Plasma, LCD, OLED, LED, best tv for next gen

What content is in 4k? Or is 4k Upscaled > 1080p native?

4K upscaling from 1080p is basically snake oil from a normal viewing distance.

I have an FMP-X10 4K media player, so I have some 4K movie content and and I can also watch the minimal 4K content streaming on Netflix. The amount of content isn't amazing but it exists and it's basically a stopgap until Blu-ray 4K arrives.

If you're primarily a console gamer, and not a huge movie blu-ray nut I think it makes more sense to get the cheaper 1080p set.

By the time 4k is actually in wide use, those 4k TVs will be dramatically cheaper, so why not wait until then.

Well my gaming PC is connected to my TV so I have 4K gaming right now. I play games on console and PC. Also I enjoy watching Blu-ray 3D and the 4K sets allow full 1080p resolution to both eyes with just passive glasses which is much better than the annoying active shutter glasses.

I got my 65X900A from a clearance deal for $2,300 earlier this year so it's not a big deal to me in terms of cost. I paid about as much I would have for a high-end 1080p set. But at this point your average 4K set has come down in price to the point where it's only slightly more expensive than a high-end 1080p set, so the choice should be obvious.

You can also get those crazy Changhong 4K sets but I heard those TVs are pretty bad. They are probably about as bad as your average bottom-shelf 1080p set.

I've been playing Valkyria Chronicles PC version in 4K on my X900A, I don't see any good reason why I should have waited for that. I'll probably complete a full system overhaul early next year and I'll have a video card which can play newer PC games in 4K too.
 
Yeah I'm not trying to say that getting a 4k is absolutely the wrong decision, just that I don't think it makes sense for the narrow case of a console only gamer. If you're a PC gamer and you like blu rays then yeah sure that makes sense. Everyone uses their TVs differently.

Rolling back to my question from a few pages back. If you are a console only gamer, and you're not interested in spending more than $1500, it seems like 1080p LED is the most reasonable choice, considering that Plasmas are now difficult to impossible to find. If someone was set on this, what's the best gamer oriented TV?

Wire cutter and CNET seem to like the Vizio E&M series quite a bit. I went over to my local Best Buy to have a look (even though seeing screens at big box stores is usually a waste of time) and they didn't even have them hooked up so I have no idea what they're like.
 
Most likely. HDMI chipsets that support HDCP 2.2 and 4K/4:4:4 are available to manufactures now, so the chances of them going into 2015 sets is very likely.

Previously supporting HDCP 2.2 meant you couldn't do 4:4:4 at 4K/60Hz, I think this is the issue with current Sony sets. The Samsung gets around it by only including one HDCP 2.2 port, the rest are non-HDCP 2.2.

Gotcha, thanks!
 
so with that being said, does it make sense going for a great 1080p or paying a premium for 4k right now?

I would not pay a premium for 4k right now.

Get a great 1080p set, and then in 5-10 years when 4k is broadcasted and used everywhere, upgrade for much, much cheaper.
 
Looking for something between 40 and 50 inches that I'm mostly going to play non-FPS PC games on, as well as watch movies and Netflix on. Also gonna be mounting on it a wall about 10 feet away and 6 feet up. Looking to spend up to $700, so I'm thinking a plasma (based on thewirecutter's suggestions), but I'm not really sure. Any advice GAF? Should I wait until BF / CM?
 
Looking for something between 40 and 50 inches that I'm mostly going to play non-FPS PC games on, as well as watch movies and Netflix on. Also gonna be mounting on it a wall about 10 feet away and 6 feet up. Looking to spend up to $700, so I'm thinking a plasma (based on thewirecutter's suggestions), but I'm not really sure. Any advice GAF? Should I wait until BF / CM?

If gaming is a primary use, I would be careful about image retention issues with plasmas. I can still see parts of the Dark Souls 2 UI when I'm viewing a black screen, and I played that game at launch.
 
If gaming is a primary use, I would be careful about image retention issues with plasmas. I can still see parts of the Dark Souls 2 UI when I'm viewing a black screen, and I played that game at launch.

I still have the FFXIV UI in my VT60 and it's been about 5 months since I stopped using it to play that game. I don't recommend plasma to anyone who plays games heavily.

At this point I'm actually pretty sure that I fucked up my plasma pretty bad because the burn-in isn't going away. It's probably permanent. Oh well, you can't take the money with you after you die anyways, so fuck it. I'll probably give the TV to my parents, they don't even know how to tune the cable box to the HD feed for the channel instead of the SD one even though I've showed them several times so I doubt they'll notice the burn-in.
 
