We will finally buy a TV

[Gambatte 980]

Been since 2013 without TV. Will finally buy one. Never had a flat TV, only cathode one.

Of course it must have wireless internet connectivity (do they all have these days?)

Not bothered with blabla whatever resolution.

What to look for? Does it make sense to buy used for halfprice on eBay-Kleinanzeige?

[Keleth 9,347]

57 minutes ago, Gambatte said:

Does it make sense to buy used for halfprice on eBay-Kleinanzeige?

No because most new good don´t last longer than a few years anyway and a new one is not that expensive unless you want one with all the bangs and whistles.

[fraufruit 42,695]

Our "new one" is about 8 yrs. old.

 

The problem with a used one is no warranty.

[HH_Sailor 3,674]

You'll need around 8Mb/s to watch HD.

If that can only be wifi, you'll need a a very good network close to the TV.

 

We watch TV using a receiver connected via HDMI. Streaming from a Blue ray box also using HDMI.

 

Our TV has apps, but they are somewhat wonky. The newer blue ray box has better/ functioning apps for say Prime / Netflix.

 

Definitely new TV, second hand only for a second tv somewhere.

 

 

[Gambatte 980]

Thanks for the input.

 

Yes, lack of warranty is the difference between new or used.

 

HH, we have a nominal 250Mb/s at home, tough in reality is of course less, no idea how much less.

But still, whenever we watched videos over WiFi on the laptop, we never had the impression we lacked bandwidth. In fact, 8Mb/s seems still very modest, you sure this number?

[ian 3,996]

1 hour ago, Gambatte said:

Been since 2013 without TV. Will finally buy one. Never had a flat TV, only cathode one.

Of course it must have wireless internet connectivity (do they all have these days?)

Not bothered with blabla whatever resolution.

What to look for? Does it make sense to buy used for halfprice on eBay-Kleinanzeige?

For me the essentials are:

• Internet connection built in. Wifi is quite convenient. Possibly included with most TVs?
• HDMI input/output socket for external speakers with HDMI connector. Get a decent Bass sound. And 1 remote controls all connected devices.
• HDMI input/output socket for external TV box to extend options. EG Sky now or Amazon FireTV
• Easy to navigate all the Apps and features. (TVs might all be annoying to use)
• Apps available for Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney+. I only watch on-demand TV on those apps. No Live TV anymore.

[MikeMelga 7,346]

I would add to what @ian said to get the very latest model. Why? They keep changing CODECs and AFAIK, they are all hardware implemented. To make it short: a brand new TV won't be able to connect to Netflix after 6-10 years without an accessory. So if you buy a 3 year old model, you're running into problems sooner.

 

Personally, I would advise LG TVs or Samsung. They actually manufacture most of the screens of all other TV manufacturers.

If you are a movie's fan, I would go for LG OLED, HDR, then the largest size you can afford.

In general, unless you are closed than 2 meters to the screen, I would advise at least 65 inch TV. It's cinema-like experience.

 

Regarding streaming, no, 8Mb/s is not enough. Target around 20Mb/s minimum.

[slammer 889]

Havn´t had a telly for the last 20 years. Everything here goes over the Mac mini.

Through my work I once lectured that although there are the so-called "4K" Screens around, but there will never be a 6K, because the human eye is at it´s limit at around 5K.

Imagine my surprise recently in MediaMarkt seeing a 8K TV... You can´t see the difference between 4 and 8K mind you, so I think it´t for the bragging rights only or you can command a higher price. But apart from that I don´t see any advantage at all.

[Gambatte 980]

Good to know, thanks a lot 

[Krieg 15,111]

If you want to buy used the problem is the hardware for the "smart" side of the TV can be obsolete.  It is still a viable option if you pair it with an external player, like an Amazon Fire TV Stick on the budget side or an Apple TV in the premium side.  Buy something that is 4K.

 

The other issue is deciding the type of panel, unfortunately there is no single technology good for every situation.  If the TV will be in a location where you can  control the light and you want the best then an OLED will be the way.  If you can't control the light (i,e, giant window in front of the TV or at the wrong angle, lights that must be switched on while watching, etc) then good old LED LCD is better.

[Keleth 9,347]

27 minutes ago, slammer said:

the human eye is at it´s limit at around 5K.

No it´s not.

To see the difference between 4k and 8k you can´t sit more than 3ft away from the screen.

[HH_Sailor 3,674]

5 hours ago, Gambatte said:

in fact, 8Mb/s seems still very modest, you sure this number?

 

Our Telekom receiver has a monitor/meter.

Hardly ever over 8Mb/s for IPTV.

 

The router receives 100Mbit but my wifi doesn't pass on anything like that.

 

A cable router to the TV/ receiver is my recommendation as home wifi doesn't cut it in my building. (Don't even think about 'powerlines') 

 

 

For streaming and such, I can't say how much you'll need.

 

A keyboard to talk to the TV helps when navigating / searching various Mediatheks.  

[pmd 685]

There are optimal sizes of screens for how far away you will be seated away from it:

 

https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/pick-proper-tv-sizes/

 

 

[catjones 1,719]

used TVs are for sale for a reason.  most likely, outdated technology being replaced with a new set.

[fraufruit 42,695]

58 minutes ago, HH_Sailor said:

A keyboard to talk to the TV helps when navigating / searching various Mediatheks.

 

This. We have a very small keyboard with a roller ball mouse. I wish it was bigger.

[kiplette 8,804]

Yup. We try to do it on the screen with the hand thingy. It is a nightmare. A keyboard is the way to go.

[Gambatte 980]

Can one not control the TV from the smartphone?🧐🤔

[MikeMelga 7,346]

5 minutes ago, Gambatte said:

Can one not control the TV from the smartphone?🧐🤔

Yes, at least LG has an app for it. Also Youtube connects to most TVs.

[MikeMelga 7,346]

6 hours ago, slammer said:

Havn´t had a telly for the last 20 years. Everything here goes over the Mac mini.

Through my work I once lectured that although there are the so-called "4K" Screens around, but there will never be a 6K, because the human eye is at it´s limit at around 5K.

Imagine my surprise recently in MediaMarkt seeing a 8K TV... You can´t see the difference between 4 and 8K mind you, so I think it´t for the bragging rights only or you can command a higher price. But apart from that I don´t see any advantage at all.

Not entirely true. Human eye can see at the limit 16K, but typically 8K.

 

But these are in ideal conditions, with a curved screen at the exact optimal sampling distance, etc.

Worst, Netflix and others compress the data to the point where you are not actually seeing 4K.

 

One point where 8K is required, is if you expect a very immersive image and you move yourself very close to the screen. You won't be able to see/focus the entire screen at the same time, you will need to move your head a bit.

 

Example: my current TV (4 years old) is a 4K 65". My next TV (within the next 6 years) won't be smaller than 90" and 8K. Maintaining the same distance.

[pappnase 2,654]

Regarding internet speed, the 'quick and easy' way to see if you have enough bandwidth is to vist https://fast.com/ 

Because it's created by and hosted by netflix it really should give you a good idea of how things will perform with their service.

 

The recommendation from netflix is 5 megabits per second for HD (1080p) and 25 megabits per second for UHD ( 4k).

Obviously you will need more than that if you are watching on more than one device at the same time.