Aldi 4K TV for £299.99

barbeler · 11-09-2015, 20:30

It has the usual 3-year guarantee, but the refresh rate is only 60Hz. How important is this in the real world, rather than to the techie-trainspotter types?

http://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys...k-ultra-hd-tv/

Chris Frost · 11-09-2015, 20:56

It does tend to make motion less blurry on LED TVs. I'm not sure whether that's the main issue though. A Blaupunkt/Bush/Techwood or other supermarket/no name 40" TV will be around the £220-£250. Most of those will be 50 or 60Hz refresh as well and have just a 12 month warranty. This is the same screen size and with an extra 2 yrs warranty and it's 4K. How many other corners besides higher refresh rate do you think might have been cut to pay for the 4K screen?

barbeler · 11-09-2015, 21:04

I've heard that the onboard sound isn't up there with the best, but that's no problem if you already have a sound bar. I noticed that it has a LAN connection, but what's the purpose of that if it's not a smart TV? With a 3-year guarantee it doesn't seem too much of a risk at that price. After reading reviews of what Aldi are selling elsewhere I'm guessing it's a Bauhn model, but I don't know anything about those – not that it really matters, as most TVs seem to have the same components these days.

Edit: after checking the Bauhn website, they don't seem to do a 40" 4K TV.

koantemplation · 11-09-2015, 21:10

I went to Aldi the other week to get one of the notebooks they had advertised.

Got there 5 mins to 8am. was the only person there for the note book, and they only had ONE in the store, which thankfully I got.

I'm not sure if they'll have many TVs either.

Winston_1 · 11-09-2015, 21:41

But as has been said before as the 4K broadcast spec has not been finalised it is rather pointless.

anthony david · 12-09-2015, 10:40

Remember the old saying, "Buy cheap buy twice". What do you think you will get for that price?

barbeler · 12-09-2015, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony david

Remember the old saying, "Buy cheap buy twice". What do you think you will get for that price?

A 40" 4K TV with a 3-year guarantee for £299.99. The refresh rate is the only thing that concerns me, although I can't imagine that anybody would go to the trouble of making one if its refresh rate made it unwatchable.

Deacon1972 · 12-09-2015, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbeler

A 40" 4K TV with a 3-year guarantee for £299.99. The refresh rate is the only thing that concerns me, although I can't imagine that anybody would go to the trouble of making one if its refresh rate made it unwatchable.

What version HDMI has it got 1.4 or 2.0, has it got HDCP 2.2, HEVC?

If no to any of the above if will be very limited in what 4k it will show, ie, no Netflix, Amazon (if/ever available via dedicated app) or UHD bluray/broadcasts.

1andrew1 · 12-09-2015, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbeler

Edit: after checking the Bauhn website, they don't seem to do a 40" 4K TV.

The sticker on the power consumption label says Bauhn. But isn't Bauhn just Aldi's own brand, so could be made by anyone?
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuy...k-ultra-hd-tv/

Spruce · 12-09-2015, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

The sticker on the power consumption label says Bauhn. But isn't Bauhn just Aldi's own brand, so could be made by anyone?
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuy...k-ultra-hd-tv/

Aldi's suggestion on other products you might like; TV wall bracket & beer.

mac2708 · 12-09-2015, 13:43

Have you read the review?

★★★★★
★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars. Zaxx · 15 hours ago
Absolute rubbish
It is absolute rubbish....

✘ No, I do not recommend this product.
31 people found this review helpful.61 people did not find this review helpful.
Helpful?
Yes · 31 31 people found this review helpful. Click to agree.No · 61 61 people did not find this review helpful. Click to agree.Report
Response from Aldi Stores Limited:
Catrina · CSD · 3 hours ago
Hi Zaxx. Thank you for your rating and review. We are sorry to hear about your experience with our 40" 4K Ultra HD TV. We have taken on board your comments and logged them for the Buying team.

koantemplation · 12-09-2015, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac2708

Have you read the review?

★★★★★
★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars. Zaxx · 15 hours ago
Absolute rubbish
It is absolute rubbish.....

Not a very helpful review. They could at least say why they thought it was rubbish.

I'm sure they are correct but some people might not mind the reasons why they didn't like it.

