New TV

[Peppas]

Anyone get a new TV lately? Anything I should consider?

Currently looking around at some. Trying to decide on how big, FHD or UHD and... Price I guess.

[Hatchman]

What ever fits on your golf bag that you can carry [emoji12]

[BenM]

Size wise, all depends on the room, and how far you'll be sitting from it. I went 50" in our old house, and it was about perfect. Since we moved, in the new place we sit a fair bit further from the TV so if/when we replace it we'll go 55 or 60 at least. Best thing is measure the distance then go stand/sit that far away in the shop and see what you think. Obviously check space on your wall/entertainment unit too.

UHD is a bit of a gimmick at the moment (IMO) as there is a fairly limited amount of 4K content available, but it will get more prevalent over time. If I was buying another TV now I think I'd definitely consider it.

Brands wise I like Panasonic and the Samsung gear is nice too. Also think about what other stuff (eg home theatre) you want to integrate with. But ultimately it all comes down to what you think looks best.

[olddogmike]

No point buying a tv with a higher resolution than broadcast standard, its just sales bullshit. Just make sure that if you buy a smart tv that you get one that will work with freeview, not all do. I spent many years in the tv sales industry before retiring, and I can tell you not all tv's do eveything.

[BenM]

I disagree with that. Netflix in the US has 4K content now and with the NBN rolling out in Aus it will eventually become viable for them to offer it here too. YouTube has some 4K content too.

I agree the TV industry is always bringing out new stuff to love more boxes. 3D TVs is (IMO) an example of that. But 4K content is only going to get more popular so there's no harm in preparing for that - if you want to.

My understanding is that Freeview is just a brand (a consortium of TV networks). And it's not necessarily offering what's best for the consumer - for example, Freeview boxes that don't offer a high speed FF/RW on purpose so that you can't skip through their advertising.

[olddogmike]

I disagree with that. Netflix in the US has 4K content now and with the NBN rolling out in Aus it will eventually become viable for them to offer it here too. YouTube has some 4K content too.

I agree the TV industry is always bringing out new stuff to love more boxes. 3D TVs is (IMO) an example of that. But 4K content is only going to get more popular so there's no harm in preparing for that - if you want to.
I dissagree with you too, and I am speaking from industry experience. Just contact a tv station and ask them when they intend to upgrade their resolution. Channel nine have only just upgraded fro 720dpi to 1080. last week

[BenM]

Good on you. I have industry experience too. It's not all about the TV networks and what is broadcast these days, the times have changed quite a bit.

[SirTop]

Pepps tv aside, make sure you get one of these and stream HD video for any TV show or movie for free

http://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/121753332155

It will change your life, trust me!

[goughy]

We're gonna look for one in a few weeks too. Father in law was gonna give us his when he replaced it but it's gonna keep it for another room now. The one we got from my bil is crap and needs repairs but I don't think I can be bothered arguing with the company over a TV that has such a crap picture anyway.

Thing is I can't work out if we need a smart tv or not? Our main tv is about 8 odd years old and has none of the fantastic hertz stuff or whatever. But we've always been happy with it and it does come on a swivel base, and I do want it to swivel back and forth. If we stuck it in the other room the kids wouldn't have a clue.

But I run a media center pc so I don't know if having access to Netflix etc through the TV buys us anything. And in the other room there's a fetch TV box and xbox360 which the kids can record tv on, and use Plex to watch movies from the media center.

Is it crazy to get a TV without smart features?

[SirTop]

Just get non smart Tv, save the money and get the video streaming box I posted.

Its awesome and you can load Netflix, Stan etc and apps from the android app store

I've never used the $4.5k smart Tv features on my fancy big Samsung tv after I tried it the first day I got it

[olddogmike]

Just get non smart Tv, save the money and get the video streaming box I posted.

