55" budget IPS vs VA for home/family use

Osobnost

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Hello, can you please help me please to find best value for money 55" TV for home/family use?
My budget should be max 550$, location is EU (Czech Republic).
The best TV's I found in this price range are LG 55UN7300/LG 55NANO81 (IPS) and Samsung UE55TU7172 (VA)
According to rtings.com is the best budget TV Hisense H8G (VA) which isn't in EU and if U7QF is european version then costs about 700$ here.
Best value per money TV should be TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 QLED (VA) but I don't know related EU versions.

So my biggest issue is to decide between IPS (better angle) and VA (better contrast and black in correct angle).
This in info from Rtinggs.com:
The LG UN7300 and the Samsung TU7000 perform similarly overall; however, they use different panel types with different advantages and disadvantages. The LG uses an IPS panel that has better viewing angles at the expense of a lower contrast ratio. The Samsung, on the hand, uses a VA panel, which has a much better contrast ratio but narrower viewing angles.

LGNANO81 is overally better than both and currently for good price here.

My sofa is 3m long and located 2,5m in front of TV.
2 parents + 2 children = 4 ppl sharing TV.
Max viewing angle of lying person or person sitting on the side of sofa should be about 26 degrees.
Purpose will be mixed as standard family (daily watching and sometimes films at night).

Here is Samsung TU7000 viewing angle info from Rtings:

Brightness Loss 36 ° ( The angle at which the TV's lightness drops to 75% of its original lightness)

Black Level Raise 15 ° ( The angle at which the black level doubles its lightness, leading to dark shades looking washed out)

Gamma Shift 16 ° ( The angle at which the black level doubles its lightness, leading to dark shades looking washed out)


I created also some printscreens from video:

Samsung 0° vs Samsung 26°: Screenshot

LG UN7300 26° vs Samsung 26°: Screenshot


Below is photo of my room from max viewing angle on the sofa and behind TV.

I've read some forums and some people say the VA panel viewing angle issues are overrated until you watching TV really from side e.g. another room.
Some ppl says that sharing VA screen is hard even with 2 people and terrible with family and screen is starting to be degraded if you sitting only one position off center.


Hope that I mentioned all needed informations :)
Can you please help me which TV will be for me the best?
 
Have you checked out the guide?

Sounds like IPS might be better given the range of viewing angles?
 
Have you checked out the guide?

Sounds like IPS might be better given the range of viewing angles?
Thanks for advice.
Yes IPS is better viewing angle and VA is better contrast+black for movies watching in dark room.
There is important QA:
Q. How do I know the viewing angles I need from a TV?
A. It's quite simple to calculate. A LCD TV with a VA panel looks fine up to 30 degrees to either side of the centre of the TV. If you need a wider viewing angle than that you need an LCD with an IPS panel.

So I am with max 26 degrees quite on the edge and still confused :)

I did some price research of the best low tier recommended TV's

From best low tier wide angle is winner probably LG 55NANO81 for 544$ (looks as great price here)
LG 55UN7300 - 520$
LG 55UN7400 - 461$
Philips 58PUS7805/58PUS7855 - 545$/648$
Sony 55XH8196 / 55XH8096 - 809$/673$

From best low tier contrast+black I found these TV's:
Hisense 55U7QF - 725$ (looks expensive here)
Hisense 58A7100 - found only 58A7100F - 498$ (I am not sure if 58A7100F is the same as 58A7100).
Hisense 55AE7400 - found only 55A7300F - 589$
Samsung 55TU7100 / 55TU7000 - found only UE55TU7102 - 465$
Philips 58PUS7805/58PUS7855 - 545$/648$ (also in wide angle category)
Samsung 58TU7100 / 58TU7172 - found only GU58TU7199UXZG - 739$
LG 60UN7100 - 543$
Sony 55X7052 / 55X7053 / 55X7055 / 55X70H - found KD-55X7055 - 660$

As addition most selling TVs here Samsung UE55TU7172 costs 514$ and UE55TU8502 costs 611$

Is it possible to find the best value for price TV for my purpose please?

