Old is New Again HDTV Buying Thread

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 3:05 pm

I got a similar Samsung 2 years ago, 50", for $950 on what I thought was a deal.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 3:30 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:Genie? I love it, except sometimes my TVs will go into screensaver mode for no reason.

Odd. Mine will only go into power saving mode, but that is still after four hours of inactivity (not changing the channel, looking at the guide, etc.). I'm sure there has to be something in the menu to change that.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 6:46 pm

DSafetyGuy wrote:
Brontoburglar wrote:Genie? I love it, except sometimes my TVs will go into screensaver mode for no reason.
Odd. Mine will only go into power saving mode, but that is still after four hours of inactivity (not changing the channel, looking at the guide, etc.). I'm sure there has to be something in the menu to change that.

Mine do that too. But it'll randomly go into the mode where the Directv logo is bouncing around, like if the DVR has been paused for 20 minutes or so. Even as I'm watching live TV. It's so weird.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:19 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:
DSafetyGuy wrote:
Brontoburglar wrote:Genie? I love it, except sometimes my TVs will go into screensaver mode for no reason.
Odd. Mine will only go into power saving mode, but that is still after four hours of inactivity (not changing the channel, looking at the guide, etc.). I'm sure there has to be something in the menu to change that.
Mine do that too. But it'll randomly go into the mode where the Directv logo is bouncing around, like if the DVR has been paused for 20 minutes or so. Even as I'm watching live TV. It's so weird.

Mine does the logo bounce at five minutes if paused, but that was put in to reduce the chance of having the screen get "burned in" images in the early days of flatscreens. If yours happens while it is playing, that is odd and I would say merits a phone call to tech support.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:59 am

Gunpowder wrote:I got a similar Samsung 2 years ago, 50", for $950 on what I thought was a deal.

I ended up going with this TV.The basement is dark, and not a huge space, so it's plenty of screen. I added a Roku to handle the "smart" functions.

The Genie is great so far. It does go into power saving mode after 4 hours of inactivity, but seems to recover pretty quick.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:35 pm

Makes sense, a plasma in the basement wouldn't be a problem.

Really, most of these TVs are fine and you'll rarely get burned going cheap so long as you get a legit brand.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:31 am

rass wrote:
Gunpowder wrote:
The Genie is great so far. It does go into power saving mode after 4 hours of inactivity, but seems to recover pretty quick.

Sounds like my penis.

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:45 am

The Sybian wrote:
rass wrote:
Gunpowder wrote:
The Genie is great so far. It does go into power saving mode after 4 hours of inactivity, but seems to recover pretty quick.
Sounds like my penis.

Sounds like my Sybian. Ironic?

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:15 pm

howard wrote: Sounds like my Sybian. Ironic?

Ha!!!

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:45 am

I need this explained to me...

Got a 50" 4K Vizio over the weekend. Read all about 4K/UHD and how, at that size and viewing distance, it's not making a shitload of difference. Once I adjusted the settings, it's obviously nicer than my old plasma, but nothing earth shattering. Sports, regular programming, movies...bigger and slightly better.

Until we fired up Homeland last night (Season 3, if that ends up mattering). It was like watching a live play. Out my window. With no glass. And a magic camera that brings the actors there to re-enact the Planet Earth documentaries except with scripted material to match whatever show you want. This was through Xfinity on demand via the TiVo (rather than the Smart TV which I don't think does Comcast). I've read a little bit about how Netflix, cable providers, etc. are dealing with UHD programming, and nothing led me to believe that I was seeing a specific UHD version of the show. But it has to be.

We haven't tried any other show yet. What's happening, douglasses?

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 9:22 am

Ryan wrote:I need this explained to me...

Got a 50" 4K Vizio over the weekend. Read all about 4K/UHD and how, at that size and viewing distance, it's not making a shitload of difference. Once I adjusted the settings, it's obviously nicer than my old plasma, but nothing earth shattering. Sports, regular programming, movies...bigger and slightly better.

Until we fired up Homeland last night (Season 3, if that ends up mattering). It was like watching a live play. Out my window. With no glass. And a magic camera that brings the actors there to re-enact the Planet Earth documentaries except with scripted material to match whatever show you want. This was through Xfinity on demand via the TiVo (rather than the Smart TV which I don't think does Comcast). I've read a little bit about how Netflix, cable providers, etc. are dealing with UHD programming, and nothing led me to believe that I was seeing a specific UHD version of the show. But it has to be.

We haven't tried any other show yet. What's happening, douglasses?

