4K TV Recommendations
#51
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#52
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
So like I said before, my attitude was fuck it! I'm going all out...
#53
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Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Okay, this is probably as as good of a place to ask as any...
Do all new 4K televisions play videos encoded with HEVC/H.265?
I'm in the market for a mid-sized 4K, and would like one that can play .mkv and .mp4 videos from a USB stick that are encoded with HEVC/H.265, and would like to know if there are certain models I should avoid or look for. I'm thinking that HEVC is going to be a standard in the near future, and would like a tv I can play videos on without having to convert them to x264. Or at least play through a VLC player app on a Smart TV.
I'd also like something that can handle as many audio formats on the HEVC videos, too, that would downmix surround sound to work on the stereo tv speakers, and not just play the R and L channels.
Do all new 4K televisions play videos encoded with HEVC/H.265?
I'm in the market for a mid-sized 4K, and would like one that can play .mkv and .mp4 videos from a USB stick that are encoded with HEVC/H.265, and would like to know if there are certain models I should avoid or look for. I'm thinking that HEVC is going to be a standard in the near future, and would like a tv I can play videos on without having to convert them to x264. Or at least play through a VLC player app on a Smart TV.
I'd also like something that can handle as many audio formats on the HEVC videos, too, that would downmix surround sound to work on the stereo tv speakers, and not just play the R and L channels.
#54
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#55
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tcl-55-...?skuId=6358918
#56
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
The 2019 TCL 55S525 is on sale now at BB for $329.99.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tcl-55-...?skuId=6358918
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tcl-55-...?skuId=6358918
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tcl-55-class-led-5-series-2160p-smart-4k-uhd-tv-with-hdr-roku-tv/6358918.p?skuId=6358918
Looks like Amazon has matched BB price.
Last edited by kahuna; 12-15-19 at 11:21 AM.
#57
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
AFAIK, the 4K video standard requires HEVC H.265 decoding capability, so any TV that's 4K implicitly has HEVC H.265 decoding built-in. Whether a TV manufacturer hobbles their USB port to not support HEVC H.265 decoding from the USB port depends on the manufacturer, so some research is the best advice before purchasing.
BTW, this is the main reason why I prefer the higher end Roku players that support 4K and have a USB port, such as the Roku Ultra. Because supporting 4K means they can decode HEVC H.265 including from their USB ports (which the Roku Ultra does).
BTW, this is the main reason why I prefer the higher end Roku players that support 4K and have a USB port, such as the Roku Ultra. Because supporting 4K means they can decode HEVC H.265 including from their USB ports (which the Roku Ultra does).
#58
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
I bought my first 4K TV today! Nothing incredibly fancy, 65 inch Samsung from Costco. We are still going to need a second TV for the entertainment room, so I'm thinking we might get an OLED closer to Christmas if they are on sale. At least I can start playing some games in 4K and watching some of our UHDs.
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/o...mart-tv-ru740d
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/o...mart-tv-ru740d
#60
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Yeah, me too. Funny thing is we were at Costco last week and someone had returned a Sony OLED. It was $1,700 but it was the 2018 model. I went back the next day to check it out again and it was gone. Probably for the better anyways if this works out since it's a newer model.
#61
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Wound up picking up a 55” Vizio M-Series Quantum tv. Just got it today and will be setting it up later. Seemed pretty well reviewed and it was $499 at Target.
Really thought about an OLED, but some things about them make me hesitate. Mainly that they’re prone to burn-in, especially at their current cost, and obviously the price point is pretty high. Also considered a Samsung QLED, but wasn’t able to get one locally so couldn’t really see it before I bought it.
Really thought about an OLED, but some things about them make me hesitate. Mainly that they’re prone to burn-in, especially at their current cost, and obviously the price point is pretty high. Also considered a Samsung QLED, but wasn’t able to get one locally so couldn’t really see it before I bought it.
#62
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Anyone have a recommendation for an affordable, no-nonsense 4K TV exclusively for watching movies, including upscaling of DVDs and BRs? Is it even worth getting a 4K if I don't have any UHD material, or is it advisable to stick with a regular HDTV? Don't need or want a "Smart" TV, though I don't think a non-Smart 4K exists.
#63
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Anyone have a recommendation for an affordable, no-nonsense 4K TV exclusively for watching movies, including upscaling of DVDs and BRs? Is it even worth getting a 4K if I don't have any UHD material, or is it advisable to stick with a regular HDTV? Don't need or want a "Smart" TV, though I don't think a non-Smart 4K exists.
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Norm de Plume (12-27-19)
#64
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Seems like the vast majority of tv’s are smart now days. I didn’t particularly want one either as I have plenty of devices that I already use streaming services and whatnot from but I guess it’s whatever.
#66
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Thanks for the advice, JTH182. I'll look into those.
Mike86, I need a TV for a place where we don't even have - and never will have - internet or cable hooked up. I'll be bringing DVDs and BRs there to watch on rare occasions. I also need a "plays everything" Blu-ray player for the same purpose.
Mike86, I need a TV for a place where we don't even have - and never will have - internet or cable hooked up. I'll be bringing DVDs and BRs there to watch on rare occasions. I also need a "plays everything" Blu-ray player for the same purpose.

