I need a couple of new TVs. A small one for the RV, and maybe 50” to replace the one that blew out of the house in Abaco. I had a “smart” tv there, which means to me that it was wireless and I could watch Netflix or the YouTubes. What’s the diff between Smart, Roku, Fire, etc.
Nothing really, Roku, Fire etc are external devices you connect to the TV to stream, Smart TV just has that functionality built-in.
just bought a tcl roku tv this morning 55" for $379. They had the 299 ones that were a year old but I was like this one here is fine and then donated $10 to st Jude when they asked. I can stream ESPN, Hulu, Disney plus, amazon prime, Netflix and HBO all via the TV rather than having an Apple TV or external roku device. Picture looks good enough and will be fun watching Auburn vs the golden gophers in 30 minutes The Bose sound bar they had on display with the Sub sounded awesome.... that'll be next.
Not always ... a Roku TV is a smart TV that has the Roku OS built-in. If all you plan to do is stream, and like the Roku interface, these TVs are fine.
So, without trying them all, does a Smart give me what I need, or does Roku do something better? And sorry George, 75” is going to require serious remodeling of both the house and the RV, so not right now...
I found my PS4 works quite well as a central media point. It has apps for Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, Youtube, HBO GO, Twitch etc etc etc https://store.playstation.com/en-us/grid/STORE-MSF77008-ALLPS4APP/2
+2/3/? on the tcl. I've got the cheaper 4 series 55" with no complaints. Picture is great, especially my kids PS4 Pro. Costco had the 55" for $289 last I saw. 50" was $219 I think. Way more stable than my 2 fire stick equipped tvs for steaming and a better navigation.
My friend who owns an AV store advises simply buying the best screen you can get and then an external box like Roku, Apple TV or whatever. His reasoning is that the internally built one can be buggy and seldom updated. So when the next generation comes out, you are stuck with whatever is built into it. Versus the boxes are cheap and whenever new tech comes out you either upgrade it or just buy a new one without having to toss the screen. Obviously doesn't look as pretty from a wiring perspective, but I bought a mount that put my roku behind the TV and cleaned everything up front nicely.
I use my “ancient” 8 year old 55” LG like this. Fire stick behind the tv and I now stream Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, Plex media server. Does everything I need. That thing has never had a traditional cable service plugged into it.
Got a TCL-Roku for the RV, works great as a TV for over the air stuff and streams well when I'm near wifi. It was cheaper than any of the other screens that size without the Roku bits too.
I bought a 40inch TCL off Amazon I use for my Zwift visual interface. Full disclosure, I use an Apple TV (current generation) for the Zwift connection. It's a nice crisp picture for the $200ish I paid for it. I may add one to the master bedroom space in my 5th wheel later this year.
