Beginner What TV specs required when buying now?

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Ian
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As a TV is expected to last many years, when buying right now, what must it have so it doesn't go out of date quickly?

So far I'm including the following:
- HDR
- 200+ Hz
- 4k UHD

Mostly picture quality specs. Because you can never upgrade that. Future internet and network enhancements can easily be plugged in, as and when. Thus keeping the telly up to date.

Thanks for any help. Ian
P. S. I want to keep the price low and going for 50".
 
I would be checking out Panasonic, always found them best for me. YMMV of course.
 
Picked up a 49" Panasonic with Freeplay for £369 (IIRC) from Sainsbury's of all places. It was ex-display but still a huge saving on the retail price. AFAIK it's not 4k but neither is any content that's on Freeview! Several HDMI sockets, a couple of USB and even a SCART.
 
Had a bit of a shock to find out our TVs 5 years old. But it is still up there great picture 3D internet smart and has a hdmi arc connection. Only thing I have added is a Bose sound bar
 
Thanks. But I'm looking for must have "features" to include in my search. Not a brand name.

For example, even if there is not much 4k content available now, if my new telly didn't have it, a) I'd be ripped off on the price, and b) I'd need to upgrade much sooner when the 4k content is everywhere. Including 4k is now cheap to do.
 
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I recently ordered a Samsung UE48JS9000 - an 2015 model but a massive saving on the alternatives & stunning picture quality.

If you wait for 2017 models you will get a big saving on the soon to be replaced 2016 models
 
The problem with going cheap is that one of the key things that gets downgraded is the graphics processor. So you may get 4K, but some like when HD came our, some implementations will give a better viewing experience than others. You may already have asked at AVforums, but if not, that might be a better place to get a more detailed reply than here. The reason I prefer Panasonic TVs is I like the picture quality when compared to other TVs from say Samsung, Sony, LG. Like I said YMMV.
 
Yes. But 4k is now mainstream and has come down a lot in price. So you don't need to spend a lot to get a reasonable viewing quality. It seems HDR is going that way too. Which is why I need to know what else should be included in today's TV. Then I can compare prices. I'm not looking for the best, or the absolute cheapest.
 
There was a time when 3D was essential, now many high end sets don't have it at all...

Anyway, I would say 4k and maybe HDR would be on my list if I were looking for a new TV, definitely built in wifi as that streamlines the 'smart' aspect nicely.
 
Yes but the Internet side of the TV can be easily upgraded in say 3 years. Where the screen not. Which is why I'm more concerned with that side.
 
Well there's all sorts of technical stuff I don't bother to keep up with but looking at some award winners it seems like you might also want a 10bit panel, look for a UHD Premium sticker which also includes a wider colour pallet and a few other things to give top IQ.

Actually, I'm pretty amazed at how cheap these things have become, ten years ago you could easily spend over £2k on a high end TV but nowadays it seems that a lot of the range toppers are more like £1k.
 
As a TV is expected to last many years, when buying right now, what must it have so it doesn't go out of date quickly?
Do TVs really date that much? If you've "gotta keep up with the Jones'" there's no avoiding frequent updates to technology.

Me, I'm happy with a 10yr old 720p 32" LG - the only thing I think I'm missing is connectivity (only 1x HDMI). Maximising the connectivity options will generally future-proof more than built-in features. I mean 4k would be nice, but I'm watching shows for the plot not the pixels.
 
Thanks. But I'm looking for must have "features" to include in my search. Not a brand name.

IMHO that's not best way to determine what you want if your primary concern is genuine image quality. This is an oversimplification but; it's a bit like looking at what camera to buy based on the megapixel count.

Pooling information from reviews, forums such as AVForums (as mentioned above) & comparing in a well setup store is the way to go IMHO.

The panel type has a massive impact, OLED (not LED - that's just LCD backlit with LEDs) is where image quality is at but it's expensive and the tech is still in it's infancy. As a generalisation OLED will wipe the floor with any LCD panel & be a huge improvement over plasma. How quickly OLED becomes more affordable is anyone's guess but as it does, it will certainly make LCD panels look old.

The way the panel is driven and image is processed is important too. This is an area where some manufacturers are better than others and some cut corners because it's harder to define, standardise & pin down. Some of it is certainly subjective too, motion clarity and stuff like that effect people differently.

The extent to which the image quality matters of course depends upon the source. The law of diminishing returns is very different between just watching freeview HD to watching lots of 4K blurays and streaming high quality 4K content. Respectively for the best value you'd probably want a Panasonic or Pioneer plasma for Freeview or an LG OLED for the 4K scenario (just as an example).

Personally if you can wait or buy something cheap until OLED matures a bit more, comes down in price, 4k content becomes more prolific and buy then that would be what I'd do. I'd probably buy an old Panasonic plasma for now heh. I still have my Pioneer Kuro from 2008 and it's not going anywhere yet.
 
