Home Technology Need a new TV for your impending 4K console? Hisense has you covered

Need a new TV for your impending 4K console? Hisense has you covered

3 min read
64

M7000

Both of the current generation consoles have received updates to make them play better with the new generation of displays that are hitting the market. If you’re looking at getting a PlayStation 4 Pro or an Xbox One S, you’re going to need a shiny new TV to make full use of them.

Both consoles support displaying games in a 4K resolution and make use of the more important HDR technology. What the dickens is HDR, you ask? It stands for High Dynamic Range, and that alone probably doesn’t answer any of your questions. Right now, your TV or monitor probably uses the BT.709 colour gamut, which only effectively reproduces around 35% of the colours that the human eye can perceive.

While bumping the resolution will improve clarity and overall picture quality, nothing will make the picture truly pop and look lifelike like HDR – which, in most current implementations, increases the range of displayed colours to around 54% of the colours that the eye can see. It means much brighter whites and much deeper, richer blacks – and it makes, in my opinion, a greater difference than the bump in resolution.

Anyway, I seem to be going off on a tech tangent. The point is, if you get one of the new consoles, you’re going to need a new TV. Last night, I happened to go the launch of the new UHD TVs from Chinese manufacturer Hisense. You may not know it, but Hisense has become the 3rd largest-selling TV brand in the world. Importantly they’re the top-selling brand locally for the last few months, too – capturing nearly a quarter of the local TV market.

Much of the reason for that is the company’s focus purely on value – but some of that changes with the launch of their new “ULED” screens, which utilise their own technology instead of employing others’. The entire range of screens utilise Quantum Dot Enhancement Film technology to boost colour response. Couple that with Hisense’s own Smart Peaking technology which pushes more power to bright parts of the image without sacrificing the darkness and you’ve got screens capable of the sort of brightness levels that an OLED-based panels isn’t capable of. OLED, however, will give you much deeper blacks, but also consume significantly more energy. To offset that, Hisense’s new T-910 ULED screens use targeted local LED dimming across 240 different zones across the screen. They al support HDR, but there’s no information on which standard – as there’s still no real industry standard (though the more open HDR10 seems to be winning the battle rover Dolby Vision right now).

I had a look at the tech in the M7000 last night, and it’s genuinely impressive – and if you’re in the market for a new TV, you could do far, far worse. Of course, you want to know how much they’ll cost. There’s a range of the things, starting at 55 inches, and capping out at a monstrous 70 inches.

Here’s a look at the range:

M7000_1

Hisense M7000

The M7000 is the set I’d personally go for – not just because the 55” is the cheapest of the lot, but also because I’m yet to be convinced that curved screens are beneficial. The unit starts at R14,999 for the 55” unit, with the 65” one going for R24,999 and the gigantic 70-incher for R34,999.

T910_front

Hisense T-910

If you don’t mind a few curves in your TV, the T-910 and K760 models with both retail for R19,999. There doesn’t seem to be too much difference between them as they employ the same core technologies ; the K760 offers a wider viewing angle, while the T-910 has the better, zoned local dimming.

K760_2

Hisense K760

I know I want a new TV…but I didn’t really think I needed one. Anyone have R14,999 for me?

Last Updated: September 14, 2016

64 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    September 14, 2016 at 12:32

    So HDR is like OMO for your TV.

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      September 14, 2016 at 12:32

      …yes.

      Reply

      • HvR

        September 14, 2016 at 12:47

        Omo Classic or Omo Ultra?

        Reply

        • ??????? ????? ™

          September 14, 2016 at 12:47

          Ultra classic

          Reply

        • Geoffrey Tim

          September 14, 2016 at 12:52

          Ultra. It starts with U.

          Reply

      • Guild

        September 14, 2016 at 12:54

        Tech question: If I get the TV and the PS4 Pro, what movie format will I use? I am assuming the current Blu-rays won’t cut it and be displayed in 4K or will the PS4 Pro upscale to 4K? Or do I need to wait for new 4K format movies to come out before I can benefit from the 4K output?

        Reply

        • HvR

          September 14, 2016 at 12:56

          Ultra Blu-ray

          Ironically the cheapest Ultra Blu-ray player on the market is the XboneS
          #MS_Sony_dickslap

          Reply

          • Guild

            September 14, 2016 at 13:02

            Thanks. Just read up more on it. I think I’ll wait a little bit more before I jump up to the 4K level. Looks like I would need to upgrade everything (TV, surround sound and then 4K player). I don’t feel the need to fork out this cash yet

        • Geoffrey Tim

          September 14, 2016 at 13:01

          With that new Fibre of yours you can stream 4K from Netflix. The Ps4 pro (and the TV itself) will intelligently upscale your regular blurays to 4k, but a new player (hey like an Xbox One s!) will enable you toplay 4K blu rays.

          Reply

          • HvR

            September 14, 2016 at 13:02

            Media upscaling devices are like penis pumps, lots of promises but mostly under delivers.

