Smart TV or a 'dumb' TV with a media player (WD TV, Boxee Box, Evo TV)

[Lucky_Luke]

Hi,

I haven't read much about this on these forums. I want to know if its better to buy a Smart TV or go for a TV without smart features and buy a seperate media player like Western Digital WD Tv or Amkette Evo TV or Boxee Box.

Things to consider :
Availability of apps / services in India
Ease of updating app versions
Audio/Video Codecs for playing media files
Ease of interface and input devices (keyboard/ remote control)
Price difference (comparing the price of a Smart TV v/s a 'dumb' tv of the same specs with a media player added)

 

[musicbee]

Smart TVs are not really smart... just the addition of DLNA, browser and some apps like YT player.

You can do that pretty much with anything... even the $35 Chromecast.

Nothing comes close to a HTPC or a Media Server at the very least.

And honestly watching YT or browsing on a Smart TV is painful especially trying to input via the TV remote. Instead get a tablet or an Android smartphone and an app that will connect to the big screen TV, it makes for a more enjoyable experience, not to mention what you can do with the unlimited apps on Android compared to any Smart TV apps.

 

[connectrajeev]

Hi
It make sense if you don't want to invest in FullHD TV. As per me,smart TV doesn't only give you to access the various APPs, it also gives you better picture & sound quality. If you are okay with your non-smart TV picture or sound quality, the solution you are mentioning should work well.

Sometime back I also wanted to upgrade my TV, I had the same confusion in my mind, and finally I bought LG 42'' inch TV and I am quite happy with my decision.

 

[thx911]

Smart TV is for not so smart consumers; non-smart TV for smart one's!

 

[Lucky_Luke]

Hi
It make sense if you don't want to invest in FullHD TV. As per me,smart TV doesn't only give you to access the various APPs, it also gives you better picture & sound quality. If you are okay with your non-smart TV picture or sound quality, the solution you are mentioning should work well.

Hi connectrajeev,

I believe that there are full hd tvs which are non smart too, right? Its not necessary that only smart tvs are full HD. I'm looking at 40-42 inch tvs.

 

[Lucky_Luke]

And honestly watching YT or browsing on a Smart TV is painful especially trying to input via the TV remote. Instead get a tablet or an Android smartphone and an app that will connect to the big screen TV, it makes for a more enjoyable experience, not to mention what you can do with the unlimited apps on Android compared to any Smart TV apps.

Hi musicbee,
Do you know of any app that would connect a smartphone to the tv? I have seen screen mirroring (without MHL adaptor) but have used it only for viewing photos, not audio/video. I've noticed that youtube and other video apps for smart tvs do allow inputs from phones or browsers onto the app's website for search or selection.

 

[HDLover]

Better try to get a non smart but a passive 3d tv. Has I have personal expirence with Smart TV + 3D tv and just once or twice I has used the smart feature of that tv bcuz it was so sluggish and headache to use browser or other apps of a smart tv but on the other hand 3D is like just a plus point has their are many 3D side by side movies you can download and watch them on your 3D tv which is a pleasure if you watch at least 1 or 2 3d movies per week like what I do during week ends. The biggest plus point of a 3D tv is their are many 3D movies in Hollywood with some awesome effects has Bollywood is horrible in making 3D movie's but in Hollywood every month they release at least 2 or 3 3d movies which makes 3D tv useful some times if not every time.

 

[poppy]

Better try to get a non smart but a passive 3d tv. Has I have personal expirence with Smart TV + 3D tv and just once or twice I has used the smart feature of that tv bcuz it was so sluggish and headache to use browser or other apps of a smart tv but on the other hand 3D is like just a plus point has their are many 3D side by side movies you can download and watch them on your 3D tv which is a pleasure if you watch at least 1 or 2 3d movies per week like what I do during week ends. The biggest plus point of a 3D tv is their are many 3D movies in Hollywood with some awesome effects has Bollywood is horrible in making 3D movie's but in Hollywood every month they release at least 2 or 3 3d movies which makes 3D tv useful some times if not every time.

Sorry HDlover but my experience is little different I had purchased keeping the same thing in mind but I find 3D features hardly useful. Where is the 3D collection. There are few good 3D titles rest are animation movies. Hollywood release 2-3 3Dmovies every month?

 

[gp_freak]

Smart TV is for not so smart consumers; non-smart TV for smart one's!

Ok Boss, tell me one Non Smart TV which has Good or excellent 2D Picture quality. NON smart TVs are at best having mediocre to average PQ.

 

[mod-the-pc]

Most budget Smart TVs seem to skimp when it comes to processing power. A dedicated HTPC with a "dumb" TV will be a better option for someone who is not technologically challenged.

 

[Lucky_Luke]

Ok Boss, tell me one Non Smart TV which has Good or excellent 2D Picture quality. NON smart TVs are at best having mediocre to average PQ.

Smart TVs and 3D TVs seem to be the gifted ones. Their refresh rate is higher and also have more HDMI ports than dumbos (Sony and Samsung)

 

[musicbee]

Hi musicbee,
Do you know of any app that would connect a smartphone to the tv? I have seen screen mirroring (without MHL adaptor) but have used it only for viewing photos, not audio/video. I've noticed that youtube and other video apps for smart tvs do allow inputs from phones or browsers onto the app's website for search or selection.

BubbleUPnP will do it. Many other apps will too as long as all the devices are on the same network/router, its Universal Plug and Play functionality built into all modern devices.

Also, search for Android HTPC remotes, similar functionality for media servers running on PC.

Any home consumer equipment with DLNA can be connected and used for streaming data.

Personally I'm a HTPC & LAN kind of guy... I've tried numerous media servers/softwares and all have left me wanting... now I just have the HTPC next to the TV and its a much better solution than any wireless solution or even media server software.

For streaming on the iPad, tablets and smartphones simple drive/folder sharing and ES Explorer do the trick for Android and a couple of paid apps for the iPhone and iPad devices.

 

[gp_freak]

Smart TVs and 3D TVs seem to be the gifted ones. Their refresh rate is higher and also have more HDMI ports than dumbos (Sony and Samsung)

You need to think otherwise. Any current TVs with best 2D picture quality is a smart TV

 

[Lucky_Luke]

I have finally purchased a non smart tv, Samsung plasma 51H4900. Any suggestions for a good media player?