Holy crap TV's are complicated! Need help

[UglyCasanova]

The only tv I have at the moment is this tiny little 19" non-hd tv so for christmas we've decided to get the kids a real one. I started doing research and I have no clue what I'm looking at.

I think I want to go 4k just to future proof myself because it will be another decade at least before I think about buying another one, but there are all sorts of acronyms etc that I have no idea what I'm looking for. The TV will be used for an xbox 360, probably a PS4, chromecast, possibly Netflix or Amazon's thing, and to hook a computer up to it for gaming sometimes.

The budget is $1k tops, and I'm guessing for the room it is going in 50 to 55" will be about the right size. All I know is that Samsung is supposedly the go to brand, but I was at Best Buy earlier and the Vizeo tv's looked really good and were at least $100 cheaper. Is this just a brand name premium or do Samsung tv's offer things that others don't?

The one i was looking at is this one.

Also for 4k content, is there some sort of format battle going on for the next gen blu-ray format and will any of these TV's support it?


Any help is appreciated, I need to crash course this since more than likely I'll be seeing what is out there on Black Friday and trying to catch a deal then.

Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just know that "Smart TVs" SPY on you. Some report viewing stats, some go further, and actually have a microphone and camera and literally spy on you, rather that just collecting viewing data. Samsung's privacy policy even spells it out that they record conversations, IIRC.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Well that's spooky. I still need a tv though. It doesn't need to be "smart", I'm not even totally sure what that means other than I can pipe Hulu or Netflix to it over wifi which I don't really need or care about. Picture quality and I guess a decent amount of hdmi connectors is what I need.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well that's spooky. I still need a tv though. It doesn't need to be "smart", I'm not even totally sure what that means other than I can pipe Hulu or Netflix to it over wifi which I don't really need or care about. Picture quality and I guess a decent amount of hdmi connectors is what I need.

Yeah, I agree. I'm not sure if there are any name-brand 4K TVs that aren't "Smart". There are a few off-brands, though. Changhong, and one other one. Newegg carries the Changhong, and I think TigerDirect carries the other one.

If you want to hook up a PC, then make sure that the TV has an HDMI 2.0 port. If it doesn't, then you won't be able to do 4K @ 60Hz. You'll be limited to 30 or even 24Hz. Even better if the TV has DisplayPort, but I don't think that any of them do, that's primarily used by PCs and not home theater stuff.

Then, you'll want to pair that HDMI 2.0 TV with a PC with an HDMI 2.0 video card. Which, for HTPC purposes, means getting an Nvidia GTX950/960.

 

[Charmonium]

You can defeat smart tv's by just not giving them your wifi password and not connecting an ethernet cable. Fuck 'em.

But in my case, I have an HTPC hooked up to the tv in dual monitor mode. So anything the smart tv can do, I can do on my pc. And even for streaming, I'd rather use something like Roku. I have the original Roku box and it still works perfectly.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You can defeat smart tv's by just not giving them your wifi password and not connecting an ethernet cable. Fuck 'em.

I'm honestly not sure that's enough. With Comcast turning all of their rented "Gateways" into Wifi hotspots for the neighbourhood, if your smart TV is within range of one of those, it could still spy and call home. (Pre-assigned mfg password for the hotspot, or possibly the hotspot could recognize the MAC address range of the smart TVs, and let them connect without a password.)

 

[Mike64]

The only tv I have at the moment is this tiny little 19" non-hd tv so for christmas we've decided to get the kids a real one. I started doing research and I have no clue what I'm looking at.

I think I want to go 4k just to future proof myself because it will be another decade at least before I think about buying another one

Well, I can relate to some extent. I just bought my first HDTV 2 days ago, moving up from a 21" CRT set. In fact, it arrived today (or yesterday, at this point.) I haven't even unboxed it yet (and am planning not to at least until after Cyber Monday, just in case a better deal comes along and I end up returning this one.)

Honestly, I think your best bet is not planning to wait another 10 years, and spending considerably less than the max you mentioned for now. HDTV technology is moving much faster than CRT tech did (at least within the memory of most of those of us who're still alive today.) HDTVs are, or can be, cheaper than the CRT sets were, too, so replacing one isn't as big a deal as it used to be. (I paid less in absolute dollars for the one I just bought than the non-high-end 21" CRT set I bought in 1999-2000.)

