A couple of month ago, I bought a 39″ Full HD Panasonic TV that I’m currently using as my computer screen for about $400. But this morning, I’ve found out you can now buy Seiki Digital SE39UY04 39″ 4K TV on Amazon for just $100 more, which is amazingly cheap.
These are the key features listed on Amazon:
- 3840 x 2160 Panel Resolution, 4K up scaling, Thin Bezel
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9, Refresh Rate: 120Hz, Component & HDMI Support: 480I, 576I, 480P, 576P, 720P, 1080I, 1080P, 4k2k 30Hz (only HDMI)
- Video Connections: 1 Analog & Digital TV Tuner, 1 Component Video Input, Component Video (Y, Cb, Cr/Y, Pb, Pr): One VGA Input (15 pin, D-Sub)
- Audio Connections: 1 Stereo Mini Phono Jack Input (3.5 mm) (VGA Audio), 1 RCA Input (R & L), 1 Headphone: Stereo Mini (3.5 mm), 1 RCA Output (R & L)
- 3 HDMI Input, 2 USB Input (JPEG Pics and MP3 Audio Only)
So you’ll notice they do not support 4k2k 60Hz, so the TV is most likely using HDMI 1.4 input ports, not not the latest 2.0 version. Some websites also mention that 1080p to 4K2K upscaling in cheap UHD TVs may not be as good as in more expensive ones. You can find more details about the specs on Seiki Digital UltraHD TV page.
As the chart above shows, 39″ may be however a little small if you plan to watch videos in your living room, and you may not notice the difference with 1080p depending on how far you sit from the TV. The company also offers SE50UY04 and SE65UY04, 50″ and 65″ models for respectively $899.99 and 999.99. Please note that others have different values for noticeable viewing distance.
Reviews on Amazon (302 of them) are generally positive. There’s one that is particularly thorough concerning the 50″ model and give feedback with the design, picture, using it to watch over-the-air (OTA) HDTV channels, with a media center, as computer monitor, and for gaming. Out of the box, the TV had one of the worse picture quality he had seen in quite a while, mostly because Noise Reduction was turned on by default for every input, but after calibration to the picture quality was excellent. He had problem with OTA because noise reduction would get back automatically. This only happens with the composite input. 4K30 on a media center and PC offers very good picture quality, although there is a minor amount input/refresh lag with the mouse due to 30Hz refresh rate. However for gaming 30Hz refresh is too low, but t monitor works very well games @ 1080p with 120Hz refresh rate for games. He is currently using the TV as a computer monitor with 4K30, and switching to 1080p120 for gamin. Pros and cons are summarized in the table below.
PROS | CONS |
+ Thin design | – OTA TV Issues (Noise Reduction & A/V Sync) |
+ Great value for a 4K TV | – Limited Menu Options (i.e. Picture Adjustments) |
+ Contrast ratio | – Can’t adjust 120 Hz setting |
+ Vibrant colors and accuracy | – HDMI 1.4 limited to 30 Hz @ 4k. |
+ Viewing angles | – Input/Refresh Lag @ 4K/30Hz |
+ Picture quality | – Cheap Remote |
+ LED Backlit | – Low quality speakers |
+ 1080p Gaming @ 120 Hz | – No DisplayPort Input |
+ Good scaling of “Normal HD” content to 4k | – No Optical Out (It does have Coaxial for S/PDIF) |
+ Ultra HD 4K Resolution! | – Wobbly Stand |
+ 3 HDMI Inputs |
Thanks to CSilie for the tip. He originally pointed to a product link on sears.com which redirects me to be homepage, maybe due to my location.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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The 55″ was available for only $599 earlier in the day.(special price since expired).
http://slickdeals.net/f/6740564-seiki-55-class-4k-120hz-led-ultra-hdtv-se55uy04-599-free-store-pickup-sears
Too bad you cant buy seiki in Thailand.
@Murat
Ah OK.. I did not know they were based in the US…
“Seiki Digital is a television manufacturer with its corporate headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. Seiki Digital is wholly own by the Chinese based Tsinghua Tongfang Company.”
But since they are owned by a Chinese company similar models must be sold under another brand.
It looks like it could be similar to Tongfang CL-P series http://www.tongfang-global.com/productinfo.asp?id=143
But “LE-39GCL-P” is not sold anywhere…
Cheapest 55″ 4K screen I’ve seen in Europe was approx 4 times as much…