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BillN36
Contributor ⭐
September 25, 2025

senior friendly television?

  • September 25, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 7575 views

Is there a television set that is friendly to seniors, i.e. does not have a complicated remote and initial screens that have all kinds of unnecessary icons?

    7 replies

    nctarheel
    nctarheel
    Community Champion ⭐
    September 25, 2025
    @BillN36 wrote:

    Is there a television set that is friendly to seniors, i.e. does not have a complicated remote and initial screens that have all kinds of unnecessary icons?

    Not any more, @BillN36.

     

    The new sets are smart sets, loaded with bull crap that seniors usually don't care about. They are set up for streaming, multiple sources, and all sorts of confusing other things.

     

    That is why I am nursing my 46" TV that cost me $1499 (was a good deal when I bought it because regular price was $2,000). I can replace it with a more glamorous model for about $400 now.

     

     

    GailL1
    GailL1
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    September 25, 2025

    @BillN36 - you aren’t giving the necessary info for a good answer -

    Can they use a remote control?

    Do they have only specific channels they watch”

    What amount can they pay each month that will not break the bank?

     

    For the best option if they can use a remote to change channels is ole subscription cable - HD or not -  but this will come with monthly charges of equipment and the pick of subscription plans.

     

    Then if one is within broadcasting areas and only a few channels will do, there is also the antenna route - still they have to work with the remote control for channel selection.  

     

    IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna
    nctarheel
    nctarheel
    Community Champion ⭐
    September 26, 2025
    @GailL1 wrote:

    @BillN36 - you aren’t giving the necessary info for a good answer -

    Can they use a remote control?

    Do they have only specific channels they watch”

    What amount can they pay each month that will not break the bank?

     

    For the best option if they can use a remote to change channels is ole subscription cable - HD or not -  but this will come with monthly charges of equipment and the pick of subscription plans.

     

    Then if one is within broadcasting areas and only a few channels will do, there is also the antenna route - still they have to work with the remote control for channel selection.  

     

    @GailL1,

     

    I think you are missing @BillN36's point. 

     

    He is not talking about the TV services available in his area, he is actually talking about the TV SETS THEMSELVES. The ones available now are, for the most part, SMART TV'S with multiple sources and for us older farts, it sometimes gets confusing to navigate with the remotes that come with these TV's. With Hulu, Paramount+, and YouTube plus this, that, and the other thing loaded on these sets, they are quite confusing.

    GailL1
    GailL1
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    September 26, 2025

    @nctarheel 

    Not missing the point if I am reading the OP’s post correctly - they want a simpler way for their elderly person to work their TV.

     

    You can use a smart TV to watch traditional channels without using the smart features or internet connection by using a cable box and the remote that comes with it and the cable package that meets their needs - you can choose not to get steaming at all.  
     
    OR if you live in an area where reception is superior - connect an antenna and get the over-the-air channels.  Where my mom use to live in an Assisted Living, she got about 10 channels - (3) broadcast and then a few others - mostly showing old time movies & series - which she loved. 
     
    You just need to know the correct input source on the TV to make either of these methods work .  When you disconnect the TV from internet service, the TV loses it “smarts” then it relies on what you have put in its place.
     
     
    IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna
    GailL1
    GailL1
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    September 26, 2025

    @BillN36 

    Do a search of NON-Smart TV’s - also called dumb TV’s - 

    From AI

    A non-smart TV, also called a "dumb TV," is a television that cannot connect to the internet to access streaming services or apps directly. These traditional televisions lack built-in Wi-Fi or Ethernet ports for network connectivity and typically do not come with pre-installed apps like Netflix or a web browser. To get smart features on a non-smart TV, you must connect an external device like a Roku,Amazon Fire Stick, or game console through an HDMI port. 
     
     

     

    IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna
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