I have a cheap 60" Insignia with Fire TV built in, it's great other than Fire being a bit laggy. From other friends with Google TV built in that interface seems a lot more responsive
Unsolicited advice: Fix the softener when you get a new heater. Hard water is the biggest cause of water heaters failing early. It’ll seem cheap compared to the water heater.
Fantastic post! Agree with everything here.It's always difficult to recommend a TV to someone because it depends on a lot of things like:
1) Is there a lot of natural sunlight in the viewing room?
2) What kind of viewing angles in the room?
3) How far away are you watching the TV?
4) What does the budget look like?
5) How sensitive are you to picture quality?
I am a TV junkie and follow this stuff every year (and end up buying a new TV every year) and am a bit of a picture snob.
Here is what I currently own:
1) 65 inch Hisense U8N (2024 model mini-LED QLED)
2) 55 inch LG C2 OLED (2022 model)
3) 48 inch LB B3 OLED (2023 model)
4) 50 inch Samsung Frame TV (2024 model)
5) 43 inch LG Nanocell (2021 model)
Let's start with the basics.
Most panels are LED based panels and are marketed as 4K UHD (ultra high definition). Cheaper TVs are either edge-lit or back lit with no dimming zones (more on that later) and have a limited color gamut (think the 178 dollar Hisense referenced in this thread from Walmart). A QLED TV is a tv that has a quantum dot filter on top of the LED panel. This widens the color gamut tremendously and things just pop more in ultra high definition. There are two kinds of ultra high definition: HDR 10/10+ (mostly used by Samsung) and Dolby Vision (they use color/light encoding to generate a high definition resolution (HDR) image standard). All 4K content must be in either HDR 10+ or Dolby Vision. Finally, most live TV broadcasts are in 1080p are are 60 hz.
Let's move on to more advanced:
There are a ton of things to consider when your image palette is a little more sharp. QLED is a must for me. I also enjoy high contrast image processing and TVs with dimming zones. A dimming zone is a section of the TV that can turn off/on depending on the image (darks are more darks). Sony/LG are the best at this technology while Samsung is middle of the road in their QLEDs (their OLEDS are quite good but pricey). If you are interested in a QLED, then Hisense and TCL are the BEST bang for your buck. The Hisense U8N is an absolute beast while the TCL QM 8 is neck and neck with it. Honestly, the Hisense U7N and TCL QM 7 are waaaaaaay better than anything any other manufacturer makes at their price range. A Samsung Q80 can cost $1300 for a 65 inch while a U7N or QM 7 will cost half that and are actually better.
Brightness:
It's important to realize that QLEDs and OLEDs have differing benefits. QLEDs are fantastic for well lit rooms as they get much brighter than OLEDs and burn in isn't a thing. The cost is less contrast and blooming in image quality. Mini-LED TVs are a solid balance between QLED and OLED (but can get pricier). Nothing will beat an OLED when it comes to contrast and images "popping". This is because each pixel turns on/off. Black is literal black. The drawback is brightness. ALL OLED displays are manufactured by LG. All LG displays come with a heat plate that was introduced back in 2020. Burn in is much much much much rarer these days. It's still a thing, but not that big of a thing. OLEDs also have the best viewing angles while QLEDs often struggle with off-angle viewing.
Motion:
I am super sensitive to motion and cannot stand soap opera effect. Sony and LG have the best image processing out there while Samsung/TCL/Hisense are #2. Sony/LG are also the best at upconverting 1080p content to HDR while Samsung/TCL/Hisense are #2.
If you want to spend more on a higher quality TV:
Image quality is everything and don't overpay with Samsung. LG and Sony are where your dollars should go because of image processing and quality control in panel manufacturing. Look up dirty screen effect and you will see LG and Sony the absolute kings of high quality manufacturing. Samsung has really struggled in this area and their premium TVs are actually poorly made with tons of quality issues. You shouldn't have to play the panel lottery when you pay a premium amount (that is why you should go with Sony/LG). Go OLED. Nothing pops like OLED tvs. They get decently bright and perform so so so well in a dark room. You will feel like you are in a movie theater and it's incredible.
If you still want quality but on a budget:
Hisense and TCL are crushing it in the budget space. Your dollar cannot be beat with these brands. You can get all the bells and whistles with the U8N/QM 8 or U7N/QM 7 without breaking the bank. A 6 series TCL is also a solid tv along with the QD6 from Hisense. A decent budget Samsung is the DU7200 (and the A series Hisense).
Stay away from Vizio. Walmart just bought them so avoid that trainwreck.
