It’s hard to recall a time when making a television buying selection has been more complicated and difficult than it is for this year’s crop of 4K Ultra HDTVs.
Particularly at the top end, 2015 4K Ultra HD television models are promising all sorts of new and exciting picture quality capabilities, ranging from adding the ability to read and display high dynamic range (HDR) to presenting a wider color gamut (WCG) than the Rec. 709 standard we have enjoyed since the early days of HDTVs.
The trouble is, the approaches to achieving some of these benefits are legion, and while some models are advertised as accepting HDR metadata and presenting a wide color gamut, not all will do so to the same level. On the other hand, some may actually read and display HDR and WCG to the fullest expected capabilities but aren’t advertised as having the ability. All of this is due in part to the newness of the technology and lack of standards for brightness or black levels needed to identify the range of light we should expect from HDR mastered content.
Because we know all of this can be the cause of many headaches, HD Guru has developed its first 4K Ultra HDTV categories listing, presenting feature sets and corresponding 4K UHD TV models in the hope of helping you organize those Holiday checklists a little more clearly. (Note that prices are listed as they appeared at the time this was written and posted and are subject to change at any time. Clicking the links will bring you to the latest prices).
See our 4K Ultra HDTV categories and models after the break:
Premium 4K Ultra HDTV Features
The market for top-performing flat-panel television display technologies bifurcated in 2015 with LG’s 4K Ultra HD OLED TVs pitted against top-performing full-array (or direct-lit with local dimming) LED LCD TVs from Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Vizio and others. In each case, these displays present the absolute best black level performance, color depth and accuracy, advanced smart TV features, and the latest inputs capable of accepting metadata for HDR and other picture enhancements.
We call this top category A1, for having the following features and capabilities:
A1 – These 4K Ultra HDTVs are comprised of either an OLED panel or full-array (direct) LED LCD with local dimming panel capable of displaying the deepest black levels, 4K Ultra HDTV resolution, high-quality upscaling of lower-than-4K-resolution content, HDMI 2.0a inputs, HDCP 2.2 copy protection, and HEVC H.265 decoding to receive streamed HD content from Netflix and other VOD services; the ability to read and display HDR in maximum brightness (whatever that turns out to be); the ability to present close to a DCI-P3 color gamut (must be greater than Rec. 709), a 120Hz native refresh rate panel; and an on-board Wi-Fi smart TV system with the ability to stream content with 4K UHD resolution and HDR.
Examples of some top-performing A1 4K UHD TVs are the following:
Hisense curved 65-inch ULED 65H10 ($2,999.99),
LG’s flat 55-inch OLED 55EF9500 ($2,997),
LG’s flat 65-inch OLED 65EF9500 ($4,997),
LG’s curved OLED 65EG9600 ($4,997), (no HDMI 2.0a inputs but will play streamed HDR with firmware update)
Samsung’s 88-inch full-array 4K UHD LED TV UN88JS9500 ($19,997.99),
Samsung’s 78-inch full-array 4K UHD LED TV UN78JS9500 ($9,997.99),
Samsung’s 65-inch full-array 4K UHD LED TV UN65JS9500 ($3,997.99),
Panasonic’s full-array TC-65CX850U 4K UHD LED/LCD ($3,199.99),
Sony’s 75-inch direct-lit LED with local dimming XBR-75X940C ($6,998),
Sony’s 75-inch direct-lit LED with local dimming XBR-75X850C ($3,498), (frame dimming),
Sony’s 65-inch direct-lit LED with local dimming XBR-65X850C ($1,998), (frame dimming).
Vizio’s 65-inch Reference Series full-array LED with local dimming RS65-B2 ($6,000). Note: Vizio Reference Series TVs do not have HDMI 2.0a inputs or the ability to read BT 2084/2086 baseline HDR metadata, but will accept and display Dolby Vision HDR.
A2 — These models are 4K LED LCD TVs with most of the same features as the A1 sets except they use edge-lit LED lighting with a simulated approach to local dimming and will present HDR at some lower unspecified level of brightness and/or black levels. These models will be capable of receiving and displaying HDR metadata (although the level of brightness is TBD) and will have a wider color space than Rec. 709, in addition to the other features from above.
