Checking interest for 4k Skyworth LED TV Group Buy

[William Robbins]

Add +1 to the overall count.

Add +1 to the overall count.

Matt, I'll take part in the group buy +1. Thanks for setting this up. - Wm

 

[Matt Ryan]

I went by to see this today and they didn't have one in stock. From what I can tell, the best way to check this out is to use a USB memory key and play the file through the USB input. Just need to find out which is the best format it can handle (MP4, MKV or whatever) and generate a 3840×2160 file to try it out. I am out of town in a smaller city right now, when we get back home, there will surely be one on demo there.

Great, thanks Richard. The demo film they displayed on the 4k tv was shot on epic and exported as a MP4 file. They have a 20,40,and 60mb/s clip of the demo. So of you had some red footage and compressed it into a 4k mp4 file, it should work perfectly.

 

[Bill Sepaniak]

Matt: If this turns out to be a go ... it might be a good idea if Skyworth can also provide us with some sort of translation of the instructions/OSD from Chinese to English. From the few screen shots that I have seen, it appears that everything is in Chinese.

___________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8

 

[Matt Ryan]

Matt: If this turns out to be a go ... it might be a good idea if Skyworth can also provide us with some sort of translation of the instructions/OSD from Chinese to English. From the few screen shots that I have seen, it appears that everything is in Chinese.

___________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8

I am still waiting to hear back if there is an english language option in the menu. Everything is in Chinese because that is the only territory it is currently sold and available in. But hopefully they have language options in the menu...

 

[Richard Andrewski]

I am still waiting to hear back if there is an english language option in the menu. Everything is in Chinese because that is the only territory it is currently sold and available in. But hopefully they have language options in the menu...

Good thinking. I'll check that out when I find one. I will also check what voltage inputs are. I want to see the Hisense TV if its out too. I saw big posters for it but again, no unit to actually see.

Other things to think about as this progresses are:

1). Will Skyworth handle all the Chinese customs clearance documents?
2). Will they handle the shipment(s)?
3). Will the shipments be point to point (to individuals or to a port)?
4). If to a port who will handle US customs clearance once they arrive and then send off individual shipments to each person in the group buy?
5). Air or sea shipping? (if its a large quantity, sea may be more doable and of course gentle on these units, but of course takes longer in the range of 20 to 30 days).
6). Insurance and claims if items are damaged?
7). Voltage--if its 220v 50hz, will it operate off transformer on 110v 60hz with no problem. The voltage shouldn't be an issue but will the 60hz be an issue? Most circuitry these days will adapt with no problem to that but especially on a TV, it needs to be checked out.

Answers to those questions will generate other questions as well.

 

[Brandon J.F.]

7). Voltage--if its 220v 50hz, will it operate off transformer on 110v 60hz with no problem. The voltage shouldn't be an issue but will the 60hz be an issue? Most circuitry these days will adapt with no problem to that but especially on a TV, it needs to be checked out.

The back of the TV says 220v and 50/60hz.

Great advice. Really looking forward to hearing your feedback when you find one of these to check out in person.

 

[Richard Andrewski]

Well that's good news then. Really a pity they didn't just use a wall wart then it'd be easy to change out the power supply.

 

[Bill Sepaniak]

... Other things to think about as this progresses are:

1). Will Skyworth handle all the Chinese customs clearance documents?
2). Will they handle the shipment(s)?
3). Will the shipments be point to point (to individuals or to a port)?
4). If to a port who will handle US customs clearance once they arrive and then send off individual shipments to each person in the group buy?
5). Air or sea shipping? (if its a large quantity, sea may be more doable and of course gentle on these units, but of course takes longer in the range of 20 to 30 days).
6). Insurance and claims if items are damaged?
7). Voltage--if its 220v 50hz, will it operate off transformer on 110v 60hz with no problem. The voltage shouldn't be an issue but will the 60hz be an issue? Most circuitry these days will adapt with no problem to that but especially on a TV, it needs to be checked out.

As with most things in life, the devil is in the details. Since Skyworth has a presence in the US (in the City of Industry in California) hopefully they will be in a position to handle all the import paper-work, customs clearances, duties, etc. (They appear to be actively selling some their smaller LCD models in the US already, so that really shouldn't be anything new to them. It really wouldn't be feasible for us to attempt to import them on an individual basis.) As to shipping, air freight from China is obviously the quickest ... but also the most expensive. While something to consider, I would think that it would increase the bottom-line price considerably. My hunch is that if they receive regular container shipments to the Port of Long Beach or the Port of LA, they would probably just add the 4K panels to a regular shipment from China, and that will obviously take longer. If it turns out that you receive a damaged unit or there is a warranty claim (what warranty) you may be SOL ... it is not like they will have a warehouse full of replacements here, or the ability to just send you another one any time soon. I think that is an inherent risk we all will take.

The biggest issue will be how (and by what means) do they get shipped to various end-users. Luckily, I am close enough and could pick my panel up in the City of Industry. Again, since Skyworth is already selling units in the US, so they may have the shipping wired ... who knows?

Finally, some info on voltage converters:

http://www.220-electronics.com/voltage-converter-buying-guide.html

___________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8

 

[Vance Colvig]

Pending a favorable report from a Reduser in China, +1

 

[Richard Andrewski]

Another thing to add to that list is what is the harmonized tariff code they use when shipping these TVs internationally. Its really important as it affects what tax will be charged when they reach the USA. I would count on at least 5% based on my choice of what seems like the code to use (8528.72.32.90 maybe?) but could be more or less depending upon the code they actually do use.

