Spec me a TV please... with Component Video!

[SwedishSonna]

Hi all,

In the market for a new TV (mine must be 15 years old) as I'm binning off Sky, so need a Smart TV. Will be using either Freeview or Freesat. Blueray player and Nintento Switch will also be hooked up via HDMI.

Once necessity of mine is to have component video input. Is this a thing on modern TVs now?

App requirement is the usual streaming services (Netflix, Prime, Apple TV+). Another plus would be BT Sport app, but I understand this would limit me to Samsung only.

43" is ideal but will consider larger if it meets requirements. 1080p or 4k... I've lived with a 720p for the last 15 years....

Budget is around £500. But again, I can stretch this if I can find what I need.

I have looked on this thread already, but the need for component doesn't help me here... **New** My best value TVs, 2020-2021 Edition

Would appreciate any input... Thanks!

 

[Dodgexander]

LG are probably the only ones that have a component/composite combo port. You get an adaptor in the box to use both. So in the guide; the UN7300 at 43" would be the low tier option and the Nano85/86 in the mid tier if you want to go up to 49".

The downside will be (BT app aside) that LG don't really make any true HDR TVs, and whilst their TVs will accept the signal, they won't display it problem free so they don't make for the best TVs if you want to stream nowadays. It can be avoided sometimes by disabling HDR on the TVs HDMI port though if you use an external smart device like Apple TV.

As for the BT app, I think its Samsung or Roku TVs. Argos sell Hisense Roku models that support it, but you could also just use a Roku with any TV.

EDIT* I think some TCL models have component in too if you'd like a TV using a VA panel instead. Sadly though there's no BT app or decent HDR on those models either.

 

[SwedishSonna]

@Dodgexander thank you for the response. Some food for thought.

I’ve had a look at some solutions, and I may opt for a component to HDMI adapter. So the urgency for native component can probably go out the window if my options are limited.

 

[pastrybloke19]

@Dodgexander thank you for the response. Some food for thought.

I’ve had a look at some solutions, and I may opt for a component to HDMI adapter. So the urgency for native component can probably go out the window if my options are limited.

If the component requirement is no longer needed, I would then look to either:

- cheap and cheerful; low tier, 43” or even a 55”, and accept it will be poor at HDR. There is a half decent hisense model in the guide that is good value, could be a option.

- pricey but worth it; high tier, 55”, with good HDR and all round tv. Need to up your budget tho.

small TVs are poor value all round, so if you can get 55” I would.

VA vs IPS, read up on viewing angles to pick.

@Dodgexander guides are great for this to help refine your shortlist. And best time to buy a 2020 when they are cheapest, but could run out of stock.

 

[lynx]

What about considering a component to HDMI convertor, open up options?

 

[SwedishSonna]

What about considering a component to HDMI convertor, open up options?

Yeah I've decided to go down this route now as it appears component is quite niche these days. RIP SCART too.

Looking at either the Samsung TU7*** or the AU7***

Not sure if the panel is different in these or if its a lottery. Only difference (other than an extra £100) is an extra HDMI in one but then the lack of USB recording it might seem. So will do some research.

I expect an HDMI switch can easily overcome any lack of port issue.

 

[Dodgexander]

The AU series is the new 2021 model line that's just been released, so be careful overpaying on those models. Typically its much better value to buy last years model than this years. The AU models are not going to be much better than the TU ones, in fact, they could be worse or indistinguishable.

There's definitely a lottery element to buying Samsung TVs, especially smaller 43" size. They should come with VA panels, but each year people buy some that are using IPS type too.

At the end of the day if you are shopping for a budget TV then you may as well go with LG to get the component ports. Its much more convenient plugging in a Roku for BT sport than it is using a HDMI>component adaptor. Not to mention some will ad some latency.