Best time to buy a TV

[Jlabute]

I've always had a problem with people trying to convince me that something is superior based on differences that either don't matter to me, or I can't see with my own eyes.

There are quite glaring differences between low end TVs and high end TVs. Watching any of the HDTVTest videos show it plainly. Unless you have a high-end and low end TV side-by-side, you may not notice but the evidence is clearly there, even if it doesn't matter to you specifically.

When it comes to tube amps, tube amps add distortion to music making it sound warmer. Perhaps this is what audiophiles prefer, but vinyl has less signal to noise ratio than most digital formats.

[BC Landlord]

There are quite glaring differences between low end TVs and high end TVs. Watching any of the HDTVTest videos show it plainly.

How often do you watch test videos? I don't even have cable. It's Netflix, Prime and some news channels.

[TylerM4]

I cringe whenever I see TV discussions as what I see is too much focus on "Best Technology" vs "Best fit for the person".

Some observations based on my experience TV shopping:
1) It's hard to beat costco. Might not get the absolute best price in town, but you won't get fleeced.
2) Most TV's these days are smart TV's. You don't so much decide whether you want a smart TV. It's more like "How smart of a TV do I want?". I would suggest that "basic smartness" is good enough for most people. If all you do is utilize the common streaming services like Netflix, Prime, Apple TV, etc then the basic level of smartness is good. Don't plan to browse the internet using your TV, it's not a great experience, you'll hate it!
3) Built in basic smart TV functions don't cost a lot more if you do find a TV that has no smart features. Yes you can utilize a firestick or a separate media box and maybe save $25 or $50 but it's not worth it. Having everything integrated so you only have 1 remote, it's quick to start up, etc is totally worth it.
4) I got my 1st Samsung TV last time (their mid-grade line, not a fancy model) and I'll be buying another Samsung again when it dies. What has sold me on the Samsung wasn't picture quality or features - it's how refined it is. For example: TV darn near set itself up. It even detected a soundbar from a competitor and automatically programmed the TV remote to work with the soundbar and muted the TV speakers. It's like the soundbar came with the TV. The TV remote controls the soundbar and I didn't have to do anything to set it up other than attach the cables and select "OK" when prompted after the TV detected it.
5) Black Friday sales may be the best time to buy a TV but make sure you get the right TV for you, not the TV that's on sale for a great deal. Usually those "amazing deal" TV's aren't that good of a TV. Otherwise, Costco's regular price is hard to beat or watch for regular sales. Regular sale prices are close to Black Friday prices except for those "amazing deal" TV's that generally aren't great TV's to start with.

[DANSPEED]

How often do you watch test videos? I don't even have cable. It's Netflix, Prime and some news channels.

Same here. My LG has 4K upscaling and wow does it make watching free streaming services like Pluto TV and Tubi enjoyable. I don't even mind watching the commercials! I highly recommend looking for a TV with 4K upscaling.

[Jlabute]

I cringe whenever I see TV discussions as what I see is too much focus on "Best Technology" vs "Best fit for the person".

Some observations based on my experience TV shopping:
1) It's hard to beat costco. Might not get the absolute best price in town, but you won't get fleeced.
2) Most TV's these days are smart TV's. You don't so much decide whether you want a smart TV. It's more like "How smart of a TV do I want?". I would suggest that "basic smartness" is good enough for most people. If all you do is utilize the common streaming services like Netflix, Prime, Apple TV, etc then the basic level of smartness is good. Don't plan to browse the internet using your TV, it's not a great experience, you'll hate it!
3) Built in basic smart TV functions don't cost a lot more if you do find a TV that has no smart features. Yes you can utilize a firestick or a separate media box and maybe save $25 or $50 but it's not worth it. Having everything integrated so you only have 1 remote, it's quick to start up, etc is totally worth it.
4) I got my 1st Samsung TV last time (their mid-grade line, not a fancy model) and I'll be buying another Samsung again when it dies. What has sold me on the Samsung wasn't picture quality or features - it's how refined it is. For example: TV darn near set itself up. It even detected a soundbar from a competitor and automatically programmed the TV remote to work with the soundbar and muted the TV speakers. It's like the soundbar came with the TV. The TV remote controls the soundbar and I didn't have to do anything to set it up other than attach the cables and select "OK" when prompted after the TV detected it.
5) Black Friday sales may be the best time to buy a TV but make sure you get the right TV for you, not the TV that's on sale for a great deal. Usually those "amazing deal" TV's aren't that good of a TV. Otherwise, Costco's regular price is hard to beat or watch for regular sales. Regular sale prices are close to Black Friday prices except for those "amazing deal" TV's that generally aren't great TV's to start with.

The OPer did mention he wanted the best picture quality possible, not just smarts.


The nice thing about newer TVs is they mostly all support HMDI-CEC which allows devices to be identified and commanded. That is common today in all big brands since mid 2000s. My TV recognized everything connected. As for web browsing, an Android experience could be the best option since it is more mature. If one cares about doing that.

Costco does have msrp pricing or a tad less. Family owned business may go a little further to barter. My new TV had a 1 day sale that saw it reduced by $1300 outside of any black event. Sony must had been generous that day. I am sure costco may have had the same deal. Thankfully stores offer a 60 day price protection… so I got a chunk of change back.


Refinement also comes in the form of software. As previously mentioned, Sony TVs are well built and have amazing upscaling/processing that goes beyond what most brands offer.

Saying that, all TVs improve over time.

[Jlabute]

There are quite glaring differences between low end TVs and high end TVs. Watching any of the HDTVTest videos show it plainly.

