There are a lot of reasons to not have a gaming console in your TV stand - they're expensive, take up a lot of space, and, if you're new to the hobby, you might not know if you'll get enough use out of it. But, what if there was a way to play all the games you want, displayed in all their glory on your massive living room TV, without the hassle of hooking up a console?

With Samsung's Gaming Hub, you can connect a wide range of Cloud Gaming services, like Xbox Game Pass, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and Amazon Luna, and stream directly to your Samsung TV, no console required! The Gaming Hub also connects with YouTube and Twitch to provide the ultimate gaming selection in one convenient place.

What TVs Support Samsung Gaming Hub?

Any Samsung TV from model year 2022 will work with Samsung Gaming Hub out of the box. A number of 2021 Samsung TVs will have access to game streaming through the same services as the 2022 models, though without the official Gaming Hub. You can check if your 2021 TV is eligible over here.

Micro Center has a wide variety of 2022 Samsung TVs. We're highlighting four here, just as a sample of our range. So, while this list might not include the perfect match for your needs, we recommend stopping into your local store and speaking with an associate who can help set you up with the perfect TV for you!

Samsung QN50Q60BDFXZA 50" Class (49.5" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED TV

A solid entry point into the 2022 line up of Samsung TVs, this 50" 4K TV is a perfect fit for a college living room or smaller apartments. Samsung's QLED technology uses Quantum Dot LEDs to deliver some of the best color quality you can find. Quantum HDR doubles down on this, making sure your blacks are a dark and your whites are bright. Plus, with a plethora of game options like Auto Game Mode and Game Motion Plus, you can be sure your games are going to look great!

Samsung QN75Q60BDFXZA 75" Class (74.5" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED TV

A step up from the 50", this 75" offers the same high-quality picture utilizing Quantum Dot LEDs and Quantum HDR. However, the increased size make it the perfect centerpiece to a larger living room - the ideal gathering point for you to play games with friends or watch a movie with the family!

Samsung QN55QN85BAFXZA 55" Class (54.6" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Smart Neo QLED TV

Coming in at only 55", this is the second smallest TV on our list but don't let it's small stature deceive you. Samsung's Neo QLED TV's pack even better picture quality with mini LEDs, which greatly enables more minute differences in contrast, making every image pop that much more. But the Neo QLED line doesn't just improve the visuals. With Dolby Atmos, your gameplay audio will be crisp and clear with Object Tracking Sound for a fully immersive experience.

Samsung QN85QN85BAFXZA 85" Class (84.6" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Smart Neo QLED TV

This massive 85" Neo QLED screen is the crown jewel of any home theater. By making use of mini LED at this scale, your games will look absolutely amazing whether your plowing through hordes of enemies or slowly exploring a moody space ship. And thanks to the Neo Quantum Processor, your content will be analyzed and upscaled to 4K for the best looking picture, every time.

Must-Have Home Theater Accessories

Without a console taking up space on your TV stand or taking a chunk out of your home theater budget, here are some must-have home theater accessories for the ultimate in home entertainment.

Home Theater Systems

Even the best sounding television could use a little help. Whether you just want to add some rumbling bass to your action scenes with a subwoofer or focus your sound forward with a soundbar, a home theater system can take a great TV setup to a fantastic TV setup.

Wall Mounts

If you're skipping the game console to save on space, there's no better space saving tool than a wall mount for your TV. Don't worry about a big, unwieldly TV stand that takes up half of your living room. By hanging your TV on you wall, you free up a lot of floor space - especially helpful if you have kids or pets that threaten to knock over your TV every time they bump into the stand!

Wireless Speakers

Traditional speakers require anywhere from "a few" to "too many" wires, and that mess of wires tucked in a corner of your living room is taking up a lot of space. Skip the wires and choose and easy setup with Sonos wireless speakers. These speakers can go anywhere - toss them on a shelf, hang them a wall, leave them on your TV stand, the choice is up to you. And if you change your mind, no worries! Just pick them up and move them to a different location without having to rewire your whole home theater.

