coverage up to 1,000 square feet
AC750 WiFi speed—up to 750Mbps performance
Works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with WiFi
Wired 10/100M Ethernet port
2. TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
If your current router is a few years old, you could get a stronger and better WiFi connection by purchasing a new router. An affordable option comes from TP-Link with the AC1750 wireless router. This particular dual band router offers up to 1750Mbps speeds (450mbps for 2.4GHz + 1300Mbps for 5GHz), making it ideal for 4K streaming. With 4 Gigabit LAN ports, you can also connect multiple devices directly to the router. It also works with Alexa, so you can control the product through Alexa devices.
Product Features:Dual band router offering 1750Mbps (450mbps for 2.4GHz + 1300Mbps for 5GHz)
3 external antennas
4 Gigabit LAN ports
Integrated USB port to easily share content across the network
2 year and free 24/7 technical support
Picture Quality
Sony televisions are well known for providing great picture quality, but that’s not always the case depending on the source material. Generally, users will experience good picture quality when watching television through a cable or satellite receiver, or a movie via a Blu-Ray or DVD player. Some Fixya users however, report picture quality issues when watching online streaming content, or a digital file that is being streamed from a computer or another media device.
With more and more television users “cutting the cord” and switching to online streaming services, it’s worth noting there are picture quality issues when using some of those sources.
There are ways to fine tune your watching experience, by adjusting the picture quality to fit your source material. If you’re finding the picture quality of your Sony television to be subpar, try a few of these recommendations.
The FixIf you notice poor picture quality while using Netflix, you can check if your Sony television has a “Netflix Calibrated Mode.” According to the experts over at RTINGS.com
, this picture mode is only available when the native Netflix app is opened. RTINGS.com recommends leaving all the settings as they are, except for brightness, which should be adjusted to your viewing conditions. The site did note that it didn’t notice any significant benefit to using Sony’s Netflix Calibrated Mode, so you can always try turning it off to see if it improves picture quality.
By default, many Sony televisions use numerous picture enhancement features that could have an adverse effect on picture quality. Some of these features include Black Adjust, Auto Contrast Enhancer, Live Color, Random Noise Reduction, and Digital Noise Reduction. Try toggling some of those settings on and off to see if they improve picture quality.
Check the “Sharpness” setting on your television and adjust as necessary to improve the picture quality.
If the poor picture quality is actually caused by poor viewing angle, you may want to consider an adjustable wall mount so you can setup the television for a better viewing experience.
1. ECHOGEAR Full Motion Articulating TV Wall Mount
Constructed from heavy-gauge steel so it supports television screens up to 125 pounds is ECHOGEAR’s full motion articulating TV wall mount. This wall mount offers up to 22” of extension, 130° of swivel, and 15° of tilt, so you can fine tune and adjust for the optimal viewing angle. It’s designed to accommodate almost any VESA pattern, which means it’ll be compatible with most major television brands, including Sony.
Product Features:Heavy-gauge steel construction to support screens up to 125 lbs
Extends up to 22”
130° of swivel
15° of tilt
Accommodates almost any VESA pattern, compatible with most televisions
Color Discrepancy
Fixya users who own Sony televisions also mention color discrepancies on their displays, ranging from blacks being too light to colors being fuzzy and not well defined. Some owners also say greens are a bit too neon, while slight shading and blurring occurs around the edges of the screen. What’s interesting, however, is that many of these issues are fleeting in nature depending on the content. For some sources, the colors are exceptional and well-defined, while other sources, there are some issues with colors being displayed properly.
There are numerous color and saturation settings you can go through on your television to fine tune the settings. This is typically a tedious process but properly calibrating your television can have great results. The problem then becomes whether those calibrated settings can be universally used for all your viewing content. It becomes particularly annoying if you need to change your settings each time you watch a different type of movie, or playing a video game.
If you feel like your Sony television is having some issues with displaying colors properly, try some of these recommendations.
The FixStart by adjusting the color tone of your picture to suit your personal preferences. Some of these options found in the menu include backlight, picture, brightness, color, hue, color temperature, and contrast.
