My Samsung dumb TV is still going strong after about 10 years but the slightly newer “smart” TV is already looking dodgy and I hate the software on it.

I just buy the cheapest piece of garbage possible and expect to replace it every couple of years. I hate the implications for the environment, but in many product categories it is a fools errand to try to buy quality.

I bought an LG in 2014 and it lasted ~10 years before the backlight died. I bought a new LG that has a bunch of smart features but I’ve never connected it to the Internet, and it’s largely stayed out of my way and not been annoying.

So I guess LG has been good for me.

Unfortunately, I think we’re trapped in planned obsolescence. I’ve been taking the approach of looking at cost as a primary driver.

The difference between a crappy 4K tv and a quality 4K tv is hard for me to distinguish in most cases. Especially, if they’re not side by side.

Let’s say I set my max price at $550.

You can find a cheap brand Onn or TCL in a 70” range size. If you go smaller you’ll likely find “better” brands.

I don’t think there’s much that makes one brand better than others. 5-7 years is probably max life of anything you’ll buy today. Unless you’re willing to open it up and start trying to find the bad capacitors and re solder to the board.

Rule #1. The tv never connects to internet Rule #2. Rule #1 never gets broken Rule #3. Use another device to play signal (fire stick, Apple TV, cable box, Xbox, PlayStation, pc, etc) Rule #4. Use a sound system not the tv speakers. Go big with surround systems or don’t. Anything is better than tv speakers. I’ve used a 2.1 setup for decades. A soundbar with sub is simple to setup and use.

I’ve heard Roku is one to potential avoid now as I’ve heard they may require Internet connection on setup of some new tvs.

A good tv has an acceptable picture, size, and plays a video source.

Panasonic. Bought current Panasonic TV a few years ago based on the strength of our previous one. Brilliant picture quality on both. Never connected to the interpipes

As a few others have said -> LG Oled. I have a CX 65’ for 5 years now, best TV I ever had. Bought a C4 42’ for PC monitor, best monitor I ever had.

Have you considered trying to repair it? Darkened screen sounds like failed LED lighting strips and those can be replaced. Watch a few videos on the subject to get an idea of what you are getting into. I did it on a vizio TV and it took me about an hour all told.

Just don’t buy OLED and it won’t darken, if you buy OLED get ready to replace the extensive TV every 5 years no matter what brand you buy.

As for removing bloatware I have no idea since my TV is from around 2010 and I only use it connected to the computer, but you can always just get a raspberry pi and install kodi on it and use the TV as a normal dumb TV. It’s also good for your privacy.

There will be so much “Ying and Yang” to this discussion that the answer will be … all of them…

LG has been great but protip - don’t use the built in “smart” features as they seem to get outdated faster than the panel. Get an external device such as an Nvidia Shield, Google TV, Apple TV.

Panasonic dumb plasma is going on 14 years. We’re hopeful we can get about 6-10 out of it.

None, go by a decent monitor as big as you can and use that instead, or a decent LED projector if you’re so inclined (going that way myself, since my lamp projector ate the last bulb I bought). Actual TVs are trash and just awful to use.

No idea, but my 15 year old Sony seems to be hanging on just fine.

We have a Philips 43pfs5525.

No smarts, just a chromecast plugged in and working like a charm.

Philips. I’ve had my last one for 15 years before it died and the picture still had better colors than my sister’s new ultra thin LG. Can’t say much about their newer models as I haven’t bought a new one yet, but I also use Philips monitors on my PC and I’m very happy with them.