From what I understand there's next to no 4K content made in 4k in the UK. It's simply been up scaled.

......

It's more about the TV manufacturers trying to force the TV broadcasters to buy expensive 4k cameras. Don't expect it on Sky, as Astra is pretty maxed out already with just HD

 

Ever growing amount of 4K/UHD productions happening in the UK fuelled by the 4K/UHD requirement for streaming service productions/co-productions.

 

BT already doing 4K/UHD live sport over IP (Internet).

Sky Q box adds 4K/UHD capability to Sky with some live but mostly streamed content. H.265 compression makes UHD manageable.

http://arstechnica.co.uk/gadgets/2016/07/sky-q-4k-uhd-launch-channel-details/

I've tried a few cameras with HDR, and now I leave the "feature" turned off

 

HDR in photography was generally about compressing the bright and dark areas into a standard dynamic range display.

 

The HDR we are talking about now with laser projection in cinemas and HDR TVs is about delivering a high dynamic range image with increased brightness range and bright specular highlights coupled with wide colour range resulting in images that can look more "real".

I can vouch for a lot 4k being made at present, although the bulk of it is sport. I've done a couple of 4K football matches this season already. Amazon say it will make it's dramas and obviously we hope TGT in 4K although I haven't heard if they will use HDR or not. Seems a shame if they don't as it is one show that is graded beautifully. 4K is definitely here to stay, unlike 3D and SKY has said it too will adopt one spec of HDR to go with it's 4K service in the near future. 

 

4K in live tv is a bit weird, as they cut the image in to 4 HD equivalent data sized lumps, send it off site, then restitch it at the far end, What i can't get my head around is why they don't send every 4th line instead, as the current way of doing things means you have to recompose the full 4K image to see a preview monitor of it. Every 4th line would mean a perfectly serviceable 1080 HD picture would be available from every one of the 4 channels of 'every 4th line'. Also the sound is embedded on the first of these 4 quadrants, so if you lose it, or the quadrant is disrupted you also lose all the audio. it doesn't seem to be the most robust way fo doing things to me

I've not been given a good reason for it yet, but I am sure cleverer people than me made the decision to use quadrants 

 

I am currently using a free 30 day trial of Netflix as they do have some 4K content that also is supported by Dolby Vision and if you get a chance to see some of it in a sensible room (not next to the washing machines in Currys) I would say go for it. As the telly, if you want to see Dolby Visions, it will most likely be an LG OLED of the latest range (I have an E6 model) then the picture should look great, as the screen is really  bright for an OLED and of course it sports the fabled infinite contrast (bit of a con really, as it is called infinite because of the pure blacks, but it doesn't go anywhere near as bright as the latest top end LCDs, but there again they don't go as dark as the latest OLEDs - I prefer the black-blacks )

Edited 19 September, 20169 yr by Lady Elanore

From what I understand there's next to no 4K content made in 4k in the UK. It's simply been up scaled.

IMO it's a bit of a waste of time for at least a couple more years when broadcasting catches up.

The only way to get true 4K movie content is downloading as it's too large for dvd or blueray discs for the majority of films. And the majority of households aren't set up to watch streamed content on their TVs or have poor Internet connections.

It's more about the TV manufacturers trying to force the TV broadcasters to buy expensive 4k cameras. Don't expect it on Sky, as Astra is pretty maxed out already with just HD

All the major Outside Broadcast facilities companies have 4k trucks now, some even have several. And the 4K camera is everywhere. The biggest player in this market, NEP Visions, burnt their entire facility to the ground at the end of last year (luckily nobody was hurt) so they had to replace a lot of equipment, this they have done with 4K gear (no it wasn't a set up job). So that may have speeded up the adoption of 4K, but in any event, SKY is committed to it, so it was going to happen this year one way or another. 

 

if you go into HMV, you will see that next to the BluRay section is a 4K section. It's pretty limited, but growing at quite a reasonable rate (especially if you like Marvel movies ) The downside is the cost of the players, with only the £600 Panny that I know of, capable of playing HDR with Dolby Vision (they have a newer cheaper version coming out any time now, but there is no info as to whether it sports the relevant hardware for DV)

 

It is probably worth hanging on a year or two to upgrade to 4K, as the price no doubt will drop significantly, but I jumped on early in part because I blew my beloved Panny Plasma up and needed a new telly, I just need to convince my accountant that I need it for work

HDR in photography was generally about compressing the bright and dark areas into a standard dynamic range display.

 

The HDR we are talking about now with laser projection in cinemas and HDR TVs is about delivering a high dynamic range image with increased brightness range and bright specular highlights coupled with wide colour range resulting in images that can look more "real".

 

 

Ok, I didnt know that; lets hope they dont use it to make the colours so OTT, your eyes bleed.

Ok, I didnt know that; lets hope they dont use it to make the colours so OTT, your eyes bleed.

