Part 3:  Smarts, and Soundbars

Let’s talk Smarts

Almost every TV made today is a Smart TV, even most under $200!  But are there different smarts?  In one sense no.

That is, most Smart TVs do the same things.  They have an operating system, that lets you watch content from sources like cable, (through HDMI typically), watch content wirelessly from your computers and phones, and of course, stream content over Wifi.  

The biggest differences are in the OS – the operating systems.  Some companies have designed their own, best of these for years have been credited to Sony and LG.  I’ve owned both.  Samsung offers their own OS as well, called Tizen.  I encountered some issues with getting some of the newest apps to work on Tizen, a couple of years ago, but apparently they have solved most of the problems.  I never had such problem with Sony or LG.  

It sounds like (from asking AI) that Samsung has improved compatibility since then.  As an example from ChatGPT asking about 2 years ago:   “When the app was rebranded (from HBO Max to Max), some users said the “new app” isn’t available on their Samsung TV model anymore, or that updates broke functionality.”  (I experienced that, myself, when using a “borrowed” Samsung from Best Buy, while waiting for my Hisense to arrive).

For the many other well recognized brands, most use either the Roku or Google OS.  But there are other OS’s, ie Visio for one, although I’ve never worked with theirs.  

My Hisense TV runs Google OS.  And I have a Roku external box providing the smarts for my otherwise dumb, but excellent Epson home theater projector in my theater.  

As I said, many brands use one or the other.  Personally, since I use both on almost a daily basis, I think the Roku OS is the better designed of the two vs Google, but they are both fully functional, and, nevermind both of them, personally, I prefer LGs.

One other thing to consider.  Not all Smart TVs support Apple TV internally.  If they don’t you can add an Apple TV box, easily enough, if you want to push content from your Apple computers, phones or tablets.  To the best of my knowledge, all Smart TVs are capable of being casted to from the Android operating system, and likely Windows!  

Enough said.

For the Best Overall Experience  – Do you need a Soundbar?

Do you?

Most folks don’t “need” a sound bar, but that said, having one will upgrade your listening experience, and overall experience, especially if you like to watch movies, and even more so, concerts (ie recently Farm Aid 2025, shows with live music (American Idol, the Voice, etc.)

First, assuming you hear just fine, and really aren’t into listening to concerts and music on your TV, you can probably live just fine without a sound bar.  

Keep in mind, the smaller the TV, the smaller the speakers, and the more tinny the sound quality.  

Still, by the time you get up to 65” TVs and larger, the sound is fairly decent, even though lacking any mid or deep bass (and really not much “upper bass” either).

That’s where a soundbar comes in.  Better ones (figure upward of $200), will simply sound better, (better speakers overall, and have deeper bass.  The one I use – (an example, but not necessarily a recommendation, since mine is a bit unusual), cost about $500, it’s a JBL 5.1 Soundbar.   Many of the more expensive soundbars come with subwoofers.  I love that mine does. Again, if sound’s not that important to you, fine.  I still haven’t been able to talk my wife into a soundbar for the 77” that now resides in her “lounge.”

Soundbars with subwoofers are typically a good bit more expensive than the basic ones which sit under your TV.  That’s because in addition to the soundbar typically placed below the TV, there’s a separate, wireless sub woofer, that can be placed just about anywhere in the room.  For example, in my house is hidden behind my couch, that is, behind my seat.  Why there?  Out of site ,and because one can’t tell were bass sound comes from).  

When it comes to the quality of a soundbar, I’d recommend reading an article or two that compares models, as with anything else, all soundbars are not created equal.

An interesting note:  My JBL sound bar is a bit unusual in that also has detachable wireless speakers that can be placed behind you for surround sound.  Also I should mention that many of the more expensive soundbars also come with rear speakers for surround sound, as well as small subwoofers.  

My soundbar is a relatively fancy one, and it sounds reasonably good for serious music listening as well.  But, $500+ is well more than you need to spend to get a serious upgrade in sound quality from any TV, even with a huge TV like my 100” – the JBL sounds massively better.  

I’m really into music, I would be very unhappy without a soundbar.  I have a massive sound system in my small projector based home theater, as well, which is even far better sounding.

The Bottom Line:  

If picture quality matters to you, including watching movies, lots of TV with dark scenes, etc. OLED is the way to go, if your budget allows.  Now if you are only into sports, you likely will be just as happy with any of the mini-led Q type TVs, because they are brighter.  And if picture quality (and sound quality aren’t a thing for you – you may never know until you try higher end – then very inexpensive basic LED TVs will serve you will for rock bottom cost.

When it comes to Smarts – some sets have nicer operating systems than others, but pretty much any that have LG, Sony, Google, or Roku Operating systems will serve you will.  Samsung’s will too, if they’ve solved their Tizen issues.

If you like music, and watch music on TV – get yourself a sound bar.   If you want to watch Jurrassic Park, and get a theater like experience, get a really big TV and a sound bar with a subwoofer. message:<MAIL-RLLNS01AiUgjLu0013c850@mail.rollins.pestpac.com>

And enjoy!

I hope you learned enough to make an intelligent decision when shopping for your next TV.  And, I hope I didn’t bore you with too much technology discussion. Some folks just want a recommendation of what to buy, but I try to write so you can learn enough to make your own, intelligent decisions, as to which types of TVs will best meet your specific desires based on what’s important.   

“Thanks for listening” – art