New TV time what's good on a budget

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epr

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#260166 14-Nov-2019 09:08

Hey there,

I know this sort of thread pops up often but deals also change often for example something is price dropped this week from last week. My 59 inch 10 year old Samsung plasma screen died yesterday, I dont really want to go smaller ideally i would like a 60 inch 4k screen but it looks like 65 inch models are as cheap or cheaper usually, so I am happy to go to 65 inch and my partner is not massively opposed to this but no larger please..

The price range I am looking at is 2000 to 3000 ideally, but if something a little over 3000 is streets ahead quality wise i will definitely consider it seriously. Things I consider to be worthwhile in my decision making are does the manufacturer frequently patch and upgrade the OS, does it support tvnz on demand app and other common apps in New Zealand e.g. Amazon prime, netflix, spark sport and ideally the upcoming Disney+ service. I would like it to have a satellite tv tuner as I cannot get a UHF signal where my house is located but this is not a deal breaker just a nice to have I can count 1 time this year I wanted to see something on network tv. App support is also not a total killer as I have an Xbox One S that will do the majority of what i need in this department and I can always get a Chromecast Ultra to do the rest but built in Chromecast would be a plus for this sort of thing.

I have a 32 inch TCL tv that we are using in the mean time it usually lives in the downstairs laundry where my partner has a cycle trainer for bad weather, she doesn't like the casting on she finds it to be sub par so we have a Chromecast on this most of the time or a plugged in laptop.

I will consider hire purchase as major retailers often have good long terms available but I may be able to scrape together the cash to buy outright. Am I better to wait until sales come up in the near future? I can possibly borrow a tv in the meantime that is a bit bigger than the 32 inch that I am using this morning.

I am sure that I have forgotten some things in this post but geekzoners are usually generous enough to remind me of these things so thank you in advance.

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#2353083 14-Nov-2019 09:34

Black friday / cyber monday is coming, there may be some deals through Harvey Normans and/or Noel Leemings.

As for cash or charge, no idea. Its been a long time since I bought anything cash, always take interest free terms but others my have insight. I'd say though if you can take advantage of the special days, it may not improve much.

Also, why limit yourself to the TVs operating system. An appleTv 4k is about $300 and you arent tied to the TV manufacturer updating or supporting apps now and into the future

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jonathan18

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#2353086 14-Nov-2019 09:45

Speaking of existing threads, have you seen this one from only a week ago? Dealing with 65" TVs at exactly around this price point, so I suggest would be a good start.

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=34&topicId=260021

That thread also has useful posts from ShinyChrome regarding the risks of buying particular types of LCD TVs (as, at this price/size, OLEDs aren't an option); as I am also someone who bought a cheap IPS panel with edge lighting and regrets it every time he watches it, I can't stress the importance of this enough! Personally, I think I'd rather have settled for a smaller, better quality panel.

Speaking of which, perhaps have another think about screen size, as the drop from 59 to 55" inch isn't huge, and if you can live with that there'd be certain OLED models that come within budget, eg a Philips model for $2899, or a Panasonic only slightly over budget at $3099.

https://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=v2161&sort=price&direction=asc

ShinyChrome

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#2353195 14-Nov-2019 12:13

By far the best TV OS (apart from No-OS) is LG's webOS. I would have gotten rid of my TV long ago if it weren't for that. Supports almost every streaming service, including Disney+ as I see in the news, and excellent UX. LG's LED TVs are pretty much all IPS, but their OLEDs are class leading if you can afford the premium.

I don't think there are any real stand-outs for OS support, all of them seem to be a bit lax there. If you want good support there, I would forgo the TV's OS and get a streaming box, like Apple TV or Nvidia Shield. Shield is going on 5+ years of support (for better or worse) and since they just released a new version that is virtually identical, hopefully 5 years more. And Apple is... well Apple.

What sort of content do you watch? Movies, TV, sports, new etc?

As Jonathan18 mentioned, your budget puts you on the tipping point of 55" OLED or 65" mid-to-upper LED. Picture quality wise, OLED is going to be the closest match to your Plasma for inky-blacks and smoothness.

Groucho

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#2353198 14-Nov-2019 12:19

Personally I wouldn't trust smart TVs with a proprietary OS as manufacturers are notoriously bad at keeping it and the apps updated. Once you've bought it there's no further cash flow for them therefore not worth supporting longer term. Time and time again I've seen TVs and Blu-Ray players with pre-installed apps that either fail or are withdrawn by the manufacturer.

