Computer/tv monitor purchase advice needed

Buttons | 1/1/17 | Buttons12

[Buttons12]

Buttons needs freeper advice!

I've never owned a tv, but I'm now looking to buy one. The choices are bewildering.

I don't have or want cable, just a large screen (at least 40", and 70" is not too big). I watch a lot of videos on a laptop and with a large screen I could be less confined. The room is big, over 25' wide and long. Price isn't that important, quality is more of a concern. And which kind is best to view at different angles? It'd be good to see it properly no matter where in the room I'm situated. What's the point of a curved screen? Do large screens make computer resolution appear blurry? If it's just for hooking up to the laptop, do I need a "smart" tv?

Additionally: no kids, no dogs or cats around. (Sadly.) It wouldn't be wall-mounted, I have a partner's desk, a fireplace mantle, or a piano it would fit on easily.

Any advice is appreciated; the more I browsed these things the more I knew I didn't know!

[taxcontrol]

Minimum:
- LED (OLED if you can afford the cost)
- 1080p HDTV
- HDMI input (assumes your computer has an HDMI or DVI output)
- remote control

Nice to have:
- viewing distance to fit your room
Feet Minimum size Maximum size
6 feet 24-inch screen 36-inch screen
8 feet 32-inch screen 48-inch screen
10 feet 40-inch screen 60-inch screen
12 feet 48-inch screen 72-inch screen

Note that if you have longer distances, the increment is for every 2 feet further, the screen size goes up about 4” to 8”. However, I am of the opinion that once you go past 80”, you are better off with an HD projector but that is a whole new can of worms.

- wall mount (yes I know you have others but believe me, it really helps to save space)
- multiple inputs (4 HDMI is about standard, more if you can get it. But also add, 2x USB, component video, DVI?, VGA?, Optical? - count up your connected devices such as blue ray, cable, sat and gaming systems)

Extras:
- smart (Internet connection - fairly standard)
- HD antenna input (usually old coax connector with decent HD antenna)
- future proof with 4K resolution if you can
- higher refresh rates are good up to a point. 60 khz is minimum, 120 khz is better and what you should be targeting, 240 khz is over kill

Features to avoid

- curved if you are going to be watching from a limited set of locations (minimizes distortion for only one person). Also, consumer tests show that this is only effective when the screen is > 100 inches.

- built in speakers (save your money for a decent surround sound or sound bar)

Just my .02

[sparklite2]

I usually watch my 65” TV in a darkened room. I finally had to turn screen brightness down. It seems advertisers like white/brightness in their commercials. It’s as bad as the sound being ramped up when a commercial comes on, only it is visual. The blast of white light is almost painful and it tends to stay on throughout the break. Having the brightness at zero helps, but not completely.

[RegulatorCountry]

I was going to recommend an Apple display monitor, they make (or made) a fine one, very high resolution, great color accuracy, stylish solid brushed metal enclosure and stand. However, they’ve apparently discontinued a dedicated, standalone Apple monitor. LG will be producing them going forward in conjunction with Apple. However, it might be an opportunity to pick one up for a better price. They’ve never been cheap.

[the_Watchman]

I use my iPad Siri for an alarm clock when I travel. I trust her.

[Fungi]

Walter Cronkite once asked Phyllis Schlafly how she stayed so trim. Her reply: “By walking to the TV and turning it off.” The quote is not verbatim but that is exactly my thought. I waste enough time, and to own a TV? I would never get anything done. Your choice, your life, your time. Just a few thoughts.

[Golden Eagle]

With a room that big, I’d suggest a projector on the far wall, and a 40-46 1080P screen directly in front of you.

[texas booster]

Seconding what these guys stated.

I am in the business and LG’s or Samsung”s SUHD quantum dot displays blow everything else away. I would wait a couple of weeks for CES 2017 and see what products are announced.

Here is a link to Costco's Samsung lineup:

http://www.costco.com/samsung.html

And LG:

http://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?keyword=LG+TV&refine=750446

Stay within 55” to 75” and you will have quality for years to come. If you aren't impressed by what manufacturers announce at CES, then pick up last years model at a discount.

