2015 Samsung 4k TV as a Monitor Set Up Guide

Does anyone have experience with the 2016 Samsung UN43KU7500? I'm hoping to use it as a monitor, but I'm struggling to find reviews. It's the only curved Samsung of this generation that is in the 40-45" range. I see a fair number of positive reviews for the 40" JU6700, but I'm really looking for a curved (and preferably slightly larger) monitor.

+1. Been looking at this KU7500. How does it compare to the JU7500? It is priced very well.
 
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+1. Been looking at this KU7500. How does it compare to the JU7500? It is priced very well.

I ahve no experience with it at all, but if it's good, that size would be perfect from a DPI perspective. My 48" JS9000 is just slightly too large. Wish it were like 42"-44" somewhere to get the optimal desktop DPI for 4k.
 
I ahve no experience with it at all, but if it's good, that size would be perfect from a DPI perspective. My 48" JS9000 is just slightly too large. Wish it were like 42"-44" somewhere to get the optimal desktop DPI for 4k.

How do Samsung TV version numbers work? Is 7500 significantly worse than 9000 or anything? Or does that number not mean anything?
 
How do Samsung TV version numbers work? Is 7500 significantly worse than 9000 or anything? Or does that number not mean anything?

Honestly, I find their model numbering confusing as all hell, I can't even remember the exact differences anymore. I assume that all 7500 models are more or less alike, just in different sizes and for different markets, but I don't know if that is true.

If I recall the biggest difference is the refresh rate being lower on the 7500. The JS9000 actually gets a true 120hz panel. You can still only output 60hz to it, but it updates twice per frame, resulting in less ghosting/motion blur (which is pretty tiny on even the lowest of these models anyway). I also think local dimming may be present (or better) on the JS9000 than on the 7500, but I can't remember.

Don't take any of the above as fact. Do your own research, because It's been a year since I was comparison shopping, and I just can't remember.

In that other massive 300 page thread, someone did a really good breakdown of the differences between the models at one point, but good luck finding it now. It's somewhere in those 300 pages :p
 
Partially correct, Z. The 7500 is also a 120hz panel and supports the same Clear Motion rate, etc. as the 9000/9500. The difference with the 9000 was that it was a quantum dot display (wider gamut, more vivid colors, HDR support, etc.). The 9500 was basically the 9000 with FALD and a couple of other minor features that, to most, weren't worth the large price difference at the time.

The 6xxx series was what you were thinking that the 7xxx series was. They were only 60hz with a Clear Motion rate of 120hz, where as the 7xxx and up were 120hz with a Clear Motion rate of 240hz (as you noted, you could only output 60hz to them, but the 7xxx and 9xxx were capable of smoother motion).
 
I returned the Ku6300 and got last years UN40JU7100 for $700 much happier overall. Text and picture quality is much better and so is ghosting.
 
Since the JU7500 is being discontinued. What's the next best curved set in the 40-43" range?

Hate to drop $1300 on last years model. If I could find a deal on it for less than $1k then I wouldn't really care.
 
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I returned the Ku6300 and got last years UN40JU7100 for $700 much happier overall. Text and picture quality is much better and so is ghosting.

Actually brought home a UN48JU7500 today that was on demo, ended up being too big for my use, going to return it for a UN40JU7100. For some reason I didn't care for the curved screen either.
 
Actually brought home a UN48JU7500 today that was on demo, ended up being too big for my use, going to return it for a UN40JU7100. For some reason I didn't care for the curved screen either.

I wanted the JU7500 as it had lower input lag and response time but I wasnt willing to pay double for it. I was contemplating on the UN48JS9000 but the size was just too big. Ive been really satisfied with the JU7100 but I have to say the new Tizen UI is better but the older remotes from 2015 are much better than the 2016 models.
 
I wanted the JU7500 as it had lower input lag and response time but I wasnt willing to pay double for it. I was contemplating on the UN48JS9000 but the size was just too big. Ive been really satisfied with the JU7100 but I have to say the new Tizen UI is better but the older remotes from 2015 are much better than the 2016 models.

