Current crop of TV's with internet - are they future proof

crabster · 16-02-2012, 20:16

Hi

Can someone explain to me what to look for when buying a new TV regarding internet connection?

Is SmartTV future proof? e.g will the fact that the TV simply has an internet connecton make it ready for whatever comes out over the next few years?

As this technology is pretty new I'm worried that by next year the new set will be out of date!

Cheers

-GONZO- · 16-02-2012, 20:29

From experience I would say no TVs are future proof as the likes of Samsung would rather you buy the new latest model than them carry on supporting a device for any longer than necessary.

Helmut10 · 17-02-2012, 04:34

Is SmartTV future proof?

No, it can't be. At some point Firmware/Software updates will stop. A decent manufacturer should support it with updates for 5 years but that's about it. It'll obviously work beyond that but at some point it inevitably will be out of date.

It is not new technology merely an adaptation of TVs with software and some extra bits of hardware like USB, Network, Wireless cards and so on. Which have been available for PCs for a decade or more.

Your PC is not future proof, and it has an internet connection....

My PC (bought in 2002) has access to more online TV services than my internet TV (bought in late 2011) using the same ADSL modem router.

That's because of the TVs software is much less flexible/comprehensive and it's down to the TV manufacturer and service provider to write & supply the appropriate software.

With the old PC the Web Browser and Flash Player can be updated quite easily, so can some of the hardware.

What to look for in an internet TV hardware is a Network Card and a built in Wireless Card to N standard, USB connectivity to say a HDD. Maybe suitable sockets for some of your old hardware.

Last but far from least good Firmware/Software support - look at the various companies websites for a particular model.

Mike_1101 · 17-02-2012, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmut10

Is SmartTV future proof?

No, it can't be. At some point Firmware/Software updates will stop. A decent manufacturer should support it with updates for 5 years but that's about it. It'll obviously work beyond that but at some point it inevitably will be out of date.

It is not new technology merely an adaptation of TVs with software and some extra bits of hardware like USB, Network, Wireless cards and so on. Which have been available for PCs for a decade or more.

Your PC is not future proof, and it has an internet connection....

My PC (bought in 2002) has access to more online TV services than my internet TV (bought in late 2011) using the same ADSL modem router.

That's because of the TVs software is much less flexible/comprehensive and it's down to the TV manufacturer and service provider to write & supply the appropriate software.

With the old PC the Web Browser and Flash Player can be updated quite easily, so can some of the hardware.

What to look for in an internet TV hardware is a Network Card and a built in Wireless Card to N standard, USB connectivity to say a HDD. Maybe suitable sockets for some of your old hardware.

Last but far from least good Firmware/Software support - look at the various companies websites for a particular model.

This 1937 TV seems future proof......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJYCWjt0rkk
although Marconi & EMI are long gone.

swedish cook · 17-02-2012, 09:50

Buy your TV for its picture and sound, ignore the Internet features - these features aren't mature yet and the TV will not keep up.

Better to have your Internet features in your blu-ray player, they are all internet connected and cheap to replace when the next big thing comes.

Youview might change things when it gets released and gradually replaces Freesat recorders.

Right now Smart TVs are for dumb people.

16-02-2012, 20:16	#1
crabster Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 568	Current crop of TV's with internet - are they future proof Hi Can someone explain to me what to look for when buying a new TV regarding internet connection? Is SmartTV future proof? e.g will the fact that the TV simply has an internet connecton make it ready for whatever comes out over the next few years? As this technology is pretty new I'm worried that by next year the new set will be out of date! Cheers

16-02-2012, 20:29	#2
-GONZO- Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 8,954	From experience I would say no TVs are future proof as the likes of Samsung would rather you buy the new latest model than them carry on supporting a device for any longer than necessary.

17-02-2012, 04:34	#3
Helmut10 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1,045	Is SmartTV future proof? No, it can't be. At some point Firmware/Software updates will stop. A decent manufacturer should support it with updates for 5 years but that's about it. It'll obviously work beyond that but at some point it inevitably will be out of date. It is not new technology merely an adaptation of TVs with software and some extra bits of hardware like USB, Network, Wireless cards and so on. Which have been available for PCs for a decade or more. Your PC is not future proof, and it has an internet connection.... My PC (bought in 2002) has access to more online TV services than my internet TV (bought in late 2011) using the same ADSL modem router. That's because of the TVs software is much less flexible/comprehensive and it's down to the TV manufacturer and service provider to write & supply the appropriate software. With the old PC the Web Browser and Flash Player can be updated quite easily, so can some of the hardware. What to look for in an internet TV hardware is a Network Card and a built in Wireless Card to N standard, USB connectivity to say a HDD. Maybe suitable sockets for some of your old hardware. Last but far from least good Firmware/Software support - look at the various companies websites for a particular model.

17-02-2012, 09:45	#4
Mike_1101 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lancs Posts: 7,928	Quote: Originally Posted by Helmut10 Is SmartTV future proof? No, it can't be. At some point Firmware/Software updates will stop. A decent manufacturer should support it with updates for 5 years but that's about it. It'll obviously work beyond that but at some point it inevitably will be out of date. It is not new technology merely an adaptation of TVs with software and some extra bits of hardware like USB, Network, Wireless cards and so on. Which have been available for PCs for a decade or more. Your PC is not future proof, and it has an internet connection.... My PC (bought in 2002) has access to more online TV services than my internet TV (bought in late 2011) using the same ADSL modem router. That's because of the TVs software is much less flexible/comprehensive and it's down to the TV manufacturer and service provider to write & supply the appropriate software. With the old PC the Web Browser and Flash Player can be updated quite easily, so can some of the hardware. What to look for in an internet TV hardware is a Network Card and a built in Wireless Card to N standard, USB connectivity to say a HDD. Maybe suitable sockets for some of your old hardware. Last but far from least good Firmware/Software support - look at the various companies websites for a particular model. This 1937 TV seems future proof...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJYCWjt0rkk although Marconi & EMI are long gone.

17-02-2012, 09:50	#5
swedish cook Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 821	Buy your TV for its picture and sound, ignore the Internet features - these features aren't mature yet and the TV will not keep up. Better to have your Internet features in your blu-ray player, they are all internet connected and cheap to replace when the next big thing comes. Youview might change things when it gets released and gradually replaces Freesat recorders. Right now Smart TVs are for dumb people.

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Current crop of TV's with internet - are they future proof