Looking for a new 55" (maybe a little larger), but one of the key criteria is a simple and fast user interface. The new TV will replace a TCL 6-series which has a roku operating system. Its easy enough to use, but it is lagy and slow to navigate.

What TV brands have the best operating system?

Also, let me know if you see any screaming black friday deals!

LG uses WebOS, which I find to be pretty good. At least on an OLED. On the non-OLED TVs, navigation seems a little l****, but not awful.

I use an Apple TV along with Samsung's built-in environment in my Living Room on a Frame TV. One remote controls everything, and I'd estimate that we use the built-in Samsung stuff 60% - 70% of the time. Just because it's quicker.

On the Patio I use Samsung QLED with the built-in features. Environment is different from that on the Frame TV. It occasionally requires a reboot, but it gets the job done.

My daughter has TCL in her room with built-in Roku. It's fine, but I don't love the layout.

I use a Fire TV stick in the garage. Fire TV is by far the least reliable choice with the most lag.

In summary, a new Samsung or LG will probably be fine and serve you well for a few years. If you become unhappy with the performance, get an Apple TV.

I have a 2 year old Roku based TCL. It's plenty fast. It doesn't lag at all. I also have separate Rokus on other TVs. They are no better. Just make sure it is wired to the network if possible instead of WiFi. If you have to use WiFi, make sure that isn't the thing causing issues you are seeing as lagging.

I'm a big fan of the Samsung interface. Supports all major apps and also has Xbox game pass cloud gaming. I've always had issues with "plug ins."

#1 said:

---

I'm a big fan of the Samsung interface. Supports all major apps and also has Xbox game pass cloud gaming. I've always had issues with "plug ins."

---

I currently use the Samsung interface on our frame tv for convenience. But I'll say the Apple TV is better.

For example, the ESPN app on Apple TV allows you to pick up to 4 games, any games, you want to watch and split screen it. None of the other interfaces I've seen allow that with the ESPN app.

Less of a relevant advantage to TV interfaces, but it also supports more screen sizes. I have an ultrawide curved monitor for my office. If I plug in the Roku it just has black borders on the side to create a normal screen size. Apple TV will fill the whole screen and without distorting the picture. Especially nice when using the above of split screening multiple games.

One thing I really wish Samsung would let you do is program the shortcut buttons on the remote. I don't want Samsung TV Plus or whatever it's called. But let me program a shortcut to DirecTV Stream!

I am curious if anyone has experience with the Nvidia Shield?

From best to worst
Google/Android TV > Roku > AppleTV > Samsung Tizen > LG WebOS > Fire TV

htxag09 said:

---

I am curious if anyone has experience with the Nvidia Shield?

---

The Shield (Pro) is the best mainstream device out there, rivaled by Apple TV. So it really just depends on which ecosystem you prefer... Apple or Google.

I also like Roku if you want something that is no-nonsense and just works.

When I tried the Samsung OS on my newish tv, using apps literally froze my wifi system for the entire house. Id have to log out of the tv's wifi settings to get the internet to work again. Multiple times doing this and I got a firestick for it. And my LG OS doesnt have all the apps I use, making neither TV useable for daily watching on their own. I stand by my "built-in software on 'smart tvs' are garbage" assessment.

The local ones on a TV are OK, but not great. I got an Apple TV 4K a few years ago and it's still running as fast as the day I got it. On my 2nd Firestick on the TV in the formal due to it slowing way down a fetter awhile.

Like anything Apple, it's costly up front, but works great.

Samsung native OS has been great. My only gripe with them currently is no VictoryPlus app but that's just bias that isn't their fault.

Ill second the NVidia Shield. Supposedly there is a version 2 coming soon but nothing has been announced. I have three TCL Roku tvs and the Shield is much faster than the Roku.

I wouldn't bother buying a tv these days.

Instead, get a desktop computer and a large monitor and set it up to use primarily as a tv. You will still be able to use it for computing, too.

Have used all of them and AppleTV is the best. I need to get another one for our main living TV. Right now we are just using the Samsung interface which is ok. It's simpler to use than LG WebOS so it's better than LG in that regard, IMO.

Use to have Rokus but they were slow and l****. The one Firestick I had couldn't ever connect to our wifi so I threw it away.

Apple TV has been great since they upgraded the remote, but it's been 2 years since the current one was released. Rumor has it that a new one with upgraded hardware (of course) and AI features will come out in the spring, and maybe even a cheaper option to compete in the Roku/Firestick class.

rynning said:

---

Apple TV has been great since they upgraded the remote, but it's been 2 years since the current one was released. Rumor has it that a new one with upgraded hardware (of course) and AI features will come out in the spring, and maybe even a cheaper option to compete in the Roku/Firestick class.

---

The gen 1 AppleTV remote was trash. Another example where analog buttons are superior which they added to the gen 2 remote after realizing this unassailable fact.