Buying a New TV

[Big Boy]

To me, the more add-ons that are built into the super TV, the more chance of something going wrong. I'm happy having a basic TV with sufficient HDMI ports and a cheap Android Box, which can be shared amongst several TVs. Gives me exactly the same functionality at less than half the price. OK, there might be an extra cable, but the OP was looking for several HDMI ports anyway.

[STEVE G]

Gives me exactly the same functionality at less than half the price.

It might have been like that once but almost all the latest TV's are 'smart' now, the Panasonic I bought isn't available in a non smart version for any price. If you think about it, that technology to get you online through wifi is available now on phones that cost 5000 bt and fit in your pocket, so why not throw it in the back of the TV as well?

[Big Boy]

My worry is the more you put inside, the more there is to go wrong. I see most of these things as throw away when they go wrong, and replace with new.

Your model might not be available 'non-smart', but I looked on the Power Buy website to find a photo for our Facebook page earlier today, and they still sell plenty of non-smart TVs.

[STEVE G]

....and they still sell plenty of non-smart TVs.

They do but from what I saw they were either older models or those cheaper Chinese brands which probably will go wrong, smart or not!

[dozer]

Samsung scraps plasma TVs

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-2814 ... ow_twitter#

[Big Boy]

They do but from what I saw they were either older models or those cheaper Chinese brands which probably will go wrong, smart or not!

Back to the same online source, they list basic TVs manufactured by Sharp, Samsung, TCL, AJ, Funai, Toshiba, Philips and LG. I don't profess to know the origin of all of those manufacturers, but I recognise a few as being reputable.

I must say, I don't really know how you tell whether its an 'older' model, or are you saying if its a basic TV from a reputable manufacturer, it has to be an older model?

I'm interested because I'm considering buying a new one for one of the bedrooms, and the add-on for an integrated model seems OTT. I would have thought integrated should have been cheaper.

I've scored the above comment out because I was being swayed by the price you quoted. Your TV is obviously towards the top end of the market. Before I posted, I thought I'd try to compare similar spec TVs with and without the smart bit. The smart element comes in at about 3-4,000 Baht, which is about right. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I'd prefer 2 separate units for 2 reasons:

- The throw away culture.

- We have several TVs, but only watch a maximum of 2 at any time. If we're using 2 TVs, one of us is probably watching Thai soaps, and wouldn't need smart technology anyway. Android boxes are compact and easily moved from set to set. I don't need smart functionality for every TV, so why pay for more than I need?

[STEVE G]

The smart element comes in at about 3-4,000 Baht, which is about right.

Yes, obviously it's a matter of personal choice. I could have got a 50" non-smart Panasonic Viera for 5,000 bt less but that wasn't the only difference, the non-smart model was thicker, it had a wider frame and it wasn't 100hz. To be honest, I bought it for the picture quality and physical looks and the smart part was a bonus, without it I could have connected a computer as you say.

[oakdale160]

BB. could you please explain what an 'android box'. Is and what it does

[Big Boy]

OK, I got mine from Expat TV for watching Expat TV and 365 Sport. However, it will do, for example most of the clever stuff your smart phone will do, but on your TV. I can sit in my armchair, and do e-mail, I can watch you tube, I can browse the net (I think - never tried it), I can download various games through the app store, and play games etc, etc

Just connect the android box via HDMI. I would guess my android box measures about 4" x 4" x 0.75".

[chopsticks]

Roku streaming boxes (and similar) or an Apple tv box will convert a basic to a smart tv.

Samsung and LG are stopping production of plasma tv's : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28143408 but as the article states, they are still better for true black displays and fast moving images as were the old CRT tv sets. LCD panels were initially back-lit with thin fluorescent type tubes then with LED's which reduced the overall thickness.

3D also seems to be on the way out and UHD (ultra high definition) and curved screens are the next features to be marketed.

[StevePIraq]

What is the benefit of a High Definition TV when the programs in Thailand are not broadcast in HD?

[PeteC]

What is the benefit of a High Definition TV when the programs in Thailand are not broadcast in HD?

I don't know about Expat TV or cable companies, but True satellite has many channels in HD, almost all of the movies, sports, foreign variety etc.

[Big Boy]

When watching Expat TV, we often lose broadcast if its in HD. 365 Sport do broadcast in HD.

[lomuamart]

I'm considering a new telly. I've been through this thread and have picked up some very useful info.
However, all I'd like is a reasonable sized screen (what's reasonable, I don't know).
The telly must take my external hard drive to watch films. It must have Thai tv for the wife. I'd also like to be able to watch stuff through the internet. I could bore a hole through the bedroom door for a cable but I don't think the owner would be too happy with that. Maybe I can run that off wifi which I've got as well?
So, prices of 30K just put me off. I might as well just stare into space. It's not that important to me.
However, is there something that ticks all the boxes and dosn't cost a King's ransom?

[Big Boy]

Lomu, there are some good deals out there on bog standard TVs, which will do what you want. OK, they aren't SMART, but it doesn't sound as though you need smart. 2 weeks ago I bought a similar (non-SMART) model to the one that we've got in the living room for the bedroom. It was less than half the price I paid 2 years ago.

Non-SMART is being sold very cheap because they're old fashioned. It's a good TV with a full warranty that will do everything you and I need of it. To look at it, it looks very similar to the SMART model.

Only buy SMART if you really need it, otherwise pick up a bargain.

[Edit] Oh, and I'm talking less than 25% of the cost you're quoting.