I'm buying a nice TV, dammit

[rcpratt]

We're building a house and are getting ready to move in on September 21. We need one more TV than we currently have, so I figured we might as well get a nice one and put it in the family room. If my wife can spend $3,000 on a couch, then dammit, I can spend $3,000 on a TV.

Not that I necessarily want to spend $3,000, but we could make that work if we wanted to. As far as the room -- the couch in the family room is about 13-14 feet off the TV wall. Some chairs in the room might be more in the 8-12 ft range, but the primary viewing spot is going to be the couch. The room is also open to the kitchen, which has a good view of the TV wall as well. Long story short -- I think we should be getting a big TV. Primary use would be TV, sports, and Movies (my PS4 will probably go upstairs).

Our biggest TV so far has only been 60". I definitely think this one should be at least 65", but I'm also strongly entertaining 75". I think the room is big enough that it's justified. We will probably wall-mount it just above some kind of TV cabinet.

I'm looking for input on 1) size, 2) model, and 3) timing. Are labor day sales any good for TVs? Should I just suck it up and wait for Black Friday? We do have several TVs that could be used until then, if needed.

Regarding models: OLED would be cool, but that limits my size to 65" considering the pricing. If we went with a standard LED 75", it sounds like the Sony's are highly reviewed.

65" OLED would probably be either the LG OLED65C7P (2017 model) or OLED65B6P (2016 model). For 75", the Sony XBR75X900E seems to be the best model that we could reasonably afford. Would I lose a lot going down to the 850D or 850E and saving a few bucks? It seems like the Sonys are more highly regarded than the Samsungs.

 

[mdram]

lots of info here

http://www.rtings.com/tv

also, go someplace and look at the tv you decide on, dont order blind based only on reviews

any thoughts to adding an avr and speakers also?

 

[rcpratt]

Yeah, I read up on the reviews on that rtings website a fair bit. Lots of detailed benchmarking.

Haven't thought much about AVR? The room is pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound, which will probably be done 2-3 years down the road.

 

[NutBucket]

Eh, as long as you have it wired then you're good to go. No need to worry about it just yet. You might consider just getting an AVR and a set of stereo speakers to start. In a large room it will be a HUGE improvement over TV speakers.

From a quick read of the space description I think going with the bigger LCD is right choice. A big panel with a full-array backlight will not disappoint. Sure it's not as good as OLED but it's also a fraction of the price.

 

[jackstar7]

If you're not checking out AVS, well, it is a rabbit-hole that led me to eventually pick up a 65" 2015 LG OLED and I'm still very happy with it.

This can lead to some choice-paralysis, but if you want to get something great, and are looking to potentially spend a hefty amount, I suggest letting yourself really look into it. Also some dealers there that can give good deals.

Recent TV battle: http://www.avsforum.com/hdtvtest-tv-shootout-panasonic-ez1002-oled-takes-top-prize/

 

[mdram]

You might consider just getting an AVR and a set of stereo speakers to start. In a large room it will be a HUGE improvement over TV speakers.

this why my reasoning behind asking

when i put my flatscreen it, the sound was anemic and tinny
wasnt happy at all, i stopped at 3.1, as that was fine with me.

 

[giantpandaman2]

Best sales for TV's are actually right before the Super Bowl and a little after while new models are being rolled out. You could always head to the store and see whether the 900E is worth it over the 850E. I'd say yes for the added clarity, but that's just me. OLED is clearly still the best, but is almost double the price...that's your call.

As for sound, most TV's are terrible. The only one that I've heard recently that I thought was decent was the top-of-the-line Sony. I still think an AVR with preouts+dedicated amp for the main channels is the best way to go. Not cheap unfortunately.

 

[purbeast0]

Just make sure when you wall mount it, you mount it at the proper height and not at the high that most idiots mount them at where they are looking up to watch TV.

 

[jackstar7]

Just make sure when you wall mount it, you mount it at the proper height and not at the high that most idiots mount them at where they are looking up to watch TV.

Sometimes you gotta keep it outta the reach of toddlers... just sayin'.

 

[purbeast0]

Sometimes you gotta keep it outta the reach of toddlers... just sayin'.

He already said he's putting some kind of TV cabinet under it.

 

[Ferzerp]

Just make sure when you wall mount it, you mount it at the proper height and not at the high that most idiots mount them at where they are looking up to watch TV.

