What are the better smart TVs ?
 

I have an older Sony with android.. Let me tell you that's not one of the better ones ;-)

having cut the cord - happily, I am now using Netflix, Prime, Fubo TV, Redbull (WRC), F1TV, Peacock (indy/IMSA/yellowstone), youtube and a couple others... All good... Except:

I find the TV atrocious in terms of switching from one app to another (not to mention the stupid sounds it makes doing so), in terms of app loading time for certain apps (peacock is the worst), the TV loses internet all the time (Wifi Gig mesh, very reliable) and often needs a reboot to reconnect, or it slows down so much interface wise it also needs a reboot to respond better, I mean I am rebooting the TV easily 3x a week or more. It's crap. It's fully up to date too, I tried that.. Oh also some apps lose ID/passwords periodically, very annoying ot re-enter - this is likely the apps themselves though.

It's on Android. I hear now Sony uses Google TV... Is that better ? I have an old gen 2 Apple TV unit and also an amazon firestick, may tru using these as point of entry instead (and load those apps on that) to see if it's any better. The native TV OS is crap...Smart? no. Any recommendation on solid TV OS you are truly happy with, or on best devices to use (roku, fire, apple, etc) that switch apps well and have quick interfaces, and rarely drop network ?

For the most part the issues you are experiencing now are prevalent among many if not most "Smart" TV's

Part of the issue is the apps themselves.

If you are developing cross platform apps you build iOS and Android first. If we were talking an Android phone for example we develop for Samsung and google Pixel devices because they represent 75% market share combined.

The remaining 25% of devices will be anywhere from 100% supported (because they are vanilla enough android) to doesn't run at all.

There's really not much point in developing or updating / maintaining apps for those "maybe they work, kinda, sorta" fringe devices.

I don't buy Smart TV's, I buy dumb TV's and hang an Apple TV off them. Your net investment in a dumb TV and dedicated streaming device is on par with the cost of a Smart TV and you get better performance, flexibility and reliability.

If you've got an old PC hanging around you could always try rolling a PLEX Media Server.

Free to play with and the system requirements are pretty low.

https://www.plex.tv/media-server-downloads/#plex-media-server

I absolutely believe all of that is true.

I know in the past two of the biggest, best names in TVs were Samsung and Sony.

These days, there are two inexpensive brands that seem to really have (per all of the reviews and everything that I've heard here) great value for the money, and those are Hisense and TCL.

Smart TVs are computers. From time to time you'll have to reboot computers, and you're likely to get buggy behavior out of them at times if not most of the time.

I have been using an Apple TV for years.

Do they still make dumb TVs and if so, do they still have the features of the smart TVs like higher refresh rates, darker blacks, etc...? I imagine that buying a dumb TV means that it's small and using 15 year old tech that results in a moderate picture.

On top of everything else, the smart TVs spy on you as bad or worse than smart phones.

My smart android TV (Hisense) is 8 years old. It was pretty good until it updated and installed a new browser. Then the browser sucked. When I started using a Firestick and the apps on it, it became like a new TV. I would hope the newer ones are better.

My Smart TV is ancient. I don't use any of the built in apps.
Buy something that plugs into it. Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, etc.
When it gets old, throw it away and get another one. Lots cheaper than buying a new TV every couple of years.

Our TV is either a 2007 or 2008 Samsung. It was considered "smart" when we got it, but it's about like a box of rocks compared to current smart TVs. We'd like something a little bigger. About 2 months ago, the then 2 yo grandson drove his cars on the screen which is now has a few permanent lines for a few inches on the bottom. We'll eventually get something new, but we just don't watch that much TV.

I like the idea of getting something dumb, maybe like a big monitor like might be used in a lobby or something as long as it's got a good picture.

What is a dumb TV? My SONY Bravia?

My 65" Vizio is about 6 years old now. The apps and updates are done during the night and I've never noticed them.
I've had zero problems and the picture is great.

I've never had an issue with Samsungs. I believe we currently have a Panasonic, as well. Four relatively new smart TVs in the house (one in my mancave is probably the "oldest" at ~7 years), and I've had no issues with any of them. I cut the cord from cable many moons ago, and run Hulu, Netflix, and a few other apps on all the TVs.

They are becoming hard to find but it used to be up till a couple of years ago you could buy the same specs with only difference being ability to run apps.

