I'm New to Smart TV, Which Operating Systems Should I NOT Get?

SpicyStew on 12/06/2024 - 09:44
Last edited 12/06/2024 - 09:46

I'm about to purchase my first SmartTV but I'm seeing different Operating Systems such as Google TV, Android TV, Vidaa, WebOS..etc
I want to be able to stream/cast from my laptop/desktop with minimal latency and have updated apps on the TV. I know my dads Sony TV is only about 5 years old and apps can't be updated anymore due to version incompatibility or some other technical reasons.

Is chromecast laggy when casting? Is direct HDMI cable connection better for latency?

I know some of these TVOS's are a no go, which ones?

Electrical & Electronics Operating System TV

Comments

  • Duckie2hh on 12/06/2024 - 09:50
    +3

    no go

    HarmonyOS

    • payless69 on 12/06/2024 - 13:39

      Once Huawei becomes the only car supplier they will have you by the balls.
      Ah there is an Android patch with a backdoor or two….

  • altomic on 12/06/2024 - 09:50
    +25

    get a very good quality (picture wise) dumb TV and buy a semi decent android box for $50 , and when the old android box is no longer what you want you need (i.e. in 5 years time) then just get a new updated android box.

    smart TVs are dumb.

    • bargaino on 12/06/2024 - 11:44
      +3

      Good advice. Apple TV is good too, especially if you are into that ecosystem.

      Though a good dumb TV may be hard to find. Who makes them?
      Otherwise you want a "smart" TV which starts up quickly, and don't connect it to the network, just HDMI.

    • Boioioioi on 12/06/2024 - 12:28
      +3

      Where can you buy a good quality dumb TV though? I searched and could not find any

      • altomic on 12/06/2024 - 13:22
        +2

        I'm enjoying my 55" Bauhn UHD TV.

        had it for 4 years now. it has been faultless.

        grabbed it off marketplace for $150 (only 12 months old at the time and barely used -previous owner was a FIFO worker)

        good colour, nice blacks, no colour bleeds.

        it's connected to an xbox one.

        so , check out aldi.

        • Boioioioi on 12/06/2024 - 13:26
          +3

          Most Aldi TVs I have seen run WebOS now

          • payless69 on 12/06/2024 - 13:40

            @Boioioioi: Brothers Albrecht will have an argument with Dick Smith!

          • altomic on 12/06/2024 - 16:11

            @Boioioioi: true.

            what size are you looking for?
            what's the budget ?

            • Boioioioi on 12/06/2024 - 18:02

              @altomic: Too late now but I was after a 55" under $1k.

              Closest thing I could find were LG and Samsung commercial displays, but even those ran a smartOS.

              • Fizzydrink on 14/06/2024 - 08:22

                @Boioioioi: too late? what did you end up getting? im in the same boat

                • Boioioioi on 14/06/2024 - 12:21

                  @Fizzydrink: My the backlight in my TCL P725 I bought in 2021 died. I was hoping they would refund me, so was shopping for a replacement.

                  In the end TCL would only replace it, but they replaced it with a QLED with better specs and extended my original warranty so I was happy with the outcome.

                  Same experience in the sense that android TV runs slow on the TV though. I am sad there is no good open source alternative to just run on a PC to be honest.

                  This newer TCL does have a "Dumb TV" mode, I have yet to try it though, wonder if it would function as expected.

      • dawnflower on 12/06/2024 - 14:41
        +1

        any tv is a dumb tv if you plug a firetv or android tv stick to it.

        just get a cheap and cheerful tv then you can exclusively use the remote from either sticks. A lot snappier than regular built in OS.

        • Boioioioi on 12/06/2024 - 18:03

          Not true, I had a TCL TV that even to get to the dumb TV mode it took ages to power up because of the smart OS booting up.

          • kiitos on 13/06/2024 - 09:31

            @Boioioioi: Yes, same here - although we are using the TCL as a smart tv, it's quite slow (Google TV)

    • payless69 on 12/06/2024 - 13:46
      -1

      The Android Ios duopoly,
      what about Netflix only TV
      Amazon only TV
      Disney only safe for kids TV
      E-safety Karen approved no Musk TV
      Wesfarmers TV avoids Woolies ads…

    • Chandler on 12/06/2024 - 15:07
      +1

      thisistheway.jpeg

      Segregation of devices. A good dumb TV will be a good dumb TV for a lot longer than a good smart TV will be a good smart TV.

    • HeWhoKnows on 13/06/2024 - 08:08
      +1

      Yes, smart TVs are built to become obselete when it suits the manufacturer.
      They usually have far less choice of apps too.

      Samsung though is by far the best.
      Apart from great picture, sound and reliability, Samsung has it has its own internet TV service (Samsung TV Plus)

      Agree with altomic though.
      I suggest the Amazon Fire Stick

      Cheap to buy, regularaly updated, great choice of apps and additional apps not in thier app store can usually be sideloaded. You can also take it with you on holidays and plug into the hotel room TV to have full access to your smart Tv apps, subscriptions and features whilst you are away.

