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  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    replied to Kiwiwomble on last edited by
    #169

    @Kiwiwomble said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    Don't spend TV money on the 'smart' functions, spend it on the picture and sound.

    I would say spend on what you find valuable, Mrs womble and I aren't audiofiles, never had a sound bar or even seperate speakers for a TV, havent seen a TV i would't call clear since HD became the norm or at very least since LED...where as an easy to use app built into the TV that Mrs womble can navigate with easy is invaluable

    everyones different

    I understand what you are saying (I run a cheap but adequate generic brand TV. I suits us fine) but bear in mind that comes with frustration after a short period as the built in app isn't supported. TV Manufacturers love you because that frustration will lead you to upgrading/renewing
    My comment is pointed more toward those that do like their picture/sound quality and I guess is saying that if comparing models and prices you may be better off removing the connection software from the equation. You might get a better picture for the same money or, more likely, save some money that could get you better sound if you don't already have it.
    Mrs C doesn't care at all about surround sound as we aren't big movie watchers and 5.1 type systems never appealed in the room. When I explained to her that the Sonos soundbar adjusts to the room and has speech enhancement so that she can actually hear those mumble dramas she was really interested.

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  • nzzpN Offline
    nzzpN Offline
    nzzp
    wrote on last edited by
    #170

    Seconding a sound bar. Not interested, but got one with a package and it's a game changer

    1 Reply Last reply
    2
  • NepiaN Offline
    NepiaN Offline
    Nepia
    replied to Kiwiwomble on last edited by
    #171

    @Kiwiwomble said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    Don't spend TV money on the 'smart' functions, spend it on the picture and sound.

    I would say spend on what you find valuable, Mrs womble and I aren't audiofiles, never had a sound bar or even seperate speakers for a TV, havent seen a TV i would't call clear since HD became the norm or at very least since LED...where as an easy to use app built into the TV that Mrs womble can navigate with easy is invaluable

    everyones different

    I'm not a sound person either, I actually find mate's with audio set ups too loud. Not an old man thing either as I've always found tvs too loud when flatting.

    The apps can be different with their sound too. Netflix I have tor turn up on both my TVs, whereas Stan, Apple, Disney all remain much lower.

    An Apple TV (or a Chromecast, spit) can become useful if your TV doesn't update apps in the future but the picture etc is still good, saves buying a whole new TV.

    You'll be able to watch the US rugby in the Samsung digital channels on the Frame.

    1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • BonesB Offline
    BonesB Offline
    Bones
    wrote on last edited by
    #172

    Or just get a Sony built on android and get the best of both worlds.

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    0
  • KiwiwombleK Offline
    KiwiwombleK Offline
    Kiwiwomble
    wrote on last edited by
    #173

    We're having a bit of fun going through old photos from travelling, working out which ones are high enough res and trimming to be the right ratio

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  • gt12G Offline
    gt12G Offline
    gt12
    wrote on last edited by gt12
    #174

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    Crazy HorseC KiwiwombleK 2 Replies Last reply
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  • Crazy HorseC Offline
    Crazy HorseC Offline
    Crazy Horse
    replied to gt12 on last edited by
    #175

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    I would be interested in suggestions too. I have tried a few times to buy one but I am overwhelmed by all the choices. A bit like when I tried to update my stereo a few years ago. I gave up.

    CrucialC 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • voodooV Offline
    voodooV Offline
    voodoo
    wrote on last edited by
    #176

    I’ve never owned a soundbar. And I’ve never noticed how “deep the blacks are” in a movie.

    But it shits me to tears when I’m watching sport and there is the slightest bit of lag when tracking the ball. If a tv could just focus on that and do it perfectly, I’d be a customer for life

    1 Reply Last reply
    2
  • KiwiwombleK Offline
    KiwiwombleK Offline
    Kiwiwomble
    replied to gt12 on last edited by
    #177

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    i also wondered about a projector, considered a short throw projector but chickened out

    gt12G 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    replied to Crazy Horse on last edited by
    #178

    @Crazy-Horse said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    I would be interested in suggestions too. I have tried a few times to buy one but I am overwhelmed by all the choices. A bit like when I tried to update my stereo a few years ago. I gave up.

