Help Choose a TV with a Decent Channel and Episode Guide

LukeOliver on 13/01/2025 - 11:20

In the market to update the loungeroom TV. Existing unit is a 12yo Samsung so expecting anything to be an upgrade.

The biggest pain point with the current teev is the channel selector. It laboriously loads a couple of hours worth of episode summary for every channel, and cycles through a page of six every thirty seconds or so. Guess it's loading off the signal itself; it's not like the house doesn't have internet.

Has that tech changed so that the latency is (gasp) gone?
Provide it some ethernet or WiFi and get that stuff instantly?

[Also, thinking 75" 4K. Use case is mainly FTA.
Some Netflix, and AppleTV; occasional PS5.
The less "smart" features the new unit has, the better (any "AI" features will probably get an instant removal from the shortlist).
Recommendations welcome.]

Electrical & Electronics TV

Comments

  • jv on 13/01/2025 - 11:24
    +5

    Recommendations welcome.

    Sony

    • Suspect420 on 13/01/2025 - 13:47

      Panasonic > Sony.

      Can't buy one in Aus - so disappointing.

      • jv on 13/01/2025 - 13:54
        +3

        Panasonic > Sony

        I dunno, you can get some pretty big Sony TVs these days…

    • HeWhoKnows on 14/01/2025 - 15:00
      -1

      "Existing unit is a 12yo Samsung"

      There is OPs problem.
      Any new TV will be better including a new Samsung
      But Samsung Smart TVs now include Samsung Plus which is a whole lot of good internet channels for FREE including some movie channels and sports channels.

      See here (but there are more now):
      https://www.samsung.com/au/tvs/smart-tv/samsung-tv-plus/all-…

      But specifically OP should take a trip into the nearest TV retailer where Tvs are on show and take each one for a test drive

  • stickingly on 13/01/2025 - 11:25
    +9

    Having experienced various brands of TVs, including Samsung, and now owning a Sony with Android, I will never buy another TV that is not Android.

    • Hybroid on 13/01/2025 - 12:02
      +3

      Another vote for Sony Android TV. Everything just works, it’s snappy, HDMI-CEC seamless with PS5, and you don’t need a third party media stick because their CPUs don’t suck.

    • colossus on 14/01/2025 - 10:29
      +1

      I have a Sony TV brand preference, but have not been overly enamoured with Android TV in my current TV. I'd like to hear what works really well for you - you may win a convert!

  • AustriaBargain on 13/01/2025 - 11:33
    +2

    Mate bought a recent Samsung TV, think he paid about $3,000, and the channel guide is cool. It feels like browsing Netflix. Has multiple tuners so you can record stuff easy to a USB drive if you want. If I were buying a TV I would get one with that fancy programme guide thing, and then use Apple TV for all streaming apps.

    • jv on 13/01/2025 - 11:38
      -2

      and then use Apple TV for all streaming apps.

      Nvidia Shield is better.

      • LukeOliver on 13/01/2025 - 11:49

        Will check that out at some stage, cheers; there's an AppleTV already in position however.

      • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 12:04
        -1

        Nvidia Shield is better.

        Careful, you'll bring the wrath of the ATV fanbois that circle jerk over the overpriced media playing trash that it is.

        • StingyBritches on 14/01/2025 - 14:17

          So, Bruceflix, you’re saying you are not armoured with Apple TV?

      • AustriaBargain on 13/01/2025 - 12:06

        It's better at having a slower processor and confusing, ad filled interface.

        • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 12:14

          It's infinitely better if you have any decent audio setup and need to passthrough lossless audio ie. Dolby TrueHD and DTS:HD

          • HuzzahIndeed on 13/01/2025 - 13:29
            +1

            @Bruceflix: What’s a decent audio setup? To many that’s a soundbar.

            An Apple TV 4K gen 3 box provides superior picture quality over a Nvidia Shield for watching paid streaming services, and using it for watching paid streaming is its fundamental purpose. No paid streaming service gives customers lossless Dolby True HD/Atmos and DTS-HD MA and X tracks that come on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray Discs, so having a streaming box that can pass through those audio formats is only relevant to people that rip the discs they own, or commit piracy and just steal downloaded files that have been ripped from discs which is likely most people that need a streaming box for passing through those audio formats for movies that are only available on discs. For me if I want the high quality that Blu-rays and 4K Blu-rays provide I will watch one on 4K UHD Blu-ray player, and if I want the highest quality available when watching content on paid streaming services I will use an Apple TV box.

            • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 13:46
              -1

              @HuzzahIndeed: TL;DR

              <insert excuses to justify ATV>

              • dtc on 13/01/2025 - 13:52

                @Bruceflix: TLDR: insert <cant figure out a response to the specific points made so just makes comment with no substance>

                • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 13:55
                  -1

                  @dtc: Firestick and firecube. Gives great streaming options. Can passthrough lossless audio. Way cheaper than ATV. Doesn't make owner a tech ignorant.

              • HuzzahIndeed on 13/01/2025 - 14:01

                @Bruceflix: What’s your excuse for needing a streaming box that passes through lossless Dolby True HD/Atmos and DTS-HD MA/X tracks, is it because you download pirated content ripped from discs?

                There is no excuse on my part, I don’t care about Apple as a company one way or the other, whereas it seems you do and are likely one of those weirdos that hates them that probably prefers android and loves pointlessly arguing about it with others online, just like the old PlayStation vs Xbox debate, or LCD vs Plasma or LCD vs OLED debates.

                Yes I own an Apple TV box for watching paid streaming services because the picture quality it provides when watching paid streaming services is superior to pretty much any other box which includes a Nvidia Shield for this purpose, and you don’t need lossless audio capabilities for watching paid streaming services because none offer lossless. And again if I want to watch the highest picture and audio quality available then I will put in a 1080p Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray Disc into a 4K Blu-ray player and watch one I have bought, I don’t need a streaming box that passes through lossless audio to my audio setup for watching pirated content like you do.

                • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 14:06
                  -2

                  @HuzzahIndeed: Just FWIW
                  OLED > MiniLED > Plasma > LCD

                  • HuzzahIndeed on 13/01/2025 - 14:09

                    @Bruceflix: And why are you telling me this? In my home I own 1 QD-OLED TV and 2 WOLED TVs, 2 plasmas TVs, and 3 LCD TVs. I don’t need to hear from you about which tech you think is subjectively the best.

                    • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 14:10

                      @HuzzahIndeed:

                      In my home I own 1 QD-OLED TV and 2 WOLED TVs, 2 plasmas TVs, and 3 LCD TVs.

                      Username checks out

        • jv on 13/01/2025 - 12:25

          Mine doesn't show ads and the interface is very responsive and can pretty much easily install any app, unlike Apple TV.

          • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 12:26
            -1

            @jv: Flogging a dead horse…

            • jv on 13/01/2025 - 12:27

              @Bruceflix: Have fun trying to install kodi on your Apple TV.

    • BronzingStubble on 14/01/2025 - 10:20
      +1

      I bought a new Samsung Smart TV a year ago. What I didn't realize is that Samsung is moving more and more towards a walled garden, like Apple does, in that everything has to come from them.

      If the manufacture of the third party service won't come to a paying agreement with Samsung, Samsung simply won't include their app. It's so frustrating. They've also removed the ability to side load apps, you can't do that anymore, it seems. Or if you can, I haven't found a way to do it.

      For example, it seems they have come to an arrangement with Microsoft because there's all sorts of Microsoft stuff available, but there's nothing for Sony PS5. Guess what I have?

      As another example, you used to be able to load a version of YouTube that didn't include ads. The newer Samsung range won't allow you to install that app. You have to use their provided YouTube app, which is full of ads.

      After a year of playing around with it, I wouldn't buy another Samsung. I would do what the other commentator has done and go for an Android TV where you can load your own apps.

      • LukeOliver on 14/01/2025 - 13:15

        Ooof. Yes, the less "added value" by the manufacturer the better.

      • AustriaBargain on 14/01/2025 - 20:58

        All TV makers sell the data on what apps you use and how you use them anyway. Better to use a dedicated box.

    • HeWhoKnows on 14/01/2025 - 16:07

      Dont forget all the FREE internet channels on Samsung TV Plus…
      Did you have a look?

      See here for just a few of them…
      https://www.samsung.com/au/tvs/smart-tv/samsung-tv-plus/all-…

      Several others have been added recently including:
      2 Movie Hub Channels which have some great movies and
      2 Throw-back TV channels with your favourite old TV series

      Sony doesnt have these free internet channels which is a huge omission

  • boomramada on 13/01/2025 - 11:37
    +3

    Help Choose a TV with a Decent Channel and Episode Guide

    visit a store and compare ?

