Questions/advice needed re: buying our first 4k TV

[LeSamourai.]

Our current TV is a Sony Bravia 1080p 42-inch LCD TV from 2011. I would like to upgrade to 4k. I do not want to buy an OLED, so, my options are a full-array LED or a mini-LED TV. I'd like to buy from Sony.

After conducting some research, I'm finding it tough to make a decision. My questions:

1) Is the difference between a full-array LED and a mini-LED very big? From the retailer I want to buy from, the mini-LED costs significantly more.

2) Everywhere, I keep reading that 55" is too small and that 65" is the minimum- how true is this?
a) If I buy a 55" FALED, will I notice a significant difference from my current TV?
b) The other consideration I have is space- the 55" is just right but the 65" is bigger than our cabinet (which cannot be changed) and the edges would stick out (assuming the feet can placed within the width of the cabinet)
c) On the other hand, I do not want to buy a 55" and then feel disappointed and want to buy a 65" five years later

3) How long do these modern 4K TVs last? Our current TV has lasted quite long for a not-too-high price (£600-700). It would be very disappointing to have to spend £1000+ every 10 years

4) Based on my research, a lot of modern TVs do not have a headphone jack (OLEDs especially). Do Sony FALEDs/mini-LEDs have headphone jacks? If not, how can I use headphones with such TVs?

5) Is there a risk of burn-in with:
a) FALED TVs
b) mini-LED TVs?


I hope you guys can help me as I have spent ages trying to come to a decision.

Thank you, friends.

[jameslee17]

Answers to your questions:

1. I'm far from a technical expert on panel technology but mini-LED is considered the newer, better tech. The only reason to get a full array LED TV at this point is if you are really budget limited.

2. IMO, it's always better to get the biggest screen possible, with consideration of course to how much you are willing to spend and the physical space available to place your TV. If you can afford it and have the space, go with 65".

2a. You will see a considerable difference between your old TV and whatever TV you end up getting, whether FALD or mini-LED. 1080p vs 4k is a major difference visually.

2b and c. Like I said, if you can, get the 65" size. It sounds like in your situation, the physical space is the main issue. However, if you are limited to 55" that size is perfectly fine. Nothing "too small" about that. Best thing you can do is visit a local store to actually see how big a 55" TV looks.

3. A modern TV should last you 7-10 years. I have an OLED TV I bought late 2016 and it still runs fine today, other than some burn in (more on that later).

4. I think headphone jacks are kind of obsolete features on most TVs these days. Checking some current Sony TVs, I don't see a jack on them. However, these TVs do have bluetooth so you can connect wireless headphones via bluetooth connection.

5. In general, burn in is not an issue with LED TVs. Burn in is more of a thing on OLED and old school CRT or plasma screens. Like I said, I have a 2016 OLED, which is a 2nd generation OLED and the burn in has become significant over the last several years, which is why I am about to get a new TV. Coincidentally enough, I am looking at Sony mini-LEDs and will most likely get a Sony Bravia 9 TV. That being said, with current OLED TVs, anti burn in technology has advanced quite a bit and from what I've read, it's no longer as bad a problem as it was on early OLED TVs.

Overall if I were in your situation, seeing as space may be the limiting factor, the 55" Bravia 7 might be the best option for you. You may want to consider the 55" Bravia 8 as well, which is an OLED screen. I know you have concerns about burn in, but it's probably not a big deal these days.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision!

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by LeSamourai.

Our current TV is a Sony Bravia 1080p 42-inch LCD TV from 2011. I would like to upgrade to 4k. I do not want to buy an OLED, so, my options are a full-array LED or a mini-LED TV. I'd like to buy from Sony.

After conducting some research, I'm finding it tough to make a decision. My questions:

1) Is the difference between a full-array LED and a mini-LED very big? From the retailer I want to buy from, the mini-LED costs significantly more.

2) Everywhere, I keep reading that 55" is too small and that 65" is the minimum- how true is this?
a) If I buy a 55" FALED, will I notice a significant difference from my current TV?
b) The other consideration I have is space- the 55" is just right but the 65" is bigger than our cabinet (which cannot be changed) and the edges would stick out (assuming the feet can placed within the width of the cabinet)
c) On the other hand, I do not want to buy a 55" and then feel disappointed and want to buy a 65" five years later

3) How long do these modern 4K TVs last? Our current TV has lasted quite long for a not-too-high price (£600-700). It would be very disappointing to have to spend £1000+ every 10 years

4) Based on my research, a lot of modern TVs do not have a headphone jack (OLEDs especially). Do Sony FALEDs/mini-LEDs have headphone jacks? If not, how can I use headphones with such TVs?

5) Is there a risk of burn-in with:
a) FALED TVs
b) mini-LED TVs?


I hope you guys can help me as I have spent ages trying to come to a decision.

Thank you, friends.

I don't have any answers to your questions but I do have some advice. Before you buy anything, go out and look at different sizes of TVs from about the distance you'll be watching from. Use that to decide what size TV to get. You can always buy a new cabinet to put it in. If you buy something smaller and have doubts, you may spend far too much time looking at the TV and saying, "I should have gone bigger" instead of enjoying the one you have. That's my suggestion. My last entertainment center was a BESTA from Ikea. It's totally customizable. You buy the individual pieces that you want and then put it all together. It's not too expensive either.