 
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I'd definitely go for IPS at that angle.
VA will be a milky mess.

IPS contrast is only really an issue in very dark/dimly lit rooms. Get a nice lamp and you'll probably never really notice the lower native contrast.

What's the point in high contrast VA if only one or two people can see it?
 
You are fine if the 26 degrees is the maximum viewing angle. Also remember that you may be critical of the picture at an angle, but not everyone is. Most people don't care or notice and if you are the one sitting centrally, it usually doesn't matter.

However, the pictures you gave seem to show a much greater angle than 26. To me at least it looks like 40 degrees, maybe even more from the centre of the TV.

You can easily measure the angle if you have a protractor and piece of string (or a protractor app on your phone). Just face away from the centre of the TV to the tightest viewing position.
 
You are fine if the 26 degrees is the maximum viewing angle. Also remember that you may be critical of the picture at an angle, but not everyone is. Most people don't care or notice and if you are the one sitting centrally, it usually doesn't matter.

However, the pictures you gave seem to show a much greater angle than 26. To me at least it looks like 40 degrees, maybe even more from the centre of the TV.

You can easily measure the angle if you have a protractor and piece of string (or a protractor app on your phone). Just face away from the centre of the TV to the tightest viewing position.
Thanks for advice. Firstly I placed phone on old TV display and measured angle verticaly and it's not possible because camera output looks big step in front of camera. It's maybe reason of distorted angle of my photos.
Then I used two strings and three proctractor apps horisontaly and got some more accurate numbers.
Total angle is 54-63,5° so max 27-32° off center in case of lying on sofa.
I also asked support of my damaged TV Gogen TVU49S298STWEB and got answer that panel is VA.
I never noticed any color change from angle before I started learning about panel for new TV.
So gues that VA panel will be fine for me right?
 

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Yep, then you'll probably be fine with a VA panel. You are on the edge of it being acceptable, but if you were happy with your previous TV you should be happy with a new one.

I'd suggest going for the Samsung 55TU7102 which should do slightly better than others with viewing angles, especially compared to 58" TVs.
 
Yep, then you'll probably be fine with a VA panel. You are on the edge of it being acceptable, but if you were happy with your previous TV you should be happy with a new one.

I'd suggest going for the Samsung 55TU7102 which should do slightly better than others with viewing angles, especially compared to 58" TVs.
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your answers.
Today I found very interesting video.
In the most videos, mainly LG videos shows how bad has VA viewing angles, but in this video it looks really good also from side.


I have last question.
If I watching movies on my TV or monitor I notice quite often lagging motion during scenes of moving environment. e.g. environment/nature filmed from helicopter or scene of camera rotation etc.
I read something about "judder" that it's caused by running 24p video formats (which is currently most used) on 60Hz TV.

Can it be resolved with better performance TV or there is needed only Judder-Free 24p function which isn't implemented to 55TU7102?

I was a big gamer in childhood and maybe I am more sensitive on lagging/judder. My wife never noticed this issue.
I tested some 4k hisense demo and it works well without any issues so it depends most probably on video format.
I will try to add some video of my damaged TV, not sure if it will be notable from phone camera. I don't find anything more lagging as better example.
 
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It can be a bit of a lottery which panel type you get on Samsung TVs. Possible the review unit was using an IPS panel instead of VA, which is why the viewing angles look better than the LG. The other thing could be the lighting, the biggest drawback to VA panels viewing angles is raised black levels which you aren't going to see in the sample video where there's only a bright coloured background.

A better comparison would be the test rtings.com do with viewing angles.

Regarding 3:2 pulldown judder, most people don't notice it. Its different to the regular stutter seen in your video. If you want to avoid it you could go for the Samsung TU8000 or TU8500, but expect to pay more money for similar picture quality.
 
r nebo scéna rotace kamery atd.

