We are OLED Converts.... Are You!

[2177V]

I have read this thread.
I have read threads on BogleHeads.
I have read threads on AVSForums.

I think we will keep our plasma TV for a few more years.

Nothing wrong with a plasma TV because my brother still own a 15 year old plasma TV and he can easily afford a new TV. However, his plasma TV has a beautiful picture but it is only 55 inch which was one of the largest size at that time.

I recently purchased a Samsung 82 inch QLED (model QN82Q80 RAFXZA) for $3200 on Amazon which was a 27 inch size increase from my Samsung 55 inch LED TV. The original price was $4999 when it came out in 2019 so I pulled the trigger in 2020.

Size matters. I really enjoy the imax like movie experience and I can surf on the internet from my couch with the text large enough to read easily. I wanted an OLED but the biggest OLED than I can afford was 77 inches so I decided on a 82 inch QLED with similar performance for "TOTAL WALL DOMINATION". The blacks and colors on an QLED are about the same as a OLED but the contrast ratio for the OLED is better. I traded slightly less contrast ratio for 5 inches of additional screen size.

Best of all, modern TV's navigation is super easy since pressing the home button on your remote will display icons on what you want to watch: over the air TV, cable TV, amazon prime, Youtube, netflix, DVD player, internet, etc without having to switch the input from HDMI1 to HDMI4 since the menu switches the input for you. You just scroll to the icon on what you want to watch and then press enter.

 

[RobbieB]

Plasma? I had a plasma and it was very good. Now obsolete. OLED is better -

 

[6miths]

a. I read about burn in on OLED TVs.
b. I read that the viewing angle is narrow.
c. I read about how OLED TVs perform better in a darker room. Our living room is not dark.

We have two 65' LG OLEDs now.

a. One is now almost 2 years old, the other less than a year. No evidence of burn in on either. Not overly concerned.
b. Viewing angle on OLED is amazing - one of the selling points.
c. We have floor to ceiling windows in both rooms with these TVs and no issue with brightness - though majority of TV watching is done in the lower light periods. Glare off the screen from interior lighting can occur but haven't noticed it to be worse than with the previous LEDs.

Definitely worth the money for us.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

After 3 or 4 months of owning our LG 65 QLED, we would not go back. No visible artifacts or burnin.

 

[eytonxav]

1. We own 3 Panasonic plasma TVs.
2. The main TV is a 50-inch. Mounted in a niche above the fireplace. The largest replacement TV could only be 55-inch (bezels have become narrower) if we want it to fit in the niche.
3. We can afford the electricity costs. 4 hours/day.
4. We watch it mostly head on, but do watch at an angle (>45°) when cooking in the kitchen. We live in open concept house.
5. We watch news, house porn, food porn and some movies. We do not watch sports. HGTV and its cousins are not in 4K and won't be for a while.

a. I read about burn in on OLED TVs.
b. I read that the viewing angle is narrow.
c. I read about how OLED TVs perform better in a darker room. Our living room is not dark.

TV is on the left edge.

P.S. Bigger is not always better. We have no place in our house for an 82-inch TV.

I guess another reason for plasma lovers is too heavy to move

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I have a friend with an older Visio LCD, it is also a bear to move. He leaves it in situe simply because of that.

 

[davebarnes]

I guess another reason for plasma lovers is too heavy to move

Not at all.
We would buy a new TV from a local company that charges the same as Amazon and includes installation.
https://www.bam-enterprise.com/

 

[Hermit]

I guess another reason for plasma lovers is too heavy to move

It took literally two men and a boy to mount the 55 inch Panasonic plasma in my last house. The boy was my son and he was taller than me. It was a great monitor at the time. I left it with the house.


I liked the monitor with all the controls and wires in a separate media closet. I guess with today's TVs I have a choice on configuration. I think I will go with OLED in my home theater when it is done in a year or two. 82 inch will max out the wall space and should be available by then. I may put a QLED upstairs next to a window.

 

[Samtex]

Perplexed

Well, I must admit I'm perplex after reading several TV threads and this video:

(also the comments are interesting as well)

I've been trying to update myself about new technology and it seems every type of TV has it's own limitations. Limitations that you may not be aware of until you get it home for a few days.

