Simplifying TV setup

[Proto]

Another new house problem, simplifying our tv setup. AV is really not my thing, TV is an old (12 years?) Samsung 40”, non-WiFi Smart(ish).

Can’t get a signal over an aerial so I’ve had a Freesat dish installed which connects to the TV via a small Manhattan digital box thing. We have an Amazon Firestick plugged into an HDMI socket. The Firestick connects via WiFi to router. We also have DVD player connected via HDMI (never use it, might throw it away)

To watch TV, I have a remote for the TV, plus a remote for the Manhatten Freesat box. If I then want to watch something on Netflix I have to find the TV remote, change HDMI ‘source’, then use a Firestick remote to control channel/app selection.

Having three remotes is driving me nuts. Would a new TV get rid of two of them? Buy a New TV with Freesat built in, and with the Netflix* app on the TV itself? That gets rid of two remotes? Is that easy?

* we also watch All4, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime programmes/films via the Firestick. Does the Netflix app native to new TV’s offer Amazon Prime? I’m guessing new TV would have apps for iPlayer, All 4, etc built in, but Amazon Prime?

The next question will be how do you choose a TV .................

 

[Proto]

PS if I add a sound bar/soundbase via HDMI will it be controlled by the single TV remote controller or will I have another fecking remote?

 

[Milkfloat]

Why not just get a programmable remote and keep the current setup? You might even be able to save yourself the hassle if your FireTV has the newer remote with volume and power control as you can just program it to control the tv and any future soundbar.

 

[PaulSB]

I feel the answer to your question is yes. It should also improve your overall viewing experience while reducing remote rage!! 😄

This needn't cost a lot. We have a 42" LG HD smart TV. I think it was +/- £500 several years ago.

As an ex BT customer we use one of their boxes to record TV. Our viewing habits are very similar to yours and we could watch everything you describe via apps on the smart TV. As my wife likes to record some programmes - those with adverts so she can fast forward through them - we have to switch between the old BT box and the TV as the input source.

The only real difference in our set ups is we don't have a Firestick but do have a Chromecast stick. I find this very useful for YouTube as it allows one to look search through YouTube on your phone and then watch on TV. Searching YouTube on the TV is a bit of a PIA. Everything we have connects via WiFi to reduce cabling except the recording box which requires a cable.

Your sound bar will come with a remote but you will be able to set things so the TV remote will control sound. I would encourage you to research sound bars carefully - there are some very poor and some very expensive ones out there. I paid +/- £100 for an LG bar. Life is much simpler if the bar and TV are the same brand.

 

[figbat]

A smart TV with matched sound bar will do what you want. My LG has built-in Netflix and Amazon Prime buttons on the remote, plus an on-screen menu to get at all the other usual on-demand services. It also has a Freesat tuner. We have an LG soundbar which comes on and off with the TV and can be controlled from the TV remote. So, in summary, my TV setup would do exactly what you have asked for.