TV choice - bigger size or better (oled) panel

[Invertigo]

So, I'm looking to replace our 6 year old Sony 50" 1080p living room TV with a new 4k, and a larger size. Ideally my budget is a max of £1200 or so, but I have three real options standing out right now, of the following:

LG CX 55"
Sony XH90 65"
Samsung Q80T 65"

Now initially I was looking at a 65" OLED, but I really can't justify over £2k right now, hence the size differences. Usage is mixed, media streaming and gaming will be the two main uses (will be picking up a PS5 after the Christmas rush) and our living room isn't overly bright so the lower brightness on OLED is no concern.

In terms of size, the furthest spot on the sofa is approx. 3m away from the panel, so I'm debating if that justifies a 65" LCD panel over the 55" OLED. Our current TV is 50" and it certainly feels like it could be bigger.

So, that's my musing... Any opinions either way? I know they're all generally incredibly good tech and will be leaps ahead of my Sony W805

 

[Invertigo]

While 65" would be better for the distance, I'd still probably go for the 55cx if it's a choice on those models etc. I sit around 2.5m from my 55cx and I wouldn't say an extra 0.5m would cause any issues and it's an absolute cracker of a tv.

The 65" sets will make the bigger statement in the room, but unless you really need the brightness that LCD/LED can deliver, I'd take the drop-dead-gorgeous pick-your-chin-up-off-the-floor blacks and colour and contrast of the OLED every time.

Whether you notice any benefit of the additional resolution offered by the 4K screens over your 1080p set is debatable at 65" for your seating distance. Even if you sit really close to the screen, it's unlikely you'll get that wow factor from just the resolution.

I work with large TVs and projectors in home cinemas, but I'm rarely bowled over by the extra pixels. What always gets me though is when a picture does excellent shadow detail at the same time as maintaining an inky black if needed, and what that does to the colour saturation so that 2D images take on an almost 3D depth. These are things that you'll see from twice or three times the recommended distance for resolution. They're far more noticeable and much more impressive facets of picture performance than simple pixel counts. These are areas where OLED excels, and not just for 4K UHD images but also HD and even standard definition sources if adjusted correctly.

Both reasons I was looking at OLED, despite the size disadvantage. I certainly don't need the extra brightness, our living room is east facing so pretty much no direct sunlight after 11am in summer. I'm actually considering looking at ways to move the space around and bring the sofas closer to the TV setup, just got to convince the other half that change is good . On a similar note, what's the optimal distance from a 55" 4k panel? Online information seems to be spread from 1m to 5m+, which is useless!

I'd save up and get a CX 65" but I know the upgrade itch is strong so if you can't wait then I'd take the CX 55" especially if gaming is high on your priorities as it is just about the best gaming TV around. I've got the older W7 OLED and would struggle to go non-OLED again.

Lovely idea, but I absolutely cannot justify over £2k on a TV regardless of being able to afford it or not.

Is the 65xh90 yet as cheap as the 55cx which has been running £1350 ?
if it were then probably the hx, given I watch tv with lights on mostly, and the black level+continual s/w problems on the oled would annoy me.
not keen on the Samsung for its processing capability versus sony.

- I'd go panasonic 55" oled rather than, them both.

I can get the 65XH90 for around £1200 vs £1250 for the 55CX with our discount at JL, so still benefitting from the 5 year warranty. Panasonic models they have are all higher prices, and I was under the understanding that LG are the ones really pushing the tech forward in this market.

 

[Invertigo]

I'm going to try reshuffling the living room at the weekend and reducing the spacing between the TV and the sofas to see how I get on with the current 50" size, and go from there. I do think I'm leaning towards the LG though, in all honesty...

 

[Invertigo]

Snip

That's some very useful info there, appreciated. Think I'll be headed the OLED route with the 55" panel, seems to be the smarter option.

3 bed house - 55"
4 bed house 65"
5 bed house 75"

that's the right size for the average person.

however enthusiasts will go to the biggest that will fit in the room

I mean, the lounge in my 2 bed flat is significantly larger than the lounge in my brothers 5 bed new build house, so that's a bit irrelevant?

 

[Invertigo]

I think I'd prefer an OLED for sure, the consideration was if its worth going for a larger panel instead and which would have the biggest improvement. As it stands, seems the screen tech is way more important. In honesty, we've been okay with a 50" tv for the last 4 years in the same room so it should be no different and, as I suggested, I have ideas for how to rearrange the room to bring the TV area closer to the sofas anyway.

Now the other thing that's bothering me, is the CX worth a E250-300 premium over the BX? From what I see, the main difference is A9 vs A7 chipsets, slightly lower brightness and a cheaper stand (my tv stand has vesa mounting, so that doesn't matter).

 

[Invertigo]

Had a rearrange. Very happy with it and I think I'd be more than happy with a 55" in this setup



For reference, the current TV is a 50". (I'm also aware I installed the Playbar upside down from its ideal setup, will be resolved when the TV is changed!)

 

[Invertigo]

Now the real question, do I wait patiently or just buy now...

 

[Invertigo]

Well, hell I've gone for it. Using our discount took it down to just over £1.2k and can't be used on sale items, so can't imagine it being significantly better than that come Black Friday and, honestly, even if it does I'll have had 1.5 months usage by then.

Delivery on Thursday, exciting!