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TV

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2026 new setup for new townhouse

Leaving behind all our old/not-smart TVs, considering just streaming (over comcast) with no cable.

We need 2

  • one to fit in old cabinet, space size: 34.75"w (x 15"d)
    • 40" screen will/may just barely fit (beware some TVs use feet as stands, and stick out wider than the screen)
    • else downsize to 32"
  • a "main" one for living room, which will be bigger but still not humongous - really want only 40 x 29?
    • that would be 43" screen which is 38"w external, or 48" screen which would be 42"w (x 27"h)
    • update: she decided to go bigger to a 55" screen

screen type

  • OLED offers the best picture quality with perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and fast response times, ideal for dark rooms but prone to burn-in.
  • Mini LED provides superior brightness and vivid colors for bright rooms, using thousands of tiny LEDs for better contrast than standard LEDs.
  • QLED uses quantum dots for bright, vibrant colors at a more affordable price point.

OS/UI: Some don't like the LG smart-TV UI (called WebOS!), so they pay for Roku on top.

  • but we didn't like roku when we visited someone
  • and didn't mind the Samung when we visited someone else
  • GoogleTV is tempting for cross-service search index

TomsGuide likes

  • Hisense (which uses GoogleTV) 75" Class U8 Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD for $1300
  • LG C5-OLED: 65-Inch Class OLED evo AI 4K for $1400 (Jun17 - note low has been $1225) (note same price for smaller size than the Hisense).
    • physical dimensions (of the 65") 9.1"D x 56.7"W x 34.6"H
    • CostCo has same price as Amazon (and everyone else) for this model, but has much lower prices on other LG 65" units
      • UA7700 Series - 4K UHD Smart TV $300
      • QNED AI Mini LED QNED75B Series $500
      • QNED evo AI Mini LED QNED84B Series $700 - Tom's says nope
    • available in smaller and bigger sizes - the 48" is $1k from Amazon (G 48-Inch Class OLED evo AI Super Upscaling 4K C5 Series Smart TV w/Dolby Atmos & Vision, HDR10, Filmmaker Mode, Wow Orchestra, Alexa Built-in (OLED48C5PUA, 2025))
      • for 55", go LG - 55" Class B5 Series OLED AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025), $800 from BestBuy
      • CostCo:
        • has 43" LG 43" Class - UA7100 Series - 4K UHD Smart TV for just $200!
    • smaller sizes for cabinet?
      • the LG 42" is 36.7"W, too big. To go smaller drops to 32" screen, 29" wide, which is a lot of lost space!
      • LG 32": "LG - 32" Class LR65 Series LED HD webOS TV (2024)" - $150 from BestBuy (can see at CrystalLake, but have to have shipped) (Costco doesn't carry anything this small)
      • TCL has a 40" screen at 35.1"w (TCL 40" Class Q3K Series 1080P FHD QLED Smart TV with Google TV - 40Q3K)
      • Hisense has a 40" screen, also just over 35" wide
      • there were some 39" screens (Vizio, Insignia), but all discontinued now - could maybe find at weird source but...
  • They also like the TCL TVs.

CNet likes the TCL-QM8K (with GoogleTV) ($1300), though only at 65" and higher. For 55" they like Hisense U8QG ($450).

Roku has some of its own branded TVs, plus there are other-brand (Philips, Sharp, etc.) TVs that have Roku built in. Or you can pair a Roku player device/box with any TV.

  • Of course, most users won't be using best TVs with a Roku device, because why would you they have their own robust operating systems?
  • otoh, Even for smart TV users they're a great option, with improved user interfaces and other features. For most people, the best option is the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. It costs less than fifty bucks and features excellent picture quality and a clean, simple user interface.
    Thanks to Gemini AI inclusion, the Google TV streamer takes the second spot on the list. It's a joy to use, with a simple OS and extra features that make it easier to find your favorite shows and movies.
  • a number of other TVs build in Google TV

other notes

shows I have loved, or at least enjoyed enough to schedule in DVR (Product Review): Community, 30Rock, Dr House, Mentalist, Lie to Me, Boston Legal, Good Eats (won't get me Cooking, but helps me enjoy Eating), Sopranos (at least early seasons), West Wing (early seasons), Psych, Eureka, The Neighbors.

Reality Tv

http://ch131.com/

http://www.alluc.org/tv-shows.html

Kids Tv more recent than below: Adventure Time, Chowder, Gumball, Phineas and Ferb

Kids Tv: grouped by age-range: if no note, then I rather like it. Note these are from 2000-2007, so most are gone now.

TV series I watched during K-12

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