Smart TV or Not?

Sinbad said:
Bandwidth limitations for sure. But also, like you said, this is a more tech savvy audience. But we'd probably NOT use smart facilities as we have media servers, tablets, laptops etc.
If you didn't have all of that, it would be quite useful to be able to watch youtube, surf the net etc on your TV.
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True.
 
Sinbad said:
Most TVs now should support HDMI 1.4 - and the spec for that includes an ethernet channel in the cable - so I'd imagine an HDMI1.4 AVR could also act as a bridge/hub into your network, from the TV? Not sure... my tv has built in wifi ;)
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So what would I be connecting to the tv with the hdmi 1.4 (cable?) to enable Internet acces? Sorry for the noob questions.
 
unwired said:
I have ready somewhere in these forums that plasma tvs guzzle the electricity.
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They use more, but "guzzle" is really exaggerated. Plasma power myths have been shown to be wrong for many years now. They all have Energy Star ratings etc.
 
unwired said:
Everyone who has a smart tv does not seem to use the 'smart' features.
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For me, the only day-to-day useful function for the Smart UI is to run the Plex client app. There is some other stuff that is marginally useful, but it will depend on the individuals needs e.g.

1. Youtube - self explanitory, but client does request 720p by default
2. Explore3D - demos, music vids & documentaries in 720p - requires 4Mbps plus
3. News24/Supersport - similar to smartphone app
4. Skype - requires Samsung camera or high-end model with built in

unwired said:
Still it says to me that SA is not ready for the feature set of these tvs due to bandwidth and content limitations
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See 1. & 2. above
 
unwired said:
Interesting the responses coming in.

Everyone who has a smart tv does not seem to use the 'smart' features.

Mybb members who should generally be more representative of the population who would be expected to use these features don't - and that to me says a lot. Ok this is a very minute sample of users.

Still it says to me that SA is not ready for the feature set of these tvs due to bandwidth and content limitations.

Or am I reading it wrong?
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Add another to the has a smart tv but doesn't use it pile. I have a pc connected to my tv for that stuff.
 
rorz0r said:
Haven't managed to get plex on my E550 yet so smart TV been fairly useless. There's a news24 app+ticker and supersport but nothing extra if you already have dstv. It has a decentish interface for playing media from a drive but the dlna bits are iffy as dlna usually is.
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Samsung released Plex for the ES range about 5 days ago. Its flippin amazing - works better than my Apple TV. Definitely worth it!
 
Roman4604 said:
For me, the only day-to-day useful function for the Smart UI is to run the Plex client app. There is some other stuff that is marginally useful, but it will depend on the individuals needs e.g.

1. Youtube - self explanitory, but client does request 720p by default
2. Explore3D - demos, music vids & documentaries in 720p - requires 4Mbps plus
3. News24/Supersport - similar to smartphone app
4. Skype - requires Samsung camera or high-end model with built in

See 1. & 2. above
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Plex is what I am after as well.

Re the others - the EH6030 seems to have the explore 3D function.
The others I am not too fussed up about.
 
I personally find the SmartTV nonsense absolutely useless.

It's slow and lacks a great many features.

Spend the difference on building yourself a proper Media Centre PC instead, and connect that to the TV.

*****

Maybe when Plex starts working on the 2012 model range I would consider the SmartTV stuff more useful.
 
SauRoNZA said:
I personally find the SmartTV nonsense absolutely useless.

It's slow and lacks a great many features.

Spend the difference on building yourself a proper Media Centre PC instead, and connect that to the TV.

*****

Maybe when Plex starts working on the 2012 model range I would consider the SmartTV stuff more useful.
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As i mentioned above, Plex was launched for the 2012 models about 5 days ago. Its on the App Store - dload it and try it out! Its amazing. I streamed 1080p mkv of dark knigh rises flawlessly over wifi. It works better than plex on my apple tv.
 
unwired said:
Interesting the responses coming in.

Everyone who has a smart tv does not seem to use the 'smart' features.

Mybb members who should generally be more representative of the population who would be expected to use these features don't - and that to me says a lot. Ok this is a very minute sample of users.

