What are you going to buy if you’ve got $5,000 and want a new TV. Man, that opens up a whole world of options. Not least because it would allow you to buy a 55 inch OLED TV – and you know my thoughts on that – it’s the best picture quality you can buy. But perhaps 55 inches isn’t big enough?
A 65 inch OLED is going to tip the scales well over $7,000, which is where LG’s premium LED range comes in. These stunningly well designed units pack almost every feature of the OLED range, except those premium black colours.
Sitting in my test studio, the 65UH950T is a huge beast. I’m fortunate that I can also compare it to the 2015 LED model from LG at 65 inches we have in our lounge room – and that’s a tough one to beat, or so I thought.
So here’s the thing, in 2016 – all the talk is HDR – High Dynamic Range. This is a method of shooting content and reproducing content that offers a colour brightness almost second to none. It’s the feature of 2016 TVs – owners of 2014 or 2015 TVs really did luck out missing out on this.
If you’ve got a 4K Blu Ray player (either the Samsung or Xbox One S), you’ll get not only 4K disc compatibility, but also HDR. And I’m sorry to say that if you bought a 4K TV in the last few years, you’ll never really see the best of these new Disc titles being released – because having now watched several titles on a non HDR and various HDR compatible sets, the difference is real.
BUT – the good news, as I always say – you’ve only got one TV in the room. You’re never going to see them side by side – so be at peace with that ok?
The LG set offers both HDR formats (HDR-10 and Dolby Vision) but I doubt many will notice that feature, though it’s a strong sales tool on the showroom floor I suspect.
For me, aside from the HDR compatibility which is not unique to LG, this TV has a couple of features that set it up as a genuine contender for your dollars.
Design
For a non OLED TV (OLED screens are phenomenally thin by design and technology) this thing is stunning. The top half of the entire body of the unit is almost OLED thin – it’s really nice on a side profile and also quite evident at angles. If your TV is a standout design feature of the room, this will be important.
The brains of the unit are compressed into a thicker bottom half. All the inputs and outputs are to one side of the rear bottom half.
Holding it all up, the curved stand is beautiful in design, but also very practically built. Installation is a breeze with the TV itself sitting latched in there without any screws while you then go get the screws and screwdriver – it makes for a much less risky installation.
Operating System
This is where LG is winning the battle. Samsung have upped their game, but LG’s Web OS is still the standout best TV operating system on the market. Easy lower third access to installed apps and shortcuts, easy and well designed overlays for TV guide info, as well as input switching.
Easy is the one word that describes almost every aspect and usability feature of Web OS. If my whole family (Kids and Wife included) can use it without nagging me, I know it’s a winner.
Remote
Look, when LG first included the “Magic Remote” in their TVs many years back, I thought it was a gimmick. It was. But it has evolved so well – Given the block and colour like interface of Web OS, the point and click nature of the Magic Remote now works in perfect harmony with the operating system.
Navigating to where you want to go or finding new stuff is easy. Given it works throughout installed apps like Netflix and Stan also, it’s a real bonus.
Those three things alone will or should be the things you see as standouts for the LG.
The Picture
Look, its stunning. A freak with some super-human vision might notice this or that about TVs, but for me, there isn’t really too many bad pictures in the $1500+ price range from the top 5 brands.
That said, this thing pops with a 4K HDR disc being played (interestingly, looked better from the Xbox One S than the Samsung Standalone player to me), the colours are vibrant and I’m sure if you wanted to sit and customise things with the settings you’d really get the most from it.
And let’s remember that too – TVs have a “store mode” for a reason. That mode drives the colours, the pixels, everything to give the best first impressions. Getting to know your TV and playing with the settings is how you’ll get the best picture for you.
Refresh rate seemed excellent watching fast-moving sport content, so no complaints from me.
What would I improve?
Hard to imagine I’d be of any great use around the design brainstorming table. Except to say that TVs today are struggling to keep up with a multi-device world.
Just three HDMI inputs? Come on LG. Sure all three are 4K/HDR compatible but throw another two on. My lounge room TV has three inputs, and we have a 4 port switcher running off one of them. Additional HDMI’s would be a great selling point.
Aside from that, for a next to flagship 2016 TV model, LG have really nailed it with this one.
65 inches is big, $5,000 is a lot of money, so I do wonder if forced if I’d buy the OLED or this guy. Deep down, I’m more of a “go big or go home” kinda person – so I suspect the 65UH950T would be my choice at that budget.
Web: LG, JB HiFi, Harvey Norman
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