Mew TV - 2016 Model

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unclerichard

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#195847 8-May-2016 08:28

I am in the market for a new 4K/UHD TV LCD set, it will be my last TV set so I have decided a 2016 would be a good investment.

The deciding factors are:

I have a budget of $2000+

I don't want a curved screen of 3D - they're gimicky

I would love either a plasma or OLED screen but my budget won't stretch that far

The two most important factors are sound and connectivity. I know the flat TVs have abysmal sound sound so I have a set of self-powered speakers connected to my current TV (Sony Bravia 32" 2011). It seems the latest sets do away with both the headphone jack and any RCA out. My main concern is connectivity. I want to stream from the main sources such as Lightbox and Netflix but also from news and academic institutions.

Any suggestion/rants to help me decide gratefully accepted.

unclerichard

rokki

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#1548455 9-May-2016 05:33

Hi this TV http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/tv-av/tv/uhd/UA50JU7000SXNZ should tick most of your boxes.

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

SepticSceptic

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#1548549 9-May-2016 10:05

rokki: Hi this TV http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/tv-av/tv/uhd/UA50JU7000SXNZ should tick most of your boxes.

Wow, that's a nice TV ...

I dont think I'll be able to sneak that one inside the house without SWMBO noticing ....

KrazyKid

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#1548585 9-May-2016 11:10

I'd also consider this Sony TV - http://www.sony.co.nz/product/kd-55x8500c
I don't own one but have heard/read good things.

According to price spy it has been as low as $1999 at Noel Lemmings in Mid April. (the above Samsung also has been as low as that recently.)

With some haggling and good timing (ie the retailer has a supplier deal to sell old models through) you should be able to get close to the low point.

If you haven't discovered Rtings for reviews and picture settings yet google that as well.

If you go for a 4K TV the upscaling quality is very important as most video sources will be upscaled (ie normal TV, most nextflix/lighbox, PC movie files).
This above Sony model is supposed to do upscaling well.

Finally 32" to 55" is a big jump but having just gone form 40" to 55" I don't think 55" is too big. Looking at by parents 32" TV it seems way to small after just 6 weeks of my new TV.

macuser

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#1548592 9-May-2016 11:20

+1 for 55X8500C, at $2000 it's the best bang for buck you will get out of a TV with the latest features and great image quality.

I managed to get mine in april for $1999 priced matched at JB (due to Noel Leeming having it for $1999)

KrazyKid

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#1548631 9-May-2016 12:02

Oh another thought - HDR.

Last years high end TV's just started using HDR and it is not widely supported yet, but looking at its potential I think it will stick around (I personally found 3D did not value add for TV at home and not surprised it is fading out).

The Sony above seems does support HDR (though not to the new standards).
If you wait couple of years HDR will be more widely supported in both TVs and source material IMHO.
(Netflix is just rolling out HDR - 1 series to date, Amazon Prime has a few HDR shows, and 4K Bluray supports HDR (Discs, players only just available now - very limited range)

However you can say that about any new tech and sometimes you just have to draw a line in the sand, and buy in the window that approval is granted - wait to long and approval disappears again :p

JimmyH

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#1548846 9-May-2016 18:39

In my opinion, for what it's worth, buy it just based on picture quality. Nothing else.

Don't worry about connectivity. A couple of hundred dropped on a cheap HTPC (Say an ASRock Beebox which can be had for about $400, or something similar) will give far more connectivity for streaming from a variety of sites and services than any Smart TV. Plus, better upgradeability and future proofing.

Don't worry about sound. Pretty much all TVs now have bad to indifferent sound, because of the thinness fetish. A decent soundbar, in the $3-400 range, connected optically will provide much better sound than any TV out there. A decent 5.1 amp and speaker set will be even better.

A good picture and an adequate number of HDMI inputs is pretty much all you should focus on.

macuser

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#1548852 9-May-2016 19:06

If the 55X8500C comes down in price to 1999 again that's going to be the best bang for buck display you can get this year.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

rokki

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#1548975 10-May-2016 03:44

This is the TV I bought last year http://www.samsung.com/nz/consumer/tv-av/tv/uhd/UA55JS8000WXNZ I have seen it as low as $3500.

macuser

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#1551537 12-May-2016 15:11

55X8500C $2200 at Noel Leeming

DarthKermit

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#1551539 12-May-2016 15:20

Does anyone still manufacture plasma TVs?

wasabi2k

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#1551541 12-May-2016 15:27

DarthKermit:

Does anyone still manufacture plasma TVs?

No. Panasonic quit a few years ago. OLED is the future apparently

maoriboy

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#1551585 12-May-2016 15:47

The latest in Mew TV :-)

Cat TV

unclerichard

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#1554585 18-May-2016 09:07

I'd like to thank everyone who offered suggestions. Because of space I would prefer to keep to the 50" range if possible. The 55" Panasonic has great picture quality but doesn't quite met my needs. It is still a contender along with the LG49". At the end of the month a new Samsung models will be available and I will check these out before making a decision. Both the Samsung and Sony models mentioned were outside my price range. Some one mentioned a $300-400 soundbar, all I've seen are at least twice that.

I have two further questions:

I've been told to 'future-proof' by getting a 200HZ refresh rate, like connecting (when the price comes down) and UHD/4K DVD player. True/False?

Someone mention a streaming box. I'm well behind the play here and would appreciate guidance as to where to suss these out.

Thanks again.

macuser

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#1556272 20-May-2016 13:54

unclerichard:

I'd like to thank everyone who offered suggestions. Because of space I would prefer to keep to the 50" range if possible. The 55" Panasonic has great picture quality but doesn't quite met my needs. It is still a contender along with the LG49". At the end of the month a new Samsung models will be available and I will check these out before making a decision. Both the Samsung and Sony models mentioned were outside my price range. Some one mentioned a $300-400 soundbar, all I've seen are at least twice that.

I have two further questions:

I've been told to 'future-proof' by getting a 200HZ refresh rate, like connecting (when the price comes down) and UHD/4K DVD player. True/False?

Someone mention a streaming box. I'm well behind the play here and would appreciate guidance as to where to suss these out.

Thanks again.

Almost all 49"displays are IPS, which is really crap in TV's. 200Hz isn't going to make it work with 4K. HDMI2.0(a) HDCP2.2 and 3840x2160 resolution is the only thing that will make it work at UHD/Blu-ray 4K.

KrazyKid

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#1556299 20-May-2016 14:54

If buying on a budget I'd suggest now or waiting until around Xmas. These times of year tend to be lowest prices (now because running out last years model to make way for the 2016 stock) or Xmas because strong competition. Normally now is a better time. You might find something in the Queens Birthday deals.

Also have you considered a second hand Panasonic Plasma. The top end ones from a 2 years ago are suppose to be excellent (OLED quality) and should be in your price range.(over say a meter you probably won't notice the difference) - Do Google on 4k viewing distances to get some theories on where most people can't tell any more.