4k or HD, that is the question

[bobmac]

I need some Tv advice please.
Do I splash out and get a 4k tv when there's very little 4k being broadcast or stick with HD?
Budget is around £500
Thanks

 

[Smiffy]

What size TV you looking at?

 

[bobmac]

What size TV you looking at?

Well, the one in my lounge is 42''

 

[Smiffy]

Well, the one in my lounge is 42''

Well if you are going to stick with that size Bob, it's not worth going for a 4k telly. Most of the "experts" claim that you won't get the best from 4k unless you are viewing on at least a 50" set.
Also, do you have a Blu ray player?

 

[Hobbit]

4K, like Blu-Ray, upscales the picture. It might not be transmitted as 4K but the TV still does an excellent job of 'improving' the picture.

When I bought a HD TV I was genuinely disappointed at how little it improved the picture. I bought I 4K TV a few months back, cynically thinking it might make a bit of a difference. Wow! It is fantastic.

However, the downside is the sound is poor because of thinness of the unit not allowing decent size bass speakers. I went out and bought a soundbar after a couple of weeks of very poor sound. Another wow!

Set to cinema sound it actually has that bassy blast your windows out performance you get when you go to the cinema.

Buy it!

 

[bobmac]

Well if you are going to stick with that size Bob, it's not work going for a 4k telly. Most of the "experts" claim that you won't get the best from 4k unless you are viewing on at least a 50" set.
Also, do you have a Blu ray player?

I was thinking 48'' and no blu ray player

 

[Hobbit]

I was thinking 48'' and no blu ray player

Ive seen a graph on one of the review websites that shows best/minimum screen size for viewing distance.

 

[Smiffy]

I was thinking 48'' and no blu ray player

I think to really get the best from the newer 4k TV's you are going to need to invest in one of the new crop of "true" 4k players that are starting to come out.
On the basis that Blu ray players have been around for a fair number of years now Bob, and the fact that you haven't taken the plunge in buying one yet tells me that you would be slow to adopt to 4k, so won't really benefit.
I have a 4k TV and the only 4k content I have watched thus far are videos on YouTube. The PQ is absolutely stunning.
I have been waiting for the price of 4k players to drop, but now that Microsoft have introduced a new xbox one with 4k capabilities, I no longer have to wait.
If the xbox is as good at playing 4k discs as the PS3 was at playing Blu Rays I will be more than happy.

 

[bobmac]

So I started off wanting 4K, then it's not worth getting 4K cause there's no programmes, then I should get 4K because its upscaling is superb and now I should get an xbox instead.
Does the 4K Xbox come in 48''?

 

[Smiffy]

Does the 4K Xbox come in 48''?

Yes Bob. Just like the saw you've just bought.

 

[GreiginFife]

We have a 55" 4K that's being run through an Onkyo AV receiver that provides 4K up upscaling and it's far batter than 1080p. Sharper image edges and contrast definitions.

Sound is an issue which is why we run it through the AVr.

 

[fundy]

Would definitely get a 4k tv personally, the sony one we bought is excellent and you should be able to get a 49" one close to your budget

 

[Smiffy]

Would definitely get a 4k tv personally, the sony one we bought is excellent and you should be able to get a 49" one close to your budget

I've got the same 49" Sony and am well chuffed with it.
But I would argue that unless Bob is willing to embrace 4k properly, and go down the route of a dedicated player etc. he is wasting his money.

 

[Hobbit]

I've got the same 49" Sony and am well chuffed with it.
But I would argue that unless Bob is willing to embrace 4k properly, and go down the route of a dedicated player etc. he is wasting his money.

Not sure I'd agree. I think the upscaling from what my 1080p HD TV showed to the 4K is significant enough to justify it. That's assuming Bob already has something like Sky HD to start with.

 

[bobmac]

Not sure I'd agree. I think the upscaling from what my 1080p HD TV showed to the 4K is significant enough to justify it. That's assuming Bob already has something like Sky HD to start with.

I binned Sky last month but replaced with BT TV, some of which is in HD.
So now I'm changing from 42 to 48'', do I get a cheapish 4k or a better quality HD set............and the shop shuts at 4

 

[Hobbit]

Sorry Bob. Missed your follow up. I'd say go for the 4K.

 

[GreiginFife]

Not much point in buying older tech Bob.
Currys are doing a Pana Viera 50" 4k for £590, ok over budget a wee bit but having seen it, its a cracking deal. Why pay that for a 1080 set that wont imorove when 4k content ramps up?

 

[hovis]

I've just had my 2 year old hd tv replaced on warranty with a 4k tv and although i haven't watched any 4k programs i have to say the picture is much better than my previous tv. Both are Samsung

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Buying a new tv is never wasted money. Go to Richer Sounds and put yourself in their hands. They will not rip you off and will sell you the right tv for you.

 

[Hobbit]

Buying a new tv is never wasted money. Go to Richer Sounds and put yourself in their hands. They will not rip you off and will sell you the right tv for you.

Good shout. Samsung 48" 4k @ £499