After getting some test time in around 4ks and that 9300 OLED my rankings go: LG 9300 then Sony x900b, then Samsung 8550. That LG is on another level period. Color and contrast is flat out superior and holds more weight to me than the 2160 sets. Sony's 900 and 950b xbr sets should be looked at if you can't get over 4k (and can't wait/afford the LG 9700 4k oled which is probably going to blow everything away), due to their contrast and color accuracy. The 8550 I'd say is a good entry level 4k, well what I'd consider an entry level model, I'd lean to that more than Sony's x850b.
 
If you are looking for value, you are going to be better off buying a 1080p set today and taking the money you save and buying a 4K set once there is a reasonable amount of content available, which will probably take a few years.

Yeah, we may have 4K Blu-rays next Christmas, but it will be just like every other new format release. The players will be really expensive, the discs will be really expensive, and selection will be very limited.

Truthfacts. The same advise to go with for buying PC components. Leave the bleeding edge to people that like to toss their ducets away. You can probably spend less money to get a good 1080p tv now and a good 4k tv in 5 years then you would on a 4k tv now that would be as good as that good one you could buy in 5 years.

I still have the FFXIV UI in my VT60 and it's been about 5 months since I stopped using it to play that game. I don't recommend plasma to anyone who plays games heavily.

At this point I'm actually pretty sure that I fucked up my plasma pretty bad because the burn-in isn't going away. It's probably permanent. Oh well, you can't take the money with you after you die anyways, so fuck it. I'll probably give the TV to my parents, they don't even know how to tune the cable box to the HD feed for the channel instead of the SD one even though I've showed them several times so I doubt they'll notice the burn-in.

Have you tried running some burn in removal patterns? That tv may even have some built in. They are things that you just let play for a few hours that flash a bunch of colors and what not.
 
Sony-XBR65X900B.jpg
 
So I'm thinking about getting rid of my 2011 Panny plasma as it just gives off too much heat for my small apartment's living room. Is there a market for selling these used?
 
Truthfacts. The same advise to go with for buying PC components. Leave the bleeding edge to people that like to toss their ducets away. You can probably spend less money to get a good 1080p tv now and a good 4k tv in 5 years then you would on a 4k tv now that would be as good as that good one you could buy in 5 years.

Sure, if you care so little about your short mortal lifespan relative to saving a few hundreds of dollars, because that's how small the 4K premium has become. I'll be enjoying PC gaming in 4K right now, I have the FMP-X10 4K media player for a few movies and Netflix 4K streaming, apparently Amazon will be launching their 4K streaming service by early 2015, and Blu-ray 4K is coming late 2015.

The saying in technology has always been that something better is always around the corner. Unfortunately, you do not age like a fine wine. You grow old, become decrepit, and eventually die. This is assuming a car crash or cancer doesn't get you first. So it's up to you, but I tend to be an early adopter of stuff like this because quite frankly I don't have a lot of time on the clock to enjoy stuff before I'm dead so I want to maximize every second I have.
 
After getting some test time in around 4ks and that 9300 OLED my rankings go: LG 9300 then Sony x900b, then Samsung 8550. That LG is on another level period. Color and contrast is flat out superior and holds more weight to me than the 2160 sets. Sony's 900 and 950b xbr sets should be looked at if you can't get over 4k (and can't wait/afford the LG 9700 4k oled which is probably going to blow everything away), due to their contrast and color accuracy. The 8550 I'd say is a good entry level 4k, well what I'd consider an entry level model, I'd lean to that more than Sony's x850b.

Yeah, the EC9300 is jaw dropping. I would recommend it over 4K sets as well, although to be fair it's way more expensive than most of them at this point and only 55", which may rule it out for some. I'm waiting for the price to drop $500-1000 more and I'll likely get it. OLED 4K likely isn't going be under $5k until 2016 considering the starting price of the EC9700 is $10k. I also worry that the 4K model will have too much input lag, LG's LCD-based 4K sets are around the 60-70ms range even in PC mode :/
 
Sure, if you care so little about your short mortal lifespan relative to saving a few hundreds of dollars, because that's how small the 4K premium has become. I'll be enjoying PC gaming in 4K right now, I have the FMP-X10 4K media player for a few movies and Netflix 4K streaming, apparently Amazon will be launching their 4K streaming service by early 2015, and Blu-ray 4K is coming late 2015.

The saying in technology has always been that something better is always around the corner. Unfortunately, you do not age like a fine wine. You grow old, become decrepit, and eventually die. This is assuming a car crash or cancer doesn't get you first. So it's up to you, but I tend to be an early adopter of stuff like this because quite frankly I don't have a lot of time on the clock to enjoy stuff before I'm dead so I want to maximize every second I have.

