Internet TV's

[durphee]

Hello felllow JD'ers! I am looking into purchasing an Internet TV. I used to have a laptop and I do not want to purchase another one. Instead, I thought maybe one of these "internet" TV's would do the trick. All i need is one that can surf the web, check email, watch some movies, music and such. Any information on this would be great.

I also want to do some type of affordable whole house audio system and totally clueless on it. I want to be able to connect this to my TV and be able to connect to internet radio and be able to listen to it in different rooms of the house.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[Magnumb]

The TV I purchased can pull internet radio and netflix but is not a replacment for my laptop. I think most of the internet TVs are mostly for streaming audio and/or video. To get audio throughout your house I would grab and recevier with mulitple zones or and receiver and a speaker selector. For cheap cables are in wall speakers you can't beat monoprice. Great sounding in walls for dirt cheap and very well built.

 

[anonomoose]

Many of the newer sets are jumping on the wagon for this. They cost about $150-200 more but will be well worth it. As anything they are in their infancy on this, so not everyone does it the same. I have the 46 inch sony and it does pretty good but does get goofed up once in awhile...so expect it. I hard wired mine in rather than run wirelessly....cause I am too cheap for the wireless adapter which does not come with it as standard...and because hardwire is always better. Streaming video is good...great actually and netflix is okay tho they don' t run all their releases thru live stream so be aware of that....

Otherwise, there is nothing like UTube snowmobile vids on a widescreen high def....

I also run direct antenna so I get true high def on the networks....kinda nice not to have to pay for that...at least YET!

In my opinion anyone who buys a TV of any real value needs to go this route..unless they are completely non-high tech....and don't use the internet.

Lots of add on equipment to address the "whole house" thing...if that's what you wanna do.

 

[scott_b]

To the best of my knowledge no tv manufacturer is offering a set that could replace a laptop. Many have widgets or apps that can allow you to access Netflix, Youtube, etc but as far as going to Amazon or checking e-mail I have yet to see any of those.

Whole house audio can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. The easy route is buy some wireless speakers and stream to them, the complicated way are muti zone systems with 12+ channel amps and LCD displays to change volume and source. I would suggest finding a forum dedicated to this topic as this type of thing can get rather complex quickly. My system is very easy to use with an iPhone as a remote and individual volume controls for 8 zones but the setup would make many people's heads spin. I got a lot of good info from Audioholics.com. Good luck

 

[michaeladams]

samsung has one out. the remote is two sided, one side is just like any remote and the other side is a qwerty keyboard but is small. if you could get a regular wireless mouse and keyboard it would be alright.

 

[durphee]

Thanks for the info. I might just end up getting a laptop and running it through a normal TV, which I had at my last house. It worked pretty well, being able to navigate the internet and such through such a large screen.

 

[dcsnomo]

Related Question

Maybe you guys can help me with this one. I now understand the new realities of audio. I no longer us cds, mostly I don't even use mp3 much anymore. Everything comes from the smartphone, including radio stations. And, of course, the laptop.

Because of this, I rarely use my home stereo, which while having a nice Bose surround sound system, has an old receiver. Time to change!

Do Bluetooth receivers work well?
If I send a video/audio media to the receiver, will it send the video to the flat screen? How?
I noticed some receivers are wireless, as well as Bluetooth. Why? What good is wireless with no keyboard?
Any preferences as to brand/model? It will be a 5.1 channel.

Thanks!

 

[Firecatguy]

just picked up a LG 55i wifi Tv.....friken sweet and yes I can check the mail surf the web!!!the best is youtube 1080nature vids...wow

 

[mjkaliszak]

Picked up a Samsung smart tv a while ago, not too bad but do not like the smart " QWERTY " remote. I bought a " Review Box " in addition just to have a mobile key board, not too bad, do like the u-tube's in 1080 with tunes.... NOT too impressed with the Polk 6000 sound bar, have 2 subs hooked up and it is OK at best.......

 

[stealthv]

Hooked up a Logitech revue box back in February and love it. Recently I added the Google TV app to my Droid Bionic making for a nice handy remote that controls the entire system from anywhere in the house.

 

[mjkaliszak]

After sled & ski you tubes... I think I'm hooked jammin to weezer vids !
" I'm gonna do the things that I wanna do " ... all I need now is my " Hash Pipe "

 

[dcsnomo]

.

 

[durphee]

Firecatguy,
Sounds great! After a little research, all I need is a TV that can basically do what my Iphone can, since it seems like thats about all i use now to surf the web! Is navigating the web the same on the TV as a basic I phone or Computer?