Recommend me a new TV ($2K mark)

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Recommend me a new TV ($2K mark)

nzkc

1054 posts

Uber Geek

#132253 14-Oct-2013 22:55

Hi,

TheWIFE has decided we need a new media centre PC. Since we really only use it for transcoded material and photos (we have MySky for Live TV) I floated the idea of getting a Smart TV to
a) upgrade our current circa 8 yr old Sony Bravia and
b) get rid of the HTPC box out of the living room and into the garage.

This seems to have won her over.

Basic requirements are:

Full HD (cant stretch to UltraHD for a few years yet)
Smart TV (DLNA minimum everything else a bonus)
$2K budget
50" or larger preferable
I like watching sport (usual Kiwi ones) - so I guess a TV that doesn't suffer here.

Desirable but not total deal breakers:

3D - we're so far behind (who knew kids were so darn expensive!) we dont have BluRay yet so no 3D to watch (yet). I currently prefer passive 3D due to sensitive eyes but don't have that much experience with 3D TVs so open to convincing otherwise. We have two young children if that swings things one way or the other.

Nice to have:

Streaming to our Android phones/tablets (I see some TVs do live TV to this now...clever)
Internet (needs LAN connectivity, either wired or wifi, but by Internet I mean browse the internet on the TV)

Thats probably about it.

I did see the LG 55LA6230 for $1999 at Noel Leeming and was quite taken by it - seemed to tick all the boxes. As were the kids (both preschoolers) as it was showing the Lorax in 3D. Mrs and I quite like the look of the Samsung TVs too (e.g. NL had UA55F6400 running which I also liked). Anything we should be avoiding/ignoring or discounting gimics etc.

But its so long since Ive been TV shopping I'm way out of touch with what is the TV de jour. Anything else in the 2K region we should be looking at? I know the first requirement is "choose one where the picture looks good to you" and I will go out and check any recommendations. But to be honest - I find they all look quite good top me now!

Ta.

NordVPN

Affiliate link

Affiliate link: NordVPN allows you to securely access the Internet, encrypt your connection and keep your browsing history private.

sidefx

3607 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#915148 15-Oct-2013 07:14

I'm hoping to pick up a P50ST60Z some time (if i ever have the money) looks very nice and I love my 42" st50.

i don't use most of the smart tv features on the st50 but did test dlna which seemed fine. one small disappointment is that i couldnt find a way to change the region to get the Netflix app, even with unblockus. I think the Samsung tvs are very easy to change region and get Netflix, even without vpn or unblockus.

3d works well on the Panasonic., but is active - we have somewhat sensitive eyes and no issues though.

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Electric Kiwi | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

Batman

Mad Scientist
27813 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#915153 15-Oct-2013 07:40

I wws going to say get the biggest one but you really need hd content

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

mclean

546 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#915220 15-Oct-2013 09:05

If you're planning to retire the HTPC then have a good look at the web browser on the TV, does it support Flash, wireless keyboard/mouse, text scaling, etc.

McLean

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#915229 15-Oct-2013 09:18

I have the LG 55LA6230, from JB for $19xx. Comes with Wifi builtin and 4 pairs of 3d glasses. I also use Windows Media center on an HTPC.

Now I wasn't fussed on the 3d but Media Center will play Half Side by Side and Half Top and Bottom 3d MKV movies no problem and turning the 3d mode on the TV gives me great 3d results. Although I am not going to watch 3d often it is available.

I find the smart features on the TV not really worth it and a pain to use, although LG do have a Tablet/Phone app which provides better remote control of the mouse. Any smart TV should really only be considered a TV as that is what is it should be best at.

I would stick with the HTPC for movies, music, internet and you tube etc.

Home Server: AMD Threadripper 1950X, 64GB, 56TB HDD, Define R6 Case, 10GbE, ESXi 6.7, UNRAID, NextPVR, Emby Server, Plex Server.
Lounge Media Center: NVIDIA Shield TV 16GB: Kodi18 with Titan MOD, Emby.
Kids Media Center: NVIDIA Shield TV 16GB: Kodi18 with Titan MOD, Emby.
Main PC: Ryzen 7 2700, 16GB RAM, RX 570, 2 x 24"

trig42

5357 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#915231 15-Oct-2013 09:22

I would recommend a Samsung.

You can install Plex media Player on the Samsung Smart TVs, and install Plex Server on your PCs.
It just works - nice UI, plays all formats (I haven't had one it wont play yet).

Lou1983

34 posts

Geek

#915583 15-Oct-2013 16:57

I bought a Samsung UA50F6400 and love it.
Works flawlessly with plex streaming 1080 content off my desktop.
Great picture and really nice UI. Smooth and easy to use.

Even has a few cool gimmicks like voice control and gesture control.

I paid 1988 from JB a couple of months ago and got a free USB keyboard and camera for it by redemption.

nzkc

1054 posts

Uber Geek

#915681 15-Oct-2013 19:51

Thanks for the replies people.

Looks like I should have a closer look at the Samsungs since I'm quite keen to remove the HTPC out of the living room and hide it away as a media server. Hence DLNA as being a requirement.

I'm not going to be doing much with the smart features besides streaming from a PC (we'll likely use laptop or tablet for everything else). Certainly the ability to use Plex on a Samsung is appealing for the streaming.

letmekiwi

41 posts

Geek

#915870 16-Oct-2013 08:39

If you can wait for a big sale at one of the big retail stores, you could probably grab that Samsung for less than 1200. The 40" version.

nzkc

1054 posts

Uber Geek

#915888 16-Oct-2013 09:24

I could wait a little while. But TheWIFE™ is keen to get things sorted quickly. If we knew a sale was in the wings within the next month we'd wait. But I definitely want 50" or bigger.

letmekiwi

41 posts

Geek

#915989 16-Oct-2013 12:58

If powers to be insist on something NOW!!1`~ I'd suggest to visit retailers in person, and see who gives you a better deal.

You also should consider Plasma, and 2k can get you Panasonic ST50.

Dunnersfella

4031 posts

Uber Geek

#916296 16-Oct-2013 20:25

Labour weekend is on its way, get into the stores and see what's up then?