LG OLED tv opinions

Discussion in 'Visual Arts' started by RadioClash, Nov 21, 2022.

  1. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    Here's how I've always done it:

    For dark room serious film viewing, we're always in a (customized with a few tweaks out of default settings) "cinema"-esque mode (on my current Samsung panel, it's called "Movie"). When viewing cable channels, news, etc. and with some room lights on and/or daylight spilling in from outside, I've always used "Standard" mode -- Standard makes everything punchier for more casual viewing in rooms where ambient light is challenging the display for your attention.

    If you're set up in a bar or commercial space (or if you're a retailer setting multiple panels up to compete with one another), the "Dynamic" or "Vivid" modes will help overcome harsh environmental lighting conditions (I wouldn't really recommend this for serious dark room sessions with film-based content).

    The "in between" modes like "Natural" (Samsung), "Sports" (I think Sony and some others), "Game" etc. I just never understood nor got the reason why manufacturers have to offer so many damn picture modes (save for maybe Game, which can be useful for the demographic it's geared towards). In fact, I never really understood why there isn't just ONE universal menu on all displays which can then be altered to user preference/reference (parameters like Contrast, Brightness, Color, et al); why all these "Sports-Day," "Sports-Night," "Sports-Toilet Time," "Film Dark, " "Film Bright" and "Film Pornographic Content" modes, and on and on? Just have one set of adjustable parameters that can be tweaked for different lighting and room conditions.
     
  2. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    This is an interesting topic, as we are considering trading in our Samsung edge-lit LCD (an NU8000 from 2018) for something that's going to do MUCH better in our primary viewing environment, which is a dark media room with little to no ambient lighting for serious cinema screening (all on discs, whether DVD, Blu-ray or Ultra HD Blu-ray). With the edge-lit panel we have now, the light blooming is completely off the charts and horrific, notably with HDR content -- when we watch our 4K Blu-rays that have HDR on this display (especially those films with letterboxing), the light spills into the black bars because of the lack of local dimming control (this model has local dimming but it's not really effective with HDR), causing the black levels to turn an ugly gray. Some discs bloom more than others, but it's been a problem since we bought the panel, and no manner of picture adjustments to parameters like brightness (black level) or gamma will fix it. Standard dynamic range content (DVDs and 1080p Blu-rays) don't bloom like this, and light is better controlled because I'm running the backlight at a value of "11" out of "50" for SDR stuff, but because HDR signals push the picture controls of the display to max (elements like contrast and backlight, plus local dimming), the blooming can't be clamped down on.

    Anyway, we're looking to move to a better technology while staying at our current size (65 inches; we have an entertainment center the display fits in, and we can't really go bigger because of the wall it sits on) to combat these black level problems in the dark, and, of course, I continuously get directed to the OLEDs. Now, I understand that OLED boasts that individual control over the pixels, which is why the black levels can get so deep and rich, especially in a dark room, but I have also read that they're not the best choice for watching HDR content in that they're not nearly as bright -- thus effective -- as LCDs in terms of hitting those peak highlights. I wouldn't want to miss out on any HDR highlights, but at the same time, I don't think brightness would be a problem in our darkened room.

    Is there any validity to the arguments made that OLED simply can't do HDR "right" because of its nits shortcomings, or should I not even think twice about replacing our edge-lit LCD with an OLED for dark room viewing? Also, is there another tech I should be considering in our shopping? It's been so hard to keep up with the technology, what with companies like Samsung coming out with their QD-OLED (I think it is) and Vizio offering some kind of advanced panel types (I believe), so should I be considering something other than an OLED or premium LCD?

    Now that I brought up "premium LCD," let me ask this: would I be better served getting, say, a range-topping LED LCD with good FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) such as a Samsung QLED? Would this be a better bet than an OLED because of the additional brightness? Let me also say this: we had a pretty negative experience with the Samsung 8 Series panel we purchased (our first 4K display and our first Samsung), given that it had a problem out of the box that needed technicians to come to the house to try to fix three times under warranty. In comparison, the Sony SXRD rear projection 1080p set we had previously exhibited zero issues in all the years we used it, save for a failing optical block that started to show itself after years and years of heavy use (from what I understand, lamp-based displays and projectors inherently develop these optical block issues), so I would have no problem choosing another Sony television product. I know Sony offers OLEDs as well, and that their panels are actually supplied by LG, but what would be the better buy -- a Sony or LG OLED? I happen to think the menu structure of the LGs are a bit too complicated, but the Sonys aren't much better in this regard, and in this way, Samsung seems to have done something right, as their displays aren't that hard to set up (you choose from a mere four picture modes and then begin setting parameters like backlight, color, etc.).

    I'd love to get insight here regarding what the best way to go would be, based on our viewing habits (mainly film watching in dark conditions at night) and the fact that we're coming from a poorly-performing edge-lit LCD...
     
