Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 7:18 am Post subject: Best Smart TV Under $400
A few caveats. We still have a Sony Bravia TV from 2009. It has been a workhorse until it is slowly dying right now. I can't tell you what color the basketball court is in the Bubble as it comes out a weird color on my TV now.
So we're looking for a new one, but I haven't shopped for a TV in over a decade. So here's what I'm looking for:
1. Under $400
2. 50-55 inches
3. smart TV
Will be used mostly for watching streaming, some gaming (my kids). Suggestions??? _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Oh nice. I've never heard of TCL but many people seem to like it.
I spent a lot more money on my previous Samsung HDTV and the streaming experience on it was so bad I had to buy a FireTV streaming device just to watch NetFlix and Amazon Prime. TCLs TVs run Roku TV software and the streaming experience has been great. I think the only streaming channel it doesn't have right now is the new HBO Max. _________________ "Suck it up. Don't be a baby. Do your job." - Kobe Bryant
Oh nice. I've never heard of TCL but many people seem to like it.
I spent a lot more money on my previous Samsung HDTV and the streaming experience on it was so bad I had to buy a FireTV streaming device just to watch NetFlix and Amazon Prime. TCLs TVs run Roku TV software and the streaming experience has been great. I think the only streaming channel it doesn't have right now is the new HBO Max.
Oh good point. We do everything streaming and use an older generation Apple TV box. So I wouldn't need that with a TCL? _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
I have a TCL with RokuTV and it's been very reliable. (Mine's a 40")
How's the interface? Easy to use? Clunky?
It's very intuitive. I was able to figure it out without a manual or looking anything up. You can also download a Roku ap for your phone and look stuff up online. I would order a second back-up remote though because if you misplace it then it's very difficult to input anything directly at the monitor - at least on my model.
Oh nice. I've never heard of TCL but many people seem to like it.
I spent a lot more money on my previous Samsung HDTV and the streaming experience on it was so bad I had to buy a FireTV streaming device just to watch NetFlix and Amazon Prime. TCLs TVs run Roku TV software and the streaming experience has been great. I think the only streaming channel it doesn't have right now is the new HBO Max.
Oh good point. We do everything streaming and use an older generation Apple TV box. So I wouldn't need that with a TCL?
I don't use Apple but I see an AppleTV app in the list of available streaming channels on the TCL TV. _________________ "Suck it up. Don't be a baby. Do your job." - Kobe Bryant
I have a TCL with RokuTV and it's been very reliable. (Mine's a 40")
How's the interface? Easy to use? Clunky?
It's very intuitive. I was able to figure it out without a manual or looking anything up. You can also download a Roku ap for your phone and look stuff up online. I would order a second back-up remote though because if you misplace it then it's very difficult to input anything directly at the monitor - at least on my model.
But the streaming is good? I've been seeing that others like Samsung struggle with the streaming part, but TCL does well b/c of inbuilt Roku. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Oh nice. I've never heard of TCL but many people seem to like it.
I have a 55 inch 2018 TLC too. Got it for $329. Works great. I was a bit hesitant at first because it was so much cheaper than Samsung, but I'm happy with it. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
NBC’s Peacock and HBO max are not available on roku but everything else is I think
We usually do YouTube, Sling, Hulu, Disney plus, and Netflix. As long as those work I'm good. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
I have a TCL with RokuTV and it's been very reliable. (Mine's a 40")
How's the interface? Easy to use? Clunky?
It's very intuitive. I was able to figure it out without a manual or looking anything up. You can also download a Roku ap for your phone and look stuff up online. I would order a second back-up remote though because if you misplace it then it's very difficult to input anything directly at the monitor - at least on my model.
But the streaming is good? I've been seeing that others like Samsung struggle with the streaming part, but TCL does well b/c of inbuilt Roku.
NBC’s Peacock and HBO max are not available on roku but everything else is I think
We usually do YouTube, Sling, Hulu, Disney plus, and Netflix. As long as those work I'm good.
