|
||||||||
Smart TV - Processors & Performance |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#1 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 76
|
Smart TV - Processors & Performance
Hi,
I have a Samsung UE40D5520 Smart TV and have found that streaming video can often suffer from buffering on this TV, especially from services like BlinkBox. As my broadband speed is 20mb (tested) and my TV is connected with a Cat6 STP ethernet cable the buffering is obviously caused by an under powered processor. If anyone is considering purchasing this TV then do not expect good streaming video performance, however you can expect picture quality and contrast that beats virtually every other TV on the market! Does anyone know the exact specifications of the processor (CPU) inside the UE40D5520? I do know its NOT a Dual Core, the newer UE40ES5500 has a Dual Core but its picture quality is extremely poor. |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,794
|
Quote:
Hi,
I have a Samsung UE40D5520 Smart TV and have found that streaming video can often suffer from buffering on this TV, especially from services like BlinkBox. As my broadband speed is 20mb (tested) and my TV is connected with a Cat6 STP ethernet cable the buffering is obviously caused by an under powered processor. If anyone is considering purchasing this TV then do not expect good streaming video performance, however you can expect picture quality and contrast that beats virtually every other TV on the market! Does anyone know the exact specifications of the processor (CPU) inside the UE40D5520? I do know its NOT a Dual Core, the newer UE40ES5500 has a Dual Core but its picture quality is extremely poor. TV's are poor for that reason, they have no internal buffering (like a PC has), so if your broadband slows or hesitates you see the effect on the picture. As it's NOT a PC, dual-core etc. doesn't apply, I would expect all TV's to be single core processors, and not PC types either. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 6,180
|
Quote:
As it's NOT a PC, dual-core etc. doesn't apply, I would expect all TV's to be single core processors, and not PC types either.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,794
|
Quote:
It could apply - no reason they can't start using dual core processors or whatever they want
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,572
|
I agree it's most likely the BB connection, not the TV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sussex
Posts: 12,173
|
It's not like for like;
The processing chips/circuitry inside a TV are specifically built to do that task and so highly optimised and efficient at video processing and unlikely to need dual or multi GHz performance (for the time being at least) whereas a general purpose CPU found in computers, laptops or tablets are required to do a huge range of tasks and so not very optimised at any one particular task and requires more processing power overall all. Now, where a TV can also act like a basic web top computer then it must get a bit muddier but presumably again they either use a custom processor that does it all, highly optimised, or they bolt on something fairly low spec in computing terms that can run a highly refined linux or such like operating system, Not having any real buffering capabilities will probably show up any broadband shortcomings as already mentioned by others. |
|
|
|
|
|
#7 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sussex
Posts: 12,173
|
Hmmm I wonder when we'll get the "intel inside" stickers on TV sets?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#8 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 76
|
Quote:
I would completely disagree - the buffering is almost certainly down to your broadband speed - testing only measures at that specific moment, at other times it might plunge drastically, particularly when other users are sharing your bandwidth (contention ratios).
TV's are poor for that reason, they have no internal buffering (like a PC has), so if your broadband slows or hesitates you see the effect on the picture. As it's NOT a PC, dual-core etc. doesn't apply, I would expect all TV's to be single core processors, and not PC types either. Although broadband speed can go up and down occasionally, its very unlikely that a non Wi-Fi 20mb cable broadband connection would drop to the extent that it cannot handle streaming video, even 5mb broadband is enough for that. If you look at the Currys website below they even state now that one TV has a dual core processor to prevent buffering. http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/samsung...48053-pdt.html |
|
|
|
|
|
#9 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: S.West England.
Posts: 18,037
|
Quote:
I would completely disagree - the buffering is almost certainly down to your broadband speed - testing only measures at that specific moment, at other times it might plunge drastically, particularly when other users are sharing your bandwidth (contention ratios).
TV's are poor for that reason, they have no internal buffering (like a PC has), so if your broadband slows or hesitates you see the effect on the picture. As it's NOT a PC, dual-core etc. doesn't apply, I would expect all TV's to be single core processors, and not PC types either. why not? Nothing to say they cant be dual or quad core. They will use the same as in *Smart* phones, single, dual, or quad core cpus. With both products its likely we will see more multicore use rather than just ramping up the clock due to the way you can get a lot more [speed] using this method compared with just turning the wick up on the clock speed. |
|
|
|
|
#10 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: S.West England.
Posts: 18,037
|
Quote:
It's not like for like;
The processing chips/circuitry inside a TV are specifically built to do that task and so highly optimised and efficient at video processing and unlikely to need dual or multi GHz performance (for the time being at least) whereas a general purpose CPU found in computers, laptops or tablets are required to do a huge range of tasks and so not very optimised at any one particular task and requires more processing power overall all. Now, where a TV can also act like a basic web top computer then it must get a bit muddier but presumably again they either use a custom processor that does it all, highly optimised, or they bolt on something fairly low spec in computing terms that can run a highly refined linux or such like operating system, Not having any real buffering capabilities will probably show up any broadband shortcomings as already mentioned by others. |
|
|
|
|
#11 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: S.West England.
