Would you buy a "dumb" TV?

[Robert Urbanek]

If it were available, would you buy a “dumb” widescreen TV, one that only received broadcast channels through an antenna and could play DVDs? No Wi-Fi service fees, no streaming subscriptions.

My first widescreen TV, bought in 2005 for about $1,200, was “dumb” but I was satisfied and awestruck at the increased image size, going from a 19-inch screen to 32 inches, which today is considered small. I now have a 32-inch smart TV. I like some of the free offerings on Roku but could probably get by with all the movie and TV show DVDs available from my public library.

I sense that a large segment of the population is frustrated by overly complex technology and would like a simpler life. Am I wrong?

 

[deannalw]

If it were available, would you buy a “dumb” widescreen TV, one that only received broadcast channels through an antenna and could play DVDs? No Wi-Fi service fees, no streaming subscriptions.

My first widescreen TV, bought in 2005 for about $1,200, was “dumb” but I was satisfied and awestruck at the increased image size, going from a 19-inch screen to 32 inches, which today is considered small. I now have a 32-inch smart TV. I like some of the free offerings on Roku but could probably get by with all the movie and TV show DVDs available from my public library.

I sense that a large segment of the population is frustrated by overly complex technology and would like a simpler life. Am I wrong?

I'm allergic to new technology- I think if it weren't for James keeping us updated, I'd still be plunking about with an 8 track.

 

[SaxonJackson]

You're dumb if you buy a "Smart TV." I don't watch TV so it matters not to me.

 

[Kruska]

If it were available, would you buy a “dumb” widescreen TV, one that only received broadcast channels through an antenna and could play DVDs? No Wi-Fi service fees, no streaming subscriptions.

My first widescreen TV, bought in 2005 for about $1,200, was “dumb” but I was satisfied and awestruck at the increased image size, going from a 19-inch screen to 32 inches, which today is considered small. I now have a 32-inch smart TV. I like some of the free offerings on Roku but could probably get by with all the movie and TV show DVDs available from my public library.

I sense that a large segment of the population is frustrated by overly complex technology and would like a simpler life. Am I wrong?

Just as it wasn't up to my grandfather to stop "commerce driven innovation" - he simply couldn't get his head around a color TV and especially that "remote control". - it isn't up to our "dying out generation" - but as long as "commerce driven innovation" doesn't force us to abandon older technology - I am fine with it.

Just some days ago I read an article concerning Chinese car makers specifically designing and manufacturing cars, that just last 2 years. !!

 

[Moonglow]

I stream if I watch. I am a cheap date, so it must be free.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

If it were available, would you buy a “dumb” widescreen TV, one that only received broadcast channels through an antenna and could play DVDs? No Wi-Fi service fees, no streaming subscriptions.

My first widescreen TV, bought in 2005 for about $1,200, was “dumb” but I was satisfied and awestruck at the increased image size, going from a 19-inch screen to 32 inches, which today is considered small. I now have a 32-inch smart TV. I like some of the free offerings on Roku but could probably get by with all the movie and TV show DVDs available from my public library.

I sense that a large segment of the population is frustrated by overly complex technology and would like a simpler life. Am I wrong?

.

Yes. "Dumb" appliance are my preference.

.

 

[White 6]

If it were available, would you buy a “dumb” widescreen TV, one that only received broadcast channels through an antenna and could play DVDs? No Wi-Fi service fees, no streaming subscriptions.

My first widescreen TV, bought in 2005 for about $1,200, was “dumb” but I was satisfied and awestruck at the increased image size, going from a 19-inch screen to 32 inches, which today is considered small. I now have a 32-inch smart TV. I like some of the free offerings on Roku but could probably get by with all the movie and TV show DVDs available from my public library.

I sense that a large segment of the population is frustrated by overly complex technology and would like a simpler life. Am I wrong?

