4k TVs, would you recommend buying one?

[Imabigmac]

Would you recommend against or for buying a 4k TV at this point in time? I know there has a rather slow adoption of 4k TV content but in terms of future proofing, I would to think that a 4k TV be better than a 1080p TV in future as it can support the "next gen resolution". The prices are still higher but you can usually find them on sale with big discounts at some retailers. 
 

Please keep in mind with this question that the potential TV buyer has no interest in gaming on the screen. 

 

EDIT: TV would only be for watching TV like content not for computer work. 

[o3871]

If you are investing for the furture then yes, but if you don't really get the different, then no

[M-ursu]

4K TV's, are horrible investment, they are expensive and they usually have 30Hz refresh rate, also you cant see difference if you look it from over 10m away, you should buy 4k monitor, if you want the best 4k experience.

[GloriousPain]

Would you recommend against or for buying a 4k TV at this point in time? I know there has a rather slow adoption of 4k TV content but in terms of future proofing, I would to think that a 4k TV be better than a 1080p TV in future as it can support the "next gen resolution". The prices are still higher but you can usually find them on sale with big discounts at some retailers. 

 

Please keep in mind with this question that the potential TV buyer has no interest in gaming on the screen. 

 I would if you have the money to afford even the cheapest 4k Monitor as long as it doesn't have some redicilous issues like no HDMI ports or RGB ports... cause for a TV (which almost by definition has an IPS panel) Resolution is more important than refresh rate since 24fps is standard for most tv content and sharpness should be clear even if running at 1080p vs another 1080p native tv

[GloriousPain]

4K TV's, are horrible investment, they are expensive and they usually have 30Hz refresh rate, also you cant see difference if you look it from over 10m away, you should buy 4k monitor, if you want the best 4k experience.

 Don't 90% of Tvs have 30hz? with like 5% being 24 and 4% being 60 (note percents are just guestimates but THE MAJORITY of tvs are 30hz and note the MAJORITY of Tv content is 24fps locked and gaming consoles being 30fps locked) and he's not speaking of using it as a monitor so yeah 30hz should be fine as long he's not connecting his computer for hardcore gaming...

[Ciccioo]

you can have a 4k TV, but you can't have 4k content to watch on it, so no, it's a terrible investment at the moment

[mvitkun]

Would you recommend against or for buying a 4k TV at this point in time? I know there has a rather slow adoption of 4k TV content but in terms of future proofing, I would to think that a 4k TV be better than a 1080p TV in future as it can support the "next gen resolution". The prices are still higher but you can usually find them on sale with big discounts at some retailers. 

 

Please keep in mind with this question that the potential TV buyer has no interest in gaming on the screen. 

I wouldn't.

It's like those people who bought a Core 2 Quad, back when most applications used only 2 threads.They'd say it future proofs their rig, while in reality when mainstream was ready for quad cores there were cheaper and more powerful quad cores available.

When 4K is adopted, when there is content readily available in 4K; not just 1 or 2 shows on Netflix, but when a majority of shows on Netflix and Hulu are 4K, then at that point in time 4K tvs will be much cheaper and there will be better 4K tvs available for the price of the ones you might be considering.

Buying something you can't take advantage of now won't future proof anything, it's just locking you into spending money on something for e-peen looking back in a few years when you see $300-$500 high quality 4K TVs you'll know buying a 4K TV so early on was a mistake and you'll regret wasting money on it.

[Imabigmac]

 I would if you have the money to afford even the cheapest 4k Monitor as long as it doesn't have some redicilous issues like no HDMI ports or RGB ports... cause for a TV (which almost by definition has an IPS panel) Resolution is more important than refresh rate since 24fps is standard for most tv content and sharpness should be clear even if running at 1080p vs another 1080p native tv

I would go with a monitor before a TV any day, but only if I using it for a computer and not in a living room or something like that. 

[Imabigmac]

you can have a 4k TV, but you can't have 4k content to watch on it, so no, it's a terrible investment at the moment

 

 

I wouldn't.

It's like those people who bought a Core 2 Quad, back when most applications used only 2 threads.They'd say it future proofs their rig, while in reality when mainstream was ready for quad cores there were cheaper and more powerful quad cores available.

When 4K is adopted, when there is content readily available in 4K; not just 1 or 2 shows on Netflix, but when a majority of shows on Netflix and Hulu are 4K, then at that point in time 4K tvs will be much cheaper.

