School me on TV's Oppo

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/03/2016 at 22:43 • Filed to: TV done blowed up!

Last night, right before Jezza’s house was about to be blown up, our upstairs TV shit the bed. It was some old LCD that I had bought used from a friend a couple years ago. We want to move our 8-year old 42" plasma upstairs, and get a new bigger smart TV for our living room. The only catch is, I haven’t kept up at all with TV technology, and honestly know nothing about them. It’s just occurred to me, that I’m 35 years old and have never bought a TV except for that used LCD that just died. I’ve always been gifted/inherited all my other TV’s over the years.

So Oppo, what should I look for in a new TV? We don’t have cable anymore. Instead we use Amazon Prime, Netflix, and we have an over the air antenna. Anybody know of some good deals out there?

Roadmaster for your time.

DISCUSSION (46)

Clown Shoe Pilot > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 22:48

We use a lot of Samsung TVs at COTA, and I like them. I just bought a 40" 4K Samsung at Best Buy for 350, and it’s hanging in the workshop as a computer monitor. I bought the small one, but there are bigger ones that are otherwise identical for not terribly more money. It’s got an Ethernet connection and does a lot of VOD stuff built in, though I haven’t messed w/ that yet.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 22:50

I dont get smart tv’s. Why pay extra to do things your phone or xbox/ps4 or anything else you hook up to the tv will already do

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 22:50

I believe Vizio is still totally made in the US. My mother’s Vizio is three or four years old now and hasn’t had a hiccup. Meanwhile our LG has failed twice.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/03/2016 at 22:54

It’s not. Vizio is HQ’d in the US but production is overseas.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:02

If you don’t have cable/etc. anymore, I’d almost recommend a projector than another big screen (hopefully your walls are white)

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:06

No need for a smart tv just get one with a hdmi port so you can use your amazon fire stick or roku for streaming. Chromecast sucks by the way.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:11

Depending on size even skimping on a 720p TV isn’t super noticeable. We don’t have a TV service either; between the roku (amazon and netflix), chromecast (all those random tv apps for watching shows later), and antenna I don’t see a need for a smart TV. Optionally a game console like an xbox or ps4 can do most of these duties.

Additionally I run a plex media server on an old PC that works through the roku.

gmctavish needs more space > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:12

We’ve got a 4K LED 43" Vizio smart TV that was only $550 or so, granted that was a boxing week sale. The remote has a keyboard on the back which is awesome for Netflix and YouTube. I don’t really keep up with TVs either, but my dad does his research and bought one of these, so I did too. Apparently even though this one is a cheaper brand, the screen itself is bought from Samsung or Sony, I can’t remember which. Whatever it is, it looks great to me, boots up pretty quick, and hasn’t had any problems.

https://www.vizio.com/en-ca/m43c1.html

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:12

I use a 50" Hitachi rear-projector that I picked up in working order for free off Kijiji. When it dies I’ll go back to the 42" Sony Grand Wega (also a rear projector) that I got for free (in not-working condition) and put a new bulb into. The Soy’s picture quality is better, but it starts smelling like hot plastic if left on for more than a couple hours unless you point a fan at the projector, which is why I don’t use it.

I don’t know much about TV’s either, if you didn’t guess.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:17

I bought a TCL 55" 4K last weekend for like $360. Cyber Monday deals are great. So far I’m very impressed. $500 now http://www.target.com/p/tcl-55-4k-ultra-hd-2160p-120hz-roku-smart-led-tv-black-55us5800/-/A-50480469?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Electronics+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Electronics_Top%20Performers&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9019596&gclid=CPeSo6DX2dACFce4wAodC4AIEQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

shop-teacher > gmctavish needs more space
12/03/2016 at 23:24

A keyboard on the remote would be amazing. I was wondering if such a thing existed.

shop-teacher > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
12/03/2016 at 23:26

I have a smart blue ray player that I run netflix and amazon through now, but it’d be nice to bypass that.

shop-teacher > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/03/2016 at 23:28

Nah, I’m not mounting a projector on my ceiling and running the cables. My walls aren’t white either.

shop-teacher > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/03/2016 at 23:29

So I don’t have to fire up additional devices.

promoted by the color red > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:30

Don’t buy a smart tv. Get a tv and a ChromeCast or a Roku. That smart tv stuff is crap: slower than a dedicated device and constantly plagued with updates, plus they might drop support in the future.

gmctavish needs more space > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:32

Kinja'd!!!

