TV Recommendations please!

OnlyTheBestWillDo

neilmcl said:

ButterCheese said:

I got a Tesco own brand TV for £260.  It's 4k and the picture is good.  The sound is poor but I run it through an amp and speakers, so if you have a sound bar it will recify the issue to some extent.  The cheaper smart TVs are painfully slow, so I bought an Amazon Firestick 4k max and it is so quick it's almost instantaneous.  You just need an extra power socket for the firestick and off you go.  In  my experience a cheaper TV with speakers/soundbar and streaming stick is often better than an expensive TV if you aren't worried about a high-end picture.  I watch loads of TV and have never ever wished for a better picture.  My Dad bought a £600 Sony and my firestick is still faster than his in-built smart apps, and cost me half as much. 

I'm not saying this is the best option above a more expensive TV, but on a budget it's worth considering

Surely that's the main point of buying a TV, ie, to get the best possible picture for the amount you're spending, everything else is secondary and can usually be overcome with the right additions, ie, soundbar, smart devices etc. A TV is a visual medium so why would you want to compromise on the picture above other things. 

Just about everyone who asks for advice on buying a TV, ignores that advice and go for bells and whistles. 
https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/lg/nano85

Not that it's a bad TV. I like that it plays FLAC natively. But their Local Dimming is rubbish.

LV_426

dllive said:

Hi all, 

After 10 years I thought Id treat myself to a new TV. (my existing TV will be moved up to the bedroom, or sold).

Id like a TV that is 110cm wide, smart TV (Netflix and YouTube) and good quality. Im overwhelmed with all the options and the new fandangled stuff. I dont know if I want HD, or 4D or anything else. I just want a good picture and good sound (obviously). Does anyone have any recommendations? I suffer from a severe case of analysis paralysis!

Thanks 

You say you're not sure about UHD (4K). Believe me, when you see it, you'll want everything to be in 4K. I can only describe my new Sony Bravia as jaw dropping. However this is compared to my previous Panasonic plasma, which I'm still using as a second TV in the other room. It's about 16 years old, but still good. It's 720p HD, but upscales to 1080p, which is good, but there's a noticeable improvement when you see 4K. Viewing the BBC's Blue Planet in ultra high def (UHD) is another level. Just wish I had more stuff at this quality. Going back to SD (standard definition) is offensive to the eye

neilmcl

LV_426 said:

dllive said:

Hi all, 

After 10 years I thought Id treat myself to a new TV. (my existing TV will be moved up to the bedroom, or sold).

Id like a TV that is 110cm wide, smart TV (Netflix and YouTube) and good quality. Im overwhelmed with all the options and the new fandangled stuff. I dont know if I want HD, or 4D or anything else. I just want a good picture and good sound (obviously). Does anyone have any recommendations? I suffer from a severe case of analysis paralysis!

Thanks 

You say you're not sure about UHD (4K). Believe me, when you see it, you'll want everything to be in 4K. I can only describe my new Sony Bravia as jaw dropping. However this is compared to my previous Panasonic plasma, which I'm still using as a second TV in the other room. It's about 16 years old, but still good. It's 720p HD, but upscales to 1080p, which is good, but there's a noticeable improvement when you see 4K. Viewing the BBC's Blue Planet in ultra high def (UHD) is another level. Just wish I had more stuff at this quality. Going back to SD (standard definition) is offensive to the eye

Any flat screen TV will only be able to output at it's native resolution so if it really can upscale and output at 1080p then by definition it must be a full HD TV. What model is it?

LV_426

neilmcl said:

LV_426 said:

dllive said:

Hi all, 

After 10 years I thought Id treat myself to a new TV. (my existing TV will be moved up to the bedroom, or sold).

Id like a TV that is 110cm wide, smart TV (Netflix and YouTube) and good quality. Im overwhelmed with all the options and the new fandangled stuff. I dont know if I want HD, or 4D or anything else. I just want a good picture and good sound (obviously). Does anyone have any recommendations? I suffer from a severe case of analysis paralysis!

Thanks 

You say you're not sure about UHD (4K). Believe me, when you see it, you'll want everything to be in 4K. I can only describe my new Sony Bravia as jaw dropping. However this is compared to my previous Panasonic plasma, which I'm still using as a second TV in the other room. It's about 16 years old, but still good. It's 720p HD, but upscales to 1080p, which is good, but there's a noticeable improvement when you see 4K. Viewing the BBC's Blue Planet in ultra high def (UHD) is another level. Just wish I had more stuff at this quality. Going back to SD (standard definition) is offensive to the eye

Any flat screen TV will only be able to output at it's native resolution so if it really can upscale and output at 1080p then by definition it must be a full HD TV. What model is it?

Sorry, you're right I was talking crap. What I meant to say was that my attached PVR is not HD - a Topfield 5810, and the TV I presume tries to do some clever upscaling to its native res, which I think is 720p. Not sure the exact model off the top of my head. I think when I bought it was billed as 'HD ready', or something like that.
But anyway, my new TV is a huge step up in terms of picture sharpness.

ButterCheese

neilmcl said:

ButterCheese said:

I got a Tesco own brand TV for £260.  It's 4k and the picture is good.  The sound is poor but I run it through an amp and speakers, so if you have a sound bar it will recify the issue to some extent.  The cheaper smart TVs are painfully slow, so I bought an Amazon Firestick 4k max and it is so quick it's almost instantaneous.  You just need an extra power socket for the firestick and off you go.  In  my experience a cheaper TV with speakers/soundbar and streaming stick is often better than an expensive TV if you aren't worried about a high-end picture.  I watch loads of TV and have never ever wished for a better picture.  My Dad bought a £600 Sony and my firestick is still faster than his in-built smart apps, and cost me half as much. 

