Do I need a smart TV?

Morbier

Our 8 years old Samsung TV (not smart) is on the way out (purple haze in the top/middle of the screen).

We currently have a set-up as follows: TV, BluRay DVD recorder/player and Apple TV. With this we can view/record all Freeview channels, playback recordings and transfer to DVD, as well as (via the Apple TV) watch Netflix, BBC iplayer and Amazon Prime video.

Yes, I know the DVD part of the set-up is almost prehistoric :eek: but we're happy with it.

If there is such a thing as a non-smart TV (?) we're quite happy with that.

Can anyone suggest any benefit we would get from buying a smart tv please? One thing we definitely want is 4K. Not at all interested in Sky, mainly because of the cost.

thomasca

If you get your tv signal via the apple TV device then maybe all you need is a 4k led monitor to connect to it? That would be a non smart tv option.

getmore4less

As you don't care about smart focus on the features that matter like price, picture quality, size etc.

important will be connectivity to make sure you can plug everything in.

Once you have a short list you can look at the os/smartness

What size and how much do you want to spend?

what do you have for sound?

Read up on HDR that's a key part of going 4k
If you decide it is important that will eliminate some sets.

We are in the sweet spot for deals on TV the 2019 models are coming out and the 2018 models are getting sold off.

if you have £1k to spend you can get a great 55" OLED.

Viewing angles are also an important factor if not going OLED.

This thread on AV forums may be overkill if you just want a TV but if looking to improve your viewing experience it may help.

https://www.avforums.com/threads/my-best-value-tvs-2018-2019-edition.2199459/#post-26666251

tafelmoneysaver

Don't forget about sound ��
You'll need a monitor with speakers, or an external set.

DigForVictory

If you do Work At Home, some employers do not want you to plug the work laptop into a smart tv (risks of contamination. data leakage & other paranoias) so having the dumb capability can be a bonus.

Nothing shrewd cabling can't usually get around, mind, and then who's to know?

RumRat

I doubt you will find a 4K Tv that isn't smart, so you can stop thinking about that.
You don't need to use the internal smarts, you just plug in your Apple TV and use that as you do now, if that's what you would prefer.
The latest Samsungs have Apple TV built in.

DCFC79

Maybe your local Richer Sounds would be a good shout to get advice.

Senseicads

I'm not quite sure why the Smart aspect of the TV bothers you so much? you just use the features that you want surely? Like someone has said further up, I doubt you will be able to buy a TV nowadays without smart capability.

Blinkyspears21

Nowadays, Smart TVs are everywhere and they can have really good deals. Given their features, it is worth it to just buy one of you use your TV a lot.

wongataa

Morbier wrote: »

If there is such a thing as a non-smart TV (?) we're quite happy with that.

They are hard to find and all 4K televisions will be 'smart'

Morbier wrote: »

Can anyone suggest any benefit we would get from buying a smart tv please? One thing we definitely want is 4K.

The benefit is that you will get a TV. You don't have to use 'smart' features of a TV if you don't want to. It is pointless to really think about the smart aspect of televisions really. Just get a set you are happy with picture and price wise.

mgfvvc

The smart TV functions may well be a bit rubbish. I have a cheap Smart TV and the iPlayer no longer works correctly, I can't get My5, etc.

As others have said you don't have to use the smart functions. The Apple TV is probably much better, but using the built in services may sometimes be more convenient than an external device.