Last few I've bought have been Smart but I don't use the built in functions, they get an Apple TV and life is grand.

Just purchased a 65" Samsung Q6. I landed on that because I use Samsung phones. Otherwise I think I would have gone with the Hisense U7G. That smart features on the Samsung have been perfect so far.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

It's a TV that doesn't have "apps".

That's what our 14-15 yo TV is, a Samsung. Damn thing just won't die! hahaha

Whatever you buy, get one with Android, so you can install Smart YouTube and get rid of damn ads when watching videos.

All others, yuck.

rjp

This is the current issue with a lot of smart TVs.

This is from RTINGS.com about one of the Samsungs.
https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/qn90a-qled
I think one of the two brands, Hisens or TCL at least allows you to opt out of the ads and other crap. My plan, if I get a smart TV is to put a firewall on my network that I use to block the TV from sending info about what I'm watching home. Most folks don't think much about it, so most smart TVs are doing crazy stuff.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/fbi-warns-about-snoopy-smart-tvs-spying-on-you/

IMO you can buy the cadillac ROKU for less than $100 and you never have to mess with any of the TV operating systems at all. I have a 2 year old Samsung with Tizen OS and it works but it's clunky.

I have a ROKU on every TV and they all show up the same, look the same, sync the same, yadda yadda. Remote turns on the TV and controls volume and mute. It's worth the $49, 79, 99 whatever you like.

I also got the Hue HDMI Sync box and the gradient lightstrip for bias lighting and it's unbelievable. I thought it would be annoying and it's awesome.

Yes I think that's the ticket...

I first tried a 2-3y old AppleTV - it was typical apple hell. Could not log in because of the appleId password ( which was correct). Found out later it's because of 2 factor authentication, which apple will *not* remove anymore! you need to enter your password+6 digits # you get on your phone, all within 30sec. How the F would a non technical person even find that out? A good reminder of why I ditched my Mac after 35y of apple - I hate appleID. When that was done, I found out that model would still not add apps, too old ;-( I think it landed near the edge of my yard and scared a deer.

Then I tried a 4K firestick I had laying around... Much faster interface, sadly you are limited to 6 apps on the main menu, I wanted more.. Also it seriously messed up the screen colors. Still as a proof of concept, it's miles faster, less annoying, and more responsive than my Sony TV's native OS. Not even close.

Based on what I'm reading it seems Roku is indeed the cadillac - more apps - more screen customizations, since they aren't selling Prime or Apple.... I'll get one next time there's a sale.

Also, ROKU has made deals with everyone, more than your smart TV. You might find that brand "A" TV doesn't get HBO, or brand "B" TV doesn't get AppleTV, but ROKU? They get everyone, they're the freaking belle of the ball. It's their thing, they invented it, they perfected it, and they do it WAY better than any TV manufacturer.

Apple are doing you a favor.

I don't mean to be harsh here but anyone not using MFA or 2FA anywhere it's offered deserves what they expose themselves to.

People are lazy creatures of habit.

Maybe you don't but 99.7632% of people will use the same user /pass combo for their Netflix account as they use for their financial institutions.

All it takes is one account to be compromised and it's game over.

MFA / 2FA are the minimum standard for account security these days.

I haven't studied this recently. Initially, I would lean towards a TV with Roku built in, but who knows. This is a good resource:

https://www.avsforum.com/forums/

With favors delivered like that, who needs a knife in the back ? ;-) in this case, their own device will not take the correct password for that ID, and worse, even indicate it's got a 2FA issue... At all.. "incorrect password" is all you get... you gotta google this weird failure for ages and make the apple ID page send you a new code at the right time, which you add a the end of your password (I'd never heard of that - on a TV screen keyboard with a remote), like mypassword+321546 within 30 seconds of receipt. I guarantee you more than one person has tossed their apple TV to the garbage in frustration...

Yeah I've got 2 FA on anything that matters (and apple ID has access to a card, so I can see the need), but piss poor interface work there from Apple. Also on 2FA, beware of an accidental phone change for whatever reason - try to get 2FA disabled on most services without the original phone - it is no picnic!! the fun is endless !

Anyway, Firestick 4K for now, Roku FTW later.

