Easiest to use smart TV brand for a senior citizen?

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beddy

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Master Geek
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#295320 21-Mar-2022 12:48

My elderly mother's looking to get a smart TV, mainly for the Freeview on demand channels, but is thinking she might struggle a bit with the interface.
Anyone had experience with different brands and has an opinion on which one is the most simple to navigate?
I've only used an LG with the magic remote, but thinking there might be simpler interfaces from other brands.

gzt

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#2889540 21-Mar-2022 12:53

When you say freeview on demand do you mean TVNZ apps etc?

FoD itself will be removed this year I think:

https://freeviewnz.tv/freeview/on-demand-1/

wratterus

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#2889542 21-Mar-2022 12:57

I'd say Samsung is probably the simplest. The bigger thing IMO is making sure the TV can do everything itself (if possible). From my experience, the main confusion normally comes when working with separate decoders/players and remotes.

Also as mentioned above there Freeview on Demand is basically dead. No point setting it up now as it will stop I think later this year.

Think you need to look more at the specific apps for the channels she's interested in to get on demand content.

beddy

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Master Geek
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#2889558 21-Mar-2022 13:19

wratterus:

I'd say Samsung is probably the simplest. The bigger thing IMO is making sure the TV can do everything itself (if possible). From my experience, the main confusion normally comes when working with separate decoders/players and remotes.

Also as mentioned above there Freeview on Demand is basically dead. No point setting it up now as it will stop I think later this year.

Think you need to look more at the specific apps for the channels she's interested in to get on demand content.

Yeah I was meaning TV1, 2, and 3. I assume they have their own apps instead of the old Freeview app.

gzt

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#2889559 21-Mar-2022 13:22

Does the person get free to air tv as well or just for online tv only?

beddy

94 posts

Master Geek
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#2889560 21-Mar-2022 13:26

gzt: Does the person get free to air tv as well or just for online tv only?

She has free to air but she wants a TV for her bedroom which doesn't have an aerial connection, so I was thinking it would be easier to just stream it over the internet.

trig42

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#2889575 21-Mar-2022 13:53

Streaming over the internet isn't as easy at it sounds.

Whilst it will work fine for TV1,2 and Duke using the TVNZ OD app, and 3,Bravo,Eden etc on the 3Now app, you have to switch between apps to get Live TV on each app, and have to know where you are going - there is no 'central' place to access all the channels (you won't get Prime for example).

Better to get an antenna connection in there - much easier to use.

The apps are great for catch up, and binge watching etc., and they do work for Live TV, but not like just pressing 1 to get TV one.

Another option is the DishTV product that streams (SV11) (like the VodafoneTV, which is also on it's way out). That's another device, and another remote though (but you may be able to set it up so that the TV remote isn't needed).