SmartTV recommendation for Elderly Inlaws

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sfrasernz

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Topic # 233473 17-Apr-2018 19:07

I still have a dumb TV so don’t know a lot about the Smart TV options.

My inlaws would like a new TV in order to take advantage of Lightbox and other VoD services.

It’ll be 50” in size but must importantly they (and I) need something that is easy to navigate and use.

Can somebody please advise which TV OS is regarded as the easiest to use?

Thanks

ARIKIP

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Reply # 1998456 18-Apr-2018 11:28

I have an LG OLED with webOS and find it quite intuitive. The on screen "pointer" which is similar to a Wiimote in use works great as well. I think elderly people would find it useful.

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1998461 18-Apr-2018 11:36

I have Samsung MU6100.

Simple remote and interface.

Does Lightbox, Neon, Netflix and Freeview OD.

Entering user-name and password to set up an accounts can be a bit of pain with the remote.

Getting the setting right for NZ Freeview during initial set-up wasn't easy but as always found how to do it online.

Mike

Handsomedan

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Reply # 1999180 19-Apr-2018 10:38

My Parents (in the late 70's) have a Sony Bravia 55" Android TV

They are not technophobes, but neither of them could be accused of being overly technical either...they use the smart functions pretty well and find it easy to navigate (dad more than mum - she like a dumb telly)

I have the older version that's non-Android and find it convoluted and largely redundant, but the newer Android-based ones are excellent in my opinion.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.

JimmyH

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Reply # 1999194 19-Apr-2018 11:01

3 people support this post

sfrasernz: I still have a dumb TV so don’t know a lot about the Smart TV options.

My inlaws would like a new TV in order to take advantage of Lightbox and other VoD services.

It’ll be 50” in size but must importantly they (and I) need something that is easy to navigate and use.

Can somebody please advise which TV OS is regarded as the easiest to use?

Thanks

Smart TVs are a bit of a mixed bag. Even if they work initially, the support for them tends to be poor and even the big name manufacturers often stop supporting and updating apps once the next years' model is out.

Personally, I would be inclined to ignore the smart functions, and just pick a decent TV based on price and picture quality. Then get a streaming box to handle all the VoD services.

Many people here (including me) are OK with arcane streaming box setups, and side-loading apps into imported android TV boxes etc and manually configuring IP addresses etc. But if straightforward and ease of use is the priority then you want to avoid this, and I would just tell them to get an Apple TV.

This option is relatively affordable, as far as I'm aware has all the main NZ VoD services available (TVNZ, TV3, Lightbox, Netflix), and Apple has a reasonably good track record of supporting and updating its products. Pretty close to plug and play, and likely to be more flexible and fit for purpose over time than any Smart TV functionality.

trig42

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Reply # 1999231 19-Apr-2018 11:53

I'd agree with the AppleTV suggestion.

So long as your folks are OK with using a different remote and switching inputs (can be a hurdle for some).

A cheap Harmony remote could fix that issue too. Works well for us (the Wife loves the Harmony remotes - they are pretty much the only item I don't even need permission to replace if one craps out).

Failing that - Samsung Smart TVs are pretty good, with good app support (at this point in time) as well as the Android based Sony.

Senecio

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Reply # 1999237 19-Apr-2018 12:15

trig42:

Works well for us (the Wife loves the Harmony remotes - they are pretty much the only item I don't even need permission to replace if one craps out).

If our Harmony remote crapped out the wife would kill me if I didn't replace it.

ErnieII

15 posts

Geek

Reply # 2017186 16-May-2018 20:40

JimmyH:

sfrasernz: I still have a dumb TV so don’t know a lot about the Smart TV options.

My inlaws would like a new TV in order to take advantage of Lightbox and other VoD services.

It’ll be 50” in size but must importantly they (and I) need something that is easy to navigate and use.

Can somebody please advise which TV OS is regarded as the easiest to use?

Thanks

Smart TVs are a bit of a mixed bag. Even if they work initially, the support for them tends to be poor and even the big name manufacturers often stop supporting and updating apps once the next years' model is out.

Personally, I would be inclined to ignore the smart functions, and just pick a decent TV based on price and picture quality. Then get a streaming box to handle all the VoD services.

Many people here (including me) are OK with arcane streaming box setups, and side-loading apps into imported android TV boxes etc and manually configuring IP addresses etc. But if straightforward and ease of use is the priority then you want to avoid this, and I would just tell them to get an Apple TV.

This option is relatively affordable, as far as I'm aware has all the main NZ VoD services available (TVNZ, TV3, Lightbox, Netflix), and Apple has a reasonably good track record of supporting and updating its products. Pretty close to plug and play, and likely to be more flexible and fit for purpose over time than any Smart TV functionality.

I might add that Samsung smart tvs only use bluetooth remotes now. No IR remote, so Harmony remotes no longer an option. The new Sharp smart televisions are coming out with hybrid remotes. IR for tv control and bluetooth for voice content searches. Very cool. I saw one in action last week. Nice picture and sound.

Handle9

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Reply # 2017228 16-May-2018 21:51

ErnieII:

I might add that Samsung smart tvs only use bluetooth remotes now. No IR remote, so Harmony remotes no longer an option. The new Sharp smart televisions are coming out with hybrid remotes. IR for tv control and bluetooth for voice content searches. Very cool. I saw one in action last week. Nice picture and sound.

If it's bluetooth the Harmony Hub based remotes should be fine. The hub is soooooooo much better than the conventional Harmony remotes - IMO it's as big an advance over an IR Harmony as a Harmony is over multiple remotes.

linw

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Reply # 2017410 17-May-2018 09:45

And my Alexa can command the Hub!

MikeAqua

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Reply # 2017424 17-May-2018 10:02

ErnieII:

I might add that Samsung smart tvs only use bluetooth remotes now. No IR remote, so Harmony remotes no longer an option. The new Sharp smart televisions are coming out with hybrid remotes. IR for tv control and bluetooth for voice content searches. Very cool. I saw one in action last week. Nice picture and sound.

Once set up via HDMI the TV seems to be very good at controlling other devices.

I used to use a harmony remote, but our Samsung TV (MU6100) is able to control our AV receiver (Onkyo), BD player (Samsung), DishTV Satellite receiver (we use the PVR function) and Chromecast.

In our case it really is one remote to rule them all.

Mike

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 2017427 17-May-2018 10:05

My solution for my folks is a Sony Android TV.

Put it into Pro Mode (watch the vids on YouTube to find out how to do this) and restrict all the things they will never have to do / play with.

If it means they only have free-to-air TV and YouTube, then so be it!

sfrasernz

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Reply # 2017789 17-May-2018 16:59

I'll look into the Pro mode setting. I ended going with a Sony Android TV and it's working well for them. Cheers

MikeB4

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Reply # 2017791 17-May-2018 17:05

To be honest you will get a hundred different recommendations here but the best thing to do if they are capable is to take them into the store probably during a less busy weekday and let them see the alternatives first hand and to try them.

Mike
Retired IT Manager.
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