TV for dorm

[xb2003]

I need a TV for my dorm. I haven't shopped for a TV in a while, so I'm looking for suggestions on what people like and don't before I do too much shopping. Here are parameters:
-32 inch - Unfortunately nothing larger will fit.
-$250 all the more I want to spend, but feel free to argue for a more expensive set.
-1080p - I really do not want a 720p TV, and a lot of them are at this size.
-True 60Hz would be nice
-2+ HDMI 1+ RCA. (Almost every TV..)

I'm torn on the whole SmartTV thing. I use Netflix and Amazon, but I could use my PS4 until I bought an Apple TV or something. I have a 55" TCL Roku TV, and I get along with the interface decently. I have heard that Samsung's SmartTV interface isn't nearly as good, but I have never used it. One thing is for sure, any SmartTV MUST have Ethernet. The wireless situation at my school is awful.

Anyways, does anybody have anything that really like, or really don't like?

Thanks!

 

[Gav2k]

Personally I was a Samsung man for a long time but I have moved to LG mainly because the interface on the Samsung sucks ass

 

[campyguy]

I'm in a similar situation with needing to downsize from one office space to a single-room office space for a project and deal with pop-in clients (likely looking to escape their lives for a couple of hours... ), and I need to be able to feed the upcoming college football fixes they're have in a few short weeks... Oh, and I just frickin' HATE "smart" devices, they're just kind of clunky to me - although I've read good things about the Roku TVs... That written, and needing my Netflix and Prime Video fix along with a decent ESPN app, I went with the being-closed out 2015 Samsung UN32J5003 and the new Roku Streaming Stick (I don't need 4k yet in that space...). I think that this unit should feed your needs, and the picture is really pretty nice!

I found the TV on Amazon, but picked it up at a nearby Walmart for the same price ($198). I opted for a Roku Stick, despite having an Apple TV at home; I have a TiVo Bolt that covers Amazon Video - if I didn't have the TiVo I'd have bought a Roku Streaming Stick over a new ATV. At $40, the Roku Stick is a steal IMHO...

BTW, kids today are spoiled with these options. My friends and I watched March Madness in a friend's dorm room around a 14" crappy CRT on the Uni's piped-in cable, and my Mac was a Powerbook 140c. Enjoy college!

 

[xb2003]

I'm in a similar situation with needing to downsize from one office space to a single-room office space for a project and deal with pop-in clients (likely looking to escape their lives for a couple of hours... ), and I need to be able to feed the upcoming college football fixes they're have in a few short weeks... Oh, and I just frickin' HATE "smart" devices, they're just kind of clunky to me - although I've read good things about the Roku TVs... That written, and needing my Netflix and Prime Video fix along with a decent ESPN app, I went with the being-closed out 2015 Samsung UN32J5003 and the new Roku Streaming Stick (I don't need 4k yet in that space...). I think that this unit should feed your needs, and the picture is really pretty nice!

I found the TV on Amazon, but picked it up at a nearby Walmart for the same price ($198). I opted for a Roku Stick, despite having an Apple TV at home; I have a TiVo Bolt that covers Amazon Video - if I didn't have the TiVo I'd have bought a Roku Streaming Stick over a new ATV. At $40, the Roku Stick is a steal IMHO...

BTW, kids today are spoiled with these options. My friends and I watched March Madness in a friend's dorm room around a 14" crappy CRT on the Uni's piped-in cable, and my Mac was a Powerbook 140c. Enjoy college!

I will go with an ATV or Roku 3 or 4 simply for the Ethernet port. And I agree, smart interfaces are very clunky. But streaming devices (with Ethernet) aren't super cheap (in comparison to a ~$200 TV), so it might be the best option. I don't know, I'm about to walk in Best Buy and see what I think.

Spoiled? Nah. My rMBP doesn't have a dGPU. THOSE are for spoiled students.

 

[campyguy]

I will go with an ATV or Roku 3 or 4 simply for the Ethernet port. And I agree, smart interfaces are very clunky. But streaming devices (with Ethernet) aren't super cheap (in comparison to a ~$200 TV), so it might be the best option. I don't know, I'm about to walk in Best Buy and see what I think.

Spoiled? Nah. My rMBP doesn't have a dGPU. THOSE are for spoiled students.

My bad on the + for the Streaming Stick - I don't have any other competition for the wifi bandwidth at my office locations, so definitely go with a wired solution there!

The BB I go to recently pulled the sign in front that offers the match for Amazon, et al - but I know they still do. I bought a cheaper Sony BR player for a friend earlier this week. BB had it listed at $149, down from $179 - I bought the exact model at the nearby Costco for $99 - be armed with a mobile web browser for a bit of haggling power!

 

[xb2003]

Yeah I know what you mean. Ever used the Visio smart interface? I always forget that Visio exists, but in my opinion it looked nicer than the Sammy and LG surrounding it. More natural. But the settings could have been all screwed up.

