LG OLED C1 review: «Simply a phenomenal-looking 4K TV»
GamesRadar+ Verdict
The LG C1 is a tour de force OLED TV with state-of-the-art AI image processing, and best in class games console support.
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The LG OLED C1 is the TV maker’s 2021 OLED honeypot. Sure, the LG OLED G1 Gallery stablemate has a brighter Evo panel (more on that later), but it’s a high-falutin’-interiors friendly screen, rather than a display aimed directly at being the best gaming TV — we kinda think a night playing Resident Evil Village would freak it out, let alone us.
The C1 is the more realistic choice, perhaps. Available in a range of screen sizes, including a 48-incher suitable for close-quarter viewing, it’s powered by a razor-sharp AI picture engine and sports LG’s freshly baked Game Optimizer menu, a one-stop-shop for all aspects of gaming sound and vision.
Today’s best LG OLED C1 prices by size
LG OLED48C1
£1,232.02
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LG OLED55C1
£1,099.97
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LG OLED65C1
£2,499
£1,699
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LG OLED77C1
£4,499
£2,699
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The C1 also uses the all-new LG webOS v6.
0, complete with full-screen display, has an OTT larder overflowing with streaming apps, and comes with comprehensive catch-up TV services and apps too.
So is this the best OLED TV dream screen next-gen gamers have been waiting for?
It’ll surprise no one to learn that the C1 is wondrously thin in its design. The panel expands only to accommodate electronics, sound system, and input board, and even then it’s not by much. The panel sits on a central pedestal. However, this requires a three-quarter wide trim to keep it standing upright. It looks nice enough, but you’ll not want to sit a soundbar right in front of it, even purely from an aesthetic point of view.
HDMI connectivity is leading edge as all four HDMIs are v2.1, which means they’re compatible with a 4K at 120Hz display output by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. There’s support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD Freesync, as well as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Naturally, we get eARC too, used to route audio from the TV to a soundbar or best surround sound system.
Additional connections include three USB ports, a digital optical audio output, and Ethernet, while wireless connectivity comes via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2.
(Image credit: LG)
The C1 ships with LG’s slimmed-down Magic Remote control. Functionally it’s the same cursor pointer we’ve used before; but it just sits a bit more comfortably in the hand. There are dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Rakuten TV, so a binge is only ever a button press away.
Naturally, we made a beeline for the new Game Optimizer menu. This allows easy access to gaming-specific features, so you can easily manage brightness and VRR settings. We particularly like the Game Genre selector. This applies specific picture processing to suit different game styles, effectively optimising the TV for FPS, RTS, and RPG titles. Combine this with the HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and game-focused features and this really is pushing for the mantle of best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X and best 120Hz 4K TV.
It’s particularly helpful on fast-moving action games, lifting gamma so you’re less likely to be sniped unseen from the shadows. With the RPG mode selected, you get a more ‘contrast-y’ picture, while RPG just lifts the average picture level for greater clarity. The C1’s latency performance is also very good: we measured input lag at 12.6ms (1080/60) with Game Mode on.
(Image credit: LG/Steve May)
Performance
So just how well does the glass in the C1 compare to LG’s flagship Evo panel? As it happens, remarkably well. There’s really not a huge gulf between the two when it comes to HDR peak brightness and for the most part, the screens look very similar.
The driving force here is LG’s 4th Gen Alpha 9 image processor, which does a phenomenal job. AI has a big role in the C1’s picture armory as just switching off AI image enhancement results in a significant drop in texture and detail. Colour banding has been largely eradicated by AI. Improvements in Dynamic Tone mapping have also led to much smoother gradations, which makes all picture content look more ‘filmic’.
Standard, Vivid (perhaps surprisingly), and Cinema Home with Dolby Vision content are our favourite presets when watching TV and movies. They combine a realistic average picture level, with splendid colour saturation and punchy contrast that can easily rival the best QLED TV contenders.
Cinema Home is actually a Dolby Vision IQ setting. This means the TV’s ambient light sensor is being employed to monitor lighting levels in your viewing room, and it adjusts Dolby Vision content appropriately, to prevent over-darkening.
(Image credit: LG)
The set’s HDR performance is on the right side of impressive. We measured peak brightness at around 750 nits using the Standard image present, and a five percent measurement window. HDR support covers Dolby Vision, HDR10, HGiG, and HLG. There’s no support for HDR10+, even though it remains the preferred dynamic metadata standard for Amazon Prime Video.
