Entries in 4K UHD (32)
Preview: Sharp AQUOS 4K UD27 Line
Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 1:45PM 
Updated on January 16, 2015: clarified HDCP 2.2 support
Sharp was once the only option for premium 1080p LCD televisions, and now its latest line of 4K screens is promising finely tuned imagery and quality design features at equally attractive prices. The Sharp AQUOS 4K Ultra HD TVs feature THX 4K certification that involves more than 400 lab tests to help ensure an accurate and pleasing picture. Framed in aluminum trim, these new 4K TVs are part of Sharp's UD27 line and are currently available in screen sizes of 60-inches and 70-inches.
The UD27's screen features the latest 4K display technology, and the TVs incorporate features that should please anyone looking to futureproof a 4K display investment:
- 120Hz refresh rate with backlight scanning/blinking for improved motion resolution performance
- Four HDMI 2.0 ports that accept 4K video signals at up to 60 frames per second (4K60)
- One 4K HDMI input (port #3) accepts Y'CbCr 4:4:4 and the other three accept Y'CbCr 4:2:0 (chroma subsampling)
- Only HDMI port #4 is HDCP 2.2-enabled (also MHL-enabled) for use with copy protected 4K sources like the Sony FMP-X10 (read my review)
- H.265/HEVC-enabled for 4K video streaming (Netflix)
- Simplified single screen and mobile app (Android and iOS) for control, content discovery, and search
I'm curious to see if the UD27 will delivery good motion resolution with video originated from 24fps material (most feature movies) without overly smoothing the look of on-screen action. And for supersized PC gaming, I'm interested in testing its HDMI ports for compatibility with 1080p input at 120Hz. A review sample has been requested - stay tuned!
Read my full review of the Sharp AQUOS 4K Ultra HD LED TV.
Review: Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 10:13PM 
Owners of 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) televisions soon discover that the current selection of 4K movies and TV shows is pathetically limited. The Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player delivers more 4K content than any other set top box, and a recent update frees the FMP-X10 from Sony-only TV use enabling it to work with any 4K UHD display that supports HDCP v2.2 copy protection.
Simple setup
The X10 is simple to setup and use, and it features a second audio-only HDMI output that enables it to easily integrate with HDMI AV receivers that lack support for the necessary copy protection (most).
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Conveniently, Netflix 4K streaming is built in, and Amazon 4K Instant Video will be added early 2015. Sony uses the AVC (H.264) codec for downloaded 4K movies saved to the FMP-X10's 1TB internal hard drive, and streaming 4K content is encoded with HEVC (H.265). The high bitrate of the downloaded movies I sampled made for an exceptionally detailed viewing experience - particularly with newer digital productions. The more time I spent viewing the X10's impressive high resolution imagery the more it increased my urge to upgrade to a larger TV or 4K projector to better appreciate it.
To buy or not to buy
Sony has created a terrific 4K viewing experience with the FMP-X10, but I wanted more. The X10's selection of movies and TV shows must expand with regular updates to ensure long term enjoyment. Many titles have affordable rental options, but some content is only available for purchase and prices are not exactly cheap. It's still early in the 4K UHD scene, and gear like the Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player is helping to fill in the current content gaps - even it the price of admission is a bit steep.
Update
Sony has confirmed that its 4K movie library is encoded in lossless multichannel LPCM audio - it sounded lossless! Also, most of the 4K feature films and TV episodes available via Sony's Video Unlimited service are encoded using x.v.Color, a wider color gamut than BT.709, which "delivers deeper colors, especially reds." However, we await further details regarding the proper method of evaluating displays and video optimized for the expanded color palette the x.v.Color spec.
Read the full review of the Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player at HD Guru!
Review: Sony XBR-X900B 4K TV
Monday, October 6, 2014 at 4:36PM Updated October 9, 2014: added a note about HDCP v2.2 support
One rarely encounters a TV with good built in speakers, and it's rarer still when the same TV provides gaming entertainment that doesn't feel like a bunch of rejected smartphone apps. The Sony XBR-X900B Series 4K Ultra HD TV brings fun, style, and sound while delivering some of the best calibrated imagery that I've seen this year.
4K60 ready
The X900B is one of the few TV's currently available that accepts PC graphics output at 4K resolutions up to a 60Hz refresh rate (4K60). While 4K60 isn't critical for home theater viewing (yet), it is a sign that this Sony LCD can handle the gear you currently own and stands ready for what's coming in the near future.
Gaming goodness
And while this TV won't replace a next-generation gaming console, having Sony's PlayStation Now cloud gaming service built in adds dozens of decent games ready for easy rental enjoyment - just add your own DualShock controller.
In the lab
For an edge-lit LCD with local dimming technology, the X900B's screen had good brightness uniformity, and movies with letterbox bars held up well in a dimly lit room. Its selection of apps, media playback capabilities, and sensitive over-the-air tuner also pleased the cordcutter in me.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Impressive all-around
The Sony X900B Series 4K Ultra HD TV impressed my eyes with its accurate calibrated color and picture contrast. That it sounded as good as it looked was a bonus I appreciated whenever I wasn't in the mood to fire up the AV receiver.
Note: A test of the X900B's HDMI ports revealed that ports 1 and 2 accepted a UHD video source that required HDCP v2.2.
Read the full review of the Sony XBR-X900B Series 4K Ultra HD TV at HD Guru.
