Is a 4K TV worth getting?
- Thread starter Blue2core
- Start date
Well there is very little 4K content and you probably won't be able to see the difference anyway
http://www.cnet.com/news/why-ultra-hd-4k-tvs-are-still-stupid/
http://www.cnet.com/news/why-ultra-hd-4k-tvs-are-still-stupid/
Just to be fair, read the update to that article.
http://www.cnet.com/news/4k-tvs-arent-stupid-anymore
4K is literally the same price as a 1080 used to be anyway, its not like you're going to be shelling out a ton of money for a 4K. You can probably get a 55 inch 4K for around 600 bucks now. As a matter of fact OLED technology is the next fancy thing, so 4K isn't even the most expensive or "best" option currently, so getting anything less than a 4K and you'll be like 3 tv generations behind.
1)Replace all your TV's with 4K
2)Get rid of cable / satellite
3)Start thread on Paddock about cord cutting
2)Get rid of cable / satellite
3)Start thread on Paddock about cord cutting
^^Definitely an overlooked factor. Too many people put 70inch TVs in medium sized living rooms. Take a look at the proper sizing for the size of the living room, or more precisely, how far you'll be sitting from the TV.
I got a 58" 4k TV back in February for $700. Paid less for it than the 5 yo 55" plasma set that it replaced.
CNET said you can put a 120" TV and set 90" away from it and that would not be too big so this argument is hogwash. I sit 12' from my 70" TV and I still want an 80". I have had in order a 50", 60", & now a 70" and always quickly desired the next biggest size up. I am sure if I had an 80" I would be looking at a 90".
I sit about 12-13 feet away from a 75 inch TV. At that size, and at that distance, I can tell a huge difference between 4K and 1080p. 720p compared to 4K looks like total dogshit.
If I had a 40 inch TV, at my seating distance, I doubt I could tell the difference between 4K and 720p.
If I had a 40 inch TV, at my seating distance, I doubt I could tell the difference between 4K and 720p.
Sitting on the sideline waiting for OLED to gain traction. The benefits of normal 4K just aren't worth switching right now.
THX guidelines call for a 126" TV with your setup.
I love THX guidelines. They have a great app to tune your TV btw, "THX Tune Up."
I'm curious - how did you make this determination? What was your methodology? Did you have the same source material in 4K and in 1080p (like a new 4K player that you can set to output 4K or 1080p on its HDMI output)?
Jesus 126 inches? I sit about that far away with a 44 incher and it seems fairly sufficient
I'm not sure if you're being a smart *** or not, but my methodology was my eyes. It is extremely easy to see the difference in my situation.
Not really trying to be a smartass (ok, maybe I am a little because I always am).
But I'm an engineer and I used to work on HD video systems (not the displays, but satellite & cable video systems), so I am curious. My question is because the method you use makes a HUGE difference in whether or not you can see a difference.
In other words, if you're comparing 1080p and 4K by watching, say, 1080p from a cable box, and then 4K from streaming a different show/movie entirely, then you're not only comparing 1080p to 4K; you're introducing multiple variables into the comparison (bit rate, compression, and other processing before transmission). The 4K picture quality might appear obviously better to you for reasons other than it being 4K vs. 1080p.
The only way to compare fairly and evenly is to use something like the example I gave above - a 4K player with a 4K movie, then change the HDMI output from 4K to 1080p and compare back and forth. (Even then, there's the possibility that the player is down-res'ing incorrectly, in which case even that type of comparison isn't legit, but I'm assuming the player would do it well.)
For a 40" TV (which is fairly small by today's standards), whether or not it's 4K won't matter much at all, assuming you don't sit 2 feet away from it!
Buy the TV based on other things - price, features, other metrics of picture quality. If you happen to choose a TV that is 4K, that's fine. But don't choose one because it's 4K. Choose based on other things.
