thoughts on TV Pricing in next year or so...

[klinemj]

I currently have a non-4K projector with a 106" screen in my theater. I'm likely to finally get on the 4K bandwagon over the next year, but I'm thinking of moving to a TV and away from a projector.

After being used to 106", I don't want to go below 85". I'm seeing that 85" 4K TV's are going for ~$1600-$3000, and it seems prices have come down a lot since last time I looked.

I don't need all the fancy features - like Smart Apps and all that. I use a Roku Ultra for streaming. And, I won't be using ARC/CEC/whatever...when I want to watch this system, I turn on the whole system and enjoy the surround system. I have other TV's around the house for basic watching w/o surround.

So the question is this...for basic, but very good picture quality, 85" 4K TV's...what do people expect to see in pricing over the coming year?

Note: I know 8K is on the horizon, but it won't be mainstream for a while and my eyesight is pretty bad anyway. So, 4K will do me fine for a while.

Thanks,

Mark

[routlaw]

Can't answer your question per se, but from what I've seen in Costco the LG OLED's and Samsung TV's seem to be at the top of the heap. The OLED's however are a bit pricey still though. Just curious why are you moving away from projectors?

[daveczski65]

Oct 31, 2020 15:27:59 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I currently have a non-4K projector with a 106" screen in my theater. I'm likely to finally get on the 4K bandwagon over the next year, but I'm thinking of moving to a TV and away from a projector.

After being used to 106", I don't want to go below 85". I'm seeing that 85" 4K TV's are going for ~$1600-$3000, and it seems prices have come down a lot since last time I looked.

I don't need all the fancy features - like Smart Apps and all that. I use a Roku Ultra for streaming. And, I won't be using ARC/CEC/whatever...when I want to watch this system, I turn on the whole system and enjoy the surround system. I have other TV's around the house for basic watching w/o surround.

So the question is this...for basic, but very good picture quality, 85" 4K TV's...what do people expect to see in pricing over the coming year?

Note: I know 8K is on the horizon, but it won't be mainstream for a while and my eyesight is pretty bad anyway. So, 4K will do me fine for a while.

Thanks,

Mark

Just picked up 65 LG OLED  1849.00. 5YR WARRANTY

77 LGOLED 3449.00 if you're interested

[klinemj]

Oct 31, 2020 18:00:41 GMT -5 routlaw said:

Can't answer your question per se, but from what I've seen in Costco the LG OLED's and Samsung TV's seem to be at the top of the heap. The OLED's however are a bit pricey still though. Just curious why are you moving away from projectors?

While my theater is very dark, the PJ image is not nearly as good as an equivalent TV. And, the bulb replacement cost is a gift that keeps giving. Also, I'd have to replace the old 10 m HDMI cable with something suitable for 4k. That distance seems to be particular in what works well or not.

Also, I am less interested in today's pricing than what pricing is likely to do in the coming year. I don't plan to buy right now...wanted to get an idea of what to watch for. Any input on that?

Mark

[klinemj]

Thanks for the input so far, but again - I am NOT interested in what people are happy with today. I am interested in what price trends people expect. And...will there be a "sweet spot" for 4K buying of 85" or larger 4K TV's in the next year-ish. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

Mark

[vcautokid]

Well Mark, this is for certain. Prices may hold their line, but more capability may come into the mix. My Crystal ball was taken away from me, so I cannot honestly say. It is a banner time to buy the TV of your dreams and at prices that would have been science fiction 10 years ago! Even getting a large flat screen isn't that painful money wise relatively speaking that is. Time is on your side though, and CES and CEDIA and more are around the corner again. 2021 is number we will be getting used too soon, and since 2020 was so wonderful....yeah sure, I know we can't wait. With short product cycles on flat panels because vendors don't like to be stuck with them, it could be good times very soon for you Mark. Keep up with the usual trends channels and stay tuned.

[cawgijoe]

I think OLED prices will continue to drop. The 65” CX is $1,849 at Costco which is the lowest I’ve ever seen. Compare that to what I paid for my 2015 Samsung 65”, $1,995 (50% off) at Costco....ouch.

