Posted: 8/16/2013 3:30:12 PM EDT
| Vizio has a 47in 1080P 120hz LED backlit smart TV with the thin frame design that will fit in almost the exact same space (Custom converted antique fireplace mantel) as my current older 42in 720p 60Hz that I bought many years ago before 1080P was even common much less affordable. What are the pluses of having a smart TV over having my laptop sitting in my lap all evening as it is now while I watch TV? I mainly just want the 1080P so we can enjoy actual Blueray movies. I have 2 other smaller Vizios and they have been great TVs so far and I like their simple remote and menu system. |
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you could save some bucks and get a smart DVD player or a Roku instead. those will only run about $100 and have all the same apps that a smart tv will have I actually have a smart Blueray player that I have never taken out of the box ,that was a gift from my son, just because I don't have a TV capable of displaying 1080P. |
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I bought two new sets last winter, one smart, one not. The one that wasn't a smart set was one of the last of the 2012 models. A couple of years ago getting a smart set was an expensive option, today just about any set worth buying includes those features. I certainly wouldn't pay extra to have them, the Panasonic Smart TV set we have is cool, it is 3D as well, and the Smart Features get used about as often as the 3D (not very). As others have said, just about all Blu-Ray players have the same features, as do devices like the Roku or even Google TV device that was recently released. |
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OP,
I have the 60" version of the Vizio you are talking about. It's a great T.V. for the price. The apps are ok, but I haven't found any that are better than what you have available on your computer. Like someone else mentioned, hook it up to your computer! That's the way to go! BOOM! Wall sized ARFCOM = WIN!! |
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OP, I have the 60" version of the Vizio you are talking about. It's a great T.V. for the price. The apps are ok, but I haven't found any that are better than what you have available on your computer. Like someone else mentioned, hook it up to your computer! That's the way to go! BOOM! Wall sized ARFCOM = WIN!! Do the app icons show on the bottom of the screen all the time like in their picture or can you turn those off? That would drive me nuts if not. |
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Quoted: Save your money. Wait for a TV that watches you. http://mashable.com/2013/08/02/samsung-smart-tv-hack/ LAS VEGAS — The next time you watch something on your Smart TV, beware, the television might be watching you too. As in turns out, just like smartphones, Smart TVs can be hacked and compromised. On Thursday, at the Black Hat security conference, researchers Aaron Grattafiori and Josh Yavor demonstrated how they found vulnerabilities in different 2012 models of Samsung Smart TVs that allowed them to turn on the camera, take control of social media apps like Facebook or Skype, and access files and basically any app on the set. |
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Don't go for Vizio. All the one's Iv'e had turned out to be real pieces of crap. Plus they're anti-gun. They are a Wal-mart exclusive in the retail world. But in your experience you say they're good enough for you. so, go for it if you ya really want it. Funny you should say that, the internet card on mine died today. No wireless or wired connection. It's 4 months old. 
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$35 will get you a neat little product from Google called Chromecast which pretty much negates the need for a smart TV
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/#netflix 
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OP, I have the 60" version of the Vizio you are talking about. It's a great T.V. for the price. The apps are ok, but I haven't found any that are better than what you have available on your computer. Like someone else mentioned, hook it up to your computer! That's the way to go! BOOM! Wall sized ARFCOM = WIN!! Sure. Right up until the next Arfcockalypse.  
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I have Samsung's 2011 and 2013 models and they're worlds apart in functionality and speed/responsiveness. I'd personally really want to test out the smart functions if those might be important to you.
I test quite a few models in person and read a lot online before making an a/v purchase. Odds are at a sufficient price point for stellar image quality you get smart features bundled. Mostly, the latest smart tvs can do everything that separate boxes/dongles can except comprehensive DLNA certified streaming of local content (you're media physically stored on your local network). |
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OP, I have the 60" version of the Vizio you are talking about. It's a great T.V. for the price. The apps are ok, but I haven't found any that are better than what you have available on your computer. Like someone else mentioned, hook it up to your computer! That's the way to go! BOOM! Wall sized ARFCOM = WIN!! Yep And with the screen share from my phone, it's awesome. |
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$35 will get you a neat little product from Google called Chromecast which pretty much negates the need for a smart TV http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/#netflix http://global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/Chromecast%20FoxNews%201.JPG CheapCast transforms an Android device into a Chromecast device for free http://betanews.com/2013/08/13/cheapcast-transforms-an-android-device-into-a-chromecast-device-for-free/ http://tech2.in.com/news/smartphones/cheapcast-turns-any-android-device-into-chromecast/910880 |
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Don't go for Vizio. All the one's Iv'e had turned out to be real pieces of crap. Plus they're anti-gun. They are a Wal-mart exclusive in the retail world. But in your experience you say they're good enough for you. so, go for it if you ya really want it. The one I bought at COSTCO has been trouble free for three years. |
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Thanks for the replies. I am torn now since the Smart one is on sale cheaper than the dumb one. If all other factors are equal save smart / dumb and the smart is cheaper, take the smart. It can still function same as the dumb and also has the smart functionality. ETA: I have a Samsung SmartTV and I love it. Rarely use more than a few of the "Smart" features; the Netflix and Hulu apps work ok for the most part, but the internet browser sucks. I have never used its 3D functionality, but otherwise, it is damn near perfect. |
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consider this: when the smart TV manufacturer stops supporting that model and pushing updates for the software, you'll be SOL. Dumb TV? You just go buy a new Roku (or whatever the latest and greatest addon is) You can connect a Roku to a Smart TV, just because the apps become out of date, doesn't mean the TV magically quits working. |
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You can connect a Roku to a Smart TV, just because the apps become out of date, doesn't mean the TV magically quits working. Quoted:
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consider this: when the smart TV manufacturer stops supporting that model and pushing updates for the software, you'll be SOL. Dumb TV? You just go buy a new Roku (or whatever the latest and greatest addon is) You can connect a Roku to a Smart TV, just because the apps become out of date, doesn't mean the TV magically quits working. true |
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$35 will get you a neat little product from Google called Chromecast which pretty much negates the need for a smart TV http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/#netflix http://global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/Chromecast%20FoxNews%201.JPG Got mine yesterday. Works great with google play movies and youtube. I haven't tried netflix yet. |
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I have a high-end Sony. The built-in stuff is just too painful to use. This. I avoid using the internal "smart tv" features on projects, especially when surround sound and/or a control system is involved. Go outboard, use a bluray player or (better) an appletv and/or Roku to get your streaming media. As far as using the internal web browser for surfing the interwebs, fuggetaboutit. They all suck to use. |
Off to Google I guess.