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help for a television luddite

last year

last modified: last year

Hi, I'm buying a tv after not owning one in maybe 20 years. What do I want to look for? Are there new features I should know about? I assume we'll be mainly watching sports (my son) and movies. Does one still get cable? Apple tv? Only internet access? I'd like to hang it on the wall and ideally bury wires. Does an electrician do this? In tandem with someone who mounts it? Thanks for bringing me up to date.

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Comments (5)

mtvhike
last year
Several questions you need to think about:

Are you going to have an antenna for OTA (Over The Air) reception?

Are you going to have cable (in the event OTA doesn't work in your case)?

Are you planning to have an internet connection (for Netflix or other services?

How big?

Most (all?) modern flat-screen TVs accommodate all of those services. You might also want to be able to connect your computer using the TV's HDMI port(s).
my B
Original Author
last year
Thanks @mtvhike! i have internet access, will kit gave an antenna.
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Looks okay to me as is ... but it would look even better with a wider top to that cabinet and with the tv lower and w/o anything between the top and tv. You can keep the cabinet you have and still attain the wider look. Cabinet is too nice to just abandon it. IF you agree with those that suggest you need a slightly wider TV stand, simply add a top to it as deep and wide and in any material and finish you choose. [Think fireplace mantel or wide stair step or wide thresh hold board or countertop.]
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Very nice space. I notice that storage was mentioned in one of the comments. I don’t think you really have any storage issues. But just to note: the long, low console, that I posted above, has an open storage side shown; however, the piece features hidden door handles, and lots of closed storage, as well. If you read the description and reviews, you will get a sense of the closed storage possibilities. Also, as far as lighting: I think you may still be able to use your tripod floor lamp in the corner area to right of console, pretty much as you have it now. And if you want more light there, maybe a small lamp on left side of console. So a lamp something like this, or maybe bigger if you want, on left side of console. Your tree 🌲 looks beautiful, btw. Best Wishes! :)
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Alan Strassberg
last year
last modified: last year
https://www.rtings.com/tv

and

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tv/

Some great deals right now on last year's models as the fresh crop comes out at the end of this month. My $0.02 - get the biggest you can, the LG C2 is the best money can buy in terms of bang-for-buck (until the C3). Forget cable, just stream.
my B thanked Alan Strassberg
mtvhike
last year
I currently (I think) have cable, but yesterday we had a number of power outages and each one killed my internet connection. When power came back on, the internet usually came back, but sometimes it took a half hour or so. In the evening, which was after the last power restoration, I tried to look at the local news channel and there was no cable signal. Fortunately, that station had a real-time streaming service, which I used. After the news, I wanted to watch PBS, and still nada. But I had signed up for PassPort and that gave me the current content over the internet, which was find. My wife, however, noticed that the sound quality was inferior.

Some of the services which advertise cable cutting don't actually carry PBS (such as Direct TV's).
HU-867564120
last year
Your new TV will certainly be an LED model. The naming may have changed this year, but as an example using Samsung, you will have the option of basic LED models ($), Quantum LED sets ($$), and OLEG (organic) LED models ($$$). The Quantum and OLEG sets have much better or much much better contrast levels and color availability, as well as other electronic enhancements (120hz refresh for sports, etc., etc.). As a middle of the road approach, I went with an 85" Quantum from Costco.

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