 

Now if you were only going to buy one TV in the next 4 years would that change your thoughts at all? 

[Ciccioo]

Now if you were only going to buy one TV in the next 4 years would that change your thoughts at all? 

it's like @mvitkun said

i would buy it, but i wouldn't buy it now

you can wait a couple years (maybe less, maybe more, until the standard is solid), then buy a 4k tv and don't change it for 4 years or even more

[TymmVonD]

I bought the HU8550 Samsung last month. It was only $2700 after tax. Netflix had 5 4K files to choose, but recently added a handful more. It upscales everything. So, the Wii U and Xbone look amazing. It almost removes all aliasing. On lego Marvel, there are alot of staircases and on the Xbone, the aliasing was horrible. The upscaling removes that. The chip that runs it all is so snappy compared to other smart TVs I've owned. The TV comes with all HDMI 2.0 ports, so it's ready for 4K@60Hz, but lacks display port. So, my PC can't display 4K@60Hz. I called StarTech to try and get a prototype adapter. They say they are working on adapters but have no testing program for consumers. I don't regret buying the TV at all. Everything looks sharper, especially gimmicky 3D.

[mvitkun]

Now if you were only going to buy one TV in the next 4 years would that change your thoughts at all? 

It depends, do you have the budget to buy a good 4K TV right now, because while @TymmVonD had a good experience it was due to the content being up-scaled.

[Imabigmac]

It depends, do you have the budget to buy a good 4K TV right now, because while @TymmVonD had a good experience it was due to the content being up-scaled.

the money is available and would waiting for a good sale opportunity. 

[TymmVonD]

It depends, do you have the budget to buy a good 4K TV right now, because while @TymmVonD had a good experience it was due to the content being up-scaled.

Mainly, the best pro is the upscaling. Though I have been watching Breaking Bad all over again in 4K on Netflix. That should hold me over a bit until more content arrives. Also Smurfs 2, Ghostbusters 1 and 2.

[Imabigmac]

For fun lets say it was this TV. 

 

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/lg-electronics-lg-55-4k-ultra-hd-3d-120hz-ips-led-smart-tv-55ub8500-chrome-55ub8500/10292472.aspx?path=9827d6c76a58e4c85fb2611b66484088en02&SearchPageIndex=1

[TymmVonD]

For fun lets say it was this TV. 

 

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/lg-electronics-lg-55-4k-ultra-hd-3d-120hz-ips-led-smart-tv-55ub8500-chrome-55ub8500/10292472.aspx?path=9827d6c76a58e4c85fb2611b66484088en02&SearchPageIndex=1

For the price, that was my first choice. I ended up getting the Samsung on an impulse at BestBuy and they didn't have the LG.

[mvitkun]

For fun lets say it was this TV. 

 

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/lg-electronics-lg-55-4k-ultra-hd-3d-120hz-ips-led-smart-tv-55ub8500-chrome-55ub8500/10292472.aspx?path=9827d6c76a58e4c85fb2611b66484088en02&SearchPageIndex=1

I mean we could all say no don't do it, and in the end you could still buy the TV.

Just be sure you want to spend a couple grand on a tv now instead of spending maybe $500 now and replacing the tv later when the experience is better.

4K TV prices aren't going to increase suddenly.

[mvitkun]

For the price, that was my first choice. I ended up getting the Samsung on an impulse at BestBuy and they didn't have the LG.

You spent three grand on impulse? 

[TymmVonD]

You spent three grand on impulse? 

I had been looking at the UHDs, but didn't intend to buy yet as I would've ordered on Amazon. And Amazon has a scheduled delivery system for these TVs where it would take like 2 weeks. When I bought it, I didn't plan on going to Best Buy. It happened. Then I saw the Samsung, asked a few questions, then my wife busted me looking and surprisingly agreed we should get it. But yeah, it was an impulse.

[mvitkun]

I had been looking at the UHDs, but didn't intend to buy yet as I would've ordered on Amazon. And Amazon has a scheduled delivery system for these TVs where it would take like 2 weeks. When I bought it, I didn't plan on going to Best Buy. It happened. Then I saw the Samsung, asked a few questions, then my wife busted me looking and surprisingly agreed we should get it. But yeah, it was an impulse.

Oh okay, I had a different picture in mind.

I was thinking you bought the TV, brought it home, and then a month later were single.