Its awesome and you can load Netflix, Stan etc and apps from the android app store

I've never used the $4.5k smart Tv features on my fancy big Samsung tv after I tried it the first day I got it
This is exactly what I was trying to say. I am not going to turn this thread into a Troll session, so I will leave it at that, you pays your money and makes your choice. It is no good having a 300kph Mclaren sitting in your driveway if you only want to dive to work at 60kph.

[backintheswing]

Pepps is only going to watch pornhub on this TV, so please limit your answers to what would work best for this.

[WBennett]

Good on you. I have industry experience too. It's not all about the TV networks and what is broadcast these days, the times have changed quite a bit.

Does anyone watch FTA unless they have to?

I refuse to watch Ch9's cricket as its broadcast into the ACT in SD only. No thanks.

[WBennett]

Pepps is only going to watch pornhub on this TV, so please limit your answers to what would work best for this.

A TV with built in hand creme dispenser and a roll of tissue paper?

[BenM]

Does anyone watch FTA unless they have to?

I refuse to watch Ch9's cricket as its broadcast into the ACT in SD only. No thanks.

Plenty do but it's getting less and less common. If you took out the live sport I would watch more 'other' content than FTA by a fair margin.

FWIW I don't have a smart TV either, I use a PS3 but that's my preference. Thing is though the debate about 4K and about smart TVs are two different things. I reckon within 5 years or so (give or take) 4K panels will be ubiquitous and you won't be able to walk into HN and buy a large format 1080p panel any more. That's why I suggested considering it - you have to think about the life of the TV and what you're likely to do with it. It's not trolling to say that, odm you really should look up what the word means.

[Peppas]

Ok, thanks for the banter so far. I have been considering this bad boy but yeah have been trying to decide if I go the extra $500 and get UHD and all that shit. Yes I have nbn so I can stream semi fast, maybe, who knows, always network congestion in Sydney.

http://www.dicksmith.com.au/tv-video/panasonic-55-139cm-full-hd-smart-100hz-tv-th-55cs650a-dsau-ge5059

I dunno when I will want to upgrade again, or how long I will keep this. I am a bit transient with life decisions at the moment :)

[olddogmike]

You wont go wrong with Panasonic.

[BenM]

The page is a 404 Peps, on my phone at least. Assuming it's this one - http://www.panasonic.com/au/consumer/televisions-projectors/televisions/th-55cs650a.html- twin tuner so you can record to an external drive and watch something else, built in wifi, etc. Some of that stuff might not be necessary if you already have say a PVR or media centre. But it looks a very nice unit.

I have two Panas, my main TV is a 50" plasma and downstairs a 42" LCD. Both non-smart. They have both been great, as has the one I bought for work.

Factor in the cost of a sound bar or HT system if you don't already have one, for movies and pornhub it'd be a vast improvement over the tinny built in speakers. Don't forget to haggle a deal.

[Peppas]

Ahhh yeah shit. Seems like it has been taken down, probably sold out but it was the one you linked. $999 but might be sold out. No worries there will be others :)

Yeah I have a wdtv unit but I dunno how that would go streaming stuff? Figure smart tvs are pretty common these days so might as well get one.

Soundbar? I hadn't considered that at all.

Looks like I will have to do some more research...

[benno_r]

A TV with built in hand creme dispenser and a roll of tissue paper?
That'd be no good. Dry rubs only in Peps new bach pad.

[Peppas]

That'd be no good. Dry rubs only in Peps new bach pad.

Yeah gotta keep the costs down! :)

[goughy]

Just looking on HN and they have 50" and 55" pana 4k 3d smart tv's for like 1200 and 1500. Kinda makes it hard to not just get one. We haven't bought a TV in 8+ years, but it seems they are getting cheaper to me.

[BenM]

They definitely are. Our 50" plasma is 5 years old - back then you couldn't buy an LCD that size and we paid about $1800 for the base (non-smart) model, at mate's rates.

Fast forward to last year when I bought the 42" LCD for downstairs and I think it was only $700 or so.

It's what always happens with electronics and it's why I reckon 4K will become the standard.

