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Samsung QN85B review: lavish 4K HDR images, but OLED TVs have it beat

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TechRadar Verdict

The Samsung QN85B is a brilliantly accomplished TV in so many ways for movies and gaming, but it lacks the across-the-board excellence of its best rivals at the same price, such as the LG C2.

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Pros

+
Slim and elegant design
+
Bright and lavishly colourful images
+
Great gaming support

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Samsung QN85B: two-minute review

The Samsung QN85B looks like an incredibly competitive TV on paper, and while the battle is never won on paper, you have to start somewhere. Its Mini-LED technology (which Samsung calls Neo QLED) is apparent both in the slimness of the screen’s profile and in its high levels of brightness peak brightness.

For gamers, the Samsung QN85B has HDMI 2.1 features across all its HDMI sockets and can exploit every feature of your next-gen console. It’s also fitted with a state-of-the-art picture processor, a redesigned version of the Tizen smart TV interface that’s been a highlight of Samsung TVs for a while now, and it’s got six speaker drivers that want to give you a tiny taste of spatial audio.

And it’s got all of this at a price that looks competitive against high-end TVs among the larger sizes – we tested the 55-inch model, but we also want to pick out the 75-inch version as being among the best 75-inch TV and undercutting the OLED competition on price. (We’ll cover the rest of the sizes in a moment.)

On paper, all this is enough to make you overlook Samsung’s usual refusal to include Dolby Vision HDR.

In practice, though, things aren’t so cut and dried. Yes, this is a bright screen – and yes, its contrasts are wide as a result. But despite the numerousness of its backlighting zones, it can’t bring convincing levels of detail to the black tones it generates – and it’s not immune to backlight bloom or smear, either. It simply doesn’t match the best OLED TVs for precision.

The new smart TV software is most definitely not improved compared to last year’s model – quite the opposite, in fact. And its sound, though quite expansive, is predictably undynamic and short of low-end extension.

The Samsung QN85B is far from bad, and in some ways it’s a bit of a bargain. But there’s no doubt Samsung has left the door open for the likes of the LG C2 to tempt you away for an extremely similar price, with an overall better picture… even if the QN85B does have some advantages of its own.

Samsung QN85B at Samsung for $1,199.99

Samsung QN85B review: Price and release date

Released in spring 2022
Available in 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch sizes
Prices start from £1,399/$1,499/AU$2,499

The Samsung QN85B is on sale now, and it’s available in four different screen sizes. The 55-inch 55QN85B we tested for our review costs £1,399 / $1,499 / AU$2,499, while the 65-inch version is priced at £2,199 / $1,999 / AU$3,299, and the 75-inch version will set you back £3,299 / $2,799 / AU$4,499. Those with an especially large viewing room can bag the 85-inch model for £4,699 / $3,999 / AU$6,299.

Clearly, the bigger the QN85B you want, the more sense it makes to just be American. But no matter where you end up making your purchase, you know there are similarly sized screens from the obvious big-hitters – the LG C2 and Sony A80K in particular – available at similar money. The TV market is about as fiercely contested as they come, which is nothing but good news for consumers.

The Samsung QN85B is impressively feature-packed, with one or two notable exclusions. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung QN85B review: Features

The QN85B range is based on Mini-LED technology (or Neo QLED, as Samsung’s marketing department insists). We’ve explained Mini-LED technology here, but for now it’s enough to know the QN85B uses many thousands of tiny LEDs to backlight its quantum-dot LCD panel.

The advantages of this are obvious, in theory anyway. Having such a huge number of small LEDs covering the rear of the pixel panel allows the backlighting array to be divided into hundreds of dimming ‘zones’, all of which are individually controllable. So the backlighting can be very precisely targeted to be bright in some zones and dark in others, which should mean better black levels, more convincing contrasts and better control of those scenes of candlelit darkness and what-have-you. And this arrangement allows the QN85B to be impressively slim in profile, too.

Overall picture quality is governed by Samsung’s Neo Quantum Processor 4K. This processor uses some machine learning in an effort to make content of all types and all resolutions look its best on the 55-inch 4K screen. Naturally a lot of effort is expended in bringing HD or SD content up to size, but the Neo Quantum 4K is also designed to exploit the HDR element of any native 4K stuff it’s dealing with.

As far as HDR is concerned, incidentally, it’s Samsung business as usual here – which, though predictable, is a pity. The QN85B supports HLG, HDR10 and Adaptive HDR10+ – but as usual there’s no sign of Dolby Vision. It’s only the most popular HDR format of them all, Samsung…

All four of the QN85B’s HDMI inputs are at 2.1-standard with eARC, and support 4K 120Hz, VRR and ALLM – which is uncomplicatedly excellent news for next-gen gamers, and makes this unquestionably one of the best gaming TVs around. In addition, there are a couple of USB sockets, a digital optical output, an Ethernet socket and TV tuners. Wireless connectivity runs to Bluetooth 5.2 and dual-band Wi-Fi.

As far as audio is concerned, the QN85B is fitted with six little speaker drivers, powered by an all-in total of 60 watts. Two fire dead-ahead, a couple are angled out to the sides in a drive for greater sonic width, and the last two fire upwards from the rear of the chassis – so not only can the QN85B deal with Dolby Atmos soundtracks, it wants to offer a little suggestion of spatial audio as it does so.

Samsung’s also deployed its ‘Object Tracking Sound’ technology is an effort to have sound follow on-screen action even more closely. And if you use an appropriate Samsung soundbar, not only will an eARC connection take care of the data transfer but Samsung’s ‘Q Symphony’ technology allows the TV’s audio system to join in with, rather than be overridden by, the efforts of the soundbar, for a more expansive sound.

Features score: 4.5/5

The brightness of the Samsung QN85B puts OLED TVs to shame. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung QN85B review: Picture quality

Beautifully bright and colorful
Capable of uniformly deep black tones
Detail in nuance in darkness is lacking

If it’s brightness you want, you’ve come to the right place. When it’s fresh from the box, ‘searing’ is not too strong a word to describe the QN85B’s image quality.

It’s always possible to have too much of a good thing, of course, as the lividity of the Samsung’s pictures is easily regulated in the set-up menus. In fact, spending a bit of time investigating your set-up options is the wise move, as the QN85B is a more subtle and nuanced picture-maker than its out-of-the-box appearance might suggest.

The impressive brightness levels don’t come at the expense of white-tone detail, though. Gradation and variation is always apparent, and the Samsung is able to distinguish between even the most minor differences in shade and tone.

Despite the (endlessly irritating) lack of Dolby Vision HDR compatibility, native 4K content is vibrant and convincing throughout the color palette. There’s tangible depth to primaries, and seemingly limitless nuance of shade and tone – even when dealing with something like a sports field, which might reasonably be considered to be quite uniform in color. Fine detail retrieval is impressive, and the certainty with which the QN85B describes color saturation is remarkable too.

The Samsung retains all of these positive attributes even when viewed quite radically off-axis, too. It doesn’t have the preposterously wide viewing angles of the Samsung S95B QD-OLED TV, naturally, but nevertheless there’s no need to get into a dispute about who’s getting to sit in the sweet spot. The consistency of the QN85B’s color performance is remarkable.

Black tone performance is not quite so successful. The multitude of dimming zones (there are 720 by all accounts, in a 40 x 18 array) means the zones that are not being illuminated are good and black, but the drive for deeper-than-expected black tones also results in some crushing of detail in darkness. There’s an unwelcome uniformity to the black military clothing during the opening scenes of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, for example, and this general lack of insight into the darkest areas of the screen never really goes away.

The upside to this is how well the Samsung controls its backlighting, though. Unless you’re watching a black screen with some white text on it, there’s negligible bloom or bleed of white tones – control is generally pretty impressive. Transitions between dimming zones is rapid too, though very small areas of brightness against black backgrounds can get lost entirely in a way that they wouldn’t with an OLED TV.

Edge-definition is pretty impressive, the QN85B managing to keep even complicated outlines stable and smooth, and equally good work gets done with tight and/or complicated patterns. Motion-control is a slightly more qualified success – or, more accurately, motion-control is just slightly hit-and-miss unless you switch on ‘LED Clear Motion’ in the set-up menus. For some reason, enabling this setting has an impact on the overall brightness of the Samsung’s images (which is a pity), but the trade-off is most definitely worth it.

