Modern Televisions - what do I need to know

[User]

 

[Colin_P]

If you are still using a CRT then anything, even the cheapest modern set will be a massive upgrade. All will come with a 'freeview' capability. Some will be 'smart'.

Things I look for are;

Some are 'smarter' than others. I got a 'dumb' so called 'smart' TV about five years ago expecting it to have connectivity to anything online once the network cable was plugged into it. Wrong, there was a limited choice of what could be seen online. Make sure it has the capability to connect to what you use i.e netflix.

Other than that, even the most basic will be a huge upgrade from what you have now, don't overspend.

 

[further]

It won't last 18 years

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

It won't show any better programmes.

 

[Andy_R]

40" LED - avoid plasma if you can (but that's purely personal preference). By all means go for a smart tv, and go for full 1080p HD

 

[Levo-Lon]

Get it from John Lewis..

 

[fossyant]

John LEWIS and SAMSUNG SMART TV - bloody fabulous

 

[rualexander]

Plasma is an outdated technology now. Smart is often limited depending on the tv brand, better to get a Roku or similar device to provide internet connectivity to a non-smart tv. Built in Freeview HD is worth having over standard Freeview.

 

[vickster]

They don't make plasmas any more so you are stuck with HD LED, UHD 4K LED and OLED

Visit here if you like research

https://www.avforums.com/forums/which-tv-should-i-buy.367/

And then buy from John Lewis

 

[TVC]

How much do you want to spend? TVs are like computers, they tend to be sold at price points. You can get an unknown brand or an old model for under £200, The big brand smart jobs come in £3-500. If you want to pay more then there are alsorts of exotics.

A Sony or Samsung Smart TV is a safe bet.

 

[13 rider]

4 Meg broadband is at the lower end of speed which you could stream without buffering .If its steady at 4 Meg you should get away with it

 

[Mo1959]

As stated above, plasma is on the way out I think.

I still have a plasma in the main room as they were popular at the time, but the bedroom has a 32" Sony Bravia with built in Freeview HD tuner. I bought a wireless dongle to connect to my router for watching catchup tv on, but I think the more recent ones may well have wifi built in now.

 

[vickster]

How big do you want it to be? How far will you sit from it? Is anyone viewing from an angle?

If 40" enough this is a very good smart tv for under £400

http://www.johnlewis.com/samsung-ue...rol-built-in-wi-fi-and-2x-3d-glasses/p1319188

Or if want bigger, and can get to richer sounds, here's the big brother for £500

http://www.richersounds.com/product/tv---all/samsung/ue48h6400/sams-ue48h6400

 

[accountantpete]

You need a full 1080 HD TV not an old HD Ready going cheap.

Make sure that the TV has Freeview HD or Freesat HD - whichever you want (the Freesat will need a dish).

Cheaper "Good name" TV's usually have inferior SD pictures and the picture gets worse when viewed from an angle. If you look straight ahead at the TV and only watch HD then this is the way to go.

Look for a TV that you like and then run through the customer revies on Amazon etc -especially re the Sound quality as this varies considerably.

Richer Sounds are recommended - great prices - 5 year guarantee on every TV - join their VIP club and get an extra 10% off.

 

[mcshroom]

Price in a sound bar with the purchase as the on board audio is unlikely to be very good