Review: DVDO AVLab TPG
Monday, September 22, 2014 at 11:14AM 
Video calibration and testing is tedious, exacting work. The end result, however, is our ability to objectively convey relevant information to you, plus make our favorite projectors and TVs look and perform at their absolute best. The need to examine dozens (if not hundreds) of video test patterns to properly evaluate display performance is the primary time-sink in the whole process.
Enthusiasts with a little know-how, a Blu-ray player, and a decent test disc can perform their own basic display evaluation and setup. Manually navigating a disc is tedious though, and there are limited test patterns available. If you wish to increase the speed and accuracy of the job at hand, a dedicated test pattern generator (TPG) will change your life.
Most test pattern generators are bulky, expensive boxes that can cost as much as a used car. If you need a TPG that supports the latest features, like 4K/2160p, we're talking about gear that can cost as much as a nice used car.
The signal processing masters at DVDO have introduced the AVLab TPG that eschews the bulk and cost of its competitors by delivering digital video goodness in a package that literally fits in your pocket.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Design
About the size of a deck of playing cards, the AVLab TPG is wrapped in a tough metal enclosure that provides a bit of heft for the diminutive unit. Fragile it is not, and that's a good thing for any piece of kit that's expected to perform flawlessly in the field.
One reason for the TPG's compact design is that it’s an HDMI-only video device. The lack of analog video support isn't really critical anymore. The HDMI-passthrough design of the TPG allows for in-line placement: slotting between a display and a source device like a Blu-ray player.
The TPG’s HDMI input is also MHL-enabled for easy charging of connected mobile devices. Keeping with the all-digital theme, a S/PDIF optical audio output is also present if needed.
Control
The AVLab TPG keeps on-device control simple with two easily operated buttons. One for output format and one for test pattern selection. An infrared remote enables selection and control of the TPG's numerous output capabilities via a clean and legible on-screen menu system. This includes access to:
- More than 85 built in test patterns
- 20+ video format output options
- BT.601, BT.709, and full range RGB color spaces
- 8, 10, and 12-bit output
Video format support includes SD through 4K, as well as 50Hz/60Hz refresh rates, and 4K/2160p at 60Hz using YCbCr 4:2:0 as defined in the HDMI 2.0 spec.
An information menu option is useful for verifying incoming and outgoing signals.
Updates and integration
The TPG's USB port makes it easy for owners to apply firmware updates (I tested with v1.02) that add new features and functionality after its initial release. However, the best use of the AVLab TPG's USB port is for supplying power, along with direct PC control. This allows automation of the display calibration and testing process.
Calibration software packages compatible with the TPG include: SpectraCAL's CalMAN v5 or later, ChromaPure Professional v2.5.1 or later, and HCFR Colormeter. If you don’t have compatible software, the AVLab TPG is slightly less exciting, as the user misses out on automated control and the ability to generate variable window sizes and RGB triplets for custom color measurements.
The TPG's user guide provides a nicely organized chart of serial command protocols for anyone interested in crafting their own software control scheme.
In the box
The DVDO AVLab TPG includes everything you need to get it up and running with a minimum of fuss:
- HDMI cable
- Micro USB adapter cable
- A/C power adapter
- Padded travel case
Cost
Video generators like the DVDO AVLab TPG are not cheap, but compared to the alternatives, its $1,300 price tag is a downright bargain. Other HDMI-only video generators, like the VideoForge HDMI, only provide 1080p output for the same price as the AVLab TPG. A 4K VideoForge unit bumps the price up to $4,000. The Quantum Data 804A is among the most capable 4K HDMI generators currently available, but is $6000.
Bottom line
With its ease of use, firmware updatability, and relatively low price, the DVDO AVLab TPG enables a display professional or hard-core enthusiast to spend less time in the calibration and setup process and more time appreciating the end result.
Review: Samsung Smart HU8550 UHD TV
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 8:57AM Updated October 15, 2014: added a note about HDCP v2.2 support
The Samsung Smart HU8550 UHD TV impressed me with its accurate grayscale and color quality right out-of-the-box - critical display characteristics for faithful video reproduction. The HU8550-series is also Samsung's best non-curved UHD TV with a sub-5-digit pricetag, and it features an array of advanced picture controls that will enable a skilled calibrator to improve upon the HU8550's already admirable imagery.
Blu-ray Movies for Less Than $10!
Practically perfect viewing
The HU8550 had few quirks, but a surprising overscan issue should interest cordcutters. And while I prefer the the overall image quality of a quality plasma like the Samsung F8500 or an OLED like the LG 55EC9300 (read review), the HU8550's efficient, high-resolution screen delivers a visual reward to anyone seated in its viewing sweet spot.
Best remote ever
The Smart Control Remote included with the Samsung HU8550 is the best I've used with any television. In the video below, I show how the Smart Control Remote uses a combination of infrared and Bluetooth communication to enable precise control of an on-screen cursor for speedy menu navigation.
Note: A test of the HU8550's HDMI ports revealed that port #3 was the only one to accept a UHD video source that required HDCP v2.2.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Bottom line
Samsung perfected its video processing technology years ago and the HU8550 continues the tradition of doing everything right with a variety of common video formats like 720p and 1080i. The HU8550 also incorporates edge local dimming technology for improved picture contrast compared to LCDs that lack this zoned screen dimming feature. With letterboxed movies viewed in a dimly lit environment, the HU8550 makes the black bars inky dark further enhancing the viewing experience.
Read the full review of the Samsung Smart HU8550 UHD TV at HD Guru!
