Buying a new TV, how to decide

[Blonde Granny]

I'm looking at Best Buy for a new Samsung.  I have a 55" right now by LG, but it's old and seems to be having a few little issues.

The one I really like is $1300 but another is  a 49" QLED for $799.

[Tennesseer]

Would the slightly smaller screen size impact your enjoyment of watching TV?

[justme]

Have you gone to see them in person? I just bought a 55" Samsung from Costco for 399 before tax. I honestly can't tell the difference between it and the OLED or QLED tvs and frankly all I do on it is watch TV.

I personally have way better things to spend 600 on than a tv that's ever so slightly better than this one and that in two years will be selling for 400. I remember 3 years ago when the 4k uhd that I just bought were going for over 1000.

Now as for size I went from a 42 to 55 and like the larger size, but think a 49 would work too. Only did the 55 because it was a slightly older model so it was over 100 less than the 49.

[Blonde Granny]

Yes, I was at Best Buy yesterday. The 55" I have now does overwhelm the great room, so the 49" would probably be perfect. The 49"is a QLED, price is $799 and truth be told, I really don't watch TV that much. A lot of it is done in the sunroom and at night the bedroom.

Definitely think less is more.......it always makes more sense when someone else says it rather than me thinking it.  Going back to BB after exterminator leaves this AM.

[hoops902]

What makes you "really like" the $1300 one?

[alabamagal]

There are websites that will tell you the optimum TV size for your room.  I would look at that.  A slightly smaller might be better.

[iono1]

The last time I was in the market for a TV, I went to Walmart & bought a Sony TV figuring anything Sony built was good.  I got the set home & the picture was bad unless I was looking at it straight on.  After a few days I returned it.  I then went to a store that specializes in TVs and viewed the display models from every angle.  I bought a TV that passed my vision test & learned never to buy a TV without a "test drive" again.  

[justme]

May 14, 2019 13:32:28 GMT -5 iono1 said:

The last time I was in the market for a TV, I went to Walmart & bought a Sony TV figuring anything Sony built was good.  I got the set home & the picture was bad unless I was looking at it straight on.  After a few days I returned it.  I then went to a store that specializes in TVs and viewed the display models from every angle.  I bought a TV that passed my vision test & learned never to buy a TV without a "test drive" again.  

Some of the cheaper brands aren't as visible from the side. My bffs bf is an av guy for tradeshows and conferences. Got an earful when I was looking for a TV. He's Samsung all the way.

[NoNamePerson]

May 14, 2019 14:15:47 GMT -5 justme said:

May 14, 2019 13:32:28 GMT -5 iono1 said:

The last time I was in the market for a TV, I went to Walmart & bought a Sony TV figuring anything Sony built was good.  I got the set home & the picture was bad unless I was looking at it straight on.  After a few days I returned it.  I then went to a store that specializes in TVs and viewed the display models from every angle.  I bought a TV that passed my vision test & learned never to buy a TV without a "test drive" again.  

Some of the cheaper brands aren't as visible from the side. My bffs bf is an av guy for tradeshows and conferences. Got an earful when I was looking for a TV. He's Samsung all the way.

I honestly can't remember when I haven't had a Samsung except back in the olden days when we had an RCA. I've had Samsung monitors also. Hope they are as good down the road as now since probably going to be replacing living room tv at some point.

[justme]

May 14, 2019 15:16:08 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

May 14, 2019 14:15:47 GMT -5 justme said:

Some of the cheaper brands aren't as visible from the side. My bffs bf is an av guy for tradeshows and conferences. Got an earful when I was looking for a TV. He's Samsung all the way.

I honestly can't remember when I haven't had a Samsung except back in the olden days when we had an RCA. I've had Samsung monitors also. Hope they are as good down the road as now since probably going to be replacing living room tv at some point.

Very likely. They're big in the screen business. They actually make more money selling apple iPhone screens than their profit of Samsung phones. 🤣 All my kitchen stuff is Samsung as well as my phone and tablet. They've slowly sucked me in Haha.

