# Help with buying a new tv?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-buying-a-new-tv/627300>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 5, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-buying-a-new-tv/627300 "2012-07-05T13:01:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-buying-a-new-tv/627300/1 "2012-07-05T13:01:28Z")

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I am thinking of getting a new TV, as my last one was an old-fashioned CRT one that broke a while ago. However, I really know very little about the latest in television fads, as I haven’t watched TV in a while. The things I would like in a TV are the following (in order of descending importance):

1. Ability to receive standard cable channels
2. Ability to stream Netflix watch instantly
3. DVR capabilities
4. Ability to steam Hulu and Amazon
5. (icing on the cake) basic email/web browsing

Can anyone help me figure out what combination of boxes I would need to do this, or if there are TV out there with all these functions? Or if my wish-list is totally unrealistic given current TV technology?

Thank y’all very much!

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**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-buying-a-new-tv/627300/2 "2012-07-05T14:13:21Z")

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**1. Ability to receive standard cable channels**  
Every TV will be able to do this.

\*\*2. Ability to stream Netflix watch instantly \*\*  
Most smart TVs will have this.

**3. DVR capabilities**  
Can’t say I’ve ever seen a TV with a built-in DVR. You’re better off getting it from your cable provider.

**4. Ability to steam Hulu and Amazon**  
Like Netflix, these are becoming pretty standard for smart TVs.

**5. (icing on the cake) basic email/web browsing**  
Hmm… [this chart](http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57412464-221/from-amazon-to-hbo-go-to-youtube-app-availability-on-2012-tvs-compared-big-chart/) may be useful.