Quantcast I need some help
 
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Mousehut Mail WebDisney News INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Guide
News Discussion Theme Parks Resorts Info Central Shop Interactive Podcast INTERCOT Navigtion
Site Sponsors
  magical journeys travel agency
  INTERCOT shop

INTERCOT Affiliates
  disney magicbands & accessories
  disneystore.com
  disney fathead
  disney check designs
  amazon.com
  priceline.com

News
  site search
  headlines
  past updates
  discussion boards
  email update

INTERCOT Other
  advertising
  sponsors
  link to us
  contact us
     

INTERCOT Ads
 

 
 

Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    8,024
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default I need some help

    DS2 and his wife have asked for a new TV for Christmas. Their TV is having problems. I don't know anything about TVs. Can you guys give me some suggestions on what would be a good TV?
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  2.     Please Support INTERCOT's Sponsors:
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 1997
    Location
    INTERCOT, SC
    Posts
    10,997
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cinderelley View Post
    DS2 and his wife have asked for a new TV for Christmas. Their TV is having problems. I don't know anything about TVs. Can you guys give me some suggestions on what would be a good TV?
    I like the RokuTV’s. All that means is they have the Roku platform built into them in addition to the regular TV functions. All depends on how much you want to spend and what size you need/want.

    TCL and Onn are pretty much the same TV and available for great prices at WalMart and other places

    Picked up a 50’ Onn RokuTV for the garage the other day for $220.

    Also so Visio has a 70” right now for $588

    The sweet spot price wise is 65”

    You certainly can pay a lot more for a Samsung or an LG but for most folks, any of these will be fine. After you get the tv - search online for model specific settings to adjust the picture to be more true to life.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Use the NY Times site: Wirecutter. It's like Consumer Reports, but free.

    I know a lot about A/V tech. If you're not *really* into all of the technical aspects, then really it's just about getting the size you want and a brand that is pretty reliable.

    Some good brands: Sony, LG, Panasonic, TCL, Samsung

    Brands I'm wary of: Hisense, Westinghouse, RCA, Onn, Vizio, Phillips, Insignia

    If a brand is seriously cheaper than others of similar size/specs, it's because they are using much cheaper parts and are more likely to not last as long. I mean, I guess you can make the argument that it's cheaper to repeatedly buy a $300 tv than it is to spend $1000 on a tv with the same specs. But I'd rather just have one that works well for a long time. We have six TVs in our house right now: a 70" Sony 4K (it is beautiful), a 50" Samsung 4K, a 50" Panasonic 1080p, a 50" Panasonic 720p plasma, a 42" Panasonic 720p plasma, and our daughter who just moved home brought her 50" Samsung 4K tv with her. It's in her room. The Sony and the Samsungs are "smart" TVs, but we rarely use that feature. We have Apple TV units plugged in to four of them, and we use that instead.

    I'd say to head to Costco or Sam's Club, see which of those decent brands are on sale for a TV that is the size you'd like, and just go for it. If you would like to know more about specific features and the like, just ask.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    309
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by azcavalier View Post

    Brands I'm wary of: Hisense, Westinghouse, RCA, Onn, Vizio, Phillips, Insignia
    .
    I've never had an issue with Insignia and found them to have comparable quality to the more expensive brands for the average viewer. One thing to consider is that the cost of TV's is so low, they almost become a disposable item (cheaper to replace than repair).

    As stated by others, ROKU enabled is the thing to go for. Good luck.

    2018 Port Orleans Riverside
    2012 Port Orleans Riverside
    2011 Port Orleans French Quarter
    2009 Grand Floridian
    2007 Contemporary
    2006 Grand Floridian
    2004 Polynesian
    1980 Day trip to MK

  6. Likes John liked this post
  7. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 1997
    Location
    INTERCOT, SC
    Posts
    10,997
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I have a Onn and a TCL. I’m telling you they are the same tv branded differently.

    I also have owned Vizios and have had 2 fail on me.

    I think the point is good - if it’s under $500 - it’s almost become disposable.

    When I paid almost $1200 for a 70 inch tv about 4 years ago - I bought an extended warranty thru square trade. Ended up getting a totally new tv after it died.

    Honestly, I don’t think much is well made anymore.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    John - aka. The Master Control Program
    Owner, Chairman & Chief Imagination Officer - INTERCOT

  8. Likes Jeff liked this post
  9. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Wilmington DE
    Posts
    1,617
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by John View Post
    I have a Onn and a TCL. I’m telling you they are the same tv branded differently.

    I also have owned Vizios and have had 2 fail on me.

    I think the point is good - if it’s under $500 - it’s almost become disposable.

    When I paid almost $1200 for a 70 inch tv about 4 years ago - I bought an extended warranty thru square trade. Ended up getting a totally new tv after it died.

    Honestly, I don’t think much is well made anymore.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I'll second what John said. Nothing is made well anymore. So no matter what you purchase, be sure to get the protection plan. We had two screens go bad on separate TVs only about 13 to 15 months after purchase and of course just after the one year warranty. I fought for months with Samsung over the one, but have gotten the protection plan ever since and it has paid off.

    Aside from that, I don't think you can go wrong with one of the big boys (LG, Sony, Samsung). It's really up to you if you have a brand preference. Of course go for the smart TV option. Depended on your budget, you should consider quality vs. size, and definitely make sure it is a smart TV that has apps for all the streaming services.

