Black Friday is no longer a day, it’s a season. Running from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas, Black Friday season has become far and away the best time to buy a new TV. What’s the market like nowadays?

The flagship models from the major manufacturers are so-called smart TVs. The major difference in a smart TV is the capability to run apps, which include content, games and more. Users of Apple TV or Roku will be instantly familiar with this setup. Popular apps include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime video, ESPN, SlingTV and others. Many models also include so-called SmartHome apps such as Nest or Harmony.

Earlier models of smart TVs were limited in the available apps. Basically, you got what came with the TV. Newer models allow you to add apps from other sources. Sony, for example, allows you to get apps via Google Play, which may be the most comprehensive source of TV apps available today. Be careful, however: Not all apps are available on all TVs. If there’s a particular app you want, make sure it’s available on the model in which you have interest.

Smart TVs are still in their early stages, meaning they can be somewhat buggy. Users of PCs and Android phones will find themselves doing the all-too-familiar reboot when certain apps or other features misbehave. The good news is that plain old TV watching is still as reliable as the old days.

With respect to size, there is no such thing as too big. Just a couple of years ago, anything over 60 inches seemed huge, but that’s the norm now. Newer TVs are thinner and lighter than their predecessors, allowing more flexibility in installation. Further, the old fear of radiation is long gone. Despite what your mother says, you won’t burn your eyes out by sitting too close.

The 4k debate is over. Virtually every TV on the market today bigger than 40 inches is 4k or Ultra High Definition (UHD). Clearance models from the major manufacturers or off-brands might still have non-4k models available, but even those are not much cheaper than their 4k counterparts.

This is despite the fact that there is still not much 4k content. No one broadcasts in 4k, but some providers, such as Netflix, have limited programming available in 4k. 4k Blu-ray players, on the other hand, are relatively inexpensive, and there are quite a few 4k titles available. If you want to hook up your computer and get 4k output, you will need a high-end video card. Many Macs have such capabilities built in; most Windows PCs do not and require an add-on card.

Speaking of connections, most newer TVs are focused on HDMI connections. If you have older gear with composite or component video connections, double-check the TV you are interested in to make sure it is supported. Otherwise, you are buying some kind of weird adapter which just doesn’t feel right with a new TV. For audio, optical connections are available on just about all models.

John Agsalud is an IT expert with more than 25 years of information technology experience. Reach him at jagsalud@live.com.