It can be a bit of a lottery which panel type you get on Samsung TVs. Possible the review unit was using an IPS panel instead of VA, which is why the viewing angles look better than the LG. The other thing could be the lighting, the biggest drawback to VA panels viewing angles is raised black levels which you aren't going to see in the sample video where there's only a bright coloured background.

A better comparison would be the test rtings.com do with viewing angles.

Regarding 3:2 pulldown judder, most people don't notice it. Its different to the regular stutter seen in your video. If you want to avoid it you could go for the Samsung TU8000 or TU8500, but expect to pay more money for similar picture quality.
Thanks for info, I checked that Samsung tu7000 has very good score for stutter handling so it will resolve my issues.
In the video he mentioned that Samsung panel is VA. Here is comparison 0° vs 30° from Rtings.
I hope that it looks fine too :)
 

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Yeah its not bad at that angle. You

Yeah its not bad at that angle. You should be okay :)
Thanks!

Today I was in shop to check TV's.

There wasn't Samsung but some Hisense models with VA panels and angle looks sufficient for me.
Then I meet Hisense 55U7QF and was totally stunned. Wow this picture looks like real life.
In Rtings is US version H8G vs Samsung TU7000 7,8 vs 6,7 points, but in real life is this QLED far from VA panels I saw there.

I am very sad and really don't understand why US model US 55" model H8G is in 500$ price category and EU model 55U7QF costs in my country 725$.
It's 45% increase.
 
They are not the same models really. The American models have different firmware, they may share local dimming and panels though.

The U7Q is a top buy in my low tier section here:

Just beware that viewing angles will be on the worse side.

EDIT* just saw you posted a new thread. No need to create another. QLED is not a new panel type btw, its just a backlighting technology. The U7Q still uses a VA panel.
 
They are not the same models really. The American models have different firmware, they may share local dimming and panels though.

The U7Q is a top buy in my low tier section here:

Just beware that viewing angles will be on the worse side.
I forgot to mention that I didn't notice any issues even from big angle like 40° on other cheap Hisense TVs I noticed it. IT's very strange, maybe my brain has been stunned like my eyes :D
I have to say that for amateur like me is this TV just perfect. Screen looks like reality but I understand that demo is the best possible supported quality.

Sorry for new thread but this one looks like PM between us :)
I want to know only if 725$ is too much for 55U7Q.

What is optimal price for this TV please?
In case that all prices are higher in my country I add also comarison that Samsung UE55TU7172 costs 514$ here.
 
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In the UK the TV is usually about £500 so $725 is about right. Prices in Europe are not as good as the USA usually.

You'd need to look at the Samsung TU8500 to compare to the U7Q really, and even that TV comes short. The TU7xxx models only have 2 or 3 HDMI ports.
 
In the UK the TV is usually about £500 so $725 is about right. Prices in Europe are not as good as the USA usually.

You'd need to look at the Samsung TU8500 to compare to the U7Q really, and even that TV comes short. The TU7xxx models only have 2 or 3 HDMI ports.
Thanks a lot.
For me is 2xHDMI enough. I am not tech specialist and will use TV only for common watching, YouTube, films from flash disk (maybe I will be more films fan with good TV and will need switch to HDD with more space or buy high quality films provider service) and my old Xbox360.
For me will be probably the most important screen performance/quality.
I usually change TV only if old TV is damaged so good quality TV is for me also preparation for future with higher quality of common broadcasting.
I also fully understand that for new things unsupported by hadware or software will be each top quality TV obsolete in future.
 
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There are no good quality TVs that are cheap. Those TVs start at high tier in my guide. If you spend less, you get a worse TV that probably won't last as long until you replace it.

Unfortunately spending £500 is not a lot on a TV nowadays, you are only getting very low level quality.

That doesn't help of course, because if you can't afford more, you can't. Best thing to do is to spend either as little money as possible and get a cheap model like Hisense A series, or if you do want something a little more premium and don't mind wasting a bit more money, they U7Q.