Lidtop2013 · 12-09-2015, 23:00

I wouldn't bother, just save a few hundred more and buy a better one, and that's my opinion BEFORE I even read the one (and only) review on the website, which as above says "it's absolute rubbish"! Not very promising I'd say.

surfie · 13-09-2015, 07:15

I've looked at some of the other cheaper 4k options and found the cheapest brand name one to be a Panasonic from Currys PC World for £459.

This has a refresh rate of 200 Hz, but some of the reviews on that mention on other websites mention motion lag on any high speed movement, as well as blurring. Also not all 4k TVs on offer are actually 4k, but UHD http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/fea...po8QCitkzN3LZY

mkultr4 · 13-09-2015, 18:43

I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose.
It is a bauhn tv for what it's worth. No smart features.
I noticed the sound was a bit tinny even for a fairly slim tv. I also thought that while the picture was pretty crisp on standard hd, there was a kind of washed out pink hue to the picture although that could have been some thing that could be corrected by adjusting setting.
Don't know what the 4k was Like as I don't have any 4k media.
The one and only review mentioned a few posts above was actuality made before the tv was available.

Nigel Goodwin · 13-09-2015, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkultr4

I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose.

Might be for software updates?.

Lidtop2013 · 13-09-2015, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkultr4

I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose.
It is a bauhn tv for what it's worth. No smart features.
I noticed the sound was a bit tinny even for a fairly slim tv. I also thought that while the picture was pretty crisp on standard hd, there was a kind of washed out pink hue to the picture although that could have been some thing that could be corrected by adjusting setting.
Don't know what the 4k was Like as I don't have any 4k media.
The one and only review mentioned a few posts above was actuality made before the tv was available.

So it was crap then, no surprises there!!

Don't get me wrong, might be good for a second bedroom TV or something, but not a everyday living room one

barbeler · 14-09-2015, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac2708

Have you read the review?

★★★★★
★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars. Zaxx · 15 hours ago
Absolute rubbish
It is absolute rubbish....

You might have been wise to wait a little longer, rather than relying on a review written before it was even available.

I'll wait until there are a few more before reaching any conclusions. It seems odd that somebody else reviewed in when they hadn't even looked at the menu. In my experience, most TVs are appalling when viewed in their original factory settings. I'm slightly more concerned about the sound; I wouldn't need it produce massive volume, but a nicely balanced tone is important. I don't have a sound bar and it would partly cancel out the low price if it was necessary to buy one.

skinj · 14-09-2015, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winston_1

But as has been said before as the 4K broadcast spec has not been finalised it is rather pointless.

Except it's not pointless at all. 4K will initially be for subscription services first, then maybe (and that is a huge maybe, as Freeview have stated they have no plans to broadcast 4K in the near future) free to view at some point in the future, by which point most of the 4K sets in circulation now, especially the dirt cheep ones like this, are probably going to have been replaced anyway.
Almost all the 4K in the immediate future will be streamed content from a provider like BT, Netflix, Amazon Prime etc or possibly a Sky 4K/Virgin 4K box, none of which require integrated 4K tuners in the TV.

skinj · 14-09-2015, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkultr4

I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose.
It is a bauhn tv for what it's worth. No smart features.
I noticed the sound was a bit tinny even for a fairly slim tv. I also thought that while the picture was pretty crisp on standard hd, there was a kind of washed out pink hue to the picture although that could have been some thing that could be corrected by adjusting setting.
Don't know what the 4k was Like as I don't have any 4k media.
The one and only review mentioned a few posts above was actuality made before the tv was available.

If the set is Freeview HD, an Ethernet port is a requirement. It's to allow over the top content to be streamed by the broadcasters such as iPlayer via the RedButton on BBC.

surfie · 14-09-2015, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbeler

You might have been wise to wait a little longer, rather than relying on a review written before it was even available.

I'll wait until there are a few more before reaching any conclusions. It seems odd that somebody else reviewed in when they hadn't even looked at the menu. In my experience, most TVs are appalling when viewed in their original factory settings. I'm slightly more concerned about the sound; I wouldn't need it produce massive volume, but a nicely balanced tone is important. I don't have a sound bar and it would partly cancel out the low price if it was necessary to buy one.

The best advice is not to rush out now and by a 4k TV unless you TV is about to go wrong. I doubt very much whether the on Aldi have on offer is the full 4k TV anyhow, much in the way you can get HD and Full HD TVs

It's worth reading this DS article of 4k TVs It says that unless your TV is due for retirement, it's best to wait until the main broadcasters/sky get on board with 4k, along with TV's that have built in DVB-UHDTV tuners.

