Buying a new TV

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crankyrayhanky
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Buying a new TV

Post by crankyrayhanky »

I was about to pull the trigger on a 65 Vizio V series, maybe this one:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/VIZIO-65...r ... /316226539

But then I saw a review that said the streaming sucked and you could get a Roku that looks almost as good and stream way better. So I started looking at the TCL 75 Roku
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tcl-75...d ... Id=6319340

But I just noticed that this TCL is 60 refresh rate as opposed to the Vizio V 120, and people are saying get the 120.

Main use will be mounted on a wall, so no stand concerns. We can fit pretty much any size, but hope to not overspend. Streaming is key, with iphone screen share (which I think they can all do)

    We have a firestick, would I still want to get that new Roku or don't they do the same kind of APP search thing?

    Does the poor streaming comment refer to the tv app, so would having a firestick or Roku make streaming solid again on basically any of these tvs?


Any insight here is appreciated, or other brand suggestions fine.
Thanks!
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BroSlinger
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by BroSlinger »

The TCL/roku interface is second to none.

Ime, that’s more important than tech specs, unless you’re gaming or watching football.
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GuitarBilly
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by GuitarBilly »

If you're planning to continue use your firestick it doesn't matter.

That said, I have TCLs here and the best part of it is not needing the fire stick/roku units anymore.

I do everything with the TV app and it's great.
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Ry Manchu
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by Ry Manchu »

I have a Roku, Firestick and a TCL tv. The Roku on the TCL is identical, as far as I can tell, to the Roku device. Firestick is pretty much all the same major streaming services as Roku, but I feel that the Roku has a lot more of the small unknown ones. It would take like two hours to count the difference. It is easier to browse for apps and streaming services on Fire. The picture quality on the TCL is not as good as my LG Oled, but it is almost as good as my Samsung led. However, I can dial the Samsung tv picture in better, so maybe I just need more time with the TCL. I won the TCL at a vendor event a year ago. I jailbroke my Firestick and put Kodi on it. I prefer that over Roku.

As for the 120hz aspect. I have had 60hz, 120hz, 240hz and 480hz tvs. The 240hz and 480hz were both Vizios. The 480 hz tv died at the 21 day mark, but it was nothing special. I replaced it with the Samsung 60hz, which was better. I really don't like watching anything in 120hz. I really only watch hockey in the higher hz refresh rate to follow the puck. I set up the remote so I could switch back and forth with one button and I almost always leave it in 60hz. HDR and 4K are much more important features. I watch a lot of movies in 4K and Dolby Vision. My LG has HDR10, but I own less than 10 movies with HDR10 and there is next to no streaming content with it. HDR10 is better than Dolby Vision and will probably die like Betamax.

Another thing to consider is the backlight. The choices are edge, direct and full array. I feel like it goes full array > edge with local dimming > direct. Full array tvs usually cost about 35% more than edge backlit tvs.

In the under $1000 range, I'd pick this one:

TCL 4K full array backlit with Dolby Vision and Roku
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tcl-65-cla ... Id=6367717

I got the firestick back in March, but I am already looking into other ways to use Kodi. I have been looking at linux and android streaming devices like the Nvidia Shield, Asus Chromebox, Seguro Trongle or maybe building my own device with an MSI Nighblade, but remote control could be a p.i.t.a.
Last edited by Ry Manchu on Sat Aug 08, 2020 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Pepi
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by Pepi »

Just buy a good TV that will play movies from a USB device and steal your movies :D :D :D :arr: :arr: :arr:
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crankyrayhanky
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by crankyrayhanky »

After a lot of looking around, we got it down to the TCL 65 & 75. The 75 didn't fit in the SUV so 65 (as posted above) was the winner.
Thanks all, this was a big help!
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Ry Manchu
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by Ry Manchu »

Congratulations. I hope you like it. When I got a 42", I wanted a 50". When I got a 50", I wanted a 65". Now that I have a 65", I have never felt that I needed a 75". I do feel like I need a Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 setup though. After which time I'll need a 9.2.6 setup. (I've already picked the receiver and second subwoofer).

rtings.com and cnet.com have settings to get you started or finalized dialing in the picture.
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GuitarBilly
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by GuitarBilly »

Yeah I have 2 50" in the bedroom and studio and a 65" in the living room.
I don't have a room big enough for a 75". I need some good distancing from a screen that big or it gives me a headache. Even the 65" is pushing it a bit for me.

In retrospect, I could have gotten 3 50" and I'd be happy.
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crankyrayhanky
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by crankyrayhanky »

^yes, I was afraid the 75 would give me that front row in the movie theater feeling (not good)

Now looking at sound- under 1k it seems to be Vizio vs Roku
I'm going to grab the Roku soundbar and sub. Might not be the best but it sounded great in the store and should setup easy according to reviews. I'll get the surround speakers later on

Also want to get a floating shelf if anyone wants to continue my movie setup. I'm coming off of a 32" so this is a whole new exciting venture!
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crankyrayhanky
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by crankyrayhanky »

update: system is smokin
Totally recommend the Roku surround sound woth subwoofer. There aren't many eq options but the options that are there are fantastic (quiet commercials, clarity on speaking). The cool part of the system is you can buy it one piece at a time if needed and it all sounds great.

The Roku interace of fast!
I still have the firestick and used it to go to skor.live Awesome site with very few ads to scroll through (unlike other sites). It even works well on my phone. Playoff time!

I also installed some smart lights in the room that have color options...should be a sweet spot to video guitar stuff
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BroSlinger
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by BroSlinger »

Awesome!!
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Ry Manchu
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by Ry Manchu »

I'm glad you are enjoying the tv. I have a Klipsch soundbar in my bedroom, but it's been discontinued. The subwoofer on it slams. I paired it with two Amazon echo studios to fall asleep to Spotify.

For floating shelves look at one of these two:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Federal-Bra ... /306018260 40"X10"

https://www.smartfurniture.com/products ... iture.html 31.5"X12"

I have a couple of the Home Depot one and they look sweet. Do not get the Ikea one, trust me.
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linthat22
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Re: Buying a new TV

Post by linthat22 »

If you follow zeos_pantera on YouTube for his Z reviews, he usually drops links for deep discounts on A/V stuff.

Ended up getting a pair of Jamo speakers that normally run $400 a pop for $150. Helluva deal!
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