America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 2 years ago by DrMaddVibe. 40 replies replies.
Hey RAM!?
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
MACS Offline
#1 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 6:35 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,773
I want to get a smart TV.

I ditched cable and just have internet and YouTube TV... which I might just dump because it's pricey at $64.99 a month, and the mother fuggers don't even include commercial free "YouTube Premium" in that price.

Anywho... kinda tired of watching shows on a laptop. I'm thinking a 37"-42" smart TV will do the trick. Then I'll figure out if I want to get hulu or something.

So... what should I get?
Jakethesnake86 Online
#2 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 6:40 PM EST
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 4,128
If you already have a regular tv. I use a PlayStation 4 to basically convert it into a smart TV. Then download the apps you want onto your gaming system of choice. I don’t play games much but for the app availability it’s an easy setup. I just ditched direc tv. So I’m interested to see where this goes.
Jakethesnake86 Online
#3 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 6:45 PM EST
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 4,128
To clarify. I have a Samsung smart tv. It’s cool. But for some reason if I put the same apps on my PlayStation. Xbox 1 will also do the same trick. The apps run smoother. All connected to the same internet. I’m not super tec savvy but I had the gaming consoles given to me. At this point the newer systems are out so the PS4 and Xbox 1 can be had pretty cheap. I have both cause friends be like that.


It’s super simple though if I can figure it out. I have YouTube and Netflix on mine. Just another option in case this could work for you.

I don’t understand how or why the gaming consoles run the apps faster but I use one or the other of those instead of using the smart capabilities of the tv.
MACS Offline
#4 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 6:46 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,773
Last gaming console I had was a PS2. Years ago.
Jakethesnake86 Online
#5 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 6:46 PM EST
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 4,128
Plus you can get a non smart tv cheaper. I just happened to get a deal on mine. That said I’ve had it about 3 years and like it. My local tv guy told me he liked Samsung. When my Visio gave up I sorta kinda shopped for a Samsung.
Jakethesnake86 Online
#6 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 6:49 PM EST
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 4,128
I feel ya on the gaming consoles mine were freebies. I met you on the herf a bit ago. If you have a good tv. It’s an option.
8trackdisco Offline
#7 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 6:59 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,075
MACS wrote:
I want to get a smart TV.

I ditched cable and just have internet and YouTube TV... which I might just dump because it's pricey at $64.99 a month, and the mother fuggers don't even include commercial free "YouTube Premium" in that price.

Anywho... kinda tired of watching shows on a laptop. I'm thinking a 37"-42" smart TV will do the trick. Then I'll figure out if I want to get hulu or something.

So... what should I get?


Saw some commercials for tvs with Roku built into them. I'd look into that if I were in the market... wife Ram's permission of course.
Gene363 Offline
#8 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 7:10 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,814
Waiting on Ram... Meanwhile, we cut out cable, got a Samsung smart TV, it has built in Samsung programing and Amazion Prime. We added apps for Discovery plus and Hulu, easy pezy. I recommend getting one, maybe two sources so you actually explore all they have and you don't end up like cable, a hundred of channels, nothing to watch.

I am surprised at how much I do not miss cable programing. It was especially clear today while waiting for car service, they had it on Fox News, the adds, F'!
Mr. Jones Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 7:26 PM EST
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
If you buy a

S
A
M
S
U
N
G

DONT GET FRISKY WITH THE WIFE IN FRONT OF IT...

WHY?

BECAUSE THE N.S.A. CAN FILM YOU, RECORD THE AUDIO AND SEND IT TO THE INTERWEBS ANY TIME THEY FEEL LIKE IT ..PLUS THEY CAN HEAR ANYTHING YOU SAY WITHIN 20-25 FEET OF THAT SMART TV...ANYTIME They WANT TO...