          • Guild

            September 14, 2016 at 13:03

            Ya I’m really starting to like the XBox One S more than the PS4 Pro. I think I’ll just wait till PS5 comes out (if Sony don’t fuck it up more) and everything is a bit cheaper before trying to jump to 4K

    • Greylingad[He Charges!]

      September 14, 2016 at 12:49

      There is a line about two specific colours that come to mind, but thinking about it, it sounds extremely racist….

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        September 14, 2016 at 12:56

        😀

        Reply

    • RinceThis

      September 14, 2016 at 13:26

      lol

      Reply

  2. ??????? ????? ™

    September 14, 2016 at 12:42

    I have a Hisense LED TV, and lemme tell you, LOVE the brand. Good price, lovely image.

    ONLY fault I have with it, is the embedded OS (it’s not a smart TV, so limited functionality). The embedded OS to browse files etc seems archaic (but it plays ALL videos, even those my F$#@ing Sony BR cannot, seriously, screw Sony)

    Reply

    • ??????? ????? ™

      September 14, 2016 at 12:47

      Geoff upvote?

      I DID SOMETHING RIGHT?????

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      September 14, 2016 at 12:55

      Yeah those Sony BR machines are not exactly up to date with codecs. I ended up buying a small media player for that.

      Reply

      • Original Heretic

        September 14, 2016 at 12:57

        Media players are awesome. Can never go wrong with one of those.

        Reply

      • ??????? ????? ™

        September 14, 2016 at 12:58

        And the Youtube app crashes after about 30mins of playback, without fail

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          September 14, 2016 at 13:01

          I haven’t even bothered giving our TV internet access.

          Reply

        • ElimiNathan

          September 14, 2016 at 13:34

          The Youtube app on Roku is horrendous

          Reply

    • I_am_Duffman!

      September 14, 2016 at 13:36

      So the quality will be on par with the Samsungs and LG’s? I don’t know anybody with a Hisense or Sinotec TV. My TV really needs an upgrade and I have heard from various sources that the Smart TV’s software from Samsung aren’t as user friendly and great as you would hope. So if the quality is the same, I would much rather get a Hisense and a chromecast.

      Reply

      • miaau

        September 14, 2016 at 14:01

        I have a Samsung TV, costs under R10k. Not smart at all, very basic functionality. We make it smart because of the Xbox One.

        I have a JVC TV, Smart. It runs Android. It is kak. You cannot change the contrast enough to see the menus. Also it will not let you, for example, move the cursor to enter Netflix details. So you can install the App, but NOT USE it. Also, its default Bios date is 2007 Jan. Um. Bought NEW in 2013 December, with 0 research on my part (which is unusual). Android 2.X or something. STAY AWAY.

        Reply

      • Geoffrey Tim

        September 14, 2016 at 14:11

        No chromecast necessary with a more modern Hisense; they have a pretty decent smart Os as well.

        Reply

      • HvR

        September 14, 2016 at 14:14

        IMHO image quality of the HiSense mid range TV are better than the equivalent Samsung models that are about 30% more expensive.

        Reply

      • ??????? ????? ™

        September 15, 2016 at 09:54

        I’ve heard from quite a few sources that the image engine is the same as the Samsung (apparently, samsung innards with hisense packaging, firmware etc)

        Reply

    • Rangerdave

      September 14, 2016 at 14:25

      I have a hisense 55″ 3D smart going on 3years old. Great picture very affordable.

      No fault but don’t really ever use the 3D (okay maybe for trippy Trine) or the smart as it is kind of meh next to ps4.

      Oh and Bluetooth remotes batteries don’t last like like your old TV used to. Buy rechargeables.

      Reply

      • ??????? ????? ™

        September 14, 2016 at 14:29

        Yeah, the 3D was used once or twice, never again

        xD

        Reply

  3. ??????? ????? ™

    September 14, 2016 at 12:43

    Quantum Dot Enhancement Film technology
    Picard says MAKE IT SO!

    Reply

  4. DragonSpirit009

    September 14, 2016 at 12:49

    I’m looking for a new TV but with the money I have I can only afford to spy on other peoples TV’s.

    Reply

    • Greylingad[He Charges!]

      September 14, 2016 at 12:50

      So you’re also in the binoculars market then?

      Reply

      • Original Heretic

        September 14, 2016 at 12:50

        A good pair of those is almost the same amount as a TV these days.

        Reply

        • Greylingad[He Charges!]

          September 14, 2016 at 12:52

          Well, anything mostly, have you recently purchased a bread? I had to extend the home loan…Apparently Low GI bread could turn into a rapid investment…

          Reply

          • Original Heretic

            September 14, 2016 at 12:54

            I prefer pie.

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            September 14, 2016 at 12:59

            Pie investments…I see, you could keep them on the counter for a whole weekend and still sell them on a monday morning, with no one being any wiser….

          • Original Heretic

            September 14, 2016 at 13:07

            If I’m around, they won’t last a week.

            Pie is life. They even made a movie about it.

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            September 14, 2016 at 13:19

            NO! Are you talking about the movie “Pi”?