Had the same thing with my Samsung curved TV (not sure if it's 4k or not, purchased at the end of 2014). It's like there's no "movie gloss/glaze" at all. It really freaked me out, and I wasn't a fan. I must have gotten used to it, as I don't recognize it much any more.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 11:53 am

I go two or three years with the same TV, and I have no idea what you are talking about.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:13 pm

The Sybian wrote:I go two or three years with the same TV, and I have no idea what you are talking about.

It's freaky. It removed whatever "smoothing" that is involved in scripted movies and TV. It feels like you are watching TV out a window, with no glass, as Ryan said earlier.

Post by **Shirley** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:21 pm

I had that experience watching some HD shows for the first time on my newest TV. I remember reading some explanation for why that happens. It makes regular "filmed" TV look a lot like soap operas.

Yeah, here's an explanation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_interpolation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 2:01 pm

Shirley wrote:I had that experience watching some HD shows for the first time on my newest TV. I remember reading some explanation for why that happens. It makes regular "filmed" TV look a lot like soap operas.

Yeah, here's an explanation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_interpolation" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yep, it looks like when a normally pretaped show does a live episode (like the West Wing debate). Or like a super-nice telenovela.

Weird though that, so far, it's only been that one show for us.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:33 pm

Revving this up as I'm going to be in the market at some point in 2019. Haven't bought since 2012 and my 46" Bravia which was state of the art at the time now is a puny POS I guess. What should I be looking for? Does it even matter anymore or is everything awesome?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:47 pm

I am in the decide what size you want and get the cheapest camp.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:24 pm

A_B wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:47 pm I am in the decide what size you want and get the cheapest camp.

yup, especially if you have a decent soundbar. the only reason to nitpick is if you really want to nitpick and pay more. If you just want a good picture without going over the depth of the color black on the screen, just get a $600 70" TV.

(I say this as someone who has nine televisions in his house)

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Dec 19, 2018 3:40 pm

Rex wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:33 pm Revving this up as I'm going to be in the market at some point in 2019. Haven't bought since 2012 and my 46" Bravia which was state of the art at the time now is a puny POS I guess. What should I be looking for? Does it even matter anymore or is everything awesome?

From the very little research I just did before buying a 65" Samsung 7 Series, it seems like everything is awesome, and there is much less differentiation between TVs today then 5 years ago. They don't make plasma anymore, and unless you drop to super inexpensive, everything is 4K UltraHD. The guy at BestBuy said the biggest difference between the various Series' is how well they perform in non-UltraHD. Series 8 is the best, and a significant price jump in most of the name brands. Series 7 is really damned good, IMO, but I'm not the most discerning in my TV quality judging.

It took me a couple days to get used to TV, especially watching soccer. I went up from a 55", and had to try different settings to avoid some minor irregularities in fast moving images. I don't quite understand, but the TVs somehow adjust focus, making the players stand out, while the fans become less focused, giving a 3D effect. It's awesome, but the TV also makes some adjustments to make fast movements more smooth, and it doesn't always work. Not sure if I hot good settings, or just got used to it, but I stopped noticing it after a couple days.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:16 pm

Finally time for a new one. 4K is all I need, right? Like there's nothing that can even use the 8K quantized hyperspace intergalactic imaging or whatnot that these expensive ones hype up?

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:23 pm

no

also make sure your tubes are good and lubed up if you're gonna be streaming that hot 4k content

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:24 pm

We got this one, which was our first smart TV, and it works good?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:29 pm

mister d wrote: Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:24 pm We got this one, which was our first smart TV, and it works good?

How can you even see on something that small?

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:34 pm

I think? (At some point your eyes can't even tell the difference if I remember right.)

When I was doing research last year my head was spinning from the options and all the letters used to delineate what brand can do what.

I think what I'm going to end up doing is getting the portable LG Cinebeam 4k projector and just paint a wall with the correct paint in my eventual house so it looks really crisp.

testuser2 · Post by **testuser2** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 4:43 pm

We got this one last week for our patio. We have the same model but 70" for the main living area in Jan. Both look and work great.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 4:49 pm

My 6ish year old TV just developed a bright spot in one area, and I'd been thinking it wasn't worth replacing, but damn these prices are cheap.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Nov 10, 2020 5:10 pm

govmentchedda wrote: Tue Nov 10, 2020 4:49 pm My 6ish year old TV just developed a bright spot in one area, and I'd been thinking it wasn't worth replacing, but damn these prices are cheap.