AI processing also plays a role when it comes to audio. The C1’s AI Sound Pro mode upscales stereo and 5.
1 content, resulting in a surprisingly rich performance. The set has a Dolby Atmos decoder, although there’s not a lot it can do with the immersive codec. Total power output is rated at 40W, which means the set isn’t short of shouty volume.
(Image credit: LG/Steve May)
Overall — should you buy it?
The LG OLED C1 arrived with a lot to live up to. Its predecessor, the CX from 2020, became a hot buy for gamers and we think the C1 will be just as popular. Indeed, the addition of the Game Optimiser mode, alongside ALLM and VRR, takes the level of customisation available on this TV to another level. So, if you want an OLED telly that takes gameplay seriously and boasts class-leading console support, then the answer to the above question has to be a resounding ‘yes’.
The provision of four HDMI 4K 120fps inputs, to make the most of those PS5 and Xbox Series X titles that support the display format, gives the screen an edge over rival 2021 modules that limit the number of compatible inputs.
Ultimately though, it’s the screen’s image quality that really sells it: the LG C1 is simply a phenomenal-looking 4K TV.
Today’s best LG OLED C1 prices by size
LG OLED48C1
£1,232.02
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LG OLED55C1
£1,099.97
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LG OLED65C1
£2,499
£1,699
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LG OLED77C1
£4,499
£2,699
View
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| Available platforms | TV, PS5, Xbox Series X, Tech |
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Steve May is a home entertainment technology specialist.
Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, Steve writes about gadgets and gizmos for GamesRadar, T3, Louder Sound, TechRadar, Home Cinema Choice and Yahoo. He’s also the editor of The Luxe Review and Pro AV site Inside CI. Steve once wrote a games column for legendary British comic 2000AD (and has a badge to prove it), and maintains that when it comes to top shooters, Doom is the GOAT.
Samsung QN95A review: «Believe the hype; this is a worthy flagship»
GamesRadar+ Verdict
With all the brilliance of a sunbeam, the Samsung QN95A ushers in the era of Mini-LED and the result is a dazzling 4k HDR TV that gamers will adore.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Samsung QN95A is a hell of an introduction to the screen giant’s new Neo QLED panel; a next-generation flatscreen illuminated by a densely clustered Mini-LED backlight, rather than a conventional full-array or edge lighting.
The difference this innovation makes is profound and the best QLED TV lists across the internet will start to feature a number of such TVs, I’m sure.
Couple this with an advanced AI-powered Neo Quantum 4K processor that uses Deep Learning, and an Intelligent Mode which auto-pilots the screen for the smoothest viewing experience, and the QN95A showcases Samsung at the top of its TV game.
Today’s best Samsung QN90A/QN95A prices by size
Samsung QN95A Smart 4K QLED TV
£1,899
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£3,499
£2,999
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As befits a 4K flagship for 2021, there are other attractions too.
The set debuts Game Bar- a new interface that allows players to tweak and tinker, meaning it really can be the best gaming TV — plus an improved version of Samsung’s OTS+ multichannel Object Track Sound system.
The QN95A packs a lot of new tech into a chassis just 25.9mm deep. It’s a smart-looking affair, with an inconsequential bezel and tidy wraparound frame. The whole shebang sits on a central pedestal.
The TV comes with two remote controls: a standard zapper with the usual plethora of buttons, and a slim alternative that has a solar cell panel that charges using indoor lighting (and a USB C port). The compact option is the one to go for as it’s the only controller (that I could determine) which calls up Samsung’s Game Bar UI.
Of course, what immediately sets the QN95A apart from its stablemates is the One Connect Box. This outboard junction has had a redesign, but it’s still a considerable unit. The One Connect Box delivers sound, vision, and power to the panel via a single fibre optic cable.
Therefore, games consoles and other TV sources connect to the Box, rather than the set.
(Image credit: Samsung)
All four HDMI inputs provided are v2.1 certified and support 4K 120Hz video from PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles. There’s also ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) on board, with eARC available on HDMI 3 for connection to soundbars and external audio systems. Also provided is an optical digital audio output, three USB connectors, and Ethernet. Wireless support covers Bluetooth v4.2 and Wi-Fi, with Apple Airplay 2 compatibility.
