OLED TVs have one of the best image high quality obtainable, and immediately there’s extra decisions in Oled than ever. From the less-expensive LG A1 and Vizio H1 to the wallet-busting Sony A90J and LG G1, high-end buyers who’ve selected an OLED TV face one other robust choice: which OLED TV, precisely? I have not reviewed all of them, however from what I’ve seen up to now, the most suitable choice for many patrons is the LG OLED C1. It combines that unimaginable picture high quality with one of the best options — significantly for avid gamers — the widest vary of display screen sizes and a worth that is not too outrageous. 

I in contrast the C1 on to its predecessor, the LG CX, in addition to to a TCL 8K QLED TV with Mini-LED that prices about the identical, and the C1 was my favourite. It and the CX have been neck-and-neck for image high quality, however the C1 pulled away with its versatile gaming choices. In the meantime the Samsung Q90A QLED is brighter and in some methods superior, however total the image high quality of the C1 is healthier. The C1 can also be much more reasonably priced than the LG G1, and picture high quality on these two 2021 OLEDs was principally the identical. I have not reviewed the Sony A80J but, which presently prices a bit greater than the C1, however I would be stunned if it was considerably higher.

Briefly, if you would like the prevalence of OLED picture high quality, the LG C1 is my go-to-pick for 2021.

Collection and measurement data: I carried out a hands-on analysis of the 65-inch OLED C1, however this assessment additionally applies to the opposite display screen sizes within the collection. All sizes have equivalent specs and in keeping with the producer ought to present very comparable image high quality. 

LG OLED48C1PUB, 48-inch LG OLED55C1PUB, 55-inch LG OLED65C1PUB, 65-inch LG OLED77C1PUB, 77-inch LG OLED83C1PUA, 83-inch

Get to know the LG C1 collection

The C1 has extra sizes than LG’s least-expensive OLED TV, the A1 collection, in addition to higher image-quality options. The A1 lacks HDMI 2.1, has a much less spectacular processor, in addition to fewer HDMI inputs (three as an alternative of 4) and a 60Hz refresh charge.The C1 additionally has extra sizes than the more-expensive G1 collection, which affords that “Evo” panel and a slimmer, wall-mount-centric Gallery design. The C1 additionally lacks a far-field mic for hands-free voice and a Subsequent-Gen TV tuner, each comparatively minor extras included on the G1. OLED show expertise is basically completely different from the LED LCD expertise used within the overwhelming majority of immediately’s TVs, together with Samsung and TCL’s QLED fashions. The very best LCD TVs I’ve reviewed up to now scored a 9 in picture high quality, whereas OLEDs TVs just like the C1 have scored a ten. Excessive-end LCDs are brighter than OLEDs (particularly with HDR), however the image high quality on OLED TVs I’ve reviewed is superior total. All OLED TVs are extra topic to each short-term and everlasting picture retention, aka burn-in, than LCD TVs. We at Proinertech do not think about burn-in a cause for most individuals to keep away from shopping for an OLED TV, nonetheless. Take a look at our information to OLED burn-in for extra.
David Katzmaier/Proinertech

Slim, glossy and acquainted

Should you’ve seen any mainstream LG OLED TVs within the final couple of years, the C1’s design will ring a bell. The watchword is “minimalist,” with a slim border across the display screen on all 4 sides and a tiny, discrete LG brand. Seen from the facet, the highest two-thirds of the TV is blade-thin, whereas the underside widens to accommodate the heart, inputs and different connections.

The stand is principally the identical because the CX from final 12 months, working virtually the entire width of the panel within the entrance and incorporating a really heavy base on the rear that stored my assessment pattern admirably regular. One change is the colour of the again: It is now a stark white, like some LG OLEDs of yesteryear.

David Katzmaier/Proinertech

LG revamped the distant a bit. It stored my favourite options, particularly the scroll wheel and motion-tracking, whereas slimming it down barely. The most important distinction is the shortcut keys on the backside: 4 for streaming companies and two extra for the built-in voice assistants, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. 

