How-To Geek - Audio/Video

I stopped letting my smart TV spy on me—a $50 Raspberry Pi made it dumb again

Nick Lewis — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:00:13 GMT

Most smart TVs do more than display images and videos—they collect information. Sometimes, that information is just about your viewing habits using automated content recognition (ACR). Other times, your TV records snippets of conversations or information about other devices on the network or in Wi-Fi range.

Amazon's redesigned Fire TV Stick 4K draws power from your TV

Jon Fingas — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:20:33 GMT

Amazon is overhauling its media streaming devices. The shopping giant has not only introduced a revamped Fire TV Stick 4K, but is slimming down its lineup and promising more software upgrades.

Wired earbuds are back, and Bose's new noise-cancelling pair shows they're not a gimmick

Jon Fingas — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:03:16 GMT

Wired earbuds are suddenly trendy, and Bose wants to seize the moment by launching its Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds. In theory, they offer the best features of true wireless earbuds without the hassles of Bluetooth connections or charging.

Google TV is winning by doing nothing as Fire TV and Roku self-destruct

Jon Fingas — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:30:14 GMT

Google TV is popular, but it hasn't had an easy fight against Amazon's Fire TV and Roku devices. It's not hard to see why. Not only are there many Fire TV and Roku sets, but there's also a wider variety of devices: there's just one Google TV Streamer, but multiple Amazon and Roku media players.

I added a cheap DVR to my TV antenna and skipped another monthly fee

Rich Hein — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 18:30:14 GMT

I’ve been using an OTA antenna for TV for a while. I hate monthly subscriptions and this is another way I can make the most out of what’s available for zero cost. I can access all the major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, but if there is a specific show I want to watch, I have to be there when it starts and watch until it’s over. Network shows, NFL games, and reruns are all there, but what I really miss most is being able to watch them when I want, and more importantly, fast-forward through the commercials.

I love my home theater setup, but this one thing nearly ended me

Derek Malcolm — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 15:00:14 GMT

It’s been a couple of years since I turned my back on the organic light-emitting diodes and quantum dots of modern TVs in favor of my beloved ultra-short-throw projector. Its bright and clear image beamed onto a big 100-inch ALR screen has turned my living room into a movie theater that rivals some of my city’s repertory cinemas, and it’s the best home theater experience I’ve ever had.

VLC is too messy and MPV is too bare, but this open-source video player hits the sweet spot

Goran Damnjanovic — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 11:00:14 GMT

There's no denying that VLC is one of the most powerful video players on Windows. On the surface, it's simple enough, but once you dig in, you'll find a deluge of hidden features, such as viewing and recording your webcam feed or converting media files. Most of these features, though, are superfluous for regular users who just want to watch videos.

Is your Xbox Series X or PS5 as good as a Blu-ray player?

Timothy Jacob Hudson — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:30:14 GMT

These days, streaming is the king of movies. But a few of us still enjoy owning a physical Blu-ray disc. You used to need a Blu-ray player for them, but now gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 can do that. Even so, it might be worth it to own a dedicated Blu-ray player.

Android Auto ruined my audio quality, and this is the only app that fixed it

David J. Buck — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:30:13 GMT

I find it fascinating that Android Auto can be amazing for a long time, but then I suddenly notice something going subtly wrong. Maybe it's the sudden appearance of Gemini trying to get me to write songs with it while I drive. Or the cable comes loose a bunch of times, and I lose connection (I switched to Android Auto Wirelessbecause of this issue). Sometimes, it's a navigation issue. It can be hit-and-miss. Recently, I was using Android Auto and noticed some dips in audio quality. I looked into it and found an app that took care of the issue for me.

Your 75-inch TV was a mistake, and I know because I bought one too

Sydney Butler — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:30:15 GMT

My first "big-screen" TV was a 51-inch Samsung Plasma, which I held on to for such a long time that I made the leap from 720p straight to 4K in 2016, when I purchased a 55-inch Samsung LED LCD TV. Coming from CRTs, I already thought these TVs were enormous, but standards have changed.