My mum might be purchasing a new TV, any suggestions based on her wants?

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › My mum might be purchasing a new TV, any suggestions based on her wants?

Finch

2667 posts

Uber Geek

#270006 19-Apr-2020 12:03

Hey everyone.

Looks like my mum wants to purchase a new TV, I can't really help her though as I'm not sure what's "Good", as well as the technical jargon. Her budget is $1000, but really obviously the cheaper the better, I've told her she probably doesn't need to spend that much.

One thing she wants in a TV, and something that isn't negotiable, is inbuilt freeview, as well as a 55", but the freeview is most important. She currently has a Freeview Box. I had a quick look, but I actually couldn't find anything that said "Inbuilt Freeview", does this exist at all still? Most of what I looked at said Smart TV, I don't think she needs anything like that as she doesn't even know how to use a computer.

Anyone have any recommendations on something that might be what she is after?

Thanks!

Edit: Forgot to mention that while I told her she doesn't need to spend bucket loads, sound and picture are obviously still important and don't want to compromise on it. Also she "only" wants a LG/Panasonic/Sony, brands she feels she can trust. *Shrug*

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1525 posts

Uber Geek

#2465361 19-Apr-2020 12:05

Has Freeview Plus, Youtube and Netflix, isn't Android so shouldn't be much more complicated than a normal TV.

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p4us-50-4k-uhd-smart-tv/338937/

Otherwise a smaller more complicated model to use (for her as it's Android): https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p8m-43-4k-quhd-ai-in-led-smart-tv/363726/

Just saw your update:

Here's other's that have Freeview:

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fs500z-32-hd-smart-led-tv/338728/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fs500z-40-full-hd-smart-led-tv/338727/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-gx700z-40-4k-uhd-smart-led-tv/365150/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fx600z-43-4k-uhd-smart-led-tv/338708/

Morgenmuffel

552 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2465367 19-Apr-2020 12:16

What does she currently have, and when you say freeview box what exactly do you mean by that, is it just a tuner box?, or is it one that access the ondemand stuff?

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

antonknee

309 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2465368 19-Apr-2020 12:16

Might pay to check she has a UHF aerial - most built in Freeview requires UHF not satellite (although you can get dual tuners).

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Finch

2667 posts

Uber Geek

#2465370 19-Apr-2020 12:16

lNomNoml:

Has Freeview Plus, Youtube and Netflix, isn't Android so shouldn't be much more complicated than a normal TV.

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p4us-50-4k-uhd-smart-tv/338937/

Otherwise a smaller more complicated model to use (for her as it's Android): https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p8m-43-4k-quhd-ai-in-led-smart-tv/363726/

Just saw your update:

Here's other's that have Freeview:

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fs500z-32-hd-smart-led-tv/338728/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fs500z-40-full-hd-smart-led-tv/338727/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-gx700z-40-4k-uhd-smart-led-tv/365150/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fx600z-43-4k-uhd-smart-led-tv/338708/

Thanks for the links. I updated again, sorry!

sbiddle

29024 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2465374 19-Apr-2020 12:28

Pretty much 100% of TV's in the NZ market for the last 10-11 years have had Freeview DVB-T built in (and certainly 100% for anything 8+ years), and in recent years we've seen a growing number of models that also have DVB-S built in - you you need to know if her connection is DVB-T or DVB-S because if it is DVB-S your choices for a TV with inbuilt tuner are quite limited.

lNomNoml

1525 posts

Uber Geek

#2465376 19-Apr-2020 12:30

Finch:

lNomNoml:

Has Freeview Plus, Youtube and Netflix, isn't Android so shouldn't be much more complicated than a normal TV.

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p4us-50-4k-uhd-smart-tv/338937/

Otherwise a smaller more complicated model to use (for her as it's Android): https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p8m-43-4k-quhd-ai-in-led-smart-tv/363726/

Just saw your update:

Here's other's that have Freeview:

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fs500z-32-hd-smart-led-tv/338728/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fs500z-40-full-hd-smart-led-tv/338727/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-gx700z-40-4k-uhd-smart-led-tv/365150/

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/panasonic/panasonic-fx600z-43-4k-uhd-smart-led-tv/338708/

Thanks for the links. I updated again, sorry!

Arranged by price, has Freeview and at least 55inch:

TCL - $798: https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p4us-55-4k-uhd-smart-tv/338938/

TCL - $888: https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tcl/tcl-p8m-55-4k-quhd-ai-in-led-smart-tv/363724/

Samsung - $1,090: https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/televisions/4k-uhd-televisions/samsung-55-4k-smart-tv-en-4.html

LG - $1,195: https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/televisions/televisions/ultra-hd-televisions/49-59-uhd-tvs/lg-55um7660pva-55-ultra-hd-4k-hdr-smart-led-television/prod180470.html

Samsung - $1,244: https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/televisions/televisions/ultra-hd-televisions/49-59-uhd-tvs/samsung-ua55ru7400sxnz-55-series-7-ultra-hd-4k-smart-led-television/prod180345.html

TCL - $1,298: https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/televisions/televisions/ultra-hd-televisions/49-59-uhd-tvs/tcl-55c8-55-c8-quhd-ai-in-television/prod181668.html

Dingbatt

4429 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2465388 19-Apr-2020 12:44

Is it going to be wall mounted, or sit on a cabinet? If it is replacing something smaller and is sitting on a cabinet, make sure the feet of the new one aren’t too widely spaced otherwise you’ll need to add the cost of a new cabinet as well. For $1000 you are probably going to get an edge lit 55” LCD from one of the main manufacturers (not sure why Samsung isn’t on your list). If it really is mainly for broadcast Freeview, you only need Full HD, although I’m not sure how many non-4K sets are available these days. As mentioned above, the first thing to determine is whether she is currently getting Freeview via satellite or terrestrial.

