OLED Tv issues - useful reference article

[noonar]

You should see what a proper 4K signal looks like...

Z...

Not much (zero) live broadcast 4k to compare to Z. Appreciate that any displayed image can only ever be as good as the capturing device, those that operate them and the reproduction method. Worked with shrouded Barcos in a light controlled environment for a long time. Resolution is everything in such work.

[herzog]

Keep in mind, if you are truly serious about image quality, you'd be using an Apple TV 4k, or a high end Android box for your steaming services. The processing in those boxes will ensure a better streaming experience in just about every way.

Z...

Yes agreed. I’ve got the Sony A8F which has all of the major apps built in, but I run everything off the AppleTv4K which offers a superior experience and picture quality.

The TV is essentially just a dumb monitor, albeit a high quality one.

[Zee]

Just an update re: the FZ Series of Panasonic OLEDs. For people who want to utilise Stan for streaming movies and tv series, Panasonic finally added the app in an update yesterday to complete the suite. It is now on a level footing with the other brands offering apps for Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime, FreeView+, BigPond movies (now Telstra TV Box Office), ABC iview, SBS on demand etc.

I'm still on ADSL2+ and have had no issue streaming including content from Amazon Prime in Ultra HD (surprisingly). Stan comes through with very high quality picture and sound. Netflix seems to be slightly less consistent with sound quality at times compared to the others but overall generally good. Once playing I've never had buffering issues with any of the services. Can't comment on Netflix 4k streaming until I get NBN connected.

The FZ Panasonic is a solid high quality set and worth a serious look if you're in the market for an OLED.

Keep in mind, if you are truly serious about image quality, you'd be using an Apple TV 4k, or a high end Android box for your steaming services. The processing in those boxes will ensure a better streaming experience in just about every way.

Z...

[Zee]

On a side note - self installed IQ4 on Monday (10mins for the swap and 1hour pfaffing to get 4k honored) and got to watch my first available 4k broadcast of yesterdays ODI on a Sony 75" LCD - WOW - just wow. No I do not work for Foxtel or Sony. :-)

You should see what a proper 4K signal looks like...

Z...

[Zee]

Seems like the big name manufacturers will persist with OLED for 2019 except for Samsung, who still has QLED but will probably have a couple of expensive larger MicroLED screens for sale also. Seems like 2020 for consumer size MicroLED.

There seems to also be some movement in MiniLED backlighting for the LCD/LED sector. This will seek to resolve the issue of "Blooming" in this type of TV due to the current backlighting technology which divides the screen into a grid with rectangular lit zones that can bleed light into adjoining zones, causing blooming. MiniLED is touted as giving more precise control of backlighting of LCD screens resulting in better picture quality. This tier which sits below OLED in terms of price/affordability would see the picture quality gap narrowing if MiniLED backlighting is introduced.

TVs supporting both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are becoming the desired standard for high end sets. OLED with its limited ability to achieve the required contrast range without burn-in doesn't do justice to either of these HDR standards when auto dimming is introduced. Samsungs QLED achieves a greater contrast range but does still have a slight issue with blooming and doesn't quite reach the motion handling or upscaling quality of Sony.

Bottom line is that currently each technology has its strengths and weaknesses but I wouldn't be dropping thousands on an OLED that is purposely dimmed to avoid burn-in, losing its appeal as a HDR 4k set in my book. I'll be waiting until next year I think before looking at an upgrade. 8k is also on its way as well as HDMI 2.1 so for future proofing at the high end of the market, waiting for these to be widely implemented could be worthwhile.

On a side note, I have often disabled annoying features by getting into the TV's tech menu. Not for the feint of heart, is any mistakes may brick your TV (ie - the firmware is often the same for a whole family of TV's, with minor changes to tell it that it does/does not have an RS232 port, is a US/EU/AU model with features x y and z etc, and telling it that it has something that it doesn't can permanently brick the TV). Samsungs also tend to have an annoying habit of resetting everything if you even activate said menu though, making calibration annoying as hell sometimes.

Z...

[CafeLotta]

Just an update re: the FZ Series of Panasonic OLEDs. For people who want to utilise Stan for streaming movies and tv series, Panasonic finally added the app in an update yesterday to complete the suite. It is now on a level footing with the other brands offering apps for Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime, FreeView+, BigPond movies (now Telstra TV Box Office), ABC iview, SBS on demand etc.

I'm still on ADSL2+ and have had no issue streaming including content from Amazon Prime in Ultra HD (surprisingly). Stan comes through with very high quality picture and sound. Netflix seems to be slightly less consistent with sound quality at times compared to the others but overall generally good. Once playing I've never had buffering issues with any of the services. Can't comment on Netflix 4k streaming until I get NBN connected.

The FZ Panasonic is a solid high quality set and worth a serious look if you're in the market for an OLED.

[CafeLotta]

Good to see OLED TV's are now coming out with both dolby vision and hdr10+ - you don't have to go without.

From what I understand these formats are designed to provide more post production control of HDR content, basically more control of color and brightness. Different Tvs handle the display of these formats in their own way having influence on color and brightness through specific settings.

