October 21, 2017

4K Monitors

The slang phrase "4K" is used for monitors with roughly 4000 pixels in the horizontal direction. It essentially always refers to a monitor with 3840 by 2160 resolution, also known as 2160P or UHD.

I have heard it said that unless you are considering a monitor at least 65 inches in size, getting a 4K monitor is pointless. I tend to disagree. But I understand what is being said. At a sensible TV viewing distance of 10 feet, human vision cannot benefit from the extra resolution.

More important may be the monitor technology and not just the resolution. OLED monitors offer amazing dynamic range, but cost a fortune in TV sizes. New technologies are now offering "HDR" as a buzzword that may actually mean something.

Any TV worth buying these days will be lit by LED, but there are at least 3 different ways to do it. Direct lit is supposedly better than edge lit, but not necessarily. Edge lit can be just as good - if done right. What Edge lit offers are thinner monitors, if that matters to you.

I was initially impressed viewing photos on my sons 55 inch Sony XBR55X800B. This is a circa 2014 direct lit model. A comparable model these days might be the Sony XBR55X900E, which sells for $1200. The current "budget" 55 inch offering from Sony is the edge lit KD55X720E, which sells for $700.

A company called TCL is apparently making nice 4K tv's that are well thought of at a decent price ($830):

43 inch 4K TV

The Sony XBR43X800D is a well reviewed model from 2016. It is edge lit. The 2017 model is the XBR43X800E, for $650, also edge lit, but touting "HDR".

Video card

An important consideration if you want to drive this from a computer is a video card that supports 4K.
Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!