Your Guide To UHD TV In Australia
2013 has seen the birth of the Ultra-High Definition TV, or UHD TV, which takes your viewing experience to a whole new level, with amazing colour reproduction and a resolution that literally puts you in the picture. These television have big screens and even bigger prices, but the past couple of months has also seen some smaller versions arriving on our shores, although the pricing is still steep compared to an LED or plasma screen.
By Mike Wheeler
2013 has seen the birth of the Ultra-High Definition TV, or UHD TV, which takes your viewing experience to a whole new level, with amazing colour reproduction and a resolution that literally puts you in the picture. These television have big screens and even bigger prices, but the past couple of months has also seen some smaller versions arriving on our shores, although the pricing is still steep compared to an LED or plasma screen.
Most come in the 4K version (this refers to the resolution) while there is the odd 8K model available, too. Below are the models and screen sizes currently available in Australia.
Sony
Sony has been one company to embrace the UDT TV revolution with gusto and has three models available. There are two Bravia X9004A models – the 55-inch, which retails for $5,999 and the 65-inch, which will set you back $8,999, while the big daddy of them all is the X9000 and that comes in at a more hefty $24,999. All three models have 3840 x 2160 resolution, and built-in wifi. The big unit has what Sony calls ‘immersive’ 3D, and at 84-inches we’d suggest that if you have a heart condition or nervous disposition that watching a horror movie on such as screen in 3D would not be recommended.
LG
LG was the first to announce the UHD TV near the beginning of the year – its 84-inch 84LM9600 model, which has an RRP of $15,999. Like Sony’s big unit viewers can watch their favourite programme or blu-ray in 3D complemented by 10 speakers that pump out 50W. For gamers you also get LG’s Dual Play technology, which means two participants get to utilise the whole screen when playing their favourite game.
TCL
TCL is a brand little known outside its native China, and is trying to make a name here in Australia. At the end of July it announced that it would be releasing a 65-inch UHD television that will cost $4,999 and have active 3D technology, USB PVR with time shift and three HDMI outputs. While the pricing is fantastic, it is recommended that before buying a unit customers should get the shop assistant to take it through its paces.
Hisense
Hisense is another Chinese brand, but this one already has a presence in Australia. It has three units available – 58-, 65- and 84-inch models. The 65-inch will cost $6,499, the 84-inch $10,999, while the 58-inch comes in at $5,999 but will not be available until September. Both the smaller models have a 176-degree viewing angle and 5000:1 native contrast ratio, while the 84-inch will give you 178-degree viewing angle and has a 1600:1 native resolution. All three have a 100Hz refresh rate, built-in wifi and have a huge array of other apps including social networking, Skype, weather app, and a games app.
Samsung
Samsung has the Series 9 UHD TV, but it has yet to make an appearance in Australia. It will be a massive 85 inches, and has a really cool stand that wouldn’t be out of place at some art nouveau gallery. It is currently on sale in the US for an RRP of $44,999, which is steep even by UHD TV standards but the picture is supposed to be superb, and comes with the standard UHD TV resolution of 3840 x 2160 and clear motion rate of 1200. It has all features you’d expect from a Samsung smart television – built-in wifi, Allshare connectivity, micro dimming, and a massive 16 ports including four HDMI and three USB 2.0.