TVs as an HDMI monitor (only)

Forums › Off topic › TVs as an HDMI monitor (only)

OldGeek

989 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 409

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#324249 17-Mar-2026 12:12

I am getting to the point where problems are arising with my 2018 Samsung TV and I am considering its replacement. I live in an area served by Fibre and Satellite media.

Historic use revolved around a Sky PACE Mysky box (now retired), but now I have moved to streaming only options because my TV does not recognise HDMI devices (reports them as having no signal - I have tried the new Sky whitebox (3) and an Amazon Firestick(2). I have been down the track with Samsung NZ the upshot of which is that repair options do not exist and (understandably) will not entertain supplying a replacement. So I am using the Samsung store to download Sky Sports Now, TVNZ+ and 3-now apps. This worked well until early this week when the TVNZ+ app gave an error trying to stream 1 News while it is still being broadcast which means I cannot watch it until after 7pm. With these problems, time to update. The apps are tied to Samsung and the aged version of Tizen it runs (no updates available)

Note that I almost never watch anything live, but I will watch a lot of content on a delayed start so that I can FF through the ads as best as streaming apps allow.

It has occurred to me that the best hardware given my viewing needs is an HDMI stick (such as Amazon Fire) and a good quality monitor (no tuners, internet connection only for firmware updates, its only job is to play from HDMI devices). However computer monitors don't come that big with a 55" panel typically being a full-blown TV. My thinking is that the monitor plays content from HDMI devices, the HDMI stick runs apps and internet feed to source all content with a full-blown OS. All content is from the internet.

Ideally the monitor would be less than $1k and the HDMI stick less than $500, all delivering UHD resolution. Is there anything affordable on the market?

--

OldGeek.

Quic referal code: https://account.quic.nz/refer/581402 and use this code for free setup: R581402E48MJA

1 | 2 | 3

1634 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1041

#3471080 17-Mar-2026 12:23

My understanding from your message: Your TV HDMI ports are failing, or failed. This is leading you towards new media consumption devices.

I think you want a TV + streaming device.

Streaming devices:

Google TV Streamer - $150
Apple TV - $300

So well under your $500 budget there (these are rough prices)

Then get a new TV for the $1K (or a bit more with your left over from the streaming device).

I wouldn't go monitor only because most do not have sound capabilities. Or if they do they generally suck. Which also raises the prospect of a sound bar for consideration. Though this can come later if you choose.

You might be thinking, or lead to think, that a new TV will have good streaming options built in. And it likely will. So for further consideration, just put your ~$1500 towards a good new TV. I'd personally pick one with Google TV built in myself. And at a later date add in a dedicated streaming device if required.

Edit: Added some links for devices.

nzkc

1634 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1041

#3471082 17-Mar-2026 12:27

Actually... you mention you have been down the track with Samsung. I take it to see if the TV can be fixed.

If they wont play ball (and honestly doesnt surprise me) you could see if you have a local electronics repair person who could fix the HDMI ports. No guarantee they can but if its the ports just need replacing, or resoldering, then thats an easy fix for them. Way cheaper too.

richms

29099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10210

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3471084 17-Mar-2026 12:32

You will only find monitor only in that size as commercial signage displays and similar. Think TV price multiplied by 3 to 4 and you are in the ballpark.

Are there other inputs on the TV that you can use? One of that vintage may have component inputs so you could just get a HDMI to component box and be back in action.

Richard rich.ms

SaltyNZ

8865 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9545

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#3471087 17-Mar-2026 12:43

nzkc:

You might be thinking, or lead to think, that a new TV will have good streaming options built in. And it likely will. So for further consideration, just put your ~$1500 towards a good new TV. I'd personally pick one with Google TV built in myself. And at a later date add in a dedicated streaming device if required.

Edit: Added some links for devices.