Each Google and Alexa can do all the standard assistant stuff, together with management good dwelling units, reply questions and reply through a voice popping out of the TV’s audio system (yep, each voices). Fundamentals like “What is the climate?” works as you’d count on, full with onscreen suggestions. The C1 additionally works with Apple’s AirPlay 2 system, identical to many different TVs, permitting my iPhone to share pictures and video to the display screen from the Images app and mirror my Mac and telephone screens. 

David Katzmaier/Proinertech

LG’s WebOS menu system received a facelift for 2021 — and I am not a fan. Gone is the small, unobtrusive overlay on the backside of the display screen that allows you to hold tabs on what you are watching. As a substitute there is a full-screen homepage, just like Roku, Fireplace TV and Google TV. However it has fewer apps and extra, nicely, junk. The highest two-thirds of the display screen are dedicated to the climate, setup suggestions, a search window and a Trending Now part with a random assortment of TV exhibits and flicks. Under that’s an app row and, additional down, sections dedicated to inputs and explicit streaming apps. Usually it looks like a hodgepodge with an excessive amount of happening — most methods are easier and simpler to know.

Options packing containers: checked

Key options

The C1 is not lacking something I would count on on a high-end TV. Other than the Evo panel, the C1 has the identical image-quality options because the step-up G1, beginning with the brand new Gen 4 a9 processing chip that provides scene detection and upgraded object enhancement over final 12 months’s model. Each the G1 and C1 even have a 120Hz refresh charge. The entry-level A1 OLEDs, in the meantime, have a extra fundamental a7 processor and 60Hz refresh charge. 

Identical to final 12 months, LG’s OLED TVs’ image settings embrace a Filmmaker Mode. As promised, it turns off the cleaning soap opera impact for film-based content material (yay) however so do many different modes within the C1. Whereas lots correct, Filmmaker Mode can also be comparatively dim for SDR (normal dynamic vary), so I ended up utilizing Cinema and ISF Vivid for most important viewing. New for 2021 is a Sport Optimizer menu with its personal set of image modes; see beneath for particulars.

David Katzmaier/Proinertech

All of LG’s latest OLED fashions (besides the A1) embrace the newest model of the HDMI normal: 2.1. Meaning their HDMI ports can deal with 4K at 120 frames per second and variable refresh charge (VRR, together with Nvidia G-sync and AMD FreeSync), in addition to enhanced audio return channel (eARC) and automated low latency mode (auto sport mode). In different phrases, they’ll make the most of the newest graphics options obtainable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Collection X and S in addition to high-end graphics playing cards. In reality the C1 is uncommon amongst high-end TVs in that every one 4 of its HDMI help 4K/120 — nice for hardcore avid gamers with a number of next-gen units. 

The number of connections is in any other case top-notch, although it now not helps analog part video. There’s additionally a devoted headphone or analog audio output and one other for IR blasters, which may ease some installations.

4 HDMI inputs with HDMI 2.1, HDCP 2.2 Three USB 2.0 ports Optical digital audio output Analog audio 3.5mm headphone output RF (antenna) enter RS-232 port (minijack, for service solely) Ethernet (LAN) port

Image high quality comparisons

The C1 is an excellent performer, each bit as succesful as one of the best TVs I’ve reviewed. I wasn’t capable of examine it on to the G1 for this assessment, however in keeping with my measurements in addition to my comparisons of each panels to the CX from 2020, the C1 and G1 have practically equivalent picture high quality. The G1’s Evo panel, as I discussed in that assessment, would not ship a significant brightness benefit over different LG OLEDs, together with the C1. Of their favor, each 2021 OLEDs are wonderful and the best-performing TVs I’ve reviewed, a hair above the CX.

David Katzmaier/Proinertech

For this assessment I additionally in contrast the C1 to the best-performing LCD TV I had on-hand, the TCL 65R648, which prices about the identical because the C1 and occurs to have 8K decision. In case you are questioning, I noticed no sharpness or decision benefit with the 8K TCL in comparison with the 4K OLEDs when watching HD or 4K materials. The TCL makes use of Mini-LED and full-array native dimming however would not carry out fairly in addition to the Samsung Q90A, displaying extra blooming points for instance. 

I did not have the Samsung Q90A on-hand to check instantly both, however it’s nonetheless one of the best LCD-based TV I’ve reviewed. That stated, primarily based on my comparability with the G1, the Q90A would nonetheless fall wanting the C1, which exhibited excellent black ranges, wonderful mixed-scene distinction and higher off-angle viewing than any LCD I’ve examined.

