If there's two things we love at Bi-Rite, it's LG and TVs. Recently we've recapped our Best TVs for 2024, and now we're delving further into the range of new LG TV for 2024.
Entry Level: LG UT8050 4K UHD LED Smart TV Series
The LG UT8050 series is a fantastic, affordable LG TV with a great set of features in a range of screen sizes.
Picture Quality
The LG UT8050 offers a solid entry-level experience with its 4K UHD resolution. The LED panel provides decent brightness and contrast, making it suitable for bright rooms.
Sound Quality
The UT8050 has a number of sound enhancements built in. The AI processor creates 9.1.2-channel virtual surround sound, mixed for clarity, impact and balance.
AI Sound Pro feature AI Acoustic Tuning optimises sound for the space you're in. Dynamic Sound Boost and Adaptive Sound Mode work to create clear sound for all content types.
Connectivity
This model features a range of connectivity options, including three HDMI ports, one of which supports eARC for better sound quality with external audio devices. Additionally, it has USB ports for media playback and standard AV inputs.
The UT8050 also comes with Chromecast built-in and is Apple AirPlay compatible. The WebOS 24 platform supports all the popular streaming services.
Step Up: LG QNED81 4K UHD LED Smart TV
Picture Quality
The QNED81TSA steps up with QNED technology, combining Quantum Dot and NanoCell for vibrant colours and enhanced brightness levels.
On top of the panel technology, the QNED81TSA algorithmically improves brightness by controlling the contrast ratio for natural looking images. It also detects the ambient light in the room and balances the brightness of the picture accordingly.
Sound Quality
AI Sound Pro delivers realistic 9.1.2-channel virtual surround sound. AI Acoustic Tuning, Adaptive Sound Mode and Dynamic Sound Boost features work together to create beautifully mixed sound, adapted to the space.
Connectivity
The QNED81TSA includes 3 HDMI inputs which support eARC and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for a good gaming experience.
Best Gaming TVs: LG OLED
For a premium gaming experience we recommend LG OLED. OLED is an advanced TV panel technology where the pixels that make up the picture are "self-illuminating".
In a traditional LCD TV the pixels are illuminated by a backlight to render the picture on the screen. The screen illuminates each section in zones, which are called "dimming zones". This can cause "light bleed", where light bleeds around the edges of the display, and "blooming", where light spills onto darker parts of the image on the screen. Images can appear to have a halo around them.
In an OLED the pixels light up individually when an electric current is passed through them. This removes the need for a backlight. It eliminates light bleed and blooming since the only pixels illuminated are the ones required to render the image at any one time.
The result is a picture with accurately produced colours, perfect contrast and deep blacks.
Why is OLED good for gaming?
OLED TVs have the fastest response time (the time it takes for a pixel to change colour) out of any TV panel. This creates excellent graphics in motion particularly for fast moving objects on the screen.
OLED picture quality is amazing for modern games with high production values. Contrast and detail are critical for a good gaming experience. OLED's self-lit pixels will produce the most accurate motion graphics with shadows and contrast so you won't miss any details.
OLEDs are also great for gaming because they're premium tech and come with the premium specs you expect for the price point.
Gaming Tech Features
LG's OLEDs come with an on-screen Game Dashboard for quickly changing essential settings without quitting your game. Game Optimizer will set the TV to optimised settings for various genres of games from FPS to RPG and RTS.
Depending on the model, you can game at up to 144Hz, with NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, ALLM and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support.
All of the LG OLEDs come with HDMI 2.1 input for the best console gaming experience with PlayStation 5 and XBox Series One.
Best Affordable Gaming TV : LG QNED86 4K Smart TV Series
The LG QNED86 series is a great option if you're looking for an LG TV with HDMI 2.1 for gaming, but need a bigger screen for your money.
The QNED panel technology creates bright, accurate colours for gaming visuals that pop off the screen. The TV's AI processor adjusts contrast ratios algorithmically for bold contrast and shadow.
Gaming tech features like AMD FreeSync Premium, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support up to 120Hz create smooth motion graphics.