I wouldn't base a purchase on whether a TV currently has both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Unless you're really obsessed with future proofing and paying a heap of money there are other issues I think are more important for good picture quality. If the foundation isn't there then any possible benefits of Dolby Vision or HDR10+ will be lost. Required bandwidth of streamed content in these formats may be a consideration also as they require a quick solid internet connection with a generous data allowance.

Been watching an Amazon Prime series called Goliath in HDR/Ultra HD which seems to be a showcase of color and contrast control available in HDR. Very impressive on my recently acquired Panasonic OLED. Anything above this quality would be lost on me as it really is quite amazing.

[bobsie]

Good to see OLED TV's are now coming out with both dolby vision and hdr10+ - you don't have to go without.

[CafeLotta]

Just a heads-up for people that the 'Bay has 20% off on lots of stuff including Home Entertainment until 25 January 2019. You need to log-in to see the specific item's discount or click on the top banner to see the categories included. As usual its lots of stuff that needs to be moved with a few good buys in-between. Also as usual, buyer beware and verify prices outside of EvilBay.

[noonar]

Agree, find your ideal seating position for your floor layout and based around ideal screen (and speaker) position, google ideal viewing distances (it is subjective anyway), get the next size up or bigger or go to the shop and (if possible) test those distances to screen size recommendations... then get the next size up :-) or go for a projector which is a whole new subject.

[CafeLotta]

Less than 75" I now consider as a portable ;-)

Viewing distance v resolution is an interesting thing to contemplate. 55", 65" and 75" 4k Ultra HD Tvs all have the same resolution of 3840x2160 and there are recommendations for the ideal viewing distance of each. Personally, not having the issue of sitting a great distance from the TV, the 55" does the job without having to visually scan side to side of the screen while viewing. A matter of finding the balance between personal preference and the state of your eyesight I suppose!

https://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/what-is-the-resolution

As a footnote for anyone also considering going through the upgrade process, newer sets also provide better picture processing and differing support for newer standards like HDR, HDR10+ and Dolby Vison. Easy access to online content like NetFlix and Amazon Prime which support these standards in varying degrees also comes into play and is still a developing thing. The bandwidth required for streaming content of this nature also comes into play in terms of the internet access plan you have and the download speed and data allowance.

https://www.techradar.com/au/news/hd...of-dolbys-book

[noonar]

Good Buy!

Luckily I am not in the market yet, however the next TV will be a 75" - if I can get one for $2500, consider it bought on sight...


Enjoy your cuppa with a good movie.

TampIt

I held off - for ages - upgrading my screen and was very tempted by the OLEDs if not for all the reasons mentioned above by CL I would have got one. Came across a 2017 75" 4k Sony that with all the discounts offered was retailing for $2,200 (originally 4,799) - just could not resist at that price and have no regrets. Less than 75" I now consider as a portable ;-)

[TampIt]

Good Buy!

Luckily I am not in the market yet, however the next TV will be a 75" - if I can get one for $2500, consider it bought on sight...


Enjoy your cuppa with a good movie.

TampIt

[CafeLotta]

My Panasonic V series Plasma has had heavy use for 8-9 years and is still going strong having had surge protection from new. Its power usage is in the same range as OLEDs of a similar size although my previous Panasonic G series used twice the power.

Need to make a small correction re: power usage of OLED v Plasma. As a direct comparison between Panasonic Tv sets using "normal" mode, my 50" V series plasma is quoted at 154W and a 55" FZ series OLED at 119W, roughly 30% less. In my case I would also save power with an OLED by not having to use my PVR (31W in normal mode) to access online content. Overall 55% power saving when streaming online content as best as I can tell (No info if WiFi is always on in the OLED Tv.)

It seems likely that it will be at least 2 years before domestic MicroLED Tvs will be available at a reasonable price and the likely bugs sorted out. All the current higher end TVs seem to have their strengths and weaknesses so after deciding what is most important for me now, I have to confess to buying a 55" Panasonic FZ1000 OLED. On a killer special ($2500) of about 60% the price of a Samsung Q9 QLED and Sony A9F, to me it seems the best option currently, even without Dolby Vision support. Panasonic doesn't seem to have anywhere near the complaints of Sony and LG with dimming or burn-in but no doubt would also be suseptible. Wouldn't recommend paying anywhere near full price for an OLED currently but there's likely to be continued heavy discounting through out the year.

P.S.
For anyone else going through the process of OLED or not and Panasonic v Sony v LG, this UK review swayed me in the end -
https://www.avforums.com/review/pana...0-review.14474

In the UK and Europe, the 55" & 65" Panasonic FZ1000 Tvs are known as FZ952/FZ950 which is confusing as here in Australia, the model below the FZ1000 is known as the FZ950. It doesn't have the Technics soundblade or better remotes which its namesake in the UK/Europe has and is known as the FZ802/FZ800 over there.

[noonar]

On a side note - self installed IQ4 on Monday (10mins for the swap and 1hour pfaffing to get 4k honored) and got to watch my first available 4k broadcast of yesterdays ODI on a Sony 75" LCD - WOW - just wow. No I do not work for Foxtel or Sony. :-)