BambooBadger
Standard Member
Evening everyone,
I am a new user / poster but long time viewer of this forum. I have a question concerning budget HDTV's and would love to hear peoples opinions and viewpoints on this.
I am currently looking to upgrade (coming from a now jurrasic 720p 32" panny that has served me well!) to a 40-43" HDTV with a good picture quality, but on a budget. Picture quality is really my only interest.
So here's my question to you all...
Since 4K / HDR TV's are now available on the lower spectrum (e.g. Samsung UE43KU6400, Hisense H43M300 etc) and similar in price to decent midrange 1080p panels, 4K sets look like an enticing prospect and an obvious choice.
However, I have heard so many conflicting reports that budget 4k panels don't generally have great upscaling abilities or picture quality (hence the budget price) and that HDR on budget UHD panels are either 8bit or simply HDR compatible as opposed to native, so the question is are the budget sets really worth purchasing?
Would it not make more sense to purchase a solid midrange 1080p panel for the same price, that may have lesser features but makes up for with solid black levels, contrast, and general better picture quality?
Is the addition of 4k and lesser HDR compatibility really a better option than a solid 1080p panel? Especially if someone is only viewing 1080p source material and images / videos?
This is my current dilemma, I understand the idea of future proofing but it seems counterproductive in regards to budget sets. Or would even a budget 4K / 8 bit HDR set be an upgrade over a midrange 1080p set?
EDIT: I've added a third choice, wait to see whether budget 4K TV's next year come with improved visual quality and improved HDR 10 bit panels as standard?
I look forward to hearing everyone's opinions on this
I am a new user / poster but long time viewer of this forum. I have a question concerning budget HDTV's and would love to hear peoples opinions and viewpoints on this.
I am currently looking to upgrade (coming from a now jurrasic 720p 32" panny that has served me well!) to a 40-43" HDTV with a good picture quality, but on a budget. Picture quality is really my only interest.
So here's my question to you all...
Since 4K / HDR TV's are now available on the lower spectrum (e.g. Samsung UE43KU6400, Hisense H43M300 etc) and similar in price to decent midrange 1080p panels, 4K sets look like an enticing prospect and an obvious choice.
However, I have heard so many conflicting reports that budget 4k panels don't generally have great upscaling abilities or picture quality (hence the budget price) and that HDR on budget UHD panels are either 8bit or simply HDR compatible as opposed to native, so the question is are the budget sets really worth purchasing?
Would it not make more sense to purchase a solid midrange 1080p panel for the same price, that may have lesser features but makes up for with solid black levels, contrast, and general better picture quality?
Is the addition of 4k and lesser HDR compatibility really a better option than a solid 1080p panel? Especially if someone is only viewing 1080p source material and images / videos?
This is my current dilemma, I understand the idea of future proofing but it seems counterproductive in regards to budget sets. Or would even a budget 4K / 8 bit HDR set be an upgrade over a midrange 1080p set?
EDIT: I've added a third choice, wait to see whether budget 4K TV's next year come with improved visual quality and improved HDR 10 bit panels as standard?
I look forward to hearing everyone's opinions on this
Last edited: