The Annual Question: Smart TV recommendations...

[psuro]

looking at a 55" Samsung Smart TV. The size of the TV fits the room, and am a bit intrigued on the Smart TV capabilities.

Thoughts? Other options? Worth the money? (around $1000 from Best Buy).

Anything I should be careful of, if I go this route?

 

[interrobang]

What part of the smart are you most interested in? Most people use the smart part just for the apps for accessing Netflix, WatchESPN, etc.

If I'm buying a new TV, the smart capabilities are irrelevant to me. I have an Amazon Fire TV that does all the "smart" part of the TV.

 

[psuro]

What part of the smart are you most interested in? Most people use the smart part just for the apps for accessing Netflix, WatchESPN, etc.

If I'm buying a new TV, the smart capabilities are irrelevant to me. I have an Amazon Fire TV that does all the "smart" part of the TV.

Probably what you just described. Plus can I access the Internet?

 

[mjh218]

Best site for tv info is www.rtings.com. Has thorough reviews and tons of answers to common questions.

 

[lionville]

I got a samsung 55" for Christmas last year. It wasn't good for watching sports. My family thought I was crazy. Took it back and got the 55 Sony. I find the picture much better.

Both make multiple models which increase in quality with price. I paid $1100 for my Sony and saw it in my Best Buy flyer today for $899 albeit a 2016 model instead of 2015.

 

[BobPSU92]

The only Smart TV that matters:

 

[interrobang]

Probably what you just described. Plus can I access the Internet?

As in use it like a big screen computer and browse the web? By nature of the smart TV, it's connected to the internet.

I guess my advice is don't rule out a good deal on a TV just because it's not a smart TV, because for $35-$100 you can get a device that hooks up to your TV (Amazon, Chromecast, etc, etc) that can do all the "smart" things your TV can do.

I don't think there's really anything super "smart" a TV can do that would separate it from another. My big criteria is how thin is the TV for a streamlined wall mount.

 

[sluggo72]

looking at a 55" Samsung Smart TV. The size of the TV fits the room, and am a bit intrigued on the Smart TV capabilities.

Thoughts? Other options? Worth the money? (around $1000 from Best Buy).

Anything I should be careful of, if I go this route?

The little I know is, the Hertz (Hz) is the most important thing especially watching sports. That's the refresh rate and gives the speed basically how fast the screen is redrawn. 60-120-240 the higher the number the better the pic. If you can get 240hz get it

 

[psualt]

Got 55" Samsung that is curved for just under 700. We are happy with it.

 

[dawgduice]

OK, I recently purchased a 60" Samsung, great picture Smart TV, not so much. Actually I connected a ROKU and a Mac mini serves up my PLEX media (tv shows and movies). The "smart" stuff is really NOT very smart. I do have my ROKU connected to Ethernet for super fast streaming.
My neighbor was so impressed by the picture quality he purchases the Samsung himself.

 

[johnmpsu]

Put your money in the TV, not the "smart" part. Just hook up your computer to the tv or buy a bluray that has all the smarts included. I'd much rather put my money into an OLED TV (though most of them are "smart") than pay for internet access/apps that I can get very inexpensively through any number of ways. If I was buying a TV today I'd go OLED. If I didn't have the money I'd wait until I had it or the price came down which it certainly will.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

As others have said, a Smart TV is worthless.

You're far better off getting a TV and then a streaming device (Roku, Chromecast, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.) because they'll get regular software updates and new features. With a Smart TV, you're stuck with what you've got unless/until the manufacturer decides to refresh things.....which isn't often.

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Toyota minivan with snow tires.*

* Massimo made me do this

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

looking at a 55" Samsung Smart TV. The size of the TV fits the room, and am a bit intrigued on the Smart TV capabilities.

Thoughts? Other options? Worth the money? (around $1000 from Best Buy).

Anything I should be careful of, if I go this route?

