#GameModeCalibration

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Update LG C9 OLED TV 2019 vs C8 2018

Traditionally, the leaders of consumer electronics presented a huge number of sensational new products at CES 2019. Of course, the segment of high-tech TVs topped this list. Rollable LG R9 OLED TV marked a revolutionary breakthrough in the TV design.

Today it's even difficult to imagine all the possible prospects for the development of this technology. Perhaps in 10 years we will see curtains-TVs and other creative solutions. Super screen of 260 combined flexible OLED-screens amazed the imagination of the most imperturbable viewers.

In addition, the company introduced its first 8K OLED Z9 TV.

But, of course, these innovative models primarily demonstrate trends for further development. It can be assumed that a very high price will limit their mass distribution for a long time. From this point of view, the new LG OLED TVs are causing more pragmatic interest. As known, the relatively affordable prices of previous LG 4K OLED C8, E8, W8 and, especially, B8 TVs of 2018 pleasantly surprised many experts. Of course, many hoped for the company to maintain this trend. LG did not disappoint market expectations and presented at CES 2019 C9, E9 and W9. The video at the end shows the main differences between the 2018 and 2019 models.

LG OLED65C9PLA

As known, last year's LG C8 series received a huge number of awards and admiring reviews from experts and consumers. It included models with 77", 65" and 55" diagonals. The 2019 C9 series contains models with similar matrices. The design of the C9 4K OLED TVs has not changed, with the exception of the stand for 55" and 65" models. As known, the company has been using the Blade-slim stand since 2017.

The 77-inch version uses a longer stand due to the greater mass of the panel.

LG OLED65C9 uses a 10-bit matrix with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (Ultra HD or UHD or 4K or 2160p) and provides 300 nits of brightness, the peak value of which reaches 900 nits or more. Of course, the model supports all HDR standards, including HDR10 +, Dolby Vision, HLG and Advanced HDR. Additionally, it has Smooth Gradation control, better Game mode calibration and improved OLED Motion Pro black frame insertion. Of course, the model provides a very high image quality, including excellent detail, deep black and huge viewing angles, which is traditional for OLED matrices. The menu includes a 3D LUT mode and an enhanced Black Frame Insertion feature for adjusting the resolution when playing back dynamic scenes. New built-in Fine Art gallery is convenient in the intervals between viewing content. The SpectraCal Auto function provides image calibration at 36,000 points for image optimization. Besides, LG ThinQ AI supports voice control for Google Home and Amazon Echo.

Alpha 9 Gen 2 Intelligent processor

The new series uses the Alpha 9 Gen 2 Intelligent second-generation processor, which provides the AI (artificial intelligence).

The new processor provides more efficient video processing for tonal HDR playback and fast LG WebOS. According to the company, the α9 Gen 2 technology uses a deep learning algorithm based on an extensive database that recognizes the content quality and selects its optimal visualization. Alpha 9 Gen 2 Intelligent processor fine-tunes the tone mapping depending on the viewing conditions, optimizing the screen brightness. This algorithm takes into account the perception of the image by the human eye in different lighting conditions. Built-in ambient light sensor measures the illumination level at the location of the TV. Then, the algorithm automatically adjusts the brightness, compensating its level to the optimum. In fact, the α9 Gen 2 AI technology improves HDR content playback by adjusting the brightness and providing increased contrast, detail, and saturation for dark scenes, even in bright environments.

It can be assumed that this new technology has very good prospects. In addition, the algorithm adjusts the overall brightness for SDR content. The intelligent algorithm also improves sound quality, enhancing two-channel audio content to virtual 5.1-channel surround sound by mixing. According to LG, the AI Audio function actually calibrates the acoustics at a higher level. The α9 Gen 2 optimizes the output signal depending on the content, increasing the clarity of voices in movies, TV shows and news. In addition, OLED65C9 supports Dolby Atmos.

WebOS 4.5

Smart uses the WebOS 4.5 platform, which has not changed since 2018 except for adding a new Home Dashboard panel.

It provides control of all smart home devices, including sources connected via HDMI and Bluetooth. The panel for launching apps has not changed. The company only deleted a few bookmarks on the left side of the screen and shortened the main icons. In addition, LG has expanded some functions, including access to the content through various apps without opening them. For example, hovering the mouse over the Netflix tab activates the display of recommended content depending on the browsing history. Theoretically, this option will speed up access to content. Settings OLED65C9 contain several new features. For example, smart editing automatically populates the launchpad with the most frequently used apps. The Add YouTube Channel provides instant viewing of your favorite YouTube channels.

Models use LG ThinQ AI Magic C9 remote control, which significantly expands their capabilities.

