I have a small little LED, 23" Vizio...but also my electricity bill is super low compared to my friends who don't have an LED TV. And the picture quality is just absolutely stunning.
Also, if you buy a TV that costs more than $900, and you're just using the speakers it comes with, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. The crappiest surround-system-in-a-box is less than $100 and is a million times better than the stock speakers. Suggestion: bump the TV you're looking at down a few inches, and take the you save on that and put it into a surround system. You won't notice the picture size difference nearly as much as you'll notice the sound difference. Plus, any proper sound system will terrify the neighbors from something as basic as the menu music for Up, which is always fun.
Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to buy used audio equipment if you can verify it's in good working order. I have a pretty basic 5.1 surround sound system that's 10 years old at this point... probably next to worthless... but, it's set up correctly, and damn can it sound fine. Not high end fine, but good enough for what it is.
A family friend gave me these boss speakers he found at a dump. All it needed was a good stereo (which is probably also worthless since it's so old). Thing is powerful and awesome!
Theres not a whole lot going on technically with speakers. If you hook them up and they sound great, theyre probably fine going forward.
Question: Do I need to have a smart TV if I want to use Apple TV? If not, is there any reason for me to pay up for a smart TV if I plan to use Apple TV in any event? Won't I get all the web-browsing capability from Apple TV, even if I don't have a smart TV?
Thanks. I'm amazed at how confusing this TV market is, and how hard it is to find something with only the features I need/want, without paying for things I don't want/need. So, previously I was thinking I had to have a smart TV. In the size range I'm considering (55" and up), it seems that almost all of the smart TV options come with 3D, among other things I don't want, and the price automatically jumps almost $1,000.oo (or more) for the models I'm considering. If Apple TV only costs $100, and it allows any HDTV to become a smart TV, aren't I better off just looking for the best non-3D, non-smart TV and saving the dough? Just want to make sure I'm not missing some other benefit (besides TV-specific apps that come with certain smart TVs).
I got a Roku XS that will connect netflix, amazon, and hbo go for streaming. I have no idea how it compares to Apple TV...just another option. This one allows for wired internet connection as well as wifi.
Almost always better off getting the TV without bells and whistles, and adding the bells and whistles that you choose. Apple TV, Roku, PS3, XBox360 are all good options depending on your needs.
It is baffling. I have a Samsung SmartTV and an Apple TV. If I use one of them, it's the Apple TV - I just find the Smart TV thing clunky and useless. I have 22,000 things in my house that will go online and tell me the news or weather...I do not need a half-assed app on my tv to do it. I do have a 3D TV....that is another feature I don't use.
I found it difficult to compare TVs in a store setting, too many variables though you'd think the opposite. Now that I have lived with my choices for over a year I have a more solid opinion. I had been a Sony consumer for 40 years and last year I needed to buy two TVs. Research led me to choose between Panasonic and Samung as highest rated, Sony was third. I was primarily interested in the best available picture quality, which is somewhat subjective, and also important was attractive design, and reliability. I chose a Samsung 32" LED for bedroom and 50" Samsung Plasma as the main TV for the family room. I'm happy with both however I MUCH prefer the plasma picture over the LED. LED has advantages but picture quality isn't one of them. Yes it's sharp, perhaps too sharp, and it has lost the subtle tonal-transition nuances which make for a smooth realistic and stunning picture. For picture quality plasma is king. I don't use the 3-D feature or other PIA features so I realize I over paid for crap I didn't want and probably won't ever use. I just want a killer picture and this Plasma delivers. Had I to do over would have purchased two Samsung plasmas however, at the time, smallest plasma was larger than I thought I needed for the bedroom. Maybe LED has improved since my purchase. If not, go plasma.
