How the **** does one choose a tv? Looking to buy a new one.

[Mixzzz]

Hi,

 

So I'm looking to buy a tv, preferably 65in, budget max 700-800$. But I started looking and there's like 10 different samsung models alone not to mention other brands. How does one choose a tv? Obviously not all of the are not reviewed so I'm kinda at a loss. 

 

I'd prefer android tv but image quality is more important, can always buy a android stick later. Do you people have any suggestions here? Keep in mind that Im still running a 43in plasma from like 2009 so anything will be an improvement :D

 

Thanks!

[PDifolco]

20 minutes ago, Mixzzz said:

Hi,

 

So I'm looking to buy a tv, preferably 65in, budget max 700-800$. But I started looking and there's like 10 different samsung models alone not to mention other brands. How does one choose a tv? Obviously not all of the are not reviewed so I'm kinda at a loss. 

 

I'd prefer android tv but image quality is more important, can always buy a android stick later. Do you people have any suggestions here? Keep in mind that Im still running a 43in plasma from like 2009 so anything will be an improvement

 

Thanks!

OLED TVs are waaaaaaaaaaaaay better (I use one since a couple years) especially for these huge sizes, but are rather in the 1.5K USD range...

[P e r s e p h o n e]

It depends on what qualities you care about. Personally, I look for color accuracy and contrast. If you're a gamer who games on the TV, you might care about pixel response times and refresh rate.

 

As far as resolution and size 4k is all that you'll ever need and size is dependent on your space/desire. If you can I'd stick with QD-OLED displays as they look the best. The quantum dots give it better color accuracy than previous OLED displays and prevent burn in.

 

As far as software is concerned, IMHO they're all crap. Just make sure you get something that can handle your content and interface. Though if you ever run into this problem, you can always buy something like a firestick or any brand you desire. 

 

If you're as obsessive as me, I'd use something like rtings.com (or any other site with that much review data) to see specific details of areas that concern you and see how they perform.

Edited March 13, 2023 by P e r s e p h o n e

[Mixzzz]

2 minutes ago, PDifolco said:

OLED TVs are waaaaaaaaaaaaay better (I use one since a couple years) especially for these huge sizes, but are rather in the 1.5K USD range...

Yeah...I know but I rather just buy oled after a few more years when they get cheaper. + Id end up with 2 tvs

[Mixzzz]

Just now, P e r s e p h o n e said:

It depends on what qualities you care about. Personally, I look for color accuracy and contrast. If you're a gamer who games on the TV, you might care about pixel response times and refresh rate.

 

As far as resolution and size 4k is all that you'll ever need and size is dependent on your space/desire. If you can I'd stick with QD-OLED displays as they look the best. The quantum dots give it better color accuracy than previous OLED displays and prevent burn in.

 

As far as software is concerned, IMHO they're all crap. Just make sure you get something that can handle your content and interface. Though if you ever run into this problem, you can always buy something like a firestick or any brand you desire. 

My main TV usage is just watching movies/shows through Jellyfin and most of that is 1080p, occasional YT video. I do 0 gaming on the TV.

[manikyath]

every TV i've bought in recent years, aside from one, has been the exact same process (and i've bought quite a few, i'm the "smart person" of choice when my family needs a new TV)

 

- determine the required size

- go to big box store

- look at TV's

- buy whatever is there and has the least red flags

 

why has the one been different? there was a choice between 10 TV's, and only one had a center stand (instead of the little legs on either end) and it needed to go on a smaller TV stand.

 

buying a TV is an incredibly tedious process of nitpicking differences between douzens of similar-ish models.. unless you just make the choice about other things.

 

besides that, here's a protip: most big box stores have this greater wall of televisions all displaying the same content... this content usually comes from a carpetbombing of HDMI splitters, so they are basicly all getting the exact same signal at the exact same time.. the ones that are notably behind are the high input latency ones.

oh - and the ones that arent on the same system... usually are overpriced to heck and back.

[P e r s e p h o n e]

4 minutes ago, Mixzzz said:

My main TV usage is just watching movies/shows through Jellyfin and most of that is 1080p, occasional YT video. I do 0 gaming on the TV.

