Top Rated TVs of 2014

[Smokey]

Television.reviewed.com compiled a list of best TVs that they evaluated in 2014. As no surprise, LG OLED model 55EA9800 ($9,999) was named the top dog for 2014.

Here is the list:

Best TV of the year:
LG OLED model 55EA9800 ($9,999)
Runner up: LG 55EC9300 OLED ($4000)

Best UHD TV of the year:
Sony XBR-65X950B 4K LED ($8000)
Runner up: Vizio P652ui-B2 (P Series) 4K LED ($2000)


Best TV under $1500:
Sony KDL-55W800B LED ($1500)
Runner up: Samsung UN40HU6950 4K LED ($1200)

Best TV under $1000:
Vizio E480i-B2 LED ($550)
Runner up: Sony KDL-40W600B LED ($500)

Best Tv under $500:
Sharp LC-32LE551U LED TV ($300)
Runner up: Samsung UN32H5203 LED TV ($320)h

HDTV Television Reviews, Buying Guides and ratings - Reviewed.com Televisions (http://televisions.reviewed.com/)

[Jack in Wilmington]

What about Consumer Reports? Visio only had a few TV's that finished anywhere in their ratings. Seems like they have an ongoing problem with motion blur and sound quality. I'd take a look at the Samsung 55" UHD TV that is showing up in the black Friday ads. Reviews are so biased, so you really need to check them out in person.

[Feanor]

Yeah, I think I'd pass on Vizio.

I'm half hoping my old Samsung 27" CRT in our small room dies so I can go for a 40 or 42" 1080p LED -- a Samsung, LG, or Panasonic.

[Smokey]

What about Consumer Reports? Visio only had a few TV's that finished anywhere in their ratings. Seems like they have an ongoing problem with motion blur and sound quality. Vizio new M and P series seem to be getting mix reviews. Some site praise the new series (that have local dimming), while others like PCmag gave Vizio bad review and only gave it one star. I think the problem is that Vizio using IPS panels (lousy Blacks) interchangeably with VA panels (ecellent Blacks) in their new series. That is why so many discrepancy in their TV reviews.

[Feanor]

Vizio new M and P series seem to be getting mix reviews. Some site praise the new series (that have local dimming), while others like PCmag gave Vizio bad review and only gave it one star. I think the problem is that Vizio using IPS panels (lousy Blacks) interchangeably with VA panels (ecellent Blacks) in their new series. That is why so many discrepancy in their TV reviews.

Based on limited information, my surmise is that Vizio essential policy is to offer low-price products. This is unlike the strategies of various formerly new entrants into the home electronics business, especially Korean entrants such as Samsung and LG. In contrast to Vizio their strategy was to quickly turn to producing high-performing and reliable products that could stand up to anything from established marques such as Sony and Panasonic.

[Smokey]

Based on limited information, my surmise is that Vizio essential policy is to offer low-price products. This is unlike the strategies of various formerly new entrants into the home electronics business, especially Korean entrants such as Samsung and LG.That is very much true. Also as contrast to the big boys, strategies of Vizio has been to reduced their over head to minimum. Which include no spare parts, inventory and distrubition centers. So if your Tv goes out during warranty, they send you a new TV instead of repair :)

[blackraven]

I just bought this 40" Samsung TV for my daughter for the holidays-

SS UN40H5203. It's a basic Smart TV with a good picture. Got it on sale for $329. The non smart version is $299.

[Jack in Wilmington]

I just bought this 40" Samsung TV for my daughter for the holidays-

SS UN40H5203. It's a basic Smart TV with a good picture. Got it on sale for $329. The non smart version is $299.

Can you disclose where you bought it?

[blackraven]

Can you disclose where you bought it?


I bought it at Best Buy but Walmart has it for the same price and for additional $28 you can get a 3 yr warranty that covers some accidents.

The 5203 is the smart version and the 5003 is the more basic. The smart function on the TV is a little slow but the apps are free and all she want's is net flix.

[blackraven]

The model up from the UN40H5203 went on sale, so I cancelled the order and upgraded to the UN40H6203 which has a native refresh rate of 120Hz. I paid $379.

[Smokey]

I saw Samsung 40 inch on sale for $300 as I am in market for 40 inch TV. I would have gotten it too if TV had PC (VGA) input. But no lunch.

Sony, LG, Panasonic and Vizio also don't have VGA input. So I am stuck with only low end TV choices such as Insignia, Sceptre, Element and Westinghouse. Not too many exciting options :)

[Jack in Wilmington]

I saw Samsung 40 inch on sale for $300 as I am in market for 40 inch TV. I would have gotten it too if TV had PC (VGA) input. But no lunch.

Sony, LG, Panasonic and Vizio also don't have VGA input. So I am stuck with only low end TV choices such as Insignia, Sceptre, Element and Westinghouse. Not too many exciting options :)

Smoke, I use the HDMI connection from my laptop to my TV or the USB connection. Are there advantages to using the VGA?

[Smokey]

Smoke, I use the HDMI connection from my laptop to my TV or the USB connection. Are there advantages to using the VGA?Not really since VGA is analog vs HDMI which is digital. Although my PC is win 7, it only have VGA video monitor output. But video quality on TV is excellent nevertheless :)

[Jack in Wilmington]

Not really since VGA is analog vs HDMI which is digital. Although my PC is win 7, it only have VGA video monitor output. But video quality on TV is excellent nevertheless :)

I'm only running Windows 7 myself, but I was happy to see the HDMI connection on my laptop. We use it mainly for streaming my nephews volleyball games. We can get the home games from Loyola but I'm not sure about the away games.

[blackraven]

Smokey, you can get a VGA to HDMI converter-

Amazon.com: vga to hdmi tv (http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=vga+to+hdmi+tv&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=30015941367&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9553587241165408595&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3o32620cso_b)

[Smokey]

Smokey, you can get a VGA to HDMI converter-Amazon.com: vga to hdmi tv (http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=vga+to+hdmi+tv&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=30015941367&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9553587241165408595&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3o32620cso_b)Thanks raven. Amazon said that PC video card must support digital signal output through VGA port function for the converter to work. I looked at my video card settings, and don't see that option. My PC is low end Compaq :)

[blackraven]

Smokey, there are analog VGA to HDMI converters. I think that VGA is analog and not digital. I am not sure what Amazon was talking about.

VGA connector - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector)




VGA to HDMI Review 2014 | Best VGA to HDMI Converters | VGA to TV Converters - TopTenREVIEWS (http://vga-to-hdmi-review.toptenreviews.com/)





Atlona AT-HDVieW-b VGA to HDMI Scaler/Converter (USB Powered) (http://www.bzbexpress.com/VGA-to-HDMI-Scaler-Converter-USB-Powered-AT-HDVieW-b-by-Atlona-AT-HDVieW-b.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA2JqkBRDshIOY_9eMghkSJABvNd1Q7 0Qe0gVEfcC04TWJXiE5SYjT9gKhym8p1eE5yGsuXxoCTZnw_wc B)

[Smokey]

Thanks blackraven for the link. But don't think I will be going the convertor route. It cost about $100 and I am not sure how it will perform. But it is an option to consider if nothing else is available :)