Yeah, and they are made to last about 4 or 5 years

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:02 am

if anyone is in the market for a new TV, Wally World is starting their Black Friday online this evening

$128 for a 50" and $148 for a 55" -- those are insane prices

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:46 am

Brontoburglar wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:02 am if anyone is in the market for a new TV, Wally World is starting their Black Friday online this evening

$128 for a 50" and $148 for a 55" -- those are insane prices

Got a link (cause I’m not sure if that’s Walmart)?

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:07 am

cerrano wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:46 am
Brontoburglar wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:02 am if anyone is in the market for a new TV, Wally World is starting their Black Friday online this evening

$128 for a 50" and $148 for a 55" -- those are insane prices
Got a link (cause I’m not sure if that’s Walmart)?

Yeah, it's walmart

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:21 am

Brontoburglar wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:07 am
cerrano wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:46 am
Brontoburglar wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:02 am if anyone is in the market for a new TV, Wally World is starting their Black Friday online this evening

$128 for a 50" and $148 for a 55" -- those are insane prices
Got a link (cause I’m not sure if that’s Walmart)?
Yeah, it's walmart

Gracias.

Want to get one for the patio but don’t have any cover out there and limited wall space to mount it. We bring a smaller one out on nice days but it be too small. (That’s what she said)

rass · Post by **rass** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:25 am

https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=a ... eahead=awn

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:31 am

That's silly cheap

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:48 am

I think if you're getting one, make sure it lets you turn motion smoothing off, and depending on how you plan to set it up, see if you can check the sound. We bought one of those Best Buy 55-inch TVs last year, and our model didn't have the option to turn smoothing off, so a lot of shows look like soap operas.

And the sound really sucked the way we had it set up - we had the TV sitting flat on top of our fireplace mantle, which muffled the speakers from the back. We ended up putting the TV on a couple of old hockey pucks, and now it's kinda ok I guess.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:59 am

Yeah, the soap opera effect is a nightmare. Our TV had that when we bought it.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:03 am

Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:48 am I think if you're getting one, make sure it lets you turn motion smoothing off, and depending on how you plan to set it up, see if you can check the sound. We bought one of those Best Buy 55-inch TVs last year, and our model didn't have the option to turn smoothing off, so a lot of shows look like soap operas.

And the sound really sucked the way we had it set up - we had the TV sitting flat on top of our fireplace mantle, which muffled the speakers from the back. We ended up putting the TV on a couple of old hockey pucks, and now it's kinda ok I guess.

get a soundbar?

eta: your TV didn't come with a stand?

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:07 am

Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:48 amWe ended up putting the TV on a couple of old hockey pucks, and now it's kinda ok I guess.

Wow, really one-upping Rush's tendency to french-spell words with this.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:25 am

rass wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:25 am https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=a ... eahead=awn

Might get that side awning to hold me over until the spring when I’ll plant the privacy shrubs. Thanks Rass!

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:30 am

Brontoburglar wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:03 am
Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:48 am I think if you're getting one, make sure it lets you turn motion smoothing off, and depending on how you plan to set it up, see if you can check the sound. We bought one of those Best Buy 55-inch TVs last year, and our model didn't have the option to turn smoothing off, so a lot of shows look like soap operas.

And the sound really sucked the way we had it set up - we had the TV sitting flat on top of our fireplace mantle, which muffled the speakers from the back. We ended up putting the TV on a couple of old hockey pucks, and now it's kinda ok I guess.
get a soundbar?

eta: your TV didn't come with a stand?

It did come with feet that go perpendicular to the TV. It turned out our mantle isn't deep enough to use them.

Our previous TV, which was smaller, had a horizontal flat-bottomed stand. That worked great. But it was smaller and this is the 21st century.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:32 am

Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:30 am
Brontoburglar wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:03 am
Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 9:48 am I think if you're getting one, make sure it lets you turn motion smoothing off, and depending on how you plan to set it up, see if you can check the sound. We bought one of those Best Buy 55-inch TVs last year, and our model didn't have the option to turn smoothing off, so a lot of shows look like soap operas.

And the sound really sucked the way we had it set up - we had the TV sitting flat on top of our fireplace mantle, which muffled the speakers from the back. We ended up putting the TV on a couple of old hockey pucks, and now it's kinda ok I guess.
get a soundbar?

eta: your TV didn't come with a stand?
It did come with feet that go perpendicular to the TV. It turned out our mantle isn't deep enough to use them.

Our previous TV, which was smaller, had a horizontal flat-bottomed stand. That worked great. But it was smaller and this is the 21st century.

you can get a bunch of generic TV stands on Amazon that would probably solve the issue