They also have NBA League Pass. You can buy a one-team package from NBA.com (like the Lakers) for $99 a year. Then you can watch on any device including Roku.
I grew up with a Nintendo (original version) that didn't have sound. It was traumatizing playing those games without any sound, then to go to friend's houses and hear what it's like.
I can't have my kids staring at that TV which is giving off all sorts of strange colors and hues as it slowly dies. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 7946 Location: Lake Forest
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 1:25 pm Post subject:
TCL 55" here. (The Costco version)
Very happy. I use the built-in roku for everything Roku. I use xbox for UHD disks, HBO Max and the occasional Microsoft Movie rental when I get the occasional giveaways. Streaming has been perfect, but I have mine connected to the router by Ethernet because it's 3 feet away.
The only issue I have is the TOSlink to my home theatre receiver cuts out for 1/2 a second on occasion, but I'm 90% sure it's the cable I'm using.
User interface is better than Roku boxes and more responsive than a firestick.
If you are looking for the very best 55" TV on the market get a LG 55" OLED.
If it costs a few hundred dollars more that what you are looking speed: buy it anyway, if you divide out the difference over 10 years, it's pennies a day!
If you want to be able to see every mole, hair and freckle, get the OLED, if you want the best colors, clarity and the best black/dark scenes, get the OLED. If you want to see blades of grass during a football game, get the OLED. If you want to see the hairs in LeBrons beard, along with every mole, mark or tattoo, get the OLED.
If you want to come back in here and post a thread asking what TV you get should buy, 2 or 3 years years from now; buy the cheapest TV you can find.. _________________ “Always remember... Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.”
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 7946 Location: Lake Forest
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 8:03 pm Post subject:
unleasHell wrote:
If you are looking for the very best 55" TV on the market get a LG 55" OLED.
If it costs a few hundred dollars more that what you are looking speed: buy it anyway, if you divide out the difference over 10 years, it's pennies a day!
If you want to be able to see every mole, hair and freckle, get the OLED, if you want the best colors, clarity and the best black/dark scenes, get the OLED. If you want to see blades of grass during a football game, get the OLED. If you want to see the hairs in LeBrons beard, along with every mole, mark or tattoo, get the OLED.
If you want to come back in here and post a thread asking what TV you get should buy, 2 or 3 years years from now; buy the cheapest TV you can find..
If you are looking for the very best 55" TV on the market get a LG 55" OLED.
If it costs a few hundred dollars more that what you are looking speed: buy it anyway, if you divide out the difference over 10 years, it's pennies a day!
If you want to be able to see every mole, hair and freckle, get the OLED, if you want the best colors, clarity and the best black/dark scenes, get the OLED. If you want to see blades of grass during a football game, get the OLED. If you want to see the hairs in LeBrons beard, along with every mole, mark or tattoo, get the OLED.
If you want to come back in here and post a thread asking what TV you get should buy, 2 or 3 years years from now; buy the cheapest TV you can find..
We aren't huge TV people, ergo happily using the same Sony Bravia from 2009 for 11 years.
I just literally need something that will be in the price range of under $400, be a smart tv, and be reliable. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
If you are looking for the very best 55" TV on the market get a LG 55" OLED.
If it costs a few hundred dollars more that what you are looking speed: buy it anyway, if you divide out the difference over 10 years, it's pennies a day!
If you want to be able to see every mole, hair and freckle, get the OLED, if you want the best colors, clarity and the best black/dark scenes, get the OLED. If you want to see blades of grass during a football game, get the OLED. If you want to see the hairs in LeBrons beard, along with every mole, mark or tattoo, get the OLED.
If you want to come back in here and post a thread asking what TV you get should buy, 2 or 3 years years from now; buy the cheapest TV you can find..
If money was no object OLED wins every time. But most people have a budget so that means sacrifices must be made.
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