Well can't go wrong with latest QLED, well at least one year behind the latest so you're not getting shafted on the price. 

 

Amazon.com: SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED Q80B Series - 4K UHD Direct Full Array Quantum HDR 8X Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN65Q80BAFXZA, 2022 Model) : Electronics

Amazon.com: SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED Q60B Series - 4K UHD Dual LED Quantum HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN65Q60BAFXZA, 2022 Model) : Electronics

[Crunchy Dragon]

33 minutes ago, manikyath said:

every TV i've bought in recent years, aside from one, has been the exact same process (and i've bought quite a few, i'm the "smart person" of choice when my family needs a new TV)

 

- determine the required size

- go to big box store

- look at TV's

- buy whatever is there and has the least red flags

Yup, this is pretty much how I do it.

 

The only specific thing I'll look for is having around 3 HDMI ports.

[starsmine]

I would never trust the big wall of TVs at a big box store as unless a vendor comes out to calibrate the display, we just set them all to vibrant and the wrong settings cause aint no one here paid enough. 

Also the brightness of the store itself blows out the picture in ways that do not match the home environment. 

I would use trusted 3rd party reviewers. 

Consumer Reports. 
Rtings.
Digital Trends 
HDTV Test

Go as big as you can with your budget, with a baseline acceptable picture quality. 

Gaming requires you to look at gaming features, like low input lag, and then try to get one with VRR and or high refresh rate
For media consumption, just focus on picture quality, For bright rooms, microLED, for dimly lit or dark rooms, oled if you can swing it.

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/best/by-price/under-1000

For your budget and goal of 65 inch, look at the TCL 65" Class 5-Series

I also suggest shopping late q4 into early q1 time as thats when TVs refresh their models, and since TVs are so big and bulky, last year models get discounted hard at big box stores as they want their backroom space for new TVs

[e22big]

3 hours ago, Mixzzz said:

My main TV usage is just watching movies/shows through Jellyfin and most of that is 1080p, occasional YT video. I do 0 gaming on the TV.

It's not that different from choosing a monitor. The first step will probably to determine whether you want an IPS or VA (or OLED but that would probably go way out of your reach at that size, but it never hurt to keep your eyes peeled.) IPS has better viewing angle and motion, while VA has better contrast. 

 

Among the budget options, you would be looking for the basic like how bright is the TV, colour coverage (can be important because you will start to run into something genuinely terrible at that price range) etc.

 

Among the midrange to higher end option, you would be looking more at HDR capability, the dimming zone count, the colour volume and the extra HDR contrast and brightness too could be a consideration. 60hz low end OLED can also be an option, if you look hard enough. I would personally give Samsung QN85B a special consideration, as although they are IPS-type LCD, the HDR performance on this model isn't terrible and can be quite a lot cheaper than their flagship QN90B. The type of content you enjoy don't really benefit from HDR but that could change in the future as more and more movies started to become available at that price range.

[Andrewtst]

If you got money to spend - OLED. 

 

Budget - VA but don't request image quality is important. 

[-rascal-]

I've got my eye on an LG C2 OLED TV.

When you put it side-by-side with other TVs, the color and contrast is just insane.

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/lg/c2-oled

[Stahlmann]

Going for OLED really is a game changer. But in your budget, that'll give you a current-gen 42-48" model or a last gen 55" model at best.

 

If you don't want to spend as much money then have a look at Hisense models. Their mid-range TV's like te U8H are very good.

Also, have a look at this list: The 4 Best 4k TVs Under $1,000 - Winter 2023: Reviews - RTINGS.com

 

The way i shop for reviews is usually like this.

- First determine budget and size, then see what model gets you the best image quality.

- Use sites like RTINGS.com and their lists like "Best TV's under $1000" or "Best 65" TV's" to narrow it down to a few models

- Look at detailed reviews for these models

.- If i'm still not sure, create a forum thread asking other people about your shortlisted models

- Buy one

[Mixzzz]

7 hours ago, manikyath said:

every TV i've bought in recent years, aside from one, has been the exact same process (and i've bought quite a few, i'm the "smart person" of choice when my family needs a new TV)

 

- determine the required size

- go to big box store

- look at TV's

- buy whatever is there and has the least red flags

 

why has the one been different? there was a choice between 10 TV's, and only one had a center stand (instead of the little legs on either end) and it needed to go on a smaller TV stand.

