Things Smackie Thinks You Need to Know...

Wait, what?

Apple Stole My Music. No, Seriously.

?The software is functioning as intended,? said Amber.
?Wait,? I asked, ?so it?s supposed to delete my personal files from my internal hard drive without asking my permission??
?Yes,? she replied.

vansmack wrote:
Wait, what?

Apple Stole My Music. No, Seriously.

?The software is functioning as intended,? said Amber.
?Wait,? I asked, ?so it?s supposed to delete my personal files from my internal hard drive without asking my permission??
?Yes,? she replied.

I really don't care all that much as I haven't used an Apple product since the mid 00's, but is this whole kerfuffle user error and someone didn't check the right box or is Apple ACTUALLY PULLING MUSIC OFF PEOPLE'S COMPUTERS???

Something doesn't add up this article.. is this only if use their cloud services?  Guess I'd better back stuff up…

so let's just say you had a $500 budget for a flatscreen (thinking 50 inch) and $200 budget for a soundbar…what would be the best value in the market today

SideBatch wrote:
so let's just say you had a $500 budget for a flatscreen (thinking 50 inch) and $200 budget for a soundbar…what would be the best value in the market today

You sir, are why Vizio exists.  You probably aren't going to find a 4K in that range at that size, but plenty of 1080p 50inch models are between $450 and $500.  Probably the D50-D1.

Sound bars are a little different because it depends on what you're trying to do.  Sound just from the TV or is it your primary sound from your mobile devices as well?  5.1 sound?

I'd say that you have a $700 budget for a flatscreen and $0 for a soundbar.

http://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs/UN50KU6300FXZA

ja,ded wrote:
I'd say that you have a $700 budget for a flatscreen and $0 for a soundbar.

Let's talk about this for a second, because I don't necessarily disagree.

However, we don't know how he's currently getting sound from his TV and mobile devices.

So, how often do you really benefit from or use your 4K?  I use it to show 4K movies I've made with my 4K capable devices and on the rare occasion I'll watch a movie in 4K when it's free or cost effective, but right now I'm not paying the premium for 4K movies. I would probably use it more often if my 4K TV wasn't utilizing a DirecTV Wireless Receiver and was actually hooked up to my 4K capable box (wired), but that's not going to happen with the layout of our front room.

I use my soundbar multiple times a day. 

vansmack wrote:

SideBatch wrote:
so let's just say you had a $500 budget for a flatscreen (thinking 50 inch) and $200 budget for a soundbar…what would be the best value in the market today

You sir, are why Vizio exists.  You probably aren't going to find a 4K in that range at that size, but plenty of 1080p 50inch models are between $450 and $500.  Probably the D50-D1.

Sound bars are a little different because it depends on what you're trying to do.  Sound just from the TV or is it your primary sound from your mobile devices as well?  5.1 sound?

Ok good advice on the flat screen
What if I just went down to 48 inches and up $50
VIZIO SmartCast E-Series E48u-D0 48"-Class UHD LED Home Theater Display 
says 4k ultrahd…but the specs say:UHD 3840 x 2160 LED Panel

as for the 4k honestly not really that big of a deal.  I do think 1080P would be sufficient fidelity for me
current TV I have is 27 inch Wide 480p (the horror!!)

As for the sound bar, we really don't have a stereo system set up where the tv will be
And space is a premium where it is going, so no room for a receiver and then running speaker wire and speakers

Kinda felt the sound bar was the way to go as I keep hearing that the speaker that come with any Flatscreen are about as good as my laptop speakers and sound bar is a good upgrade for that.
5.1 sound really would be nice, but not essential…but some modicum of surround sound that I've heard that mid range soundbars can do

I would like it if I can wirelessly connect to stream music to the sound bar, but not a deal breaker

I have this for streaming my music

Marley Get together…and I've been extremely happy with it
Could possibly use with the TV…but then I would have it to move around with


Edit…also didn't realize I could go wireless 5.1 in the $250 range
VIZIO S5451w-C2 5.1 Channel Sound Bar with Subwoofer and Surrounds (2014 Model)
VIZIO
Link: http://amzn.com/B00SMBGGV6

If you're willing to go up $50, then I would buy the E50u-D2 from from B&H where your tax savings would make it a wash ($569).  The SmartCast feature will make that worth it alone.

In addition, they announced a new lineup of Soundbars this morning.  The 3.0 or the 2.1 with the subwoofer will both be a marked improvement over your bluetooth speaker. 

