Lg cx 55 review: LG CX OLED Review (OLED48CXPUB, OLED55CXPUA, OLED65CXPUA, OLED77CXPUA)

LG OLED CX review: “A phenomenal TV”

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(Image: © Future/Alex Berry)

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Near enough TV perfection, particularly for new-gen gamers.

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Launched in 2020, the LG CX immediately caught the eye of many with a spec sheet that seemed to tick just about every box. An OLED TV offering 4K quality with 120fps performance? It sounds like a gamer’s dream.

When first released it certainly was a premium option with a premium price point to match. But it’s been in the market a couple of years now, so does the LG CX still stack up as one of the best gaming TVs, and also one of the best TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X?

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I’ve been using the 55″ variant from the middle of the LG CX range and like the 48″, 65″ and 77″ options it’s almost entirely screen. With bezels of just over half a centimetre and an almost non-existent physical frame, the LG CX is incredibly sleek. It’s incredibly thin too: just under 5cm deep in the bottom half and an almost alarmingly thin 4mm as you move up into the screen in the top half.

This makes it ideal for wall mounting, and while the super-slim top half is metal-backed so feels premium, it does rather get the heart rate going anytime you need to move it; plus there’s not much to grab on to. It’s also worth noting the VESA mounting points sit lower down than I’ve ever seen on a TV before, so if you’re recycling an existing wall mount you might find yourself a funny viewing angle.

This is a TV you’re going to want to wall mount too because the included stand is entirely impractical. Not only is it a whopping 25cm deep, but a majority of this space also exists as a bulky black unit behind the screen. The result is a side profile that’s comically unbalanced, leaving a load of dead air behind the panel which sits awkwardly far off the wall.  

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Performance

With the screen on though, the LG CX is magical. Thanks to its OLED panel it delivers a stunning image with perfect blacks and vivid colour. Unlike LED or LCD panels, each pixel of an OLED panel is powered by its own backlight, meaning incredible contrast and an image that looks particularly impressive in dark rooms.

Enhancing that is the addition of Dolby Vision and the HDR experience is excellent across both gaming and watching. On more than one occasion I lost track of what I was watching because I was more focused on how good it looked on the LG CX. Sorry, David Attenborough, I love your voice but it played second fiddle to the visuals here. 

As impressive as the LG CX is for watching movies and TV, it’s gamers that’ll be particularly interested in what it has to offer. With four HDMI 2.1 inputs allowing 4K content at 120fps and full variable refresh rate support, the CX is capable of delivering anything a console can throw at it right now and is still one of the best 120Hz 4K TVs money can buy.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

The CX ticks every box on my Xbox Series X’s TV checklist and is just a joy to play games on. Forza Horizon 5’s Mexican landscape is breathtaking and games that run happily at 120fps like Rocket League play silky smooth. Even ‘older’ titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider look astonishingly good on the CX and even though the LG C1 and LG C2 have superceded it, it’s going to be a while before this screen really falls behind. Despite the LG CX being ready for it, you won’t find many games that will really max out both resolution and frame rate simultaneously. Yet.

Even at the other end of the spectrum, the LG CX impresses. Nintendo Switch games look notably better on the CX than they do on other screens, thanks largely to LG’s α9 Gen3 AI Processor and its clever upscaling. It does a remarkable job of making lower resolution content look better than it is; a very welcome feature, particularly on larger screen sizes.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

Overall – should you buy it?

Simply put, the LG CX is a phenomenal TV. In terms of pure eye candy and enjoyment, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option, even from newer models that have been released in the two years since its launch. There’s just not much that needs improving.

A mixture of crisp visuals with a high refresh rate lets it go head to head with high spec PC monitors and even gamers with new-gen consoles will still struggle to max out what LG is offering here.  

It’s not the easiest unit to find new anymore though, so if you’re in the market for a new TV and happen to spy one hiding in the corner of a retailer – probably at a discounted rate – you’d be wise to snap it up.

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How we tested the LG CX

I’ve used the 55” version of the LG CX as my primary living room for TV for nearly a year. During this time it’s been wall mounted throughout and used for everything from console gaming to streaming, to everyday Netflix binging.

For gaming it’s been paired with an Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch, streaming using built-in apps and a Fire Stick 4K.

The LG CX is still a top bit of kit for any PS5 or Xbox Series X set up – so why not browse other top PS5 gear in the shape of our guides to the best PS5 SSDs, best PS5 headsets, and best Xbox Series X headsets to round out your setup. Or, check out your other TV options with the best QLED TVs.

LG CX: Price Comparison

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Alex is a streamer who has been creating gaming content for over a decade, streaming on Twitch regularly across the last five years. With a degree in film and a background in sports media, you’ll find him jumping between 60,000 seat stadiums and his Animal Crossing island (where he’s growing pears, in case you were wondering).  

LG OLED CX TV review: The picture against which all other TVs are measured

2020

By this point there’s no question whether OLED-based TVs have the best picture quality available: they do. In my opinion they’re definitely worth the extra money compared to other high-end TVs. The only question that matters is, if you can afford an OLED TV, which one should you buy? LG is the OLED leader and its 2020 CX series achieves as impressive a picture as any TV I’ve ever tested, its features are cutting-edge and the price in late 2020 is pretty close to as low as it’s gonna get. In other words: this is the OLED TV to buy.

