[xmel05]

I was thinking about buying a Smart TV for my living room, A 32 inch would do as I don't like large TV's. I was looking at Smart Tv's as they have features like iplayer and Netflix built in which is handy. However I have seen a lot of people moan about Samsung one's due to to network and update problems and some of the Tv's have the apps as coming soon which I find odd.

Are Smart Tv's worth it or should I consider buying Chromecast or another external device?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Almost any TV you buy is likely to be 'smart' - not that there's really anything 'smart' about them.

But as always you'd be better off using an external cheap box, such as the Android ones, it's going to be far more versatile, do lot's more, and much more likely to have ongoing updates than TV's.

YouView was supposed to cure all the problems, but it was so late having the specification finally settled that all manufacturers had long since abandoned the idea.

[trayhop123]

if your not bothered about showbox ,,,,,,, then get a ps3 ,,,,, dirt cheap 2nd hand now.

thats iplayer and itv players sorted , there are free and pay movie option apps , plus youtube ,plus if you like the odd game , their pennies in cex now ,,,,, like the uncharted or batman series can be picked up for around 4quid a game ,,,,,,,you can watch blu-rays and easily connect to a soundbar/surround via optical ,

seriously better than any smart tv offering .

only showbox could lure me to an android box ,,,,,, and im happy with that on my tablet

[D_Mcd4]

I have an LG one and it's just not "smart" enough!! Their WebOS is slow, laggy and the apps crash now and again with "out of memory" errors. My old WDTV box works so much better.

[Lidtop2013]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_Mcd4

I have an LG one and it's just not "smart" enough!! Their WebOS is slow, laggy and the apps crash now and again with "out of memory" errors. My old WDTV box works so much better.

How old is your LG TV? Ours is a 2013 with dual core processor and it's fast and responsive, never one have I seen any messages about being out of memory either.

Infact I don't even use the PS3 for netflix or any other apps because it's quicker and easier to access on the TV.

[biggyt]

I love my LG 32LN575V, I have got a chromecast too but the TV does most things that the chromecast does

[Paul237]

I like my Smart TV as I use Netflix, Amazon Prime and iPlayer on it. All of them show it in HD and are indistinguishable from HD TV.

I've got a Chromecast but I find it a faff and a bit buggy so I never use it apart from BT Sport and that's only because my Smart TV doesn't support BT Sport.

[D_Mcd4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lidtop2013

How old is your LG TV? Ours is a 2013 with dual core processor and it's fast and responsive, never one have I seen any messages about being out of memory either.

Infact I don't even use the PS3 for netflix or any other apps because it's quicker and easier to access on the TV.

It's a 2014 model. The LG55LB650V.

[JulesandSand]

My Sony set has hundreds of apps - the only 3 I've used are Netflix - helpfully there's a Netflix button on the remote which takes you right to it - some 4K content on there too, youtube occasionally and Picasa which Sony now seems to have disabled.

[KevJ]

D_Mcd4

Try doing a check for updates; mine is the LG 850 55" version; and there's been two firmware updates in the past few months. You'll find the 'check forc updates' in the 'General' settings - 'About this TV' .

[Lidtop2013]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_Mcd4

It's a 2014 model. The LG55LB650V.

Should be the same as mine really then, as someone said above check for updates when the TV is connected to wifi(assuming you have wifi) then press settings button on the remote, it's the option near the bottom I forget exactly off the top of my head but you'll find it. In the 18 or so months we've owned our LG TV it's had at least 5-6 updates if not more.

[1andrew1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Almost any TV you buy is likely to be 'smart' - not that there's really anything 'smart' about them.

But as always you'd be better off using an external cheap box, such as the Android ones, it's going to be far more versatile, do lot's more, and much more likely to have ongoing updates than TV's.

YouView was supposed to cure all the problems, but it was so late having the specification finally settled that all manufacturers had long since abandoned the idea.

Most of the better TVs are smart TVs. But most TVs aren't smart as most TVs sold are bargain basement supermarket brands,
YouView has a great EPG and Sony will be adding it to some of its very recent smart TVs soon via a software update. But it hasn't really caught on to the cheaper PVR manufacturers like Vestel. Thanks to TalkTalk and BT, YouView must be the third most popular PVR after Sky+ and Tivo though.

[evil c]

Making an increasingly rare foray into this forum...Smart TVs have not yet realised their potential. If they do so before their lifecycle is up, I will be surprised.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Most of the better TVs are smart TVs. But most TVs aren't smart as most TVs sold are bargain basement supermarket brands,

Even many of the cheap sets are 'smart' as well - but probably 'dumber' than the better makes

Quote:

YouView has a great EPG and Sony will be adding it to some of its very recent smart TVs soon via a software update. But it hasn't really caught on to the cheaper PVR manufacturers like Vestel. Thanks to TalkTalk and BT, YouView must be the third most popular PVR after Sky+ and Tivo though.

Interesting, YouView had already been long since dropped by the manufacturers (due to it been so overdue), which is how it became a pay service instead of a universal IPTV interface (for all products). Last I heard the BBC/IBA were trying to bring out yet another universal IPTV interface to replace the failed YouView.

