04 Jul
Blog

Sony X900H 4K HDR TV review | Stunning Value

"Image quality that far exceeds your expectations"

  • Great black levels

  • Impressive HDR highlights

  • Extremely accurate color

  • Clean picture

  • Snappy Android TV response

  • Reflective screen

  • VRR not yet available for games

How can a 65-inch TV worth $ 1,300 add value? By providing an image quality that is well above the price. This is exactly what the Sony X900H does and therefore causes a lot of excitement in TV enthusiasts.

For several years now, film fans, home theater owners and almost everyone who wants to get the best TV picture quality for their money have been looking at the models of the X900 series from Sony. Yes, in the middle price segment, but not in the middle price segment due to the consistently excellent image quality from Sony.

This year the X900H offers a bonus. The set offers (or will soon be) features that none of its other televisions will offer this year – Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), especially for gamers. If you want a Sony and the best gaming experience, especially with next generation consoles like Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X, you should buy this TV. You get the following:

Out of the box

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The X900H is by far the easiest TV I've set up this year. The TV's packaging contains the unnecessarily long Sony remote, batteries for the remote, some product literature, and two legs – or feet if you prefer.

You will find that I have said nothing about screws, and that is because you do not need them. The legs snap directly into the slots under the TV cabinet without the need for screws. I was happy with how stable the stand was, but I'm not sure how to find the look of ultra-slim blade feet, and I wasn't impressed with the cable management solution, which is basically just a clip on the back of the feet.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Also not included is a breakout cable for older component or composite video cables. I'm not sure how many more people rock a classic console or VCR that may need to use one of these connections, but I know that in this case you will need your own breakout cable to make the connection.

Properties and design

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The X900H looks slim and reserved. It has thin bezels, not a ton of trim and is more plastic than metal. The overall depth of the X900H is 2 7/8 inches. Depending on what type of wall bracket is used, the TV should look inconspicuous on a wall.

An important note on the screen of the X900H. It's pretty reflective. This is usually not a problem if you are viewing bright content, but I would not plan to see Game of Thrones or Ozark with the windows open on a bright day without seeing room reflections.

Under the hood, the X900H is equipped with the X1 4K HDR processor from Sony. It's not the Hot Rod X1 Ultimate processor found in more expensive models like the recently reviewed Sony A8H OLED, but in my experience, it still delivers the nifty, clean look that distinguishes Sony TVs from others.

The X900H gives you four HDMI 2.0 inputs, one of which supports ARC. I mentioned earlier that the X900H will support VRR for gaming, but the update that enables it has not yet been released as of the release date of this review, and Sony has no estimated schedule for this feature coming on this TV.

A quick note on the above. I asked Sony why this TV has not yet been updated to support VRR or why it is not supported immediately. Sony's response is to standards. As a partner of CTA, NAB and various other standards organizations, Sony prefers to complete all standard tests before deploying new technology such as HDMI 2.1 or any of the features it comes with. Sony mentions a consistent, stable experience as very important to its customers.

I can respect Sony's stance, but while competitors offer features that their TVs don't have, I think Sony looks like it is lagging behind at the moment. Regardless, there is no reason not to have VRR at the start of not buying this TV. The image quality is too good for the price.

picture quality

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The contrast, which is the most striking element of image quality, is based on black levels. The darker a television can get, the higher the contrast and the less brightness is required to achieve a high contrast. One of the reasons why the X900H excels is its very good black level. This is thanks to Sony's backlight system.

An LCD screen is illuminated from behind by a series of LED backlights. The backlight system must be carefully controlled so that the black level does not turn gray. This control, which includes different zones – or groups – of lights is called local dimming, and this local dimming is driven by an algorithm. I've said it before, but it needs to be repeated: Sony has the best local dimming algorithm in the industry.

With a solid black base, the X900H doesn't need to be extremely bright to look vibrant. With the Calman software from Portrait Display and a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter, I measured the peak brightness of the X900H over a longer period in a 10% window at 750 nits. With competing TVs with 1,500, 2,000, and even 3,000 nits of peak brightness (see Vizio PQX), the X900Hs seem to be a bit low, but I assure you that 750 nits will offer you a very pleasant HDR experience even when the lights are on. and especially with the lights off.

Sony has the best local dimming algorithm in the industry.

To put things in the right light, the Samsung Q90T in HDR film mode (same 10% window test) offers about 1,400 nits of peak brightness, which is almost double the X900H. However, the 65-inch Q90T also costs $ 2,500. That's $ 1,200 more than the Sony X900H we tested here. I can tell you from experience that despite other valuable features, the experience of having double brightness alone in reserve is not worth more than $ 1,000.

