Buying a 4K TV at IT Show 2016?
IT Show is just round the corner, and if you’re looking for shopping ideas, do check out our IT Show 2016 preview article, as well as our Tech Show Portal first.
Now, frequent tech show goers will know that unlike smartphones and cameras, TVs are typically not as well represented at such shows. After all, there are only that handful of TV brands left in the market today. Based on past experiences, Samsung and Sony should be at IT Show; you may get to see some Philips TVs, too.
With all that in mind, here are some models that I think you can check out if you’re thinking of snagging a big screen for your living room or bedroom at IT Show 2016.
1.) Samsung JS9500 or JS9000
Yes, yes, Samsung has announced its newest 4K UHD TVs for 2016. But hey, they won’t be in time for IT Show; and in my opinion, this also means it may be a good time to pick up last year’s ‘SUHD’ flagships.
Both the JS9500 and JS9000 are curved 4K TVs using quantum dot tech, and as you can see in my review, there’s really not a lot between them. The key difference between the JS9500 and JS9000 is in the local dimming implementation. The former has true full-array local dimming, the latter uses edge-lit local dimming. For bright images, the distinction isn’t obvious; and I reckon most consumers won’t even notice anything different.
Getting either the one-year-old JS9500 or JS9000 is also okay because of Samsung’s One Connect implementation, which enables you to do certain hardware and software upgrades down the road by hooking the TV up to another breakout box, instead of having to throw out the TV entirely. Both TVs will also support HDR, so in way, they are fairly future-proof.
Last I heard, the 65-inch JS9000 costs S$6,999 and the 65-inch JS9500 costs S$7,499. It may have fallen further since, and prices at IT Show (if they show up) may be even lower. I also expect Samsung to throw in some free gifts, like a curved soundbar.
2.) Sony Bravia X9300C
This is the 65-inch X9300C I’m talking about here, and not the new X9300D I’ve covered last week. The reasons for recommending it are similar to the above: it’s a top-notch 4K TV that could possibly see a price drop due to newer incoming models. If you’ve always wanted the X9300C but was put off by the S$9,000 price tag, this is one to watch moving forward.
Features on the X9300C include four HDMI ports, three USB ports, and wired and wireless networking support. It runs Google’s Android TV platform, and that means you’ve many apps from Google Play to choose from, and you can do fancy things like voice searches or ‘cast’ media from your phone to the big screen.
The front-firing speakers that flank the two sides of the TV are powerful and are easily the best built-in speakers on a TV. Interestingly, these speakers are no longer on the new X9300D, so if you want great sound without any added hardware, the X9300C is your best bet.
3.) Samsung JU6000
Of course, not everyone is looking for an expensive, flagship TV. If you’ve more modest needs but still want to have a taste of 4K, my pick is the Samsung JU6000, which is the most entry-level flatscreen 4K series in Samsung’s stable. It runs Tizen, has a quad-core processor, and is equipped with three HDMI 2.0 inputs, two USB ports, as well as Ethernet and Wi-Fi support. Perhaps more importantly, since March last year, the TV supports Netflix - all you need is to download the app.
The JU6000 is available in two screen sizes: 40 and 48 inches. Since 4K doesn’t really make sense on a small TV, I’ll say just go for the 48-inch model.
4.) Philips BDM4065UC
Okay, I cheated. This Philips BDM4065UC isn’t a 4K TV. Rather, it’s a 40-inch 4K monitor. But because of its size, I figured some enterprising readers may have some ideas of re-purposing it in a small-room setup, especially those who rely more on external media boxes than onboard tuners.
The BDM4065UC comes with built-in speakers (7W x 2) and supports picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes. Its DisplayPort can do 4K at 60Hz, and its two HDMI 1.4 ports 4K at 30Hz. You’ll also find four USB 3.0 ports and a headphone out jack onboard.
Now I don’t know if the Philips BDM4065UC will make an appearance at IT Show, but if it does, it’d be interesting to see if its price has dipped again. At last November’s Sitex, it was going for S$1,200.
Before you buy…
As with any big-ticket purchase, it’s good to do some research and keep yourself up to date with the latest trends. For example, knowing which are the features worth paying a bit more for to ensure the TV will last you well into the future, and which aren't worth the effort. Here are a few additional reads I recommend:
- Buying a 4K TV: What you need to know about HDCP 2.2, HDMI 2.0, HEVC & UHD
- What is DVB-T2 & why should I care?
- About Smart TVs
- About 3D TVs
- TV buying guide essentials
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.