UHD - lots of hype but missing some truths?

eltel3161

I have just purchased a new LG OLED 4k TV to add to my BOSE sound system and my EE TV package.

Being keen to see some programmes in UHD, I checked out the listings on iPlayer and Amazon Prime and expected  to find ‘UHD’ in the corner of the programme information.

Much to my surprise, I couldn’t see either ‘UHD’ or ‘4k’  -  so I phoned EE for comment.

The agent said that you can only see UHD programme quality if you connect directly to the TV - bypassing the EE TV box and my sound system. The agent also said that in his view you’d be hard pressed to tell HD from UHD.

I explained that if I connected direct to the TV, I would be using the TV speakers for sound!  Also, if I connect direct to theTV I will not have the option to record on the TV box.

This seems to be something that isn’t mentioned by TV providers or TV sellers and begs the question regarding whether it’s dishonest promotion/ selling and is it worth paying for UHD if you have a TV supplier with the same policy as EE?

JSmithy45AD

The audio will go to whatever output you've set the TV to so that's nonsense from EE for starters.

"whether it’s dishonest promotion/ selling", obviously not as it's entirely down to the source which is your choice. Sky & Virgin for instance have some content, Apple TV, Amazon Prime & Netflix have plenty.

Whether you can tell the difference or not is going to depend on source, quality of TV and mostly, your eyes. I'm mid sixties and could tell the difference from a Sky Q box on a decent Samsung TV.

flaneurs_lobster

There's lots here that's not quite right. Ignore the EE TV box for now, your LG TV has all you need for UHD viewing on iPlayer and Prime.

Get your TV connected to the internet (hardwire to router or Wi-fi). Then use the TV's interface and the iPlayer and Prime apps installed on the TV (you might have to get these from the WebOS Store) to access their content directly.

You'll have to forgive me being vague, I don't have an LG TV, mine runs on Fire TV so the interface is different.

Those apps will let you search for UHD content. 

What TV box do you have? If it's the latest BT/EE one (the EE/BT TV Box Pro) then it is able to receive and record UHD but only via the internet. So, for instance, if you subscribe to TNT Sports (and have the HD/UHD extra subscription) then you can record the TNT Ultimate (UHD) channel. A whole ENG-AUS test match will not take up much space. There's no advantage in accessing streaming apps via the TV box rather than on the TV itself.

In the case of TNT Sport, you can access it via the programme guide on the TV Box or download the Discovery+ app to your TV for the same sports channels plus a load of other stuff

If your sound system is wired into your TV Box then others may have to help, I use a soundbar but assume you could move the connection(s) to the TV but if it's some kind of surround/Dolby setup then I'm clueless.

Does this make sense?

Detail_Merchant

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/programme-availability/uhd-content

brewerdave

I recently accepted an offer for Sky renewal that included UHD. Having watched some programmes including sport ,supposedly in UHD ,I struggle to see much difference with HD  - old eyes ! 
However ,I HAVE noticed a difference when watching some stuff on I player in UHD - so source quality must be variable ?
Also read that for a 55" set I should sit about 6 feet from the screen to notice the difference - too close in my lounge !!

dnpark38

I's a while back since I wired up my LG and the difference between HD and UHD/4k is extremely noticeable.
My sound system is connected by UHD/4k quality HDMi cable, I expected HDMi No. 1 to be best but was recommended  to use HDMi No. 2 also labelled ARC.
Technical questions like yours are best asked in AV Forums LG TV section.

JSmithy45AD

brewerdave said:

I recently accepted an offer for Sky renewal that included UHD. Having watched some programmes including sport ,supposedly in UHD ,I struggle to see much difference with HD  - old eyes ! 
However ,I HAVE noticed a difference when watching some stuff on I player in UHD - so source quality must be variable ?
Also read that for a 55" set I should sit about 6 feet from the screen to notice the difference - too close in my lounge !!

The difference between SD & HD content from Sky is far greater than the actual standards would have you believe for sure.