Hey, everybody! Reader here, and as I mentioned, over the weekend, I suffered an unexpected loss in my household…
That’s right. After just over a decade of faithful service, my 55-inch Samsung Smart TV kicked the bucket.
If I may borrow from and paraphrase Monty Python’s classic “Dead Parrot” sketch…
“My TV is no more! He has ceased to be. ‘E’s expired and gone to meet ‘is maker. He’s a stiff! Bereft of life, ‘e rests in peace. If you hadn’t nailed him to the perch ‘e’d be pushing up the daisies! ‘Is metabolic processes are now history! He’s off the twig! He’s kicked the bucket, He’s shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-TV!!”
Ironically, because my TV is no more, I can’t watch any Python or anything else.
I decided to pay my last respects to my fallen friend.
I got my TV at the end of 2013, as a Boxing Day purchase, and I’ve enjoyed everything from Flyers hockey, Rider football, Olympics, and the Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship, to my favourite movies, like “Big Trouble in Little China,” “The Dark Crystal,” and the “Star Wars” films, to my favourite TV shows, like “The Simpsons,” “Walking Dead,” and old classics, like “Unsolved Mysteries” and “Iron Chef”
Until it quit on me, I didn’t realize how much I had it on in the background, watching TV, movies, YouTube, listening to music… even if it was just on in the background.
But now that I’ve bid farewell to the old TV, it’s time to get a new one!
There are so many things to consider, though I always said that when the time came for a new TV, I’m going bigger. So I’ll get at least a 65-inch model.
What kind of smart features do I want? Most new TV’s have Chromecast built in, and are compatible with Apple now (thank goodness!).
Do I go with Roku TV, to have the features of that? Or is it six of one, half a dozen of the other?
All I know, is that I know what I’m doing with my income tax return. Going TV shopping.
And that brings me to tips when it comes to upgrading your TV. I consulted the internets to see what advice it held for me, and here’s what it came up with…
- Determine your budget: Before you start shopping, set a budget for how much you are willing to spend on a new TV. This will help you narrow down your options and prevent you from overspending. I have an idea of what TV’s in my preferred price range will run me, so I know what to look for.
- Consider the size: Think about where you will be placing the TV in your home and how far away you will be sitting from it. This will help you determine the size of the TV that will work best for your space. I have limited space in my apartment. If I could, I’d go HUGE, but alas, a 65-incher is about as big as I dare go.
- Research different brands and models: Do your homework before heading to the store. Look up reviews and compare different brands and models to see which ones have the features you are looking for. I’ve been doing that. Especially when it comes to brands I’m not so familiar with. I feel like with TV’s, it’s definitely a case of “you get what you pay for.”
- Check for picture quality: Look for TVs that offer high resolution and good contrast ratios for the best picture quality. Consider factors such as HDR (high dynamic range) and refresh rate for a more immersive viewing experience. I was speaking with a sales pro the other day, about this, and he told me about the difference between 60 and 120 hertz, and I admit the 120 sounds better, especially when it comes to watching sports.
- Think about smart features: Smart TVs allow you to stream content from apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube directly on your TV. Consider whether this feature is important to you when making your decision. Pretty much every smart TV has similar smart features, so I think it’s pretty much a wash.
- Don’t forget about sound quality: While most TVs come with built-in speakers, you may want to consider investing in a soundbar or external speakers for a better audio experience. I have my soundbar, and prefer using that to the TV’s actual speakers. I just enjoy the sound quality more that way.
- Look for sales and promotions: Keep an eye out for sales and promotions, especially around holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to get the best deals on a new TV. Well, if it were around those times of year, I’d do that. But alas, it’s not. Though, if you shop around, there are aways good deals to be had. Check out local first, always!
- Consider the warranty: Make sure to check the warranty coverage on the TV you are considering purchasing. Some warranties may cover repairs and replacements for a certain period of time. You want to make sure everything is covered, in case you get your TV home and it goes KERPLOOOIE!!!
By following these tips, hopefully it’ll help me make a more informed decision and get the best value for my money!
In the meantime, let’s pour one out for my late TV…
