OT: TV shopping

[JMORC2003]

Have a couple gift cards for Best Buy and thinking about using them on a TV. This would be a second set for the basement, in the neighborhood of 40-50”. Not looking to spend a lot, but don’t want something that’s going to break. I’m not a video-phile or whatever that’s super into the best tech, or need it for hard core gaming. just want something that looks good and works.
I’m reading that TCLs offer great bang for your buck, but also see something about a “panel lottery”. Any suggestions?

 

[mikebal9]

Just buy a Samsung and be done with it.

 

[Upstream]

Don't know anything about TCL, so I can't help you there.

But one thing to watch for when buying cheap TVs is the number of input ports they have. Make sure you have one input port for each device you intend to hook up today, and make sure there is at least one additional HDMI port and one additional USB port in case you want to hook up something in the future.

 

[WhiteBus]

TVs are like gas grills. Short term buys. Buy the cheapest one you want and in 3 years get the newest technology again at a cheap price.

 

[RU4Real]

TCL products aren't entirely there, yet.

There's nothing worse than a bad television picture. This Sony Bravia 55" I've had for a couple of years is really nice.

Stick with the better names. You'll be happy.

 

[ScarletStateofNJ]

Have a couple gift cards for Best Buy and thinking about using them on a TV. This would be a second set for the basement, in the neighborhood of 40-50”. Not looking to spend a lot, but don’t want something that’s going to break. I’m not a video-phile or whatever that’s super into the best tech, or need it for hard core gaming. just want something that looks good and works.
I’m reading that TCLs offer great bang for your buck, but also see something about a “panel lottery”. Any suggestions?

What’s the price range? What ever it is try to stretch it a bit because for the price of an extra night out you can have a better TV that you’ll use for the next 5-8 years.

 

[RUScrew85]

QLED, UHD if you have the source for it.

 

[rukelvin]

I have both a Samsung 65 inch and a TCL 55 inch. Believe it or not, I like the TCL much better. While the Samsung seems to have a bit nicer picture - I have had a ton of problems with the apps in it (I use AT&T now and the Samsung has a known problem with it.) The TCL has been flawless that way. I think for the $$, the TCL is a great option.

 

[JMORC2003]

What’s the price range? What ever it is try to stretch it a bit because for the price of an extra night out you can have a better TV that you’ll use for the next 5-8 years.

Under $300. This isn’t my main set so not looking to go big. I’m seeing 43” TCLs for $180, or 43” LGs for $230, either would meet my needs of my kids playing Nintendo but also seem too cheap to be good

 

[ashokan]

TLCs can be subject to banding. That's why people talk about the panel lottery. You can tell out of the box if the panel has banding. People make returns in that case, and you don't want to buy TLC refurbs because you probably will get a banding return.

The TLCs come in different classes withing same sizes. You can get a 55" thats class 4 or 5 or 6. The class six versions have local dimming and full gamut for HDR. Some TVs advertise HDR but only have a gamut range in 70%ish range vs 90%ish. If you get Netflix with 4K and HDR, things you watch can look dark and ambered. No full gamut.

The class 6 55" was just on sale for $400. The 65" version was $500 (usually 725 these days). A 65" TV with local dimming and full gamut for $500 is hard to pass on and TLCs sell like crazy (Vizio seems to be the main competition among the TCL buyers). But even if panels dont have banding, some people had issues over time and felt the quality can be sketchy. I'm not sure what the reliability rating is compared to other brands. TVs show-up on slickdeals.com all the time and its a good place to get reviews and prices.

https://slickdeals.net/f/13744718-65-tcl-65r615-6-series-4k-uhd-hdr-roku-smart-hdtv-google-nest-mini-500-free-shipping?src=frontpage&attrsrc=Test:fpPersonalizedWidget:House|Feature:isPersonalized:false

Dont forget the data harvesting (a reason TVs are cheap):
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech...ow-your-smart-tv-spying-you-money/2910013002/

 

[miketd1]

How much TV do you watch?

I generally just buy the best one I can around $1500 that’s appropriately sized for my viewing distance.

I still find myself on iPad more often than not.

 

[Plum Street]

I bough a 49 inch Samsung OLED a couple years ago. Spent about $900, maybe the prices came down. But I spent that to hopefully get some longevity out of it.
I hear good things about LG. Not sure what those prices are

 

[ponyfoot19]

Check with an area library to see if they receive Consumer Reports. I believe the November 2019 issue has ratings for televisions.

