New TV Time For Dummies

[jyl]

Wife wants a new TV, she specifies 55” and 4K. She also wants good sound.

I’m baffled at the range of TV choices and prices. I see TCL brand for $200, LG and Samsung for $400-500, Sony Samsung for $1400 . . .

I’m also uninformed about home theater audio. Do you really need a constellation of speakers circling the room? I guess I’ll need an “AV amp” of some kind?

Any pointers for what to look for/at?

What we’ll use this for: just watching TV and movies, no gaming. I will want to connect a computer to watch bike racing. Most of what I watch is older content; she likes new movies and series. I hope 4K won’t make an 80s sitcom look strange.

Do they make 4K projectors? If In going to do this, maybe go the projector and screen route to get a bigger image?

[Shifter]

Can't help much on the tv/projector, those are really personal preference/budget. Don't pay extra for "smart" features, as they are usually abandoned once a new model of the tv is released.

As far as audio, stop by Fred's sound of music on Hawthorne. They have all sorts of awesome audio equipment and will spend the time talking to you. However, I think you have to pass a credit check to gain entry.

My house has a very suboptimal tv viewing area, it doesn't allow for side or rear speakers. I opted for a set of powered speakers connected to the tv. It doesn't do surround, obviously, but we watch a lot of British programming so subtitles are mandatory.

I do have a TLC in my office, it does have a pretty decent picture, but it only gets used about two or three hours a year. I think the picture is comparable to the Samsung we have in the living room. 200 42 inch vs 1200 55 inch.

[Bill Douglas]

I don't know that much about TV's, but I'm on your side in the debate.

Don't factor in sound. The chances are the sound will be excellent. If it's not TV sound bars cost very little and will fair blast the sound out if you want that effect.

I'd look for a deal, that is a Sony/Panasonic/Samsung.

[look 171]

We finished out den, TV room a few years ago and ended up with a Samsung 55" TV. I can absolutely tell the difference between the 4k and our old 42" TV even with older movies. Its much clearer. I also watch old Flanders and Roubaix races from the 90s- through 2000 when I have nothing to do. I found the typical sound bar good enough with a sub woofer but opted for a 5 channel in wall speaker by Hsu Research and and big-o-sub hooked to a Yamaha Receiver. I had a hard time with the set up. Its a lot more complex then just pushing a bunch of buttons but eventually got it to work after playing with it for a couple days. The sound is incredible especially with action movies. Kids and I just finish a few min ago. of course, mom's pissed due to the high volume even with her downstairs. If turned on loud enough, it shakes the house.

[look 171]

Surround sound makes a huge difference. Door knock from a movie sounds like someone's at my door.

[gchappel]

Sound can make the system.
At the same time wives are rarely into surround sound, most are not into action movies with large explosions. At least in my opinion that is where the large surround systems shine.
Try a decent sound bar. They sound so much better than the tv speakers, and usually all you need.
This is coming from a guy with way too much audio equipment, and large surround systems.
Gary

[serene911]

You can't go wrong with a TCL 6 series 55 inch tv. Usually around $600.00 or so.
It's been one of the most highly rated tv in its price range for years. Make sure
it is the 6 series. The TCL Costco carries usually is not the 6 series. I've had mine
for a number of years,very happy with it.I agree with everybody on the sound,
makes a huge difference. I've got a Marantz AV receiver and a good speaker set up
for music and home theater.

[stevej37]

A powered subwoofer is a 'must have' for action movies.

[thor66]

no projector - get a big LG screen and ignore the builtin youtube ad server

or a Sony may be better

those are the 2 brands (and I had a Samsung...)

for multichannel amp, get a Denon - most others have poor sound quality

[LWJ]

I have a 10+ year old theater system. It is killer. Projector and speakers.

Not sure it fits your bill but it was surprisingly cheap when I put it in. You can check it out if you are interested in doing one similar.

I think a projector is way too inconvenient for casual watching. Great for movies however.

[beepbeep]

LG OLED if you want best picture quality. SOund is so-so without extra speakers.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by serene911

You can't go wrong with a TCL 6 series 55 inch tv. Usually around $600.00 or so.
It's been one of the most highly rated tv in its price range for years. Make sure
it is the 6 series.

Yes to this.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by look 171

Surround sound makes a huge difference. Door knock from a movie sounds like someone's at my door.

Originally Posted by stevej37

A powered subwoofer is a 'must have' for action movies.

I just bought a new TV (Sony 75") and was going to get a matching sound bar (like I have had in the past) and as I was in the store, I kept hearing/feeling this rumbling sound. I walked around the corner and saw a complete Dolby Atmos component audio surround system on display and after hearing it for a few more minutes, I bought it on the spot.

It is unbelievable how good it sounds when watching movies. Sounds coming from all around me and the bass will shatter a glass.. It is definitely the best thing I have ever bought from an audio point of view.. Highly recommended!!

[Rusty Heap]

TV shopping mostly comes down to a price point...........whatcha want to spend.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

I just bought a new TV (Sony 75") and was going to get a matching sound bar (like I have had in the past) and as I was in the store, I kept hearing/feeling this rumbling sound. I walked around the corner and saw a complete Dolby Atmos component audio surround system on display and after hearing it for a few more minutes, I bought it on the spot.

It is unbelievable how good it sounds when watching movies. Sounds coming from all around me and the bass will shatter a glass.. It is definitely the best thing I have ever bought from an audio point of view.. Highly recommended!!

My home theater system sounds like that only my wife hates it when I play it that loud.
It is amazing how much audio is actually in TV signals but can't be replicated by the crappy speakers most TV's come with.

[jyl]

I think $1.0-1.5K for TV and sound is about right considering she basically just watches Donton Abbey and suchlike, and I don’t watch much TV at all, maybe a movie every couple weeks, plus bike racing and some other sports.

Our current TV is a 42” SD that is well over ten years old, and I’m not agitating for a change. She visited a friend and started sending me texts saying we MUST have a 4K TV with good sound - arrrgh.

[Bill Douglas]

It would be a better idea for me to upgrade my glasses than my TV. If I sit close I think OMG this is fantastic picture quality.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by jyl

I think $1.0-1.5K for TV and sound is about right considering she basically just watches Donton Abbey and suchlike, and I don’t watch much TV at all, maybe a movie every couple weeks, plus bike racing and some other sports.

A big screen is great. But a fancy surround sound, 7 speaker system is a waste if she’s listening to mostly dialogue.
I watch music videos a lot, so we got the simplest system that had a sub woofer - three speakers up front and the woofer. We’re happy.