It’s time for a new flatscreen Tv but which one?
 

So many acronyms are being used to describe TV technology nowadays. I am at a loss on which to buy. I want a great quality picture on a 52-55 inch screen. My budget is less than $1k. Any advice on what to get? I have a 10 year old Samsung that still provides an excellent picture when it turns on so I’m partial to that brand. TIA.

We have had Samsung and LG. At < $1K they are all pretty much the same IMO. Avoid high end features that typically appear in bigger $$$ options when dealing in this price range. About 12 months ago we bought an open box (returned to store) LG 55" from BestBuy. It was hanging on the wall and they had to wrap it up with bubble wrap before putting it into the back seat of my wifes car. The sales guy could not find the remote so he took one from a newer LG set. I got it home and found out the TV was a tad over $2k new at the time...WOW. We paid around $1300 for it. Works perfectly.

Look at the less expensive Samsungs here;

https://www.costco.com/55-inch-tvs-through-59-inch-tvs.html

And you can get the squaretrade extended warranty cheap. I've used it, works great.

I am contemplating this one. Can't really go wrong at that price;

https://www.costco.com/Samsung-58%22-Class--(57.5%22-Diag.)-4K-UHD-LED-LCD-TV.product.100427480.html

A friend who "knows everything" :rolleyes: and his passion is TVs, says Samsung are the business. I'm a Sony person, but on Ken's advice I'll look at Samsung next time.

Enjoy yer new TV!

This seemed like a good resource when I was looking for a TV in 2007- I'm sure it still is:

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/9-display-devices/

Thanks guys

I just use my big TV for video programming, no gamingsystems. If I were buying a TV today I would focus on picture quality features and not all the stuff like multiple inputs, SmartTV, sound etc.

All I ever use on my big TV is the screen. All my programming comes from my AppleTV. The sound is output to a separate receiver to decode and play in 5.1 surround sound.

If t could have gotten a surround sound decoder with amps for speakers would NOT have gotten a receiver, Only use the one TV input on the receiver.

It nice that both my TV and Receiver are Sony because they talk to each other. Makes it so the volume and sleep/wake is controlled by the AppleTV.. Waking or putting the AppleTV to sleep does the same for the TV and Receiver. All I ever use is the AppletV remote.

Can subscribe to just about any TV provider and use the apps on the AppleTV instead of their box. Friend uses Tivo and has a cable card for his programming and does everything with Tivo.

When first started had 4 different remotes, there was a different remote depending on which source I was watching. Got it setup now so all content come from the AppleTV. Really like controlling everything from one remote/media hub. Spent a lot tto get all the media hub/smartTV features on the TV that is now only used as a monitor.

Have a VCR, DVD, and even a really nice Turntable. They are packed up in boxes in my attic. Digitized or got digital copies of all my vinyl. All my music is in iTunes. Can play the occasional DVD with my laptop and share it with the AppleTV to put on the big screen. Not much on collecting DVDs.

Doesn’t matter. The fundamental technology comes from the same manufacturer for most brands. Pick the bezel and appearance you like...what’s inside is mostly identical at each price point.

Agree with Choco....imo, KISS, few bells & whistles. They're all disposable crap....regardless of brand... none built like the old daze imo. Nuthin' wrong with an "open box".... my first 36" flatscreen was 1200....1/3 off...heavy and lasted for years though. Crap disposable isn't necessarily all that bad though...

Nothing beats oled, but you're not going to touch it at that price. The mid level TCS tv's get great reviews, and are around 500 for a 55. I have one and love it. Also have their 65.

I have had an LG, Samsung and Vizio.
The Vizio is the oldest and still works. The LG failed after a year. The Samsung is the newest (replaced the LG) and works well with good picture quality (4K Ultra HD) but only time will tell if it holds up like the Vizio has. The Vizio is over 5 years old and still kicking.

I like my LG 49. < $400.

I have a Samsung 8 series UHD LED and a Samsung 9 series UHD OLED. Have been happy with both of them.

We picked up a new LG 55" 4k for $255 at WalMart a few months ago. Replaced a 50" LG that didn't need replaced but we couldn't pass up the price. I think Samsung does have a better picture.

Ours is a "smart" TV but it is not connected to the internet. We have a HTPC for that.

