STACK #187 May 2020

Picking up a new 4KTV is the kind of investment for which your eyes, and your family, will thank you for a long time. Words Adam Colby B ecause 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) TVs are the dominant display resolution right now, there’s a mountain of options better handling of on-screen movement, and preinstalled entertainment apps to keep entertainment simplified. Whether you’re streaming, watching disc- based content, or playing the latest PlayStation 4 Pro or Xbox One X console games, contemporary entertainment content tends to be built with 4K viewing in mind. ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION VIEWING LIFE TECH FEATURE visit stack.com.au The SamsungTU8000 with inbuilt Bixby and Alexa BUDGET-FRIENDLY4K Picking up your first 4K TV doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. The TCL 65P8M, for instance, may have a sub-$1000 price tag but it has what you need to enjoy UHD-resolution entertainment out of the box. For starters, you’ll be looking at a none-too- small 65-inch screen, with some preinstalled streaming essentials: YouTube, Netflix, and Stan. An inbuilt Chromecast means you can also push video, photos and images from compatible devices connected to your home network. Jumping around between those entertainment options is a cinch thanks to voice-activated commands by simply issuing orders to the mic on your remote control. As an Android TV, you also have the option of installing apps that convert your TV into an entertainment and productivity hub. Crack the $1000 price tag and you’ll step into brand-name territory with the 65-inch Samsung control compatible connected gizmos. Inbuilt Bixby and Alexa voice assistants mean you can control everything seamlessly with basic voice commands, too. When you’re not taking advantage of the boosted UHD eye candy with HDR, flick your TV into ambient mode to convert it into a big- screen digital photo frame. out there. But while that may be intimidating at first high-resolution glance, we’re here to help simplify it by offering a budget-friendly and brand-name alternative across entry-level good, bigger-investment better and all-out best pricing considerations. HIGH-RESPERKS The modern 4K TV is more than just a spiffier resolution for watching compatible content. Today’s 4K TVs tend to include richer playback care of high dynamic range (HDR) support,

BETTERUHD Stepping up to these mid-range sets, you’ll still be dealing with 65-inch screens, but both of the sets covered here are noticeable upgrades over their cheaper siblings. The TCL 65X7 offers a stepped-up QLED panel for 3D-like depth to your video content. Content looks even better care of local dimming, which automatically adjusts the backlight on a per-content basis, while clear motion rate for on-screen playback that’s brighter and better at tackling on-screen motion. While you may want to complement the enhanced visual with home theatre audio, the 65X7 offers admirable results out of the box for a one-stop entertainment solution. Samsung has made a name for itself with 4K QLED panels, and its Q70T 65-inch TV is no exception. This 2020 model boasts vivid STREAMING VS DISCS With so many streaming services available today, you might think it’s not long before they’re a full replacement for physical discs. For the highest- fidelity results on your 4K TV, physical Blu-ray discs – ideally, 4K UHD discs – still offer the best, less-compressed quality that take full advantage of your screen’s eye candy. All you need is a 4K TV and a compatible 4K Blu-ray player.

TU8000, which supports HDR10+ content and has a 100Hz motion rate for fast-moving action. The TU8000 services first-time 4K TV purchasers with an easy-to-use universal guide and automatic upscaling of non-4K content for prettier results than what you’re used to. Your longstanding DVD and Blu-ray library doesn’t have to go to waste. Speaking of automatic, the TU8000 also intuitively recognises your essential entertainment devices as you connect them, while the clever OneRemote can be used to

The PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X - built with 4K viewing in mind

The budget friendlyTCL 65P8M

54 MAY 2020

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