Freesat also dropped YouVIew, and brought out their own FreeTime, which I understand some Panasonic sets are using?.

[barbeler]

Unless you watch the BBC exclusively you will need a PVR, which makes the TV's on-board facilities more or less redundant. I haven't viewed any programmes through my TV's own Freeview turner for several years now.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbeler

Unless you watch the BBC exclusively you will need a PVR.

Sorry, but I don't see any relevance in that statement? - what has the BBC got to do with anything?.

[corf]

I understood it as iplayer is so awesome you dont need a PVR, which isnt true as certain US programming is not available on iplayer i.e. family guy etc.

[anthony david]

Quote:

Originally Posted by corf

I understood it as iplayer is so awesome you dont need a PVR, which isnt true as certain US programming is not available on iplayer i.e. family guy etc.

iPlayer is often the only player on smart TVs and STBs. It is very handy but it certainly isn't awesome. If you use a lap top any device, or even a long HDMI cable, that displays it on your TV will be a cost effective solution in conjunction with a PVR.

[spiney2]

you answered your own question, op'er. tvs are far less likely to receive software updates than computer/tablet software, or even pvrs. So if you get a tv because it supports a particular internet feature, eg bbc radio online feeds, there's always the possibility this will no longer work if the feed method changes ........

http://blogs.which.co.uk/technology/...hes-what-next/

[1andrew1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Even many of the cheap sets are 'smart' as well - but probably 'dumber' than the better makes .

Few match those of the big four brands. Vestel in particular knocks out sets with only iPlayer on from the PSBs.

I

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Interesting, YouView had already been long since dropped by the manufacturers (due to it been so overdue), which is how it became a pay service instead of a universal IPTV interface (for all products). Last I heard the BBC/IBA were trying to bring out yet another universal IPTV interface to replace the failed YouView.
Freesat also dropped YouVIew, and brought out their own FreeTime, which I understand some Panasonic sets are using?.

YouView was a very complicated organisation to sort out due to all the parties involved wanting slightly different things but it got there in the end! It's done well on getting a great range of catch-up services on board including the four PSBs, Milkshake, S4C, Netflix, UKTV. Quest, Sky Box Office and Now Movies. But less well at getting itself onboard with the manufacturers or with independent live channels.
Freesat was apparently never going to be part of YouView, I think they realised it would complicate matters.
Freesat, YouView and Freeview all have slightly different sharehoders hence three different scroll-back platforms on the market. Freesat even developed its Freetime software for Panasonic DTT TVs!
Sony is now coming aboard with YouView whilst Panasonic, Manhattan and Vestel are going down the Freeview Play route, Freeview's answer to YouView.

Freeview=BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Arqiva, Sky.
YouView=BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Arqiva, BT, TalkTalk
Freesat/Freetime=BBC/ITV
Digital UK=BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Arqiva. Manages Freeview EPG and test regime for equipment.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

YouView was a very complicated organisation to sort out due to all the parties involved wanting slightly different things but it got there in the end!

I would disagree there, it was supposed to be a universal interface across all products, including Freesat - who announced the 2nd generation boxes would be YouView. But nothing ever materialised (due to the huge delays), and it ended up 'reborn' as a subscription service for BT and TalkTalk.

So it never 'got there' at all

Interestingly I set one up for a customer a few weeks back, BT had sent it her to replace her BT Vision box - it seemed pretty straightforward.

[1andrew1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

I would disagree there, it was supposed to be a universal interface across all products, including Freesat - who announced the 2nd generation boxes would be YouView. But nothing ever materialised (due to the huge delays), and it ended up 'reborn' as a subscription service for BT and TalkTalk.

So it never 'got there' at all

Interestingly I set one up for a customer a few weeks back, BT had sent it her to replace her BT Vision box - it seemed pretty straightforward.

First off, I'm sure Freesat never announced this, but I'll stand humbly corrected by a link that says otherwise.
But I think we both agree that YouView got there technologically but politically it did not get the manufacturers on board. Whether others will follow in Sony's footsteps remains to be seen. Panasonic and Vestel seem wedded to Freeview Play and LG and Samsung to their own software.
I think Sony have made a good choice with both Android and YouView - could be the best of both worlds!

[the power king]

yes i use youtube sometimes i have a look @ amazon other service i use on Sky

[the power king]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the power king

yes i use youtube sometimes i have a look @ amazon other service i use on Sky

i Forgot to say i a Sony 32" Kdl653 a 2013 model

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I think Sony have made a good choice with both Android and YouView - could be the best of both worlds!

I 'thought' Android was a good choice - until I found you you can't just install normal Android apps - you have to use specially written apps for the TV

It's also a nightmare installing the sets, a VERY slow procedure with the required updating taking 1 - 1.5 hours (on a fast connection).

Edit:

On a positive note, and something which has been sadly lacking on previous TV's, you can disable the analogue and digital tuners as well as any unused AV inputs - so if you're using Sky or VM you don't have to have normal TV getting in the way.