Finally: don't worry about the user interface on the TV. Spend the money on an 4K apple tv or Roku Ultra. Avoid any other streaming device (I have had 4 amazon Firesticks brick out on me the past year alone).
Hopefully this helps.
I am looking at getting a 55" TV to replace a 50" Samsung that died a few weeks ago. I know they go on sale around the Super Bowl. How soon before should I expect them to go on sale? I don't need a high end one and looking to be in the more budget kind like Hisense or TCL. May go to an LG if the price is right. I have a small spare 40" TCL Roku TV in it's place but it is quite small for the space so thinking of going to 55". I have a nice 65" TV in my basement so not needing a high performance one like an OLED or something,
Are you going to be watching sports on this new one, or is that mainly on the 65"? Target has a pretty solid 55" Vizio for a little over $300, but it's 60hz refresh rate so not the best for watching sports.I am looking at getting a 55" TV to replace a 50" Samsung that died a few weeks ago. I know they go on sale around the Super Bowl. How soon before should I expect them to go on sale? I don't need a high end one and looking to be in the more budget kind like Hisense or TCL. May go to an LG if the price is right. I have a small spare 40" TCL Roku TV in it's place but it is quite small for the space so thinking of going to 55". I have a nice 65" TV in my basement so not needing a high performance one like an OLED or something,
Are you going to be watching sports on this new one, or is that mainly on the 65"? Target has a pretty solid 55" Vizio for a little over $300, but it's 60hz refresh rate so not the best for watching sports.
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VIZIO 55" Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV - M55Q6-L4
Read reviews and buy VIZIO 55" Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV - M55Q6-L4 at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.www.target.com
I picked up this 65" TV for $300 and love it.I am looking at getting a 55" TV to replace a 50" Samsung that died a few weeks ago. I know they go on sale around the Super Bowl. How soon before should I expect them to go on sale? I don't need a high end one and looking to be in the more budget kind like Hisense or TCL. May go to an LG if the price is right. I have a small spare 40" TCL Roku TV in it's place but it is quite small for the space so thinking of going to 55". I have a nice 65" TV in my basement so not needing a high performance one like an OLED or something,
I'm pretty sure that the bigger you go with screen size the bigger the difference between 120hz and 60hz matters.TVs are like anything else, the more you pay the better the picture. Look for something that refreshes at 120 Hz. if you watch sports, the 60 refresh rate will give you a choppy picture. Screen size is less important than the processor n a TV. But it costs more to get a better picture, I love the LG and Sony OLED TV, but Samsung has really come on the past year or two.
People think that bigger is better, but when you get above 55 inches in screen size, the HZ is more important for a quality picture.I'm pretty sure that the bigger you go with screen size the bigger the difference between 120hz and 60hz matters.
I have one 55” 60 hz and one 65” 120 hz. I really can’t tell a huge difference even with watching the 4K stream. Only difference I can tell is some movies on VUDU. But maybe people with younger eyes can tell.
OLED's will provide you with the best picture since the days of plasma, at half the price. There is nothing wrong with TCL or Hisense brands, but unless you get one with 120 hz refresh rate, you will see a jagged image on sports like hockey or tennis when watching the puck or ball. OLED's are also very good with glare from an outside source like the sun or a light.Walmart bought Vizio so not sure what that says about their quality going forward.
Anyone have opinions on Hisense and TCL brands? I am not familiar with them but a coworker who I feel knows his stuff on electronics says they have some pretty good models at reasonable prices. He's not sold on OLED yet but thinks there is a lot of quality in mini LED and QLED TV models right now. I have a ceiling fan with lights not far from the TV so we get a bit of a glare in the room. I'm not looking at going over 55" for a TV as the space it is going in doesn't have a place to mount to a wall so I am limited with the height on a stand. It sits up on a mantle that has a hollow area behind it because the house was built in 2003 when flat screens weren't common. I'd have to have someone fill in that space and even then a larger TV would stick out over the mantle.
So if you had this specIt's always difficult to recommend a TV to someone because it depends on a lot of things like:
1) Is there a lot of natural sunlight in the viewing room?
2) What kind of viewing angles in the room?
3) How far away are you watching the TV?
4) What does the budget look like?
5) How sensitive are you to picture quality?
I am a TV junkie and follow this stuff every year (and end up buying a new TV every year) and am a bit of a picture snob.
Here is what I currently own:
1) 65 inch Hisense U8N (2024 model mini-LED QLED)
2) 55 inch LG C2 OLED (2022 model)
3) 48 inch LB B3 OLED (2023 model)
4) 50 inch Samsung Frame TV (2024 model)
5) 43 inch LG Nanocell (2021 model)
Let's start with the basics.
