It’s no secret that one of the top reasons why people are opting for larger and more advanced television sets these days is because of Netflix. Where satellite and cable services were once the only reliable ways to have access to all new programs, Netflix’s dominance in the market via online streaming capabilities is quickly replacing these methods. This is made even clearer once you take a look at all of the smart Netflix-ready TVs that are optimized for streaming from the widely popular service.
In order to really showcase the potential of Netflix I want to show you five television sets that truly take Netflix viewing to great heights. Many questions are asked when someone plans on upgrading their television set:
I am glad to say that all five of these TVs answer with a resounding yes to all four questions. This list is a prime grouping that is meant to show you the absolute upper end of cutting edge television technology that gives you the best experience, be that for Netflix or other applications. If you’re ready, join me as we begin.
On this list I have organized the televisions via screen size in ascending order. This is the case because I believe this is the most logical way to do so especially considering screen size is a very important measure for many people, even the most important for some. As a result the LG 49-incher is the first on this list.
Some people reading this might be asking themselves if 49 inches is too small. This is a fair question to have considering so many sets these days are anywhere from 50 to even 80 inches in size. There are several reasons why someone would want a sub-50 inch television, but the most common and simple reason is that anything larger would be too big. Not everyone lives in a large enough home to accommodate such large screens. It wouldn’t be fair if only 60 and 70 inch sets got all the good features and modern day applications.
You also have to take certain aspects into account when deciding on screen size: how far away will you be sitting? An 80 inch is too big if it’s sitting right at your computer desk for example, 20-30 inch monitors better suit that kind of point-blank distance. Plus maybe 49 inches is the perfect size for your table, or your wall-mounting plan, or whatever set up you have in mind.
Another reason is something called pixel density. Pixel density is basically the measurement of how large the pixels will be on screen. Long story short, the smaller the pixels, the greater picture quality and definition. No one wants to see large pixels because then the image looks more distorted. It would be like zooming in on a low-res jpeg file or going close up to your computer monitor and squinting just so you could see the individual squares. Try it out right now – doesn’t look very nice, does it?
Picture quality is all about making those pixels seem invisible and believe it or not that’s best done on smaller screens. And because all five of the sets on this list are 4K/UHD (ultra high definition) that means they all have 8 million pixels. Therefore, the LG UJ6300 actually has the best pixel density.
But is it really that much more important than screen size? That’s subjective. I personally think pixel density is better for more close up purposes like gaming on a PC monitor which is just a couple feet away from your face. But different people have different preferences. Some want intense pixel density and some want intense size.
The UJ6300 itself also has solid direct-lit LED and good HDR (high dynamic range) meaning it accurately portrays how lighting and contrast is meant to look in the scenes you’re looking at. Shadows and bright scenery are given more detail so they can be looked at without giving you the sense you’re just starting into dark nothingness or blinding brightness. Faces, for example, will finally have some definition whether they be in the sunlight or in the shadows, a very important feature for many modern cinematic angles.
The UJ6300 has good color representation too. It’s not the best but it’s certainly above average and will likely be an upgrade over what you currently own. Since Netflix is an absolute vortex of a variety of shows, that means you’ll be exposed to a variety of different cameras and cinematography and design used from program to program. You don’t want each and every show to have the same stale and bland look.
LG’s design of this set isn’t the sleekest or the sexiest on our list – the framing is a little too thick and doesn’t have a shiny finish – but it’s not ugly in the slightest and will still look good mounted or propped up on a desk or table. It’s one of the cheapest TVs on this list and I can easily say it’s worth every dollar, dime and penny.
Samsung Electronics UN55MU9000 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2017 Model) - See extreme contrast between the darkest darks and lightest lights, plus expanded color and depth.
- An extreme step up in color with a billion more shades than standard 4K UHD.
- Triple Black Extreme brings out extreme detail even in the darkest scenes.
- Enjoy smooth, crisp action even in the fastest scenes. Motion Rate 240 brings sports and fast moving content to life.
Samsung is considered by many to be the absolute best when it comes to manufacturing televisions. They are often paired against Sony whenever this debate comes up. I personally have to say Samsung is my favorite (which is why they’re the only company with two models on this list) and they are very hard to feel dissatisfied with. While I praise many newer up and coming companies that have really stolen chunks of the market in recent years, I still believe Samsung holds the crown, even if the race has gotten very close.
While the previous LG model was very good, the MU9000 is very great. It has superior colors and HDR in just about every way. If you are very picky about how you want your dark shadowy scenes to look then the MU9000 will satisfy you much better than the UJ6300. The color representation is especially staggering and offers roughly 1 billion different kinds of shades, the likes of which can only be fully viewed in 4K resolution.