F.A.C.T.
grmcooper Offline
#10 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 7:50 PM EST
Joined: 10-10-2006
Posts: 20,430
86 Samsung in the living room and a 65 Vizio in the garage both have jail broke Amazon firesticks.
Whistlebritches Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 8:11 PM EST
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,128
grmcooper wrote:
86 Samsung in the living room and a 65 Vizio in the garage both have jail broke Amazon firesticks.



Ditto.........I much prefer the Firesticks over Rokus.Got a free appletv set-up ...............hated that **** ing thing,gave it to my son in law who then gave it to one of his coworkers,flat out POS


Hey a Cooper sighting.............good to see you around Mike.Shoot me a text sometime,new phone and not sure if I have your current digits.
Ram27 Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 8:40 PM EST
Joined: 04-30-2005
Posts: 49,014
Oy vey to many choices for me to pick out . Lot of good suggestions but in the end you and only you can make the best decision. Good luck.😉
MACS Offline
#13 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 9:59 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,773
Huh... YouTube tv seems like cable to me. Lots of channels, little I want to watch.

Maybe a Amazon Fire TV? They're smart tv's with the firestick built in, right?
Whistlebritches Offline
#14 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 10:35 PM EST
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,128
MACS wrote:
Huh... YouTube tv seems like cable to me. Lots of channels, little I want to watch.

Maybe a Amazon Fire TV? They're smart tv's with the firestick built in, right?


If you're thinking of going that route why buy a tv.............just add a firestick to your current tv.I'm using the FS 4K in the man cave and I love it
MACS Offline
#15 Posted: Thu, Nov 11 2021, 11:06 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,773
Um... because the Vizio I have in the man cave was old enough to vote in the last election?
BuckyB93 Offline
#16 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 12:11 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,188
What ever you get, get at least 1080 resolution. I have Sceptre TV (43") in my bedroom and for both of my computer monitors (24"). Bedroom TV uses an external Roku. Also had a Amazon fire stick but I got use to the Roku interface so that's what I stuck with. Maybe about 2 years old on each and haven't had any issues with them.

Just bought a TCL 55" 4k resolution with built in Roku for the living room to replace an Onn 43" 1080 resolution. I didn't have any issues with the Onn. I bought last year on a Wally World Black Friday deal (actually bought 3 of them for around $90 each to give as gifts). The TCL was another Wally World Black Friday deal that I couldn't pass up.

Disclaimer: I'm not a video freak and wear glasses when I watch TV so I probably couldn't pick out any detailed differences in image quality between a $200 vs a $500 vs a $1,000 one.

Had a 32" Vizio maybe about 4 years back, again, I didn't have any issues with it except someone "broke" into my house one day and stole it. (I rarely locked my doors unless I was going to be away for an extended period so technically they didn't break in, they just wandered in and walked out with it).

Had an LG about 5 years back but it blew a capacitor on on the power supply board - apparently the model I had was known for this problem, so much so that you could by a handy-man fix it kit off of e-bay to replace the blown cap(s). Being frugal and since I like Franking with things, I bought the fix-it kit and replaced the bad cap. It worked well after that.

No mater what you get, I'd recommend a sound bar or some sort of external sound system as most flat screen TV's speakers kinda suck (at least the one's I've owned).

Another piece of advice that I got from someone is don't get too big of a screen for the room or for the distance away where you plan on watching it. For the best viewing experience, you just want to move your eyes right or left to see the action and not be turning your head (think sitting in the front row of a movie theater vs halfway to 3/4 of the way back).
BuckyB93 Offline
#17 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 12:24 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,188
One more thing. Look at the connections and number of them available for the TV. You can plug your laptop into it (preferably HDMI connection), and use it as an external monitor. With a wireless mouse and keyboard you can sit in your lazyboy and do anything that you were using your laptop for.
BuckyB93 Offline
#18 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 12:25 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,188
But wait!!! That's not it! There's more! If you act now we will send you a FREE...
BuckyB93 Offline
#19 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 12:25 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,188
NINE! teen.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#20 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 7:27 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,423
Lots of good advice on this thread.