The Samsung’s Neo Quantum Processor 4K proves adept at upscaling 1080p content to fit the QN85B’s 4K panel, with some minor and fairly obvious caveats. There are mild-but-appreciable drop-offs where detail retention, edge definition and color balance are concerned, but they’re in no way problematic. It almost goes without saying that the rather unknowable nature of the Samsung’s black tones doesn’t get any better, either. But motion remains composed, and the QN85B is never less than eminently watchable.

No matter what you’re watching, though, the QN85B is distractingly reflective. Samsung has deployed a semi-gloss coating to try and mitigate reflections, but while they’re quite diffuse there’s no unseeing them – especially in the darkest moments. If your TV is facing a white painting or something like that, don’t imagine you won’t be seeing it reflected in your television screen.

A big advantage of the brightness of a Mini-LED TV is to make it more visible than dimmer OLED TVs in light rooms where reflections might be an issue. And overall that’s probably the case here, yet the reflectivity is still stronger than we’d hope.

Picture quality score: 4/5

Speakers around the edge give the Samsung QN85B the power to provide some positional audio. (Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung QN85B review: Sound quality

You can’t fault Samsung as far as ‘making the effort’ is concerned. The QN85B’s six speaker drivers, along with its Object Tracking Sound technology and Q Symphony compatibility, all point to a TV that’s had more care lavished on its audio performance than is the norm.

Most importantly, the midrange – where the voices exist – sounds clear, believable, and detailed enough to let character and diction apparent. There’s not a great deal of potency or dynamism to the Samsung’s sound, though, which puts it at odds with the vibrancy of its images more than somewhat. There’s a lack of outright power to the QN85B’s sound, too, which puts it at an even greater remove from the picture quality it accompanies.

The Object Tracking Sound arrangement is a low-key success, though, with a little suggestion of sound emanating from particular areas of the screen adding to the unity of the audio/video presentation. It’s a little more successful than the suggestion of ‘spatial’ audio the TV’s driver array is supposed to deliver, which is mild in the extreme.

Unsurprisingly, the QB85B can’t summon much by way of bass presence – and what low-end activity it can muster starts to sound quite stressed at even quite modest volumes.

The sound here is clear enough to mean you’ll never struggle to know what’s going on, and the OTS system adds some positional dynamism, but what’s here won’t replace one of the best soundbars for home theater punch.

Sound quality score: 3/5

The stand of the QN85B is solid and looks better than most similar options. (Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung QN85B review: Design

No sensible person wants their nice new television to look anything other than modern, slim and basically all screen – do they? And it’s these ‘sensible people’ Samsung is catering for with the QN85B.

At a mere 27mm / 1.1 inches deep, this 55-inch model is more than slim enough to hang easily on the wall, and at 17.2kg / 38 lbs it’s not too much of a burden where weight is concerned for wall mounting either. The bezels surrounding the screen are minimal when viewed from dead ahead, and are nicely finished in what Samsung is calling ‘bright silver’ when seen in profile.

If you decide against wall-hanging, the TV can instead sit securely on a sturdy, vaguely hexagonal, foot that’s also finished in ‘bright silver’. It has a little rudimentary cable management built in, it elevates the bottom of the screen sufficiently for a soundbar to sit happily beneath, and it adds another three kilos to the overall kerb-weight. There’s no cable management on the rear of the screen itself, though, no click-on plastic panel to hide the numerous connections you’re bound to have made.

As is becoming commonplace these days, the QN85B ships with a couple of remote control handsets. One is a slim, elegant, solar-powered item covering the most common functions, the other is plasticky and has a lot of very small buttons on it. You’re bound to need it at some point, though, so try to remember where you ditched it in favour of its solar-powered partner.

Because Samsung is still pushing its ‘SmartThings’ control app quite hard, and willing you to incorporate your TV into your wider network of (ideally Samsung) connected products, the QN85B is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant voice-control. It works well, and happily predictably, no matter if your television is a stand-alone item or just one element of your smarter-than-smart home.

Design score: 4.5/5

You get two remotes with the QN85B – one simpler, and one with all the buttons. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung QN85B review: Smart TV and menus

Samsung’s Tizen-based smart TV interface has been among the best around for a good few years now – but despite it being demonstrably not broken, Samsung has gone ahead and tried to fix it anyway.

So now the smart interface covers the entire screen rather than knowing its place (which was a couple of decks at the bottom of the screen). And it uses all the extra space to make recommendations of curated content that takes an awfully long time to catch up with the sort of stuff you might have actually been watching.

