HBO Max Offer (and a big question)

[ncted]

Look outside the " top" models

I did. I looked at all models on Sony's website. Even so, that was my point. To get the best picture (i.e. Top Models), you have to get "smart" features. I don't want 3-year screen tech if I am going to buy a new TV. I want the latest, greatest, and to get that, I have to get a SmartTV most of the time. I am sure there are exceptions. This is also true of other devices, like Soundbars and AVRs , which now frequently come with (poorly integrated) Chromecasts or other smart features built in. It is annoying, redundant, and wasteful to build this into every device you put in your living room.

 

[Bobby]

My 4 year old Vizio has smart features. I hardly ever use them. They are slow and clunky. Initially I had to use its tablet remote and Chromecast those apps to the monitor. I prefer to use any one of my streaming devices, AppleTV, Roku, or Firestick to watch various apps. My point is just because they are there it doesn't matter. For those whose TV viewing can't go to peripheral streamers, for whatever reason, it works just fine. It's really no different than adding all of these streaming apps to the Hopper 3...

 

[Juan]

I did. I looked at all models on Sony's website. Even so, that was my point. To get the best picture (i.e. Top Models), you have to get "smart" features. I don't want 3-year screen tech if I am going to buy a new TV. I want the latest, greatest, and to get that, I have to get a SmartTV most of the time. I am sure there are exceptions. This is also true of other devices, like Soundbars and AVRs , which now frequently come with (poorly integrated) Chromecasts or other smart features built in. It is annoying, redundant, and wasteful to build this into every device you put in your living room.

If you want the best
.
Dont get sony...some cheap models are just as good

 

[ncted]

If you want the best
.
Dont get sony...some cheap models are just as good

I do want a good picture. After helping my mom buy cheap TVs, I can tell the difference easily. Just to see if I could find a decent set without "smart" features, I went to bestbuy.com, chose all TVs, selected 4k only, and then scrolled through 13 pages of TVs, all of which are "smart' aside from some commercial displays. With some additional web searching, I did find that Sceptre sells some dumb TVs. I'd have to find some calibrated reviews to get an idea of how good the picture is as that is not a brand with which I am familiar. Stock is limited in any case:

Amazon product ASIN B0198XNF6U

 

[Juan]

I do want a good picture. After helping my mom buy cheap TVs, I can tell the difference easily. Just to see if I could find a decent set without "smart" features, I went to bestbuy.com, chose all TVs, selected 4k only, and then scrolled through 13 pages of TVs, all of which are "smart' aside from some commercial displays. With some additional web searching, I did find that Sceptre sells some dumb TVs. I'd have to find some calibrated reviews to get an idea of how good the picture is as that is not a brand with which I am familiar. Stock is limited in any case:

Amazon product ASIN B0198XNF6U

You have to really look..they are out there..poke around CNET...they have really good comprehensive reviews...stay away from SONY..just a name now

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[Zookster]

Why would you go out of your way just to find the one or two models by a major brand that aren't smart TVs? It's not like it will save you a ton of $$, unless you're getting a bare bones budget model. And if don't want to use the smart TV apps or you're paranoid about being spied on by your TV, just don't connect your TV to the internet, except to get the occasional update.

 

[Zookster]

Thanks to all that replied.
I think I got the answer. It is NO, not without hacking the Firestick in a way I'm not comfortable with.

Not to get the thread back on topic, but I'm one of those who isn't normally comfortable doing stuff like "jailbreaking" devices. However, I just took advantage of the HBO Max deal and successfully side loaded the HBO Max app on my 4K Fire TV stick following instructions in an article on a reputable website. It was easier than most issues I troubleshoot on my Windows PC, and I didn't feel like I was violating any user agreements (not that I ever read them) or compromising my device's security or the security of my HBO Max account.

 

[Juan]

Not to get the thread back on topic, but I'm one of those who isn't normally comfortable doing stuff like "jailbreaking" devices. However, I just took advantage of the HBO Max deal and successfully side loaded the HBO Max app on my 4K Fire TV stick following instructions in an article on a reputable website. It was easier than most issues I troubleshoot on my Windows PC, and I didn't feel like I was violating any user agreements (not that I ever read them) or compromising my device's security or the security of my HBO Max account.

as long as you use a legal login..nobody should care

 

[ncted]

You have to really look..they are out there..poke around CNET...they have really good comprehensive reviews...stay away from SONY..just a name now

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I am very willing to consider other brands, although Sony does still score better than almost everyone on color accuracy. It is the video processing that they excel at. They get the panels from a variety of sources. CNET actually kind of sucks these days when it comes to TV reviews. Rtings.com seems to have the best instrumented tests I've seen of late. Hopefully I won't have to worry about it for a while, especially given all the complaining I hear about HDR compatibility issues. All my SDR TVs are currently working great, even the 2008 CCFL Samsung in the kitchen, which actually has speakers you can hear, unlike the newer TVs in the other rooms which all have soundbars and AVRs connected. It actually looks better than the LED Insignia from 2017 in the workout room, which doesn't need to look that good.

 

[pattykay]

My 4 year old Vizio has smart features. I hardly ever use them. They are slow and clunky. Initially I had to use its tablet remote and Chromecast those apps to the monitor. I prefer to use any one of my streaming devices, AppleTV, Roku, or Firestick to watch various apps. My point is just because they are there it doesn't matter. For those whose TV viewing can't go to peripheral streamers, for whatever reason, it works just fine. It's really no different than adding all of these streaming apps to the Hopper 3...

...Now if only they would add all of them to the Hopper Duo. Okay, I'll stop now.

 

[Ronnie-]

You have to really look..they are out there..poke around CNET...they have really good comprehensive reviews...stay away from SONY..just a name now

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That seems like more work than just buying a tv, and not using the smart functions.

 

[Juan]

That seems like more work than just buying a tv, and not using the smart functions.

CNET does most of the work

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[Ronnie-]

CNET does most of the work

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But you said “you really have to look”.

If it was so obvious you could just find them easily and not really have to look.

Or.
You could just buy a tv and not use the smart functions.

 

[Juan]

But you said “you really have to look”.

If it was so obvious you could just find them easily and not really have to look.

Or.
You could just buy a tv and not use the smart functions.

Some people don't want to pay for the stuff they won't use..
Like I said you really have to look and suggested CNET...they really do a good job compairing TVs...better than anything you get on a product website

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[Bobby]

But you said “you really have to look”.

If it was so obvious you could just find them easily and not really have to look.

Or.
You could just buy a tv and not use the smart functions.

Really, I can't see what the big deal is. Just buy the TV and don't use its smart functions, it won't care.

 

[Juan]

Really, I can't see what the big deal is. Just buy the TV and don't use its smart functions, it won't care.

And pay for something you don't want or need

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[Ronnie-]

Some people don't want to pay for the stuff they won't use..
Like I said you really have to look and suggested CNET...they really do a good job compairing TVs...better than anything you get on a product website

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I checked.
I couldn’t buy a streaming device with the price difference.
Thanks for the information.

 

[Bobby]

And pay for something you don't want or need

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So how much do you think it is costing you to have smart functions built in to the TV? It might raise the price $10. Is it really worth going through a maze to save a small amount of money. It's a TV, relax and enjoy what you want to get out of it.

 

[Juan]

So how much do you think it is costing you to have smart functions built in to the TV? It might raise the price $10. Is it really worth going through a maze to save a small amount of money. It's a TV, relax and enjoy what you want to get out of it.

Some say $500

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[Juan]

I checked.
I couldn’t buy a streaming device with the price difference.
Thanks for the information.

I prefer built in but for my 80 year old mother...simple simple simple

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