4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Hey all,

Just a general question about the current state of technology when it comes to TV's and other current A/V gear - basically, is there anything new coming down the pipe that would affect current hardware compatibility? It seems like HDMI and HDCP versions are set for 4K, HDR modes seem to have been established between HDR10 and Dolby Vision (sort of), and audio with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. UHD Blu-ray looks like it'll be around for a bit.

So for someone that owns a 1080P TV and an older receiver, am I "fairly" safe upgrading my equipment in the next year? I know there's always something coming, so i'm curious if there's anything else on the horizon that's the next big thing or if things look like they're going to be pretty static the next few years at least.

I'm not in a huge rush to upgrade, but starting to get that itch looking at all the Black Friday sales, and even thinking of starting with a new receiver now before getting a new TV sometime next year. Anything I should worry about?

And TV wise, are we just looking at OLED as the next big thing to become more widespread?

Thanks!

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I think most of the dust has settled for 4k (HDMI and HDCP), but the tech is still getting rolled out. Case in point was the 4K Vizio I had bought, a 2015 model. While it was 4K, it did not have HDR. The 2016 model did include it. In addition to HDR, there is also Wide Color Gamut, which is preferable to have with HDR. The 2016 Vizio model HAS HDR but not WCG. So yeah, a lot of it is still confusing. In addition, OLED is the best - right now. 2017 will usher in stuff like ULED (Hisense based LED), more FALD, dot-quantum....and of course 8K in probably 3-4 years which will have little practical content.

My biggest advice is if you are going to buy one of the Black Fridays sales, is to check the model and what it supports. Probably go with 4K with HDR. WCG is something you'll have to decide whether or not you can live without it. Most 2016 models don't have it yet, they'll be upcoming in the 2017 stuff (along with HFR!). Currently only Vizio and LG has TV's that support both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. So there's that, although I don't think Dolby Vision may survive based on current format support. I think OLED's will become more widespread, and hopefully drop in price in the next few years.

Oh, and if you pipe in your TV through a receiver, the 2016 receivers are all HDMI/HDCP compliant. I picked up a Denon AVRX6300H 11.2 receiver. And for my dollar, having Atmos almost trumps picture quality - almost.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Thanks, i'll need to look in to Wide Color Gamut a bit.

I really like the idea of Dolby Atmos, but unless I can actually mount speakers on the ceiling is there a point in making sure whatever receiver I look at has it? I'm looking at an older Marantz receiver (NR1506 opposed to the newer 1606/7 that has Atmos), but in my apartment i'm pretty sure i'll never be able to take advantage of the positional audio like that, short of buying for the future versus saving a couple hundred bucks.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

It's just that I was surprised Atmos makes a real difference while watching a movie. But yes, you'll need to mount ceiling speakers, or get upward-firing ones. But the receiver only makes a difference if you plan on sending your picture through it. If the HDMI inputs/outputs aren't HDCP 2.2, then it'll downgrade any 4K content to 1080p.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I just have my eyes on an OLED TV. I still have my Plasm and it's going strong but when the time comes to upgrade it's going to be with an OLED TV and 3-D won't be a deal breaker, because I'm not impressed with it.

What sealed the deal there was the deal I posted that had the OLED and 4k UHD player for $1700 for '55 inch screen. I paid $1500 for my Plasma in 2009.

If prices come down within the next year I very well may pull the trigger on one.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Worth noting is that, as beautiful as the LG OLED screens are, they have one drawback which is: Input Lag when HDR is enabled. It's apparently particularly bad with gaming consoles, since the LG sets don't have an "HDR + Gaming" mode, unlike the Samsung SUHD sets, for example. Knowing that the OP is a bit of a gamer, this might be something to consider before purchasing a 4K set.

Surely, the OLED input lag will eventually get better, but not likely in the current sets that are out there.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Yeah, i've read about input lag being fairly poor on OLED sets, plus they're a little pricey at the moment anyway.

I've been eyeing the Samsung KS8000 series which seems to be the popular gaming pick these days and also on sale everywhere the last week, which kind of goes back to my original question - if I happen to buy something like the KS8000, any new features coming up that will make me sad about my purchase? :(

Not that i'm in a rush, I'm still kind of in the boat where 4K content isn't really there yet and worth buying yet, just exploring options and thinking ahead.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Sounds like that TV is very good, according to rtings.com. Only drawback is angle viewing, picture isn't great when viewed from angles. It does have good HDR with wide color gamut, so you're good there, but no Dolby Vision (but really, you aren't missing much).

http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/ks8000

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Just got my 1st 4K TV yesterday

This is the one I picked up from Best Buy yesterday for $299 + tax

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-...?skuId=5622308

Reviews seemed positive and the price was in my budget.


1st thing, I do notice improvement in picture quality even though my Directv Genie hardware isn't 4K ready. It's 1080i. The 4K ready Genie is the HR 54 receiver, but I'm in no position right now to upgrade, especially with a very full DVR right now.

I just bought a new Sony Region Free BD player this past summer, so I don't feel the need to purchase a UHD BD Player right now. I think it would be overkill to have a BD and UHD player right now.