 

[rutgersguy1_rivals]

All tvs in the house are Samsung and they're good but they can be buggy. Two never had an issue but one 10 year old one sometimes locks out the remote so I have to unplug it and plug it back to get the remote to work again. Another one is hooked up with a Bose soundbar and one of those junction box type things for the HDMI/USB inputs. When I first bought it a few years ago tons of problems getting the HDMI ARC to work with it had to use an optical connection and then I think the problem eventually got fixed months later with a firmware update and now it works with the ARC input but still on occasion like the other tv have to reset it by unplugging and plugging back because the ARC connection to the soundbar doesn't get recognized.

Minor issues but they do exist with Samsung.

Also I would have figured Vizio would be better than TCL.

 

[SouthJerseyRU]

I wouldn't buy one for my main theater/football watching TV, but TCLs for that price point are good for the kids to play games and watch movies. We have one, and I do notice banding but only when watching things with excessive white screens like hockey. The wife and kids do not notice it.

As a personal preference, I like the Roku software better than any other smart TVs interface, but YMMV.

 

[RU206]

Currently on Amazon for $347.99

Samsung UN50RU7100FXZA Flat 50-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa Compatibility (2019 Model)
by Samsung
List Price $499.99
With Deal: $347.99 & FREE Returns
You Save: $152.00 (30%)

 

[ScarletDave]

Whatever you do don’t let the guy convince you to get a smart TV. Look up online “smart tv issues” etc you’ll see the technology just isn’t quite there yet. Having an operating system in the television just gives it more chances to glitch out and an annoying interface, just get a simple tv and it will also be cheaper

 

[Tango Two]

Have a couple gift cards for Best Buy and thinking about using them on a TV. This would be a second set for the basement, in the neighborhood of 40-50”. Not looking to spend a lot, but don’t want something that’s going to break. I’m not a video-phile or whatever that’s super into the best tech, or need it for hard core gaming. just want something that looks good and works.
I’m reading that TCLs offer great bang for your buck, but also see something about a “panel lottery”. Any suggestions?

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/index.php

 

[Beancounter88]

Have a Samsung, a TCL, and 4 Vizio’s. Samsung is good but not special to warrant $$. TCL is OK but remote it came with sucks and sound bad. Become big Vizio fan, best for the money IMO. Depending on room size, get good sound bar.

 

[Block R]

Have a couple gift cards for Best Buy and thinking about using them on a TV. This would be a second set for the basement, in the neighborhood of 40-50”. Not looking to spend a lot, but don’t want something that’s going to break. I’m not a video-phile or whatever that’s super into the best tech, or need it for hard core gaming. just want something that looks good and works.
I’m reading that TCLs offer great bang for your buck, but also see something about a “panel lottery”. Any suggestions?

I'm not an audiophile either although I do require a nice picture. I've had success with several LG TVs as a nice balance between price and features. I've owned Samsungs as well but my experience with them has been you pay more and they don't last as long. I was in your boat last year and bought the LG TV linked below which is on sale for $280. As someone else said, I don't bother with the "Smart TV" features so I can't vouch for them. Instead, I hooked up a Roku and an Xbox and I've been very happy with the results after the first year. It looks like you can get the 50" version of my TV for the exact same price at Best Buy (an extra inch can make a difference I hear :Sly: )

LG - 49" Class - LED - UM6900PUA

 

[Knightmoves]

Have a couple gift cards for Best Buy and thinking about using them on a TV. This would be a second set for the basement, in the neighborhood of 40-50”. Not looking to spend a lot, but don’t want something that’s going to break. I’m not a video-phile or whatever that’s super into the best tech, or need it for hard core gaming. just want something that looks good and works.
I’m reading that TCLs offer great bang for your buck, but also see something about a “panel lottery”. Any suggestions?

Must be a big house to have 2 TV’s in the basement. lol

 

[BadgerGrove]

Sony OLED. Best on the market.

 

[8th Man]

Have a couple gift cards for Best Buy and thinking about using them on a TV. This would be a second set for the basement, in the neighborhood of 40-50”. Not looking to spend a lot, but don’t want something that’s going to break. I’m not a video-phile or whatever that’s super into the best tech, or need it for hard core gaming. just want something that looks good and works.
I’m reading that TCLs offer great bang for your buck, but also see something about a “panel lottery”. Any suggestions?

This is the 2018 version of TCL's best 65" TV. ( https://slickdeals.net/f/13744718-6...gle-nest-mini-500-free-shipping?src=frontpage)
I think it is a TREMENDOUS value for $500. IMO, the panel lottery issue is a reasonably rare problem and worth rolling the dice.

To my mind, the only choice now is to opt for value (TCL 6 series) or quality (LG OLED for $1300-$2400). Read up on the AV Forum for
more info. https://www.avforums.com/forums/

Happy holidays!

 

[Andy117]

Whatever you do don’t let the guy convince you to get a smart TV. Look up online “smart tv issues” etc you’ll see the technology just isn’t quite there yet. Having an operating system in the television just gives it more chances to glitch out and an annoying interface, just get a simple tv and it will also be cheaper

All of the best televisions today are smart. You can't find a tv worth buying that isn't a smart tv.