Currently I have a 12 year old LG plasma (50PG20) which is still performing well but just doing some research for my next.

For years I've noticed "judder, stutter, motion artifacts or what ever" on relatives and friends high end systems. I've never asked why their high dollar system did that but I couldn't handle if it was mine. I don't know if it's the way their tv is set up or issues with their cable or satellite systems.

After reading the different opinions I feel even more confused. A few questions:

On the YouTube video above he references the problem with the movie camera frame rate as one issue because it isn't fully compatible with the tv, causing some issues like the one's I referenced. I have never noticed this on my plasma set or a Sony LCD XDL-40EX401 I have. The Sony seems to have a 24P True Cinema mode and a Cinema Mode. Don't the newer tv's have something comparable or is the You Tube video listed above correct in saying they only partially addresses the difference in frame rates?

The major issue I have seen on other tv's that is when movement of an object or person stuttrers (?) or judder (?). I have noticed it when a football player is running on live tv or perhaps a playback. On those occasions however it's not on film like a movie, Is there a similar issue with tv cameras doing this?

Also do the new crop of tv's have a shorter lifespan than my old plasma (like most other new appliances)?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Samtex

 

[Ready]

Well, I must admit I'm perplex after reading several TV threads and this video:

(also the comments are interesting as well)

This video is 2 years old so keep that in mind when watching it. He comes up with six reasons to not buy an OLED TV.

1) They are expensive. I agree.

2) There is burn in risk. I agree, but I think it's overblown, especially with 2020 sets. You will most likely want to upgrade to new technology before burn in becomes an issue unless you just watch CNN 24 hours a day.

3) 4K movies are more expensive. This is just outdated as it solely focuses on the cost of Blue Ray DVDs. We watch all of our 4K content on streaming devices. I think Netflix charges around $4.00 extra per month to watch shows in 4K. That's a bargain considering how much content is in 4K (virtually all new content is 4K now on Netflix).

4) Motion stutter. I have not experienced this at all on our LG OLED. He purchased the C8 set which is now two years old. The CX has a much faster processor in it so it's not a relevant comparison.

5) Interpreted Frame Motion Artifacts. Again I have not experienced this on the CX (or C9). I think he is still focusing on Blue Ray discs rather than Netflix or other streaming services.

6) Flicker. There is no flicker at all on the C9 or CX. I don't know where he is coming up with this.

This video feels like something Samsung would put out to sell more QLED TVs. And there is no mention of the fact that Samsung still does not support Dolby Vision, which is widely used now on Netflix. There is a huge difference in watching 4K shows in plain UHD format versus Dolby Vision format. Dolby Vision makes the colors on the screen really vivid and lifelike. UHD just looks like a slightly sharper version of 1080P to me.

So if you just want an economical 4K TV, buy something in the under $1,000 range and save your money. If you want the best, skip the high end Samsung TVs that sell for barely a few hundred less than OLED and go with an OLED.

 

[2177V]

Well, I must admit I'm perplex after reading several TV threads and this video:

I've been trying to update myself about new technology and it seems every type of TV has it's own limitations. Limitations that you may not be aware of until you get it home for a few days.

Currently I have a 12 year old LG plasma (50PG20) which is still performing well but just doing some research for my next.

For years I've noticed "judder, stutter, motion artifacts or what ever" on relatives and friends high end systems. I've never asked why their high dollar system did that but I couldn't handle if it was mine. I don't know if it's the way their tv is set up or issues with their cable or satellite systems.

After reading the different opinions I feel even more confused. A few questions:

On the YouTube video above he references the problem with the movie camera frame rate as one issue because it isn't fully compatible with the tv, causing some issues like the one's I referenced. I have never noticed this on my plasma set or a Sony LCD XDL-40EX401 I have. The Sony seems to have a 24P True Cinema mode and a Cinema Mode. Don't the newer tv's have something comparable or is the You Tube video listed above correct in saying they only partially addresses the difference in frame rates?

The major issue I have seen on other tv's that is when movement of an object or person stuttrers (?) or judder (?). I have noticed it when a football player is running on live tv or perhaps a playback. On those occasions however it's not on film like a movie, Is there a similar issue with tv cameras doing this?

