Sony or TCL TV?

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#2403352 22-Jan-2020 09:04

I have a 2017 sony 65" android tv, and a 2018 TCL 75" tv.

both suck at android TV. if they upgraded to android 8 they would be a lot faster (my 55" 2017 sony was super slow on android 7, then upgraded and became way smoother/faster).

I personally would recommend an LG tv, the webos3 is a lot faster, it basically turns on straight away with no boot up time, has most apps you need. if you want androidtv (cos it is cool) get a box for it (mibox, or nvidia shield tv). they dont seem to put decent hardware in the tvs to run androidtv, which is a shame.

danepak

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#2403354 22-Jan-2020 09:05

sbiddle:
Is there a reason you're set on an Android TV?

They definitely are a love it or hate it type product (I fall into the hate it category and would never buy a Sony because they use Android TV despite their OLED being great) and I wouldn't want anybody to jump into one unless they fully understand this.

Yep for Android apps. One example is Kodi.

toejam316

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#2403358 22-Jan-2020 09:15

Probably worth mentioning that if you're using Android TV or any Smart TV OS, you'll be at the mercy of whatever audio formats the baked in ARC or Optical Out supports for external speakers, which is usually significantly worse than traditional HDMI output. If you care at all for audio format support I'd suggest using a standalone Android TV device, like an Nvidia Shield, or a Raspberry Pi with OpenElec or something.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

danepak

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#2403367 22-Jan-2020 09:21

toejam316: Probably worth mentioning that if you're using Android TV or any Smart TV OS, you'll be at the mercy of whatever audio formats the baked in ARC or Optical Out supports for external speakers, which is usually significantly worse than traditional HDMI output. If you care at all for audio format support I'd suggest using a standalone Android TV device, like an Nvidia Shield, or a Raspberry Pi with OpenElec or something.

I was thinking of getting a soundbar with a subwoofer. Nothing flash, probably around $400 (Sony HTS350).
Will this have any implications with no stand alone Android device?

ShinyChrome

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#2403378 22-Jan-2020 09:33

danepak:
sbiddle:

Is there a reason you're set on an Android TV?

They definitely are a love it or hate it type product (I fall into the hate it category and would never buy a Sony because they use Android TV despite their OLED being great) and I wouldn't want anybody to jump into one unless they fully understand this.

Yep for Android apps. One example is Kodi.

Just beware that your requirements for an in-built Android TV OS will severely limit your choices and could mean that you get a worse TV because of it. As toejam316 said, having something like a separate Android TV box like a Shield would vastly simplify your setup and negate a bunch of issues if you have to run ARC or optical out to a sound-bar. I just picked one up myself for that reason and I'm pretty happy with it.

Also, ARC/TOSLINK is only good for lossy audio codecs.

bfginger

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#2406912 26-Jan-2020 00:02

I’m looking at entry level Sony 4K like the KD65X8000G

There is a review for it here

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/sony/x800g

Contrast ratio is low meaning if you like to watch movies or dark dramas in a dark room you'll hate it but it should be ok for sports and general TV in a bright room.

Panasonic's LCD lineup is exclusively IPS and most likely edge-lit

Despite what the chain salesman may have said, their lineup does include some VA models.

would never buy a Sony because they use Android TV

I think I dislike LG's system more despite how popular it is.

I was thinking of getting a soundbar with a subwoofer. Nothing flash, probably around $400 (Sony HTS350).

Panasonic looks like the most cost effective for budget sound bars. If you want to get an expensive one you should look at 5.1 instead. Many soundbars are overpriced and you're paying for the brand name. Don't get a soundbar without a woofer unless you specifically don't want any bass.

Dunnersfella

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#2406929 26-Jan-2020 08:32

As a note, some Sony TV's support eARC so they will support Dolby True HD / DTS Master HD from devices that are connected to the TV via HDMI cable... and if those source devices also support lossless audio formats.

