Smart TVs - clever or dumb?

[richardfinegold]

My understanding is that Smart TVs incorporate some of the functionality contained in a device such as Apple TV or a Roku stick or Google Chrome and therefore make those devices unnecessary. My plasma TV died a few months ago and we have a “smart tv” as a replacement but since I already had all the content apps on Apple TV I haven’t tried duplicating them on the new monitor.
I suppose that the next move for smart TVs will be to serve as music streamers as well, connecting with content stored on a PC, NAS, or just adding apps for streaming services. There would be an advantage in that one could use the real estate of the large screen to find your music. Or are smart TVs doing this already?

[cloughie]

I have a Hitachi digital radio alarm. Use it regularly as a radio but never fathomed how to operate the alarm. Television - before it went wrong and I couldn't get it repaired I had a really good Panasonic TV. The reason I couldn't get it repaired was because Panasonic no longer make TV sets but also discontinued the sources of spares for their old models. I could have had it repaired with a second-hand part for £100. Then my Panasonic HD recorder decided not to receive anything and so would not record. Our new TV in conjunction with a Humax HD recorder works well BUT needs to be connected to the internet and takes a couple of minutes to connect. Oh for a return to a simple TV set (625 lines?) which at the turn of a switch delivers! As Roger Daltrey sang Pete Townshend's words 'The simple things you see are all complicated...'

[Dave2002]

Or are smart TVs doing this already?

Over here I think some have Spotify built in, or available as a downloadable app. The one we bought has Deezer, but I'm not going to subscribe to that. Amazon "enabled" ones should have Amazon unllimited for music. You are right that some functionality might be duplicated with the same/similar functionality in external "set top" boxes, though it's possible that the new TVs might do better. I assume that a 4k UHD TV should be capable of the latest and best streaming services, whereas some set top boxes from a year or two back can't do that, and may never be upgradeable. Over here Now TV is still lagging behind in terms of quality, but the smart TVs which can run it will be capable if the service provider updates its software and streams to newer standards - at least for as long as the TVs are within touch of the newest technology standards.

[Keraulophone]

Panasonic no longer make TV sets

Yes they do! Did you mean Pioneer?

I was thinking of getting this Panasonic to replace my old but much-loved 50" Pioneer Kuro plasma set, but in the end decided on a Sony 55" smart TV with invisible speakers built into the screen.

https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-tx-55fz952b-oled-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-smart-tv-55-with-freeview-play-freesat-hd-dynamic-blade-speaker-sound-bar-stand-ultra-hd-premium-certified-black/p3541381?s_kwcid=1dx39700033067381681&tmad=c&tmcampid=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAlvnfBRA1EiwAVOEgfFz4kR62ivqIyhZuf1Xm9ciAii9Ax44xoi2OlA84QbNjThWxwiPdexoCy_YQAvD_BwE

I wrote to Pioneer asking whether the Kuro could be fixed, but they told me the sole surviving repairer was about 300 miles from where I am.

[Bryn]

Yes they do! Did you mean Pioneer?

I was thinking of getting this Panasonic to replace my old but much-loved 50" Pioneer Kuro plasma set, but in the end decided on a Sony 55" smart TV with invisible speakers built into the screen.

https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-tx-55fz952b-oled-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-smart-tv-55-with-freeview-play-freesat-hd-dynamic-blade-speaker-sound-bar-stand-ultra-hd-premium-certified-black/p3541381?s_kwcid=1dx39700033067381681&tmad=c&tmcampid=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAlvnfBRA1EiwAVOEgfFz4kR62ivqIyhZuf1Xm9ciAii9Ax44xoi2OlA84QbNjThWxwiPdexoCy_YQAvD_BwE

I wrote to Pioneer asking whether the Kuro could be fixed, but they told me the sole surviving repairer was about 300 miles from where I am.

The poor quality of the ganged switch and volume pot. in my Pioneer A-300 amplifier put me off the brand for life. 'ha'porth of tar' or what? Otherwise, I found it a very fine amp. Very much suited to my then needs.

[oddoneout]

Are 'dumb' TVs still available, or alternatively are smart ones smart enough to operate in dumb mode? When my Sony Trinitron finally gives up all I want to replace it is something with decent picture quality(by my standards which aren't the same as the norm I realise, as I don't like sharp edges, shouty colour etc), which will change channels without too much fuss; the EPG is quite useful as the local paper's TV supplement isn't always as correct as it could be. When the digital switch put paid to video recording I didn't get a DVD, and I don't do films, box sets etc etc. If there's nothing on terrestrial or freeview I don't watch TV.

[teamsaint]

Are 'dumb' TVs still available, or alternatively are smart ones smart enough to operate in dumb mode? When my Sony Trinitron finally gives up all I want to replace it is something with decent picture quality(by my standards which aren't the same as the norm I realise, as I don't like sharp edges, shouty colour etc), which will change channels without too much fuss; the EPG is quite useful as the local paper's TV supplement isn't always as correct as it could be. When the digital switch put paid to video recording I didn't get a DVD, and I don't do films, box sets etc etc. If there's nothing on terrestrial or freeview I don't watch TV.

Still got my old VHS running, and a Sky box from 2003.

Never used one of those satellite box recording things. I imagine they are quite handy, but many people seem to end up with piles of shows they never get round to watching.

Not at all like stacks of unlistened - to CD box sets......

