Is 4K Worth It? The UHD Buyers Guide 2016.

4K, UHD and HDR. Big players in the TV and Monitor space - but are they actually worth buying into? PC Centric explains...
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[Jontsaurus]

Still too early for 4k IMO
Hell, this video isn't even in 4K






I jest. :p

[HULK-HOGAN]

*4K in TV's*
The only reason anyone should invest in an UHD 4K TV is if they want a screen so big that it replicates a cinema experience i.e., sitting 3m away from a 75" screen. That's when you'll notice a difference compared to a traditional FHD 1080p TV. However, in an average setup (95% of consumers), a 55" FHD 1080p screen at a viewing distance of 3-4m will look just as good as a 55" UDH 4K TV from the same viewing distance. In my opinion, if you're sitting at a normal distance from the TV and you can still manage to find a FHD 1080p TV which is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than its 4K counterpart, I would recommend saving your money and getting the FHD TV.

*4K in computer monitor*
4K has a noticeable difference in computer monitors simply due to the fact that users sit so close to them. A UHD 4K monitor will look MUCH better than a traditional FHD 1080p monitor. For gaming, keep in mind that you will need some very high-end and EXPENSIVE hardware to run games in 4K resolutions. You would either have a ton of disposable income or be an idiot to waste your money on such a setup. 9 out of 10 people will watch movies on a TV, 9 out of 10 people aren't stupid enough to waste a fortune on a 4K setup so that leaves the only realistic application of a 4K setup for regular computer use (internet browsing and word documents).

[KOOLBOI]

4K is dead to me until we get 4K 120hz monitors with reasonably price (£400ish per gpu) GPUs to run games constantly at 120hz even if in SLI.

[PlumbPitiful]

the real question is how good do standard DVDs look? How good is the upscaling?

[dadozygaming]

It's worth it. I bought a 55 inch 4K Vizio D-Series TV, and a $1600 USD gaming PC to go with it (bought most parts on sale). This is saying a lot, because I already have a 34 inch curved ultrawide 3440x1440 gaming monitor and PC.

I do have to say that personally, an ultrawide monitor FEELS better than gaming on a 4K TV, at least for me. You feel more immersed and are able to soak up all the image. On a large 4K TV, I have difficulty getting the full impact of the full image. I am usually concentrated on just 30% of the screen. I feel that part of this problem is because I'm using a 4K TV instead of a monitor, and also because 21:9 fills your vision better. While I think the ultrawide gaming experience is better, and less stressful on your PC, the 4K is still amazing. 4K videos look amazing in their own way, different than the cinematic experience from an ultrawide. 4K is also better supported, because the aspect ratio is nothing new.

I'm able to stream 1440p on my new computer. The quality was only limited by my bandwidth of 7.2 mbps upload.

[elysiumcore]

Image quality, brightness & contrast are superb especially on the latest Sony Z series & LG -

[cboon]

the only reason I will not get 4k is because I have a perfectly good working 1080p system. so until it fails I see no need to upgrade.

[macinman]

I found this Video really helpful. I've already done much of the planning, and have my first 4K UHD HDR TV, it's the sony XBR-43X800D, also runs AndroidTV. So far I've been really impressed. I live in a 1 bedroom apt so with my setup above the 40x range is too large. However I have noticed a difference already. I sit fairly close to the TV as I have a visual impairment. My next choice is what kind of player to get for UHD blu-ray I bought my first disc today which is Star Trek Beyond, until i get a new player, i have a blu-ray in the package, and a 4k version from VUDU streaming service.

Overall I feel like i've made a good investment to get me through the next several years. The Plasma the TV replaced is now in the bedroom, so now i have the best of both worlds. 4K, and Plasma technology which is also a 1080p display.

[rlwings]

Your original statements still hold true... If you don't sit close enough, and\or the TV isn't big enough, 4K will be imperceptible...

However, if you want HDR you must look for the 'HDR 1000' or the 'Dolby Vision' labels in order to get the correct peak brightness AND the correct color gamut size. (You mentioned looking for the labels but didn't mention the color aspect of this certification). Brightness without the proper color isn't true HDR. And the brightness must be at least 1000 Nits. 'HDR 1000' and 'Dolby Vision' ensure both of these criteria.

True that new content and devices will likely support HDR and make buying an HDR TV a reasonable decision.

But if it's resolution you're after you must be sitting close enough, or have a big enough set to see it... The good news is that 4Kcontent continues to grow exponentially as will HDR content I'm sure.

[Savage__]

For people saying u can't tell a difference really from 1080P to 4K you're wrong. I was skeptical at first hearing this over and over but I can honestly say there is a noticeable difference. Even the upscale on my ps4 is noticable and looks better than it did on my 1080P Sony TV. jus wishing tv stations would start broadcasting in 4k but that's probably going to be a ways a way since they haven't even gone to 1080P yet. smh. Obviously 4K tech is only going to get better and better as time goes on but right now is not a bad time to get a 4k set for a descent price.

[SteveL]

Thinking about getting the Samsung KS8000 65'', it's on sale now for $1500.

[fcchelsea]

So basically all the fuss about UHD gaming laptops isn't worth it as much? Because you're most commonly getting a 17 inch screen (although it is closer to you) so I can't I imagine it makes a massive difference. Am I correct in this thought?

[DSN]

Don't see enough of a difference with 4k to upgrade. Think I'll stick to my 1080p for now

[Katziezi]

Thank you for this very in-depth guide and analysis. Back then I never cared about 4K because there weren't really many movies / videos with 4K, they were rather exotic, but today I am considering replacing my 27" 60 hertz 1080 p monitor with a 26-28" 4K monitor for watching movies and other 4K content, which nowadays seems to be widely available all across the internet and even in my local stores. It would also perfectly complete my setup, next to my 144 hertz screen which I only use for gaming. I am a perfectionist regarding audio quality, and now that I recently stumbled across the great difference 4K can make, I also want to have a perfect visual experience. But currently I'm also quite tight on money, using the Beyerdynamic DT990 with a Fiio e09k amp (which I really love and would recommend to anyone) for just less than 300 euros, I would also like to buy a cheap 4K monitor around the same price. Is there a specific monitor for less than 400 preferably 300 euros that you would recommend, or are the differences between a cheap and an expensive 4K monitor big enough that I should rather save my money for a more expensive one instead of buying a cheaper, maybe even used model?

[Lyka-clock]

You should talk about the back light difference with HDR. Local or full array back light will make your HDR ready tv amazing while standard backlight will give you a basic HDR picture. That's the difference in price. Just check the specs.

[itsme-gptx]

I wish I watched this video before buying a 4k tv, i bought a 40" and I don't see the difference from 1080p.

[EnclaveDesigns]

no, I'd say its time for 2k 144hz tho

[peeweep]

Bought a Philips 55PUS6561 for 623 english pounds/768 US dollars. Was it a good buy for the price? It was on sale.

LED-TV med 55 inch
Ultra-HD 4K
Android Smart-TV (Android 5.1)
3-side Ambilight
HDR Pro
1800 Picture Perfomance Index
Pixel Precise Ultra HD
Quad Core-processor
16 GB drive
Google Cast
Bluetooth

Had it for just 2 days, and it is my first 4K experience so i can't compare it to anything else that is 4K, but i am very happy and this was a huge upgrade to my 42 inch full HD tv (not smart). Ambient light is sooo sexy and 4K is wonderful watching youtube content or netflix :)

[GrampassoFilms]

1440p IPS Dell monitor for me. And it's fantastic, incredible color accuracy!

[migigenDK]

Isn't HDR just a marketing term for 10 bit panels in tvs? moniters have had those for years?