Posted Tue Mar 6, 2018 at 01:21 PM PST by Steven Cohen
With the NCAA March Madness Tournament just around the corner, sports fans now have one more excuse to take advantage of some lingering 2017 4K Ultra HD TV deals before the more expensive 2018 models arrive later this spring. After all, the only thing better than snagging a fancy new 75-inch HDR display for your upcoming viewing party, is snagging one with a nice discount!
But even with some solid sale prices still available, picking the right big-screen Ultra HD TV to upconvert every layup, dunk, and three-pointer is no easy task.
Thankfully, we've filled out your Ultra HD TV bracket for you with a handy list of some top 4K HDR display suggestions perfect for March Madness parties at every budget level. And since you'll likely want to make your guests feel as close to courtside as possible, all of our recommended displays will come in at sizes 65-inches and above.
Please note: prices are subject to change, and do not include taxes or shipping.
In this budget-friendly section, we're focusing on display options that came in for prices under $2,000 without sacrificing picture quality and smart TV features. Though these models might not have the very best specs the industry has to offer, they're all hard to beat when it comes to genuine bang-for-your-buck value.
65" VIZIO E-Series SmartCast Ultra HD HDR Display ($700) - This budget 4K model from VIZIO actually offers a few advanced picture quality features usually reserved for more expensive models, including full-array local dimming with 12 active zones and HDR10 support (though not Dolby Vision). In addition, the set uses the SmartCast TV platform, allowing users to cast supported streaming apps from their mobile devices or launch select services directly from the unit's on-screen interface, offering access to several options capable of streaming the tournament. With that said, the display does not offer wide color capabilities or include a TV tuner, so you'll need a separate digital tuner if you're planning to catch OTA games on your local CBS station during the tournament. Full review here.
65" VIZIO M-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Plus Display ($1,000) - Offering some key upgrades over the E-Series, the 2017 VIZIO M-Series remains one of the best bang-for-your-buck displays on the market. Key features include Dolby Vision and HDR10 support with about 350 nits fullscreen output and around 600 nits peak output, along with full-array local dimming with 32 zones and wide color gamut support. In addition, the set uses the SmartCast TV platform, allowing users to cast supported streaming apps from their mobile devices or launch select services directly from the unit's on-screen interface, offering access to several options capable of streaming the tournament. With that said, the display does not include an integrated TV tuner, so you will need to buy an external unit if you want to watch any OTA games. And for those who want to go even bigger, the massive 75-inch model is also on sale now for a great low price of just $1,800.
65" Sony XBR65X900E LED Ultra HD TV ($1,498) - At its current sale price, this is one of the most impressive 4K sets in its class, offering a full-array local dimming backlight, wide color gamut support with Triluminos tech, HDR10 support, and a firmware update planned for HLG playback (but sadly not Dolby Vision). Finally, the set uses the Android TV platform for smart TV apps and streaming, offering access to several options capable of streaming the tournament.
Stepping things up a notch, this tier offers a selection of impressive 4K HDR displays that come in for around $2,000 to $2,600, providing brighter and more colorful images with advanced LCD screens or perfect, inky blacks with OLED panels.
65" Samsung QN65Q7 Ultra HD QLED TV ($1,983) - This 2017 Samsung Ultra HD TV features quantum dot technology to deliver some of the market's best color performance. The set offers support for 100 percent color volume and a peak luminance around 1,000 nits. Likewise, the TV includes HDR10 support and is among the first displays to include new HDR10+ support (but sadly it does not offer Dolby Vision). But while still impressive overall, the set's edge-lit local dimming panel presents more blooming and uniformity issues during dark room viewing compared to full-array LCDs and OLEDs.
Order the 65-inch from Best Buy
65" Sony XBR65X930E 4K Ultra HD LED TV ($1,998) - One of Sony's top 2017 LCD displays, the XBR65X930E offers great brightness and HDR10 performance with wide color support and Android TV streaming. Likewise, Dolby Vision smart TV playback was recently added via a firmware update. In addition, the panel features local dimming, but it uses edge-lit LEDs rather than a superior full-array implementation.