Digital TV Antenna

Almost anything you'd ever want to watch is available streaming. The only things that may not be readily available are your local TV stations - a must have if you want to keep up with everything happening in your community. But why pay a cable company every month when you only watch the six o'clock news? With a Digital TV antenna, it's a one-and-done cost. No recurring costs, and you can get exactly what you want, whether its simple HD antenna or a top-of-the-line 8K antenna.

We've got a wide variety of home theater products on sale now! Check out our Top Deals to see everything on sale then stop by your local Micro Center today and pick out your dream gaming setup - all without the console!

More from the Micro Center Community:

Looking for more information about TVs? We’ve got Screen-Type Explainers, Buying Guides, and Tips for Cleaning Your Screen! And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to post a new discussion and the Community will be happy to help!

Whether your TV is for gaming, movies, or watching sports, you're going to want to see everything in crystal-clear resolution with the best sound possible. Which means it's time to upgrade - and with incredible deals on a wide range of TVs, sound bars, protectors, and more at Micro Center, there's no better time than right now!

TV Deals

LG OLED77C2PUA 77" Class (76.7" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - $1,000 off!

4k is absolutely gorgeous, but when you step up to 4k OLED, it reaches an entirely new level. Experience true black with self-lit pixels, making every color pop. Games, both video and sport, are crystal clear. If you ever wanted to count the blades of grass while waiting for kickoff, 4k OLED is the absolute way to go. But, if you’d rather use this TV as an absolute behemoth of a computer monitor, it also supports G-Sync, meaning you’ll see less tearing during those high-speed fights. With a 120Hz refresh rate and >1ms response time, you’ll even be able to make use of every frame, unlike your 60Hz opponents.

Samsung UN50TU7000FXZA 50" Class (49.5" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - $120 off!

Samsung's lineup of Crystal UHD TVs delivers incredible picture quality at fantastic prices. Coming in at only $359.99 at time of writing, the Samsung UN50TU7000FXZA is a great way to watch the game without breaking the bank. Plus, with features like HDR, Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, and screen mirroring, this is a TV that won't just make watching the game better, it'll make everything you do with your TV easier.

Projector Deals

Epson Home Cinema 2350 - $180 off!

If you haven't used a projector in a while, they've come a long way from the old days of blurry pictures and washed-out colors. Now, projectors like the Epson Home Cinema support up to 4K resolutions wherever you want it! With display sizes ranging from 40" all the way up to an absolutely massive 500" display. Whether you want to project in your living room or on the side of your house, the Epson 2350 is going to look absolutely stellar doing it.

Viewsonic Home Theater PX701HDH - $40 off!

Viewsonic has been working with projectors for decades. Their latest projectors take all of those years of experience and pack them into models like the PX701HDH. The PX701HDH is a wildly versatile projector, built to work in even the brightest situations. And at full HD, it'll look great from when the game starts in the evening sun right up through the final seconds.

Home Theater System/Soundbar Deals

Sonos Arc Soundbar - Black - Save $100

Whether you opt for a projector or television, you're going to want a soundbar. While almost everything comes with speakers built-in, TVs almost always have them pointed backwards. That means that your wall is going to be getting the full force of whatever you're watching. Soundbars, like the Sonos Arc, redirect the sound exactly where you want it to go: your ears. The Arc also offers incredible sound thanks to Dolby Atmos and a suite of tools to fine-tune your theater setup to cater exactly to your needs.

Samsung HW-B550 2.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System - $80 off!

The Samsung HW-B550 adds a subwoofer to your soundbar setup, ensuring that you feel every moment of greatness in your chest by emphasizing bass in whatever you're watching. The HW-B550 even automatically analyzes your sound sources and optimizes your audio track so you always get the best sound possible.

Cut The Cable Cord and Save!

