UHD or 4K: When should I buy one?

Why didn't you say fricking? pussy

I still don't think it's worth it. The year the Superbowl will be in UHD is the year I buy.

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when do you guys see Dish/DirecTV broadcasting 4K if at all? Or will it strictly be streaming?

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There might be a handful of movies in 4k. Even possibly a channel of two. After that we are a long way from having more than a few channels available. No one even broadcasts in 1080p.

The fact that 99% of what's out there is broadcast in 1080i/720p means to me that 4K is practically worthless imo.

All the sports I watch are broadcast in 720p, so it doesn't really make a difference to me if my TV is capable of roughly 2160p.

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I know Netflix has some 4K content and Roku will soon join,

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You won't be getting 4k out of your current roku. The only standalone 4k streaming box I'm currently aware of that will get you Netflix is the Sony fmp-x10 (~$600). Otherwise, you'll be stuck with the TV's streaming apps (or buying the new roku box if and when it's released, but it's not been priced to my knowledge). Regardless, you'll either need to be content with a smart tv app or factor in an extra cost for a very limited amount of content (ie- you'll be an "early adopter" on the "bleeding edge" and there will be headache followed by heartache for lack of content and future price breaks.

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when do you guys see Dish/DirecTV broadcasting 4K if at all?

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A minimum a 5 years after they begin broadcasting in 1080p, date of which is undetermined and anxiously awaited by this guy.

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seems more like a luxury than even close to a standard.

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Hey, if you are accustomed to a very large TV/projector screen from a very close distance, want to have the latest and greatest, are willing to use just the TV's embedded app or spending a premium on a 4k streamer, either of which has very limited 4k content (or you just happen to like the "retail mode" loops of content they play), won't be placing it into a system that doesn't support it (like a receiver that won't pass 4k video through it), want to buy a new Blu ray player (hdmi 2.0 required, I do believe. 2014 marked its release for single-cable 4k support. There are also some multi-cable solutions for passing 4k content over hdmi with older standards, if I'm not mistaken, but I'll admit to being out of my element there) and discs, then this thing is for you. If the above isn't you, waiting is probably the better option.


ETA: I'm unclear as to whether or not computers are capable of streaming the 4k content from Netflix. But I figured you wouldn't mentioned use with such a computer if that were a plan/option/consideration.

Netflix 4K is great.

Agreed. Apologies to the board for being crass. This isn't the OT.

No offense, but you seem to take great pride in "educating", by putting out tabulations of specs and history of a technology. Not sure if that's particularly helpful to someone who is looking to purchase a new TV. Your posts are usually puffed up with specs and technical engineering jargon as if you're writing a technical white paper. That's cool and that's just your way of showing your grasp, I guess, of a subject.

So here's my helpful friendly suggestion for the OP. Google is everyone's friend. TD is great for casual conversation and advice, but the OP asked a very general, generic question. It was overly broad. In that regard, I think there are sites that specialize in reviewing television sets and other video technologies, and feed out reviews in common sense language that carries with it a great amount of weight because of the valuable experience of the writers. One of the best ISF calibrators out there is Kevin Miller. Look for sites featuring Kevin and you'll gain keen insight into quality products and the current state of the video display industry. If quality is a secondary consideration, however, and budget is the primary factor, then really, I think most posters should just pop down to Walmart and buy the TV that looks good to them and fits their budget.

There are so many 4K television sets out there selling for far less than HD sets sold for at this same stage of early adoption that I don't understand the reticence or reluctance of some to move forward and just get 4K now. If anything, if one is to take pause in a decision, it should be to decide on the display technology, not resolution. Does one get OLED or LED?

One bit of technical advice I'll offer. Be sure to get a 4K video display that includes HDCP 2.2 compatibility. This is not to be confused with HDMI 2.0. When 4K Blu-ray comes out in Q4 this year, any new 4K set will be obsolete if it is not HDCP 2.2 compliant. As will any soundboard, extender and receiver. HDCP 2.2 is not backwards compatible to current or existing components that don't use HDCP 2.2. Oh, and don't buy cables at retail. Buy online, like at Monoprice.

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No offense, but you seem to take great pride in "educating", by putting out tabulations of specs and history of a technology. Not sure if that's particularly helpful to someone who is looking to purchase a new TV.

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Oh wow.

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my posts are about being thorough and clear rather than confusing and infuriating the layman

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I believe that many if not most of us appreciate it. I much rather you be very specific (even if I have to google the technical jargon) instead of have to go find supplemental information to fill in the gaps that you seldom leave. This is the Tech Board after all.

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I take great pride in educating on all topics I'm passionate about. That's my give-a- shite factor at work.

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ETA:
And I wouldn't buy a 4k TV for the foreseeable future. The supply of content just isn't there to justify the extra cost.

I'm in the same boat ramrod. I'm going E70,when 4k becomes more mainstream in a few years I'll re-evaluate because prices will be so much lower.

ETA: why is HubbaBubba such a whiny bitch in this thread?