4K televisions are a waste of money

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by Draco, Nov 5, 2014.

  1. Draco

    Draco Well-Known Member

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    I just bought a 65" 4K LG LED TV. I got 4K content on the computer and on the TV's netflix, the TV's Youtube and a fast internet connection. Since its 2160p; equal to 8 megapixels it has four times as many pixels as 1080p and supposedly a better picture. Yes the picture is great; but 1080p looks great too on my plasma. I think I'm going to return the TV. Its very hard to tell a difference in picture quality.

    If you have a few grand to waste then go ahead and buy these 4K TVs but for people who enjoy getting at least some value for their dollar 4K is a total waste IMO. I could see it having some use if its a computer monitor where you are sitting closer than 4 feet. But for a TV I think you need a bigger screen which probably means 100"+ and those are only going to be a projector. Maybe an 80" screen would have some benefit, maybe not. But at 65" and smaller for any TV 4K is not worth paying extra for.
     
  2. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    How many times did you look at 4K screens in the stores before buying?

    Did you stand about as far away from the screen as your couch is from your TV?
     
  3. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

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  4. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    To be honest how much can your eye actually notice. Maybe a Hawk would have a better idea?

    Fact is, there comes a moment in picture quality that is as far as you need to go. The only thing else to look at would be how quickly it can refresh. If you get blazing fast refresh, then you will be able to watch things at a much higher frame per second.

    Second, you would be able to zoom in on things with much higher quality I guess. Maybe that's good for forensic evidence or something.

    Whatever the case, my Samsung LCD TV works just fine for me.
     
  5. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Not only does UHD have more pixels, it has more color resolution. The more pixels make a huge difference when watching 3D. Current 3D TVs use half the 1080P resolution for each eye. With UHD, you get full 1080P for each eye.

    Sitting 8' away from a 65" UHD TV, you may not fully appreciate the UHD resolution, but you should see something that's in between HD and UHD.

    Netflix and YouTube compress the video to a fairly low quality (compared to true UHD). If you're expecting it to be perfect now, you naturally will be disappointed.

    Having been an early adopter of HD, I remember finding any actual HD content was a treat.

    To this day, not all HD content is 1080P. ABC broadcasts in 720P, CBS 1080i, FOX 720P, NBC 1080i, the CW 1080i, PBS 1080i, USA 1080i, ESPN (SPORTS!) 720P, etc.

    720P upscaled to UHD is adding a lot of pixels to the picture to make it fill the screen.
     
  6. donkiez

    donkiez Well-Known Member

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    What Denny said, and besides the fact there is no real 4k content, the real benefit to 4k screen size. Im thinking you need 100 inch + for a screen, thats when standard HD starts getting a little choppy.
     
  7. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    I'm waiting for Black Friday to buy a Samsung curved. I've also turned away from the 4k option, saving some cash and staying with 1080. But then again, we still like watching some of our 3D content.
     
  8. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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  9. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

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    it might've been the lighting, b/c I had them tune a the flat screen and curved to the same settings. Colors (due to the dual-panel?) were a bit more vibrant, but you were getting some depth effect without even the screen.

    And when you live with a designer, you have to make some acquiescence for art/design, sometimes.

    But I'll check it out. Still have some time.
     
  10. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Read the reviews. That's the best advice I can give.
     
  11. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

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    MAGS after Apple releases a 4K TV:

    "ZOMG, ITS A MUST HAVE! CHANGED MY LIFE, MAN!"
    :MARIS61:
     
  12. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    This still picture may not do it justice.

    [​IMG]

    What UHD really represents is true theater quality video in the home. By 2012, all of AMC theaters' systems were upgraded to 4K/UHD.

    I believe this is a new thing. All along, theaters had much better sound and picture. The last couple/three decades, home theater sound has basically caught up with theater quality, but not the picture.

    Theaters may go to 8K displays, but it's questionable that people will perceive much of a difference from 4K.
     
  13. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    They have a 5k iMac and I didn't buy it. I still have my Samsung LED TVs I bought a few years ago and still love em.
     
  14. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Have you seen the 5K iMac up close?

    In true 5K resolution (with everything rendered really tiny)?
     
  15. MarAzul

    MarAzul LongShip

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    I am looking at your image on my 1600 x 1200 monitor Denny. I see a difference but I couldn't put a value on it. But I chuckle at the idea I might see a difference.

    Resolution is sort of like response time. If you can't perceive a wait then the response is certainly adequate, and it you can see the detail you need, the resolution is adequate.
     
  16. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    Not yet. I'm sure it's amazing. Is it amazing enough for me to ditch my current 27" iMac? Not when I use it for only paying bills and talking shit on here.

    Now when they come out with the 5k monitors, im down!
     
  17. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

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    Didn't you buy the $10,000 Mac pro thing? With some 4K Monitors?
    :MARIS61:
     
  18. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    Yes but not monitors. I bought the apple monitors, which arent 4k
     
  19. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

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    Yeah, 4K TVs aren't worth it until they're worth it with enough content and they fall to under 2 grand. Sales guys were trying to push it like crazy, fuck them.

    have you seen those curved TVs by Samsung in the stores? Kind of interesting but again, fuck it. stop watching TV bruhs
     
  20. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    4K porn.

    /thread.
     

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