[LeSamourai.]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by jameslee17

Answers to your questions:

1. I'm far from a technical expert on panel technology but mini-LED is considered the newer, better tech. The only reason to get a full array LED TV at this point is if you are really budget limited.

2. IMO, it's always better to get the biggest screen possible, with consideration of course to how much you are willing to spend and the physical space available to place your TV. If you can afford it and have the space, go with 65".

2a. You will see a considerable difference between your old TV and whatever TV you end up getting, whether FALD or mini-LED. 1080p vs 4k is a major difference visually.

2b and c. Like I said, if you can, get the 65" size. It sounds like in your situation, the physical space is the main issue. However, if you are limited to 55" that size is perfectly fine. Nothing "too small" about that. Best thing you can do is visit a local store to actually see how big a 55" TV looks.

3. A modern TV should last you 7-10 years. I have an OLED TV I bought late 2016 and it still runs fine today, other than some burn in (more on that later).

4. I think headphone jacks are kind of obsolete features on most TVs these days. Checking some current Sony TVs, I don't see a jack on them. However, these TVs do have bluetooth so you can connect wireless headphones via bluetooth connection.

5. In general, burn in is not an issue with LED TVs. Burn in is more of a thing on OLED and old school CRT or plasma screens. Like I said, I have a 2016 OLED, which is a 2nd generation OLED and the burn in has become significant over the last several years, which is why I am about to get a new TV. Coincidentally enough, I am looking at Sony mini-LEDs and will most likely get a Sony Bravia 9 TV. That being said, with current OLED TVs, anti burn in technology has advanced quite a bit and from what I've read, it's no longer as bad a problem as it was on early OLED TVs.

Overall if I were in your situation, seeing as space may be the limiting factor, the 55" Bravia 7 might be the best option for you. You may want to consider the 55" Bravia 8 as well, which is an OLED screen. I know you have concerns about burn in, but it's probably not a big deal these days.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision!

Many thanks for your reply. My options boil down to these:

https://www.tps.uk.com/?tab_name=SON...&choice_type=1

https://www.tps.uk.com/?tab_name=SON...&choice_type=1

Are these good quality TVs?

Re: bluetooth headphones:

Is there a better alternative? I've heard there is a lag between picture and sound.

[LeSamourai.]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

I don't have any answers to your questions but I do have some advice. Before you buy anything, go out and look at different sizes of TVs from about the distance you'll be watching from. Use that to decide what size TV to get. You can always buy a new cabinet to put it in. If you buy something smaller and have doubts, you may spend far too much time looking at the TV and saying, "I should have gone bigger" instead of enjoying the one you have. That's my suggestion. My last entertainment center was a BESTA from Ikea. It's totally customizable. You buy the individual pieces that you want and then put it all together. It's not too expensive either.

Thank you for your reply!

[jameslee17]

Originally Posted by LeSamourai.

[Show spoiler]

Many thanks for your reply. My options boil down to these:

https://www.tps.uk.com/?tab_name=SON...&choice_type=1

https://www.tps.uk.com/?tab_name=SON...&choice_type=1

Are these good quality TVs?

Re: bluetooth headphones:

Is there a better alternative? I've heard there is a lag between picture and sound.

I would go with the first one. It's the latest model that just came out. The discussion online generally is that it's an excellent TV. It's surprising that the X95L, which was last year's model is more expensive.

I'm afraid there isn't really an alternative to bluetooth headphones with these TVs. Lag can be an issue, but it's unpredictable. I generally have pretty good results using bluetooth headphones and rarely get lag.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by LeSamourai.

Thank you for your reply!

No problem. You want to make sure you're getting the TV that you really want.

[LeSamourai.]

Originally Posted by jameslee17

I would go with the first one. It's the latest model that just came out. The discussion online generally is that it's an excellent TV. It's surprising that the X95L, which was last year's model is more expensive.

I'm afraid there isn't really an alternative to bluetooth headphones with these TVs. Lag can be an issue, but it's unpredictable. I generally have pretty good results using bluetooth headphones and rarely get lag.

Ah, you're recommending the FALD over the mini-LED one!

Are your headphones in-ear ones? How long is the battery life?

I prefer in-ear headphones as over-ear ones get really hot and uncomfortable.

[jameslee17]

Originally Posted by LeSamourai.

Ah, you're recommending the FALD over the mini-LED one!

Are your headphones in-ear ones? How long is the battery life?

I prefer in-ear headphones as over-ear ones get really hot and uncomfortable.

Oops. I was mistaken. I thought that first one was the new Bravia 9. It’s actually last year’s X90. If those two are your only choices then the second one is the better TV since it’s mini-LED. The online store you referenced does not appear to carry the new Bravia 9 models. I don’t know if they are available in the UK yet. They’ve been in stores in the United States for a few months now.

I typically use over ear headphones. Admittedly I don’t use them too often. Just occasionally if my wife needs quiet to do work.