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Our 'yonks old' 42" Panasonic with one HDMI input still works, but its time to jump into the present. I need a bit bigger and more modern. I dont watch enough TV to be needing top of the range, so an upgrade without breaking the bank.
No gaming, so just for watching TV (gasp!) Netflix, Sport etc.
What deals are about?
What should I be looking at?
I dont know my LED from my OLED to my QLED 🙁
What do you need the new one to do that the current one doesn't?
Current one is a 720p 42" plasma with one HDMI - so, bigger screen, more inputs & a better def. And more modern.
I just bought a 55" Hisense from John Lewis for £379. Really impressed, would Def recommend.
This one: Hisense H55B7500UK (2019) LED HDR 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, 55" with Freeview Play, Black/Silver
We just replaced ours of a similar vintage. We looked at the Hisense and they seem brilliant value. Ended up with a Sony as it was a 'last puppy in shop, needed a new owner' kind of vibe 😉
We wanted a bigger screen and a decent streaming platform. Didn't care about recording or any of that jazz. Did need at least 2xHDMI (soundbar and DVD player). It's a pretty major upgrade compared to our old one. I'n sure OLED etc is lovely but way out of our budget.
Worth checking whatever you buy has licensed all the apps (like iplayer). I think LG have a problem with some this year for example.
Buy whatever suits your budget from John Lewis & take advantage of their 5 year guarantee.
I'd recommend getting something with at lest 3 HDMI connectors. We got a Samsung 43" TV to replace our ancient 32" TV. Very happy with it and the interface is nice and fast and has all the relevant apps for streaming. Interestingly my parents got a slightly lower spec Samsung after ours, but a bigger screen. The interface seems a lot slower, so I'd recommend you test drive if possible, just to ensure it's responsive.
That's ^^ true. Our old one was one of the first 'smart' versions and it was really slow. The UI was also horrible. Features we didn't need but are nice include:
- freeview and on demand for a few channels
- Voice activation. Okay we defo don't need that. Seems a bit silly since you have to press the mic on the remote control. Still shouting 'play this farming life' at the TV is mildly amusing.
- Apps that work. TuneIn, YouTube etc as well as obvious ones like Netflix and Prime. I like the interface (it's basically android I think) which shows you all films you have access to across all channels.
- Airplay. Streaming from phone or Mac is useful. I'd probably do that over embedded apps for you tube etc because I'm lazy.
- 4 HDMI. FOUR. And one is ARC so it plays nicely with the new sound bar.
sorry can't, but can highly recommend spending your tv budget on bike parts (therefore justifying a set of reserve carbon wheels) and ride your bike even more - you'l benefit more from this than sat on your arse in front of the telly! just a thought...
Interestingly my parents got a slightly lower spec Samsung after ours, but a bigger screen. The interface seems a lot slower,
This. I recently got a new Samsung TV and the interface isn't nice and its quite laggy. I'll probably end up sticking my Apple TV box form the other TV on to it rather than use the Samsung UI
I think LG have a problem with some this year for example.
Nope, but Phillips do. LG WebOs is an excellent platform with great app support (Full Airplay and AppleTV app + all streaming platforms working smooth as anything) tbh as suggested above go to John Lewis and buy whichever LG or Hisense takes your fancy.
Get an LG. They have the best interface and a magic pointer remote that is worth its weight.
Something like this for £500
Buy whatever suits your budget from John Lewis & take advantage of their 5 year guarantee.
The guarantee is rubbish though. I have been without my tv for two periods of ten days+ as they won't replace, just repair (it is < 2 years old and has been faulty since about 18 months in). Each time I had my nice 49" tv replaced with a really crappy old 32" that won't even connect to our soundbar.
And it's still not working correctly.