OLED TV buying display model

billy2shots

I've been hankering after an OLED TV for a little while and have a specific model in mind due to my main TV watching which is sport (motion handling for my sensitive eyes).

It's the Sony 55 inch A8 / A85 models. 

Technically these are 2020 models but the 2021 version hasn't moved the game on. 

Currently priced at it's lowest in Richer etc at £1299.
There are a couple of lesser known warehouse outlets advertising it for £1199 but 8 week lead times and I don't think Richer price match agay those outlets. 

I have sourced a Currys display model at £999 for the A85. This represents a 23% discount on current best prices. 

I'm kicking myself as on Prime Day last week you could get the TV new in box for £1099. That's what I think is holding me back the most. Only £100 less than it could have been for a new set. 

As it's the 2020 model the numbers of TVs are decreasing and will finish soon. 2021 models are £1699 so realistically this is the cheapest this model will ever get (none left by black Friday etc). 


In short how do people feel about buying a display model and is 23% off a deal maker?

I presume it would come with its 5 year warranty on tact. 

Browntoa

It's been on all day every day on the same feed , screen burn ? 

And it's Currys , so avoid like the plague , read the consumer rights section on here and elsewhere 

JJ_Egan

Big no to display model as screen burn may not be far away and no warranty on many models .

billy2shots

Thanks for feed back. 

Couldn't see any sign of screen burn but constantly on was my issue with it. 

Sandtree

billy2shots said:

Couldn't see any sign of screen burn but constantly on was my issue with it. 

For their consumer units Sony use LG OLED screens. LG rate these for 100,000 hours of use and given the potential for litigation if screens routinely fail before the rated value most values are conservative in nature. 

In a normal year if you assume its a warehouse type store open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week almost 365 days then worst case would be 30,000 hours used but with Covid etc then presumably the store has been closed a significant amount and so the use will be lower.

Obviously the screen is only one part and maybe Sony are pairing it with electronics they rate less than the quality of the LG screen but generally I'd expect the screen to be the weaker link. 

Personally I'd be more concerned of screen burn than used time but then I tend to replace my TV every 5 years or so.


I am surprised however that you are going for the Sony in the first place if you say motion handling is your thing rather than the LG CX.

mobileron

Richersounds will give u good service and a free 6 year warranty,what are Currys offering,

billy2shots

mobileron said:

Richersounds will give u good service and a free 6 year warranty,what are Currys offering,

I always buy from Richer if possible but they obviously won't match display mode prices, no open box on their site. 

Currys is the same price new but only 5 year warranty. Neither will be for screen burn. 

billy2shots

Sandtree said:

billy2shots said:

Couldn't see any sign of screen burn but constantly on was my issue with it. 

For their consumer units Sony use LG OLED screens. LG rate these for 100,000 hours of use and given the potential for litigation if screens routinely fail before the rated value most values are conservative in nature. 

In a normal year if you assume its a warehouse type store open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week almost 365 days then worst case would be 30,000 hours used but with Covid etc then presumably the store has been closed a significant amount and so the use will be lower.

Obviously the screen is only one part and maybe Sony are pairing it with electronics they rate less than the quality of the LG screen but generally I'd expect the screen to be the weaker link. 

Personally I'd be more concerned of screen burn than used time but then I tend to replace my TV every 5 years or so.


I am surprised however that you are going for the Sony in the first place if you say motion handling is your thing rather than the LG CX.

It was a toss up between CX and A8 but the Sony edges it in more reviews and customer feedback on forums for motion.

A repetitive quote is Sony have got more out of the LG screen than LG themselves. 

I listen through a Bluetooth headset most of the time so I'm not interested in soundbars etc but for the times I don't the Sony supposedly has far better sound through its screen sound tech. 

Sandtree

billy2shots said:
It was a toss up between CX and A8 but the Sony edges it in more reviews and customer feedback on forums for motion.

A repetitive quote is Sony have got more out of the LG screen than LG themselves. 

I listen through a Bluetooth headset most of the time so I'm not interested in soundbars etc but for the times I don't the Sony supposedly has far better sound through its screen sound tech. 

I'm currently on the C8 so a couple of years away from looking at replacements but these things are addictive so never go full cold turkey. 

Your absolutely right that the same screen doesn't mean the same image because a notable proportion is the imagine processing that happens before it gets passed to the screen to display. From my reading the Sony slightly edges it for picture quality but the LG for motion handling. There have been complaints of issues with eARC on the LG but as I similarly have no intent of using a soundbar and Netflix etc comes via an AppleTV rather than the TV's smart features this wouldn't be an issue for me. 

In all honesty, both TVs are likely to be great and you're probably getter off going to Richer Sounds or equiv and have a side by side demo to judge with your own eyes which looks better to you. People on a forum dedicated to home cinema are saying Costco have some very good prices on last year models of TVs earlier this week so may be worth a look if you know someone with membership.

billy2shots

Sandtree said:

billy2shots said:
It was a toss up between CX and A8 but the Sony edges it in more reviews and customer feedback on forums for motion.

A repetitive quote is Sony have got more out of the LG screen than LG themselves. 

I listen through a Bluetooth headset most of the time so I'm not interested in soundbars etc but for the times I don't the Sony supposedly has far better sound through its screen sound tech. 

I'm currently on the C8 so a couple of years away from looking at replacements but these things are addictive so never go full cold turkey. 

Your absolutely right that the same screen doesn't mean the same image because a notable proportion is the imagine processing that happens before it gets passed to the screen to display. From my reading the Sony slightly edges it for picture quality but the LG for motion handling. There have been complaints of issues with eARC on the LG but as I similarly have no intent of using a soundbar and Netflix etc comes via an AppleTV rather than the TV's smart features this wouldn't be an issue for me. 

In all honesty, both TVs are likely to be great and you're probably getter off going to Richer Sounds or equiv and have a side by side demo to judge with your own eyes which looks better to you. People on a forum dedicated to home cinema are saying Costco have some very good prices on last year models of TVs earlier this week so may be worth a look if you know someone with membership.

Like you say it's really a nats breath between the two. 

I checked Costco but they don't display the price for non members for this particular set. 

Good Idea about asking around for members. 

I tend to change TVs every 6-8 years in  time for Euros or WC. I'm late this time around...

JJ_Egan

Richer have a permanent Clearance .https://www.richersounds.com/clearance