New TV

THEV1LL4N · May 10, 2020

Any that are recommended?

I'm looking for something in the 50" to 55" size range, around £800 or less. How is LG and Panasonic. I've read that some TVs are really reflective which puts me off some models I've seen).

Preferable features:
- Thin bezels
- Good build quality and reliable
- Android TV, Chromecast or Google Assistant
- 4K HDR
- Good amount of HDMI ports for things like consoles and Bluetooth connectivity for things like headphones
- Good sound and vision quality
- I prefer a central stand as opposed to the legs on each side (better for adjusting I think, would be a bonus if the TV stand works like a swivel/pivot to turn the positioning of TV left or right).

Is there anything else I need to be considering?

I will most likely be purchasing around August to November but could use some suggestions now and keep an eye on prices in the lead up.

Thank you.

Jokerman · May 10, 2020

The discussion in this thread might help:

http://www.streethop.com/community/threads/android.201813/page-478

masta247 · May 10, 2020

We went through that recently on the page that Jokerman linked, but in that budget I'd be looking at high end TCL - you're likely going to find the best TVs for your money there.

However, I just checked and it seems their best models are unfortunately not sold in Europe. They have a solid mid-range line-up that in turn comes with Android TV though.

Within your budget you might be able to find a Sony X900 series TV though, which could potentially be the best purchase.

THEV1LL4N · May 12, 2020

Thanks. I looked at some TCL TVs and they are receiving reviews about reflective screens and poor build quality etc. I thought that these may be different to the ones you mentioned previously.

The Mi TV that was recently announced looks great but it's far too large. 55" is the absolute maximum I would go for otherwise the screen would feel like it right in front of you. Even at the cinema I prefer to sit on the back row with the large screens otherwise there is discomfort with the viewing experience.

50" to 55" is about right for the living room.

masta247 · May 12, 2020

Does this look like a legit store? That looks like the UK variant of the X900F, which is an excellent TV you will be very happy with:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...mart-4k-ultra-hd-hdr-led-tv-10177130-pdt.html

The price looks great and you are getting some sweet coupons further taking it down it seems. You're getting Android TV that you prefer as well. You'd have to likely get it fast, as it's a previous gen model, with new ones in this tier being much more expensive.

THEV1LL4N · May 13, 2020

masta247 said:

Thanks, I saw that one yesterday. Currys-PC World I think is the biggest electronics retailer in the UK with a physical high street presence. There is also Richer Sounds and Hughes which have always seemed good.

https://www.richersounds.com/

https://www.hughes.co.uk/

Currently, I get 20% off the Samsung website with my NHS discount so may consider that also nearer to the time when I need the TV.

Casey · May 25, 2020

There's apparently some issues around the TVs that come with Android TV built in where they don't get updated often. I think it'd perhaps be better to get a non-smart TV (or one with basic smart functions) and then spend a bit of money on a seperate Android TV box such as a NVIDIA Shield.

THEV1LL4N · May 26, 2020

Casey said:

That is my preferred option as I like having a Chromecast that I can plug and take with me if I need to take it anywhere. I thought having it built in might be more convenient. Let's see if there's a new Android/Google TV Chromecast announced next week.

Random thought. Nest is the brand of smart home devices, so the Chromecast may be rebranded to something under the Nest category? We have Nest Wi-Fi and Nest Home that were previously under the Google brand. Nest Cast doesn't sound right; maybe Nest TV? Let's wait and see.

THEV1LL4N · Nov 10, 2020

I will be buying a new TV this month and I am thinking that a 50" or 55" inch 4K TV would be suitable for the living room.

I have seen these two at Currys PC World and was wondering what your thoughts on these would be:

What are your thoughts on these @masta247?

I wanted the new Chromecast with Google TV so a TV with Android TV on it kind of feels like I would be wasting money with a Chromecast. Would a version of those TVs above without Android TV be cheaper in price? I remember that there were some variants with and without Android TV as they had another OS.

Currys have an early Black Friday sale on at the moment plus I might try to use my corporate discount on top if it works.
Sony and LG are my two preferred TV brands over everything else.