Oh I hate this. This and TVs over fireplaces (because that also means it is too high up).

I have the 65" 2016 B OLED. It's great. One thing is if extremely temporary persistence is going to upset you, skip it. When I say extremely temporary, we're talking maybe a minute or two if you've been displaying a static high contrast image on it before it returns to normal.

 

[jackstar7]

He already said he's putting some kind of TV cabinet under it.

I... I was identifying as someone who had to mount his TV up a bit...

*sigh*

 

[rcpratt]

Now, now children...

Regardless, the TV won't be mounted too high. There are actually some small windows on the walls near the top of the ceiling that are going to limit how high we can go anyways. TVs above the fireplace are definitely a no-no.

Any other thoughts on the OLED vs. +10" and/or the timing? I'm not going to be waiting until the Super Bowl. Black Friday would be the latest.

 

[Ferzerp]

I downgraded 5" to go OLED. I didn't miss it.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I have the sony 65 inch. I sit approx. 15 feet way. Any bigger and I might not be able to see the whole screen without shifting my head/eyes. So far I like the sony. Had a samsung. It was great too. I'm not really a picture snob so most of the decent screens look the same to me.

What I would prioritize is the sound system. Having a nice TV like that and waiting for a couple years to hook it up to a decent sound system would be torture. If it was me I would carve a bit out of the budget for speakers and AV system. It can be done on a budget without compromising too much.

 

[NutBucket]

65" @ 15' is too far. We're about 8-9' from our 65" and its great. The screen nearly fills your entire field of view for a real theater experience.

 

[Ferzerp]

I just measured and my set up is about 11.5' from a 65".

 

[purbeast0]

I have the sony 65 inch. I sit approx. 15 feet way. Any bigger and I might not be able to see the whole screen without shifting my head/eyes. So far I like the sony. Had a samsung. It was great too. I'm not really a picture snob so most of the decent screens look the same to me.

What I would prioritize is the sound system. Having a nice TV like that and waiting for a couple years to hook it up to a decent sound system would be torture. If it was me I would carve a bit out of the budget for speakers and AV system. It can be done on a budget without compromising too much.

That's not true at all. I sit 14 feet away from my 10 foot screen and I don't have to shift my head around at all. Not sure what you mean by shifting eyes either. You shift your eyes no matter how close you are sitting, to focus on things at specific points on the screen.

 

[rcpratt]

Well, maybe the speakers will go in in the spring when I get my bonus. I want to build a deck at some point too, so there are a few competing priorities. I have a soundbar that I can use until then.

 

[rcpratt]

We stopped into Best Buy quickly this afternoon to check them out. The OLED LGs are absolutely beautiful, but in the end, I think we'll be better served by the extra 10". Holy crap, that's a lot of TV.

Doesn't seem like there's much in the way of Labor Day sales. Do these higher-end TVs actually go on sale on Black Friday?

 

[Kartajan]

here is a link to last years best buy BF flyer. I would expect a range of sets from the bottom of the barrel to upper mid range to be on sale, but not the top of the line bleeding edge stuff.
https://www.bfads.net/stores/best-buy/ads/black-friday/page-4#viewer

 

[rcpratt]

After further high-tech analysis (i.e., holding up a cutout of the TV size up against the wall)...I think the 75" is just too big for our room. I wish they made 70"!!

Below is the 65" (I forgot to take a photo of the 75"). With how our family room is arranged (fireplace to the left, stairs to the right), the 75" just takes up too much room laterally. The 75" is almost the length of the left two windows.

Don't mind my mother's Vanna White impression...



Tentatively planning on picking up a 65" LG OLED B7 at Costco...unless that's different than the C7? As far as I can tell, the only difference is the stand (we're mounting it). Costco has the B7 for a couple hundred cheaper.

 

[purbeast0]

I approve of the TV height on the wall.

And based on that, I agree a 75" would be too big for that area.

 

[giantpandaman2]

Probably going to want blackout blinds for those little windows to get the most out of the OLED.

 

[Kartajan]

.....I think the 75" is just too big for our room. I wish they made 70"!!...

If you went LED vice OLED, there are still 70" displays new on the market.. They are budget screens, but they do exist..

Vizio, 70" $1699 at B&H, Dolby Vision and HDR10 http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/vizio/m-series-xled-2017