Smart TVs (televisions)

[glgene]

Would appreciate if those who have Smart TVs (televisions) would share their top 2-3 benefits received from using such televisions. Please be specific. Also, what buying tips on Smart TVs do you have to offer? Thanks!

Gene & Kathy

[TexaninVA]

Would appreciate if those who have Smart TVs (televisions) would share their top 2-3 benefits received from using such televisions. Please be specific. Also, what buying tips on Smart TVs do you have to offer? Thanks!

Gene & Kathy


1. You can view TV series or movies online from the network and not have to futz with DVDs, Discs etc

2. You can also SKYPE online with your kids but on a big screen TV

3. You can also access the Internet thus turning your TV into a very big laptop screen

The best buying tip I can give you is to buy a Samsung. I used to buy Sony for years and years but when I compared them side by side, I switched.

[l2ridehd]

Tie it into your home wireless network and using Netflix and Hula you can watch pretty much anything except live TV. And you can do that by using a few suspect web sites. Wiziwig is one that allows you to stream live sports events and many other shows, but does subject you to lots of ads.

[livsea2]

You can also get a "smart" DVD player blu ray for under 100 dollars. Connect it to a regular flat screen and get all the smart features, so if the smart tv is more than 100 extra or if you need a blu ray player anyway....just offering some additional info.

[Russ_Boston]

2. You can also SKYPE online with your kids but on a big screen TV




How do you Skype with the tv? Wouldn't you need a camera? Do some of the new ones have a camera built in? Didn't know that.

[Kahuna32162]

You can also buy a Chromecast attachment and stream anything you watch on your computer to your Flat Screen TV. cost $35

[alanmcdonald]

I went the Smart blu ray DVD route and mostly use it for Netflix. I agree the smart TV price difference is not worth it right now.

[TexaninVA]

How do you Skype with the tv? Wouldn't you need a camera? Do some of the new ones have a camera built in? Didn't know that.

Russ ...yes, the Samsung came with the camera installed and then Skype is just another app.

[TexaninVA]

Also once you get your smart TV make sure you have a pretty good internet speed. If you don't have Brighthouse and you are interested in finding out more information feel free to email or call me. We have tons of specials for new customers.

Top internet speed makes the Smart TV all that much better an experience. We went with Comcast Blast which was cheapo in price but I routinely get 50MB +as verified by Speedtest. It's incredible, and one can get higher speeds still but so far I see no need for now. It's blazing fast.

[quirky3]

Having a video camera and internet connection with the smart TV opens up the possibilities of hackers being able to "watch you back". Future generations of smart TVs should work on improved security and privacy.

I have had trouble lately posting links, so I hope this works. It is an article from Computerworld.
Hacking threats to big screen smart TVs | Computerworld Blogs (http://blogs.computerworld.com/cybercrime-and-hacking/21339/hacking-threats-big-screen-smart-tvs-best-holiday-tv-deals)

[donb9006]

Top internet speed makes the Smart TV all that much better an experience. We went with Comcast Blast which was cheapo in price but I routinely get 50MB +as verified by Speedtest. It's incredible, and one can get higher speeds still but so far I see no need for now. It's blazing fast.

Blazing fast for a few minutes...then the speed slows dramatically. All the providers have "turbo mode" that is REALLY fast for the length of time it takes to complete a "speed test", but drops to half that speed a few minutes later. Download a large file and you'll see it's really fast for a few minutes and then the speed slowly slows to about half. Their speeds are marketing ploys.

[Russ_Boston]

Russ ...yes, the Samsung came with the camera installed and then Skype is just another app.

Having a video camera and internet connection with the smart TV opens up the possibilities of hackers being able to "watch you back". Future generations of smart TVs should work on improved security and privacy.

TexaninVA: I need to get one of those. Thanks.

Quirky3: No problem with hackers watching me back. Not much to see:)

[graciegirl]

Having a video camera and internet connection with the smart TV opens up the possibilities of hackers being able to "watch you back". Future generations of smart TVs should work on improved security and privacy.