Dim lighting: As anticipated, the C1 was wonderful in a darkish room, however no higher than the CX when watching cinematic materials — on this case The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on normal 1080p Blu-ray. Through the darker scenes when Frodo, Sam and Gollum journey towards Mordor, for instance, the inky blackness of each OLED TVs surpassed the distinction of the TCL, which confirmed lighter, less-realistic shadows and letterbox bars and a few brightness variation (blooming) — normal on nearly each non-OLED TV.

Shadow element was additionally wonderful on the C1, if once more not any completely different from the CX. The shadowy stairs and crags of Cirith Ungol appeared reasonable, not too vibrant and but well-detailed. Once more the TCL trailed considerably, with barely extra obscured shadows and a less-theatrical look.

Vivid lighting: The C1 is lots vibrant sufficient for almost any viewing surroundings, however as traditional it isn’t practically as vibrant as competing LCD-based fashions. In comparison with different OLEDs it measured principally as vibrant because the G1, regardless of missing the Neo panel, and barely brighter than the CX, however the distinction is not enormous and proved robust to discern in most program materials.

Gentle output in nits

LG OLEDs of latest classic have a setting referred to as Peak Brightness that reinforces the sunshine output for SDR sources in Cinema and Professional modes, and it really works very nicely. The concept is to extend brightness for daytime viewing environments whereas sustaining the superior shade accuracy of these modes. As with most TVs, the brightest mode for HDR and SDR (Vivid on the C1) is horribly inaccurate. For the correct shade columns above on the C1, I used ISF Professional Vivid (Peak Brightness: Excessive) for SDR and Cinema mode for HDR. I like to recommend C1 house owners do the identical to get good shade in vibrant rooms particularly, as a result of the distinction between Vivid and more-accurate modes is slight. Be aware that with SDR you may must disable the Auto Vitality Saving setting (Assist > Vitality Saving > Vitality Saving Step > Off) to get full brightness.

Like all OLED TVs the C1 will get fairly a bit dimmer than LCDs when displaying full-screen white — a hockey sport, for instance — however even in these conditions it is hardly dim. The C1’s display screen preserved black ranges and decreased reflections very nicely, however no higher than the CX.

Coloration accuracy: No complaints right here. Based on measurements and my comparisons, the C1’s shade was wonderful. Through the Muster of Rohan, for instance, the crimson and blue of the tents, the inexperienced of the grassy fields and the pores and skin tones of King Theoden and Merry all appeared pure and reasonable. Alternatively the entire TVs have been fairly correct, to the extent that it was troublesome to inform the distinction.

Video processing: LG goes to nice lengths to tout the development of its processing yearly, however watching varied materials in one of the best image settings the CX and C1 appeared largely equivalent to me. 

Movement dealing with on the C1 is superb and a contact higher than the CX nonetheless. Beneath TruMotion, the brand new Cinematic Motion setting (the default for Cinema mode) served up 24-frame cadence with a really slight trace of smoothing, bettering on final 12 months’s too-smooth Cinema Clear setting whereas preserving 600 traces of movement decision. 24p purists who need no smoothing in any respect will go for the Off place (the default for Filmmaker mode) and endure the low movement decision, whereas tweakers will recognize the nice granularity of the Person De-Judder mode to dial in the correct amount of smoothness; something 4 or decrease launched some judder to my eye, conveying a way of movie fairly than cleaning soap opera impact. De-Blur settings of six or increased ship the complete 600 traces of movement decision.

Person additionally opens up the OLED Movement Professional menu with three ranges of black body insertion that additional enhance movement decision, with 800 traces in Low and a full 1,200 in Med and Excessive. This final choice introduces flicker, sadly, and all three are a bit dimmer than Off, but when blur actually bugs you then they’re price experimenting with. One enchancment over final 12 months is that participating OLED Movement Professional now not completely crushes shadow element — it is a bit worse however nonetheless OK. Nonetheless, I would select to go away it off and sacrifice some movement decision for max mild output and shadow element.