It even has a Netflix button

shop-teacher > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
12/03/2016 at 23:33

Those would be tricky to mount on me wall ;)

shop-teacher > gmctavish needs more space
12/03/2016 at 23:35

My smart blue ray player that I use to hook the intrawebs to the old TVs has a Netfix button. It’s nice. That keyboard would be a bit of a game-changer.

gmctavish needs more space > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:37

I bought the TV not knowing it had the keyboard, and now I’m really glad I didn’t get anything else. At the time, it was obviously the best deal anyways. The next cheapest smart TV of a similar size was over $1000

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:37

The Hitatchi sits on its own cabinet with wheels. Excellent sound comes from it. But yes it would be awkward on a wall. The Sony weighs nothing, and I’ve had it on windowsills, so wouldn’t really need much of a shelf. But you would need a barstool or something as well for the fan...

shop-teacher > gmctavish needs more space
12/03/2016 at 23:38

That makes it a no-brainer.

gmctavish needs more space > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:39

I haven’t checked what prices or anything are like this year, but it was definitely a no-brainer last year

Zip-McBump > shop-teacher
12/03/2016 at 23:55

I want to comment on this, but won’t because I just bought a STUUUPID expensive TV as a “family” xmas present.

“Family” presents make you look cheap because all the individual presents are pretty crappy even though you spent about 10x as much on xmas as you usually do.

Zip-McBump > Zip-McBump
12/04/2016 at 00:01

Realized that was a shitty reply. Craigslist always has decent TVs... especially this time of year, when people like me need to recoup some of the two paychecks they spent on a new one.

Land_Yacht_225 > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 00:09

Most tech at this point is pretty cheap. My roommates and I just split a refurbished 50" Hisense 4k LED Smart TV that I ordered for store pick up from Wal-Mart. Their refurbished Hisense models all have really good reviews, and it looks like they’ve got 55" for $400. We paid $400 for our 50" four months ago, and so far it has been working fantastically. Has all the current features you could possibly want including the highest resolution to protect you from obsolescence as long as possible. Just make sure to turn off the ultra smooth motion setting unless you want Family Guy to look like a really blurry acid trip.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbished-Hisense-55H7B-55-4K-Ultra-HD-2160p-120Hz-LED-Smart-HDTV-4K-x-2K/50213185

TheRealBicycleBuck > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 01:17

One of the best gifts I’ve received is a 32" smart TV. It sits in the bedroom, so there is not an XBox or other device to give the TV the smarts.

The best part is that Roku is baked right in. Roku will search all of your subscriptions to locate a movie you are looking for. It will also fire up the appropriate app when you select the show you want to watch. It’s easier for us to go into the bedroom and use Roku to look up what we want to watch, then come back to the living room and use the correct box (Cable or XBox) to watch what we want. Yeah, I need to either get a new TV or I need to buy a Roku box for the living room.

Birddog > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 01:37

Thanks for this! I’m in a similar situation and just got some answers I was looking for. I need a new computer and tv, I think I’m going to wait until just before or just after Christmas though.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 01:58

Check out The Wirecutter:

http://thewirecutter.com/leaderboard/tvs/

We followed their advice and are very pleased. Also if you’ve already cut the cord I wouldn’t worry about getting a “smart” TV, just get a Roku Streaming Stick or something like it to get your Amazon, Hulu, etc. They’re $40 or so, and they don’t even have a power switch. :-)

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 01:59

Also, what part of the country are you in? We have a spare TV you can have.

shop-teacher > TheRealBicycleBuck
12/04/2016 at 08:42

That’s pretty cool. I didn’t know Roku could do that.

shop-teacher > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
12/04/2016 at 08:43

Thanks!

shop-teacher > Birddog
12/04/2016 at 08:43

Glad I could help :)

shop-teacher > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
12/04/2016 at 08:44

I’m in the Chicago suburbs.

shop-teacher > Zip-McBump
12/04/2016 at 08:50

Haha! That’s a good idea, but I think it’s time I actually picked out a new TV for once in my life.

hike > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 09:33

I’ve been buying Sony TVs lately. We just bought a 65x850d as our main TV. It’s a mid range smart TV with the two newest pieces of tech, 4k and HDR. I’d recommend investing in those if you plan on keeping it a long time. I also really like Sony because they just use Android to power the TV, so it has all the essential apps.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 10:47

A Roku or Firestick would just be trading the DVD player remote for another remote or app so that doesn’t do anything you can already do unless you are also using additional streaming sources that your player cannot handle.

