Several years ago, we put together a detailed guide on how to choose the right TV for games, and then we were sure that OLED from company Lg is the best and most ideal solution. Four years have passed, and now the situation has changed slightly. OLED Is still one of the top picks, but Lg in 2023, in this segment, start to step on the heels Sony and, perhaps, Samsung with mini LED technology.
IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGIES 2023
Although TVs with HDMI 2.1 were introduced back in 2019, the new standard and related technologies will not be widely adopted until this spring. For example, Samsung still used HDMI 2.0 in many of its top 2023 models.
Along with the new / old format will come many long-awaited improvements. An HDMI 2.1 cable (or Ultra High Speed HDMI) offers 48Gbps data transfer rates. Uncompressed data can be transmitted in 4K format and with an honest 120 frames at 8-, 10- 12-bit color. 8K at 10 and 12 bits produces only 30 frames. At 8 bits – 60 frames per second. A compressed image is possible in 8K and 120 frames, but the final picture will be noticeably worse. In addition, HDMI 2.1 offers dynamic HDR in models that support this standard with better picture quality due to the fact that the brightness level of the scene is selected depending on the environment. HDMI 2.1 also supports not only HDR10, but also cinematic Technicolor Dynamic HDR, which becomes especially important against the backdrop of the pandemic.
HDMI 2.1 also offers a small revolution in audio transmission. Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) transmits sound not in stereo, as it used to be, but with support for Dolby Atmos surround sound.
Two more technologies are directly related to games. Variable Refresh Rate or VRR is analogous to AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync available via DisplayPort on PC only. VRR technology synchronizes the on-screen display with the GPU, which helps to avoid output lag or frame tearing. So the picture will always remain as smooth as possible.
The second technology – Auto Low Latency Mode or ALLM – allows the TV to detect when a game is running and turn off all unnecessary image processing, reducing overall scene lag. In fact, the TV automatically switches to game mode.
OLED IN 2023
The main advantage of OLED technology is the absolute black color, which is still unattainable on LCD panels. Of course, manufacturers go to many tricks and make significant progress, but absolute black is still the advantage of OLED solutions. At the same time, OLED has the possibility of screen burnout if there is a static picture of TV channels, game menu for a long time, or when using a computer monitor in 24/7 mode. The panel may burn out in some color, which is revealed by filling the screen with an even red, yellow or blue color. OLED manufacturers themselves go to various tricks, such as automatically dimming the channel logo area or game menu, turning on the mode to lower the brightness of the picture during a pause or shifting the image by a few pixels, imperceptible to the eye. There are also programs for cleaning the matrix when the screen is turned off. That said, burn-in still occurs, and this is one of the reasons why OLED is not widely used in the production of monitors. However, now the situation has changed and many vendors offer their OLED solutions. For example, LG unveiled its first OLED monitor.
The second problem with OLED is brightness, which is noticeably inferior to LCD-matrices on expensive models of LCD TVs.
LG OLED
LG remains the leader in the OLED segment and offers new TVs based on both old and new technology solutions. And if earlier when choosing a TV from LG it was worth paying attention to the “C” series, then this year LG has only one flagship – the G1, created using the new OLED Evo technology, which promises 20% higher brightness level compared to regular and last year’s models.
As I noted above, the main flagship is the LG OLED Evo G1, which will be available in diagonals from 55 to 77 inches. In turn, LG OLED C1 is now a mid-range solution with a lower brightness level and characteristics close to last year’s model. The only innovation in the series is OLED Motion Pro technology with optimized black frame insertion, as well as the appearance of an 83-inch diagonal.
LG OLED B1 is the affordable version of the TV that promises compatibility with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. Well, the number of HDMI 2.1 outputs will obviously be cut here.
Rounding out the line is LG OLED A1 – the cheapest model that will be inferior in quality to both the G1 and C solutions.
LG’s new Alpha 9 Gen 4 AI processor, capable of separating faces and other important subjects from the background, will only be available in the G1 and C1 OLED series.
