Discussion
Wow, just wow!
I looked at a 65" curved Samsung in Currys today. The picture quality was astonishing. Even a 12" from the screen it was sharp.
I appreciate it was running a full 4K demo and that there is currently no 4k programs or DVD's available, but it's supposed to upscale from HD giving much better than normal HD. Is this true?
Also, the salesman said to obtain the upscaling a 4K HDMI lead would be required at a cost of £80 odd. Is this true or is it the usual crap about HDMI leads?
I quite liked the curved screen too. I didn't notice it was curved when watching from the front. Anyone got one, do you like it?
I looked at a 65" curved Samsung in Currys today. The picture quality was astonishing. Even a 12" from the screen it was sharp.
I appreciate it was running a full 4K demo and that there is currently no 4k programs or DVD's available, but it's supposed to upscale from HD giving much better than normal HD. Is this true?
Also, the salesman said to obtain the upscaling a 4K HDMI lead would be required at a cost of £80 odd. Is this true or is it the usual crap about HDMI leads?
I quite liked the curved screen too. I didn't notice it was curved when watching from the front. Anyone got one, do you like it?
The 4K screens are awesome but....
IMO it is still to early to commit to 4K - unless you have very deep pockets and won't be too concerned about upgrading in the very near future.
As it stands, the industry still hasn't chosen it's preferred format for 4K, so this is likely to change. If you want to go with 4K, you will be taking a slight gamble.
The HDMI lead will have to be a Cat 2 lead, so no, you don't need to spend a huge amount on a cable.
You are correct, there is no 4k content out at the moment... there are a few things on Netflix but the subscription is much higher and think of the bandwidth you will need to steam 4k successfully.
As for upscaling from blu ray etc..... personally I would wait out a long time before you see good upscaling from affordable products. Cast your mind back to when we were still on DVD and HD televisions came out, the initially upscale offerings were pretty sketchy imo and it cost (and still does) real money to scale to an appropriate level.
IMO it is still to early to commit to 4K - unless you have very deep pockets and won't be too concerned about upgrading in the very near future.
As it stands, the industry still hasn't chosen it's preferred format for 4K, so this is likely to change. If you want to go with 4K, you will be taking a slight gamble.
The HDMI lead will have to be a Cat 2 lead, so no, you don't need to spend a huge amount on a cable.
You are correct, there is no 4k content out at the moment... there are a few things on Netflix but the subscription is much higher and think of the bandwidth you will need to steam 4k successfully.
As for upscaling from blu ray etc..... personally I would wait out a long time before you see good upscaling from affordable products. Cast your mind back to when we were still on DVD and HD televisions came out, the initially upscale offerings were pretty sketchy imo and it cost (and still does) real money to scale to an appropriate level.
PurpleMoonlight said:
Wow, just wow!
I looked at a 65" curved Samsung in Currys today. The picture quality was astonishing. Even a 12" from the screen it was sharp.
I appreciate it was running a full 4K demo and that there is currently no 4k programs or DVD's available, but it's supposed to upscale from HD giving much better than normal HD. Is this true?
Also, the salesman said to obtain the upscaling a 4K HDMI lead would be required at a cost of £80 odd. Is this true or is it the usual crap about HDMI leads?
I quite liked the curved screen too. I didn't notice it was curved when watching from the front. Anyone got one, do you like it?
I have the 8500 model 65 inch - had it for a month:I looked at a 65" curved Samsung in Currys today. The picture quality was astonishing. Even a 12" from the screen it was sharp.
I appreciate it was running a full 4K demo and that there is currently no 4k programs or DVD's available, but it's supposed to upscale from HD giving much better than normal HD. Is this true?
Also, the salesman said to obtain the upscaling a 4K HDMI lead would be required at a cost of £80 odd. Is this true or is it the usual crap about HDMI leads?
I quite liked the curved screen too. I didn't notice it was curved when watching from the front. Anyone got one, do you like it?
Some myths dispelled:
1) I have it connected to a £50 Samsung blu-ray player with a £4 HDMI lead from Amazon. It upscales perfectly. From the Sky box too with the free lead they give with the box. You don't need an £80 lead - thats utter, utter rubbish.
2) You forget the curve. The Cineramadome in Hollywood is curved more. Imax screens can be curved too. We're just used to flat in the same way we were used to square TVs.. Is it better, yes. I wouldn't go back. The view from in front is awesome, and even when I sit to the side the view is perfectly usable.
3) You don't need new hardware when 4k comes out. It's got HDMI 2.0 ports. It's also got the breakout box, the bit that does the processing, and that's upgradable or even replaceable anyway.
4) 4K Upscaling. Of course, not the same as native 4K. But, it does make a noticeable difference. You don't need expensive stuff to do it either. I have a £50 blu-ray player.
The visual output absolutely wipes the floor with my older setup which is a £350 player through a £3000 AV amp and £6k plasma. Like no comparison.
5) 3D - we got the 3D version. The 3D is good on it, but, apart from The Hobbit, it won't get used again for films. The 2D blu--ray upscaling is so good, you get a sense of envelopment and depth which is more natural than using the glasses.
6) 4k content - you get a free drive with some films on now with it. Netflix - IIRC you need 12mb internet to stream their 4k streams. We've got 2mb so can't vouch for that.
7) Internal speakers - surprisingly great. Of course no pounding bass. Superb 3D effect and soundstage. Thought I was going to need a soundbar - but not.
Am I happy? Over the moon with it, really. In fact I almost cannot bear to watch the 63 inch Samsung plasma in what is my cinema room any more, it just looks awful in comparison.
Edited by JustinP1 on Wednesday 29th October 01:27
PurpleMoonlight said:
Many thanks Justin.
It was the 3D screen in the shop but I'm not interested in that and would buy the 2D one. It's a lot cheaper too.
Samsung have a £250 off next purchase offer at the moment, so I could by a sound bar with it I guess (assuming Samsung do one).
Yep, there's the 7 series 65 inch which is non 3D and the 8 series which is 3D.It was the 3D screen in the shop but I'm not interested in that and would buy the 2D one. It's a lot cheaper too.
Samsung have a £250 off next purchase offer at the moment, so I could by a sound bar with it I guess (assuming Samsung do one).
There are a few little extra features in the processing, the processing speed and things like perspective control etc. No biggies for everyday use. Not sure the 7 series has the external processing box either, that's worth checking.
To be honest, the only reason we went with the 8 series was that Pixmania were doing it cheaper than Currys did the 7 series. Including Quidco and other discounts it was something like £1200 cheaper than Currys.
When we looked Currys were doing a free Samsung speaker/wireless music player with it. It sounds like there's a deal on with Samsung and Currys for free stuff.
Assuming the 7 series sound is the same as the 8, it's superb for the limitations of fitting speakers in a TV - and I'm rather picky, I'm a sound engineer and in my cinema room there is literally tens of thousands of pounds of audio gear. I did look at sounders, but unless you go for a very high end one I can't see it bettering what's in the screen. The speakers seem to be bottom firing, and the surround effect is great. Not sure how that would be bettered by a front firing soundbar.
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