    • jv on 13/01/2025 - 11:38

      too hard

    • LukeOliver on 13/01/2025 - 11:48

      Definitely considered this. Wanted to check in with folks who might understand the problem and have insight or a genuine technical explanation of what happens in the current unit. Will visit a store last ;-)

      • jv on 13/01/2025 - 13:28
        -1

        genuine technical explanation

        Your TV's processor is too slow.

        • LukeOliver on 14/01/2025 - 07:47
          +1

          Not so sure about that. It's quite brisk once the data is cached. Bottleneck appears to be the initial load. Any other bright ideas?

          • jv on 14/01/2025 - 09:34

            @LukeOliver:

            Not so sure about that.

            I am…

          • boomramada on 14/01/2025 - 11:05

            @LukeOliver: You have a 12-year-old Samsung. After each software update, processing can get slower, as updates are usually designed for new hardware, not old (special case iPhone).

            Another thing to consider is that 12 years ago, there were only a few TV channels; now, there are tons more, and there is more incoming data to process.

            • LukeOliver on 14/01/2025 - 13:14

              @boomramada:

              there were only a few TV channels; now, there are tons more

              This has definitely exacerbated the pain. However, the menu system has always been this slow to load new items; so regardless of Wirth's Law, I've discounted processor speed as a root cause. It's been about six years since the last firmware update.

              A new TV with an internet based EPG/IPG is where I'm headed, Android or not.

            • Speckled Jim on 14/01/2025 - 17:36

              @boomramada:

              12 years ago, there were only a few TV channels; now, there are tons more, and there is more incoming data to process.

              Not much more data actually. Back then, they were broadcasting H264, and after countless efficiency tweaks, they're on H265 now. More efficient = more channels.

    • kiitos on 14/01/2025 - 09:26

      They don't normally have the remote controls for the display TVs available for OP to test the guide, do they?

    • HeWhoKnows on 14/01/2025 - 16:12

      "visit a store and compare ?"

      Exactly !

  • bargaino on 13/01/2025 - 12:03

    What is this "Channel and Episode Guide"? Are you talking about the Android TV interface?

    I use Plex on an external box (Apple TV), and it integrates my library plus free-to-air and my subscribed streaming services.
    So will list all seasons and episodes of a TV show with episode summaries, artwork, viewer and critic ratings, … Much better than Netflix.
    Say I just watched a show, I can look for related ones, and it will tell me where I can find them, personal library, ABC iView, 9now etc, Netflix, pay-per-view, …

    If you are still using some sort of broadcast service via antenna or satellite, then a big yes to your question, the tech has improved enormously.

    • Speckled Jim on 14/01/2025 - 17:37

      What is this "Channel and Episode Guide"?

      I understood this to mean programme info (current and next) and electronic programme guide (EPG).

      • bargaino on 14/01/2025 - 19:04

        I thought it might be bigger, drawing from many sources including that. EPG by itself is not much, is it?

  • Bruceflix on 13/01/2025 - 12:06
    +4

    Given how terrible FTA television is now and how much it will likely degrade further in the future, I would not base my television purchase on how it servers up that pitiful content.

    • BargainMe on 13/01/2025 - 12:29
      -2

      OP being a boomer could be the only possible explanation

      • Speckled Jim on 16/01/2025 - 17:10

        Most GenXers didn't get conned by uncle Rupert and his corporate buddies, either.

    • bazingaa on 13/01/2025 - 13:36
      +1

      SBS is better than most streaming services

      • Protractor on 13/01/2025 - 18:13
        +6

        Correct, but sheep don't watch free to air. Some ppl have swallowed the 'if it costs $$ it must be better quality'. This may have been true at the beginning, but these days they just grind out chaff for the sake of it.

        • Speckled Jim on 16/01/2025 - 17:08

          +∞

          Not to mention you're paying to be shown ads anyway! Thus nullifying the core USP they tried to con everybody with, and the argument they keep trotting out against legacy broadcasters.

  • geekcohen on 13/01/2025 - 12:11
    +2

    Guess it's loading off the signal itself; it's not like the house doesn't have internet.

    Is your TV connected to the internet? Most newer TVs often download off the guide data via the internet first before reading the FTA signal.