Look at www.rtings.com in-depth honest reviews on most TV's.

Agree. I have a 55" OLED LG but I paid a little under $2k.
The top of the line Samsung QLEDs re even more $$$$ for some reason.

I also have the 55" LG OLED. Not the cheapest, but definitely wins on picture quality. Also have a 10+ year old workhorse Samsung 50" Plazma and was spoiled by that, which is why I wouldn't have been satisfied with any of the new stuff other than OLEDs.

Amazon. TCL.

Great value.

We run Samsungs at work, 6hr a day 7 days a week with no problems.

+1 on I only use my flatcreen for picture so I don't need 'smart' but good luck finding one that isn't.

Been eyeball int the new HD screens and some of them look almost freakish.

Have you had any problem with screen burn-in on the OLED?
They say it's not supposed to happen but I have some shadows on my screen that show up on a green background.

I have a 5 year old Hisense smart TV 55". I never use the smart features. People often comment on how great the picture is but I do not know what they are comparing it to. Anyway it has been trouble free and I would buy another.

I always buy Sony from a Sony dealer. No breakdowns ever. They do have sales now and then.

TCL. Thats what I meant. Low. End at wally mid at Best Buy. Get at least the mid.


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No. Haven't noticed any issue like that.

Just trashed my old ~50' plasma, loved that thing but it generated a ton of heat. It crapped out and I got a Samsung, 8 series I think. I shopped on refresh rate, I saw some slowness below 120hz.

The weakest link in 4K flat screens is the human eye.

I have an older 55 inch something in 1080 that has all the power I'll every need...just like the 386 MS computer I am typing this post on.

Lawn, mine, get off it.

Funny part is, I dont even care. I just wanted to replace a 36" CRT tv that weighed 200 pounds and was a pain to move when needed.

LOL I still have a 50" Samsung plasma stashed behind the couch in the den.
Worked fine when I took it down. It did kick off heat tho.
I need to get rid of it but haven't bothered yet.

I was kidding, Jack, I hope you took it that way.

The flats today are remarkable. When and if the Samsung blinks (ten years old) I'll look at 4k.

Until then, all is well!

Yes, I have a sense of humor. I can even laugh at my self. TV has never been a big thing with me. I did think getting a smart TV was a good idea. But the only time I really used was when I was stuck at home nearly 6 months with a broken leg. I'd put youtube music videos on auto play to make time go by while I did physical therapy. I would probably be OK watching American Horror Story on a 21 inch black and white.

I tossed it into the truck and it wasnt light. Even more fun launching it into the dumspter at the local dump. I bet it was 75lbs and not exactly simple to hold on to. The new LED weighs next to nothing.

Did a lot of research and just bought a new TV yesterday. Yes, there is a BIG difference in price points of different manufacturers and even same builders but different model lines and that's because there is a BIG difference in specs.. Operating systems are mostly different between them now as are computing chips.. Get a Sony X850F at a minimum. You will get the higher refresh rate, faster processor, bigger color spectrum, etc.. Its no different than buying a computer. You buy the latest greatest current one. Who buys a windows 95 version todays?

Me...I just want a basic flat screen....don't give a rat's about all that stuff. Last time I purchased the "latest, greatest" PC was back in '95 ;). I stay a few generations back on most stuff though...and I'm not afraid of "bleeding edge" technology (career). I just don't want or need it on my flatscreen....YMMV.

I second this site for their reviews. Have been happy with their guidance.

We got 4k because it was the lowest price 55" in the clearance isle. Our computer does not have the newest spec HDMI output to do 4k so we watch in regular 1080p. Actually, most of what we watch is SD DVD movies. When there is a lot of action it doesn't make much difference to me after viewing the demo that is built into the TV. The slow J3 over the forest you can tell, when things are going fast, not so much.

Were I using it for a monitor I would upgrade the HDMI to use 4k.

I don't know if you can get a dumb TV these days, but we just put up a 60" Sharp at work in one of the areas and it has internet access but it does not have a native app for Netflix/Amazon.

I would still buy a dumb one. Heck, we don't even pay for TV at the house, just OtA we can pick up locally.

TCL 6 series

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/tcl-55r615-2018-roku-tv-review/