 

[0000757]

I have an Insignia Roku TV that I use for school. My only issue with it is that CEC capable devices (like the Apple TV or my PS4) can turn the TV off, but not on, so I might take my older LG TV I have under my bed (but I haven't tested its CEC capabilities yet, but I know it has them).

I don't actually use any of the Roku features, either (I hate the Roku interface), but it was a cheap, big, LED TV.

 

[campyguy]

I've tested out a couple of Vizio TVs in a Costco, however, I find peripheral-specific interfaces a bit easier to navigate (I'm old...). I can't speak to how nice a Vizio interface is and, now that they've been sold to a huge Chinese company with a history of "letting things go" I'd rather stick to devices like the ATV, Roku, and Fire devices for now. I was hoping for more from LG, who sucked up WebOS, from a former Pre owner (don't judge!).

I also don't want the TV manufacturer tracking my every move, but I've only read about this sticky bit on the interwebs... I'm sticking with dumb TVs for now!

 

[xb2003]

I have an Insignia Roku TV that I use for school. My only issue with it is that CEC capable devices (like the Apple TV or my PS4) can turn the TV off, but not on, so I might take my older LG TV I have under my bed (but I haven't tested its CEC capabilities yet, but I know it has them).

I don't actually use any of the Roku features, either (I hate the Roku interface), but it was a cheap, big, LED TV.

I find CEC rather finicky. Mine works really well for Power and Volume between my receiver and TV, but my PS4 is automatically supposed to make it switch inputs, and that is hit and miss.

I've tested out a couple of Vizio TVs in a Costco, however, I find peripheral-specific interfaces a bit easier to navigate (I'm old...). I can't speak to how nice a Vizio interface is and, now that they've been sold to a huge Chinese company with a history of "letting things go" I'd rather stick to devices like the ATV, Roku, and Fire devices for now. I was hoping for more from LG, who sucked up WebOS, from a former Pre owner (don't judge!).

I also don't want the TV manufacturer tracking my every move, but I've only read about this sticky bit on the interwebs... I'm sticking with dumb TVs for now![/quote/

The more I think about it, the more I think I agree. I get along with the Roku interface alright, but it's far from good. And from what I have read, it is one of the best Smart interfaces. I have been wanting an Apple TV for a while, and now is as good of a time as any to pick one up. While it is a little more than I wanted to spend, I think it's more value.

 

[BuffaloTF]

Have you considered Sony? They've dropped Opera apps and moved to Android TV with 2015 and 16 models -- so you've got their entire library at your disposal and that includes being able to side-load apps with a USB stick. So if you're aim is to get an Apple TV, you'll end up with the best of both worlds.

 

[xb2003]

Have you considered Sony? They've dropped Opera apps and moved to Android TV with 2015 and 16 models -- so you've got their entire library at your disposal and that includes being able to side-load apps with a USB stick. So if you're aim is to get an Apple TV, you'll end up with the best of both worlds.

I did consider Sony, but I didn't know about that. Usually Sony's stuff is expensive, and so I kind of set them aside. But I will look into that.

I think that I'm going to end up going with this Sharp: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sharp-32-class-31-5-diag--led-1080p-hdtv-black/4862900.p?skuId=4862900

1080p, 3 HDMI, Optical Audio out, Open box for ~$150. Plus they have the ATV 64GB for $160, so I may pick that up also.

 

[0000757]

I find CEC rather finicky. Mine works really well for Power and Volume between my receiver and TV, but my PS4 is automatically supposed to make it switch inputs, and that is hit and miss.

CEC is very finicky. Every CEC feature works for me except turning the TV on. I just have my TV set to automatically power on to the Apple TV, since luckily my PS4 does switch inputs when I push the button on my controller and when it powers on (when the TV is on, of course).

 

[jca24]

Yeah I know what you mean. Ever used the Visio smart interface? I always forget that Visio exists, but in my opinion it looked nicer than the Sammy and LG surrounding it. More natural. But the settings could have been all screwed up.

It's good you always forget vizio exists, they are cheap crap, don't bother no matter what the price.

 

[xb2003]

http://www.sony.com/electronics/televisions/r500c-series/specifications

Is that the Sony you are referring to?

CEC is very finicky. Every CEC feature works for me except turning the TV on. I just have my TV set to automatically power on to the Apple TV, since luckily my PS4 does switch inputs when I push the button on my controller and when it powers on (when the TV is on, of course).

It's good you always forget vizio exists, they are cheap crap, don't bother no matter what the price.

That Is about how I have always thought of them.

 

[xb2003]

So I bought the Sharp and an Apple TV 4 32GB. Both were $20 off at Best Buy.

I'm impressed by the Sharp. I calibrated the display to my liking, and I think it has a very nice picture. The blues aren't over done like many TVs. What I was pleasantly surprised about was the sound. It's very clear, and isn't super hollow like most are. I'll still probably take some better speakers, though. The interface looks like a cheap TV, but hey, it's a cheap TV.