[Blonde Granny]

I bought thae 49" Samsung @ $799.  Its a little smaller than my current one.  BB will remove 2 TVs and 1 All in One computer so that will get them out of the garage.  I also opted for the Geek Squad thing as they will repair anything even if it wasn't bought at BB.

I used my BB credit card and opted for the 12 month interest free plan.  May as well use their money than mine.  Delivery and installation is Friday 8AM - 12 noon.

I'm HAPPY.

on edit: the Samsung is one of the QLED.  Picture is wonderful.

[Deleted]

I have never went wrong trusting CNET’s reviews and recommendations:

www.cnet.com/topics/tvs/best-tvs/

This is their value pick this year “The best picture quality for the money, period”. If I was recommending for someone that isn’t going to pay premium price, TCL would be it this year.

www.cnet.com/reviews/tcl-65r617-2018-roku-tv-review/


I personally only buy Sony’s premium TV’s but I’m looking for value on the very high end.

[oped]

The 50 inch Samsung I just got at target was around 400...

[NoNamePerson]

May 14, 2019 17:35:56 GMT -5 oped said:

The 50 inch Samsung I just got at target was around 400...

And if you have target master card you got 5% off  

[oped]

Saved most of the tax!

[Ryan]

I am on my 3rd Samsung and have always been happy.  IF I were you, I'd spend $350 and get a 50" 4K TV and save the money.  I very easily talk myself into spending an extra $500 to get something of better quality, but I think it's splitting hairs when it comes to TV.  I don't know if I'd be able to tell the difference between the 2 and, even if I was, a slightly "worse" TV doesn't make me enjoy reruns of The Office any less  

[iono1]

May 14, 2019 14:15:47 GMT -5 justme said:

May 14, 2019 13:32:28 GMT -5 iono1 said:

The last time I was in the market for a TV, I went to Walmart & bought a Sony TV figuring anything Sony built was good.  I got the set home & the picture was bad unless I was looking at it straight on.  After a few days I returned it.  I then went to a store that specializes in TVs and viewed the display models from every angle.  I bought a TV that passed my vision test & learned never to buy a TV without a "test drive" again.  

Some of the cheaper brands aren't as visible from the side. My bffs bf is an av guy for tradeshows and conferences. Got an earful when I was looking for a TV. He's Samsung all the way.

Yep, I found that out the hard way when I tried watching the TV at the dining table instead of the couch.  I ended up replacing the returned Sony with a Samsung and I've been happy with the results.  The only problem I have is that after I bought the Samsung I heard rumors that I can be spied on through a Samsung smart TV.  I don't really care about that nonsense, but I do ask "Can you hear me now?" when I turn the Samsung on.  

[justme]

May 15, 2019 16:59:09 GMT -5 iono1 said:

May 14, 2019 14:15:47 GMT -5 justme said:

Some of the cheaper brands aren't as visible from the side. My bffs bf is an av guy for tradeshows and conferences. Got an earful when I was looking for a TV. He's Samsung all the way.

Yep, I found that out the hard way when I tried watching the TV at the dining table instead of the couch.  I ended up replacing the returned Sony with a Samsung and I've been happy with the results.  The only problem I have is that after I bought the Samsung I heard rumors that I can be spied on through a Samsung smart TV.  I don't really care about that nonsense, but I do ask "Can you hear me now?" when I turn the Samsung on.  

I'm sure you can be spied on by any smart TV. Mine doesn't have a camera so worst case scenario they just hear my crazy ass talking to myself. 🤣

[NoNamePerson]

May 15, 2019 17:10:39 GMT -5 justme said:

May 15, 2019 16:59:09 GMT -5 iono1 said:

Yep, I found that out the hard way when I tried watching the TV at the dining table instead of the couch.  I ended up replacing the returned Sony with a Samsung and I've been happy with the results.  The only problem I have is that after I bought the Samsung I heard rumors that I can be spied on through a Samsung smart TV.  I don't really care about that nonsense, but I do ask "Can you hear me now?" when I turn the Samsung on.  

I'm sure you can be spied on by any smart TV. Mine doesn't have a camera so worst case scenario they just hear my crazy ass talking to myself. 🤣

If my tv is spying on me I'm surprised it hasn't jumped off the wall and gone screaming out the back door