Yes, I know this has been asked a time or two in the past...

Having said that, what does everyone like for a TV? I currently have a 52" Samsung LCD that is 11 years old. It doesn't want to turn on, will cycle through turning itself on and off. Sometimes if we get lucky, it will stay on..

I had every intention of staying with Samsung (and still may, based on what I see here and what my further research tells me).

I don't want to spend over $1k on this set. Looking at either 55" or 65" sets right now. I know I'm limited based on my size and price point.

In my research, I've found many recommendations for TCL. Many of these recs mention the picture is better than the Samsung Q60/70 models. Any thoughts? As I said before, I was leaning Samsung, but would be willing to go another route if the quality is better.

Thanks in advance.

Definitely go with a TCL 5-series or 6-series.

Best picture quality in the sub-$1k TV market, and the picture quality even rivals that of many $1k+ sets too. They routinely top the electronic test sites' lists of "best budget TV", "best TV value for the money", etc. Plus they have a clean, very user-friendly Roku-based menu system with built-in streaming.


Best of all, they come in well under your $1k budget.


Get a 65" 6 series for $750: https://www.amazon.com/TCL-Cla...-Smart/dp/B07V4TC9V8

Or step slightly down to the 65" 5 series for $550: https://www.amazon.com/TCL-Cla...s=electronics&sr=1-1


Either way, you'll want to budget for a decent wall mount or aftermarket TV stand, if you don't already have one. Basically all TVs nowadays are produced with wall mounting in mind, since that's what most people go with these days, so the "leg stands" included with modern TVs are generally all flimsy crap. But even with dropping $50-$100ish for a decent mounting system or stand, you'll still have anywhere from $150-$400 left over from your $1k TV budget to put towards another gun, or more ammo, or upgrading your home theater audio system.

If you're handy with a screwdriver and a soldering iron, you might be able to fix the tv. Search on youtube for problems with your model number Samsung tv's.

I have a 42" Samsung and I found a video that explained how to replace the capacitors on the power supply board because they are known to fail. I was able to fix the power supply board with $7 worth of capacitors.

My tv also had a problem with the picture blooming around the edges of the screen. So I found another video for that problem. A $35 t-con (timing controller) board fixed that problem. Tv is still going strong.

You might get lucky and save yourself a grand.

Based on the recommendations on the forum, I bought a 55" TCL 6 series for $430 from walmart.com. The one thing I wasn't prepared for was how it made everything look like Tom Baker era Dr. Who. Sounds weird, but it's actually a real thing called soaps opera effect. It has to do with frame rates and turning on "Natural Cinema" in the picture settings makes it go away.

Edited: I bought a 6 series, not a 5 series.

We have an old sony, an LG, had a vizio and have a few samsungs.

If I need another tv, it will be a Samsung...happiest with them, and I think the pricing is pretty solid(Walmart/Sam's/Best Buy)

Good luck in your search

Samsung. Have three that I bought new in 2013. Love them all and never any issues.

quote:

Originally posted by two-two-niner-romeo:
If you're handy with a screwdriver and a soldering iron, you might be able to fix the tv. Search on youtube for problems with your model number Samsung tv's.

I have a 42" Samsung and I found a video that explained how to replace the capacitors on the power supply board because they are known to fail. I was able to fix the power supply board with $7 worth of capacitors.

My tv also had a problem with the picture blooming around the edges of the screen. So I found another video for that problem. A $35 t-con (timing controller) board fixed that problem. Tv is still going strong.

You might get lucky and save yourself a grand.

Chinese capacitors that are mostly junk. My 42" L.G. that went KAPUT had them.

It's sad that L.G. a Korean company that bought Zenith now uses Chinese parts.

I have had really good luck with Samsung over the years. I Like to buy a mid range tv since they are so cheap now. No reason to be in the cutting edge....

I will just say based on my experience that I am done purchasing higher $$ TVs.

Bought a Samsung. It crapped out. Bought an LG. It crapped out. Bought the new hot item, TCL. Same thing. Crapped out in under 2 years. None of the above lasted 3 years.

Went to Walmart at about midnight. Compared the features of the three lowest priced 50 inch class TVs. Picked the cheapest of the 3 and said the he!! with it.

With my run of luck or lack there of, it’s cheaper is better for me. Could not even tell you the name of it.

Best of luck in your purchased selection.

We’ve got our eye on the Samsung 65” Q7 QLED at Costco for $1,199 with a $100 cash card. Very impressive picture.

We have all Vizio in the house and we're very happy.

The D or E series is fine but the M is the one to get usually.

Samsung then LG or Sony......I've seen TCL screens on display in the store a few times, the picture was lackluster IMO. If you buy the TV from Costco the warranty is much longer than elsewhere.

We bought a 65" Samsung Frame late last year, can't recommend it enough. It is super slim, basically mounts flush to the wall. When we're entertaining it looks like a piece of art is up on the wall.

TS

Thanks everyone. I may try to fix my current one first. Don’t think I’ll be able to get out to look at any TVs in person in the near future, because, you know, the rona.

quote:

Originally posted by towershot:
We bought a 65" Samsung Frame late last year, can't recommend it enough. It is super slim, basically mounts flush to the wall. When we're entertaining it looks like a piece of art is up on the wall.

TS

We recently bought a Frame as well and absolutely love it. Best looking tv I've ever seen. Picture is great (4k qled), art mode is neat, love these idea of one tiny cable running to the panel, etc. Even the onboard speakers are pretty decent. We got the 55" for $999 at microcenter last month.

I just bought a 75 inch Samsung really like it, I built a cabinet with a motorized lift, I would post it but video is to large.

quote:

Originally posted by Erick85:
Thanks everyone. I may try to fix my current one first. Don’t think I’ll be able to get out to look at any TVs in person in the near future, because, you know, the rona.

That's easy if you're a Costco member. They offer free shipping on the TV and a 90 return policy, no questions asked if you don't like it...….and a 5 year manufacturers warranty (on Samsung anyways, didn't check the others.)

Maybe leaving your tv on 24/7 might be best for now until you can replace it.

Currently have a 65" Sony that has been going strong for three years. Had a Samsung before that and the screen failed after one year under warranty and then it failed again the next year. Before that was an LG which died after three years. Guess I have bad luck with TVs but the Sony is going strong and will be the brand I go for my next TV.

I bought a 50 inch 4K TCL Roku TV at Christmas and it’s been great so far.

TCL seems to be a very good midrange brand that gives you a lot for the money.

Another vote for Costco, they probably have 80 or more tv's on display. If you use the Costco Visa it doubles the warranty, plus I think it's 4% back

In the last year we have bought a 75" Samsung, sorta top O' the line for our theater room, was $2k, a 58" TCL 4k blah blah for under $300 and a 32" Vizio for the bar, it's a Roku version for $115. All smart TV's, I like all of them. Go look and find one you like