The TV is also a Smart TV and I love all the apps. But, I also own a Roku, so it's kind of redundant in a way.


I may not be maximizing the TV's capabilities right now, but I think this is a good start.

Anyone care to share any thought regarding UHD and 4K streaming right now? I don't plan to upgrade to UHD for the foreseeable future, but what about streaming? I heard Netflix has some capabilities right now, but there is an extra cost.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Netflix has the 4K tier at $11.99/month. Amazon has 4K/HDR stuff as well. The apps on your TV will be able to stream their available 4K material on their services. Both mostly have their original shows are almost all 4K. Unless you have a Roku that streams 4K (Roku 4, Premiere, Premiere Plus, Ultra), then everything will be downgraded to 1080p.

And getting a UHD player wouldn't be overkill, especially at this year's holiday prices. Especially if you can already tell a difference between 1080 and 4K.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Netflix: I wasn't too impressed with the variety of 4K content. It's mostly the Netflix Originals and some other stuff. I'd say get that tier for a month and plow through what you want to watch, then go back to the regular tier. That is, unless you need the additional concurrent streams (I want to say 4 at a time). In my house, I'm fine with 2 concurrent streams.

Amazon: Different, but small selection of 4K stuff. If you have prime, you're already set up to stream 4K at no additional cost.

Vudu: I haven't watched any 4K titles yet, but there's a good amount of titles available for rent/purchase that are not on UHD Blu-ray at all, and may never be.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Yeah, I actually read that review a few months ago and one of the reasons i've been eyeing it for some time.

Still not sure if i'll actually pull the trigger though, I'm leaning towards getting a new receiver first. It sounds like the tech in any current 2016 receiver should be fairly stable for the next few years, no? Any new spec revisions or updates coming up as far as either video or audio?

The idea of Dolby Atmos upward firing speakers intrigues me quite a bit now.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

The audio specs are pretty much now set, and Atmos and DTS:X are the main players now. There is Auro 3D, but there's currently about 40 discs available that enable it, and of those only 3-4 that are movies. The rest are live concerts (opera and such). Auro 3D doesn't come with any new receiver, but you can pay $199 and have it downloaded to most any new high-end receiver.

But again, as long as your new receiver is HDCP 2.2, you're set for the next several years.

I do have ceiling mounted speakers, but from what I've read, the upward firing Atmos-enabled speakers work quite well in the right environment.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Is quantum dot the same thing as wide color gamut?

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Quantum dot is a new way of lighting TV's, like LED, OLED, etc. Wide Color Gamut is a way of extending the color palette in HDR. And while many TV's have HDR, most do not have wide color gamut, at least not in the 2016 models. 2017 models will see an increase of HDR with WCG included.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Here's a good chart showing what the 2016 models are capable of. Most of the newer sets can hit 90% or better of DCI P3 coverage. Rec 2020 has a way to go though.

The big thing for 2017 will be HDMI 2.1 which will be adding dynamic HDR metadata. IMO this is a response to the calibration dilemma that HDR has become. It's literally on a disc by disc basis right now.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

No input lag on my new LG OLED 55E6P, I play Xbox games with no issues.

Netflix 4K and Amazon 4K look amazing. I was also pleasantly surprised at how good my Direct TV looks. Currently using a 4K upconverting Sony blu ray player that also looks great.

I am still working with various settings but I have been very, very pleased with my purchase.

Best TV I have owned and that is coming from Panasonic plasma screens.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Good to hear.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Speaking of new tech, looks like Sony will be releasing OLED TV's next year. They'll premiere at CES in January. Strange part is that they'll be using LG panels but incorporating their tech into it.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarch.../#61cba8031307

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Hmmm, and hopefully that will drive prices lower.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

What, specifically, needs to be in the TV description to work with an XboxOne S to play 4k streaming and the UHD discs?

thanks

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

to play 4K/UHD content at 4K, it just has to be a 4K TV, and you have to use whichever input is best for 4K. TVs usually have one or two labeled for that. My Vizio does, anyway.

If you want 4K HDR, that's a thing where you have to be a bit more cautious about what you buy. The 4K TV specifically has to say it's HDR capable. There's two HDR standards... I'm sure someone with more knowledge/experience will chime in about that.

From what I've read, the Samsung SUHD sets are the best bang for your buck in terms of HDR quality. For Samsung, it specifically has to be SUHD (just "UHD" is not HDR compatible)

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

HDMI ports need to be at least v1.4. This will support the 4K signal. However, if you have any plans of wanting to use HDR, at least one port will need to be v2.0a. CES is this week, so you will eventually read about plenty of new TV's that will support HDR. Right now it's limited. Some 2016 models have at least one HDMI connection that supports 2.0a. Just check the specs of any TV you may be interested in and it should list the HDMI's and what they support.