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  3. Stereosound

    Stereosound Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    LCD is on it’s way down and most companies aren’t investing in it as OLED’s have gotten cheaper and become more profitable. A used LCD from a couple of years ago may be a better purchase if you feel the need for it as the picture quality of them seems to have degraded the last year or two for the new sets save for maybe the TCL and Hisense brands which have improved. Otherwise if you have the budget the Sony A95K, the Samsung S95B or the LG G2 are the best options for OLED for 2022. If you can’t afford them or if you think the other OLED’s look better to you then the LG C1 or LG C2 or Sony A90J or Sony A80J would be your only other nice options.
     
  4. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    Thanks for your honest thoughts and opinions, Stereo.

    I didn't know that LCD was on its way down/out; is this because of the local dimming issues to get black levels and contrast correct, especially compared to self-emissive tech like OLED?

    What about super-bright panels like Samsung's QLED line...would these be considered quasi-outdated at this point? I only ask because it seems QLEDs are always recommended for hitting those high HDR peaks.

    Are there any concerns about OLEDs being too "dark" to render HDR "correctly," even though the market seems to be leaning towards that tech?

    Now, with regard to your model suggestions -- we'd be looking at, most likely, another 65-inch sized panel (or possibly a little bigger; not sure that's going to work, though), but I was under the impression that the 65-inch OLEDs have come down in price to the point they're somewhat affordable now. How are the Samsung OLEDs? I know they waited awhile to jump into the OLED market, but what is the deal with their QD-OLED? What does this bring that regular OLEDs don't?

    In the meantime, I'll do some research on the Sony, Samsung and LG models you mentioned/suggested and put them on my shopping list. Thanks again.
     
  5. Stereosound

    Stereosound Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Yes LCD’s can basically get brighter as to why they are recommended for those that favor brightness and for bright viewing environments. And yes they struggle with black levels as even with local dimming there is blooming. That’s why OLED has better black levels because the OLED is self emissive and can turn the individual pixels completely off when needed (can’t get any darker than that can you? :laugh:) The reasons for LCD’s downturn is competition from cheaper panels from the Chinese manufacturers as well as the costs to make LCD’s are now higher than OLED and Samsung is feeling the pressure as LG which is the makers of most OLED panels have gained traction in the marketplace and give the better picture quality for most categories vs LCD’s. It’s just not worth the cost of investment to try and compete with LCD technology anymore. LED technology is still too costly and difficult to make them small enough to fit together for consumer sized panels which may outperform OLED’s in the future if they figure it out but it won’t be for a while. QD-OLED’ (OLED’s with Quantum Dots are the best we may get until then). TCL and Hisense are the two Chinese competitors with LCD panels. Sony, Samsung and LG are just phoning it in with their LCD offerings hoping they sell on their namesakes and the consumers aren’t the wiser. They have all put their future investment money into OLED for now. Samsung’s new QD-OLED S95B can get fairly bright enough to have some decent highlights in HDR. It’s actually a little brighter than Sony’s version A95K which is still nice with it’s highlights. LCD use LED as a backlight and they can be driven to get fairly bright as LCD’s are hard to burn in compared to OLED’s thus the reason OLED’s are dimmer by comparison although that’s just an overall thing. Scene by scene comparisons may have some variations between the technologies. OLED’s in a dark room are basically bright enough for most viewers as most non videophiles don’t seem to complain that it’s an issue. Highlights do vary from scene to scene between the different models and brands so that is a personal thing you will have to look at to see which may work best for you if that’s your thing. Quantum Dots with OLED’s bring the same benefit as they do with LCD’s. More and better color. Samsung makes the QD-OLED panels for themselves and Sony where LG makes OLED panels for themselves and Sony. LG does not currently have a QD-OLED offering and Samsung only has QD-OLED as they haven’t finalized an agreement with LG for regular OLED panels. OLED panels come in lots of sizes where currently QD-OLED comes in either 55 inch or 65 inch sizes next year they may do a 77 inch size but that is speculative at this point. CES is in a month so more news then perhaps. Figure out your size requirements and your budget then you can figure out which models to look at. Vastly different price difference between the Sony A95K and Samsung S95B which are both of the QD-OLED variety and they are close in performance. The regular OLED’s from LG and Sony have comparable prices with each other and the Samsung S95B depending on the model of course. Lots of YouTube videos and other articles comparing all this for you to check out. Have fun. Black Friday deals now so you may want to hurry or wait and see what improvements may happen for next year’s models or wait til next year when this years models are on close out if they are still available then.
     
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  6. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    Thanks; I'll respond to this in kind just as soon as I can...
     
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  7. Efus

    Efus Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    When I mentioned burn-in, I had an LG OLED B6, probably 4 years ago or so, that suffered it.

