I don't like it when characters have bigger heads than me....so I'm a fan of a smaller TV.
I really know little about these things....but my three geeks all just bought smart TVs.
MY THREE GEEKS...Maybe I'll write a bio of them growing up.
A “smart” TV is probably never a good buy. Screens live for a long time. The current “smart” technology will be upgraded next year. So don’t buy a TV with planned obsolescence.
If you go used, make sure you get a monitor with HDMI input. The current external smart technology and DVD players will also connect with HDMI. Does your current PC have an HDMI output? Some older, and even newer, laptops only have VGA. VGA doesn’t included sound, but HDMI does.
Look up “Viewing Distance” and get the right size TV for your room
Most big screen TV's anymore are smart TV's, but no you do not need a smart tv. All a smart TV does is allow for internet to be hooked to it with functions built into the TV to make the need for a computer unnecessary. Since you are hooking your laptop to it you getting your internet from that device.
As far as resolution goes it depends entirely on the input you are providing to the TV and the resolution capability of that TV. In other words, the TV, must have the resolution capability to fully display a high resolution input. But even a high definition TV will not compensate for a low resolution input.
As far as curved TV, supposedly they give a better picture to those who may not be sitting directly in front of the TV. Best Buy or a similar outlet usually have a curved TV for you to see the difference. Since I personally do not have a curved TV I can not speak reliably about them.
Hope this helps.
I have a 70. Sharp. I would want the screen to be a component and use the DVD player or a computer to provide the “smart” if I did it over again.
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.
Starting point: Videos on laptop. Where do you get them? DVDs or Internet download?
If Internet, consider a smart TV for services such Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. More providers are offering streaming services: CBS, HBO, STARZ, Showtime, etc. You can also stream from your laptop to a smart TV via a PLEX (or similar) app.
Of course, that would depend on your Internet source. More mobile companies say they allow free streaming. I do not know of the conditions or restrictions. To stream, typically you need a 4 Mbps or faster Internet.
Technology has finally reached a point where computers and TVs can actually communicate with each other.
There are too many ‘ifs’ without knowing more about your situation and equipment.
Get a Zenith 19” floor model TV. And when it stops working, buy a 9” black and white TV to put on top of it.
Get yourself a large screen commercial monitor without the inner tv and computer stuff.
The one below has its own stand. So you don’t need to mount it on the wall.
You need internet and a good wifi signal.
I prefer a Chromebook to Chromecast/stream tv to a monitor.
Chromebooks are simple, fast, eeasier to use and cheaper than a PC/ I have a Win 10 laptop and it is basically a time sucker to get on it for simple online things. It stays in my office connected to a good size monitor and a stand alone printer due to the MS Bs time needed to just get on line.
With my Chromebook, I just lift the top up, and I am immediately ready to access the internet and whatever site I need.
Amazon Prime and its Acorn have a ton of good tv shows, series and new shows available for streaming. We use Acorn to enjoy a countless number of Brit/Canadian tv shows from 20 years ago to the present.
If you have lived this long without tv, you can stream and avoid ABCNNBCBS and NFL bs.
Below is the commercial monitor that may fit your needs. Since they don’t have a computer inside, there are less things to burnout or cause problems. You can get one from Amazon for less than $1k.
Or you could go to Best Buy and have them help you make the selection and set it up in your home.
LG Electronics
LG 34UC98-W 34-Inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide QHD IPS Monitor with Thunderbolt
Save a few bucks and do not buy a SmartTV. Buy an Amazon FireStick. Far better experience and capabilities. SmartTV are rarely updated even though they have that ability.
In a 25’ room, a 75” TV is about right. Our living room is 25’x20’ and the 75” TV works just right. We have a Sharp Auqos. Real nice picture. Bought it 3 years ago. However, just about any 75” will do these days.
A key to enjoying a TV is the sound system. Get a soundbar and subwoofer. The small TV speakers are great for news shows, but for movies a sound system is required. Nothing expensive is needed.
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
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.
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.
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.
Spend the money for a Panasonic Black Screen.
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.
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
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.
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.