Examples of some top-performers in this category include:
Samsung’s 78-inch UN78JS9100 ($6,997.99),
Samsung’s 65-inch UN65JS9000 ($2,997.99),
Samsung’s 55-inch UN55JS9000 ($1,997.99),
Samsung’s 48-inch UN48JS9000 ($1,597.99),
Samsung’s 78-inch UN78JS8600 ($5,997.99),
Samsung’s 65-inch UN65JS8500 ($1,997.99),
Samsung’s 55-inch UN55JS8500 ($1,497.99),
Samsung’s 48-inch UN48JS8500 ($1,297.99),
Sony’s 75-inch XBR-75X910C with ultra-thin, Vanishing Edge screen ($4,998)
Sony’s 65-inch XBR-65X900C with ultra-thin Vanishing Edge screen ($2,498)
Sony’s 55-inch XBR-55X900C with ultra-thin Vanishing Edge screen ($1,698)
Sony’s 55-inch XBR-55X850C ($1,298).
Vizio’s Reference Series 120-inch RS129-B3 ($130,000). Note: Vizio Reference Series TVs do not have HDMI 2.0a inputs or the ability to read BT 2084/2086 baseline HDR metadata, but will accept and display metadata for the Dolby Vision HDR format.
Best Selling Soundbars and 5.1 Surround Systems
Midrange 4K Ultra HDTV Features
A3 – These 4K Ultra HDTV models will have most of the same features as the A2’s but will omit the ability to accept or display HDR.
Examples of key models include the following:
LG 79-inch LED LCD TV 79UF9500, ($5,849.94)
LG 65-inch LED LCD TV 65UF9500 ($2,797.99),
Panasonic 55-inch TC-55CX850U ($2,499),
Panasonic 65-inch TC-65CX800U, ($1,999.99)
Panasonic 60-inch TC-60CX800U, ($1,899.99)
Panasonic 55-inch TC-55CX800U, ($1,599.99)
B1 – These 4K Ultra HDTV models will have most of the same features as the A2’s including HDMI 2.0a inputs and HDR capability but step down to native 60Hz refresh rate panels.
Top-performing examples include the following:
Samsung 60-inch UN60JS7000U ($1,297.99),
Samsung 55-inch UN55JS7000U ($997.99),
Samsung 50-inch UN50JS7000U ($797.00).
B2 – These 4K Ultra HDTV models have most of the same features as the A2’s, including a 120Hz native refresh rate panel, add full-array back lighting with local dimming but will not offer HDR metadata support.
Top-performing models include the following:
Hisense 55-inch 55H9 ($999.99)
Sharp 65-inch LC65UB30U ($1,447.72),
Sharp 80-inch LC80UE30 ($3,999.99),
Sharp 80-inch LC80UH30 ($4,449.82),
Vizio 43-inch M43-C1 ($529.99),
Vizio 49-inch M49-C1 (709.99),
Vizio 60-inch M60-C3 ($1,098),
Vizio 65-inch M65-C1 ($1,566.99),
Vizio 70-inch M70-C3 ($2,193.49),
Vizio 75-inch M75-C1 ($2,598),
Vizio 80-inch M80-C3 ($3,998).
Economy 4K Ultra HDTV Features
B3 — These 4K Ultra HDTVs will include most of the features of the B2 models, add HDMI 2.0a inputs and HDR support, but step down to direct or edge-lit LED panels and don’t have a full wide color gamut of Nanocrystal displays.
Examples of key models include the following:
Samsung 78-inch curved LED LCD TV UN78JU7500 ($5,497.99),
Samsung 65-inch curved LED LCD TV UN65JU7500 ($2,497.99),
Samsung 55-inch curved LED LCD TV UN55JU7500 ($1,797.99),
Samsung 50-inch curved LED LCD TV UN50JU7500 ($1,497.99),
Samsung 40-inch curved LED LCD TV UN40JU7500 ($1,297.99),
Samsung 85-inch flat LED LCD TV UN85JU7100 ($8,997.99),
Samsung 75-inch flat LED LCD TV UN75JU7100 ($4,297.99),
Samsung 65-inch flat LED LCD TV UN65JU7100 ($2,297.99),
Samsung 60-inch curved LED LCD TV UN60JU7100 ($1,997.99),
Samsung 55-inch curved LED LCD TV UN55JU7100 ($1,497.99),
Samsung 50-inch curved LED LCD TV UN50JU7100 ($1,297.99),
Samsung 40-inch curved LED LCD TV UN40JU7100 ($1,097.99).