After reviewing the CX and a handful of other TVs this year — as well as numerous OLED and LCD TVs from years past — I can say with confidence that the CX is the best. I compared it side by side to the TCL 8-Series, which has the best picture quality of any non-OLED TV I’ve reviewed. It’s a superb performer and brighter than the CX, but the OLED beat it for overall picture quality. Every OLED TV I’ve ever reviewed exhibits the true black levels, infinite contrast and near-perfect off-angle performance that makes images come to life like no other TV technology you can buy. 

This year I haven’t had the chance to review the CX’s main OLED competition, namely the Sony A8H, the Vizio OLED-h2 or LG’s own BX series. Based on my years of experience, however, and reports from other reviewers about those TVs — including Wirecutter and RTings — if I had to recommend any OLED now, it would be the CX. I expect its improved processing to be worth the small price increase over the BX and the Vizio, and it has better next-gen gaming features than the Sony.

It might be tempting to spend a bit less on one of those TVs, especially if it’s on sale, and if the price gap is significant I can’t blame you. In general I expect any OLED TV to outperform any LCD TV. But based on my experience the CX is the best choice, regardless of price. I expect to review more OLEDs next year, but until then you can’t go wrong with the CX, which is why it earns CNET’s 2020 Editors’ Choice Award for high-end TVs.

Watch this: LG CX OLED TV review: Awesome picture, high price

Get to know the LG CX series

  • It’s pronounced “C-10” because LG wants to be like Apple I guess.
  • It comes in 48-, 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes. The 48-inch model is new for 2020.
  • As usual for OLED TVs, the 77-inch model is proportionally more expensive, at nearly twice the price of the 65-incher. Competing 75-inch LCD-based TVs are much more affordable. 
  • The 2020 CX adds a few extras that the B9 from 2019 is missing, namely an improved image processor, compatibility with AMD FreeSync and a new Filmmaker picture mode. Otherwise they’re very similar.
  • OLED display technology is fundamentally different from the LED LCD technology used in the vast majority of today’s TVs, including Samsung and TCL’s QLED models.
  • The best LCD TVs I’ve reviewed so far, including the TCL 8-Series and 2019 Vizio P-Series Quantum X, scored a 9 in image quality. At times they were brighter in HDR than the OLEDs, but otherwise the OLEDs’ images were superior in almost every way.
  • All OLED TVs are more subject to both temporary and permanent image retention, aka burn-in, than LCD TVs. We at CNET don’t consider burn-in a reason for most people to avoid buying an OLED TV, however. Check out our guide to OLED burn-in for more.

Not much has changed with LG’s design. The panel on the B9, the CX and other recent OLED sets is still vanishingly thin when seen from the side, about a quarter-inch deep, with a chunkier section at the bottom that juts out another 1.75 inches. That section houses the inputs, power supply, speakers and other depth-eating TV components.

From the front it’s pure TV minimalism. There’s less than a half-inch of black frame around the top and sides of the picture itself. Then there’s a bit more below, but no trace of silver, no “LG” or any other logo at all. 

The CX’s stand is very similar to the C9’s, its angled edges and medium width across the bottom of the screen. It’s more heavily weighted than the B9 on the rear to (I presume) better resist tipping forward. That said, I’ve never had any fear of the B9 tipping forward, and I always recommend using a TV safety strap if you have kids.

David Katzmaier/CNET

Solid app and voice support

LG’s webOS menu system is also basically unchanged from last year. It still lacks the innovative extras and app-based setup of Samsung’s Tizen system and falls well short of the app coverage of Roku TV or Sony’s Android TV. If you want more apps, your best bet is to get an external streamer, although only a handful, including the Apple TV 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Nvidia Shield can support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Meanwhile LG’s apps for Netflix, Amazon, Disney Plus and Vudu all support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, while Apple TV app supports Vision but not Atmos. Using the TV’s built-in apps gets you the highest-quality video and audio from those services, no external streamer required.

The remote tracks the motion of your hand to whip quickly around the screen, something that’s particularly helpful when signing into apps or searching using an onscreen keyboard. The scroll wheel is also great for moving through apps, like those seemingly infinite thumbnail rows on Netflix and Amazon.

David Katzmaier/CNET

LG’s TVs are still the only devices that let you use both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The main mic button invokes Google Assistant while a long-press of the Amazon button gets you Alexa. Both can do all the usual Assistant stuff, including control smart home devices, answer questions and respond via a voice coming out of the TV’s speakers (yep, both voices). Basics like “What’s the weather?” works as you’d expect from either assistant, complete with onscreen feedback. 

The CX also works with Apple’s AirPlay 2 system, just like many other TVs including 2019 models like the B9. I was able to fire up my iPhone to share photos and video to the screen from the Photos app as well as mirror my Mac and phone screens. The LG also has the Apple TV app, of course.

Key features

Display technology OLED
LED backlight N/A
Resolution 4K
HDR compatible HDR10 and Dolby Vision
Smart TV webOS
Remote Motion

The feature-packed CX includes just about everything that matters in a modern TV. LG says the new A9 Gen 3 chip — included on the CX but not on the B9 or BX — has improved deep learning chops and “AI picture Pro” enhancements. I didn’t notice any major benefits from the processor in my testing. 