When I turned to color, I was impressed with the ready-to-use color accuracy of the X900H in the Cinema and Custom image presets, both in SDR and HDR modes. The television had to be adjusted very little to bring the color accuracy below the visible threshold. This means that most users never have to touch anything to get an outstanding color experience with this TV.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Aside from these core picture elements, Sony's X1 processor delivered a very clean picture even when low bit rate content was streamed from websites like Netflix and Hulu. I observed minimized contours and streaks of color when I looked at them. The performance of the upscaling and other processing elements outperformed the Hisense H8G Quantum that I am currently evaluating and in some cases was just as good and even better than the Samsung Q90T.

This was not a surprise as Sony's workmanship has always been the best in the business. Also not surprising was the cleanliness of the VA panel, which had no dirty screen effect (DSE) or stains.

All of these individual elements have been brought together to create a rich, brilliant, vivid and clean picture. On more than a few occasions, I didn't take notes and just admired the TV. It's not as stunning as Sony's A8H OLED, but it offers a similarly satisfying cinema experience at a fraction of the price, and that's the value in my book.

Our opinion

The Sony X900H offers one of the best picture quality to price ratios you'll find this year. The screen is a bit reflective, and viewing this type of LED / LCD TV off-angle is never great, but these two mistakes can be overlooked thanks to the rich, colorful, and cinematic picture quality.

Is there a better alternative?

Not yet and not in this price range, although I have some upcoming Vizio models in mind. For gamers who want instant gratification, I would recommend taking a look at the Samsung Q70T, which costs the same for a 65-inch model, supports VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and should also have convincing image quality.

How long it will take?

The television itself should last for many years, and new features to support next-generation game consoles are promised in the near future.

warranty

Sony grants a one year warranty on its X900H series TVs if you buy the TV from an authorized dealer. The guarantee relates specifically to the storage of the product packaging. So look at the fine print.

You should buy it

Yes. If you crave Sony image quality but want to minimize the dent in your wallet after purchase, the X900H is an excellent choice.

Editor's recommendations




26 Jun
Blog

Samsung Q90T 4K HDR QLED TV review: Mostly Exceptional

"The Samsung Q90T delivers a breathtaking picture."

  • Eye-catching design

  • Excellent brightness and contrast

  • Spot color accuracy

  • Excellent for playing

  • Rainbow effect from the screen level

  • Still expensive

  • Nobody connects box

Given that the Samsung Q90R was one of my favorite TVs in 2019, I had high hopes for its successor in 2020, which I suspected would be the Q90T tested here. As it turned out, Samsung had some interesting plans to shake up its 2020 lineup, which was unveiled at CES earlier this year.

Unlike the Q90R, the Q90T doesn't come with Samsung's One Connect Box (a feature I'm a big fan of), the backlight system has fewer local dimming zones, and the panel layer that enables deeper black levels isn't quite as effective. To use these functions, you have to switch to the Q800T, which is an 8K television.

All of this makes the Q90T appear less as a replacement for the Q90R than as an effort by Samsung to bring premium buyers to its 8K TV line. But it's not all bad news. The 65-inch Q90T costs $ 1,000 less than the 65-inch Q90R when it was released. It has a pimped sound system and is available in other sizes – including 55, 65, 75 and 85 inch variants.

Ultimately, the Q90T doesn't seem to be as advanced as last year's 4K flagship, but it is still a remarkable TV and will likely be one of the best TVs you can buy this year.

Out of the box

The Q90T is one of the heaviest 65-inch devices I've wrestled with from Samsung and Panasonic plasma TVs since sunset. Most of the weight comes from the stand, a sturdy, curved piece of brushed metal that attaches to the center of the TV. This weight instilled confidence that the panel is held securely, and it is, but the TV still wobbles a lot more than I want. Be sure to install a seat belt to ensure safety when you mount this TV while standing.

Do-it-yourself wall mounting needs a friend. I dare to say that even the 55-inch set would require a second set of hands to be securely mounted on the wall. I would also recommend drilling the wall mounting plate into studs as I'm not sure if drywall anchors would do the trick.

Samsung Q90T remote controlDan Baker

In addition to the TV and the stand, the packaging contains the simple but effective remote control from Samsung, batteries, stand screws and some product literature, which contains an installation guide that I would like to recommend to buyers, since the method of installing the TV stand depends on Stand size varies TELEVISION.