B4 — These 4K Ultra HDTVs will include most of the features of the B3 models, including HDMI 2.0a inputs and HDR support, but step down to 60Hz native refresh rate edge-lit LED LCD panels.
Examples of key models include the following:
Samsung 65-inch curved LED LCD TV UN65JU6700 ($1,597.99),
Samsung 55-inch curved LED LCD TV UN55JU6700 ($1,097.99),
Samsung 48-inch curved LED LCD TV UN48JU6700 ($897.99),
Samsung 40-inch curved LED LCD TV UN40JU6700 ($747.99),
Samsung 65-inch flat LED LCD TV UN65JU6500 ($1,697.99),
Samsung 60-inch flat LED LCD TV UN60JU6500 ($1,497.99),
Samsung 55-inch flat LED LCD TV UN55JU6500 ($947.99),
Samsung 50-inch flat LED LCD TV UN50JU6500 ($847.99),
Samsung 48-inch flat LED LCD TV UN48JU6500 ($847.99),
Samsung 40-inch flat LED LCD TV UN40JU6500 ($647.99).
B5 — These 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TVs will feature direct or edge-lit panels, 120Hz native refresh rates, HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.2, HEVC H.265 decoding, and WiFi with smart TV functionality.
Examples of key models include the following:
Hisense 65-inch LED LCD TV 65H7B ($1,399),
Hisense 55-inch LED LCD TV 55H7B ($448),
LG 65-inch LED LCD TV 65UF8500 ($1,897.99),
LG 60-inch LED LCD TV 60UF8500 ($1,597.99),
LG 79-inch LED LCD TV 79UF7700 ($4,497.99),
LG 70-inch LED LCD TV 70UF7700, ($2,497.99),
LG 65-inch LED LCD TV 65UF7700 ($1,797.99),
LG 60-inch LED LCD TV 60UF7700 ($1,397.99),
Sharp 70-inch LC70UH30 ($1,997.01).
B6 — These 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TVs have most of the key features of the B4 models but step down to native 60Hz refresh rate LCD panels, have HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.2 copy protection and do not read or display HDR or wide color gamut data.
Examples of key models include the following:
LG 55-inch LED LCD TV 55UF7600 ($1,197.99),
LG 49-inch LED LCD TV 49UF7600 ($897.99),
LG 43-inch LED LCD TV 43UF7600 ($697.99),
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By Greg Tarr
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Sony 850C series in A1 tier does not have local dimming. It only has frame dimming which is fundamentally very different. — We pointed out “frame dimming” next to the model listing. We weren’t going to dice up the list any further to get into all the variations of dimming technologies. Yes, true local dimming is superior to frame dimming. Hence the lower price point.
What are the biggest differences between the Sony x940c and x850c?
Roshan – There are a number of differences, the biggest are: first, the 940c is only available in a 75-inch screen size. The X850C is available in 75-, and 65- and 55-inches. The 75- and 65-inch 850c models have direct LED backlight with “frame dimming.” The 55-inch x850C has Dynamic Edge LED lighting with frame dimming. The 940c has a much more extensive full-array LED backlighting system with local dimming that delivers better black levels that impact overall picture quality, significantly. The 940C was designed for HDR from the outset, so although Sony won’t discuss panel brightness, it is expected to have a much brighter HDR display performance than the X850C models. The X850C models use Motionflow XR 960 blur reduction (120Hz refresh rate plus backlight scanning) while the 75X940C uses a Motionflow XR 1440 blur reduction system (120Hz refresh rate plus backlight scanning), for smoother fast motion images. – GT
The Samsung UN65JS8500 will be HDMI 2.0a compliant. Even though it is side lit, it uses a form of local dimming. Given that the UN65jS8500 is considerably brighter than the Sony XBR65X850C would it be more likely than the Sony to match HDR specs? Would you recommend one over the other in general? Many thanks.
