Smart TV advice

thestens

This may seem a bit of a strange question but where do I get advice about a smart TVs. I guess all the 'big barn' places Comet etc don't have experts to help you just salesmen who can read the info on the card( I can read).
I haven't bought a TV in about 12 years ( I have only ever had 5 and I am 66) so really have no idea whether Smart TVs are really worth it. I don't really know what they do extra to what my TV does now.
Do I really need superfast broadband ( I live in a very rural area and am lucky to get 10 mbs(?) speed.
What feature should I be looking for and where should I buy.
The present TV is I think a 29 inch screen and I don't think I want any bigger.
Netflx, Catchup, iplayer, HD how much do they cost? Do you have to have them ?
I need lots of advice can I get it here, if not where?

Brighty

You'll find it pretty impossible to buy a tv these days that is not smart. Just because you have a smart tv, doesn't mean you have to use those features, you can use it just like your current tv. What do you have now freeview? You can just keep on doing that if you wish.

iplayer and other catchup services are free to use, netflix and amazon prime you need to pay for, netflix from £5.99 a month, amazon £79 for a year. For all of those you will need a reasonable broadband speed

In terms of size, tv's have shrunk alot over the last 12years, so the space your current 29in takes up will easily accomadate a 32in or even bigger, though the next common size up is 40in, which you may find too big. There's not much choice out there for 29in, so if you really do want to stick to a small-ish screen then 32in is probably your best bet.

You should be able to get a good 32in for £250-300, probably alot cheaper than your old 29in was. Stick to a well known brand such as Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG and you won't go far wrong.

As for where to buy from, i would advise either John Lewis or Richer Sounds, as they both offer free extended warranty, 5yrs for JL and 6yrs for RS.

tyllwyd

I agree about size - if you have an old fashioned CRT tv, a new widescreen tv will feel a lot smaller and 32inches is a sensible minimum size. I'd get a tape measure and measure your current tv (the whole thing, not just the screen) then go to somewhere that sells tvs and check the dimensions. I'd go for the biggest one that you can sensibly fit into the space available, it's surprising how quickly you get used to it.


I agree with the other poster, all tvs are smart nowadays but you don't have to use that feature if you don't want to. If you are going to use a streaming service, you will probably need to upgrade your broadband to unlimited. I'd have a look at what your broadband provider is offering - it might be that things have moved on and you can get a better package at the same (or less) cost.

Cisco001

I think all you need is a full HD 32".

John Lewis has this toshiba at cheap price...
https://www.johnlewis.com/toshiba-32l3753db-led-full-hd-1080p-smart-tv-32-with-built-in-wi-fi-freeview-hd-freeview-play-black/p3266226

Marcon

Not all TVs are smart by any means! Tesco lists 54 32" TVs on their website, of which 33 are NOT smart TVs, so do double check if you decide you would like a smart TV.

John Lewis has a good guide to buying TVs, including an outline of what smart TVs can do: https://www.johnlewis.com/buying-guides/tv-buying-guide?intcmp=tv_landing_page_buying_guides_0216

ukcarper

If you are going to be the only person in house streaming TV 10mb should be OK.

Inner_Zone

thestens wrote: »

This may seem a bit of a strange question but where do I get advice about a smart TVs. I guess all the 'big barn' places Comet etc don't have experts to help you just salesmen who can read the info on the card( I can read).
I haven't bought a TV in about 12 years ( I have only ever had 5 and I am 66) so really have no idea whether Smart TVs are really worth it. I don't really know what they do extra to what my TV does now.
Do I really need superfast broadband ( I live in a very rural area and am lucky to get 10 mbs(?) speed.
What feature should I be looking for and where should I buy.
The present TV is I think a 29 inch screen and I don't think I want any bigger.
Netflx, Catchup, iplayer, HD how much do they cost? Do you have to have them ?
I need lots of advice can I get it here, if not where?

Comet went into administration some years ago and closed in 2012:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Group

pogofish

Have you tried the TV Forum? - lots of experience/advice to be had in there!