This will come with built-in ens***tification. Get a cheap mini-PC off AliExpress; they all come with Windows pre-installed if that's your thing or you can install some flavour of Linux on it and be as close to ens***tification-proof as it is possible to get. You can get one for within your $500 budget and will ultimately be a lot more flexible than any dedicated stick or box.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

OldGeek

989 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 409

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3471096 17-Mar-2026 13:19

nzkc:

Actually... you mention you have been down the track with Samsung. I take it to see if the TV can be fixed.

If they wont play ball (and honestly doesnt surprise me) you could see if you have a local electronics repair person who could fix the HDMI ports. No guarantee they can but if its the ports just need replacing, or resoldering, then thats an easy fix for them. Way cheaper too.

Part of the journey with Samsung was a referral to their service agent in Whangarei (about an hours drive away). They simply said that my TV had zero service options when it came to the problem ('no signal' on an hdmi port with a device plugged in and powered on). Those ports and the electronics that drive them have no hardware repair or replace service options, given that 1 of the ports worked with the old PACE box (Mysky and pre-Myski models).

--

OldGeek.

Quic referal code: https://account.quic.nz/refer/581402 and use this code for free setup: R581402E48MJA

trig42

5889 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2094

ID Verified

#3471099 17-Mar-2026 13:30

We have this TV (or something similar):

TCL 55" P7K QLED 4K UHD Google TV [2025] - JB Hi-Fi NZ

It will do what you want without buying another device to stream from.

It has Google TV, so you can add the apps for TVNZ, TV3, Sky, Netflix, YouTube, Plex....

I have an AppleTV, but since getting this TV (when the LG we had previously stopped one night) I haven't used it.

I'd recommend anything with Google TV built in. It works and it's not too much of a learning curve to get going and use it.
If/when the apps become outdated/no longer supported on it, get a streaming stick then.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

OldGeek

989 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 409

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3471100 17-Mar-2026 13:31

nzkc:

My understanding from your message: Your TV HDMI ports are failing, or failed. This is leading you towards new media consumption devices.

I think you want a TV + streaming device.

Yes - on the basis that technology-driven upgrades are more likely to involve streaming devices only.

--

OldGeek.

Quic referal code: https://account.quic.nz/refer/581402 and use this code for free setup: R581402E48MJA

Eva888

2762 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2427

Lifetime subscriber

#3471103 17-Mar-2026 13:49

Have you tried a different HDMI cable? Sometimes the cable is the problem.

Also from what you say, are you sure you are changing to the correct source?
My old Samsung often says no signal when someone pushes the wrong button and when it’s not in the correct source for that particular hdmi port. You probably have three hdmi ports.

For seniors, any of the Dish TV sticks are great as they have a dedicated button for Freeview TV and also for Netflix, all the apps can be downloaded from Play store. You can buy them under $100 and they often go on sale so compare.

OldGeek

989 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 409

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3471112 17-Mar-2026 14:04

Eva888:

Have you tried a different HDMI cable? Sometimes the cable is the problem.

Also from what you say, are you sure you are changing to the correct source?
My old Samsung often says no signal when someone pushes the wrong button and when it’s not in the correct source for that particular hdmi port. You probably have three hdmi ports.

For seniors, any of the Dish TV sticks are great as they have a dedicated button for Freeview TV and also for Netflix, all the apps can be downloaded from Play store. You can buy them under $100 and they often go on sale so compare.

I was put through all the usual diagnostics - different HDMI cables (the cables that came with the Sky Whiteboxs were new, the one I used with the PACE decoder was also used with a whitebox). I dont have any other HDMI devices in the house. Every combination was plugged into all 4 hdmi ports with the same results - PACE boxs worked, nothing else did. As a matter of interest the built-in Freeview tuner still works, but as I can only watch live I dont watch it.

I should add that my viewing habits do not require quality audio - TV speakers are adequate. I had overlooked the presence or absence in monitors.

--

OldGeek.

Quic referal code: https://account.quic.nz/refer/581402 and use this code for free setup: R581402E48MJA

MikeAqua

8024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3818

#3471130 17-Mar-2026 14:36

Sadly, a decent sized 'dumb' monitor is usually a commercial display that will cost you more than a consumer grade smart TV.