Roku, FireTV, AppleTV, Nvidia Shield...all great for whatever it is you want to do. The essentials Amazon Prime and Netflix...after that it becomes a preference. We get free HBOMax because we have AT&T cell phones. Hulu, Peacock, Paramount, FoxTV...have all the content you'd want to pay for. Kodi is another option as well for sports and movies.

I cut the cord years ago. The hardest part was finally ditching the satellite tv (I live out in the country...no broadband nor fiber) because my wife is addicted to ID Discovery. Well, took the plunge with their app while I still had satellite...it's better than the channel! everything is all there waiting to stream. I would NEVER go back to watching regular tv...EVER. The ones we subscribe to we get the commercial free versions and we NEVER have to see dumbass commercials. Seems like every week another channel pops up with free try out periods so you can dip your beak into whatever twirls your beeny.
bgz Offline
#21 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 8:26 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
I watch shows in my laptop. With that said, we got rokus on our tvs... they work well, but its not good for peg legging the fights. For that you gotta hook up a computer for it or cast it which should work.
Mr. Jones Offline
#22 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 9:07 AM EST
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
MACS

GOOGLE :

CIA AND U.K. MI-5 "WEEPING ANGEL" PROGRAM
rfenst Online
#23 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 10:38 AM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,302
Size of tv should be distance in inches divide by 1.6-to 2.0

I have a Samsung and it is fine. So too is LG and Sony (pricy). The rest is generally crap. Costco is your friend. Look for three HDMI ports.
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#24 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 11:23 AM EST
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
rfenst wrote:
Size of tv should be distance in inches divide by 1.6-to 2.0



Been saying that for years. I think you are the only one who ever listened.


Costco will be the simplest for anything up to and including 2k. Samsung HDTVs are generally the most feature rich and user friendly. Sony's are gorgeous, but you pay a premium for it.

If you want 4k, keep in mind that w/ anything less than 1200nits brightness and 4000+:1 contrast and your 4k won't be 4k. 4k depends on high brightness and true black / white pixels. In a low contrast TV, the black pixels are still illuminated, this stray brightness will murder the 4k picture. A good 4k TV you can watch with all the window shades up and sunlight streaming in and the picture will still overtake the room lighting. Yes, costco sells 4k, but I wouldn't buy one from them until they start carrying full on OLED panels, which are not inexpensive by any means.
Gene363 Offline
#25 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 11:56 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,814
Thunder.Gerbil wrote:
Been saying that for years. I think you are the only one who ever listened.


Costco will be the simplest for anything up to and including 2k. Samsung HDTVs are generally the most feature rich and user friendly. Sony's are gorgeous, but you pay a premium for it.

If you want 4k, keep in mind that w/ anything less than 1200nits brightness and 4000+:1 contrast and your 4k won't be 4k. 4k depends on high brightness and true black / white pixels. In a low contrast TV, the black pixels are still illuminated, this stray brightness will murder the 4k picture. A good 4k TV you can watch with all the window shades up and sunlight streaming in and the picture will still overtake the room lighting. Yes, costco sells 4k, but I wouldn't buy one from them until they start carrying full on OLED panels, which are not inexpensive by any means.


Notunh, you once posted a link to a chart of TV screen size to viewing distance.
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#26 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 12:23 PM EST
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
That was written somewhat tongue in cheek Gene. I thought about making it more obvious with a smiley, but, eh. I know you're as into tech stuff as I am.

I put it in there because I think Shawn's head exploded when I first posted that link the the Lechtner (sp?) distance chart ... Lol
MACS Offline
#27 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 1:30 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,773
So Adam, would you recommend I go to Costco and find a decent 40" Smart TV and get a firestick?

OR-- Just get a damn 40" Fire TV?

