Surely everyone would like to save on the purchase of household appliances. And the myths are still circulating among the people that “the cheaper, the worse”, “we are not rich enough to buy cheap things”, etc. We’ll try to figure out if these rules are true when we choose the cheapest TVs for which The nuances you need to pay attention first of all in order to get a really inexpensive and high-quality device.
An ideal image from such devices and for such little money is not worth the wait. The first thing the cheapest TVs sin is the lack of LED backlight. Without it, the distribution of brightness and color depth occurs unevenly, which is visible to the naked eye (especially in a juicy picture). Plasma models are too expensive for this article, so we will focus mainly on devices with liquid crystals.
What to look for before buying
Since many use TVs of the old model with conventional antennas, special attention when choosing should be given to the presence and reproduction of an analog signal. In addition, in the review below, preference will be given to models with additional functionality such as Internet access or a built-in media player.
So, let's see if there are standing models in the budget segment (the cheapest TVs) that demonstrate, if not excellent, then at least a good level in all key indicators.
LG 32LW4500
If you are not a fan of surfing the net, you rarely check Twitter, Facebook is even less frequent, you watch YouTube videos once a month, and you use Skype on a personal computer, then this model is suitable for you. The device does not have Internet access, but all the other characteristics of the model are at a high level.
Inexpensive TVs are not equipped with DLNA support and HbbTV technology, and this gadget is no exception. Everything in it is “imprisoned” for watching videos (and the model succeeded in this). Even though the TV is equipped with Edge LED-backlighting, the 2D picture has excellent quality, and there is practically no visible light on the LCD panel. Color reproduction is close to ideal, provided that the Expert 1 mode is activated and the average color temperature.
Model Features
Separately, it is worth noting the presence of the IPS-matrix, which many outdated models lack, so the device is perfect for a large family or company - fans who gather around the screen.
Blur or some artifacts during scaling of SD materials are almost invisible, and this resolution (1920x1080) is a significant plus. The device holds an analog signal quite well, so the model is perfect for watching TV shows and other broadcasts.
The only thing that users note in their reviews as a significant minus is that it is too small a TV, and even with a shallow black color. Therefore, ardent fans of the "dark" genres (horrors, thrillers, noir) should look for a more suitable model. Otherwise, you will get gray tones on a seemingly black background.
The quality of the three-dimensional picture of this device deserves all praise, especially since similar inexpensive TVs can not boast of this. The level of parasitic artifacts is extremely low, and although for some people their eyes can become achy, the passive system used in this model is much more beneficial for health than special shutter glasses.
One of the pluses of the model can be attributed to the expanded configuration: now there is no need to buy anything to watch 3D video. Well, in this mode, the resolution is knocked out of the frame (960x1080), but for the 32-inch diagonal this is simply not essential.
Is it worth buying
Judging by marketing research, only 25% of users (the territory of the Russian Federation) connect their TV to the Internet. All other categories of buyers with Smart TV are either not familiar at all or do not use it, preferring for this purpose a personal computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Looking at the statistics, it will be reasonable to note that this model is a logical choice, especially since it was released back in 2011 and today is worth a penny. The price of the device is quite justified, and its balance with quality is more than sustained.
Pros:
- price;
- good sound;
- the presence of a media player;
- four pairs of 3D glasses included;
- the presence of a good "passive" ZD.
Minuses:
- design;
- small diagonal;
- black color (gray with dynamic backlight);
- no network connection;
- one USB output;
- no headphone jack;
- oversized remote control.
Panasonic TX-P46U20
TV models of this brand have something to respect. For many generations, the company was famous for its high-quality assembly and high-quality images. Many exhibitions recognized Panasonic devices as the best in their category. Even BW televisions of this brand sometimes could compete with competing color models.
The TX series showed a fairly high level of picture and pleased its consumer with a low price. The secret that makes up the amount is quite simple - this is the last generation of models that saw the light in 2010, and for modern electronics even three years is a rather long time, not to mention six years.
Just as nobody is interested in a five-year-old smartphone, so this device was unfairly forgotten. Even on venerable online sites, this model can be found with great difficulty, and even then for a long order.
TX Series Features
Choosing a TV diagonal is not the last item for many users, and it is this model that gets to the point, thanks to its dimensions. Similar devices have standardized sizes for this type of matrix (42 inches), while the TX model offers a 46-inch diagonal, and ten centimeters for the human eye is a rather noticeable difference. Here you can add a full-fledged “Full Hitch” resolution with a 1920x1080 layout.
Numerous reviews on this model are mostly positive, but the only thing that users note as a significant minus is the design, too far it gives back the distant 2010 with its frame, large stand and thickness of the case. And although this gadget belongs to the category of “cheapest TVs”, its indisputable advantages that almost all owners note in their reviews are its structural strength (ideal if there are small children) and durability.
Pros:
- price;
- diagonal;
- plasma screen;
- good sound;
- convenient remote control;
- excellent performance 2D images.
Minuses:
- power consumption (reaches 300 W / h);
- lack of USB communications and a media player;
- no 3D mode.
Toshiba 42VL963
The Toshiba of the VL series can be called the golden mean of this review. The concepts of “simple” and “small TV” models are not at all like that. The device turned out, albeit concise, but with a very pleasant design for the eye. The frame around the perimeter is very thin, so it is almost invisible, and compact controls are conveniently located below.
But the main advantage of Toshiba is not so much the appearance as the functionality of the device. Here you can find all kinds of DVB tuners with full adaptation (T, C, S2), there is an excellent media player that can cope with almost any format. Additionally, it is possible to record everything that is happening on the screen to a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
Device Features
The Smart TV option is also available here, but judging by user reviews, the company is significantly behind its competitors in this regard: even the YouTube channel is not really integrated into the model’s options. The only thing that saves in this case is the Toshiba Places branded channel, where you can find quite a lot of sensible applications.
Although the backlight is made using Edge LED technology, it performs its functions very well: the brightness across the screen is very well distributed and it is almost impossible to see any sharp jumps with the naked eye. The picture looks detailed and clean, and the dynamic processing deserves all praise.
There is passive 3D, and of high quality, which makes it possible to spend more time behind the screen than that of competing counterparts. Separately, it is worth noting the presence of several pairs of 3D glasses of branded production, so there is no need to buy something to view 3D.
Buy or not
In terms of picture quality, the model is in no way inferior to the aforementioned device from LG, even the stereoscopic system is built on the same principle and is not much different from Toshiba. But as a consumer argument, we can note the presence of Internet opportunities, which LG does not have.
One of the weaknesses of the VL series is its interface. One gets the impression that it was designed, developed, and turned into life by completely different people, and speaking different languages. As a result, we get somewhere too oversimplified, and in some places too pretentious and complicated menu. At the same time, many important points, which, according to the forecasts of logic, should be nearby, for some reason are scattered around the screen. In the internal settings, there is the same mess of windows and strokes that you won’t be able to understand right the first time.
Pros:
- modern (for the old model) and nice design;
- LCD panel without glare;
- good quality 2D images;
- excellent reception of broadcast channels;
- the presence of adapted tuners;
- quality of "passive" 3D;
- Four pairs of branded 3D glasses included;
- good media player;
Minuses:
- a confusing menu, but for those who are used to the Philips and Samsung, it’s generally a dark forest;
- the ergonomics of the remote control and the position of the keys are poor;
- there is no built-in Wi-Fi;
- black colors look gray.