International Air Express shipments on something this large by Fedex or UPS will be incredibly expensive for sure. If using air, may want to pay to have them crated for extra protection.

If providing all these TVs at a group buy rate, I doubt they'll want much to do with handing all the shipping issues. Its a lot of paperwork and a lot of handling.

Yes I think people are SOL if they get a bad unit, at least until this TV is available in the USA and even then there wouldn't be a warranty to cover the issue so you'd have to pay for repair no doubt.

Its a real mine field.

 

[Will Keir]

How many we at now Matt? How many is the minimum and are they willing to sell me the shipping container when they are done? JK

 

[Bill Sepaniak]

... and are they willing to sell me the shipping container when they are done? JK

I can turn you on to a place in Wilmington that sells used shipping containers, if you are serious.

___________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8

 

[Abbas Raissi]

+1 I am in

 

[jacob kuilan]

i'd be interested. How much do we have to put fourth? and what about the HISENSE 58" i'm actually more interested in that. could we do a group buy for that instead? When do you expect us to put up the money? and if your trying to get a lot of people here's a great advise wait till income tax month to seal the deal that way more people follow thru driving the prices down so it won't be hard on peoples pockets plus it's only three months away. i'm definitely in if you can wait to gather more people till then?

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I got some info from the Skyworth USA contact. The 50" panel *might* be coming to the USA, but no ETA and it may happen at a later date with a subsequent model. Probably late summer or fall next year when most new TV introductions seem to happen on the market. These displays should have a presence at CES, but no specific details available there either. Aside from FCC and UL certifications, there are the lower voltage requirements, english menus and controls, etc.. They already have established sales infrastructure here in the USA with several distributors.

I'm unsure about the group buy, I know of a handful of similar panels that will be launching between March and May here in the USA. Of course, they're more expensive. The cheapest USA market 4K UHDTV I know of is the 55" Sharp, ETA is June or July and it should be under $5K.

I am potentially interested in this group buy, however it seems us in the states will need a voltage converter to connect this to a standard 110 outlet. Not a big deal, but converters like that have a bad habit of introducing rolling bars or "60-cycle hum" in imported displays. That may or may not be an issue and the quality of the converter is also a factor. I can live with my menus in Mandarin -- worst case scenario, I have a friend who could translate. hehe.

So, I guess I might be a +1 to the group buy. Final price would need to be known before I jump in and I'd also like to see a comprehensive review from someone with access to the display. The other thing we need to keep in mind about these displays is there will be no warranty or other support stateside from Skyworth once we bring them here. And I would imagine that on the group buy deal, all sales would be final, no refunds if we're not happy and all that. So, I don't know. I'm ready for 4K yesterday, but I may just wait to see what shakes loose at CES and plan from there. If I could walk into COSTCO right now and pick up the Skyworth, even with all the Chinese menus and voltage difference, I'd do it just to try it out. But with the group buy and import arrangements, maybe not so much. If there were an importer selling these displays that could offer support and or a satisfaction guaranty, I'd probably take the chance on it.

 

[Elsie N]

+1... maybe.

 

[Matt Ryan]

i'd be interested. How much do we have to put fourth? and what about the HISENSE 58" i'm actually more interested in that. could we do a group buy for that instead? When do you expect us to put up the money? and if your trying to get a lot of people here's a great advise wait till income tax month to seal the deal that way more people follow thru driving the prices down so it won't be hard on peoples pockets plus it's only three months away. i'm definitely in if you can wait to gather more people till then?

In an earlier post I spoke with Hisense and they are not willing to do a group buy and import into the USA. Skyworth was the only one who said yes, maybe...

They both said they would maybe have panels in the US by late next year...So if you want to wait, go ahead. I just personally wanted a 4k display now, and nothing in the US is priced to buy. They are extremely inflated in price. Funny thing is that HDTV manufacturers were all just in a class action lawsuit for price gouging when HDTV's first came to the market. They ended up paying out quite a bit... Yet they are doing the same thing again...

 

[Matt Ryan]

Also just spoke to Zhang Ming (Reduser) who is located in China, and here is what he had to say about the tv's:

I saw skyworth and LG and Hisense, honestly I prefer Hisense a little bit for the look, while Skyworth is also great, only LG's color isn't comfortable to my eyes (that maybe some option thing, I am not sure). But I have to say I only saw their biggest 84", and didn't pay too much attention because my old 50" TV still works fine, so I can wait for 4K 3D 60Hz TV. I am just curious about these 4K TV after all.

One of my chinese friend who is a famous pro of 3D film tech think skyworth is the best after his test, and LG is the most not-good. But their performance are very close (maybe the same chips?).

Forgot to mention, Hisense 50" and 65" is already everywhere.

 

[Bill Sepaniak]

If this happens, we are going to be the early adopters (read guinea pigs) and I'm sure there will be a lot more choices / options after CES. However, if you want a 4K panel NOW then your options are pretty slim ... and at a significant cost! (Hell, I remember buying my Pioneer Elite 50" Plasma for around $7,000.00 ... ouch!)

Matt, when do you think you will have some word ... one way or the other ... from Skyworth?

___________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8

 

[Matt Ryan]

If this happens, we are going to be the early adopters (read guinea pigs) and I'm sure there will be a lot more choices / options after CES. However, if you want a 4K panel NOW then your options are pretty slim ... and at a significant cost! (Hell, I remember buying my Pioneer Elite 50" Plasma for around $7,000.00 ... ouch!)

Matt, when do you think you will have some word ... one way or the other ... from Skyworth?

___________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8

Wish I could say when...I've now sent two more emails and no response yet since the initial response...