Looking for a TV

[Doheny]

I'm looking to buy a TV and wondering what I should keep in mind. Exactly what does a "smart TV" do? I heard that with a smart tv I won't need a cable box...is that true?

Any I should keep in mind/look out for? Brands, capabilities, etc? It's going in the bedroom, so it doesn't have to be too big (nothing is big in my bedroom.)

[anhzx]

Smart TV comes with apps like Netflix, youtube etc. so you can watch those and browse web. I like Samsung tv with 240 hz refresh rate, which is different than motion rate, and wifi. 4k tv is a new thing now but at higher price. I would not waste money on 3d tv because I rarely use it. you still need my cable box for tv like Comcast or att uverse. Maybe it's something new that I don't know about.

[Jet Setter]

Samsung is the way to go IMO. Get the highest refresh rate thou can afford and look at a lot of them before thou buy.

[gringo m]

Samsung.

[71MUSTY]

I'm pretty sure a smart TV is one that posts on the internet.

[Satex]

Smart TVs aren't worth paying extra for. The user interface is slow and clumsy, and that's pretty much universal across all brands. As far as TVs in general, you can't go wrong with Samsung.

[msternin]

Samsung is the way to go IMO. Get the highest refresh rate thou can afford and look at a lot of them before thou buy.

^

This. I agree. Costco is a GREAT place to buy a TV. They bump MFG warranties up to two years at no additional cost. Not mention they have great out-of-box models that people purchased, used for a day then returned under dont-ask-dont-tell policies. On those models they bump the warranty to five years through square trade.

Two best times to buy a TV at Costco are around or just after Christmas or around or just after Super Bowl. But check in at your local Costco. (Here come the Costco haters). This past Year I got a $1000 Sumsung for just under $500 with 5 year warranty. It had NEVER been turned on and the manual/instruction baggie was still sealed, never opened.

[spyde12]

I'm looking to buy a TV and wondering what I should keep in mind. Exactly what does a "smart TV" do? I heard that with a smart tv I won't need a cable box...is that true?

Any I should keep in mind/look out for? Brands, capabilities, etc? It's going in the bedroom, so it doesn't have to be too big (nothing is big in my bedroom.)

Refresh rate is a big factor, but this varies in quality depending on brands. For example, my LG and Vizio are both 120 hz, but the way the video is processed through the LG is much better. You'll need to see it in person so see the differences. You should also demo live action because that's when you'll really see the lag, or blur.

Most tvs come with smart apps and this varies by brand. Some have slingbox built in, so in a sense, you won't need a physical box attached to your tv. However, you'll still need a slingbox device.

Built in wireless, otherwise you'll have to buy a separate usb adapter. Also note what frequency it's compatible with 2.4ghz or 5ghz and what your router can broadcast.

Audio, most tvs don't really have the greatest sound quality due to its slim profile. Again, this varies by brand. Some people buy a sound bar.

Peripherals. How many devices will you be connecting? 4 should be enough.

Warranty. Whether you spend $500 or $2,000, it should last a good while.

Other items to consider, but aren't necessary:

Built in wireless HDMI.
Integration with phone or other handheld devices.
Programmable universal remote (Logitech).

I hope this helps.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[the86d]

Built in wireless, otherwise you'll have to buy a separate usb adapter. Also note what frequency it's compatible with 2.4ghz or 5ghz and what your router can broadcast.

If you have a wired network pipe at said location, use that instead...

[spyde12]

If you have a wired network pipe at said location, use that instead...

That's true and preferred, but most places I know don't have a cat5/6 port built into the walls and the router is usually not in the same vacinity as the tv.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[Zartan]

If you're in the Bay Area, check Video Only. They'll beat ANY price from an authorized dealer and 5 year in-home warranty for $150 on a 75" Samsung 4k.

I'm picking one up this weekend in Dublin.

Video Only

[klewan]

Plasma if you can find one. Why that retarded LCD or LED screen ever got one up, I'll never know.

[Gene1986]

I don't know everything about tv's but I just bought one at best buy today. Check this out KDL60W630B....I did a lot of research and with help of a good friend was a quick installation on the wall.

[Doheny]

Thanks all…now I just need to put my money where my mouth is!

[the86d]

My issue is that most MFRs of Smart TVs haven't been tested for long enough, which is why I didn't adopt SSDs until a few gens after their market-flood:

https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=flash+memory+in+smart+tv+life&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t#q=5000+hour+bug+ssd

Since they use flash memory, do you have a USB flash drive that lasted 10 years?
I wouldn't overpay for a Smart TV (Netflix works wonderfully on the ONE I have, but laggy-and-bad interface on Prime and Hulu), which is why a ~$30-$35 Chromecast is a good thing...