It’s not as responsive as it used to be, either, which makes navigating the whole area a less pleasant and more frustrating experience than previously where Samsung TVs are concerned. Still, at least this ‘upgrade’ brings with it Samsung TV Plus, a free selection of hard-to-come-by streamed TV services – which is undeniably a good thing.

Set-up menus are decently extensive but not intimidatingly so. It’s easy to get perfectly serviceable quality for both picture and sound without spending much time or effort, while those who prefer a deep dive into the minutiae have plenty of options.

The ‘smart calibration’ feature in the ‘Picture’ set-up menus allows a sort of quasi-professional level of tweakery using just your smartphone.

Smart TV and menus score: 3/5

With four HDMI 2.1 ports, the Samsung QN85B is positively spoiling us. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung QN85B review: Gaming

With HDMI 2.1 support across all four HDMI inputs, compatibility with 4K 120Hz and support for ALLM, VRR and FreeSync Premium Pro, the QN85B looks equipped to make the most of a next-gen console. And when you add in the popping brightness, assured motion tracking and mile-wide color palette already discussed, that’s how it proves. Mostly, anyhow.

Not unreasonably, the screen defaults to ‘Game’ mode when it detects the relevant signal. The results in the screen giving you everything it’s got, color-wise, reduces response and input lag times down to impressively low levels indeed, and lets the TV use its remarkable brightness to make the most of the lavish lighting effects apparent in, say, Gran Turismo 7.

But it also results in backlighting seeming less focused and responsive than when watching other input sources. The processor is obviously balancing working its magic without adding delay to the image, and a knock-on effect is the increase in white-tone blooming and the drop-off in zone-by-zone control.

It’s a shame you don’t get Nvidia G-Sync or Dolby Atmos gaming support here too (though the former is only relevant for PC gamers, and the latter for Xbox Series X gamers).

Gaming score: 4/5

The QN85B is an impressive performer… but at its launch price, it’s beaten in a few key ways by competitors. (Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung QN85B review: Value

It goes without saying that you’re far from short of choice when it comes to picking a premium TV that costs around this sort of money. Our particular favourite remains the LG C2 OLED TV, which has already dropped to similar prices to the QN85A at times with discounts. But there’s also the (slightly more expensive) Sony A80K, while UK buyers can find the Philips OLED806 available for very aggressive prices now.

The price/specification/screen-size ratio is pretty aggressive for the QN85B, though, and specifics such as the full-fat nature of all four HDMI inputs are bound to make some consumers’ minds up for them. The slim and relatively elegant nature of the television itself doesn’t do any harm either – and who doesn’t approve of a solar-powered remote control?

Samsung’s taken a backward step with the reworking of its Tizen smart TV interface, mind you, and while OLED-fanciers will be blown away by the sheer raw brightness of the QN85B’s Mini-LED panel they’ll be far less enamored of its rather flat and guarded nature of its black-tone response. And just because we’re all used to Samsung ignoring Dolby Vision HDR, that doesn’t mean we approve of it.

Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Samsung QN85B?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Samsung QN85B
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Excellent connectivity and great audio tech, but shame about the lack of Dolby Vision.	4.5/5
Picture quality	Wonderfully bright and colorful, with great detail, but struggles with detail in darkness and reflections.	4/5
Sound quality	Perfectly clear, with good matching to on-screen action, but it’s thin.	3/5
Design	Impressively thin, with a nice stand and excellent finish.	4.5/5
Smart TV and menus	The new Tizen is a bit slow and overbearing, but is well-equipped. We like the remotes.	3/5
Gaming	Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and VRR, plus super-low lag make this very well-equipped.	4/5
Value	Right in line with premium competition for features, but lacking the fully refined image quality of some of them.	4/5

Buy it if…

You’re after a TV brighter than the brightest OLED
As far as straightforward ‘punch’ goes, OLED can’t lay a glove on Mini-LED.

You’ve got game
Full-on HDMI 2.1 smarts on all four HDMI ports, plus low response times and that lovely brightness, make for a great gaming experience.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the full nuance of HDR images
With no Dolby Vision for Netflix/Disney+ and limited detail in black areas, its cinematic chops are a bit behind similarly priced OLEDs.

You have issues with patience
The changes Samsung has made to its smart TV interface are not exactly intuitive.

