Curved or Flat 4K TV
Discussion
After 8 years using an Sony KDL-37P3020 HD-Ready TV, I'm starting to think that upgrading is not unreasonable. Due to space constraints the current trend for 49-65" TV's is just not feasible in the room we have (16' x 12') and I need something no wider than 965mm to fit in the gap. Looking around it seems Samsung's TVs have the best reviews currently, though they don't seem to make a flat TV small enough in their high-end 2016 range.
For those that have bought one, what drove you to pick a curved screen and what do you think of it now you're living with it? If you haven't got one, what made you decide to stay flat?
I'm currently considering these two models-
Samsumg UE43KS7500 43" Curved TV
Samsung UE40KU6000 40" Flat TV
Other models suggested to me have been the LG 43UH750V and the Panasonic 40DX700B but the LG is a little wide for the gap and the Panasonic hasn't got a great review at the AV forums for SD/Broadcast content display.
Typical sources will be a Kodi Box over HDMI, storing SD format content that would need to upscale, broadcast TV and a PS3 acting as a Bluray player. We don't currently subscribe to Amazon Prime or Netflix.
Half of me says I don't buy a TV often so buy the best I can buy now, the other half of me says that since most of my content is SD, we don't have imminent plans to go Netflix/Prime then a standard HD screen might be a better value option. What do people think?
For those that have bought one, what drove you to pick a curved screen and what do you think of it now you're living with it? If you haven't got one, what made you decide to stay flat?
I'm currently considering these two models-
Samsumg UE43KS7500 43" Curved TV
Samsung UE40KU6000 40" Flat TV
Other models suggested to me have been the LG 43UH750V and the Panasonic 40DX700B but the LG is a little wide for the gap and the Panasonic hasn't got a great review at the AV forums for SD/Broadcast content display.
Typical sources will be a Kodi Box over HDMI, storing SD format content that would need to upscale, broadcast TV and a PS3 acting as a Bluray player. We don't currently subscribe to Amazon Prime or Netflix.
Half of me says I don't buy a TV often so buy the best I can buy now, the other half of me says that since most of my content is SD, we don't have imminent plans to go Netflix/Prime then a standard HD screen might be a better value option. What do people think?
I brought the Samsung JS9000 curved 4K TV. Its picture quality is excellent, and it upscales very well indeed. It does, however, suffer from reflections if you're not sitting in front of it. We have vertical blinds in the room and from an angle during daylight hours, the reflections can ruin the viewing experience. Not such a problem as we close the curtains if we're watching a movie in the afternoon.... just something to bear in mind.
Other than that, I've been very happy with it.
Other than that, I've been very happy with it.
Flip Martian said:
If you're not going to use 4k definition, why go to that expense? If it ever takes off it seems like it will be a few years yet before 4K is as available as HD transmissions are now.
If you only want a smaller screen, and only view mainly SD, I would just go with a decent HD screen.
Agree, Euro's or Olympics are not even going to be in 4k in the UK so why bother.If you only want a smaller screen, and only view mainly SD, I would just go with a decent HD screen.
I brought my screen flat (actually had to special order it in the end...don't ask) because it's just what I prefer, especially since I'm not always sat straight in front of it but even if I were I think I'd always be looking for distortions, even if none were there. I think flat seems more natural but get what you like, curved screens do look cool.
I agree about the 4k thing, probably not worth it on a screen that size. However all the higher end, higher spec TV's will be 4K so if you want the best picture quality you probably have no choice. HDR is worth looking out for.
I agree about the 4k thing, probably not worth it on a screen that size. However all the higher end, higher spec TV's will be 4K so if you want the best picture quality you probably have no choice. HDR is worth looking out for.
Edited by varsas on Monday 6th June 13:17
I've got a curvy 4k Samsung.
I'm fairly immune to TV industry bulls
t that gets pumped out annually but after much research determined that on anything less than a giant screen or at very close viewing distances curved is purely an aesthetic choice with no discernible advantages.
I like how they look in a corner set up. However I dislike how they look against a flat wall.
We have ours in the corner of the room and I think it has a softer aesthetic than a traditional flat screen.
