Yep, and ask all the independent Panasonic specialists in the UK, and none of them have any love for LED/LCD in any way shape or form and can't wait for OLED to come so they've got something of Plasma quality to sell again.
In tests by the most well known folks, Plasma, especially the last high end Panasonics ZT and VT (and there is little between those) is still reckoned to be better than 4k in almost all respects despite having a lower resolution.
The promise of visible improvement from 4k can only be realized on screens above 60 to 65inches anyway - below that the human eye even with 20/20 vision cannot detect any difference. Yet current 4k screens above 60inches still show no improvement, and cannot even match Plasma.
And with everyone relying on LG for panels now, there is little realistic hope of any improvement coming in that direction.
So, as far as I'm concerned it is stillborn technology, and all that development money (at Panasonic) would have been better spent on properly promoting Plasma to dispell all the rumours, and mass-productionizing (to make them cheaper to produce) the ZT Plasma 'Studio Master Panel', as I'm certain there had to be a good few tweaks in a brand new panel such as that was, for obvious further picture benefits. Not to mention developing OLED to full production standard.
As I've said before: Just don't believe the hype about 4k - it all comes from vested interests!
Interestingly, I just read the review of the 2014 4K curved screen Samsung UE55HU8500 - which is about £2700.
Whilst the review is rather better than lukewarm, when asked, whether he would recommend this TV over a Panasonic ZT60 or VT65 Plasma, the professional reviewer replied. 'No. Get the Panasonic Plasma'.
Says it all really, doesn't it!
P.s. Earthscope, They can't currently broadcast in 4k, there isn't enough bandwidth, nor, unless the number of channels is cut drastically, and there is massive investment (which is highly unlikely) is there likely to be in the near to middle future.
As an example the majority of the alleged HD channels are broadcast in 720p and not full 1080p due to bandwidth restrictions already in place.
When you go on to calculate as the IBC did that for a decent 4k 50hz progressive scan picture you need to shift approx eight times the data presented in 1080i.
Then, at those rates, for the best quality, they calculated, that an existing digital mux, or satellite transponder wouldn't even manage a single channel!
Take that into account and you come to realize that 4k does NOT have a future as the regular broadcast medium of the future, especially when you can't even get them to brodcast HD channels in 1080p, or 1080i for that matter!
It's a pipe dream, and will remain so for many years.
4k MAY have a future on the sidelines, but, as indicated earlier, not as the regular TV broadcast medium, nor as a mainstay for high speed streaming, as the capacity just doesn't exist, and again is unlikely to for some considerable time, if ever.
Like I said - it's hype generated by vested interests to shift more kit!