Properties and design

The Q90T is a very eye-catching television, even if its bezels are not as invisible as that of the Q90R. It's a black plate with an intentionally thick profile, but I like it. Maybe it's all lush brushed metal, but the Q90T seems to be on business.

The Q90T is a very eye-catching television

I mentioned the absence of Samsung's One Connect box, which handles all incoming connections from game consoles, Blu-ray players, etc., and conducts power and video signals over a single clear cable that is virtually undetectable on a wall. Its convenience and practicality are missed.

Samsung Q90T profileDan Baker

The Q90T has four built-in HDMI inputs, of which only one is HDMI 2.1 capable. This means that the TV supports eARC together with variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic low latency mode (ALLM) and up to 4K 120 Hz signals. All of this is good news for gamers.

Samsung's workmanship has also improved this year. You will see fewer artifacts, especially if you stream content from Netflix, Hulu, Disney + or HBO Max. Apps for which everyone is directly integrated. Samsung has also reduced its tendency to sharpen the image too much by making the image presets in the focus department less aggressive. These are all welcome improvements.

Regarding the backlight, I have already mentioned that there are fewer zones, but as I will explain shortly, this is not a weak point for this TV. Samsung's local dimming processor seems to be working even better than last year, fewer zones or not.

user friendliness

Samsung's Tizen operating system is fine. There is nothing wrong with that. I think most people will navigate it easily enough. Maybe it just feels a little stale to me because I've used it so often and I've been using it for a long time. I will say that Samsung's automatic detection function, which detects what you have connected to the TV, labels it correctly and allows immediate control via its own remote control, is something I have always appreciated on Samsung TVs and that for the user friendliness of this television set is of great importance.

Compared to LG's webOS, which looks a bit dated, Tizen makes less effort to integrate the smart home, which I think is a little more geared towards meeting the needs of television. Tizen also complies with LG's webOS in that it combines free wireless and free TV channels provided over the Internet and summarizes everything in one guide.

Compared to Android TV, which is used by Sony, Tizen feels a bit more individual, but less language-friendly. Samsung added the ability to make Amazon Alexa the default voice assistant – much better than Samsung's own Bixby – but the integration was uncomfortable for me. Android TV makes using the Google Assistant very easy.

picture quality

It gets a little tricky here. From the moment I turned on the Q90T for the first time, I found that it had a problem with the uniformity of the panel. Certain areas of the screen appear blotchy, which is known in television circles as the dirty screen effect (DSE). I've seen this on less expensive TVs, but never on a premium Samsung.

Dan Baker

I think that's an anomaly. Let me explain.

First of all, it is clear that this TV has been used before – the screws of the TV stand were in a sandwich bag and I could see some small scratches on the back of the TV. In addition, the TV box saw significantly more than the typical mailing campaign. Speaking to representatives from Samsung, I also learned that, given the global coronavirus pandemic, it was difficult to send review samples to reviewers, and part of this fight meant that the device I had received was unlikely to be checked, before it was shipped to me.

The Q90T is a top performer.

I have requested a replacement sample for Q90T and will update this review as soon as I have made a second review. I only offer this option in extreme cases when I suspect that a television is damaged or otherwise defective. Until then, my rating and rating for this TV contains the uniformity issues I've seen.

But uniformity is only part of the picture quality. Otherwise, the Q90T is a first-class service provider.

The Q90T's black levels are the best I've seen outside of Samsung's own high-end models (like the 8K Q900R and probably the Q800T, which I haven't checked yet) and the Sony and LG OLED TVs, one use completely different technology. Blooming is well controlled, which is particularly evident when, in some films, subtitles run across the bottom black letterbox bars without turning the black bar gray.

Dan Baker

The brightness is more than sufficient. Using Portrait Display's Calman software, along with a SpectraCal C6 HDR colorimeter and a Videoforge Pro pattern generator, I measured the sustained peak brightness in HDR at 1500 nits, which is bright enough to provide a stunning HDR image from the Screen appears. Compared to the brightness of the Sony X900H of 750 nits that I am currently evaluating, the number is twice as high, although I would say that it is not twice as bright.

The Q90T delivers a breathtaking picture

The color accuracy in the Q90T's film image preset was immediately ready for use in both SDR and HDR. I've made minor adjustments to the white balance that have further improved color accuracy, but I think most people will love the color of the TV without any adjustment. So far, only the Sony X900H has achieved ready-to-use color accuracy, but with a slightly lower color volume due to the lower HDR brightness. However, I still have a lot of TVs to check, so I will be running updates all year round.

