topic Re: Help with Smart TV options in Electronics

Help with Smart TV options

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:11:50 GMT

So I am looking to buy a second tv to sit in my living room. I've had one tv my whole life but now that I have a grown up place, my mother has suggested I live like a real adult now. LOL

I think I have figured out the 4K is just about looks and not really available for most shows yet.

Smart just means it has a streaming device built in which I already have plugged into the back of my little tv with Chromecast.

I also already have a Google home device which I could control the tv with but I never do so there is my voice assist.

My first thought was to invest in a 4K since that's latest and greatest. That is also around $400-500 which I am choking on for features that mean nothing to me or that I can already do with my Chromecast plug in and Google Home.

So my second thought was to not do the 4K and save myself $200. That brought me to two different options one with Roku and another with Chromecast built in. I have no idea what Roku is and from what I can gather, Chromecast pretty much does the same thing.

So what would you do?

1. Invest in the 4K or just get the budget smart tv and save myself the extra money?

2. If I go budget, does it make any sense to switch to Roku or just go with what I know with the built in Chromecast?

3. Would I get anything more by switching to Roku?

Anything you can give me, I am all eyes. Thanks!

Re: Help with Smart TV options

meem120 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:20:11 GMT

Roku is strange. The tv itself is great, but the clicker you get with it has no numbers on it so you need a cable remote. You can only move the channels up and down which is nuts. We have the cable remote so its not a problem for us.

We also have the Samsung smart tv. Its a 4k also. I got that on Am****n and it was only about 369$. We got it last year. I think its 42 inch. Its excellent.We're very pleased with both..It also has no numbers on the remote.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

meem120 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:21:39 GMT

Oh and there's no diff in streaming on either tv. You can get any programs. Depending on which Tv, the apps are already downloaded, but you can get anyone you want.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:25:45 GMT

I need nothing in my life that is going to cause me more stress. Sounds like I'd be good with the basic unit in Chromecast then if I go budget.

Right now, I can get a 4K LG for about the price of your Samsung for a 50" which I think is a bit big for me or a 43" non 4K for about $200.

Thanks @meem120. That helps me out tremendously. I didn't think Roku would give me more of anything I already had.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

meem120 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:27:19 GMT

The samsung tv are really excellent. The picture is very clear and crisp. Theyre really very easy. The set up is quick. You just follow the commands on the screen. Takes about 10 minutes.. Dont stress over that. Its easy, truly

Re: Help with Smart TV options

meem120 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:29:38 GMT

Im sure the LG are good too. They have a good reputation. Weve just had amazing good fortune with Samsung for years so we tend to continue to buy them.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

conlt — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:30:24 GMT

I just purchased 2 TV's yesterday. I like Samsung so both are Samsung. They are both "add-on" tV's 1 for my bedroom and 1, for my sitting room where I spend a lot of time. I have a 65 inch tv in my main room, Samsung, smart TV with a 240 motion rate and 1080 P. I perfer the 240 motion rate but you can go with 120 or 60. I would not go to 60, but the sitting room TV I bought yesterday has a 120 rate and 1080 P. The small TV for my bedroom, I had to go with the 60 motion rate but it still has the 1080 P. The 1080 P is pixels, which sharpen the picture. The motion rate is how an image moves across the screen. With the lower motion rate you may see "drag" with a high action show. I also like the smart TV because it gives me the ability to stream without an external device. There is a brand out there Hensie (not sure of the spelling), that is quite affordable.. I would suggest you go look at the pictures on the TV's in the store and pick the 1 that you like. You will also need a HDMI cord to go with it. A Roku is a streaming device and some of the TVs have that built in. My samsung will stream Netflix, Amazon, Hulu among others. Ilove my large Samsung TV. I just like that brand. It seems to be a little more costly then some of the others.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:31:05 GMT

Thanks @meem120! I am stressed about set up so it's good to know Samsung is easy based on your experience. I know nothing of this new world and they don't believe in instruction manuals anymore.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:34:21 GMT

@conlt Thank you! I didn't realize there was more. I will go look at the numbers on that motion thing. I didn't know there was more to consider.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

kivah — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:46:44 GMT

@Laura14

I'm electronically challenged but 3 yrs ago I purchased a 40" Samsung Smart tv from Costco dot com. I paid $300 - it was on sale. It's been working perfectly. Costco gives a 2-year warranty. I purchased the 3 yr extended warranty for an add'l $99 - but I now realize it wasn't necessary.