Yes, I'm tech retarded... but I have you. BigGrin

And I'm typing to you from the Costco laptop you recommended awhile back.
Gene363 Offline
#28 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 1:31 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,814
Thunder.Gerbil wrote:
That was written somewhat tongue in cheek Gene. I thought about making it more obvious with a smiley, but, eh. I know you're as into tech stuff as I am.

I put it in there because I think Shawn's head exploded when I first posted that link the the Lechtner (sp?) distance chart ... Lol


That's the one:

Chart: https://hdguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/hdtv_distance_chart.pdf

Explanation: https://hdguru.com/lechner-distance-the-number-you-need-to-know-before-buying-an-hdtv/
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#29 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 2:12 PM EST
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
Shawn, first off, I'd say go larger than 40", this is replacing the one upstairs in the extra room, right? From what I remember of the size of that room a 65" would be phenomenal in there, but a 55" would work well too. Make it impressive to watch....

Fire Stick vs Built in Fire... They do about the same, the control is easier with the built in, and it's one less remote, but fire sticks are not expensive. The built in one in your TV might not be able to be upgraded to do what the next external model can do when it comes out in a few years due to hardware limitations. Also, I don't think you can jailbreak a TV. Not that you NEED to jailbreak a firestick, it just allows for it to do certain things that some people want. Maybe that's of no interest to you, the greater majority of firestick owners don't have jailbroken sticks and they're perfectly happy.

Truth be told, with turkeyday right around the corner, I would get the TV and the firestick or roku separate. Those two, especially the firestick, are going to be dirt cheap on Amazon in 2 weeks.

The mid-level and up Costco HDTVs are fine for most people and situations. The prices are great when they are on sale too. And it's hard to beat a 90-day no-questions asked return policy, Depending on what you are planning on watching, you might only need a 2k TV. Spend the extra coin on larger screen. If the content isn't in 4k, and it's not a snazzy 4k tv, that upgrade is money that didn't need to get spent.
MACS Offline
#30 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 2:25 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,773
Thanks, Adam. The TV currently in the room is a 37" Vizio. I think a 55" may fit on that table... and if I'm gonna get a Firestick, I may as well have it jail-broken, right?

But a law abiding citizen like myself would have no idea how to go about that. Anxious

How does one acquire such a firestick?
Cheno Offline
#31 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 4:59 PM EST
Joined: 06-06-2019
Posts: 1,978
MACS wrote:
Thanks, Adam. The TV currently in the room is a 37" Vizio. I think a 55" may fit on that table... and if I'm gonna get a Firestick, I may as well have it jail-broken, right?

But a law abiding citizen like myself would have no idea how to go about that. Anxious

How does one acquire such a firestick?


Depends on what you want. It can be done easily for free, if you know the right person. But it also depends on what you are looking to do and what you want to watch and ask that. I use to "know a guy" that would do it but the program used to watch things I found to be more work to try to find something. YouTube is your friend for doing all that. Between Hulu, Netflix, Amazon prime and Disney we always have stuff to watch. Plug you can get a digital antenna that will get you a ton of free channels. I use a 50 mile radius one and it attaches to a window or a wall. So many choices to watch stuff.
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#32 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 5:59 PM EST
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
Shawn, the one thing Jail broken firesticks won't get you is free amazon content via amazon. Jailbroken sticks let you use 3rd party software that will stream from iffy content websites

As cheno said, easy to find pre-broken or directions on google. .

All depends what you want to watch. I acquired a pair of Roku2's years ago at a thrift store for like $10 each. I jailbroke (or whatever it's called for a Roku) them and discovered that after a month or so of use, they ended up being worth more to me by selling them on ebay for $100+ each than the free content I got. This was 10+ years ago though. I discovered I really didn't care about TV.

Google around, see what the content available on a jailbroken stick is. See if you want it. Nothing illegal about looking,
Gene363 Offline
#33 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 6:01 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,814
^ If you are going to use some of those "iffy" sights, get a VPN service first. Even that is not total protection.
MACS Offline
#34 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 6:14 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,773
I do have Amazon Prime.