 

buying a TV is an incredibly tedious process of nitpicking differences between douzens of similar-ish models.. unless you just make the choice about other things.

 

besides that, here's a protip: most big box stores have this greater wall of televisions all displaying the same content... this content usually comes from a carpetbombing of HDMI splitters, so they are basicly all getting the exact same signal at the exact same time.. the ones that are notably behind are the high input latency ones.

oh - and the ones that arent on the same system... usually are overpriced to heck and back.

Well, the issue I have with this approach is that I dont think there aren't that big strores in my country anymore. Like everything has moved online. The have a few TVs but not many on display.

[Mixzzz]

7 hours ago, P e r s e p h o n e said:

Well can't go wrong with latest QLED, well at least one year behind the latest so you're not getting shafted on the price. 

 

Amazon.com: SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED Q80B Series - 4K UHD Direct Full Array Quantum HDR 8X Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN65Q80BAFXZA, 2022 Model) : Electronics

Amazon.com: SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED Q60B Series - 4K UHD Dual LED Quantum HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN65Q60BAFXZA, 2022 Model) : Electronics

Thanks, these seem to be within my price range. Or at least the Q70 does and it has a more suited stand for me.

[Mixzzz]

2 hours ago, TechlessBro said:

Whatever is on special on at Easter.

 

spending more is not worth it currently too much processing and useless features.

If it’s google TV then you can choose basic mode and have no apps.

Not a thing here to have discounts at Easter.

[Mixzzz]

5 hours ago, starsmine said:

For your budget and goal of 65 inch, look at the TCL 65" Class 5-Series

I also suggest shopping late q4 into early q1 time as thats when TVs refresh their models, and since TVs are so big and bulky, last year models get discounted hard at big box stores as they want their backroom space for new TVs

Hmm, in EU TCL apparently has a different naming scheme. One that seems to be around my price range is 65P731. 

 

I mean ok, Im not in a hurry to buy a new tv as I have a lot of other expenses for the house this year but I'm just getting annoyed by my current tv right now. So not sure if I'll be able to wait for q4

[Mixzzz]

23 minutes ago, Stahlmann said:

Going for OLED really is a game changer. But in your budget, that'll give you a current-gen 42-48" model or a last gen 55" model at best.

 

If you don't want to spend as much money then have a look at Hisense models. Their mid-range TV's like te U8H are very good.

Also, have a look at this list: The 4 Best 4k TVs Under $1,000 - Winter 2023: Reviews - RTINGS.com

 

The way i shop for reviews is usually like this.

- First determine budget and size, then see what model gets you the best image quality.

- Use sites like RTINGS.com and their lists like "Best TV's under $1000" or "Best 65" TV's" to narrow it down to a few models

- Look at detailed reviews for these models

.- If i'm still not sure, create a forum thread asking other people about your shortlisted models

- Buy one

I dunno, Im kinda not pushing for OLED right now. I know it looks great but I'm a little suspicious about the cheaper OLED models as I don't want it get the burn in. 

 

The problem with looking at rtings is that there is way to many tv models or EU just has different naming for some. And I did look at some of the "Best TVs under....". Your technique is not that different from mine. The problem for me with this approach for TV shopping was that a lot of options were left out so that kind of frustrated me. 

[Stahlmann]

1 minute ago, Mixzzz said:

The problem with looking at rtings is that there is way to many tv models or EU just has different naming for some. And I did look at some of the "Best TVs under....". Your technique is not that different from mine. The problem for me with this approach for TV shopping was that a lot of options were left out so that kind of frustrated me. 

Yeah there are so many TV models (especially in the mid range where you're shopping) that many models are not even reviewed. But i'd rather get one that has been reviewed even if that narrows it down a lot. At least you know what you get in this case.