Edit: I've just seen that they do the first TV in a 55" version for £649.00
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...ed-tv-with-google-assistant-10204790-pdt.html

masta247 · Nov 10, 2020

Depends what's your budget. At 55" I'd probably go with this one from that store:
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...ed-tv-with-google-assistant-10208473-pdt.html

It looks like the UK version of the X900H, which is an excellent TV.

The local rebranding makes the cheaper model name confusing, but it looks like the X800H, which is a very significant downgrade compared to the X900H above. The cheaper X800H comes with an IPS panel, which look like crap on TVs. To make matters much worse, the X800H doesn't have local dimming and combined with the low-contrast panel will look like total crap in the dark. I would definitely not recommend buying it.
The X900H-rebrand that I linked above has great local dimming, it comes with a high-contrast VA panel, and is overall a MUCH better TV. It will also support HDMI 2.1 and 120hz at 4K, which is really cool especially if you're thinking of getting the PS5 at some point.

The X900H is also the sweet spot Sony TV, as the extra 100 pounds on the more expensive X950H that you linked as the more expensive option is imho not worth it as it brings very minor further improvements to the strengths that the X900 already has without bringing any major advantages. It's an excellent price for the X950H though if you wanted to get Sony's very top of the mainstream line, but personally if I had money to spend I'd add another 100 then and go with the 65'' X900H: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...ed-tv-with-google-assistant-10208167-pdt.html

The last recommendation depends on your living room size and how far from the TV you're sitting.
I have a 65 inch TV and it's perfect from ~3 meters, anything closer than that and I could be happy with 55", but at 3 meters and up 65" is definitely offering the better experience.

And I don't think there's a version without Android TV unless you went with another brand - Sony TVs are essentially made around Android TV. You don't need a Chromecast as its functionality is built into the TV too, which is a good thing.

Edit: This is the X900H (899 pound TV) vs the X800H (599 pound TV):
https://www.rtings.com/tv/tools/com...ny-x900h/1778/12284?usage=11114&threshold=0.2
You can tell the cheaper 800-series are really crappy in comparison.

This is the X900H (899 pound TV) vs the X950H (999 pound TV):
https://www.rtings.com/tv/tools/com...ny-x950h/12284/1777?usage=11114&threshold=0.2
Personally I don't think I'd tell much of a difference between the 900-series and the 950-series, and I'd maybe even lean towards the X900H due to its higher native contrast and better gaming performance.

TLDR: I'd just get this one if you can: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...ed-tv-with-google-assistant-10208473-pdt.html
If you have money to spare, especially if you're not sitting very close to the TV, go for the 65" version for 200 pounds more. Larger TVs generally offer more immersive experiences, and at 4K you could be sitting ridiculously close and still be wowed by the level of detail, while having a cinema-like experience. Don't buy the 800-series.

THEV1LL4N · Nov 11, 2020

masta247 said:

Depends what's your budget. At 55" I'd probably go with this one from that store:
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...ed-tv-with-google-assistant-10208473-pdt.html

It looks like the UK version of the X900H, which is an excellent TV.

The local rebranding makes the cheaper model name confusing, but it looks like the X800H, which is a very significant downgrade compared to the X900H above. The cheaper X800H comes with an IPS panel, which look like crap on TVs. To make matters much worse, the X800H doesn't have local dimming and combined with the low-contrast panel will look like total crap in the dark. I would definitely not recommend buying it.
The X900H-rebrand that I linked above has great local dimming, it comes with a high-contrast VA panel, and is overall a MUCH better TV. It will also support HDMI 2.1 and 120hz at 4K, which is really cool especially if you're thinking of getting the PS5 at some point.

The X900H is also the sweet spot Sony TV, as the extra 100 pounds on the more expensive X950H that you linked as the more expensive option is imho not worth it as it brings very minor further improvements to the strengths that the X900 already has without bringing any major advantages. It's an excellent price for the X950H though if you wanted to get Sony's very top of the mainstream line, but personally if I had money to spend I'd add another 100 then and go with the 65'' X900H: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...ed-tv-with-google-assistant-10208167-pdt.html

The last recommendation depends on your living room size and how far from the TV you're sitting.
I have a 65 inch TV and it's perfect from ~3 meters, anything closer than that and I could be happy with 55", but at 3 meters and up 65" is definitely offering the better experience.