The screen size is measured at 55 inches. This doesn’t sound much bigger than 49 inches but it really does make a difference. Saving you the trouble to do the math on your own, that makes this screen more than 25% larger than the LG model. Incredible how that extra measly 6 inches works out.
And don’t worry too much about pixel density either. It isn’t going to suffer in any major way, especially if you stick to 4K resolution as much as possible. 1080p, also known as FHD (full high definition) is one fourth the amount of pixels that 4K offers. In other words it’s only around 2 million instead of 8 million pixels. A resolution of that clarity will look noticeably fuzzier on larger screens, but the 55 inch size is a real sweet spot for 4K for most people.
“Great! Now I’m ready to start viewing things in 4K quality now, right?” Well, not exactly. It’s a little more complicated than that.
As far as I’m concerned there are two major services for viewing 4K content as of right now: Youtube and Netflix. The 4K content on Youtube is largely free (although you will need a fast and stable internet connection) and is especially large if you’re into gaming-related videos. The Netflix 4K database resides behind an extra pay-wall. To gain access to this, you will need to upgrade your monthly subscription to their Premium plan which is a couple of dollars a month more – not bad if you ask me. Odds are you are subscribed to their Basic or their Standard plan which only goes up to 1080p.
All Netflix originals, be they shows, movies, stand-up comedy specials or documentaries, are shot using 4K cameras so if you are especially interested in their exclusive content then the upgrade is especially worthwhile. This includes series like Jessica Jones, Stranger Things, the new seasons of Black Mirror and many more. Even older classic shows that aired originally on different channels like Breaking Bad are available in the 4K option too.
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It takes some extra work to make sure you’ve got the right Netflix plan and have strong enough internet and Wifi, but this Samsung model will absolutely deliver the top notch experience you’re looking for. Assuming the size and the price are within your range, I would gladly recommend this TV to just about anyone who is in the mood for intense Netflix marathons.
TCL 55S405 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model) - Dimensions: TV without stand: 49.1" W x 28.5" H x 3.0" D. TV with stand: 49.1" W x 30.8"H x 8.7" D. Stand separation distance: 38.2". Product weight 29.5 lbs
- Smart functionality offers access to over 4,000 streaming channels featuring more than 450,000 movies and TV episodes via Roku TV
- Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR) for the most lifelike picture
- 120Hz refresh rate allows fast moving action scenes to be seen with virtually no motion blur. Audio Power (Watts): 2 Channel x 8W
- As TCL Roku TVs use advanced backlight scanning to ensure clear viewing of fast action, there is no processing that could result in the soap opera effect.
TCL is a name that’s been picking up steam over the past couple of years. They’re one of the underdogs giving Samsung and Sony a run for their money that I mentioned previously. They have consistently offered budget televisions with 4K and Smart TV functionality with impressive results, and their S405 is no exception to this.
Another 55 incher, this television also comes with Netflix pre-installed. It comes with three HDMI ports like the previous two sets as well. I think four HDMI plugins is ideal considering many homes have their satellite or cable box, a Blu-ray or DVD player, at least one gaming station and maybe even an Android TV box or IPTV set-top box. In other words, three will probably do you solid but four will never let you down.
One thing I will say about this screen is that I am quite impressed by its weight. Despite being 55 inches it only weighs about 30 pounds. The Samsung MU9000 weighs about 14 pounds more. As a result the S405 is much easier to carry and re-position on your table but is even easier to wall-mount if that’s the option you’re going for. It doesn’t look quite as sleek though. I find that the black frame contrasts a little too hard against the platinum/silvery foot stands but this won’t be much of a problem if you wall-mount instead.
Since this screen is the same size as the MU9000 and is usually cheaper, does that mean you should save money and pick up this since it has an equally large screen? That really depends on one important factor: whether you’ll be using 1080p or 4K more often.
Allow me to explain further. This television is extremely good at a feature called “upscaling”. Upscaling means taking a lower resolution and fitting it onto a screen that has a higher resolution. Remember earlier when I talked about 1080p being 2 million pixels and 4K being 8 million? Well every time a 4K set displays 1080p it has to upscale those 2 million pixels to fit onto the screen. In other words it has to “translate” those 2 million pixels by enlarging them to fit your screen in an efficient way that doesn’t sacrifice quality.
Without upscaling, 1080p would merely take up one quarter of your 4K screen since ¼ of 8 million is of course 2 million. So instead of 2 million small pixels you get 2 million large ones that fill up the entire TV set, all thanks to upscaling.
And the fact of the matter is, as great as 4K is it isn’t nearly as common as 1080p even with pioneers like Netflix trying to change that. The vast majority of shows and even Youtube videos go up to 1080p. Even many video games on consoles cap at 1080p as well. I still stand by the UHD upgraded experience but many people are perfectly satisfied with watching 1080p content on large screens. And if you’re one of those people who really don’t care about 4K yet, I highly recommend this TLC set.
