Smart TV or not????

cloud_dog

Am looking for a 32" TV for the bedroom.

Not looking to spend huge amounts. Not bothered about hi-def (720 is fine). Would be using it for freeeview channels, catch up, movies form the NAS.

So the question is....

Do I go for a Smart TV or buy a standard TV and get Chromecast or Firestick or android box?

Anyone got/had similar, any good/bad experiences, i.e. UI, any preferences?

Robisere

How about a NowTV box? -
http://www.nowtv.com/box

We have a Sony Bravia KDL40RD453BU, there is a 32" version available. It is NOT a Smart TV, we bought it specially as a 'dumb' TV. We have just had SkyQ on a good deal at Currys with the TV, where I blagged a free NowTV box. Our intention is to possibly ditch Sky in 12 months, if the price goes too high, then use the NowTV box to turn the Sony TV into a Smart TV without contracts: NowTV lets you pay per month and there are other deals. Most of it can be 720p, but you say you are not bothered by that.

debitcardmayhem

Most terrestial TV is 576i(sd), depending where you live you can get upto 15 HD channels assuming your TV has HD tuner (720/1080). I would still go for a 1080 ready 32" though, smart is not really that smart unless you go for the brands that don't abandon things like iplayer when the BBC changes their rules.

neilmcl

What's your budget?

I got a Samsung ue32J5100 (non smart) for £190 just before Xmas last year for the bedroom and purchased another Amazon Fire TV stick in last years black friday sales. TBH, using a dedicated Amazon Fire device with included apps such as Netflix, BBC Iplayer etc is much better than the comparable apps on the smart TV. I also had a Samsung ue32ES5500 smart TV for comparison.

esuhl

I don't have a TV (so probably not the best person to listen to!), but...

From what I've heard, manufacturers don't update the "smart" operating system on the TV after a few years, so eventually it won't be compatible with the various media sources.

I think I remember reading about popular TV models losing access to iPlayer as the BBC changed the way that iPlayer streams and the TV manufacturer had no interest (profit) in releasing an update.

So, personally I'd get a "dumb" TV (or even a monitor if it has high enough brightness for TV use), and an external box to provide Freeview and any smart features you might want.

I don't know, but I'd guess that you could find external boxes with long-term support through subsequent firmware updates. I think some just run Android, so there are probably open source firmware images you could install long into the future.

But, with no TV, what do I know?! :-P

boatman

Make sure it has good picture, usb's and an Ethernet socket. Plug in what you like then, be it now TV, chrome etc. TV software is nothing special and probably won't get many updates.

getmore4less

the problem I found was it is hard to find decent deals on small TV's

might be worth looking out for someone upgrading to something bigger
or look at monitors.

add on smart is the way to go

dacouch

This is a good deal if you don't mind a 40"

Although not a smart tv

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/179-sharp-40-inch-1080p-television-with-freeview-hd-from-tesco-store-online-2540530

Johnmcl7

I'd get a standard TV and an additional device for smart features, it frees up your choice of TV both now and for future devices - if you like the Chromecast for example it means you can have that same interface on each TV. I have a couple of Samsung smart TV's but use Chromecasts with them as it's much quicker and works better than the builtin smart interface.

John

Neil49

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I'd get a standard TV and an additional device for smart features, it frees up your choice of TV both now and for future devices - if you like the Chromecast for example it means you can have that same interface on each TV. I have a couple of Samsung smart TV's but use Chromecasts with them as it's much quicker and works better than the builtin smart interface.

John

Agreed. We have a Panasonic smart TV with freeview plus but prefer to use our Now tv box for catchup etc as it is easier to use.

thescouselander

Don't bother about the smart TV features - TV manufacturers don't support them and they stop working quite quickly. That said it's hard not to but a smart TV these days so just go for the best deal and add an extra box of required.