Good 4K TV for a Grandma

[Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 11:42

So my Grandma is still using a ancient thick 1080p TV bought in the early 2000's. She's starting to get old and all she does it either watch TV or send messages to her friends. My parents want to get her a nice TV that might even make it easier on her eyes to watch. She doesn't need all the smart features of the higher end TV's but just something simple and reliable and so we've this lower budget. I haven't been in on the TV market in years and I don't know the difference between HDR TV's, cheaper or more expensive TV's and the different panels available (QLED vs OLED vs other). Any tv recommendations would be nice as well.

tldr : old grandma looking for a simple 4k TV to help her eyes, not sure if all the new features of TVs are worth it.
Appreciate all the help :)

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • ShortyX on 12/09/2017 - 11:48
    +2

    What type of content? If she's watching mostly FTA or Blurays then a 4K TV isn't going to help. It may even make it worse as the lower priced TVs usually have poor upscaling. A 4K TV is only going to be of full benefit for UltraHD (4K) content.

    That said, most new TVs are 4K anyway. What's your budget and what size?

    Starting point - https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-entertainment/hd-televisio…

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:36

      My budget is $1000, does FTA tv have 4K content? She is mostly watching FTA and movies/tv shows in 1080p

      • ItsMeAgro on 12/09/2017 - 16:10

        does FTA tv have 4K content?

        LOL no, not even close. Absolutely zero benefit to getting 4k if she only watches FTA TV.

        A larger screen might be slightly better if her current TV is very small.

  • dcep on 12/09/2017 - 11:51
    +3

    your grandma must have a very good eyesight to appreciate 4k / HDR / OLED contrast.

    4k won't help her eyes any better unless her current 1080p is 75"

    Turn down the brightness, gamma(blue/green), contrast will reduce eye fatigue.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:40

      so a larger 1080p screen is better than a mediocre 4K screen?

      • dcep on 12/09/2017 - 12:47

        i mean 1080p 42" won't cause any more strain to eyes than a 55" 4k as there isn't pixelation issue prior.

        • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:51

          yes but her current TV is too small, I don't know the size. But a larger panel of any resolution would be better for her eyes I think? So she doesn't have to squint all day.

        • dcep on 12/09/2017 - 13:04
          +2

          @lithiumion:

          all depends on her room config.

          every tv size has its own optimal viewing range.

  • Seraphin7 on 12/09/2017 - 11:52
    +4

    I'm not sure a 4K TV is the first place I'd turn to if her eyesight is a bit marginal. Perhaps SpecSavers might be a better (and cheaper) port of call?

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:42

      haha. Preferably, I want to reduce eye strain for her rather, and give her a TV that is really nice to come home and watch, and not a menacing hunk of electronics like the one she has now.

  • KaTst3R on 12/09/2017 - 12:22

    I actually find 4K + HDR does more strain to the eye (or my eyes) as it is really bright and vivid. It looks beautiful but I would rather turn it off and most settings down a little to watch TV comfortably.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:44

      So does HDR increase the contrast of things or something? I was under the impression that OLED panels for example will reduce eye strain because the blacks are not lit and therefore the eyes are not receiving so much light. Something along those lines….

      • KaTst3R on 12/09/2017 - 12:51

        Im not an expert in screens, but HDR makes everything looks more "real" and "pops". Bright colors appear brighter, darks are darker. But personally, unless im gaming, i prefer to just turn down brightness, contrast and colors when watching TV. It may look more "grey" but I find it to be less straining. But not every content support HDR anyway. If you are just watching free to air content, getting a HDR tv is a waste.

        • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:53

          Noted. Thanks!

  • JimmyF on 12/09/2017 - 12:26
    +1

    You do know that FTA content isn't in 4k?

    There is nothing wrong with a 1080p TV!!!

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:38

      O, I didn't know FTA isn't 4K. So one has to buy 4K movies to actually get 4K content?

      • JimmyF on 12/09/2017 - 13:06
        +1

        If Grandma only watches FTA, then there is no point in going above 1080 TBA.

        Google is your friend for that 4k content answer.

  • AlbyDuck on 12/09/2017 - 12:38
    +1

    If she's got a tv that she's comfortable with using I'd say stick to it. But if you still want to get her one, don't spend too much. The lower end ones are still really good. Concentrate on ease of use and content. Netflix might be the best reason I know of to get a new tv.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:39

      I'm looking at $1000 for the TV. Exactly what I'm looking for, easy to use and stuff. But it seems that 4K is not a good option for viewing (for the eyes) in the comments above so I'm now rethinking the whole 4K thing.

      • AlbyDuck on 12/09/2017 - 16:08
        +1

        It's not that 4k is bad for viewing. It's just that your grandmother probably won't be able to see the difference. The only real source of 4k content at the moment is Netflix. There's a bit on Youtube or you could buy a 4k-capable bluray player, but they're not cheap. $1000 is what I spent on my 4k tv. The physical size of the panel, not the number of pixels, is going to make a difference. Google on tv size, distance, viewing angle.

  • mreddie on 12/09/2017 - 12:54
    +1

    a 4k tv would be complete overkill, just get her a nice 42" OLED…

    • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2017 - 12:56

      OLED's can be 1080p?

      • omgitzrick on 12/09/2017 - 13:06

        Of course. OLED is a type of backlight. It has no bearing on what resolution the panel is.

        • coxjon on 12/09/2017 - 17:50

          I think the assumption being you pay a premium price for OLED so you may as well get 4K for your $$

  • Findo on 12/09/2017 - 13:28
    +3

    Get her some glasses and move her favourite armchair closer to the existing telly.

  • spackbace on 12/09/2017 - 13:44
    +3

    Spend half your $1000 budget on the new TV. 1080P is fine. Stick to the same brand she has now, and ensure the remote is identical, or near enough to

    • ESEMCE on 12/09/2017 - 14:11
      +2

      ^ This…
      or even better just leave the existing TV and move the chair closer if squinting is actually an issue.
      Guarantee that Grandma will be less likely to use a new TV if it is even remotely different in usage to the one she is comfortable using already!

  • ozbjunkie on 13/09/2017 - 13:13

    Story- my grandma has 2 tvs, a big one in the lounge room she doesn't use, and a bigger one in the tv room…

    She has recently renovated.

    Now, she wants to change the dining room into the tv room as "the bigger tv is too big and we are too close in the tv room".

    My response - why don't you move the smaller tv in?

    She says " the bigger one won't fit in the loungeroom cabinet".

    Why don't you sit in the loungeroom?

    It's too cold in that big room.

    Lesson, don't talk to grandma.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2017 - 14:30

      Haha I like your story, the grandmas don't always know what is better. I think it might be worth to save some money on her Tv and not go super off the rails full 4K.

      • ozbjunkie on 14/09/2017 - 14:53
        +1

        Just move her rocking chair closer and pocket the money as payment for years of tech support (jk)

        You're a good lad for helping grandma, paid in advance with years of lovely dinners I hope :)

  • jamestownfx on 16/09/2017 - 07:06

    ALDI 65" today @lithiumion

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