I think something’s getting lost in translation. You keep saying 4K TVs are cheap now, but you also say that buying one under 60" isn’t worth it. But on Amazon, the cheapest 60" 4K TV I see is a Vizio for $1,289 – okay forget that one, the cheapest 4K 60" from a real brand that doesn’t come with spyware is an LG for $1,400. That’s not exactly chump change, is it? When you say “cheap” you’re not talking about those direct-from-Korea B-stock panels on eBay that promise not to have too many bad pixels and the brand name has no vowels, are you?
Thanks for the concern about my plasma’s power consumption – it’s a bit higher than an LCD’s, but not grossly so, and no, buying an LCD wouldn’t “pay for itself within a year”, not even if I left my TV on 24/7. Not in 25 years would it pay for itself. I probably pay $50/year to run my TV. A 60" LCD would cost around $25/year to run for the same hours. So in actual fact, it would take 56 years for an LCD to “pay for itself” with the power savings vs. my plasma. There may be some reasons to choose LCD over plasma (especially now that the best plasma brands have gotten out of the game because consumers want el-cheapo behemoths from Walmart instead of great picture quality) but “paying for itself within a year” isn’t one one of them.
But it’s not about saving $25/year. It’s about picture quality. My Panasonic ST50 cost me a grand 2 years ago and it’s ridiculously better looking than any LCD I’ve seen since, 4K or not. It’s why I went with a Viera before Panasonic finally stopped making plasmas, because they look better than LCDs. Picture quality is what’s most important to me, that’s why I posted a question about the new AppleTV allowing for direct play Plex or transcoding like the iOS and PlexConnect apps. For others, it’s knowing that their hardware is “future-proof” whatever that means.
I get it. You’re chasing different things than I am. Good luck.
I am not trying to convince you. Or start a fight. Just saying that each to his own in terms of what they enjoy watching. I never said Plasma is bad, just not my cookie. There are Pro’s and Con’s to each tech. We just have to live with the con’s in each of our cases.
I do hear you on the fact that some companies look at old tech that was good and toss it because it’s cheaper to make the new stuff. And that is sad. Applies to TV’s computer and almost anything. I was thinking “I wonder what 4k Plasma would be like”. But that was before they all drank the koolaid.
I think for a lot of people Apple TV will be good, and they will be happy. Just not my cup of tea in it’s current missing one nut format. Good luck too.
So “if” I was in the market for a new client between lets say the aTV4 or AFTV4K (or the roku4 as @AlexDua kindly suggested) I don’t see why purchasing a 4K client wouldn’t be the smart choice over a aTV4 2K in the current market. I don’t see why this has turned into a pissing contest but whatever floats your boat, its ok to be passionate about A/V but when people act pompous about others comments it instead makes their comments basically pointless. Down the road I will get a 4K tv if and when I get a 4K client. Sure there will be 8K and better down the road but really this whole topic was about the new aTV4(2K) originally that amazon slapped apple in the face with a 4K client. If you actually payed attention I was not happy with apple but I see “assume” is a favorite word of yours as well. The topic has obviously spun way off topic so I will be no longer involved in it so feel free to say whatever you wish since I have better things to do with my time then to comment on rubbish.
FYI I have installed completed A/V systems from home theaters in a box all the way to MartinLogan’s for example and better. I also have installed dimmers, projectors, RF remote systems, matrix switchers, multi-zoned audio, prewired and finished actual complete home theaters with seating and installed in commercial environments for decades. It all depends on the consumers budget and how much of a audiophile they are. I have forgotten more about A/V then most will know in a lifetime but I don’t need to throw it in others faces or patronize anyone to attempt to prove a point.
Personally, I have no issue upgrading to an Apple TV 5 in a couple of years, just like I (and many others do) with their smart phones. If it has 4K, cool. I have no need for it for the next few years.
For anyone who’s interested, I’ve been developing a native Plex client for the new Apple TV. More about it in this thread:
https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/187382/simplex-a-native-3rd-party-plex-client-for-the-new-apple-tv-4th-gen
(I’m looking for beta testers)
