Author Topic: Curved TVs? (Read 3958 times)

Ben · « **on:** November 03, 2016, 04:14:25 PM »

Do any of you have one of the curved HDTVs?

I noticed my Samsung 52" has started to occasionally do funny things with the color. Given that it's going on 9 years old, I was thinking of replacing it during the post-Christmas sale season. I was looking at curved TVs at Costco today, and they look pretty sweet, but am wondering if the price premium is really worth it. I probably won't go larger than 55" since I would have to rearrange the furniture for anything bigger, and I like where I have my current TV for distance to screen, being away from window glare, etc.

Anyway, if anyone here has one, I'd be interested in how you like it compared to standard flat screen and if it really is worth the price point for the viewing experience. Plus I'm not even sure if they're available in "regular" HD vs 4K. Between my current bandwidth limitations for streaming and my aging eyes, I'm not sure if 4K is really worth it for me.

On a tangent, whatever TV I get, it'll be nice to have one of the newer light ones! I can barely manhandle my current one myself given the awkward dimensions to grab it. I bought my sister a 55" for Christmas a couple of years ago and could just about lift it grabbing it from the top with one hand.

zahc · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2016, 04:54:18 PM »

I specifically dislike them. I think it is just a gimmick.

BobR · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2016, 04:56:35 PM »

I really have nothing to add other than this

bob

HankB · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2016, 09:31:55 PM »

Curved screen TVs arguably have some trivial merit if - and ONLY if!!! - your viewpoint is at the center of curvature of the screen.

For anyone off to the side, they're inferior to regular flat panels.

I really think it's a lot of BS marketing brought to you by the same "geniuses" at Samsung who several years ago brought "touch of color" to their product line by widening the bezel on either side of the screen and adding a little red dye to the black plastic, while oblivious to the fact that they effectively made the TV larger without making the picture any bigger. (Buyers with room for a bigger TV overwhelmingly chose to get a different brand with a bigger picture instead of those silly plastic extensions.)

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2016, 09:35:06 PM »

Quote from: BobR on November 03, 2016, 04:56:35 PM

I really have nothing to add other than this

bob

After seeing that utter bullshit in a trailer when it first came out I've never bothered to see that movie.

As for curved screen TVs, my understanding is that it helps if you are watching from off center.
Not an issue for me as when I watch my CRT boobtube I am not viewing it from an off center position and if someone else is in my house and they have to sit off center it isn't my problem. They should go home and watch their own TV where I won't have to hear them blathering abut the show and detracting from my enjoyment.

freakazoid · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2016, 09:43:50 PM »

Quote from: RoadKingLarry on November 03, 2016, 09:35:06 PM

After seeing that utter bullshit in a trailer when it first came out I've never bothered to see that movie.

I found the movie entertaining.

For the curved TV; when I stood in front of one at a store, I thought it felt a little more... immersive.

HeroHog · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2016, 11:00:55 PM »

Quote

Curved screen TVs arguably have some trivial merit if - and ONLY if!!! - your viewpoint is at the center of curvature of the screen.

For anyone off to the side, they're inferior to regular flat panels.

THIS, So much this!

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2016, 11:58:43 PM »

For the premium charged, not only no but hell no. Take the savings and get yourself a decent component 5.1 surround system (Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc.). The jump in audio quality and sound field immersion will be a several-orders-of-magnitude enhancement of your viewing experience vs the trivial improvement of a slightly curve viewing surface.

Brad

K Frame · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2016, 06:13:17 AM »

I've only taken brief glances at them at TV displays, and I can't say that I'm all that impressed.

The picture didn't seem to live up to the hype, and it seemed that when I was looking at the center of the screen, the farther around the curve the worse the picture.

Part of it could very well be the fact that my glasses are pretty complex because of my astigmatism and I'm getting outside of the focal plane of what my glasses will correct.

I'll stick with flat panels.

Kingcreek · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2016, 02:33:58 PM »

The only tv I have is a curved screen, convex 13" with rounded corners. It became almost useless when free tv when digital signal. It's at the end of my work bench and hooked up to a DVD player.
I don't think that's what you were asking about though.