Apart from technical data and dimensions, the Q90T delivers a breathtaking picture. In my case, the dirty screen effect was a distraction, but it didn't affect other performance elements. I suspect that the replacement device I am getting has a more typical "clean" panel than I have seen in the past.

I have a complaint that I am less optimistic that a replacement TV will respond, and this is a rainbow effect that I have observed on the screen. This can be a side effect of Samsung's anti-glare treatment or the wide-angle viewing layer, both of which are very effective for the intended purpose. This is also something that I would like to investigate further and that I will update as I learn more.

When I saw this TV for several days, I was often amazed by its picture quality. Samsung tends to over-brighten the picture, especially in HDR mode, but I suspect this move away from technical accuracy is actually enjoyed by many viewers. However, purists should check out the Sony A8H OLED, the Sony X900H LED or one of LG's OLED televisions if strict compliance with the intent of the creator is of the utmost importance.

Gaming performance

This is an excellent TV for gamers. The Q90T's response time is among the best I've seen from a VA LCD panel, its input delay is also exceptional at just 10 ms in game mode, and its support for Freesync VRR will be a huge bonus for gamers, especially if the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X arrive.

At this point, the only televisions that can compete for games with the Q90T are LG's OLEDs that topping Nvidia's G-Sync VRR.

Our opinion

The Q90T will likely turn out to be one of the best 4K HDR LED TVs you can buy in 2020. Without the suspicious problems with panel uniformity I've seen, this TV would be enthusiastically received by me. I suspect a replacement pattern review will lift all of the caveats as the Q90T outperforms any other television I've seen in its class this year and in all previous years. It's no small thing that Samsung offers such premium picture quality at a significantly cheaper price than last year.

Is there a better alternative?

At this point, I have not yet tested a superior 4K LED TV for the Q90T. I'm excited to see what Vizio brings this year and I've been impressed with the Sony X900H so far, but if history is an indicator, the Q90T will be one of the best 4K LED TVs you can buy this year.

You can find more options in our best TVs of 2020.

How long it will take?

With an HDMI 2.1 input, the TV supports extended functions for many years. I suspect that this television will continue to exist in the future.

warranty

Samsung offers a one-year warranty on parts and labor for home use and a 90-day warranty on parts and labor for commercial use.

Should you buy it

I'm holding back to give this TV the "Digital Trends Recommended Product" award, but I still think the answer is "yes" until a solution to the extremely uniformity of my sample is found. This is one of the best TVs you can buy this year. If you find problems with the uniformity of the panel that were to some extent a problem for all TV brands, you can request a replacement from your authorized Samsung dealer.

Editor's recommendations




06 Jun
Blog

Sony A8H 4K HDR OLED TV Review | Cinematic Perfection

Sony A8H OLED

"It is by far the most accurate TV you can buy this year."

  • Beautiful design

  • Exemplary picture quality

  • Snappy user interface

  • Solid sound quality

  • Excellent HDR performance

I took a bold step last year and named Sony's A9G the best TV of 2019. Not everyone agreed that this was the right call, but I stand by it. With the A9G, Sony has been doing what it can do best for decades by making its image processing a star. LG makes the OLED panel, but Sony makes it even more amazing.

Now I have the Sony A8H OLED TV in front of me and I'm thinking about its place in this year's series of very exciting TVs. It's not a replacement for the A9G, which means it's not Sony's new flagship, but it definitely looks like it – anything but priced.

The A8H gets Sony's best image processor, a beautiful design with adjustable feet, and almost all the functions of the A9G – all for less – around $ 400 less for a 55-inch model at $ 1899.00 and $ 500 -Dollar less for a 65-inch model set at $ 2799.00.

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

However, there is something that many might consider a blatant omission: HDMI 2.1 support. The A8H offers eARC through one of its HDMI ports. You won't find a variable refresh rate (VRR) or automatic low latency mode (ALLM), just two of many other valuable features that come with the latest HDMI standard. However, Sony tells me that this is not a problem for the target audience of this TV.

Is the Sony A8H in the running for the best TV of the year? Let's find out.

Out of the box

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

The 65-inch Sony A8H that I received for review contained two surprises: a redesigned remote control and a new two-foot stand system.

The remote control hasn't been overhauled exactly, but is a bit slimmer than the Sony remote control we've seen in the past 5 years. On top of the remote control is a recessed area with a microphone, which is not only used for voice commands and the addressing of the Google Assistant, but also for calibrating the sound system integrated into the TV.

