4k Support in AV amp worth it?
Discussion
I'm starting to think about boosting my current (non existent) setup.
Primary focus is sorting out a surround system. The TV is old (well..5-6 years), but was bought with longevity in mind and is still performing admirably in its 1080p duties. However I would still like a newer, better set..but not for a few months yet.
My question is around 4k.
Is it worth bothering about *right now* if refreshing kit?
TVs over here don't seem to be doing much affordable with it. But there are budget sets appearing elsewhere like the Seiki ones in the USA. http://www.amazon.com/Seiki-Digital-SE50UY04-50-In... for example.
Similarly AV amps are starting to support 4K upscaling in the mid range offerings. I was really only going to go for a cheapo basic starter package, something like : http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/... which will be light years ahead of what I have now (tv speakers..) and support what I have currently with no problems.
I think 4k TV is probably some way off being affordable in the UK? So I'm probably less inclined to worry about that and just buy a new set now at 1080p.
In terms of amp my sensible hat suggests that 'saving' 2-300 quid now by not spending it on an amp that supports 4k this second and getting a budget alternative instead gives me that 2-300 quid to spend in, say, 5 years time when 4k might be more mainstream and you're likely to pick up an amp easily that supports it for that sort of money. So..get the cheap stuff now and enjoy it.
However, I'm not overly informed in where 4k is going or likely timeframes. So if anyone has any thoughts I'd be all ears (excuse the pun..ok..don't). All of this ignores the question of 4k source support but I'm coming at this purely from a future proofing perspective.
I wouldn't like to spend money now only for 4k to suddenly plummet in price and become mainstream next year.
Primary focus is sorting out a surround system. The TV is old (well..5-6 years), but was bought with longevity in mind and is still performing admirably in its 1080p duties. However I would still like a newer, better set..but not for a few months yet.
My question is around 4k.
Is it worth bothering about *right now* if refreshing kit?
TVs over here don't seem to be doing much affordable with it. But there are budget sets appearing elsewhere like the Seiki ones in the USA. http://www.amazon.com/Seiki-Digital-SE50UY04-50-In... for example.
Similarly AV amps are starting to support 4K upscaling in the mid range offerings. I was really only going to go for a cheapo basic starter package, something like : http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/... which will be light years ahead of what I have now (tv speakers..) and support what I have currently with no problems.
I think 4k TV is probably some way off being affordable in the UK? So I'm probably less inclined to worry about that and just buy a new set now at 1080p.
In terms of amp my sensible hat suggests that 'saving' 2-300 quid now by not spending it on an amp that supports 4k this second and getting a budget alternative instead gives me that 2-300 quid to spend in, say, 5 years time when 4k might be more mainstream and you're likely to pick up an amp easily that supports it for that sort of money. So..get the cheap stuff now and enjoy it.
However, I'm not overly informed in where 4k is going or likely timeframes. So if anyone has any thoughts I'd be all ears (excuse the pun..ok..don't). All of this ignores the question of 4k source support but I'm coming at this purely from a future proofing perspective.
I wouldn't like to spend money now only for 4k to suddenly plummet in price and become mainstream next year.
IMVHO upscaling in amps isn't generally that fantastic especially at the budget end (ie under £1,000). Certainly comparing upscaling of SD to 1080p with amps, players, displays and an external dedicated video processor (which was considerably better than the other options) confirmed this for me.
In any case the displays themselves will upscale (probably just as well as an amplifier would). You might want to consider if an amp has 4K passthrough, but even then players may well have dual HDMI outputs (like current Oppo players do) so you could connect the 4K HDMI direct to the TV and the other to the amp for sound.
Also, probably not a popular view, but IMHO 4k is only really of use for projectors, since most TVs are simply too small/viewed from too far away to benefit from 4k. I have a near 10' wide projector screen viewed from 12' and I'm only just in the range where I'll benefit from 4k.
In any case the displays themselves will upscale (probably just as well as an amplifier would). You might want to consider if an amp has 4K passthrough, but even then players may well have dual HDMI outputs (like current Oppo players do) so you could connect the 4K HDMI direct to the TV and the other to the amp for sound.
Also, probably not a popular view, but IMHO 4k is only really of use for projectors, since most TVs are simply too small/viewed from too far away to benefit from 4k. I have a near 10' wide projector screen viewed from 12' and I'm only just in the range where I'll benefit from 4k.
Did you read http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ?
No that's true - but presumably at that point the amp can also support 4k pass through. That was my assumption but as you've pointed out perhaps that would be down as a very separate thing - which I should check 
Then I have all bases covered - 4k upscale of non 4k sources and native 4k pass through for 4k sources (whatever they might be)
I just don't want to have to buy a new amp in a few years time is all. So either buy budget now and replace if / when 4k appears mainstream. Or spend the extra up front now to ensure whatever I buy will be good for longer. Ditto for TV.
All depends on 4k timescales.
Then I have all bases covered - 4k upscale of non 4k sources and native 4k pass through for 4k sources (whatever they might be)
I just don't want to have to buy a new amp in a few years time is all. So either buy budget now and replace if / when 4k appears mainstream. Or spend the extra up front now to ensure whatever I buy will be good for longer. Ditto for TV.
All depends on 4k timescales.
You'll get 4K upscale of non 4K sources by the display anyway, so you only need to worry about 4K pass through IMHO if you want to be 'future proof'.
However, there will be some other item(s) on the amp to tempt you to upgrade by then anyway: Now it's all online Spotify and the like, plus Audyssey XT32 room EQ. They'll come up with something else no doubt, but IMHO it's only 'badges' probably have worse amps in them than now.
I prefer to run behind the curve: I have an older Arcam AV9 processor that doesn't even do HD decoding, but it has very good quality analogue inputs, so I decode in my Oppo player. I don't even connect HDMI to the AV9, it goes to an external video processor (though it could just as easily go direct to the display(s)). I have a pretty decent set up, despite not being future proof it works really well. I could do 3D if I wanted (never bought the glasses and emitter for my projector).
I have to say I'm a bit of Luddite but I prefer quality over badges.I am finally considering a newer processor (Marantz AV8801 or similar) with Audyssey XT32 and front height speakers (already run 7.1 with surround backs), but I'm concerned that it won't be as good with music.
However, there will be some other item(s) on the amp to tempt you to upgrade by then anyway: Now it's all online Spotify and the like, plus Audyssey XT32 room EQ. They'll come up with something else no doubt, but IMHO it's only 'badges' probably have worse amps in them than now.
I prefer to run behind the curve: I have an older Arcam AV9 processor that doesn't even do HD decoding, but it has very good quality analogue inputs, so I decode in my Oppo player. I don't even connect HDMI to the AV9, it goes to an external video processor (though it could just as easily go direct to the display(s)). I have a pretty decent set up, despite not being future proof it works really well. I could do 3D if I wanted (never bought the glasses and emitter for my projector).
I have to say I'm a bit of Luddite but I prefer quality over badges.I am finally considering a newer processor (Marantz AV8801 or similar) with Audyssey XT32 and front height speakers (already run 7.1 with surround backs), but I'm concerned that it won't be as good with music.
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