tv shopping

**Zelmon** · 02-07-14, 10:39 PM

I got a question about Smart Tv's. Im kinda also shopping for a tv. Trying to decide between inches or smartness. I dont see an immediate need for the capabilities of the smart tv's but is it one of those things where as you use it you're like "oh, this is a great feature, thats fun, that was convenient"
Ive done the measuring but is 5 extra inches worth giving up something I might never use anyways? (good grief that sounds bad out of context)

**Kanati** · 02-07-14, 10:46 PM

My last few tv's have been "smart"... I *never* use their features. I have set top boxes (wdtv, micca, etc) to do the "smart" things. Worry about picture quality and size. You can always buy smarts later. Not to mention that the TV will likely only have the smarts you give it when you buy it. Set top boxes can be replaced to give you smarter stuff as new things come out.

**TrueKings3** · 02-08-14, 08:40 AM

You could make the leap into a 4k tv. Best Buy has the 24 months finance with 0 interest for 24 months for HD tvs over $500 I believe. :P

**deputyfestus** · 02-08-14, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Zelmon

I got a question about Smart Tv's. Im kinda also shopping for a tv. Trying to decide between inches or smartness. I dont see an immediate need for the capabilities of the smart tv's but is it one of those things where as you use it you're like "oh, this is a great feature, thats fun, that was convenient"
Ive done the measuring but is 5 extra inches worth giving up something I might never use anyways? (good grief that sounds bad out of context)

If you do get smart tv look for one with web browser capabilities.

**AetheLove** · 02-08-14, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Kanati8869

My last few tv's have been "smart"... I *never* use their features. I have set top boxes (wdtv, micca, etc) to do the "smart" things. Worry about picture quality and size. You can always buy smarts later. Not to mention that the TV will likely only have the smarts you give it when you buy it. Set top boxes can be replaced to give you smarter stuff as new things come out.

I've had similar experiences, and have a similar recommendation.

A TV is a monitor with a tuner. I think that "smart" TVs are a result of TV manufacturers trying desperately to increase their relevance. In every example I've ever seen, all the additional smart features have been either awkwardly or incompetently implemented. The interface and experience generally suck.

I keep trying to imagine some far-end-of-the-distribution user with a use-case for a smart TV and I keep failing.

Cheers,

AetheLove

**DJ Ms. White** · 02-08-14, 04:52 PM

Yeah, I'm really wishing that with my TV (a Google one) I had gotten a normal TV and then the smart features separately. I'm freaking stuck on Droid 2.3.

**Kanati** · 02-08-14, 07:29 PM

Glad you provided a practical example of my argument against smart tv's White.

**DJ Ms. White** · 02-08-14, 08:16 PM

Don't get me wrong, it's great, but when you think about what supports 2.3...Netflix, Amazon Instant, Cruncyroll, Twitch, etc. all run fine just nothing too new. /sigh

**Phyrelight** · 02-08-14, 08:39 PM

I use amazon prime, netflix all the time on my smart tv. I use the ARC (audio return channel) to send the audio back to my tuner for surround sound. I severed the cord to satelittle years ago and I have cat 6a run to the TV, playstation 3 and my HTPC. I stream everything > I have zero live TV capabilities. In return I save 100+ bucks a month. I use the HTPC for hulu and cbs.com and the like including hbo2go. I use the playstation for bluray and 3d movies. The nice part of doing amazon and such on the TV is the lack of need to turn on another system to play it.

**Nuckle** · 02-08-14, 09:14 PM

I have been ultra please with plasma. Went in with no budget and it had by far the best picture especially when viewing things in motion.

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