Forgot to mention.

I would be looking for absolute minimum of 4/5 HDMI sockets, Sky, Bluray Player, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Kids Consoles Plus
 
Do TVs really date that much? If you've "gotta keep up with the Jones'" there's no avoiding frequent updates to technology.
This is nothing to do with getting the latest feature. It's about not being ripped off. I want know what to consider. If I don't know that, I could buy a TV without something useful, and think I'm getting a bargain when they are dumping certain TVs without a desirable feature. As nobody wants them. Ignorance, and not asking about it, could cost me.
4k and HDR quality are inevitable. They are actually "quality standards" and not "features". If I bought a TV now without those, in the future I'd end up with a poorer quality experience for the same money, or spending again on a new TV.

We moved house where the TV is further away. And we added A Fire TV box. So the text on the screen is too small to read on our old 37" telly. I guess Amazon set the text size based on average TVs. So blame the Jones's.
 
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Forgot to mention.
I would be looking for absolute minimum of 4/5 HDMI sockets, Sky, Bluray Player, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Kids Consoles Plus
Thanks for the 4K HDR Logo. I'll look out for that. And add the HDMI sockets to the list. But frankly, all the rest can be plugged in as and when needed. Unless TV makers are really reliable with firmware upgrades 3 years down the line??

The "not wanting to be ripped off" list now looks like this
- HDR (check logo)
- 200+ Hz
- 4k UHD
- 4+ HDMI sockets.
 
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Ian

Were you aware that (Love it, hate it or not sure) The Grand Tour was being streamed in 4K right now on your Amazon Fire TV .
 
I'm no expert on TV technically but I can't see any visual difference between HD and normal digital broadcasts. I think we are being mugged off !
 
Yes. An (ex) friend suggested the same thing about getting eyes tested. You're just jealous that we now live in a mansion with a huge living room! :) (joking)

Ian
Were you aware that (Love it, hate it or not sure) The Grand Tour was being streamed in 4K right now on your Amazon Fire TV .
I have the pre 4k Fire TV version. (sad face)

But is the rumour true that the Grand Tour is actually funnier in 4k?
 
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I'm no expert on TV technically but I can't see any visual difference between HD and normal digital broadcasts. I think we are being mugged off !
My brother is the same, he can't see any difference between SD and HD. For me it's night and day, I barely watch anything in SD now. As yet I have no wish to change out current TV for one with 4K UHD HDR.
 
My brother is the same, he can't see any difference between SD and HD. For me it's night and day, I barely watch anything in SD now. As yet I have no wish to change out current TV for one with 4K UHD HDR.
I too think notice a huge difference. Maybe stuff is being upscaled and people are comparing that?

I do have a prediction though. I've been looking at 4k giant tellies in the shops. And I predict we will reach resolution saturation before too long. In short:

___ "The typical home TV resolution will only increase one more time after 3840×2160" ___

We'll look back and laugh at my prediction. I'm just guessing, and have no specialised knowledge. But tellies are only going to stop growing in size soon. 60", 70" is going to become the top limit for the average family lounge. There are still likely to be more new colour, or OLED or shading quality options though.

What is the difference between 4K, UHD, SUHD, and Super UHD? Read it here.
 
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Me, I'm happy with a 10yr old 720p 32" LG - the only thing I think I'm missing is connectivity (only 1x HDMI). Maximising the connectivity options will generally future-proof more than built-in features. I mean 4k would be nice, but I'm watching shows for the plot not the pixels.

I doubt you you would see a huge improvement in any high end image/resolution improvements on such a small screen, and if you are happy with what you have, then there is seemingly no need to upgrade. I think 40" upwards you will see resolution improvements. The bigger the better. ;)

To the OP, if I were buying today, and trying to future proof as much as I could, I would try to get get 4k, OLED, (HDR to some degree depending on finances) 3-5 HDMI, SCART, USB (2-3). I would want as many as the main 5 TV channel apps installed. Things like that could be added later, but it is very handy when they are built in. I have the iPlayer on my TV, but occasionally it crashes and I have to connect the PS3 or computer to watch it on the larger TV screen. :( :rolleyes:

Curved TVs are a bit of a gimmick imho. 3D was a good idea, and when I've seen them in shops demonstrated, it was amazing with the right content, but the content is not readily available.
 
I would try to get get 4k, OLED, (HDR to some degree depending on finances)
the OLEDs are still quite expensive, whereas HDR seems to be widespread on the sensibly priced TVs. They do say that OLEDs are worth having. Maybe I should wait.
 
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From what I understand BBC will not support native 4K due to size of bandwidth, although they maybe looking at 8K
 
tbh im surprised if you cant tell, some stuff its less noticeable, and some stuff it is, or its really low bitrate, then it looks awful
 
I think OP is spot on with the 3 important specs for buying a TV and use it for many years, right NOW.

