Choosing a new TV

pjm1 said:
Our experiences are different. But it also wholly depends on the kit you're using to watch and listen. I'm lucky to have a cinema room (and a wife who's allowed me this extravagance!) On my 4m projector screen sitting about 3m back (yes, I have a full-on viewing experience) I can see the difference, as can my wife. But that's simply down to being within our ability to resolve the differences between 1080p and 576p - which is pretty massive at that scale, TBF.

On the audio front, I have what I consider to be a pretty mid- to high-end setup. Cyrus amp acting as a stereo power amp to the front two speakers, being fed from a Yamaha AV integrated amp. The Yammy does the decoding, pre amp and acts as power for the other three channels (I only run in 5.1). The subwoofer is a fairly high end (for AV purposes) SBS setup. Speakers are B&W and I have acoustic treatments on the walls, floor, ceiling and corners to normalise the frequency response within the room. I also use it as a listening room for stereo music, using the Cyrus and front pair / sub only. I can't tell the difference between HD audio on BR and DD/DTS 5.1 on DVD (although bear in mind I'm only listening in 5.1). I absolutely can tell the difference between uncompressed stereo and MP3, so there is still an ability to resolve audio differences but not at the relative qualities between DVD and BR, at least using my setup.

So in summary YMMV - a lot of the guff is all marketing, but it boils down to how you choose to enjoy your AV experience, I guess...
Click to expand...

whoopee. So what's that got to do with the OP's question? Or is it [brag] Look at my set up [/brag]
 
Lynton said:
whoopee. So what's that got to do with the OP's question? Or is it [brag] Look at my set up [/brag]
Click to expand...
It's got everything to do with the difference between DVD and bluray which is visually much greater than audio wise.

I thought it was a well considered and fair response supported by personal experience. Why the need for the negativity?
 
Ricardodaforce said:
I suspect thar Sky will be the biggest provider of 4K material. Have they said anything in their press realeased about HDR? What about BT, they already broadcast 4K. Is that HDR?
Click to expand...
Have you tried looking on sky t.v for the much vaunted and next big thing of a few years ago 3D channels ,unless they have been moved elsewhere I can't see any
 
the black fox said:
Have you tried looking on sky t.v for the much vaunted and next big thing of a few years ago 3D channels ,unless they have been moved elsewhere I can't see any
Click to expand...
I haven't looked in the last view days but last week I had them.
 
dejongj said:
I haven't looked in the last view days but last week I had them.
Click to expand...
Yup still there for me. Just set one to download for when in back from hospital :)
 
taxboy said:
Rather than ask for specific model recommendations at this stage I thought I'd approach this like choosing a new camera. I've done some initial web reading and hopefully the TV experts out there can assist with my questions and confirm or advise with my thoughts

1) 4K is the latest kid on the block and potentially is the most future proof option but there's not much out there available on 4k AFAIK. Does a 4K TV deal with normal HD or worse broadcasts or is it better to stick with 1080 at the current time. I guess this may well be asking what's better FF or crop sensor in camera speak ??

2) Input lag is only important for gamers (which I'm not) true or false

3) To cope with sports / fast moving films I need a high refresh rate ? If so waht's the minimum I should be looking at

4) For SMART TV does ther Ethernet cable need to be plugged directly into the back of the TV or will they function perfectly well via my home hub. If so is there a way to test the effectiveness in advance. I only ask as my hub is upstairs as this is where the phone line comes in

5) I need plenty of HDMI sockets for errm I don't know

6) Will I need to buy Blu Ray to extract the maximum quality from DVD's

If you've got this far and are happy to offer advice together with anything else I haven't thought of then I'd really appreciate your input
Click to expand...
I've recently bought a Samsung SUHD tv and I am blown away with the quality of the picture. I use Virgin media not Sky, it upscales this beautifully, most of the movies I watch are on HDD plugged into the USB connection on the TV, again these are upscaled beautifully and look astonishing.
Out of the box I was underwhelmed, but a few days of tweaking settings have produced a breath taking image.
I think most smart TV's now have both wired and wireless wifi. My Samsung TV has a seperate connection box with 4 HDMI and 3 or 4 usb connections.
It's also a curved screen, at first I was sceptical about that aspect, but it does make a difference, pictures look more 3d , lifelike. Only downside for me is the viewing angle isn't as good as my previous Samsung set, if you are off axis the screen can look a little washed out.
The 4K content on Netflix is excellent, Amazon Prime not so much in my opinion.
All and all I'm more than happy with my decision to buy this 4K TV.
Just my tuppence worth :rolleyes:
 
Just in addition to my previous post. The Smart features have come on light years from my previous 5 year old Samsung. Netflix and Amazon load instantly, all and all the apps are extremely fast to use.
 
the black fox said:
Have you tried looking on sky t.v for the much vaunted and next big thing of a few years ago 3D channels ,unless they have been moved elsewhere I can't see any
Click to expand...

