Best TV to Buy?

Hi folks!

I'm after a bit of buying advice please. I'm looking to get myself a new TV set next week, but am not really sure what to go for. I'm looking for something around 42" to 46" and around the £500ish mark.

Ideally I'd like a Smart TV of some type, but I'm not fussed on the brand really as long as the picture quality is there. It'll be hooked up to an Xbox One, PS3 and Now TV box, along with a Youview Box (with the Xbox HDMI in), so three HDMI ins would be idea but not a deal breaker really.

The quality is the main thing really. I've been looking at the LG 42LN613V which is around £484 at Argos at the moment. Really open to ideas though, so any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Andy.

I cannot give you any specific model advice, but in my 30 year career in television engineering (including repairing hundreds of tellies) you will not go wrong with a Samsung as a domestic consumer choice.

Just curious, if you have an Xbox One/PS3/Now TV/YouView, why do you require a smart TV? (Not that it's hard to find one, as most new TVs of that size/price are smart TVs these days).

I'm after apps which aren't on those platforms - like Blinkbox (used to have this on my 360 and have a few movies purchased there but can't watch on a large screen at the moment). Suppose it's more of a "nice to have" than a "must have," but like you say - given most TVs come with this as standard nowadays, it's not going to be an issue.

I would second this. I took a long time to convert to flat screen, and in that time, twice I walked in on a TV which stunned with picture quality, and both times it was a Samsung. That said, I'm not quite sure they're still keeping up with their latest models - I've had a new 42" LED next to an old (5 years) 32" LED, and the newer one seemed to be a bit heavy on the processing.

After Samsungs, I'd then look to LG.

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm currently swaying back and forth between a Samsung 40" and an LG 42" which are similarly priced.

At the moment, I'm thinking of going for the Samsung. Anyone got any first hand experience of LG's? I hear they can be hit and miss in terms of quality at times.

I have had first hand experience of both Samsung and LG TVs, Smart and non-Smart.

I believe the LG set you're considering is one I've used and watched for quite a bit. The sound is incredibly tinny - however, this is a "feature" of so many thin sets these days, so I'd just try and opt for a sound system connected via the optical cable, whatever you get. The picture quality is good, and the ability to control the tv via a smartphone is a real boon - especially if you're constantly misplacing the remote, or are planning to use the smart features a lot. It even gives you the option to operate the tv using a pointer and a virtual touchpad, which is surprisingly intuitive.

Samsung's Smart offering is more comprehensive (ITV Player is still a Samsung exclusive in Smart TV terms, for example), and probably the most developed out of any brand.

Every TV has its own idiosyncrasies - it's a matter of whether you think you'll be able to put up with them.

Oh yes, should've said about sound - the sound on the newer Samsung I was briefly in possession of was much improved over the older model. One of the first things I did to the older one was take the back off, disconnect the internal speakers, feed the cables out through a grille and connect some proper speakers. And after all that I had to disable an internal equalizer in the engineering menu (presumably there to protect the tiny speakers) to get decent sound, so that's not for the faint-hearted.

I bought myself a Sony from Tesco the other week with a free soundbar. It's awesome! http://www.tesco.com/direct/sony-kdl42w829bbu-42-inch-smart-full-hd-1080p-led-tv-with-freeview-hd/393-5267.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=393-5267

I ended up getting a 40" Samsung in the end. Works a treat
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1166936.htm

Was considering getting a Soundbar, but to be honest the sound from the Samsung is decent enough.

I'm pleased to read your initial thoughts are very positive, long may that be the case.

Funny you should say that, as my initial experience wasn't great! I'm actually on my third one and had the replacements in as many days!

The first TV was smashed in the box - seems that somebody in the Argos warehouse mishandled it and the screen was in bits! The second one's screen conked out after a day of usage (well, an evening). Looking at the issue online at the time, it seems that the issue was caused by a component which burnt out. It worked great as a radio, but not so good as a TV!

I've had the third one for around 3 weeks now and works fine. Third time lucky I guess! Thankfully my experience with Argos was brilliant and they replaced it both times without any quibble.