Advice required: New TV & sound

ClaretAL · Post by **ClaretAL** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:48 am

Hi All sorry to jump on Tony's thread again, but I took the plunge while the LG CX was at an all time low at the weekend for £1599 which if you look at the start of this thread it was at £2299, so just shows how much they reduce in time, and as the advice in this thread was very good, I thought I would throw this out there as I now have another problem, The screen is fantastic and after following advise on AV Forums set up perfectly, but as also discussed on AV Forums there is a big issue with AVR passing 2.1 and 4K at 120hz. I have a Denon AVR-x 4400h and I have connected the Xbox Series X direct to the TV on HDMI 1 and the picture is amazing and cant believe the difference, I have then connected the AVR to HDMI 2 EARC port with a certified 2.1 EARC HDMI cable, and set the TV settings up to sound output EARC, Bitstream in and Pass though, but although the sound stage is good the AVR is only displaying Dolby Digital rather than Dolby Atmos. Am I doing something wrong? or can you you not get Dolby Digital back to the AVR in this way?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 5:12 pm

ClaretAL wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:48 am
Hi All sorry to jump on Tony's thread again, but I took the plunge while the LG CX was at an all time low at the weekend for £1599 which if you look at the start of this thread it was at £2299, so just shows how much they reduce in time, and as the advice in this thread was very good, I thought I would throw this out there as I now have another problem, The screen is fantastic and after following advise on AV Forums set up perfectly, but as also discussed on AV Forums there is a big issue with AVR passing 2.1 and 4K at 120hz. I have a Denon AVR-x 4400h and I have connected the Xbox Series X direct to the TV on HDMI 1 and the picture is amazing and cant believe the difference, I have then connected the AVR to HDMI 2 EARC port with a certified 2.1 EARC HDMI cable, and set the TV settings up to sound output EARC, Bitstream in and Pass though, but although the sound stage is good the AVR is only displaying Dolby Digital rather than Dolby Atmos. Am I doing something wrong? or can you you not get Dolby Digital back to the AVR in this way?

No wonder people find buying a new tv somewhat daunting and confusing

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 5:16 pm

ClaretAL wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:48 am
Hi All sorry to jump on Tony's thread again, but I took the plunge while the LG CX was at an all time low at the weekend for £1599 which if you look at the start of this thread it was at £2299, so just shows how much they reduce in time, and as the advice in this thread was very good, I thought I would throw this out there as I now have another problem, The screen is fantastic and after following advise on AV Forums set up perfectly, but as also discussed on AV Forums there is a big issue with AVR passing 2.1 and 4K at 120hz. I have a Denon AVR-x 4400h and I have connected the Xbox Series X direct to the TV on HDMI 1 and the picture is amazing and cant believe the difference, I have then connected the AVR to HDMI 2 EARC port with a certified 2.1 EARC HDMI cable, and set the TV settings up to sound output EARC, Bitstream in and Pass though, but although the sound stage is good the AVR is only displaying Dolby Digital rather than Dolby Atmos. Am I doing something wrong? or can you you not get Dolby Digital back to the AVR in this way?

Is the content that you’re watching Dolby Atmos?

ClaretAL · Post by **ClaretAL** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:18 pm

Rileybobs wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 06, 2021 5:16 pm
Is the content that you’re watching Dolby Atmos?

Yep, if I go direct to the AVR Dolby Atmos is recognised and displayed straight away on the front panel. Im going to buy another HDMI lead just in case it is that

Jimmymaccer · Post by **Jimmymaccer** » Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:19 am

I thought it was cool when I got my Amstrad twin cassette deck..................with Dolby (yes!!!!!!!!).

With just the flick of a switch I could cut out the “hiss” between the tracks I’d recorded on the Sunday teatime chart countdown!!!

Bloomin Dolby atmos UUHD 4.5.2.12.3 arc 12.1.6 or whatever ..............does my head in...........they’ll be bringing out something called VAR next “to make life simple”!.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:08 pm

I must soon need a new needle for the gramophone!

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:32 pm

Mrs DC made me turn the sub-woofer down over Easter. Apparently rattling windows isn't normal.

Zlatan · Post by **Zlatan** » Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:32 pm

dougcollins wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:32 pm
Mrs DC made me turn the sub-woofer down over Easter. Apparently rattling windows isn't normal.

