Smart tv or smart blu ray?

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• mac2708 Posts: 3,349

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  07/05/13 - 00:19 #2

  If you require 'good sound' then factor in the cost of (at least) a soundbar.
  The audio on TVs now is pretty dire due to small speakers and ever-thinner cabinets

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• es6300 Posts: 298

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  07/05/13 - 00:54 #3

  My samsung TV has BBC iplayer, ITV player, 4OD, Demand 5 whereas my Samsung Bluray just has the BBC iplayer.
  
  Both have Blink, Lovefilm and I have noticed that TV has access to apps not on the bluray and vice versa.

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• TheBigM Posts: 13,125

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  07/05/13 - 01:29 #4

  Using the apps on either isn't a great experience compared to an Xbox or airplay with an iPad or using a Roku or lots of other ways.
  
  I generally recommend "dumb" TVs and smart little boxes to sit under your TV.
  
  You can get an Xbox for about £100.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 5

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  07/05/13 - 02:34 #5

  Thanks for your response everyone ....
  
  As the TV will not be wall mounted, we're more thinking that for sound we'll have to go for a blu ray home theatre system... Seems like if we choose a smart blu ray that has what we need we shouldn't be loosing much by not having a smart tv?
  
  Thanks for the advice!

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• Tom2023 Posts: 2,059

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  07/05/13 - 18:00 #6

  Xbox requires you to pay an annual fee (I think about £40) and to be logged into Xbox Live.
  
  
  Not too sure what apps currently work with the Roku. Last time I looked it was the BBC iplayer, Netflix & LoveFilm and a whole host of next to never used apps.
  
  There was no 4oD, ITV Player or Demand 5. Maybe someone who owns a Roku could confirm or correct this.
  
  
  
  The Samsung F6500 has BBC iplayer, 4oD, LoveFilm, Netflix & YouTube apps.
  
  ITV Player & Demand 5 are coming later this year according to their website.

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• big brother 9 Posts: 18,153

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  07/05/13 - 18:01 #7

  get a smart tv, they are the future.
  
  lg are the best on the market in my opion at the minute

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• soulboy77 Posts: 24,456

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  07/05/13 - 18:42 #8

  As here is big discrepancy between Smart devices on the apps available, I suggest you make a list of the key ones you would like to have and then take it from there.

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• tealady Posts: 26,263

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  07/05/13 - 18:43 #9

  Smart tvs are not the future, they are only a present option. For any model that does what you want now, you are totally reliant on a firmware update for anything in the future, aside from whether the hardware will support it.

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• David Waine Posts: 3,410

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  07/05/13 - 19:13 #10

  YouView has all the catch-up services and a whole lot more besides.

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 5

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  12/05/13 - 13:55 #11

  Thanks for your comments everyone!
  
  What is "you view"?

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• mac2708 Posts: 3,349

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  12/05/13 - 14:42 #12

  Sarah_Cran wrote: »

  
  What is "you view"?

  
  http://www.youview.com/

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 355

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  12/05/13 - 14:50 #13

  Sarah_Cran wrote: »

  Thanks for your comments everyone!
  
  What is "you view"?

  
  Depending on your Internet provider you could get a heavily discounted Youview box, rather than paying £200+ for a retail model.
  
  On your original question I would say "dumb" TV and SMART external device. With the money saved on the TV you could get either a decent Soundbar or a basic surround system.
  I bought a Samsung BD-F6500 3D Bluray player online for £109 which has BBCiplayer, 4oD and as of a couple of days ago ITVplayer.
  Demand5 is also promised soon.

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• David (2) Posts: 20,632

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  12/05/13 - 15:31 #14

  For the tv concentrate on pic quality, number of hdmi sockets, reliability. Don't worry about smart features, they are limited, not very good and vary from make to make. If u want 3d make sure its a 3d set.
  
  For blue ray, make sure its a 3d one if u want it. Don't worry about smart features for same reason as above.
  
  To cover the smart part, connect a pc to the tv (using an hdmi cord). This is not limited in anyway and faster with some degree of upgrade potential compared with a smart tv. You can use a wireless keyboard with in built trackpad for remote control of the pc content.

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• ironjade Posts: 10,002

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  12/05/13 - 16:10 #15

  Don't get too fixated on the smart aspects: they're totally underwhelming.
  LG used to include a free smart Blu-ray with their smart tv so it might be worth checking to see if they still do.

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