One simple solution is to buy a smart TV, but don't connect it to LAN or WiFi. Most TV's I have owned had a settings to turn off smart functions. Also buy a simple streaming box. I've personally had good experiences with the Xiaomi smart box. I used one in out apartment for about five years. It's now about ten years old and underpowered for current Android firmware. However, it still works, if a little sluggishly. That was Gen 1 and they're now selling Gen 3.

Mike

OldGeek

989 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 409

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3471135 17-Mar-2026 15:03

MikeAqua:

Sadly, a decent sized 'dumb' monitor will cost you more than a consumer grade smart TV.

One simple solution is to buy a smart TV, but don't connect it to LAN or WiFi. Most TV's I have owned had a settings to turn smart functions. Also buy a simple streaming box. I've personally had good experiences with the Xiaomi smart box. I used one in out apartment for about five years. It's now about ten years old and underpowered for current Android firmware. However, it still works, if a little sluggishly. That was Gen 1 and they're now selling Gen 3.

I am coming to the conclusion that there is no 'consumer grade' TV that comes in a stripped-down version that is cheaper. I have no objection to using a Smart TV. My perception is that streaming apps and OSes that come from HDMI devices such as the Amazon Firestick have a longer support life than the same app (TVNZ+ in particular) that comes with proprietary TV OSes such as Tizen.

--

OldGeek.

Quic referal code: https://account.quic.nz/refer/581402 and use this code for free setup: R581402E48MJA

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

richms

29099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10210

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3471137 17-Mar-2026 15:05

Tizen and LGs webos have the shortest life because they keep changing it so much, google/android apps have a much longer lifespan, but you may find that features get dropped as the platform ages out because of codec and DRM support not improving on the older hardware.

Richard rich.ms

Dynamic

4015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1852

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3471144 17-Mar-2026 15:18

Recently we upgraded from a dumb Veon TV with a SmartVu SV11 TV stick to a TCL smart TV with a miniLED screen. This was a very nice display upgrade. I expected to re-use the SmartVu SV11 on the TCL TV, figuring the inexpensive unit would feel rubbish to use. I was pleasantly surprised that the built in Google TV software actually works and responds well.

If you did want a big 4K HDMI monitor to use with a TV stick, the 43" Philips 438P1/75 is a solid choice and is a great computer monitor as well for well under $1000. I've been using one daily for over a year. Not sure if there is a bigger version. I did try several TV sets as monitors, but the display of text was never quite right even with several attempts at tuning.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

wellygary

8810 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5287

#3471159 17-Mar-2026 16:18

As others have said you're trying to solve the problem backwards...

TVs are the cheapest large panels out there, (smart or not),

No one is making consumer grade 'cheap' 50"+ inch monitors, (let alone shipping them to NZ)

nzkc

1634 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1041

#3471190 17-Mar-2026 18:57

OldGeek:

Part of the journey with Samsung was a referral to their service agent in Whangarei (about an hours drive away). They simply said that my TV had zero service options when it came to the problem ('no signal' on an hdmi port with a device plugged in and powered on). Those ports and the electronics that drive them have no hardware repair or replace service options, given that 1 of the ports worked with the old PACE box (Mysky and pre-Myski models).

I dont/didnt mean their service agent at all.

For example; there is a person down the road from me (miles from you unfortunately - I'm on the Hibiscus Coast north of Auckland) who does component repairs. Typically PCs and phones. But this is very similar to that. Whether it can be fixed depends on the particular component that has failed. A simple component replacement (even just new HDMI ports) is reasonably trivial. A chip replacement - bit more effort and if it has firmware on it then you're likely out of luck entirely.

A service agent generally wont go to that level. Best they'll do is replace a complete board (i.e something they consider serviceable). And even then - they'll likely only entertain in warranty things.

1 | 2 | 3