Home theater, TV accessories

[cnx37]

I have been researching the topic of buying a new TV. Decision (as of today) - Samsung (2nd choice - LG) - 55".
We are building a new home & will have a separate room allocated to home entertainment.
Step2 - Home theater
My research suggests that I should get a similar brand to TV ie Samsung. I am NOT seeking the top model. Primarily, the HT is for playing CDs & DVDs. I like remote wiring etc. Price - B10-20k?
Step 3 - TV accessories
Here, I am totally out of my depth - not even kindergarten level!
If I wish to download a movie, do I need a separate laptop & wi-fi? If you buy "smart TV", does that incorporate the above ie no need for laptop & wi-fi?
With all the innovations in technology, I am totally "lost"!
To date, we are using TrueVision & CTH satellite. I like ABC Australia & wife likes soccer (UK football) & Thai soapies.
I have a brochure from BigC. They advertise various "things" - Samsung, Soken, Planet Comm, nano (you will know what I mean). Is it recommended to get one of these?
I have a separate thread re color TV - budget about B50k. Comments, recommendations?
Other suggestions/tips?
PLEASE! Minimum tech stuff! (I am 66yo)

[luckyjim]

Mate, you get yourself an electric computer with internet access.

You set up bittorrent.

You get yourself an external hard drive ( as big as you like 3Tb +) that you connect to your electric computer.

When you set up bittorrent you want every thing to go to this external hard drive.

You got to torrenz.com

You start downloading everything that's there.

You can also use Kickass, or torrentday.

If you want an invite to Torrentday let me know.

What I then do is have a smaller external hard drive which I connect to the computer.

I then transfer the stuff I want to watch from the big hard drive to the smaller one. Then plug the small one into my Samsung tv and watch it.

Now, I'm sure there are many clever folk on here who will have better ideas, which is good.

All I'm saying is this is what I do and it works.

good luck

[cnx37]

luckyjim
I have a PC (desktop) - 8 years old? No laptop.
In the "TV" room, I need to locate the PC? Buy a laptop? Utilize "Smart TV" (whatever that is)?
I think that I have access to bittorrent.com but have never used it.
Your comments sound very useful/authoritative but I do not understand (I had a terrible time with Photobucket too).
I have reread your post (twice). Now, my only question is - do I need "Smart TV" facility?

[luckyjim]

do I need "Smart TV" facility?

i'd answer that if I knew what it was. Sorry.

[cnx37]

do I need "Smart TV" facility?

i'd answer that if I knew what it was. Sorry.

Jim, it seems that we have a lot in common!

[Necron99]

^ If you don;t know the answer to that you would probably never learn to use it.
There are lots of ways to stream content to a TV, smart or no. Running around here saying "I'm old, I don't understand, can yo say it simpler?" is probably not going to help.
He is offering a simple non smart option. Download your movies, buy a small hard drive, copy the movies to the drive and use USB to connect it to the telly. Simple.


As to your Surround Sound system, unless you are an audiophile, just get the average priced one same brand as the TV.
Below megabucks systems are $50 worth of components packed into a $500 box, all the same.

[Dillinger]

Go and listen to the set up in the shop.

To be honest, you don't need a smart TV, a chromecast plugged into your TV's usb will suffice and only cost you 60 bucks

Stream online video, music and more to your TV using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop
Supports Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, as well as select web content through Chrome browser
Works with Android, iOS, Chrome for Mac, and Chrome for Windows
Easy setup: Plug into any HDTV and connect to your home WiFi network

Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming-TV Dongle - Buy at Best Price from iPmart Malaysia

[cnx37]

Necron99 & Dillinger
This is preparatory - prior to going into the retail store.
Firstly, the sound system. Last time, I thought that I was an audiophile - spent B100k on Yamaha. Now, I am looking at B5-20k (probably B10k now). I have so many remotes, I buy batteries by the 100.
I do like "wireless" audio - comment?
Re "Smart TV" etc, my main query was whether to buy the "Smart" with the TV or add an alternative later eg Chrome. I am not a movie buff. I generally just watch what is on NOW!
Dillinger, I read the attachment re Chrome - I have a desktop PC (no need for laptop,tablet). Further, I do not have a smartphone (my current cell phone is about 8 years old). My wi-fi is in the bedroom - TV/entertainment system will be in the TV room.
Given the above, I am still in a quandary re product selection. Most of the "medium" quality TVs now come with "Smart" installed.

I do not wear socks with my sandals - an Aussie - not a Pom!

[Necron99]

^ As yu are building a purpose built tv room, wireless speakers are not an imperative.
You can easily get cabling and jacks for the speakers put in, just think about how it is going to be set up when the lecckie guy comes.

In your new house the Wifi will be where ever the fuck you want it to be, and usually can be relied on to cover the whole house. A Smart Tv will connect to the wifi and you should be able to to access the public folders of your pc with it, allowing you to stream movies from there.