I have a 55 inch Samsung in our condo in State College. We use the Smart features for amazon tv, Hulu, Netflix, etc as we don't have any pay channels since we are not there all the time. It is 240 hz model. I bought it at Costco for around $850. It has an excellent picture. I am very happy with it.

 

[psualumni2002]

Put your money in the TV, not the "smart" part. Just hook up your computer to the tv or buy a bluray that has all the smarts included. I'd much rather put my money into an OLED TV (though most of them are "smart") than pay for internet access/apps that I can get very inexpensively through any number of ways. If I was buying a TV today I'd go OLED. If I didn't have the money I'd wait until I had it or the price came down which it certainly will.

I just got an 65" OLED TV. it's amazing and worth every penny. PSU beating Mich St sealed the deal so I had it in time to watch the B10 championship game. IMO get pay the little extra to get the "smart" extras. It's easier than switching inputs. They often also tie into the tv's search functions.

 

[ralphster]

PSUalumni2002, do you mind divulging where you purchased and how much you paid? That is exactly the TV I am looking for. Thanks in advance.

 

[CF LION]

OK, I recently purchased a 60" Samsung, great picture Smart TV, not so much. Actually I connected a ROKU and a Mac mini serves up my PLEX media (tv shows and movies). The "smart" stuff is really NOT very smart. I do have my ROKU connected to Ethernet for super fast streaming.
My neighbor was so impressed by the picture quality he purchases the Samsung himself.

Agree. ROKU's are great. I have them on two older "dumb" TV's and they work better than the newer smart TV that I have.

 

[Chris92]

If you're asking this same question annually, I wouldn't keep coming back here for advice.

 

[psualumni2002]

PSUalumni2002, do you mind divulging where you purchased and how much you paid? That is exactly the TV I am looking for. Thanks in advance.

I paid $2300 for a geek squad certified open box version at Best Buy. Model OLED65B6P.

I was waiting for them to get down to $2500 and they got close around Black Friday then I saw this online for local pickup and thought it was worth a shot. Shortly after the prices jumped back above 3k for that version.

 

[Obliviax]

Smart TV is a convenience item. For the most part, you can go to the monthly services (Hulu, Netflix, etc.) with the same remote and easily. But, as people have said, you can get a roku, google Chromecast or apple TV and get the same affect. It does hook to the internet, but to get to these stations. I've not seen a Smart TV where you can surf the net, for one thing, the keyboards would be messy.

I, personally, like the smart TV. Seems that I have a lot of people that spend time in my house that can't figure out how to change from the cable box to Apple TV. With a smart TV, it is typically just a button on the remote.

 

[artsandletters]

I have a buddy who's wife convinced him several years ago to buy a big Sony (think it was Sony) TV for $3500 because it was the only TV that showed a true green, rather than a mix of colors green. Does that sound familiar? I'm not into TVs at all so this sounded strange, that a person would pay extra just to get a true green. That's the story he told me. Strange. Is it vaguely true?

 

[Obliviax]

I have a buddy who's wife convinced him several years ago to buy a big Sony (think it was Sony) TV for $3500 because it was the only TV that showed a true green, rather than a mix of colors green. Does that sound familiar? I'm not into TVs at all so this sounded strange, that a person would pay extra just to get a true green. That's the story he told me. Strange. Is it vaguely true?

Go to the local best buy and stand and watch their wall of TV's. You can do that for hours and only find the slightest difference from TV to TV. For the most part, the basics of the TV are only manufactured by a couple of major companies (meaning, the displays). The big companies surround that with a bunch of high end electronics. I set up a 40" Hisense Smart TV for my in-laws and feel the TV is as good as any TV I've seen. IMHO, the differences are +-5%. (sound and options were limited on the hisense, but that TV was as good as any, my sister in law bought it for $100 on Black Friday).

I personally, like the Samsung best, Sony second with LG a close third. Then I move to Visio/Panasonic. But honestly, if you go to a store and they give you time with a remote to mess with the options, their isn't a lot of difference.

The only exception being the curved TV, but my problem with the curve is you limit the optimum viewing area and it is a bit of odd looking if you hang it on a wall.