Monkey B > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 12:09

In my experience (stint installing) I like Sony and Panasonic televisions as they both have been very reliable. Samsung I had the most issues with, in fact I don’t know why they are so popular. TV’s, phones, appliances...my experience is poor.

Avoid the cheap made for WalMart specials, you know, that 4k 60" for $300 way too good to be true price....even if it’s a brand name there’s a reason.

Costco has a 2 year warranty for electronics. Speaking of, don’t buy the extended, in my experience TV’s fail out of the box or within the first year. If you want a warranty, use Squaretrade.

1080P is fine. Sure, there’s 4k, but are you going to go out of your way to watch the 4k content? If not, save some dough and go for the 1080P set. If you are than 4k it is and enjoy!

Don’t judge TV’s by looking at them in a store. They are all set to burn bright so they get your attention. Most quality sets will calibrate the same.

If you want the most out of your purchase, get it ISF calibrated. The difference is stunning.

Edit* Also, if you can save by getting a non smart TV do. Just use an Amazon Fire Stick since it does Netflix and has the option for Apps like HBO/Cinemax/Showtime

http://www.edealinfo.com/ I look here for nice buys.

shop-teacher > Phyrxes once again has a wagon!
12/04/2016 at 12:20

Yeah, that’s what I thought. That’s why I’m interested in a smart TV.

shop-teacher > Monkey B
12/04/2016 at 12:25

Thanks for the all the advice! I appreciate it. My last Samsung experience was also a bad one, I’ll be staying away from them. Too good to be true on some of those specials makes a lot of sense. I’ve been totally fine with 720p on the 42" plasma (an 8-year old Panasonic that has been rock solid), so I’m sure 1080p on a 50-55" would be fine by me.

Monkey B > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 12:44

over 50" is where you start noticing higher resolution, but you won’t have to shop for it as I doubt you’d find a 720p set at that size these days. I still have a Panasonic 42" 720p plasma in my room that’s 7 or 8 years old and it looks fantastic....probably the same model. If you are shopping 50-55" just get a 60". Nobody ever wished they bought the smaller one!

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 14:29

Darn. It’ll probably cost more to ship the thing than it’s actually worth. :-(

QCGoose > shop-teacher
12/04/2016 at 15:15

Just to add more opinions, I’ve always had great luck with Sharp’s TVs. In fact, all four of mine are Sharp: a nearly-10-year-old 32" Aquos 720p LCD that still works like the day I bought it; a 2.5-year-old 70" Aquos 1080p LED smart tv with 240hz refresh rate that was achingly expensive but still impresses me with its picture quality (especially during gaming like Forza 6 or Pinball Arcade); a year-old 32" Aquos 1080p LCD and a year-old 43" Aquos 4k LED smart tv. All were bought new, and granted only one of them is truly old, but none have ever given me a single issue. Just extremely reliable TVs.

I will say, don’t waste your money on the “smart” feature if you can help it. It’s slow and clumsy to use, and IMO just another gimmick.

Sadly I see Sharp advertised less and less; I don’t know if that’s just a coincidence or a sign of a dim future for them. Either way it’s a shame because I love their TVs, have specifically seeked them out when TV shopping and always recommend them to others when asked.

shop-teacher > Monkey B
12/04/2016 at 15:43

Good point. I’m not sure a 60" will fit there, but I’ll be armed with measurements when I go to buy :)

shop-teacher > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
12/04/2016 at 15:46

No worries. Thanks for the offer, but I think at my age it’s high time I picked myself out a new TV for once :)

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher
12/06/2016 at 23:41

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/its-december-6th-1789733504

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
12/07/2016 at 00:04

I has a sad now.