    My JVC, FFalcon and Samsung all do that and its pretty quick. JVC was a cheaper TV and it is slow overall. FFalcon is pretty good and my Samsung would be the best. Only got the Samsung cause it was Free through a Home Loan situation. Otherwise I wouldn't spend that much.

    I think anything Smart/Android should do this regardless of the manufacturer.

    • LukeOliver on 14/01/2025 - 07:49

      It is connected, but I don't think it gets its data from there - same initial load time, with or without.
      The internet features it does come with are a bit 2012.

      • geekcohen on 14/01/2025 - 10:11
        +1

        Probably a bit old to get it via the Internet then.

        • LukeOliver on 14/01/2025 - 13:06
          +1

          Yep. new TV time.

  • Hoisty on 13/01/2025 - 12:58
    +2

    Recently update my TV. Previously a Sony 65” 900 series. There appeared to be some positive reviews of the new Hisense TV’s so gave them a, go opted for a 75” U7. 4K console gaming content looks pretty good. I watch a combination of FTA and streaming service and am very happy with it. Viewing location is in a pretty bright room. The performance from the mini LED I have found to be a worthwhile, great bang for buck upgrade to the 5 year old Sony I had ( which I was pretty happy with also) . It doesn’t run on android instead Hisense I believe use there own OS called VIDAA so it may get shot down on here. I watch most of my content through Foxtel, including FTA. So I don’t really use the guide from the tuner directly.. if that makes sense. But from memory when I first set it up I had no issues. Anyway I have no complaints so far of the overall experience with the TV.

  • bazingaa on 13/01/2025 - 13:35
    +1

    I use Fetch mightly from a previous deal ($99) with my stupid Samsung S90c, Fetch tuner is more sensitive as well, TV tuner has issues on locking SBS/ABC due to my broken antenna :D

    • Nugs on 13/01/2025 - 18:31
      +1

      I use Fetch mightly from a previous deal ($99) with my stupid Samsung LA32A450C1DXXY
      User manual on Samsung support page is dated Jun 2008…..
      .

      • LukeOliver on 15/01/2025 - 09:35

        Fetch Mighty looks like it might help with EPG, but at $449 it's a long shot.
        No need for a PVR here.

  • AndyC1 on 13/01/2025 - 19:32

    Head into JB or HN or BL and ask them to show you how the channel selection works.

    • geekcohen on 14/01/2025 - 10:12
      +1

      Sometimes the sales people are not the sharpest tool in the shed and could tell you what you want to hear.

      • LukeOliver on 14/01/2025 - 13:06
        +1

        Appreciate someone saying this.

      • AndyC1 on 14/01/2025 - 18:41
        +1

        The vital word is "show" not tell you.

  • SuperMick on 14/01/2025 - 11:18

    Sony, best of the lot.

  • Speckled Jim on 14/01/2025 - 13:47

    OP, if you're otherwise happy with the PQ, and it's not a power-hungry plasma beast, why not upgrade it and save money?

    Our Ffalcon (JB hifi cheapie) drove us nuts for two years — a laggy OS based on Opera!

    $30 for a new HDB860 STB. The channel change, programme info and EPG load much quicker. The seller supports it well with regular firmware, and the feedback for it is very positive.

    Added bonus: The TV encrypted my recordings, so I only record using the STB now.
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/165782972723

    Note, I used a discount code but $40 is still cheap!

    • LukeOliver on 15/01/2025 - 09:34

      Some common sense starting to pervade this thread! Thanks!
      I'm planning a little larger and 4K but dang that box might be a nice halfway hour :-)

      • Speckled Jim on 16/01/2025 - 12:05

        Sure, just another of many options. I know Android streamers sometimes get close on price, but our TV policy is offline only.

        The STB^ has connectivity too, but aside from another way to update firmware, I don't know what else it does (I used USB for update).

  • olfella on 14/01/2025 - 14:13
    +1

    I have several Sony tv around the house and would not recommend the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) in any of them. My son has a 55 Hisense and it seems to be OK - my suggestion would be to get hold of a remote in the store that you want to get your TV from and put it through its paces before you purchase. Another thing to look for is a decent internet browser in it. They can be just as troublesome.

    • LukeOliver on 15/01/2025 - 09:33

      Good advice, thanks - will be sure to check it out.
      Although I don't see us do any internet browsing on the TV :-)

    • Protractor on 16/01/2025 - 17:11

      Are instore display TVs connected externally or just running looped hi def stuff, to make every display unit look like a million dollars?

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