If u need help, u can email Costco for suggestions or information.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

conlt — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:52:36 GMT

@Laura14 If you belong to Costco or know someone that does, there is a 43" Samsung 4K LED LCD smart TV wiht a motion rate of 120 that I was going to buy for my sitting room until I saw the 50" for $50 more. It goes on sale on November 16th for $279.99 including delivery. I researched this TV and it s a good one. Also look at best buy, they have some good prices, Walmart (although the models they have are often older), Sams club and Target are another good place to go. I would do my research and wait until next week. Find out what you want then get it on Black Friday.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 20:58:34 GMT

Thanks @kivah and @conlt.

I actually found one at Sam's Club that was a 4K 50" LG on sale for $379. I was all set to get that one today since my mom is a member but really rethought it since I saw Walmart has a budget Vizio43" for $198 early Black Friday sale. I really didn't think an extra $200 was worth it for something I can already do myself for the most part and 50" is a bit of an overkill for my space but doable.

I also just checked and the 43" is a 1080 with only 60 motion rate which I didn't realize could cause me issues with playback. I am going to start over and relook at everything now that you guys have educated me more.

I really appreciate the help.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

conlt — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:01:46 GMT

Yes, the 720 P and 60 motion rates are the lower end TV's but also the least expensive. When LED TV's came out they were all 720 P 60 motion rate. 1 of my new TV's is 32 inches with a 60 motion rate. I could not find a tv that small with a 120 motion rate. I think it will be ok because I mostly watch it at night before sleeping. I flip through channels in bed then fall asleep.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

mimomof4 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:05:46 GMT

If you are looking for a TV Black Friday is the best day of the year to purchase one.

I wouldn't invest in 4K. Something new will come out next year. Invest in a good brand in a size which fits your room and your budget. You are already using Chromecast so why change. An LED TV will work great and there are many Smart TVs at a great price point.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:35:41 GMT

@mimomof4 That was kind of where my head is at. I am just trying not to lose an expensive tv in a year or two because I didn't spend some extra money now.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

SilleeMee — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 22:03:16 GMT

I would just buy an inexpensive 4K. Although many programs are not sent in 4K format, the picture quality you see with a 4K screen is much better than regular HD...by a long shot.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 22:21:18 GMT

Well my mom had the best idea which is why she is a mom.

I told her about all of your great advice and she said, "Buy the budget one. It will get here before Black Friday. If it doesn't work right or you want to step up even bigger after you see it, you still haven't missed the big sales on the higher end ones."

So I am going to try that. The budget one is Walmart which has a good return policy. This is one of their early Black Friday specials which I am finding impossible to beat anywhere and it has Chromecast built in so I'll be familar with the platform already.

I also checked the little tv I've had forever and that is a 60mhz rate and I've not had any real issues with it streaming or with the satellite tv that were anything major. Although it worries me a bit that I am spending a couple hundred bucks and not stepping up after all this time on that feature.

So we'll see. Thank you all for your advice. You made me feel a lot more confident as a buyer today.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

software — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 23:51:13 GMT

A TV is only as good as the signal it receives.

In other words, garbage in garbage out.

I have a very plain Sony smart TV, nothing fancy, about 7 years old.

My cable TV provider broadcasts in 4K but I don't need a 4K to see it in 4K quality

I don't know the science behind it but I had DirecTV and the picture was HD but compared to the 4K signal I get now I might as well have been watching in B&W

So whatever you decide, don't buy more than you need just because you think it's better.

Consider what you will be watching.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

Kachina624 — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 01:15:30 GMT

@Laura14. I'd like for you to share with us the name of the business where you can get 43" TV for $200. I bought a 43" Vizio at Walmart last Black Friday on sale with an extra $30. discount and it came to about $350. FYI, you should buy a larger flat screen TV than you think you'll need.

What bells and whistles you go for depends on what you like to watch. If you enjoy movies, documentries, series, home shows etc., you should consider a TV with which you can access Netflix or Amazon Video. You can subscribe to Netflix for $7.95/mo, and have endless hours of constantly changing entertainment 24/7. Best bargain available today.

Re: Help with Smart TV options

glb613 — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 11:13:34 GMT

When first released, Smart TVs were very expensive. It's not the case anymore and most TVs have the ability to stream programs. Many have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube and many other channels included in the price of the TV. You may not need to buy a separate streaming device to watch the channels you want. You will need to subscribe to a service to use it whether you buy a separate streaming device or use your Smart TV's streaming. I have an Apple TV because I want to stream Britbox and Acorn TV which aren't included.

I can understand not wanting to pay extra for "all the bells and whistles" if you don't think you'll use them. But, most TVs have them because it's what people want. Just because your TV can do something doesn't mean it's mandatory to use it. The same is true with every device. Good luck shopping.