LG Electronics OLED65B7A 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV ($2,597) - The B7 is the most affordable 65-inch OLED on the market right now, making it one of the top picture quality performers you can buy ... period. Thanks to its OLED panel, the TV features perfect blacks, infinite contrast, wide color gamut support, and wide viewing angles, making it an ideal choice for a viewing party where guests will be spread out around the room. Likewise, the set includes Active HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) support. An HDR Effect feature is included as well, allowing the TVs to simulate HDR with SDR content. In addition, the B7 uses LG's webOS 3.5 smart TV platform and is capable of internally decoding lossless, uncompressed Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos audio.
In this final section, we've cast aside all budget restrictions to focus on the best flagship Ultra HD TVs on the market. For basketball fans who want the largest and most impressive displays, you really can't go wrong with any these models.
65" Samsung QN65Q9 Ultra HD QLED TV ($3,298) - Samsung's flagship 2017 Ultra HD TV uses metal quantum dot technology to deliver some of the market's best color and brightness performance, making it an ideal display for watching the tournament in a well-lit viewing environment with windows. The set offers support for a wide color gamut, 100 percent color volume, and a peak luminance between 1,500 and 2,000 nits. Likewise, the TV includes HDR10 support and is among the first displays to include new HDR10+ support (but sadly it does not offer Dolby Vision). In addition, the panel features local dimming, but it uses edge-lit LEDs rather than a superior full-array implementation. A 75-inch model is also available at $6,998 for those with big enough living rooms and wallets
Order the 65-inch from Best Buy
65" Sony XBR65A1E Bravia OLED Ultra HD TV ($3,498) - Though LG's 2017 OLED displays can get a tad brighter, Sony's 2017 OLED Ultra HD TV rivals them in almost every way while offering superior image processing. Key features include HDR10, Dolby Vision (smart TV streaming for now, HDMI hopefully soon), HLG (via future firmware update), perfect black levels, wide color gamut playback with Triluminos tech, great viewing angles, and a unique Acoustic Surface sound system that produces audio directly from the screen itself. A 77-inch model is also available for $12,998 if you really want to impress your friends.
75" Sony XBR75X940E 4K Ultra HD LED TV ($3,998) - As 2017's top-of-line LCD display from Sony, the XBR75X940E comes in at a whopping 75-inches and offers exceptional brightness and HDR10 performance with wide color support. Likewise, Dolby Vision playback for internal streaming apps was recently added, and the set uses full-array local dimming to create superior black levels.
77" LG SIGNATURE G7 OLED Ultra HD TV ($9,997) - With a few key design and audio perks not found on LG's step-down models, the 77-inch G7 is one of the fanciest displays on the market when it comes to looks and performance. Key features include Dolby Vision and HDR10 support (with an HLG firmware upgrade coming soon), industry-leading black levels, great viewing angles, wide color gamut playback, a Picture-on-Glass design, and a sound bar stand with Dolby Atmos support.
Hisense 100" 4K Laser TV ($10,000) - Blending much of the simplicity of a standard smart TV set with the immersion of a projector system, the Hisense 4K Laser TV presents an enticing option for users who want a more enveloping viewing experience without sacrificing ease of installation. The "TV" system is actually comprised of an Ultra-short throw projector unit powered by a Texas Instruments DLP 4K UHD DMD chip and Hisense’s proprietary light source technology with a super-thin, lightweight, 100-inch Screen Innovations Anti-Glare Screen. The device includes support for HDR10, up to 300 nits and 3,000 lumens of brightness, Rec. 709 color gamut coverage, and Hisense's smart TV platform. Likewise, unlike most other projector units, the system also includes a TV tuner for over-the-air content.
So, there you have it. Those are our top Ultra HD TV suggestions for the 2018 NCAA March Madness Tournament. We hope this guide helps out in your shopping endeavors. For now, though, what do you think about our choices? Do you have any other display suggestions? Let us know in the forums! And be sure to check out High-Def Digest for more gear deals!
The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.