It’s good to see somebody try to embrace technology.
One thing though?
You might like to reconsider calling yourself a “womble” because I suspect that it doesn’t commonly nowadays mean what you might think it does.
When it’s all set up and settled down, I’d be interested to know what an ordinary SD (standard definition) transmission looks like on it. Is it blurry, facial features a bit ‘plastic’ or lacking in definition?
I think about getting a 4K TV but the amount of upscaling that has to be done to get a standard definition picture to fill a 4K screen worries me a bit. I wonder if I’d be better off sticking to to the HD TV I have already because most of of what I watch is Freeview from a roof aerial. Much of that is only standard definition. Not so much upscaling on my HD TV as is needed on a 4K TV.
Has anyone else got a 4K TV? If so, what does an SD picture look like on it as regards definition?
Mart, I’ve had a 4K OLED for some years now and on ours with most viewing SD is fine; BBC in HD for example is barely distinguishable from BBC1 in SD.
But how fine generally depends upon 2 things:
1 Not all TV’s are equal ( as we all know) and some 4K tv’s display SD content better than others.
It doesn’t seem dependent upon price either BTW.
If it’s not feasible to see and judge for yourself (and it can be difficult nowadays) might I suggest a trip to AVForums TV section to have a nosey and seek advice?
2 Not all broadcast SD is of an equal quality.
Just as bandwidth and resolution can cause problems with internet-based TV, so age; signal strength and interference affects even digital OTA TV.
A programme first broadcast in the 1980’s is not going to look better on a modern, huge TV no matter how the picture reaches the screen unless it has been remastered.
And that’s the other part of the SD quality problem; most SD content was not made for TV’s the size that are nowadays common.
It isn’t so long ago that 28" or even 32" TV’s were regarded as huge; try finding one so small nowadays if you can.
So (as in #1) the TV has to perform some magic to make an SD picture watchable but they aren’t all good at it.
I’m sorry if that’s not greatly helpful, but basically there is nothing bad about the picture a 4K TV will give you when watching SD broadcasts provided you buy the right TV for you - which is pretty much as it has always been.
If you’re near a Richer Sounds I can heartily recommend them as a place to have a look and get advice, provided they are open of course because no matter what anybody says we are not looking through your eyes.
Thanks Zaphod. I do read AV Forums and have a Richer Sounds shop about 10 miles away. The trouble has been the restrictions lately. Even though I could go there, I perhaps ought to still be careful. Maybe I’ll wait because the vaccine is hopefully not so far away now.
I’ve read quite a lot about upscaling but reading isn’t the same as seeing. Also, as usual, the more you read the more of a dilemma it causes.
From what I read, Sony uses the best processing and I’m temped to order one and hope I’ll be impressed with it. It’s quite a gamble without actually seeing what I think of it though.
I have a few full HD TVs at present. The main one is a Panasonic. Fairly old now but still working well. I just wonder if I’d notice a great difference between HD and 4K and as said, a bit worried that SD transmissions could look even worse because of the extra upscaling needed.
Nice to see you are happy shopper Swimfeeder, after taking the plunge and just going for it.
I bought a 75" 4K Android Sony last year and am very pleased with it too.
It makes me laugh that it takes as long as the old valve TVs to set itself up though my kids have no idea what I am talking about.
As for SD I don’t think any is broadcast any more, At least I haven’t seen any.
I thought the set up was easy, I paired it with my Yamaha amp and speakers so it has access to my server (downloaded series’ and films) as well as Netflix and Disney+ AND it is loud enough for me (and my neighbours) to hear.
Great buy, lot of entertainment when the pandemic first struck but whether i will keep the streaming services when we get to Covid Normal I don’t know.
When you view TVs in the shops you have to remember that they are all displaying 4K feeds and the pictures do look stunning, but afaik, only sky broadcasts 4K on some channels, so the tv won’t be as good picture wise as it does when on display, but I doubt you will notice as when it’s set up in your room there’s nothing else to compare with, but 4K is outdated now anyway, as 8k TVs are now on sale…
Are ‘pixels’ old hat now? I remember it used to be, the less pixels the better the picture.
Two years ago, I did change to a Panasonic 50" 4K Ultra HD Smart television but l had to send it back as the picture hurt my eyes as if it wasn’t in focus.
I still have my 40” dinosaur Panasonic Plasma television that l watch via SkyQ. The picture is perfect and better than the television, l returned.
Like the kettles, l posted about being a minefield, television’s aren’t far behind with all their different permutations!
Pixels are the current tech. The more the better, providing there is the signal source to take advantage of the increased number.
I think you’re right about the permutations. If I’m going to part with around £1000 upwards for a (probably OLED) 55" TV, I want to be sure the right choice is made. Not in any hurry though. What I already have is pretty decent.
I am not sure I would describe then as cheap as chips, I think I paid $1200(ish) for my TV a year ago (halve for pounds) but you are right, you certainly get more for your buck as time goes on.
When I bought it the shop had three versions of the same model at slightly different prices (I think it was just over $150 difference between them). I did what most people do and bought the middle model though to be honest I could not see the difference in picture quality between the top and bottom models.
In Europe the larger Sharp TV’s are actually made by UMC, usually in Poland and the same manufacturer that makes Blaupunkt-branded TV’s.
TBH they are on a par with Vestel TV’s which are in the same ballpark price bracket.
Companies like Sony, Philips, LG and Samsung tend to make their own TV’s and that is why in all reviews the major brands like these invariably come out receiving the best reviews.
You would hope that a modern, new TV with smart features is indeed better than older technology BUT just because what you have purchased suits your needs and looks better to your eyes does not mean that it will suit everybody equally.
If it suits you then fine; after all it’s your TV.
The price difference could be to do with what processor is used. There’s a brief description of each here (scroll down the page a bit). It might all be splitting hairs.
What make is it?
