How smart is a smart TV ?

[ChiangraiTony]

I'm looking to buy a 65" UHD Led TV, not sure yes, Samsung or LG, both are superb

TV's and so smart, so smart infect that I was ashamed to stand next to them in shop....

Personally I'd select the Samsung. I just purchased a 55" and it was between Sony, Samsung and LG. After visiting all the local shops I selected the Samsung. It was more expensive than the LG but apparently more reliable. I've been playing around with it since I got it and the color is as good or even better than Sony. I don't have a trained eye to really be certain but from my perspective the Samsung has excellent colors. I suggest getting feedback from all the sales people asking them which one they like. You should also ask about returns of these 3 manufacturers. Good luck in which ever one you decide to get.

[rhythmworx]

All this so called "SMART" technology is not for your benefit, even though it may seem convenient.

It's there to lock and tie you down in a hole where you can be monitored on what you watch, then labelled and then targeted for advertising on what you like.

It may not be visible yet but it IS happening right now with your interactive gubbins.

To go "SMART" is the opposite of the definition.

[mickjn]

I asked my Samsung 8 Series "What is the capital of Peru" and it answered "Caracas". Doesn't seem that smart to me.

You reckon you've got problems.I asked mine the same thing just to try it it replied do you want fries with that

BTW What is the capital???

[WhizBang]

It has been reported that some 'Smart TV's' phone home when online and report on all your activities.

Just some food for thought.

[JohnnyJazz]

I asked my Samsung 8 Series "What is the capital of Peru" and it answered "Caracas". Doesn't seem that smart to me.

You reckon you've got problems.I asked mine the same thing just to try it it replied do you want fries with that

BTW What is the capital???

Lima

[Chicog]

I asked my Samsung 8 Series "What is the capital of Peru" and it answered "Caracas". Doesn't seem that smart to me.

You reckon you've got problems.I asked mine the same thing just to try it it replied do you want fries with that

BTW What is the capital???

Lima

I was going to say "P".

[scotsman]

http://www.unotelly.com/unodns/

http://help.unotelly.com/support/solutions/articles/31574-setting-up-unodns-on-your-samsung-tv-and-blu-ray-player-smarthub-

http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/tv/2013_vi/evolution_kit.html

You can make some smart TV's change there region so that your apps are for that region and work with the DNS servers to watch full HD programs like BBC iplayer, Netflix if you have an account, ITV player channel 5 and many more. The samsung smart TV models series 7 or higher can be updated from 2012 model to 2013 model of processor and more ram memory with the new smart hub and remote control the new evolution kit is for the next 5 years so there will be kits coming out every year, the only problem is that you can't buy one for a thai model of samsung smart TV just yet as the kit is not out for here the model number is SEK-1000/XT and can only be found in Malaysia.

Regards

Scotsman

[Digitalbanana]

Personally, having been an early 'smart' TV purchaser (and being more than somewhat disappointed). Unless you're into waving your arms at the TV to change channel, I would set your budget, take about USD 100 off it and buy the best 'dumb' TV you can get for that money, make sure it has a sensible number of HDMI inputs.

Then spend the USD 100 on an Android TV stick and a wireless mouse, turn your TV into a giant tablet with all the functionality of Android, does everything and more that the smart TV will do.

Sound advice from Crossy. Better still buy an Android box like an MX2 with XBMC on it and all the bells and whistles.

Isn't XBMC simply installed on any generic Android box by free download? That's what I did... am I missing some bells and whistles perhaps?

[JohnnyJazz]

Basically it seems we have the choice between 3 solution :

1/ "Smart" TV

2/ "Dumb" TV with an Android TV box or other set-top box

3/ "Dumb" TV with a "real" computer

Did I forget something ?

[mahtin]

be careful about what is said or done in the presence of the TV.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038911_smart_TVs_television_surveillance.html

Think you forgot the tinfoil hat.

[Chicog]

Personally, having been an early 'smart' TV purchaser (and being more than somewhat disappointed). Unless you're into waving your arms at the TV to change channel, I would set your budget, take about USD 100 off it and buy the best 'dumb' TV you can get for that money, make sure it has a sensible number of HDMI inputs.

Then spend the USD 100 on an Android TV stick and a wireless mouse, turn your TV into a giant tablet with all the functionality of Android, does everything and more that the smart TV will do.

Sound advice from Crossy. Better still buy an Android box like an MX2 with XBMC on it and all the bells and whistles.