4K still in its infancy, and "affordable" OLED TVs probably aren't too far off. Heaven only knows what they'll have come up with in 5 years... It really doesn't strike me as the best time to spend a lot with the intention of not buying again for another for 10-15 years, assuming whatever you buy now lasts that long. (If either of us had thought to grab a plasma set when they were being clearanced a year ago, that might have been worth holding onto for a while...)

Keep an eye on sales between now and Black Friday/Cyber Monday (this AT thread will help) and limit yourself to something decent (1080p. 60 Hz if the price is significantly lower, and if it's available and you don't care, a "dumb" set), keeping in mind that pretty much anything that doesn't display the completely wrong colors will blow away a 15-year old 19" CRT set.

I wasn't looking for one quite as big as 50" in the first place so myself, I grabbed this 40" Toshiba for $200 as a Best Buy "daily deal" on the 15th (figuring I can return it if something better comes along before the end of BB's extended return period.) Even ignoring "doorbusters" like this 49" Toshiba for $150 that would require a harrowing trip to a brick & mortar store during a feeding frenzy plus no small amount of luck in getting one of the relatively few units they'll have in stock, I'd guess you should be able to find something worthwhile for <= $400. (Or if you're really hardy, you could read this page and try one of their tips or tricks for getting the $150 Toshiba without risking frostbite standing on a pre-dawn line outside the store, or life and limb once you make it inside...)

 

[TeeJay1952]

The top reviews talked about price. (304)
The bottom reviews talked about connectivity. (15)
The middle reviews talked about lack of company response. (138)

What is important to you?

 

[SMOGZINN]

(Pre-assigned mfg password for the hotspot, or possibly the hotspot could recognize the MAC address range of the smart TVs, and let them connect without a password.)

Oh, please, oh, please, oh please let them do that! Free untracable internet for every computer savey person for years!

 

[razel]

You can get a budget 70" non-smart TV around $1k. It's usually an LG or Vizio, but every once in awhile you'll see a Sharp. I wouldn't buy any of the budget Chinese brands unless you plan on sticking it in a man-cave or own a restaurant and want cheap TVs on the walls.

The good news is the larger TVs are by default are feature packed, so the only thing to watch for is if the TV has any type of anti-glare coating. A basic anti-glare coating on a budget TV can make it look far better and brighter than an expensive glare, calibrated TV daytime. You're not looking for a matte screen. A TV can be glossy and have an anti-glare coating. Just look at the reflection and it should be tinted toward violet. A good example since you are already at an electronics store is to look at the iPads. iPad Air2 and Mini4 FINALLY have great coatings, the other iPads previously don't.

So far in my shopping for the largest decent TV on hot sale under $1k. The Sharp and LG have been the best choices. I own a budget LG 2010 era plasma with a non anti-coated glossy screen. I LOVE IT and I was surprised at how calibrated it already was out of the box with basic menu settings (Movie, ISF mode, 1-to-1 pixel mapping, sharpness to 0) changed.

 

[cmdrdredd]

It comes down to what features you really want to have. The more features the higher the cost. Stuff like smart features, 3D, and HDR support all add to the TV's cost.

Vizio is the go to budget brand often coming in under other options for the same screen size. I wouldn't buy a Sharp if it were me unless you get a phenominal deal on a screen out of your budget that is on sale. LG is a good brand too, somewhere middle of the pack. I think Vizio's line is better than LG except at the extreme high end. Sony and Samsung are more expensive than everything else but have some of the best quality out there with the nod going to samsung IMO overall for 2015 models.

Right now a Samsung 50" JS7000 4K Smart TV is going for $800 at amazon. It's a really nice set for that price. It also supports HDR for 4k movie content which at that price range isn't going to be very common. You can step up to the 55" version of the same set for $1000.