That is usually meant to counter people thinking they should forever wait for the next thing before buying because there is always something better coming. Not what I am saying. My policy is to buy what is proven now now, and then buy what is proven later later. Such as, spend $900 on a computer now and $900 on a computer in 3 years instead of $2k now for something that will not be as good as the one you can get for $900 in 3 years. Even with 4k blu ray there isn't enough content for me to go balls deep into 4k sets yet. More then that, there isn't a 4k set out there that I know of that has as low of input lag as the 1080p set I have now. My hope is that in 5 or so years oled will have matured enough along with a reasonable increase of content for 4k that it will be worth it to jump on both.

This of course doesn't apply to people who want to chase that bleeding edge and are okay with the price premium for that life style. Your point of view isn't wrong or bad, just not what I would personally recommend.
Stop having incorrect and bad opinions.
 
What content is in 4k? Or is 4k Upscaled > 1080p native?

Netflix has a few 4K movies and shows. Directv 22 movies.

And yes, 1080p upscaled to 4K looks better. Was watching Fellowship of the Ring last night with my Panasonic BDT 360, and it never looked this good in 1080p.
 
I still have the FFXIV UI in my VT60 and it's been about 5 months since I stopped using it to play that game. I don't recommend plasma to anyone who plays games heavily.

At this point I'm actually pretty sure that I fucked up my plasma pretty bad because the burn-in isn't going away. It's probably permanent. Oh well, you can't take the money with you after you die anyways, so fuck it. I'll probably give the TV to my parents, they don't even know how to tune the cable box to the HD feed for the channel instead of the SD one even though I've showed them several times so I doubt they'll notice the burn-in.
Reading reports like this really reinforce how amazing the Pioneer Kuros were. My Elite has endured plenty of marathon gaming sessions throughout its 5 year life, all with no image retention or burn-in.

So I'm thinking about getting rid of my 2011 Panny plasma as it just gives off too much heat for my small apartment's living room. Is there a market for selling these used?
AVSForum is the perfect place to sell used Plasmas.
 
It's like saying which is better Bethesda or Naughty Dog? Different aesthetic but I'd rather have both.

4K LED LCD is pretty breathtaking. So is a good plasma
 
I know this is a broad question, but if my budget is around $300-500 and I want a TV around 40", what should u be looking at?

There is a Vizio series that is tops at that price range. LED i believe. Very good. Google best tavs of 2014. Should take u to a cnet article with those vizios on the pedestal.
 
That is usually meant to counter people thinking they should forever wait for the next thing before buying because there is always something better coming. Not what I am saying. My policy is to buy what is proven now now, and then buy what is proven later later. Such as, spend $900 on a computer now and $900 on a computer in 3 years instead of $2k now for something that will not be as good as the one you can get for $900 in 3 years. Even with 4k blu ray there isn't enough content for me to go balls deep into 4k sets yet. More then that, there isn't a 4k set out there that I know of that has as low of input lag as the 1080p set I have now. My hope is that in 5 or so years oled will have matured enough along with a reasonable increase of content for 4k that it will be worth it to jump on both.

This of course doesn't apply to people who want to chase that bleeding edge and are okay with the price premium for that life style. Your point of view isn't wrong or bad, just not what I would personally recommend.
Stop having incorrect and bad opinions.

I'm the one enjoying life in 4K, maybe you should re-examine your opinions. The technology is there and there are things you can do with it right now.
 
I recently bought a Sony KDL-50W828 (Nordic version of the W829), which is supposedly one of the best 1080p LCD TVs you can buy at the moment and the best when it comes to gaming, with around 20 ms of input lag.

I was not impressed.

I had thought that a midrange set like this would be unequivocally better than my old Samsung LE40M86 (which was a high-end +€2000 set when I bought it 7 years ago), but unfortunately that wasn't the case; while picture quality was better in some respects, contrast and colours on the Sony were disappointing compared to the Samsung. This was with both sets running recommended settings from hdtvtest. I tried other recommended settings on the Sony too, but no matter what the picture just looked lifeless and washed out compared to my old set. After debating with myself for about a week, I finally decided to return it.

Now I'm not quite sure what to do. If this is the best that 1080p sets can do these days, I'm not sure there's any point in buying a new one since my old Samsung still works fine (knock on wood). Of course it does look kinda small now that I got used to the 50 inch Sony... I have been eyeing the Sony KD-55X9005B, but buying a UHD set does seem like a waste of money at the moment, even if it did look pretty spectacular when i checked it out in store. Meanwhile LG's OLED sets are just too damn expensive.

Any suggestions?
 
If your current set is working fine, there's no need to go for the new thing. I considered the Samsung plasma, but I'll just hold out for OLED prices to drop.
 
Wait you would or wouldn't recommend it?
I would recommend it if it's used in a controlled lighting environment otherwise it's prone to glare. For a $500 plasma there's plenty of advanced options available to dial in, 10 pt wb, cms, gamma controls and a quick edit in the service menu enables Cal Day & Night modes. If you are interested then I would act fast, since these units are surely to be sold out soon and never to be seen of again.
 