The Samsung models do not compete in value with Hisense, they are more expensive and offer less performance per money.
 
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your answers.
Today I found very interesting video.
In the most videos, mainly LG videos shows how bad has VA viewing angles, but in this video it looks really good also from side.


I have last question.
If I watching movies on my TV or monitor I notice quite often lagging motion during scenes of moving environment. e.g. environment/nature filmed from helicopter or scene of camera rotation etc.
I read something about "judder" that it's caused by running 24p video formats (which is currently most used) on 60Hz TV.

Can it be resolved with better performance TV or there is needed only Judder-Free 24p function which isn't implemented to 55TU7102?

I was a big gamer in childhood and maybe I am more sensitive on lagging/judder. My wife never noticed this issue.
I tested some 4k hisense demo and it works well without any issues so it depends most probably on video format.
I will try to add some video of my damaged TV, not sure if it will be notable from phone camera. I don't find anything more lagging as better example.

That YouTuber is not the most reliable. He sometimes makes glaring mistakes in his info and doesn't realise.

TVCalibration by Darko, AVForums, HDTVTest are better - with Rtings and DigitalTrends useful but very US/Canada centric.
 
Thanks for very useful info.
Glad I could help. I should've said those reviewers all have YT channels under those names (but also began as sites/magazines).

Best solution to your viewing angle dilemma is to visit Currys (or better yet Richer Sounds) and take a look there. You can get a good idea of VA panel viewing angles by looking at 50" and 58" TVs which are always VA panels at the moment.

It's best to view the TVs inline and not looking down from above as that will give you the best idea of how they will look in your home.
 
Best solution to your viewing angle dilemma is to visit Currys (or better yet Richer Sounds) and take a look there. You can get a good idea of VA panel viewing angles by looking at 50" and 58" TVs which are always VA panels at the moment.

It's best to view the TVs inline and not looking down from above as that will give you the best idea of how they will look in your home.
OP is in the Czech Republic (not sure what shops are there / what the lockdown situation is currently)
 
Here is big lockdown, all electro shops are open only for tradesmans not for customers. But I tried luck and has been successful. There was Samsung VA TV's but without signal. I checked only Hisense low end VA TV's and viewing angle has been sufficient for me, I noticed issues only at angle more than 30 degrees maybe about 40.
But Hisense 55U7Q has been completely different. Picture like real life and no issues even at high angle, I don't know why.
Price is 40% more than Samsung 55TU7102 but picture quality is noticeable also for amateur like me.
Both looks good value for money here and decision is only how much to spend.
I don't know competitor of Samsung 55TU7102 but most probably Hisense 55A7300F for 14% more or 55AE7000F for 20% less.
From cheapest QLED TVs here are also Samsung QE55Q64T for the same price like U7Q and Hisense TCL 55C715 for 6% less price.
 
There's no such thing as a 'QLED' TV. Its marketing. They are LCD TVs.
Check out my best buy guide. TVs like the Hisense U7Q tend to be best value if you want something more premium. The other TVs are edge lit without fald and a little step down, but may be worth stepping down for the savings. If the U7Q is selling for 40% more than the Samsung TU7102 and you don't need 4x HDMI ports then you should save the money and get the Samsung. The Hisense U7Q is not as good value for money with that price difference.

Models like the Samsung Q60/Q64T are overpriced. Same usually goes for the TCL 7 and 8 series in Europe.

At 65" TCL 8 series can be good value due to using a 120hz panel at that size.
 
Firstly I have to say that this community is very very, helpful. Thanks a lot and you can ping me everytime if you will need any advice in bluetooth/portable speakers category.

I see the most difficult thing here is value for money because in my country is VFM only papper values and not real comparisons. On the other hand real comparisons in different countries has really different prices.
There is really too much models and without skill is impossible to find best VFM.
I will create pricing tabe tomorrow and filter 55"+ TV's in price range from 450-750$ maybe we will find some great "hidden" value for price :)
 

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