YouTube TV is seeming like more than it's worth to me at this point. For $65 freakin' dollars I could get Hulu, Disney/espn+ and Netflix and still have $$ left. AND still watch the sh*t I wanna watch.
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#35 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 8:38 PM EST
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
Gene363 wrote:
^ If you are going to use some of those "iffy" sights, get a VPN service first. Even that is not total protection.


IMO, if we are talking about the same thing, they are ALL iffy sites Gene. And, yes, I agree, a VPN is wise for those situations.
Gene363 Offline
#36 Posted: Fri, Nov 12 2021, 11:31 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,814
Thunder.Gerbil wrote:
IMO, if we are talking about the same thing, they are ALL iffy sites Gene. And, yes, I agree, a VPN is wise for those situations.


Yup, and IMO, they are not worth the headaches and possible consequences, and there is just so much time I want to watch TV anyway.
BuckyB93 Offline
#37 Posted: Sat, Nov 13 2021, 12:37 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,188
Numismaniac, Mark, used to (maybe still does) offer Firesticks with an app installed that allows access to a ton of channels – local channels, PPV... all that stuff. The app only works on Android based devices (Amazon FireSticks and tablets are built on the Android platform under the hood with an Amazon layer on top of it). I think he would either sell you a “jail broken” Firestick with the app installed or you could send him one and he’d set it up for you.

I inquired about it and we talked a bit via PM but I don’t think it would be appropriate to share the PM’s on the forum but you could PM him for more information.

Here’s a snippet from one PM:
"It's 20 per month/30 days and includes ALL the PPV events live, EPL (English Premier League) , NFL (NFL Sunday ticket w/ red zone), ESPN+, NHL Center Ice, MLB (MLB Extra Innings) NBA (NBA League Pass), basically all the sports games that cost a bundle from cable, the Premium channels, not only from the US, but from the UK, Canada and Latin Channels, as well as some regular channels from those Countries as well. Also has Local channels from every State, Music Choice channels, Movie Pix (The Actors Guild, basically 24/7 channels with a wide variety of Actors.Actresses) Almost too much to explain. Much easer to see if you desire to FaceTime. AND, the 150+ XXX channels. It has a Movies on Demand section that includes Disney+, BET+, New releases, over 30+ genres/types from Action to Wrestling and the XXX. I honestly haven't even used or tried all the options!! I have been using it for around 6 months and I can't get over how much it includes. Once people see it, it sells itself, especially for folks that would have to pay a couple hindered bucks a month to get everything this includes. It has multi-view with option to show 4 channels, but you only hear the one that's highlighted. I will say that the faster the internet, the easier to use some of the options."

It doesn’t work on a Roku, Roku has their own OS. I didn’t go forward with it since I gave away my Firestick to a neighbor kid.

For more information see page 13 of the Streaming Video: What are you watching thread, post #628:
http://www.cigarbid.com/...eo-What-are-you-watching

Or this other thread:
http://www.cigarbid.com/...rices-and-other-options-

Or PM Numi.

The app is called “2times large” Here’s their facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/2times-large-109454047222199/
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#38 Posted: Sat, Nov 13 2021, 7:45 AM EST
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
Gene363 wrote:
Yup, and IMO, they are not worth the headaches and possible consequences, and there is just so much time I want to watch TV anyway.


Agreed.
Mr. Jones Offline
#39 Posted: Sat, Nov 13 2021, 6:02 PM EST
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
I sense ?? piracy and cable jacking afoot on a cigarbid forum
DrMaddVibe Offline
#40 Posted: Sat, Nov 13 2021, 6:56 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,423
Mr. Jones wrote:
I sense ?? piracy and cable jacking afoot on a cigarbid forum



One handed piracy and double handed cable jacking?

Around here sir?
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top