This site has pretty good reviews of several models in the 40-43" range:
http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-size/40-42-43-inch/best
as others have stated, not too much difference between 4K & 1080P units price wise. just depends on what you are looking for
if you are a critical viewer, I would look at a better tv (Samsung or sony). if not the vizio would probably be fine. I have a 40" 4K in
the bedroom & really like it. buying a 4K unit also allows you to be ready when/if 4K broadcasting becomes available
Is a 1080p 4K 40 inch cheaper than 400 anyway? I mean what are we talking about here OP, like 50 bucks? Just go with the 4K at that price, there really are no negatives to it.
Not sure how others have fared with the Vizio's, but from my personal experience (2 different Vizio flat screens--40" & 36") they are not a reliable TV. For the slightly lower cost, they do not perform well IMO. Both of the bedroom flat screens I have had crapped out pretty much completely within the first couple years. With one, it started powering off intermittently from the get go.
I have antecdotally spoken to other friends and family members who have had similar issues. Will never buy a Vizio again. Have had the Emerson or Element flat screens hold up much better and they are cheaper.
Best bet IMO from my personal experience is one of these brands: Samsung, Sharp, Sony & LG. Have had great results in multiple flat screen sizes with these models.
Again all JMO.
Pretty hard to fit a 126" TV above most fireplaces, where TVs belong.
Well, I thought nothing could bring me down from the high off our annual company weenie roast and Reds outing, but, you sir, have made me livid.
Thanks, you home A/V blasphemist.
Thanks, you home A/V blasphemist.
4K is a necessary, but not dramatically improved, step towards the next big change in TV sets. No one is really going to notice a dramatic difference. However, the new technology that you should be taking a look at is HDR. This is a dramatic step forward, especially when it comes to depth and color. The biggest problem with HDR is that there are competing standards: Dolby Vision and HDR-10. Like with any format war, there is no clear cut winner. The one thing to know right now is that HDR-10 can be added later on through a software update, while Dolby cannot. So, if you want to future proof yourself then Vizio and LG appear to be the two companies that are providing the TV's with the clearest path of support for both standards.
The best TV on the market right now are the LG Oled Signature Lines with HDR. The difference is almost as substantial as when SDTV moved to HDTV. You will notice a major difference.
The best TV on the market right now are the LG Oled Signature Lines with HDR. The difference is almost as substantial as when SDTV moved to HDTV. You will notice a major difference.
Yeah I've been trying to keep up with this format war. I certainly don't want to be the first penguin in the water when it comes to HDR vs. Dolby Vision but regardless of the outcome it's a major advancement in home theater. That is until the next "big thing" comes along which probably won't be that long. I've spent a lot of money on "format war" equipment (especially on the audio side) and I've learned it's best to just wait it out.
I have a 55" LED 1080p TV and sit about 10' from it and find myself moving closer for things like gaming. I sit about 5' from it when I am playing first person shooters. Gives it a more lifelike feel when playing. Any closer then that and it makes me dizzy.
The longer I have a TV they start to seem to small. I might have to go up at least 10" when I make my next purchase. This TV is a Vizio and has given me no problems in about the 3 years I have had it. We run this TV for extremely long periods of time. Probably have it on for 12+ hours a day (probably more like 16 hours) with different working schedules and the kids using it as well.
I won't hesitate to buy another Vizio if the price is right. I don't know if I will worry about 4K though. I prefer getting more bang for the buck and 1080p is fine until they broadcast everything in 4K.
The longer I have a TV they start to seem to small. I might have to go up at least 10" when I make my next purchase. This TV is a Vizio and has given me no problems in about the 3 years I have had it. We run this TV for extremely long periods of time. Probably have it on for 12+ hours a day (probably more like 16 hours) with different working schedules and the kids using it as well.
I won't hesitate to buy another Vizio if the price is right. I don't know if I will worry about 4K though. I prefer getting more bang for the buck and 1080p is fine until they broadcast everything in 4K.
I have a 120" TV and I sit about 5-6 inches from it. My vision is starting to get blurry, do you think I am sitting too close?