[cnx37]

I think/I hope that it is starting to gel. At the moment, I live in a high-rise condo - just had a wi-fi installed (no choice re speed) - prior - telephone & modem.
Re wire v wireless - if I go "wire", I need to know exactly where I want the accessories to be. Wire produces superior quality - maybe not important in these days of technology? In the future, I foresee that wireless will monopolize. With wireless, I can move accessories around - I NEVER have to date.
So, Smart TV - not a bad idea these days? Almost part of the deal rather than an option? In a couple of years time, maybe no choice?
Thanks

[luckyjim]

Dillinger......

Have you used one of these?

I searched hi and lo for the wifi dongle that was allegedly available for the Samsung T.Vs with no success. This was my only criticism of them.

If these things are good I'll be having 4 ASAP.
Wireless is great.

[cnx37]

So Lucky
If you were buying TODAY, would you get the "Smart TV" accessory built-in? From memory, we are in agreement ie what is "Smart TV"?
My hunch is that within 2 years, "Smart TV" will not be an option - it will be part of the general specs. So, I guess that I am buying 55", "Smart TV", wireless accessories.
A real surprise for me - I am running a similar thread - the models are mere differences in series # - the higher the #, the later the release date. Other - little difference! However, the price variance is >B30k.
The 'Dongle" comes from Malaysia - order online? Contact them via SKYPE or email?

[bobo746]

Hire a hostess and get her to push all the right buttons.

[luckyjim]

If you were buying TODAY, would you get the "Smart TV" accessory built-in?

If I understand correctly that "Smart" means it's got WiFi connectivity then YES I'd buy it.

[cnx37]

bobo & lucky
Now, you have made life difficult! A hostess would resolve all my problems & create a few! Problems of living in LOS!
Lucky, a little while ago, I thought that I had a full understanding. Apparently, I did not! In that case, I will be "smart" - buy "Smart TV". (I doubt that I have a choice when one buys a 55" TV - life is even easier).

[palexxxx]

I didn't know what smart tv was either so I had a look. This is what I found.

Smart TV - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Dillinger]

If I understand correctly that "Smart" means it's got WiFi connectivity then YES I'd buy it.

Yes, they all need internet to work, you can just stick your ethernet cable from your router into your smart TV if you ...

searched hi and lo for the wifi dongle that was allegedly available for the Samsung T.Vs with no success

[Dillinger]

Here's the main brands smart Tv set ups, apparently the LG is very good



LG


Panasonic Viera



Samsung



Sony



Toshiba



Philips

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2014

6 best Smart TVs in the world 2014 | News | TechRadar

[cnx37]

palexxxx
I should have thought of Wikipedia - generally, it is precise, no BS, straight to the point. It seems that the internet aspect is the most important - email, SKYPE, TD, IBanking, download of movies would be available via "Smart TV". So, there is more to learn.
It seems that "Smart TV" is a must! With the larger TVs, I doubt whether you have a choice.
Now palexxxx - an Aussie on your avatar, xxxx - A Queensland beer. State of Origin v Aussie Rules. Rolf H is having a big problem! I have lived in CNX for 12 years - guesthouse(Soi 3, Thapae Rd), Riverside (CM-Lamphun Rd) & Hillside 4 (since 2005). After we build, we are moving to Fang (my wife's home town).
My interest in computers has waned considerably. I was introduced to them in the late '70s. DOS was the only operating system. I used Wordstar, Lotus 123 & Quattro. When I commenced my accounting practice, there was no internet.
Now, with the criticisms, I just stay silent.
SUMMARY: I am buying "Smart TV".

[palexxxx]

^ cnx37, did you know that xxxx was originally a Victorian Beer? There's a clue in it's full name - Castlemaine xxxx.



http://www.xxxx.com.au/history/

[cnx37]

Dillinger - #18 - brilliant! Until now, I thought that I had it worked out. Now, size - maybe 55" - maybe 65". Brand - a maze - price will determine - probably 55".
I was told to stay away from LG.
Now, home theater selection will come into play even more - compatibility.

[cnx37]

palexxxx - you are a walking encyclopedia.
When I was a beer drinker (excluding tap beer), Carlton Draught was my preference. XXXX - too much gas.
Of course, Mr Bundy won hands down! I use "Mr" as Bundy must be treated with respect - it turned many "would be fighters" into "champions" (in their mind).
I had many blackouts - thankfully the grog made me amorous (not a fighter) - still got me into trouble.

[Albert Shagnastier]

You can buy a wireless TV pci card for less than the price of a McDonalds. Plug one USB stick into the computer, and the other USB stick into the telly. Just change AV channel and watch what's on the computer screen on your telly.

Gotta love technology

[cnx37]

Thank you Albert - I do not fully understand but it sounds OK to me (non tech head). Nevertheless, if I purchase a 55" TV, it is apparent that "Smart TV" comes with the package (no choice). That is enough for me to learn (for now).

[harrybarracuda]

Smart TVs can be connected to the Internet, are mostly hackable and the vendors won't do a damn thing about it.