New TV and Reciever Time Thoughts ?

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rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#175768 11-Jul-2015 06:26

Hi all about to replace my dying Samsung 40" LCD and thinking of this http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kd-55x8500c

My ailing Denon Reciever an AVR-2808 with this http://onlinehifi.co.nz/product/denon-bluetooth-av-receiver-avr-x4100/

As far as I can tell the TV is going to be ok going forward with say Blu Ray 4K but I just discovered that the Reciever is ok with everything but HDCP2.2 so now I am back to square one with the Reciever any thoughts on both products or should I be looking elsewhere. I don't want a curved TV ( waste of time for my situation ) but I am open to ideas. I would be love any advice. Budget wise I am hoping to be around $6500 in total.

My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3

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4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1340997 11-Jul-2015 09:41

The only receivers for sale on the market that currently have HDCP 2.2 are some of the select 2014 Onkyo's... but that's a fudge and they're only capable of 10GB over HDMI, when the HDR UHD standard requires over 18.
Apart from that, you can currently get a couple of Yamaha 2015 models - not at the power level you spec'd though (the only 7 channel one released thus far is the RXV679, but it's not as powerful as the Denon you linked to / capable of Atmos etc).
The new RXA2050 / RXV2079 should be the ticket though.

I don't know when Denon is releasing their UHD HDR capable receivers, so you may have to wait and see what the prices bring.

Now the question is, will the Sony comply to the full colour gamut of the UHD Blu-ray standard that will arrive at the end of 2015?

Dingbatt

6758 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1341039 11-Jul-2015 10:33

Unfortunately, (IMHO) trying to future proof too far becomes a futile and expensive exercise. Having been burnt in the past by purchasing expensive gear only to have it rendered obsolete by evolving standards within 1-2years I have resolved to stick with the near term when upgrading and upgrade more often. No harm in looking at the proposed/announced standards but not to chase them at all cost.
As Dunnersfella mentioned full colour gamut TVs are just around the corner, as are affordable oled ones. I am waiting for decent UHD media and players to become available before I try too hard at the next round of upgrades.

Most manufacturers are going through their mid year model refreshes over the next couple of months so that will give you a better opportunity to look forward, or conversely pick up a runout bargain.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1341047 11-Jul-2015 11:00

Dunnersfella: The only receivers for sale on the market that currently have HDCP 2.2 are some of the select 2014 Onkyo's... but that's a fudge and they're only capable of 10GB over HDMI, when the HDR UHD standard requires over 18.
Apart from that, you can currently get a couple of Yamaha 2015 models - not at the power level you spec'd though (the only 7 channel one released thus far is the RXV679, but it's not as powerful as the Denon you linked to / capable of Atmos etc).
The new RXA2050 / RXV2079 should be the ticket though.

I don't know when Denon is releasing their UHD HDR capable receivers, so you may have to wait and see what the prices bring.

Now the question is, will the Sony comply to the full colour gamut of the UHD Blu-ray standard that will arrive at the end of 2015?

You raise a good point re the colour gamut of the UHD Standard hmmm will have to check that with Sony on Monday.

I really didn't want to stray from Denon their gear has served me very well in the past. I have had bad experiences with Yamaha gear before. Onkyo I don't know a lot about.

Maybe I am back to square one all around even with the TV.

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1341049 11-Jul-2015 11:01

Dingbatt: Unfortunately, (IMHO) trying to future proof too far becomes a futile and expensive exercise. Having been burnt in the past by purchasing expensive gear only to have it rendered obsolete by evolving standards within 1-2years I have resolved to stick with the near term when upgrading and upgrade more often. No harm in looking at the proposed/announced standards but not to chase them at all cost.
As Dunnersfella mentioned full colour gamut TVs are just around the corner, as are affordable oled ones. I am waiting for decent UHD media and players to become available before I try too hard at the next round of upgrades.

Most manufacturers are going through their mid year model refreshes over the next couple of months so that will give you a better opportunity to look forward, or conversely pick up a runout bargain.

I also have been burnt before I had one of the Sony HD CRT's that wasn't as future proofed as Sony led me to believe.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#1359465 5-Aug-2015 15:14

From the little research I've done, the important features to look for currently for now-proofing to make sure all the current 4K stuff works to it's fullest appear to be;

Chroma 4:4:4 support (Yamaha RX-V679 & above)
HDMI 2.0
HDCP 2.2 (Part of the HDMI 2.0 spec)

I'm probably looking at the RX-V679 myself as it's "powerful enough" and has all the other support I want. I won't be getting a 4K set for a while, but my existing receiver is annoying me so I may as well replace it with something that is likely to have a bit of life in it for when I do inevitably make the 4k jump.

As for the TV itself, haven't looked into it much but will likely go with a 60" non-curved LG set of some description, will be wall-mounted and they seem to be better value for money than Samsung or Sony.

@KnightNZ

geekiegeek

2513 posts

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Inactive user

#1359509 5-Aug-2015 16:13

rokki:
Dingbatt: Unfortunately, (IMHO) trying to future proof too far becomes a futile and expensive exercise. Having been burnt in the past by purchasing expensive gear only to have it rendered obsolete by evolving standards within 1-2years I have resolved to stick with the near term when upgrading and upgrade more often. No harm in looking at the proposed/announced standards but not to chase them at all cost.
As Dunnersfella mentioned full colour gamut TVs are just around the corner, as are affordable oled ones. I am waiting for decent UHD media and players to become available before I try too hard at the next round of upgrades.