Backlight allows you to adjust the brightness of the backlight. This is a bit different than the actual brightness of the picture. When changing the backlight, you’re altering the intensity of the fluorescent lamp behind the screen, which makes the picture more intense.
Adjusting the picture will affect the picture contrast, while brightness directly impacts how bright the pixels are on the screen. You can also adjust the color intensity if your colors are desaturated or too saturated.
Configuring the hue will adjust the green and red tones, while color temperature adjusts the whiteness of the picture.
You can also adjust the picture settings for each input source, which means certain settings for watching cable television, and a different setting for watching Blu-Ray movies, or playing video games.
If you have the patience and time, we highly recommend doing a proper calibration of your television set for the best experience. You can pay for a professional calibration or you can try to do it yourself.
1. Disney WOW: World of Wonder
The experts at AVSforum.com and DigitalTrends.com
both recommend Disney’s WOW: World of Wonder DVD or Blu-Ray to calibrate your television at home. It’s simple to use and you don’t have to be any sort of tech expert to understand the how-to steps for calibration.
WOW is basically a tutorial disc that will help calibrate the sound and picture with easy step-by-step guides and is great for both beginners and enthusiasts or experts. It also comes with clips from popular Disney titles including Toy Story, Up,Bolt, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End>. Product Features:
Easy-to-use calibration disc
Tutorial disc that helps setup sound and picture with step-by-step guides
Includes HD demo clips from popular Disney and Pixar movies
2. Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark and Calibration Disc
If you want something more technical and advanced, take a look at Spears & Munsil’s HD Benchmark and Calibration Disc. This calibration disc covers 3D stereoscopic calibration and evaluation patterns, audio tests for speaker setup, calibration, and A/V sync, motion patterns to evaluate 120Hz and 240Hz interpolation modes, and more. It features a very intuitive menu interface to guide you step-by-step with plenty of tools for a beginner and patterns for more advanced users.
Product Features:3D stereoscopic calibration and evaluation patterns
Audio tests for speaker setup, calibration, and A/V sync
Motion patterns to evaluate 120Hz and 240Hz interpolation modes
Easy to follow steps for the home theater beginner
Patterns for the advanced user or professional calibrator
LG Televisions
LG Televisions Synopsis:
The final brand we’ll look at is LG, which is also another large multinational company that specializes in various industries including electronics, chemicals, and telecommunications. Along with televisions, LG’s electronics division also produces mobile devices such as phones and tablets, smartwatches, and even home appliances.
When it comes to televisions, LG was one of the first companies to produce smart televisions with internet connectivity in 2007. Naturally, those features has become an integral part of its television products to this day. More recent LG televisions feature remote controls with voice recognition technology and gesture-based commands, which allow users to control their television without having to physically touch the remote.
Although LG does integrate advanced features and continues to stay at the forefront of technology, there are still some common issues owners experience when using their televisions. We’ll take a look at some of these problems now.
Common Problems for LG TelevisionsDimming Feature
Ideally, your television’s picture quality remains strong and consistent throughout the watching experience. This isn’t the case with some LG televisions however, due to their dimming feature. On paper, this is a beneficial feature that automatically dims the screen when it’s not being used. Along with saving power, auto dimming is designed to prevent burn-in on the screen, which happens when a picture or a specific element stays in the same position on the display. For example, if you pause a movie, video game, or show, having the screen at full power could imprint that image onto the screen after a period of time. This negatively alters the screen, affecting the crispness of the picture. In extreme cases, that image or element can be seen anytime you use the television.
LG’s auto dimming feature aims to prevent that from happening, but it does cause problems for some owners. Fixya users report their LG televisions will sometimes dim the media content even when the television is in use, flickering back and forth between dimming and normal viewing. In addition, if the content being played is naturally dark, the dimming feature has a tendency to make it even darker. Some users have more issues when playing video games, with auto dimming turning on when it’s not needed.
If you’re experiencing issues with your LG television’s auto dimming feature, or your picture seems to be too dark, try out these recommendations.
The FixThe most simple fix is to turn off the auto dimming (or similar) feature. To do this, navigate through the menu by selecting “Settings,” then “Advanced,” then “Picture.” From there, select the “Energy Saving” option and turn it off.
