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Original poster

To find buying a new TV overwhelming

23 replies

Marmite17 · 25/11/2016 17:11

TV keeps freezing so I called a repair guy who thought it was the freeview box. They are no longer sold with a scart so have to buy a new TV.
Made a note of the best Black Friday deals and went into the shop to find out / see the differences eg HD, in different TVs. Made a note of the models I'm interested in before visiting. The salesman didn't seem to be able to explain the need for a Wifi adapter, for example. He didn't know what it was, sent me to Maplin, who sent me back to Currys! Felt like crying, still no TV.
I have no grand children to explain this stuff. Does anyone else feel overwhelmed by technology?

OP posts:
Original poster
Marmite17 · 25/11/2016 17:21

Also don't understand the difference between Freeview play Smart TVs and just Smart TVs. Sound quality seems to be better with Dolby than others. But cannot actually listen to the TV in the shop.

OP posts:
TheProblemOfSusan · 25/11/2016 17:24

It's a nightmare, isn't it. I've never actually bought a TV before but we need a new one now too.

I shamefully sidelgated* this to DH and banned him from spending over £300. Still have no new TV.

*I just invented this word. Like delegating but we're equal partners and stuff.

myfriendnigel · 25/11/2016 17:32

Yes same.exh used to do all this-I've no clue.
Ditto buying a car. I need to, but no idea how to even start Blush

Housewife2010 · 25/11/2016 17:38

I was told that Samsung and sony were the best brands. I wanted 40 inch. It depends on your budget. We didn't want to spend a lot - we bought ours a few months ago. We didn't get a smart TV. If you get an Amazon fire stick for about £40 you get all the benefits of a smart TV for less. My husband left it to me sort out and I'm happy with my choice. Decide on your budget and size then see what's available.

sansXsouci · 25/11/2016 17:40

We haven't had a tv in years because we just watch tv on the computer. I am now totally de-skilled in tv watching, I don't even know how to work the things. As for buying a car myfriendnigel, I am learning to drive at the moment and one of the scariest things about it is the thought of having to buy a car, I mean will I have do a test drive? What questions do you ask?how on earth do you know what car you want?

OMGtwins · 25/11/2016 17:44

If you can get access to which.co.uk, then the recommendations and buying guides are very good. We have a Samsung and I would recommend them. Also yy to getting an amazon fire stick instead of a smart TV. Get one with either freeview or freesat tuners or both.

19lottie82 · 25/11/2016 17:49

If you have a richer sounds near you, go there. They're great, really helpful and in patronising. Plus their prices are the lowest and you get a 6 year warranty for free.

NoFuckingRoomOnMyBroom · 25/11/2016 18:00

Yes I 2nd a visit to Richer Sounds, excellent, knowledgeable & helpful staff. They'll explain which is best for your needs.

missbishi · 25/11/2016 18:04

Another vote for Richer here. The staff really are superb and know their stuff. They are only too happy to explain stuff, even the most simple of things and there's no hard sell either.

eddiemairswife · 25/11/2016 18:23

I'm someone else who would favour looking at the Which website.

RortyCrankle · 25/11/2016 18:38

For mine I went on Tesco's website, chose make and size and it was delivered the next day.

I also think Samsung are excellent.

ChocChocPorridge · 25/11/2016 18:44

I wouldn't get all het up about all the latest and greatest - most of the time what you're watching isn't HD anyway (and if it is, I actually find it annoying to see that level of detail). I have a 10 year old (and it was on sale as old model at the time) 40 inch philips TV that I'm perfectly happy with.

I wouldn't worry about 'Smart' ness either - since the trouble with that is that it gets old quick, then you need some new box anyway - I'd agree with the firestick recommendation (we have both that, and a google one - but you need to be a bit more techie and have more devices for hte google one to be useful).

Just find something that meets your budget. Chances are it'll be totally fine.

ghostyslovesheets · 25/11/2016 18:44

I went to John Lewis and asked the woman on TV's to talk me through it as you would a small child!

Found the range and choice baffling - eventually got a HD Smart TV with built in wifi gubbins

then I got a small one with a plug in wifi thingy for the bedroom

Cahu58 · 25/11/2016 18:44

Me too, first Tv bought since divorce, had a price in mind, chose the Sony in that price range from John Lewis and paid for the connection too. Job done! Didn't go for a smart Tv as it just seemed like an extra I could do without.....

Fluffy40 · 25/11/2016 19:23

Get yourself down to richer sounds

GrimDamnFanjo · 26/11/2016 01:01

Check out Which. Tbh they recommend mostly Samsung. Try and future proof a bit if you can. We've just bought a replacement Samsung this week.

Itsallgoodimtold · 26/11/2016 01:07

Do you know why you need a WiFi adapter?
Some new TVs have WiFi inbuilt but not all. If you need WiFi buy a TV inbuilt rather than getting something separate at Maplin

PenguinsandPebbles · 26/11/2016 01:16

I prefer Sony as a rule, but I have also purchased from bush and LG both have been excellent, lots of functionality for your money Argos have lots of offers, I just purchased last night a 42" for my brother,less than £300.

Full HD not HD ready is what you want.

Smart TV with wifi - check the apps on the TV. If you watch Netflix, amazon video then ideally want these apps built in. If you only ever watch sky / freeview not essential

I also have a small hitachi it is great sound and great picture but not very good on Apps yet, but as I have a fire stick it's been ok.

Check your other devices, newer TV's don't always have scart connections. Older devices may need these to work

PenguinsandPebbles · 26/11/2016 01:19

You only need a wifi adapter, which looks like a USB stick, and will then take up one of your USB ports on the back of your TV. if it does not have built in wifi. The TV will still need to be a smart TV, I think most do have built in wifi now.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 26/11/2016 01:34

What telly do you have now? What size telly do you want? What do you want to watch?

Samsung have a great reputation for a good picture. They are my first choice and DH who is an A/V specialist left Sony for Samsung. I can't tell the difference, mind.

We have a SCART socket so you may get a second hand telly that works for you.Or you can buy a SCART to HDMI adaptor in Maplin. That would be your cheapest route

lasttimeround · 26/11/2016 07:22

Set a budget. Tell them what you want the TV to be able to do. Buy one that fits the available space. You don't actually have get the best sound high visual blah blah if that isn't on your radar.

Tezza1 · 26/11/2016 07:37

one of the scariest things about it is the thought of having to buy a car, I mean will I have do a test drive?
I have bought three new cars, have been happy with all three and have never had a test drive.

The last car I bought, two years ago, I selected because a radio motoring expert recommended it to me because it was in my price range and had a driver's seat that was very easy to raise and a door that swings nice and wide (I have extremely bad knees). I was going to buy it sight unseen, but the salesman with whom I was dealing through emails and phone actually sort of insisted picking me up and driving me to have a look at it. I sat in it, found the seat easy to raise and then paid the deposit. I love that car.

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