You Inquired: Suggestions for Wireless HDMI and an unexpectedly retro TV question.

      On today's episode of You Asked… Is purchasing a plasma TV still a good idea? Why is YouTube TV performing well without lag during streaming? Additionally, what are the options available for a wireless HDMI connection?

      Replacing a lengthy HDMI cable with wireless alternatives

      Tripp

      Dionicio inquired: I have an HDMI cable running from my bedroom to my closet for surround sound. Is there a way to connect a device that allows me to eliminate the cable? Thank you!

      There are options… but they come at a cost… however, is it worth it? I believe so. It’s easier to justify the purchase when thinking about future needs as well.

      The option that seems most viable to me can be specially ordered from B&H and a few other retailers. It’s the Tripp Lite UHD 4K60 HDMI Wireless Extender, capable of transmitting a signal up to 65 feet via a five gigahertz wifi band, which is quite impressive. Plus, it’s plug and play with no software necessary to initiate.

      Nevertheless… the downside is its price of $450. That's why I suggest viewing it as an investment. Considering the multitude of devices we may want to connect to the TV, a wireless HDMI option could prove very useful.

      Moreover… my personal reasoning for purchasing it would be to avoid risking any devices connected via a long HDMI cable… since replacing them might be more costly than investing in this wireless extender.

      From the image you provided, the cable runs low and likely poses a tripping hazard. I’m sure you’re not the only person running cables across floors or in precarious spots. I have a toddler at home myself. Therefore, if it were my situation, I would seek a better solution promptly.

      In summary… there are options available. The Tripp Lite solution is pricey but appears reliable.

      IOGEAR also offers a wireless receiver and transmitter kit for $200 less, but the reviews are inconsistent. So regardless of where you decide to purchase from, ensure there’s a favorable return policy for whichever device you choose, particularly if you experience any audio lag or quality issues that concern you.

      

      Troubleshooting YouTube TV lag on TCL TVs

      Digital Trends

      Marty asks: I own a 75-inch TCL LED TV, model number 75S551F, that struggles with YouTube TV, experiencing lag and glitches. I have followed various troubleshooting steps without success. Other applications don’t seem to encounter similar issues. My internet is advertised as up to 1000 megabits per second, but I have doubts about it. Other TVs in my home don't seem to struggle with this specific app as much. Is the problem the TV, the internet, or the app itself? I was thinking of upgrading but don’t want to spend money if the TV is not the issue. Have you observed lower-end TCL TVs having particular difficulties with YouTube TV, or am I misinformed? Which brands generally feature the best processors for streaming apps, if such a distinction exists?

      Thank you for your question, Marty, as I believe it's applicable to several people. There are a few aspects to consider here, but based on the details you've provided, I’m fairly confident it’s not the internet. I experience a similar speed at home, and although my speed tests often come in below the rated speed—which likely requires a wired connection—it is still more than adequate for all our streaming requirements, including YouTube TV on my Samsung TV while using multiple phones, laptops, and storage devices for backups.

      In your situation, if other TVs in the house are functioning properly, that indicates something specific to the TCL. To determine if the issue lies with the TV or the app, I recommend conducting a simple test.

      First, try running YouTube TV on all the TVs you have and check if the performance is noticeably better on all except your TCL TV that’s having trouble. You can also access detailed information about the streaming speed and resolution, among other metrics, by checking the “Stats for Nerds” feature within the YouTube TV app. While streaming, press down on your remote, navigate to the three dots on the far left, go to “Stats for Nerds,” and turn it on.

      This feature allows you to see information such as dropped frames, video resolution compared to optimal resolution, connection speed, and streaming buffering performance. Take note of these metrics for both TVs. If the stats from your TCL show slower speeds or more dropped frames, that will likely indicate the problem.

      Zeke Jones / Digital Trends

      It appears that your model supports Wi-Fi Five, which should be sufficient to handle the standard YouTube TV plan. If you are streaming in 4K within YouTube TV and have multiple other devices streaming simultaneously, there might be issues. However, if you’re experiencing complications during basic streaming, I'd lean towards the problem being with the TV. I haven’t encountered this issue with the TCL models we’ve tested.

      Indeed, in our review