Sony has redesigned the stand, making it much easier and more versatile to set up. There are now two heights available, one that hurls the TV down and one that has enough space to place a soundbar between your feet without obstructing the view of the TV.

No screws are required to attach the legs to the TV. They just snap into the slots at the bottom of the TV and hold on. A bit of work is required to switch the legs to the higher height for the so-called "soundbar mode".

Be sure to have the installation guide ready as it contains valuable instructions for disassembling and then assembling the feet for a larger configuration.

Setup and settings

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

The A8H has the latest version of Android TV and controls most of the on-screen setup process. There are some advantages to Android phones (faster Wi-Fi setup and phone-based control), but I would skip these options and follow the on-screen instructions. Expect to go through a number of terms and conditions and authorization requests. I also urge you to take enough time to review what you allow as multiple levels of data collection are requested, which has an impact on data protection.

Once the bureaucracy is complete, the wizard will ask you to calibrate the TV audio. This is done by sitting in the “sweet spot” of your viewing area and pointing the remote control openly at the TV while the TV is playing a series of tones.

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

I found this calibration useful to balance the sound with the right amount of bass from the built-in "subwoofers" while making the TV sound more spacious by using the reflected sound from the side panels. Surround sound is not, but the calibration has improved.

In the SDR image settings, I waggled between the "Cinema" and "Custom" preferences for a while before choosing "Custom". Turning off Motionflow was the only adjustment I made to this preset before I decided that it was otherwise almost perfect. Yes, it's that good.

When the TV switches to HDR mode, all important settings from the custom preset are retained. When Dolby Vision mode is activated, you can choose between Dolby Vision Bright and Dolby Vision Dark. I chose the former because I preferred the additional brightness (luminance) even in a dark room.

However, here is the problem. Image settings cannot be made globally. So if you want your cable box to get the same picture settings as your Blu-ray player, you have to adjust each HDMI input individually. Likewise for onboard streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu. However, once you select settings while using one of these apps, this applies to all apps.

Properties and design

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

The A8H is possibly the most beautiful television Sony has ever made. Aside from being incredibly thin, the materials used by Sony give the TV a really great appearance. The legs are made of strong metal with a matte black finish, the bezel of the screen is incredibly thin, and the Sony logo has been moved to the front and center to the left, while its gloss has been replaced by a much more stealthy finish. On or off, the A8H is breathtaking.

The user experience benefits greatly from using the same system on a Sony chip (SOC) in the A9G, making Android TV not only bearable but also enjoyable. Gone is the frustrating delay you normally would be waiting for the TV to catch up as you scroll. Apps also load quickly, which shortens the time for the latest episode of Ozark.

On or off, the A8H is breathtaking

HBO Max is also available, which is currently more than for Roku or Amazon Fire TV.

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

However, the most important feature of the A8H is the Sony X1 Ultimate processor. Image processing is everything and it's also Sony's biggest complaint on TV.

Other TV makers have started giving lip service to honoring "The Creator's Purpose," but that's a drum Sony has been beating for several years. When Sony speaks in clever sayings like "From the scene to the screen" and "From the lens to the living room", it bends shamelessly.

Sony makes cameras that are used by Hollywood. The BVM-X300 OLV reference monitor is used to create and master Hollywood movies, and the televisions are designed to fit this reference monitor as closely as possible. When Sony tells me that it makes the most cinematic television there can ever be, I believe them.

Interestingly, Sony uses the same philosophy to explain the A8H's lack of HDMI 2.1 support. As representatives of Sony told me during a briefing call, the A8H is aimed at videophiles and cinephiles – people who need or want Sony doubts use 4K at 120 Hz, VRR and ALLM for games or the always elusive and absolutely not -in-existing 12-bit color.

Instead, Sony has spent its time, money, and hardware resources developing the most accurate television possible. I think Sony has achieved its goal.

performance

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

I have a feeling Sony will launch a new flagship OLED TV later this year – that's where the product release cycle has moved in the past 4 years. If so, it has to do something magical to justify its existence alongside the A8H. This TV is so good.

Whatever you're looking for outside of image quality, the A8H can do it. It has a new black frame insertion feature that smoothes motion without overly darkening the screen. It has a pixel level contrast enhancer to ensure that the tip areas are applied to the right areas of the screen for maximum HDR effect.

