 cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to sparc
Re: Poor performance killed connected tvs said by sparc:Apple is going to wipe the floor with the rest of the sets simply because they care about the apps, user interface, and speed of the system. Yeah, because Apple TV has just been wiping up the floor, why can't Apple do it with an Apple iHDTV. /sarcasm
How are they going to wipe up the competition?
- Are they going to revolutionize the UI/UX? They already have the interface with the Apple TV. Why wasn't it done for that already? It's not like the technology wasn't there.
- Are they going to make the TV thinner? There's already ultra thin displays in the market.
- Are they going to increase the size? There's already everything from ultra small to ultra large displays in the market.
- Are they going to make the resolution better? 1080p is the max anyone is going to use for some time and even that is confined to bluray discs.
- Are they going to have a 'retina display'? Useless when you are more then a few feet away.
If the rumors are correct, paying a 350% premium for a 42" TV that you can talk to and wave your hand at sounds like guaranteed commercial success and how can it end badly? /sarcasm again |
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Reviews:
 ·Hargray Cable
| reply to thegeek
Re: Not using because .... said by thegeek:I have a 70" Sharp Aquos. I connected it when I first got it. But I haven't found a reason to use any of the connectivity features. I already use my PS3 for streaming content from my computer. Sure, the TV has Hulu and Netflix apps, but 1) they're overpriced and the quality sucks, and 2) I can access Netflix through my PS3, XBox 360, and Wii if I really wanted to.
I have a Vizio for the bedroom and I use Netflix and Flingo. Not one other feature on the TV useful. Face Book? With no keyboard? That's as useful as a fart in a wind storm. Weather app sucks, no Hulu but Hulu Plus. You are much better off getting a Roku or a cheap laptop to connect to your TV I would go cheap laptop. |
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 SnakeoilIgnore Button. The coward's feature.Premium
join:2000-08-05
Mentor, OH
kudos:1
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·magicjack.com
| I have a linux box I have a linux box hooked up to my TV. Why pay the high price of a "internet" ready TV, when all I have to do is take a PC I currently own and attach it to the TV.
The use Netflix/Itunes/Boxee/Hulu plus as well as Network sites for video streams.
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Is a person a failure for doing nothing? Or is he a failure for trying, and not succeeding at what he is attempting to do? What did you fail at today?. |
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BiggA
join:2005-11-23
EARTH | Box is better. Roku can easily be replaced when something better comes along. You're stuck with what's in the TV (although you can always add a Roku or ATV to it). I'd connect one to my network if I had one, but I doubt I'd use it very much. |
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Reviews:
·ooma
·Optimum Online
 ·Verizon FiOS
| Multisource hdmi once you have multisource hdmi-input.. just send video from the computer.. and be done with it..
A big extra would be if you have an ultra quality video card that extends over 3+ monitors (multiple displayport, hdmi, dvi outputs).
If all else fails, burn a blu ray disc! |
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| What happened to just using a monitor When I was in the market for a new TV several years ago the Plasma TVs were all the rage for picture quality etc... I wanted to save money and just buy a monitor with out the tuner integrated. I was unable to purchase this type of item for the size that I wanted to get. If a customer does have other devices that provide content why not sell a bare-bones TV/monitor in the larger sizes. |
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 NezmoThe name's Bond. James Bond.Premium,MVM
join:2004-11-10
Coppell, TX
kudos:1 | reply to BiggA
Re: Box is better. said by BiggA:Roku can easily be replaced when something better comes along. You're stuck with what's in the TV (although you can always add a Roku or ATV to it). I'd connect one to my network if I had one, but I doubt I'd use it very much.
I don't understand the comments about being stuck with what's on the TV. My one 'smart' TV takes firmware updates all the time and there have been occasions when new apps have appeared. Same as with Blu-ray player, network receivers, etc. Yes, manufacturers are not going to keep updating forever as they need a reason to market new models I guess. But on the whole you are not stuck with what came out the box. Maybe some brands don't ever update?
