Are large curved TVs better/preferred than same size but flat screens?

[SaltyNuts]

We saw these curved ones in the store, and the girlfriend loves them. But do they stand up (figuratively) over time? If there are lots of people in the room, does the curve make it hard to see parts of the TV?

Thanks for any help!

 

[razel]

Just like 3D TV, curved screens at home screen sizes are a face palm. Maybe if we all had Cinerama or 2-4 story building IMAX screens, then you'll want curved otherwise, the only good thing they have done like 3D TV is reduce pricing of non curved TVs.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Interesting Razel. But why are they so face palm? I get that they are not really needed to see everything on the screen, but why is it necessarily bad to have the screen kind of sort of curved around you? At a minimum it should keep the different pieces of the screen more equal distant from your eyes.

Thanks for the input!

 

[tential]

http://www.cnet.com/news/trouble-with-the-curve-what-you-need-to-know-about-curved-tvs/

Articles like the above should help you out. When even big blogs are against it, you know it's a gimmick.

I found these to be the worst points:

3. The curve creates subtle geometric distortions. The most prominent is the slight bow-tie shape, where the edges of the screen seem larger than the middle. It's most noticeable on letterbox bars and other content with horizontal lines that stretch across the screen, but again, it's not that obvious from the standard position/distance.

As I moved off-angle, the distortions increased. The near edge seemed larger than it should be, and the middle to far middle seemed too small, before growing again at the far edge. A flat TV also has its own distortions, of course, but to me the ones on the curved TV were slightly more obvious.

2. The impact of the curve on the picture is subtle, and it provides no increase in immersion. The curve can be obvious in person and especially in images and video shot from the sides and above, but when you're watching it from the couch, it basically disappears. At my house, I asked visitors watching the TV whether they noticed anything different about the new TV, and nobody mentioned the curve.

In no case did I notice the increase in "immersion" supposedly brought on by the curve. The image seemed no more immersive than any other 65-inch TV, either in isolation or in a comparison lineup.

Instead of spending more and getting a stupid curved TV. Spend more and get a BIGGER tv if you want to increase immersion. A 55 inch/60 inch curved TV would do nothing for me. My 70 inch HDTV was great. Vizio P Series was mean, and refused to give me an 80 inch version. But, now I want a large screen monitor, but still, spending more to get a curved screen, vs a bigger screen is the stupidest thing you can do IMO.

 

[razel]

I would look at these 3D and/or curved TVs as a way of them to want you to buy a new one. However, look at it from the other standpoint where they have reduced the prices of the non 3D/curved TVs. That's what I'm happy about. 10 years ago 60" was $3k for a rear projection. Now you can get an entry level 60" @ $500! Decents ones are just a hundred or so more!

If you are in the market for a new one, it's a good idea not to scrape the bottom. I recommend not getting 4K for any screen size under 65". It's just not worth it when you are sitting down 8" away. Also 4K delivery standards have not QUITE been finalized yet. It close enough though. We'll find out at CES in a few months. Additionally that new standard also included wide color gamut which demands TVs that can display it calibrated... which is good news for us. Finally a good reason to buy a new TV... a color accurate display.

As of now if you are in the market, stick to 1080p. Don't spend more than $1500. Make sure it's got a good antiglare coating and you'll be happy. Don't bother with SmartTV... well they nearly all are so don't let it's smartTV features make you spend more. The future is streaming unless cable/satellite companies start reducing prices. BluRay will still be around for high quality 4K movies and p0rn.

 

[BurnItDwn]

with a 106 inch sized screen, the distance from the edges of the screen to the eyes vs the distance to the center of the screen to the eyes varies quite a bit (like 12 feet to farthest corner, around 8 feet from center) a cuved screen would be an improvement for sure ...

However, its really only usefull for large screens.

 

[Zivic]

Just like 3D TV, curved screens at home screen sizes are a face palm. Maybe if we all had Cinerama or 2-4 story building IMAX screens, then you'll want curved otherwise, the only good thing they have done like 3D TV is reduce pricing of non curved TVs.

I just bought an LG 65ef9500 (OLED) and the 3d is amazing. I didn't buy it for the 3d aspect, but it is pretty cool, and will be watching 3d movies with it.

as far as the curves go, if you had a 70"+ display, I would say maybe. OP is probably refering to LCD panels which have horrible viewing angles as it is, so realistically the curve isn't going to be much worse for off axis viewing. if you like it, go for it.

 

[JackBurton]

I just bought an LG 65ef9500 (OLED) and the 3d is amazing. I didn't buy it for the 3d aspect, but it is pretty cool, and will be watching 3d movies with it.

as far as the curves go, if you had a 70"+ display, I would say maybe. OP is probably refering to LCD panels which have horrible viewing angles as it is, so realistically the curve isn't going to be much worse for off axis viewing. if you like it, go for it.

Congrats Zivic on an AWESOME set! I will NOT consider anything other than OLED now. That LG set is amazing and the 3D is better than any theater I've been too, including IMAX. I wasn't a big 3D guy, but this set made me a believer. Absolutely amazing. I'm looking to get the 55" version for my bedroom soon.

As for curved, LGs isn't so bad. Very slight curve. So slight I'd dare say I wouldn't mind it, if I wasn't planning to wall mount it.