Well my choices were either demo 48JU7500 for $875, new 40JU7500 for $1300, or new 40JU7100 for $725. I wished the 2016 KU-series were actual upgrades instead of stripped down.
 
Well my choices were either demo 48JU7500 for $875, new 40JU7500 for $1300, or new 40JU7100 for $725. I wished the 2016 KU-series were actual upgrades instead of stripped down.

Yea thats how I felt. My Choice were the same as yours except I got the UN40JU7100 for $700 at frys. The UN48JS9000 at BJ's is $800.
 
Yea thats how I felt. My Choice were the same as yours except I got the UN40JU7100 for $700 at frys. The UN48JS9000 at BJ's is $800.

Just returned the 48JU7500 I bought on demo...way too big and surprisingly I didn't care for the curved screen. Picked up the UN40JU7100, loving it so far even though it is only running at 30hz with my retina macbook pro.
 
Late on this response BUT

anyone wanting to lower the height NEEDS to desk mount it

I did this with the Monoprice arm and a VESA adapter

4Pb8LBR.jpg

Which Monoprice model is that? Any pictures of the back? Looking for one that will sit the monitor as far back as possible.
 
I returned the Ku6300 and got last years UN40JU7100 for $700 much happier overall. Text and picture quality is much better and so is ghosting.

Did you buy the ju7100 new or used? I am finding difficulty getting the unit at a reasonable price. I wish I got on the 4k TV bandwagon sooner!
 
Figured I'd crosspost this here as well.

If anyone else - like me - is a little annoyed by the fan noise coming from your One Connect boxes, I modded mine, and now it is silent:

image.png


Details here. (Ignore thtread title, I didn't actually water-cool it :p )
 
Just returned the 48JU7500 I bought on demo...way too big and surprisingly I didn't care for the curved screen. Picked up the UN40JU7100, loving it so far even though it is only running at 30hz with my retina macbook pro.


Yeah, In order to get the full refresh rate you'd need HDMI 2.0.

Maybe a Thunderbolt to PCIe adapter with the cheapest Nvidia 900 series card you can find in it would do the trick? can you even run Nvidia PCIe cards on macs?
 
Yeah, In order to get the full refresh rate you'd need HDMI 2.0.

Maybe a Thunderbolt to PCIe adapter with the cheapest Nvidia 900 series card you can find in it would do the trick? can you even run Nvidia PCIe cards on macs?

I was planning on that, but external gpu still isn't fully and officially supported by Intel or Apple. I just went ahead and built a mini itx system instead. Tried to setup up as a hackintosh, but no support for 60hz via HDMI 2.0 from OSX.
 
I was planning on that, but external gpu still isn't fully and officially supported by Intel or Apple. I just went ahead and built a mini itx system instead. Tried to setup up as a hackintosh, but no support for 60hz via HDMI 2.0 from OSX.


Wow, that's a pity.
 
I currently have a pair of 780s in SLI and I am waiting for the 1080ti before I upgrade. Will I be able to drive the JS9000 at 4k @ 60Hz with 4:4:4 using a combination of a displayport 1.2 to hdmi 2.0 adapter and high speed hdmi cable? The products I am looking to use are linked below:

https://www.amazon.com/Club3D-Displ...8-1&keywords=club+3d+display+port+to+hdmi+2.0

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRA11IU?psc=1

What other 10ft hdmi cables will work for this TV? It appears the monoprice 15ft cables are out of stock.
 
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I currently have a pair of 780s in SLI and I am waiting for the 1080ti before I upgrade. Will I be able to drive the JS9000 at 4k @ 60Hz with 4:4:4 using a combination of a displayport 1.2 to hdmi 2.0 adapter and high speed hdmi cable? The products I am looking to use are linked below:

Amazon.com: Club3D Displayport 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 UHD (CAC-1070): Computers & Accessories

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRA11IU?psc=1

What other 10ft hdmi cables will work for this TV? It appears the monoprice 15ft cables are out of stock.

