Smart T V: Is It Worth It? 42" Versus 47"

[steveinbsas]

Recently, I asked other members for opinions about 3D TV. I still haven't made a purchase, but this weekend Gabarino is offering a 42" LG Full HD TV for $6500 pesos with 12 interest free payments. It is not a "Smart TV and has a screen "refresh rate" of only 60 Hz.

The "sale" price is exactly the same a Rodo's regular price.

I would appreciate opinions from those who are familiar with Smart TVs and those who have compared 42" TVs to 47" TVs, as well as from anyone who lacks the self control required to keep from asking what Ayn would buy.

 

[PhilipDT]

Get an Apple TV to make dumb TVs 'smart' , cheaper than a smart tv and smarter too.

 

[BAJeffpat]

Like always, the answer is "it depends."

To give you an idea, a blu-ray disk plays at 60 Hz. TV's with refresh rates higher than 60 Hz attempt to provide detail that isn't actually there in the original film by injecting additional frames. If you are really into video games, however, a higher refresh rate may be an issue.

As for the "smart TV" features, I really don't see the point as of yet. The are rather limited in their function. It you want to add some intelligence to your tv, you are probably better off with a settop box like the above mentioned apple tv--there are lots of options. You can even plug in a pc and get all kinds of "smart" features. Or you can do what a lot of us do and watch TV with the laptop and smartphone nearby as well and be in a constant state of information overload.

Bigger is always better, but the best size for you will depend on the room you are putting the size in. Measure how far it is from your sofa to the TV with your feet. Then go to the store and stand that far away from both sizes. It's not perfect, but you'll get a rough idea of the difference in feel.

 

[thorsten]

I totally agree with Philip: the "smart" features are typically just marketing bla bla (who uses Facebook on the TV or plays a youtube video given the user interface is everything but convenient). I'd recommend you to look out for good offers here, then check the model in google for tests and watch out for the picture/sound quality. All modern TVs have HDMI interfaces so you can connect something like Apple TV, Chromecast, ... which is superior to the features implemented by TV manufacturers. So personally I'd just look at the core feature of the TV which is a nice picture and a solid sound.

 

[jeff1234]

Get an Apple TV to make dumb TVs 'smart' , cheaper than a smart tv and smarter too.

I completely agree.
I have a smart tv but never use the 'smart'. Too limited and clunky.
I bought Apple tv, for $99 and it puts the internet on my tv, via my MacBook or Ipad. Its great.
Unlike Chromecast, AppleTV is unrestricted: whatever is on my computer screen can appear on my tv.
Even non-entertainment applications like emails, documents or photo editing can be easily projected. Planning a trip? Put the hotel webpage on the big screen for everyone to see.
AppleTv does not affect my computer so I can buy something or open a different app while projecting to my tv.
The AppleTV HDMI adapter plugged right into my HDTV. My MacBook and ipad have the Apple TV software built in so all I have to do is click on the icon and whatever is on my computer screen is projected on my tv ie: movies, photos, music, tv shows, netflix, etc.
For tv I mainly use USTVnow which gives me US TV (networks, discovery, nat geo, sports) + a dvr for $44/mo.

 

[TomAtAlki]

I am an Apple fanboy but, unless you have other Apple products (computed, phone, etc) you will probably be better off with the Roku box. Same price and many more options. Smart TV is a waste of money.

Tom

 

[nicoenarg]

I have a smart TV (Sony). But I have maybe used the smart features once or twice. I had a spare desktop computer that I have permanently attached to the TV via HDMI. That's what I'm using to write here. Point is, smart tv is a marketing scam. It sucks. Apple tv is good but if you dont have that either then you can always hook up your desktop computer to it and make it smart. I would save your money and buy a dumb tv.

 

[steveinbsas]

Gacias a todos!

I just bought the LG 42" 42LN5400 (not smart and not 3D) for $6500 after reading dozens of highly positive reviews on Amazon. There were a number of comments about the sound quality not being so great, but I plan to add external speakers anyway.

Of course the "same" model costs less in the USA, but I did not want a 110 volt TV, or one without at least a one year warranty that would be honored in Argentina...and for less than $10 dollars the TV will be delivered to my door.

The 47" LG TV (5400 series) was $2500 (pesos) more and I read several reviews by individuals who upgraded to a 47" LED fom a 42" LCD. It looks like the change from LCD to LED was appreciated more than the increase in screen size.

 

[ajoknoblauch]

Recently, I asked other members for opinions about 3D TV. I still haven't made a purchase, but this weekend Gabarino is offering a 42" LG Full HD TV for $6500 pesos with 12 interest free payments. It is not a "Smart TV and has a screen "refresh rate" of only 60 Hz.

The "sale" price is exactly the same a Rodo's regular price.

I would appreciate opinions from those who are familiar with Smart TVs and those who have compared 42" TVs to 47" TVs, as well as from anyone who lacks the self control required to keep from asking what Ayn would buy.

Ayn didn't need TV to envision a world that never existed and never will.

 

[steveinbsas]

Ayn didn't need TV to envision a world that never existed and never will.

The world is closer than ever to what she envisioned in 1957 when Atlas Shrugged was first published.

It is being engulfed by collectivism.