Anyway, that Telly looks jolly nice.Oddly , despite having a decent sized lounge/ living room/ whatever you call it, we would ‘t really have anywhere suitable for such a giant.
The thought of watching the Saints current defence in 72” ultra HD isn’t too appealing.

But I wouldn’t mind one all the same.

[Dave2002]

Are 'dumb' TVs still available, or alternatively are smart ones smart enough to operate in dumb mode? When my Sony Trinitron finally gives up all I want to replace it is something with decent picture quality(by my standards which aren't the same as the norm I realise, as I don't like sharp edges, shouty colour etc), which will change channels without too much fuss; the EPG is quite useful as the local paper's TV supplement isn't always as correct as it could be. When the digital switch put paid to video recording I didn't get a DVD, and I don't do films, box sets etc etc. If there's nothing on terrestrial or freeview I don't watch TV.

Most smart TVs will probably run in a "dumb" mode, though they might be more of a faff to set up first time. We are in a peculiar situation for the time being without working aerials or satlelite dishes, so that the TV goes into a sulk if plugged in without a signal. Also, there is a trend to not supply any wires with the sets these days - the new one didn't come with anything, not even a cheap and cheerful (!!) HDMI cable. Another issue is the actual picture quality. The previous large set we bought about 9-10 years ago based on my seeing it in a shop, and thinking it had the best picture of all the ones it was surrounded by. Largely, though with some slight reservations, that has turned out to be very good. Some new ones may be difficult to tweak to give a picture you like.

The new one is merely 49 inches - not up to 70 inches. The previous one - still going - is 42 inches.

[gurnemanz]

7000 households are quite happy with black and white TV. Maybe they also have a mono sound system and a coal fire.

[cloughie]

Yes they do! Did you mean Pioneer?

I was thinking of getting this Panasonic to replace my old but much-loved 50" Pioneer Kuro plasma set, but in the end decided on a Sony 55" smart TV with invisible speakers built into the screen.

https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-tx-55fz952b-oled-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-smart-tv-55-with-freeview-play-freesat-hd-dynamic-blade-speaker-sound-bar-stand-ultra-hd-premium-certified-black/p3541381?s_kwcid=1dx39700033067381681&tmad=c&tmcampid=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAlvnfBRA1EiwAVOEgfFz4kR62ivqIyhZuf1Xm9ciAii9Ax44xoi2OlA84QbNjThWxwiPdexoCy_YQAvD_BwE

I wrote to Pioneer asking whether the Kuro could be fixed, but they told me the sole surviving repairer was about 300 miles from where I am.

As far as I know, Panasonic, like many other companies badge TVs but do not actually manufacture them.

[Bryn]

My main television os a 50" 'unintelligent' LG Plasma. I would guess that new 'intelligent' televisions lack analogue tuners. With plasmas' tendency to burn-in from static images, I find the analogue tuner very useful for generating 'snow' to clear the burnt-in images, from timre to time. There again, i suppose plasma streens in 'intelligent televisons are as rare as hens' teeth. There are, of course, 'intelligent' peripherals which can add fancy new facilities to 'unintelligent' models.

[Keraulophone]

As far as I know, Panasonic, like many other companies badge TVs but do not actually manufacture them.

I knew that Panasonic gave up manufacturing their own TV panels a couple of years ago, which are now supplied for them and many other brands by LG and Sharp, but I wasn’t aware that a ‘Panasonic TV’ was no longer a Panasonic TV, apart from some low-end models which are designed and made in Turkey by Vestel.

In Panasonic's own words (quoted by techradar), "Using its own image processing and backlight technologies Panasonic has been able to get the very best out of third-party panels.". Therefore much of what makes the TV picture look good depends on what processing tech Panasonic, Sony, and Samsung can provide to make, say, an LG panel perform optimally. So it may be safe to say that at least these three companies can be said to design and market their own TVs, even if the actual manufacturing is outsourced.

[Dave2002]

7000 households are quite happy with black and white TV. Maybe they also have a mono sound system and a coal fire.

7000 out of the whole population of the UK is a minute fraction. Also note

Neither does TV Licensing carry out checks of households claiming to watch a black and white set. "It's entirely done on trust," a spokesperson said.

so possibly some people are just chancing it and really have 90 inch colour sets. I'm not sure if the UK operates a scheme at the point of sale of a TV set - which is done in some countries, such as Sweden. There if you buy a TV set the seller notifies the licensing authority, and cross checks are made against the delivery address. It's actually a it of a pain, as if you sell or give the TV set away the licensing authority won't accept that you're no longer not watching, nor even unable to watch so liable unless you notify them explicitly.

[Bryn]

7000 out of the whole population of the UK is a minute fraction. Also note


so possibly some people are just chancing it and really have 90 inch colour sets. I'm not sure if the UK operates a scheme at the point of sale of a TV set - which is done in some countries, such as Sweden. There if you buy a TV set the seller notifies the licensing authority, and cross checks are made against the delivery address. It's actually a it of a pain, as if you sell or give the TV set away the licensing authority won't accept that you're no longer not watching, nor even unable to watch so liable unless you notify them explicitly.

The requirement for a seller to demand the address of a purchaser of a television or related equipment such as a video recorder was abolished a little over 5 years ago in the U.K.

[Dave2002]

The requirement for a seller to demand the address of a purchaser of a television or related equipment such as a video recorder was abolished a little over 5 years ago in the U.K.

I didn’t know it ever was a requirement in the UK.