Need a tablet to watch movies

[altairauditore]

Wanted to buy a new tablet to watch movies on. Something not too expensive, but with a good display. Android or iOs not an issue, size 7 - 10"
Was looking at the SHIELD tablet K1, but the display is bad from what I've read.
Any other suggestions?

 

[v-600]

I'd recommend a refurbed full size ipad. It will be just as good for films as a more expensive ipad (possibly barring the new fancy screened ipad pro).

If its a primarily film based device though a 16:9 android tab may be more appropriate.

For a great movie screen (and stereo speakers) I love my Surface Pro but the battery life and cost are issues.

 

[Commodus]

What's your budget? I'd point to the iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 4 if you want the widest access to media apps and well-rounded hardware, but it's $399 for a 16GB model (fine if you're streaming, otherwise go 64GB). What you get if you don't want to compromise much without spending $499-plus.

If not that? The Galaxy Tab S2 is a solid option, it's just a bit old and has the usual Samsung caveats (heavy customization, OS updates will be few and late).

 

[altairauditore]

What's your budget? I'd point to the iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 4 if you want the widest access to media apps and well-rounded hardware, but it's $399 for a 16GB model (fine if you're streaming, otherwise go 64GB). What you get if you don't want to compromise much without spending $499-plus.

If not that? The Galaxy Tab S2 is a solid option, it's just a bit old and has the usual Samsung caveats (heavy customization, OS updates will be few and late).

Was initially looking at the iPad mini 4, but it seems a bit over my budget. That it's got only 16gb of storage. I'd actually prefer Android because I'd be able to skip iTunes and copy content from my computer over easier.

The Samsung tab you mentioned is a bit too expensive, I'm rather spend on an iPad. Main issue is screen quality.

 

[lopri]

I strongly recommend Galaxy Tab S2 or Tab S for cheap if video is what matters. It is a relatively new revelation for me personally but you would not believe what you'd been missing on LCD displays. I used to think the best AMOLEDs and LCDs were on a relatively equal footing until very recently, even though I knew that AMOLED had some innate advantages handling motion pictures.

That was until I started watching Game of Thrones new seasons on a Galaxy S6. It was an eye-opening experience watching it first on the phone then comparing it on various high-quality LCD displays. The show is full of dark scenes, extravagant costumes, beautiful sceneries and their luscious colors and some of the finest textures that I have ever seen on screen, all of which were clearly chosen deliberately for the maximum impact on visual storytelling.

And the difference is, to make it short, a night and day. On LCD screens you not only miss out the atmosphere and delicate cinematography but also the details in the shadow. With some exaggeration it is like watching a 1080p (AMOLED) v. 480p (LCD).

But do not take my word for it. I think the best course of action in this context is "seeing is believing." Buy two tablets (one with AMOLED, one with LCD) from a reputable retailer and compare them with your own eyes, then return the one that is inferior.

 

[lopri]

This video (@3 minute mark) illustrates the point.

https://youtu.be/0U8_IQQmnNE?t=180

 

[sweenish]

Wanted to buy a new tablet to watch movies on. Something not too expensive, but with a good display. Android or iOs not an issue, size 7 - 10"
Was looking at the SHIELD tablet K1, but the display is bad from what I've read.
Any other suggestions?

You're the first I've heard about the K1 not having a great screen. ars at least says otherwise if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[thesmokingman]

If not that? The Galaxy Tab S2 is a solid option, it's just a bit old and has the usual Samsung caveats (heavy customization, OS updates will be few and late).

How's the Tab S2 old? It was released in Sept 2015. Heavy customization...? One package disabler will remove everything and you don't even need to root. I dunno, I've never been phased by bloat since I always trim whatever device I use, phone or tab. Also use of nova launcher is de rigueur. Updates are not as instant but marshmellow is getting rolled out now.


And I concur with Lopri, the Tab S2 screen is a beauty. It is almost too bright at night...

The Samsung tab you mentioned is a bit too expensive, I'm rather spend on an iPad. Main issue is screen quality.

Ugh... the Tab S2 is the tops for video playback. It can playback 8bit 4k x265 encodes over wifi w/o issue. It also is the most efficient at video playback due to the screen with the longest playback time.

 

[desura]

How about the plain old Galaxy Tab S?

I have one.

Now, it has the typical shitty Samsung software. But Cyanogenmod is actively developed on it so it works fine on it.

It isn't the fastest tablet, and on stock software it stutters alot on websurfing. Cyanogenmod is a huge improvement over stock. But anyways, you'll be watching movies so that's fine.

The great thing is that it includes exFAT support out the box without requiring root. Also, it is more letterboxed than the S2, which is 4:3.

I watch a lot of movies on it and it is great. Just make sure to get a fast mSD card.