And I don't think there's a version without Android TV unless you went with another brand - Sony TVs are essentially made around Android TV. You don't need a Chromecast as its functionality is built into the TV too, which is a good thing.

Edit: This is the X900H (899 pound TV) vs the X800H (599 pound TV):
https://www.rtings.com/tv/tools/com...ny-x900h/1778/12284?usage=11114&threshold=0.2
You can tell the cheaper 800-series are really crappy in comparison.

This is the X900H (899 pound TV) vs the X950H (999 pound TV):
https://www.rtings.com/tv/tools/com...ny-x950h/12284/1777?usage=11114&threshold=0.2
Personally I don't think I'd tell much of a difference between the 900-series and the 950-series, and I'd maybe even lean towards the X900H due to its higher native contrast and better gaming performance.

TLDR: I'd just get this one if you can: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...ed-tv-with-google-assistant-10208473-pdt.html
If you have money to spare, especially if you're not sitting very close to the TV, go for the 65" version for 200 pounds more. Larger TVs generally offer more immersive experiences, and at 4K you could be sitting ridiculously close and still be wowed by the level of detail, while having a cinema-like experience. Don't buy the 800-series.

Thank you - that looks like an excellent TV. I think 55" is ideal for 4K in my current setup.

Will TVs with Android TV get slower over time or stop receiving firmware updates? Is this something to be concerned about? My Xiaomi Mi Box 3 has become slower over the last couple of years and I only have the preloaded apps and about two or three more I downloaded myself - will an Android TV-based television become laggy over time in the same way?

I might just get this one as it looks like a great choice. I hope that the TV will be Stadia compatible at some point as I would like to try it out. I will most likely get a PS5 slim in 3-4 years (providing one is released) and when I may be able to justify the purchase by actually having the time to play (and hope that it will be a lot smaller than the original). Thank you as always for putting the time in and helping out.

THEV1LL4N · Nov 23, 2020

@masta247 what are your thoughts on this one? I couldn't find it on RTings.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...mart-4k-ultra-hd-hdr-led-tv-10206241-pdt.html

masta247 · Nov 23, 2020

THEV1LL4N said:

It's an entry level TV. It's solid for the price, but it doesn't compare to the flagship Sony TVs, but same is true for the price. It's a 2020 update of this 2019 TV:
Samsung RU7100 Review (UN43RU7100FXZA, UN50RU7100FXZA, UN55RU7100FXZA, UN58RU7100FXZA, UN65RU7100FXZA, UN75RU7100FXZA) - RTINGS.com

It's probably a good option if you want very basic - no local dimming, no advanced gaming features etc., but comes with a panel that doesn't do anything wrong either. The 7100 series are typically BestBuy flier specials selling for dirt cheap and they are just your basic LCD TVs that typically don't impress with amazing image but don't offend or cause much trouble either. Good if you're on a budget.

THEV1LL4N · Nov 25, 2020

Thanks. My brother got that one for his room - I couldn't see anything wrong with it for that price and based on some reviews it seems to be a good purchase for him.

In regards to my TV purchase, it's has gone out of stock this evening just as I received my vouchers to use. I am hoping it comes back in stock soon so that I can use them on this.

THEV1LL4N · Nov 25, 2020

How does the KD55XH9296BU compare to the KD55XH9005BU?

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...sistant-10208446-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR

THEV1LL4N · Nov 25, 2020

THEV1LL4N said:

I've done some further research and it looks like the two are pretty much identical, but the stand for the KD55XH9296BU is adjustable to a wide position and a narrow position. I think I am just going to order this to avoid missing out.

masta247 · Nov 25, 2020

THEV1LL4N said:

Yeah I have no idea what that model is but everything I could find says it's the same thing with a different stand.

Rukas · Dec 4, 2020

Just copped the Samsung Q60t in 75 inch. Not gonna lie - it may be overkill lol.

THEV1LL4N · Dec 5, 2020

masta247 said:

Yeah, just seems like I can choose wide or narrow. I went for wide. So far, so good. Haven't watched anything other than YouTube interviews on it yet - hope to watch a film and some sport on it soon.

masta247 · Dec 7, 2020

THEV1LL4N said:

Congrats on your new purchase! Definitely let us know how's it working for you once you've done more watching.

New TV

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Capo Dei Capi

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Donate