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Consumer Electronics

Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Core
Original poster
May 5, 2008
23,986
27,073
The Misty Mountains
4K TV prices plummet-
Wow, TV prices have fallen. It seems like just 4 years ago a 60" 1080p set was $2400. Now a 60" is $1300 and a 55" is $1000. Looked at the MRs Best Buy Banner ad, but the $#%! link for whatever reason won't let me copy/paste it on my iPad this morning... :( I'll add it later from my Mac.

Update: Best Buy link
 
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haxrnick

haxrnick

macrumors 6502a
Aug 4, 2011
536
2,004
Seattle
Huntn said:
4K TV prices plummet-
Wow, TV prices have fallen. It seems like just 4 years ago a 60" 1080p set was $2400. Now a 60" is $1300 and a 55" is $1000. Looked at the MRs Best Buy Banner ad, but the $#%! link for whatever reason won't let me copy/paste it on my iPad this morning... :( I'll add it later from my Mac.
Click to expand...
2 reasons. 1.) Super Bowl. 2.) Companies are unloading their 2015 models gearing up for the 2016 models coming in which I will be waiting for. Want to buy a 4k OLED so bad but don't want to drop 6k.
 
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lparsons21

lparsons21

macrumors 6502
Jun 3, 2014
451
208
Southern Illinois
HD broadcasts are either 720p or 1080i, usually 1080p is only for PPV's. I'm not aware of any 4K broadcasts yet but there will be some this year from what I read.
But even without actual 4K source material, the quality of video on a 4K set compared to a 1080p set is much improved imo. IOW, worth it even without 4K source material.
 
Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Core
Original poster
May 5, 2008
23,986
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The Misty Mountains
Tomorrow said:
Are there even any 4k broadcasts going on? I thought everything was still pretty much 1080p at best.
Click to expand...

Great question, my impression is that most of the benefit will come from the next generation BluRay, so it might be a good reason to ask whay bother with 4K at this point? For myself, I won't upgrade until my current 1080 LCD Sony craps out.
 
Tomorrow

Tomorrow

macrumors 604
Mar 2, 2008
7,160
1,365
Always a day away
Huntn said:
Great question, my impression is that most of the benefit will come from the next generation BluRay, so it might be a good reason to ask whay bother with 4K at this point? For myself, I won't upgrade until my current 1080 LCD Sony craps out.
Click to expand...

I don't know much about it, but it seems like it's going to take a crapton of bandwidth to deliver that kind of content, so it will probably be quite some time before streaming services have a significant amount of content. Not sure what satellite or cable providers would be able to do, but I suspect that multiple 4k broadcasts to a house (think multiple TV's or a DVR that can show and record simultaneously) will eat up what most homes can get, bandwidth-wise.
 
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D.T.

D.T.

macrumors G4
Sep 15, 2011
11,050
12,467
Vilano Beach, FL
As someone pointed out, broadcast resolutions are 720p and 1080i, where 1080p has only been BD and some streaming services.

I still think we're a good year out for any kind of mass consumer adoption, plus they're still getting specifications like HDR sorted out. If you want to buy a semi-future proof 4K set right now, you're going to pay a bunch. We're in the market for a new set, and I'm considering 4K, but I want the standard to get standardized :)
 
A.Goldberg

A.Goldberg

macrumors 68030
Jan 31, 2015
2,549
9,715
Boston
The other factor besides broadcast resolution is whether visually it will make a substantial difference relative to TV size and viewing distance. From what I've read, the 4k's provide slightly better color but unless you're buying a very large TV or sitting very, very close to your TV it's not necessarily worth the extra cost at this point. Lastly, depending on your application, many of the refresh rates are still mediocre especislly on lower priced sets.