New for 2020 is the Filmmaker Mode, which takes the place of the Technicolor Expert modes of years past. As promised it turns off the Soap Opera Effect for film-based content (yay) but so do many other modes in the CX, including Cinema, ISF and Dolby Vision itself (yes, this TV has a LOT of picture modes). While plenty-accurate it’s also relatively dim so I ended up using Cinema and ISF Bright for most critical viewing.

All of LG’s 2019 and 2020 OLED models include the latest version of the HDMI standard: 2.1. That means their HDMI ports can handle 4K at 120fps, support enhanced audio return channel (eARC) as well as two gamer-friendly extras: variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM, or auto game mode). Check out HDMI 2.1: What you need to know for details. I didn’t test any of these features yet for this review.

Speaking of VRR, the B9 and CX also support the Nvidia G-Sync standard. One difference between the two, however, is that only 2020 models like the CX will also support AMD FreeSync.

Bear with me, normal readers, because there is one ultra-technical downgrade on the CX compared to the 2019 C9. As reported by Forbes, the new model’s HDMI ports support 4K at 120fps up to 40Gbps (10 bits), while last year they went up to the full 48Gbps (12 bits). In a statement, LG told CNET that “the market situation evolution indicated that real content that requires 48Gbps is not available in the market.” The only devices that might look better at 12-bit compared to 10-bit are next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox One Series X, but I’d be surprised if it makes a big difference. 

David Katzmaier/CNET

The selection of connections is otherwise top-notch. Unlike many of Samsung’s sets, this one actually has an analog video input for legacy (non-HDMI) devices, although it no longer supports analog component video. There’s also a dedicated headphone/analog audio output.

  • Four HDMI inputs with HDMI 2.1, HDCP 2.2
  • Three USB ports
  • Composite video/audio input
  • Optical digital audio output
  • Analog audio 3.5mm headphone output
  • RF (antenna) input
  • RS-232 port (minijack, for service only)
  • Ethernet (LAN) port

Picture quality comparisons

Click the image above to see picture settings, calibration and HDR notes.

David Katzmaier/CNET

Normally I’m able to compare a TV against four or five others side-by-side, but during coronavirus lockdown the size of my basement — and limited access to comparison TVs — reduced that number to two. Happily they were two of the best TVs of 2019, the B9 OLED and the TCL 8-Series. As I mentioned above the CX and B9 were basically tied, with image quality that deserves a score of 10/10, while the TCL fell a bit short of both. 

Click the image at the right to see the picture settings used in the review and to read more about how this TV’s picture controls worked during calibration.

Dim lighting: Lined up in my darkened basement TV lab, the CX immediately distinguished itself from the LCD-based TCL but not so much from its sister LG OLED. Between the two OLED TVs I didn’t spot any major differences. 

Watching the 1080p Blu-ray of Parasite, the trademark perfect black levels and superior contrast of OLED were an upgrade in punch and realism. Every scene benefited, but as usual the darker ones showed the largest differences. As the Parks discuss the transgressions of their chauffeur in Chapter 4, for example, colors of their faces, clothes and the surrounding kitchen looked, well, richer and more realistic. In extremely dark scenes like Park Dong-ik’s ride in the back of the car, the difference was even more evident in a side-by-side comparison.

Shadow detail was excellent on the CX and overall dark areas still looked significantly more realistic than with the TCL. Pro tip: In my recommended picture mode, Cinema, bump up Brightness from 50 to 52 to reclaim those shadows while still preserving perfect black levels.

Bright lighting: No major changes here: The CX was as bright as previous LG OLEDs and significantly dimmer than high-end LCDs.

Light output in nits

TV Brightest (SDR) Accurate color (SDR) Brightest (HDR) Accurate color (HDR)
Vizio PX65-G1 1,990 1,120 2,908 2,106
TCL 65Q825 1,653 904 1,818 982
Samsung QN65Q80R 1,443 832 1,494 1,143
TCL 65R625 653 578 881 813
LG OLED65C9 (2019) 451 339 851 762
LG OLED65CX (2020) 377 290 690 634
LG OLED65B9 (2019) 374 283 628 558

LG OLEDs from 2019 and 2020 have a setting called Peak Brightness that boosts the light output for SDR sources in Cinema and Expert modes. The idea is to increase contrast for brighter viewing environments while maintaining the superior color accuracy of those modes. As with most TVs, the brightest mode for HDR and SDR (Vivid on the CX) is horribly inaccurate. For the accurate color columns above I used ISF Expert Bright (Peak Brightness: High) for SDR and Filmmaker mode for HDR — I recommend CX owners do the same to get good color in bright rooms.

Overall, the OLED sets are still plenty bright enough for just about any viewing environment. Yes, they do get quite a bit dimmer than the LCDs when showing full-screen white — a hockey game, for example — but even in those situations they’re hardly dim.

The CX and B9 preserved black levels and reduced reflections very well — better than the TCL. I didn’t compare a Samsung directly for this review but in the past that brand’s high-end models have delivered the best bright-room performance overall.

