Need a new TV

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,251
61,948
113
Ames
The smart apps on my few years old Vizio aren't great so I bought a Roku Premier+, but the apps on my Samsung I bought last year are fantastic and I use them almost exclusively.
 

alarson

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 15, 2006
59,589
74,409
113
Ankeny
Vizio suck, I have heard people complain about their TVs going black screen and no help from the manufacturer/retailer, but maybe those issues have been fixed now. I have 2 Samsungs and never have any issues whatsoever.

Vizios don't 'suck', imo, but i wouldnt have one as my primary tv either. Theyre good for a secondary kitchen\bedroom tv, but if i'm getting one for primary movie\tv\home theater viewing, i'm getting a samsung.
 

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,251
61,948
113
Ames
Samsung even had an app for The Masters that let you stream it in 4K, that was pretty cool.
 

AgronAlum

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2014
6,769
9,630
113
I have HDTVs that include Toshiba, Sony, Sanyo and Magnavox from 42" to 55". The only problem I've had with any of them are the speakers on the Sanyo. You can't hear much of anything at certain vocal ranges.
 

jbhtexas

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
14,327
4,377
113
Arlington, TX
If you are going to rely heavily on the Smart TV functionality, particularly streaming services, You might want to stay away from Samsung. Samsung uses their proprietary Tizen operating system, and not all streaming services have apps for it. There is no Sling TV app (which is a bugger for me), and I understand there are few others that don't have apps either (like CBS). Also, apps seem to come slower to Tizen than they do to Android. Yes, you can get these apps by plugging another device into the Samsung TV, but that kind of defeats the point of getting a smart tv.
 

ruxCYtable

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 29, 2007
7,383
4,387
113
Colorado
You'll get a million opinions but I'm going to throw-in my two cents as well.

Vizio has a rep as a value brand. Good TV's but spotty reliability. I can tell you the best TV I've ever had is a Vizio but I've also heard of people having problems with them as soon as the warranty expires. I have one in my living room now that I'm TRYING to kill because I want a bigger one (that's what she said) and it won't die. It's 8 years old now. I leave it on 24/7 and just let it scroll the Roku screensaver. WILL.NOT. DIE. And still has the best picture of any TV in my house.

The first flat-screen I ever had was a 32" Sony. It was a good TV but only lasted five years.

I have a Samsung in my basement that I'm real happy with. I intentionally bought a plasma when we finished our basement because they were starting to phase them out CHEAP and it's in a dark room.

A couple brands to be wary of. Sharp and Toshiba don't make TVs anymore. They sold the rights to use their names in North America and most of them are made in China. Doesn't automatically mean they suck, just something to be aware of.

Lastly, I'm really intrigued with LG right now. Seems to be really good TVs at great prices. IF my Vizio ever dies, I'll be focusing on LG and Samsung, with Vizio a distant third.
 

flynnhicks03

CF's Resident Bad Boy
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 11, 2006
3,411
2,968
113
www.mapcon.com
You'll get a million opinions but I'm going to throw-in my two cents as well.

Vizio has a rep as a value brand. Good TV's but spotty reliability. I can tell you the best TV I've ever had is a Vizio but I've also heard of people having problems with them as soon as the warranty expires. I have one in my living room now that I'm TRYING to kill because I want a bigger one (that's what she said) and it won't die. It's 8 years old now. I leave it on 24/7 and just let it scroll the Roku screensaver. WILL.NOT. DIE. And still has the best picture of any TV in my house.

The first flat-screen I ever had was a 32" Sony. It was a good TV but only lasted five years.

I have a Samsung in my basement that I'm real happy with. I intentionally bought a plasma when we finished our basement because they were starting to phase them out CHEAP and it's in a dark room.

A couple brands to be wary of. Sharp and Toshiba don't make TVs anymore. They sold the rights to use their names in North America and most of them are made in China. Doesn't automatically mean they suck, just something to be aware of.

Lastly, I'm really intrigued with LG right now. Seems to be really good TVs at great prices. IF my Vizio ever dies, I'll be focusing on LG and Samsung, with Vizio a distant third.

I've got four LG's currently (42", 47", 55", and a new 65" OLED). I've had very good luck with them in 8+ years, and the OLED is bad-ass.
 

mywayorcyway

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2012
2,330
2,355
113
Phoenix
It was noted before, but I wouldn't rely on any "smart" functionality that comes with the TV as your standalone streaming option, therefore I wouldn't purchase because of smart features. The streaming boxes will always have some sort of support. That may not be true of built-in apps, nor will they always have the thing you need.

You won't find many TVs out there now that don't have some sort of "Smart TV" functionality, but whether it does or not has no bearing on my decision to buy it.

Seeing the TVs that are available now make me embarrassed for how much I spent on two higher end 60" Sharp TVs three years ago. Still excellent TVs, but boy are they cheap now.
 

ruxCYtable

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 29, 2007
7,383
4,387
113
Colorado
Not real familiar with Hisense, but the few reviews I have seen on them have been positive.
Hisense has been making all the SHARP branded TVs in North America for the past few years. I bought a Hisense Roku TV for a room in my house that doesn't get much use and it is decent.

No coax input on the new Vizios I believe.
Get a Tablo.
 

clonebb

Well-Known Member
Oct 23, 2015
3,620
3,252
113
I only buy LG tvs. Great picture and long lasting. My 55 is seven years old and still works great.
 

BigBake

Well-Known Member
Mar 17, 2006
6,768
628
113
49
U'dale
My 42" an 55" Vizio's have been good tvs and for what I paid I can't really complain. If your budget is $500 I'd first focus on getting the biggest screen size you can.
 

CycloneJames

Active Member
Dec 1, 2009
929
42
28
Ankeny
I have had the TCL P607 for about 2 weeks now. I'm used to the Amazon Fire TV so switching to the Roku has been a bit of an adjustment. But overall its been great so far.
 

Bobber

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2006
8,880
576
113
Hudson, Iowa
I got one of these. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hisens...th-high-dynamic-range/4982500.p?skuId=4982500

The reviews on it were really decent. Got it cheap enough, it won't bother me if it blows up in a few years. That Thing site you provided was very helpful! Samsung was #2 and would have been about $130 more with very similar ratings. Amazing how much more tv am getting for my money relative to 10 years ago.

Was a bit of a dog and pony show securing. They were sold out in Waterloo, but could have one in by next Wednesday. Cedar Rapids had 1 in stock, so decided to drive down and pick up. It took them a half hour to find the darn thing! Have never been much of an insurance guy. They wanted over $100 for 5 year insurance on it. No thanks. Will just buy another cheap one if it quits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3GenClone

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
21,596
5,936
113
50131
Buying a good/great TV without it being smart is like trying to buy a luxury car without a sunroof. You may not like it and never use it but it's going to be pretty hard to buy one without.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: NickTheGreat

NickTheGreat

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jan 17, 2012
10,805
4,774
113
Central Iowa
Buying a good/great TV without it being smart is like trying to buy a luxury car without a sunroof. You may not like it and never use it but it's going to be pretty hard to buy one without.

I looked for a while for a good quality panel, but without all the BS. I already have Tivo, a AVR and surround sound. No I don't need my TV to duplicate all that.

..which is why I landed on a projector. I have a bigger (if not better) picture for less than a premium TV. :cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeftOne and dmclone