Sindawe · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2016, 03:44:38 PM »

I too have a curved TV. Also convex curvature, but much nicer the Kingreek's puny little TV. Mine is a whopping 27" in a fine processed wood cabinet with a swivel base. It now serves as a cat diversion device, being always tuned to Animal Planet and set to turn on 30 minutes after I leave for work and turn off 30 minutes before I get home.

Ben · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2016, 04:26:47 PM »

I guess I'm kinda leaning now towards standard flat screen and 1080p vs curved and 4k. For a 55" (gonna probably stick with Samsung) it's ~$500 vs $1000+.

If the 4K really is all that, I'll wait till I have big bandwidth again. By then the 72" 4Ks will probably be $100.

MillCreek · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2016, 04:35:05 PM »

We just bought a 70" Samsung 4K UHD (http://www.costco.com/Samsung-70%22-Class-(69.5%22-Diag.)-4K-Ultra-HD-LED-LCD-TV-UN70KU630DFXZA.product.100294918.html) set on sale at Costco for $ 1500. It should arrive in a week or so. It is our Christmas present to each other. We also decided against a curved TV.

zxcvbob · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2016, 04:39:30 PM »

Are the new curved screens concave? Or are they convex like an old CRT? ("retro", I guess)

HankB · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2016, 05:10:19 PM »

The new screens are concave.

For most combinations of screen size and viewing distance, 4k televisions won't actually improve resolution - standard HDTV sets already give you all the resolution your eyes can handle unless you have a really big screen or sit really close. And if you don't have some genuine 4k source, be aware that "interpolated" 4k pictures aren't really 4k. HOWEVER, the 4k sets are supposed to have a higher dynamic range - whites are brighter, blacks are blacker, etc. If they're adjusted properly (most store displays are NOT adjusted properly) you can get really black blacks, without obscuring detail of "almost black" parts of the picture.

As a rule of thumb, the middle of the product line is the sweet spot where better panels begin to appear, but the cost doesn't go up insanely. If you have some other stuff you want to plug into the TV - video game, VCR, computer, etc., be aware that the manufacturers are cutting back on the number of connections in order to reduce manufacturing cost. So check out the jacks, too.

Ben · « **Reply #15 on:** November 05, 2016, 05:33:57 PM »

Quote from: HankB on November 05, 2016, 05:10:19 PM

As a rule of thumb, the middle of the product line is the sweet spot where better panels begin to appear, but the cost doesn't go up insanely. If you have some other stuff you want to plug into the TV - video game, VCR, computer, etc., be aware that the manufacturers are cutting back on the number of connections in order to reduce manufacturing cost. So check out the jacks, too.

Yeah, I have to research that again for the new one. I went "sweet spot" on my last one, but model designations have all changed, so I have to figure out which Samsung series is the new "not crap consumer and not overpriced nonsense" model line. :)

Firethorn · « **Reply #16 on:** November 05, 2016, 05:39:32 PM »

Quote from: Sindawe on November 05, 2016, 03:44:38 PM

I too have a curved TV. Also convex curvature, but much nicer the Kingreek's puny little TV. Mine is a whopping 27" in a fine processed wood cabinet with a swivel base. It now serves as a cat diversion device, being always tuned to Animal Planet and set to turn on 30 minutes after I leave for work and turn off 30 minutes before I get home.

I wouldn't be surprised if the top served as a cat bed as well, as it's probably one of the warmer spots.

Ben · « **Reply #17 on:** November 05, 2016, 05:40:58 PM »

Quote from: MillCreek on November 05, 2016, 04:35:05 PM

We just bought a 70" Samsung 4K UHD (http://www.costco.com/Samsung-70%22-Class-(69.5%22-Diag.)-4K-Ultra-HD-LED-LCD-TV-UN70KU630DFXZA.product.100294918.html) set on sale at Costco for $ 1500. It should arrive in a week or so. It is our Christmas present to each other. We also decided against a curved TV.

Sweet deal. It seems like the ~70" size is the new ~50" and they are at a decent price point. I would love to go to that size, but as mentioned above, with my placement limits, it either takes up too much real estate or leaves too much unusable dead space.