How do you turn down a miniature schnauzer...? They’re so ADORABLE

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:45 am

ClaretAL wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:48 am
Hi All sorry to jump on Tony's thread again, but I took the plunge while the LG CX was at an all time low at the weekend for £1599 which if you look at the start of this thread it was at £2299, so just shows how much they reduce in time, and as the advice in this thread was very good, I thought I would throw this out there as I now have another problem, The screen is fantastic and after following advise on AV Forums set up perfectly, but as also discussed on AV Forums there is a big issue with AVR passing 2.1 and 4K at 120hz. I have a Denon AVR-x 4400h and I have connected the Xbox Series X direct to the TV on HDMI 1 and the picture is amazing and cant believe the difference, I have then connected the AVR to HDMI 2 EARC port with a certified 2.1 EARC HDMI cable, and set the TV settings up to sound output EARC, Bitstream in and Pass though, but although the sound stage is good the AVR is only displaying Dolby Digital rather than Dolby Atmos. Am I doing something wrong? or can you you not get Dolby Digital back to the AVR in this way?

Try this mate:
https://www.avforums.com/threads/xbox-s ... t-28623802

ClaretAL · Post by **ClaretAL** » Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:42 pm

superdimitri wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:45 am
Try this mate:
https://www.avforums.com/threads/xbox-s ... t-28623802

Cheers mate, tried that and the turning off AMD Freesync but still the same, it really has me stumped, but apart from the AVR not showing Dolby Atmos, it certainly sounds like it is.

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:08 am

ClaretAL wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:42 pm
Cheers mate, tried that and the turning off AMD Freesync but still the same, it really has me stumped, but apart from the AVR not showing Dolby Atmos, it certainly sounds like it is.

Could just be a stupid cable issue. Make sure to try a different cable. Both between TV and Xbox and TV and AVR.
Go back to square one and do a factory reset on both too. Unplug from power for a min, re plug back in and try setting it up from scratch.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:48 pm

Had an email from Samsung. A new TV. Neo quid I think.
85 inches.

A tad under TWELVE GRAND!!!

It's a telly!!!

AlwaysClaret · Post by **AlwaysClaret** » Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:01 am

Interesting thread, just been through all this and ordered a new TV.

I had a media setup in my "man cave" but it was getting a few years old, I had a 1080p projector with an 80 Inch screen attached to an Xbox one via an Onkyo surround sound system.

I got a new Xbox series x but the problem was to get full use from it at 4k etc I would have to get a new 4k projector, that's when they nearly had to bring me around with smelling salts when I looked at the prices of 4k projectors.

Don't get paralysis by analysis, sometimes you can research yourself into the ground and end up thinking it's better to wait.

So a new setup was required, I ended up getting a 65 inch Samsung QE65 QLED because it has HDMI 2.1 so supports 4k at 120Hz and I am blown away by the picture quality and the difference it makes to gaming, the thing is slim and weighs hardly anything, I once nearly ended up in casualty trying to shift a Sony Trintron I bought at an auction, it weighed 60kg lol.

One thing to point out, you will need a new HDMI cable if you want to get 4k at 120hz BUT one does come in with the Xbox, wish I had known that before I spent £20 on a new one

I got a good deal via AO with 0% finance with nothing to pay for 12 months giving me time to sell all my other kit to put toward the £950 cost.

If anyone is interested in buying my other kit please give me a shout.

Xbox One
Optoma HD142X 1080p 3D DLP projector
80 Inch pop up screen
Onkyo TX-NR609 Home Theatre Receiver. 7.1
Samsung Speaker System (2 front, centre channel, 2 rears & sub)

UTC

Jambounchained · Post by **Jambounchained** » Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:59 am

Just got myself a 55” LG CX OLED for a really good price.

Picture is absolutely superb, the PS5 looks incredible.

Have it paired with the sonos playbase and 2 Sonos 1s acting as surround sound, the sound quality is truly brilliant.

icu81b4 · Post by **icu81b4** » Mon May 31, 2021 6:56 pm

I’m resurrecting this thread as I’m needing a new telly, and am wondering if any of the previous posters have come across unforeseen problems with their new tv’s / soundbars?

I have decided already that I don’t want another LG as the telly I have has been a right pain, mainly down to the ‘music flow’ sound system being too flaky ( I have a sound bar and two remote speakers with a bridge) and also two of the hdmi ports are faulty (no sound)

Also the sky box has burnt its news logo onto the screen (this I note was mentioned in a previous post)

Do all OLED screens have a risk of ‘burn’ ?

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Mon May 31, 2021 8:36 pm

icu81b4 wrote: ↑
Mon May 31, 2021 6:56 pm
Do all OLED screens have a risk of ‘burn’ ?

https://www.avforums.com/threads/oled-b ... k.2153056/

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:50 pm

I'm bumping this thread - I thought it was around two years old that I started it but just seen it's over three years ago.

NEWS: I'm finally getting a new TV. Choosing between two or three at the moment but almost there.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:55 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:50 pm
I'm bumping this thread - I thought it was around two years old that I started it but just seen it's over three years ago.

NEWS: I'm finally getting a new TV. Choosing between two or three at the moment but almost there.

