Electronics So, can anybody school me up on televisions?

**TimBone** · 03-09-2016, 08:04 PM

These new ultraHD 4k curve televisions, are they worth the money? I almost bought a Samsung today, but I backed out. I hear that the curve may be a gimmick?

Any info on these tv's would be great. I figured CP would have some info.

jd1020 · 03-09-2016, 08:33 PM

I've always liked Samsung TVs. Currently have had my Samsung for probably 10 years now and I feel no need to change and everytime I go through a store the Samsungs always seem to have a better picture than the rest. But I've never understood the whole curved TV bullshit. I cant see how a curved display would enhance the TV watching experience. It's so subtle I can't imagine not thinking that I'm looking at a flat screen if looking at it straight on and then I can't imagine not wishing I got a flat screen when looking at the distortions from an angle.

Fish · 03-09-2016, 08:45 PM

Just not much current 4K content available. Buy one if it's a super deal and maybe be set for the future. But meh.....

Quote:

Because every 4K frame contains four times the information of HD, 4K content is four times more bulky than regular HD content in terms of its raw file size. That makes it a challenge to get it to you. Broadcast TV hasn't made the 4K switch yet (indeed, it's only recently that hard drive sizes have gotten big enough to manage DVRing HD programs comfortably). There is a 4K Blu-ray standard coming, but the Blu-ray disc association is only just finishing it and won't start licensing it to manufacturers until early 2015. Victor Matsuda, chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association Global Promotions Committee told us we should see 4K players and discs in time for the 2015 holidays.

On the streaming side, bandwidth is a definite issue. The internet's bandwidth is already dominated by Netflix's traffic, prompting ISPs to go after them for extra cash, and that's with most of its streams at SD and HD levels. Upping everything to 4K doesn't sound like a reasonable option just yet. And even if it were possible to stream 4K content to everyone without breaking the internet, streaming 4K content requires a 25Mbps or faster downstream internet connection, which is faster than most people have at the moment.

So what can I watch?

The good news is many new films and some TV shows are now filming in 4K as a future-proofing measure. The bad news is all that content will have to wait until we have established avenues for getting it to people. Your best UHD options right now come from Sony and Netflix, with Amazon to follow suit this fall.

Sony launched its Video Unlimited 4K service in 2013, which offers more than 70 films and TV shows for rental or purchase. It requires Sony's 4K Ultra HD Media Player, the FMP-X1 ($350), which comes with a 2TB hard drive and is only compatible with Sony 4K TVs. 24-hour TV show rentals are $4 and 24-hour film rentals cost $8. Film purchases are $30. It's not exactly instant gratification, though. Once you rent or buy something, it needs to download to your player, which Sony estimates can take 8 to 15 hours, depending on your Internet connection, so you'd better think ahead if you're planning a 4K movie night.

If you want to watch right away, Netflix is testing the 4K streaming waters with select shows (House of Cards, Breaking Bad, The Blacklist) and films (Ghostbusters, The Smurfs 2) if you own a Samsung, Sony or LG 4K TV and have a 25Mbps internet connection. Currently, however, the content selection is limited at best. And contains The Smurfs 2. Netflix has announced that it will require new subscribers to be on the highest tier four-stream Family Plan in order to access 4K content. Existing subscribers will be grandfathered into 4K for two years on their existing lower-tier plans.

In addition, Amazon recently announced that it would begin streaming 4K content to TVs by select manufacturers in October. By the time the holidays roll around, it looks like 4K pioneers will have at least a few options to choose from.

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/tel...-4k-tv-1048954

**TimBone** · 03-09-2016, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

I've always liked Samsung TVs. Currently have had my Samsung for probably 10 years now and I feel no need to change and everytime I go through a store the Samsungs always seem to have a better picture than the rest. But I've never understood the whole curved TV bullshit. I cant see how a curved display would enhance the TV watching experience. It's so subtle I can't imagine not thinking that I'm looking at a flat screen if looking at it straight on and then I can't imagine not wishing I got a flat screen when looking at the distortions from an angle.