[olddogmike]

Back in the day I remember selling 30inch Sony CRT TV's for excess of 3k, and they weighed a ton.

[goughy]

Last TV we bought was 2500 for a 42" LG, still going strong. The one before that was a 68cm panasonic crt for about $1500. Man I thought that thing was big! Would watch a widescreen video on that and go 'how big does that look eh'.

[BenM]

Back in the day I remember selling 30inch Sony CRT TV's for excess of 3k, and they weighed a ton.

I bought a quality Grundig 80cm 16:9 CRT about 15 years back and I think it cost me $2k as a factory runout, I couldn't give it away when I eventually got rid of it.

[markTHEblake]

There are plenty of good tvs for under $1000'. Get a brand name but previous model and get a better ROI. There is a fair chance that after 3 years your TV will be a throwaway if any faults develop. I would rather be writing off a $900 expense than an x'000 one.

[AlexMc]

I had a Loewe 80cm CRT which I paid $2K for 15 years ago too. Sold it for $50 when we moved 4 years ago - broke my heart because it was a great TV.

We have a 50" Sony LCD and a 42" LG LCD and both do a pretty good job. Never use the smart functions (we do our stuff through Apple TV), have never ever used the 3D function. I'd just make sure the Htz level is high and you won't go too far wrong.

[Daves]

The old CRTs are still very popular with the Game nerds.The older platforms mostly can't keep up with the refresh rates on the flat panels.

[Ron Burgundy]

Back in the day I remember selling 30inch Sony CRT TV's for excess of 3k, and they weighed a ton. Yep. I bought a 32" CRT TV in '02 for around $3k because it was 'flat screen'. Weighed over 50kg. Never worried about it getting nicked because they'd never be able to carry the bloody thing out of the house.

[davepuppies]

I bought a hi sense 58 inch UHD. They use LG panels, but are a Chinese brand.

They have a 3 year in home replacement warranty, which I have used on my last hisense after a couple of years, and on this one after 12 months.

Sure they fail, but they come to your home and give you a new TV, and in most cases a newer version.

Picture looks good, was about $1800 a year ago.

[Peppas]

Cheers D-Pup. I always thought Hisense were Korean but OK, no worries... I might just stick to one of the big 3 though, either Samsung, Panasonic or Sony. More probably one of the first 2. It's more just deciding if I go full HD or UHD for a few hundred extra... I am thinking 55" is the sweet spot.

[davepuppies]

I would go 4 k just in case it becomes more accessible quicker than everyone thinks...... Netflix etc.

[goughy]

I think there was a thread somewhere, but what was the go with wall mounts, in particular ones that swivel?

[Dotty]

I think there was a thread somewhere, but what was the go with wall mounts, in particular ones that swivel?
This one?

http://www.ozgolf.net/showthread.php/44558-Swivelling-tv-wall-brackets?highlight=swivel

[goughy]

Well, der! I even started the bloody thing! My search skills better improve!

[Peppas]

Yeah ok, thanks for the walk down memory lane :P

My first tv was a 50" plasma which cost me $2k about 6 years ago, was only SD as well!

I am thinking 55" Samsung UHD LCD LED smart TV thing for $1400. Just need to get home and make sure I have 2.5m from the entertainment unit before I go shopping :)

[Jazz18]

Pity you weren't looking a few months back Pepps. The last of the plasmas were still available and IMHO, the picture is much more true to life than an LCD of any kind. Good luck. Picking a TV almost did my head in. I think sticking to Panasonic or Samsung etc etc is a good move. Panasonic will always be top of the list when I look for a TV again.

[Peppas]

Ok I have 3-3.5m from the entertainment unit to the lounge. Might just be a 50"...

[aussieashley]

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-entertainment/hd-televisions/samsung/samsung-ua50ju6400w-50-ultra-hd-led-lcd-smart-tv/700904/

Check this one out Peppas. Seems a decent price.

