Looking to replace 65" plasma...

[Sonnie]

We currently have the Panasonic 65" Plasma, but looking to get something that does not eat so much power and put off so much heat. We can go up to a 70", but that is it... built in cabinet won't allow any larger.

We do not have any plans to use 4K in the great room where this unit will be. It runs mostly cable TV and it's all 720p.

Should I even consider a 4K? Does 720p look any better on a 4K set?

I would prefer staying on the lesser expensive side as well... nothing super high end.

 

[Todd Anderson]

The short answer is yes and no. ;-)

Some cable channels look amazing when upconverted on a 4K set and others look rather pedestrian. We run an LG 65" B6 in our family room... unfortunately the Local FOX channel looks quite bad (for NFL football)... but ABC (college football) looks better than it ever did on our old Panasonic plasma. Streaming 1080p and 4K content looks stellar (especially 4K HDR).

Frankly, Sonnie, I would get an OLED and don't look back... you will see a boost in color that's quite remarkable as compared to your old plasma. And blacks are actually true black (because each pixel can turn completely off). It's quite stunning. And it's overall picture performance has many of the traits you probably love about your Panny.

There are times when we're watching cable TV that even my wife (who generally does not care about all of this technology) comments on how fantastic the picture looks. If that's not a positive stamp of approval, I don't know what is!

 

[Tonto]

BD Players can be so inexpensive now days. You could always have one connected for the wife is she wants to watch a movie that only interests her and doesn't feel like firing up the whole ball of wax. Or visa versa! Could watch anything on a disc, like installation media, or your PC, or what ever. If you network, you can play from any source to that TV, so there is some advantage to going OLED or 4K. Is it enough to justify the cost? You gotta tell us!

 

[Sonnie]

We actually have an OPPO player connected to this system in the great room... and I think it's been used... well... let's see... uhmmmm... NEVER in several years!!!

However... I might actually hook a Roku up for her. If she sees the 4K, she might very well like it. I might as well get a 4K unit and be done with it. I don't think I can afford an OLED though. Think CHEAP 4K.

 

[Sonnie]

Here's a 2016 model: Samsung - 70" Class (70" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV for 1499 at Best Buy. Not sure I would buy it from there, but it looks like it has a lot of good reviews. However, I see some complaining about Samsung forcing ads on you if you use the built-in apps. That would not be good at all.

I would love to have one of the Vizio P-Series, but the 75" is just a smidgen too wide and the 65" is too small to fill in our space.

70" will be ideal in this case... but I want to find the right model.

 

[Sonnie]

Hmmm.... well Vizio does have the M-Series in a 70" that would work... the M70-E3 and it now has HDR for 2017... and the XLED technology, which I need to study up on.

 

[mechman]

HDR would be the selling point I would look for in a new display. 4K is included in just about every set nowadays. I believe XLED is just the typ of LEDs they use in the manufacture of the panel. Supposed to be brighter IIRC.

 

[Sonnie]

That new M70-E3 has HDR, but the only place I've been able to find it shipping is via Vizio direct... with a 5% discount code... $1900 shipped. Probably still not a bad deal. I don't know that I would find anything better at that price.

 

[Todd Anderson]

If you're looking LCD... definitely keep an eye on contrast and number of dimming zones. That's going to have a huge impact on your PQ.

 

[Sonnie]

I'm looking at whatever is priced right ... and those Vizio's have gotten huge compliments by a lot of folks as being the best bang for the buck. I don't know that I can do any better at under $2K, regardless of the specs.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I don't disagree...

 

[Tonto]

Be sure and check that Samsung about the Flash Player. Mine can't download it because they didn't; want to spend the money for the software. Limits what I can watch...namely anything that requires the Flash Player. I wrote them a scathing letter, no response. Don't know if they ever worked it out, but I won't buy another one if it doesn't have it. Was supposed to have Skype as well, advertised on the box...NOPE! I have heard the more expensive models do have it. Just be aware it was a problem.

 

[Michael Scott]

for a screen that big and under $2k, the M series Vizios ARE really tough to beat. Unless you want to up the budget I don't see any other options really.

 

[Sonnie]

Yeah... just not finding anything else that can compete in that price range.

 

[Michael Scott]

Yeah... just not finding anything else that can compete in that price range.

yup, it's either go up in price, or drop down in size (like the 65 inch P series)

 

[Bacovish]

Friend of mine bought a m series Vizio. Pretty impressive set for the price. I almost went with the p series but couldn't pass up the deal I recieved on my Sony. Plus the Sony 4k upscaling is spectacular.

As far as 4K in the next year we will have more choices with programming. I currently have the direct tv 4k and while the programs and tech are kinda lacking what I do view is simply outstanding. I have been noticing more 4k programs pop up in the past couple months. Also read in another forum Direct tv is coming out with some new equipment for 4k. So yes, might as well upgrade now to 4k. The prices aren't sky high like they were a year or two ago.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Friend of mine bought a m series Vizio. Pretty impressive set for the price. I almost went with the p series but couldn't pass up the deal I recieved on my Sony. Plus the Sony 4k upscaling is spectacular.

As far as 4K in the next year we will have more choices with programming. I currently have the direct tv 4k and while the programs and tech are kinda lacking what I do view is simply outstanding. I have been noticing more 4k programs pop up in the past couple months. Also read in another forum Direct tv is coming out with some new equipment for 4k. So yes, might as well upgrade now to 4k. The prices aren't sky high like they were a year or two ago.

We are definitely in the early stages here... I wonder how much will change in the next 3-4 years. Right now, the best option remains TVs that can effectively upscale a picture. If you're happy with the upscaling, then it's a no-brainer. My LG B6 does a great job with everything accept the local FOX channel (NFL) which looks really bad... if you're streaming, Amazon and a few other services have some really good "eye candy" 4k/HDR programs. They look spectacular!

 

[Bacovish]

We are definitely in the early stages here... I wonder how much will change in the next 3-4 years. Right now, the best option remains TVs that can effectively upscale a picture. If you're happy with the upscaling, then it's a no-brainer. My LG B6 does a great job with everything accept the local FOX channel (NFL) which looks really bad... if you're streaming, Amazon and a few other services have some really good "eye candy" 4k/HDR programs. They look spectacular!

Couldn't agree more about the picture quality for FOX. Lol. Just terrible. I switch over to my antenna and it seems to be a little better. Only problem is I can't fast forward the commercials.
I bought my tv just before the Alabama and Clemson championship game and I can say ESPN has there act together. The pic during that football game was very clean.

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

The M series actually does look very good. The difference going up to the P series does not appear to be that great to me. I will probably opt for the cheaper one for the family room and save for the big system when we add the new room to the house.

 

[Sonnie]

Alabama and Clemson championship game

Did it turn out like you wanted?

The difference going up to the P series does not appear to be that great to me.

Same thing I was thinking. I am going with the M-Series... although the main reason is because I can get it in a 70" model and not have to modify my cabinet. The P-Series jumps from 65" to 75".

 

[Bacovish]

Did it turn out like you wanted

Same thing I was thinking. I am going with the M-Series... although the main reason is because I can get it in a 70" model and not have to modify my cabinet. The P-Series jumps from 65" to 75".

I'm a Texas Longhorn at heart and bleed orange. I also grew up being a Alabama fan and watch them every chance I get. At least it was a very good game.

Actually agree with this. Only reason why I looked at the P-series was for the bigger screen. Both series get great reviews.

 

[Michael Scott]

the M and the P series are going to look more similar than not UNTIL you start using HDR with HDR capable sources... that's where the increase comes from. Otherwise you'll have very little increase on normal stuff