 

[bdgan]

Are the ultra HD TV's worth the money? The pictures look great in the store but I wonder if the signal you get from your cable TV provider is capable of creating the image quality that the TV is capable of projecting.

Related question. Does anybody have a Google Audio Cast? I understand that you can use those devices to transmit music from your cell phone to your old style stereo receiver and speakers.

 

[BBrown]

Probably what you just described. Plus can I access the Internet?

I have a 55" LED Samsung Smart TV (don't know the model off hand) but its only about a 1.5 years old.
Has a great picture and yes you can use it to access the Internet but it is a PIA and dog slow.
Other than that its a really nice TV.

 

[Woodpecker]

The little I know is, the Hertz (Hz) is the most important thing especially watching sports. That's the refresh rate and gives the speed basically how fast the screen is redrawn. 60-120-240 the higher the number the better the pic. If you can get 240hz get it

Be careful about the refresh rates on Samsungs: cnet. That is not to say that Samsungs are not great TVs that you (and many who have said here) cannot enjoy and be happy with.

 

[flavorguy]

looking at a 55" Samsung Smart TV. The size of the TV fits the room, and am a bit intrigued on the Smart TV capabilities.

Thoughts? Other options? Worth the money? (around $1000 from Best Buy).

Anything I should be careful of, if I go this route?

I have always used this site for the utmost information regarding Display device information, and most importantly, settings recommendations. One of the most important things you should do with any display is to "calibrate"...

Search the forum for your specific model number.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/index.php

 

[ralphster]

Thanks - very helpful!

 

[bplionfan]

I agree with those who say spend extra and go for the OLED. You can find pretty good prices from legit dealers on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-Electron...278948?hash=item2a6abb3064:g:0jMAAOSw2xRYTx~V

CNET Review. Best tv ever reviewed.
https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-oledb6p-series/

 

[artsandletters]

Blah, blah, blah. I'm not replacing my 27", 18 year old Orion CRT until it dies. The show comes on. I watch it. What's the big deal? I don't need the little people on the TV to be any bigger or clearer. I see them. I see what they do. There's audio. It's fine.

 

[BBrown]

Blah, blah, blah. I'm not replacing my 27", 18 year old Orion CRT until it dies. The show comes on. I watch it. What's the big deal? I don't need the little people on the TV to be any bigger or clearer. I see them. I see what they do. There's audio. It's fine.

But it weighs like 300 lbs and by then you'll be too old to move or lift it.

 

[LionDeNittany]

looking at a 55" Samsung Smart TV. The size of the TV fits the room, and am a bit intrigued on the Smart TV capabilities.

Thoughts? Other options? Worth the money? (around $1000 from Best Buy).

Anything I should be careful of, if I go this route?

Pick up a PS4 or XBOX One with the extra money that your smart TV costs (if there's an equivalent without the smart)

The processor is much better and you will be able to do everything the smart TV will do, but better. Plus the new systems are 4k so you can use them with newer TVs when you get them.

LdN

 

[Obliviax]

I agree with those who say spend extra and go for the OLED. You can find pretty good prices from legit dealers on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-Electron...278948?hash=item2a6abb3064:g:0jMAAOSw2xRYTx~V

CNET Review. Best tv ever reviewed.
https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-oledb6p-series/

I've got two LGs. One is ~ 10 years old. Its an original 42 flat panel TV that weights about 75 lbs. It probably costs me more in power than buying a new one would.

I bought a Samsung to replace it, and moved it into the basement. The month the warranty expired, the samsung's panel went out. Googling it, I learned that his was a common problem. So I wrote the President of Samsung US a letter with a copy of the invoice and several YouTube links to people having the same problem. A short while later, a woman called me to find out where to ship a refurbished unit. It is now in my bedroom. But I had already bought the LG.

