To 4K or not to 4K, that is the question? - Blu-ray Forum

ack_bak · 03-21-2016, 06:08 PM

Background:
A little background (because I think it is important for context). Currently have a media room with a 125" screen and an 3 chip DLP 1080p Optoma projector (3D). I have been using 1080p projectors for the last 8-9 years and have been very happy in terms of overall PQ. I own about 800 Blu-Ray TV shows and movies and also watch a lot of sports and, lately, have been streaming more and more TV shows on Netflix and Amazon streaming. That said, we still buy and watch lots of Blu-Ray movies with 2D being the majority.

I bought my last Optoma 1080p projector a few years ago as a stop gap until 4K projectors become more prevalent and are priced closer to $3-5K range.

The ask:
Just found out that my family and I are being relocated for work and our house will be on the market next month and we will be starting the hunt for a new house. Our current home is about 4500sq ft and I would like to downsize the next house, our most important criteria for the new home is being in a specific school district for our kids.

Many of the homes we are seeing are not going to be optimal for an expensive projector (i.e uber dark bat cave) and I am also discouraged by what I am reading in the projector threads regarding 4K and HDR support. I think they are still years away from figuring it out and having sub $5K projectors.

So the question is, do I go with a 70-75" 4K HDR supported TV (Sony, Samsung, LG, etc) and give up the 100"+ screen size in order to get in on some of the latest and greatest? As more content moves towards streaming I feel I may be missing out. In terms of timing, most likely am looking at Jul-Sep to pull the trigger so I still have time to research the new TV's hitting the market. I am also waiting on Dolby Vision support to see where that goes too.

TLDR summary:
The way I see it, I have three options:
1. If we find the right house for a projector, go that route again with a sub $1K projector in hopes of 4K projectos being 2-3 years away.
2. Go with a 65-75" 4K set that supports HDR and has good black levels and contrast. My DLP projector is pretty good with both (it is much better than my 52" 1080p LED LG set), but I am certain a good $3K+ TV would be better. I would need to sit closer but I am still leery of going with the smaller screen..
3. Go with an 80"+ cheaper 4K set (like Vizio M series) that does not support HDR but is much cheaper and in a few years reevaluate.

Personally I am leaning towards option #2. I am sitting 12.5' away from a 125" screen, but our room is massive and suspect the next room will be much smaller and I can sit 8-10' back.

Would really like to hear from those who have made a similar move or are contemplating similar. It seems like one step forward (4K/UHD+HDR) and one step back (losing screen real estate and that immersive big screen feeling).

Obviously much of this depends on the house we buy but even if the room works with a projector I am still on the fence. There are things about a projector which are limitations as well (my wife likes white ceilings and grey/blue pain on the walls, and if there are windows/ambient light the PJ picture is greatly affected).

Sorry for the long thread but I feel like I am hitting a wall thinking about this...

03-21-2016, 06:08 PM	#1
ack_bak Power Member Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray collection:181	To 4K or not to 4K, that is the question? Background: A little background (because I think it is important for context). Currently have a media room with a 125" screen and an 3 chip DLP 1080p Optoma projector (3D). I have been using 1080p projectors for the last 8-9 years and have been very happy in terms of overall PQ. I own about 800 Blu-Ray TV shows and movies and also watch a lot of sports and, lately, have been streaming more and more TV shows on Netflix and Amazon streaming. That said, we still buy and watch lots of Blu-Ray movies with 2D being the majority. I bought my last Optoma 1080p projector a few years ago as a stop gap until 4K projectors become more prevalent and are priced closer to $3-5K range. The ask: Just found out that my family and I are being relocated for work and our house will be on the market next month and we will be starting the hunt for a new house. Our current home is about 4500sq ft and I would like to downsize the next house, our most important criteria for the new home is being in a specific school district for our kids. Many of the homes we are seeing are not going to be optimal for an expensive projector (i.e uber dark bat cave) and I am also discouraged by what I am reading in the projector threads regarding 4K and HDR support. I think they are still years away from figuring it out and having sub $5K projectors. So the question is, do I go with a 70-75" 4K HDR supported TV (Sony, Samsung, LG, etc) and give up the 100"+ screen size in order to get in on some of the latest and greatest? As more content moves towards streaming I feel I may be missing out. In terms of timing, most likely am looking at Jul-Sep to pull the trigger so I still have time to research the new TV's hitting the market. I am also waiting on Dolby Vision support to see where that goes too. TLDR summary: The way I see it, I have three options: 1. If we find the right house for a projector, go that route again with a sub $1K projector in hopes of 4K projectos being 2-3 years away. 2. Go with a 65-75" 4K set that supports HDR and has good black levels and contrast. My DLP projector is pretty good with both (it is much better than my 52" 1080p LED LG set), but I am certain a good $3K+ TV would be better. I would need to sit closer but I am still leery of going with the smaller screen.. 3. Go with an 80"+ cheaper 4K set (like Vizio M series) that does not support HDR but is much cheaper and in a few years reevaluate. Personally I am leaning towards option #2. I am sitting 12.5' away from a 125" screen, but our room is massive and suspect the next room will be much smaller and I can sit 8-10' back. Would really like to hear from those who have made a similar move or are contemplating similar. It seems like one step forward (4K/UHD+HDR) and one step back (losing screen real estate and that immersive big screen feeling). Obviously much of this depends on the house we buy but even if the room works with a projector I am still on the fence. There are things about a projector which are limitations as well (my wife likes white ceilings and grey/blue pain on the walls, and if there are windows/ambient light the PJ picture is greatly affected). Sorry for the long thread but I feel like I am hitting a wall thinking about this...

Best 4K Blu-ray Deals