Also consider

LG C2
A 55-inch C2 is now yours for under £1,500 / $1,600 / AU$2,600– and that money buys respectable (if not Samsung-bothering) brightness, balanced and refined overall image quality, and a smart TV interface that doesn’t go out of its way to wind you up.

Samsung QN90B
The next TV up from the QN85B features better reflection handling, more brightness and better handling of dark scenes. Basically, all the QN85B’s biggest issues get fixed, for a bit more money.

Samsung QN85B: Price Comparison

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Simon Lucas is a senior editorial professional with deep experience of print/digital publishing and the consumer electronics landscape. Based in Brighton, Simon worked at TechRadar’s sister site What HiFi? for a number of years, as both a features editor and a digital editor, before embarking on a career in freelance consultancy, content creation, and journalism for some of the biggest brands and publications in the world.

With enormous expertise in all things home entertainment, Simon reviews everything from turntables to soundbars for TechRadar, and also likes to dip his toes into longform features and buying guides. His bylines include GQ, The Guardian, Hi-Fi+, Metro, The Observer, Pocket Lint, Shortlist, Stuff T3, Tom’s Guide, Trusted Reviews, and more.

Xbox Gaming on Your Samsung Smart TV; No Console Required

Games

by Ashley McKissick, Corporate Vice President, Gaming Experiences & Platforms • Jun 9, 2022 @ 5:00am

Our mission at Xbox is to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet. We are committed to achieving this vision by delivering great games and services and enabling more people to play than ever before. That’s why we created Xbox Game Pass and continue expanding Cloud Gaming to new devices – so that we can open up the ways people can play across the devices they already own: PC, console, mobile, tablet devices, and now Smart TVs.

Last June, we shared our vision for bringing Xbox to more gamers by working with global TV manufacturers to embed the Xbox experience into Smart TVs. Today, the Xbox team provided an update on our approach and vision, which included how we’re making last year’s vision a reality by bringing the Xbox app to Smart TVs, starting with our partner Samsung, the global leader in TVs.

Together, Samsung and Xbox partnered to bring Xbox Game Pass to the millions of Samsung Galaxy phones around the world, and now we are partnering again to bring our Xbox gaming experience to their 2022 Smart TVs. I’m excited for you to experience cloud gaming on Smart TVs on June 30 in 27 countries.

Xbox app now on Smart TVs

Playing Xbox games on 2022 Samsung Smart TVs gives Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members easy and instant access to over 100 high-quality games, including Xbox Game Studios titles on the same day they release. And as we recently announced, you can also play Fortnite without a membership through cloud gaming.

The Xbox app on Smart TVs presents new opportunities to play:

If you are getting a new Samsung 2022 Smart TV, you will now have more ways to play games in your house.
If you’re new to gaming, this is an easy way to get into the fun without needing to buy a PC or console and also to join a thriving community of over 25 million Game Pass members worldwide.

We are bringing the Xbox App to Samsung Smart TVs first, and our intent is to explore other TV partnerships as part of this next evolution in our vision.

How it works

Playing Xbox games on 2022 Samsung TVs will be a seamless experience, similar to using other streaming apps on your TV. Simply launch the app, connect your favorite controller, and start playing. Here’s the step by step:

Access the Xbox app from the Samsung Gaming Hub and log into your existing Microsoft account. If you’re a Game Pass Ultimate member, you’ll have access to hundreds of cloud-enabled games or you can check out Fortnite without a membership.
If you are new to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, join or upgrade today for just $1, or you can sign up directly in the app.
Connect your favorite Bluetooth-enabled controller like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Elite Series 2 Controller, or the DualSense controller. Start playing over 100 high quality games, from the cloud including A Plague Tale: Innocence, Hades and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction.

We’re super excited by what this next step means for all you gamers out there. With this rollout, we’re making it easier than ever to play games on the devices you already own. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and a controller, you can easily jump into the world of gaming and connect with your friends and communities on Xbox.

For more details on today’s update from Xbox leadership, read here.

Are you ready for a new generation… And your TV?

The premiere of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles is imminent, and with it the start of a new generation of graphics features, including super-high frame rates, low latency, amazing extended dynamic range. But is your TV ready for what the new consoles have to offer?

This thought has led us to realize that it’s time to share some basic information on how to figure out what your TV is capable of, what to look out for if you’re planning to get a new 4K TV specifically for Xbox Series X, such as Samsung Q90T QLED 4K TV or LG CX 4K OLED TV.