For example, the microphone button instantly activates the voice command mode. If necessary, ThinkQ AI redirects commands to Google Assistant. The special Alexa button is designed for regions with support for this option. OLED65C9 also supports Apple AirPlay 2. As known, AirPlay 2 protocol provides wireless transmission of video, music and images from iTunes, iOS, Mac and Apple TV to compatible devices. Unfortunately, the model does not have a built-in iTunes store with access to 4K Dolby Vision and HDR10 content. The segment of HDR content is gradually expanding and already today offers quite a wide selection.

HDMI 2.1

OLED65C9 4K HDR has four HDMI 2.1 interfaces. Of course, support for HDMI 2.1 standard claims one of the major improvements in the series. As known, it, like the previous HDMI 2.0a, supports dynamic transfer of metadata for HDR content. In addition, the new HDMI 2.1 provides 48 Gbps and HFR (high frame rate) with 120 fps. It also supports eARC (enhanced audio return channel) for connecting home theater via HDMI interface, VBR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (automatic low latency mode). As known, VBR reduces input lag, and ALLM eliminates stripes and gaps in the image. In general, the new LG 4K OLED HDR series fully met the expectations of consumers. The company was able to significantly improve basic values even in comparison with the gorgeous 2018 models. But, of course, their attractiveness to consumers will depend on the price. The video shows the LG 4K OLED HDR TV with CES 2019. Read the full article

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What is Frame Rate, High Dynamic Range, Display Resolution and HDMI 2.1 in TV?

The tough competition in the consumer electronics segment encourages companies to actively develop innovative technologies. In fact, market leaders annually present new models with innovative solutions. This trend is most pronounced in segments of high-tech devices, including TVs, PCs, robotic vacuum cleaners, etc. But the description of complex technology requires the use of special terms and concepts. Unfortunately, the promotion of new models and technologies often includes a marketing component. As a result, this situation often complicates the assessment of their real consumer value when forming an adequate opinion on the price / quality ratio.

Introduction

The following example illustrates this problem. As known, LG in 2019 at CES introduced a new line of its OLED TVs, including the C9 series. Of course, new models have a wide range of improvements, including Smooth Gradation control, better Game Mode Calibration, OLED Motion Pro, HDMI 2.1, etc. Moreover, the support of HDMI 2.1 rightly claims to be one of the major improvements. But not all consumers clearly understand the difference between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1, which support static or dynamic metadata transfer. Nevertheless, HDMI 2.1 significantly expands the capabilities of TVs, providing, for example, playback of HDR content. Therefore, understanding the influence of the main specs on consumer qualities of a TV can help the consumer to more accurately determine the real price / quality ratio of the model, which is necessary for the optimal choice. As known, any modern display uses a certain type of matrix, LED backlighting (of course, except for OLED TVs), a processor and a set of algorithms that provide improved playback quality. These factors directly affect Frame Rate, Dynamic Range, Display Resolution, contrast, brightness, viewing angles, etc. In turn, the quality of video content playback directly depends on these values. But, of course, the visualization of this dependence is non-linear. For example, a narrow viewing angle only limits the choice of a convenient viewing location, and low resolution limits the detailing on large screens, but it does not matter on the screen up to 55". But the optimal distance is directly dependent on the diagonal of the screen. Therefore, a 65" model is unlikely to be comfortable in a small bedroom or kitchen. Accordingly, the screen resolution is less important for this case.

Screen Refresh Rate

The refresh rate characterizes the speed of the image update on the screen. Most modern televisions provide 60 Hz. The frequency of modern expensive models reaches 100 Hz and above. Increasing the frequency reduces the flickering of the image and ensures smooth playback. Its visualization is most pronounced in highly dynamic scenes, for example, when watching sports or in games while using the TV as a monitor.

The variety of frequencies is due to the key features of each model. For example, models with a frequency of 120 Hz were designed to form stereo images for viewing 3D video. As known, 3D mode simultaneously uses two images, each of which has a frequency of 60 Hz. As a result, the manufacturer chose the frequency of 120 Hz. In addition, most modern models use different frame interpolation algorithms to smooth the image. In this case, the monitor generates intermediate frames, actually increasing the fps in the content. Almost all leading companies use their own dynamic scenes indices, including Clear motion rate (CMR), Picture Quality Index (PQI), Picture Mastering Index (PMI), Perfect Motion Rate (PMR), etc. Unfortunately, the marketing component and the lack of unification reduce their veracity.

