CONSUMER REPORTS - Sales of ultra high-definition TVs are up sharply this year. With their great picture quality, it's no wonder. Ultra high-def TVs offer four times the pixels of regular HD TVs, which means four times the detail. The best models Consumer Reports tested offer superior picture quality, and the vast majority are smart TVs with access to Internet content.
But Consumer Reports says if you don't really need a new set, you should wait to buy an ultra high-definition TV. Even though prices have fallen recently, some of the larger flagship models from major brands still cost $3,000 to $4,000. And prices may be significantly less by this time next year.
Another reason to put off a purchase? Industry standards for ultra high-def are still evolving. Some features haven't been finalized yet, such as high dynamic range, which produces more vivid images by heightening the difference between the darkest and lightest points on the screen.
That's why it makes the most sense to wait until all of the standards for TVs, streaming media, and Blu-ray players are set to make sure that your TV will take advantage of all that UHD has to offer.
Consumer Reports also says right now there's still not much 4K content out there. And what does exist is primarily from streaming services such as Amazon and Netflix. More streaming options are coming in 2016, and the first 4K Blu-ray players and discs are expected later this year.
So when is the right time to buy an ultra high-definition set? Consumer Reports says that will be sometime next year after UHD standards are set, prices have fallen, and there's more 4K content.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars and trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' website. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.
(Copyright © 2015 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
