kick ass TV

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David Evans

Well-known member
Hey guys,

Looking for a TV (65in) to watch movies with some serious image quality (sound is irrelevant as I have a separate system to process audio). I didn't want to go much more than 1600 / 1700 eur, so probably a 2017 model. Anyone has suggestions?

Thanks!
 
David Evans said:
Hey guys,

Looking for a TV (65in) to watch movies with some serious image quality (sound is irrelevant as I have a separate system to process audio). I didn't want to go much more than 1600 / 1700 eur, so probably a 2017 model. Anyone has suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you want the best image quality available right now, that means OLED. That means TVs based on the LG OLED panels. For example, the LG "C" series. In your case the OLED65C8.

Out of your budget, I know. Last year's model was the OLED65C7, which might be had for within your budget, but the 2018 panels are reportedly a step up in visual quality and consistency. One of the problems with OLED panels has been corner to corner consistency which can show up as vertical banding in shadow areas (IRE 5 or so). The current 2018 panels seem to be considerably better in this regard than the 2016/2017 panels. That's what I mean by consistency.

The yearly cycle seems to be that new TVs are announced in early January. They start showing up at retailers in April-Jun, selling for the MSRP. Early adopters are willing to pay that price. But within a few months of introduction those people have bought the TVs they are going to buy and demand starts to drop, so prices start falling. Often street prices fall to around half of MSRP in the weeks before the winter holidays in late December. Then in early January, the cycle begins again.

So... if you can push this purchase off until early December, you may be able to find a deal on the C8 that puts it within your budget.

Note that currently if you want an OLED, the panel itself comes from LG. So the Sony, LG, Panasonic, Philips, etc. OLED TVs are all using the same LG supplied panels. This is not true of competing technologies. But for OLED it is.
 
Bruce Watson said:
If you want the best image quality available right now, that means OLED. That means TVs based on the LG OLED panels. For example, the LG "C" series. In your case the OLED65C8.

Out of your budget, I know. Last year's model was the OLED65C7, which might be had for within your budget, but the 2018 panels are reportedly a step up in visual quality and consistency. One of the problems with OLED panels has been corner to corner consistency which can show up as vertical banding in shadow areas (IRE 5 or so). The current 2018 panels seem to be considerably better in this regard than the 2016/2017 panels. That's what I mean by consistency.

The yearly cycle seems to be that new TVs are announced in early January. They start showing up at retailers in April-Jun, selling for the MSRP. Early adopters are willing to pay that price. But within a few months of introduction those people have bought the TVs they are going to buy and demand starts to drop, so prices start falling. Often street prices fall to around half of MSRP in the weeks before the winter holidays in late December. Then in early January, the cycle begins again.

So... if you can push this purchase off until early December, you may be able to find a deal on the C8 that puts it within your budget.

Note that currently if you want an OLED, the panel itself comes from LG. So the Sony, LG, Panasonic, Philips, etc. OLED TVs are all using the same LG supplied panels. This is not true of competing technologies. But for OLED it is.
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Bruce, very knowledgable post, thanks. I'm not in the market, but if I was, this is great info.
 
If you can swing the funds or find a deal, OLED is the way to go. I have a 55" LG in the bedroom and it's absolutely gorgeous with quality content. I just wish they made a 100" that was sub $8k-$10K so that I could replace my rear projection in the den... ; )

As a matter of fact, almost all of my field monitors and half of my VF's are OLED. The only problem, the images look better there than they're ever gonna look again.
 
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Bruce has nailed it on the model and timing recommendation.

Wait till Black Friday time. Buy a 2017 LG panel then, nearly 2 years old. The 2018s are better, yes, but most reviews state the 2017 is really pretty close. You won't have a problem getting the 2017 then for your price point - assuming you can settle with 2017 65" C7 model on final stock closeout (which can barely be considered settling!! Really.).

That's probably what I am going to do. Unless the price of the 2018 is barely more at black friday. Because I agree with Run'n'gun, I don't want to go 100% all out on a TV this year. It's time for me to upgrade, but I know I ultimately want to land on 80"+ model which in 3-4 years will relegate my 65" OLED to my office TV for 4K HDR previewing of final edits (will have my business buy it from myself at that time, as by then 4K HDR edit delivery will likely be more common and thus this will be valuable for work, and then will upgrade personally again when OLED has larger form models at a discount). By 2020-2021, excellent 75"-85" OLED models *shouuuullldddd* be in the $2000 range @ Black Friday time (knock on wood).
 
Best bang for the buck I found was the Sony XBR850E. UHD/HDR.

It is not OLED, but it is direct-lit in zones, which gives you very solid black levels, no side light leakage, and doesn't crush the shadows like some OLEDs will, so there's better shadow detail. And it's priced, at 65", generally around or less than 55" OLEDs.

I've had one for about 9 months now, and couldn't be happier. There is a little blooming around bright objects every now and then, but I think it's worth it considering the size/price ratio.

Coming from Panasonic plasma, which I consider the gold standard of cinephile movie viewing, I'm quite satisfied. More than one reviewer considers the quality to surpass OLED.
 
Thanks for all the info guys. There's a store near my house that's selling a LG 65b7 for 1500eur which is a fantastic promotion. What do you guys think?
 
Also, remember that TVs are now disposable so whatever you spend on one, amortize it over 3-4 years, that's it. Spoke with a TV repair guy who is basically going out of business, he said no OLEDs, LEDs or even Plasmas are worth fixing, they're disposable. That's why I buy Vizios from Costco. If I can get it to work for five years, I am happy. Then throw it to E-Waste and buy another.
 
puredrifting said:
Also, remember that TVs are now disposable so whatever you spend on one, amortize it over 3-4 years, that's it. Spoke with a TV repair guy who is basically going out of business, he said no OLEDs, LEDs or even Plasmas are worth fixing, they're disposable. That's why I buy Vizios from Costco. If I can get it to work for five years, I am happy. Then throw it to E-Waste and buy another.
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True. Especially in the sub-$1K category. Heck, even appliances like refrigerators have become not worth repairing now, since some have so many electronics in them when they go out, the repair costs aren't justified.
 
I’ve had my Vizio from Costco for 8 years with zero issues. Just lucky?

David, is the larger model of that Sony line that are just as good of image quality in the 75” XBR-75X850E? Do you remember from your research, or was just the 65 praised?
 
filmguy123 said:
I’ve had my Vizio from Costco for 8 years with zero issues. Just lucky?

David, is the larger model of that Sony line that are just as good of image quality in the 75” XBR-75X850E? Do you remember from your research, or was just the 65 praised?
Click to expand...

It's the same tech in both. When reviewers do their reviews of it, it's usually of the model in any size.
 
filmguy123 said:
I’ve had my Vizio from Costco for 8 years with zero issues. Just lucky?

David, is the larger model of that Sony line that are just as good of image quality in the 75” XBR-75X850E? Do you remember from your research, or was just the 65 praised?
Click to expand...

Just got a look at the 850F today. It's even nicer. Doubtful you'll find a better 75" screen at $2500.
 
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