Frame Rate and HFR (high frame rate)

Initially, frame rate or fps characterized the shooting speed and was equal to the number of frames recorded by the camera per second. In the future, this value was used as the rate of changeable frames on the monitor screen (Hz), that is, as an analogue of screen refresh rate. As a result, some confusion arose. For example, frame interpolation increases the FPS of videocontent from 30 fps to 400 Hz. In this case, the TV receives 30 frames per second, forms additional intermediate frames and reproduces on the screen 400 frames per second (30 original frames + 370 intermediate virtual frames). This technology increases smoothness and eliminates flicker.

High Frame Rate (HFR) technology improves image clarity perception in high dynamic scenes by increasing the frame rate (more compared to traditional 24/25 fps). HFR uses cameras with an increased frame rate. In fact, the algorithm increases the frequency to 48 or 60 fps. As known, the most popular Youtube video service already supports 60 fps video. Unfortunately, video in the HFR format has a soap opera effect, which reduces the traditional perception of cinema in many viewers due to excessive detail.

This nuance is periodically actively discussed among experts. But, of course, this technology has excellent prospects for computer animation. Some TVs upper price segment already support HFR format.

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Initially, HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology appeared in photography. In fact, it mixes several frames with different exposures in a single file.

The dynamic range of the matrix characterizes the difference between the lightest and darkest colors that it can display. It directly affects the image detail.

In turn, it expands the color gamut, which directly affects the saturation and color accuracy.

Of course, the expansion of color gamut required an increase in the color depth for the correct display of all gradations. As a result, the 8-bit coding system was extended to 10 and 12-bit color depth.

However, Dolby Lab, which was the first to develop HDR technology (Dolby Vision) initially used 12-bit color. Today, Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10 +, Technicolor HDR (SL-HDR1) and Hybrid Log Gamma are improving their own versions of HDR technology.

The video at the end demonstrates the Dolby Vision vs HDR10 test. Of course, this technology has excellent prospects. HDR provides better contrast, greater brightness levels and a wider colour palette compared to traditional technology. But today, very limited HDR content significantly slows down its distribution.

Display resolution

The screen resolution is equal to the number of pixels that form the image. This value depends on the matrix type. Modern TVs use matrices with the following resolution: - Standard Definition (SD) - 720 x 576 pixels; - High Definition (HD) or Full HD (2K) - 1920 x 1080 pixels; - Ultra HD (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 pixels; - 4K UHD or UHD1 or 2160p - 3996 x 2160 pixels; - 4K (cache) - 3996 x 2160 pixels; - 8K or Full HD Ultra or UHD2– 7680 х 4320 pixels. In fact, 4K UHD TV can be positioned as an intermediate standard between HDTV and 8K UHD TV. Compared to HD, it enhances clarity four times, expands the dynamic range of color rendering and provides 24-channel sound. Physically, the screen resolution characterizes the density of pixels or, accordingly, their size. Accordingly, the matrix with high resolution provides good detail even on a large screen due to the small pixel size. This allows the viewer to comfortably perceive content from a sufficiently large distance.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)

The development of HDR and an increase in the resolution of the matrices required a sharp increase in the amount of information transmitted and, accordingly, bandwidth expansion. For example, Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) uses 4 times more pixels than Full HD (1920 x 1080). Accordingly, the video signal should contain information for each of them. HDR10 and Dolby Vision use dynamic metadata transfer. Thus, the data stream should contain additional information for each scene in order to preserve the original directorial decision in terms of color, lighting and contrast. As a result, Hitachi, Matsushita Electric Industrial, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson (RCA) developed the HDMI standard to transfer high-resolution digital video content. This standard has very simple labeling. Fundamentally new versions use digital increment, for example, 1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2, 2.1. The functional extensions use letters, for example, 1.2a, 1.3a, 1.4b, 2.0a, etc. Today the HDMI Licensing consortium developed improved HDMI 2.0a and HDMI 2.1 for dynamic transfer of metadata between the source HDR content and the TV. LG and Samsung introduced at CES 2019 new OLED models with support of latest HDMI 2.1.

It uses a new 48 Gbps cable for 10K resolution and 8K HDR.

HDMI 2.1 support: - Game Mode VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) mode to prevent input video delay and frame-by-frame image breaks; - QMS (Quick Media Switching); - EARC (Audio Return Channel), which increases bandwidth via HDMI reversible audio channel to eliminate loss of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos. HDMI 2.1 also supports object-oriented audio.

Comparison

left: LG 65" 4K OLED TV (65B6 Series), right: Samsung 55" 4K QLED TV (55Q7F Series). The LG OLED is playing Netflix Streaming - but in Dolby Vision. The Samsung is playing the same, but due to it´s lack to Dolby Vision, it´s playing the HDR10 version instead. Dolby Vision on the OLED Looks stunning - so the brightest LED LCD can´t compete with OLED, they need dynamic metadata like Dolby Vision. Read the full article