What resolution and refresh rate can the TV have?

4K TVs come in many varieties: 4K, 4K Ultra HD, UHD, UHD 4K, SUHD TV, Ultra HD, Ultra UDTV, 2160p. If your TV has this mark, congratulations! You have a 4K TV. In other words, you can output up to 3840 x 2160 resolution (yes, that’s 4K) with Xbox Series X at 24 Hz, 50 Hz, 60 Hz, or 120 Hz. But everything is not so simple.

Some displays only support a 120 Hz refresh rate at certain resolutions (such as 1080p) or only when connected to a specific HDMI port that supports HDMI 2.1. The capabilities of TVs vary widely, so we advise you to carefully study the characteristics of your screen before connecting a new console (or before you decide on a new purchase). This can be helped, for example, by the English-language site RTINGS.com, which collects data on many different TVs (first of all, look at the Supported Resolutions section for your model).

How do you know that everything is set up correctly?

If your TV meets the specifications above, it’s time to make sure your Xbox Series X is set up correctly. Launch your console and check if your TV supports 4K and HDR by pressing the Xbox button. Open the relevant settings: Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> 4K TV details . If everything is good, then you will see a series of green checkmarks. If not, you should think about troubleshooting.

How to make sure your screen supports HDR ?

Most of today’s games support High Dynamic Range (HDR) to improve overall graphic quality with significantly more colors and increased brightness. For Xbox Series X|S consoles, we’re introducing a new feature called Auto HDR that will automatically enable HDR capabilities for games that run in standard dynamic range. Trust me, you’ll notice the difference right away, but you’ll need an HDR10 capable TV. Look for the names HDR Premium, High Dynamic Range, HDR, UHD Color, Ultra HD Premium, Ultra HD deep color. All these markings indicate that the TV supports HDR10, and therefore displays content using HDR.

What about Dolby ?

The Xbox Series X and Series S will be the first consoles to support both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Xbox Series X|S will support Dolby Vision in entertainment apps like Netflix, Disney+ and Vudu right from the start, and games coming out in 2021 will support ultra-bright graphics quality – incredible brightness, contrast, color reproduction and detail. Most major TVs support Dolby Vision, so be sure to check the documentation.

Let’s get the sound settings in order!

Sound can completely change your gaming experience – making it deeper and more realistic. Xbox Series X|S consoles support 3D Spatial Sound for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Windows Sonic, allowing you to hear all the nuances of sound with meticulous positioning in the space around you.

When connecting an HDMI device that supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, be sure to enable the appropriate settings in the Xbox Audio section:

Press the Xbox button to open the menu and select Profile & system > Settings > General > Volume & audio output.

Under HDMI audio, select Bitstream out . In Bitstream format, specify Dolby Atmos for home theater or DTS : X for home theater depending on what your HDMI device supports.

If you want to take advantage of 3D Spatial Sound with headphones, please follow the instructions below:

Press the Xbox button to open the menu and select Profile & system > Settings > General > Volume & audio output.

In the Headset audio section, select the desired option from the Headset format drop-down menu.

Make sure your TV software is up to date

As noted above, Xbox Series X|S consoles support 120 Hz refresh rates as well as Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate ( VRR) is a new technology in the world of 4K TVs. Many manufacturers add support for these features through software updates that can be downloaded directly to your TV (if it supports an Internet connection) or via a USB drive connected to your TV. Now is the time to make sure you are using the latest software available.

Make sure you’ve connected your console to the correct port.

While the Xbox Series X can output 4K content when connected to any HDMI port, you’ll need to use an HDMI 2.1 port to access the most advanced features. On some TVs, only specific ports support HDMI 2.1, so it’s worth reading your user manual to make sure which port you need. In general, you can also just try connecting to different ports and see at what point you see a green checkmark in your console menu ( Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> 4 K TV details ) . If you are using a computer monitor with various available ports, please note that the desired resolution and refresh rate can only be supported when connected to the DisplayPort . Please refer to the user manual for the exact specifications of your equipment.

The Importance of a Good Connection

To make sure you get the most out of your new console, we’ve bundled the Xbox Series X with an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. It may look like a regular Xbox One cable, but inside they are completely different. We highly recommend using the included Ultra High Speed HDMI cable so you can enjoy the full HDMI 2.1 experience for years to come.

