New TV set

Crikey. Must have a big living room

I'm out of that market...don't you need a set top box for recording? And is there such a thing as an understandable button set?

If you buy a 'smart' TV, don't connect it to the internet. They're just platforms for spying and showing adverts nowadays.

If you want online service buy a streaming box and plug it into an HDMI port. Apple TV is least spyingest but there's no subtitles on the iPlayer app which may be a dealbreaker. nvidia Shield is probably the next least worst streaming box.

Unfortunately any kind of internet TV is a PITA for geriatric users if they aren't used to navigating on screen menus (ie just expect channels

The least spying option is to buy a monitor and connect a box via HDMI, but it's hard to find an internet TV box that also takes aerial input.

Theo

And Amazon Prime just emailed me to say I wasn't using a benefit of Prime, ie Apple+ TV. No subtitles, no interest, Bye.

Biggish. The house is a chalet bungalow with dormer windows. Perhaps 8m but the staircase access made a bedroom split awkward so we use it as a TV lounge. I watch different programs and have a smaller set in my office.

I use a BT set top box. The boss uses a Humax. Issues arise after the Grandchildren have reset stuff on the main box....

I think Apple TV+ is a paid bolt-on to Amazon Prime?

I think it is easier to use a PC as a TV, easier than it is to use a smart TV. You just need to replace the remote with a keyboard and mouse.

I have a 55 inch TCL and a comfy chair at a viewing distance of 1.8m (suitable size/distance for 2K resolution). I use the mouse on my (leather) armchair chair arm, and keyboard in my lap.

I've not watched broadcast TV for many years, but you can handle it by using a server on your LAN running something like like TV headend, to stream it across the LAN.

How much you will get a geriatric to adopt, depends on their familiarity with PCs, and particularly a suitable/close viewing arrangement.

I tried this with my Mum, but she was normally much happier on her tablet.

Our kitchen TV is nearly 15 years old, decidedly un-smart, but can allegedly record to a USB drive. We've never actually tried it, but there's no reason to believe it won't.

Our fairly new 43" alleged-smart TV does this, but recording is very primitive. Nothing like a Humax.

Many have several dedicated buttons for channels which pay the manufacturer.

I very much doubt that there are any un-smart TVs now available, though it is still possible to buy several 720 line 'HD-Ready' sets even though 1080i has been broadcast for more than 15 years.

Apple TV is a box you plug into your TV. It runs apps for streaming services like Netflix, iPlayer, ITVx etc.

Apple TV+ is a streaming service, a competitor to Netflix. They make their own programmes.

Apple's naming is terrible.

(I suppose at least it's not Apple TV Pro Max Ultra)

If you want to watch programmes from Apple TV+ you don't need any Apple hardware (Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, etc) - you can watch it on Android, PC, many brands of smart TVs. You can subscribe, you can often get a few months free if you buy Apple products, and it sounds like Amazon give you some freebie access too.

The subtitles issue is a problem with the iPlayer app on the Apple TV hardware - a disagreement between the BBC and Apple as to the format the subtitles should be sent in.

Theo

But is the "recipient" pushing for a TV upgrade ?

Has she actually asked for one ?

Of will it just make your family *feel good about themselves* forcing an unwelcome upgrade on her ?

Have you actually asked *her*. Some people don;t actually wish their whole lives and living rooms to be dominated by large screen TV's

Which presumably she already has and understands. So which part of the present set-up will actually *need* replacing in the foreseeable future do you think ?

codger

TVs have got higher resolution (4K, 8K, ...) in recent years, but can elderly eyes actually tell the difference? Are you still watching Freeview in SD so there's no higher definition being received to be displayed?

The 4K/etc only really matters for streaming viewing, and often then it's gatekept behind an additional cost (eg 4K Netflix is more expensive than regular Netflix).

How much useful would a slightly bigger set be? Is the old set failing in some way? Is it using older tech (CRT, plasma)?

A starting point may be to assume that all the smart features will make things worse not better (having to learn how to operate a new 'operating system', plus privacy issues).

Do the benefits outweigh the costs?

Theo

Model numbers for the Humax and the TV might help us to understand the current capabilities.

As others have said, minimum change is what most senior users want.

If the current TV has Internet capability (beyond just automatic updates) then it must be at least fairly smart.

Starting point might be another Panasonic if the software is similar.

Cheers

Dave R

Headphone may be Bluetooth these days

You can get limited functionality remote controls

Thats where a small computer with a WinTV dongle or card running e.g. Kodi scores.

As eyesight gets worse having a larger screen may be a benefit.

A 42" flat screen TV is the equivalent to a 21" crt TV of the past if you take into consideration the front size of a typical cabinet the CRT was fitted in.

And those can be wireless too.

That tends to be the case.

I acquired for a fgutire projecxt a sort of display monitor - the things you find in the doctors surgery etc. Its HD resolution only but f****ng huge

Yes. I have completely given up trying to use a smart TV on the general internet. A PC is infinitely better

No:-)

No:-)

Probably. I suppose they have more recent sets of their own and prefer the upgrade options.

We have talked about an upgrade. One side of the dormer provides a convenient site. Visitors tend to be entertained in our kitchen diner which has some comfortable chairs and avoids climbing stairs!

AFAIK the Panasonic doesn't do headphones and sound out together although I guess this could be covered by a different audio box/speakers.

Touche Mr Pancho

That is what I use. Bose, 'king expensive! No sound out for anyone else.

Interesting.

Is that *remote* Alexa or something dedicated to the TV? I find the idea of a living room microphone linked to a different country rather disturbing.