Yes and no. The big improvement with the MKIV is the Blu-ray DVD player which can be added to your MKIII. However, the MKIV should bring a new LCD panel, which will include 100Hz support.

However, I think the difference between the MKIII and MKIV will be minimal. Indeed, I'm kind of preparing myself to be disappointed. Problem is, I don't know if I'll be able to compare a MKIII and MKIV side-by-side with the same picture.

I think there are a few of us asking the same question, especially regarding the model you mention. I know the DVD module can be replaced for a newer Bluray module. Software updates are continually being released but to what extent they will actually improve picture quality, I don't know. I suspect version IV will have a newer Samsung LCD panel. which is a key component we won't be able to change so easily! As for 50hz and 100hz I don't know if that can be achieved by software on existing panel types.

It will be interesting to see if there is much of a difference in picture quality between the two models. I am guessing the newer one might have a higher contrast ratio and display blacks better if it is a later panel. I can't wait to see if there are notable differences when watching standard definition on the two sets.

Simon.

The_Beonic_Man wrote:

I can't wait to see if there are notable differences when watching standard definition on the two sets.

I honestly don't think that will be any better. Indeed, it might be worse! LCD panels show every flaw 'as is' so we might see an even more improved HD picture, but a poorer SD, if that's possible. Who knows.

I don't think 100hz (or 200Hz, for that matter) can be achieved through a sw fix. I think it has to be a combination of panel and sw.

moxxey wrote:

The_Beonic_Man wrote:

I can't wait to see if there are notable differences when watching standard definition on the two sets.

I honestly don't think that will be any better. Indeed, it might be worse! LCD panels show every flaw 'as is' so we might see an even more improved HD picture, but a poorer SD, if that's possible. Who knows.

I don't think 100hz (or 200Hz, for that matter) can be achieved through a sw fix. I think it has to be a combination of panel and sw.

 

Interesting times ahead ... possibly. In another thread you mentioned about upgrading your model to the newer one, and I now realise through reading posts tonight that I have this coming week to make the same decision before prices are hiked up 10%. Do you have any idea of the cost of swapping over?

Simon.

The_Beonic_Man wrote:

Interesting times ahead ... possibly. In another thread you mentioned about upgrading your model to the newer one, and I now realise through reading posts tonight that I have this coming week to make the same decision before prices are hiked up 10%. Do you have any idea of the cost of swapping over?

Simon.

I genuinely don't know, but clearly couldn't give my dealer's price in the public forum, anyhow. They've not got back to me yet and everytime I discuss a trade-in, I'm told that they haven't received the price for the forthcoming BV7-40 MKIV and, without it, can't give me a trade-in price.

If it's due to rise by 10% on the 8th of May then the panel is going to be around £600 more expensive than the current RRP. That increase would have to be incorporated in to a trade-in price. I fear that we would be able to a) make a decision and b) do the deal before the 8th - it's the 4th today.

If the price is what I think it is going to be (based on my original trade-in value on the BV7-32), but might not justify the upgrade.

If the price was £600 or thereabouts I might be interested.

The_Beonic_Man wrote:

If the price was £600 or thereabouts I might be interested.

If the price to migrate from version to version was only £600 I think we'd all have one - unfortunately this isn't going to be the case🙁 If I had to guess I'd reckon on about £3K - of course that is a pure and utter guess on my part.

I was talking to my dealer, and to get swap out the MKIII for the MKIV I would have to pay in the region of approx £3.5k (but then I suppose  we do get an upgraded screen, BluRay, and whatever the new BeoSystem3 can do!!), but again this price is only valid until the 8th. Decisions, decisions... what to do...

It would seem that the upgrade from the DVD to BluRay is going to about £400-£600 tho.

The_Beonic_Man wrote:

If the price was £600 or thereabouts I might be interested.

Simon, are you being serious? You'd expect a dealer to take your BV7-40 for only £600 less than RRP? How would the dealer make a mark-up on this when selling second hand?

I'd be surprised if a dealer offered more than £4000 for the BV7-40 MKIII. You can figure the difference between the RRP and that trade-in price.