As suggested I'd go with an external set top box like an Apple TV, Dish TV's Android powered Smartview/SuperBox or Chromecast. At least when/if those devices are no longer supported you've done $50 - $450 rather than a few thousand dollars for a new TV.

epr

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2353540 14-Nov-2019 20:39

ShinyChrome:
By far the best TV OS (apart from No-OS) is LG's webOS. I would have gotten rid of my TV long ago if it weren't for that. Supports almost every streaming service, including Disney+ as I see in the news, and excellent UX. LG's LED TVs are pretty much all IPS, but their OLEDs are class leading if you can afford the premium.

I don't think there are any real stand-outs for OS support, all of them seem to be a bit lax there. If you want good support there, I would forgo the TV's OS and get a streaming box, like Apple TV or Nvidia Shield. Shield is going on 5+ years of support (for better or worse) and since they just released a new version that is virtually identical, hopefully 5 years more. And Apple is... well Apple.

What sort of content do you watch? Movies, TV, sports, new etc?

As Jonathan18 mentioned, your budget puts you on the tipping point of 55" OLED or 65" mid-to-upper LED. Picture quality wise, OLED is going to be the closest match to your Plasma for inky-blacks and smoothness.

We mostly watch tv and movies with a little bit of sports, i wouldnt bother getting an apple tv I do not enjoy apple products and like I say if I needed it I would get a Chromecast Ultra and I have an Xbox One S for most other stuff. As for not trusting the software in smart tv's that's what the Xbox and Chromecast would be for. Unfortunately there is not a huge number of options if any in the 4k range with no software so i would like to get something with the best support possible before it runs out. Looks like a budget Panasonic from Harvey Norman is going to be the go at the moment it seems like a reasonable deal and my partner is never too keen on spending larger on technology unfortunately I thought I could talk her round but not really happening at the moment.

Scott3

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#2353573 14-Nov-2019 21:35

Would used be an option.

This might sell for within your budget, despite being a current morel asking $4299 at JB hifi

https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/led/more-than-60/listing-2392845383.htm?rsqid=801609a74c82474e9d33f603e4ddb8bd-001

Kiwifruta

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#2353580 14-Nov-2019 21:59

As for satellite, you could try a SmartVu or VodafoneTV device instead and stream it on the internet, they both include the freeview channels https://www.vodafone.co.nz/tv/vodafone-tv/.

Personally I have a Mi Box S, which is an Android TV box, which with Matt Huisman's help runs the freeview channels in a very nice interface, even better than Freeview's own SmartVu device, IMO.

If you've got the money though, get the Nvidia Shield instead of the Mi Box, it has far better hardware and being an Android TV you've got the streaming apps (Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Disney+ etc) covered in one device. Plus it has built in Chromecast.

Scott3

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#2353583 14-Nov-2019 22:06

Kiwifruta:

As for satellite, you could try a SmartVu or VodafoneTV device instead and stream it on the internet, they both include the freeview channels https://www.vodafone.co.nz/tv/vodafone-tv/.

Given that Sat free view is SD only, this would be a reasonable option to look into.

epr

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#2353618 15-Nov-2019 05:15

@Scott3 just not super trusting of buying used expensive electronics through trademe it does look quite a good tv though.

timmmay

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#2353627 15-Nov-2019 07:29

I can't remember the brand, it was a decent one, but in a large Warehouse in Lyle Bay Wellington I saw some fairly impressive looking TVs at quite low prices. From memory, 55" decent brand under $1K.

Don't go for smart features, get a decent panel, and run a box to provide the smarts. The TV makers only support them for a very short time, after that the smarts can stop working. My 55" Samsung LCD was a smart TV, 5-7 years ago, but within 2 years of buying it they stopped working - I can't even do updates any more.

sbiddle

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#2353629 15-Nov-2019 07:38

I really only have one comment to add - if you're going down the LED path rather than OLED (and if price is an issue then I'm guessing you will be going LED) do not buy an edge lit panel if you can afford the extra for full array.

If you're a long time plasma owner you will immediately spot the flaws with most edge lit panels and once you see these you can never unsee them and will be shouting at yourself every time you watch TV.

ShinyChrome

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#2353645 15-Nov-2019 08:21

Scott3:

Would used be an option.

This might sell for within your budget, despite being a current morel asking $4299 at JB hifi

https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/led/more-than-60/listing-2392845383.htm?rsqid=801609a74c82474e9d33f603e4ddb8bd-001

I would be very wary of buying OLED TVs second hand. It might be a good deal now, but given the higher potential for panel issues down the line, it would have to be a VERY good deal to want to offset that risk.