Kudos to Samsung for sending me a new one. And kudos to LG for lasting. I do have to say the Samsung has a brighter picture (its led) but the LG, who are both plasma, have better coloring. However, unless really concentrating, there isn't a lot of difference. Just one other note, I do remember having a convo (perhaps on this board) who said he did purchasing for a major hotel chain. And that their research showed the LG's to be the most reliable so they bought thousands of them for hotel rooms.

 

[bplionfan]

I've got two LGs. One is ~ 10 years old. Its an original 42 flat panel TV that weights about 75 lbs. It probably costs me more in power than buying a new one would.

I bought a Samsung to replace it, and moved it into the basement. The month the warranty expired, the samsung's panel went out. Googling it, I learned that his was a common problem. So I wrote the President of Samsung US a letter with a copy of the invoice and several YouTube links to people having the same problem. A short while later, a woman called me to find out where to ship a refurbished unit. It is now in my bedroom. But I had already bought the LG.

Kudos to Samsung for sending me a new one. And kudos to LG for lasting. I do have to say the Samsung has a brighter picture (its led) but the LG, who are both plasma, have better coloring. However, unless really concentrating, there isn't a lot of difference. Just one other note, I do remember having a convo (perhaps on this board) who said he did purchasing for a major hotel chain. And that their research showed the LG's to be the most reliable so they bought thousands of them for hotel rooms.

I have 3 plasmas, A Pioneer 4280, A Samsung PN63C590 (no problems yet with the panel), and a Panny 65VT60. Not a fan of LED's but I do have a Sony S3000 in my bedroom which I rarely watch. My next tv will be an OLED.

 

[artsandletters]

But it weighs like 300 lbs and by then you'll be too old to move or lift it.

Nah. I'll bring in The Cleaner, Harvey Keitel. He'll break it into little pieces and bury it. Nobody knows nothin'.

 

[Obliviax]

But it weighs like 300 lbs and by then you'll be too old to move or lift it.

My old 70 lb LG Plasma doubles as a fireplace in my basement because it puts off so much heat. (half kidding here) If I do the yule log channel, it is almost like the real thing

 

[Whaaaaaaaany]

As others have said, a Smart TV is worthless.

You're far better off getting a TV and then a streaming device (Roku, Chromecast, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.) because they'll get regular software updates and new features. With a Smart TV, you're stuck with what you've got unless/until the manufacturer decides to refresh things.....which isn't often.

This is almost exactly what I was going to say. If you're only interested in the viewing apps...spend the money on a better TV and get a ROKU/Chromecast/Fire Stick...whatever. I've got 3 Rokus and a Smart TV...The viewing apps for the ROKU are much more extensive than my Samsung Smart TV...and they seem to never get new ones. ROKU has new ones all the time.

 

[LionDeNittany]

I have 3 plasmas, A Pioneer 4280, A Samsung PN63C590 (no problems yet with the panel), and a Panny 65VT60. Not a fan of LED's but I do have a Sony S3000 in my bedroom which I rarely watch. My next tv will be an OLED.

LED and Plasma aren't comparable descriptions.

Plasma or LCD are sreen (filter types)

Flourescent or LED are lighting types

OLED is a newer product

Sony s3000 is LCD

 

[bplionfan]

LED and Plasma aren't comparable descriptions.

Plasma or LCD are sreen (filter types)

Flourescent or LED are lighting types

OLED is a newer product

Sony s3000 is LCD

Yea I know....I call them LEDs because that is how they are listed in stores.

Btw, Plasmas and LCD's aren't sreens, There is no such thing as a sreen. They are screens...

 

[81b&w]

The LG OLED is far and away the finest picture I have ever seen, blew me away when I saw it. Hopefully the price will come down as it's out of my range but that will be my next tv. I currently have a Vizio smart tv but I also have it hooked up to my Desktop so the smart part doesn't really add anything. Vizio seems like a good tv for the money

 

[psualumni2002]

I expect 65" OLED to get under $2000 by mid year and close to $1500 next black Friday. They dropped pretty far in 2016. There are rumors of other manufactures producing OLED TV's in 2017. CES in January should definitely be interesting regarding OLED.