    • mhz on 13/06/2024 - 08:47

      This is the best advice right here.
      Then buy yourself either an apple TV box or an Amazon Firestick

    • TiredKitty78 on 14/06/2024 - 15:33

      That's what i'm about to do, Just keep my perfectly fine dumb tv, and get a usb dongle so i can cast my media from my laptop/smartphone to it.

  • jugsy on 12/06/2024 - 09:52
    +3

    They're all terrible! I use Google TV

    • HeWhoKnows on 13/06/2024 - 08:10
      -1

      I bought the latest Chromecast with Google TV and was very disappointed.
      Amazon Fire Stick is much better

      • kiitos on 13/06/2024 - 09:33
        +1

        In what ways is the fire stick better?

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 12/06/2024 - 09:57
    +10

    SmartTVs will be obsolete before you leave the store. Just buy an AppleTV and get a dumb TV.

  • snapper17 on 12/06/2024 - 09:58
    +2

    the new chromecasts play directly from the device. its not laggy
    they are cheaper then buying new tv

  • L0zBargain on 12/06/2024 - 09:58
    -3

    If I wanted to reliably 'cast' my laptop or desktop to a TV, I'd use an HDMI cable.

  • localhost on 12/06/2024 - 10:03
    +6

    Our Sony TV is 10y old. Just connect Fire stick or Google Chromecast (depends what you want to do) and voila … new smart tv.

  • SimAus007 on 12/06/2024 - 10:22
    +5

    Forget the OS that the TV operates on, use an external device (Xbox, PS, Fetch TV, Fire Stick, Apple TV etc) for the apps and you'll never need to worry when the TV OS (version) stops being supported. TV OS's are slow IMO and aren't supported for long.

  • rsingh87 on 12/06/2024 - 11:15
    -1

    I disagree with the comments saying just get a firestick apple tv etc, its annoying having multiple remotes as you will still need the original remote to change settings etc. While apple tv is the most powerful theres a lag everytime you wake it up and a lag when it changes to dolby vision mode etc, even the shield has a lag waking up and then you still need your remote to change hdmi inputs etc. Not too mention more cables another device drawing power etc.

    The best os built in is google tv on tcl tvs or sony tvs, its fast slick can run any app including an ozbargainers favourite stremio and vpn apps.

    In 2nd place is samsung tizen, big range of apps including stremio, just has a lag when changing inputs and it takes too many steps to change settings and theres the occasionally lag, but its really not too bad, just not as good as android tv.

    • Doyen on 12/06/2024 - 13:31
      +1

      TV's have CEC or equivalent. This means remotes for the apple tv etc also control the tv, so only one remote is needed. In fact your phone can control the box, even with your voice so even fewer remotes..

      • rsingh87 on 25/06/2024 - 15:16

        yeah true, but i tried that too, and it the remote just doesnt feel optimised for the different os in my opinion and or can have some limited function.

  • Ltsmash on 12/06/2024 - 19:37

    How about getting like a dumb Kogan TV and connecting a Chromecast / Android?

  • orangehead911 on 13/06/2024 - 08:20
    +1

    Get a great panel and use a streaming box to view streaming content.

    I've got a few Apple TV boxes, and an Amazon Firestick and they work flawlessly. The Amazon Firestick even comes with Apple's TV app on it. Advantage with a streaming box is that you can take it and all your apps with you when you travel, which is the exact reason why I bought the Amazon Firestick.

  • Jared17 on 13/06/2024 - 08:24
    +1

    I have a hisense smart TV and Chromecast. Fits all my needs.

  • ColtNoir on 13/06/2024 - 08:25
    +1

    Maybe invest in a google chromecast with google TV.
    I plugged that into my old hisense and it’s been quite good. Is it perfect, no but it was $60 and I can stream directly from it without using my lappy.

  • Jac33au on 13/06/2024 - 08:31

    Roku. It's a walled garden, advertising filled, slow moving nightmare. You can't even Chromecast or stream to it from your phone.

    I would only buy an android based tv, or even better and android box plugged into the tv for the most flexibility and longevity. My MiBox s from nearly 10 years ago still runs flawlessly on any tv. We even take it away with us on holiday to make any TV a smart tv. New chromecasts are similar but not quite the same level.

  • Kayrhcp on 13/06/2024 - 08:47
    +1

    Any tv OS will piss you off with sufficient time and use.

    Even with a smart tv you can just keep it disconnected from the wifi and use it as dumb pretty easily with a chromecast or Apple TV.

    I do this with my lg oled tv.

  • numloxx on 13/06/2024 - 14:14

    Aren't they all Android based anyway?

  • sprocketoctopus on 13/06/2024 - 16:18
    +1

    Buy the best panel you can afford.

    Get an Android device and load Kodi. Even a Chromecast. Or a Mini PC. Or an Apple TV.

    However if you want to only deal with one device to do it all, be aware that once the TV updates become obsolete, the apps can't update (they regularly need updating) and you are left with the functionality you desire not working. I have seen this happen after 4/5 years.

    TLDR; No mucking around just point a remote and it works - do it via a smart TV's built in apps. Android is what I'd use.

    Cheaper and longer lifespan? Get a TV box and connect your TV. Possibly having to use more that one remote

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