Sounds like you had an old device if you couldn't install apps. My ATV is several years old, but it will download apps.
My guess is that the old device that you had was old enough (if it wouldn't allow apps to be installed) that it also didn't understand TFA.

Who knows, but as long as you're happy now, it doesn't really matter.

Steve is correct.

Only 4th gen apple TV's allow for app installs so the device you are trying is not 2-3 years old it's at least 6 or more years old.

If it's a gen 3 that came out 10 years ago.

What are the better smart TVs ?
 

I have Smart TVs (LG) but I use AppleTV with them. I’ve never even enabled the SmartTV features. Using a QUALITY external device (Roku, AppleTV) is better because that standalone device has more compute power than the SmartTV does.

And as others mentioned, if you’re an Apple customer, tying the AppleTV to iCloud gives it access to apps, videos, music, etc. that you have from other Apple stores. Once you install YouTube on an AppleTV, and watch those videos on a big screen, you’ll never go back to watching them on a small phone screen when you’re home.

As far as MFA goes, if your iPhone and AppleTV are on the same home network, you will get prompted on your iPhone to use it to enter text. So, rather than trying to use the AppleTV remote to hunt and peck a character at a time to enter passwords or MFA codes, you can use the keyboard on your iPhone. Same thing for content searching in any app running in the AppleTV.

Seriously, for me the only bad aspect of the AppleTV is the minimalist design of the Remote. But all iPhones have a built-in Remote app that can be used in place of, or alongside, the AppleTV remote.

Bottom line: keep the Smart TV dumb, buy an AppleTV or the best Roku, and install apps for the content providers you prefer.


-rb

Do they even sell tv's that aren't smart tv's anymore?

That remote is definitely one of the worst designs they've ever come up with. On par with the touch bar with the non physical ESC key that you'd inadvertently touch 20 times a day cancelling whatever it is you had going.

The idea of a trackpad seemed really cool at first and sounded like a great innovation but in real world use it's just awful.

Happy to see they've tossed that in bin.

That was my question. I don't think there are many, but there are a few.
The Samsung that's listed isn't really a TV. It's a "sign." It's designed for lobbies and that sort of thing where companies want a big sign where they can show video, etc... Even then, the TV is running a version of linux, so it's still a computer. It just doesn't have apps. What I noticed trying to compare those to regular TVs is that they seem to be missing some of the features that you get in regular TVs unless you go for the really high end stuff. Like HDR, high scan rates, etc....
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-dumb-tvs/

I wonder what the TV reports back if you're using something like a roku, firestick or Apple TV. I suspect they report something. And then, of course, what are the roku, firestick, and ATV phoning home about?

https://www.consumerreports.org/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036/

I think I have everything mentioned in this thread.

Old “dumb” TV with Roku stick.

Roku TV (I think it’s a TCL brand).

Sony Bravia with Google Android.

Streaming only in all of them, haven’t had cable for years.

They all seem to function the same to me. I don’t really have any preference for any of them.

Same here - I have a 15 year old Samsung 1080p TV that still works just fine. I have an ancient Apple TV and a Roku streaming device hung off of it so I can stream just about anything.

I also have a Sharp TV with Roku in my office - I have no issues with the apps, although I just use it to have the business news on in the background while I work.

That said, I have not had an issue with the Roku devices. They are reliable and pretty quick to load the apps. When I replace my main TV, it will likely be a Roku equipped device - which right now is Sharp or TCL TV's. Alternatively, I will need to buy a separate Roku device.

I don't follow ya. I have a cheap 72" Roku from Wally World that is great. I gave my daughter an old 42" Vizio TV that I had out in my barn. The thing works great with a fire stick. My Samsung in the house is a nice TV. I had an LG that crapped out after about 2 years. Probably the worst TV I've ever bought.

A good TV is like a good mattress. If you're going to spend half your life there...

Find a good woman to spend that time with? :D

I know some will disagree with me....but I think the new tv's have advanced to the point that they are almost all equal...if adjusted right.
Why spend $3K when you can get the same for $1K or less.

Shop for the best price.
If you don't like it after a year...get a diff one.

I doubt it

It may be groundless, but I don't like LG. I've never owned anything LG, and as it stands, I'm pretty unlikely to own any LG in the future.

We bought LG appliances just so I could tell people I had them monogramed with my wife's initials. Livin fancy ;)