Those adapters are by their nature going to be active adapters, I believe, so they'll likely introduce input lag.

Why not just use the native HDMI 2.0 port already on the 1080?
 
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Thanks for your comments, Zarathustra[H]. How much input lag do you think the adapter will introduce? I don't have a 1080. I currently have a pair of 780s in SLI. I plan to upgrade to the 1080ti when it is released next year.
 
Thanks for your comments, Zarathustra[H]. How much input lag do you think the adapter will introduce? I don't have a 1080. I currently have a pair of 780s in SLI. I plan to upgrade to the 1080ti when it is released next year.

Oh, ok, you meant until you pick up a 1080.

I'm not sure. I've never seen anyone test an active adapter like this.

It appears it uses the Parade PS176 chip but the specs on that page do not mention latency figures.

Everyone seems to be on the same page that the adapter does introduce lag, but no one has figures for how significant that lag is.

I'd say it should work. The card supports the resolution. The question is how significant the lag will be, and that I can't tell you.

Also, are you currently able to play well using DSR at 4k resolutions? I'd test that first, as the 3GB of VRAM may wind up being a bottleneck at 4k.
 
Oh, ok, you meant until you pick up a 1080.

I'm not sure. I've never seen anyone test an active adapter like this.

It appears it uses the Parade PS176 chip but the specs on that page do not mention latency figures.

Everyone seems to be on the same page that the adapter does introduce lag, but no one has figures for how significant that lag is.

I'd say it should work. The card supports the resolution. The question is how significant the lag will be, and that I can't tell you.

Also, are you currently able to play well using DSR at 4k resolutions? I'd test that first, as the 3GB of VRAM may wind up being a bottleneck at 4k.

Many of the games I play are relatively old such as FO3, Batman Arkham Asylum, Alan Wake, etc so I hope they can be played at 4k. You do bring up a very good point so I will test them out using DSR. One of the other reasons I want to pick up the TV now is because I want to play games in side-by-side 3D with resolution 2k@60Hz and it is my understanding that the bandwidth required is equal to 4k@60Hz. But since TV manufacturers are dropping 3D support, I fear by the time I upgrade to the 1080ti, no 3D TVs will be available. I could alternatively go for VR for my 3D gaming needs but I have not seen any definitive information on the quality of 3D gaming using a VR HMD like Vive or Rift. Do you have any comments on the subject? Thanks!

I am also concerned about the noise from the one connect box. I am very sensitive to noise and put a lot of effort into making my PC silent. Is the one connect box cable long enough so that I can put the box underneath my desk far away from me? How long is the one connect box cable? Do aftermarket longer options exist?
 
Found UN48JS9000 at Bjs online for $800. What do you guys think?

Oh lordy thank you so much. I had just spent $100 more on a 7500 through Crutchfield. Cancelled the order. Went to BJ's, used my Amex to get an extra year of warranty, 5% cashback, and a free* membership, and grabbed one of the five JS9000's they had on the floor. It's beautiful. I've been using an old 37" Westinghouse for a decade (served me well, but the picture quality is so much better on the Samsung.) This thing is incredible and I don't even have my GTX1080 yet (Tuesday!) so I'm at 30Hz with my GTX780. I don't play CS anymore or anything competitive so the lag is unnoticeable to me. I'm old and blind so even game mode looks pretty damn good on most everything. I love the subtle curve. It's magnificent, especially for $800. I paid $1k for the Westy many moons ago; hard to believe this thing was $2k+ last year.

The 9000 really was pretty great out of the box but thanks OP for the tips to make it even better and make me familiar with the menus and options. I'm thinking of trying the setting some AVS guy posted here to see if there is any noticeable improvement. I was afraid 48" woud be too big (westy was 37") but at ~4' it's just about perfect. I think the curve helps.

Thanks again to OP and everyone who contributed to this awesome thread.