 

[BuggsyRU]

I have a 6 year old 55” LG and the one big complaint I have is the screen is impossible to see when watching a movie set at night....watching it in the middle of the day!

I’d love some advice on what TV has a deeper black, so this isn’t an issue in a room with a ton of natural light!

 

[yesrutgers01]

It's funny, reading all the comments about bad picture or picture going bad in 3 years, just buy another...I have 14 TV's in my house and don't think I have purchased one in about 5 years or longer. All still have great quality still.

 

[NewJerseyGuy]

It's funny, reading all the comments about bad picture or picture going bad in 3 years, just buy another...I have 14 TV's in my house and don't think I have purchased one in about 5 years or longer. All still have great quality still.

14 TVs? You are the real Mr. Television!

And the current leader.

Anybody have more TVs in their house?

 

[NickRU714]

14 TVs? You are the real Mr. Television!

And the current leader.

Anybody have more TVs in their house?

How about by %?

My parents house has 7 TVs.
4 out of 4 bedrooms
Living room
Family Room
Kitchen

Only room without is Dining room and bathrooms.

 

[RUnTeX]

I have 14 TV's in my house

So, one in every bathroom and for each parking space in a __-car garage? LOL

 

[ashokan]

I have a 6 year old 55” LG and the one big complaint I have is the screen is impossible to see when watching a movie set at night....watching it in the middle of the day!

I’d love some advice on what TV has a deeper black, so this isn’t an issue in a room with a ton of natural light!

"Local dimming" is a feature meant to enhance contrast by lowering the lighting in dark areas of a picture. You can get deeper blacks. Panel type also makes a difference. The best panels for color accuracy and viewing angle are IPS panels. The best panels for contrast have been TNs and VAs. LG uses a lot of IPS since they make those panels. Graphic designers etc want IPS while some gamers favor other types since the they are faster and dont have the IPS "glow." These differences have minimized over time and I would focus on the local dimming with full gamut.

LED local dimming explained
https://www.cnet.com/news/led-local-dimming-explained/

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

Count me in the Get a Samsung group.

 

[JRZEER]

Just buy a Samsung and be done with it.

Samsung 75” 55” and a small one in the spare bedroom. The 55” is 10 years old and still works great.

 

[NewJerseyGuy]

How about by %?

My parents house has 7 TVs.
4 out of 4 bedrooms
Living room
Family Room
Kitchen

Only room without is Dining room and bathrooms.

Strong showing; no doubt.

However, your parents really need to step it up next Black Friday.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I have a Samsung and a TCL. No noticeable difference and TCL is almost half the price. Plus TCLs get your a built in Roku which is by far the best streaming application.

 

[yesrutgers01]

How about by %?

My parents house has 7 TVs.
4 out of 4 bedrooms
Living room
Family Room
Kitchen

Only room without is Dining room and bathrooms.

Master suite with 3, each additional BR 1, laundry room, Kitchen, Great Room, living room, office, game room, theater room

Just sold the house- so selling a bunch of them...

 

[theRU]

Whatever you do don’t let the guy convince you to get a smart TV. Look up online “smart tv issues” etc you’ll see the technology just isn’t quite there yet. Having an operating system in the television just gives it more chances to glitch out and an annoying interface, just get a simple tv and it will also be cheaper

Everything is a smart tv these days... you are telling him to go out and buy a car without fuel injection

 

[NewJerseyGuy]

Master suite with 3, each additional BR 1, laundry room, Kitchen, Great Room, living room, office, game room, theater room

Just sold the house- so selling a bunch of them...

TV for the laundry room -- now that shows commitment!

 

[yesrutgers01]

TV for the laundry room -- now that shows commitment!

True story- cable company actually put a hold on us getting cable ices. Thought we were doing something shady...
Laundry room- yep...but is is used mostly by the dogs who spend time in thereafter a rainy walk- also serves as a mud room. And the dogs love their cartoons...

 

[RULoyal]

True story- cable company actually put a hold on us getting cable ices. Thought we were doing something shady...
Laundry room- yep...but is is used mostly by the dogs who spend time in thereafter a rainy walk- also serves as a mud room. And the dogs love their cartoons...

I used to think of yesrutgers as a level headed poster........now I have concerns.

 

[RU4Real]

I used to think of yesrutgers as a level headed poster........now I have concerns.

When we added onto / redesigned this house we wound up with an 11x18' laundry room upstairs. So I had the builder run a cable drop into it. It's also got a phone jack and an ethernet jack.

It's weird how just a dozen years later we don't actually need any of those things anymore.