There’s no significant change to Tizen, Samsung’s smart TV platform. Apps and smart functionality are still accessed via the launcher ribbon that runs across the bottom of the screen. You’ll find a comprehensive selection of streaming apps available, including Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, YouTube, Disney+, and Now, in addition to all the key catch-up TV services.
Samsung’s menus can be a bit labyrinthine, but the Game Bar is a dedicated interface for simplifying tweaks and adjustments.
You can select a custom aspect ratio (21:9 or 32:9), monitor HDR and input lag, and so on. The latency is good: we measured input lag at 10.1ms (1080/60), in the standard Game mode. Combine this with the HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and this is already looking like a nailed-on dead-cert to be near the top of the best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X and best 120Hz 4K TV lists.
(Image credit: Samsung)
Performance
The QN95A deserves its Neo QLED moniker. What we’re seeing here, courtesy of that Mini-LED backlight, is something entirely new for LED TVs, eclipsing the performance of even posh FALD (Full Array Local Dimming) models. The backlight module has been completely reimagined. With some 792 Mini LED zones at work, the screen presents a tonally uniform and aggressively bright display.
The QN95A also utilises Samsung’s most advanced image processor. The Quantum 4K processor with multi-intelligence deep learning has 16 times the capacity of its predecessor to optimise video processing.
Small wonder it looks so good when upscaling HD sources to 2160p.
HDR support covers HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ Adaptive, the latter an update of the HDR10+ dynamic metadata standard, which uses the TV light sensor to manage HDR. But there isn’t a provision for Dolby Vision, which is careless given that Samsung has partnered with Xbox, and only Xbox is rolling out Dolby Vision HDR games. Overall though, the set’s HDR performance is terrific. We measured peak brightness on the Standard image preset with local dimming on a default Standard setting, at 1300 nits. You can coax even more from the panel if you set Local Dimming on High. This means the screen doesn’t have to aggressively tone map content mastered with a 1000 nits ceiling (which is the broadcast standard).
There’s a host of image presets available, but we suggest sticking with the Intelligent Mode, which really brings out the best in the set.
(Image credit: Samsung)
The TV boasts an excellent black level performance, presenting letterbox bars in solid black rather than grey, with a greatly reduced chance of blooming around bright objects.
What constantly catches the eye is the superlative detail, however. A run-through of Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered on the PS5 is a visual revelation. The texture of Spidey’s costume looks almost tangible. Exquisite pin-pricks of light enliven Peter Parker’s eyes. Similarly, the sunlit NTC vistas are spectacular, if often startlingly bright. Indeed, this is the best bright room LED TV you can buy right now. It maintains pop, colour and contrast even in rooms with high levels of ambient light.
Intelligent Mode also helps audio, adding weight and impact. The TV actually uses eight speakers, including two up high on the rear, for its Object Tracking Sound system. OTS+ directs and pans sound around the screen, to great effect. The need for one of the best surround sound systems might not be as immediate as one might think when getting this television.
(Image credit: Samsung)
Overall — should you buy it?
Believe the hype. Mini-LED really is a transformative new technology and a perfect complement to Samsung’s Quantum Dot colour technology.
It’s not just impressive HDR, but it boosts SDR too. For bright room viewing, this screen is unbeatable. Samsung has upped its game for players too. Unlike OLED, there’s no worry about screen burn, as Neo QLED is immune from such irritations.
We rate this Neo QLED 4K HDR screen a worthy flagship. The adoption of Mini-LED sets a new standard for Samsung’s QLED fleet, offering dynamic, almost three-dimensional imagery. It’s also ideal for bright room viewing and gaming sessions.
A quartet of 4K 120fps inputs, plus the new Game Bar interface, should sate most power users. That said, the One Connect Box will only really appeal if you’re wanting to wall-mount and need to reduce the amount of cabling going to the screen. The lack of Dolby Vision will also be a major turn-off for film fans.
Overall though, we’re sold on Neo QLED; 4K HDR has just received a major upgrade.
Today’s best Samsung QN90A/QN95A prices by size
Samsung QN95A Smart 4K QLED TV
£1,899
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Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 75-inch
£3,499
£2,999
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| Available platforms | TV, PS5, Xbox Series X, Tech |
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Steve May is a home entertainment technology specialist.
Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, Steve writes about gadgets and gizmos for GamesRadar, T3, Louder Sound, TechRadar, Home Cinema Choice and Yahoo. He’s also the editor of The Luxe Review and Pro AV site Inside CI. Steve once wrote a games column for legendary British comic 2000AD (and has a badge to prove it), and maintains that when it comes to top shooters, Doom is the GOAT.
