TV recommendation

[pete6032]

Looking to get a 50-55 inch TV for my basement and there are about 100 models that fit my budget of $500-$700. Any recommendations on brands to avoid/stick to and features to look for? I just need something that works. I don't plan to use it for video games or Blu Ray or Hi-Fi sound. Just need a TV that I can watch occasionally and be satisfied with the picture quality.

 

[herm0016]

why spend that much then? TCL from costco for that use case.

 

[SKORPI0]

https://www.costco.com/55-inch-tvs-through-59-inch-tvs.html

55 inch : TVs | Smart | 4K : Target

Elevate your entertainment with TVs at Target. Experience stunning visuals and smart features. Choose Same Day Delivery, Drive Up, or Order Pickup. Free shipping on orders over $35.

www.target.com

Robot or human?

 

[SKORPI0]

The 7 Best 55-Inch TVs of 2025

The Samsung QN55S90DAFXZA, also known as the Samsung S90D/S90DD OLED (QD-OLED), is the best 55-inch TV. Like any OLED TV, you get unrivaled black levels for deep, inky blacks in a dark room.

www.rtings.com

 

[Captante]

I would look at "last-gen" Samsung QLED panels personally.... they have most of the "punch" of the 1st-gen OLED's although "blacks" are an obvious step down and burn-in is a non-issue for most folks. (as opposed to OLED's where it CAN be big problem with static menus/logos despite people "blowing sunshine up your a$$" to the contrary)

Best Buy has this one in stock for $699.

Samsung - 55” Class Q60B QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV (Best Buy)

 

[Meghan54]

I would look at "last-gen" Samsung QLED panels personally.... they have most of the "punch" of the 1st-gen OLED's although "blacks" are an obvious step down and burn-in is a non-issue for most folks. (as opposed to OLED's where it CAN be big problem with static menus/logos despite people "blowing sunshine up your a$$" to the contrary)

Best Buy has this one in stock for $699.

Samsung - 55” Class Q60B QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV (Best Buy)

Owned a 55” Samsung Q80R (a 2019 model) for a little over 3 years. Always thought it was great…until I bought an LG 55” B2 OLED ($564 + tax) from Lowes this past Nov (BF sales) to see how much of a difference there might be between them.

Two weeks later and the Samsung had found itself in a new home and I don’t regret it at all.

 

[Captante]

Owned a 55” Samsung Q80R (a 2019 model) for a little over 3 years. Always thought it was great…until I bought an LG 55” B2 OLED ($564 + tax) from Lowes this past Nov (BF sales) to see how much of a difference there might be between them.

Two weeks later and the Samsung had found itself in a new home and I don’t regret it at all.

It depends on what you'll be using it for which is pretty much the conclusion Linus comes to.

As a TV only for normal everyday use a current-tech OLED is a fantastic choice. (and @ $564 that was a great deal congrats!)

As a "mixed use display" device for gaming with a console AND use as a TV they're a very good choice with a few caveats.

As mainly a PC monitor however they're a risky proposition with potential burn-in and the stupid "can't be fully disabled" auto-dimming feature really putting a damper on the amazing image quality. (to be clear the dimming is a "TV" issue not an "OLED" issue and doesn't effect dedicated monitors.)

I ended up going with nano-IPS (despite its drawbacks) for my new gaming monitor mainly for these reasons among others.


EDIT: If I WERE going to get an OLED it would be this bad boy!

Corsair XENEON Flex 45WQHD240 Gaming Monitor - 45-Inch OLED (Amazon @ $1999)

 

[MtnMan]

Dumb TV with good picture, then use Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, or similar device for streaming.

I have a 65" 4K HiSense smart TV, which is Android based. That works fine, but I much prefer using an Amazon 4K Fire Stick for all our streaming content, which is 99% of what we watch.

 

[Captante]

The real problem with "cutting loose the purse-strings" for a really nice/high-end "smart" (read: STUPID TV) is software updates. (or lack thereof!)

Most of these things get AT MOST 2-3 years of actual updates to the the OS even made available, never mind actually installed by the average tech-illiterate user out there. And they get connected to your wifi and/or wired ethernet along with the already "always-on" provider connection. Freaking awesome.

What could possibly go wrong ?!?


Seriously either buy a monitor that doesn't come with that garbage tacked on or go with a relatively cheap TV and replace it in a few years.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

" Any recommendations ... "


Yup. You won't like it though.

None. Save $5-600 plus all the electricity.

I turned mine off years ago and haven't missed it at all.


Told ya you wouldn't like it.

 

[snoopy7548]

Why do you need a TV? Just go outside.