    I know people have views on Sonos (a bit like Apple) that they appear expensive and you potentially buy into a whole system but their build and sound quality is excellent as is the user friendliness with set up. You will find better (and worse) but these are no gimmick. Options for different budgets provide different features. If you simply want a speaker then the basic model may suit (but you might get better bang for buck elsewhere) but take a step up and you get something with various 'smart' modes and an ability to tune itself to the room.

    gt12G Billy TellB 2 Replies Last reply
    2
  • gt12G Offline
    gt12G Offline
    gt12
    replied to Crucial on last edited by
    #179

    @Crucial

    That’s useful thanks, where do you reckon is the sweet spot for someone who wants that tuning but isn’t a super audiophile? We are in an apartment so I cant lift the roof either.

    CrucialC 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • gt12G Offline
    gt12G Offline
    gt12
    replied to Kiwiwomble on last edited by
    #180

    @Kiwiwomble said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    i also wondered about a projector, considered a short throw projector but chickened out

    This essentially functions as one, but gets its power from the light fitting (it is also a light).

    The ultra short throws are just a bit too much money for me. This was a third of the price of them and gives us the wall back.

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    1
  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    replied to gt12 on last edited by
    #181

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crucial

    That’s useful thanks, where do you reckon is the sweet spot for someone who wants that tuning but isn’t a super audiophile? We are in an apartment so I cant lift the roof either.

    Not sure what you mean but if you look at the design of these the basic model is front facing, designed for simple use in a shelf unit or under a TV (not your need I guess)
    I have no idea how you deal with a soundbar in a projector space but they are usually designed as either front facing or front and top (with some sound being bounced off the ceiling at angles for an Atmos like effect)
    The room tuning on Sonos is like a self tuning Equaliser that will adjust frequencies to avoid an unbalanced sound due to room shape. It sends out sound then analyses it as it bounces back.
    Getting back to what I think you are asking you would probably need to place it roughly facing where you sit. If you had a shelf or unit under the projected image that would be ideal.

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • Billy TellB Offline
    Billy TellB Offline
    Billy Tell
    replied to Crucial on last edited by Billy Tell
    #182

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crazy-Horse said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    I would be interested in suggestions too. I have tried a few times to buy one but I am overwhelmed by all the choices. A bit like when I tried to update my stereo a few years ago. I gave up.

    I know people have views on Sonos (a bit like Apple) that they appear expensive and you potentially buy into a whole system but their build and sound quality is excellent as is the user friendliness with set up. You will find better (and worse) but these are no gimmick. Options for different budgets provide different features. If you simply want a speaker then the basic model may suit (but you might get better bang for buck elsewhere) but take a step up and you get something with various 'smart' modes and an ability to tune itself to the room.

    I have Sonos arc, sub and 2 ones as rear speakers. Used for tv and music. Very happy with it.

    If you want a soundbar but not too pricey I suggest Sonos beam.

    CrucialC 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    replied to Billy Tell on last edited by
    #183

    @Billy-Tell said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crazy-Horse said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    I would be interested in suggestions too. I have tried a few times to buy one but I am overwhelmed by all the choices. A bit like when I tried to update my stereo a few years ago. I gave up.

    I know people have views on Sonos (a bit like Apple) that they appear expensive and you potentially buy into a whole system but their build and sound quality is excellent as is the user friendliness with set up. You will find better (and worse) but these are no gimmick. Options for different budgets provide different features. If you simply want a speaker then the basic model may suit (but you might get better bang for buck elsewhere) but take a step up and you get something with various 'smart' modes and an ability to tune itself to the room.

    I have Sonos arc, sub and 2 ones as rear speakers. Used for tv and music. Very happy with it.

    If you want a soundbar but not too pricey I suggest Sonos beam.

    The Beam 2 is good value, I agree. If you drop the Ray, you'll get nice sound but could probably get an equivalent other brand for less.
    There is a Bose priced the same as the Beam which I would guess is just as good in build/sound quality but I like the the TruePlay function (the room acoustic thing talked about above),
    Another good function on the Beam is Nightplay which will mean you can watch at lower volumes and have the quiet sounds enhanced but the loud sounds softened.

    M 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • M Offline
    M Offline
    Machpants
    replied to Crucial on last edited by
    #184

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Billy-Tell said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crazy-Horse said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    I would be interested in suggestions too. I have tried a few times to buy one but I am overwhelmed by all the choices. A bit like when I tried to update my stereo a few years ago. I gave up.

