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Bad time to buy a new tv?

M

mellofello

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Feb 1, 2011
1,259
556
Considering changing out my 2010 midrange Sony tv for a new one. Nothing wrong with it but with the higher end thin bezel tvs I can squeeze a 50 inch into the space of my 46 inch. The only real spec boost is better contrast and higher refresh rates.

How long until oled, and 4k tvs trickle down to us mere mortals? It seemed like there is a Paradigm shift coming in tvs based on ces coverage this year.

I don't want to plunk down the money if there are new tvs right on the horizon. My next tv will be on the higher end, but I dont want to spend 20k.

Anyone have thoughts on the ultra high definition roadmap. Will I regret getting a sweet tv today within say the next 2-3 years?
 
Sounds like you are regreting your 2010 TV, and that's only 2 years ago. Must not be a big issue to you. ;)

4K will need sources to matter. I think that will be awhile to be mainstream. Also not sure that it will be that useful in mid-sized TVs like yours. Unless you sit within 5'.
 
I sit pretty close. We live in a tight city home. I'm limited in where I can put the tv. I would rather dedicate the one big wall to books then to a tv. Oh well I think I will wait to see what apple has in store.

I can already see room for improvement watching 1080p blue ray on my 46 inch. I imagine it would amplify with a few more inches.
 
mellofello said:
Anyone have thoughts on the ultra high definition roadmap. Will I regret getting a sweet tv today within say the next 2-3 years?
Click to expand...

I don't think you will see OLED or 4K resolution either one come down to the ~$1,000 for 50" price point we have now for at LEAST five years... if not longer. I can't think of anything coming out in the next two to three years that is going to make you kick yourself over a purchase now.

You might hang out at http://www.avsforum.com/ a bit. Pretty active discussion over there about televisions.
 
Never buy version 1.0 of anything. Why put up with the bugs and pay premium? Let them iron out all the kinks then my wallet will be ready for 2.0, says the accountant in me.
 
After coming up with the money to actually afford a 4K OLED tv, how much content will be out there that takes advantage of the Resolution. I have a feeling it will be extremely limited and very expensive (EG Bluray players when they first came out)
 
It sounds like you're just itching to buy something new. If you've got the money, go ahead and do it. However, if you're living in a tight city apartment then there might be better things to spend your money on.
 
Take a look at the top end Panasonic plasmas. That is where you will see your best improvements over your current Sony. You can get 4k projectors, but it is not fully agreed on for the exact resolutions. Content isn't easily or cheaply available.

You've got plenty of time. I think 4k will be out more widely within three years, but it will be affordable in 5-6.
 
warvanov said:
It sounds like you're just itching to buy something new. If you've got the money, go ahead and do it. However, if you're living in a tight city apartment then there might be better things to spend your money on.
Click to expand...

It's all about priorities. You can live biking distance to work, nightlife, and the beach, but limit your material possessions. Or you can spend your life in a car and have a 80 inch tv.

We live simply but still get to have nice accoutrements. Same money as McMansions in the burbs but better quality of life for us.

Do the plasmas have razor thin bezels these days?
 
The 4K TVs are $20,000 and there is no content for them. They won't be 50 inches in size for eons because 1080p is almost what Apple would call a retina display if you sit about 8 or 10 feet away.

If you are really thinking about buying a new TV, wait until Black Friday. There will be deals galore on TVs.
 
hello

It's a really bad time to buy most consumer electronic products. ... Plus, the new models will be less expensive .
 
mellofello said:
Do the plasmas have razor thin bezels these days?
Click to expand...

I would not say razor thin, but they are much thinner than older models. Go to Best Buy or whatever and look at a Panasonic GT50 series plasma. You can find the 50" model of that set for around $1,500. Nice set for the money.
 
edvilla115 said:
It's a really bad time to buy most consumer electronic products. ... Plus, the new models will be less expensive .
Click to expand...

Research has shown, over and over, that the best time to buy a TV and general gadgets is in the November / December timeframe (yes, holiday shopping). Check on dealnews.com. My personal experience also confirms this.

The worst time to buy gadgets and TVs are January / February, due to Superbowl. Rest of the year prices are flat.

With clothing though it's a different story; it's actually the othe way around.
 
Yeah, a new TV is going to look better than the one you but is it worth it is a whole different story. A high end spot lit LED or high end plasma are going to be you best bet unless you want spend really really big bucks of a TV that really doesn't have any source material for the additional resolution.
 
Weaselboy said:
I would not say razor thin, but they are much thinner than older models. Go to Best Buy or whatever and look at a Panasonic GT50 series plasma. You can find the 50" model of that set for around $1,500. Nice set for the money.
Click to expand...

I used to be pro LCD, but ever since owning my 50" samsung plasma I've been a convert. It's practically 1/10 the thickness of my "ancient" 2007 lcd and black levels and motion the difference is astounding. The panasonic of the era had even better black levels (though typically was from 2-300 more than the samsung), so I'll plug another recommendation for the panasonic, though I'd check over on avsforum.com for the latest.
 
From what i've been reading, the 4K televisions are gimmicks. You wont find much difference in visual quality in the 4K's unless you really go huge like 70 inches and up (don't quote me on that, just what i read), and even then thats alot of cash to throw on a TV. If you are really in need of a television wait until about christmas time, all of the TV's will drop huge in price because of newer models. I paid about $1200 for my 42 inche LG a few years ago, a few months after my purchase (about christmas) it dropped to 800$ then the new year just over $500. It was like a kick in the face!!!! lol PS. What specs do you wish to see in a TV of your taste once you actually pull the trigger on a sale? There will always be newer TV's on the horizon, its an electronic, with that said you will never be up to date with the latest in this day and age. Its about finding specs/hardware that will satisfy you
 
As of right now the only features I don't currently have are thin bezel, 3D (don't care), High refresh rate, and great contrast.I'm sure everyone on here is as frivolous about upgrading as I am. Those add up to a good enough reason to upgrade for me. I just didn't want to be left holding the bag next year if there were new upgrades rolling out soon.

Looks like I'm good to go. Off to avs forum to research the best tvs in my size range.
 
You will not notice any difference going from 46inch to 50. Really! This size difference it nothing. I suggest keeping your old television and buy a nice sound system to compliment your movie watching experience. Get a couple of book shelf speakers and a good receiver and you would be good.
 
JoeBlow74 said:
You will not notice any difference going from 46inch to 50. Really! This size difference it nothing. I suggest keeping your old television and buy a nice sound system to compliment your movie watching experience. Get a couple of book shelf speakers and a good receiver and you would be good.
Click to expand...

he said he was looking for contrast and PQ improvement which he should get in a 2012 TV. I'd still recommend plasma due to the superior refresh and contrast in the same price range compared to lcd/led.
 
I agree with buying a plasma. When I went from LCD/LED TV to plasma, I almost got motion sickness. I watched Pandora in Blu-ray and I almost got motion sickness watching my TV. The picture was so fluid and smooth, I was in shock. My old 2010 LED/LCD TV had motion blur, pixelation, and a cartoonish look to it during fast action movies. I found myself yelling at my TV when motion blur and pixelation happend. LOL! Just make sure you get a plasma that is THX certified and has the options to get calibrated. Calibration will help with your picture quality.
 
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