I think it does take a little adjusting to. The colours do pop and there are some strange frame rates out there that can give the thing you are watching that 'Video' look. I did a trial a couple of years ago at the Commonwealth Games where the BBC trialed 4k over Freeview! Normally you get 4 (possibly 5) HD channels on one Mux (multiplex) - the channel number you see when your telly scans for new stations, which are in turn often confusing called 'channels' by everyone else. So on channel 45, there may be 4 HD stations such as BBC1, BBC4, Dave, Stuff  or even more if they are SD. Everyone refers to something like say BBC1 as a 'channel' but your telly really calls the Mux a channel. Confusing a bit really

Anyhoo the Beeb managed to transmit a 4K picture, but used a whole Mux to send one show (which makes sense I suppose, as 4 x HDs sort of equal 1 x 4K) and that was at 100 frames a second. Tbh, I thought the picture looked pants, but it was early days.

 

I urge people who really value their movie watching to have a look at the latest HDR capable tellys though, I bigger leap than just 4K. Things like football matter less as so much of it is under artificial light now, the isn't that much to be had by implementing HDR on it, although 4K does wonders on replays Btw, occasionally an HD camera is upscaled on a 4K show, but it is usually a minor camera and this will stop soon anyway. 

Edited 19 September, 20169 yr by Lady Elanore

Here is a nice article explaining stuff about HDR

 

CNet explains HDR

 

There is also a link in the article that explains the difference between HDR for tellyboxs and cameraboxs

Btw just to throw more confusion into the ring There is a spec called UltraHD Premium, this is the one that supports the highest standard of 4K, with colour gamut BT.2020 or Rec.2020) and a wide dynamic range (the HDR bit). OLEDs don't need to be as bright as LCDs as they are deemed to have 100% Black, but LCDs need to go eye searingly bright to give a similar impression overall. 

 

But... LG and Panasonic put the UltraHD Premium sticker on their top end products, Samsung might put it on some and Sony say they will use their own label for it

 

 

 

DOH!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

you would think they would have all learned their lesson after the VHS-Betamax debacle. All they had to do was put the same ruddy sticker on a black plastic box and give the consumer a clue. Bloody muppets!   <and breathe> 

I'm more interested in OLED and HDR than 4K. My eyesight isn't sharp enough to spit the extra pixels at the range I view at.

I'm more interested in OLED and HDR than 4K. My eyesight isn't sharp enough to spit the extra pixels at the range I view at.

 

A good 4K TV has a decent upscaler built it, so even SD TV and recordings look good on a big screen; about the only thing my LG cannot make look good is some 420p stuff on YouTube, and to be fair, it doesnt look any worse than old US NTSC TV recordings.

 

I wouldnt worry about HDR for a few years, it might just turn out to be a fad, like Hyper Tweeters were a few years ago in HiFi circles.

This looks a good deal for anyone thinking of dipping their toe in 4k HDR.

 

http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bravia-55xd8005-led-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-android-tv-55-with-youview-freeview-hd-playstation-now-silver-slate-design/p2991371?s_afcid=af_47868&awc=1203_1474622294_44b801c8b620257d060d56eaa1492c26

 

bit on the small side for me but looks a good set.

This looks a good deal for anyone thinking of dipping their toe in 4k HDR.

 

http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bravia-55xd8005-led-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-android-tv-55-with-youview-freeview-hd-playstation-now-silver-slate-design/p2991371?s_afcid=af_47868&awc=1203_1474622294_44b801c8b620257d060d56eaa1492c26

 

bit on the small side for me but looks a good set.

 

JESUS, look at the weight!!! Is it MADE of slate!!!

 

Ré the size, when I got our 49" I thought it looked enormous, but after having it a few years, it is starting to look small; perhaps I should have got the 55", as it would have covered the chimney breast nicely; however the larger size would have reduced our tilt and swing mount to about a +/-45 degrees swing, instead of the +/- 80 degree swing we currently enjoy.

JESUS, look at the weight!!! Is it MADE of slate!!!

 

Ré the size, when I got our 49" I thought it looked enormous, but after having it a few years, it is starting to look small; perhaps I should have got the 55", as it would have covered the chimney breast nicely; however the larger size would have reduced our tilt and swing mount to about a +/-45 degrees swing, instead of the +/- 80 degree swing we currently enjoy.

 

To be honest weights not the first thing i look for when specing a TV seeing as it will be fixed to a brick chimney breast anyway. I have always had flagship halo model Sony Bravia TV's and they are reassuringly weighty but then they are also robust and take some breaking. I find this with all hi end Sony products they are near indestructible within normal use. Is 14.5kg considered heavy? I think my old KDL 46X2000 was more than 40kg which made my new one seam very light but i was never bothered by the weight. I suppose if your using a cantilever tilt swivel bracket then it might be worth considering but i would never use one of these. I would only ever by a house with a square or just off square rectangular TV room so that the TV is in the centre not in an alcove or corner that would then ruin the surround sound experience no matter how good the amps compensation. Im that anal about it i have to occupy the center seat of the Couch and the centre of the tv is perfectly level with my eyes at reclined seated position lol.

