Looking for TV recommendations: 30k budget.

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vadapav

vadapav

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Looking to buy a TV within the next week or so. Usage will be watching TV shows (Prime, Hotstar, etc). Don't know if the video on those platforms is going to be 4K resolution or if it's limited to 1080p. Occassionally, movies as well. Sound quality can be average, though not complete trash. At least 2x HDMI inputs.

I've seen some TVs from Mi, Redmi, Oneplus, etc. And the usual suspects, Samsung, LG, etc. While this won't be my primary television (will be used by my family that doesn't care too much about picture quality, audio, etc), I don't want to spend money on something that will either a) go wrong as soon as the warranty runs out, or b) makes me wish that it goes wrong as soon as the warranty runs out.

Watching any reviews on Youtube is a waste of time as I cannot stand the stupid facial expressions on thumbnails, nor the clickbait "dOn'T bUy X BeFoRe YoU lOoK at tHIs vIDeo" trash. So I'll frame some questions that can be answered quickly, and hopefully I can make some sense of what to spend my money on.

1) Which OS is the best these days? Android, Tizen, LG's WebOS, something else? I will have the second input connected to either a FireTV stick, or an SBC like Odroid, so the main purpose of the TV's OS is going to be to watch the shows. Need something that's fluid/fast and shows minimal ads (don't think any TV is sold with an OS that cannot hawk ads these days)

2) Even the cheap TVs come with buzzwords like Dolby this, HDR that. How good is the quality?

3) Which manufacturer has good support for out-of-warranty issues?
 
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Dont expect the HDR and Dolby Vison or Dolby Atmos to be any good or even usable in 30K budget options. Its just there, so that they can advertise it as the TV having it.

Some options available in the price range:

OnePlus 108 cm (43 inches) Y Series Full HD LED Smart Android TV 43Y1 (Black) (2020 Model)
AmazonBasics 109 cm (43 inches) 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Fire TV AB43U20PS
Vu 108 cm (43 Inches) Premium 4K Series Smart Android LED TV 43PM (Grey) (2021 Model)

Recommend using the firestick of android tv box , and skip the inbuilt tv os completely, these devices are usually much faster and smoother in experience.
 
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ajinkyapatil said:
OnePlus 108 cm (43 inches) Y Series Full HD LED Smart Android TV 43Y1 (Black) (2020 Model)
AmazonBasics 109 cm (43 inches) 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Fire TV AB43U20PS
Vu 108 cm (43 Inches) Premium 4K Series Smart Android LED TV 43PM (Grey) (2021 Model)

Recommend using the firestick of android tv box , and skip the inbuilt tv os completely, these devices are usually much faster and smoother in experience.
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Oneplus has 1GB RAM 8GB storage, lots of UI lag complaints in the reviews

AB has 1.5GB RAM and 8GB storage

The Vu has 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. Great but how good the screen is etc can't be gauged without looking at it IRL.

I think we need a minimum RAM here to expect good UI response. How much should that be ? 2GB or 4GB Anything less is out.

Or is it better to get the stick which has the most memory and then the TV is just for viewing ? i think that is a better idea
 
I think he addressed that by saying that I should just use an Android box or a FireTV stick, which I agree with, since my family uses the FireTV stick for their entire TV watching needs (coming from a non-smart TV).

So, the point about Dolby and HDR is addressed; I was genuinely curious how these TVs were going to fare. In that case, it comes down to how good the service/warranty is, since I assume the display differences won't be that large in all displays within the 30k bracket.
 
vadapav said:
In that case, it comes down to how good the service/warranty is
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Obviously you will not be able to compare it with the likes of Samsung, Sony or LG.
These are really a lucky draw. I recall Hisense launching a few with extended warranty so you may want to keep a watch for similar offers.
 
I am looking to buy a similar tv in a month, please do check about quality of full hd content on 4k screens. Some reviews mention that lg and Samsung have a better algorithm for upscaling content to a 4k screen .

Amazon basics tv have mixed reviews, check reviews on Amazon for poor after sales service.
 
Yeah, the after-sales issues don't make sense to me with regards to the Amazon TV. I was leaning towards it since it comes with a FireTV stick effectively built in, reducing the number of wires. But I guess I'll end up going with the VU and buying the FireTV stick separately or using my existing one (non-4k)
 
vadapav said:
Yeah, the after-sales issues don't make sense to me with regards to the Amazon TV.
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The reason you're getting it for cheaper is the lack of after sales. That's how these Chinese brands undercut the more established brands that have better support.

The way the Chinese model works is make a product for a couple of years then go make a another. There are no parts available once the run is done. Use and throw.

You want to have it both ways. Cheaper and supported. Not possible.

You pays your money and you takes your chances.
ibose said:
These are really a lucky draw. I recall Hisense launching a few with extended warranty so you may want to keep a watch for similar offers.
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Doubt these are of much use. They will be handed off to some lowest cost third party bidder. If the parts are not available then what good is it.

Extended warranties are useless unless the company offering them provides their own support.
 
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blr_p said:
Doubt these are of much use. They will be handed off to some lowest cost third party bidder. If the parts are not available then what good is it.

Extended warranties are useless unless the company offering them provides their own support.
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True. They outsource the support. Better than nothing. If anyone has availed it, they can share their experience.
 
blr_p said:
The reason you're getting it for cheaper is the lack of after sales. That's how these Chinese brands undercut the more established brands that have better support.
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Of course. My point with regards to the Amazon TVs was that I expected a higher level of service from Amazon itself, since I've had good experience with some other Amazonbasics stuff that I've tried.

I think it's just a crapshoot with these cheap TVs at this point; if you end up with a dud, you're going to have to run around for help/support. Considering I plan to keep this TV for at least 5 years, I'm tempted to just spend a little more and get a TV from Samsung or LG.
 
The most likely time for electronics to fail is within the first year. Bathtub curve and all.

If these brands can offer a replacement or not is the question. Check the warranty terms.

Thing is even if they do cover it then the question is who will provide the replacement.
 
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I'd recommend Vu if you're not going with the main brands. I have no idea about their support, but the TVs are solid in terms of picture quality compared to Mi and other brands in the same price range.
 
VU is pretty good....i was actually amazed by its screen quality when i saw it first time..Vu 43 inch cheap and best
 
I have a 50inch tv from Xiaomi. I've heard negative reviews but I haven't faced any issues, infact I think that the panel is pretty good for the price
 
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