It's no secret that cable is costly. Thankfully, there are ways that you can drop your cable provider and still keep up with all your favorite sports and shows! Streaming boxes, like the Roku Streaming Stick, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV all stream your favorite services like ESPN+, Netflix, and Hulu directly to your TV for a fraction of the price of conventional cable. And if you still want your local channels, TV antennas are one-time purchases that'll deliver all your local news without a costly subscription.

But that's not all we have on sale! Check out all our deals over here and then head into your local Micro Center when you're ready to upgrade your home theater!

More from the Micro Center Community:

Looking for more information about TVs? We’ve got Screen-Type Explainers, Buying Guides, and Tips for Cleaning Your Screen! And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to post a new discussion and the Community will be happy to help!

There was a time when, if you wanted to do professional music, you needed a professional studio. And a professional studio isn’t cheap. Nowadays, you can take that professional studio home for a fraction of the cost. So, let’s look at how Micro Center can help you set up a studio to record music. I'll walk you through everything you need to set up a home recording studio, including recommended parts and the best bang-for-your-buck setup for beginners and intermediate recording artists. And, by the end, you’ll have everything you need to create like a professional.

The Beginner Setup

When it comes to home production, one thing is absolutely required: computer hardware. I generally recommend a MacBook or other Apple device, as tools like GarageBand and Logic Pro are exclusive to the Mac environment and make audio work a breeze. But, if you’d like to go with a PC, you won’t need much. An Intel Core i5/AMD Ryzen 5 with 16GB of RAM and a decent-sized SSD will cover your bases (though going above and beyond can help speed up render times and minimize hiccups with your tools).

After your computer, the next step is hardware – the microphones and cables you’ll use to actually record your audio. Micro Center offers a few bundles that work as fantastic entries into the audio recording space and won't break the bank. The Focusrite Scarlett Studio Solo (3rd Generation) USB Audio Interface Kit includes a pre-amp (sometimes called an interface – it’s what will physically connect your equipment to your computer), microphone, monitoring headphones, and XLR cable. For a beginner, this kit gets you everything you need for less than $250. This combination along with a free digital audio workstation like Audacity (we’ll talk about this in a moment) can make for a professional-sounding introduction to the music-making world. There are alternatives like the PreSonus AudioBox 96 Studio Hardware & Software Recording Kit that offer a few extra features, like a second input so a second person can record simultaneously, but if you’re flying solo and just want to get set up, you can’t go wrong with the Focusrite bundle.

Once you’ve got your hardware up and running, you’ll need what’s called a “digital audio workstation” commonly referred to as a “DAW.” This is where you’ll do all your audio recording and editing. While I normally recommend more advanced applications like Logic Pro X or Protools, I believe those could be daunting for a beginner (though they’re good to keep in mind for when you’re ready to take your music production to the next level). For someone just starting out, I think free alternatives such as Audacity and GarageBand are not only intuitive but can act as a guide to the more advanced software later on.

And that’s really all you need to start creating your own music! There is, of course, a lot of room to grow, and sooner or later you’ll start looking at newer and higher-end equipment. When that happens, you’re ready for the Intermediate Setup

The Intermediate Setup

The intermediate user has been around the block a bit, and has at least a few months of DAW and recording knowledge under their belt. Generally speaking, they also probably have a lot of the basic gear already ready to go. So, with that in mind, this section is full of recommendations that are a bit more advanced and might scare away folks who would otherwise try and jump into the deep end first.

Let’s kick things off with the major equipment upgrades, as there’s a definite – but necessary – jump from beginner to intermediate. Your interface is an integral piece in your setup and for the intermediate, I believe the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface is a fantastic option. The Scarlett 4i4 interface gives you four inputs for microphones and/or instruments. That level of versatility can be incredibly useful for an intermediate user.