Even Sony sets are trending down.

[klinemj]

Nov 1, 2020 14:31:42 GMT -5 cawgijoe said:

I think OLED prices will continue to drop. The 65” CX is $1,849 at Costco which is the lowest I’ve ever seen. Compare that to what I paid for my 2015 Samsung 65”, $1,995 (50% off) at Costco....ouch.

Even Sony sets are trending down.

I did notice some very good deals on Sony sets right now. I hope to see prices continue to drop. I figure once 8K starts coming out in large amounts, 4K sets will drop a lot.

Mark

[ttocs]

I bought my 85" a year ago. I've been very happy with it with one exception, the wide angle viewing feature. The wide angle viewing works great! But, any light fixture that has a visible light source creates a repeating-ghost-line across the screen that's visible when scenes are dark - and this is when the light is NOT directly visible as a reflection in the glass of the screen. So on movie nights I turn off any fixtures which might cause a distraction. My guests have never noticed or never cared enough to mention anything about it.

With time bringing faster processors, more features (which I don't need or want), and larger screens, I think you'll be able to get what you want for a price you'll be willing to pay. Right now the 2020 85" 950H is $500 less than I paid during the same sale they had a year ago for my 2019 950G model. In the spring they'll have another sales promo that knocks an additional $500 more off the current sale price (they have these same promos every year).

[cburbs]

I like to use this as a good reference point to find out more info on TVs before I buy - www.rtings.com/tv

Helped me narrow down my last decision between two 65" TVs.

Also depends on your budget and needs.

And info on some 85s - www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/best/by-size/80-82-85-inch

[klinemj]

ttocs - on the "wide angle viewing" feature...say more. In my theater, I have limited seating with 1 wide couch centered on the screen. If I sit as far 1 direction or the other, I'd be ~3' left or right of center. Would that be something that would need the wide angle viewing feature or not? In any case, in my theater, it's very dark with dim lighting while watching the system. Think the issue you noted would be an issue or not?

routlaw - now you have me thinking about a projector again. I've not looked at them since I bought the one I have - years ago! I see now that some have super-long life "bulbs" (lasers I think?) With my theater, I sit ~13-14' back from the screen, the room is very dark, and my screen is 106". Any tips for brands to look into or avoid? Features to look for? I have seen some amazing 4K PJ demos, but I don't want to spend more than $2000...and preferably free!

Thanks all!

Mark

[ttocs]

Nov 2, 2020 21:33:36 GMT -5 klinemj said:

ttocs - on the "wide angle viewing" feature...say more. In my theater, I have limited seating with 1 wide couch centered on the screen. If I sit as far 1 direction or the other, I'd be ~3' left or right of center. Would that be something that would need the wide angle viewing feature or not? In any case, in my theater, it's very dark with dim lighting while watching the system. Think the issue you noted would be an issue or not?

routlaw - now you have me thinking about a projector again. I've not looked at them since I bought the one I have - years ago! I see now that some have super-long life "bulbs" (lasers I think?) With my theater, I sit ~13-14' back from the screen, the room is very dark, and my screen is 106". Any tips for brands to look into or avoid? Features to look for? I have seen some amazing 4K PJ demos, but I don't want to spend more than $2000...and preferably free!

Thanks all!

Mark

If the viewing distance is about 11 feet or so, and the offset is 3 feet or so, it shouldn't be a problem to get the non-wide version which has better contrast by the way because the X-Wide feature kills some contrast.

I think the 900H model now has the good processor in it, which it did not have when I bought mine, so if you don't want the X-Wide feature you don't have to sacrifice with a slower processor.

With all that said, in my situation, I would still get what I have because there have been times when I've had company over and I've been at a extreme angle to the tv and the picture is very consistently bright, almost as good as my old plasma tv's for wide angle viewing except a thousand times brighter.