Wrong for me. This year I put in a Samsung QN series wide screen smart TV in the living room and traded out a (semi-smart) Sony Bravia (hardly a low end smart TV, but the Samsungs QNs make it look retarded by comparison)here in my study/library, for a 43 inch Samsung QN series smart TV. The pictures on the QNs are unlike anything I have ever seen outside of showroom. These things are smart, even when turned off. If somebody walks in the vicinity while off, they temporarily flash up a screen with local temps, time, tells me what is on the most popular streaming channels and advertises targeted ads. The damned things are almost intuitive, right out of the box. I could do without the volunteer targeted ads, but what can I say? It probably means the South Koreans are listening every time I fart, walking through the house even when TV is off, but they definitely make smart TVs with great picture, and a 20 watt stereo built in, which is far greater than other flat screens in the house, smart of dumb.

 

[Darkwind]

By definition, TV is dumb, so I don't understand what you are saying.

Are you talking about a TV that has apps on it?

 

[Flopper]

Wrong for me. This year I put in a Samsung QN series wide screen smart TV in the living room and traded out a (semi-smart) Sony Bravia (hardly a low end smart TV, but the Samsungs QNs make it look retarded by comparison)here in my study/library, for a 43 inch Samsung QN series smart TV. The pictures on the QNs are unlike anything I have ever seen outside of showroom. These things are smart, even when turned off. If somebody walks in the vicinity while off, they temporarily flash up a screen with local temps, time, tells me what is on the most popular streaming channels and advertises targeted ads. The damned things are almost intuitive, right out of the box. I could do without the volunteer targeted ads, but what can I say? It probably means the South Koreans are listening every time I fart, walking through the house even when TV is off, but they definitely make smart TVs with great picture, and a 20 watt stereo built in, which is far greater than other flat screens in the house, smart of dumb.

I bought a Samsung NEO Qled 65 inch a few weeks ago

Wrong for me. This year I put in a Samsung QN series wide screen smart TV in the living room and traded out a (semi-smart) Sony Bravia (hardly a low end smart TV, but the Samsungs QNs make it look retarded by comparison)here in my study/library, for a 43 inch Samsung QN series smart TV. The pictures on the QNs are unlike anything I have ever seen outside of showroom. These things are smart, even when turned off. If somebody walks in the vicinity while off, they temporarily flash up a screen with local temps, time, tells me what is on the most popular streaming channels and advertises targeted ads. The damned things are almost intuitive, right out of the box. I could do without the volunteer targeted ads, but what can I say? It probably means the South Koreans are listening every time I fart, walking through the house even when TV is off, but they definitely make smart TVs with great picture, and a 20 watt stereo built in, which is far greater than other flat screens in the house, smart of dumb.

I bought a Samsung NEO Qled 65 inch a few weeks ago. I paid about $1500. Frankly, it was an overkill. I connected my cable box and my PC. And added a couple streaming apps. I use my PC mainly for work and much of my TV watching is old movies in b&w. The picture is so bright I have turn it down. However, when I watch sports live, the picture is fantastic. The technology is great and it is relative simple to use.

Now the bad. Samsung has decided to get into the streaming businesses and they are using their TVs to push their customers in that direction. For example when you go to home screen to select your apps, The app bar appears but your cursor will be position on one of their channels or movies. So you have to hit down twice after getting getting to the home screen so you can select an app or device

In short the TV itself is great, but Samsung's attempt to cram their movies and channels down your throat sucks. Now if you like having access to hundreds of free channels, and movies loaded with ads, then you may not consider this a negative.

 

[Flopper]

Wrong for me. This year I put in a Samsung QN series wide screen smart TV in the living room and traded out a (semi-smart) Sony Bravia (hardly a low end smart TV, but the Samsungs QNs make it look retarded by comparison)here in my study/library, for a 43 inch Samsung QN series smart TV. The pictures on the QNs are unlike anything I have ever seen outside of showroom. These things are smart, even when turned off. If somebody walks in the vicinity while off, they temporarily flash up a screen with local temps, time, tells me what is on the most popular streaming channels and advertises targeted ads. The damned things are almost intuitive, right out of the box. I could do without the volunteer targeted ads, but what can I say? It probably means the South Koreans are listening every time I fart, walking through the house even when TV is off, but they definitely make smart TVs with great picture, and a 20 watt stereo built in, which is far greater than other flat screens in the house, smart of dumb.

One the most useful things on my set is Bixby. All I need to do to start an app is say the name of the app I want to load. Instead going to settings to bring up Picture mode, I just say Picture Mode.

