Kitchen- Buy a FHD 32" Smart TV or 4K Dumb Monitor

alidli on 08/12/2018 - 15:48
Last edited 08/12/2018 - 23:43 by 1 other user

I was looking to get a TV for the kitchen to fit on the wall between two windows so maximum size is 32”.
I will be watching it quite often so was after a Smart one where I can carry on watching (listen to) a Netflix show while getting on with chores in there, plus a great picture with good speakers that can be heard, as I would also like to watch online cooking videos and will be up close to the screen.

I don’t think 4K/ UHD TV’s are generally available in 32”, so can anyone recommend a Smart TV preferably with a thin bezel, that has a good picture and decent sound.

It's not an easy choice as some of the Smart FHD Bauhn's, Kogan's, TCL's get good reviews at around the $250+ mark but the 32” Sony's, Panasonic's are getting near the cost of a 40" and as they are still only FHD, are they really worth twice as much as the white label ones?

Or would it be more prudent to get a cheaper, quality-brand non-Smart TV, or even a cheap 4K PC monitor (if there’s one with speakers) and make it Smart with a HDMI dongle hidden at the back or would this cost more?

With 8K’s now being made, does anyone know if 4K 32” TV’s will become more common in the near future, so just wait 6-9 months?

I know there are a lot of questions, but it's years since I've bought a TV or monitor and it's difficult to know if the latest "innovation" eg. HDR, QLED is worth paying the extra for or is more marketing to get folks to replace their TV's.

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  kizashi on 08/12/2018 - 16:08

  Have look at something like this.
  https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/hisense-32-inches81cm-hd-led-…
  Got a fair reputation on picture quality and good 3yr warranty. Priced not as dear as Sony/Samsung/Panasonic. From my understanding do not need anything greater than 1080p on the size set…so getting 4k or 8k should not notice much different.

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  JIMB0 on 08/12/2018 - 16:31

  32" FHD is a rare size. They tend to be name brand (Sony, Samsung etc), have smart capabilities and are very expensive. I got the Samsung 5 series FHD and use it mostly as a computer monitor. The sound is fantastic and it is feature packed.

  I couldn't find any no-name brands that made a 32"FHD. I guess the panel size is rare and thus expensive. Thats probably why they only make them as a smart TV as the extra cost of this is minimal and gives the customer greater value for money.

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  User2049 on 08/12/2018 - 18:47

  1440P 32" PC monitor with a Chromecast or other smart box

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    theguyrules on 08/12/2018 - 19:20

    +1

    1440P

    Bad idea. No content is produced for 1440p res, and 1440p does not scale down evenly to 1080p.
    Just get 1080p or 4k

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  PVA on 08/12/2018 - 20:41

  I searched and searched the last few weeks and anything that’s decent that size is around $600 for a Sony or Samsung (Sony looked and sounded better)
  None are fully smart TVs like android, they are just their own OS with a few apps for Netflix etc.
  pretty disappointing range really.

  Looked at the Kogan, but their Android ones say they can’t have Netflix, strangebut that’s what they say in the specs and elsewhere.
  I was close to getting one but after reading that I wondered what other restrictions it may have so didn’t proceed. Reviews online weren’t great either.

  In the end we got a $189 JVC. Only HD but the picture and sound is good. A dumb TV, we added a Vodafone Android box for $72, remote is great, works with Box behind TV and had to pair the remote so I am guess Bluetooth remote.

  That will do for years until 32inch TVs catch up to modern times.
  Not every one wants a 55inch tv in a bedroom or kitchen hey?

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    alidli on 08/12/2018 - 23:14

    Thanks PVA for the info, very enlightening-
    I think the quality TV companies may not even bother with 4K or improving their 32" range in the near future as no real demand, and yes the Smart FHD ones are ridiculously expensive seeing as the Samsung panel is a Series 5 from around 2011 I believe.

    That said, I was looking at a Samsung UA32M5500AW as it's available for around $460 in the PRIZER 20% discount, when you had a look what did you think overall. Great if you could reply as only couple of hours to decide!