Color accuracy: Before my standard calibration, the ISF Expert, Cinema and Filmmaker modes were already super accurate, among the best I’ve seen, and afterward the CX was as accurate as I’d expect. As usual, OLED’s superior black levels also improved the perception of color saturation compared to the LCD other displays. Bright colors like the fruit on the Parks’ countertop or the green of their backyard in Chapter 11 were lush and vibrant, while skin tones like the face of Mrs. Park remained true. I also appreciated that, unlike many LCDs including the TCL in this comparison, the CX didn’t introduce a blue tinge to near-black areas.

Video processing: Watching the Parasite Blu-ray it was difficult to see any processing advantages of the CX over the B9, perhaps because it’s a very high-quality source to begin with. Looking for evidence of the CX’s fancy new chip in action, I tried an old favorite: Game of Thrones’ The Long Night episode on HBO Max, streaming from an Apple TV 4K (set to 1080p SDR to match the native stream).

The opening setup of the army awaiting the coming of the white walkers was rife with blockiness, banding and other compression issues, as well as basic video noise. But the CX didn’t clean it up much better than the B9. There was slightly less banding on the CX during a pan over Winterfell (5:19), for example, and less near-black noise in the sky during the Dothraki charge (12:51) and when the solitary horse returns (13:47), but I had to look hard to spot the improvement. And sometimes the B9 looked better; for example it showed less noise than the CX in the black sky around Sir Davos’ face (7:13). I’ll give the slight edge to the CX, but it’s really subtle.

With the Real Cinema setting turned on, the CX passed my go-to 1080p/24 film cadence test from I Am Legend in Off, Cinema Clear and User (0-4 for De-Judder and 10 for De-Blur) TruMotion position. The latter two also delivered the TV’s maximum motion resolution (600 lines). For 2020 LG’s User De-Judder setting is better than last year, with more of a range for finicky cadence purists (we know who we are) to dial in the right amount of smoothness; anything 4 or lower introduced some judder to my eye, conveying a sense of film rather than soap opera effect. Clear on the other hand is toward the smoother side, albeit still tolerable. Personally I prefer User: De-Judder 0 but it’s great that there’s more good options than ever.

David Katzmaier/CNET

There’s also a setting labeled OLED Motion Pro, available only in the User section of the TruMotion menu. In previous years it was a simple toggle that introduced black frame insertion to improve motion resolution but with the usual tradeoffs of a dimmer image and visible flicker. This year it has four settings, Low, Medium, High and Auto, with progressively better motion resolution, High tops out at the maximum 1,200 lines in my test but was quite dim and flickery. Medium was the best overall, measuring slightly less at 1080 lines but with nearly the same light output as Off and no flicker. The CX is the first OLED TV I’ve tested that can match LCD TVs with true 120Hz refresh rates, such as the TCL 8 series or the Samsung Q70, for motion resolution.

The problem? Engaging any OLED Motion Pro setting aside from Off crushed shadow detail and made the image look too dark. My advice is to avoid using this setting unless you calibrate the image specifically for it — or you hate blur so much that you’re willing to sacrifice being able to see dark areas clearly.

Gaming input lag is similar to last year, which is to say superb. The CX showed 13.7 and 13.8 milliseconds in game mode for 1080p and 4K HDR sources, respectively. That’s shy of the C9 by mere tenths of a millisecond. If you can tell the difference, hats off to you.

Uniformity: Like all recent OLED sets, the CX was extremely uniform in brightness and color, with no visible variations across the screen. In comparison the LCD-based TCL all showed slightly brighter and darker areas with full-field test patterns, although it didn’t have major issues. And as usual the two OLEDs were much better at maintaining fidelity from off-angle, when viewed from seats other than the sweet spot right in the middle of the screen. There were no differences in uniformity between the B9 and CX.

Parasite is a great movie that looks spectacular in 4K HDR.

CJ Entertainment

HDR and 4K video: The 4K Blu-ray of Parasite looked spectacular on all three high-end TVs, as expected, but the OLEDs had the advantage. The TCL beat them in brightness and highlight pop, however. In Chapter 3 when Kim Ki-woo rounds a corner of the house (13:13), the sun measured twice as bright — 1028 nits vs. 540 on both OLED TVs — and the difference was obvious to my eye. 

Despite the extra brightness, however, the overall contrast and richness of the OLEDs’ image made the LCD look relatively flat by comparison in many scenes. In the criteria at 30:51, for example, there was just a bit more pop and color in the food and the flower wrappings. And despite its excellent local dimming the TCL still betrayed some brighter spots in dark areas, for example the shadows in the back of the car at 30:14. 

Looking at the gorgeous nature footage from the Spears and Munsil HDR benchmark, the TCL’s higher brightness paid more dividends than the cinematic Parasite. In my side-by-side lineup the LCD’s brighter skies, snow and other daylit scenes were more powerful, especially when most of the screen was very bright — the desert sand, and plants at 5:20 was a good example. The OLEDs didn’t look dim by any means but the TCL was better in those bright scenes. In more mixed and darker scenes, on the other hand, the OLEDs superior contrast again won out.