#67
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
The TCL 6-series is attractive (the others are more than the $500 CDN (Boxing Week sale) we want to spend), but I'm a bit concerned about how bothersome the Roku OS would be. As I said, the display would be exclusively for DVDs and BRs. Is it going to be a pain dealing with this Roku thing, for which we otherwise have zero use?
#68
Banned by request
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
The Roku OS is pretty much the best OS on smart TV’s right now. Just about every app works flawlessly and is designed for Roku. Most other smart TV’s have some version of an Android OS, and have issues on one level or another. The Roku OS isn’t bothersome at all. In fact, I’m guessing you’ll quite enjoy using it, as many of the apps like Netflix and Disney+ have a lot of content in 4K with HDR/Dolby Vision. The TCL 6 Series is definitely the biggest bang for the buck.
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Norm de Plume (12-28-19)
#69
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
The other benefit is that you can use your digital copies via the Roku (Movies Anywhere or whatever), which means you can start buying 4k disks with 4k digital copies even if you don't have a 4k player.
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Norm de Plume (12-28-19)
#71
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
^I was going to ask about Hisense, but didn't want to get laughed out of the thread, if I'm not already a laughingstock with my woefully ignorant questions.
I have had an el-cheapo Hisense 49" HDTV for about 2 years, for regular TV and movie viewing, and I have had no problems with it whatever. When I bought it, the guy at the store said that, of all brands they sell, including higher-end ones, Hisense sees the fewest complaints/returns, for whatever that's worth.
I should add one caveat: When I left the city for longer periods in the summer of 2018, there were a couple of blackouts, and I noticed the TV was on when I came home, so now I just unplug it everytime I go away on vacation. Luckily I did not get a burned-in logo, as the TV was on for longer than a week the second time it happened. This "powering on after a power surge" does not happen with the LG we have downstairs.
Thanks, E Unit and fujishig for your input.
I have had an el-cheapo Hisense 49" HDTV for about 2 years, for regular TV and movie viewing, and I have had no problems with it whatever. When I bought it, the guy at the store said that, of all brands they sell, including higher-end ones, Hisense sees the fewest complaints/returns, for whatever that's worth.
I should add one caveat: When I left the city for longer periods in the summer of 2018, there were a couple of blackouts, and I noticed the TV was on when I came home, so now I just unplug it everytime I go away on vacation. Luckily I did not get a burned-in logo, as the TV was on for longer than a week the second time it happened. This "powering on after a power surge" does not happen with the LG we have downstairs.
Thanks, E Unit and fujishig for your input.
#72
Banned by request
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
The Hisense is making strides in being much better quality than before. You can read the reviews for it and it’s all for the most part really good all around. It does have “ULED”, which is their version of LCD, but based on what I’ve read, they’re both comparable.
https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/hisense/h9f
However if you’re pondering TCL or Hisense, I’d side with TCL, mostly because of the Roku OS and better build quality.
https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/hisense/h9f
However if you’re pondering TCL or Hisense, I’d side with TCL, mostly because of the Roku OS and better build quality.
#73
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
To answer the OP...
LG OLED. Hands down the best picture I've ever seen. A couple friends have 4k sets without the OLED/equivilent and I can tell the difference almost right away. I've been spoiled. Of course the big caveat is that the OLED comes at a cost, generally much much more than the standard 4k sets. Bonus, the LG Magic Remote is amazing. It has motion and voice control that both work flawlessly.
Norm de Plum - can I ask why the no smart tv interest? I didn't have much interest when I got my LG, but now use it every day. It's nice not resorting to a game console for apps or the Chromecast. Plus YouTube gets ridiculous amounts of play here. I ended up loving it so much, that I'm currently planning on adding a couple of smart tvs to the basement remodel. No cable or roku boxes, game consoles or wiring needed. Just a power cable for the tv and wifi (although I plan to hardwire some CAT5).
LG OLED. Hands down the best picture I've ever seen. A couple friends have 4k sets without the OLED/equivilent and I can tell the difference almost right away. I've been spoiled. Of course the big caveat is that the OLED comes at a cost, generally much much more than the standard 4k sets. Bonus, the LG Magic Remote is amazing. It has motion and voice control that both work flawlessly.
Norm de Plum - can I ask why the no smart tv interest? I didn't have much interest when I got my LG, but now use it every day. It's nice not resorting to a game console for apps or the Chromecast. Plus YouTube gets ridiculous amounts of play here. I ended up loving it so much, that I'm currently planning on adding a couple of smart tvs to the basement remodel. No cable or roku boxes, game consoles or wiring needed. Just a power cable for the tv and wifi (although I plan to hardwire some CAT5).
#74
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
Norm de Plum - can I ask why the no smart tv interest? I didn't have much interest when I got my LG, but now use it every day. It's nice not resorting to a game console for apps or the Chromecast. Plus YouTube gets ridiculous amounts of play here. I ended up loving it so much, that I'm currently planning on adding a couple of smart tvs to the basement remodel. No cable or roku boxes, game consoles or wiring needed. Just a power cable for the tv and wifi (although I plan to hardwire some CAT5).
#75
DVD Talk Hero
Re: 4K TV Recommendations
The other thing about smart TVs (and this may not be as relevant since it seems like people replace TVs way more regularly now) is that unless it's something like TCL with Roku, you run the risk of the smart apps falling out of service way before your tv goes. That happened to my samsung, where crunchyroll just pulled the app one day, and the interfaces on many apps are really really old.