Mein primäres Motiv, eine 4K-Einrichtung zu betrachten, ist es, meine Heimunterhaltungssysteme zukunftssicher zu machen. Ich möchte vermeiden, DVDs oder Blu-rays zu kaufen, nur um später aufzurüsten, wenn ein besonderer Film in 4K veröffentlicht wird. Ich halte Elektronik so lange wie möglich—meine aktuelle Einrichtung besteht aus einem Mac mini 2012 und M1, und ich habe erst dieses Jahr mein Modell aus dem Jahr 2007 abgeschaltet.
Obwohl ich Filme genieße, würde ich mich nicht als Kino-Fan bezeichnen. Meine Sammlung besteht hauptsächlich aus älteren Fernsehserien, die ich erst dieses Jahr begonnen habe zu sammeln. Dies wirft die Frage auf, ob es für mich wirklich lohnenswert ist, in 4K zu investieren. Ich habe Diskussionen über das Upscaling alter Filme gesehen, aber wenige befassen sich speziell mit Fernsehserien, was mich dazu verleitet zu fragen, ob ein hochwertiger 4K-Player notwendig ist. Außerdem scheint es kaum Gespräche über 4K-Fernsehserien insgesamt zu geben.
Ich besitze bereits eine PS4, aber ein Upgrade auf eine PS5 reizt mich nicht, besonders mit der Erwartung, dass die PS6 Ende nächsten Jahres angekündigt werden könnte, basierend auf den vergangenen Veröffentlichungsmustern von Sony.
Viele Enthusiasten empfehlen den Panasonic DP-UB820, doch seine jüngste Preiserhöhung – von etwa 375–425 Dollar auf etwa 535 Dollar auf Amazon – fühlt sich übermäßig an. Im Gegensatz dazu hat der Panasonic DP-UB450 einen stabilen Preis beibehalten, obwohl ich mich frage, ob er bis Black Friday noch erschwinglich bleiben wird.
Natürlich ist auch der Fernseher selbst eine weitere wichtige Überlegung. Ich überlege, ob ich die Funktionen des Fernsehers gegenüber dem Player priorisieren sollte, und ich erwäge derzeit 55-Zoll-Modelle wie den Hisense U7/U8 oder den TCL QM7K, basierend auf Rtings-Empfehlungen. Obwohl ich lieber eine 45–50-Zoll-Bildschirmgröße bevorzugen würde, sind diese Größen deutlich teurer als die 55-Zoll-Optionen, die ich untersuche.
Deine Überlegung, ob sich 4K für ältere Serien lohnt, kann ich gut nachvollziehen. Ich habe selbst vor zwei Jahren auf 4K umgerüstet, vor allem wegen neuer Filme, und war überrascht, wie gut mein Player alte DVD-Serien wie “Akte X” hochskaliert – der Unterschied ist oft deutlicher als erwartet. Für mich hat es sich gelohnt, aber ich frage mich, ob du bei deiner langen Nutzungsdauer von Geräten nicht einfach abwarten könntest, bis dein aktueller Player ersetzt werden muss? Was hältst du vom Upscaling deiner PS4 für deine Seriensammlung?
Danke für deinen Einblick – es ist spannend zu hören, dass das Upscaling deiner DVDs bei Serien wie “Akte X” so gut funktioniert hat. Gerade bei älteren Serienaufnahmen kann die PS4 durch ihr Upscaling tatsächlich eine spürbare Verbesserung liefern, was ein guter erster Schritt ist, um deine Sammlung aufzuwerten, ohne sofort investieren zu müssen. Probier es doch einfach mal mit einer Folge deiner Lieblingsserie aus und schau, ob dir der Unterschied gefällt – ich bin gespannt, was du berichtest!
If you’re considering 4K, I’d recommend prioritizing display quality over resolution. I prefer watching standard Blu-ray on an OLED screen over 4K on an LCD. My advice is to buy the largest OLED you can afford and upgrade your source material later. When you’re ready, the Panasonic 420 and 450 are both solid, reasonably priced options.
It sounds like you may not have seen the latest mini-LED displays, which are a type of LCD. I wouldn’t recommend switching to 1080p just for OLED.
Stick with Blu-ray and DVD. Blu-ray offers a substantial improvement in quality, while 4K is only about a 10–15% upgrade over Blu-ray for most titles. Depending on your equipment and preferences, you’ll likely be satisfied with DVD and Blu-ray.
The UB820 is good for upscaling DVDs on a newer 4K TV, but the difference is minimal—around 10% or less compared to your TV’s built-in upscaling, and it only applies to DVDs.
There are very few TV shows available in 4K, though that may change over time. 4K TVs and movies are expensive, requiring a new TV, player, and costly discs that keep rising in price.
If you’re happy with what you have, there’s no need to upgrade. Ignorance is bliss.
4K Blu-ray is about 20% impressive on high-end setups like OLED TVs with Dolby Atmos, but only 2% noticeable with a cheaper TV and soundbar. Part of the appeal is FOMO and the placebo effect—sometimes we focus too much on small details rather than the movie itself.
I don’t regret my choice, as I own around 600 4K movies and have a 77″ OLED, UB820, gaming consoles, and a 7.2.4 Atmos system. But I recognize I’m spending money on something that isn’t twice as good as what I had before—I just have the means to do so.