Keeping with the nature theme, I switched my Apple TV back to 4K HDR mode and checked out the amazing-looking Our Planet: Coastal Seas on Netflix. From the brilliant colors of the reef to the dark recesses behind the swarms of sharks I saw the same themes: an overall edge to the OLED TVs despite the TCL’s brighter image. Netflix’s nature documentary didn’t show as much HDR punch and detail as the reference disc in general, and for that reason the TCL’s brilliance didn’t make as much of an impact. In some bright scenes like the splashing seals (20:34), highlights like the waves actually measured slightly brighter on the CX OLED, but in others like the sun through the kelp (21:03) the TCL was visibly brighter and measured as such (1440 versus 660 nits).

Geek Box

Test Result Score
Black luminance (0%) 0.000 Good
Peak white luminance (SDR) 377 Average
Avg. gamma (10-100%) 2.20 Good
Avg. grayscale error (10-100%) 0.65 Good
Dark gray error (30%) 0.20 Good
Bright gray error (80%) 0.20 Good
Avg. color checker error 1.1 Good
Avg. saturation sweeps error 1.71 Good
Avg. color error 1.14 Good
Red error 0.89 Good
Green error 0.92 Good
Blue error 1.46 Good
Cyan error 1.24 Good
Magenta error 1.40 Good
Yellow error 0. 92 Good
1080p/24 Cadence (IAL) Pass Good
Motion resolution (max) 1200 Good
Motion resolution (dejudder off) 1000 Good
Input lag (Game mode) 13.67 Good
HDR10
Black luminance (0%) 0.000 Good
Peak white luminance (10% win) 690 Poor
Gamut % UHDA/P3 (CIE 1976) 99.20 Good
Avg. color checker error 4.36 Average
Input lag (Game mode, 4K HDR) 13.73 Good

First published June 20.

LG OLEDCX CNET Calibration Results by David Katzmaier on Scribd

Review of 4K Ultra HD TV LG OLED 55CX. Model 2020.

Material Information

LG TVs

The LG C10 replaces the C9, just like the previous year’s model, the C10 will be one of LG’s most affordable all-in-one OLED TVs in 2020. It boasts Filmmaker, HGiG, Dolby Vision IQ modes, upgraded video processor, FreeSync in addition to HDMI version 2.1. with a bandwidth of 40 Gb / s.

A new development this year is that OLED will be available for the first time in a smaller 48-inch size along with 55, 65 and 77-inch models.

For the most part, the annual update isn’t about a radical improvement in image quality, but about adding new features. Which makes many people wonder, are the new OLED TVs really much better than their predecessors? I think that when answering this question, one should not lose sight of such a factor as the fact that TVs with this technology may already have a pretty decent image quality that fits very well into your conditions and viewing scenario.

Let’s take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the LG 55CX and see if it represents the next step in the development of organic TVs.

Appearance and connections

The

LG hasn’t put too much effort into the design of the CX, and it’s hard to tell it apart from last year’s (2019) C9 lineup. It’s the same amazingly thin screen with anti-reflective glossy finish and low-visibility bezel, and the same aluminum stand with cable channel. The back is identical to the LG C9OLED and LG C8 OLED. The upper part that holds the panel is made of solid metal, while the lower part, which houses the inputs, is made of textured plastic with horizontal lines on it. There are entrances both from the side and from the back. The stand is removable, the TV can also be hung on the wall (VESA 300×200).

In front, in the center from the bottom end, there is a small discreet overlay. It contains: a light level sensor, an IR receiver, a mode indicator (if the TV is turned off, it lights red) and an on-off button.

The design of the model is traditional for all LG OLED models – minimalistic, stylish and neat. At its thickest point, the LG CX is only 4.7 cm, while the Sony A8 is 5.2 cm. The build quality is very solid.

Connectors and wireless modules

Wired connectors are traditionally located at the rear and on the right side. The set is standard, compared to last year’s C9 line – nothing has changed:

  • CI+ 1.4;
  • 2 antenna inputs;
  • HDMI 2.1 (1 rear, 3 side) all at 40 Gb/s supporting 10-bit 4k @ 120Hz @ 4:4:4;
  • USB 2.0;
  • audio output and headphone output;
  • LAN (rear).

Wireless modules on board include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz).

Unfortunately, the power cord still cannot be unplugged. Not all connections are convenient if you want to hang your TV on the wall. Some connections are located straight back, making them difficult to access. Particularly inconvenient is the 3.5mm headphone jack, which can also serve as an analog audio output.

Image processing and quality

In OLED, thanks to self-illuminating pixels, colors are more realistic, lively, with more correct contrast and deep blacks (due to the fact that the pixels are completely turned off).

As for the processor. Last year’s mid-range and high-end models had a 4-core α9 second generation with AI. The CX also has a 4-core processor, also α9, also with AI, only the 3rd generation. This chip allows you to display 4k images at a maximum of 120fps. Of course, LG has also built in the necessary algorithms that should, one way or another, improve the image quality.

Starting with last year’s models, you can turn on “AI-image”, this year this feature has been given the “Pro” suffix. Brand marketers tend to use the term “ai” all over the place, now there’s even a whole AI menu added to the interface. But, many professional reviewers tend to think that AI image Pro doesn’t offer much more than a little bit of sharpness. In any case, there was no qualitative jump in the image when this function was turned on.