Whatever you're looking for outside of image quality, the A8H can do it

The A8H also has a feature that allows you to adjust the TV's tone curve to preserve highlights and shadows, regardless of how light or dark the room is. The out-of-box color is excellent and a professional calibrator only needs to optimize very little. And I've never seen a TV that better eliminates annoying streaks of color in low bit rate streaming content.

All of these features are a feature of Sony's X1 Ultimate processor. The end result is an image so lush that you want to drink it like a fine craft cocktail. I will skip all adjectives and reduce the picture performance of this TV to one word: Excellent.

Sony A8H OLEDDan Baker / Digital Trends

The sound quality is solid for any television, let alone one so thin. Because the screen produces sound itself, you get compelling directional queues. Voices seem to come from the actors' mouths and explosions seem to come from the visual source. Such a good TV deserves a bigger system, but the onboard sound is absolutely respectable.

What is the entry delay? It does not matter. If you're looking for a gaming TV, consider the Sony X900H, which supports HDMI 2.1 and includes an ATSC 3.0 tuner. If you are looking for a premium TV, you can consider a LG CX OLED or Samsung QLED TV for your gaming needs.

If you want to know, the A8H probably has the same input delay as the A8G, which wasn't particularly good – around 31 ms for 4K at 60 Hz and 21 ms for 4K at 120 Hz.

One final thought about image quality is concern about branding and what Sony is doing to combat it. Sony has an automatic brightness limit (ABL) on the A8H, but so far I haven't been able to thoroughly test it to determine how much the image is dimmed and how long it is dimmed. I will update this review with this information soon. Subjectively, however, I have not yet seen any dimming with the content that I have seen so far.

Other efforts, such as pixel shifting, are not apparent, and I contacted Sony to clarify what measures are being taken to avoid burn-in. With that said, I'll repeat what I've said in every OLED TV test over the past two years. Branding is unlikely to affect most viewers.

When a branding occurs, it happens when you watch a specific channel with a static image (like a news ticker on CNN or Fox News) every day for several hours. If you tune the TV to such a station and leave it on for 6 to 8 hours a day, do not buy this TV. Look for an LED / LCD TV. The Samsung Q90T would be an excellent alternative to approach OLED image quality for a little less money.

Our opinion

The A8H OLED is an undeniable premium television with a corresponding premium price, which, however, lags somewhat behind the typical flagship prices of Sony. The investment required will be rewarded with one of the most cinematic televisions we've reviewed. The A8H is an excellent choice for videophiles and cinephiles. However, players should look elsewhere.

Is there a better alternative?

For gamers, we recommend a look at the LG CX OLED or the LG C9 OLED television from last year. For those looking for a little more style, LG's GX Gallery series is also very attractive and player-friendly. For purists who want the best picture quality of an OLED, the A8H is unbeatable.

You can find more options in our best TVs of 2020.

How long it will take?

The TV itself should last for many years, but the lack of HDMI 2.1 means that next-generation console and PC gamers will find it unattractive.

guarantee

Sony grants a one year warranty on its A8H series TVs if you buy the TV from an authorized dealer. The guarantee relates specifically to the storage of product packaging. So look at the fine print.

Should you buy it

Yes. For the best OLED TV picture quality you can find with a truly cinematic experience, the A8H is the first choice.

Editor's recommendations




10 Apr
Blog

LG Gallery Series GX 4K HDR OLED TV Review | Gorgeous

"LG's most beautiful OLED television so far."

  • Breathtaking design

  • Excellent picture quality

  • First class HDR / contrast

  • Improved user experience

  • Excellent for playing

  • Expensive premium for design

  • Stand sold separately (only mounted on the wall)

LG made his bed. Now it has to be there.

After years as the only OLED TV manufacturer in the US, other manufacturers have collapsed. The first problem was Sony. And now Vizio is on board, Philips is sending an OLED to the USA and the budget brand Konka is getting involved.

Now that LG has so many roommates moving into the house it built, it has to struggle to secure the master suite. That means making the best and most sought after OLED TVs on the market. It is likely that LG will never be the cheapest option, so it has to rely heavily on premium options to seduce customers.

Enter the 2020 LG Gallery Series GX OLED. Its characteristic design elements are a so-called "No-Gap-No-Shadow" wall mounting system and an extremely thin profile. LG is an obvious answer to Samsung's approach to seamless wall mounting (available for select Samsung Q-Series TVs from 2017) and has created its own piece of art that somehow keeps the inherently ultra-thin properties of an OLED panel combined with sophisticated technology all electronics in a flat chassis.

