Our Sony TV is old and dying. It is 27". Probably about 15 years old.
I need a replacement, absolute max 32". Best quality and spec, including if possible a built in decent soundbar or equivalent. The Sony had terrible sound, but playing it through the HiFi wasn’t ideal (delay issues at times).
I am totally at sea re specifications of modern TVs. What do I look for?
I have seen a Samsung M8 (about £500) that seems to fit the bill but all suggestions, or advice on how to choose, appreciated.
Bruce
PS Why are Loewe so expensive! They seemed way out of the normal on a quick search.
Samsung/Sony/LG are a safe bet if you can find the smaller size you want, you should be able to get a 32 I’d imagine. LG make the displays for a lot of brands now.
Our tv has made the Amazon fire stick HD we used with the previous tv completely redundant.
If you use iplayer, ITVX, Netflix, Apple TV, etc for watching content- it’s all in the tv now by default.
Catchup TV has also completely replaced the Panasonic freeview/ HD recorder we used to use. You could program it to record individual shows, or a complete series, but it’s now all on tap through the bbc/itv/c4 apps.
I should probably disconnect it and sell it, we haven’t used it in ages.
Only 5 years ago I’d have said the built-in smart TV functions were trash, but that’s not true anymore. Even the cheap Sony in our other room natively supports Netflix, Prime Disney+ etc out of the box and higher end home theatre apps can be installed. And like all modern TVs you can plug in a USB hard drive and record live TV to that.
You have to go out of you way to find a rubbish TV.
Check external dimensions of your current 27", and compare to new models - 32" with modern slim framing might be no bigger and possibly you can go bigger than 32"
Anything new, even budget brands like HiSense will almost certainly outperform your 27"
TCL get good reviews on their big screens, but dont think they go below 43" these days.
We have a 5year old LG in a second room, its more than adequate for occasional viewing - picture quality and sound are absolutely fine for what it is/cost
Have a look out for clearance, open box items from the likes of Richer Sounds
Because they look beautiful when they are switched off. We’ve the Art and the Reference and they are just beautiful. I’ve seen the Stellar model in the shop and they’re fantastic too.
You can find reviews on the What HiFi and AV Forums websites. Regarding sound quality, whatever the reviews say, it is generally poor. I expect you’ll have to spend quite a bit to get a notable improvement. I use a pair of KEF LSX II speakers.
I might still run it through the HiFi but the existing set doesn’t allow any adjustment to deal with the delay issue (which comes and goes) and has no connection to attach an accessory soundbar.
As you can tell, we don’t actually watch that often!
The current budget Sony Bravia range do have some room correction. The sound quality isn’t “good” but it might be a step up from what you are expecting.
On first startup, they play some test chirps and automatically detect wall or table mount and room response and make a mode adjustment to compensate. It still sounds like a naff TV but dialogue is clear. I was about to buy a soundbar with it but held back. For news and current events it’s sufficient as is. For the one times a year Mrs.FZ wants to eat and watch New Years music marathon, it (and I expect all current TVs) can stream via Bluetooth to the hifi.
I would get a high-quality Samsung, and an Apple TV. That would fix your long-term need because the Apple TV apps would take care of most of your current and future needs while the technology keeps changing.
