Which TV works best with TiVo and cable?

You can go bigger for under $500 but that is up to you. I think you may have to shop around if all you want is a "dumb" tv. Most will have an user interface like Roku,Fire, Samsung and LG have their own variation of smart TV. I own a smart Samsung and prefer it to my TLC Roku tv. The Roku however gives you access to limitless apps. The Samsung and LG tvs have web browsers built right in. Bottom line...plug your Bolt or Roamio into an HDMI input on any new 4k tv and you will be quite happy. The apps on the Bolt will be 4k capable but in most cases the tv will provide a better 4k experience through an app built in to the tv. It's a lot to think about but it's also quite simple. I see you have a Roamio in which case the tv will upscale the 1080p from the Tivo to 4k. Good luck.

 

Any HDTV with HDMI will work. Once you program the remote to work with the TV and set the correct HDMI input you don't ever need to touch the TV or TV remote again for Tivo use.

 

Pretty much all new TVs are Smart, but you don't have to use the Smart features.

I started looking into 49" & 50" TVs a few weeks ago in case we needed to replace our gorgeous 50" Panasonic GT50 Plasma in the wife's Den, with her max budget being $400. I had narrowed it down to either a TCL or Vizio after reading up on all the various brands and models within her price range.

Here are links to rtings reviews and AVS Forum threads for the TCL and Vizio models:

Vizio E Series E50-F2 (50")
Vizio E Series 2018 Review ( E43-F1, E50-F2, E55-F1, E65-F0, E70-F3, E75-F1)

Vizio Unveils 2018 E-Series, M-Series and P-Series 4K HDR Smart TVs - AVS Forum | Home Theater Discussions And Reviews


TCL 5 Series 49S517 and 49S515 (49")
TCL 5 Series/S517 2018 Review (43S517, 49S517, 55S517, 65S517)

*Official* 2018 TCL-5 Series owners thread (No Price Talk) - AVS Forum | Home Theater Discussions And Reviews


TCL 4 Series 49S425 (49") TCL 4 Series/S425 2019 Review (43S425, 49S425, 50S425, 55S425, 65S425, 75S425)


Side-by-Side Comparison: TCL 5 Series/S517 2018 vs Vizio E Series 2018 Side-by-Side TV Comparison

As a point of reference, the best 49" TV on the market is the Sony XBR-49X900F but it's double your budget new, however it can be used as a reference point when looking into the lesser brands and models. I had narrowed my search down to either the TCL or Vizio UHD TV, but ended up buying a used 49X900F off Craigslist for under your max budget. The previous year Sony is the XBR-49X900E which is 98% as good as the F, and there were a few on Craigslist for around your budget (i have the 55" X900E in my man room and i love it).

Both my X900E and X900F look great with my Roamio Pro and Premiere with Spectrum Cable.

For comparison sakes, here's the Sony 49X900F Sony X900F Review (XBR49X900F, XBR55X900F, XBR65X900F, XBR75X900F, XBR85X900F)

 

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Solid Samsung fan here. But if I were you I would step up to the 55" unless space is an issue.

 

Yep, super helpful and timely. Thanks for those links @randywalters

 

If I were looking I'd go to consumer reports to get the skinny on reliability trends. 4k is popular, but I seriously doubt most folks can see 4k from their seating positions.

 

There were less expensive TV models that did not include a tuner, HDMI inputs only.

I don't know if they are still available.

 

The TV's streaming apps are probably going to be more numerous, up to date and feature rich than your Roamio's. For example, Tivo's Hulu app is years behind other platforms and doesn't even have profiles. Their Prime app constantly crashes. Their HBO GO app won't work with most provider logins. You can't run Kodi, DirecTV NOW, Sling TV, Youtube TV, PS Vue, the list goes on and on and on. Tivo is really only fit for DVR and live TV duty these days. If you only watch Netflix and Youtube, then you can get by with Tivo's app. Everything else is going to be a compromise.

As far as TV's go, I recently got this 55" Insignia on sale for $250. It was a steal as far as I'm concerned. Since it's Fire TV, I don't even need Tivo at all or any external streaming devices. It's fully integrated with my Recast OTA DVR and runs every streaming app imaginable. I also have a 39" just like it in my bedroom which I paid $130 for. Amazing how low TV prices are these days. I paid $3500 for my first HD TV a decade ago.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insign...h-hdr-fire-tv-edition/6245800.p?skuId=6245800

 

A 25" Sony Trinitron is the best tv for Tivo and cable

 

I would go with the TCL 6 series, which is $529 for the 55 inch. Excellent quality for the price (ranked best budget TV by rtings)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079N9HDNQ?tag=rtings-tv-pr11b-20&ie=UTF8

Review TCL 6 Series/R617 2018 Review (55R617, 65R617, 75R617)

Also, whatever you choose, you should use the TV's apps. They're likely to be better/more plentiful than the ones for the Roamio and they'll support 4K, unlike the Roamio's apps.

 

Speaking of old TVs, I once answered a similar question about what TVs were compatible with streaming services. I said any TV made after 1926. I was immediately corrected by a collector who pushed that date to 1941. It amazes me how many still watch old CRTs.

I loved watching my old 27" Trinitron 20 years ago, but I did not love moving it.

 

i dont know if you shop at best buy but they recently had a 65'' hisense 4k tv for $399.99! so you might wanna sign up for the deal of the day!

 

I like an Android TV so I can run Kodi as well as all the other Apps on The App Store.

-KP

 

The TCL 6 series is supposed to be the best tv under $1000 for 55". However you will be dealing with the Roku interface every time you turn on the TV .

 

Not true if the TCL 6 works like my Roku TCL TV (from whatever version was being sold three years ago). There is an option to set which input you want displayed on startup, so when I turn on my TV, it always shows my TiVo.

 

I was not aware...good to know. This tv was bought new exactly 1 year ago.

 

FYI, all new Samsung TVs and some select 2018 (of which my 55" is one) now get the new Apple TV app and are AirPlay 2 capable. Not a huge thing for me as I have an AppleTV device but its kind of nice to be able to quickly airplay something to the TV from my phone without having to fire up the AppleTV device/input. Also, not that I sit anywhere close enough to make a difference but with the Apple TV app on the TV, I can now natively stream 4K content as opposed to using my 1080p AppleTV and upconverting (which the Samsung does well anyways).

 

Not sure if you're still looking but this is a tremendous deal on a 55 inch Roku 6 series (refurbished at $420). Great quality TV with Dolby Vision, local dimming zones, built-in Roku,etc.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbis...38767863101580761121&affillinktype=10&veh=aff