SONY OLED
Sony is trying to take the lead among OLED solutions this year. Using a modified matrix from LG, the company’s architects were able to achieve a higher level of brightness by attaching aluminum foil behind the screen, which better distributes the heat of OLED displays. Although a similar cooling solution has already been used in Panasonic’s OLED TVs for the past two years. Thus, higher heating is possible and all subpixels operate at full power, guaranteeing the viewer an increased amount of color and brightness.
In addition, due to better heat transfer, Sony was able to expand the range of diagonals, presenting a flagship with a screen size of 83 inches. As a result, its premium OLED series are expected: Sony 83A90J, Sony 65A90J and Sony 55A90J, that is, solutions in the range from 55 to 83 inches. Bonuses for buyers include access to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s 4K and HDR movie library, and a program of points that can be redeemed for movies. Sony’s new TVs will be powered by Google TV.
PANASONIC OLED
Panasonic is not very popular in Russia, but meanwhile, new TVs from the JZ2000 lineup are among the top brightest novelties at CES 2023. The manufacturer plans to release a new lineup in traditional sizes of 55 and 65 inches – TX-55JZ2000B and TX-65JZ2000B. The main advantage is the new video processor, which significantly reduces input lag. According to the company’s internal tests, it is 14.4ms, which is a real record for OLED solutions. Otherwise, the Master HDR OLED Professional Edition matrix supports Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision, HLG Photo and HDR10 +.
The processor already mentioned above adjusts the image and sound to the events taking place on the screen. For example, during a sports broadcast, it changes the sound to the stadium or improves the clarity of the players on the field, while while watching a movie, the system takes color profiles from the original movie.
In addition, these TVs support HDMI Signal Power Link, which allows you to connect rare set-top boxes that do not support CEC. In general, quite an interesting model, apart from the still thick frame around the screen.
NOT OLED OR NEO QLED BY SAMSUNG
In addition to OLED, traditional LCD solutions are stepping closer and closer to OLED territory, solving the problem of shallow blacks. Despite the fact that each manufacturer has its own LCD solutions, like NanoCell, we will still focus on the undisputed leader of this segment – Samsung with its quantum dots. The Korean giant is offering a new technology that uses the Quantum Mini LED Panel in the Neo QLED series of TVs. Quantum Mini LED backlighting LEDs are 40 times smaller than those of a conventional LCD panel, which made it possible to increase the number of LEDs in the backlight tenfold. It uses the finest layers of LEDs instead of lenses to scatter light and pixels. Quantum Array Technology minimizes flare for superior image quality. As a result, the architects of the solution managed to achieve 12-bit color with 4096 gradations, making the transitions between dark and light areas smoother. Artificial intelligence, thanks to the use of neural networks and machine learning, can upscale a picture from 4K to 8K on the go with increasing clarity. Another plus is the Infinity One screen, which has only a small strip at the bottom and is otherwise bezel-less, which leaves an incredible impression.
Game modes offer Super Ultrawide GameView, allowing you to play in an ultra-wide 32: 9 format with much more detail. A game panel has also been added, which is called from the menu and allows you to track the frame rate, turn on and off the low latency mode.
The TV itself gets 100% DCI-P3 color gamut.
The 8K lineup will include: Samsung 85QN900A6, Samsung 75QN900A 8K and Samsung 65QN900A 8K. In 4K format, 55- and 50-inch solutions will be added.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Not all prices were announced at the time of this writing, but it is already known that the LG G1 will be asked for from 170 thousand rubles, for the Sony A90J – presumably from 180 thousand.
IS IT WORTH BUYING 8K?
At the moment, 8K content is not enough, but if you are considering Samsung as a purchase, then due to the smart upscaling system, 8K will be the most correct solution. In the case of OLED, it is better to pay attention to traditional 4K solutions.
Author: Alexander Loginov (xtr) with the participation Mikhail Kuznetsov (FoxHounder)
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