Here's the issue in these photos. One photo includes a light fixture in the kitchen area so you can see where to look, the other photo only has the streaking of that light. The streak is in the horizontal axis only, because the X-Wide lens only increases the horizontal viewing angle. Super bright points of light will create the most distraction, but like I said before, if there is now bright object then there's no problem so that's why I only turn on shielded lights on Movie Night! This issue doesn't bother me most of the time but I wanted to mention it because it really is the only thing I can complain about other than the stupidly bad firmware updating process Sony has, but that's common knowledge in the Sony community. Now that everything seems to work there's no more reason to update the FW.
    

[routlaw]

Nov 2, 2020 21:33:36 GMT -5 klinemj said:

routlaw - now you have me thinking about a projector again. I've not looked at them since I bought the one I have - years ago! I see now that some have super-long life "bulbs" (lasers I think?) With my theater, I sit ~13-14' back from the screen, the room is very dark, and my screen is 106". Any tips for brands to look into or avoid? Features to look for? I have seen some amazing 4K PJ demos, but I don't want to spend more than $2000...and preferably free!

Thanks all!

Mark

Thanks Mark

Like you I have used projectors for a long time but considered going to large scale TV's due to bulb replacement and our Epson 8700 is getting very long in the tooth. The only TV that has held any interest for me is the LG OLED. Their image quality seems to be on an entirely different level compared to all others, albeit a bit too ramped up at times. Recently I was watching some cartoons with my grandson on their newly acquired Samsung, approximately 70 inches ±, and found the reflections to be very distracting and this in a fairly darkened living room. This sort of nipped in the bud my desire for a large a scale TV even though like you we have a dedicated HT room with complete light control. 

The other negative prospect of dealing with TV's is the disposal and make no mistake they will get disposed of at some point. By any measure a projector is minuscule to deal with. 

So back to projectors when the time comes. If I had the budget it would be a JVC and while they do not use OLED technology everything I have heard about them indicates the image quality is very close if not equal to the OLED's. Not willing to spend this much money due to my CAB (cheap a** ba*stard) factor kicking in its a no brainer for the Epson 5050 but they are still in the $2800-$3000 range unless a sale pops up sometime soon due to a new model coming out. I would also keep checking the Epson website, scroll to the bottom of the page, click on Clearance Sale, then home projectors. They release from time to time some older refurbished models. I have yet to see a 5050 come up for sale but the 5040 are there quite often at reduced prices. The reviews have been very positive with the 5050 and even though it uses pixel shifting to acquire 4K from all I have read its equal to and even better than some true 4K projectors near this price point. Also worth noting, many professional reviewers prefer the processing done by Epson vs JVC processing, notwithstanding the better black levels of the JVC.

At this point I would prefer to replace a bulb every 3-5 years vs given the limited amount of use our projector gets than a large scale TV.

One final note, regarding the future. Given so many uncertainties with tariffs trade wars and a litany of other things its hard to predict what to expect for future pricing on any of this. However it is worth pointing out those LG OLED's have not gone down in price in over two years with the exception of summer sales of 2019. Their price has remained constant through this time. What I have seen in other industries, has been a definite increase in price over the last couple of years. 

Hopefully this helps.

[routlaw]

Correction on my part. My wife and I were at Costco yesterday and as it turns out the 65 inch OLED's by LG have now been reduced to $1849 down from $2450 ± however the newly introduced 75 inch screen is $3450 an almost doubling of price for 10 inches on the diagonal. Not seeing the value in this and its knocking on the door of an entry level JVC projector and considerably more than an Epson 5050. I also have a 106 inch screen and any of these TVs would seem quite small by comparison unless of course the TV is moved much closer than an existing projector screen. Something to consider.

[KeithL]

Prices usually go down...

And, now that "the new models" are starting to be 8k, you can expect the prices on 4k models to continue to drop.

There is, however, always a bottom line.

You can get a 43" 4k TV for about $200... but I don't see any 43" 1080p models for much below that.

(And the cheapest computer hard drive you can actually buy hovers at around $50-$60... although the size you get for that price gets larger.)

I personally don't consider direct-view screens and projectors to be comparable.

Each technology has its good and bad points - which each appeal to different folks.

I also do find that the experience itself is always quite different.

