BLACKBURN CURRYS won't allow me to return/exchange £1300 Tv!!

Toxteth_OGrady

macman wrote: »

But a 10Mbps connection is not required. That's just some ill-informed sales rep at DSG making it up as they go along.

+ 1

And, taken directly from Panasonic's own Smart TV faq:

To enjoy videos via Viera Connect, the Internet speed should be at 1.5 Mbps or higher. Check the speed of your internet connection with your internet service provider. With a computer, you can measure the available speed of your internet connection by visiting a speed test website.

I would imagine 28Kbps internet radio should be ok too

almillar

OP - you seem to use the internet for streaming - how did this work before the TV? Because your TV isn't going to magically improve your connection.
I guess the TV works perfectly well.
What if this guy was trying to return the TV to Currys because he didn't have internet, and no-one told him he needed it? Anyone think that would be Currys' fault?!
Anyway, let's be practical....
What speed is your internet connection? http://www.speedtest.net (on a wired computer please).
Who are you with for internet? ADSL or Fibre? What is their advertised speed?
What speed is available at your number - would be worth upgrading to fibre to fix this problem? www.samknows.com
PLEASE try plugging your TV into your router with a network cable.
I think all of the above is easier than fighting with the retailer...

StuC75

Agree with the main issue being the somewhat limited broadband speed, online services can never be 'guaranteed' since speed and reliability cannot be guaranteed.. need the speedtest details posting back...

Its possible that a connection that is fine for general browsing is not good for internet streaming, you also say that your Son is always on the computer.. This would also be using up your bandwith if he is a heavy downloader..

Would also say to use a wired connection as wireless is not that good for streaming video.

[Deleted User]

StuC75 wrote: »

Would also say to use a wired connection as wireless is not that good for streaming video.

Yeah, a wired connection (or Homeplugs) will definitely improve the performance I think.

I do wonder whether the OP will be satisfied with the somewhat limited internet available from a SMART TV even when operating at peak capacity. Internet browsing is an absolute pain without a proper keyboard, for example.

poppasmurf_bewdley

In January, I bought a Toshiba Smart 3D TV from Curry's in Merry Hill.

When I got it home, I found that the thing didn't even have a browser and you couldn't download one. In addition, it had an annoying feature meaning that every time you performed an action in the menu, it then asked "Are you sure?"

I rang Curry's the next day and told them I was very unhappy with the set and they told me to just bring it back in its box and they would exchange it for another brand. I did that and got an LG 50 inch Smart 3D Plasma which I have been delighted with. It was even £150 cheaper than the Tosh, which was refunded to me immediately.

worried_jim

OP- post your internet speed-

http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/

StuC75

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

In January, I bought a Toshiba Smart 3D TV from Curry's in Merry Hill.

When I got it home, I found that the thing didn't even have a browser and you couldn't download one. In addition, it had an annoying feature meaning that every time you performed an action in the menu, it then asked "Are you sure?"

I rang Curry's the next day and told them I was very unhappy with the set and they told me to just bring it back in its box and they would exchange it for another brand. I did that and got an LG 50 inch Smart 3D Plasma which I have been delighted with. It was even £150 cheaper than the Tosh, which was refunded to me immediately.

Were you not able to check out all these features in the store? or was it just based upon the 'loop' that they have showing on it?? I know I stood there 'playing' with all the features first to actually gauge how those facilities worked, and if happy with that..

poppasmurf_bewdley

StuC75 wrote: »

Were you not able to check out all these features in the store? or was it just based upon the 'loop' that they have showing on it?? I know I stood there 'playing' with all the features first to actually gauge how those facilities worked, and if happy with that..

Yes, it was 'on a loop' as you put it. The display model wasn't connected to the internet either. The thing was that the salesman didn't seem in the least surprised that I wanted to swap the Tosh.

[Deleted User]

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

The display model wasn't connected to the internet either.

I can't see this being allowed, to be honest, as the connection speed in the shop could be higher (or even significantly lower) than the customer's domestic internet.

Glad you got your exchange so promptly.

almillar

For poppasmurf and others:
SmartTV does not have an agreed industry standard, it's just a marketing term. It could be taken to mean pretty much anything along the lines of 'can connect to the internet or run applications'. That certainly does not guarantee you'll have a web browser, YouTube access or iPlayer access. You need to check each individual model for the features you want.