New TV time - 4k worth it?

BaZ87

BaZ87

BaZ87

Don
Joined
9 Jun 2004
Posts
47,395
My TV's on its last legs so I've started looking for something new. There's no set budget, if it's worth paying the extra, with in reason, I'll pay it. The only set requirement is I want it 50inch+. It's just going to be used for general tv and football, no games and almost no movies.

What's everyone's views on 4k and curved screens? I understand there's little to no 4k content (at least what I'll watch) around but obviously if I buy something now I'm going to want to keep it for a few years by which time I assume there will be more content, including football. And are curved screens worth it or just a gimmick?

Any recommendations will be appreciated.
 
I was looking at 4k recently and I thought that even though the price has come down, will I be using it to full potential. Although I am not sure what is available in 4k at the moment.

Have you looked at OLED?
 
I think at this price point you have a couple of options:
Samsung JS8500 - I read sometime ago with cashbacks+price match etc you can get it around 1600-1700£
Samsung JS9000 - price with cashbacks is a little bit above 2000£
Panasonic CX802 - I paid (including cashback 1800£, last month)

Those are prices for 55" so if you want cheaper right now 50" can be found probably within you range. Although prices drop quite quickly and all of those above might be soon available for you.

TVs I listed have very good blacks/color, HDR in the future (better contrast which will give you option to see higher range of colors=better =more realistic pictures, just in theory though:) not much content to actually test it or to say it's worth it).

From the content you already have TV apps which can stream 4k tv series etc. like netflix or amazon.

Above models are also quite good for fast movement (sport).

If you want cheaper model panasonic cx700 (mid range TV) has very good reviews regarding color, HD TV, Sports etc. It's just less "future proof", no HDR, worse backlight which gives worse colors/contrast from the above TVs. Worth the price though, that's why it's cheaper:D

Regarding curved TV's - most people say they don't like it, others don't mind. There is not many people who reaaaly want it because it's curved. No benefits to the picture. But to my logic if you watch curved screen which is in front of you , it is smaller than flat one which is a loss:/ but not sure, don't have experience.
 
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I think its best to get yourself down to john lewis and currys and have a good look at the tvs in person if you got a budget of 1.5 or 2k then your clearly loving films and tv so its worth while to see in person.

4K imo is up for debate till xmas-spring 2016 we should get a better idea of 4K blurays taking off and if the difference is worth it, there was a recent review of 4K vs 1080p with house of cards 4K netflix screening and the bottom jist was not really any noticeable difference, also some debate about size of the tv and if you are watching it from 2 meters away you won't be able to see much difference not unless it was 50 inches+.

Endless yes and no debates, just like above post suggest you gotta look for tvs with good blacks, colours and viewing angles.

To throw a spanner in the works HDR is yet to be set in stone and a standard reached, HDR imo will be more important then 4K since you will notice the colours and contrast difference right away in HDR filmed content but till this fall and early next year we are not sure which HDR standard will become the norm !

Check Avforums for reviews and other opinions on a TV set too.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

I did take a look in Currys yesterday and we're now leaning towards a 65 inch screen and as a result would be willing to go up to £2,500. Looking at the models you've suggested haszek, I'd be needing to stretch my budget up to £3,000 if I want the 65 inch screen.
 
I am out and about today and was in john lewis and i saw a Sam sung oled cuved screen and said to my wife if i had the money i would but one. Think the demo that was on helped :D

As for material availability i have no idea.
 
Well a few questions spring to mind OP in regards 4k for yourself ....

1. Do you have Sky / bt / Virgin atm ? And if not would you consider them ? Skys new 4k box is out soon , and bt sport has 4k sports.

2. Will you be buying a 4k blu ray player ?

3. Do you really need 65" ?

4. Do you have spare cash you can send my way ? ;) :D

If I had the cash and 4k wasn't a priority for the next 5 years id go OLED ... or maybe both :p
 
I've got Sky & BT but not likely to get a 4k blu ray player. As above it's only going to be used for football on top of every day use. I wouldn't say I desperately need a 65" screen but it would be nice - 55" would be fine though. And no, sorry :p
 
I considered 4k. But content is absolutely near zero compared to 1080p (obviously).... Ergo I purchased a 50 inch well specced Samsung smart 3D tv and will enjoy it for a few years. Maybe 4k will be a bit more the norm in another few years. Content has to be available from the get go and a few sports events and the odd film just isn't worth it plus in years time, prices will absolutely tumble on big 4k units. These big 65 inch or more units are stupid money currently but by 2017 will probably be the norm and likely considerably superior and cheaper and also offer fast response (4ms) and high refresh rates (120 htz) along with superior colours and blacks and hopefully cheaper 4k oled tv's
 
If you got Netflix there are a few 4k shows, if you have BT you can get BT Sport in 4k. Then its kind of worth it.

If you have a fairly powerful front room PC(with an nvidia card) then it might be worth it.

Otherwise its not worth it.

To be honest a great 4K screen isnt that expensive, bin off 3D as thats flopped and get 4K instead. I got a 48" 4K Samsung for a grand and I love it. :)

Cant see any point in curved screens.
 
If your around the £1500 mark it has to be the LG 55EC930V OLED it blows everything else out of the water, blacks and colour reproduction are out of this world and picture quality is second to none. It's the best TV I have owned( and I have opened quite a few)
 
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