Your microphone may be the most important piece of equipment in your lineup, and I highly recommend the Blue Spark SL XLR Condenser Microphone. The Sparks SL is a rich microphone that sounds great for a very reasonable price. As an XLR microphone, you’ll get the benefit of phantom power and a preamp or interface giving you a significant boost in sound quality. I would also recommend a good set of studio monitors to go along with your monitoring headphones. This will allow you to mix and refine your work with accuracy and clarity. The Mackie CR5-XBT 5" 2 Channel Stereo Computer Speaker Monitors - Black are a great, affordable studio monitor option that will allow you to hear what you record and repair the imperfections. Of course, recording artists customarily wear monitor headphones so they can hear what the recording actually sounds like, rather than what the music sounds like in the room. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Wired Professional Monitor Headphones - Black are rated extremely well for accuracy and can serve in a dual capacity for recording and playback.

With the major pieces of equipment out of the way, there are a few accessories that can really help your setup sound professional. The CAD Audio AS34 Acousti-Shield Audio Recording Noise Dampener is a tool that goes around any microphone and serves to dampen outside noise and help create that booth-like effect. Additionally, there is padding you can put on the wall that helps neutralize the sound they come in contact with, minimizing echoes and outside noise. The process of adding elements like these is called acoustic treatment. The  Gator Frameworks 12" x 12" Thick Acoustic Foam Pyramid Panels 4 Pack - Charcoal Color can really help improve the recording quality of any room, making them an absolute requirement for any aspiring home artist.

If you’re a producer as well as a recording artist, then devices like the Novation LaunchPad X or the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller could help you bring your thoughts to life through your DAW. Both of those will allow you to work in a physical space, rather than exclusively through your computer, making for a natural, intuitive experience.

Lastly, I’d recommend upgrading your DAW to Protools. Over the last 20 years or so Protools has become what most would consider an industry standard. Though a potentially daunting DAW to learn, it will be rewarding when you master it.

With everything we’ve discussed you’ve built a versatile, capable home studio that will produce high-quality audio for years to come… or until you’re ready to upgrade!

Conclusion

Whether you’re just starting your music production journey or building on your past work, the equipment and software we discussed can help you create an impressive, budget-friendly home studio that can rival professional studios. Ease of use and ease of setup was a major factor in my recommendations and I anticipate everyone being able to set up their studio in 15-30 mins and get to creating immediately after. Going forward there will, of course, be upgrades to make. And when those upgrades happen, all this equipment suddenly becomes fantastic backup microphones and interfaces. For now, though, the creative possibilities are limitless, so get out there and get to recording.

Looking for more from the Micro Center Community? We’ve got a full section dedicated to reviews and buying guides as well as The Essential Creator Laptop Buying Guide, and The Best Laptops for Under $1000, both great resources for getting gear for your home studio! And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to post a new discussion and the Community will be happy to help! 

What do Common TV Terms Mean?

Before we dig too deep into the technical side of things, a quick refresher on some of the old and new TV terms for the modern market:

HD

These types of TVs are also known as high-definition LED televisions, and display images with 720 or 1080 lines of resolution (also referred to as p, meaning progressive scan). HD TVs are designed to produce sharper images that will appear bright even when viewed in well-lit rooms. They were a huge upgrade over standard definition TVs when they were first introduced onto the market in the early 2000’s.

4K

4K TVs are also known as Ultra HD televisions, which display at a 3840x2160 resolution. 4K TVs were another huge leap in tech, as the resolution quadrupled from that of standard high-definition TVs. While very expensive when they first arrived on the market, 4K TVs are now quite affordable.

4K TVs are currently considered the household standard, and, while 8K and standard HD TVs are on the market, 4K TVs are far and away the most common, and for good reason. They provide a stellar quality-to-cost ratio.

LG 65UP7000PUA 65" Class (64.5" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

HDR

HDR stands for high dynamic range. This is a feature of certain LED TVs that delivers a much higher contrast ratios than regular LED or LCD screens. It produces images that are much brighter and more vibrant, and have greater detail in the shadows when compared to other screens.

Ultra HD

Ultra HD is simply another term for 4K LED televisions. These TVs display at a native resolution of 3840x2160.