Two types of noise reduction are available. One against normal image noise such as film grain or the noise that is created when using high ISOs when recording. The other, “MPEG noise reduction”, is designed to eliminate artifacts created by digital video compression. Both algorithms do what they’re supposed to and produce significantly less noise in the image, but it’s not possible to accurately limit/separate noise from fine details. As a result, the sharpness of the image deteriorates, therefore, when watching a video in good quality, it is better not to use noise reduction.

The interpolation algorithm effectively increases the frame rate by calculating intermediate images. LG calls this feature TruMotion and its effect is smoother and sharper images on moving subjects. But, since it is impossible to calculate algorithms for an ideal image in real time, on more complex dynamic scenes, the possibility of artifacts is not excluded.

According to numerous opinions, the vast majority of “image enhancers” are best left off to get a better picture on a large TV screen..

The

OLED TVs are very well suited not only for viewing modern HDR content, but also for Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) technology. Colors are rich and vibrant yet balanced, and contrast is pretty much perfect. This provides an excellent viewing experience as contrast is one of the most important properties when it comes to image quality. In short, pixel-by-pixel reproduction of light brings every drop of quality from SDR content to a pure level, especially on a high quality SDR source such as a good Blu-ray.

As for hdr formats, there is support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG.

High brightness in HDR scenes is usually reserved for small segments of the image, so despite the extensive discussion of ABL (Automatic Brightness Limiter) in self-emitting displays like OLED, this isn’t much of a concern – although further improvements in peak brightness boost will certainly are welcome.

The

OLED CX boasts two new picture modes: Filmmaker Mode, a collaboration between the UHD Alliance and filmmakers, designed to recreate on the TV the same settings creators use when mastering content. But since this means turning off many of the image processing tools on the TV, causing the picture on the screen to appear a little jittery and too dim for some to view in a brightly lit room, it is not a panacea when watching a movie, that is, scene selection priority remains just behind you.

Another new picture mode is Dolby Vision IQ. DV IQ is an additional enhancement to the existing DV format that uses the TV’s ambient light sensor to adapt tone mapping to ambient lighting conditions in real time (useful for people who watch in different lighting conditions).

Overall, OLED TVs remain the preferred choice for HDR as HDR performance is consistently great for movies, games and other types of content.

The

LG CX OLED is a versatile TV that is capable of perfect blacks as it can turn off individual pixels so it looks great in dark rooms. It has a very wide color gamut for HDR content, impressive viewing angles, and scales low resolution content well.

Smart TV (webOS with ThinQ AI) and remote control

LG webOS version 5.0 is only for 2020 devices (LG never releases new versions for older models). If you want to know which version of webOS your device is using, check out the Support, TV Information section.

The

webOS 5. 0 includes an edit mode that allows you to add shortcuts to the left-hand settings menu, as well as a new Home Settings option that allows the user to choose whether the bottom webOS menu should automatically appear after going into idle mode.

LG’s webOS Home Screen was revolutionary when it was introduced a few years ago and is still one of the easiest systems to use on the market. All TV sources and functions are accessible through the large ribbon tiles at the bottom of the screen.

You can find a wide range of applications in the LG content store. Interesting webOS 5.0 applications include:

  • Video streaming services: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Google Play Films & TV, Rakuten TV.
  • Music streaming services: Spotify, Deezer, Digital Concert Hall (Berliner Philharmoniker).

The fastest access to inputs and settings is via the corresponding button on the remote control.

The ribbon at the bottom of the home screen shows all content. The second, contextual ribbon (LG calls it AI Preview) appears as soon as you select certain tiles. This is a very useful way to quickly view recent apps or select connected devices. Everything you connect to the TV externally can be found on the main control panel, that is, all external inputs, as well as media servers (DLNA) that are located on your network, and connected USB drives.

For maximum convenience, you can customize the Web 5.0 home screen based on your priorities. The “smart editing” option ranks apps from most to least used by you.

LG’s

Magic Remote deserves some attention as it’s an essential way to work with webOS.

With the remote control, you control the cursor on the screen by simply pointing at it. This may take some getting used to, but it’s easy to get used to and in many cases very effective.

The OK button in the center of the joystick functions as a scroll wheel, allowing you to quickly scroll through the Home feed or TV channels, for example.

The

Magic Remote can also be used as a universal remote for connected source devices. This can be done through the general menu “Connection”, “Device connection settings”, “Universal remote control settings”.

New in this version of the OS is the Sports Alert app, which can be activated via a tile on the feed. This will allow you to select a few of your favorite teams from different sports, then you can view their schedule, as well as turn on notifications that will inform you live about the start of the match, goals scored and the final result.

LG TVs do not have built-in Chromecast like Android TVs, but they do support streaming from YouTube and Netflix. Just click on the broadcast icon that appears on your mobile phone in YouTube. You can also send the full screen of your smartphone or laptop to the TV (provided they support Screen Share).

This smart TV platform on LG is one of the best, fast response to commands, convenient and intuitive to use.

Sound

Above the stand is a built-in audio system – 2 subwoofers + 2 speakers, directed forward. Each source has a power of 10 watts, in total – we get 40 watts of sound.