I'm not saying this is the best option above a more expensive TV, but on a budget it's worth considering

Surely that's the main point of buying a TV, ie, to get the best possible picture for the amount you're spending, everything else is secondary and can usually be overcome with the right additions, ie, soundbar, smart devices etc. A TV is a visual medium so why would you want to compromise on the picture above other things. 

Yes I'm not saying to sacrifice a good picture for anything else, I just mean that for me (as someone who watches a lot of TV) it is perfectly good enough.  I would prefer to save a few hundred pounds, than spend out more for a gradeA picture, when a gradeB picture is perfect for me

mart44

I was going to buy an OLED TV but then Samsung brought out a 50" QLED display with full array mini-LEDs and more accurate local dimming. This claimed to reduce the possible 'blooming' effects that I was initially worried about with this type of panel.

I've had the Samsung QE50QN94A since mid April (bought from Richersounds). It took some playing around in the settings to get the best out of it but there are times when the picture certainly has the 'wow' factor, even on upscaled HD. Upscaled SD can look pretty fair too.

Our son bought an OLED TV recently and so I had a fair chance to assess the two types of display under room conditions. I know a lot depends on the transmissions (scene lighting, camera work etc) but on balance, I was pleased I got the Samsung. A good picture all round.

It can appear a bit too bright at first but the settings can sort that out. It was an expensive TV (price come down now) but I watch a lot of TV and I've now recovered from the shock of paying for it.

getmore4less

mart44 said:

I was going to buy an OLED TV but then Samsung brought out a 50" QLED display with full array mini-LEDs and more accurate local dimming. This claimed to reduce the possible 'blooming' effects that I was initially worried about with this type of panel.

I've had the Samsung QE50QN94A since mid April (bought from Richersounds). It took some playing around in the settings to get the best out of it but there are times when the picture certainly has the 'wow' factor, even on upscaled HD. Upscaled SD can look pretty fair too.

Our son bought an OLED TV recently and so I had a fair chance to assess the two types of display under room conditions. I know a lot depends on the transmissions (scene lighting, camera work etc) but on balance, I was pleased I got the Samsung. A good picture all round.

It can appear a bit too bright at first but the settings can sort that out. It was an expensive TV (price come down now) but I watch a lot of TV and I've now recovered from the shock of paying for it.

When it comes to paying for our entertainment/discretionary buying a TV is paying a lot up front but when you analyse it become very good value against other options.

Just using the warranty period 5y(260w) or 6y(312w) as a base you get a feel for what your costs are.


A £1k OLED (which gets you a decent 50") costs £3.85 per week that's a pint each once a week at a spoons for a couple.

meal out once a month for 2 is £17.
Pick your own frame of reference.

Even at the top end it is which bit of the picture do you want to compromise on.

Some seem to get through TV quick our house they have tended to last 10y although I don't think our OLED will, it has bad image retentions in the red from BBC and youtube)

RumRat

mart44 said:

I was going to buy an OLED TV but then Samsung brought out a 50" QLED display with full array mini-LEDs and more accurate local dimming. This claimed to reduce the possible 'blooming' effects that I was initially worried about with this type of panel.

I've had the Samsung QE50QN94A since mid April (bought from Richersounds). It took some playing around in the settings to get the best out of it but there are times when the picture certainly has the 'wow' factor, even on upscaled HD. Upscaled SD can look pretty fair too.

Our son bought an OLED TV recently and so I had a fair chance to assess the two types of display under room conditions. I know a lot depends on the transmissions (scene lighting, camera work etc) but on balance, I was pleased I got the Samsung. A good picture all round.

It can appear a bit too bright at first but the settings can sort that out. It was an expensive TV (price come down now) but I watch a lot of TV and I've now recovered from the shock of paying for it.

I bought the QN95A and am really pleased with it. As you say, once the settings are set correctly it's a fantastic picture... I tend to change the TV every 3 years and buy a top of the range, I can't see the point in scrimping...If I only watched Freeview I'd probably settle for less, but watching Netflix premium, Prime and Disney in all their glory makes it worth while.
When I'm done with my TV it goes on to family members who aren't as bothered and there is on 12 year old Samsung gracing someone's bedroom.
I know this is a 'Money Saving' site, which is why I don't usually recommend top end TV's, but, my view is that there are no pockets in shrouds and what's the point in having it if not to buy nice things....Always set your budget and buy the best you can at that budget, whatever it might be.

JJ_Egan

Money saving gives me the extra to buy a few nice things .

Well it did until the energy price rises .

dllive

Hi guys.

A brief update: TV was delivered 2 days ago. Richer Sounds were good. (or at least, there were no problems). The chap in the shop was very helpful.

The TV is slightly underwhelming. But perhaps I was expecting TV technology to have advanced massively since I last bought a TV many years ago. But Im also aware that the TV was £600, so its hardly fair to expect to be 'blown away' by it! But Im very pleased I got it, having the bigger screen is good and its much more 'responsive' than my last TV.

I will only ever use perhaps 1% of the channels on it. I really only ever watch Netflix and Youtube.

What I dont understand is what I have to pay for! I dont have a TV license (and certainly dont intend on buying one!). Everytime I switch the TV on it starts BBC. Can I stop that from happening? (I presume they can detect when I view BBC). What about all the 'Free LG' channels and movies - do I need a license for those? Theres hundreds of channels available and I dont know what I need a license for! How can I stop BBC from playing everytime I turn it on? Ive looked in the manual (which I had to Googl ebecuase it wasnt included).

Thanks