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My Gallery
Formerly Nezmo  |
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BiggA
join:2005-11-23
EARTH | You're stuck hardware wise. Boxes can introduce new hardware as needed. |
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| reply to Guspaz
Re: Ugh said by Guspaz:The whole "smart TV" thing is annoying. Agreed. Most people (myself included) buy TVs to hook them up to other stuff which likely does everything "smart TVs" are poised to do better than smartTV are likely to do any time soon... and as others mentioned, much easier/cheaper to change/upgrade an external box when new content types, apps, etc. come out that require new hardware than changing the whole damned TV every time. |
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dplantz
join:2000-08-02
Roslindale, MA Reviews:
·RCN CABLE
 ·Verizon Wireless..
·Clearwire Wireless
·PHONE POWER
| reply to BiggA
Re: Box is better. I agree. I have net apps on my LG Blu Ray player, I use that mostly for Vudu. I prefer the Netflix app on my Roku box, which gets tons of use.
In January I replaced a beast of a tv with a LG flat panel 42 inch. The Samsung was a 2003 30 inch tube HD set, weighing a wiping 150 lbs. 2 component in for inputs. Was no fun putting out for Boston Recycling. Still worked ok, but the brightness was starting to go. I chose the non net app tv to save some money. My parents have the next model up, which has net apps and a nicer ui. |
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bn1221
join:2009-04-29
Cortland, NY Reviews:
·RoadRunner Cable
| worthless I looked at an internet ready tv. It was $200 - $300 more than the same TV in a non internet form. I got a Roku 2 for 89 bucks that I can use and carry to the hotel when i travel and watch tv streamed (if the hotel internet doesn't suck - most do) or from my USB stick on the Roku. |
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| reply to cdru
Re: Poor performance killed connected tvs all i was trying to indicate was that the bar was set terribly low from existing manufacturers.
Anyone could come in and do better than the existing manufacturers. That's how badly they've botched things.
You way overstated my Apple comment as they will barely have to do anything to make a better experience than what's out there now. |
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| Remote app I have a Samsung UN46D6300 and the only feature I regularly use is the remote app on my iphone...It is probably the second best thing about the tv (behind the picture quality) and it never ceases to amaze my friends. I do the same thing with my Dish Network receiver (which is even cooler because you can search for shows very easily). But I rarely use the web browser or facebook and I use netflix on ps3.... |
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OCPPremium
join:2004-10-11
USA | Too complicated I helped my friend set up his new smart TV and all he had to do was enter the key for the WiFi. It took him about a year to figure it out. He still doesn't use it. His Blu-ray player has all of the same functions. Also, a lot of the content requires extra payments. You'd presume that some of that was included in the price of the more expensive networked device...
My Blu-ray player was connected, but I never used the features. Too limited. HTPC kicks buttocks by comparison.
I'm hoping 3DTV just fades away again. No interest. |
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Reviews:
·ooma
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS
| reply to haggishelper
Re: What happened to just using a monitor said by haggishelper:When I was in the market for a new TV several years ago the Plasma TVs were all the rage for picture quality etc... I wanted to save money and just buy a monitor with out the tuner integrated. I was unable to purchase this type of item for the size that I wanted to get. If a customer does have other devices that provide content why not sell a bare-bones TV/monitor in the larger sizes.
Try Microcenter.com (a computer store). I remember seeing monitors in the 40+" range having both HDMI and DVI inputs. You might be able to find these larger sizes online. Biggest might be 50" for 52-70 inch range they're going to be HDTVs of various kinds. |
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KearnstdElf WizardPremium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | reply to haggishelper
with how many people use cable/sat these days I am surprised that the companies have not started to sell TVs without the tuner.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports |
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TheMGPremium
join:2007-09-04
Canada
kudos:1 | Jack of all trades master of none. Just like many other multi-function devices, the connected TVs have many drawbacks. They can't excel at everything.
The connected TVs will likely never reach the same level of performance, features, usability, and customization as a dedicated network STB device or an HTPC. |
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 dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | reply to thegeek
Re: Not using because .... said by thegeek:Sure, the TV has Hulu and Netflix apps, but 1) they're overpriced and the quality sucks, That happens when you try to do it all.
you do it all but nothing well. |
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Mele20Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
kudos:4
1 edit | You need a connected TV to avoid all the expense Why would I want to pay my cable company tons of money for digital cable for 300+ crap stations I never watch? Or why do I need to rent a crappy set top box that won't let me use my Samsung remote? Or why do I need to buy Tivo or Roku? That makes no sense. My condo building has bulk analog TWC TV. I have a Samsung 46" HDTV purchased last September. It has an internet browser. I watch all the TV that I like via clearqam in HD and without needing to pay TWC its ever increasing monthly fee for an ugly set top box with a crappy remote I am required to use thus having to fumble between it and the Samsung remote. I get a fair number of channels in digital form as well as all analog and all the broadcast HD ones and some other HD ones.
