# TV-buying advice **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296 "2025-03-08T15:07:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/1 "2025-03-08T15:07:59Z")
I’ve decided to actually make my living room into a useful place for… living? After buying a couch last week, I’ve decided I also need to update the TV. It’s been a very long time since this was something I cared about, so I’m hoping somebody has more up-to-date knowledge on the subject. I’m looking for good quality; who makes the good stuff these days? My current TVs are LG LCDs from a decade and a half ago (picture is still great on both of them, sound is dodgy (speaker rattle) on the “main” TV that is being replaced. Speaking of sound, are good surround sound setups still a thing, and are they supported by movie streaming services (told you, I’m well out of the loop)? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/2 "2025-03-08T15:25:09Z")
Do you have a limit on money you are willing to spend? (Not saying paying more is necessarily better but a budget you have in mind would help.) ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/3 "2025-03-08T15:29:15Z")
Nah, no particular budget in mind. I’ll pay for good quality. Just measured my viewing distance (10+ feet); Looks like I probably “need” a 75 inch screen (according to the online calculators I’m finding). ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/4 "2025-03-08T15:35:47Z")
On the modern technologies: Do any of the current tech have burn-in problems? If so, that would definitely be something I want to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/5 "2025-03-08T15:40:45Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Do any of the current tech have burn-in problems? I own a newish 83" LG OLED. I think most or all manufacturers have the burn-in problem licked as long as you don’t do anything to deliberately cause burn-in. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/6 "2025-03-08T15:42:36Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Do any of the current tech have burn-in problems? If so, that would definitely be something I want to avoid. Yes…but… OLED is probably the best picture quality but it can “burn-in” (more like pixels burn-out) but it’s usually not much of a thing in modern TVs. Not good ones anyway. Do you do a lot of gaming? Samsung says QLED are resistant to burn-in. Might be something to consider. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/7 "2025-03-08T15:42:36Z")
Are you happy with the LG? I’ve been pleased with my old ones, but figured it’s time to update, and tech has changed, and of course, enshittification is rampant in all companies… ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/8 "2025-03-08T15:45:20Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Are you happy with the LG? Extremely. Especially since I calibrated the screen. I have the C3. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/9 "2025-03-08T15:45:57Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Yes…but… > > OLED is probably the best picture quality but it can “burn-in” (more like pixels burn-out) but it’s usually not much of a thing in modern TVs. Not good ones anyway. Do you do a lot of gaming? > > Samsung says QLED are resistant to burn-in. Might be something to consider. No gaming on the TV; I’m a PC gamer. This will be essentially just for streaming movies; my concern regarding the burn-in is Chromecast etc. tend to have a fairly static splash screen with a clock/temperature in one position. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/10 "2025-03-08T15:46:32Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Are you happy with the LG? You didn’t ask me but I have a 55" LG that is several years old and I love it. I dunno if current models are as good. (I also calibrated the screen) ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/11 "2025-03-08T15:48:25Z")
Well, this is definitely putting LG at the top of my list. I’ve been so pleased with their products (starting with my TVs) that I ended up with LG washer/dryer, dishwasher, microwave, and have a new LG refrigerator on the list upcoming… ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/12 "2025-03-08T15:49:57Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > tend to have a fairly static splash screen with a clock/temperature in one position. LG and the other manufacturers have firmware routines/settings that try to prevent static image burn-in, but those are things to be wary of. I don’t tempt fate and I use a screensaver. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/13 "2025-03-08T15:51:44Z")
FYI - Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, etc. all stream surround sound. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/14 "2025-03-08T15:53:14Z")
The LG G3 has great ratings. It is OLED so excellent picture quality but not immune to burn-in. (I think if you take minor precautions like not letting your TV idle for hours doing nothing it won’t be a problem since you do not game on it). Ain’t cheap though: - [https://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-oled65g3pua-oled-4k-tv](https://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-oled65g3pua-oled-4k-tv) ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/15 "2025-03-08T15:56:48Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Ain’t cheap though: The C3 is still available from [Amazon for much less.](https://www.amazon.com/LG-65-Inch-Processor-AI-Powered-OLED65C3PUA/dp/B0BVXDPZP3?crid=3M0PBCH5A8F2D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i1_PUoDt2AjBALcu_UPWxdI3XzB5YPVQLiJgwImBN3tN_tjIvtn-FmwxBurLwo-V99-F-jJ8A185wQBeHds0BBaEVOyu_g_a4zJh3z5hIE1faGlQ86EuhB1_HPl5FnH398f1LDLqMIZohy3DP-NQeYzYBtwBLAzMV6hvjwQSkjt1hQ6_tNNvekLdoOZYfIHpACs1Wfc_S76vdap0JvA-Egd4mLDp1UpffSTyqcxRhqE.OeAQeoz2KieB9gnZIgleErfwc_njuro8v2gU1YHtM_4&dib_tag=se&keywords=lg%2Boled%2Bc3&qid=1741449237&sprefix=lg%2Boled%2Bc3%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-2&th=1) There’s not a lot of difference between the C3 and the G3. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/16 "2025-03-08T16:03:03Z")
Excellent! Thanks for the information. I am definitely sticking with LG, and now I can plan on a theatre sound setup (if I can figure out a good way to make it work with this stupid room layout). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/17 "2025-03-08T16:10:35Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > > [@Kron](#): > > > > Do any of the current tech have burn-in problems? > > I own a newish 83" LG OLED. I think most or all manufacturers have the burn-in problem licked as long as you don’t do anything to deliberately cause burn-in. My LG OLED set will automatically switch to a screensaver that bounces around after a few moments if I leave the image frozen. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/18 "2025-03-08T16:14:08Z")
I don’t _think_ this is paywalled: > **[The Best OLED TV](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-oled-tv/)** > > The LG C4 represents one of this year’s best OLED TV values, combining top-notch picture quality with a long list of useful features. > [@](#): > > LG C4 Series > The best OLED TV for the money > This OLED TV pairs top-notch picture quality with ample features, and it’s available in a wide range of screen sizes. But because it doesn’t use quantum-dot technology, it falls short of delivering the most vivid color. > [@](#): > > Sony A95L Series > The best OLED TV you can buy > This OLED TV delivers more brightness, better color accuracy and video processing, and superior onboard audio in comparison with our top pick. But those improvements come at a high cost. I recently bought the Sony. I have nothing but great things to say about it, and – sadly – I watch a _lot_ of TV. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/19 "2025-03-08T16:18:17Z")
My decade-old LG plasma died about 6 weeks ago and after some research I replaced it with a 65 inch LG C4 OLED. I am very happy with it. The picture is noticeably better than the plasma. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296/20 "2025-03-08T16:22:57Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > I own a newish 83" LG OLED. I think most or all manufacturers have the burn-in problem licked as long as you don’t do anything to deliberately cause burn-in. I think the main problem is video games which leave some parts of the screen in a static image (e.g. a score box). If you have kids (or you) who play for hours at a go that adds up and there is the burn-in. I doubt it will happen with normal TV watching unless you leave on something like CNBC with a perpetual scroll at the bottom framed by something that never changes. Even that would take a long time to have a noticeable effect. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-buying-advice/1015296.md?page=2)