For some LG television models, users recommend setting the “Black Level” to “High” in the menu. This should prevent the television from auto dimming in dark scenes.
Another recommendation found on AVSforum.com
says to set the HDMI input name to “PC” to deal with auto dimming issues.
Unfortunately if you’re continuing to experience auto dimming issues with your LG television, there aren’t any recommended products to fix them. In this case, you may need to consider purchasing a different television.
Wall MountingThere are several benefits to mounting a television onto your wall. Not only does this conserve space, but it allows you to have a much “cleaner” install that gives you an overall better viewing experience with no clutter around your television. A fully adjustable wall mount also gives you the ability to adjust the television for better viewing angles, especially if you’re hosting a party of people.
Unfortunately, some LG televisions are frustrating to wall mount due to how the back inputs on those particular televisions are designed. Fixya users note that this isn’t a safety issue—meaning televisions aren’t falling off their wall mounts—but rather accessing the inputs on the television once it’s mounted becomes troublesome.
For some users, it was difficult to plug in any sort of cables once the television was mounted onto the wall, including connecting the power cable. Making any changes was tedious and frustrating since the mount was getting in the way of the inputs.
While there isn’t an extremely easy way to fix this issue since it’s due to the design of the television itself, there are some recommendations.
The FixIf you plan on mounting your television on the wall, plug everything you plan on using to the back of the television before attaching it to the mount. This way, you don’t have to fuss with the inputs after the television is on the wall.
Although the above recommendation may solve any issues you run into the first time you mount the television, it doesn’t help you if you plan on adding any new devices at a later date. In this case, we recommend purchasing a fully adjustable television mount, so you can easily access the back ports by moving the television away from the wall.
1. ECHOGEAR Full Motion Articulating TV Wall Mount
Constructed from heavy-gauge steel so it supports television screens up to 125 pounds is ECHOGEAR’s full motion articulating TV wall mount. This wall mount offers up to 22” of extension, 130° of swivel, and 15° of tilt, so you can fine tune and adjust for the optimal viewing angle. It’s designed to accommodate almost any VESA pattern, which means it’ll be compatible with most major television brands, including LG.
Product Features:Heavy-gauge steel construction to support screens up to 125 lbs
Extends up to 22”
130° of swivel
15° of tilt
Accommodates almost any VESA pattern, compatible with most televisions
Screen Problems
Generally, LG televisions produce a quality picture with good colors, but some users report issues with how their displays handle rapid movement on the screen, along with slight shadowing around the edges of the television.
Motion blurring issues occur when rapid movement is happening on the screen. This is often seen in all forms of entertainment, from fast-moving pictures in action films, to sporting events. Issues with motion blur poses issues with television owners, since it detracts significantly from the viewing experience and also reduces clarity on the screen.
In addition to motion blurring issues, Fixya users also report slight shadowing around the edges of the screen, resulting in some picture distortion and a lack of defined colors in that area. This naturally reduces the quality of the picture, but the shadowing also results in an uneven tone to the content on the screen. As a result, LG television owners feel that their display is below the standards of what they’d expect.
If you’re experiencing either of these screen problems with your LG television, take a look at some recommendations below.
The FixIf motion blurring is affecting your watching experience, you can try turning off what LG calls TruMotion. This is typically found under the “Picture” settings menu, under “Picture Options.” Look for the “TruMotion” setting and turn it off to see if the picture improves. You can also try the other options to see what suits your preferences.
Going further into the TruMotion settings, you can also configure the “De-Judder” and “De-Blur” values. According to tomsguide.com
De-Blur will reduce the smearing that occurs when fast-moving objects move across the screen. De-Judder aims to reduce choppiness with the display. The higher the De-Judder value, the more artifacts you’ll see during fast motion.
If your television is experiencing shadowy spots, there’s a good chance the LED backlight is going bad. The only real solution for this issue is to purchase a new television, or have the display panel swapped for a new one—which could cost just as much as a new television. If you want a temporary fix, try lowering the backlight setting on your television. This won’t fully resolve the issue, but it could improve your picture quality.
Since these issues have to do with the screen itself, there aren’t any recommended products you can try, other than purchasing a new television.