I have seen quite a few instances now of OLEDs getting panel or complete replacements gratis out of warranty, even up to 4 years old models, so it really does pay to buy new.

epr:

We mostly watch tv and movies with a little bit of sports, i wouldnt bother getting an apple tv I do not enjoy apple products and like I say if I needed it I would get a Chromecast Ultra and I have an Xbox One S for most other stuff. As for not trusting the software in smart tv's that's what the Xbox and Chromecast would be for. Unfortunately there is not a huge number of options if any in the 4k range with no software so i would like to get something with the best support possible before it runs out. Looks like a budget Panasonic from Harvey Norman is going to be the go at the moment it seems like a reasonable deal and my partner is never too keen on spending larger on technology unfortunately I thought I could talk her round but not really happening at the moment.

Coming from a Plasma and mostly watching movies/TV, I suspect you will be disappointed with any of the TVs in the budget range, most likely any short of an OLED/ FALD LED. See here for an example of how bad an edge-lit IPS (which is most budget/lower-mid TVs, local dimming and not) watching Blade Runner 2049. Pretty much all of the recent TV advice threads here, you will see me and @Jonathan18 lamenting our choices. It might be a bit of fight to get some extra discretionary funds now, but whats a few extra dollaroos now vs. living for the next X years with a TV that reminds you every-damn-time that you turn it on that it is a downgrade.

I would at the least go for a something like the Sony X950g ($2k for the 55", $2.8k for the 65"). Hell even the older 65" X900F for $2326 is still a bargain if you just can't get any more funds out of the tank. It has an older chipset and a lot of people complain about how laggy the OS is, but really if you care about updates/OS support, you will want to use an external streamer and treat the TV like a dumb monitor. That's the way I intend to go once the new Shield Pro releases here. The picture quality for both is still about as good as it gets for an LED TV, unless you want to pay a premium for Samsungs higher range Q80 or Q90 (which you shouldn't).

I would suggest waiting until Black Friday to see how the prices stack up.

Oh, and as an Xbox owner, I can safely say it is a mediocre streaming media device. If you are all good using that, then more power (and rutherfords saved) to you, but the money invested on an external streamer will go a long way for support, WAF, etc regardless of which TV you end up going. I suspect the older Shield will take a dive in price soon as well.

CokemonZ

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#2353666 15-Nov-2019 08:37

That Phillips 55" Oled is now $2k https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TVPHS880355/Philips-55OLED80375-55-Razor-Slim-4K-UHD-OLED-Andr

CokemonZ

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#2353669 15-Nov-2019 08:40

ShinyChrome:

Oh, and as an Xbox owner, I can safely say it is a mediocre streaming media device. If you are all good using that, then more power (and rutherfords saved) to you, but the money invested on an external streamer will go a long way for support, WAF, etc regardless of which TV you end up going. I suspect the older Shield will take a dive in price soon as well.

I use TV apps (lg web os3) or Xbox one for streaming (Xbox has much wider format compatibility). We seem to find it ok - what don't you like about it?

The only thing that is a little bit of a pain is your games and apps all mixed up, but we've solved that by pinning the media apps.

ShinyChrome

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#2353742 15-Nov-2019 09:30

CokemonZ:

ShinyChrome:

Oh, and as an Xbox owner, I can safely say it is a mediocre streaming media device. If you are all good using that, then more power (and rutherfords saved) to you, but the money invested on an external streamer will go a long way for support, WAF, etc regardless of which TV you end up going. I suspect the older Shield will take a dive in price soon as well.

I use TV apps (lg web os3) or Xbox one for streaming (Xbox has much wider format compatibility). We seem to find it ok - what don't you like about it?

The only thing that is a little bit of a pain is your games and apps all mixed up, but we've solved that by pinning the media apps.

I am a big fan of LG's webOS, as you will see a few posts up me heaping praise on it. It is the one redeeming feature of my current TV, and probably about the only OS I would bother using built-in apps. Too bad that LG's LED TV range is all IPS and the OLED range is more than I want to pay for a TV right now.

The Xbox on the other hand, I find the streaming apps to be slow, clunky, and buggy. I'm pretty fussy about UX and spoiled by webOS though, so maybe its just me.

I must admit, getting a Harmony remote has improved my experience with it somewhat, but I still feel gaming is the only first class experience it offers. The other functions can be done better by individual devices (UHD blu-ray player, Shield etc), but obviously at added cost. But if you can only afford one device and it does everything you need, then by far it is the most cost effective option.

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