STACK #259 May 2026

TECH FEATURE

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ACCESSORY NECESSITIES!

You’ve just taken delivery of your new smart TV, so it’s movie time, right? Absolutely! But you may want – or need - to consider some extras first to complete or enhance the experience. Words Bec Summer

HDMI cables

TV wall mounts

Remotes

Smart TVs aren’t just screens – they’re also hubs for all sorts of gear. You could be plugging in a games console, a soundbar, a 4K Blu-ray player, a streaming box, or even a PC, and this is where HDMI comes in. But not all HDMI cables are created equal... While spending big on a premium cable won’t magically improve picture quality, if you’re running newer hardware, in particular anything that outputs in 4K resolution at high frame rates such as next-gen consoles, you’ll want at least an HDMI 2.1 cable. Or if you really wish to futureproof, the recently introduced HDMI 2.2. Why? Well, 2.1 cables and above support higher bandwidths, delivering features like 4K at 120Hz rather than dumbing down what you’re seeing to lower resolutions or frame rates. While a standard HDMI cable will handle everyday viewing perfectly well, you could miss out on some of your TV’s capabilities. Ultimately, it’s good planning to keep a spare HDMI cable or two around, as there’s nothing worse than getting new tech home then discovering you can’t hook it up!

Wall mounting is a great way to streamline your screen setup, and even to do away with – or free up - bulky furniture. Plus, it really gives your room more of a home cinema feel. There are several mount types to consider. A fixed mount keeps your TV flush to the wall, while tilting mounts allow you to angle the screen slightly. Meanwhile, full-motion (or articulating) mounts let you swivel your TV for flexible viewing. For a small initial outlay, the benefits are great. You free up valuable surface space, you can improve viewing angles in tricky rooms, plus it also creates a cleaner look, especially when cables are run through the wall. Wall mounts are also perfect for lifestyle TVs with ambient display modes, such as Samsung’s The Frame, turning your screen into an art gallery. Not sure where to start? The experts at JB have you covered, with a professional installation service to do all the work for you – see page 30.

Your TV comes with a remote, but what happens if your dog decides to chomp on your channel changer? Remotes can also be easily lost – or

accidentally sat upon or stepped

on. So, it’s good to know you can get a replacement – or more prepared

types can get a spare, just

in case. JB have them for major brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL, and Hisense, or alternatively you could go for a universal remote. A universal remote allows you to control more than one device from a single unit. They usually take a bit of programming, but once set up, it can be an utter joy to have just one remote to rule them all.

Soundbars

While smart TVs look phenomenal, sometimes their sound doesn’t always have the oomph to match, especially in these days of wafer-thin screens. A soundbar can deliver room-filling audio with clarity, depth, and punchier bass – all from a single, compact unit. Some even come with wireless subwoofers, for beefier bass. They’re also a doddle to connect, as

most can be set up with just a single HDMI cable – no clutter, no fuss! Plus, if your TV supports HDMI

eARC, you can revel in uncompressed Dolby Atmos cinematic audio and enjoy immersive multi dimensional sound. Whether you’re watching movies or TV

shows, or gaming, a soundbar provides a massive upgrade in sonic enjoyment. (See pages 26-28 for more.)

32 MAY 2026

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