Yeah, I was reading some reviews on amazon while in the store, and tech savvy people were complaining a bit about sitting outside of the 'zone' of the 'curve'. They complained that objects, obviously appear more narrow on the side closest to you when you're sitting at an angle. They also mentioned that it caused the sides to have a slight magenta hue due to the curve. The guy complaining about that went on to say that it's not something that casuals would notice, so he may have just been a hipster douchebag type.

**TimBone** · 03-09-2016, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Just not much current 4K content available. Buy one if it's a super deal and maybe be set for the future. But meh.....

That's solid info. Thanks. It looks like that piece was written early 2015? I do have netflix and amazon, but I'm not buying a 4k tv, and buying a Sony machine simply to rent and buy digital content, especially with a minimum 8 hour download time. I guess I should look into directv and see if they're even offering any 4k content as of now. Thanks for the link, Fish.

Third Eye · 03-09-2016, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBone

That's solid info. Thanks. It looks like that piece was written early 2015? I do have netflix and amazon, but I'm not buying a 4k tv, and buying a Sony machine simply to rent and buy digital content, especially with a minimum 8 hour download time. I guess I should look into directv and see if they're even offering any 4k content as of now. Thanks for the link, Fish.

DirecTV is not going to have anything remotely approaching true 4K. 4K won't be widespread until we all have google fiber or something similar.

FlintHillsChiefs · 03-09-2016, 09:44 PM

You also have to consider the size of the TV and how far away you are sitting. If the TV is too small or you are sitting too far away you won't get the full benefit of 4K.

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-09-2016, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBone

That's solid info. Thanks. It looks like that piece was written early 2015? I do have netflix and amazon, but I'm not buying a 4k tv, and buying a Sony machine simply to rent and buy digital content, especially with a minimum 8 hour download time. I guess I should look into directv and see if they're even offering any 4k content as of now. Thanks for the link, Fish.

I saw a 55" Vizio 4K at Costco this morning for $699.99...

Fish · 03-09-2016, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBone

That's solid info. Thanks. It looks like that piece was written early 2015? I do have netflix and amazon, but I'm not buying a 4k tv, and buying a Sony machine simply to rent and buy digital content, especially with a minimum 8 hour download time. I guess I should look into directv and see if they're even offering any 4k content as of now. Thanks for the link, Fish.

Yeah, it's dated info but still mostly true. DirectTV is actually at the forefront of the content push, but they are still limited to the content provided to them and the infrastructure they provide on. The 4K transition will be more difficult than DVD to 1080p. It's a huge amount of data that requires a lot of bandwidth. Even if the content providers could handle providing the data at consistent bitrate it at the moment, the network transmissions would quickly overload infrastructures if everybody used 4K in specific locations. 4K OTA has been very slow in progression as well. Not to mention, if 4K was standard, it would require replacing most DVR boxes, due to the incredible amount of difference in necessary storage capacity. That's an incredible undertaking for providers and very very expensive.

**TimBone** · 03-09-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I saw a 55" Vizio 4K at Costco this morning for $699.99...

Vizio have to be shit televisions, right? You can get them so cheap.

Al Czervik · 03-09-2016, 10:15 PM

Paid 1K for a 55 Samsung 4K TV at BB over the Holidays....
With no content, its hard to see a difference from my Samsung 52" 1080....

Bewbies · 03-09-2016, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBone

Vizio have to be shit televisions, right? You can get them so cheap.

There's a 55" 1080p LED smart tv TCL brand at Costco for $400. Grab a sound bar and Xbox and you're still below most everything else.

**TimBone** · 03-09-2016, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Czervik

Paid 1K for a 55 Samsung 4K TV at BB over the Holidays....
With no content, its hard to see a difference from my Samsung 52" 1080....

They wanted $1199 for the one I was looking at today. The picture looks real nice in-store. But if there's no content, I should probably just hold off.

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-10-2016, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBone

Vizio have to be shit televisions, right? You can get them so cheap.