I have a 1080p tv right now. I've toyed with the idea of buying a bigger, better, new TV but now doesn't seem like the best time. If I was in dire need of buying a new TV, I'm still not sure I'd spend the extra money at this point to go with 4K over HD.
 
rdowns

rdowns

macrumors Penryn
Jul 11, 2003
27,397
12,521
Fry's had a 55" Ultra HD LED no name brand on sale for $399 yesterday.
 
rhett7660

rhett7660

macrumors G5
Jan 9, 2008
14,373
4,495
Sunny, Southern California
The only one I have heard doing 4K is Netflix for a few of their shows. I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon.com Prime isn't doing it and maybe some of the other companies. But it is still pretty small. Heck 1080p is still super small compared to how many channels are out there.
 
bradl

bradl

macrumors 603
Jun 16, 2008
5,952
17,447
haxrnick said:
Tempted to jump on this for my bedroom. Not sure I can pass on this price. http://www.walmart.com/ip/VIZIO-M60...=15954697062192559286&affillinktype=2&veh=aff

Some have had good luck with Best Buy price match. Brickseek shows a couple in stock near me.
Click to expand...

Huntn said:
That price is unheard of! :)
Click to expand...

JamesMike said:
That is a deal!
Click to expand...

Definitely a good deal. Over Black Friday, they had that very TV down to $599, with having the 50" variant at $498 at both Walmart and Sam's Club, causing Costco to match the price. The E-series ended up dropping to 498, while they introduced the D-series (basically E-series + 4K) at $528.

The M series is definitely the best one to get. We picked up the M50-C1, which was a huge jump from a 5 year old LG 32" HDTV that barely did 720p. Being able to go directly to Amazon and Netflix with both having 4K for their shows is great, plus being able to watch Blu-Ray movies with it being completely fluid is great. Plus my wife can see it, which is a bonus!

If you jump on it (not sure what your setup is), I'd recommend a soundbar, or entire wireless system. If you're looking at the 60" TV, the 38" or 40" soundbar with wireless subwoofer and speaker will work great for you. Integrates nicely with the TV with Bluetooth, both are able to be controlled by a Logitech Harmony remote, or if you want, the TV remote should have a keyboard on the back, making typing and searching easier.

Either way, if you're tempted and have the spare cash for it, pull the trigger.

BL.
 
Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Core
Original poster
May 5, 2008
23,986
27,073
The Misty Mountains
12vElectronics said:
It's amazing how cheap TVs have become. I'm still not upgrading until my 2007 Vizio 37" LCD 720p tv craps out though!
Click to expand...

chown33 said:
I know some teenagers who can help you with the latter.
Click to expand...

Thinking about how fast things change, in 2009, I was able to actually sell a 32" Sony (cathode ray tube) for $25. It weighed a ton. :) The other smaller ones, I could not even give away and had to recycle them...
 
mscriv

mscriv

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2008
4,923
602
Dallas, Texas
bradl said:
Definitely a good deal. Over Black Friday, they had that very TV down to $599, with having the 50" variant at $498 at both Walmart and Sam's Club, causing Costco to match the price. The E-series ended up dropping to 498, while they introduced the D-series (basically E-series + 4K) at $528.

The M series is definitely the best one to get. We picked up the M50-C1, which was a huge jump from a 5 year old LG 32" HDTV that barely did 720p. Being able to go directly to Amazon and Netflix with both having 4K for their shows is great, plus being able to watch Blu-Ray movies with it being completely fluid is great. Plus my wife can see it, which is a bonus!
Click to expand...

We took advantage of that deal and also picked up a Vizio M50-C1 on Black Friday. It has been awesome so far.
 
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Snoopy4

Snoopy4

macrumors 6502a
Dec 29, 2014
662
2,968
rhett7660 said:
The only one I have heard doing 4K is Netflix for a few of their shows. I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon.com Prime isn't doing it and maybe some of the other companies. But it is still pretty small. Heck 1080p is still super small compared to how many channels are out there.
Click to expand...

Netflix, Vudu, Amazon, DirecTV all have UHD material.
 
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