The Ultra HD Blu-Ray format is set now and has support for 1080p 3D, 4k @ 60hz, HDR, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound, and requires a TV with HDMI 2.0 for the new HDCP method. Any new 2015 model of 4k TV will support the new Blu-Ray format but not all of them will include HDR suport. Older 4k sets with HDMI 1.4a will support it but will not do HDR and are limited to 4k resolution at 30hz. They should be arriving next year in North America.

A Smart TV does more than run Netflix or Hulu. They usually have a web browser and support a keyboard and mouse (my samsung does), some can stream games to the TV via gamefly or Playstation now including support for PS3 and PS4 controllers, read content off media servers(samsung has a plex app). That's in addition to apps for everything from Break.com, to Audi tv, to BBC News.

As for OLED technology, I've seen them in person in a calibrated and controlled environment hooked up to a Dolby Atmos surround system also professionally calibrated to the room. They do have problems as well. They aren't perfect by any means. The biggest gripe I had with the model I looked at which was a 65" LG was the poor uniformity in dark scenes. Blacks are perfect, but dark colors like deep blues and purples have some banding. Most people likely won't even notice but I purposely was looking for flaws and sitting obscenely close to the screen as well. One of the features inherent with OLED is varying luminosity. Whenever the scene changes, the screen changes automatically. The brighter the picture, the darker the colors. It is an annoyance to me when watching a movie. These are potentially fixable though I would guess. Having said all that, I wouldn't overlook a good LED set today just because OLED may be within budget in 5 years. I always tell people that if you look ahead all the time and keep waiting for the next technology down the pipe you will always be waiting because it keeps evolving. At some point you have to buy into what fits today.

For the record I think the paranoia over smart features and a connected TV are overblown. We aren't dealing with skynet here and there are people who act like that's the case. All I'm gonna say.

 

[Ichinisan]

I'm honestly not sure that's enough. With Comcast turning all of their rented "Gateways" into Wifi hotspots for the neighbourhood, if your smart TV is within range of one of those, it could still spy and call home. (Pre-assigned mfg password for the hotspot, or possibly the hotspot could recognize the MAC address range of the smart TVs, and let them connect without a password.)

WiFi security doesn't work like that.

Besides, the TVs aren't that determined to spy on you. Just don't connect them to the Internet.

If you do connect one to the Internet, go through all the menu levels and look for any way to opt-out of submitting user data. Most will respect your preferences there. If they don't, what else can you do? They're no more/less trustworthy than the other streaming devices that connect to the TV.

I don't have a smart TV and don't want one, but privacy is the least concern. I would worry that various features would eventually stop working and they would neglect to update the software. To me, it makes *way* more sense to connect an external "smart" device, like a Roku or Apple TV.

All of those streaming devices come with the same privacy concerns as any smart TV.

 

[VirtualLarry]

All of those streaming devices come with the same privacy concerns as any smart TV.

I didn't realize that Roku and Apple TV include a built-in microphone and camera that you can't disable.

 

[Ichinisan]

I didn't realize that Roku and Apple TV include a built-in microphone and camera that you can't disable.

An XBOX with Kinect also has streaming video services. The camera is used for gesture controls, so it's always on. The new XBOX One is also designed for voice control + Kinect. When set up correctly, it's always listening.

Very few "smart TVs" have the camera. Those that do usually have to be on all the time for Kinect-style gesture controls.

Lots of net streaming boxes have a microphone. Apple TV and Fire TV have it in the remote control. Roku's latest probably has one too.

 

[BurnItDwn]

So, didya get a TV yet? make up your mind?

Honestly, just pick up a $500 50 inch 1080p tv. It will have good picture and do everything you want. visio is good, lg is good, samsung is good, sony is good, panasonic is good....

 

[ultimatebob]

I'm honestly not sure that's enough. With Comcast turning all of their rented "Gateways" into Wifi hotspots for the neighbourhood, if your smart TV is within range of one of those, it could still spy and call home. (Pre-assigned mfg password for the hotspot, or possibly the hotspot could recognize the MAC address range of the smart TVs, and let them connect without a password.)

I haven't read any reports of any "Smart" TV's being able to do that, though. Something tells me we ever found one that did, the company who did it would be crucified in the news and on social media.