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Post by Miranda on Sept 20, 2020 17:15:15 GMT
Basically, it's very simple connection between your computer and your TV. It's controlled from your computer or tablet and it's just clicking on an icon on the screen. The Chromecast does the rest. For instance, I might want to watch something on iPlayer but still use my computer whilst watching it, I can easily send to my TV. I don't need to have a Smart TV at all. Just a HDMI socket. The Chromecast costs £30 and I wouldn't be without mine now. How to set up a Chromecast |
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Post by Miranda on Sept 20, 2020 17:19:07 GMT
You do have to use Google as the browser though. But it's no problem having two browsers. I do it myself.
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Sept 20, 2020 18:28:11 GMT
If I could watch Homes Under the Hammer every morning, I'd be happy!
Thanks for all the advice.
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Post by Miranda on Sept 20, 2020 19:23:06 GMT
You're welcome!
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Post by marion on Sept 20, 2020 19:35:58 GMT
I’ve got a Panasonic TV, it’s fine. It’s just a TV. To get the smart element I have to plug in an Amazon Firestick.
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Sept 21, 2020 8:18:16 GMT
That's the sort of thing I need.
Looking through Amazon, some of the reviews make me think I would need to buy a sound bar too. Is this the case?
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Sept 21, 2020 8:19:57 GMT
I am sorry to be a pain about this, but do TVs come with the feet/stand already attached?
I'm useless with a screwdriver, especially now I have arthritis.
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Post by marion on Sept 21, 2020 8:50:26 GMT
Q1. I don’t have a sound bar, but I do use subtitles quite a lot. Sorry but I don’t know anything about sound bars so don’t have any advice about them. What I have found useful is that in the Panasonic settings options for Sound there is something called Volume Correction which I always put to maximum. That increases the volume level by channel so if you find the TV is a bit quiet, whereas radio is adequate, you go into that function whilst watching your channel and reset it. NB. The volume correction resets itself to medium every time you do a retune so you have to go through all your favourite channels to do them individually. This is a pain. But worth it.
Q2. No, you need to attach them in my experience. But some just slot together rather than needing a screwdriver. (I am less than proficient at DIY but have found this manageable.)
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Sept 21, 2020 9:03:43 GMT
Thanks Marion.
This is driving me mad. Not sure what size screen I will need. Tempted by a fifty inch, but looking at the stands/feet, I may have to duct tape it to the top of the chest of drawers! (I basically live in my bedroom). They don't look too sturdy.
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Post by marion on Sept 21, 2020 9:09:56 GMT
Fifty is pretty huge! Mine is a 32 inch but I would go up a couple for the next one I think. I think you would really need it to be on a proper stand rather than just propped up because these flatscreen TVs don’t have much surface for balance, unlike the old boxy versions. They could go anywhere!
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Sept 21, 2020 9:20:48 GMT
Yeah, that has crossed my mind too.
I will be sitting/lying about 11-12 feet from the TV. 42inch, maybe?
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Post by Miranda on Sept 21, 2020 10:21:14 GMT
42 inch is plenty big enough, I think.
The reason for a sound bar is that the new flat TVs don't have the resonance of the old boxy TVs. And the speakers are always on the back. So you will notice a difference in sound quality and volume. It will be much worse. A sound bar just plugs into the back in the same way that a speaker plugged into a record player. It's the same basic principle. And once it's plugged in, you can leave it alone. It will have its own little remote with basically 3 buttons, off/on - plus - minus. Very easy to use. And it doesn't have to be right in front of the TV either. Just somewhere near it.
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Post by Miranda on Sept 21, 2020 10:24:06 GMT
Oh, some TVs do come with the stand attached. Some of them can be pushed into place so no need for screws. You might be better off going to a shop, if there's one near you, so you can have a look at them in the flesh and see what they have.
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Sept 21, 2020 11:23:27 GMT
I really don't want to leave the house (except for food and laundry). This covid thing has me in major panic mode, most of the time.
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Post by Dame Bouncy Castle on Sept 21, 2020 11:32:50 GMT
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Anymore to come?
