Silasgreenback
Standard Member
Hello everyone,
I had a very poor experience with a Hisense H55U7BUK, that was returned in Sept 2019. I did not purchase an alternate model as I couldn't find anything that I particularly liked. Instead I returned to my 11 year old Panasonic Viera TX-P42S20B Plasma that shows it's age in terms of interface and connectivity, but really is a beautiful screen that I haven't adjusted since the day I bought it. From what I've seen of the shiny modern panels, I do still have a preference for Plasma, though I understand they are long dead and no longer an option.
Twenty months have passed and as we decided to decorate our TV room just as Covid hit, it has taken a long time waiting for shops to reopen and complete the decor. I'm back in the market for a new TV with no idea as to what represents a decent buy today.
A new TV will be used for Movies and TV shows.
The input sources will be Netflix or Amazon Prime, a standard blu-ray player for now (though 4k blu-ray is planned) and direct input from a laptop via HDMI (VLC software). I have no use for Freeview (no TV license) and there will be no gaming on this set.
I would like the TV to have the following features:
- Good picture quality for Movies, good motion control and shadow quality. The experience with the Hisense highlighted how important this is. It's by far my first consideration.
- 50 or 55 inch. The previous Hisense was a 55" and that's right on the limit of size for me. Sitting 7-8 feet from the screen. I did find the "uncanny valley / soap opera" effect quite noticeable with the 55, though whether this was due to the poor motion I am unsure.
- While I don't really have any 4K source right now. I guess the TV should be 4K and I'll upgrade the Netflix and get a new blu-ray player to suit. Frankly, I'm not that bothered on this point, but my wife will be expecting it.
-It would be nice to have reasonable sound quality as I will be using the TV speakers (at least initially). I'm not someone who has the TV blasting, so quality rather than mad volume/bass.
- Inbuilt Netflix / Prime would be useful. Every other app, service or whatever will never be used.
- The TV will be standing, not wall mounted so a unit that comes with a stable stand is a must.
- I read somewhere that some TVs have started showing adverts as part of their interface. I don't recall the manufacturer, and I'm not sure if this is widespread. But it's a deal breaker for me, I would not accept any unit that does this.
Budget: Up to £1,100.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
I had a very poor experience with a Hisense H55U7BUK, that was returned in Sept 2019. I did not purchase an alternate model as I couldn't find anything that I particularly liked. Instead I returned to my 11 year old Panasonic Viera TX-P42S20B Plasma that shows it's age in terms of interface and connectivity, but really is a beautiful screen that I haven't adjusted since the day I bought it. From what I've seen of the shiny modern panels, I do still have a preference for Plasma, though I understand they are long dead and no longer an option.
Twenty months have passed and as we decided to decorate our TV room just as Covid hit, it has taken a long time waiting for shops to reopen and complete the decor. I'm back in the market for a new TV with no idea as to what represents a decent buy today.
A new TV will be used for Movies and TV shows.
The input sources will be Netflix or Amazon Prime, a standard blu-ray player for now (though 4k blu-ray is planned) and direct input from a laptop via HDMI (VLC software). I have no use for Freeview (no TV license) and there will be no gaming on this set.
I would like the TV to have the following features:
- Good picture quality for Movies, good motion control and shadow quality. The experience with the Hisense highlighted how important this is. It's by far my first consideration.
- 50 or 55 inch. The previous Hisense was a 55" and that's right on the limit of size for me. Sitting 7-8 feet from the screen. I did find the "uncanny valley / soap opera" effect quite noticeable with the 55, though whether this was due to the poor motion I am unsure.
- While I don't really have any 4K source right now. I guess the TV should be 4K and I'll upgrade the Netflix and get a new blu-ray player to suit. Frankly, I'm not that bothered on this point, but my wife will be expecting it.
-It would be nice to have reasonable sound quality as I will be using the TV speakers (at least initially). I'm not someone who has the TV blasting, so quality rather than mad volume/bass.
- Inbuilt Netflix / Prime would be useful. Every other app, service or whatever will never be used.
- The TV will be standing, not wall mounted so a unit that comes with a stable stand is a must.
- I read somewhere that some TVs have started showing adverts as part of their interface. I don't recall the manufacturer, and I'm not sure if this is widespread. But it's a deal breaker for me, I would not accept any unit that does this.
Budget: Up to £1,100.
Thank you in advance for your advice.