Still it says to me that SA is not ready for the feature set of these tvs due to bandwidth and content limitations.

Or am I reading it wrong?
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I have a Samsung Smart Blu Ray player, plugged into my Sony LED internet tv and I use a lot of the features, but mostly streaming. Livestation works brilliantly even with my 1mb/sec line. I also use Plex to wirelessly stream content off my media server to either my Blu Ray or my tv... Blu Ray looks much nicer due to the Plex app. If you don't have uncapped internet I'd say any smart device would be a total waste of money.
 
I am almost sold on the non-smart TV idea.

Just need to revisit the age old debate of lcd vs plasma.

my use (and kids) will just be dstv - series, movies and sport and streaming from pc.
 
Also recently got a Samsung Smart TV and discovered the Plex client, very good replacement of the PS3 for streaming. Didn't buy the TV specifically for this function, was a bonus I discovered after the fact. Will say that I don't think its worth R7k extra. Although you are getting more than just Smart functionality with the 6200 over the 6030. I believe the extras also include 3D and higher CMR although again, if you're not interested in those then probably not worth the extra cost.
 
If you spend the R7k on a PC and hook that up to the TV you will be able to do anything you want on it. No limitations. Even a R4k PC will be good enough. My parents have the 46" Samsung Full HD 3D LED Series 7 Smart TV. They mostly use it to play music, watch the odd youtube video and to google stuff.
 
SaiyanZ said:
If you spend the R7k on a PC and hook that up to the TV you will be able to do anything you want on it. No limitations. Even a R4k PC will be good enough. My parents have the 46" Samsung Full HD 3D LED Series 7 Smart TV. They mostly use it to play music, watch the odd youtube video and to google stuff.
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Seven?
Under 2k for an hp micro server plus Hdmi card.
 
Ice2Cool said:
As i mentioned above, Plex was launched for the 2012 models about 5 days ago. Its on the App Store - dload it and try it out! Its amazing. I streamed 1080p mkv of dark knigh rises flawlessly over wifi. It works better than plex on my apple tv.
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Installed it this evening. Hpms in lounge connected to avr etc. Plex on 51E550 in the bedroom. Tp link routers in bedroom and lounge both running wds to one upstairs for 8ta. So far working awesomely. About 1 or 2 seconds buffering before playing.
Also updated the rest of the smart TV stuff and it all seems to run a bit faster/smoother. Wish I could remove the stuff I won't use like family story, fitness, etc
 
Just bought the plex for Android client. Was streaming to TV, S2 and galaxy Tab simultaneously and all flawless :) Looks like the Tab is eventually updating to ICS now as well. It's awesome when stuff just works.
 
unwired said:
Hi All

I am in the market for a new TV, and have been looking at the Samsung range.

The 2 models I have been comparing are:

1. Samsung 55" 3D Full HD LED - UA55EH6030

2. Samsung 55" Smart Slim 3D Full HD LED - UA55ES6200

Makro has both on special at R 12 999 and R 19 999 respectively.

The question I have - Is the 'Smart' tv really worth the extra R7k.

Admittedly the UA55ES6200 is a slim TV compared to the EH6030 (which seems bulky) - I am going to wall mount it - so don't think that it is a train smash for me.

What does the Smart Tv really have? I have read that it has Plex but don't know much else.

Do the smart tv owners here make use of the extra features?

Or is it better to add on a microserver to the EH6030 and get 'internet' features?

The specials expire on 10 Dec - so I have to make a decision asap.
Would appreciate fellow MYBB's expert advice.

Thanks

ps. If there is a better model/brand please let me know.
Expected use is DSTV movies/series, sports and occassional DVD + streaming from Plex.
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I would say get the better display panel. The one with better contrast and viewing angle. Look at inputs. Look at specs. Look at reviews of picture quality.

Forget the SMART. It's hype. If you want that, get an iPad and play with the toys there. But for a TV, I'd say, go with the best picture you can afford, don't spend money on aesthetics or gimmicks.
 
Definitely not worth R7k alone... but it is more than that you get a thinner bezel, higher CMR, probably a slightly better panel. I still don't think its worth it. I opted for the 6030 and am very happy.
 
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