6 things to consider when buying an HD TV

6 things to consider when buying an HD TV

Buyers can choose from various options when looking for brand-new HD TV sets. As HD TVs can be expensive, it is important to consider multiple aspects before buying one. Also, today’s TV sets are equipped with advanced technology and offer many customization options. This makes it important to pick the most suitable television that meets all your requirements. So, here are the 6 things you need to consider when getting a new HD TV:

Screen resolution
This is definitely one of the top things you need to know when getting a new HD TV. Many manufacturers give buyers the option to choose from the latest configurations, like 4K TVs containing 3840×2160 pixels and 8K TVs with a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels. The ultra HD or 4K option offers great signal, sharp picture quality, and greater clarity for even the most miniature objects on the screen. Many films and other visual content are produced in 4K nowadays, making your viewing experience richer. While 8K TVs provide even better picture and video quality, there are very few 8K movies you can buy. So, while 8K TVs will be a good option in the future, you should consider going for HD, Ultra HD, or 4K sets.

Aspect ratio and screen size
HD TVs use a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio (screen width to height). Standard-definition TVs come with a square-like 4:3 aspect ratio. Widescreen HD TVs have a slightly lower diagonal measurement, so a 27-inch HD TV will not seem as tall as a more square-like 27-inch TV. So, standard-definition TV users looking to upgrade to an HD TV with a screen matching the height of their current device should go for larger HD TVs. So, users looking for an HD television with a screen height equivalent to their current 27-inch standard-definition TV can choose 32-inch HD TVs.

Refresh rate
Refresh rate describes how many times per second a picture is refreshed on the screen. Usually, refresh rates of 60 or 120 Hz are considered reasonable. The 120 Hz option is better as the higher rates provide more fluid picture quality.

HDMI and connections
HDTVs with at least 4 or more HDMI ports offer better connectivity with other devices. While buying, you need to ensure that the ports come in the newer HDMI 2.1 format.

Presets
Many HD TVs have preset picture modes to control key settings—contrast, brightness, tint, and more. TVs with several preset options to create custom presets are preferable.

Energy consumption
Energy consumption is another one of the key things you need to know while buying an HD TV. LCD HDTVs consume less power than plasma sets. However, LED-backlit LCDs are even more energy efficient. So, factor in the energy consumption to save on electricity costs.

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5 unique ways to make use of your tablets

Tablets are some of the most popular electronic gadgets in this day and age. What makes them so unique is that they combine the power of a laptop or desktop with the portability and size of a smartphone. However, many individuals are unaware of all the different ways a tablet can be used. Read on to learn about the multiple purposes of tablets and how they can suit your personal and professional requirements. Second monitor One of the many perks of owning a tablet is that it can be used as a screen or monitor. If you prefer to work with multiple monitors, you can use your tablet as a second or third one. Most tablets have the built-in ability to connect to laptops, desktops, and even other tablets. It allows you to extend the screen from one device to the other, making your work much smoother and more manageable. Therefore, if you already have a tablet, you can consider skipping out on expenses on another monitor. To hook up your tablet to your personal computer or laptop, you simply need to use the extend your display function available with your operating system. You can also mirror or duplicate your laptop/desktop display to your tablet. Reading Another great and smart way to use your tablet is to use it as a reader. No more shopping for books and waiting for them to get delivered to your house. You can buy the books online and read them on various ebook applications. If you already have a tablet, you do not need to splurge again on e-readers such as the Kindle. Most tablets can allow you to read any format, including ebooks and comic books. You can also check out news and information applications where you can check out magazines or even read the latest happenings across the globe. Tablets also come with features that make your reading experience more enjoyable. On many new models, you have brightness, low blue-light exposure, or night mode. Drawing tool Your tablet can be connected to your desktop/personal computer and be used as an art book. Yes, you read that right. Many applications and drawing tools on your tablet allow you to use it as a drawing pad. These interactive applications will enable you to redo, undo, save easily, and even erase your work. Digital art is all the rage right now, and the portability of tablets has made them a popular tool for doing art. You may need to invest in a good stylus for your artwork. Controlling electronic appliances Tablets can also control other devices, such as TV or air conditioners. Most new tablets come with inbuilt infrared that can be used to manage your other devices. You must set up the device and connect it to your household appliances. Some tablets also come with remote applications that make it easy to connect your tablet as a remote to other devices. You can also use your tablet to control your refrigerator and washing machine. This is because many of the newer household appliances come with Wi-Fi connectivity and can be managed via an application. Navigation Car dashboards provide the most basic of amenities and features. But you can do much more if you connect your tablet and use it as your car dashboard. Your tablet will allow you to access navigation, music, and even voice commands with ease. If you’re looking to purchase a tablet, you can wait until Black Friday rolls around. Popular brands such as Lenovo, Apple, and Samsung may offer great deals and discounts. You can purchase a tablet of your choice while saving a huge amount.

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4 clever tech gifts to buy for loved ones

The festive season is right around the corner, and it is the perfect time to shop for all your family and friends. So, while you would want all the gifts to be special and perfect for your loved ones, choosing the best gift can require a lot of planning. A great way to make your festive shopping easier is to choose useful gadgets that everyone can use. So, here are some unique gift ideas: Smart mug This is the perfect option if you want to get a handy gadget for a loved one. Smart mugs ensure you get to have your drink at the exact temperature, even if you prepared it a while ago. Most smart mugs can maintain the temperature for up to 90 minutes on a single charge. So, you don’t have to worry about your tea or coffee getting cold if you haven’t had the chance to pick it up as soon as you made it. Smart mugs can also be connected to your smartphone via an application, and you can set the temperature of your choice here. Smart writing set A smart writing set comes with a pen and a book where you can jot down your thoughts and ideas. The set is perfect for everyone. But what makes a smart writing set unique compared to your typical notepad and pen? The pen here is a smart pen, and the book comes with special pages, which means that every stroke of your pen is recorded via an application, so everything you write is saved in real-time. The pen is typically also able to recognize different pages and dates. The best part is that you can then access this information on any device. Portable solar panel A majority of modern essentials run on electricity or rechargeable batteries. So, whether you are at home or away, you have to keep finding outlets to charge these gadgets. This is why a portable solar plan is a perfect option for those who spend a lot of time on the go. The panel charges when exposed to sunlight and can then be used as a charger for smart devices. The panel comes with a USB output to charge phones, battery packs, headphones, and other smaller devices. The portable panel is also foldable and comes with a kickstand. It has a hook to connect it to a backpack, making it the perfect gift for frequent travelers. Smart sleeping aids The sleep industry is undergoing a revolution, as we now see a variety of gadgets that help improve our sleep cycle and the quality of sleep. One of the latest inventions is a sleep aid device that works like a metronome. The devices come with a light system that projects pulsing lights, teaching the user how to fall asleep faster.

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4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
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Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.
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4 popular credit cards for college students

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
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What you must know about guaranteed business loans

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.
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5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.
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How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.
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