Ultra HD .Vs HDTV

[Stuart.W.D]

Ultra HD TV to standard HDTV

The first point worth making is - higher resolution displays on Ultra will always allow us to sit closer to the screen before being able to see the pixels. So considering we can purchase a larger size TV without having to increase - viewing distance before individual pixels can be seen. that's a pro to Ultra

Also once you’ve seen or got used to a crystal clear and lifelike quality of 4K, The PQ will outclass our flagship 1080p TVs. And may be difficult to watch standard HDTV again. another pro to Ultra then.

So outside the lack of 4K content & the upscalling which can cause unwanted artifacts. what other pros & cons should be highlighted for someone in the hunt for a 4k set. And what are the real benefits of staying with 1080p. :?

 

[bigboss]

You've summed it all up really. Personally, I usually change TVs after 5-7 years, so it makes sense for me to buy a 4K. Bear in mind that a 4K set (with lack of content currently) command a £500-700 premium over 1080p sets.

 

[theflyingwasp]

The real benifet of staying with 1080p is like we have all said before is the lack of fricken content .why oh why were 4k tvs not released with 4k Blu ray players with a handful of movies .

 

[ellisdj]

I can imagine there being many 4k tv's manufactured and sold in the next year that dont have "crystal clear lifelike picture"

Higher resolution doesnt necessarily mean better overall picture I think that is something to factor in here for this debate

 

[strapped for cash]

Also once you’ve seen or got used to a crystal clear and lifelike quality of 4K, The PQ will outclass our flagship 1080p TVs. And may be difficult to watch standard HDTV again. another pro to Ultra then.

Not necessarily.

There's a huge archive of SD digital content that makes up a lot of broadcast television output. If 4K renders this SD content unwatchable, and 4K broadcast material isn't forthcoming, buying a 4K TV starts to look like a less sensible move.

You can argue that 4K broadcasting is inevitable, but there are great obstacles (in the UK at least) to a viable higher resolution broadcasting and streaming infrastructure.

So outside the lack of 4K content & the upscalling which can cause unwanted artifacts. what other pros & cons should be highlighted for someone in the hunt for a 4k set. And what are the real benefits of staying with 1080p. :?

As above, really.

4K televisions may do a good job of upscaling 1080p and 1080i content, but a 4K TV isn't at its best displaying lower resolution sources. I'd rather watch 1080p content on a 1080p TV.

4K televisions won't make HD broadcast material look better; and I've read reviews stating that things can sometimes get fuzzy when a 4K TV is resolving 1080p content (with complex motion, for instance).

For the moment, and arguably for the next few years at least, 1080p makes more sense to me than paying a premium for a TV without supporting infrastructure, unless you want to spend your time streaming a limited amount of demo material.

If you're taking a longer term view, as BB above, the decision becomes more complicated.

 

[bigboss]

I must add that the 4K TVs I've seen so far are brilliant upscalers of even SD content. I was astounded at the quality, especially considering that 95% of the picture is made up!! I think upscaling quality has gone up with 4K. But need to see more SD content to confirm that.

 

[strapped for cash]

You may well be right.

I'd like to test 4K upscaling with complex material, especially with regard to motion performance. I'll freely admit that my commentary above is based on what I've read, rather than seen.

 

[mr malarky]

I usually change TV's about every three years (much to mrs M's annoyance), so if I was in the market for a new TV today I think I'd struggle to justify the current premium for a top-end 4k set with so much uncertainty about content delivery platforms.

At the same time, I would balk at the prospect of seeing 4k BluRay launched in a years time and finding my 12 month old TV incompatible!

In general I don't think 2014 is a good time to buy a high-end TV unless there's something specific driving the need to change, so I'd probably hold off till next year if I could.

 

[theflyingwasp]

Does anyone actually have a 4k tv on this forum?

P.s hell of a thread on hdmi cables on the home cinema section get stuck in.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

If I was in the market I would buy the LG OLED TV.

 

[theflyingwasp]

Yes I have to agree with gel on this one the 77inch LG OLED is the only tv I would consider it will cost a fortune tho! But 77inch is the kind of size I would be happy with and the same size of tv aswell.

 

[Stuart.W.D]

I personally will hold of untill - 4K content is more available. I was more curious on finding out other people's opinions & to help anyone in the hunt for a Ultra HDTV. It would be great if someone on WHF who has a 4KTV could maybe upload some pics! And let us know your thoughts on the upscalling

 

[bigboss]

Does anyone actually have a 4k tv on this forum?

P.s hell of a thread on hdmi cables on the home cinema section get stuck in.

El Hefe has one:

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/your-system/my-hifi-and-home-cinema-set-up?page=6