Posts: 18,037
|
Quote:
Hmmm I wonder when we'll get the "intel inside" stickers on TV sets?
![]() |
|
|
|
|
#12 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,794
|
Quote:
Although broadband speed can go up and down occasionally, its very unlikely that a non Wi-Fi 20mb cable broadband connection would drop to the extent that it cannot handle streaming video, even 5mb broadband is enough for that. If you look at the Currys website below they even state now that one TV has a dual core processor to prevent buffering.
Do you have the capability to watch the lights on your router?, during big downloads on your PC you will see that freeze occasionally, and while buffering on a PC will allow your iPlayer to continue undisturbed, a TV will freeze and stutter. |
|
|
|
|
|
#13 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 76
|
Quote:
As there's no buffering in a TV it not only can happen, it VERY often does happen - WiFi or not makes no real difference.
Do you have the capability to watch the lights on your router?, during big downloads on your PC you will see that freeze occasionally, and while buffering on a PC will allow your iPlayer to continue undisturbed, a TV will freeze and stutter. I am still certain the power of the processor plays a big part in video streaming though, if you try playing a 1080p stream on an Intel Celeron PC you will see that you get about one frame every 15 seconds, but on an Intel i5 or i7 it will play very smoothly. |
|
|
|
|
|
#14 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,794
|
Quote:
If what you say is true and a Smart TV cannot do buffering, then why do streaming video companies such as Blinkbox, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer even bother to launch their services on a TV that will constantly suffer from video stutter and freezing....nobody will bother to use the service?
As for why these services exist - it's simply because people are generally happy enough with the occasional 'blip' and problems. They realise it's a very poor way to receive TV programmes. Quote:
I am still certain the power of the processor plays a big part in video streaming though, if you try playing a 1080p stream on an Intel Celeron PC you will see that you get about one frame every 15 seconds, but on an Intel i5 or i7 it will play very smoothly. It's easy to tell - simply stream a programme from your PC to the TV, see if that stutters?. |
|
|
|
|
|
#15 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Heart of England.
Posts: 8,633
|
My broadband was running at 11.5mbps, and while downloads were as fast as expected, I struggled with streaming, especially on YouTube.
I invested in one of those BT filter face plates and have never had a problem since. Don't ask me why, and I certainly can't guarantee anyone similar improvements, but for the sake of a few quid it might be worth a go. |
|
|
|
|
#16 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Heart of England.
Posts: 8,633
|
Double post
|
|
|
|
|
#17 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sussex
Posts: 12,173
|
Quote:
this would improve matters a lot. What we really need is a PC in a tv.
I don't think we do want PC's in TV's do we? they go obsolete within months whereas a TV can last a decade. Pretty much all the TV or consumer devices that now have smart features will be woefully out of date a year later.... there are many early adoptors of smart TV's and blu ray players that will need updating to get the next lot of features. and so on and so on. I think computers need to stay quite seperate to TV's whether that be a true PC or a set top box that's relatively cheap to replaced every year or so. |
|
|
|
|
|
#18 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: S.West England.
Posts: 18,037
|
The smart part of a tv can be made obsolete in 1 software upgrade. A pc will last longer.
|
|
|
|
|
#19 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,885
|
Quote:
I don't think we do want PC's in TV's do we? they go obsolete within months whereas a TV can last a decade.
Pretty much all the TV or consumer devices that now have smart features will be woefully out of date a year later.... there are many early adoptors of smart TV's and blu ray players that will need updating to get the next lot of features. and so on and so on. I think computers need to stay quite seperate to TV's whether that be a true PC or a set top box that's relatively cheap to replaced every year or so. |
|
|
|
|
|
#20 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,794
|
Quote:
I think Samsung are on to something with their 2012 TVs where you can add a new box to it when you want to upgrade offering new features, processors and potentially improving picture quality without replacing the screen too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#21 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sussex
Posts: 12,173
|
Quote:
I think Samsung are on to something with their 2012 TVs where you can add a new box to it when you want to upgrade offering new features, processors and potentially improving picture quality without replacing the screen too.
Gone are the days where a TV is an investment that'll last 15 years, sure they will last but those wanting to use all the latest features coming online will either need to just use a seperate PC/tablet device or replace the TV every couple years. |
|
|
|
|
|
#22 |
|
Inactive Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brentwood essex
Posts: 3,634
|
At over £800 for a 42 inch SMART tv i just wonder if they are worth the extra money !
I personally would not buy one because they are not a replacement for a PC or laptop. Save money and buy a cheap LED/LCD 42 inch and spend on what yu save on a laptop or all in one pc. (like i use). |
|
|
|
![]() |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 17:00.


