TV tech advice please

bargain_bagger

I'm trying to choose a new TV for my sister's flat and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options - I'm not up to speed with the technology! Can anyone advise?

I'm basically looking for a smart TV that allows you to watch/pause/rewind/record TV and allows easy casting/mirroring of all types of devices (apple/android/windows). We want to be able to cast/mirror everything, including Zoom.

We also want the option to easily watch iPlayer etc plus Netflix/Prime/Apple Tv or whatever we may choose to sign up to in the future.

Is it possible to get a TV that does all that or would we need to get a firestick / Apple TV, or something, or have a TV box subscription like Sky?
  
The current set up is getting really frustrating... got an old TV (not smart), with Sky box which she'd rather not be paying for if not necessary, Chromecast (which doesn't seem to work for some things, like Zoom!?), plus an HDMI cable which works sporadically with my Windows laptop but only seems to allow audio (no video) from sister's Apple laptop (with HDMI adaptor). 

I think she'd be prepared to around £500 (?) for a decent TV that's going to make life easier! (55-65 inch).
Any recommendations?
TIA

wongataa

Pausing and recording is best done with a PVR box, something like the Manhattan T3-R. If there are any services you want but there is no app on the TV or any box then a Chromecast and the relevant app on your phone works.  For using Zoom on a TV the best way is to connect a computer.  The setup you have already for this should work just fine so you need to do some troubleshooting.

bargain_bagger

wongataa said:

Pausing and recording is best done with a PVR box, something like the Manhattan T3-R. If there are any services you want but there is no app on the TV or any box then a Chromecast and the relevant app on your phone works.  For using Zoom on a TV the best way is to connect a computer.  The setup you have already for this should work just fine so you need to do some troubleshooting.

Thanks. Not wanting to confuse things but as you mention the Manhattan... I actually have one in my own flat and am having problems there.. I do have a smart TV, which has Freeview Play and access to iPlayer etc but, after recently installing a Manhattan box so I could also record TV, pause and rewind etc, I now can't seem to access Freeview Play / iPlayer etc (presumably cos the TV aerial is now plugged into the Manhattan!). Do you know how I fix this??

Currently living with my sis so I'm trying to sort her issue first though!
She does have the ability to pause/record etc on hers due to the Sky box but I'm trying to move her away from Sky cos she's been with them for years (TV and broadband) and they have been grossly overcharging and the wifi's really slow.
I read about something called 'Timeshift' on TVs which is supposed to let you pause/rewind/record directly on the TV but not many TVs seem to have it?

As I said we also have issues connecting her apple laptop to the TV and my laptop's faulty atm and we are unable to cast Zoom from our phones as Chromecast won't allow it.
I'm sure I read that there are other devices that will let you cast Zoom or in fact TVs with 'mirroring' which will mirror exactly what's on your phone screen ?

grumpycrab

bargain_bagger said:

I'm basically looking for a smart TV that allows you to watch/pause/rewind/record TV ....
Sky box which she'd rather not be paying for if not necessary

Blimey, you're not asking for much!  TVs smart capabilities may be much improved since I last looked but still think separates are best...so get the best TV picture you can get for budget then add... PVR as previously suggested.  Which is best?  I have no idea but Manahattan looks better than HUMAX.
For "pay extra" services e.g. Netflix/Prime/Apple Tv/NowTV  I'd suggest Roku.   (NowTV gives access to main Sky content). I think it may be worth asking how much she is "into" Sky content because the Sky box is very good in comparison to NowTV via Roku.
The tricky one (others may suggest something!) is casting/mirroring of all types of devices (apple/android/windows).  Chromecast for Android, HDMI cable for Windows and Apple).

JJ_Egan

TV record would be via an external hard drive  , not built in  .TV would need to be USB record capable .

I Player Prime Brit Box etc are installed on most smart tvs . Apple TV not all have that .

I would go down the best TV for the money via Richer Sounds  )sale still on )

Then if need be extras .

The Sky wifi is not Skys fault .

debitcardmayhem

You need a fly lead from your T3 to the TV , but the catchups come via the internet.

RumRat

Any decent PVR will have wifi connection and smart TV like apps. Just connect it up and use it for recording and viewing. If you want to use the TV tuners as well run an aerial cable from the PVR AE out to the TV AE in as DCM says above. 
Any smart TV will give you all the basics....Netflix etc. but, if not connected to WiFi then they won't work.

mobileron

do u need to record these days when you have catchup and ensure you get from Richersounds for the free 6 year warranty.
Look at the Hisense brand great value for money.

wongataa

bargain_bagger said:

wongataa said:

Pausing and recording is best done with a PVR box, something like the Manhattan T3-R. If there are any services you want but there is no app on the TV or any box then a Chromecast and the relevant app on your phone works.  For using Zoom on a TV the best way is to connect a computer.  The setup you have already for this should work just fine so you need to do some troubleshooting.

Thanks. Not wanting to confuse things but as you mention the Manhattan... I actually have one in my own flat and am having problems there.. I do have a smart TV, which has Freeview Play and access to iPlayer etc but, after recently installing a Manhattan box so I could also record TV, pause and rewind etc, I now can't seem to access Freeview Play / iPlayer etc (presumably cos the TV aerial is now plugged into the Manhattan!). Do you know how I fix this??

You connect the aerial socket on the TV to the aerial out socket on the box.  This will be shown in the instructions.  iPlayer doesn't come via the aerial so any issues with that are due to the device not connecting to the internet.

RumRat

mobileron said:

do u need to record these days when you have catchup and ensure you get from Richersounds for the free 6 year warranty.
Look at the Hisense brand great value for money.

You'd think wouldn't you?.....I've long wanted to ditch the PVR, however, Wife points out that it's fine if you remember what you wanted to watch. Recording just saves you trawling through the various catch-up services to find what you want.
Personally, I find very little worth recording on linear TV these days. This leaves a happy wife totally in control of the PVR.  

getmore4less

Not all stuff on the players is HD so recording can get a better picture.
Not all live TV is available long term, some is only a month
We sometimes save things up and binge.