I pretty much stopped watching after the farce of Abu Dabhi 2021
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I would recommend Apple TV (new or second hand recent model) and Nord VPN. You can add apps eg BBC iPlayer, YouTube etc
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The smart option is to use your Apple TV with a decent monitor, and dump all this smart TV crap. The “smarts” are in the set top box., you don’t need multiple “smarts”. The monitor will have better definition than a TV and won’t keep pretending to be a set top box. I’ve this configuration in two locations, foolproof and excellent. Then in France in a moment of madness I replaced my ailing Bravia with a top of the range LG. An unmitigated disaster. It thinks it’s hub 
I may actually dump it because it pisses me off so much.
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Unless you are sitting at a desk a monitor is worthless to watch TV
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That’s rubbish, utter rubbish. I’m sitting here watching Death in Paradise (I know it’s rubbish too, but..) on a monitor in the living room.
Yeah, our TV in the living room is dumb, but the Android box I have plugged into it isn’t. As a TV, it does the job of displaying pictures very well. I much prefer just upgrading the Android box to have access to new features, rather than replacing the entire TV.
Exactly Gareth. It’s the difference between a component HiFi setup and an “all in one”. The “all in one” TV has a bunch of compromised stuff, but what is worse it’s got some shitty OS that just wants to sell you more services.
Sure if your TV OS isnt up to snuff but that isnt all Smart TVs
Often by monitoring users’ viewing habits…
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You have reminded me of a review I read a few years ago about the programme - and also, it’s gone past 100 episodes, “more episodes than Happy Valley, Sherlock, Luther, Cracker and Prime Suspect put together” (though not Vera). Dubbed ‘shepherd’s pie TV’.
Well, I’m glad we’ve at least put the smart TV screen vs monitor debate to bed 
All smart TVs are the same, and our LG would be up with the best, but is still shit. It is just an attempt by TV manufactures to remain relevant because they can’t make any money out of screens. A smart TV is an assembly of compromises topped off with some shitty software lU laughingly called an OS. LG, Samsung whatever specialise in offering loads of options, most of which don’t actually work or are buggy. It’s all about the sizzle, not the sausage 
As always, simplicity is best. The best configuration is a dumb high quality screen driven by an inexpensive HDMI hub which has best of breed devices attached to it. That way you can choose a Firestick and/or an Apple TV (no fecking duplication of apps with the “smart” TV) , a surperb IPT box like Formular, a superb satelite device like Manhatten, your DVD, and anything else you fancy. All without shitty TV software trying, and failing to manage everything and just getting in the way.
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Yes, my wife mentioned how popular is was. Unbeliebable.
What? I think your are 10 years behind the times
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Please expand 
I think my approach is miles ahead of those that buy the smart TV bullshit and then attach set top boxes that only duplicate functionality.
I’m just perusing some nice Dell monitors to replace the LG with. I can dump their shitty soundbar too and use an Apple Homepod, just like the one I’m listening to now.
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Sorry was in a bad mood afer being on the phone for almost 3 hours canceling my cable
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Oh I didn’t see it, and I wouldn’t have been offended anyway. It’s only a chat
You can turn all that crap off on LG TVs, at least you can with mine. When you do the install it comes up with a screen asking for permissions for all sorts of things. You just make sure none of them are ticked and press the ‘Ill do it later’ option. There are a few other settings to turn off and then you get zero ads or offers and no tracking.
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If one is using a set top box anyway, is the answer just don’t connect the TV to the internet and then it’s just a dumb monitor? Or do they nag you to connect?
Mine is 2020 so not the latest and greatest and I just didn’t connect it.
Mine doesn’t nag. I didn’t connect it for the first day (bought a month ago) to make sure everything was turned off and any apps I didn’t need were uninstalled.
Here followeth my thoughts on a computer monitor versus a TV.
They are different beasts designed for different tasks, and while each can do the job of the other, they have differences in specification that may make one preferable to the other.
Screen size
If you are OK with a small screen (say 43" or less) then a computer display can work. But computer monitors bigger than that will generally be more expensive than a similar sized TV. The reason is…
Resolution
Computer monitors are designed to be used at a short viewing distance so typically have a higher resolution and/or a tighter pixel pitch than a similar sized TV. Great for desktop use, but redundant for viewing from across a living room. Viewing TV material on a monitor will often involve resampling the signal to fit the monitor’s display resolution, which is likely to be a different standard e.g QHD, 2560 x 1440 pixels. It can work but is not ideal. A modern TV will be either HD (1920 x 1080) or more likely 4K (3840 x 2160) and so match broadcast material or video from disks.
Colour specs
Computer monitors are designed for displaying software screens, not movies. They are generally set to the sRGB colour space which is appropriate for that (or maybe Adobe RGB for posh graphics monitors), not the Rec.709 TV standard, or the newer Rec.2020 or Rec.2100 standards now coming into use. A graphics monitor may support Rec.709 (my BenQ SW2700 does) but at a cost premium.
Also, a computer monitor is unlikely to support HDR (though some now do) but again, a big one with HDR support will be pricey.
TV sets of 4K standard will be set to Rec.709 or similar and support HDR / Dolby Vision etc.
A computer monitor may look OK but a high quality TV set will display movies more accurately.
Connectivity
TV sets typically come with multiple HDMI inputs, monitors don’t.
Sound
While the sound from most TV speakers is sub-par, it’s at least usable. Speakers in computer monitors are really crap. 
Yes in both cases you can (and probably should) add external speakers, but it may be a consideration for some people who want a TV for a bedroom for example.
So to sum up - if you only need a small display, and it’s to be dual-purpose i.e. you want to plug a computer into it, a monitor can be a good choice.
But for everybody else who just wants something to watch Netflix or Blurays with in the living room, a normal TV will be more suitable and more cost-effective, even if you do ignore all the “smart” add-ons.
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