Essential TV Selection Criteria for PS5 and Xbox Series X
Whether you prefer PlayStation or Xbox, a TV is a key piece of equipment for any console gamer. What’s more, there’s no better time to replace TVs than with next generation platforms that set new standards for picture quality and fluid gaming. While it was already in the middle of the transition cycle, with the launch of the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X, that console games began to be associated with 4K resolution, one would expect a full transition to occur after the premiere of PS5 and Xbox.
HDMI 2.1 port — does it matter?
One issue to consider when buying a new TV and playing on PS5 or Xbox Series X is HDMI 2.
1 support. This connector offers the ability to display images in 8K or 4K resolution at 120 frames per second, and also allows you to implement a number of additional functions such as VRR. However, the question arises: is it really that important? Do the new PlayStation and Xbox really use these technologies?
Yes and no. On the one hand, the specification of the new consoles does not allow to display an image at 120 frames per second and 4K resolution. Most often, two or more modes are offered, where the player has to sacrifice either smoothness or graphics quality. On the other hand, some of the early games actually offer the ability to play at over 100 FPS, and that’s something you shouldn’t pass up. In any case, support for HDMI 2.1 will not be superfluous, since in the coming years most new games will be created with these standards in mind.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
VRR is nothing new for PC gamers. Monitors that offer variable refresh rates have been the standard for many years, but in the case of TVs, this is still a “luxury”.
This technology eliminates the «tearing» effect of the image by adjusting the refresh rate in accordance with the number of animation frames per second generated by the computer or console. There are several VRR standards in the case of computer monitors and the same is true for TVs. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers clearly indicate which technology is supported by their equipment.
Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
In turn, ALLM allows the device to automatically switch to low latency mode when a signal from a game console is detected (this requires a compatible platform — for example, PS4 and PS4 Pro do not support this option). Most of the features listed here are related to the HDMI 2.1 standard (although some manufacturers have added ALLM support to models without this input).
However, this does not mean that every TV with HDMI 2.1 automatically supports this technology — the decision on support is up to the manufacturer. When choosing a TV, keep in mind that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X take this technology into account.
Some TVs also offer special features for gamers, such as game mode, but many of these options do not provide the highest picture quality that allows you to fully enjoy the capabilities of new consoles.
Do you need 8K support?
The resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels (4K) is already taken for granted by many. Previous generation consoles like the PS4 Pro upscale most 1080p games to 4K by default. Representatives from Sony and Microsoft announced before the premiere of the PS5 and Xbox Series that users will be able to play in 8K resolution on the new consoles.
These are just promises at the moment, but thanks to the Ultra Performance mode for DLSS 2.1, 1440p upscaling to 8K is already being tested. That is, at the moment a TV with 4K (or Ultra HD) support will be enough, but in the near future, 8K resolution may also become commonplace, as happened with 4K. However, do not forget about the price of TVs with support for 8K resolution.
Articles #PlayStation 5 #Xbox Series X
Sony Playstation TV: Smart TV for gamers
If the classics are no longer interesting, then PlayStation TV will fit exclusively for streaming from the PlayStation 4.
The Japanese giant is actively working to create its own ecosystem, which will connect all types of Sony devices in the most comfortable way for the user. In the review of the Xperia Z3 Compact tablet, we talked about the Remote Play remote streaming system. In addition, Sony has a well-proven PS Vita platform, which can be used not only in a pocket console. The sum of these two terms, without much additional cost, allows the company to enter another market, media streamers. Which Sony did a couple of months ago with the introduction of the PlayStation TV.
Specifications:
- Supported resolutions: 480p, 720p, 1080i
- Internal memory: 1 GB
- Connectors: PS Vita memory card slot, HDMI (supports dual-channel audio), USB 2.0, Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- Support for DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 controllers
- Powered by mains adapter (5 V, 2 A)
-
Size: 105×65×13.
6 mm - Weight: 110 g
Equipment
The Playstation TV comes with a power supply (comparable in size to the console itself), an HDMI cable and accompanying instructions.
The promo code included with each console allows you to download three games from the PS Store — Worms: Revolution Extreme, Velocity Ultra and OlliOlli.