Forrest — I do not expect either model will achieve the full brightness specs for HDR when they are finally issued (probably at CES in January). That said, I think you will be more satisfied with the HDR and WCG performance of the JS8500, given that it uses Nano-crystal LED tech. Sony stepped back from Nano-crystal tech (aka Quantum Dot) several years ago and is using its current Triluminos tech (which the company refuses to discuss in detail) and its X1 processor to make the changes in brightness and color gamut. It seems to work much better on their highest-end products. But the X850C is a very good set for motion compensation and virtually eliminating false contouring artifacts — Samsung’s SUHD TVs have some problem with the latter. In the end, unless you have another display in the room to do a side by side comparison, it’s unlikely you are going to notice a big difference.
Thanks for your answer relative to the Panasonic TC-55cx850U. I guess there are no sets in the 55″ size that can do real HDR except OLED’s. As an alternate I am considering the Sony XBR-65X850C. Could you tell me its DCI-P3 Color Gamut? Sony says the set does not have their extended dynamic range feature. Would that not be a problem for HDR compliance? I want a set I am sure will handle HDR fully. I appreciate your help.
Forrest: The Sony XBR-65X850C is one of a handful of models that Sony upgraded mid-year with the ability to accept and display HDR metadata. That said, we don’t know how well the set will be able to display that HDR metadata, because we don’t have a standard of brightness to measure against. Presumably, it will not be to the same level as the 940C, which was designed from the beginning with HDR in mind. The 65X850C uses Sony’s current Triluminos Display technology, X1 processor and will produce a wider color gamut than Rec 709, but it will not achieve full DCI-P3. Few TVs do at this time. If top level HDR reproduction and WCG are important to you, I would look at the Sony 940C or a Samsung 9500 series model. These will cost more, but they’ll have a more satisfying picture quality. – GT
Which 47″-55″ are best rated for live sports, without picture staggering.
Simon, Great question. Unfortunately picture staggering is a problem in fast action sequences on a lot (really most) of 4K UHDTVs, OLED and LED LCD, alike. Of the models I’ve seen this year, the top-end Samsungs — JS9500 through JS9000 seem to handle it the best. But even they haven’t eliminated it. The first thing you’ll want to make sure is that the panel has a 120Hz native refresh rate. — GT
Yours is easily the most useful article on the net concerning 4K TV and HDR. Can you explain why the Panasonic TC-55CX850U does not fit in the A1 category as opposed to the TC-65CX850U which is A1?
Forrest, Thanks so much for the kind words. The TC-55CX850U was not listed by Panasonic as HDR capable. Only the 65-inch version. I recently asked again for clarification on that point (and other Panasonic 4K UHD models) and received no response back from Japan, which leads me to believe that the situation is not going to change. Hope this helps. — GT
I’m confused – you put the Samsung UNxxJS8500 in both A2 and A3 categories. Not sure, but I don’t think they belong in A2.
Sorry John. Nice catch. The previous A3 listing with the 8500s was supposed to have been removed (it was redundant with A2). It’s now adjusted. Thanks. — GT
Thanks for doing this. Helps with sorting through all the “soon to be obsolete” models.
So where would an LG 65UF6450 fall here? B5?
Jason — No. B5 is for LED TV with full-array backlighting. This appears to fit closer to B7, but I’m trying to confirm this TV has HDCP 2.2 support. If it does not, then it would not fit in these categories at all as it would fail a pretty basic standard. — GT
Since you brought it up, LG hasn’t clarified whether existing (2015) models will have the option of firmware upgrades to achieve these improved specs (if even possible). One of the big reasons I waited for the 65EF9500 was to get the (new) HDMI2.0a/HDCP2.2 hardware (and a FLAT screen).d
Stanton — LG’s EF9500 flat 4K OLED TVs will ship with HDMI 2.0a inputs and the ability to read HDR metadata. The curved EG9600 models will receive firmware updates to make them compatible with HDR content streamed through the internal webOS 2.0 system. Hope that helps. — GT
First Greg thank you for the excellent reporting. HdGuru renders forum reading largely obsolete!
In 2015 LG changed to a new type of organic material that allowed them to increase light output (no doubt to resist burn-in too).
Today, LG’s OLED TVs can achieve a maximum brightness of about 400 nits, while flagship LCDs reach approximately 700-800 nits.
For 2016 models LG states the “light level will be increased a lot” an goes so far as to say “nearly two times”. Further 2016 OLED TVs for the consumer market will reach “99% DCI-P3”.