What is Boxee, or Xbox 360? Whatever they are why would I want to buy them in order to have connectivity options when I PURPOSELY bought a Samsung HDTV with internet browser and all Samsung apps for that purpose? I know several people here who have bought this exact Samsung I have just for streaming Netflix. I know a bunch of folks who have their Samsungs connected...that is what they bought them for. I don't understand this contention that folks are buying SMART Samsungs and then not connecting them...or even other brands...(but Samsungs have the most apps).
I can stream from Netflix, Hulu Plus, and, finally now, from Blockbuster, and many others for movies and TV shows directly from the TV using Samsung apps. I don't have my computer connected to the TV except via Allshare for accessing files on the computer. I have a bunch of apps on the TV and every time I turn it on it seems it updates for new apps.
The web browser I don't use much but that is because I don't have Samsung's qwerty keyboard remote and it is rather pricey. Trying to navigate the web without a keyboard (except virtual) or mouse is rather slow, irritating and painful. It is even easiest to register for sites like streaming Hulu Plus, etc using my PC rather than trying to use a virtual keyboard to do it via Samsung app. I noticed that Blockbuster requires registering on your computer not through the app.
I was interested to see Blockbuster finally added to Samsung apps when I checked a few days ago. I have always hated renting movies and having to return them in a specified period of time. So, I rarely rented movies. Now I have Blockbuster (which still has a large popular store in my town) available for streaming whenever I want with no driving to get it or making a special trip to return it within the time limit. Samsung (contrary to recent reports) has already made Blockbuster available...no waiting until June like the reports say. The movies are $2.99 and $3.99 mostly and TV shows are coming soon. I won't rent many but occasionally and it will sure beat driving to BB to rent and return.
I'm waiting for Samsung to add Amazon app. I have not subscribed yet to Hulu Plus or Netflix (which looks much less useful) but will this summer so I can stream all nine years of Gray's Anatomy that I missed when I had no TV for ten years until last September.
Edit: To you naysayers please tell me why I should spend money on a BluRay player? I have a TV to stream. I don't need or want a BluRay player. (I HATED my stereo VCR in its day...a total waste of $350). You guys who are poohpooing these TVs are doing so because you already spent tons of money on devices no longer needed. I don't see this TV becoming obsolete in the next 9-10 years it should last. VCR was around for a LONG time. Plus, I just want to stream OCCASIONAL movies, meaning maybe one or two a month no more, and catch up on all the back TV shows I missed during the ten years I didn't have a TV. Streaming with no need to purchase a lot of fancy, expensive equipment beyond my Smart Samsung TV will do just fine.
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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Mele20Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
kudos:4 | reply to InvalidError
Re: Ugh said by InvalidError:said by Guspaz:The whole "smart TV" thing is annoying. Agreed. Most people (myself included) buy TVs to hook them up to other stuff which likely does everything "smart TVs" are poised to do better than smartTV are likely to do any time soon... and as others mentioned, much easier/cheaper to change/upgrade an external box when new content types, apps, etc. come out that require new hardware than changing the whole damned TV every time. No. Most people buy TVs to watch TV on! Who cares if new content types come out? I won't care. I have no interest in buying a BlueRay player or Roku or Tivo or any of that. I bought a Samsung Smart TV last September because I had finally gotten tired of not having a TV for ten years and during that ten years I NEVER ONCE went to a movie theatre and watched one movie only on my computer and hated watching it on a 5:4 monitor (I don't want a widecreen monitor either).
I could have spent $100 less and gotten the model withOUT the browser but I thought it might be fun...but I need the Samsung qwerty remote to use it and enjoy the browser. I have the TV hooked up to the internet but I have not hooked my PC to it and don't plan to. I can access files on the PC via Allshare software and that is all the access I need between my computer and my TV. So, don't say everyone buys a TV to hook it up to other stuff as that is not true at all.
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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