TV or not TV? In this case, it’s definitely TV.
Any of yis care to weigh in with a recommendation for a new TV that’s not insane?
I’m hunting one for the mom-in-law, who needs it for the new digs. Nothing huge, probably a 43-incher or under, and preferably a model with easily navigated menus and a remote that doesn’t look like the dashboard of the Millennium Falcon. Just your basic Ralph Spoilsport model, a personal remote-controlled, picture-sized color TV, with matching brass knobs, the kind where you reach above the bar and press the button right there under the handy laminated imitation-masonite Wild West gun rack with the look of real wood, for the channel of your choice.
We’re dealing with the elderly and feeble-minded here, which is to say me, a guy who hasn’t set up a new TV in the better part of quite some time.
Thanks for the insurrection, and now back to our morning concert of afternoon showtime favorites — the Magic Bowl movement from Symphony in C Minus by Johann Amadeus Matetsky.
Tags: Herself the Elder, Peter Bergman, Philip Proctor, The Firesign Theatre, TV, TV or Not TV
Mad Blog Media 
November 12, 2019 at 9:09 am |
Ralph, I’ll take it! I just can’t wait to get away from it all!
November 12, 2019 at 5:31 pm |
Well, OK, fine! Let’s just take a look inside your beautiful new home! C’mon in!
November 12, 2019 at 9:40 am |
Gah. Last time I saw a simple, old fashioned TV was when I was a young man. Now when was that??????????
November 12, 2019 at 5:41 pm |
I did a little one, mebbe a 24-incher, when we decided to Airbnb The House Back East® in Bibleburg. LG? Vizio? Can’t remember. That went OK. But it was a dumb TV.
Ditto the TV we used then and now. A Toshiba. Dumb as a box of rocks. But it’s been absolutely bulletproof (knocks on wood).
These new jobbers spend more time watching you than you do watching them. Nosy sonsabitches.
November 12, 2019 at 11:52 am |
I have had good luck with Samsung TVs. We have five of ’em here in our Mid-MO domicile, ranging in size from about 20 to 50 inch range. Have a 43″ size one in the bedroom, and it is just fine.
Best Buy has a bunch of them (with slightly different specs) in that 43″ size for $280. Probably will be more discounts as Xmas nears.
Even if you don’t want smart (web-enabled), ultra high-def, or any of those other bells-and-whistles, they all come with them anyway.
There are a zillion set-up options on the numerous menus accessed by the Samsung remote, but the cable guy (or you) will get the TV synced with the cable remote and set to the regular defaults, so the cable remote is really the only interface needed to steer the ship. If using antenna (not cable), that is all covered by the instructions.
Even I can set these things up, and I am pretty worthless at this kind of task.
One last thing. Do NOT get an extended warranty or service plan. I have had only one set I had to take back to Best Buy, and that was due to a minor visible defect in the assembly of the screen housing frame. Took it right back and got another one. Other than that, all sets have worked perfectly for years.
Good Luck! Dale in Mid-MO
November 12, 2019 at 12:31 pm |
The only Magic Bowl I want to see or hear is the one with a big orange turd circling towards the bottom and disappearing into the sewer never to be seen again.
TV’s are kinda like salad dressing. There are so many choices it’s easy to impulse buy to get it over with. Dale is right about extended warranties on electronic devices. Most all, if they get through the infant mortality failure phase, which is usually just a month or two of normal use, are good for years after that. That is one of the useful things I learned as a maintenance engineer.
I always lean towards Sony for really good picture quality and reliablility. That is my experience to date. I also like ones that are back lit not edge lit. That does raise the price. Maybe you could use the one in the living room for Herself and buy a new one for in there?
November 12, 2019 at 2:11 pm |
The TV doesn’t matter. Just make sure you hook it up to a pair of Dominator X-10s, thirty inches of blood pumping, thigh slapping nuclear brain damage.
November 12, 2019 at 5:55 pm |
Mos def I need me a better sound system with the old Toshiba. The Sony satellite speakers sound like Chihuahuas yappin’.
November 12, 2019 at 2:12 pm |
We got a Samsung with great picture quality and its synched to the AppleBox. I was able to walk myself through the setup so its not rocket science, but its a far cry from hooking up a cable and turning the channel.
Note that for many of these TVs you need to buy something resembling a sound system. If you want to actually feel the depth charges going off while watching Das Boot and sweating and clawing at the couch, one of the bigger systems with a subwoofer is good. Of course, my better half would have to be on vacation for me to use it at that level.
November 12, 2019 at 2:27 pm |
Thanks for the recommendations, gents. I personally will never spend another dime on a Samsung product after my adventures with The Exploding Clothes Washer of Doom and Samsung’s “customer service,” which makes the average DMV visit look like a free meal at a Michelin five-star followed by a rub-and-tug by Elle Macpherson. Nevertheless, I appreciate the effort.
November 12, 2019 at 5:43 pm |
You can me by letting me steal rub and tug, you silver tongued devil.
I would just go to Best Buy and take a look. If Herself the Elder is not having sight or hearing issues, just about any name brand in that size range would do the trick. Our HOA put a Sharp 43 inch in one of the recreation centers here and it has worked fine for over a year. Not expensive either. They bought it at Best Buy.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sharp-43-class-led-2160p-smart-4k-uhd-tv-with-hdr-roku-tv/5746801.p?skuId=5746801
November 12, 2019 at 5:59 pm |
I ended up buying a Vizia M-Series. I’ve seen a bunch of Vizias in public settings, and they get reasonably good reviews, though TCL seems to be stealing their thunder.
This one might be too much TV, but better too much than not enough, amirite?
Man, they were trucking out the TVs today, too. TVs out the wazoo on the showroom floor and more coming in by the second. TVs ever’ whichaway and battalions of dudes dragging more of them out just in case a bazillion choices weren’t enough. You’d think the holiday season was upon us or sumpin’.
November 12, 2019 at 7:29 pm |
I have a Sam and a Vis. Sam blew a board, but still works when it wants to. Main difference? Picture. The Vis has much more realistic color representation. Sam fruit balls them up so they are bright and phony. Vis makes better look for my dollar (or several). I think Sam did a psyche eval of the average Murcan and gives ‘em the cartoon look they like.
November 12, 2019 at 8:14 pm |
Hey, careful with the “cartoon look” gags there, pally. That cartoon look got me where I am today, which is in a world of trouble.
November 12, 2019 at 3:33 pm |
November 13, 2019 at 11:10 am |
TCL Roku TV