SideBatch wrote:
Edit…also didn't realize I could go wireless 5.1 in the $250 range
VIZIO S5451w-C2 5.1 Channel Sound Bar with Subwoofer and Surrounds (2014 Model)
VIZIO
Link: http://amzn.com/B00SMBGGV6

Depends on how often you plan to use it for music only.  The 5.1 is strong for your TV, but a bluetooth only connection for your music will be disappointing compared to using the cast features over WiFi.
I would avoid bluetooth for music if possible.

I have two Vizios.. happy with them.. they are cheap at BJs.. of course mine are smaller models.. I think for my next TV in a while I will get a bigger one..

Hutch wrote:
I have two Vizios.. happy with them.. they are cheap at BJs.. of course mine are smaller models.. I think for my next TV in a while I will get a bigger one..

I've heard places like costco and bj's get models that aren't for sale in the open market and skimp on the features

but I've no facts behind that statement

Can't believe I've had this TV for close to 14 years!

SideBatch wrote:

Hutch wrote:
I have two Vizios.. happy with them.. they are cheap at BJs.. of course mine are smaller models.. I think for my next TV in a while I will get a bigger one..

I've heard places like costco and bj's get models that aren't for sale in the open market and skimp on the features

but I've no facts behind that statement

Can't believe I've had this TV for close to 14 years!

well its funny you say that..you are correct..

I of course can barely use the remote control but a while back I was trying to stream Amazon or something cause my partner wanted it…and the Vizio has a sticker at the bottom that runs the legnth of the TV with all the various features and says "SMART TV" but I could not find the feature and when i researched it on the internet it turned out my model is not Smart.. so there you go.. I was able to stream Netflix on it.. maybe through the DVD player.. I really don't remember very well but I think that was the gist of it.

a very good point… buyer beware.. make sure you know exactly the VIZIO model you are getting cause they have so many variations

I'm not bothered by the standard speakers on my Samsung.  We have a soundbar and rarely use it.  I spent a little more on my TV with the plan on keeping it for a long time.  If I was only planning on keeping it for 2-3 years, I'd buy something cheap, then spin it off as a computer monitor after a while….

Never buy a TV for it's "Smart" features - you won't use them after a year and you can buy a $35 dongle with a faster processor anyway. 

My Sammy had all the smart features and I used them for about 8 months.  Now I use my Chromecast 95% of the time because it's faster and the signal is more reliable.

The cast feature however, is a built-in Chromecast and I think that it will last longer than smart features as it's doesn't run any apps, it just transvereses the web feed.

vansmack wrote:
Never buy a TV for it's "Smart" features - you won't use them after a year and you can buy a $35 dongle with a faster processor anyway.   

My Sammy had all the smart features and I used them for about 8 months.  Now I use my Chromecast 95% of the time because it's faster and the signal is more reliable.

The cast feature however, is a built-in Chromecast and I think that it will last longer than smart features as it's doesn't run any apps, it just transvereses the web feed.

ok .. I assume this is meant for Sidebitch as I only know what 25% of the words mean…

Hutch wrote:

vansmack wrote:
Never buy a TV for it's "Smart" features - you won't use them after a year and you can buy a $35 dongle with a faster processor anyway.   

My Sammy had all the smart features and I used them for about 8 months.  Now I use my Chromecast 95% of the time because it's faster and the signal is more reliable.

The cast feature however, is a built-in Chromecast and I think that it will last longer than smart features as it's doesn't run any apps, it just transvereses the web feed.

ok .. I assume this is meant for Sidebitch as I only know what 25% of the words mean…

I understand, but having Hulu and netflix in there is pretty nice and won't have to use the Wii for that kind of stuff.  While I'm familiar with Chromecast, I've not used it yet to be awed by it's awesomeness

vansmack wrote:
Never buy a TV for it's "Smart" features - you won't use them after a year and you can buy a $35 dongle with a faster processor anyway.  

My Sammy had all the smart features and I used them for about 8 months.  Now I use my Chromecast 95% of the time because it's faster and the signal is more reliable.

The cast feature however, is a built-in Chromecast and I think that it will last longer than smart features as it's doesn't run any apps, it just transvereses the web feed.

Meh.  We still use the Smart features.  We have 75mbps fios and a hard-wired connection and have never had reliability issues.

And how old is your TV?

It's not the speed of your internet connection, it's the speed of opening, closing and navigating the apps that will start to annoy you.

You won't be happy this time next year for sure.

It's 15 months, maybe.  Still use Netflix daily, including an expanding list of 4K content.  Still quite happy….