Uniformity: Like all OLEDs I’ve examined the C1 was exemplary on this space, with no vital brightness or shade variations throughout the display screen and practically excellent picture high quality from off-angle. In very darkish, full-field check patterns the perimeters did seem barely dimmer than the center, however that impact was invisible in any actual program materials I watched.

LG’s sport optimizer standing display screen exhibits frames per second, image mode and different information at a look.

David Katzmaier/Proinertech

Gaming: Just like the G1, the C1’s greatest upgrades over 2020 fashions cater to avid gamers, and collectively they assist the C1 change into my new favourite TV for gaming. The brand new Sport Optimizer is the title of each an image mode and a full menu system. The latter affords all-new tweaks together with 4 sport style modes: Customary, FPS mode (stated to spice up shadow element), RPG mode (to spice up distinction) and RTS mode (stated to boost mid-grayscale areas). There are additionally sliders labeled Black Stabilizer (for adjusting darkish areas) and White Stabilizer (for vibrant areas), in addition to the OLED Movement Professional setting described above (LG says it is significantly helpful for video games) and the Scale back Blue mild setting (stated to be simpler on the eyes).

The C1 supported all superior video options from my Xbox Collection X, as marketed, together with 4K/120 and VRR. Since I reviewed the G1 in April, LG has added a brand new standing display screen that seems everytime you’re in Sport Optimizer mode and hit the settings button. Clad in aggressive purple, it shows present frame-rate, image mode, standing of VRR, low latency (to cut back enter lag) and black stabilizer. It is a good enhancement and a solution to Samsung’s sport bar (I really prefer it higher as a result of it exhibits extra information), and when you do not prefer it you possibly can flip it off.

The style modes behaved just like what I noticed on the G1 and enjoying my present sport, Mass Impact 3 from the Legendary Version, I most popular the look of Customary, which was a very good stability of distinction and shadow visibility. FPS will in all probability cater nicely to avid gamers who need most shadow visibility, and the opposite settings will let you dial it in to your coronary heart’s content material. I actually like having all these further adjustment choices in a devoted menu, particularly for the reason that calibration screens constructed into many video games usually do an insufficient job — being able to tweak explicit scenes is nice.

You possibly can develop the standing display screen right into a full menu with quite a few different changes particular to gaming.

David Katzmaier/Proinertech

Buried inside Sport Optimizer is one other setting labeled “Scale back enter delay (enter lag)” with two choices, Customary and Enhance. The previous, which is the default for any sport, serves up a superb lag quantity just like previous LG OLED fashions in addition to the G1: simply 13.1ms for each 1080p and 4K HDR sources. Participating Enhance cuts lag even additional, to only below 10ms for each. The catch is that Enhance is simply obtainable for 60Hz sources, so you possibly can’t use it with 120Hz video games or VRR. And no, I do not suppose many people would discover the additional 3ms of lag.

HDR and 4K video: The C1 is an excellent performer with HDR as nicely, and whereas it lacked the brightness of the TCL and different high-end LCDs, its total picture high quality, distinction and pop have been superior.

Evaluating the three TVs utilizing the Spears and Munsil 4K HDR benchmark, for instance, the 2 LG OLEDs appeared persistently higher than the TCL in most scenes. The TCL was brighter, for instance, within the clouds, snowfields and mountaintops, however in additional combined bright-and-dark scenes it appeared barely washed out compared, which harm its total distinction. In the meantime the C1 and CX appeared vibrant and highly effective, even with their barely dimmer highlights, and shadows particularly, for instance within the twilit forests and shaded rocks, appeared extra pure and reasonable. As traditional the OLEDs actually pulled forward within the troublesome pictures of objects, for instance cacti, flowers and a honey dipper, in opposition to black backgrounds — the black of the TCL was brighter with seen blooming close to the objects, whereas the OLEDs’ was principally excellent. Colours in flowers and bottles of dye additionally appeared extra vibrant on the OLEDs.

All of that stated, the C1 and CX have been virtually not possible to inform aside with Spears. Spot measurements of the C1 revealed it was very barely brighter in some highlights, just like the hub of the Ferris wheel (4:52), however with out my mild meter I could not inform.

