Smart TV advice & recommendations

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Edwe

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Hi, forum!

I am looking for advice and recommendations regarding a new TV. My requirements are:

- Decent HD (1080p) playback with "natural" saturation
- Genuine smart functionality which will allow me to use Netflix and Unotelly without any additional hardware
- At least one high-power USB port which supports passive external disks (i.e. powered by the TV)
- Analogue audio out (for use with external amplifier)
- Decent sized screen for ~2m seating position

Budget: R10k

I plan on buying in February but I am willing to wait until March if there is some compelling reason to wait (e.g. new models coming out ==> sales to get rid of old stock).

EDIT: or am I better off getting a dumb TV and Chromecast/Roku?
 
Last edited:
Edwe said:
Hi, forum!

I am looking for advice and recommendations regarding a new TV. My requirements are:

- Decent HD (1080p) playback with "natural" saturation
- Genuine smart functionality which will allow me to use Netflix and Unotelly without any additional hardware
- At least one high-power USB port which supports passive external disks (i.e. powered by the TV)
- Analogue audio out (for use with external amplifier)
- Decent sized screen for ~2m seating position

Budget: R10k

I plan on buying in February but I am willing to wait until March if there is some compelling reason to wait (e.g. new models coming out ==> sales to get rid of old stock).

EDIT: or am I better off getting a dumb TV and Chromecast/Roku?
Click to expand...

I would get a normal HD tv together with the Wootware Custom HTPC. The latter is less than 2k.
 
Radioboy said:
I would get a normal HD tv together with the Wootware Custom HTPC. The latter is less than 2k.
Click to expand...

Do you own one or have you used one? What inputs does it have? What is playback performance like? Also, I see it doesn't come with a HDD.
 
Edwe said:
Do you own one or have you used one? What inputs does it have? What is playback performance like? Also, I see it doesn't come with a HDD.
Click to expand...

I own one yes. I hooked it up to a few HDD on my home network. Connected to my TV via HDMI and via Digital audio to my Soundbar (with USB soundcard). I have a small HHD in it to run Win 7 and Xbmc.

It plays 1080p content without a hitch.
 
Bought 1 recently,went with a 40" Samsung UA40H6200 - powers up a 2TB 2.5" drive no problem,plays anything including mkv,mp4 etc.Had it for approx 3-4 month's,happy with it.
Couple of reasons i crossed others off the buy list were:
Sony - totally freaked out on anything other than a small USB stick
LG - current models the legs are on either end of the TV so you need a stand that wide.
 
Radioboy said:
I own one yes. I hooked it up to a few HDD on my home network. Connected to my TV via HDMI and via Digital audio to my Soundbar (with USB soundcard). I have a small HHD in it to run Win 7 and Xbmc.

It plays 1080p content without a hitch.
Click to expand...

How many USB ports does it have and what other ports are there?
 
neoassasin said:
How many USB ports does it have and what other ports are there?
Click to expand...

Rear Panel I/O
- 1 x PS/2 Mouse Port
- 1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port
- 1 x Parallel Port (ECP/EPP Support)
- 1 x Serial Port: COM1
- 1 x D-Sub Port
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 3 x USB 2.0 Ports (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
- 1 x USB 3.0 Port (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED)
HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / MICROPHONE
 
Radioboy said:
Rear Panel I/O
- 1 x PS/2 Mouse Port
- 1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port
- 1 x Parallel Port (ECP/EPP Support)
- 1 x Serial Port: COM1
- 1 x D-Sub Port
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 3 x USB 2.0 Ports (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
- 1 x USB 3.0 Port (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED)
HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / MICROPHONE
Click to expand...

This actually doesn't seem like a bad option. I might consider this with a small internal HDD, Ubuntu Linux running XBMC and then Pipelight under WINE to watch Netflix.

A couple of questions:

- Does any 3.5" internal HDD work or are there power concerns?
- Any worries regarding streaming over WiFi, as my TV is going to be some distance from the router
- Did you add anything else to the build except what's included and an internal HDD?
- Does the HDMI port support HDMI CEC?
 
Streaming HD content over WiFi has never really worked for me. So I can't comment on that, as I haven't tried it with this system.

I have a normal 250gb Seagate drive in mine. Haven't experienced any issues.

I did add a USB Sound card to the rig to enable digital audio to my Soundbar.

Cec - I have no idea.
 
I have a normal Samsung 50 inch LED TV and it was used primarily for DSTV and had a 2,5inch 1tb hdd permanently plugged into the back that worked just fine.However I wanted Youtube,netflix and a connected TV so thought of selling it and buying a Samsung Smart LED but luckily a Chromecast fell to me by luck,to be honest I'm very happy with this solution its great for Youtube etc and typing on your phone is much more natural than typing on a remote when you are searching for something.
 
Last edited:
Edwe said:
I am currently considering the following solution. Cheap Samsung Smart TV plus:

- Wootware ITX HTPC (R1857)
- WD WD10EZEX 1TB internal HDD (R749)
- 5m HDMI cable (R246)
- Kettle cord (R54)
- Rii 2.4GHz Wireless Mini Keyboard & Air Mouse (R274)

Total price: R3180

Will be running Ubuntu + XBMC for media on my local network and Pipelight/Wine for Netflix.

Any comments or other suggestions? Chromecast isn't ideal for me: I want something stand-alone.
Click to expand...

Have you placed your order yet?

Do iitttttttt! You won't be sorry.
 
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