40” UHD TV required for flight simulator

RayP · 19 Sep 2018 at 15:42

Hi all, first time here and the site was recommended for the knowledge of its users so I’m hoping you can help me out.

I’m seriously into flight simulation and fly Concorde using Lockheed-Martin’s Prepar3D. Currently using their 32-bit version but when a 64-bit Concorde is released next year I’ll be switching to v4 64-bit.

Current hardware is i7-4770K o/c to 4.4GHz, 16Gb RAM, Nvidia 1080 8Gb, Windows 7 and feeding a Sony 32” 1920*1080 TV.

Performance is fine but I want a bigger display and higher resolution for better immersion. The Samsung MU6400 40” TV has been recommended but is no longer available. Instead there is a 43” NU6400. That’s getting a little too large for the space available. Is there a 40” available that has the qualities of the MU6400?

Thanks.

Stu · 19 Sep 2018 at 16:52

I've got the MU6400 which is, as you say, very good... but discontinued. I don't have experience, but there appear to be decent prices advertised for the SAMSUNG UE40NU7120

RayP · 19 Sep 2018 at 17:01

Thanks Stu. For some odd reason that didn't show up on my search for 40" Samsung. Do you know if it supports 4:4:4 chroma which apparently makes all the difference for text in Windows.

I'm still running Windows 7. Might the scaling of that OS cause difficulty with viewing text? I still need to use the PC for basic housekeeping of course.

RayP · 19 Sep 2018 at 17:46

Just had this reply from Samsung Customer Chat Service... "Looking at the model, it does support Chroma 4:4:4, but you need to Turn on HDMI UHD color on Settings > External Device Manageer > HDMI UHD color."

That makes it my likely TV given the paucity of 40" UHD TVs.

RayP · 19 Sep 2018 at 17:49

The only other question I have relates to running Windows at less than the native resolution as I have Windows 7, not 10 with its superior scaling options. What's the picture like at 1920*1080 on a short-term thing until I get a new PC with Win10?

Stu · 19 Sep 2018 at 18:10

The user manual states the following:

The HDMI connection with HDMI UHD Color set to Off supports up to UHD 50P/60P 4:2:0 input signals, while the HDMI connection with HDMI UHD Color set to On supports up to UHD 50P/60P 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 input signals. For more information, refer to "Supported Resolutions for UHD Input Signals".

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/c...906101249984/ENG_KM2DVBEUN-2.0.3_180817.0.pdf

However, you will be limited to 8bit colour depth. You need to drop to YCbCr 4:2:2 for 10 and 12 bit; but I wouldn't call this a deal breaker (not sure if it really impacts you at all).

1920*1080 will look ugly on a 40" screen!!! Driving the desktop does not need much resource, so push up the resolution, and then drop it for games.

Another alternative is to have a 2 screen setup... use your current Sony for desktop work and game on the Samsung using the built-in Steam Link function, which works very well at 1080p (which suits your current PC).

RayP · 19 Sep 2018 at 19:01

8-bit won't be a problem. I believe the sim runs at that colour depth. Yes, I appreciate 1920*1080 is not going to look great. I'm now considering selling my 5 year-old PC (with the memory and graphics updated) and put the money towards an i7 8700 o/c to 4.9Ghz. Still debating whether to go for a 1080i or 2080 for UHD performance. Too early yet to judge if the 2080 will make a big impact on P3D over 1080i given the memory is the same.

Unfortunately space doesn't allow me to have more than one display. Can you confirm if Windows 10 will look clean enough at UHD from around 3ft away? From recommendations elsewhere it seems to be.