4k TV - to curve or not to curve

Cool.

What 4k content are you using?

I saw a display at Best Buy and it looked amazing.

Matt

 

Forget about 4K - OLED f...... amazing pictures.

Also don't go curved, it catches every single reflection in the universe.
If you have an annoying reflection on a flat TV you move a little, but that trick doesn't work on a curved tv

 

Curved TVs diminish the amount of reflection. That's one of the very few selling points. I noticed it at Best Buy comparing two side-by-side. The flat ones were like mirrors they were so glossy I could see everything behind me. The curved ones made it more difficult to notice things.

Agreed on the OLED, though. The contrast and blacks were amazing. The benefit with 4K is you can watch "regular" HD and interpolate it to be better, but not as good as native-4k. Plus, any passive 3D screen (i.e. LG) allows you to display both 1080 images to watch HD 3D unlike on regular HD that cuts it in half.

By the way, there are flexible TVs that can curve or flatten at the push of a button.

The coolest screen I saw recently was at our big radiology conference in Chicago earlier this month. It was a 3D stereoscopic screen that required NO glasses. The 3D was better than my LG 3D TV that needs glasses. Incredible.

I'd love a 3D TV that didn't need glasses. Make it an 8K monitor at that and OLED...

 

I just bought an LG 4k TV as an early Christmas present for myself. The upscaling is pretty good. With Blu-Ray 1080p or a decent 1080i cable signal, it's VERY good.

I think the "curved" screens are a waste of time and a gimmick. They'll go the way of the 3-D TV. (Remember when 3-D was supposed to be the "future"?)

After I got the TV, I subscribed to Time Warner Cable's 100Mbps so I could stream 4K content. The only stuff I've streamed so far is about 6 or 8 titles from Netflix. Yes... they are using the HEVC H.265 compression scheme, but the 4k picture is F***ing unbelievable. Can't wait until the more lightly compressed/uncompressed stuff is available.

Would be great if Netflix did a deal with NFL/NBC to stream the Super Bowl in 4k. Sports is unreal.

 

We've been (at ABC) shooting 4k content since 2006. I produced the very first 4k TV spot that aired in the U.S. (It was shot on the Dalsa Digital "Origin" camera and down rez'd to 720p of course, for broadcast.)

There is lots of content out there, the delivery method isn't there yet, but it's close. (Probably another year or two.) I'm not so concerned about the broadcast networks switching to 4k. That may be 5+ year (or more) out. The gamechanger is the average American internet speed now reaching the magic 30Mbps for 4k streaming. That has just now happened. Satellite and cable will follow, and the content will already be ready.

 

I hope more 4K content is made available. You don't even need a 4K monitor to enjoy the benefits of 4K on your 1080p screens. The downsampling provides more info that 1080p screens can display that most "HD" shows don't broadcast (as it's more info).

TheDailyNote.Net - #1 RESOURCE FOR GALAXY Note | Galaxy Note 3 | Galaxy Note 2: Why Does 4K Look Better on 1080p Monitors?

 

We just purchased a Samsung 55" UHD Curved TV (no 3D) from Best Buy today at an incredible deal. It was so good in fact, that even my wife was like "daaaaaamn". We'd been shopping TVs for a few months now, so this deal caught us.

Will be replacing a 7 yr old Phillips 42" 1080p TV which is still working great and is going into the bedroom.

The new TV is going to require some re-wiring in our entertainment center because of space issues, so will be a few days before we can get it up and running fully.

We are very excited and will be reporting back. Looking forward to the Netflix 4K content... we've got 50 Mbps internet, so hopefully it won't be a problem.

 

I have Timescapes (which is incredible) and have Amazon and Netflix streaming.

 

A few days in to having the TV set up and operational.


RE the Curve: I'm still debating about it. My wife really loves the curve.


RE Picture Quality... Holy Hell. To Quote Flash:

We've only had the chance to watch 4K content from Amazon Instant Video so far. Turns out, for Netflix, we would have to upgrade our plan, and we aren't sure that we are ready to do that yet, especially considering we still have our grandfathered $7.99/month plan.

Standard 1080p streaming content looks so much better than our previous TV.

Being able to use the TV for streaming services rather than needing a separate box is awesome. Our playstation will now generally be used for actual gaming now.