I'm fairly immune to TV industry bulls
t that gets pumped out annually but after much research determined that on anything less than a giant screen or at very close viewing distances curved is purely an aesthetic choice with no discernible advantages.I like how they look in a corner set up. However I dislike how they look against a flat wall.
We have ours in the corner of the room and I think it has a softer aesthetic than a traditional flat screen.
Sorry I really really don't get curved screens. Unless everyone in the room is going to be squashed together on the couch in the ideal viewing position, how do they work? Even if this isn't an issue they look odd sticking out of the wall with no practical benefit I can see.
What is the curve actually supposed to do anyway? My eyes are perfectly capable of focusing on the bits of the screen I am interested in without having to have the screen curved towards me.
They may, just about may be OK in a corner setup but anywhere else they look ridiculous. A friend spent £2.5k on a curved TV and mounted it over his fireplace. He was so proud to show it off until both me and another mate said it looks ridiculous sticking out like that plus the edges go past the edge of his chimney so it's too big, you'd never dream of mounting a flat screen that way but apparently it's ok for a curved screen. Much piss taking ensued
What is the curve actually supposed to do anyway? My eyes are perfectly capable of focusing on the bits of the screen I am interested in without having to have the screen curved towards me.
They may, just about may be OK in a corner setup but anywhere else they look ridiculous. A friend spent £2.5k on a curved TV and mounted it over his fireplace. He was so proud to show it off until both me and another mate said it looks ridiculous sticking out like that plus the edges go past the edge of his chimney so it's too big, you'd never dream of mounting a flat screen that way but apparently it's ok for a curved screen. Much piss taking ensued
Guvernator said:
Sorry I really really don't get curved screens. Unless everyone in the room is going to be squashed together on the couch in the ideal viewing position, how do they work? Even if this isn't an issue they look odd sticking out of the wall with no practical benefit I can see.
What is the curve actually supposed to do anyway? My eyes are perfectly capable of focusing on the bits of the screen I am interested in without having to have the screen curved towards me.
They may, just about may be OK in a corner setup but anywhere else they look ridiculous. A friend spent £2.5k on a curved TV and mounted it over his fireplace. He was so proud to show it off until both me and another mate said it looks ridiculous sticking out like that plus the edges go past the edge of his chimney so it's too big, you'd never dream of mounting a flat screen that way but apparently it's ok for a curved screen. Much piss taking ensued
The 'idea' behind the tech is sound.What is the curve actually supposed to do anyway? My eyes are perfectly capable of focusing on the bits of the screen I am interested in without having to have the screen curved towards me.
They may, just about may be OK in a corner setup but anywhere else they look ridiculous. A friend spent £2.5k on a curved TV and mounted it over his fireplace. He was so proud to show it off until both me and another mate said it looks ridiculous sticking out like that plus the edges go past the edge of his chimney so it's too big, you'd never dream of mounting a flat screen that way but apparently it's ok for a curved screen. Much piss taking ensued
Basically your eye ball is round yes? And your vision is more blurry towards the edges of you viewable field right? So, by attempting to bring those edges into focus the curve should improve clarity.
Fine.
BUT, this only works where your field of vision is almost entirely filled by the screen. People don't tend to so sit that close or have screens so big that they can see nothing else but the image and so it becomes a bit of a gimmick in the real world.
I still bought one because I like how they appear in certain rooms and the panel I wanted only came curved but no point pretending it's some kind of revolution.
For a while some manufacturers - e.g. Samsung - seemed to be holding back their newest & best stuff for their curved screens. Samsung's "One Connect" box springs to mind, if I recall correctly only the curved version had it.. or something like that. Think they're wising up to the fact that curved is a bit of a pointless gimmick now though.
Whilst I was shopping for a new tv last Christmas, I had the opportunity to see a flat and curved screen from the same manufacturer and the same size, showing the same film. They were both wall mounted, one above the other and I was stood about 10 feet away.
To my eyes the curved screen seemed to offer a more immersive viewing experience, so I ended up buying one and its the best tv I've had so far.
To my eyes the curved screen seemed to offer a more immersive viewing experience, so I ended up buying one and its the best tv I've had so far.