Lidtop2013 · 14-09-2015, 22:09

So there's "4k ready" and "full 4k" TVs? I thought they were either "4k" meaning full 4k or "UHD" or "SUHD", they all mean the same thing no?

barbeler · 15-09-2015, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfie

I doubt very much whether the on Aldi have on offer is the full 4k TV anyhow, much in the way you can get HD and Full HD TVs

The Aldi TV is 3840 x 2160 resolution.

Quote from TechRadar:

Quote:

Difference between Ultra HD and 4K

Technically, "Ultra High Definition" is actually a derivation of the 4K digital cinema standard. However while your local multiplex shows images in native 4096 x 2160 4K resolution, the new Ultra HD consumer format has a slightly lower resolution of 3840 X 2160.

This is one reason why some brands prefer not to use the 4K label at all, sticking with Ultra HD or UHD instead. However, the numerical shorthand looks likely to stick. As a broad brush label it's so much snappier!

anthony david · 15-09-2015, 09:47

It would have been better if Tech Radar had done some basic research by looking up current feature films on IMDb. Most films are still released from a 2K digital intermediate with a resolution of 2048X1080 and will not be re post produced in 4K. Most will be shot "shoot and protect for HD TV release" so can be shown in HD by simply trimming the width by about 128 pixels to that format without loss of required picture information or resolution. Some cinema projectors upscale to 4K.

This site shows the current releases in 4K by Sony Pictures.

http://www.sony.co.uk/pro/products/d...movie-releases

jackthom · 15-09-2015, 11:06

I'm slightly at a loss as to why anyone would want a 40" 4k display, even assuming it was a good quality one.

Just how close to a bog standard 40" full HD screen would you have to sit in order to find it lacking in resolution? Probably too close for comfort.

11-09-2015, 20:30	#1
barbeler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 11,705	Aldi 4K TV for £299.99 It has the usual 3-year guarantee, but the refresh rate is only 60Hz. How important is this in the real world, rather than to the techie-trainspotter types? http://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys...k-ultra-hd-tv/

11-09-2015, 20:56	#2
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	It does tend to make motion less blurry on LED TVs. I'm not sure whether that's the main issue though. A Blaupunkt/Bush/Techwood or other supermarket/no name 40" TV will be around the £220-£250. Most of those will be 50 or 60Hz refresh as well and have just a 12 month warranty. This is the same screen size and with an extra 2 yrs warranty and it's 4K. How many other corners besides higher refresh rate do you think might have been cut to pay for the 4K screen?

11-09-2015, 21:04	#3
barbeler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 11,705	I've heard that the onboard sound isn't up there with the best, but that's no problem if you already have a sound bar. I noticed that it has a LAN connection, but what's the purpose of that if it's not a smart TV? With a 3-year guarantee it doesn't seem too much of a risk at that price. After reading reviews of what Aldi are selling elsewhere I'm guessing it's a Bauhn model, but I don't know anything about those – not that it really matters, as most TVs seem to have the same components these days. Edit: after checking the Bauhn website, they don't seem to do a 40" 4K TV.

11-09-2015, 21:10	#4
koantemplation Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wolf359 Posts: 96,797	I went to Aldi the other week to get one of the notebooks they had advertised. Got there 5 mins to 8am. was the only person there for the note book, and they only had ONE in the store, which thankfully I got. I'm not sure if they'll have many TVs either.

11-09-2015, 21:41	#5
Winston_1 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 5,008	But as has been said before as the 4K broadcast spec has not been finalised it is rather pointless.

12-09-2015, 10:40	#6
anthony david Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 3,469	Remember the old saying, "Buy cheap buy twice". What do you think you will get for that price?

12-09-2015, 11:31	#7
barbeler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 11,705	Quote: Originally Posted by anthony david Remember the old saying, "Buy cheap buy twice". What do you think you will get for that price? A 40" 4K TV with a 3-year guarantee for £299.99. The refresh rate is the only thing that concerns me, although I can't imagine that anybody would go to the trouble of making one if its refresh rate made it unwatchable.

12-09-2015, 11:46	#8
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by barbeler A 40" 4K TV with a 3-year guarantee for £299.99. The refresh rate is the only thing that concerns me, although I can't imagine that anybody would go to the trouble of making one if its refresh rate made it unwatchable. What version HDMI has it got 1.4 or 2.0, has it got HDCP 2.2, HEVC? If no to any of the above if will be very limited in what 4k it will show, ie, no Netflix, Amazon (if/ever available via dedicated app) or UHD bluray/broadcasts.