8K

8K refers to LED TVs with twice the number of pixels on a 4K LED TV, or 4096x4160 pixels. 8K technology is a fairly new technology, so there aren't as many devices on the market which offer 8K LED television technology. 8K TVs that are available do run on the expensive side, so these displays likely won’t become the new standard for several more years until the price goes down significantly. But if you’re looking for the most cutting edge TV, 8k is the way to go.

Samsung QN65Q800TAFXZA 65" Class (64.5" Diag.) 8K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

What are the Differences Between TV Screen Types?

LCD

LCD have been around for longer than most screen types on this list, and are known for their affordability and decent picture quality, though some people may find that they tend to produce more glare than other screen types. This means that while these TVs might be good for watching during the day, they might not be ideal if you tend to watch television at night when there is less light in the room.

While they are still used today, they’ve seen a decline in popularity as LED and QLED technology dominate the marketplace. These TVs do not utilize a backlight like LED/QLED displays, but rather a CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp), which has been outclassed by modern LED screens.

Pros: Quite affordable.

Cons: Less common and mostly obsolete technology nowadays. Inferior to other screen types.

LED

LED screens once existed alongside LCD screens but have quickly become the dominant screen type. LED screens perform better than LCD technology in most respects, while also being much cheaper than both OLED and QLED TVs. LEDs stands for light emitting diodes, which are often used in displays on TVs, phones, and computers, as well as the technology that makes up the display itself.

Pros: Much more affordable than OLED and QLED screens. Better technology than LCD screens.

Cons: Outclassed by the more expensive OLED and QLED screens.

OLED

OLED screens feature superior displays over LED and LCD screens, though are significantly more expensive as a result. And while OLED technology has not always been the most popular among consumers because of its higher price tag, it has started to come down in price, making it a more viable option for a wider range of TV shoppers.

Rather than using a backlight like LED or LCD screens, they use organic light-emitting diodes that create their own illumination via electroluminescence. OLED is also thinner than LED or LCD displays, meaning the bezels on OLED televisions tend to be much smaller when compared to other types of TVs. LED and LCD screens require a backlight in order to operate, whereas OLED screens produce their own illumination from each individual pixel which eliminates the need for a large backlight assembly.

Pros: Has a superior image. More eco-friendly than other screen types.

Cons: More expensive than LED and LCD televisions. Shorter lifespan than other TVs on average.

LG OLED55A1PUA 55" Class (54.6" Diag.) 4k Ultra HD Smart OLED TV

QLED

QLED screens are the newest screen type yet, but also still a little expensive compared to others. Much like OLED screens, though, it has also started becoming more mainstream within recent years and dropping in price. QLED televisions can be found in most home electronics stores now along with LEDs which can make them easier to find.

What sets them apart from other screen types is that they produce more vibrant colors that are much brighter than other types. This means that QLED screens perform better in both well-lit and dimly lit rooms, whereas TVs with LCD or LED type displays can appear a bit more washed out when viewing them in brightly lit rooms.

Additionally, QLED screens also feature new tech in the form of quantum dots, which resists moisture better than other screen types, hence giving it a longer life. This technology means that QLED screens don’t require an expensive vacuum evaporation process which lowers its overall cost. Other benefits of this screen type are its lower power consumption, thinner and lighter weight than other screens, and a faster power-on speed.

Pros: Has longer life than other screen types. Better moisture resistance, lower power consumption, brighter and more vibrant colors.

Cons: More expensive than LCD and LED screens. Less saturated image; screen can suffer from “light bleed” effect. The screen is best viewed from the dead center, with the picture looking worse when viewed from angles.

Samsung QN85QN85AAFXZA 85" Class (84.5" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD HDR Smart Neo QLED TV

Which Screen Type Has the Best Viewing Angles?

As you can see, every screen type has its own respective positives and negatives. But one factor to consider is viewing angles – most households will desire to be able to view their televisions from various angles, with the greater range of potential angles the better.