You can get ones that don’t need to “warm up” now Tony!!!

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:29 pm

LG OLED.
Hope you have one on your shortlist CT.

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:44 am

You may be okay watching news channels/SSN now on an OLED, provided you keep the OLED backlight low when doing so.
Shopping for a TV can be complicated, so happy to help if you need it.

catcatcher · Post by **catcatcher** » Sat Jan 06, 2024 8:57 am

superdimitri wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:44 am
You may be okay watching news channels/SSN now on an OLED, provided you keep the OLED backlight low when doing so.
Shopping for a TV can be complicated, so happy to help if you need it.

What’s the issue with these channels please?

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Sat Jan 06, 2024 9:05 am

catcatcher wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 06, 2024 8:57 am
What’s the issue with these channels please?

They use a lot of stationary elements and tickers that can cause certain pixels to degrade faster than others.
This risk is increased by heat which in turn is also made worse by running a higher OLED backsight level.

I wouldn't buy an OLED if I used news channels or SSN lots. The effect is cumulative so an every day use of these will mean you see the degradation faster than just using it once on the weekend.

OLEDs are just not suited for the same background viewing many people have got used to. A lot of people just like keeping the news on in the background in the mornings or SSN running on match days.

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Sat Jan 06, 2024 9:11 am

As superdimitri says, if you watch a lot of content with static images or banners, OLED TVs can still be affected by premature aging.

The Sony X95L is the best alternative to an OLED.

Wokingclaret · Post by **Wokingclaret** » Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:26 am

Imagine that, the Bob Lord burnt into my TV

Freely coming soon

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 2:42 pm

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:29 pm
LG OLED.
Hope you have one on your shortlist CT.

I did have LG OLED on my shortlist and that’s what I’m opting for. Then it was deciding on size. I quickly realised that I would need some structural work to the house to fit in a 77” or bigger. After a long debate with myself I’m going for 55”.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 2:52 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 08, 2024 2:42 pm
I did have LG OLED on my shortlist and that’s what I’m opting for. Then it was deciding on size. I quickly realised that I would need some structural work to the house to fit in a 77” or bigger. After a long debate with myself I’m going for 55”.

I assume it still applies (a few years since I bought my current TV) but better to spend your budget on a smaller TV and get a better quality unit than a larger version one that likely won’t be as good (paying for size as opposed to quality).

You should in theory get more bang for your buck opting for a 55 as opposed to a 75.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:07 pm

DCWat wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 08, 2024 2:52 pm
I assume it still applies (a few years since I bought my current TV) but better to spend your budget on a smaller TV and get a better quality unit than a larger version one that likely won’t be as good (paying for size as opposed to quality).

You should in theory get more bang for your buck opting for a 55 as opposed to a 75.

I’d have been struggling to fit anything in over 65” to be honest but I just felt 55” would be more than big enough. It will look a lot different to the 38” Panasonic plasma that I’ve been watching for almost 15 years.

Hipper · Post by **Hipper** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:10 pm

My TV is 50" and I sit 2.8m away from it. I find that fine. I have it at eye level my eye in line with its centre.

I've never been interested in surround sound etc as I don't particularly watch modern films. What I use is this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... =UTF8&th=1

The TV sits on top of it. It works pretty well and can be set up to use with the TV remote so you only need one remote. It doesn't take headphones though.

Longsidelenny1882 · Post by **Longsidelenny1882** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 7:43 pm

Bought a 65 inch flat screen tv without a remote last week in the pub £50 couldn’t turn it down

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 7:57 pm

Longsidelenny1882 wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 08, 2024 7:43 pm
Bought a 65 inch flat screen tv without a remote last week in the pub £50 couldn’t turn it down

Clovius Boofus · Post by **Clovius Boofus** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:24 pm

Longsidelenny1882 wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 08, 2024 7:43 pm
Bought a 65 inch flat screen tv without a remote last week in the pub £50 couldn’t turn it down

I once bought one in a pub too. I could even see it working. The guy who sold it to me had kindly mounted it on the pub wall.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:35 pm

I must add, I received some excellent advice and help from Richer Sounds

Clovius Boofus · Post by **Clovius Boofus** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:40 pm

I swear by Richer Sounds. We've been using them for 25 years for TV and hi-fi.

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:43 pm

I got really fed up of my array of surround sound speakers, and bought a modern soundbar with a separate beefy subwoofer which tucks out of sight. The soundbar is very unobtrusive.

It sounds great, I don't miss the surround sound stuff.

ClaretOfMancunia · Post by **ClaretOfMancunia** » Mon Jan 08, 2024 10:01 pm

Anyone have a recommendation on the best TV 45-55" under £500?

