Probably Going In On a 50 inch TV Next week. Recommendations?

[silvarios]

deckeda wrote: Last year it was popular on mostly higher-end models. This year you'll see it on lower-end models, too.

Or buy an Apple TV refurb for $85 (which does Netflix well) and don't worry about it.

Even some lower end models last year had Internet apps built-in, but I agree that a simple set top box may be the way to go. Apple TV is okay.

Used to have very little content in comparison to the other boxes (assuming you didn't want to pay for iTunes content, you only had YouTube, Netflix, and video podcasts), but Apple has added a couple more options. AirPlay also works okay for sending content from iOS devices to the AppleTV.

I still like my Roku better (the early builds of the Netflix app on the Apple TV were not robust, some titles wouldn't play, large queues wouldn't load, etc. turned me off even if the experience has improved), but the Apple TV looks slick. Two annoyances with Netflix on the Apple TV that I am not sure have been fixed:
1. No visual indicator of which TV episodes have been watched.
2. No visual indicator whether you have already started a video until you click play, then an option to resume pops up. Sort of weird. Coupled with problem number 1, makes keeping tack of TV episodes harder than it should be.

Would love to know if Apple has improved either behavior.

[silvarios]

Ted King wrote:
You really can't go by how a set looks in a store. There are many variables that may not apply to your home that happen in stores - different lighting, video source (splitting signals, etc.) and settings on the TV's, for example. It's probably better to look at a place like cnet that does reviews:

I agree.

[Grateful11]

silvarios wrote:
[quote=Ted King]
You really can't go by how a set looks in a store. There are many variables that may not apply to your home that happen in stores - different lighting, video source (splitting signals, etc.) and settings on the TV's, for example. It's probably better to look at a place like cnet that does reviews:

I agree.
This is so true. My first HDTV was a 32" Sanyo CRT it was great in its day but talk about trying to watch 2.35:1
movie on it. Then it was a 50" Sony A10 LCD rear projection, and then Vizio. All these sets are still working fine, gave away
the Sanyo, loaned the Sony to couple that are graduating in 2 weeks and moving in next door into the ol' farmhouse.
I think the biggest disappointing store we went into over years was Tweeter, they even had some of the Component
cable crossed and they didn't even realize it, the picture was gawd awful, I thought they were suppose to be "the"
place to actually see tweaked TVs.

You can't go by what you see in the stores at all, even if they were tweaked the lighting in your home is going to
be totally different.

[deckeda]

silvarios wrote:
... (the early builds of the Netflix app on the Apple TV were not robust, some titles wouldn't play, large queues wouldn't load, etc. turned me off even if the experience has improved), but the Apple TV looks slick. Two annoyances with Netflix on the Apple TV that I am not sure have been fixed:
1. No visual indicator of which TV episodes have been watched.
2. No visual indicator whether you have already started a video until you click play, then an option to resume pops up. Sort of weird. Coupled with problem number 1, makes keeping tack of TV episodes harder than it should be.

Would love to know if Apple has improved either behavior.

Don't know; we're Netflix newbies and only use it to watch a few movies, where it's otherwise easier to remember on your own if you've seen it.

I can say that something with the iPad app, or Netflix service itself isn't always very bright: Last week I began to watch a movie on the iPad, but only as a test. It only played for about 3 seconds. Viewing my account in a browser, it seemed in the list as if the entire movie had been watched.

[jdc]

Until the entire NF library is streamable -- I'll pass.

[silvarios]

jdc wrote:
Until the entire NF library is streamable -- I'll pass.

You don't pay extra to stream Netflix if you already have a Netflix DVD account and a device that can stream Netflix. Many people were already Netflix DVD subscribers and most own a modern game system, an iOS device, a personal computer, a TV, or other media box that has Netflix functionality. What's the loss of using something you have access to anyway.

[Will Collier]

robfilms wrote:
[quote=Will Collier]
Ignore all the marketing hype and sales nonsense... just go look at as many screens as you can, and pick the one your eyes like the best. Then buy online from a reputable dealer (i.e., nobody from NYC or Jersey... J&B excepted), you'll save a bundle. Outfit I bought my screen from has since folded, but my bro-in-law swears by Vanns.com.

I've had a Panasonic plasma since 2005 (don't even ask how much it cost back then) that still looks incredible; my dad got a Visio LED last year.

Oh, and ditto on the Monoprice suggestion. Don't bother buying cables or accessories anywhere else.

will collier-

i wouldn't lump all "nyc or jersey" vendors in the same pile.

you were probably suggesting b&h along with jr.com but there are others that are equally fine-adorama is a b&m who competes with b&h, is just one example.

the point u might have been making is: if the price is too cheap, it probably is a scam.

ymmv

be well

rob
Indeed... I did manage to completely mangle two of the better outfits up there. There are an awful lot of shady grey-market (or worse) vendors with NYC/NJ addresses, though.

[silvarios]

deckeda wrote: Don't know; we're Netflix newbies and only use it to watch a few movies, where it's otherwise easier to remember on your own if you've seen it.

I don't think movies indicate whether you've watched them in their entirety. The problem with the Apple TV regarding movies is that you can't immediately see how much is left. You have to start the movie, click resume, let it load, and then you get to know your progress. Seems a little clunky compared to every other player that I've used.

[Will Collier]

silvarios wrote:
[quote=Will Collier]
Ignore all the marketing hype and sales nonsense... just go look at as many screens as you can, and pick the one your eyes like the best..

This isn't possible. Most TVs are not set up in rooms with appropriate lighting nor are most TVs tweaked for picture quality.
That's why you ask for the remote, so you can mess with the settings yourself. Even given the sub-optimal conditions in a big box, there's no substitute for looking at a screen with your own eyes.

[deckeda]

Will Collier wrote:
[quote=silvarios]
[quote=Will Collier]
Ignore all the marketing hype and sales nonsense... just go look at as many screens as you can, and pick the one your eyes like the best..

This isn't possible. Most TVs are not set up in rooms with appropriate lighting nor are most TVs tweaked for picture quality.
That's why you ask for the remote, so you can mess with the settings yourself. Even given the sub-optimal conditions in a big box, there's no substitute for looking at a screen with your own eyes.
Agreed. In my experience, you'll quickly narrow down a handful of models based on size and price. And as you visit a few showrooms, overall differences and picture characteristics WILL emerge. The exact result of how the picture would appear in you own home is irrelevant considered in that context.