I’ve recommended LG a number of times on here but the last fortnight has changed my mind.
We lost picture on a model less than 5 years old, binned, my neighbour came back from a spell in England and when he turned his on he had a symmetrical pattern of white lights shining out of his screen.
I googled the problem and found it is repairable but time consuming or costly.
Basically the filters over the LEDs have dropped off and need glueing back in place. This entails a total strip down of the set.
What worried me more on googling is that this appears to be a regular occurence on LG & Samsungs(they use the same system).
Buyer beware.

I've got a Samsung TV and it's not great. Picture etc is fine, but using the smart elements is like pulling teeth. It's only about 12 months old and wasn't a cheap one either. Will change it as soon as something goes properly wrong with it, and won't be touching Samsung/LG with a barge pole.

I've not owned much Samsung stuff, but pretty much everything I've had has been rubbish.

I've yet to use a smart TV with a good interface. Remote controls are just not good input devices for the stuff we have now.

Read up on any item from a big brand any you're going a find a small percentage failure rate, it's all made in massive quantities in Asia, odds are some won't be soldered right or not enough glue there etc

Conversely we have LG & Samsung TV's, both of which are fine, 2 & 4 yr old respectively.

Paired the Samsung with a Samsung sound bar, which is far better sound than the LG paired to a Bose soundbar, hubby chose and he was surprised, he takes ages comparing and reviewing, I have never had/know family who have had a TV fail

Samsung is curved and IMO not any difference, plus it shows the wires behind more, everything was supposed to be hidden but the contractor putting the Samsung TV up did not do a good job and wish it was flat rather than curved

Never had an LG, have had one Samsung which screen went after 14 months. Other than that I’ve always bought Sony which I have found to be extremely reliable. I’ve never had a Sony break down in 30 years of buying them. The one I have now is an android model, which I’ve got smarters and kodi on, and I’m delighted with it.

LG make the oled screens, others refine and improve. Though there are some decent LG tele’s.

When you buy a new TV make sure you buy it from somewhere with good customer service and warranty support like John Lewis or Richer Sounds.

Join Richers VIP club and you can get a 6 year warranty, John Lewis is 5.

Some bespoke, or specialist AV retailers are also very good.

You want to avoid places like Curry's at all costs, even if they do have an extended warranty.. and it rarely make sense to buy a TV from places that only offer the standard 1 year.

AV equipment now, especially bottom of the range stuff is not built to last. The only cheap TVs (and by cheap I mean sub 700) that have decent build quality are Hisense models and even they make some stinkers.

Life's Good TV's get what you pay for they are ok. they advertise on the premier League advertising boards at interviews

Just remembered in 2018 we gave away 2 LG TV's bought in 2009 as we were renovating. Both TV's good and working but neither were smart TV's hence why the change, my younger son has had two hard drives crash on him that needed replacing, have never heard of anyone having a hard drive fail but him, 2!!! I only mention this in regard to TV's failing, any can fail and obviously people have a prejudice when that happens, so far so good for me.

superdimitri wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:25 pm

AV equipment now, especially bottom of the range stuff is not built to last. The only cheap TVs (and by cheap I mean sub 700) that have decent build quality are Hisense models and even they make some stinkers.

What a load of crap.

I bought a 32" Sony back in 2008 which is still going and used every day in my bedroom. My main TV is a 42 Panasonic from 2011 and that's still going strong too.

Only old people fall for the "they'll never last and you can't repair them" crap given to them about flat screens by now out of business TV repair blokes.

Infact I don't know of any of my electrical equipment that hasn't lasted what you'd expect it to last. I do however remember all the tellys in my house in the 90s going "pop" every couple of years.

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:40 pm

What a load of crap.

I bought a 32" Sony back in 2008 which is still going and used every day in my bedroom. My main TV is a 42 Panasonic from 2011 and that's still going strong too.

Only old people fall for the "they'll never last and you can't repair them" crap given to them about flat screens by now out of business TV repair blokes.

Infact I don't know of any of my electrical equipment that hasn't lasted what you'd expect it to last. I do however remember all the tellys in my house in the 90s going "pop" every couple of years.

That'll be the valves popping. How old did you say they were?

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:49 pm

That'll be the valves popping. How old did you say they were?

