Five big 4K TVs at an affordable price
We independently test the products and technologies that we recommend.
A detailed comparison of the technical parameters of the models from the selection is given in the summary table
The most affordable representative of the kind of 4K TVs from the South Korean company LG in 55-inch size. However, the model is notable not for a single 4K, but also for the ability to reproduce HDR content.
LG 55UH605V operates under the control of the webOS 3.0 TV operating system. It is deservedly considered one of the most functional and intuitive smart shells, and the Magic Remote helps the system to fully open up. In addition to a wide variety of applications for watching TV shows, movies and online videos, the "smart" component on board the TV allows you to access the Internet via a built-in browser.
The smart platform is far from the only source of high-quality and interesting content for the TV. You can also organize the broadcast of TV shows using digital tuners for receiving signals of terrestrial (DVB-T2), cable (DVB-C) and satellite (DVB-S2) broadcasting, either by connecting to the model using Miracast and Wi-Di wireless technologies from a smartphone, or using external devices and data storage devices. They are connected via HDMI ports (3 pcs.) and USB (only once, and even that is located on the back of the case, which makes it difficult to access it when hanging the TV on a wall bracket).
Two speakers with a total power of 20 watts with the proprietary Clear Voice III function are embedded in the body of the model. Its use allows you to separate speech in movies or TV shows from background sounds. An external speaker connected to the TV via an optical output or a 3.5mm mini-jack can serve as a replacement for the built-in audio system. In the dry balance, the LG 55UH605V will be the preferred option for those who are limited in finances, but extremely want to get a large-format 4K panel.
The South Korean company Samsung offers to enjoy the delights of 4K on a large screen for a reasonable price in a series of TVs with an index of 6100. Although it is affordable, it is by no means the weakest from a functional point of view.
For a number of objective reasons, Samsung UE-55MU6100U becomes the optimal choice for home use with the best price-quality ratio. The 55-inch panel fits perfectly into the interior of a living room or a large bedroom, where it can be mounted on a curved stand or hung on the wall using a VESA 400x400 mm mount. The second mounting option is preferable, since the stability of the TV on the stand cannot be called strong.
The realism of the reproduced image is added by the support of HDR technology (if there is appropriate content). Its use improves the quality of colour rendering and helps to pull out more details in light and dark areas of the image. However, to achieve such a depth of black colour, which is provided by OLED panels, the TV is still not under the force due to the peculiarities of the backlight.
The basis of the TV interface is the Smart Hub shell, rolled on top of the Tizen 3.0 TV operating system. It smartly responds to user commands and provides access to online video viewing services, online movie libraries, games and other compatible applications. You can control the shell both by remote control and by voice commands.
The user is provided with a wide range of connection interfaces on the back panel, in particular 3 HDMI ports, one of which has support for the ARC function. It is through him that it is possible to connect an external soundbar to the TV. However, inexperienced viewers will have enough sound from a pair of built-in broadband speakers with a total power of 20 watts. Almost the same characteristics are possessed by a fellow model — curved Samsung UE-55MU6200 55 " , which allows you to plunge more deeply into what is happening on the screen.
The range of Philips TVs consists of a wide variety of representatives for every taste and colour. One of the most affordable large-diagonal devices with smart functionality on board is the Philips 55PUS6101 model. The price tag is smaller, except that the TV Philips 55PUH4900 55 " , devoid of SmartTV support.
The device is made in the so—called ultraslim form factor — with minimal frames around the 55-inch screen and in a thin case. Reducing the thickness of the case did not affect the development of the interface component of the model: in its arsenal there are 4 HDMI ports and 3 USB outputs for connecting third-party devices and data carriers.
The picture on the TV screen is displayed in a maximum resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, which corresponds to the UtraHD format (or 4K, as is more familiar to anyone). In the absence of proper content, the TV converts the incoming signal to a higher resolution at the software level (Ultra Resolution function). Uninterrupted broadcast of 4K videos is achieved by organizing a stable Wi-Fi connection or a wired connection of the model to the network with a data exchange rate of at least 40 Mbit/s.
The owners of Philips 55PUS6101 have no claims to the quality of colour rendering, colorfulness and saturation of the image. But many people would like to see the functionality of the smart shell of the TV more developed. Also, users sometimes complain about the suspension of the SmartTV interface.
The TV rests on elegant stand legs or can be hung on the wall by using a VESA mount of 400x200 mm. The closest relative of the model looks more interesting on the wall — the TV Philips 55PUS6401 55 " with proprietary Ambilight background lighting. Having a price tag not much more expensive, he paints the space behind him in the colours of the corresponding sections of the image on the screen, visually increasing the size of the transmitted image.
The name of the Chinese company TCL is not on the ear of the broad masses of the east european public. Nevertheless, she is one of the three world leaders in terms of TV sales volumes, and is also the copyright holder of the Thomson brand, which was popular in the recent past.
There are no special excesses in the 55-inch 4K panel, but the entire necessary range of functions for a comfortable pastime in front of the TV screen is present in the arsenal of the model. For example, it can scale a signal with a lower resolution to UltraHD format (3840x2160 pixels) using Super Resolution EX technology. The sources of content in this case can be both network media libraries, access to which is provided by its own SmartTV shell, and external devices connected to the TV via one of the four HDMI ports or two USB ports.
The SmartTV platform does not support all applications common in the east european expanses. For example, the popular Oll.there is no TV and Megogo, but the Divan application is sewn into the "brain" of the shell.TV and a great many foreign services with access to free film libraries. Also, do not forget that as an alternative to a branded smart shell, you can always use external set-top boxes.
The picture displayed on the TV screen can be flexibly adjusted in the settings menu. Image processing can be turned off altogether, which will reduce the input lag time when using the model as a means of displaying images in games. By the way, it is possible to control the functions of the TV directly from a smartphone, for which you will need to install the appropriate application on your mobile device. From it, you can also broadcast a video signal wirelessly using Miracast technology.
Sony TVs are supplied to consumers with a pre-installed version of AndroidTV OS, adapted to large diagonal screens. The beauty of the system is that it opens access to a huge number of compatible applications, with which you can significantly "pump" the functional level of the TV.
The intuitive tiled menu interface is also an integral part of the TV version of the "operating system". By the way, it is thanks to the possibility of installing third-party programs that Sony KD—55XD7005 boasts an omnivore for reading various file formats — if some of them cannot open the built-in player, the user always has the right to use any third-party application to play videos.
The belonging of the model to the basic echelon of 4K TVs is emphasized by the low level of contrast and the manifestation of minor flaws in colour rendering. Still, we have a model without a lot of "improvers" of the picture. 4K X-Reality Pro and HDR technologies are designed to correct the situation to some extent, but 4K content in the extended dynamic range has not yet been widely distributed.
The low delay time of the video signal and smooth playback of highly dynamic scenes increases the attractiveness of the model in the eyes of gamers. To connect a game console or other devices, 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB outputs and a set of standard interfaces are displayed on the back panel of the TV. Finally, a complete set of tuners for receiving digital TV signals (DVB-T2, DVB-C and DVB-S/S2) allows you to watch broadcasts the old-fashioned way, but with the display of the TV programme and all other useful "buns" of the digital TV era.
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