Posted on 11/17/2015 5:01:26 PM PST by NewJerseyJoe
Hello FReeper friends. For the first time in several years, I've got a few bucks to spare. I'd like to finally upgrade from my old CRT television to a flat-screen TV. I'm also investigating the various options for streaming video to the TV via WiFi.
I'm looking at devices like Roku and Amazon's FireTV -- especially because Amazon is having a Black Friday deal on the FireTV stick. However, the TVs that I'm looking at all are WiFi enabled.
So here's my question: unless I really, really want features specific to FireTV, do I really need it (or Roku) if I already have a TV that's WiFi-enabled?
Thanks
TV plus Apple TV.
Costs a bit more, but is & will be definitive.
According to what I read some time ago, wifi enabled tvs are not only easily hackable, but open to whatever anyone wants to put on it. Sort of like Windows without the virus ‘protection’. Get the device, skip the TV.
You can easily research further as things could have changed.
Yes. Device providers provide tons of programming, apps, etc.
You want an internal 2015 WIFI smart TV.
Make sure your internet speed is above 18m minimum.
Get a minimum 1080p LED...(wait on the 4K tvs...they are too expensive)
Make sure you get a refresh rate of at 120Hz or higher. Anything below 120Hz, like a football game or a fast paced movie will not be able to keep up with the movement on the screen.
The Roku 4 or 3 is a great device. It will still give you the Amazon access.
The Amazon device will only keep you in the Amazon environment.
Separate units in case of device failure, and for hardware updates. Another scam is the 3D ready crap. Why bother.
Built-in is best.
I have two WIFI devices attached to other TVs, but my new Samsung wit built-in WiFI and Netflix is much faster and more reliable.
Here is what you probably want to get. Its a 2015 and comes with it’s own stand.
Just look at customer reviews. There are over 1,600 and it about 5 start rating.
I’ve had Rokus since gen1. They are great, and independent of a corporate overlord like Amazon or Apple. You can use more services that you can shake a stick at on them.
Don’t tie yourself into a company like Apple or Amazon, who may mess with your desired services to push their own. Get the Roku.
Always TV + Device. The TV software will be outdated when you leave the store and may never receive an update. The device can be thrown away or upgraded at will without a large investment.
TV plus WIFI device. No contest. Don’t depend on a WIFI enabled television.
Just get a WIFI tv.
Personally, I highly recommend VISIO tvs, and absolutely discourage anything from Element - worst sound and video quality I've ever experienced, and 9 months later, black screen of death.
After two weeks of back and forth with them, they finally accepted an RMA - they required shipping through FedEX (even though they're all of 3 miles away from me.) I just gave up at that point and tossed it in a recycle bin and went on a crusade against them.
Smart TVs have the Netflix/Amazon/Hulu, etc., built in. That eliminates the need for separate boxes for ROKU, WDTV, AmazonFire, etc.
==
When my 19” tube died in 2008, I bought a 32” widescreen VIZIO at Walmart.
It still has great color and sharp images.
Check out VIZIOs. They are moderately priced and very good picture. Their smart TVs have Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime, etc.
I have a Vizeo Smart TV. I subscribe to Netflix. I also have my lap top computer hooked to it and watch Fox News and a lot of other stuff from my computer through the TV. I don’t have Cable TV. Have only TV through the air. My Internet provider is only 14.95 a month and comes from the Cell Tower. It only gives me 5 mg. It occasionally gives me problems but not bad enough that I want to pay $50 or more a month for Internet.
TV plus device. Smart TVs are a two way street that can (and do) spy on you.
Get it built-in. Apples are for eating.
TV plus PC with web browser. You can find anything you want online. Movies that are still in the theater. The episode of Walking Dead that aired two hours ago. Etc.
3D seems to be dead again. VIZIO did not even have a 2015 3D TV.
There have been 3 major attempts to push 3D since the 50s. It just doesn’t seem to catch on — too many problems.
meh. Most decent TVs are smart anymore, and therefore capable of what you want. The hard part is breaking them so they can’t get to wiffy.
Make sure your TV has HDMI.
Make sure you have either cable broadband or good dsl broadband.
Buy a used Vista or Win7 era desktop. Make sure it has onboard HDMI and a Blueray DVD. Quiet would be nice. Mine is a vista era box I bought for 25 bucks.
Buy a wireless keyboard w/ glidepad for it (about 30 bucks).
Hopefully hard-wire to the router, otherwise, buy ‘N’ series wireless or better for the computer too.
Hook the TV to the computer.
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