I have had trouble lately posting links, so I hope this works. It is an article from Computerworld.
Hacking threats to big screen smart TVs | Computerworld Blogs (http://blogs.computerworld.com/cybercrime-and-hacking/21339/hacking-threats-big-screen-smart-tvs-best-holiday-tv-deals)


Omg. We have a smart TV in our bedroom. Better take down the trapeze.

[getdul981]

Omg. We have a smart TV in our bedroom. Better take down the trapeze.

Just put a piece of black electrical tape over the camera lens. No need to change your lifestyle. You won't have to take down the pole either.

[TexaninVA]

Blazing fast for a few minutes...then the speed slows dramatically. All the providers have "turbo mode" that is REALLY fast for the length of time it takes to complete a "speed test", but drops to half that speed a few minutes later. Download a large file and you'll see it's really fast for a few minutes and then the speed slowly slows to about half. Their speeds are marketing ploys.


No not true ... at least in my case. I have tested it many times and it routinely exceeds 50Mbs at various points in the day.

Maybe you should go back and check .... you may have a tech issue or some other subtle wireless problem.

[TexaninVA]

Having a video camera and internet connection with the smart TV opens up the possibilities of hackers being able to "watch you back". Future generations of smart TVs should work on improved security and privacy.

I have had trouble lately posting links, so I hope this works. It is an article from Computerworld.
Hacking threats to big screen smart TVs | Computerworld Blogs (http://blogs.computerworld.com/cybercrime-and-hacking/21339/hacking-threats-big-screen-smart-tvs-best-holiday-tv-deals)

We just put small piece of electrical tape over the camera lens ...same for our laptop. You never know :)

[Russ_Boston]

Do I have anything in my teeth?

[John_W]

I went the Smart blu ray DVD route and mostly use it for Netflix. I agree the smart TV price difference is not worth it right now.

I bought a Vizio 60" LED Smart TV about a year ago at Sam's Club for $978 and added 3 years onto the warranty for $79. A couple of weeks ago Sam's advertized the TV for $898. I've also seen the same unit at Walmart and Best Buy. The picture is so good, my neighbor bought the exact same unit right after seeing mine.

So far for Smart TV I've only used Netflix and YouTube. I'm a fan of the British band Muse and they have several full concerts in HD on YouTube and it's nice to be able to watch them on my TV instead of a computer, especially with my surround sound setup. I did have to run a second patch cord back to my amp to get the surround sound when using Smart TV.

http://www.gadgetreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Vizio-E601I-A3-60%E2%80%9D-Razor-LED-Smart-TV-.jpg

[jblum315]

I am sure that the price will drop dramatically in a couple of years, and also that they will find some way to make network TV available. I can wait.

[Russ_Boston]

I am sure that the price will drop dramatically in a couple of years, and also that they will find some way to make network TV available. I can wait.

Prices always drop - enhancements always get added. You'd wait forever. But that's your prerogative.

[Bavarian]

Really the only SmartTv is Samsung. Sony is not the Smarttv

[Indydealmaker]

omg. We have a smart tv in our bedroom. Better take down the trapeze.

23890

[ssmith]

Another thing I love about my smart TV is Pandora.

I know you can also use Pandora on Laptop etc but I love having it on my TV.

[Peachie]

23890

Funny, Steve!

JBlum, I've used the argument regarding "latest technology" with our techie sons when they were encouraging us to update our cellphones and they laughed. They told us we would never see the end of cellphone technology innovations in our lifetime... update now. They were right, we love our Samsung 4G's and we're not getting any younger.

[jblum315]

Funny, Steve!

JBlum, I've used the argument regarding "latest technology" with our techie sons when they were encouraging us to update our cellphones and they laughed. They told us we would never see the end of cellphone technology innovations in our lifetime... update now. They were right, we love our Samsung 4G's and we're not getting any younger.

Well, I just updated my old "senior" cell phone to a smartphone, and I hate it. I'm thinking of going back to the dumb phone.