So far we are loving the purchase. I'm now looking for more 4k content that we can watch without spending an arm and a leg. May just have to be patient.

 

The curve = Meh!

Marketing gimmick IMO to try to get people to upgrade.

 

The problem with old 4K content is the amount of storage space it requires. I suspect a lot of dumping of older shows and content when it's not economically feasible.

 

Gimmic for people that HAVE TO HAVE the very latest electronics. Unless the screen is gigantic, a consumer will not get the effect needed to be created in such a small environment.
It's ultimately up to your needs. Either way, enjoy the views.

 

Gimmick to get people who want the latest technology to buy new TV's. TV's seem to last me around 5years. My current TV is: Amazon.com: Mitsubishi WD-73640 73-Inch 1080p Projection TV (2011 Model): Electronics my only regret is I didn't buy the 80 or 90. I wont make the same mistake. Next TV: Amazon.com: Sharp LC-90LE657U 90-inch Aquos HD 1080p 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV: Electronics

I'll get the 4k, in the next 5years when the content is available. For now lack of content its a waste.

 

I would also like to suggest that Costco and tv's = greatest value ever. With all the extras you get for a few bucks, it's a win win. Where else will you get 5 yrs total for warranty, concierge service and the great Costco customer service for a few bucks. I've purchased all my tv's their since 2004. From 32" to 65" I've never had any issues. Do your homework on what tv suites your needs not from a sales person. www.nosalespersonneeded.commmmm.
Good luck

 

The lack of content doesn't matter. Most decent 4K TVs will upscale HD content. Regular HD content looks better on a 4K TV.

 

Storage is cheap now. Terabytes are dirt cheap.

We used to store and broadcast programs on old 1" and 2" AMPEX and SONY tapes. Those raw tapes probably cost as much as the terabytes needed to store an uncompressed 4K movie.

 

Anyone buy a 4K TV recently in the 40-50" size?
I've never bought a flatscreen TV, have used a front projector as our only TV since 2001, but now want one for the downstairs living room.
Any first-hand recommendations? Would like to spend under $1000, well under preferably. Don't need a curved, or 3D one.
thanks!

 

How exactly does upscaling work?

I played an old Playstation 2 game recently, and it looked terrible. I can't see any way you could upscale 480 to 1080, much less handling the data going from 1080 to 4k.

Is this a real thing or just a sales gimmick?

Matt

 

It uses an algorithm to interpolate data based on the surrounding pixels. Different algorithms "guess" what the missing pixel would have been. It's not as good as native image quality of course.

I'm not sure why a video game would be terrible for that. Maybe that algorithm in the TV hardware is based on natural images rather than artificial CG with likely sharp color borders. Most video games look unrealistic/terrible imo as the entire image is in focus for all depths of field rather than in real life where most cameras use small depth of field (open apertures) and single focal point.

 

Perhaps I'm not saying this clearly.

Upscaling from 1080 to 4k is the equivalent of making an 8-bit Minecraft axe look like a 32-bit image. Or going from Mario in Donkey Kong to Mario in early Nintendo 64.

There simply isn't enough data for any algorithm to guess at missing pixels.

An 8-bit sword is charming in its clunkiness. How would any algorithm upscale it to near-true-color?

Matt

 

Depends on the algorithm the set uses. Some manufacturers have better upscale processing than others.

 

4K, 8K, 12K, where do we stop, whats the point. Most domestic homes these Days have far superior media systems then Cinemas could muster 10 Years ago. Are these tech companies really struggling for things to do with their money and resources!

All these companies want you to buy their products, we want to buy their products, because on the whole we like to have the latest tech.

On the outside, what modern home entertainment can do is pretty amazing, but on the inside its pretty much the same technology being developed, used or licensed by each company, there really is only a handful of companies actually developing the tech, some of them using it themselves under their own 'Brand' name.

For those in a position to buy the equipment they crave for that's fine, by all means enjoy it, for those who can not buy the new tech, don't despair, as long as you have got your health and Family and the old TV is still working, enjoy that.

Take care my friends, Star Trek is about to start and I've got to get the Valves warmed up in the old bakalite TV so I can watch it.

GHOSTHUNTER.