[davepuppies]

Ok I have 3-3.5m from the entertainment unit to the lounge. Might just be a 50"...

We have approx 3 metres from TV to couch, and the 58inch is not overwhelming...... Great size, but glad we didn't go with 65 inch

[Peppas]

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-entertainment/hd-televisions/samsung/samsung-ua50ju6400w-50-ultra-hd-led-lcd-smart-tv/700904/

Check this one out Peppas. Seems a decent price.

Cheers mate, I was eyeing it off but only stock in QLD mostly. The 55" model is $300 more. That is the one I have been considering. Otherwise I'll try get a 50" FHD under 1k.

Cheers Dave. I am still tossing up 50 FHD and save the $500 or just get a 55" UHD for around $1400. The decisions I have to make as I contemplate the space in my lounge to while gazing over the Hume hwy, Liverpool and Warwick farm...

39105

[PeteyD]

we have 65" and about 3.5 to 4 metres and it is awesome.

[mrbluu]

we have 65" and about 3.5 to 4 metres and it is awesome.
Dibs

[Peppas]

Still trying to decide on FHD or UHD. This is what happens when I abandon work and just research TV stuff. Decided 55". Now for model and specs. Been reading this - http://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/4k-ultra-hd-uhd-vs-1080p-full-hd-tvs-and-upscaling-compared?uxtv=97b6

I'm sitting about 3m away, so from that chart it is looking like UHD isn't worth it?

[AndyP]

This article that just popped up in my Twitter feed, may be of interest, although the TV is too big for what you want.

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/12/panasonics-best-4k-tv-is-on-sale-for-2997/

[Peppas]

Cheers AndyP.

I ended up getting this - http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/panasonic-55-inches139cm-uhd-led-lcd-100hz-smart-tv-th-55cx640a

Booyah eBay 15% off!

[BenM]

Very nice! Movie night at Peppas place!

[Peppas]

Yeah sure mate, let me know if you're ever in syd!

It was a tough call between this and the equivalent Samsung... Just went with the brand I knew a bit better I guess. Oh well. I'm sure it will be fine to stream porn on ;)

[oncewasagolfer]

Nice pickup peppas you can't go wrong with Panasonic I'm still enjoying my 5 year old plasma. I personally think uhd is a bit unnecessary at that size but at that price you can't complain.

[Sydney Hacker]

Kids got a new Xbox one for Christmas and we are currently a one tv household, looking on gumtree there seems to be a poop load of second hand plasma's for sale. Would one of them be ok for a second tv for the kids and the Xbox?

[Hatchman]

Kids got a new Xbox one for Christmas and we are currently a one tv household, looking on gumtree there seems to be a poop load of second hand plasma's for sale. Would one of them be ok for a second tv for the kids and the Xbox?

Not sure if any truth to it or not but have been told LCD better for games as people tend to freeze games and that does damage to plasma screens if done too often or for long periods.

[BenM]

Not sure if any truth to it or not but have been told LCD better for games as people tend to freeze games and that does damage to plasma screens if done too often or for long periods.

Not a big issue these days I don't think.

Plasmas are also better for fast moving action (eg sports, video games) as they don't suffer from motion blur like LCDs/LEDs do. Plasmas use a bit more power though.

[goughy]

So will be looking for one in a week or two's time. Now, I'm no big fan of 3d, nor are any of us really any more. I'm assuming we'll be looking for something in the 4k uhd lcd, is it worth taking into account 3d on it or not? It doesn't look like 3d is coming to TV any time soon. None of us like watching anything with the glasses on. It's the one feature I'm not sure we should be caring about.

What say you all?

[Peppas]

The panasonic I got is awesome. Depends on what size you want to get vs budget I guess?