Isn't XBMC simply installed on any generic Android box by free download? That's what I did... am I missing some bells and whistles perhaps?

Well you have to jump through a few hoops to get all the good plug-ins downloaded and installed, or you can buy a box preconfigured with Phatboy.

[JohnnyJazz]

be careful about what is said or done in the presence of the TV.

http://www.naturalnews.com/038911_smart_TVs_television_surveillance.html

Think you forgot the tinfoil hat.

The problem is not about big brother watching you but about tech savvy burglars who hack into your home network to know when the house is empty and where the valuable are hidden.

Edited May 13, 2014 by JohnnyJazz

[Travel Dude]

I bought a LED Samsung SMART TV and i think the premium on a normal LED Samsung TV was a waste of money. I would not do it again.

1) Aside of the higher price you need to buy an DONGLE Separately. This add about Thb. 2500

2) Surfing on the TV and typing in website addresses is an absolute nightmare. (Try to type a web-address using your remote control)

3) Some apps (e.g. youTube) do not show full content. You will only be able to see some clips

4) You can not download anything (movies/music) as it all streams

5) It is all very slow and complicated

5) Sometimes the internet connection is not fast enough and then the picture will hang and freeze. Extremely irritating.

All in all this SMART makes me think of the kind of gadgets we had when internet just started, some 20 years ago.

I recommend to buy a normal LED TV and then to connect your computer/laptop though the HDMI cable. To control your laptop from the comfort of your sofa you buy a wireless key board (400 Thb) and a wireless mouse (200 Thb).

With this solution you will save around Thb 5,000 (+ dongle) and will have much better abilities. My SMART is really irritating me and i seldom use it. I use the laptop connected to the TV all the time and it is convenient and fast.

[socksy01]

What does the rest of the family do, while you hog the TV... Use you computer and don't bore the family sh#tless.

Possibly the same as me when the 'enemy/war cabinet f****d off. Bliss and harmony.

[bkk_mike]

The fact of the matter is - for the smart side, you're better off with a tablet, as it's easier to type on a touch screen than with a remote.

That said, in the UK, I use iplayer on the smart TV all the time, and if I could be bothered to install a Plex server, I'd probably use that too. (I have an Ouya attached to it, and use that for XBMC instead to watch movies over the network, rather than the DLNA capabilities.) Obviously there's also things like Netflix, but as neither iPlayer or NetFlix or Hulu, etc. are available in Thailand, there's not really much point in having a smart TV there.

I also use the smart TV for Skype some of the time, but that required buying a compatible camera, and the Skype on the TV isn't as nice as the Skype you get with something like the Logitech TV Cam HD (which is NOT cheap - but definitely better than the Skype apps you get with a TV, and not THAT much more than buying the TV company's camera.).

One thing to check - does the smart TV have a web browser. If not, I would steer clear generally, as you'll be unable to do anything other than what the manufacturer wants to let you do, and always take them mentioning future upgrades with a pinch of salt.

[gmmarvin]

I have 2012 Panasonic TV. Can I make it a Smart TV by adding any Blue Ray with WIFI?

[Chicog]

I have 2012 Panasonic TV. Can I make it a Smart TV by adding any Blue Ray with WIFI?

Nah, you can make it smart by buying a $30 Chromecast and driving it from your PC or Phone.

[ETatBKK]

I have 2012 Panasonic TV. Can I make it a Smart TV by adding any Blue Ray with WIFI?

recently I bought a Minix X8-H Android media hub. my 6 year old Samsung dump TV becomes very smart ! it connects to the internet via wifi or Ethernet, or I could push content from my PC a floor above.

by the way, don't like the idea of an all-in-one smart TV. the build-in smart module will go through a steep obsolete curve from day one, and very difficult for further update.

[adammike]

my PlayStation will has a web browser I find it a bit slow

but it works fine for Netflix etc,what with a tablet,smartphone,laptop,PlayStation,my next upgrade will be a chip in my body and then I really will be online 24/7.

nothing is allowed in the bedroom by the way.

[Chicog]

my PlayStation will has a web browser I find it a bit slow

but it works fine for Netflix etc,what with a tablet,smartphone,laptop,PlayStation,my next upgrade will be a chip in my body and then I really will be online 24/7.

nothing is allowed in the bedroom by the way.

That would be the spare bedroom for the missus I assume.