I duno, in their late 60s/70s usually. They'll fall for anything that an authoritative tv repairman tells em!

DCWat wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:17 pm

LG make the oled screens, others refine and improve. Though there are some decent LG tele’s.

We were instore today, browsing, the sales guy was telling us they now refuse to install OLED tvs as they are so flimsy. He thought they had reached the extreme for weight and slimness.

superdimitri wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:25 pm

When you buy a new TV make sure you buy it from somewhere with good customer service and warranty support like John Lewis or Richer Sounds.

Join Richers VIP club and you can get a 6 year warranty, John Lewis is 5.

Some bespoke, or specialist AV retailers are also very good.

You want to avoid places like Curry's at all costs, even if they do have an extended warranty.. and it rarely make sense to buy a TV from places that only offer the standard 1 year.

AV equipment now, especially bottom of the range stuff is not built to last. The only cheap TVs (and by cheap I mean sub 700) that have decent build quality are Hisense models and even they make some stinkers.

You pay a hefty premium at JL though.

I'm still on an old TV - 38" Panasonic bought in March 2009. It's only smart in that it switches on and off really but it works. I will be looking for a new TV though in 3-4 months time so will be seeing advice from here as to what I should and shouldn't be buying. The one I have now was purchased on message board advice.

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:40 pm

What a load of crap.

What a wonderful and insightful reply. I think you'll find you are wrong. Even since 2008 quality control has dropped to a lower level and TVs fail a lot more than they used too. Its to do with cost-cutting. I'm glad you didn't have a problem, but don't be fooled in to thinking your own experiences have anything to do with statistics or the experiences of others.

Its a well known fact that AV equipment isn't built like it used to be and there's plenty of evidence to find out there if you search for it.

I hope there's more between Tarky's ears than yours...

DCWat wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:58 pm

You pay a hefty premium at JL though.

The trick is to use their price match guarantee.

If anyone needs any TV advice I moderate over on the AVforums.com. I made a best buy guide here: https://www.avforums.com/forums/which-t ... -i-buy.367 and I've been trying my best to help people buy the right TV for them for a few years now. Happy to help on here too.

Panasonic have always made the best TVs.

I have a Samsung TV and previously a not so smart Samsung Smart 3D tv, which is now a powerful view from my bed!

My main Samsung pairs nicely with my Samsung phone,which is also superb.

My Firestick works well out of every tv!

Some strange and extreme views. We bought a lot of Samsung TV's and video panels for our business and not had trouble with one. The best picture now appears to be Panasonic but it circles round the same manufactures year on year. We also have portable OLEDS from Sony so get moved and transported a lot again no problems.
Inevitably all manufacturers have some problems so go for the picture you like best it is fairly subjective especially with all the picture controls you have now.

We have two 12 year old Panasonic Viera Flat Screens, both still going strong.
In 1999, I invested a then astronomical amount of £250 on a top of the range Panasonic DVD player. It died last year.

Japan>South Korea seems to be the moral of this story

Always preferred Panasonic TVs although got a Sony KD series last year and really impressed.

Trouble with TVs - no sooner have you bought a good one, it’s soon old hat.

Maybe but my Pana let itself down with a lack of WiFi and only being able to use a proprietary£59 dongle.

Also it doesn't use the same coding language as the main manufacturers so the apps are limited to pretty much just iPlayer. I don't know if that's changed though

Mines Hitachi smart Tv run through my Sonos and Alexa App but the market is really kicking in with these Smart TV now mines only 2 years old and all ready well out of date
Need an upgrade its the way the worlds going you know i like technology gadgets

8k tv available now, without any 8k progs or wifi capable of sustaining the signal!

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:05 pm

8k tv available now, without any 8k progs or wifi capable of sustaining the signal!

Lol. I'd settle for them all being broadcast in 1080, nevermind 4k!

Did see an 8k in Currys a few weeks ago, it had some promo video of the Blancpain GT series on it, **** me it was clearer than looking around the shop with my own eyes!

Sadly though, it probably wont ever be a real thing, not in the next 20 years at least!

I can only imagine you are wrong Tarkysears! I remember having to pay a fortune for a 486k computer for my daughter, when she was at secondary school. Look where we are now!