I have three and they're great...

Miles · 03-10-2016, 01:37 AM

Just my take but a lot of factors go into picture quality on a TV and just being 4k doesn't necessarily make it better. For LEDs how it is backlit and screen uniformity is probably the biggest as well as the quality of the panel. My knowledge is from last year's models but value for price, Vizio had some really strong ones with their M series.

IMO a curved screen is more marketing than anything. I have the Samsung flagship from last year and didn't want a curved screen but was best option available then and very happy with it. I don't notice the curve at all when watching which I consider a good thing.

As far as 4k content, there isn't a lot but getting more and more available through Netfix and Amazon's content (mostly series). Many of these look really great (Man in the High Castle being one that was very impressive). The 4k sets also upscale with varying degrees of success (not surprising but better/more expensive ones can do a great job of it).

Finally, likely the biggest factor of whether 4k matters is how big the screen is and how far away you are sitting. With a 55" you can likely notice if you are sitting very close at 6-7" or so. 65" is where is starts to get more noticeably (8-10 feet distance) and where its really a bigger deal is 70"+.

03-09-2016, 08:04 PM
TimBone Mostly Ignored Join Date: Jul 2013 Casino cash: $8499985	So, can anybody school me up on televisions? These new ultraHD 4k curve televisions, are they worth the money? I almost bought a Samsung today, but I backed out. I hear that the curve may be a gimmick? Any info on these tv's would be great. I figured CP would have some info.
Posts: 18,096

03-09-2016, 08:33 PM	#2
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7702645	I've always liked Samsung TVs. Currently have had my Samsung for probably 10 years now and I feel no need to change and everytime I go through a store the Samsungs always seem to have a better picture than the rest. But I've never understood the whole curved TV bullshit. I cant see how a curved display would enhance the TV watching experience. It's so subtle I can't imagine not thinking that I'm looking at a flat screen if looking at it straight on and then I can't imagine not wishing I got a flat screen when looking at the distortions from an angle.
Posts: 24,336

03-09-2016, 09:44 PM	#7
FlintHillsChiefs Starter Join Date: Jan 2014 Casino cash: $10005639	You also have to consider the size of the TV and how far away you are sitting. If the TV is too small or you are sitting too far away you won't get the full benefit of 4K.
Posts: 757

03-09-2016, 10:15 PM	#11
Al Czervik Veteran Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Shawnee, KS. Casino cash: $2953873	Paid 1K for a 55 Samsung 4K TV at BB over the Holidays.... With no content, its hard to see a difference from my Samsung 52" 1080.... __________________ Quid Pro Joe Cheated in Law School Lied about his Grades Plagiarized his Speeches Lied about his GPA Lied about his scholarships Sold Vice Presidents Office to China Sold Vice Presidents Office to Ukraine Committed Quid Pro Quo to save his Crackhead Son Framed General Flynn Rigged the 2020 Elections Joe Biden is a POS Liar!!!!
Posts: 4,011

03-10-2016, 01:37 AM	#15
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1422400	Just my take but a lot of factors go into picture quality on a TV and just being 4k doesn't necessarily make it better. For LEDs how it is backlit and screen uniformity is probably the biggest as well as the quality of the panel. My knowledge is from last year's models but value for price, Vizio had some really strong ones with their M series. IMO a curved screen is more marketing than anything. I have the Samsung flagship from last year and didn't want a curved screen but was best option available then and very happy with it. I don't notice the curve at all when watching which I consider a good thing. As far as 4k content, there isn't a lot but getting more and more available through Netfix and Amazon's content (mostly series). Many of these look really great (Man in the High Castle being one that was very impressive). The 4k sets also upscale with varying degrees of success (not surprising but better/more expensive ones can do a great job of it). Finally, likely the biggest factor of whether 4k matters is how big the screen is and how far away you are sitting. With a 55" you can likely notice if you are sitting very close at 6-7" or so. 65" is where is starts to get more noticeably (8-10 feet distance) and where its really a bigger deal is 70"+.
Posts: 14,522