Looking at 50"-55" Smart TVs. Advice wanted.

JustAnotherSaver

I will soon be in the market for a 50"-55" Smart TV. I'll probably end up getting a 50".

I know this is a money saving forum, but i don't want to just go out & buy the cheapest i can find. For that i wouldn't need to make this thread.


* I'm looking for something with superb picture quality. Not something where the screen goes dark depending on what angle you're viewing from. (so for that i believe i need LED & not LCD?)

* Curve TVs. I personally think they're a gimmick (although i'm happy to be told there's good reason to get one if there is a good reason). My wife likes them.

* We will be connecting a Wii / Wii U up to it. Maybe an Xbox at some point if i ever get one, but bottom line is - a games console of some description.

* It'll be hard wired to the home router & not connected via WiFi.

* Good sound quality through standard speakers is a must (i wont be having surround sound, and will admit i don't know anything about soundbars but they make me curious).



I can't really think of anything else right now to be honest. What sort of terminology & figures should i be looking at? That kind of thing.


I remember reading some time ago about them & at the time i read Panasonic's were upper quality. Samsung's were sort of the higher of the low end. This could've just been a bad article i was reading at the time which is why i'm coming here to discuss with actual people.

Thanks.

VisionMan

Hmm...

I can't really help you with this one but you need to be aware of a few facts.

LED and LCD are one and the same thing, just different terms applied. Its plasmas you want to avoid.

Curved TVs are indeed a gimmic.

A Wii will look terrible on a big screen TV such as a 50" (and I know, I've tried it).

Finally, its best to think of all flat screen TVs as having no speakers at all, because their all rubbish (far too thin to pack any punch). So to get the best out of it, its best to buy either a soundbar or sound system to go with it. Essential, even.

[Deleted User]

Probably wise for the OP to go to a local John Lewis and/or Richer Sounds and look at what is on offer. I really don't think the OP has to worry too much about the make of the television as long as it is a well known brand and not some supermarket "cheapie"
I agree curved TVs will swiftly die out.

I also agree super thin flat panels don't usually have very effective sound.

JJ_Egan

Richer sounds 4K Panasonic would be my first look .
Current offers
http://www.richersounds.com/information/mayday_deals?utm_source=emailmarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20160623__hifi__actives&utm_content=2016-06-24_0920

bengalknights

I would recommend the LG ranges depending on what your budget is

Cycrow

VisionMan wrote: »

LED and LCD are one and the same thing, just different terms applied. Its plasmas you want to avoid.

LED and LCD are not the same thing at all.
Infact they are referring to different things.

LED is the type of back lighting the tv has, LCD is the type of panel

almillar

You're looking for a good viewing angle - most decent TV's will have this, and some try to specify a viewing angle of, like, 178 degrees - I wouldn't want to watch a TV from that angle! You kindof need to judge that for yourself. Curved TVs actually used viewing angle as a selling point so if you do have a big range of seating positions, it might just be useful. Maybe.
LED is the lights behind the LCD screen. LED uses less power, and can be controlled better, for a better picture, than the old backlighting tech. An LED TV IS LCD.
Wii - you need a SCART input, or composite - that's yellow, red and white. Or you can get a component cable for it - red, blue, green, plus red and white. But it's an SD console and as above, won't look fantastic. XBox 360 onwards will simply connect via HDMI, so just go for as many ports as possible.
Sound quality through the standard speakers? Not gonna happen. Some TVs will be better than others, I recall some Sonys with big speakers on the sides, but there's just nowhere for the speakers to go on flat TVs. Go and listen to some but you can't replace a proper home cinema system.

victor2

Another vote for visiting Richer Sounds.
They have people who know what they're talking about and equipment they can demonstrate. IMO curved TVs will go the same way as 3D ones - nowhere. We have a Samsung 50" brought 2 years ago after a visit to Richer Sounds - the salesman even recommended I buy what I want from their website to get free delivery. Presumably cost him his commission, but that's what I did. We did buy an amplifier to go with it (already had good speakers) and used HDMI to the amp plus a wired connection to our router for internet. Other devices, DVD player, OH's karaoke(!) connect to the TV through the amp. Pleased with the TV - the 3D glasses are still in their box. It's wall mounted, I imagine a wall mounted curved TV would look ugly and stupid.