4k TV

[TomAz]

Discuss.

in particular is this the coolest shit on the horizon

or is it more like

LOOK HOW MANY PIXELS I HAVE!!!!!!11!!

[ActionComics]

I am hesitant to pick up a 4k when the 8k will be available in just a couple years. I would skip on the 4k and just save for the 8k. Sharp is already showing off 8k cameras at recent electronic expos and Japan just successfully tested a long-range 8k test broadcast. The term "true retina display" is thrown around a lot, but an 8k really is just that. Buy a 4k if money is not an issue.

[Donaldj]

All the industry buzz I've been reading predicts 4K prices to overtake 1080p TV price points by the end of 2014. I think 8K is a ways off, especially since broadcast TV won't even hit 1080p anytime soon, let alone 4K. Samsung has also said to expect 4K quad layer Blu-Rays by the end of 2014, seeing as the Blu-Ray spec is totally capable of producing 4K resolution.

[nathanfairchild]

Discuss.

in particular is this the coolest shit on the horizon

or is it more like

LOOK HOW MANY PIXELS I HAVE!!!!!!11!!

It kind of reminds me of 3D TVs in that content is pretty limited. There are 4K movies that I'm sure look incredible, but 95% of the time the TV won't be utilizing the 4K features. Network TV is still 720p so it's going to be years before they even get anywhere near native 4K for most programs.

[TomAz]

I am hesitant to pick up a 4k when the 8k will be available in just a couple years. I would skip on the 4k and just save for the 8k. Sharp is already showing off 8k cameras at recent electronic expos and Japan just successfully tested a long-range 8k test broadcast. The term "true retina display" is thrown around a lot, but an 8k really is just that. Buy a 4k if money is not an issue.

But what if you were installing a completely new home A/V system like, now?

[Aphxtwinin]

yea what everyone else said, theres very few 4K sources to show off on your fancy 4KTV

[birdiearch]

Oh wow, I thought this was a tv show or something.

[Donaldj]

Also HDMI 2.0 just hit which has the capability of 32 channels of audio, the future looks super HD

[ActionComics]

But what if you were installing a completely new home A/V system like, now?

I would just go for it and buy one. You may have buyers remorse though, when you see the prices drop after a few months. The reason I would want a 4k is because I love watching sports, so any upgrades in terms of display has me reaching in my pockets.

[Aphxtwinin]

But what if you were installing a completely new home A/V system like, now?

have you looked at a 4K unit in person? I checked out the Sony 4Ktv and was disappointed with the movement blur. Lots of artifacting and motion blur, for a relatively still image its beautiful but if you are watching sports or action moves you might be disappointed. I would recommend checking one out in person before you make any choices.

[Donaldj]

have you looked at a 4K unit in person? I checked out the Sony 4Ktv and was disappointed with the movement blur. Lots of artifacting and motion blur, for a relatively still image its beautiful but if you are watching sports or action moves you might be disappointed. I would recommend checking one out in person before you make any choices.

You can't really go by store demos. They probably had motion processing jacked up or the demo was super compressed. I've looked at the Sony 4Ks at a Best Buy and have been nothing short of amazed.

[Alchemy]

We recently got a new house with a media room, for which we bought a Sony receiver with 4K compatibility. I am also very impressed by the 4K demo at Best Buy. Also, I think the PS4 has 4K videos planned. As of now, however, the 4K TVs are a bit too expensive. I know that 8K is looming around, but I wonder if that really means that 4K will be obsolete soon. I don't have much insight into it, but I feel like I hear about more preparation for 4K than 8K, despite that 8K already exists. Nonetheless, I think I'll hold off.

[Aphxtwinin]

You can't really go by store demos. They probably had motion processing jacked up or the demo was super compressed. I've looked at the Sony 4Ks at a Best Buy and have been nothing short of amazed.

Well I would think the Sony Store present the 4KTV at optimal conditions, also like you said you can't trust in store demos. Best Buy probably has an in house tech that optimizes every flagship TV...either way I support 4KTV but would wait for the 2nd generation.

[TomAz]

I would just go for it and buy one. You may have buyers remorse though, when you see the prices drop after a few months. The reason I would want a 4k is because I love watching sports, so any upgrades in terms of display has me reaching in my pockets.

see, most of what I watch on tv is sports.

I haven't seen it live yet, i need to do that before i commit a penny. My A/V guy is trying to sell me one is the deal.

[xanman86]

I was really hoping to see them drop to $3,000 around Black Friday of last year and they finally did. Considering upgrading to one in a few months but I need to do some serious research first. I love the TV I have now but it's only 40 inches and it's about time I got a new one (had this one for about 7 years, Sony XBR2). Some of my friends are trying to claim that "4K" is just a gimmick and that "6K" and beyond will be coming soon, any truth to this?

[TomAz]

xanman, did you read any of this thread before you posted?

[marooko]

considering the wealth of information It contains, he should have.

720 on a 4k is gonna rock.

[xanman86]

xanman, did you read any of this thread before you posted?

No, read it after.

[bobert]

Tom, if I were you I'd just get a top of the line 1080p television and sell it in a few years if you feel the need to upgrade. There are several good articles on 4k but I'd definitely reccomend reading this one from Wired.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/...push-ces-2013/

The big question is how much these smaller 4K TVs will cost. So far, everyone’s keeping pretty mum on pricing. That rarely suggests we’re looking at anything remotely affordable. LG was the one company to announce a price. Its 84-inch OLED 4K TV will retail for $12,000.