*With Amex $50 membership is dropped to $25 and you get a $25 gift cert.
 
glad you got in on it! Would have bought it if there was a 40".
I was worried about 48" too since I'm coming from a 37" westy but with my new Lift desk, which is super deep, and the keyboard tray, I stay about 4' away, and can push it to 5' if needed, but I found just a 1/2" wood block under the back of the stand to tilt it down a tad, plus the (very slight) curve in the screen is really perfect. Any bigger would be bad, and I hear the 2016 models are going to be 55"+ for the good SUHD/curved panels so I figured it's time to get in now. I'm glad I did. It's amazing how much better a modern VA panel looks compared to an old TFT or whatever it is.

My wife is using the westy now, replacing three 18-20" LCD's on ergo arms. She loves it (no bezels) but when she comes into my office she gets jealous. I offered to buy her one but she says she's happy, so I'm happy.

Thanks again man, you saved me $100 and got me a better panel 8" bigger than what I'd convinced myself to buy in the 7500.
 
Here's something odd with the JS4000 driven by a GTX780: my understanding is the 780 can't do 3840x2160 with 4:4:4 because it doesn't support HDMI 2.0 (please correct me if I'm wrong.) My GTX1080 will be here tomorrow so I'm not too worried, but just for kicks I tried setting it to both 60Hz and 59Hz and both are definitely smoother. Mouse movements are the most obvious. 4:4:4 is still there (I'm in Game Mode).

The UFO test says sync failed but 59 (or 60) FPS. At 30HZ UFO test sync is fine and it says 30Hz, of course.

Anyone know what's going on?
 
If you're in Game Mode, you're not at 4:4:4...

Try PC mode and 59/60Hz. Not gonna happen unless your 780 is the only one that managed to escape the factory with a HDMI 2.0 output, lol. :)
 
If you're in Game Mode, you're not at 4:4:4...

Try PC mode and 59/60Hz. Not gonna happen unless your 780 is the only one that managed to escape the factory with a HDMI 2.0 output, lol. :)
My bad. I meant PC mode. It's clearly 4:4:4.

I don't think it's really 60Hz but there is a noticeable difference between "30Hz" and 59 or 60Hz. vOv

Anyway tomorrow I get the 1080 and hand this 780 to the wife and sell whatever is in her machine. :)
 
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My bad. I meant PC mode. It's clearly 4:4:4.

I don't think it's really 60Hz but there is a noticeable difference between "30Hz" and 59 or 60Hz. vOv

Anyway tomorrow I get the 1080 and hand this 780 to the wife and sell whatever is in her machine. :)

Good deal man. That should be one heck of an upgrade considering you skipped the 9 series of cards altogether. Congrats and enjoy!
 
I don't think it's really 60Hz but there is a noticeable difference between "30Hz" and 59 or 60Hz. vOv

Yeah, when I first got my JS9000, I hadn't received my 980TI's yet. I still had my old 2013 Titan without HDMI 2.0.

I could run it at 4:4:4 on the desktop, but only at 30hz. I had expected 30hz to be fine on the desktop, as it is not as motion dependent as games, but boy was I wrong. It was awful.
 
Yeah, when I first got my JS9000, I hadn't received my 980TI's yet. I still had my old 2013 Titan without HDMI 2.0.

I could run it at 4:4:4 on the desktop, but only at 30hz. I had expected 30hz to be fine on the desktop, as it is not as motion dependent as games, but boy was I wrong. It was awful.
Yes there's a huge difference between 30Hz on my GTX780 and true 60Hz on my GTX1080. But I swear I could see a difference between setting 30Hz and 60Hz on the 780, in PC mode in both cases. I know the 780 can't do HDMI2, and I'm not sure how to prove it (or if I'll even bother now that it's gone), but FWIW the UFO test said "synced, 30Hz, 30FPS" when I had windows set to 30Hz, as expected. But when I changed windows to 60Hz, it said "NOT synced, -- Hz, 60FPS."

Not sure how to interpret that, and again, it doesn't matter much to me any more, but it definitely looked better* when set to 60Hz. The downside was some menus (File, Open, Edit, etc.) in "classic" windows dialog boxes would slightly flicker every few seconds.