[goughy]

See me, I'd say sub 2k. Rob will probably wanna go bit higher. I've got my eye on a Pana 55" 4k led lcd 3d tv. The 3d is just because it happens to have it. Rob will want the biggest one she can get her hands on, and would probably sacrifice 4k to get bigger. We've only bought 2 lounge room TV's in our 24 years together. And never top featured ones. I think it's better to go a little smaller but with better specs. It's not like 55" is small. Current Tv is 42" and the kids will get it to replace the crappy TCL 'given' to us by family a few years ago.

Can't see us having the money to go OLED.

[goughy]

So does anyone remotely think 3d is in any way worth it? The crappy tv the kids have has 3d and they never use it. None of us really like watching tv with the glasses on. And we don't go to the 3d screenings of movies any more?

Been reading stuff on cnet to get ideas on what to look for. They seem to think size is king, followed by a feature called local dimming. Even 4k isn't necessarily high on their list, but for once I'd like a little bit of future proofing.

[PeteyD]

Get biggest you can. 3d we have and the kids used it once or twice.

Id stay away from cheapy brands. We bought a lg and the deciding factor for me was the funky remote. Its been a great tv.

[goughy]

Yeah, we've had a couple of LG tv's (though one was a 50cm tube) and they've been good. The current one we've had for about 8 years and is still going strong. It'll replace the crap one for the kids, which will mean they'll lose the 3d as well. They haven't used it since the first week they got it I think.

Yeah, got my eye on a 60" LG 4k (middle of budget), and either a 55" Pana 4k 3d (bottom of budget) or 60" LG 4k 3d (top of budget). Spent some time on HN website and product sites last night to get an idea what else was available in our price range and in stores. Many of the others are a bit more than I want to spend, unless we compromise on size. Robs brother has a 55" LG and it's got a nice picture. Rob's dad was raving about hi Kogan tv, saying there's nothing at all wrong with it, though it could have a better picture (I didn't tell him that by saying that he's indicating there's something wrong with it!). It's also broken down already, granted bad luck can happen with any product.

Don't know if the LG's still come with a 3yr warranty? They used to when we bought the last one.

Thanks for the comment about the remote. I think people forget to look at that when buying. Especially with smart functions now days, how the menu system works too should be a factor. I had to set up the Kogan for Rob's dad and it's menu structure was an absolute pain in the ass. No wonder he couldn't set it up himself.

[PeteyD]

Go bigger. I think ours s 65" middle of the road model. Could not be happier.

[goughy]

In the store right now.... Have you ever heard of a guy swearing at his wife cause she's insisting on the bigger screen than he wants?

[mrbluu]

In the store right now.... Have you ever heard of a guy swearing at his wife cause she's insisting on the bigger screen than he wants?

Qld ppl are weird!!!

[PeteyD]

Get the bigger one doofus

[wazandnic]

Has to be a logical explanation... like the space for the tv is limited... any bigger and it will lead to renovations > second mortgage >walls being knocked down > a new kitchen and for some reason a bigger walk-in wardrobe!! Obvious...

[goughy]

Yeah, I'm backwards! Spent so long watching a little black and white transistorised tube tv that even 42" still looks big to me.

Yes, she won. I wanted the 60", but they had a 65" sitting rice beside it and she kept saying "look how much bigger it is". So a 65" 4k 3d tv is now just barely fitting in the TV cabinet. The good thing is all the candles and crap she had on the cabinet now won't fit.... Not even on it was so much dearer though.... Scares me. But she always manages to pay this stuff fast.

[PeteyD]

Thats good cos they should be nowhere near the TV

[Hatchman]

Yeah, I'm backwards! Spent so long watching a little black and white transistorised tube tv that even 42" still looks big to me.

Yes, she won. I wanted the 60", but they had a 65" sitting rice beside it and she kept saying "look how much bigger it is". So a 65" 4k 3d tv is now just barely fitting in the TV cabinet. The good thing is all the candles and crap she had on the cabinet now won't fit.... Not even on it was so much dearer though.... Scares me. But she always manages to pay this stuff fast.