This is not the first year that LG TVs have used Clear Voice sound purification technology. This model also has it, and the next, already the 4th, version. Its task is to equalize too quiet and too loud sounds (so that there are no strong drops, and it is not necessary to raise or lower the volume on different scenes during the film), and to make the sound clearer.

The CX also supports Dolby Atmos. This is a surround sound technology in which the sound is reproduced in the column from the side from which it is heard on the screen. For example, two people are talking in a movie, one is on the left side of the screen, the second is on the right. When the left speaker speaks, sound will only come from the left speaker. When the right one speaks, the sound goes to the right accordingly.

One of the HDMIs can also support ARC/eARC (Audio Return Channel) so the TV can output Dolby Atmos from streaming services or 4K Blu-ray to compatible soundbars or AV receivers.

In many ways, the new CX series sounds great – especially when it comes to volume levels and soundstage scope. The only thing is that LG’s 2020 models no longer support Digital Theater System (DTS).

Output

Every year TV people take to the stage to advertise their latest features, but the major steps forward, in the form of a significant increase in picture quality, have slowed down significantly.

In fact, LG CX is closer to LG C9, which represents another step forward. The LG C9 has already delivered the best picture quality in any form of content available today. New features like Dolby Vision IQ, Filmmaker Mode and FreeSync, HGiG (which is a way to make sure you play HDR console games on PlayStation and Xbox the way the game’s creators intended) are welcome, but don’t represent a major advancement (and some features have already been introduced in last year’s models). Perhaps the only fresh breath of air this year can be considered the birth of OLED TV in a 48-inch screen size.

On the other hand, we can say that the LG CX and C9 are actually ahead of their time and their competitors. Few manufacturers can offer HDMI 2.1 features on all the ports present in the LG CX (and C9) as well as more attractive pricing.

We discuss LG TVs on the forum

LG OLED65CX6LA OLED TV review In past years, we were able to get acquainted with both the flagship LG OLED TV W8 (Wallpaper TV) and the most affordable model at that time B9. This time we got a review of a model that can be positioned as a mid-budget (by OLED standards, of course) – CX, or more precisely, the 65-inch LG OLED65CX6LA.

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Contents

  • 1 LG OLED65CX6LA design
  • 2 Remote control
  • 3 Platform, functionality LG OLED65CX6LA
  • 4 Sound
  • 5 Picture quality

Design LG OLED65CX6LA exception: over the entire area of ​​​​the screen, the case is only 4 mm thick, so that in profile from some distance it seems as if you are looking at a thick sheet of paper.

The electronics box adds an additional 4 cm to the bottom, and it also houses a VESA compatible mount (200×300) for mounting the TV on the wall.

Around the protective glass that covers the screen, there is a very thin, only a couple of millimeters thick, metal frame. After switching on, a slight indentation around the screen becomes noticeable, so that as a result the image ends up in a very modest frame about 1 cm wide. A wide decorative plate is attached to it in front, which visually increases its size plus increases stability. For accurate cable routing, you can use a special recess on the back side in the center of the case, which is covered with a decorative cover.

All connectors are concentrated in two blocks, one oriented to the side, the other to the back. To connect external sources, there are 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs (supporting [email protected] Hz signal in HDR and with 4:4:4 color subsampling). One of the HDMI ports supports ARC / eARC, which allows you to output multi-channel audio from streaming services to external speakers.

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You can connect the TV to your home network either via cable (Ethernet connector) or via Wi-Fi (802.11.ac standard is supported). 3 USB ports are designed to connect external drives and other peripherals. There is also a slot for a conditional access module that decodes paid channels, and two audio outputs.

Remote control

The TV comes with the traditional LG Magic Remote, which we saw in previous models. It is relatively small, ergonomically shaped and fits well in the hand. In the center of the four-way joystick is not a button, but a scroll wheel (which also works by pressing) – with its help it is convenient to work with the proprietary webOS operating system.

The remote control is gyroscopic, so you can navigate through the menu either using the arrows around the wheel, or simply pointing the remote control at the desired item, thus controlling the “mouse” cursor. In addition, LG Magic Remote supports voice input.

Platform, functionality LG OLED65CX6LA

The LG OLED TV CX model is available in Ukraine in several diagonals – 55, 65 and 77 inches, the second option came to our review (also this year, for the first time in this line, the smallest diagonal is presented – 48″, its appearance in Ukraine is possible in the near future). The CX can be described as a mid-budget model that sits between the flagship WX and the budget BX, and offers a reasonable balance of price and features.

The TV is powered by 3rd generation α9 processor – compared to last year’s α9 4K gen 2, it features 30% faster performance, AI optimizations, better noise reduction, face detection and text processing algorithms, as well as the ability to adjust the image and sound for the room where the TV is located.

Also for the CX model, support for the AMD FreeSync adaptive frequency mode and compatibility with the similar format from NVIDIA – G-Sync is announced, which will be appreciated by users who need a TV, including for games. Here we note that in game mode, it boasts a very low input lag – about 13 ms. All this, together with the improved implementation of the HDR mode in games, makes the LG OLED TV CX not only the basis for a spectacular home theater, but also an excellent gaming display, including for next-generation consoles.