    I know people have views on Sonos (a bit like Apple) that they appear expensive and you potentially buy into a whole system but their build and sound quality is excellent as is the user friendliness with set up. You will find better (and worse) but these are no gimmick. Options for different budgets provide different features. If you simply want a speaker then the basic model may suit (but you might get better bang for buck elsewhere) but take a step up and you get something with various 'smart' modes and an ability to tune itself to the room.

    I have Sonos arc, sub and 2 ones as rear speakers. Used for tv and music. Very happy with it.

    If you want a soundbar but not too pricey I suggest Sonos beam.

    The Beam 2 is good value, I agree. If you drop the Ray, you'll get nice sound but could probably get an equivalent other brand for less.
    There is a Bose priced the same as the Beam which I would guess is just as good in build/sound quality but I like the the TruePlay function (the room acoustic thing talked about above),
    Another good function on the Beam is Nightplay which will mean you can watch at lower volumes and have the quiet sounds enhanced but the loud sounds softened.

    I'd have that on all the time, the number of movies you watch that the dialogue is so quiet nek minute your eardrums are gone with an explosion

    CrucialC 1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • CrucialC Offline
    CrucialC Offline
    Crucial
    replied to Machpants on last edited by
    #185

    @Machpants said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Billy-Tell said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crucial said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @Crazy-Horse said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    @gt12 said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    I’m looking at a soundbar so accepting suggestions.

    We recently replaced our tv with this:

    Apologies for the annoying brat but its the only one in English.

    We were having heaps of trouble with the TV being impossible to see (we are up high with heaps of light) and strangely the projector is better than a TV. The speaker is less than ideal though so I’m looking for a Bluetooth soundbar

    I would be interested in suggestions too. I have tried a few times to buy one but I am overwhelmed by all the choices. A bit like when I tried to update my stereo a few years ago. I gave up.

    I know people have views on Sonos (a bit like Apple) that they appear expensive and you potentially buy into a whole system but their build and sound quality is excellent as is the user friendliness with set up. You will find better (and worse) but these are no gimmick. Options for different budgets provide different features. If you simply want a speaker then the basic model may suit (but you might get better bang for buck elsewhere) but take a step up and you get something with various 'smart' modes and an ability to tune itself to the room.

    I have Sonos arc, sub and 2 ones as rear speakers. Used for tv and music. Very happy with it.

    If you want a soundbar but not too pricey I suggest Sonos beam.

    The Beam 2 is good value, I agree. If you drop the Ray, you'll get nice sound but could probably get an equivalent other brand for less.
    There is a Bose priced the same as the Beam which I would guess is just as good in build/sound quality but I like the the TruePlay function (the room acoustic thing talked about above),
    Another good function on the Beam is Nightplay which will mean you can watch at lower volumes and have the quiet sounds enhanced but the loud sounds softened.

    I'd have that on all the time, the number of movies you watch that the dialogue is so quiet nek minute your eardrums are gone with an explosion

    They also have a function to enhance dialouge without dulling the big noises if you so wish. Then you could be deaf in both ears

    1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • TimT Away
    TimT Away
    Tim
    wrote on last edited by
    #186

    Question:

    Is a phone like a Samsung Galaxy A54 or a Google Pixel 7 going to be fast enough to last for 3 years? Both have only 8GB RAM, and moderately fast chipsets.

    Google Pixel 7 - Full phone specifications
    Samsung Galaxy A54 - Full phone specifications
    antipodeanA 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • M Offline
    M Offline
    Machpants
    wrote on last edited by
    #187

    Yes for 99% of people, as long as your not gaming on it in 3 years

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • antipodeanA Offline
    antipodeanA Offline
    antipodean
    replied to Tim on last edited by
    #188

    @Tim said in Tech Purchase Thread:

    Question:

    Is a phone like a Samsung Galaxy A54 or a Google Pixel 7 going to be fast enough to last for 3 years? Both have only 8GB RAM, and moderately fast chipsets.

    Google Pixel 7 - Full phone specifications
    Samsung Galaxy A54 - Full phone specifications

    I'd expect so - I only replaced my phones every two years, and that was solely because I was given them. Otherwise I'd expect I'd have stayed with my Pixel 4.

    TimT 1 Reply Last reply
    2

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