    The current model oleds are much better with that now, as Sam S mentioned, the picture now "moves" to prevent this, and the pixel refresh should run automatically when the tv is off. The pixel cleaner/refresh will not take out burn-in when you run it a couple times. (I tried it)
    I had it on a financial channel 5 days a week, 8-9 hours a day.

    So long story short, we got a full credit for another set, and after talking about it we decided to get another oled set.
    The picture was that good.
    So now Im just aware to not leave it on the financial network all day, and the picture still looks great 3+ years later.
     
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  8. phantasmagoria

    phantasmagoria Lost Child

    Location:
    Vale of Glamorgan
    We bought a 55” C2 earlier this year and I love it - fantastic both for streaming and for games.

    Our living room is bright - has a south facing wall to the side that is all glass - but I don’t tend to change the picture settings much. I prefer to close the blinds if necessary! That’s only necessary sometimes when the sun is low in the afternoon and shining directly in. I researched settings when initially setting up and have stuck with those, pretty much. I use the Cinema setting with a few tweaks, and have all the picture and sound AI functionality turned off.

    As I say, I’m very happy with the tv, having owned it for a few months now. I work from home and it gets a lot of use throughout the day (I have it on in the background and also use it with my MacBook as a screen mirror for work content/meetings). Would definitely recommend it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2022
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  9. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    Does anyone here use their TVs for actual film viewing in a darkened room LOL?
     
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  10. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    :wave:
     
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  11. phantasmagoria

    phantasmagoria Lost Child

    Location:
    Vale of Glamorgan
    My primary purpose.

     
  12. mikeyt

    mikeyt Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Yup, for viewing movies I turn the lights off unless it's just as background while I'm working or dicking around on the internet. A well mastered 4K blu-ray, or even an excellent 4K stream with Dolby Vision, on my LG CX in a dark room is visually extraordinary.
     
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  13. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    Thanks fellas!
     
  14. SamS

    SamS Forum Legend

    Location:
    Texas
    Me.
     
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  15. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    Thanks Sam.
     
  16. Dillydipper

    Dillydipper Space-Age luddite

    Location:
    Central PA
    Was at a friend's house for Thanxgiving, and screened Laurel & Hardy's March Of The Wooden Soldiers because my wife had never seen it - a favorite from their days watching WPIX/NYC after the Parade.
    And yes, the fake-motion setting was on, and gah! it was painful to watch. But, I kept my mouth shut, no need for a guest to ruin a good pumpkin pie over it.
    ( <--------please refer to my avatar! )

    What kills me though, is...the wife's dad is a television director for NBC, and he wasn't there this year. I know if he and I had ganged-up on the rest of them...at least it would be a traditional Thanksgiving incident! :laugh:
     
  17. ermylaw

    ermylaw Forum Resident

    Location:
    Kansas City
    We watched The Godfather on 4K blu-ray last night on the LG C1 via a Panasonic UB-820 player, and it was exquisite. Really, really amazing to watch it again on this new stuff.
     
  18. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    Thanks Ermy.

    So, is an OLED the best choice for dark room viewing of heavy letterboxed content, especially since we'd be coming from a horrifically blooming edge-lit LCD? Or should I go with a good FALD LCD?
     
  19. ermylaw

    ermylaw Forum Resident

    Location:
    Kansas City
    I’m far from a tv expert. But what I can say is that the OLED is perfect for dark rooms for me. The blacks are totally black. Reminds me of my old Panasonic plasma TV in that regard, but obviously the color and brightness are far superior.

    The regular TCL LCD we had before the LG OLEDs was terrible in comparison, with the washed out blacks.
     
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  20. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

  21. Bill Mac

    Bill Mac Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    I'm glad to read this. I have a Panasonic 60GT50 plasma and was dreading the time when it dies. So knowing that the LG OLED handles blacks and everything else well is great. Maybe it'll be time to go with a 65" or 75".
     
  22. tommy-thewho

    tommy-thewho Senior Member

    Location:
    detroit, mi
    I have a 65" OLED LG tv and love it.
     
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  23. Gappleton

    Gappleton Forum Resident

    We bought one of the newer G1 range last year to replace an aging Panny plasma and are absolutely blown away by the HDR performance.

    I can’t say it is streets ahead of a C1 but it it may just have the edge on it, depending on if you can get a bargain price. No sign of burn in but we don’t watch much with high key static graphics. We have watched a fair amount of letterboxed though and not seen anything detrimental with that.

    The G1 range is designed for wall mounting so doesn’t come with a stand and the additional LG feet are expensive. A swivel vesa stand from Amazon soon sorted that though.

    G.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2022
    Bill Mac likes this.
  24. We do. All the time. We got a new 65" Sony Bravia XR A80K OLED a few weeks ago and it looks fantastic in the dark.
     
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  25. Kaskade10729

    Kaskade10729 Senior Member

    I think my choices are coming down to a Sony or LG OLED...
     

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