The QNED86 also features the Game Optimizer and on-screen Game Dashboard for conveniently adjusting settings on the fly without leaving the game.
Picture Quality
The QNED86TSA excels in gaming performance with its 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth motion and stunning visuals. The QNED panel ensures bright and vibrant colours, making it ideal for fast-paced games.
Sound Quality
For gamers, sound quality is crucial, and the QNED86TSA delivers realistic 9.1.2-channel virtual surround sound. AI Acoustic Tuning, Adaptive Sound Mode and Dynamic Sound Boost features create beautifully mixed sound, adapted to the space.
Connectivity
This model features an HDMI 2.1 connection designed for gamers. This means it is compatible with the latest gaming consoles and PCs.
The built-in webOS platform supports all the popular streaming services, and supports Apple AirPlay 2.
Premium TV: LG C4PSA OLED
There's a reason we chose the LG C4 Series OLED as our Top TV of 2024.
Picture Quality
The LG C4PSA stands out as the premium option with its OLED panel, offering perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and stunning colour accuracy. It supports all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, ensuring the best picture quality for movies and TV shows.
The picture quality is second to none thanks to the C4's OLED panel. The picture quality is powered by the alpha 9 AI Gen7 processor, which uses advanced algorithms to improve picture and sound.
The alpha 9 processor also upscales content for fine-tuned resolution and colour. It also algorithmically controls brightness, boosting it when needed. For optimal viewing, the display also responsively adjusts to the brightness in the room.
OLED TVs also have a very wide viewing angle, so every seat on the lounge becomes the best seat in the house.
Sound Quality
The C4PSA not only delivers stunning visuals but also boasts an impressive audio experience thanks to its built-in Dolby Atmos technology. It creates a virtual surround sound that's clear, balanced, and impactful, perfect for those who love immersive home theatre setups.
Powered by the alpha 9 processor, the C4 ensures impeccable sound quality by analysing the content and adjusting the audio settings to suit both the content itself and the acoustics of your room.
Gaming Tech
Beyond the picture and sound, the C4 OLED has some great gaming tech built in. NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium adaptive synchronization technologies enhance motion graphics for top-notch visual performance.
Additionally, the C4 offers convenient features like an on-screen Game Dashboard and Game Optimizer, allowing you to tweak settings without interrupting your gameplay
Connectivity
With four HDMI 2.1 ports, the C4PSA supports the latest in connectivity standards. It also includes USB ports, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable connections.
For casual viewing of movies and TV shows, LG's webOS supports the top streaming services. Also supported are Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and AppleHome voice assistants.
The combination of picture, sound, and technology makes this our pick as the top TV for 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a HDMI 2.1 port on my TV?
HDMI 2.1 is essential for gamers and those who want the latest in home entertainment technology. It supports higher resolutions and refresh rates, enabling features like 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. For future-proofing your setup, HDMI 2.1 is highly recommended.
What makes a TV good for gaming?
A good gaming TV should have a high refresh rate (at least 120Hz), low input lag, and support for VRR and ALLM. These features ensure smooth gameplay and quick responsiveness, providing a competitive edge in fast-paced games.
Is the LG C4 OLED TV worth the upgrade from the C3 series?
The C4 offers several improvements over the C3, including better brightness, enhanced gaming features with support for 144Hz, and a more powerful processor. If these features are important to you, the upgrade is worth it.
Is LG OLED or QNED better?
OLED TVs like the C4PSA provide perfect blacks and infinite contrast, making them ideal for movie lovers and those who watch in dark rooms. QNED TVs, such as the QNED81TSA, offer brighter images and are better suited for well-lit environments. Your choice depends on your viewing preferences and environment.
What size TV should I get?
Go as big as you can for the size of the room. Our experience tells us that most people will buy a bigger TV each time they replace it. In the past, 55 inches was the norm for TVs. Now, we suggest getting a 75 inch TV for better enjoyment and longevity.
If you need help finding the best TV for your needs, come to your local Bi-Rite retailer and get the best shopping experience as well as the best viewing experience.
