Which TV should I buy? Philips 40PUT6400 or Samsung UE40H6400

[Zoom7000]

With Black Friday fast approaching, I've had my eye on the Samsung UE40H6400 for an awful long time. However, recently I have come across the Philips 40PUT6400.

 

Now, I was pretty settled with the Samsung as I will be using the TV primarily as a computer monitor and also as a television. I'll be mainly using Windows applications, with the odd games here and there. (FIFA, GTA, Need for Speed etc, no first person shooters! lol) I have seen a 40" TV used as a Windows desktop at 1080p and I was quite happy with the result. However, I'm torn as to whether I should consider "future proofing" myself and going with the Philips as it offers 4K. I'm not entirely sure how a 40" 4K TV will look as a Windows desktop, but I've seen a few YouTube videos that say it is a positive experience.

 

The Samsung has rave reviews everywhere I've looked, but I've hardly come across any reviews for the Philips. I do like that it comes with Android TV, which means I can download and install Kodi directly to the TV, although I am not too bothered with any smart features at all as the TV will be permanently connected to my PC.

 

I need at the minimum, Freeview HD, 4 HDMI ports and 3 USB ports which both TVs come with. The Samsung does have 3D, but I can't ever see myself using this and I don't have the content for it anyway. The only area the Samsung wins over the Philips is the CPU. The Samsung has a Quad Core CPU, whereas the Philips only has a Dual Core CPU. Will this make much of a noticeable difference?

 

So, the question is, which TV should I go with? I've been set on the Samsung all year, but I'm now quite inclined towards the Philips. I won't be buying another TV for a long time, so it is a bit of an investment and the 6 year warranty from Richer Sounds has me covered on that front.

[XiJ]

I have the 48" version of that Samsung and I love it. I mainly bought it for the plex client which is excellent.

 

I also think the upscaling to HD is very good, if not excellent.

 

But if I was buying a TV now I'd be looking at 4K. While content isn't huge yet, sky are out to launch their new box rumoured to do 4K. And on line streaming - Netflix etc are providing 4k

[Zoom7000]

I'm not really too fussed on content at the moment. I only plan to use it primarily for Freeview HD (which I believe is only 720p anyway!) I do have a Netflix subscription so I could use that for the 4K content, but the main usage of 4K will be from the Windows desktop.

[newpersn]

I think I have that extract telly and it's great. Wireless and has a link to use the TVs remote with the sky box. Also have a Samsung blu ray player which works with it.

[3s-gtech]

A fairly minor point that I should mention - make sure your PC has the necessary connectivity for a decent 4k experience (ideally DP 1.2 or HDMI 2.0). For native resolution gaming at 4k you're looking at a powerful PC needed, though it should look good upscaled from 1080p. Samsungs tend to have weak speakers, but are decent screens. Not used any Philips TV bigger than 19", but they were okay. Do consider other big brands in the same price bracket - LG, Sony and Panasonic make some fine screens.

[XiJ]

I think with any Led TV speakers aren't going to be fantastic due to the nature of the product - just too thin!

 

What I would say is that I find them more than adequate for TV and films that we watch. Eventually I'd like to setup my Dolby digital amp/ speakers but for general use its fine.

 

I guess you might want something more for gaming ?

[newpersn]

I will add. It don't pass Dolby digital 5.1 sound though.

[Zoom7000]

A fairly minor point that I should mention - make sure your PC has the necessary connectivity for a decent 4k experience (ideally DP 1.2 or HDMI 2.0). For native resolution gaming at 4k you're looking at a powerful PC needed, though it should look good upscaled from 1080p. Samsungs tend to have weak speakers, but are decent screens. Not used any Philips TV bigger than 19", but they were okay. Do consider other big brands in the same price bracket - LG, Sony and Panasonic make some fine screens.

 

I'll also be buying a GTX 970, currently my PC cannot handle 4K, but I'm pretty sure a 970 will handle it just fine.

 

I've been happy with the specs of the Samsung for quite some time now, but was just wondering whether I should future proof myself by going for affordable 4K. If Samsung offered something similar in the price range I would definitely go for it, but most of their 40" inch 4K TV's are over £500

[difinity]

I'd be avoiding the Philips. Its their name on the front but they don't make them.

[caffrey]

Get the Sammy, I've got the 48" version and had it a while - great TV - can't vouch for the speakers as I've always used an AV amplifier. You would also probably need a 980ti for 4k (Personally I'd wait till next year for 4k and see what Nvidia Pascal can do)

[Zoom7000]

The only real reason I am considering the 4K model is for "future proofing". I have had my current 23" TV/Monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 2333HD) for about 6 years and I'll be keeping the new one for about the same time too, seeing as I'm probably gonna purchase it from John Lewis/Richer Sounds.

 

I also like the sound of 4K desktop space on my PC, but I'm tentative as I've never actually seen what a Windows desktop looks like running at 4K on a 40" TV.

[Mr_Jiminy]

Make sure the Samsung can play .mkv files, without the need to convert.

[newpersn]

Make sure the Samsung can play .mkv files, without the need to convert.

 

I'm sure I can play play mkvs on mine