To my knowledge, Sony TV's with eARC can't support HD audio formats from USB video files (silly restriction IMHO), streaming services (not surprising due to bandwidth constraints on these offerings) and free to air TV (obviously).

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#2406988 26-Jan-2020 12:10

sbiddle:

Is there a reason you're set on an Android TV?

They definitely are a love it or hate it type product (I fall into the hate it category and would never buy a Sony because they use Android TV despite their OLED being great) and I wouldn't want anybody to jump into one unless they fully understand this.

I have a 2017 Sony Oled and now would not wont to use anything but Android TV , so I fall into the love category . I think you wont a reasonably specked TV or it can be a dog .

afe66

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#2406994 26-Jan-2020 13:03

Im in the picture quality is the most important camp in that we all know eventually the firmware will be dropped.

I'm quite happy with my sony a1 but once the software becomes an issue I will go back to an apple tv or similar.

3 years ago I was still using my 2008 46 inch sony bravia via an ATV external for streaming.

I expect I will eventually head back there,

ShinyChrome

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#2407307 27-Jan-2020 08:36

bfginger:

Panasonic's LCD lineup is exclusively IPS and most likely edge-lit

Despite what the chain salesman may have said, their lineup does include some VA models.

Of which, one model is readily available here. And only in 40/50" sizes, which makes it virtually useless for a general recommendation, especially when OP is looking at 65". Sooooooooo..... yeah....

And are you saying I am a "chain" sales-person? Or that a "chain" sales-person told me? I mean, either way you are still wrong though.

danepak

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#2426376 24-Feb-2020 15:41

In regards to the Sony KD65X8000G, it states that USB recording isn’t possible.
What other options do I have, if I want to record live TV from this Sony TV model?
A separate box of some sort?

bfginger

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#2426536 24-Feb-2020 18:57

https://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/home-entertainment/freeview-recorders.html

There is also a recorder from Dish TV but its thread on the Freeview forum section on Geekzone doesn't encourage me.

danepak

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#2426607 24-Feb-2020 20:05

Which one is better?

I can get hold of this TV at a good price (more or less the same as the one beneath). But can't see if it allows to record to USB. And does it work with AlexA? It comes with 3 years warranty though, but just wondering if it's got any limitations (or advantages, compared to the model below).

https://pro.sony/en_NZ/products/pro-displays/fwd-65x80g

This is the one that I've looked at at Noel Leeming and JB Hifi. But only 12 months warranty.

https://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/televisions/x8000g-x8077g-series/specifications

dolsen

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#2426678 24-Feb-2020 22:28

Dunnersfella:

To my knowledge, Sony TV's with eARC can't support HD audio formats from USB video files (silly restriction IMHO), streaming services (not surprising due to bandwidth constraints on these offerings) and free to air TV (obviously).

So, streaming netflix via an external device supports Atmos, but, streaming netflix via a tv with eARC does not. I would be rather annoyed if that was the case - although I don't have a eARC tv, or a receiver that supports eARC, so, I am annoyed on the potential shortcomings rather than actual shortcomings.

I stream Netflix from the xbox one X for that reason (HDR, 4K, Atmos supported with my setup).

bfginger

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#2426696 24-Feb-2020 23:57

danepak:

Which one is better?

I can get hold of this TV at a good price (more or less the same as the one beneath). But can't see if it allows to record to USB. And does it work with AlexA? It comes with 3 years warranty though, but just wondering if it's got any limitations (or advantages, compared to the model below).

https://pro.sony/en_NZ/products/pro-displays/fwd-65x80g

This is the one that I've looked at at Noel Leeming and JB Hifi. But only 12 months warranty.

https://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/televisions/x8000g-x8077g-series/specifications

They appear to be the same TV except the X80G is being marketed as a professional display and appears to have some additional features for that purpose.

My concerns about the professional display would be any missing consumer market features. That doesn't appear to be the case but it's ambiguous as to whether it supports New Zealand Freeview or not so you may want to find that out first.

TV USB recording is usually very limited compared with a real PVR.

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