    For me, I'd rather decent sized, higher end quality picture than a giant screen with a terrible image. Good luck in your search!
    Beth & David

    09/82 Treehouse Villas, 06/86 BVP, 10/95 CBR, 10/99 DI, 08/03 PORS, 10/05 POP, 11/06 AKL, 09/09 POLY, 10/10 Wonder, 05/11 Dream/PORS, 08/13 POLY, 11/13 GF, 04/15 POLY, 11/15 BLT, 11/16 Aulani, 03/17 BLT, 08/18 BLT, 07/19 AKL, 06/21 BLT

  10. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by John View Post
    I have a Onn and a TCL. I’m telling you they are the same tv branded differently.
    After a bit of research, Onn is WalMart's in-house brand. It seems to be made by Element, which Consumer Reports says has subpar reliability.

    TCL is a Chinese company, but is a pretty established and reliable brand. I mean, what isn't made in China at this point? TCL has a partnership with Roku, and so their smart TVs are basically Roku TVs.

    For what it's worth, our LG had some issues with one of the HDMI ports, and BestBuy came out and replaced the motherboard on it for free. No issues since.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  11. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
    Location
    St. Peters, MO
    Posts
    4,013
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by baldburke View Post
    So no matter what you purchase, be sure to get the protection plan.
    "You need an extended warranty"
    "What do I need an extended warranty for"
    "In case the TV breaks."
    "If it's going to break I don't want the TV"
    "It's not going to break."
    "THEN WHAT DO I NEED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR?"
    John Pinette
    Dave aka: Altair
    "Even though they're graceful when swimmin', it's hard to believe sailors thought they were women" - Manatee area, the Living Seas

  12. Likes Jeff, baldburke liked this post
  13. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Altair View Post
    "You need an extended warranty"
    "What do I need an extended warranty for"
    "In case the TV breaks."
    "If it's going to break I don't want the TV"
    "It's not going to break."
    "THEN WHAT DO I NEED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR?"
    John Pinette
    Yeah. Also, I never buy that extended warranty **** on anything that isn't mobile. If I can drop it in a ditch and it can get run over by a bus, then yes (That really happened to me with a flip phone about 18 years ago). But if it's stationary and I'm just going to use it for what it was made to be used for, then it's just a money grab by the store.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  14. Likes baldburke liked this post
  15. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Posts
    1,374
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I have 13 TV's at the house. I know.....I know.....lol To explain that a little, I have 3 in the game room so we can watch the main game with sound on the surround sound (Bama) and then two other important games playing at the same time and keep up with the action. There is one on the patio where the grill is and of course one in the garage where manly things happen. lol The rest are in the bedrooms and the living room.

    I have tried multiple brands during the 3 years I have put all these in place. I currently have one LG (I gave one of those to my son because I didn't care for the functionality of the operating system on it), I have two Samsung (They are high quality with excellent picture and function well but there is something about the functionality and menu setup I didn't care for) and then I have a bunch of Vizio. During all of this setup I tried various brands and returned them and tried others and the next thing I knew, I realized I had 10 Vizio TV's. I liked the way they function and the picture is great and they have an app that you can control the TV's as well through your wifi. I set each TV up with different names according to the rooms and where they are located and can control them and cast from my phone to them for things like youtube videos. I haven't had a single issue with any of them regardless of brand. My advice is to go to Sams or Costco and play around with them and look at the menu and the picture. Pick the one that feels right to you because if you drill down into it, most of the electronics inside that make these things work are all made by the same companies and the brand name you are buying are basically just putting them together. Some make their own LED screens and some buy them from one of the big manufacturers that make them in China. You really don't know who made what inside them these days.

  16. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 1997
    Location
    INTERCOT, SC
    Posts
    10,997
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by azcavalier View Post
    After a bit of research, Onn is WalMart's in-house brand. It seems to be made by Element, which Consumer Reports says has subpar reliability.

    TCL is a Chinese company, but is a pretty established and reliable brand. I mean, what isn't made in China at this point? TCL has a partnership with Roku, and so their smart TVs are basically Roku TVs.

    For what it's worth, our LG had some issues with one of the HDMI ports, and BestBuy came out and replaced the motherboard on it for free. No issues since.
    The Onn tv I got for the Garage is a RokuTV. It literally is identical to a TCL RokuTV I bought a month before for our embroidery shop - except the light at the bottom is red instead of white.

    If I was a betting man, I would bet they are made in the same factory.

    For my main TV I would go with a bigger name. For bedroom and other TV’s - my TCL RokuTV’s have served me well and for a reasonable price. No failures yet. Picture is good once adjusted properly.

    I counted. We have 8 TV’s.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    John - aka. The Master Control Program
    Owner, Chairman & Chief Imagination Officer - INTERCOT

  17. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    8,024
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Thank you for all the help everyone. TVs have definitely come a long way since I last had one (which was before they did whatever the conversion was and the old type of TVs didn't work any more.)
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  18. Likes baldburke liked this post

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

 
Company
Advertising
Guest Relations
Community
Discussion Boards
Podcast
Newsletter
Shop
Social
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our newsletter:
INTERCOT Logo PRIVACY STATEMENT / DISCLAIMER | DISCUSSION BOARD RULES
© Since 1997 INTERCOT - a Levelbest Communications Website. This is not an official Disney website.
> Levelbest Network Site