          • Original Heretic

            September 14, 2016 at 13:22

            um…

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            September 14, 2016 at 13:26

            The movie I’m referring to was the worst hour and 30 minutes I’ve wasted in my life, it’s about a guy that repeats the line “Don’t stare into the sun” who runs around, the whole time and eventually goes blind, why? because he stared into the sun….

          • Original Heretic

            September 14, 2016 at 13:30

            Life of Pi, that’s what I was ripping on. The directed by Ang Lee, that won the Oscar for Best Special Effects.
            Some of the most amazing visuals I’ve ever seen. I was almost heartbroken when I found out that the company that did the effects went bankrupt.
            But I was even more heartbroken that the movie did actually have any pie in it. Just some Indian dude and his weirdly named tiger.
            I have, admittedly, never heard of the movie “Pi”. And now that you’ve given me the low down, I shall be avoiding it.

          • Greylingad[He Charges!]

            September 14, 2016 at 13:41

            I was also quite upset about the Life Of Pie, it was spectacular, and for one, I’d love to see it on a 4k TV at full tilt, such a pity…

          • Matthew Holliday

            September 14, 2016 at 21:43

            taking the pies*

      • DragonSpirit009

        September 14, 2016 at 12:52

        No need. Neighbors TV is slightly facing my kitchen window. Basically stand by my kitchen and watch their TV XD

        Reply

  5. Original Heretic

    September 14, 2016 at 12:53

    The curved screen thing for TV’s is, as far as I have read, really useless, worthless, pointless, and other similar words that end in -less.
    I’ve read up a bit on it, because I was super curious.
    From all I’ve read, the general consensus among the so-called experts is that it’s a marketing ploy that was cooked up to make people feel like they were in a movie theatre…but at home.
    From a scientific point of view, you need to be quite a distance away from a curved screen in order to get the required effect from it. And it needs to be way bigger. So, in essence, like a movie theatre screen.

    Hence, good call, Geoff, avoid the curved screen.

    Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      September 14, 2016 at 21:43

      Curved TVs, yeah, meh.
      Curved monitors however are pretty rad.

      Reply

  6. HvR

    September 14, 2016 at 12:55

    Comma thousand delimiters, what it is US? or the UK?

    How lbs does the TV weigh?

    Reply

  7. HairyEwok

    September 14, 2016 at 12:57

    so R15k minimum for a 4k TV and then the PS4 Pro as well which is another R6.5k. And mind you that isn’t true 4k then. Sorry, I’ll skip this thanks.
    What’s the imput lag on the TVs, 35ms?

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      September 14, 2016 at 13:03

      It’s not stated anywhere, but I’ve checked out the AV forums and owners say it has REALLY REALLY good input lag, and is perfect for gaming.

      Reply

      • Kerrits

        September 14, 2016 at 18:29

        Thanks, that’s the info we need.
        If you don’t have to tools to get a accurate measurement when you review it, could you please then just do a video like this, with and without game mode and 4k upscaling?

        Reply

    • miaau

      September 14, 2016 at 14:37

      I had an older Hisense, my first flat screen, say 2010. Immediately, the Xbox 360 games looked WAAAAAAAYYYY better.

      Then we got the Samsung. Crisper, cleaner, better colours. Hisense was LCD, Samsung was LED. I am colour blind, and trust me, I noticed the difference, the Samsung was crisper and cleaner. But that was a 2010 Hisense. Now? Crap, they look much, much better.

      Reply

  8. HvR

    September 14, 2016 at 13:01

    As possible further bump, AFAIK these TV are assembled in Cape Town.

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      September 14, 2016 at 13:30

      So it takes 9 months to make one?

      Reply

  9. Fox1 - Retro

    September 14, 2016 at 14:14

    If you are spending that much then you should keep your options open towards the likes of Samsung and LG. Hisense TV’s have a sluggish media interface and there’s a lack of local repair agents within reach. The other issue would be the CMR and lag rating especially for gaming.

    Reply

    • ??????? ????? ™

      September 14, 2016 at 14:31

      Actually, local repair agents are BETTER than the Samsung ones (if based in Gauteng)

      Also, gaming on it is better than on my monitor in study.

      As with all tech, you get the decent one, and the cheaper model with less features.

      Reply

      • Matthew Holliday

        September 14, 2016 at 21:41

        less features please, yes.
        I use mine as a second monitor, so I dont want or need a smart TV, I want a glorified monitor.

        Reply

  10. iusedtobe(a)regular

    September 14, 2016 at 15:28

    Pshh.

    Reply

  11. Gavin Mannion

    September 14, 2016 at 16:16

    I desperately need a new TV.. never replaced my last one after being burgled so am on a crap 32″ still… that 55″ for R15k really really appeals

    Reply

  12. Matthew Holliday

    September 14, 2016 at 21:39

    got a 50″ LCD on special a few years back, Sinotec isnt exactly a top tier brand, but its done me well up till now, but the pixel density definitely leaves alot to be desired.

    Been seeing alot of specials on TVs over the past few months, maybe its time to invest in an upgrade.

    Reply

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