Whenever possible, try to connect your Xbox directly to your TV using the included cable, and then stream audio using ARC/eARC technology to your receiver or home theater system. If you want to enjoy the sound of your soundbar or receiver, check if it (and your TV) supports ARC/eARC technology.

Troubleshooting your 4K TV

If your system supports 4K and HDR but it doesn’t work (you can’t select 4K UHD resolution, 4K is not supported, according to the 4K TV Details menu, 4K content won’t play) or you’re seeing problems watching videos), try the following:

Make sure your Xbox automatically detects your TV. Go to Settings -> Display & sound and select Auto – detect 8).

For HDR, make sure your TV and selected HDMI port support HDR10. Check your TV’s user manual. Some manufacturers don’t mention HDR10 directly, so look for the terms we listed above.

Check your TV settings. Your TV may have a special mode that includes 4K or HDR. Take a look at the user manual and see if there is a need to change the settings. Again, your TV manufacturer may use other names for HDR (look above).

If some content does not work, make sure your TV supports HDCP 2.2 and it is enabled in the settings.

Make sure you’re using the HDMI 2.1 cable that came with your Xbox Series X console.

If you’re using an intermediate device between your TV and Xbox, remove it and connect your TV to your console directly using the HDMI cable that came with your Xbox Series X , and then configure ARC/eARC as described above. Make sure you use cables approved for Xbox Series X (Ultra High Speed HDMI) or Xbox Series S (HDMI High Speed or HDMI Premium) when connecting your Xbox to the receiver and the receiver to your TV if you insist on a daisy chain connection.

Always be updated! Make sure your TV and receiver software is up to date. Sometimes problems arise after the TV goes on sale, so manufacturers release a lot of updates, and just one of them can separate you from 4K. Most of the latest TVs are network-enabled, so updating them is a breeze. Install the update and check if it helped to activate 4K and HDR.

If you experience a blank screen or errors when playing 4K content, and have tried all the previous suggestions, turn off native 4K playback and try playing content at a lower resolution. In menu Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Advanced -> Video modes uncheck Allow 4K.

If you see strange colors while using HDR and have already tried all the previous suggestions, disable HDR. In menu Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Advanced -> Video modes uncheck Allow HDR10 and/or Auto HDR .

If you are experiencing graphical distortion and have already tried all the previous suggestions, try disabling variable refresh rate. In menu Settings->General->TV & Display Options->Advanced->Video modes uncheck Allow Variable Refresh Rate.

Alternative: change refresh rate ( Settings -> General -> TV & Display 9000 8 Options -> Refresh rate ) at 60Hz should help avoid problems for those users who prefer VRR rather than 120Hz.

Fine-tuning

Once you’ve figured out the overall 4K and HDR setup, you’re left with more options on how to customize your TV’s picture to your personal tastes. Xbox Series X consoles have advanced tools that let you fine-tune the image with brightness, clarity, contrast, and more. All of them are available in menu Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Setup -> Calibrate TV .

We’ve also created a new calibration tool that will allow you to tweak HDR for gaming. You can find it here: Settings -> General -> TV & Display Options -> Setup -> Calibrate HDR for Games .

How to enable 4 K / HDR on popular TV brands?

Each TV range has its own unique settings. We have chosen to list the common points for the most popular brands, however we always recommend that you first consult the owner’s manual for your specific model in order to be as accurate as possible.

LG

Settings -> All Settings -> General -> HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color -> Enable (for desired port)

Panasonic

Menu -> Setup -> HDMI HDR setting- > HDMI port (the one your Xbox is connected to) -> Switch to “On”

Philips

Menu -> Setup -> TV Settings -> Installation -> Preferences -> HDMI mode -> HDMI port (the one your Xbox is connected to) -> Switch to “Normal”

Samsung

Settings -> Picture -> Expert Settings (or Picture Options) -> HDMI UHD Color -> switch to “On” for HDMI UHD Color

Sony Bravia

Home – > Settings -> External Inputs -> HDMI signal format -> Switch to Enhanced format (default Standard)

Vizio

SmartCast -> Settings -> Inputs -> HDMI Color Subsampling -> Enable HDR

The new Vizio P-series requires the following settings to be changed to enable HDMI 2. 1: Menu->Picture->Input Picture Settings->HDMI Mode->2.1

We hope these tips will help you enjoy next generation graphics to the fullest Xbox Series X|S.