[HangThemHigh]

I’ve got a 44” Samsung TV (6? years old) with a computer hooked to the TV, which serves as a monitor. I can switch the input and use it as a TV on the rare occasion the mood strikes.

I use the TV from about 6 feet away as a large monitor. I have a wireless mouse & keyboard to avoid wires laying across the floor with the computer near the TV. If my eyes were better, I could back up a few feet further, but the present distance suits me well.

I’ve got a 32” Samsung in the bedroom that I have used in similar fashion with my laptop connected to the wireless network. I can watch video off the internet in this fashion, but 32” is way too small to do any computer work from the viewing distance of about 20 feet.

If you go a similar route, make sure the computer & TV you pick have compatible output & input, either VGA or HDMI. If VGA, you will need a separate wire for sound or listen to the computer speaker. I’ve tried HDMI & VGA, but can’t tell the difference in quality with my equipment.

[Mariner]

Spend the money for a Panasonic Black Screen.

[goodnesswins]

I hear ya...but I often stand and walk around doing other things while tv is on...sometimes I just need some entertainment and sit. But, we don’t have cable, either.

[Varda]

Ditto on the projector in a room that large. I own several nice panels but nothing beats a projector for bang for the buck. The one below goes on sale for under $700 every once in awhile and weighs about 3lbs. I made my own screen for $100 or you can project onto a wall.

LG PF1500 Full HD Portable LED Smart TV Home Theater Projector with Magic Remote

[time4good]

Absolutely get a 4K TV. I’m a software developer and when I saw the Seiki 55” on Amazon two years ago on sale for $639, I jumped on it. Best decision. It has the resolution of FOUR 1920x1080 regular monitors - i.e., lots of screen real estate. I just love bringing up code or lots of websites, etc. or having remote connections in smaller windows.

So, since then, the price of 4K’s has dramatically dropped. Now you can get a Samsung or LG 55” for less than $700 on Amazon - smaller sizes cheaper still.

You’ll probably get some usefulness out of the ‘Smarts’ in the Smart TV versions, just buy the best quality and size you can afford.

Do not waste your money on a 1920x1080p TV. NOT worth it at all at this point.

[RegulatorCountry]

Here’s a link to the LG 65” Super UHD 4K HDR Smart LED TV monitor. Sounds like a lot of bang for the buck, very well rated and reviewed, and if LG’s good enough for Apple, they’re good enough for me. Reasonable price for a 65” too, $1,499.00.

http://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-65UH7700-4k-uhd-tv

[Bobalu]

Instead of a “smart TV”, get an Android box that has a USB port and allows you to play 1080p vids. It will hook up to your TV via the HDMI port.

I use a cheap Raspberry Pi model 3 and a wireless kbrd/mouse.

I run KODI on the Pi.

You can watch almost anything...

[Yaelle]

55” and up. Wall mount it. You won’t regret it. Safety for the tv if nothing else.

The curved screen is a total BS gimmick. Avoid.

Yes, a smart tv: it will be so easy to shoot your videos to it. You can use your lap top to do it, but even your phone.

[Yaelle]

Depending on the quality of the videos you watch, they may look lousy sometimes on HD.

I correct what I said in the post above: if you get a fire stick from Amazon, you won’t need a smart tv. But smart is still going to allow you to push one button on your phone or laptop and send the video you are watching to your tv. So I’d do both.

[Sacajaweau]

A ghost from Christmas past.

[rw4site]

I’ve had great luck with my HDMI connected desktop. I have a Samsung and an LG in my bedroom. I prefer the Samsung.
Picture quality remains high even watching youtube.com videos. I watch a lot of BBC TV and movies at http://123movies.is/movie/filter/movie. Really great choices and many of the latest movies.

[BipolarBob]

Go to Sams or best buy and look at their 4k UHD tvs. You won’t be disappointed. Make sure you have at least 2 HDMI inputs. I’m not keen on the smart tv. they can be hacked. Good luck.