Also do the new crop of tv's have a shorter lifespan than my old plasma (like most other new appliances)?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Samtex

My thoughts:

1. Go to RTING.COM for a good unbiased analysis of the pros and cons.


2. Your family/friend's TV does not sound like it is calibrated correctly. You can minimize some of the judder effects that you are seeing with the proper settings. Do not jump to conclusion that it is the TV since it may be the owner's lack of awareness.

3. People are biased toward one TV over another. The author of the Utube link sounds biased to me. It is similar to the Ford truck versus Chevy truck debate.

4. Identify what is your most important factors and select the TV that meets those priorities. OLED is similar to your Plasma and OLED is really good for sports. yahoo search "Is OLED or QLED better for sports".

5. In my case: Size, cost and quality. I wanted 82 inch TV, under $3500 and close to OLED quality. I ended up with 82QN80R for $3200. Granted OLED has better contract ratio and better for sports than QLED but I am very happy with the contract ratio and sports performance and an OLED is similar size would have costed me $1000 more.

6. Best time to buy TV is during Black Friday or end of year closeout. For Samsung, it is March, April, May. 82QN80R was $4999 when it first came out and when it dropped to $3200, I pulled the trigger during the closeout period.

 

[db79]

My older LG B5 model OLED will occasionally have image movement ghosting/blur in some situations. My newer C9 doesn't experience it and I'm more than happy with its performance.


Note that the utuber's video is 2 years old and LG has updated their processors.

 

[skipro33]

Sometimes it's just best to stay blissfully ignorant of technical details and just enjoy the performance. I do not know of any review that will tell you there is a better TV for pure viewing pleasure than the OLED. These OLED's are not so much purchased for their specs, than they are for experience of viewing.

The video above isn't comparing. There's a whole lot more to dissuade a buyer on an LED TV than an OLED TV when it comes to viewing pleasure.
Enjoy the show! I know I sure do!

 

[finnski1]

Sometimes it's just best to stay blissfully ignorant of technical details and just enjoy the performance. I do not know of any review that will tell you there is a better TV for pure viewing pleasure than the OLED. These OLED's are not so much purchased for their specs, than they are for experience of viewing.

The video above isn't comparing. There's a whole lot more to dissuade a buyer on an LED TV than an OLED TV when it comes to viewing pleasure.
Enjoy the show! I know I sure do!

I like your comment about blissfully ignorant. I am still watching tv on a 12 year old 37" Toshiba that is only 720p and it seems pretty good.
However I may just have to bite on the incredible Black Friday deals right now.
What I may do is just get a 43 or 50" LED or QLED from Samsung for only 3-500 dollars and use that for several more years.

 

[NoiseBoy]

I like your comment about blissfully ignorant. I am still watching tv on a 12 year old 37" Toshiba that is only 720p and it seems pretty good.

My current TV is also 720p. It's a 42" Pioneer Plasma and I think the picture is really good, but I want a larger display so I've been researching OLED & QLED TVs for a few months now. The 50" & 55" Samsung "80" series QLED TVs offer a good value over the OLED sets, but the price gap is getting smaller. The 55" LG "BX" OLED is only $250 more than the Samsung 55Q80T right now.

My challenge is that the big box stores do not have Blu-ray players hooked up to any of their TVs so I can't compare their pictures for my main use case. They all look great running loops of native 4K content, but I'd like to observe how they handle motion from film based content, and so far I've struck out. I'd also like to see what options the TVs have for changing the aspect ratio of the signal, but again, I can't find a store that can show me anything other than their stock loops. The owner's manuals are useless in this area too. Since Best Buy sells the 3 TV's that are on my list, I may have to buy my first choice and try it out at home to find out if it really meets my needs. If not, have them come and get it and bring me the next one on my list

 

[davebarnes]

Yes, we are converts

I think we will keep our plasma TV for a few more years.

I lied.

We are converts. So much so that we spent $10K.

Living Room in October 2020

New = LG OLEDCXPUA 55-inch TV + Sonos Arc soundbar + tax/installation $2800.
Blacks are deep. Viewing angle is very good. Excellent crisp picture.
Arc’s sound is awesome. The self-calibration feature makes it easy to set up.