[dalekphalm]

 Don't 90% of Tvs have 30hz? with like 5% being 24 and 4% being 60 (note percents are just guestimates but THE MAJORITY of tvs are 30hz and note the MAJORITY of Tv content is 24fps locked and gaming consoles being 30fps locked) and he's not speaking of using it as a monitor so yeah 30hz should be fine as long he's not connecting his computer for hardcore gaming...

I'm not sure I understand you, but if you're saying that 90% of TV's only have a 30Hz refresh rate, then you're quite wrong actually. Basically ALL modern HDTV's have 60Hz refresh rates.

 

Also, the majority of TV content is NOT 24 FPS. 24 FPS is used primarily for Hollywood films. Most TV shows are actually filmed and broadcast in 30 FPS (Or 29.97 in North America traditionally). Some TV content is 60 FPS, but mostly just sports broadcasts.

 

Now if you're referring to UHD TV's specifically, then yes, most are only 30Hz because HDMI 1.4 doesn't have the bandwidth. A few with DisplayPort have 60Hz. HDMI 2.0 also can do 60Hz, though I'm not sure really if it's out yet in consumer models.

 

Finally, consoles are not locked at 30  FPS. SOME console games are locked at 30 FPS because the hardware is severely underpowered for 1080P content and modern graphics, but the consoles themselves are fully capable of 60 FPS, assuming the game devs made a game that output at 60 FPS.

[GloriousPain]

Thats what I assumed but your original post said nothing of using it as a computer monitor so the guy who I was replying to M-Ursu complained of 30hz for a 2160p tv, but 30hz is true for the majority of TVs so that's not an argument against a 2160p Tv it's an argument against tvs in general...  A monitor is clearly superior but a 2160p tv is superior to a normal tv for obvious reasons...

I would go with a monitor before a TV any day, but only if I using it for a computer and not in a living room or something like that. 

[GloriousPain]

I'm not sure I understand you, but if you're saying that 90% of TV's only have a 30Hz refresh rate, then you're quite wrong actually. Basically ALL modern HDTV's have 60Hz refresh rates.

 

Also, the majority of TV content is NOT 24 FPS. 24 FPS is used primarily for Hollywood films. Most TV shows are actually filmed and broadcast in 30 FPS (Or 29.97 in North America traditionally). Some TV content is 60 FPS, but mostly just sports broadcasts.

 

Now if you're referring to UHD TV's specifically, then yes, most are only 30Hz because HDMI 1.4 doesn't have the bandwidth. A few with DisplayPort have 60Hz. HDMI 2.0 also can do 60Hz, though I'm not sure really if it's out yet in consumer models.

 

Finally, consoles are not locked at 30  FPS. SOME console games are locked at 30 FPS because the hardware is severely underpowered for 1080P content and modern graphics, but the consoles themselves are fully capable of 60 FPS, assuming the game devs made a game that output at 60 FPS.

 I just quit my job at best buy a few weeks ago where 90% of our tv selection HD or not was 30hz ... which was the basis for my "guestimate" ... and yeah in northamerica around 30 hz is avg for broadcasts like you said with exceptions, UHD tvs in particular, And yeah that one was a mis-statement on part consoles are not locked to 30fps, but alot of console games are not "some" ALOT  and they wouldn't go for 60 fps as lazy devs are lazy as linus would say...  and CONSOLES are not capable of 4k at 60 fps so does it matter? hell I doubt they could do 1080p at 30fps constant except with few rare games...  So in reality should we let consoles hold tvs back? they already hold back pcs a bit...

[snes]

Now if you were only going to buy one TV in the next 4 years would that change your thoughts at all? 

 

No. Not at all. I'm sure it will take at least another 10 years until there's enough content available that could justify purchasing a 4K TV. Even at that point in time, it will probably be paid for premium content mainly.

Also, that would have to be a pretty big TV and you would have to sit rather close to it.

[TymmVonD]

No. Not at all. I'm sure it will take at least another 10 years until there's enough content available that could justify purchasing a 4K TV. Even at that point in time, it will probably be paid for premium content mainly.

Also, that would have to be a pretty big TV and you would have to sit rather close to it.

I bought into the 3D hype, year one. At first, there was little content. By year three, there were too many titles to watch. Personally, the glasses got old. With 4K, I expect way faster adoption. I expect Holiday 2014 to bring in lots of 4K content and by Holiday 2015, HDTVs will be hard to find. Whether or not the consumers are buying, Samsung will stop shipping HDTVs to stores. Even HD Netflix looks way better on a UHD TV.