Design
It seems that the developers were given one single task — to fit the PS Vita stuffing into a box with all the necessary connectors brought out. And it was decided to stop there.
The PlayStation TV is about the size of a cigarette pack. Moreover, a comparison with «ladies'» cigarettes is more appropriate, since the thickness of the device is only a few millimeters higher than the maximum height of the connectors.
Most of the black body has a matte finish, only the sides are glossy. On one of them, on the opposite side of the «Sony» label, a tiny white LED indicates that the device is on.
On the side behind the plug is a slot for PS Vita cartridges.
All other interface elements are assembled in one row: the power button, PS Vita memory card slot, USB 2.0, HDMI output, Ethernet and network adapter slot. There is no headphone jack, which makes it impossible to fully work with, for example, most PC displays.
There are no rubber pads on the bottom of the console, so nothing prevents it from hanging freely on a hard HDMI cable if necessary.
Playstation TV on the manufacturer’s website is called a microconsole, and rightly so. Thanks to its miniature size, you can simply throw the device behind the TV where it is more convenient to run a hard HDMI cable. True, in this case, you will have to take care of the power supply: the console is not equipped with its own battery.
Broadcast from PlayStation 4
The main scenario for using Playstation TV is to broadcast a signal from a PlayStation 4 connected via a shared network to a remote display.
For example, when the large «family» TV in the living room is occupied and the player only has a display in another room.
You can also connect to the PS4 via a remote network, but the instructions recommend connecting the microconsole via Ethernet to the same network where the «big brother» works. Interestingly, the quality of video broadcast is inversely proportional to the resolution set on PS TV. The best result is obtained at 1080i. When you install a more benign 720p, obvious subsidence in fps begins, reaching outright lags. Perhaps this is because the big console has to resample the Full HD stream and this takes resources.
We tested streaming to PS TV over the same and various high-speed networks, connecting the console using both Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Using wired internet did not give any performance bonuses. In the attached video, you can see what a couple of this year’s hits look like when broadcast remotely via different networks. Compared to the original, the PS TV video looks dimmer, blurry, and some effects appear to be disabled.
The level of graphics in the best quality segments roughly coincides with what can be consistently received through the same network. To connect through different networks in the settings of the router connected to the PS4, you need to forward port 9 for it304 (UDP). And just in case, turn off the built-in firewalls in the routers.
The stability of the connection through different networks leaves much to be desired. Without any external influences, the connection, which a couple of minutes ago provided streaming well, may suddenly not be re-established. Apparently, the remoteness of the PS TV from the router plays a big role (we filmed the best position on the video, where you can see protruding antennas next to the microconsole). If you minimize the broadcast window on PS TV, the connection will have to be re-established, in the same way as when streaming to Android devices. PS TV supports up to four DualShock 3 and DualShock 4 controllers.
Auxiliary functionality
Broadcasting from PS4 doesn’t end with Playstation TV.
Since it is based on the PS Vita platform, it is theoretically capable of digesting all the games released for the pocket console without any problems. In addition, some PSP games are supported, as well as those released in the PS One Classics series and more. The full list can be found on the PlayStation website.
However, the PS Vita has two large touchpads, and in gamepads, some kind of auxiliary touchpad is provided only for the DualShock 4. Here, the sticks take over the functions of the touchpads: when pressed, the left stick is responsible for the front, and the right one for the rear touchpad. The solution is very inconvenient, hardly suitable for permanent use. At least, it was not possible to play OlliOlli normally using PS TV.
Sony has assured us that all games coming to PS Vita will also be available on PS TV as long as they don’t rely too heavily on the touchpad to control them.
The multimedia functionality of the PlayStation TV is poor.
Connection with a PC is carried out through a special utility with a minimum set of functions. The set of supported video formats for playback is very small, without problems you can only watch photos and listen to music (MP3/MP4/WAV).
In addition, PS TV provides access to PSN statistics, messages, voice chat. There is a browser, an e-mail client, a calendar. In addition to a PC, the console can be connected to a PS3 to transfer content and create backups. The list of applications available in the PS Store fits in the screenshot above.
Diagnosis
The definition of «smart TV» to PlayStation TV cannot be applied even with a stretch. In the list of noteworthy additional features, you can only indicate support for classic games. If the classics are no longer interesting, then PlayStation TV will fit exclusively for streaming from the PlayStation 4. The rest of the functions are secondary, and the attitude towards their implementation is appropriate: no additional resource costs.