LG GX OLED profile recordingDan Baker / Digital Trends

This stunning design comes at a price, albeit a lower premium than I expected. In fact, LG's OLED TV prices are lower across the board. However, a 65-inch GX costs $ 3,500, while the 65-inch CX step-down model, which offers the same excellent image quality, costs $ 2,800. Neither is affordable, but does the Gallery series deserve the $ 700 premium?

If looks could kill, the LG GX OLED would be a serial killer.

I'm not sure. I think the answer will depend on how much value aesthetics has for you. However, one thing is pretty certain. If looks could kill, the LG GX OLED would be a serial killer.

Out of the box

Entertaining story: I hadn't expected the GX-OLED television (pronounced G 10) for this test. I was expecting the CX model and when I took a very carefully orchestrated, socially distant delivery of this TV, I didn't look closely at the box.

To make an unboxing video during a global pandemic, I asked my video producer Dan Baker to unpack the TV himself while he was documenting B-Roll for our video. Then came the message: "There is no stand. No legs. I think we are missing some parts."

A quick phone call to LG revealed that I had deliberately been lined up with a GX-OLED and that the TV doesn't come with legs, but with the gapless wall bracket – an accessory that Samsung charges an additional $ 150 . The fact that I could not get my legs was an unfortunate consequence of closing offices due to coronavirus lock orders.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Three days later I got the legs and decorative plastic plates – accessories, extra for the LG.

Bottom line? This TV is designed for wall mounting. It makes no sense to put it on a sideboard or an entertainment booth, except maybe to enjoy its extra thin profile. If you are not planning a wall mounting, I will guide you to the CX series.

Made to assemble

I'm a fan of LG's wall mount for the GX OLED. The intelligent, one-piece design is compact, robustly built and easy to install. Thanks to the articulated arms, the TV can be pulled out of the wall. This is not so much for adjusting the horizontal viewing angle (which is not necessary with an OLED television with extremely wide visibility), but for easy access to the inputs of the television.

I was surprised at the weight of this GX OLED, which tips the scales at 65.7 pounds. It's not bulky and you can still mount the TV using the included drywall anchors, but I would recommend drilling in bolts if possible.

picture quality

I was impressed with the mini LED and micro LED TV technologies that other manufacturers are starting to mess around with, but at the end of the day my heart still belongs to the OLED and the GX is one of the nicest examples I have seen.

Despite brave efforts to alleviate the problems of LCD televisions and the LED backlights they rely on, there is nothing better than a self-emissive display for black levels, screen uniformity and breathtaking contrast. OLED is currently the best there is. And the 2020 OLEDs from LG look better than ever, even if the improvements are small compared to the previous year.

Currently the only real competition from LG comes from Sony. As mentioned earlier, this will change later this year. However, if I had to choose between a 2020 LG OLED and a 2020 Sony OLED, I would only have to choose the LG based on its features. The Sony A8H is coming, and I can compare LG directly to the Sony competition, but I have to imagine that a significant difference in picture quality that goes in Sony's favor is likely to be overridden by the better package offer of LG's OLED TVs is set.

How for the GX series? I don't see it as the best choice for everyone based on the cost. However, the aesthetics of the TV are undeniably sexy, and LG has the right to ask for a little more. The only reason prevents me from giving this TV a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Otherwise, this TV is a big win for LG and its customers.

User experience

The GX OLED may be an eye-catcher from the outside, but almost all other improvements for 2020 are hidden inside.

WebOS, LG's smart TV platform and operating system, has been redesigned and the improvement is noticeable. While I have always believed that webOS is accessible and easy to use, it has felt a bit outdated lately.

Magic Motion Remote from LGDan Baker / Digital Trends

The new version of webOS looks and feels much more professional. There are fewer dabs of color and more transparent backgrounds, and the menus are simply easier to read.

The home screen shows multiple apps at the same time, making access to Disney +, Apple TV +, or ESPN as easy as Netflix or Hulu. You could always order the apps to your liking, but now you can see more of them at the same time.

The home screen also takes up less space, closer to a third of the bottom than half.

There are a few fun functions within webOS, one of which is unfortunately useless for the time being – again due to the corona virus. Sports alerts let users select their favorite teams and get on-screen alerts for game times, updates to game results and highlights highlighted at a glance.

Another new feature called "Who. Where. What? "Try to make Live TV more interactive by answering voice queries, who the actors are, where a scene is, and what products are displayed on the screen. It's a fun idea. But I still have to put it into practice implement.