There is a good deal on a LG OLED (55EA970V) for 1400€ after cash back...
Wondering if I should jump on this. Wanted a bigger screen ( 60 or more ) but that's OLED ...
Anybody having some experience on this set ?
 
I recently bought a Sony KDL-50W828 (Nordic version of the W829), which is supposedly one of the best 1080p LCD TVs you can buy at the moment and the best when it comes to gaming, with around 20 ms of input lag.

I was not impressed.

I had thought that a midrange set like this would be unequivocally better than my old Samsung LE40M86 (which was a high-end +€2000 set when I bought it 7 years ago), but unfortunately that wasn't the case; while picture quality was better in some respects, contrast and colours on the Sony were disappointing compared to the Samsung. This was with both sets running recommended settings from hdtvtest. I tried other recommended settings on the Sony too, but no matter what the picture just looked lifeless and washed out compared to my old set. After debating with myself for about a week, I finally decided to return it.

Now I'm not quite sure what to do. If this is the best that 1080p sets can do these days, I'm not sure there's any point in buying a new one since my old Samsung still works fine (knock on wood). Of course it does look kinda small now that I got used to the 50 inch Sony... I have been eyeing the Sony KD-55X9005B, but buying a UHD set does seem like a waste of money at the moment, even if it did look pretty spectacular when i checked it out in store. Meanwhile LG's OLED sets are just too damn expensive.

Any suggestions?

Samsung 4K sets have that pop and contrast. And the price is going down fast. Trust me I'm loving life. Watching Breaking Bad in 4K was orgasmic and the 3D is spectacular
 
There is a good deal on a LG OLED (55EA970V) for 1400€ after cash back...
Wondering if I should jump on this. Wanted a bigger screen ( 60 or more ) but that's OLED ...
Anybody having some experience on this set ?

That model has higher input lag, around 50ms I believe. The newer 2014 model is 30ms.

For just movie watching I'd jump on that, but for gaming I think it's worth waiting for price drops on the newer set.
 
That model has higher input lag, around 50ms I believe. The newer 2014 model is 30ms.

For just movie watching I'd jump on that, but for gaming I think it's worth waiting for price drops on the newer set.

Thanks. The price went up though.
Never took much care of my tvs input lag, never bothered me until now.
I'll wait for the second round of OLED screens, even if I went to see one in store and had my mind blown again.
It was passive 3D, had a bit of input lag, and a so-so design ( not mountable too ), so nothing dramatic.
 
Right now I have the Sony w850a in my living room connected with the white ps4.

I'm thinking of moving the ps4 in my room and wall mounting the tv in front of my bed. So I can play it even more relaxed.

Question is what tv should I replace the w850a with in the living room, or should I keep the w850a in the living room and get the Sony KDL60W850B for the room.

Between the w850a and w850b. Which one would be good for movies and which one for gaming. One will be in the living room for movies/cable, the other in the room for the ps4.
 
Right now I have the Sony w850a in my living room connected with the white ps4.

I'm thinking of moving the ps4 in my room and wall mounting the tv in front of my bed. So I can play it even more relaxed.

Question is what tv should I replace the w850a with in the living room, or should I keep the w850a in the living room and get the Sony KDL60W850B for the room.

Between the w850a and w850b. Which one would be good for movies and which one for gaming. One will be in the living room for movies/cable, the other in the room for the ps4.

W850A is a slightly higher range TV than B model. 850A has triluminous color that 850B doesn't. W850A was closer to W900A and W850B is closer to W802A.
 
Rolling back to my question from a few pages back. If you are a console only gamer, and you're not interested in spending more than $1500, it seems like 1080p LED is the most reasonable choice, considering that Plasmas are now difficult to impossible to find. If someone was set on this, what's the best gamer oriented TV?

I've heard some good things about Vizio now and then, but I'd say the Sony W800b also hits the mark. (In Canada, the W790b is the same as the W800b, save one feature you won't care about). Check RTINGS for the major models and their pluses/minuses.

My Panasonic Plasma was great but once I switched up to the W790 I just don't miss it.
 
Samsung Plasma (PNF8500 series) back in stock at best buy (choose pick up). This tv is the truth! Get it now as it is on sale and being discontinued. Long live the Plasma!
 
I've heard some good things about Vizio now and then, but I'd say the Sony W800b also hits the mark. (In Canada, the W790b is the same as the W800b, save one feature you won't care about). Check RTINGS for the major models and their pluses/minuses.

My Panasonic Plasma was great but once I switched up to the W790 I just don't miss it.


Whoa good recommendation. I hadn't spotted this one, and I'll have to read more about it. It looks like it's only 50-55 inches though and I kinda want something 60-64, so the vizios are still in consideration (also I don't want to spend a lot of money).
 
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