New TV 4k yes or no
Author
Discussion

taxboy

Original Poster:

270 posts

222 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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We're looking to upgrade our old 32in 720 Panasonic. Max screen size 49 or 50.

The question is do I go 4k or try and find a decent HD model (although I'm not certain that will be that easy). Main viewing will be freeview plus BT sport so good handling of motion is essential. Will also be upgrading with a new Bluray player for existing dvd collection and new blurays

I've viewed some 4k models and the best I thought was the Samsung ks7000. I nearly pulled the credit card out when I was offered one for £850 including a free Samsung UHD player. However what stopped me was that I didn't feel wowed enough to splash out that sort of money for primarily a larger screen.

So have I got this wrong and am missing the point

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

248 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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belleair302

6,996 posts

231 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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The question is what 4K content will you be watching and is there enough content to keep you hooked during 2017/18? Although the picture quality is good, the content available in the UK isnt there and wont be for some time. Sure movies look impressive, but so does Blu ray on a decent screen with a decent blu ray player.

I would wait a little longer, and think about viewing habits and accessories more than just a screen. Do you subscribe to Sky, NetFlicks, BT Sport, and what do you watch usually? Also how about sound and accessories beyond the screen?

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

278 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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Love watching downloaded 4k content or netflix 4k Dolby vision.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

308 months

Thursday 2nd March 2017
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My real world experiences.
On BT sport here and 4K is great. I believe the bandwidth is pegged at 22mb or thereabouts so a good min speed required. Don't really watch the footy but the rugby is great. More sport is starting to get covered, darts the other day??

I looked at the HD and UHD version of my TV side by side and it was hard to tell them apart on an aerial HD feed. That was 1080i. The UHD set upscaling the aerial is very good (the formats are quite suitable for this).

Bluray player for 4k, the cheapest is usually the Samsung, look out for deals. I thought I was going to get an average player but it is good, remote is naff though (read it works but it is not what I would call functional).

It (samsung 4k bluray player) will play all the usual UK formats and bluray 1080p is upscaled superbly. 1080i is good, My set does 3D and that is amazing.

4K is superb on the player, however the source will need to be looked at. I thought the Martian was amazing but the HDR was what blew me away as the first 4k (sort of). http://realorfake4k.com

HDR on the set and player are good, the Samsung recently updated the Netflix app for more HDR. Not really checked it out yet.



4k on Netflix is also pegged at a bit rate I was reading somewhere? Either way the results are quite good.

However, size is deceptive, can you not get a 55 at least? It is surprising what you can get away with, there is next to sod all edge on my TV.

4K, the viewing distances are different to HD but I wish I had gone for the 65. I got the tape measure out started to measures distances then though sod it after seeing the TV on display. I want it. sod the tape measure (8ft away as it happens.

The only real final test, before you buy, is are YOU happy with it and will you use the 4k. I saw 4k in a demo and decided that was it, I would be an early adopter and accept picking might be a bit slim. However, watched Independence Day Resurgence, pic quality was great. Film is a dud. Oh boy is it a dud........ wink

Starting to get a collection going here.

taxboy

Original Poster:

270 posts

222 months

Thursday 2nd March 2017
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Have you seen this thread........??

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thanks for that. Didn't see it on my original search

taxboy

Original Poster:

270 posts

222 months

Thursday 2nd March 2017
quotequote all
jmorgan said:
My real world experiences.
On BT sport here and 4K is great. I believe the bandwidth is pegged at 22mb or thereabouts so a good min speed required. Don't really watch the footy but the rugby is great. More sport is starting to get covered, darts the other day??

I looked at the HD and UHD version of my TV side by side and it was hard to tell them apart on an aerial HD feed. That was 1080i. The UHD set upscaling the aerial is very good (the formats are quite suitable for this).

Bluray player for 4k, the cheapest is usually the Samsung, look out for deals. I thought I was going to get an average player but it is good, remote is naff though (read it works but it is not what I would call functional).