Traditionally for LG TVs, a proprietary webOS shell is used as Smart TV. It has a very simple and user-friendly interface with quick access to everything you need. The main screen is called by the Home button on the remote control, after which the main menu is displayed over the current image with a ribbon of the most popular functions (calling TV channels, installed applications, switching to the last video source, etc.).

WebOS is a multitasking OS, so running applications continue to idle when switching to another task. Like last year’s lineup, the new TVs use ThinQ’s proprietary artificial intelligence system with support for Google Assistant and Alexa, which is used to better recognize voice commands (launching applications, switching between channels, changing the volume), as well as for search queries.

In 2020, webOS received an update to version 5.0 – visually, however, its interface practically does not differ from webOS 4.5, which we saw in last year’s lineup, the changes are mostly cosmetic – for example, you can now add your own items to the settings side menu, and the advertising banner in the lower left corner is disabled in the settings.

The main differences are in the content: for example, cooperation with Apple brought the new TVs the Apple TV client and support for HomeKit and AirPlay 2 as part of the smart home control platform; in addition, foreign users also get access to Disney+ (which is not officially represented in Ukraine). Also new is Sports Alert, which allows you to keep track of the activity of your favorite sports teams.

In addition to the remote control, you can also control the TV using a smartphone – by installing the LG ThinQ application on it (it can also be used to control the entire smart home) or LG TV Plus, which, among other things, can send content from a smartphone to the TV screen .

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Sound

The LG OLED TV CX has a 2.2 speaker system with a total power of 40 W (20 W each for satellites and woofers) – in this regard, there are special differences from the previous year’s model, C9, No. Acoustics supports Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound technology, which allows you to simulate surround sound on the built-in speakers. Thanks to this, the LG OLED65CX6LA speakers sound good, the sound is rich, with good detail and quite “bass”.

Picture quality

The LG OLED65CX6LA uses a 120Hz 10-bit OLED panel with a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels and a 65″ diagonal.

In reviews of previous models of LG OLED TVs, we have repeatedly noted how impressive the deep black color is – the pixels on this panel glow by themselves, and in the absence of additional backlighting, it looks completely black even in complete darkness, without the slightest a hint of the stray dark gray glow that is observed in any, even the highest quality, LED-backlit LCD TV.

Another difference from traditional LCDs that immediately catches the eye is the maximum viewing angles. Even when viewed from the side, when the entire screen shrinks to a narrow strip, the brightness and color saturation remain almost the same as when you are right in front of the screen.

A total of nine video modes are available for SDR content. “Bright” and “Sport” give a very bright and contrasting picture, it will be appropriate in the case of sports TV shows and for content with a faded image, but for a movie show it is better to stop at one of the corresponding modes, which are also missing here. “Cinema” offers fairly typical settings for this purpose, which make the image slightly muted in brightness, warmer than the “standard” modes and with a gamma curve just below the standard value of 2.2, which gives very good detail in both the bright areas of the frame , as well as in the shadows.

There are also two “expert” modes certified by the ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) for cinephiles – for a dark room and a room with bright background lighting. They are not critically different from their own “Cinema” mode (except in the “dark” version of ISF, which is quite logical, the brightness is additionally reduced for more comfortable viewing in complete darkness), and in general, any of these three modes can be used with settings for default, without long and tedious tweaks.

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New in this year’s LG OLED TV lineup is the Filmmaker Mode, which is designed to present the film as its creator intended: in this case, all post-processing algorithms are turned off and the video is shown at the original frame rate, color reproduction and in original aspect ratio. This mode was proposed by the UHD Alliance consortium and has been supported by a number of TV manufacturers, including LG. In theory, its activation is also possible in automatic mode, but for this the video must contain special metadata – which, of course, requires the support of the undertaking from content producers. In the meantime, you “have to” manage by manually activating it in the TV settings.

ISF Expert – Highlight offers a full color gamut that almost completely covers the DCI-P3 space; in other movie modes, coverage is limited to sRGB space, resulting in calm, natural colors. In addition, in the “ISF Expert – dark room” mode, the gamma is somewhat underestimated, this visually makes the image a little less saturated and contrast, which will be appropriate when watching a movie in complete darkness.

To simulate the HDR effect on normal SDR content, there is an HDR Effect mode – it makes the picture brighter and more saturated, while treating the image more carefully than the Vivid mode, so if we choose between these two for faded content, we would advised to use the first.

As far as true HDR goes, the LG OLED65CX6LA supports all major standards: HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). The number of video modes in this case is slightly less: “Bright”, “Standard”, “Cinema”, “Home theater” and Filmmaker Mode.

The HDR effect is strongest in the first two, but there it is too exaggerated. We would recommend using one of the three modes specifically designed for movie viewing: in them the picture is slightly less bright and saturated, but with more accurate color reproduction and “softer”.

5

ITC.UA score

Pros:
Great picture; maximum viewing angles; excellent implementation of HDR; impressive gaming performance; convenient shell webOS

Cons:
Typical for OLED panels, maximum brightness limitation depending on the number of bright areas in the frame

Conclusion:

The LG OLED65CX6LA is a highly anticipated update to LG’s mid-range OLED TV line.