 As previously stated, QLED screens have an excellent image but are best viewed from the dead center. LED and LCD screens are also best viewed from the center, with about a 20-40 degree viewing angle on average before suffering from image glare. OLED, on the other hand, does not suffer from these issues nearly as much. Users won’t notice any difference in colors or brightness at most viewing angles, making it the best option for households wishing to view a screen with the best viewing angles.

We hope that this guide has been some level of help in clarifying the various different types of TV screens, resolutions, viewing angles, and general terminology. If you’re currently looking for a new television, then you may want to check out Micro Center’s current TV selection – we always have a large selection, with many models regularly on sale! Good luck and happy shopping!

And, if you're looking for more information on TVs, check out our 2022 TV Buying Guide!

At first glance, this all sounds pretty good, but downloading just a few popular games could eat into your available space considerably. In fact, if you’re a Rockstar Games fan, downloading Red Dead Redemption 2 alone sucked up a substantial 150GB of your available space. So, what do you do if you just want to fight the law in the wild west, but you don’t have enough space to simply open the world? Let’s get started with finding SSD expansion options that are compatible with your console.

What SSDs work on P5?

While there are a variety of options for memory expansion on your PlayStation 5, we’ve rounded up a couple of our favorites below:

Best Overall Option

Inland Gaming 2280

With 2 TB of internal storage and sequential read speeds up to 3400 MB, this solid-state option will increase your storage along with your speed. Additionally, every Inland product comes with a three-year limited warranty to ensure you receive high-caliber support and service throughout your storage expansion endeavors.

Best Budget Option

Crucial P5 Plus

Delivering sequential reads up to 3400 MB, this Crucial SSD option includes a variety of advanced features, like dynamic write acceleration and adaptive thermal protection to ensure your data remains safe while your performance remains reliable.

Neither of these options do it for you? Not to worry–you can use the following spec list (provided by Sony) to ensure that your self-selected option fits all of the criteria needed to bring your machine to maximum performance. As with anything, please make sure to check the list against your selected item carefully, to ensure peak compatibility.

●    Format: PCle Gen 4.0 (x4) M.2 NVMe SSD

●    Capacity: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB

●    Read Speed: 5500MB/S or faster

●    Total Size with Heatsink: 110 x 25 x 11.25 millimeters

●    Form Factor: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110

●    Heatsink: Required

Micro Center carries a wide selection of PS5 compatible hard drives – see the full list here.

How do I install an SSD to my PS5?

Once you’ve chosen the appropriate SSD, there are just a few steps to get things up and running:

1.  Make sure you’ve got the most recent system software–Sony did not release SSD expansion at the beginning of the PS5’s lifecycle, so if you have a factory-stock PS5, it won’t accept storage upgrades.
2. Completely power down your PS5 and unplug it. Provide a few minutes for everything to cool down.
3. Lay your PS5 on a soft surface and remove the white cover by pushing it toward the base.
4. After that, you’ll remove the SSD cover, pop in your new card, and put your system back together. Enjoy your additional storage space!

Check out this official Sony explainer for a more in-depth installation walkthrough.

What SSDs work on Xbox X? Xbox S?

As it pertains to Xbox SSD cards, there is really only one contender worth your time, and it is listed below:

Best Overall

Seagate Storage Expansion Card

With over 1TB of capacity and an incredibly tiny size, the Seagate Storage Expansion Card is an excellent external storage option. If you’re looking for something you can just pop in to upgrade your storage, this is absolutely the option for you!

How do I install an SSD to my Xbox X or S?

Although the Internet is full of different tips and hacks to update the internal storage of your Xbox X, the safest option is to utilize an expansion card or external drive. This will allow for a safe install while facilitating the same storage upgrade you are looking for.

Your expansion card will install on your device through a dedicated slot in the back of the Xbox. Simply pop it in (no need to turn it off), and your system will recognize and configure your new device.

Not sure where to begin?

Head over to your local Micro Center! Have a chat with any of our associates and they’ll be happy to help you find exactly what you need to upgrade any system you have. From PCs to Xbox to PS5, we can get you gaming quick!