Most panels are LED based panels and are marketed as 4K UHD (ultra high definition). Cheaper TVs are either edge-lit or back lit with no dimming zones (more on that later) and have a limited color gamut (think the 178 dollar Hisense referenced in this thread from Walmart). A QLED TV is a tv that has a quantum dot filter on top of the LED panel. This widens the color gamut tremendously and things just pop more in ultra high definition. There are two kinds of ultra high definition: HDR 10/10+ (mostly used by Samsung) and Dolby Vision (they use color/light encoding to generate a high definition resolution (HDR) image standard). All 4K content must be in either HDR 10+ or Dolby Vision. Finally, most live TV broadcasts are in 1080p are are 60 hz.
Let's move on to more advanced:
There are a ton of things to consider when your image palette is a little more sharp. QLED is a must for me. I also enjoy high contrast image processing and TVs with dimming zones. A dimming zone is a section of the TV that can turn off/on depending on the image (darks are more darks). Sony/LG are the best at this technology while Samsung is middle of the road in their QLEDs (their OLEDS are quite good but pricey). If you are interested in a QLED, then Hisense and TCL are the BEST bang for your buck. The Hisense U8N is an absolute beast while the TCL QM 8 is neck and neck with it. Honestly, the Hisense U7N and TCL QM 7 are waaaaaaay better than anything any other manufacturer makes at their price range. A Samsung Q80 can cost $1300 for a 65 inch while a U7N or QM 7 will cost half that and are actually better.
Brightness:
It's important to realize that QLEDs and OLEDs have differing benefits. QLEDs are fantastic for well lit rooms as they get much brighter than OLEDs and burn in isn't a thing. The cost is less contrast and blooming in image quality. Mini-LED TVs are a solid balance between QLED and OLED (but can get pricier). Nothing will beat an OLED when it comes to contrast and images "popping". This is because each pixel turns on/off. Black is literal black. The drawback is brightness. ALL OLED displays are manufactured by LG. All LG displays come with a heat plate that was introduced back in 2020. Burn in is much much much much rarer these days. It's still a thing, but not that big of a thing. OLEDs also have the best viewing angles while QLEDs often struggle with off-angle viewing.
Motion:
I am super sensitive to motion and cannot stand soap opera effect. Sony and LG have the best image processing out there while Samsung/TCL/Hisense are #2. Sony/LG are also the best at upconverting 1080p content to HDR while Samsung/TCL/Hisense are #2.
If you want to spend more on a higher quality TV:
Image quality is everything and don't overpay with Samsung. LG and Sony are where your dollars should go because of image processing and quality control in panel manufacturing. Look up dirty screen effect and you will see LG and Sony the absolute kings of high quality manufacturing. Samsung has really struggled in this area and their premium TVs are actually poorly made with tons of quality issues. You shouldn't have to play the panel lottery when you pay a premium amount (that is why you should go with Sony/LG). Go OLED. Nothing pops like OLED tvs. They get decently bright and perform so so so well in a dark room. You will feel like you are in a movie theater and it's incredible.
If you still want quality but on a budget:
Hisense and TCL are crushing it in the budget space. Your dollar cannot be beat with these brands. You can get all the bells and whistles with the U8N/QM 8 or U7N/QM 7 without breaking the bank. A 6 series TCL is also a solid tv along with the QD6 from Hisense. A decent budget Samsung is the DU7200 (and the A series Hisense).
Stay away from Vizio. Walmart just bought them so avoid that trainwreck.
Finally: don't worry about the user interface on the TV. Spend the money on an 4K apple tv or Roku Ultra. Avoid any other streaming device (I have had 4 amazon Firesticks brick out on me the past year alone).
Hopefully this helps.
So if you had this spec
Poor lit room (OLED required from your post)
Viewing mainly straight on but some from side
Distance 8-10 feet away
Budget 1000-1500
55-70”
Would like high quality picture
What tv would you recommend?
Trying to decide between the LG C4 or Samsung S90D. Rtings.com tells me to go with the Samsung.
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LG C4 OLED vs Samsung S90D/S90DD OLED (QD-OLED) Side-by-Side TV Comparison
The Samsung S90D/S90DD OLED is mostly better than the LG C4 OLED. The Samsung gets brighter in HDR, so bright highlights stand out more on it, and it maintains its HDR brightness better while in 'Game Mode.' The Samsung TV also has a wider color gamut, better color volume, and better HDR...www.rtings.com