It (samsung 4k bluray player) will play all the usual UK formats and bluray 1080p is upscaled superbly. 1080i is good, My set does 3D and that is amazing.

4K is superb on the player, however the source will need to be looked at. I thought the Martian was amazing but the HDR was what blew me away as the first 4k (sort of). http://realorfake4k.com

HDR on the set and player are good, the Samsung recently updated the Netflix app for more HDR. Not really checked it out yet.



4k on Netflix is also pegged at a bit rate I was reading somewhere? Either way the results are quite good.

However, size is deceptive, can you not get a 55 at least? It is surprising what you can get away with, there is next to sod all edge on my TV.

4K, the viewing distances are different to HD but I wish I had gone for the 65. I got the tape measure out started to measures distances then though sod it after seeing the TV on display. I want it. sod the tape measure (8ft away as it happens.

The only real final test, before you buy, is are YOU happy with it and will you use the 4k. I saw 4k in a demo and decided that was it, I would be an early adopter and accept picking might be a bit slim. However, watched Independence Day Resurgence, pic quality was great. Film is a dud. Oh boy is it a dud........ wink

Starting to get a collection going here.
Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Its much appreciated taking the time to fully share your opinion. Unfortunately can't fit a 55...I've measured several times and it won't go.

I'm not normally an early adopter of tech but given the currency situation at the moment and possible reductions as the new models are released I thought it might be now or not for some time.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

308 months

Thursday 2nd March 2017
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Forgot to add. Can't help with the size and selection but mine will show SD as obviously SD, so I do not watch SD anymore, that include my stack of DVD, oh well.

If not much 4k is going to be chased then maybe no a choice for now?

The one person that can decide is yourself, make sure you look at many. Go to different shops, they will have store settings etc. However, if you see a good un at the shop, it can probably be bettered at home.

Frybywire

490 posts

220 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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HDR is an effect, and is definitely not 'realistic'.

taxboy

Original Poster:

270 posts

222 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
belleair302 said:
The question is what 4K content will you be watching and is there enough content to keep you hooked during 2017/18? Although the picture quality is good, the content available in the UK isnt there and wont be for some time. Sure movies look impressive, but so does Blu ray on a decent screen with a decent blu rays player.

I would wait a little longer, and think about viewing habits and accessories more than just a screen. Do you subscribe to Sky, NetFlicks, BT Sport, and what do you watch usually? Also how about sound and accessories beyond the screen?
I think you make some valid points but having done a little more research I think if I want to change the TV I have to accept that it will be 4k because that's what the manufacturers supply even if there is little source material about. I'd be happy to have a great quality 1080 TV in 49 or 50 inches but they don't appear to be made at the current time, although happy to be corrected on this

legzr1

3,885 posts

163 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
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taxboy said:
I think you make some valid points but having done a little more research I think if I want to change the TV I have to accept that it will be 4k because that's what the manufacturers supply even if there is little source material about. I'd be happy to have a great quality 1080 TV in 49 or 50 inches but they don't appear to be made at the current time, although happy to be corrected on this
Head over to AVforums classified section and take a look at a used 1080 Oled TV.

Some came with transferable 5 year warranties so a late model could be had for well under a grand with 3 or 4 years warranty left.

Keep that until 4K becomes mainstream (if it ever does).

taxboy

Original Poster:

270 posts

222 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
legzr1 said:
Head over to AVforums classified section and take a look at a used 1080 Oled TV.

Some came with transferable 5 year warranties so a late model could be had for well under a grand with 3 or 4 years warranty left.

Keep that until 4K becomes mainstream (if it ever does).
The only thing is that I've got £300 of John Lewis vouchers that I was hoping to use

legzr1

3,885 posts

163 months

Friday 3rd March 2017
quotequote all
taxboy said:
The only thing is that I've got £300 of John Lewis vouchers that I was hoping to use
Which would get you a nice 4K player or sound bar wink