But as Dan said, you can have 4K and it not support HDR. I would research and get one that does. It'll really show the difference between standard 4K and 4K with HDR. My 2015 Vizio supported 4K but not HDR. The exact same model manufactured in 2016 added HDR. So it can be very confusing.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

yeah, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, is announced at CES. i've been wanting for a big tv for our family room (70" or larger). i love my 60" plasma in there, but our new house family room is so much bigger, so i need a bigger tv to fill the wall. :lol:

i really wished OLED technology was a bit cheaper right now. and that you could get bigger displays. i know LG makes a monster one, but i'm looking like 70" for the sweet spot.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

HDMI 2.1

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/...w-in-hdmi-2-1/

Since the spec doesn't seem like it will be finalized until later this year, so I imagine we won't see equipment until next year? I held off on buying anything during the holidays, but I still have that itch... at this rate I think i'll wait and see what the 2017 models bring and if OLED pricing goes down.

That said, i'm particularly interested in variable refresh rate stuff, since I love that tech in PC monitors for gaming.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Current specs and equipment can easily play 4K and upcoming stuff like HFR. If you want to pickup equipment with HDMI 2.1, you're protected for up to 8K-10K. I'm fine with 4K and my Denon X6300H 11.2 receiver. Still on the lookout for a good 70" OLED or one of the CES 2017 offerings. But it sounds like you're more into gaming, which isn't my thing.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I've been staring at TV's for so long that my wife said she would just buy one for me since we went all out for her on our honeymoon since I had a hard time justifying it myself.

Ended up getting the 65" KS8000 after agonizing over whether the 55" LG B6 OLED was worth it at $1799. Upgraded my receiver from an Onkyo TX-NR609 to a NR656 for 4K support and Atmos, although I need to wait for the Xbox One to add bitsreaming since that's my primary Blu-ray player, but I'm keen on buying some of the upward firing speakers that we talked about earlier.

So far so good, upgraded our Netflix account to the 4K tier and I already have Amazon Prime. Had to mess around a bit to get ARC working to send audio via my receiver with the built in apps. Now to get a UHD player (although at this point, i'll probably wait for the revised Xbox Scorpio).

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I think a "Yay poo!" is in order!

Congrats (again) on the TV and Receiver purchase, Stan! As far as Samsungs line up, the 8000 series is some serious bang-for-the-buck. It's hard to justify the increase to the KS9000 series for marginal improvements and while the FALD 9800 is great, it's quite pricey. Knowing you, you've done some extensive research. How's the tweaking and calibration coming along with your new TV?

The OLEDs are a phenomenal choice (yes and still pretty pricey), but it's worth noting the input lag for gaming has been reduced with subsequent firmware updates for all the different series. I think their in the 30-35ms range, including for HDR/Game mode, which for competitive gaming isn't the best, but it is still very, very playable. The B6P series is actually down to 28ms and there are talks about all of the series being able to reduced even further.

I also actually had to get a new TV mid-December because a power surge knocked my Pioneer Elite Plasma out of commission. Almost 9 years on that TV and was still very happy with it, but I ended up getting an OLED and couldn't be happier.

Welcome to the 4K/HDR club!

What 4K and/or HDR content has impressed you the most so far?

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I have been asked for advice regarding a 4K decent bedroom/spare room tv that would be used primarily to stream and play movies from an HTPC. I used to be the go to guy in my circle for electronics/computer advice but due to recent changes in my personal life, I just no longer have the time or inclination to keep up as I am not in the position to upgrade myself and for me I am better off keeping myself in the dark so wishing and envy don't cause me issues.

So any recommendations on a 43-55 inch tv with 4K ability? Motion Blur and Judder are big concerns considering the usage and sensitivity of the people who would be using it. May also be used to occasionally game from a PS4 but not a PC or Xbox1 so input lag might be something to consider. Budget anywhere from 500-1000 but obviously the lower the better but if the upper range is really worth it, then they are willing to pay it.

Thanks for any help.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I know there's a 49 inch version of the KS8000 I just bought which would be right around the upper limit of your budget. If it's a bedroom TV though, might be better saving the money and going with the lower end models as far as price/performance goes.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

How is that model?

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I love mine. I used this site a lot when I was reading reviews and comparing options - http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-...9-50-inch/best

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Cool thanks for the advice.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I noticed that Sony has started selling their OLEDs on Amazon and BB and was wondering why their price point is so high. I'm sure the prices are going to go down and eventually compete with the current LG prices but why would anyone go out and buy one right now. Yeah, there are early adopters with money to burn but for most the LG will look like a bargain compared to the Sony. Panasonic is going to release their version soon but haven't released any pricing yet.

Both Sony and Panasonic do have a couple of interesting features that the LG line doesn't but I don't think it warrants such a huge price difference.

I already own a 65" LG and it totally blows away my old Panny plasmas. LEDs look totally washed out next to it when I first saw it at BB. Nothing compares to OLED at the moment. QLED isn't all that, either.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Sony is probably buying their panels from LG, hence the higher cost.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

I'm not in the market for a new tv but I'm interested in seeing how Sony uses the whole screen as a speaker.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Ordered the LG OLED55B6P 55" 4K OLED TV today for $1,112 shipped. It'll be the living room TV in the house we are building.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

That is the set I'd get if I wanted a new TV. Good deal!

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

Damn, that price a few months ago really would have gave me pause over the Samsung I bought.

Re: 4K, HDR, Audio, and New Tech
 

My dream TV!