Wanting to Upgrade My TV from 2008. When and What to Buy?

LpastaPerson on 17/01/2024 - 21:14

So I think it's time I upgrade my trusty 46" Bravia from 2008. It's been a great TV and it's served me well, but I think it's time for something bigger and in 4K.

I understand that most manufacturers seem to have two price points these days - A lower tiered option (sub <$1600) and a higher end (with possibly a better build quality and more premium features?). I'm definitely interested in the higher end models.

I also understand that most new models (with the exception of Sony) are announced at CES each year. Now that that's been and gone, I can't really say there was anything there that excited me. Which leads me to ask, am I better off trying to get a 2023 model on clearance, or are there new 2024 models with new features that I've overlooked? If the clearance option is the way to go, is there a particular time of year that I should be waiting for?

I'd also like to wall mount my TV, and this is a good time to mention that I'm not a big fan of Smart TV's in general. The idea is to plug a Apple TV 4k into the back of it, connect up an intel NUC (because why not) and call it a day. Are there any brands that work better or worse the the ATV? and what is the best way to secure/mount/store the ATV and NUC behind the screen? Is there (generally) enough clearance behind the screen to store both devices?

And then finally, what things should I be looking out for? Sony, Samsung and LG all seem fairly reputable, is there much difference between the three of them (at the higher end).

Electrical & Electronics TV

Comments

  • Wiadro on 17/01/2024 - 21:17
    +3

    what is your favorite pasta?

    • pastaPerson on 17/01/2024 - 21:21
      +1

      I think the real question is, what isn't a good pasta?

      • elgrande on 17/01/2024 - 22:33
        +1

        Seafood

      • JimB on 18/01/2024 - 10:43

        Soggy, non bronze die cut pasta.

        And cream in a carbonara.

    • AndyC1 on 17/01/2024 - 22:00

      Cooked.

      • Wiadro on 17/01/2024 - 22:03
        +2

        pasta is boiled

        • Sleeqb7 on 18/01/2024 - 10:06

          Does boiling an item to change it's consistency not count as cooking?

    • pastaPerson on 17/01/2024 - 21:22

      Thanks! Is that considered a clearance price and I have to act now, or is that a special for January and the 2024 models are yet to be released?

      • LanceVance on 17/01/2024 - 21:28
        +2

        It doesn't matter, there's never a huge difference between a single year with these TV's. I'm using a Samsung 4K from 2020 and its fantastic. Just buy this one for the good price that it is and enjoy it.

  • snapper17 on 17/01/2024 - 21:33

    if you can afford it get a sony oled or lg c3 oled
    if not then look for a tcl 845 on special

  • sumyungguy on 17/01/2024 - 21:35

    What's your reservation with smart TVs? I just did an install last week, a Sony KD55X80K and my first experience of a Google TV. Don't get why you wouldn't use it…

    • pastaPerson on 17/01/2024 - 21:40

      I find them clunky to use with infrared remotes, and in past experience (although it might be better these days) was that they'd quickly become obsolete and manufactures would drop support for them.

      Then there's the adverts that were prominent on one model recently (albeit, they could be disabled).

      With the Apple TV, I can either cast from my phone, laptop or iPad, I've got a remote app on my phone (if the normal remote is out of reach) and the normal remote connects over bluetooth, so I don't need to point it at the TV and it can handle a stream of input much better than Infrared.

      • sumyungguy on 17/01/2024 - 21:43

        If you decide to go with any of the Sonys they're all Google Smart TVs so you'll be able to test it out

      • erasimos on 18/01/2024 - 14:00

        Most smart tv remotes are now bluetooth at least the samsung serif 55 one we got a couple of years ago was. Frame is similar but all the connections are through a little box on sale https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/826775. Equivalent to a q70 in the regular range.

        Bought it for hdmi 2.1 QLED and matt screen for daylight viewing. Scaling shits all over the bauhn we had and makes SDTV watchable.
        If it was for movies I'd probably go big or go OLED and get some serious speakers but for day to day viewing it fits the bill.

        Haven't bothered attaching a box to it as it does everything I need including mirroring my phone and computer.

  • vince088 on 17/01/2024 - 21:51
    +1

    i went from a 2009 sony bravia to a 2021 LG C1 oled, best upgrade!

  • cashless on 17/01/2024 - 22:54

    The big problem you’re facing is that it’s nearly impossible to buy a TV that is not “smart” (in other words connected parasitically to your wi-fi & life).
    So called smart TV’s are anything but smart & they can be quite intrusive & annoying.
    Ideally you’d want a plain monitor without all the Android BS that loads itself into you life to check your viewing habits, connect to other devices & keep tabs on your consumer life.
    Hold onto your 2008 Bravia is my recommendation.

    • EightImmortals on 18/01/2024 - 07:10

      Do you have to connect them?

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 18/01/2024 - 11:02
      -1

      Current and previous gen Sony allow you to disable all the Google crap on initial setup.