But Seinfeld in 4K!
If you’re asking that many questions, it sounds like you’re looking for a reason not to buy it.
I’m asking because no one seems to be discussing 4K in relation to television shows. If you have any relevant links on this topic, please share them.
Only about 10–15% of TV shows are released in 4K, and many aren’t released physically at all or only come out on Blu-ray. If you don’t want to invest a couple thousand dollars in a high-quality TV and an upscaling Blu-ray player, I wouldn’t worry about 4K.
I personally collect my favorite TV shows and always choose 4K when available. Currently, my 4K collection includes HBO series like *The Last of Us* and *House of the Dragon*, Disney Marvel shows, *Reacher*, *Halo*, *Dune*, and *Fallout*. Out of around 60 complete series and a couple thousand movies, I always opt for 4K when possible, which should give you an idea of my preference.
Either invest in a setup that upscales your current collection for a better viewing experience, or save money with a more affordable TV. Many collectors appreciate the quality upgrade 4K offers, but it is an investment. Based on your post, I’d suggest skipping 4K unless you’re aiming for the best possible quality from your Blu-rays.
4K TV shows on physical media are a niche within a niche and have limited market presence, which is unlikely to improve. Most 4K production focuses on movies.
Don’t ask us; we’re all enthusiasts here.
To determine if 4K is right for you, consider your viewing distance and screen size. If you sit far from a small screen, you may not notice the difference. Also, ensure your content is available in 4K and that your hardware supports it.
The only valid response is that it depends on your specific needs and setup.
Whether 4K is right for you depends on your viewing distance and screen size. If you sit close enough to notice the extra detail, it can be worth it. Otherwise, you might not see a significant difference from 1080p.
We need more releases of Lawrence of Arabia on disc.
The most important factor is your TV. Models like the UB420, 450, or 820 are solid choices, but without a decent TV, you might be underwhelmed by the results. The players you’re considering are good budget to mid-tier options, but keep in mind Black Friday is approaching. Check out r/4ktv for recommendations within your budget.
While there are some series available in 4K, many are still only on Blu-ray. Even if you don’t upgrade to a 4K player immediately, improving your TV will enhance your enjoyment of the content you already own.
The QM7K is a great value and would definitely benefit from an upgrade to 4K, especially if you’re coming from an older, lower-resolution TV.
Many HBO and Paramount series are available in 4K. A 4K player is worth it for the upscaling feature, which works very well with Blu-rays. I use a UB820, and it makes Blu-rays look like 4K on a quality screen like my 83-inch LG C4 OLED. The improvement is noticeable.
Most TV shows are released on Blu-ray and will likely remain that way, as physical media is becoming a niche market. I collect only 4K movies unless a title is only on Blu-ray. For TV shows, I stick with Blu-ray and avoid DVDs, as DVDs look poor on large screens even with upscaling.
Having 4K capability is a smart choice. If it’s an option, go for 4K, but Blu-ray will serve you well for the next 10–15 years. Higher resolutions may emerge, but probably not on physical media. Owning physical copies ensures you can watch your favorites whenever you want, especially since streaming content often disappears quickly.
As for TVs, decide whether you want the best viewing experience or the most affordable one. In a 4K forum, you’ll get varied opinions, but I recommend the LG C5 OLED 55-inch for a top-tier experience at around $1,127. It’s expensive but offers excellent value. If you’ve never experienced OLED, a cheaper LED will work fine, though 4K content won’t look as impressive. It’s about half the cost with a significant drop in picture quality, so if it fits your budget, you may not mind the difference.
You can probably skip 4K. There aren’t many TV shows available in the format, and with your current setup—or lack thereof—it’s not worth it. There are plenty of Blu-rays available at reasonable prices.
Unless you’re a big Seinfeld fan, the selection of older TV shows available in 4K is quite limited. I collect 4K content, but for most TV series, I’m just happy to have them on good-quality Blu-rays.
We started collecting 4K Blu-rays in 2016 when the format launched. It’s an excellent format, and HDR and Dolby Vision really enhance the experience.
My honest answer is no. While I strongly support physical media and 4K specifically, I admit it can lead to multiple expensive hobbies. If you get hooked, you may want to upgrade your collection, TV, sound system, Blu-ray player, seating, and possibly even venture into audiophile territory. It becomes costly, so unless you have a genuine passion, disposable income, and are comfortable spending on what you love, I’d recommend avoiding it.
I bought a 75-inch TCL Q7 a couple of years ago as my first TV after moving out, and it’s been great for watching 4K content on my PS5. While OLED TVs are impressive, I’ve been very happy with my TV for the flat $1,000 price. The PS5 has also been a solid player, so if the PS6 includes a disc drive, that’s the route I’d take for console gaming.
I’d also recommend an AVR with Atmos speakers if possible. Even when gaming on my PC through the TV, the Atmos setup makes the experience much more immersive. I found a nice 5.1.4 speaker set on Facebook Marketplace for $320 and spent $600 on the AVR. One of the best things about going with an AVR is that you can start with a basic setup and add more speakers as your budget allows.
My collection is stored behind my weight rack.
Based on your description, standard Blu-ray seems like the ideal choice for you. DVD could also be a good option.