With solid HDR and direct-lit LED technology, 1080p content will look better on this UHD set than your average dedicated FHD screen. And considering the cheaper price at 55 inches, this is certainly a bargain price offering a quality product.
Samsung Electronics UN65MU7000 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2017 Model) - 4K Color Drive Pro reveals a wider spectrum of realistic colors, creating a more authentic picture.
- See a wider range of color and contrast than full HD with 4K HDR Pro.
- One Remote automatically detects and controls all your connected devices and content with no manual programming required*.
- Smooth action on fast-moving content with Motion Rate 120
- Picture engine is ultra high definition up-scaling. DTS premium sound present
Now we’re really entering the big guns territory. At 65 inches, the MU7000 is just under 40% larger than a 55 inch screen. Make sure you have the space to fit a television this large because many people find out just how big 65 inches really is only after the package has arrived.
As I’ve said earlier, I believe Samsung is number one when it comes to producing televisions specifically for Netflix or just in general. The MU7000 is very much like the MU9000 though it is a slightly older model as indicated by the model numbers. The only major differences are that the MU7000 has slightly worse HDR, color and blackness level representation, but is still extremely high quality nonetheless.
This television, as you might imagine, is big and heavy. It isn’t as flat as the MU9000 but can still be wall mounted. Weighing in at 58.9 pounds you will want to be a little more careful when moving around this massive screen so you don’t damage it or accidentally hurt yourself.
This screen is meant for people who like the features of the MU9000 but care more for size than they do color, lighting or contrast. It’s an excellent way to experience 4K content on a massive scale via a Netflix premium account, with a Playstation 4 Pro or via browsing the ever growing library of 4K videos on Youtube.
The upscaling process is also very good and will satisfy anyone who wants 1080p to look as good as it gets. The TLC upscaler is even more impressive as noted before, but the MU7000 has an extremely fluid refresh rate making fast moving images have very little blurriness, and the colors on this screen look spectacular no matter what resolution you’re in.
If you’ve got the Samsung fever like myself and are really in the market for a big screen, it’s hard to imagine how the MU7000 couldn’t satisfy you.
Sony XBR75X940E 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2017 Model) - Works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately).
- Dimensions (W x H x D): TV without stand: 65.9" x 40.9" x 2.5", TV with stand: 65.9" x 40.9" x 12.9"
- Smart functionality gives you access to your favorite apps and content using Sony’s Android TV.
- Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color, and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR) for the most lifelike picture.
- Precision Full Array boosting and dimming, you get precision contrast and incredible brightness in a stunningly slim design.
The final screen on our list is, as promised, the largest. Clocking in at 75 inches, that makes this 33% larger than the already huge Samsung MU7000. You’ve been warned: only purchase this screen if you are absolutely obsessed with the largest of the large.
Weighing in at 93 pounds, the X940E is surprisingly thin and has a very sturdy and thick isometric stand to keep this behemoth upright. The frame is black but very thin so it will look fine against virtually any colored background, wall paint or furniture, and is so discreet it doesn’t clash against the silver stand.
While it doesn’t have Netflix pre-installed, it can easily be downloaded once connected to the internet. You can use the internal wifi capabilities or use an ethernet cord if you prefer.
Sony has even made this set compatible with Alexa for voice control (sold separately, of course) which is another incentive to consider this TV. It’s also the only television on our list that actually has four HDMI slots instead of the standard three. Not a deal maker but a noteworthy feature nonetheless.
By far the best looking television on our list, the X940E would look spectacular inside of a large home. It’s not meant for those living in small apartments, though you’re welcome to try to do so if you’re ambitious enough. It’s also the most expensive unit on our list but this should be no surprise considering its awe-inspiring screen size.
Consider this set to be a rival product of the Samsung MU9000, but simply at a much larger size. The colors, the lighting, the HDR and the contrast are all absolutely incredible, and this is arguably one of the greatest televisions ever produced, in terms of screen size and picture quality. It’s really just a matter of whether it’s in your budget and how much you care about size. Think hard if this is really the right TV for you, but if your answer is yes, you’ll be in for a home theater experience that obliterates the competition hands down. The X940E is simply a masterpiece.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit more about the world of 4K televisions, and more importantly, I hope you have figured out the right TV set for your tastes and preferences. All five of these sets are extremely good quality but it’s always a matter of narrowing down which one is the perfect fit for you, and I hope I have done that adequately for you today. As mentioned before, all five featured TVs are Netflix-ready and guaranteed to provide the best streaming experience possible.
Last update on 2024-12-19 at 00:25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