Fretters · Post by **Fretters** » Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:04 am

ClaretOfMancunia wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 08, 2024 10:01 pm
Anyone have a recommendation on the best TV 45-55" under £500?

Slightly over budget but I have two of these:

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/lg-55 ... lsrc=aw.ds

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Tue Jan 09, 2024 1:49 pm

B3, C3 or G3?
Richer can be good but they can also give bad advice sometimes. Depends who you get and where you go.

With the cheaper models Hisense and TCL rule the market. Typically offer a lot more for your money.

brunlea99 · Post by **brunlea99** » Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:53 pm

Richer Sounds have a great deal on at the moment with LG. I've just purchased (arrives tomorrow), an LG 55" OLED G3 and it comes with a free LG G1 Soundbar which has an rrp of £799.

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:55 pm

I picked up one of these just before Christmas for the same price £999 from John Lewis with 5 years warranty - it's bloody fantastic, head and shoulders above my old 55" Sony Bravia, and we sit about 2.5m from the screen and it isn't too big. In fact I don't need my glasses to see it now !

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/lg-75 ... _id=249371

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:40 pm

brunlea99 wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:53 pm
Richer Sounds have a great deal on at the moment with LG. I've just purchased (arrives tomorrow), an LG 55" OLED G3 and it comes with a free LG G1 Soundbar which has an rrp of £799.

I’m on a cheaper LG 55” OLED C3. The free soundbar has proved useful too given I was going to buy one. It’s not arriving until Thursday next week but the delivery date was my choice. Really pleased with the help & advice I got from them too.

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Tue Jan 09, 2024 10:04 pm

: Screenshot 2024-01-09 21.59.56.png (42.31 KiB) Viewed 1623 times

We opted for one of these a couple of days ago from John Lewis.
There was an extra £50 off on the day too.

Very pleased with it.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Tue Jan 09, 2024 10:31 pm

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 09, 2024 10:04 pm
Screenshot 2024-01-09 21.59.56.png

We opted for one of these a couple of days ago from John Lewis.
There was an extra £50 off on the day too.

Very pleased with it.

The TV I'll be saying goodbye to next week is a Panasonic - if you get half the value out of yours as I have then you will have done really well.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:49 pm

Finally I can bring my thread to an end. The new TV arrived today. Getting it set up was easy but it’s taken me an age to get the soundbar working. Not sure what I was doing wrong.

Thanks for all the advice received over the last three years.

benbfc · Post by **benbfc** » Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:05 pm

15 Years on Tony!...

This is my most recent purchase... Samsung QE65QN93CATXXU 65 done after a fair bit of research.
The other one in the house is a 55" Sony - about 3 years old. Never had a bad Sony...

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:03 pm

benbfc wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:05 pm
15 Years on Tony!...

This is my most recent purchase... Samsung QE65QN93CATXXU 65 done after a fair bit of research.
The other one in the house is a 55" Sony - about 3 years old. Never had a bad Sony...

The one I bought on your advice really has been brilliant. I’ve only had one Sony and it was the worst set I’ve ever had. I’ve gone for LG this time and 55” was big enough.

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:23 pm

Good news, happy viewing!

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:39 am

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:48 pm
Had an email from Samsung. A new TV. Neo quid I think.
85 inches.

A tad under TWELVE GRAND!!!

It's a telly!!!

Buy two Ian, one for each eye

Big Vinny K · Post by **Big Vinny K** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:34 pm

The guy who fit my TV said that Sky Glass is one of the worst TVs he has ever seen.
Said that the technology is not advanced enough for this type of tv yet and the few he had installed all had problems.

The Samsung TV I got is great - no point posting the model number as it was 12 months ago and things change so quickly. But what I did was ring Richer Sounds and discussed it with them over the phone.
I’d got a couple of recommended ones to look at and had an idea of what I wanted to spend. Richer Sounds were great - they price match too and 5 year warranty.

John Lewis is also good in terms of price match, warranties and delivery and customer service is good. But they don’t really offer the up front technical advice to help you choose.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:17 pm

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:39 am
Buy two Ian, one for each eye

Took your advice Vegas! Nothing like two x 85 for perspective!

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:02 pm

Big Vinny K wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:34 pm

The Samsung TV I got is great - no point posting the model number as it was 12 months ago and things change so quickly. But what I did was ring Richer Sounds and discussed it with them over the phone.
I’d got a couple of recommended ones to look at and had an idea of what I wanted to spend. Richer Sounds were great - they price match too and 5 year warranty.

John Lewis is also good in terms of price match, warranties and delivery and customer service is good. But they don’t really offer the up front technical advice to help you choose.

I spoke with Richer Sounds having spoken to a member of this message board - can't fault them at all, they offered really good advice and were so helpful throughout the process.