 

[HikerGuy83]

Wrong for me. This year I put in a Samsung QN series wide screen smart TV in the living room and traded out a (semi-smart) Sony Bravia (hardly a low end smart TV, but the Samsungs QNs make it look retarded by comparison)here in my study/library, for a 43 inch Samsung QN series smart TV. The pictures on the QNs are unlike anything I have ever seen outside of showroom. These things are smart, even when turned off. If somebody walks in the vicinity while off, they temporarily flash up a screen with local temps, time, tells me what is on the most popular streaming channels and advertises targeted ads. The damned things are almost intuitive, right out of the box. I could do without the volunteer targeted ads, but what can I say? It probably means the South Koreans are listening every time I fart, walking through the house even when TV is off, but they definitely make smart TVs with great picture, and a 20 watt stereo built in, which is far greater than other flat screens in the house, smart of dumb.

What is on TV worth watching?

Very little that I can tell.

 

[jacksonlamb]

If cheap enough to maximize paying a fire stick, I would pay such a TV.

 

[White 6]

I bought a Samsung NEO Qled 65 inch a few weeks ago


I bought a Samsung NEO Qled 65 inch a few weeks ago. I paid about $1500. Frankly, it was an overkill. I connected my cable box and my PC. And added a couple streaming apps. I use my PC mainly for work and much of my TV watching is old movies in b&w. The picture is so bright I have turn it down. However, when I watch sports live, the picture is fantastic. The technology is great and it is relative simple to use.

Now the bad. Samsung has decided to get into the streaming businesses and they are using their TVs to push their customers in that direction. For example when you go to home screen to select your apps, The app bar appears but your cursor will be position on one of their channels or movies. So you have to hit down twice after getting getting to the home screen so you can select an app or device

In short the TV itself is great, but Samsung's attempt to cram their movies and channels down your throat sucks. Now if you like having access to hundreds of free channels, and movies loaded with ads, then you may not consider this a negative.

No surprising. I have no apps running on either of the QNs we put in this year, as not into the app thing and no kids living with us anymore. I am simply in it for the picture and sound system.

 

[White 6]

One the most useful things on my set is Bixby. All I need to do to start an app is say the name of the app I want to load. Instead going to settings to bring up Picture mode, I just say Picture Mode.

Yes. Voice command is handy and not just for changing channels or apps. The one we use is Alexa, so we sometime ask things related to an actor or show we are watching or related to deeper background on something on YouTube. Sometimes good, sometimes useless and no substitute for a keyboard.

 

[The Duke]

I just want decent resolution and reception. Don't need no "smart" stuff.

 

[White 6]

What is on TV worth watching?

Very little that I can tell.

I watch a lot of movies, baseball(of course), YouTube, just about anything created by Taylor Sheridan. Oh, and network television, we watch Survivor and a show called Dark Winds.

 

[Oddball]

If it were available, would you buy a “dumb” widescreen TV, one that only received broadcast channels through an antenna and could play DVDs? No Wi-Fi service fees, no streaming subscriptions.

My first widescreen TV, bought in 2005 for about $1,200, was “dumb” but I was satisfied and awestruck at the increased image size, going from a 19-inch screen to 32 inches, which today is considered small. I now have a 32-inch smart TV. I like some of the free offerings on Roku but could probably get by with all the movie and TV show DVDs available from my public library.

I sense that a large segment of the population is frustrated by overly complex technology and would like a simpler life. Am I wrong?

Have one right now...The only thing it receives is what gets plugged into it.

 

[jacksonlamb]

Yes. Voice command is handy and not just for changing channels or apps. The one we use is Alexa, so we sometime ask things related to an actor or show we are watching or related to deeper background on something on YouTube. Sometimes good, sometimes useless and no substitute for a keyboard.

We are concerned with the "eves hearing" possibilities of voice command service.

See, I can be a conspiracy theorist like all of MAGA and the Alt Right!

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Most smart TVs absolutely suck. On every level.
Buy the TV, plug in a Roku and use it to stream shows. And you won't go insane.

 

[jacksonlamb]

We have a firestick for an old TV, and that is great.