Over the past year, our ZDNet team of writers and editors has enjoyed sharing and discussing with you the tech that we use everyday, from phones to laptops. Now, with the holiday season upon us, the team is back again to shed light on the TVs that we use when off the clock. If you’re here to find out what the best TV on the market is, I can’t guarantee that you will get a definitive answer below – though ZDNet’s Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols claims his pick is the one to beat. Instead, read on to learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of our at-home TVs, and what we’re eyeing when the next buying cycle comes along. Next TV? Putting the two complaints aside, I will likely replace this TV with its current model – either in the same size or larger – if need be. Ed Bott: My household currently has the a 55-inch TCL Roku, which I am extremely happy with. We use Google Fiber and YouTube TV and the only real nuisance is that thanks to a Roku-Google spat, there’s no YT TV app; you have to open the Google app, go to the bottom of the sidebar, and open YouTube TV from there. On the bright side, the TV connects via HDMI-CEC to my Denon amp which really makes an impressive home theater. Next TV? We will probably move sometime next year from our apartment to a more permanent address and I will almost certainly get a new Samsung The Frame TV (75-inch, this time). If I purchased a new TV today, it would definitely be a LeEco (just kidding). I’d probably look at a Roku TV like TCL’s, in part for the audio integration and support of casting standards. Next TV? I’d like to upgrade next year. If money wasn’t a factor, I love the look of Samsung’s Infinity screen models. However, more realistically, I’d stick to a TV by Samsung and go up to a 65". Marc Wojno: I have the 65" Samsung QLED 4K. The quality is excellent for programs produced in 4K, such as streaming services, with gorgeous color and sharp detail. As you would expect, it does accentuate the limitations of programming not in 4K or HD. I’m impressed with the TV’s upscaling capabilities. My litmus test is its ability to play composite video. I’m happy to say it does this better than I expected (I can actually watch my laserdiscs without being distracted by the limitations of the analog image). One big issue I have is the slight delay of the dimming zones, especially with white titles on dark/black background. Such titles tend to fade in fast when they should be snapping up (think of the opening and closing titles in 2001: A Space Odyssey)…can’t stand that. Overall, I’m pleased with the TV (although I sometimes catch myself missing my Panasonic 1080 plasma). Next TV? As you would expect, I’m waiting for Samsung to improve its local dimming zone tech so that cuts are cuts, not fast fade-ins. Put that ahead of expanding to 8K. Also, upgrade the speakers and audio features on the TV so I don’t need to spend extra on a soundbar. Besides being great for 4K movies with HDR, I found the screen to also be great with sports and games. The video response time has to be seen to be believed. The TV also comes with outstanding 2.2 Channel front-facing speakers. To my surprise, the LG’s sound is excellent even without an external speaker. Next TV? I have no problems with this TV at all, but if I had to replace it, I’d get the 83-inch version. Also: Steven’s full review of the LG 77-inch OLED 4K TV Next TV? If I had to replace it today, I would likely go with a 4K Samsung model, with a 240hz motion rate. I’d prefer a “stupid TV” because I use Apple TV for all the app and streaming functions, but that doesn’t appear to be an easy option. Next TV? After using the projector, I’d never buy another TV again. Also: Eileen Brown’s XGIMI Aura full review