I love this monitor and the GTX1080 is a beast. Thanks for all the help you guys have provided over the years. I don't post much, but I always come here to check on things before making a decision on anything tech.

* edit: by "looked better" I mean smoother, especially fast mouse motions. On 30MHz they were jerky and jumpy. On "60Hz" with the 780 they were noticeably smoother. Not as smooth at 60Hz on the GTX1080, but better than 30Hz. Weird.
 
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First and foremost, thank you for this guide - extremely helpful!

I just received the 48JS9000 yesterday and set it up as a monitor following the exact steps. It's connected to a 980ti, and everything shows as 4K/60P and looks amazing. There is however one thing that is annoying me, and feels almost "wrong" - and that's the input lag in PC mode for normal desktop usage. Simply moving the mouse around just feels laggy as does typing - it's really quite noticeable. I tried playing Witcher 3 in PC mode, and turning the camera is almost humorous as to how much lag there is.

As soon as I switch to Game mode - it all goes away. The mouse works fine, keystrokes are basically immediate, etc. Naturally don't want to use Game mode for normal PC usage.

Is anyone else experiencing this or do I perhaps have something setup wrong? It feels like a several hundred MS difference between the two modes, and not a 20 vs 40ms difference.
 
First and foremost, thank you for this guide - extremely helpful!

I just received the 48JS9000 yesterday and set it up as a monitor following the exact steps. It's connected to a 980ti, and everything shows as 4K/60P and looks amazing. There is however one thing that is annoying me, and feels almost "wrong" - and that's the input lag in PC mode for normal desktop usage. Simply moving the mouse around just feels laggy as does typing - it's really quite noticeable. I tried playing Witcher 3 in PC mode, and turning the camera is almost humorous as to how much lag there is.

As soon as I switch to Game mode - it all goes away. The mouse works fine, keystrokes are basically immediate, etc. Naturally don't want to use Game mode for normal PC usage.

Is anyone else experiencing this or do I perhaps have something setup wrong? It feels like a several hundred MS difference between the two modes, and not a 20 vs 40ms difference.

Do you have the latest firmware on the TV?

I don't notice any input lag at all in typical desktop use in PC mode, but it could be that I am just used to it.
 
I had a mouse that gave a fair lag on some displays and less on others, it was odd and annoying. It used standard windows drivers. I sent it back.
(changing TV mode might give the same effect)
See what happens with a different mouse.
 
I had a mouse that gave a fair lag on some displays and less on others, it was odd and annoying. It used standard windows drivers. I sent it back.
(changing TV mode might give the same effect)
See what happens with a different mouse.


It's not that weird actually.

What you are perceiving is not necessarily the lag in the TV alone, but the overall lag of the entire system.

You know the sum of:
- Mouse lag
- USB system lag
- CPU/RAM etc. lag
- OS/Game Engine/Whatever lag
- transfer to video card lag
- video card render lag
- frame buffer output lag
- screen lag
- and probably others I haven't thought of.

These things are generally perceived as instantaneous by human beings as long as the TOTAL lag is ~100ms or below.

Now, with a monitor that uses ~40ms of lag, like the Samsung screens do, that leaves only ~60ms for everything else. At 60hz with vsync on on the desktop, the GPU uses another ~17ms, etc. etc.

it is easy for a problem with any individual component to push you over the edge.

This explains - more than some people just being more sensitive than others - why some people find the lag in the same screen acceptable or not so. For instance, if you use Crossfire/SLI you add a whole bunch of more input lag automatically. I can easily see how a bad USB driver or mouse might add some lag too, etc. etc.

The takeaway is simply that many many variables contribute to overall input lag, not just the screen, and you generally don't notice it until it surpasses the threshold, which for most people is about 100ms. You might have a high latency mouse or USB system all along, and never notice it, until you switch screens and now your total is above the threshold.
 
I would have to conclude the same but it "was" beyond the bounds of normal.
 
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