Be aware that LCDs have a narrower viewing angle, and that is particularly the case in 55” ones in the price range you are looking at.

Areas of Geek interest: Home Theatre, HTPC, Android Tablets & Phones, iProducts.

21brandon21

138 posts

Master Geek

#2465819 20-Apr-2020 08:38

I'd wait till PBTech has a sale, their Panasonic 65" 4k Smart TV is always around $800 when they have their sale, but when not on sale 1.3k atm if you can wait for the lower price.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TVPHS610366/Philips-6703-Series-65-Premium-4K-HDR-Smart-TV-wit?pg=2#review

sen8or

958 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2465834 20-Apr-2020 08:57

I have that Philips TV and have been remarkably surprised at the quality of the picture, especially 4k stuff on Netflix / Amazon prime and is fully back light, not edge. For a non oled tv, it has really good colour saturation and impressive black levels whilst maintaining good shadow details. Coming from an older panasonic plasma (08 model), I think this tv has more pop to the picture.

It has inbuild freeview as well as apps for Netflix, prime and Youtube (no Disney+) but I use appletv 4k anyway for apps.

Reading the reviews on PB tech, they are pretty spot on, good picture, slow response from the remote, no idea on the sound, I run an external amp / speakers.

timmmay

16087 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#2465841 20-Apr-2020 09:03

I can't suggest anything, but I can report that my two Samsung LCD TVs ten and twelve years old are both still going strong, so the quality seems to be pretty decent.

MikeAqua

5733 posts

Uber Geek

#2465843 20-Apr-2020 09:07

We have a Samsung 55" RU7100 model. Very happy with it. After initial setup, really simple to use. Built in Freeview (broadcast and streaming) also all the major streaming services available in NZ. On special at HN and considered essential.

Mike

bmt

564 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2465917 20-Apr-2020 10:56

sbiddle:

Pretty much 100% of TV's in the NZ market for the last 10-11 years have had Freeview DVB-T built in (and certainly 100% for anything 8+ years), and in recent years we've seen a growing number of models that also have DVB-S built in - you you need to know if her connection is DVB-T or DVB-S because if it is DVB-S your choices for a TV with inbuilt tuner are quite limited.

I can't really help her though as I'm not sure what's "Good", as well as the technical jargon.

..

One thing she wants in a TV, and something that isn't negotiable, is inbuilt freeview, as well as a 55", but the freeview is most important. She currently has a Freeview Box. I had a quick look, but I actually couldn't find anything that said "Inbuilt Freeview", does this exist at all still? Most of what I looked at said Smart TV, I don't think she needs anything like that as she doesn't even know how to use a computer.

Think you live in your own little bubble sometimes sbiddle.

Dodgeyboye

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2465956 20-Apr-2020 11:34

Can highly recommend Panasonic TVs, I have the 43in version of this tv and it is fantastic.

https://www.smithscity.co.nz/panasonic-55-uhd-4k-smart-tv-th-55fx600z-9049160

https://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/televisions/ultra-hd-tvs/th-55fx600z.html

Dual tuners for Freeview (satellite or uhf), pretty much all on demand apps, good picture and decent sound from the inbuilt speakers.

Did have some issues with dead pixels on it but Panasonic was very helpful and gave me a replacement pretty much straight away.

lNomNoml

1525 posts

Uber Geek

#2466446 20-Apr-2020 17:06

Dodgeyboye:

Can highly recommend Panasonic TVs, I have the 43in version of this tv and it is fantastic.

https://www.smithscity.co.nz/panasonic-55-uhd-4k-smart-tv-th-55fx600z-9049160

https://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/televisions/ultra-hd-tvs/th-55fx600z.html

Dual tuners for Freeview (satellite or uhf), pretty much all on demand apps, good picture and decent sound from the inbuilt speakers.

Did have some issues with dead pixels on it but Panasonic was very helpful and gave me a replacement pretty much straight away.

This one seems like the best offer.

Here's the specs for it: https://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/televisions/ultra-hd-tvs/th-55fx600z.html

Finch

2667 posts

Uber Geek

#2468601 23-Apr-2020 13:10

Thanks for the replies folks, have read through them all and thanks for the suggestions.

The images below show what she has currently. Does this change any of the suggestions? Ideally she wants a TV, not have to use the Freeview box as well, just plug the TV in and away she goes. Thanks again...

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