To be honest weights not the first thing i look for when specing a TV seeing as it will be fixed to a brick chimney breast anyway. I have always had flagship halo model Sony Bravia TV's and they are reassuringly weighty but then they are also robust and take some breaking. I find this with all hi end Sony products they are near indestructible within normal use. Is 14.5kg considered heavy? I think my old KDL 46X2000 was more than 40kg which made my new one seam very light but i was never bothered by the weight. I suppose if your using a cantilever tilt swivel bracket then it might be worth considering but i would never use one of these. I would only ever by a house with a square or just off square rectangular TV room so that the TV is in the centre not in an alcove or corner that would then ruin the surround sound experience no matter how good the amps compensation. Im that anal about it i have to occupy the center seat of the Couch and the centre of the tv is perfectly level with my eyes at reclined seated position lol.

 

Mine is mounted mid- height in the centre of the chimney breast (to keep away from grubby little fingers), the tilt and swivel is a VERY robust one with hundreds of buyers and 5 star reviews on Amazon, yet it costs a fraction of a basic store bought (rip-off) mount (£19!!).

 

My old 32" CRT weighed about 44KG, but LCD/LED screens are supposed to be light. To be fair, I couldnt actually remember how much my LED screen weighs, after going and checking, it is actually 3KG HEAVIER, despite being 2" smaller screenwise.

 

When centred and facing the couch, it is flanked by a pair of mahoosive semi-transmission line speakers, with the centre "voice" speaker mounted ~8" below the centre of the screen - at perfect ear level when sitting on the couch.

 

The room was originally nearly square, but we knocked it through nearly 2 years ago to improve our use of the space, so instead of 15x12 and 12x12, we now have ~28x12, with a big bay window at the front, and a big set of French doors at the back that let plenty of light in throughout the day.

JESUS, look at the weight!!! Is it MADE of slate!!!

 

 

 

  My Plasma that went bang  :(   - a late model state of the art 55", so not a dinasnore version  weighed somewhere around 30kgs or a bit more 

 

HDR is not a fad though. It is here with 4K to stay, honest

Plasmas are a lot heavier, due to how they work (or so I understand).

The picture quality is still better than almost all of the LCDs on sale still

 

The LG OLEDs are very light, but there is nothing of them when you look at them sideways. Most of the telly is only mms thick. 

I love plasma, it is just a much better picture than lcd.

I hope more people produce oled hdr tv's in the near future.

:yes:  plasma was lovely. A lot of Tv shows are now edited and graded on OLED monitors, they seem to becoming the new standard for image quality referencing. I don't regret buying one, but the cost made me wince a bit and I'm sure in about 5 years a similar quality telly will be under £1k. Still it means George looks even more lovely in 4K HDR.....if I could find any of him in 4K HDR that is 

I've still got one of the last panny plasma made and the picture quality is far beyond anything at a reasonable price point once you calibrate it. (Something HDR should reduce the need to do in theory)

 

Since there is no real quantity of 4k content and the FHD plasma is great I don't see the need to buy a new TV yet, but when I do need to, I can only imagine it being OLED.

I just don't get the point of blocking light, when you can just not emit it.

 

Still the economies of scale invested in LCD could mean, that like VHS we end up with a poor quality cousin as it's just cheaper.

If you would like an almost pristine Panny 55vt50 with a small power problem (3 led flashes, which I think means a power supply somewhere doesn't work) I know someone with one for sale Still has both remotes

Have just given over the money for a 65" Sony ZD9 . Still a bit tempted to cancel.

I like the idea of OLED but chose to go with LCD in this case.

Seeing a demo in Lewis's in Birmingham, having HDR does seem to give a better feeling of "being there". The range of brightnesses in the image is more like what we see in real life. Not sure I need all the extra pixels though.

If I end up keeping it then will want to get a 4k player. Hopefully can send the audio to my amp and the video to the tv, as my amp is too old for 4k etc. but does audio well.

If your tv supports Dolby Vision, it's worth holding out for a new player as none of them support it yet. There is a 'mega' Oppo player coming out for Christmas with it I believe. Should be the 4K player to beat too

 

I agree about the extra pixels, they definitely don't make a huge difference. perhaps an uncompressed, lossless movie might show a bigger difference though? 

Edited 25 October, 20169 yr by Lady Elanore

I don't think the ZD9 has Dolby Vision. If the Oppo could convert Dolby Vision to individual TV profiles that'd be neat though. (If that makes sense).

I don't think the ZD9 has Dolby Vision. If the Oppo could convert Dolby Vision to individual TV profiles that'd be neat though. (If that makes sense).

Dolby Vision needs a specific bit of hardware on the chip i believe. but i think not having it may be less of an issue with LCD tellys as they have such extraordinary peak brightness. The Oppo looks to be a superb player though and roughly the same price as the big Panasonics.