Problems with new Panasoninc Smart TV...

[biggbn]

Our old TV lost its brightness so we bought a new one. Given the old one had only lasted three years; it was a cheapo, we bought another Panasonic having had no problems with the brand in the past. Its a Smart TV, not plugged into anything but sometimes I put on Netflix or Prime, whatever, and everything loads up but the shows don't play. Internet speed/range issue? Also, it doesn't have Apple as an app although it can be accessed through Prime...

I am absolutely useless with Tech, does this sound like an Internet issue or a TV one?

[Evercross]

Hi GBN.!

FYI - Panasonic doesn't exist as an independent manufacturer of TVs anymore. Like most of these trad brands from the 80's/90's (Toshiba, JVC etc.etc.) Panasonic TVs are just a rebranding of products from the Vestel factory in Turkey for their lower end products, and their higher end stuff comes from TCL in China.

Both these manufacturers come in for their criticism for patchy quality so it might be that you've a duff one. Having said that I've got a Vestel manufactured TV downstairs and a Vestel and a TCL upstairs and all three have been fine, but the TCL one is verrrry laggy and sometimes fails to start showing streams unless coaxed.

[skyebear]

If the TV has an internet browser try and navigate to Google. If that works then the TV can connect to internet ok. If this works then search for speed test and run this. It should return three figures: download; upload; latency. Post these results.

If it doesn't then try and connect an ethernet cable from your router to the TV assuming it has an ethernet port. Repeat the speed test.

Check TV settings for software update being available.

Check if your brand/model can get Apple TV. Sometimes brands are excluded for commercial rather than technical reasons.

[The Gauge]

Can you connect an ethernet cable from your router instead of using wifi?

[biggbn]

Thanks guys. I can't connect a cable as we only have one box and it is downstairs. The speed etc has been checked and is in three figures and ev thanks for this, I think it might go back now because our TV that gave up was one of the models you mentioned. Good as gold till it suddenly wasn't. I think I'll return it and get a Samsung or similar, had good expereice with them too...

[Mr Pointy]

biggbn said:

Thanks guys. I can't connect a cable as we only have one box and it is downstairs. The speed etc has been checked and is in three figures and ev thanks for this, I think it might go back now because our TV that gave up was one of the models you mentioned. Good as gold till it suddenly wasn't. I think I'll return it and get a Samsung or similar, had good expereice with them too...

LG or Sony are your best bet.

[The Gauge]

biggbn said:

Thanks guys. I can't connect a cable as we only have one box and it is downstairs. The speed etc has been checked and is in three figures and ev thanks for this, I think it might go back now because our TV that gave up was one of the models you mentioned. Good as gold till it suddenly wasn't. I think I'll return it and get a Samsung or similar, had good expereice with them too...

Try homeplugs which allow you to use your homes copper ring main cables to conduct? the broadband from your router to your TV, essentially an ethernet cable from the router to a homeplug in a nearby wall plug socket, then another homeplug in a plug socket near your TV , and then a cable from that to your TV.

Or search the classifieds for someone selling a TV like your old one, they go for pennies as folk just want to get rid of them when upgrading to a smart TV. I took a Panny plasma TV to the tip just the other day as I couldn't be bothered to create a Facebook advert!!!

[biggbn]

Mr Pointy said:

biggbn said:

Thanks guys. I can't connect a cable as we only have one box and it is downstairs. The speed etc has been checked and is in three figures and ev thanks for this, I think it might go back now because our TV that gave up was one of the models you mentioned. Good as gold till it suddenly wasn't. I think I'll return it and get a Samsung or similar, had good expereice with them too...

LG or Sony are your best bet.

[bitchstewie]

For what it's worth I always treat a TV as just a screen.

The built-in apps and interface are often the weakest link so IMO I'd focus on getting the very best picture you can and spend a few quid on a Firestick or Apple TV or streamer of choice so you're not swearing in frustration when you find the TV you like the picture on has the slowest worst interface ever invented because you never get long enough in the store to find out how bad many of them really are

[biggbn]

bhstewie said:

For what it's worth I always treat a TV as just a screen.

The built-in apps and interface are often the weakest link so IMO I'd focus on getting the very best picture you can and spend a few quid on a Firestick or Apple TV or streamer of choice so you're not swearing in frustration when you find the TV you like the picture on has the slowest worst interface ever invented because you never get long enough in the store to find out how bad many of them really are

I am the world's stupidest customer for things like this. I jist went online, found a Panasonic because we have one and it been great, and bought it. Didn't look at others, didn't shop around, mea culpa. This is a first world problem of my own making....I am the architect of my own downfall!

[Evercross]

bhstewie said:

For what it's worth I always treat a TV as just a screen.

The built-in apps and interface are often the weakest link so IMO I'd focus on getting the very best picture you can and spend a few quid on a Firestick or Apple TV or streamer of choice so you're not swearing in frustration when you find the TV you like the picture on has the slowest worst interface ever invented because you never get long enough in the store to find out how bad many of them really are

This is top advice. There isn't a TV panel on the market that supports all the viewing apps/configurations I use in one device. Even the Android based ones have their restrictions (most not supporting true 4k or high bitrates). Most of my viewing is done via DLNA or SMB streaming from my PC to my various TV screens for exactly this reason.

[fbc]

bhstewie said:

For what it's worth I always treat a TV as just a screen.

The built-in apps and interface are often the weakest link so IMO I'd focus on getting the very best picture you can and spend a few quid on a Firestick or Apple TV or streamer of choice so you're not swearing in frustration when you find the TV you like the picture on has the slowest worst interface ever invented because you never get long enough in the store to find out how bad many of them really are

This. So much this. Great advice.

[Ydnaroo]

If you launch Netflix, scroll down the icons on the left and select Help, you'll se a Network check facility. This will tell you what speed connection you're getting at your TV. The connection speed will be the same for all the other apps on your TV.

[The Gauge]

bhstewie said:

For what it's worth I always treat a TV as just a screen.

The built-in apps and interface are often the weakest link so IMO I'd focus on getting the very best picture you can and spend a few quid on a Firestick or Apple TV or streamer of choice so you're not swearing in frustration when you find the TV you like the picture on has the slowest worst interface ever invented because you never get long enough in the store to find out how bad many of them really are

Sometimes though the TV's built in app might give a better picture. I think the Prime app on my Panasonic OLED had Rings of Power with Dolby Vision whereas ATV4K didn't.

[Evercross]

The Gauge said:

I think the Prime app on my Panasonic OLED had Rings of Power with Dolby Vision whereas ATV4K didn't.

for mentioning that desecration of the lore of Tolkien.

[SpeedBash]

Mr Pointy said:

LG or Sony are your best bet.

Do Sony make their own panels - at all price points?