I just want a regular TV...

trying to find a new TV for my wife for her birthday but everything I find has the integrated smart tv feature which we don’t ever use and would rather not pay for. Does anyone have a recommendation for a 55” plus size 4K TV without?

 

I don’t think you are going to find a non-smart TV in that size.

 

Unfortunately it seems quality TVs automatically come with smart features. In my experience non smart TVs seem to be bottom of the barrel. I use my TV connected to my PC and just don't use smart capability. As far as a recommendation, TCL TV's are a great value for the price. I have a 49" TCL and my aunt has a 55" and we are both very happy with them.

 

So far I’ve found none mate. We can bypass the interface because we use our AppleTV and it’s remote but I’d rather the money that the “smart” feature costs would be better spent towards video or audio quality.

Thanks for the brand tip, haven’t heard of them but will research.

 

This is the one she has, it's actually on sale right now.

$343 TCL 55S405 55" 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model)

https://www.amazon.com/TCL-49S405-49-Inch-Ultra-Smart/dp/B01MTGM5I9?th=1&psc=1

 

Had to settle for a 50" TV as, like you said, I didn't want a smart TV. I've had google chromecasts on my TVs for a while and everything has already been integrated and whatnot. Don't see the point in paying $100 more for something that cost me $20-30 that I can transfer anywhere or to any TV I want.

I ended up getting a Sceptre 50" from Walmart for $220 (with 3 year protection plan). Has been holding up just fine.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sceptre-50-Class-FHD-1080P-LED-TV-X505BV-FSR/631796609

 

I really don't think you pay much extra for the "Smart TV" features. Electronics are so cheap at this point and the smart TV features are pretty much in every TV now. Just focus on getting the best quality you can for the lowest price.

 

I have several TCL TV's. Price, quality and features are awesome. As far as the smart TV functionality, if you have internet, you are missing out.

 

This exactly

 

Walmart has a Sceptre 55" non smart TV for 260.00

Sceptre 55" Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) LED TV (U550CV-U)
Key Features:

Screen Size (Diag.): 54.6"

Backlight Type: LED

Resolution: 2160p

Effective Refresh Rate: 60Hz

Smart Functionality: no

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1

Viewable Angle (H/V): 178 degrees/178 degrees

Number of Colors: 1.07G

OSD Language: English, Spanish, French

Speakers/Power Output: 10W x 2

Surround Sound Mode

Connectivity:

Component/Composite Video: 1

HDMI: 4

Headphone: 1

SPDIF Auto Output: 1

USB 2.0: 1

What's In The Box:

Remote Control

Wall-mountable:

Mount Pattern: 400mm x 200mm

Screw Size: M6

Screw Length: 9mm/15mm

Support and Warranty:

1-year limited labor and parts


TV stand sold separately. See all TV stands.

TV mount sold separately. See all TV mounts.

 

I can see that being the case as the providers are likely paying for the inclusion.

Live very rural, all internet is via mobile phone so no internet video streaming for us. We use an AppleTV unit with an application called “Plex” to stream all of our music CDs, and movie DVD and Blu-rays that have been uploaded to a local media server in the house.

Not dead-set against smart tv, was just hoping to find a high quality unit within our budget that was without to bypass the need to deal with yet another interface when hooking up our OTA antenna.

 

Glad that we're not the only ones without an ISP source to choose from due to rural living. We also use OTA for TV and cellular for internet. Found an article that might be interesting to you:

https://www.businessinsider.com/smart-tv-data-collection-advertising-2019-1

Seems as though, as with any connected device these days, manufacturers make cash from your data for as long as you use it. So smart tv's are actually cheaper because of their connectivity capabilities because of the cash made on the back end from your data. Luckily for folks that are not connected all the time, it makes things a little cheaper without giving info to the spyware.

 

There will be no other interface to deal with when hooking up a Smart TV. They just exist as apps, essentially. It's like never going to the weather app on your phone. It exists if you want to use it, but if you don't, no harm.

The guts to make a TV a "Smart" TV are really, really cheap - frankly, to the point that I'd be almost certain that the cost is a negligible factor in the final price you pay. It's like BMW offering a car without Bluetooth (track purpose cars notwithstanding ). They can't afford to leave it out and can't afford to charge for it.

Check them all out, find the picture you like best for the price you want to pay, then take it home - Smart TV features be damned!