I currently have an older Vestel made Toshiba TV. It's a 32" HD.
It's adequate enough, blacks aren't great at all, but when you watch TV, you don't have another TV to compare to!
The key problems with it are:
I suspect the answer for a simple life would be to get a TV with the right inputs, ignore the smart functions, and find a Freeview+ replacement for the Humax. That way we have the PVR and smart TV running on one device and with one remote.
What fits the bill?
It's adequate enough, blacks aren't great at all, but when you watch TV, you don't have another TV to compare to!
The key problems with it are:
- It doesn't play nicely with our Humax HDR 1800T - if you turn the TV and then the Humax, everything is fine, but if you turn the Humax on first, you don't get any sound.
- It only has 2x HDMI sockets, which is a pain.
- Humax HDR 1800T - this may be due for replacement with a newer Freeview / Freeview + box.
- Chromecast - this may become less of a requirement if we have a decent smart TV or Freeview + box.
- Portal TV
- SNES mini
- Xbox 360
- Pioneer DVD player - this pre-dates HDMI. It has composite, SCART and S-video.
- Mostly Freeview & iPlayer. BBC, Cbeebies, Channel 4 etc.
- Occasional Amazon Prime
- Occasional DVDs
- Occasional Red Bull TV
- Most of this will be watching comedies, documentaries, Top Gear, dramas etc.
- It's pretty rare that the SNES or the X-box will get used to play games.
- We're busy, so it's rare that we'll watch a film. When we do it tends to either be from DVD or the Freeview recorder.
- I'd prefer a TV I can set up and leave alone.
- 42" / 43" is preferred. We could fit a larger TV, but I'd rather not.
- Simple to use would be great - Freeview + looks ideal for this.
- We really need 4x HDMI + S-video or Composite
- Built in Chromecast or similar would be great.
- Having re-nameable inputs would be great.
- Viewing distance is 3-5 meters depending where you're sat. Wide viewing angles are important.
- The room is fairly bright but the TV won't be in direct sunlight. We always have a lamp on in the evening.
- Ideally cost < £500. Young kids and nice electronics don't mix well.
- I'd prefer to avoid anything that's got a built in microphone if possible.
- I'd prefer to avoid anything that's got built in ads if possible.
- If there's a smart TV element, it needs to be snappy - navigating iPlayer via the Humax is pretty laggy.
- The TV sound doesn't need to be great as I won't be using the TV to listen to music, but I really don't like TVs with cabinet resonance / distortion.
I suspect the answer for a simple life would be to get a TV with the right inputs, ignore the smart functions, and find a Freeview+ replacement for the Humax. That way we have the PVR and smart TV running on one device and with one remote.
What fits the bill?