12-09-2015, 12:33	#9
1andrew1 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,981	Quote: Originally Posted by barbeler Edit: after checking the Bauhn website, they don't seem to do a 40" 4K TV. The sticker on the power consumption label says Bauhn. But isn't Bauhn just Aldi's own brand, so could be made by anyone? https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuy...k-ultra-hd-tv/

12-09-2015, 12:42	#10
Spruce Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Suffolk Posts: 960	Quote: Originally Posted by 1andrew1 The sticker on the power consumption label says Bauhn. But isn't Bauhn just Aldi's own brand, so could be made by anyone? https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuy...k-ultra-hd-tv/ Aldi's suggestion on other products you might like; TV wall bracket & beer.

12-09-2015, 13:43	#11
mac2708 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,196	Have you read the review? ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars. Zaxx · 15 hours ago Absolute rubbish It is absolute rubbish.... ✘ No, I do not recommend this product. 31 people found this review helpful.61 people did not find this review helpful. Helpful? Yes · 31 31 people found this review helpful. Click to agree.No · 61 61 people did not find this review helpful. Click to agree.Report Response from Aldi Stores Limited: Catrina · CSD · 3 hours ago Hi Zaxx. Thank you for your rating and review. We are sorry to hear about your experience with our 40" 4K Ultra HD TV. We have taken on board your comments and logged them for the Buying team.

12-09-2015, 14:50	#12
koantemplation Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wolf359 Posts: 96,797	Quote: Originally Posted by mac2708 Have you read the review? ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars. Zaxx · 15 hours ago Absolute rubbish It is absolute rubbish..... Not a very helpful review. They could at least say why they thought it was rubbish. I'm sure they are correct but some people might not mind the reasons why they didn't like it.

12-09-2015, 23:00	#13
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	I wouldn't bother, just save a few hundred more and buy a better one, and that's my opinion BEFORE I even read the one (and only) review on the website, which as above says "it's absolute rubbish"! Not very promising I'd say.

13-09-2015, 07:15	#14
surfie Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,839	I've looked at some of the other cheaper 4k options and found the cheapest brand name one to be a Panasonic from Currys PC World for £459. This has a refresh rate of 200 Hz, but some of the reviews on that mention on other websites mention motion lag on any high speed movement, as well as blurring. Also not all 4k TVs on offer are actually 4k, but UHD http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/fea...po8QCitkzN3LZY

13-09-2015, 18:43	#15
mkultr4 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 4	I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose. It is a bauhn tv for what it's worth. No smart features. I noticed the sound was a bit tinny even for a fairly slim tv. I also thought that while the picture was pretty crisp on standard hd, there was a kind of washed out pink hue to the picture although that could have been some thing that could be corrected by adjusting setting. Don't know what the 4k was Like as I don't have any 4k media. The one and only review mentioned a few posts above was actuality made before the tv was available.

13-09-2015, 20:51	#16
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by mkultr4 I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose. Might be for software updates?.

13-09-2015, 21:41	#17
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	Quote: Originally Posted by mkultr4 I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose. It is a bauhn tv for what it's worth. No smart features. I noticed the sound was a bit tinny even for a fairly slim tv. I also thought that while the picture was pretty crisp on standard hd, there was a kind of washed out pink hue to the picture although that could have been some thing that could be corrected by adjusting setting. Don't know what the 4k was Like as I don't have any 4k media. The one and only review mentioned a few posts above was actuality made before the tv was available. So it was crap then, no surprises there!! Don't get me wrong, might be good for a second bedroom TV or something, but not a everyday living room one

14-09-2015, 11:16	#18
barbeler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 11,705	Quote: Originally Posted by mac2708 Have you read the review? ★★★★★ ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars. Zaxx · 15 hours ago Absolute rubbish It is absolute rubbish.... You might have been wise to wait a little longer, rather than relying on a review written before it was even available. I'll wait until there are a few more before reaching any conclusions. It seems odd that somebody else reviewed in when they hadn't even looked at the menu. In my experience, most TVs are appalling when viewed in their original factory settings. I'm slightly more concerned about the sound; I wouldn't need it produce massive volume, but a nicely balanced tone is important. I don't have a sound bar and it would partly cancel out the low price if it was necessary to buy one.