That’s a lot of money, and most people may not think 4K is worth the truckload of money they’ll pay for it. The truth is, as nice as these TVs are, you probably won’t see much difference. A 60-inch 4K won’t look dramatically better than the 1080p TV you have in your home right now unless you shove your nose into the screen. The average person’s eyes can’t see the difference when sitting 10 feet away from a 60-inch TV.

Even if you decide you simply must have the latest and greatest TV tech, and you’re willing to max out your credit card to get one, the content isn’t there. The 4K TVs on the market can up-sample the content. Sort of how your current Blu-ray player up-samples DVDs. But it’s not ideal and there are no actual content devices on the market yet. Sony currently has a device it loans to customers that have purchased its 4K TV to watch Sony Pictures movies. At CES the company announced that it would have a 4K solution in the summer that included a device that would connect to a Sony Pictures Entertainment distribution service. The service will play, you guessed it, Sony Pictures Entertainment movies.

Broadcast is an even bigger issue. Broadcast TV only recently switched to all digital signals in June 2009 and it’s not even good enough for the TVs we have now. Peter Vasay, part of THX’s video certification team, told Wired, “As far as infrastructure, we’re pretty far away from that. We’re only at 1080i now. We’re not at full HD over broadcast.”

Long story short, if you love movies and like the idea of watching them in 4K there's maybe a reason to buy now and pay a premium. If you just plan on watching sports I don't see any reason to spend the extra $5000 when 4K sports content is still several years away.

[TomAz]

Tom, if I were you I'd just get a top of the line 1080p television and sell it in a few years if you feel the need to upgrade.

Yes, this is kind of what I'm thinking too. Though I do want to see one of them.

What do you consider 'top of the line' 1080p?

[Aphxtwinin]

Yes, this is kind of what I'm thinking too. Though I do want to see one of them.

What do you consider 'top of the line' 1080p?

this is what I have and its perfection: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/TC-P55VT60

[bobert]

What do you consider 'top of the line' 1080p?

You could always spend more, but I think you'd be pretty happy with any of these:

Sony KDL70R520A 70-Inch 1080p 120Hz Internet LED TV

Sharp LC-70LE750 70-Inch Aquos Quattron 1080p 240Hz Smart LED HDTV

VIZIO E701i-A3 70-inch 1080p 120Hz Razor LED Smart HDTV

[tyles]

Also HDMI 2.0 just hit which has the capability of 32 channels of audio, the future looks super HD

If I am in the mood to set up 32 speakers to my tv, this will really be helpful.

[tyles]

Most movies are mastered at 4k, but the thing is, most people and their human eyes are not going to notice the difference unless it's a HUGE screen size.

Also, while most movies are mastered at 4k, that doesn't mean that most home releases are 4k. Blu-rays are 23.98-1080p. 4k is just being to be a buzzword to sell hardware and software. From what I hear, even home 4k isn't true 4k. To be even more confusing, Sony is even releasing a series of blu-rays that are "mastered in 4k," even though it's mostly just a marketing ploy because most likely, the movies in that series were ALREADY mastered in 4k.

[xanman86]

Most movies are mastered at 4k, but the thing is, most people and their human eyes are not going to notice the difference unless it's a HUGE screen size.

Also, while most movies are mastered at 4k, that doesn't mean that most home releases are 4k. Blu-rays are 23.98-1080p. 4k is just being to be a buzzword to sell hardware and software. From what I hear, even home 4k isn't true 4k. To be even more confusing, Sony is even releasing a series of blu-rays that are "mastered in 4k," even though it's mostly just a marketing ploy because most likely, the movies in that series were ALREADY mastered in 4k.

Shit like this is what worries me the most

[tyles]

Mostly, I think 4k is never going beyond the territory of early adopters/Xanman, much in the way laserdisc was only really picked-up by high-collectors/home theater junkies in the late 80's/early 90's.

[bobert]

To be even more confusing, Sony is even releasing a series of blu-rays that are "mastered in 4k," even though it's mostly just a marketing ploy because most likely, the movies in that series were ALREADY mastered in 4k.

Yeah this is such a load of bullshit. They're movies that are "optimized for 4K", and yet they're 1080p just like every other blu-ray on the planet. Just be sure all of your hdmi cables are gold plated otherwise you might not notice the difference.

[nathanfairchild]

Yes, this is kind of what I'm thinking too. Though I do want to see one of them.

What do you consider 'top of the line' 1080p?

My dad recently bought a new Sony TV and the picture is incredible. When it comes to sports the 120hz technology makes the games crystal clear with very little motion blur. I have a samsung and the 120hz stuff doesn't even come close to as good as Sony's. If you're going to be using it primarily for sports then I'd look for a TV with the best 120hz tech.

[Taylor]

Yeah this is such a load of bullshit. They're movies that are "optimized for 4K", and yet they're 1080p just like every other blu-ray on the planet. Just be sure all of your hdmi cables are gold plated otherwise you might not notice the difference.

Something like this ought to do the trick don't you think?

[bobert]

Something like this ought to do the trick don't you think?

Hahahahaha. That's awesome. The reviews are the best part, nothing but raves.