I get where you’re coming from. I’ve tried the voice controls a few times—mostly out of curiosity—and honestly, it just feels clunky. Half the time, it misunderstands me or takes longer than just pressing a button. Maybe in a few years, when the tech gets smoother, it’ll be worth it. For now, I’d rather put that extra cash toward something more reliable, like better speakers or a sturdier wall mount. The “smart” features sound cool on paper, but in practice… not so much.
I hear you on the “cool on paper” thing.
I’ve tried using voice controls too and it just feels unnecessary, especially when I’m trying to watch something with people around—feels awkward talking at the TV. I’d rather spend that money on a soundbar or something that actually improves the experience. Has anyone found a smart feature that’s actually worth the extra cost?The “smart” features sound cool on paper, but in practice… not so much.
Totally get where you’re coming from. Here’s my take:
- Voice controls just feel clunky, especially when there’s a group—nobody wants to be the person talking at their TV.
- I’ve found the auto-dimming and ambient light sensors actually useful, especially in rooms with big windows. Not exactly “smart” in the flashy sense, but it does help.
- Spent extra on a smart remote once... ended up using the regular one anyway.
- If I’m spending more, it’s going toward better speakers or a bigger screen every time.
Honestly, most of these features seem like they’re just there for marketing. Maybe I’m missing something, but nothing’s really wowed me yet.
Awkward Talking To The TV? Yeah, Same Here
I totally get what you mean about voice controls. I tried using them once during a movie night with friends and it just felt... weird. Like, suddenly everyone’s watching you argue with the TV because it won’t recognize “pause.” The ambient light thing is actually one of the few features I’ve kept on—my living room gets a ton of sunlight in the afternoon and it saves me from fiddling with brightness all the time.
I’m with you on the remotes too. Bought a fancy one that promised to “simplify everything.” Ended up back with the old clicker after a week. Maybe these features will get better over time, but for now, bigger screen and better sound always win for me too.
BIGGER SCREEN, BETTER SOUND, LESS TALKING TO THE TV
I hear you on the “arguing with the TV” thing. Last time I tried voice controls, I ended up repeating “volume up” like a broken record while my partner just stared at me, half amused, half judging my life choices. Honestly, it felt like I was auditioning for a role in a sci-fi comedy.
But here’s a little trick I picked up for making the most of these “smart” features without feeling like you’re in a bad improv class:
Step 1: Set up the ambient light sensor and leave it alone. That’s one thing they actually got right—no more squinting at the screen during sunny afternoons.
Step 2: Hide the fancy remote in a drawer. Trust me, you’ll sleep better knowing it can’t confuse you anymore.
Step 3: Invest in a universal remote that just... works. No bells, no whistles, just good old-fashioned button pressing.
Step 4: If you must use voice controls, do it when nobody’s around. The TV listens better when it’s not under pressure (or maybe that’s just me).
At the end of the day, I’m with you—give me a massive screen and some killer speakers over “Hey TV, play my show” any day.