How often do you watch test videos? I don't even have cable. It's Netflix, Prime and some news channels.

I don’t watch test or performance videos often. Usually just enough to stay up-to-date with current display technologies. The best picture is a combination of hardware and software and experience doing it. Some differences may not be noticed watching cable or compressed lossy streamed video.

[Thinktank]

the best time to buy a TV is 1990 when you could watch
Cheers
Simpsons
60 Minutes
Hockey night in Canada
all CFL playoff games, and the news wasn't so corrupt. Rick Webber.

how much do you pay for cable now? $960/ year? Or is it less?

[JLives]

the best time to buy a TV is 1990 when you could watch
Cheers
Simpsons
60 Minutes
Hockey night in Canada
all CFL playoff games, and the news wasn't so corrupt. Rick Webber.

how much do you pay for cable now? $960/ year? Or is it less?

What's cable? I pay about $650 per year for streaming services and one includes free shipping for things I don't want to go to the store for.

The best TV is the size you want in your budget. I'd stick with a brand name. As others have mentioned Costco is best bang for your buck and stand behind their products. I use a Roku on both of my TVs with Starlink for internet and it works great. Nerds (ok, TVphiles) would probably notice a picture difference but I don't. Both TVs are Samsungs and about 7 years old now and 55". My husband has long since lost every remote in the house but I can control everything through apps. Just get the best deal at the time.

[Jlabute]

I opted for QLED because from everything I've read, the OLED technology is still prone to burn in which is a risk I don't wish to take.

I struggled with this decision as well. If anyone is interested in an OLED today, at least make sure it is the latest panel technology using Deuterium. I was considering a Sony X93L mini-led or the A80L OLED. Both have a great picture. My previous TV was an old LG OLED which operated well for 7 years, and still does with no burn in. The LG was a replacement TV when my plasma with extended warranty died.

An OLED with varied content seems to hold up well. I would think though if an older OLED has continual static images all day every day, that could cause more trouble than newer OLEDs. At the same time TVs are being pushed brighter than before.

Pros and cons. Mini-led TVs suffer from blooming or inaccurate colours, and OLEDs risk burn-in for some use cases. Tough choice. I can hardly wait for micro led TVs.

[Urban Cowboy]

I opted for QLED because from everything I've read, the OLED technology is still prone to burn in which is a risk I don't wish to take.

I struggled with this decision as well. If anyone is interested in an OLED today, at least make sure it is the latest panel technology using Deuterium. I was considering a Sony X93L mini-led or the A80L OLED. Both have a great picture. My previous TV was an old LG OLED which operated well for 7 years, and still does with no burn in. The LG was a replacement TV when my plasma with extended warranty died.

An OLED with varied content seems to hold up well. I would think though if an older OLED has continual static images all day every day, that could cause more trouble than newer OLEDs. At the same time TVs are being pushed brighter than before.

Pros and cons. Mini-led TVs suffer from blooming or inaccurate colours, and OLEDs risk burn-in for some use cases. Tough choice. I can hardly wait for micro led TVs.

I simply gave my usage style a lot of thought and went with QLED for that reason.

I do tend to put the TV on pause and then walk away, get distracted by someone or thing and don't get back to the TV for a while.

I also watch/listen to stuff like music channels where a logo might be in place for quite some time.

Because of those things I opted to play it safe and avoid OLED.

I have noticed though that these days, screensavers of some sort come on automatically if paused too long, depending on what you are watching, so I'd assume the burn in issue is less of a danger.

[normaM]

Dont watch much TB but I like the Samsung
London Drugs has Samsung Q60C 55-in QLED 4K UHD Smart TV with Tizen OS - QN55Q60CAFXZC on sale this week for 749.99.. reg 999.00 I like Visions but sometimes getting issues resolved can be dicey

MY LG has great picture quality
Seldom use the 690 inch TV. I like the ones now you can set as Artwork

[Bsuds]

Best time is when they are on sale.

We have a VIZIO 55" 4k for at least 5 years. It has been excellent with 1 problem repaired under the extended warranty from Costco. It has some smart features but we also have a fire stick. Hooked that up to watch all the Yellowstone seasons and first run movies.

[Jlabute]

London Drugs sometimes has crazy sales on TVs, Speakers, and various items. Not necessarily new stuff, but good stuff that has done nothing more than sit around a while or has been discontinued. I check London Drugs out from time to time for insane deals. This has served its purpose a few times.

[DANSPEED]

Best time to buy a TV is when you have money! Local news said everything's going up in price but oddly electronics is coming down. So if Christmas is a bust this year maybe boxing day, boxing month or whatever they call it now will have some great deals.

London Drugs sometimes has crazy sales on TVs, Speakers, and various items. Not necessarily new stuff, but good stuff that has done nothing more than sit around a while or has been discontinued. I check London Drugs out from time to time for insane deals. This has served its purpose a few times.

I've never bought a TV from London Drugs. I bought a fridge once, waited out back then was told they have an out the front door only policy. They made me wheel it through the checkout!

We have a VIZIO 55" 4k for at least 5 years. It has been excellent with 1 problem repaired under the extended warranty from Costco. It has some smart features but we also have a fire stick. Hooked that up to watch all the Yellowstone seasons and first run movies.

VIZIO? That's another name I'd have to research before considering. Same with Furrion, Neptune, Proscan and Skyworth. My guess is none of those companies actually make TVs.

[Bsuds]

https://digitalmasta.com/who-makes-vizio-tvs/

At the time of purchase it was rated as best for the money.