Welcome to ECCIE - Sign up today!

what the hell · 08-09-2013, 01:49 PM

I am going to upgrade my tv. I want to see if connecting to the internet is worth the extra money. Either with the TV itself, or with a blu-ray player.

Does anyone have one that connects to the internet and has a browser? Not just internet apps like netflix, but a full browser?

I have heard that sometimes they don't play flash, some other videos, etc.

Does anyone have insight on blu-ray players that have web browsers? Are they fully functional and look good on the tv it's connected to?

I have been researching these things, but I can't seem to find enough reliable info on the internet. I am getting frustrated. I don't want to buy the wrong setup.

Btw, I am looking for a 40" - 55" 1080p TV.

cluelessn1963 · 08-09-2013, 03:00 PM

I think browsing is a pain unless the TV responds to voice commands. Typing web addys from a hand remote is for the birds. Movie services and TV are great. I don't have cable any more and just use internet TV but for browsing I connect a device to the TV that has a mouse and keyboard or at least touchscreen (laptop tablet phone etc) I like the mid to high end Panasonic Samsung Sharp and Sony. All of mine are smart TV and smart bluray. The user interfaces vary with each device and its nice to be able to use either device for the smart internet connectivity.

If you have a 4glte phone that can be a hotspot point the TV of choice to it and take it fore a test drive....

My .01

CL

zebra · 08-10-2013, 11:25 PM

I drive a 18 wheeler and one of my regular stops is the Vizio Hub in Grand Prairie. There is a tech in the back that does all of their repair work, damaged merchandise, etc. and we have been discussing which TV is the best, in his determination the Samsung 60" - 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV - PN60F5300 with a surround sound and a Blu-ray player using Blu-ray dvd's gives the best overall picture, in clarity, color, definition. It gives a crisp, clear, and breathtakingly life like picture. I'm sure there are pro's and cons but a lady I visit regularly who just purchased one of these HDTV's within the last 30 days and it is all that and a bag of popcorn.
Hooking up to the internet with full browser capability was not her concern but I would recommend you speak with the pro's at Marvin Electronics or a similar high end TV electronic store other than the big box stores to get reliable information you desire.

Lust4xxxLife · 08-11-2013, 06:58 PM

It sounds like Google Chromecast is just what you are looking for. It's a $35 dongle that plugs into a USB port on your new TV (make sure the TV you buy has a USB port... most do). It connects to your Wifi network. Now you can open a tab in the Chrome browser on your laptop and 'Chromecast' anything in that open browser tab to the TV screen. Yes, that should include all of the porn you want to display up on the big screen. The video quality will depend on the quality of your Internet connection and your wifi network. If either of these are weak, forget it.

hawkweed · 08-14-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebra

I drive a 18 wheeler and one of my regular stops is the Vizio Hub in Grand Prairie. There is a tech in the back that does all of their repair work, damaged merchandise, etc. and we have been discussing which TV is the best, in his determination the Samsung 60" - 1080p 600Hz Plasma HDTV - PN60F5300 with a surround sound and a Blu-ray player using Blu-ray dvd's gives the best overall picture, in clarity, color, definition. It gives a crisp, clear, and breathtakingly life like picture. I'm sure there are pro's and cons but a lady I visit regularly who just purchased one of these HDTV's within the last 30 days and it is all that and a bag of popcorn.
Hooking up to the internet with full browser capability was not her concern but I would recommend you speak with the pro's at Marvin Electronics or a similar high end TV electronic store other than the big box stores to get reliable information you desire.

I have this exact Samsung model, it does flash too.

dallasfan · 08-14-2013, 08:11 PM

Apple tv should be out by next year.

Keyboard/touchpad is awkward to use with tv. Plus you can't watch tv and surf at the same time....better off getting an ipad.

TexasDave555 · 08-14-2013, 09:39 PM

Ive got a 65" Panasonic HD Plasma 3D and love it. My direct tv HD connects for HBO Downloads etc and has direct links to Netflix etc via the tv setup. No need for a router.

Works pretty well and with the internet setup I have its lightening fast.

65 was the perfect size, though i do admit, I did consider a 72" monster... I liked the picture quality better but that was a bit too large for the viewing area.

Muffman · 08-16-2013, 01:32 PM

You really have to do your homework as a lot of the DVD players have shit wireless range. I have set up the Roku streaming player for some friends and it rocks. Great range, instant reaction speed and intuitive controls.

SD2011 · 08-16-2013, 03:04 PM

Internet browsing with the tv is not that stellar. However, having either a TV or blu-ray player that is internet capable and includes the usual suspects (Netflix, Hulu, others) already as streaming applications is decent.

bmoore · 08-16-2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lust4xxxLife

It sounds like Google Chromecast is just what you are looking for. It's a $35 dongle that plugs into a USB port on your new TV (make sure the TV you buy has a USB port... most do). It connects to your Wifi network. Now you can open a tab in the Chrome browser on your laptop and 'Chromecast' anything in that open browser tab to the TV screen. Yes, that should include all of the porn you want to display up on the big screen. The video quality will depend on the quality of your Internet connection and your wifi network. If either of these are weak, forget it.

Actually it plugs into an HDMI port, which all HDTVs have. You also need to plug it into an outlet to power it. The plus side is it will play anything that plays in a Chrome browser, but there are audio sync issues. But if you're just browsing the web, then it's a non issue.

vixstudios · 08-16-2013, 09:53 PM

ceton infiniTv card+ bluray player, stream the tv feed to your computer, works a lot smoother for tv+browsing ability.

Lust4xxxLife · 08-17-2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmoore

Actually it plugs into an HDMI port, which all HDTVs have. You also need to plug it into an outlet to power it. The plus side is it will play anything that plays in a Chrome browser, but there are audio sync issues. But if you're just browsing the web, then it's a non issue.

Oops... I was indeed thinking of the HDMI port on the TV, but it does also plug into the TV's USB port for power if there isn't an AC source that's handy. The ideal configuration requires a TV with an available HDMI port AND a powered USB port.

Thanks bmoore for pointing out my mistake.

L4L

what the hell · 08-20-2013, 11:14 PM

Thanks everyone. I probably should have started a new thread because I have a new question.

I want to buy the TV for watching football. Of course I will watch other things but football is the main reason.

Is 120hz good enough for an LED tv to watch sports like football? Is it blurry in parts, or does it "judder" ?

vixstudios · 08-21-2013, 03:39 AM

it really depends on your quality standards, 240 is gonna make your friends jealous the most, 120 + scanning backlight will give you the next best but you will give up a little brightness, go to best buy and soak in all the demos to find what you like(just dont buy from them) .. and for the best quality always make sure you just watch the cowboys or the aggies

bmoore · 08-21-2013, 09:54 PM

And when you go look at TVs in a store, stand back as far as your normal viewing distance. Any tv will look bad if you're too close. If you can see pixels, back up!
Refresh rate is somewhat more noticeable based on screen size. If you're going above 37" then by all means go for anything above 120Hz. Less than 37" and 120Hz is fine. Just IMHO, others may feel differently of course.