Yet another request for 4K TV buying advice

[Vilya]

I am looking to buy another 4K TV in October and I would appreciate advice and comments from anyone willing to offer them.

My current TV is a 60" LG60UH8500; it's an edge lit LED 4K 3D model from 2016 that is getting moved to my office. I have to keep it for its 3D capability alone.

I am aiming for something larger for my main viewing room, which is bright by day, but kept dark by night. I very rarely watch TV during the daytime. My viewing distance to the intended TV placement is about 8-8.5'.

My budget is $3500 or less. I want Dolby Vision support as well.

My current contenders are:

The 85" Sony XBR85X900F and the 65" LG C9 or E9.

I considered the Sony 950G models, but they score lower than the 900F in a number of areas like contrast, gradient, color gamut, color volume, and motion handling although not by much. The 950G is a little brighter and it has a wider viewing angle than the 900F.

The 900F has 4 HDMI inputs, but only of 2 them support full bandwidth 18 Gbps.

The 85" screen size is really attractive, too.

The LG C9 and E9 appear to mainly have aesthetic differences between them other than the latter having nicer built-in speakers which I won't even use.

I can only afford these in the 65" size, so I would not be gaining much in screen real estate. My concerns with LG OLEDs are the ABL issue, image retention, and burn-in.

I mostly just watch my discs and I do some streaming. I use an over the air antenna for TV. I have three old game consoles, but I very rarely use them.

So, do I buy a massive 85" full array LED with none of the above worries or do I pursue the smaller 65" OLED for its perfect black levels? I am undecided. I am also open to other makes and models if they meet my $3500 or under budget.

Thanks for reading and for any advice.

[JNatoli01]

I have the 65xbr, love it! If you are looking for pure inky blaks it is great but has some of the halo effect from the backlighting if there is a bright image on a dark background. It’s color reproduction and accuracy is amazing.

[gkolb]

Vilya, depending on your timeframe, the pending release of TCL dual cell displays might fit in your price point. Don’t know what pricing might be, but TCL wants to be a price leader.

Dual cell should give inky blacks similar to OLED’s.

[tcripe]

Vizio Quantum X would be a good pick up and would come in around your budget. Top of the line model for Vizio. The 65 inch and the 75 inch are both on sale at Best Buy right now as well.

[samlop10]

The TCL 8 series 75” with Quantum dots and 1000 dimming zones is supposed to be available soon at around $3000. That’s bigger than the C9 you’re considering, but without sacrificing much in PQ, while smaller than the Sony but with considerably better contrast which will make HDR look better.

[samlop10]

Originally Posted by gkolb

Vilya, depending on your timeframe, the pending release of TCL dual cell displays might fit in your price point. Don’t know what pricing might be, but TCL wants to be a price leader.

Dual cell should give inky blacks similar to OLED’s.

I think you’re confusing that with the Hisense Dual Cell which so far is only available in China. The tech is definitely coming to the US but most likely next year and in a different model. Exact model, price, and release date have not been announced yet.

TCL is only doing miniLED models and no Dual Cell, at least not so far.

[alchav21]

Vilya you know what UHD TV I'll recommend, the 85X900F of course that's the upgrade to my 900E with the X1 Processor. Then you can verify the Android Apps with the Fantastic PQ. No seriously, I think you will be more than happy with that 85" Sony. Enjoy

[Robert Zohn]

I would suggest to make a proper decision your viewing distance is a major factor. If you are beyond 10' then an 85" TV is likely the best choice.

Other factors are you viewing environment and the type of content you are most interested in, e.g. live sports over network cable TV, or things like Netflix or BD discs.

[LettuceJUMP]

Yes I agree with robert who is very informed. I had a 65 B6 Oled and from 13 feet away it was an awful experience. Then i purchased the 75” sony x900f which is a slight drop from oled, definitely it better based on my seating distance.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I would suggest to make a proper decision your viewing distance is a major factor. If you are beyond 10' then an 85" TV is likely the best choice.

Other factors are you viewing environment and the type of content you are most interested in, e.g. live sports over network cable TV, or things like Netflix or BD discs.

Intended TV placement is 8-8.5' from where I will be viewing it. I mostly watch my disc collection, some streaming, and a little broadcast TV with an over the air antenna.

Almost all viewing is done at night in a dimly lit room.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by samlop10

I think you’re confusing that with the Hisense Dual Cell which so far is only available in China. The tech is definitely coming to the US but most likely next year and in a different model. Exact model, price, and release date have not been announced yet.

TCL is only doing miniLED models and no Dual Cell, at least not so far.

Thanks for fixing my mistake.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by samlop10

I think you’re confusing that with the Hisense Dual Cell which so far is only available in China. The tech is definitely coming to the US but most likely next year and in a different model. Exact model, price, and release date have not been announced yet.

TCL is only doing miniLED models and no Dual Cell, at least not so far.

The miniLED releases have been put back a couple of months as well, they have to iron out the bugs in both the European and USA models, which are slightly different tech.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by JNatoli01

I have the 65xbr, love it! If you are looking for pure inky blaks it is great but has some of the halo effect from the backlighting if there is a bright image on a dark background. It’s color reproduction and accuracy is amazing.

Have to agree. In terms of the X950G, although the 75" and 85" have the X-Wide Angle filter to increase the viewing angle, per the FlatPanelsHD review they claim it negatively affects the black level where it's not as good as the black levels of a VA LCD panel, but better than an IPS LCD panel.

https://www.flatpanelshd.com/review....&id=1551684183

[samlop10]

Originally Posted by chip75

The miniLED releases have been put back a couple of months as well, they have to iron out the bugs in both the European and USA models, which are slightly different tech.

Yeah it seems like late October/early November are the expected availability dates.


IMO it's worth waiting for given the bang-for-the-buck in quality, features, and size.

[nick4Knight]

IMO you should make the seating distance 8ft so you can consider getting the 65" OLED, the brightness will still be very impacting on your HDR movie experience and the inky blacks with no haloing around bright content is an amazing visual treat. The FALD trade-off's you'd get off the Sony is not what the director intended.

I think a lot is made of "brightness" with HDR, but the low-light HDR and having perfectly inky black bars makes all content (except sunlit beach scenes) come across more vibrant to me. I've viewed a lot of movies now in both ways.

I would go with the C9 65" if I had $3000 to spend on a TV today.

[halloween5309]

buy the one that has the best sound.

[JPK]

Get the Sony. I have 55" and 75" 900F's. Can't get the 85" where I am unfortunately.

No real downsides and 85" will give you a big smile every time you turn it on.

I would have gone OLED for my home theatre, but like you, I had to choose between a large FALD or a 65" OLED.

[avs commenter]

Sony and Vizio are my two brands. But that new TCL has me very intrigued. Could be a game changer.

[The_Donster]

All this talk about TCL makes me want to go and look at one. Just for looksies, not for keepsies

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I have to keep it for its 3D capability alone.

I hear you. That years LG edge-lit 4K TVs were disappointing yet sadly were the last to offer 3D.