  • AustriaBargain on 17/01/2024 - 23:05
    +1

    miniLED probably a safe bet now. OLED always looks good too. Biggest you can afford.

  • Drakesy on 18/01/2024 - 00:11
    +1

    Nah CRT's are the OG.

    Admittedly anything you get will be a vast improvement.

  • apple2016 on 18/01/2024 - 10:46
    +1

    Most tv's today are smart tv's. But the smart tv os is usually rubbish.
    I have a LG G1 but still use a apple tv because apple tv is far better and easy to use.
    Just get the tv you like and continue using your Apple tv.

  • JimB on 18/01/2024 - 10:51
    +1

    Unless you have a recessed area behind the TV, or want to cut out a 20x20 section of plasterboard there's isn't any room behind TVs these days (unless you deliberately pack out the TV bracket to move the TV forward).

    You're better off installing the NUC near lower to the ground and feed the HDMI cable (and TV power cable, aerial etc) behind the wall.

    Oh, OLED for sure.

    I use a 4K Chromecast instead of the inbuilt smart TV OS/remote for my LG OLED.

    Which NUC you thinking of for 4K?

    • pastaPerson on 18/01/2024 - 23:43

      Packing out the TV is something I'd considered. Can you get little spacers that sit between the wall mount and the TV (I'm kinda thinking longer screws to attach the bracket to the TV, but unsure how stable that will be?)

      As much as I'd love to have a TV unit below the TV, unfortunately the floor plan of my room doesn't allow for it (it's a thoroughfare from the front door to the hallway). I had considered those Samsung TV's where the input box is a detached unit and running it through the roof to my lounge room coffee table, but apparently the cabling maxes out at 5 meters.

      I'm probably thinking less NUC and more of a Lenovo/Dell tiny/micro PC (Intel gen8 or higher). I have no real purpose for it at the moment except for maybe playing classic games (N64, Gameboy) with a wireless xbox controller.

      • JimB on 19/01/2024 - 03:19

        Easy to pack it out.

        Just use 2 pieces of pine 2x4. Screw the pine to the studs vertically (on the flat) And then screw the bracket to the pine.

        This will give you 45mm between the wall and the bracket.

        Micro PC is less than 40mm.

        • pastaPerson on 19/01/2024 - 10:23

          That's a brilliant idea! Thank you

      • apple2016 on 19/01/2024 - 15:50

        for Apple tv get one of these : https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/HQGK2ZM/A/totalmount-p…
        It can be on the wall or behind the tv

  • djsweet on 18/01/2024 - 11:16
    +1

    I have an Apple TV 4K paired with an LG C1 65" and a soundbar connected via eARC. Apple TV remote controls all seamlessly, never even use the TV remote. Get an OLED - you will not regret. Samsung/LG/Sony OLEDs all look great. You can get into the weeds discovering which one is the best for your use case etc etc, but at the end of the day I would be happy with any. I'd recommend just getting whatever you can get on sale for a decent price.

    • pastaPerson on 18/01/2024 - 23:49

      This is also something I'm interested in. The Apple TV can turn on and turn off the Sony TV, but it doesn't control the volume. The volume buttons work on the remote, but it uses IR, so I've got to have it pointed at the TV.

      Do modern TV's allow you to control the volume via HDMI?

      • djsweet on 19/01/2024 - 08:37
        +1

        Yes, they do.

  • SlartiBartFozz on 18/01/2024 - 14:02

    Have a look at projectors , if you have a dark room and want a big image on your TV. No cables at all.

  • Nillionaire on 18/01/2024 - 15:43
    +1

    Do you want to be happy? OLED is the way.

    • pastaPerson on 18/01/2024 - 23:47

      It might be a silly question, but what do you get with OLED over regular LCD? Is it just richer blacks and better colour accuracy?

      • djsweet on 19/01/2024 - 09:03
        +1

        Self lit pixels instead of back lit. Means epic contrast ratio with pure blacks. Just looks noticeably better than anything else.

  • lainey13 on 18/01/2024 - 23:38
    +1

    If you can wait, get one after the Olympics. Usually stores overstock in anticipation of upgrades to watch big sporting events.

    • pastaPerson on 18/01/2024 - 23:46

      The TV I've got now was purchased just before the Beijing Olympics in 2008. So it's seen Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo and potentially Paris - which is a phenomenal run for a TV. I can't imagine another period in history where a TV can remain relevant for 16 years (that's the equivalent of a TV from 1992 being replaced in 2008).

      In all honestly, I probably would have kept it longer, but with the news that Kayo will be offering 4K streams this year, I kinda want to upgrade for the footy season.

      • Windows7forever on 15/02/2024 - 09:37

        Those old Bravia TVs are rock solid. Im still rocking one in my lounge room of same vintage and spec. I would suggest keeping it in a spare room if it still works.

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