Need new TV - what connections do i need?

longwalks1

Need to replace the home TV, preferably 42" or bigger, not fussed on plasma or LED etc (not too clued up to be honest).

what connections should i look for? I will want to connect a laptop if possible, to stream movies and i guess wifi?

any recommendations please?

penrhyn

Belling Lee Socket.

emptybox

As to the laptop, you'll have to look at what video and audio ouputs you have on it.

If you have DVI or HDMI outputs, then they will plug into an HDMI socket on the TV (for video anyway).
If you only have analogue VGA (blue) output on the laptop, then you'll have to look for the same on the TV.

Only top end smart TVs will have wifi built in. Most smart TVs will have an ethernet connection for the internet. But you can often buy a wifi adaptor for them.

Most TVs only have one scart connection nowadays, but 2,3 or 4 HDMI sockets.

almillar

Pretty much anything modern that will throw a picture (and sound!) into a TV will use HDMI, so you'll want plenty of those. Hopefully your laptop has an HDMI out?
You'll want a FreeviewHD tuner I guess, but they're hard to avoid, that's a standard aeriel socket. You may want Freesat, that'll be an F-Connector.
If you've any old kit, you'll want a SCART socket - be aware that a lot of TVs these days only come with one.
WiFi is no use on your TV unless your TV actually uses it. You're looking for smart features I guess, but which ones? iPlayer for starters?
Each TV will have different features. Budget? Devices you will be connecting?

[Deleted User]

I have a samsung smart LED TV.. awsome picture when watching skyfall i felt like i was actually stood behind the camras... as for movie i stream from PC but it over wifi.. connect TV to router and PC too obvs... and install samumg allshare apps and the TV should see al the film and just play over wifi... no need to connect laptop to TV.. I love my TV best one i ever brought i can even tell the TV to play certen film from my PC.... have sound bar through optcial amazing sound
Has 2 HDMI PS4 games amazing picture too.. only downside is iplayers apps slow so use the PS4 for that

InsideInsurance

If you are putting your TV into a bright room or somewhere that reflections will be a problem then go with LED/LCD (they are the same, just different back lighting). Otherwise go with Plasma which has much better picture quality.

In a bright shop Plasma will look dull next to an LED screen but in normal viewing conditions the picture is more natural and blacks are darker.

As others have said, HDMI is the modern connection of choice and is almost mandatory for anything that is HD. Any of your older toys may be SCART and most sets do still have one of these sockets which may mean you need to daisy chain things together or look at getting a cheap SCART switch if you have a few scart devices

I_have_spoken

Check your laptop, my HP has a DisplayPort and old skool VGA but I'd expect most consumer laptops to have HDMI, Apple laptops have Mini DisplayPort and iOS devices like iPad you'll need an adapter to HDMI