When you say cabinet? Does the it have sides and a top and the screen sits inside that space or will it be just sitting on top?
Reason I ask is they throw out a fair bit of heat and it can cook if it doesn't have very good air ventilation/circulation. Cooked our first LED TV in an old style TV cabinet it just fit into.

[goughy]

Nah, just one of those low things with a few draws and spaces to fit the amp, pc etc. Couldn't think what else to call it. Would be a heck of a unit to fit a 65" in it! We'll end up putting it on the wall I think.

I thought or old tv had a good picture, certainly better than Rob's dad's new kogan. But this thing is insane! I thought a 1gig movie would look a bit compressed and choppy, but they look mint on this thing.

I might need to move the couch a bit further away though. It's U shaped, and where the kids sit is a bit close to it.

[goughy]

Well hasn't this been an eye opener. I did think the old tv was good. Which it was, but connected to my media center it must have been doing the upscaling work or something. So my shows on my media pc, often in foggy scenes or very black ones, there would be a lot of pixilation etc. Just put it down to the compression of quality. But clearly the old tv was just too old in tech. On the new one stuff is crystal clear, and it's hooked up the same way.

But more telling is the kids now have our old one in their room. It's hooked up to a Fetch TV box and they access the media pc via fetches Plex app. Well everything looks better there as well now. Obviously the fetch box is doing the hard work. Stuff looks great on it now.

Should have bought a TV earlier!

[mrbluu]

Really digging my new UHD 55" Smart TV. Once I get the hang of the all functions it's going to be awesome!!!

[Hatchman]

Really digging my new UHD 55" Smart TV. Once I get the hang of the all functions it's going to be awesome!!!

Functions :shock:.
Only function they need are On/Off, Volume Up/Down and Change Channel :)

[goughy]

But what about Netflix, Stan, Youtube, Wifi, Bluetooth, recording????????

[mrbluu]

But what about Netflix, Stan, Youtube, Wifi, Bluetooth, recording????????
They don't have them in SA yet ;)

Functions :shock:.
Only function they need are On/Off, Volume Up/Down and Change Channel :)

[goughy]

Looking at getting a tv for our daughter, maybe a little bit in preparation for when she wants to move out. Mrs has been looking at local 2nd hand ones for a few hundred. Kogan has some pretty cheap ones. I've only seen one Kogan tv before, and it was years ago and owned by my fil, and I wasn't that impressed with it. I know you get what you pay for, but would they be good enough for a kid, maybe looking to move out in the next year.

[AndyP]

I've had the same TV for ages in the main room, but bought a cheap JB Hifi home brand (Soniq?) for the bedroom, and it has done the job.

[Timbo]

The Hisense & TCL TVs are cheaper than major brands and come with a 3yr warranty (LG, Samsung, etc 1yr only). They’re pretty cheap ATM in Black Friday sales, even cheaper with a promo code if you buy through a major retailer’s eBay store (e.g. Goodguys).

[Daves]

Our Local Aldi still had stock of their 58" UHD Smart TVs from a Special Buy a month or so ago. Pretty sure they were less than $500.

[Grumpy8]

Looking at getting a tv for our daughter, maybe a little bit in preparation for when she wants to move out. Mrs has been looking at local 2nd hand ones for a few hundred. Kogan has some pretty cheap ones. I've only seen one Kogan tv before, and it was years ago and owned by my fil, and I wasn't that impressed with it. I know you get what you pay for, but would they be good enough for a kid, maybe looking to move out in the next year. Aldi have some tv’s for sale , worth a look

[jimandr]

It sounds to me like Daughter of Goughy is being spoiled rotten. Back in my day... I got the hand-me-down when the family upgraded (which lasted for years and years, too).

But, in the modern age the standard cheapo Tv's are plenty good enough for a young person. It is pot luck whether they last further than their warranty period, but in the early days a Soniq or a Hi Sense or a TCL look really good when you first get them.

Assuming a fairly small size like 100cm, get one on sale for less than 300 I reckon. Black Friday weekend is the perfect time to get one.