 

[Captante]

Why do you need a TV? Just go outside.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Bring out yer dead !!!

 

[pete6032]

Dumb TV with good picture, then use Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, or similar device for streaming.

I have a 65" 4K HiSense smart TV, which is Android based. That works fine, but I much prefer using an Amazon 4K Fire Stick for all our streaming content, which is 99% of what we watch.

What model Hisense do you have?

 

[manly]

Dumb TVs don't exist any more, except at the very low end which you should try to avoid. Of course you can use any streaming box of your choice.

Hisense has great bang for the buck (while still beating the cheap TVs in quality). For your budget, you can get a U7 series:

Hisense U7H [U7, U75H] Review (55U7H, 65U7H, 75U7H, 85U7H)

The Hisense U7H is a lower mid-range 4k TV released in 2022. It's available in four sizes, ranging from 55" to 85", so you can choose the best size for your need...

www.rtings.com

A small plus is they have a 2 year warranty when most affordable TVs have just one year. Check Best Buy for Super Bowl sale prices and availability.

 

[MtnMan]

What model Hisense do you have?

65" H8F

 

[SKORPI0]

Bought a 65" H9F Dec 2019 at Best Buy on sale $900. Amazing brightness in a low light room. Used it for 2 years and replaced it with a LG OLED55C6 (4K with 1080p 3D) Jan 2022.



Pics of 65" H9F screen.

 

[pete6032]

Dumb TVs don't exist any more, except at the very low end which you should try to avoid. Of course you can use any streaming box of your choice.

Hisense has great bang for the buck (while still beating the cheap TVs in quality). For your budget, you can get a U7 series:

Hisense U7H [U7, U75H] Review (55U7H, 65U7H, 75U7H, 85U7H)

The Hisense U7H is a lower mid-range 4k TV released in 2022. It's available in four sizes, ranging from 55" to 85", so you can choose the best size for your need...

www.rtings.com

A small plus is they have a 2 year warranty when most affordable TVs have just one year. Check Best Buy for Super Bowl sale prices and availability.

Thanks. I came to the same conclusion after doing a lot of research. Hisense seems to fit my needs. I bought a 55" U7 from Costco.

 

[MrSquished]

Why do you need a TV? Just go outside.

Just went on a date with a woman that doesn't own a TV. second one I've met.

She streams the stuff she watches on her laptop

 

[MtnMan]

Just went on a date with a woman that doesn't own a TV. second one I've met.

She streams the stuff she watches on her laptop

I like a big screen, and big sound (not necessary loud) of surround sound and subwoofer. Even watching on a laptop with some good bluetooth headphones doesn't compare with Dolby Atmos.

 

[Captante]

My problem is that I don't watch enough TV to make a real "home-theater" a high priority.... I have a fairly nice 60hz/1080p Samsung 46 inch TV but I very rarely use it at all. (really the only thing I ever watch is live sports)

I watch 99% of the video content I consume on my gaming PC.... although I do have a relatively large 38 inch display.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

TCL is a good fit. Good enough to let you know you didn't buy a turd, dumb enough to not break because the coffee maker on it went on the fritz, smart enough to connect to your plex library, and cheap enough to stay in the triple digits. We've had one for several years with zero issues.

 

[repoman0]

As mainly a PC monitor however they're a risky proposition with potential burn-in and the stupid "can't be fully disabled" auto-dimming feature really putting a damper on the amazing image quality. (to be clear the dimming is a "TV" issue not an "OLED" issue and doesn't effect dedicated monitors.)

Auto dimming on the LG OLEDs can be fully disabled with a $7 service remote.

 

[repoman0]

What could possibly go wrong ?!?

Nothing if you just don’t connect it to your network. Both of my oled TVs are air gapped. All these TV manufacturers make money by selling ads through their OS now and by collecting and selling your data if they can get to it. An Apple TV streaming box is easily worth it at $100-150ish for the better UI and because the company at least pays lip service to privacy.

 

[Captante]

Nothing if you just don’t connect it to your network. Both of my oled TVs are air gapped. All these TV manufacturers make money by selling ads through their OS now and by collecting and selling your data if they can get to it. An Apple TV streaming box is easily worth it at $100-150ish for the better UI and because the company at least pays lip service to privacy.

Isn't that a bit like not connecting your smartphone to the network for most people?

Streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV DO get a ton more security updates to be fair but the vast majority of "smart" TV users just connect the wires and follow the on-screen prompts on whatever model TV they buy.



I do agree though.... turn the dang thing off and unplug it ... hack that MF'er!