Most manufacturers are going through their mid year model refreshes over the next couple of months so that will give you a better opportunity to look forward, or conversely pick up a runout bargain.

I also have been burnt before I had one of the Sony HD CRT's that wasn't as future proofed as Sony led me to believe.

They were bloody nice TV's though. I had one for a while feeding HD via component connectors.

I agree with others here in regards to trying to future proof. Personally I stick with the prevailing technology at the time i.e. 1080P HD. 4K etc are just not there yet as far as clear standards and support so I suspect you may end up getting burnt or paying for something that you don't actually get any use out of for quite some time.

With no 4K content outside of streaming I would say if you want 4K just make sure you get a set that supports the streaming service of your choice and wait til your next upgrade for all the new stuff.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1359685 5-Aug-2015 21:21

I agree also. I went with 4K but only because it had a darned good picture for 1080P as well, the range of inputs I desired, and my hand was prematurely forced when my TV died.

For what it's worth, I pick a TV only on the basis that it's a good TV (ie good picture, and a good range of inputs). I don't buy on sound - even the best TVs now seem to have lousy sound and will be beaten by even a mediocre soundbar or receiver. I don't buy based on smarts, as they will become obsolete quickly and a cheap media player (eg either a dedicated android one or a blu ray player with streaming apps) is cheap to buy and upgrade quickly.

The one thing I did discover is that few manufacturers put out easily accessible full specs (I'm looking at YOU Panasonic!) and a fair number of supposedly premium sets don't seem to support proper 24P. Which, if you are buying a decent HD TV and care about picture quality for films, is worth making sure you get. It's also worth verifying anything a retailer tells you - I'm not saying that I was deliberately fibbed to, but a fair proportion of the sales staff who approached me when I was looking seemed to be woefully lacking in knowledge in what they were selling.......

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rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1359949 6-Aug-2015 12:50

Well guys I have bitten the bullet and bought a Samsung UA55JS8000W. First thoughts are stunning picture on anything I have thrown at it i.e. Blu Ray, 4K Netflix and 4K Amazon instant video. I have also just had arrive one of these from Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-CY-SUC10SH1-Video-Pack/dp/B00M3SMI3Y So will play over the weekend and hopefully it will work. :) The receiver is proving to be more problematic I will update after or over the weekend.

Also on Monday I have Brian from Elite Electronics coming to calibrate it so will update after that as well :)

Jaxson

8044 posts

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Trusted

#1360018 6-Aug-2015 14:09

Fully agree about the sound. The move to fashionable slim bezel surrounds has really shunted the speakers from a TV.
Where presently I have a harmony remote option for Watch TV and Watch TV with Speakers, I expect I simply won't bother the TV only sound option when I upgrade my TV.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the vibe I get from others at the moment is to go Samsung if you really do want a smart TV.
The Sony has been disappointing for a work colleague recently, and another has purchased one of each and recommends the Samsung for the smart components.

As others have mentioned though, I use an external device to provide the smarts personally.
Presently that's a PS3 but I'll have to think of something better when I next upgrade.
PS4 doesn't turn on with the Harmony remote, so that's off the shopping list now.
Xbox One looks to be getting a major new lease of life soon via a Windows 10 upgrade, and it has an IR sensor...

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1360386 7-Aug-2015 04:22

Well I had a chance to play a brief bit of the 4K content on the drive and it is stunning :)

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1360978 8-Aug-2015 05:20

The wife and I watched Forest Gump last night from the drive and the picture had a 3D like quality to it. The audio although almost entirely front channel based seemed a huge step up from the DVD we have the receiver indicated it was Dolby Digital and a 5.1 Mix.

With regards to receivers I can get a Dolby Atmos capable Onkyo right now but no ability to do DTS X. So I will wait till Denon / Marantz come out with their ones later this year. I will post again after calibration is done on Monday.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

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#1361039 8-Aug-2015 09:56

That would be the downside of USB based movies - no DTS Master HD / Dolby TrueHD audio.

macuser

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1361040 8-Aug-2015 10:06

The new sonys don't support 4K60 4:4:4, the max they support is 4K30 4:4:4 which is probably fine for Blu-ray

Android TV is quite brilliant though... have the Sky Go app installed along with ps1, n64 emulators running full speed + spotify and YouTube and built in Chromecast support. Just plug in my Xbox 360 controller and I'm away laughing... though because a lot of apps don't support Android TV you need to have a mouse plugged in to use some UI elements.

I saw a cool reciever a little while ago that did Spotify and Bluetooth as well as 4K60 4:4:4 HDMI...it was a Denon

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1361113 8-Aug-2015 12:53

Dunnersfella: That would be the downside of USB based movies - no DTS Master HD / Dolby TrueHD audio.

I agree with no true HD or DTS HD master. But in this case it didn't seem to mater It blew the DVD away audio wize. As per my other post video quality out of this world.

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1361170 8-Aug-2015 15:06

macuser: The new sonys don't support 4K60 4:4:4, the max they support is 4K30 4:4:4 which is probably fine for Blu-ray

Android TV is quite brilliant though... have the Sky Go app installed along with ps1, n64 emulators running full speed + spotify and YouTube and built in Chromecast support. Just plug in my Xbox 360 controller and I'm away laughing... though because a lot of apps don't support Android TV you need to have a mouse plugged in to use some UI elements.

I saw a cool reciever a little while ago that did Spotify and Bluetooth as well as 4K60 4:4:4 HDMI...it was a Denon

I had a look at the Sonys and they didn't come close to meeting the spec. Android Tv was so so. The Samsung with its Tizen OS is very fast and looks great.

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