Another good option would be the Dell Venue 7840. AMOLED screen, 8 inch screen. The only issue is that it does not have exFAT support so you'll have to root it to get files bigger than 4gb.

 

[vi edit]

Odd duck out is the Surface 2 (RT). Great screen. Good battery life. Built in kickstand and SD card support. Should be a good little movie player. You can get them for $100-$150 used in good condition (if not even mint).

 

[smitbret]

If it's JUST for movies then why would you buy anything but an Amazon Kindle Fire 10.1"
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VKIY9RG/ref=fs_ods_fs_tab_ts

$180 brand new

 

[vi edit]

If it's JUST for movies then why would you buy anything but an Amazon Kindle Fire 10.1"
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VKIY9RG/ref=fs_ods_fs_tab_ts

$180 brand new

16gb and no expandable storage kinda stinks. Otherwise, yes the Kindles are nice devices. I've got a 64gb 7" version that is a great little travel tablet.

 

[smitbret]

16gb and no expandable storage kinda stinks. Otherwise, yes the Kindles are nice devices. I've got a 64gb 7" version that is a great little travel tablet.

That model takes a MicroSD card.

 

[vi edit]

That model takes a MicroSD card.

Wow. I had no idea they put that in some of them. Good to know! :thumbsup:

 

[poofyhairguy]

I'd point to the iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 4 if you want the widest access to media apps

The best open source cross-platform media apps are on Android, because Apple won't allow them in their store.

 

[tdawg]

Odd duck out is the Surface 2 (RT). Great screen. Good battery life. Built in kickstand and SD card support. Should be a good little movie player. You can get them for $100-$150 used in good condition (if not even mint).

I used to have one and loved it for travel; that built-in kickstand is second to none. And I don't recall ever coming across a movie file I couldn't play. Oh, and it has a microSD card slot, too. Great little device if media consumption is the primary concern.

 

[RossMAN]

If you don't mind buying from China (3-4 weeks delivery), dim display and spotty Wifi here's something worth considering.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8719663-8-t...s-10-android-5-1-83-free-shipping?v=1&src=tdw

Review of a similar model.

 

[altairauditore]

You're the first I've heard about the K1 not having a great screen. ars at least says otherwise if I'm remembering correctly.

Check out the anandtech review

 

[sweenish]

Check out the anandtech review

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8296/the-nvidia-shield-tablet-review/8

Like I said, looks pretty good.

It's not the best, but it's also a $200 tablet brand new.

It's certainly not bad, like you say. Although the text certainly paints a gloomier picture than the charts.

But I don't know what kind of cinephile experience you're expecting from a tablet, anyway.

In any case, I won't try to sway you. It just doesn't seem as bad as you paint it to be.

 

[thesmokingman]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8296/the-nvidia-shield-tablet-review/8

Like I said, looks pretty good.

It's not the best, but it's also a $200 tablet brand new.

It's certainly not bad, like you say. Although the text certainly paints a gloomier picture than the charts.

But I don't know what kind of cinephile experience you're expecting from a tablet, anyway.

In any case, I won't try to sway you. It just doesn't seem as bad as you paint it to be.

As expected, the ColorChecker shows the results of the poor gamut and some issues present in the grayscale. Error ends up relatively high. The display is still decent, but relative to the competition it doesn’t stack up very well.

Why get a poor performer when you can get something towards the top?

 

[sweenish]

Why get a poor performer when you can get something towards the top?

It depends on what your budget is more than anything, for one. Does this actually have to be said?

The fact that they were considering the Shield Tablet K1 in the first place immediately implies some compromise, because while a great value/dollar, the K1 is hardly the best in any class.

Otherwise the recommendations should just be iPad Pro 9.7, Pixel C, or the 10" Note tablet. Why are we discussing mid-range solutions at all "when you can get something towards the top?" What a cop-out.

And again, it's not a poor performer. The charts place it better than the text. Not a lot, but better. I would think it fits squarely in "good enough" territory.

And again, I don't know what kind of cinephile experience one can expect from a tablet. What good is the best-in class screen doing when it's 10", with the kind of speakers and DACs that go into tablets not really making for amazing sound? The movie-watching experience is already severely crippled just by using a tablet. Demanding "only the best" in one category for what will amount to a mediocre activity is a tad oxymoronic.

But let me say this again, I'm not necessarily trying to sway anyone toward the K1. I just think this hunt is a bit weird in general. Especially so when the best screens are surprisingly absent from the conversation.

 

[desura]

The only reason to get a Shield tablet is for game streaming from your PC, or android gaming. It has the best tablet GPU out there (well, maybe second to Apple's).

Seriously, AMOLED is such a big improvement over LCD. Look at the cost of AMOLED television screens, and then the small premium of AMOLED tablets over LCD.