But personally, I will be waiting for OLED, there's no point in upgrading my current top of the range Samsung F8000 1080p set with a 4K one when most services are not providing 4K. 4K looks great in the showroom, but I highly doubt 1080p videos will look any better than my current set. OLED on the other hand, it's the tech worth waiting. The really expensive LG OLED sets are stunning. The blacks are true blacks, this matters a lot for dark scenes in almost every film. No LCD/LED backlight panels can come close to it.

3D is not worth considering. I can count the number of times I've watched 3D on my TV on a single hand. Last time I moved around stuff in the TV cabinet for NVidia Shield, I had to clean dust off the 3D glasses!

Speaking of which, smart features are totally not worth the effort for TV's. TV manufacturer are too slow with firmware updates their hardware is also not fit for purpose in terms of UI speed. Currently the only worth-well device is the NVidia Shield TV, and it is the only one getting latest Android Nougat update (4 months late though, but still the first non-Google Android TV to get the update).


Edit: Just found out NVidia Shield TV is getting Android Nougat update today. The only other device on the market has the latest and greatest Android TV is the new 2017 NVidia Shield TV (same processor as old model, just smaller external and remote included)
 
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Do TVs really date that much? If you've "gotta keep up with the Jones'" there's no avoiding frequent updates to technology.

Me, I'm happy with a 10yr old 720p 32" LG - the only thing I think I'm missing is connectivity (only 1x HDMI). Maximising the connectivity options will generally future-proof more than built-in features. I mean 4k would be nice, but I'm watching shows for the plot not the pixels.

10 year old 43" pioneer plasma here. "HD ready", single hdmi.. But totally bombproof :D
 
It's the internet, where would we be without a pointless willy waving competition :)...
10 year old 43" pioneer plasma here. "HD ready", single hdmi.. But totally bombproof :D

Goodness knows how old 28" Sony CRT here. "Full SD", no hdmi. This thing simply will NOT die! :mad:

...Did I win or lose?!?


(I'm interested in this thread, but I've vowed to not replace my TV until it dies a noble death, but I feel it's clinging on to life just to annoy me now...maybe it's time for an accidental coffee spill or something. ;) )
 
I'm in a similar position to the OP. My research suggests that there is an awful lot of pixel peeping in the TV world and also a lot of promotion by the manufacturers of the next best thing, a bit like the big MP race by camera manufacturers.

My own view is you need to think about what you like to watch and tailor your needs to that. AFAIK not all 4k sources are pure so require some degree of upscaling.

I suggest if possible you book a session with a Richer Sounds viewing room to audition oled vs led to narrow down your choice of TV type.

Good luck with the search
 
(I'm interested in this thread, but I've vowed to not replace my TV until it dies a noble death, but I feel it's clinging on to life just to annoy me now...maybe it's time for an accidental coffee spill or something. ;) )
Twenty years ago I used to work in a Sony Centre and the Sony CRTs from back then are pretty much indestructible (apart from *one* model that had a recall on the quiet). Even when we had a "dead" one come in the fix was rarely more than a 50p switch, but by the time it died the customer generally wanted a change rather than a repair just for something different to look at.
 
It's the internet, where would we be without a pointless willy waving competition :)...

Goodness knows how old 28" Sony CRT here. "Full SD", no hdmi. This thing simply will NOT die! :mad:

...Did I win or lose?!?


(I'm interested in this thread, but I've vowed to not replace my TV until it dies a noble death, but I feel it's clinging on to life just to annoy me now...maybe it's time for an accidental coffee spill or something. ;) )

When we replaced our 32 inch Sony CRT, we found we had space for a new three-piece suite to take its place. A beast of a footprint! :p
 
When we replaced our 32 inch Sony CRT, we found we had space for a new three-piece suite to take its place. A beast of a footprint! :p
Yes I carted one of those to the dump on my own. So heavy it nearly wrecked the car getting it out of the boot. It was still in working condition with the occasional flicker. Each time it flickered I was hopeful it was going to conk out. But sadly it never did. I only dumped it as I was moving in with me girlfriend who had a more modern TV.
 
Yes I carted one of those to the dump on my own. So heavy it nearly wrecked the car getting it out of the boot. It was still in working condition with the occasional flicker. Each time it flickered I was hopeful it was going to conk out. But sadly it never did. I only dumped it as I was moving in with me girlfriend who had a more modern TV.

Crikey, that's no mean feat. Ours went to my sons' primary school lab, apparently the technician wanted it for the valves, or something. Took two blokes to shift it.
 
Crikey, that's no mean feat. Ours went to my sons' primary school lab, apparently the technician wanted it for the valves, or something. Took two blokes to shift it.
Yes. One person can't lift it. I had no choice. So I rolled it out of the boot and rolled it along the ground with the heavy tube crushing and twisting the plastic shell as it went. And the dump employees watching on. Having said that they are not allowed to help.
 
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