I've said it before and I'll say it again, smart TVs are the worst. The extra software is usually clunky enough to get in the way of whatever you actually wanted to watch, and updates don't come as quickly or consistently as they do on standalone streaming devices.

Most models come with some serious privacy issues as well, since companies often use them to track what you watch. Now, there's one more reason to avoid a smart television: You could get hacked.

If you're one of those people who buys a brand-new TV, spends hours straining your back trying to place it in your home entertainment centre (or affix it to your wall) and starts watching your favourite show to celebrate... you missed a crucial step. Your television, new or old, comes with a bunch of settings that are worth exploring to get the best picture quality — or, at least, a picture you're pleased with.

You've bought a new smart TV and you're keen to pair a media server with it. You can't just browse the videos on your file server using the TV's user interface — you'll need a middleman — but before you rush out and grab a Pi, NUC or install Plex on your desktop machine, make sure your humble NAS can't do the job first.

It's that time of year when all the major television makers show off their latest technologies in the war for Aussie lounge rooms. In one corner, Samsung continues to back the LED-backlit LCD camp (let's just call it LED). In the other corner, LG's Ultra HD OLED. Adam Turner recently tried out the 2017 flagship models from both manufacturers. Here is his verdict.

If you just bought a brand new Android TV, or a box that runs the Google OS, you probably want to dive straight in and explore all of the new features. You'll notice right away that it's similar to Android for your phone, but built for the big screen. Still, it can occasionally be tricky to navigate. Here are 6 tips to get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Sony has slashed the RRP on a range of 4K TVs as part of its Click Frenzy sale. If you're looking for a cheap(ish) 4K TV, this is a pretty good bet: each model comes with HDR functionality, 4K X-Reality PRO processing, voice search and in-built Android TV.

If you're looking to upgrade your TV, today is the day to act: JB Hi-Fi is slashing 20 per cent or more off its TV range, including 4K panels from Sony, Panasonic, Samsung and LG. Here are the best deals from JB Hi-Fi's massive TV sale with links to buy online. Prices start at under $200.

So you've just bought yourself a new TV. Whether it's an entry level HD TV, a state-of-the-art 4K panel or something in-between, the second you set it up, there are a few small tweaks that you can do to make it look better than it already does. You can spend zero dollars on this or you can spend a couple of hundred, but the result that you get will be a noticeable improvement.

It's been a while since we've featured an Aldi TV on Dealhacker, but this offer is definitely worth a shout-out: for 799 dollarydoos, you get an enormous 65-inch Ultra HD TV with inbuilt USB media playback and PVR recording. Here's a look at the specifications.

eBay is throwing another "Click & Collect" sale, with 20% off a wide range of products from The Good Guys, Bing Lee, Rays Outdoors, BCF and others. Products on offer include smartphones, laptops, HD TVs, whitegoods, lawnmowers, DIY gadgets and hi-fi gear. Here are the details.

Dear Lifehacker, I like Google Play, I get all my music, apps, docs, mails, news, books, all sorts of things through there, and after reading your article on Game of Thrones, I am considering looking into the movie/video side of things. My biggest issue is that my Google Play interactions are largely from my smartphone. What methods are there to watch my newly acquired HD movies on a TV screen?

Dear Gizmodo, my fiancée and I are about to move into our first home, and our current TV is too big and bulky to mount in the house on the wall where we want our TV. We're not TV connoisseurs and we don't need all the latest and greatest features, we simply want the thinnest TV we can get with adequate image quality. Ideally the TV will be between 42 and 47 inches and $750 or less. Used/refurbished TVs are okay with us. What should we get and where should we look?

It's that time of year again when retailers throw big clearance sales to sell off leftover stock. Here are some of the best bargains from Harvey Norman's half-year clearance sale -- with links to buy online.

Dick Smith is throwing a massive clearance sale this Saturday across all hardware categories -- including 80% off big-ticket items. Yep, Christmas just came early. Here's a look at what you can score on the cheap.

JB Hi-Fi is currently selling the Panasonic TH-55CX700A 55" 4K UHD 3D Smart TV for just $1398. You can also knock a further $70 off the price by signing up to an instant deals membership. Bargain!

Last week we ask you to send in your Ask Lifehacker questions for a chance to win a 50-Inch TCL 4K UHD Smart TV. We received an overwhelming number of responses, but there can be only one winner. Drumroll, please. Here's the lucky winner taking home the grand prize.

To celebrate this year's Melbourne Cup, TCL is offering one of our readers the chance to win a brand new 50-inch 4K UHD TV valued at $1000. To be in the running, all you need to do is ask Lifehacker a question that you desperately want answered -- too easy!

Brief news items for Lifehacker readers, including: 2014 tablet buying guide for Christmas, get a 126cm Sony LED smart TV for $845, is the Nexus 6 the best smartphone ever?

Kogan has just launched a mammoth 65-inch 4K TV for $1599. Despite the low price, the model boasts surprisingly decent specs, including inbuilt WiFi, Smart TV functionality, 3D support and an integrated PVR.