4K Blu-ray. Any early adopters out there?
Comments
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See calibration disc links on this thread on the previous page
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Samsung had a TERRIBLE reputation for a long time when it came to firmware updates for their players early on in the Blu-ray game.
Not sure if that has changed. -
I started reading that yesterday. It's on my short list of things to buy... like right after I get a 4K playerhonestaquarian wrote: »See calibration disc links on this thread on the previous page
If you want to try that Samsung and want a KILLER low price, you can get it for only $60 here (and it's available for shipping):
https://www.frys.com/product/9145858?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
There are quite a few negative reviews on this particular unit, but for $60 it's worth a shot!
Damn, it sure is worth a shot, thanks.
Welcome back too, glad to see you posting again.
So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
Is "8K" its resolution or its price tag?
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Hmmm no I didn't see that 8k coming no not at all.....
Snicker snicker
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Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
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Now that, I didn't know was coming! But, gotta be a good boy for Santa!
Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD. -
https://www.atsc.org/newsletter/coming-soon-to-a-tv-station-near-you-top-40-tv-markets-launching-atsc-3-0/
4K over the air broadcasting. Also known as ATSC 3.0 to begin next year!
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/nextgen-tv-logo-will-differentiate-new-atsc-30-tvs -
https://hometheaterreview.com/hometheaterreviews-uhd-blu-ray-player-buyers-guide/
Picks for the best players as well as some very interesting and informative information on why discs are STILL better than streaming. -
Bit rate is everything. One of the reasons I've always thought OTA is always better than cable or satellite since both use mp4 compression rates.
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honestaquarian wrote: »https://hometheaterreview.com/hometheaterreviews-uhd-blu-ray-player-buyers-guide/
Picks for the best players as well as some very interesting and informative information on why discs are STILL better than streaming.
Good reading there. Since I still haven't gotten around to buying a 4k player, it offered some good ideas. Even though I have pretty fast/reliable internet and find my 4k Firestick more than capable, I am still in the "having-the-physical-media" camp. I have experienced the frustration of going on NetFlix to watch something, only to find it's no longer available. The other upside to actually owning the disc is the ability to share or trade them with other people.So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
Bit rate is everything. One of the reasons I've always thought OTA is always better than cable or satellite since both use mp4 compression rates.
You're absolutely right @pitdogg2 The cable companies further compress the HD digital bitstream in order to make it all fit into their limited bandwidth. Fiber carriers do not have to so much, because fiber has a lot more bandwidth.
I've done back to back comparisons with over the air signals versus what I was getting from Verizon FiOS FTTP (Fiber To The Premises) and I can hardly see a difference.
Can't speak for satellite though.
I can only imagine what will happen to 4K broadcast over cable
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Synopsis
More 8K tv's coming.
Visio is entering the OLED game and
ATSC 3.0 is coming!! (over the air 1080p and 4K broadcasting to say the least. There is more to that standard) -
I’m interested in a 65-70” 4K w/a genuine 120hz refresh rate. I believe that would be a worthy upgrade to my Samsung 60”. 7 years ago it was their best 2D offering.honestaquarian wrote: »
Frequently seen “tech derived” 120hz refresh rates - a smokescreen that amounts to less performance than the real thing. Further, reviewers seem to suggest* “...4K (& 8K) is a little** better.
*tap dance
**reading between the lines: is it “better enough” to replace a pre-4K display?
OTOH, I’m still impressed by Blu-ray transfers of pre-dvd titles including stuff from the ‘60s! I said all that to say this, forgive my gloomy Gus outlook: I believe my best u$e* is “ stay the course” to relocating** and expanding***, until the industry offers a Wow(!) upgrade w/out a second mortgage.
*saving for and/or buying
**~3 years
***remaining components, etc for 7.X
Many thanks for the industry watch, Tony
Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s -
Don't confuse the 120hz refresh rates of some LCD tv's with the 4K standard 120hz. This has yet to make an appearance as the HDMI 2.1 standard had to become adopted widely enough and devices with that capability will begin to appear this year. Right now the best that is out is 4K 60hz.
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thanks. You articulated what I was thinking. I’m slow to move on to the next tech anyway - $aves.honestaquarian wrote: »Don't confuse the 120hz refresh rates of some LCD tv's with the 4K standard 120hz. This has yet to make an appearance as the HDMI 2.1 standard had to become adopted widely enough and devices with that capability will begin to appear this year. Right now the best that is out is 4K 60hz.
Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s -
There is also some information in one of those articles about some of what the ATSC 3.0 standard is capable of.
Cool stuff
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So Vizio and Panasonic are jumping into the OLED waters and making a splash
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Sorry for derailing this thread, specifically this part, for coming so late to the party w/this, and getting so very long winded.
AT&T and before, the different “Bell” companies, had been using fiber between Central Offices (COs) in the 80s(?), likely earlier. Over the last ~9 years I worked for AT&T, I spliced fiber for mostly new work; had zero contact w/ copper the last 5 years. Terminating fiber into banks and Medical offices ~6 years ago became pretty common. 2-3 three years ago started laying fiber to to new homes in developments and in existing densely populated parts of Athens, GA.
Tech note: While I did see the work of my distant forbearers, I had the privilege of using later technology to connect the fibers. Namely a machine that joined the hair-thick strands of glass by welding. Usually joined 2 to 2 or more at a time but occasionally as singles. Any cable made after 2007, 12 strands or larger came as 12 strand ribbons, referred to as groups, simply labeled on the ribbon 1, 2, 3 etc - no rocket science here.
We almost always spliced those as ribbons, almost never as singles. New 144s, 12 groups of 12, are ho hum. The last ~4-5 years we started doing a lot more larger cables: 216s (18), 288s (24), & 360s (30). 432s (36) less often and two 764s* (72) fed out of the larger COs. Over the the summer 2019 two techs began splicing a 1728 (144) out of the Athens CO.
*I straight-spliced about half the groups in this cable once. Others had this “privilege” 2 or 3 times.
Fiber optics are delicate, penetrate the outer sheathing, damage easy, and expensive due to time requirements, to repair. Occasionally, I, or a co-worker, repaired damaged cable.Yes, fiber optic cables are expensive to repair, but usually the company doesn't pay for it. The person/company that broke it pays.
I’ve repaired some cables as small as 1 fiber. Common sizes were 24s to 72s w/ a couple sizes in between. The largest I recall repairing was 216 fibers feeding a 144, 2 48s, & 24s; all bush hogged clean through - at least 100 business* and over a 1000 dial tone subscribers out of service for ~5-6 hours. Ahh the fun, how I miss that - like a tooth ache!!Most your phone cables are fiber optic, broke a few in my day. Very expensive to repair as each strand needs to be spliced back together in a special way....and there could be thousands of strands in a Fiber optic cable.
*Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, a host of fast food restaurants, and a large medical complex, to name a few
The zenith of my repair career: 4 years ago, very late on a Thursday, a tree company truck was traveling on a major thoroughfare* with their boom too high. Sliced clean through two older cables - a 96 and a 48, both stranded**.
*~an hour from the office
**we used glue to make ribbons from strands
On the surface, not a big deal, right? Well... ...One of the cables contained THE circuit from the University of GA (UGA) football stadium that fed the ESPN South office in Atlanta! As if that wasn’t bad enough, the next day, Saturday, was the UGA season opener!
To say some “knickers were knotted up” REAL TIGHT would be an understatement! Having a self-serving jerk of a boss made it worse. A lot of work by 4 competent techs and some drama generously provided by few in middle management. Got home ~8p that night.
Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
https://youtu.be/rhJqJRpQ8Mw