(I don't recall ever walking into a room, seeing a video image, and not being able to tell which it is.)

(Just as a printed image never looks the same as one displayed on a monitor.)

I personally much prefer the dead-sharp picture you get with a direct-view screen.

And, unless you have a large crowd, I see no benefit to sitting further away from a bigger screen.

But I am decidedly NOT looking for "the theater experience"...

(I tend to equate "the theater experience" with waiting lines, noisy kids, sticky floors, and overpriced stale popcorn.)

Nov 5, 2020 13:10:56 GMT -5 routlaw said:

Correction on my part. My wife and I were at Costco yesterday and as it turns out the 65 inch OLED's by LG have now been reduced to $1849 down from $2450 ± however the newly introduced 75 inch screen is $3450 an almost doubling of price for 10 inches on the diagonal. Not seeing the value in this and its knocking on the door of an entry level JVC projector and considerably more than an Epson 5050. I also have a 106 inch screen and any of these TVs would seem quite small by comparison unless of course the TV is moved much closer than an existing projector screen. Something to consider.

[routlaw]

Hmm. I've not been to a movie theater since I last watched "A River Runs Through it" or was it "Forgiven" regardless it was ions ago. In any case I don't have the issues you're coming up with. Projectors can also be "dead-sharp". We have a 106 inch screen and are seated some 11 or so feet away. There is absolutely no TV I am aware of that will give you that cinematic experience even if setting 5-6 feet away from a 65-75 inch screen. As dramatic as some of these new TV's are I'm also inclined to believe they have the potential to produce eye fatigue in the same way computer screens, phones and iPads do, not so much with reflected light from a screen. And finally it is worth noting the compression artifacts seem to be more pronounced on TV's than projectors which might have more to do with the usual closer viewing distance.

FWIW I always prefer a well executed printed image to a monitor image although in this day and age they are necessary. No monitor will ever produce the tactile qualities of a expertly crafted fine art print.

[ttocs]

To me, there is nothing better than a projected image. But. There are some rules that go along with getting the best from this method. The laser ultra-short throw PJ's come very close to "fixing" some short-comings of being able to watch a proper projected image in a multi-purpose room - like mine.

My biggest issue with projection in my room, without going to some degree of room darkening, is the brightness and thus the contrast not being quite enough on really bright, sunny days. If I darken a little it works well enough, but I really don't want to darken the room any more, and I want better than "well enough".

The number one issue with a panel tv is REFLECTIONS!! On bright sunny days there are reflections. Again, I can darken to reduce reflections, but I really don't want to have to do this. I made the decision to put up with having reflections over being required to darken and still have a lack of contrast from a projector. So the panel wins. The panel is really very bright, and the color maintains integrity very well, so, overall I'm happy with my current panel tv.

But I'm intrigued with what's going on with these new ultra-short throw projectors.

[gus4emo]

I bought my Panasonic 4000 over 10 and a half years ago, to a 106 inch screen, only use it for movies, sometimes for big sports events, use it in eco mode, right now have used just over 1,115 hours, out of 3,000 hours projected lamp life, looking awesome, out of the box looked so great I didn't bother with calibration....you should look into the new Epson line of laser short throw models...just saying....

[codyjenkins]

The few direct view TVs without apps, or "non-smart" TVs available cost more than their smart counterparts.  I use a roku ultra in my main system even though the TV has roku built in, and like all of my other sources, it Is routed through an AVR.  Would love to have a 75" monitor only, but unfortunately the majority of todays "home theaters" consist of a TV and sound bar where a wireless/clean look matters more than performance.

[routlaw]

For me what this comes down to is, if you have a light controlled room and you are ok with that scenario a projector is very difficult to beat for a cinematic experience. Like others have stated what little exposure to direct TV's I've had in recent years the reflection issue was quite distracting at least for me. Perhaps something one can get used to. However we spend very little, if ever, any time watching tradtional TV but do watch movies and a few TV series we stream on the weekends mostly during the winter months. Have not had any experience with the newer Laser projectors, could be worth looking into.