Samsung Media 2.0 - is it any good?

Samsung Media 2.0 - is it any good?

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Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Thursday 11th February 2010
quotequote all
Bit behind on the latest developments so hopefully someone can answer my query in simple terms!

Currently pondering replacing the trusty analogue Sony CRT 4:3 TV with a Samsung 32" LED TV. There are two models, the 6000 with Freeview (I can understand that!) and for another £300 or so, the 7020 which has Freeview and 'Media 2.0'. I understand this is a bit like an internet browser, but not quite...

Ideally I'd like to be able to watch iPlayer from the comfort of my settee with no computers involved. I see iPlayer as 'TV on demand', but if Media 2.0 doesn't do it, there's little point in splending the extra £300 I think. What exactly will Media 2.0 let me watch/do? And will it be useless/unsupported next year as technology moves on?

E31Shrew

5,935 posts

198 months

Thursday 11th February 2010
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Personally I wouldnt bother with the Media 2.0 thingy. The access is limited at present to a few sites inc You Tube , Flikr and a couple of others. I understand Samsung are negotiating with the BBC to access iplayer but not finalised yet. Autotrader also I hear!
Min spec N Class router also.

When I demo this screen in store it does lock up and wont free until dongle is removed and reinserted. Also a few of my customers are having the same issues.

I would avoid and just hook up your PC via VGA lead!

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Thanks very much for that 'industry-side' view!

I had hoped to be able to treat iPlayer as another channel, ie press a button and there it is - I don't want to have to fire up the PC and start running leads 20 feet across the room; in real life I won't bother to do it.

'Samsung are negotiating with the BBC to access iplayer but not finalised yet'

That sounds interesting but it could also mean that any contract is not renewed the next year. It's a pity that nothing can stay the same these days - I guess that's why I like analogue; channels 1-5 are always there and they don't change their names on a whim to 'George', or decide not to transmit after 6.00pm, or suddenly charge you extra.

Bullett

10,957 posts

190 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Get a PS3, Blu-Ray player, games machine and you can use it as a browser and it has iplayer built in.

And cheaper than £300 these days.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Bullett said:
Get a PS3, Blu-Ray player, games machine and you can use it as a browser and it has iplayer built in.
Well you've stumped me there. Maybe I can do without iPlayer after all; I'll just watch/record the programme when it's transmitted smile

Plotloss

67,280 posts

276 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Spend the extra £300 on a decent television would be my advice.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
You don't rate Samsung LEDs? To me they're head and shoulders above the rest not just in image but appearance. First time I saw one in Comet it stopped me in my tracks.

Mind you I won't be using it on HD (or will I? I have no idea, perhaps it has an HD tuner in it, or maybe I'll need a dish on the wall. But that'll be £20 a month, but then there's Freesat, but then I have Freeview). Dunno. Does it even have a coax socket on the back or will I need a coax-HDMI adaptor? It's all a bloody shambles really...

E31Shrew

5,935 posts

198 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
You don't rate Samsung LEDs? To me they're head and shoulders above the rest not just in image but appearance. First time I saw one in Comet it stopped me in my tracks.

Mind you I won't be using it on HD (or will I? I have no idea, perhaps it has an HD tuner in it, or maybe I'll need a dish on the wall. But that'll be £20 a month, but then there's Freesat, but then I have Freeview). Dunno. Does it even have a coax socket on the back or will I need a coax-HDMI adaptor? It's all a bloody shambles really...
Right here we go

Get a Pana 32G10 if you can still find one. Has Freesat HD built in as well as an SD card reader. Better pic than the Samsung plus, and a big plus, it doesnt sound like a castrated mouse. Has a VGA in socket for your laptop.


You'll need a dish , approx £100.00 fitted. Also has Freeview built in

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Thanks E31 - in fact after making a few measurements I've decided a 32" screen is too big. I think the next size down is 26" and there aren't any LED screens that small. This was the first one I found; looks quite nice: www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=3380...

Think I need to go to back Comet and for once, bother the salesmen!

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
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Ha, I guess you guys don't talk to people who only have 26" TVs wink

10 Pence Short

32,880 posts

223 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
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Simpo Two said:
Ha, I guess you guys don't talk to people who only have 26" TVs wink
I do. Mainly because I have a 26" TV. wink

E31Shrew

5,935 posts

198 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
quotequote all
Pana TXL26X10

There we go

Freeview only.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
quotequote all
Minor development - I hear that TVs with built-in Freeview aren't compatible with the forthcoming Freeview HD... so it seems that I will end up with exactly the same image quality I currently have, only slimmer. Not sure it's worth bothering really frown

E31Shrew

5,935 posts

198 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
quotequote all
New models with Freeview HD are due in a month or so. You're not going to get a great deal of benefit from a 26" telly with HD anyway

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

86,773 posts

271 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
quotequote all
You have a point, yes!

Pity there's nothing between 26 and 32 - it makes a big difference.