This article—https://www.macobserver.com/reviews/quick-look/lg-oled-tv-with-apple-tv-plus/ convinced me to pull the trigger

Old = Panasonic TC-PC50S60 Plasma 50-inch TV

The old TV went to our neighbors to replace their 11-year-old Sony KDL-32EX400 32-inch LCD TV.

Basement in January 2021

New LG OLED77CXPUA + Yamaha RX-A2A receiver + KEF T301 speakers + upgrading in-ceiling speakers to KEFs + Logitech Harmony remote + tax/installation $7600
Whoah!
Huge viewing area with awesome sound volume and clarity.

Old = Panasonic TC-PC50S60 Plasma 50-inch TV which went to the master bedroom and the old 46-inch plasma was free-cycled (on NextDoor in 13 minutes).

The article that got us to buy was https://www.macobserver.com/reviews/quick-look/lg-oled-tv-with-apple-tv-plus/

 

[statsman]

I lied.

You changed your mind. There is a difference!

Cross-posting on the Blow That Dough thread?

 

[skipro33]

Preview COSTCO ad will have the LG OLED 77" on sale for $200 off starting now for Super Bowl sales. Still waiting for it to drop under $3K though. Easy to find a 65" LED for $400 (Best Buy) and 70" for under $600. The 75" LED's are $800. So why are all the LED's dropping but the OLED's are not? Grrrrr.....

 

[RobbieB]

I paid 3 grand for a 55 inch LG OLED a few years ago. Now you get 20 more inches free.

I'd call that a serious price reduction.

 

[skipro33]

I paid 3 grand for a 55 inch LG OLED a few years ago. Now you get 20 more inches free.

I'd call that a serious price reduction.

I'm referencing the last year's model to this years, the C9 to the CX. The C9 old stock still sells for the same price as a CX and the CX only rarely comes down for sales by $200. Neither have had price reductions yet. But comparing the reduction in prices for all other flat screen technologies, I was hoping the OLED would also follow suit and start discounting soon.

 

[Ready]

The 77” LG CX sold for $4,500 at Costco when it first came out. Now it sells for $3,500. That’s even less than the lowest price I saw for last year’s 77” C9 model, which was on closeout at Costco for $4,000 when they were discontinued.

 

[NoiseBoy]

I'm referencing the last year's model to this years, the C9 to the CX. The C9 old stock still sells for the same price as a CX and the CX only rarely comes down for sales by $200. Neither have had price reductions yet. But comparing the reduction in prices for all other flat screen technologies, I was hoping the OLED would also follow suit and start discounting soon.

I started shopping OLED TVs back in October, and at that time the Sony's were on sale and the kid at Best Buy told me that it was a really good price. Yeah, right. Everything keeps getting cheaper, says me. Turns out, that young man knew what he was talking about. I think the Sony's hit that sale price again around black Friday, but not since. I'm hoping for a super bowl sale now. On the LGs, I know that the 55" BX model was $1199 at Sam's around Thanksgiving and it's $1399 everywhere now.

 

[Ready]

The 2021 models typically come out between March and April so at this point I would either wait for a closeout sale on a 2020 model or just wait and see what changes come out for 2021.

 

[Montecfo]

I had no plans to get one of these. But then my LCD on main level died right before Christmas. So bought the LG 48 in OLED from Costco.

I do appreciate the picture in that room more than I probably do in basement media room since it is much brighter on the main level (with windows on 3 walls). Great picture! Intense colors.

And sounds great with my almost 3 decade old JBL surround system (recently replaced one that had developed a buzz with same model I found two of on ebay).

I could not have justified it had the LCD not died,. But this thread gave me all the info I needed.

Thanks to all.

 

[timo2]

One day we will get one. They do look great, and it is great reading here that they are working well. They were still new when we replaced our 50 inch Plasma in 2017, but we went with a Samsung 75 inch 4K UHD, so we won't be upgrading for quite a while. The Plasma still works too. It's in the master bedroom. Everyone needs a giant screen TV in their bedroom!!