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Expert Q&A Sessions, TVs, Part 2: Are there any specs or features that you think are currently overhyped by TV manufacturers?
Today at
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Question: Are there any specs or features that you think are currently overhyped by TV manufacturers?
Iconian: A few years ago, a big trend was 8K TVs, right? But one Slickdeals, everyone was accurately saying that 8K content does not exist. You can get it out of camcorders and other specialized hardware, but when it comes to streaming services or blu-ray discs, it's incredibly rare.
8K TVs are simply not worth the investment on picture quality alone. However, they are usually the top-tier options from most manufacturers' lineups, so their build quality and features will normally be top-tier too. So the argument can be made for them if you're trying to maximize overall build quality.
Question: That makes sense. So, would you say 8K TVs will likely face the same fate as 3D TVs and curved TVs, where they'll soon just be obsolete?
Iconian: I think 8K TVs are a little different than those two things. An 8K TV isn't an inherently bad TV. It's simply gonna downscale to 4K with no issues. Some high-end TVs may actually upscale some of the 4K media a little bit. I wouldn't spend money on an 8K TV unless it had other features I wanted, but it's possible to justify the purchase even knowing you won't watch much 8K content on it.
With this in mind, I think manufacturers will continue to include one or two 8K models in their lineups, with the understanding that they're more of a niche product and that they'll likely sell one for every 1,000 4K TVs they sell.
Question: Are there particular retailers or brands that consistently show up with strong TV and home theater deals on Slickdeals that shoppers should be watching?
Iconian: The best TV deals tend to come from a small group of retailers—primarily Amazon, Best Buy, and BuyDig (including Beach Camera). As shipping is one of the larger costs for TVs, these stores are usually reliable places to find competitive pricing across a wide range of models.
If you're specifically looking for a high-end OLED, it's also worth checking LG's Employee Purchase Program—if you have access through your company. Those deals often come in 20–30% below any other retailer.
Iconian: A few years ago, a big trend was 8K TVs, right? But one Slickdeals, everyone was accurately saying that 8K content does not exist. You can get it out of camcorders and other specialized hardware, but when it comes to streaming services or blu-ray discs, it's incredibly rare.
8K TVs are simply not worth the investment on picture quality alone. However, they are usually the top-tier options from most manufacturers' lineups, so their build quality and features will normally be top-tier too. So the argument can be made for them if you're trying to maximize overall build quality.
Question: That makes sense. So, would you say 8K TVs will likely face the same fate as 3D TVs and curved TVs, where they'll soon just be obsolete?
Iconian: I think 8K TVs are a little different than those two things. An 8K TV isn't an inherently bad TV. It's simply gonna downscale to 4K with no issues. Some high-end TVs may actually upscale some of the 4K media a little bit. I wouldn't spend money on an 8K TV unless it had other features I wanted, but it's possible to justify the purchase even knowing you won't watch much 8K content on it.
With this in mind, I think manufacturers will continue to include one or two 8K models in their lineups, with the understanding that they're more of a niche product and that they'll likely sell one for every 1,000 4K TVs they sell.
Question: Are there particular retailers or brands that consistently show up with strong TV and home theater deals on Slickdeals that shoppers should be watching?
Iconian: The best TV deals tend to come from a small group of retailers—primarily Amazon, Best Buy, and BuyDig (including Beach Camera). As shipping is one of the larger costs for TVs, these stores are usually reliable places to find competitive pricing across a wide range of models.
If you're specifically looking for a high-end OLED, it's also worth checking LG's Employee Purchase Program—if you have access through your company. Those deals often come in 20–30% below any other retailer.
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