New Tv

[Ric.ror]

I need a new tv
I have a now tv box and a chrome cast gongle that I use for Netflix
I cannot access drama tv except via my iPad or iPhone so would a smart tv be the best one for me?

Ps have way through typing this I got another interruption from google offering me the earth

[Ric.ror]

I should have added this is for my bedroom where I don’t have a tv ariel

[Buenchico]

>>> I cannot access drama tv

I'm confused. Assuming that you're referring to UKTV's Drama Channel, it's available on Freeview Channel 20, so (assuming that you're using a 'normal' TV, with an aerial plugged into the back of it), you should already have it available to you. If not, try a retune of the set. If that doesn't help then your problem is with your aerial and not with your TV set (and is thus therefore likely to persist when you get a new TV).

[My post here explains why some people have certain channels missing from their sets and suggests a way of solving the problem: https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Question1622528.html ]

A Now TV box effectively makes an ordinary TV 'smart' so, unless there are additional 'smart' features which you might need on a TV set that you're considering (or, of course, if you simply want to ditch the Now TV box), buying a 'smart' TV won't be of much benefit to you.

[Buenchico]

Oops!

Crossed posts!

To get the FULL range of free TV channels you MUST have
(a) a decent aerial ; OR
(b) a satellite dish and decoder ; OR
(c) a cable subscription.

So you're going to be extremely limited in what you can receive without an aerial (or one of the other means of accessing TV that I've mentioned above).

HOWEVER you can access a decent SUBSET of free channels (including UKTV Drama) by using TVPLayer:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVPlayer

As you'll see from that link, although TVPLayer isn't available on either of your current external streaming devices, it IS available through using an Amazon Fire TV stick or a Roku device, so that might be your best way forwards.
https://tvplayer.com

[Ric.ror]

So (considering I wish to keep Now for game of thrones and other catch up programmes I like) would you say a smart tv is of no use to me whatsoever?

[Buenchico]

Different makes and models of smart TV sets have different apps available on them. When considering whether getting a smart TV set would be of any use to you, you'd need to look at the apps offered and see whether there were any (not already available to you via your Now TV stick) which you'd actually want.

[Ric.ror]

Thank you so much for your help

[Ric.ror]

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/televisions/televisions/samsung-ue43nu7020-43-smart-4k-ultra-hd-hdr-led-tv-10186022-pdt.html


I’m thinking of this one

[gingejbee]

Good choice....but a much better place to buy from is Richer Sounds, 6-year warranty included and Which? Recommended retailer....I get all my "stuff" from them.

[gingejbee]

Oops.....link.....

https://www.richersounds.com/tv-projectors/all-tvs/samsung-ue43nu7020.html

[Buenchico]

I agree with the above but I'd question whether you really need a 43" TV in a bedroom. Unless you've got a massive bedroom, where you'll be watching well back from the screen, a TV with a smaller screen size would meet your needs just as well (and save you some money).

For bedroom use (and assuming that built-in 'smart' capability wasn't needed), I'd probably opt for something like this:
https://www.richersounds.com/tv-projectors/all-tvs/lg-24tk410v.html

For a larger scree size, and with 'smart' features, I'd consider this:
https://www.richersounds.com/tv-projectors/all-tvs/tosh-32l3863.html

[gingejbee]

...and I missed the word "bedroom".....!
Unless you're on a tight budget, I personally would avoid Toshiba (and Sharp and JVC)....they're just not in the same TV league as Samsung and LG.

[Ric.ror]

Thank you so much for your answers
I should have added that although it’s a bedroom it’s my main tv

[Ric.ror]

Can I just ask why you’d recommend the manufacturers you have as opposed to the other ones?

[gingejbee]

Ric...I'm a great believer in what Which? does...that's actually test and evaluate and compare all the stuff they report on. Every year they report on latest TV's and LG and Samsung are always at the top of their "Best buys"....next come Panasonic and Sony. Other brands (and own-brands) are also-rans when it comes to what matters....picture quality, sound quality and even ease-of-use (having a very intuitive remote control, for example)...then there's reliability and customer satisfaction.

[zebo]

To make full use of a smart TV you also need a useable broadband, we're in Norfolk and can't use ours at all!

[Ric.ror]

I’ve gone for an LG one from Richersounds who I’d never previously heard of - so thank you for introducing me to them it does have free delivery- at up to seven days slightly longer than usual but at this time of year it’s to be expected

[gingejbee]

I'm sure that you'll be pleased with both an LG TV and with Richer Sounds...in the latest (December) Which? Best and Worst online shops report they came top in the "Electricals & Appliances" section (Currys was 17th). Overall, out of 118 online shops, they were second.
Incidentally, they were founded by Julian Richer in 1978....strange you've not heard of them!

[Buenchico]

I'm also surprised when people haven't heard of Richer Sounds. They're in the Guinness Book of Records for the highest sales per square foot of any retail outlet in the world, and have been for a couple of decades. They also hold a Royal Warrant (from the Prince of Wales). They're noted for their charitable work (with 15% of their profits going to charity) and for the fact that the company's owner, Julian Richer, has written a will which will give the whole of the company to an employee-owned trust upon his death.

Possibly more importantly than any of that, for the average customer though, is that they consistently get fantastic reviews for the quality of their goods and service.