Ok, I have installed quite a few of these over the past year or so and I have seen a lot of different mounting positions.
My Take.
Firstly on smaller screen sizes, unless you're sat really close, it doesn't give any benefit at all, it actually seems to reduces view angle and persception of screen size.
IMHO Curved works well on larger screens 65" and we have installed a few up to 78", we have an 88" to do next month. But again only really when sat on furniture or on the wall, but close to furniture (AV cabinets etc) to help hid the curved rdges that stick out.
Now, the flip. All curved screens work really really well inside cabinets. Having something built around the screen and then mounting it on a bracket that allows you to have the outer sides flush with the furniture and the screen dips back into the opening a little through the curve is a stunning look and it works for all sizes.
And, Curved screens in the corners of rooms, on pull out, swivel brackets work really well to. When pulled out, the curved side nearest the wall gives a far more subtle interface with the wall than a flat screen could ever do. We have a site with a pair of 43" screens, curved in one bedroom and a flat in the other and the curved is far better looking as an install.
Yes it is a bit of a gimmick, but aestheticly I think they can look stunning in the right situaion.
HTH
V.
My Take.
Firstly on smaller screen sizes, unless you're sat really close, it doesn't give any benefit at all, it actually seems to reduces view angle and persception of screen size.
IMHO Curved works well on larger screens 65" and we have installed a few up to 78", we have an 88" to do next month. But again only really when sat on furniture or on the wall, but close to furniture (AV cabinets etc) to help hid the curved rdges that stick out.
Now, the flip. All curved screens work really really well inside cabinets. Having something built around the screen and then mounting it on a bracket that allows you to have the outer sides flush with the furniture and the screen dips back into the opening a little through the curve is a stunning look and it works for all sizes.
And, Curved screens in the corners of rooms, on pull out, swivel brackets work really well to. When pulled out, the curved side nearest the wall gives a far more subtle interface with the wall than a flat screen could ever do. We have a site with a pair of 43" screens, curved in one bedroom and a flat in the other and the curved is far better looking as an install.
Yes it is a bit of a gimmick, but aestheticly I think they can look stunning in the right situaion.
HTH
V.
We have one of the world's leading calibration companies - Light Illusion - and both sell the kit for calibration, as well as perform a lot of calibration for the Film and TV industry, as well as Home Cinema.
Curves screens are a real gimmick.
The biggest issue is the reflections seem to 'float' in front of the screen, and have parallax issues due to this, so are very off-putting.
Far better to stick with flat screens, unless you just like the aesthetics...
Oh, and any 4K display you purchase today will probably not work in a year's time.
The UHD/HDR standard is in total flux, and there are is guarantee that today's 4K UHD/HDR format will be the one that survives through to the end!
Curves screens are a real gimmick.
The biggest issue is the reflections seem to 'float' in front of the screen, and have parallax issues due to this, so are very off-putting.
Far better to stick with flat screens, unless you just like the aesthetics...
Oh, and any 4K display you purchase today will probably not work in a year's time.
The UHD/HDR standard is in total flux, and there are is guarantee that today's 4K UHD/HDR format will be the one that survives through to the end!
And we have the worlds fickle customers. They buy them, they sell them.
Not sure about people getting them calibrated past the serious viewers. Many people would not notice an artefact if it bit them in the cornea.
Curved screens have a use past the living room and I expect inovation will push the boundaries. Roll up screen perhaps?
At the moment, standards may change but I suspect today's set will still do next years UHD. HDR seems to be the one that is up I. The air at the moment.
Must admit that I saw no issues on the OLED display or the Samsung at John Lewis or richer sounds when I was looking at them and o was looking for issues.
Not sure about people getting them calibrated past the serious viewers. Many people would not notice an artefact if it bit them in the cornea.
Curved screens have a use past the living room and I expect inovation will push the boundaries. Roll up screen perhaps?
At the moment, standards may change but I suspect today's set will still do next years UHD. HDR seems to be the one that is up I. The air at the moment.
Must admit that I saw no issues on the OLED display or the Samsung at John Lewis or richer sounds when I was looking at them and o was looking for issues.
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