14-09-2015, 15:23	#19
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Quote: Originally Posted by Winston_1 But as has been said before as the 4K broadcast spec has not been finalised it is rather pointless. Except it's not pointless at all. 4K will initially be for subscription services first, then maybe (and that is a huge maybe, as Freeview have stated they have no plans to broadcast 4K in the near future) free to view at some point in the future, by which point most of the 4K sets in circulation now, especially the dirt cheep ones like this, are probably going to have been replaced anyway. Almost all the 4K in the immediate future will be streamed content from a provider like BT, Netflix, Amazon Prime etc or possibly a Sky 4K/Virgin 4K box, none of which require integrated 4K tuners in the TV.

14-09-2015, 15:26	#20
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Quote: Originally Posted by mkultr4 I bought one today on the off chance that the Ethernet port would allow me to watch movies located on my pc but I returned it as this was not possible and I couldn't work out why the port was included as even the manual made no mention of its purpose. It is a bauhn tv for what it's worth. No smart features. I noticed the sound was a bit tinny even for a fairly slim tv. I also thought that while the picture was pretty crisp on standard hd, there was a kind of washed out pink hue to the picture although that could have been some thing that could be corrected by adjusting setting. Don't know what the 4k was Like as I don't have any 4k media. The one and only review mentioned a few posts above was actuality made before the tv was available. If the set is Freeview HD, an Ethernet port is a requirement. It's to allow over the top content to be streamed by the broadcasters such as iPlayer via the RedButton on BBC.

14-09-2015, 15:32	#21
surfie Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,839	Quote: Originally Posted by barbeler You might have been wise to wait a little longer, rather than relying on a review written before it was even available. I'll wait until there are a few more before reaching any conclusions. It seems odd that somebody else reviewed in when they hadn't even looked at the menu. In my experience, most TVs are appalling when viewed in their original factory settings. I'm slightly more concerned about the sound; I wouldn't need it produce massive volume, but a nicely balanced tone is important. I don't have a sound bar and it would partly cancel out the low price if it was necessary to buy one. The best advice is not to rush out now and by a 4k TV unless you TV is about to go wrong. I doubt very much whether the on Aldi have on offer is the full 4k TV anyhow, much in the way you can get HD and Full HD TVs It's worth reading this DS article of 4k TVs It says that unless your TV is due for retirement, it's best to wait until the main broadcasters/sky get on board with 4k, along with TV's that have built in DVB-UHDTV tuners.

DS Forums

Aldi 4K TV for £299.99

14-09-2015, 22:09	#22
Lidtop2013 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,450	So there's "4k ready" and "full 4k" TVs? I thought they were either "4k" meaning full 4k or "UHD" or "SUHD", they all mean the same thing no?

15-09-2015, 00:20	#23
barbeler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 11,705	Quote: Originally Posted by surfie I doubt very much whether the on Aldi have on offer is the full 4k TV anyhow, much in the way you can get HD and Full HD TVs The Aldi TV is 3840 x 2160 resolution. Quote from TechRadar: Quote: Difference between Ultra HD and 4K Technically, "Ultra High Definition" is actually a derivation of the 4K digital cinema standard. However while your local multiplex shows images in native 4096 x 2160 4K resolution, the new Ultra HD consumer format has a slightly lower resolution of 3840 X 2160. This is one reason why some brands prefer not to use the 4K label at all, sticking with Ultra HD or UHD instead. However, the numerical shorthand looks likely to stick. As a broad brush label it's so much snappier!

15-09-2015, 09:47	#24
anthony david Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 3,469	It would have been better if Tech Radar had done some basic research by looking up current feature films on IMDb. Most films are still released from a 2K digital intermediate with a resolution of 2048X1080 and will not be re post produced in 4K. Most will be shot "shoot and protect for HD TV release" so can be shown in HD by simply trimming the width by about 128 pixels to that format without loss of required picture information or resolution. Some cinema projectors upscale to 4K. This site shows the current releases in 4K by Sony Pictures. http://www.sony.co.uk/pro/products/d...movie-releases

15-09-2015, 11:06	#25
jackthom Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Northumberland Posts: 4,536	I'm slightly at a loss as to why anyone would want a 40" 4k display, even assuming it was a good quality one. Just how close to a bog standard 40" full HD screen would you have to sit in order to find it lacking in resolution? Probably too close for comfort.