As I write this in my office area, which is a three walled u-space, I'm thinking it would be awesome to stick a 120" on the back wall and put my recliner right at the entrance. It would give me a full theater experience. Of course then I wouldn't have an office. :)

Ben · « **Reply #18 on:** November 05, 2016, 07:30:33 PM »

Quote from: HankB on November 05, 2016, 05:10:19 PM

If you have some other stuff you want to plug into the TV - video game, VCR, computer, etc., be aware that the manufacturers are cutting back on the number of connections in order to reduce manufacturing cost. So check out the jacks, too.

Holy hell. I just started looking at specs. There's a ton of TVs that only come with two HDMI jacks. That's whack. My current TV has four. Three are in fulltime use with DVR, Blue Ray and Roku. The fourth is sometimes used to plug cameras or a laptop in. I guess part of this is "smart TVs" (which I actually don't like) taking the place of Roku boxes and such?

It doesn't seem non-smart TVS are available anymore. My plan was going to be to turn all the smart stuff off on the TV and continue to use my Roku, etc., mostly for security. I see some of the 4Ks have three HDMIs, but then that means I'm spending an extra $500 for a jack. Again, whack.

Doggy Daddy · « **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2016, 08:56:01 PM »

Quote from: Ben on November 05, 2016, 07:30:33 PM

Holy hell. I just started looking at specs. There's a ton of TVs that only come with two HDMI jacks. That's whack.

I'm seeing that as not being that big of an issue in my life. Each of our sets (except for one) runs through an A/V receiver that provides enough inputs and the switching for same. One HDMI cable and one A/V cable (for older sources) run to the TV and handle it all.

dogmush · « **Reply #20 on:** November 06, 2016, 09:03:49 PM »

Doggy Daddy's got it. HDMI switching receivers are common enough now that a bunch of ports aren't worth putting in. Much the same reason TV internal speakers went to hell a decade or so ago. (whenever that happened)

Ben · « **Reply #21 on:** November 06, 2016, 09:05:35 PM »

Quote from: Doggy Daddy on November 06, 2016, 08:56:01 PM

I'm seeing that as not being that big of an issue in my life. Each of our sets (except for one) runs through an A/V receiver that provides enough inputs and the switching for same. One HDMI cable and one A/V cable (for older sources) run to the TV and handle it all.

How much do decent ones run? Maybe that's an option for me. Right now I'm using a soundbar and wireless woofer on the optical port. Or are there also good plain splitters / switches?

Sindawe · « **Reply #22 on:** November 07, 2016, 09:39:10 AM »

Quote from: Firethorn on November 05, 2016, 05:39:32 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if the top served as a cat bed as well, as it's probably one of the warmer spots.

No room with the manditory digital cable box (HOA contracts for a reduced rate on the cable). Although there usually is some contention over who gets to sit on the outlets of the heating/cooling ducts. Looser has to make due with the pools of sunshine from the windows.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #23 on:** November 07, 2016, 12:03:35 PM »

Quote

How much do decent ones run? Maybe that's an option for me. Right now I'm using a soundbar and wireless woofer on the optical port. Or are there also good plain splitters / switches?

Decent everyday systems start around the $400-450 mark.

Friend of mine has this. Darned impressive for the price point. It won't shake the walls with MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE POWER!!!, but enough quality sound to satisfy the average viewer wanting a nice home system. http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hometheater-systems/home-theater-package/yht-4920u/ .

Other option is to step up to components. Sky's the limit but for $1500-$2000 you could have a system that would be the envy of teenagers everywhere.

Brad

makattak · « **Reply #24 on:** November 07, 2016, 12:19:58 PM »

Quote

Decent everyday systems start around the $400-450 mark.

Friend of mine has this. Darned impressive for the price point. It won't shake the walls with MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE POWER!!!, but enough quality sound to satisfy the average viewer wanting a nice home system. http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hometheater-systems/home-theater-package/yht-4920u/ .

Other option is to step up to components. Sky's the limit but for $1500-$2000 you could have a system that would be the envy of teenagers everywhere.

Brad

https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3700-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B00LU0GPAI/

Some start even cheaper. We have this one and I did a lot of research before choosing Onkyo: I've not been disappointed. I know I could improve it even more with better wire, but the experience has been quite good.

News:

Author Topic: Curved TVs? (Read 3958 times)