Smart TV or apple TV/amazon prime
Discussion
We've just moved to the US and need at least 1 new TV. We've been looking and are looking to pay less than $1000 including taxes as we don't know how long we will be here. Need something about the 60-65 inch size
First question is:
Some of the software on the SMART TV's does not get good reviews. Is it best to buy apple tv/Roku or similar? This looks like a good option as then we don't have to sign up to a TV package
We've looked at LG 65" Class 1080p Smart LED HDTV w/ webOS™ 2.0 - 65LF6300 as a potential TV and it has good reviews on-line
If looking at a SMART TV, we have seen and like the picture on Sharp AQUOS HD - 60" Class (60-3/32" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - 120Hz - Smart - HDTV
Anything else we should consider or any other good options (We looked at Vizio and RCA which were both cheap and not good quality.
Thanks for any advice
First question is:
Some of the software on the SMART TV's does not get good reviews. Is it best to buy apple tv/Roku or similar? This looks like a good option as then we don't have to sign up to a TV package
We've looked at LG 65" Class 1080p Smart LED HDTV w/ webOS™ 2.0 - 65LF6300 as a potential TV and it has good reviews on-line
If looking at a SMART TV, we have seen and like the picture on Sharp AQUOS HD - 60" Class (60-3/32" Diag.) - LED - 1080p - 120Hz - Smart - HDTV
Anything else we should consider or any other good options (We looked at Vizio and RCA which were both cheap and not good quality.
Thanks for any advice
Edited by The jiffle king on Monday 25th May 02:22
Vizio are very hit and miss, but yeah - not exactly high quality. You do get a lot of TV for your money though.
Sharp I've not owned but the ones I've seen seem to have decent quality.
As for Smart TV vs Apple TV, apple TV every day of the week. I've yet to see a Smart TV that doesn't have a god awful UI and clunky app interfaces, irrespective of input method (my samsungs support keyboard and mouse, it still blows). If you're a gamer there's always the PS4 / Xbox option too, though I like the Apple TV better - being able to stream from iPads and Macs comes in really useful for me.
I have Apple TV on all our TVs, with subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Prime (which I never really use), and then NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB and NHL for my sports fix. I've had TWC and DirectTV and much prefer my setup now.
Sharp I've not owned but the ones I've seen seem to have decent quality.
As for Smart TV vs Apple TV, apple TV every day of the week. I've yet to see a Smart TV that doesn't have a god awful UI and clunky app interfaces, irrespective of input method (my samsungs support keyboard and mouse, it still blows). If you're a gamer there's always the PS4 / Xbox option too, though I like the Apple TV better - being able to stream from iPads and Macs comes in really useful for me.
I have Apple TV on all our TVs, with subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Prime (which I never really use), and then NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB and NHL for my sports fix. I've had TWC and DirectTV and much prefer my setup now.
Not an enormous fan of Apple, so I'd suggest the Roku route as being just as easy to navigate and cheaper.
If you've already got all Apple devices, then by all means go that route, just be aware there are alternatives.
We use PS3's for each of the main TV's with Amazon prime and Netflix, works fine. The 3rd TV uses a Roku Streaming stick and is equally fine; no issues for any of them. I'd recommend the streaming stick over chromecast, purely because it comes with a bluetooth remote.
Oh - I wouldn't touch insignia with yours, or use the 'smart tv' apps - I compared the PS3 netflix with the Sony smart Tv app version, and the PS3 was MUCH higher quality.
Bestbuy have a memorial day sale at the moment; the 60" sharp aquos is probably worth a look, though marginally over budget. I've had good bargains off amazon, too.
Bear in mind that you can always take it back to the UK when/if you return - use a transformer and a freeview box or whatever other input you want.
Whereabouts are you? There are other places to buy TV's.
If you've already got all Apple devices, then by all means go that route, just be aware there are alternatives.
We use PS3's for each of the main TV's with Amazon prime and Netflix, works fine. The 3rd TV uses a Roku Streaming stick and is equally fine; no issues for any of them. I'd recommend the streaming stick over chromecast, purely because it comes with a bluetooth remote.
Oh - I wouldn't touch insignia with yours, or use the 'smart tv' apps - I compared the PS3 netflix with the Sony smart Tv app version, and the PS3 was MUCH higher quality.
Bestbuy have a memorial day sale at the moment; the 60" sharp aquos is probably worth a look, though marginally over budget. I've had good bargains off amazon, too.
Bear in mind that you can always take it back to the UK when/if you return - use a transformer and a freeview box or whatever other input you want.
Whereabouts are you? There are other places to buy TV's.
I have a jailbroken ATV2 which i love. By far the best interface. I have tried the Raspberry Pi and an Android box, both were OK but sometimes unstable.
Don't know if anyone saw that the Amazon fire stick was selling at £25 this week. I ordered one and side loaded Kodi onto it, whilst slightly a pain to get into its faultless.
Well worth a look for 1080 streaming for free
Don't know if anyone saw that the Amazon fire stick was selling at £25 this week. I ordered one and side loaded Kodi onto it, whilst slightly a pain to get into its faultless.
Well worth a look for 1080 streaming for free
Thankyou for the responses. We're in Georgia, North of Atlanta and looked in BestBuy yesterday and there were a few options. Sounds like most people favour the apple TV/Roku approach which I think would work for us. We don't know how long we will be here in the US, but taking the TV with us and using a step down transformer (I've got a couple already) is a good option.
It's the logic I used when buying my first TV out here; didn't know how long I was going to be out, so considered all the options. 9 years later....it's still in use in the basement.
I took the Roku with me to the parents house in the UK at Christmas, worked fine, too.
Honestly, I'd go for something you'll be happy with, regardless of country, and relax the budget accordingly.
Incidentally, many TVs will take 240v 50Hz as well as 120v 60Hz - the Sharp I mentioned, though quoted as doing so on the bestbuy site, doesn't - according to the sharp manual.
Always worth downloading the manual if you see one you like.
I took the Roku with me to the parents house in the UK at Christmas, worked fine, too.
Honestly, I'd go for something you'll be happy with, regardless of country, and relax the budget accordingly.
Incidentally, many TVs will take 240v 50Hz as well as 120v 60Hz - the Sharp I mentioned, though quoted as doing so on the bestbuy site, doesn't - according to the sharp manual.
Always worth downloading the manual if you see one you like.
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