You seem to have taken an argumentative tone, no idea why. I wasn't talking about 3D.
 
jimgallaher said:
Just in addition to my previous post. The Smart features have come on light years from my previous 5 year old Samsung. Netflix and Amazon load instantly, all and all the apps are extremely fast to use.
Click to expand...
Which model did you go for, Jim? We need a new set for the house to replace our Samsung of similar vintage to your old one and am bamboozled by all the different options. Only issue I have is that I may need a flat screen due to our seating being 90 degrees to the screen on both sides!
 
jimgallaher said:
I've recently bought a Samsung SUHD tv and I am blown away with the quality of the picture. I use Virgin media not Sky, it upscales this beautifully, most of the movies I watch are on HDD plugged into the USB connection on the TV, again these are upscaled beautifully and look astonishing.
Out of the box I was underwhelmed, but a few days of tweaking settings have produced a breath taking image.
I think most smart TV's now have both wired and wireless wifi. My Samsung TV has a seperate connection box with 4 HDMI and 3 or 4 usb connections.
It's also a curved screen, at first I was sceptical about that aspect, but it does make a difference, pictures look more 3d , lifelike. Only downside for me is the viewing angle isn't as good as my previous Samsung set, if you are off axis the screen can look a little washed out.
The 4K content on Netflix is excellent, Amazon Prime not so much in my opinion.
All and all I'm more than happy with my decision to buy this 4K TV.
Just my tuppence worth :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Out of interest, what kind of broadband speeds do you synchronise at? Does it use a lot of bandwidth?
 
the black fox said:
ah thats why i can't see them in the normal programs
Click to expand...
And explains why I could see it as I almost exclusively use on demand.

Love it when a mystery gets resolved.
 
ianp5a said:
I you are buying now and want some future proofing, I suspect getting a 4k TV is not going to be any good, as 4k HDR is going to be on top of us before 4k 'on it's own' has got a foothold.
In other words, when you can get 4k content, it'll be HDR as well.
Click to expand...
Luckily the Samsung SUHD sets are HDR compatible or so I've read.
 
dejongj said:
Out of interest, what kind of broadband speeds do you synchronise at? Does it use a lot of bandwidth?
Click to expand...
My broadband speed is a consistent 200MB I think you need a minimum of 20mb spare reliable bandwidth for a decent 4K service.
 
Ian W said:
Which model did you go for, Jim? We need a new set for the house to replace our Samsung of similar vintage to your old one and am bamboozled by all the different options. Only issue I have is that I may need a flat screen due to our seating being 90 degrees to the screen on both sides!
Click to expand...
I bought the UE48JS8500, it's the cheapest in the SUHD range. I'd have preferred the 55" but I'm limited to 48" in my lounge.I beleive these sets are available in a flat screen in the US but I think they're only available curved in the UK.
 
Lynton said:
whoopee. So what's that got to do with the OP's question? Or is it [brag] Look at my set up [/brag]
Click to expand...

Well, if you go back and read (i) the OP; (ii) the post I specifically replied to and sought to contradict; and (iii) my post again - this time without getting on your high horse - then you mind be able to answer your own question.

Or not.
 
jimgallaher said:
My broadband speed is a consistent 200MB I think you need a minimum of 20mb spare reliable bandwidth for a decent 4K service.
Click to expand...
Lol lucky you. Not having it via broadcast media is really going to hold it back I think.
 
viv1969 said:
I don't know. My psychic powers are in for a service; but anything less than six and Samsung will replace it. Can't really argue with that :)
Click to expand...
It was a rhetorical question :p

Impressed with Samsung's warranty.
 
jakeblu said:
It was a rhetorical question :p

Impressed with Samsung's warranty.
Click to expand...

The telly in the bedroom went pooft at 5 years and 8 months old.
Samsung didn't even blink, simply replaced with the equivalent available at the time.
 
I refer you to the OP.. not "my projector in my cinema room" crap

Not being negative...
 
ianp5a said:
I you are buying now and want some future proofing, I suspect getting a 4k TV is not going to be any good, as 4k HDR is going to be on top of us before 4k 'on it's own' has got a foothold.
In other words, when you can get 4k content, it'll be HDR as well.
Click to expand...

The problem still is HDR can be deliver over different formats,as i said look for the UHD premium tag that should be on a lot of new TV coming out in 2016,not to many now :)
 
As the OP I'd like to thank all the contributors. It's been really helpful to me in considering what factors are or aren't important for me before I go and splash the cash.
 
I'm sure i read somewhere March is the best time to buy a discounted TV.
 
viv1969 said:
4k is currently a waste.
How much is broadcast in 4k?
Avoid 3d. Fad, as is being proven by the month on month reduction in broadcast and uptake.
Smart is OK.... But a PITA without a keyboard....mine has no cable...runs well on wireless.....but never use it.
Click to expand...

If you like gaming 3D has its used, you get specs that filter the image so you can play two player but both get full screen
 
simonblue said:
Not a lot at the moment,but it will come :)
Click to expand...
Sky Q just about to go live that supports 4K, will expect 4K broadcasting soon after with the usual sky premium applied.
Beware with 4K, probably even more so than with hd. Not all 4K sets are truly 4K
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top