New TV - confused with options

garybarlowsbeard

Ok, I'm after a 32inch TV. I get Which through work and have been looking on there and am slightly confused and seem to be going round in circles.

We don't know much about smart tv and recording live tv, or much to do with TVs at all!

We want something that is easy to use, a good all-rounder and can record live tv ideally. From what I've seen the PVRs seem not to be integrated. I saw an old thread on here regarding this issue and consensus seemed to be most don't have it integrated and this is best but not sure if this has changed with newer models.

Which's best buy for a 32 inch seems to be this - Samsung
UE32F6510 at £460 ish but then there are other 32 inch TVs around the same spec, as far as I can tell, at £250.

I'm confused!

edit - looking at PVR, is it more the storage that is external and if so, what sort of storage is integrated - is it just a few hours or something as that might be ok - we wont want to keep programmes forever.

Buzby

No integrated proper PVRs as just as those with DVD players they are neither upgradeable or split able if one component fails. TiVo & Humax are the main brands (the former now only from Virgin Cable).

Smart TV's are only useful if you are prepared to pay for the additional services whether new subscriptions, or the additional BB overhead of streaming services like iPlayer etc.

[Deleted User]

Forget about "integrated" PVRs (at least currently) as manufacturers don't include them and it's just another thing to go wrong. Buy a separate PVR from a company like Humax.

As to Which? recommendations, it's important to realise that they apply "Best Buy" labels to products across the whole price range. You'll generally only get what you pay for, so a Best Buy expensive model will be "better" than a Best Buy cheaper version. However, you may not require all the bells and whistles of the dearer product so it's basically your choice.

Cornucopia

That Which best buy is both Smart and 3D. You don't say whether you want these features.

Basic recording functionality is available on some TVs where you plug a memory stick into the back, and can record/playback up to the size of the memory you install.

Separate set-top-box solutions will be more sophisticated as far as recording is concerned. I'd add YouView to this list above of good quality external STB solutions.

Presumably this setup is for Freeview (not Cable or Satellite)?

garybarlowsbeard

But presumably I need a smart tv to watch the free aspects of the iplayer on my tv? and most of the cheaper TVs dont include wifi so guess thats something I need to decide if I'm happy to use a ongle/cable/pay more?

garybarlowsbeard

Yeah, freeview. What's the difference between freeview and freesat? Nothing?

And pretty sure I dont want/need/care about 3D!

ta

Cornucopia

garybarlowsbeard wrote: »

But presumably I need a smart tv to watch the free aspects of the iplayer on my tv? and most of the cheaper TVs dont include wifi so guess thats something I need to decide if I'm happy to use a ongle/cable/pay more?

Yes... and no. Yes, a Smart TV should allow access to iPlayer etc., and yes, it will need a connection to your router (either Wifi, cabled, or an RF/Mains solution).

However, that is far from the only way to do it, and if you are already thinking of a separate STB for recording, you may find that it includes Catch-up (iPlayer etc.) access as well. YouView certainly does this. There's also the NowTV box which is only £10 one-off, and includes wifi.

In VFM terms, it's likely that a solution built from a TV + other components will be better and potentially more future-proof. The downside being a mass of wires behind the TV.

Do you already have a games console or PVR? These may already have catch-up capability.

edit: If you are looking for a TV without Smart/3D, have a look at Richer Sounds. You should be able to pick up a good quality/good brand TV for much less than the Which recommendation (starting at £200 for 32inch).

garybarlowsbeard

No console or PVR. NOWTV box for a tenner deffo something I would do as would certainly consider buying football.

Thinking of getting the Samsung UE32F5500 for about £300. Which says:

It is easy to use and has a good range of connections, including plenty of HDMI and USB sockets (one can be used to link up a hard disc drive for a PVR). Built-in wi-fi unlocks the Smart TV features, including all the main catch-up TV apps - BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5. You can share content from your smartphone, and S Recommendations monitors your viewing habits and then suggests content you might like.
========

So, with this I can use free smart tv stuff via built in wifi and either a separate PVR or maybe even a USB stick? I read a 4GB USB stick holds a film and I think we have a few of those kicking about so that would be fine - would mainly just record the odd film, match of the day, nothing much and just watch and delete.

garybarlowsbeard

Actually, we have an external hard drive for photos and stuff i think...would that be usable with this?

Thanks again.

Cornucopia

That looks like a good option.

I would try the PVR functions with a memory stick, but if the links to the programme guide are good, and the controls for organising recorded content are okay, I suspect you'll be looking to upgrade after a while (especially if it offers HD recording).

A 1TB harddrive is about £50-60 these days, and that will store loads.

edit: You may or may not be able to re-use an existing external drive without clearing and re-formatting it. Some PVRs/TVs want the harddrive to be formatted in a particular way, which is not compatible with Windows.

RichardD1970

Cornucopia wrote: »

edit: If you are looking for a TV without Smart/3D, have a look at Richer Sounds. You should be able to pick up a good quality/good brand TV for much less than the Which recommendation (starting at £200 for 32inch).

Agree with this and would add if you can, go and have a look in store and a talk with the staff, they are very knowledgeable and will be able to advise on what you need to achieve what you want without the hard sell.