Just had a set back. Searched for 4k on netflix and find there is plenty available but the downer being you need a minimum of 15MBS and preferably 25MBS. If that gets here whilst I’m still above ground I’ll be a happy old fella.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:10 pm

I can only imagine you are wrong Tarkysears! I remember having to pay a fortune for a 486k computer for my daughter, when she was at secondary school. Look where we are now!

Oh no doubt it'll be around on whatever DVD format and steaming but as far as TV.... Where are we now? 5 years into 4k, 12 years into 1080 and still channels don't carry them above a few showcases

LG OLEDs are the best. The LG OS is the old Web OS from palm and is the most feature rich interface on a TV.

Stay clear of the sub £500 lcds though, they’re awful.

every article I've read also say that the current leaders are the LG OLED's. Not heard whats been announced at CES this year though

OLED Tvs are definitely the way forward and LG make the panels for all of them but it's the processing that differs. LG is the best all rounder, Panasonic has the truest colours and Sony has the best motion control.

I have the Panasonic 55" OLED and love it. A friend of mine bought the LG OLED and had problems with it and so exchanged it for a Panasonic OLED and is pleased he did.

The Panasonic 55" 950B is on offer at Curry's for £1299 and is what I'd go for if buying one now. The LG C9 is £50 cheaper and gets good reviews. The LG B9 is £220 cheaper but slower processor and not quite as good as the other two.

Hope this helps.

I have a Panasonic in the lounge and a Samsung in the bedroom both excellent TV's no problems at all.

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:42 am

I have a Panasonic in the lounge and a Samsung in the bedroom both excellent TV's no problems at all.

So you have Electricity and everything ... up there in the 3rd world then Steve

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:43 am

So you have Electricity and everything ... up there in the 3rd world then Steve

We do,but my armchair has got pedals to generate it!

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:37 pm

Just had a set back. Searched for 4k on netflix and find there is plenty available but the downer being you need a minimum of 15MBS and preferably 25MBS. If that gets here whilst I’m still above ground I’ll be a happy old fella.

Who is your internet provider? I`m with Virgin and just done a speed test of 42mbs on wifi and presume it will be better with the TV plugged straight into the router. I can upload at 25mbs.

chipbutty wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:20 pm

Who is your internet provider? I`m with Virgin and just done a speed test of 42mbs on wifi and presume it will be better with the TV plugged straight into the router. I can upload at 25mbs.

I’m in rural Ireland and lucky to get 3.5Mb. Should have all had superfast by now but as usual with Irish politicians the wheels turn very slow and it’s now been pushed back a few years!!

Well I think we should all wear rainbow coloured t shirts (and shoe laces) to support them.

Tricky Trevor wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2020 4:41 pm

I’m in rural Ireland and lucky to get 3.5Mb. Should have all had superfast by now but as usual with Irish politicians the wheels turn very slow and it’s now been pushed back a few years!!

Ireland is so last century!

TV has never been so good. Whatever would the Woodentops look like now!

claret2018 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:57 pm

I've got a Samsung TV and it's not great. Picture etc is fine, but using the smart elements is like pulling teeth. It's only about 12 months old and wasn't a cheap one either. Will change it as soon as something goes properly wrong with it, and won't be touching Samsung/LG with a barge pole.

I've not owned much Samsung stuff, but pretty much everything I've had has been rubbish.

I’ve the total opposite opinion of Samsung TVs. I’ve had LG (not bad - bedroom TV is still an LG one) but prefer the Samsung format. Only other TV I’ve had that comes close to my lounge Samsung is an older Sony Bravia I had. The sound quality on that was amazing. I think it’s the old adage though, you get what you pay for.

DCWat wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:58 pm

You pay a hefty premium at JL though.

They do a price match now if you contact them.

Bought a Philips ambilight tv couple of months ago (it is brilliant) and at £500 for the latest model in the style we wanted was very well priced compared to others for the same specs.

Found it online at £500 and John Lewis price matched it with the bonus of having the warranty.

The annoying thing for me about TVs is the PVR system.
Some produce a file which can be "processed" on a computer or viewed on another TV, but others encrypt and the recording can only be played back on the TV it was recorded on.

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:43 am

So you have Electricity and everything ... up there in the 3rd world then Steve

It's a gas telly Boss. One of the last in existence.