Switching again to LOTR:ROTK on 4K Blu-ray, I noticed an excellent higher benefit for OLED. The LGs outclassed the TCL in darker theatrical scenes, for instance when Sam challenges Shelob. Their letterbox bars remained inky and true and their shadows appropriately darkish, whereas the TCL’s darkish areas have been lighter, particularly with high-contrast pictures like Sam brandishing the Phial of Galadriel on the spider (1:50:18). Given the TCL’s vital brightness benefit I anticipated its rendition of the Phial to measure brighter compared, however a spot measurement confirmed the TCL, C1 and CX have been really very shut (422, 396 and 368 nits, respectively), once more too near discern and not using a meter.

And cease me when you’ve heard this earlier than, however I could not inform the distinction between the CX and C1 when watching ROTK. Each have been equally very good.

David Katzmaier/Proinertech

Image settings, HDR notes and charts

Proinertech is now not publishing superior image settings for any TVs we assessment. As a substitute, we’ll give extra normal suggestions to get one of the best image with out itemizing the detailed white stability or shade administration system settings we might have used to calibrate the TV. As at all times, the settings offered are a guidepost, and if you would like probably the most correct image it is best to get knowledgeable calibration.

Earlier than my calibration for this assessment the Cinema preset was probably the most correct, wonderful when it comes to grayscale and gamma. Since I now goal a 2.2 gamma for my opinions in darkish rooms, it was nearer than ISF Professional Darkish or the brand new Filmmaker modes, which each goal gamma 2.4/BT 1886. ISF Vivid was principally equivalent to Cinema, however I reserved that for brighter rooms.

For my calibration I tweaked the two-point grayscale barely, decreased mild output to my goal of 137 nits and elevated brightness by two pips to assist with shadow element (whereas nonetheless holding excellent black ranges), however in any other case I left nicely sufficient alone. The grayscale and shade have been already so correct on my LG-provided assessment pattern that I did not want to the touch the multipoint system or the colour administration system.

SDR darkish room settings:

Image menu:

Choose Mode: Cinema (Person)Facet Ratio Settings: 16:9 (Simply Scan: On)Filmmaker Mode Auto Begin: OffReduce Blue Gentle: Off

Superior Settings menu:

Brightness submenu:

OLED Pixel Brightness: 48Adjust Distinction: 85Screen Brightness: 52Auto Dynamic Distinction: OffPeak Brightness: OffGamma (Regulate Brightness): 2.2Black Stage: AutoMotion Eye Care: Off

Coloration submenu:

Coloration Depth: 50Tint: 0Color Gamut: Auto DetectFine Tune menu: Coloration Improve: Off (no different changes)White Steadiness menu:Coloration Temperature: Heat 50 (no different changes)

Readability submenu:

Regulate Sharpness: 0Super Decision: OffNoise Discount, MPEG Noise Discount: Off [for low-quality sources, some users may prefer to enable noise reduction]Clean gradation: Off [for low-quality sources, some users may prefer to enable]Cinema Display: On [may be grayed out depending on source]TruMotion: Cinematic Motion

SDR vibrant room setting [all default except for below]:

Image Mode Settings: ISF Vivid RoomBrightness menu:OLED mild: 100Peak Brightness: Excessive

TV software program/firmware model examined: 3.15.36

HDR Notes: The 2 most-accurate modes, HDR Cinema and Filmmaker mode have been principally equivalent, following the goal electro-optical switch operate — how the TV converts information to a selected brightness — fairly intently and displaying higher grayscale than Cinema House, the next-most correct. Sport Optimizer is finest for gaming, because of its processing however fairly blue; for one of the best shade accuracy for gaming it is best to modify the colour temperature management all the way in which towards crimson (Coloration > White Steadiness > Coloration temperature > Warm50).

Coloration checker was extra correct than on the CX from final 12 months and as traditional with OLED the C1 lined the P3 HDR gamut very nicely. The C1 measured principally as vibrant because the G1 and brighter than the CX or the B9 from 2019, however the C9 from 2019 really measured brighter in its least-accurate and principally the identical in its most-accurate settings. As soon as once more the TV routinely detected and engaged the HDMI Extremely HD Deep Coloration setting designed for HDR sources.

Geek field

LG OLED65C1PUB Proinertech assessment calibration outcomes by David Katzmaier on Scribd

Portrait Shows Calman calibration software program was used on this assessment.