In terms of voice interactions, LG's own voice assistant is more intelligent and powerful, recognizes natural language better and provides more personal answers. Interactions feel more like talking to a person than a robot. When the capabilities of the LG Assistant deteriorate, Google Assistant takes control. For example, LG's assistant can help you find content or change the channel, while Google Assistant intervenes to give you news and weather information, or to order a pizza.

The GX also offers far-field voice control if you want to use it. As with all LG OLEDs, the Magic Motion remote control from LG has a microphone and a microphone button. In the GX series, however, a microphone is now built into the TV and the wake-up words "Hi LG" trigger the wizard.

Improved processing

The heart of the 2020 OLED TV from LG (except for the entry-level BX) is the Alpha 9 Gen 3 processor. There are some valuable improvements associated with this. My favorite is a new A.I. Image mode that helps optimize image performance by analyzing ambient light in the room and correcting image settings on the fly.

This may sound familiar, but the function goes beyond the basic “eco modes” by adjusting the TV's electro-optic transmission function (EOTF) to maintain bright details and HDR highlights for the best picture, no matter how bright or a room may be dark. I found the feature to work well and I encourage owners to turn it on when they first set up the TV.

LG GX OLED heroDan Baker / Digital Trends

Other improvements are somewhat technical, but do lead to improvements in image quality. I noticed that the decontouring filter on the Alpha 9 Gen 3 better minimizes banding in wide color ranges, especially for low bit rate content where banding is often a problem. The result is a much smoother picture with fewer distractions.

LG's dynamic tone mapping has also been improved. For the viewer, this means a better HDR experience, in which bright highlights are retained, the brightest objects of interest have the best highlights, and areas with poor lighting retain details without blacks getting a hit.

LG has also added a feature to increase the peak brightness for SDR content, which allows it to look a little more vivid – like HDR – without juicing the entire image in a flashy way.

Speaking of picture mode: users will find that Filmmaker mode is installed on LG's OLEDs this year, including the GX. This image mode deactivates the hatred of all postprocessors, eliminates the soap opera effect, keeps the colors accurate and maintains the aspect ratio and the original frame rate.

To be honest, Filmmaker mode looks very similar to ISF Calibrated Dark. If I watch more content, I will definitely update my comment here. For ready-to-use image settings, I still recommend ISF Calibrated Bright or ISF Calibrated Dark as a starting point.

Gaming performance

Equipped with HDMI 2.1 connections with all technical data and all available player-friendly functions, the 2020 OLEDs from LG are a convincing argument for gamers who are looking for a large-format display to play with. So far, LG's OLED televisions are the only models that support variable refresh rate (VRR) in addition to Freesync and G-Sync. They also support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) with delay times of just 13 milliseconds.

LG's OLEDs are also the first to add an HGiG mode that should greatly improve the HDR gaming experience. HGiG stands for HDR Gaming Interest Group, which was founded to provide guidelines for TVs, consoles and game developers.

Simply put, this TV kicks your gaming monitor in the ass.

In short, HGiG supports televisions that behave in a predictable manner so that game rendering engines take over the entire HDR tone mapping and allow the TV to easily cut highlights at any peak brightness of the TV. This should help eliminate some of the poor picture quality we've seen recently in some HDR games.

While branding continues to be a problem for some applications, LG OLEDs are very useful for gamers this year. Simply put, this TV kicks your gaming monitor in the ass.

Our opinion

LG's Gallery series GX OLED offers a premium, but the additional investment pays off in beautiful design, an elegant wall-mounting system, and an improved user experience. If you take advantage of LG's excellent OLED picture quality, you have an amazing TV.

Is there a better alternative?

I think the LG CX OLED will make more sense for most people. It's not that slim and doesn't look that sexy on the wall. However, it is cheaper and offers the same image quality and features for the user as the GX, except for the aforementioned hands-free voice control.

For a non-OLED option, the Samsung Q90T could be considered for an equally high quality LCD / LED display.

If Vizio and Philips ship OLEDs in the United States, I will update this section of the review.

How long it will take?

Due to the support of HDMI 2.1 and all related functions, this television is positioned in such a way that it will continue to exist in the future.

guarantee

LG offers a 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor. This guarantee does not apply to image storage, also known as branding.

Should you buy it

Yes. If you appreciate the GX's slim profile and unique gap-free wall bracket and can afford the premium, then go for it. I can confidently say that I would buy the LG GX OLED immediately if the cost didn't matter. It is the most convincing television set that I have ever tested.

Editor's recommendations




123