Top 7 Best TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Already Owning a Next Generation Console? Maybe it’s time to find the right TV. In the previous article, we noted what to look for when choosing a TV to play on PS5 and Xbox Series X. This article presents the models that are best suited for this purpose.

Contents

LG 50UM7450

Samsung QE55Q67TA

LG OLED55CX3

Sony XH90

Samsung UE65TU7172 900 53
Samsung Q950R

Sony KDL-43WF655

LG 50UM7450

Diagonal: 50 inches

Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)

HDR: yes, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)

Speakers: 2x 10W

HDMI inputs: 3 (2.1 no)

VRR support: no

ALLM support: no

If you’re on a tight budget and just want a screen to play on, there are quite a few decent models on the market. One such TV is the LG 50UM7450. The Korean manufacturer has taught us not to compromise on image quality, and that’s true in this case too, thanks to its color enhancement technology. The model offers basic HDR support (HDR10 and HLG formats) and a 50-inch screen. Coupled with a low price, this is a great option as a monitor for a game console.

~~LG 50UM7450~~

Samsung QE55Q67TA

Diagonal: 55 inches

Resolution: 4K (3840 ×2160)

HDR: yes, HDR10, Quantum HDR

Speakers: 2x 10 W

Inputs HDMI: 3 (2.1 no)

VRR support: no

ALLM support: no

there is no so-called local illumination, which is quite normal in this price category). The model also has a digital audio output that allows you to connect an audio system to it. As an added bonus, a speech recognition function has been implemented that allows you to give commands using your voice.

~~Samsung QE55Q67TA~~

LG OLED55CX3

Diagonal: 55″ (65″ and 77″ also available)

Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)

HDR: yes, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)

Speakers: 2x 10W

HDMI inputs: 4 (2. 1 yes)

VRR support: yes (G-Sync, FreeSync)

ALLM support: yes

According to some users, LG OLED5 5CX3 is the best gaming TV in the budget segment. The model has a diagonal of 55 inches and an organic OLED-matrix, in which each sub-pixel is individually illuminated by a special controllable diode. This achieves amazing black depth (this is due to the virtual absence of light in the case of a given pixel), providing a high level of contrast.

The CX series supports HDMI 2.1, allowing you to play games in 4K and 120 FPS. The maximum refresh rate is also 120Hz. There is support for TruMotion technology and OLED Motion Pro, which sharpens the image in motion by temporarily blanking out some animation frames. This makes the TV really perfect for playing on PlayStation or Xbox.

~~LG OLED55CX3~~

Sony XH90

Diagonal: 65″ (55″, 65″, 75″ and 85″ also available)

Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)

HDR: yes, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), Dolby Vision 900 53
Speakers: 2x 10W

HDMI inputs: 4 (2. 1 yes)

VRR support: yes

ALLM support: yes

, although the device has all the features to make it on this list, and in its price category is a really attractive proposition (according to some experts, the model can be a real hit).

The TV supports 4K resolution with a refresh rate of 120Hz and excellent picture quality thanks to Dolby Vision / Atmos. The model is able to play games with 120 FPS animation, so it is suitable not only for PlayStation but also for Xbox. However, the device supports the HDMI 2.1 standard.

~~Sony XH90~~

Samsung UE65TU7172

Diagonal: 65″

Resolution: 4K (3840×2 160)

HDR: yes, HDR10

Speakers: 2x 10W

HDMI inputs: 2 (2.1 no)

VRR support: no

ALLM support: no the goal is to buy a TV with a diagonal 65 inches, the Samsung UE65TU7172 is definitely worth a look. Unlike most devices from this manufacturer, this model uses direct LED backlighting (not QLED). There’s also basic HDR support, which can be considered an added bonus. However, the relatively small number of HDMI inputs can be a problem (there are only two, and this may not be enough to connect some devices).

~~Samsung UE65TU7172~~

Samsung Q950R

Diagonal: 65 inches (also available in 75, 82 and 98 inches)

9 0052 Resolution: 8K
HDR: yes, HDR10+, Q HDR 3000

Speakers: 2x 30W

HDMI inputs: 4 (2.1 yes)

VRR support: no

ALLM support: yes

, of course, have a fairly thick wallet. The model supports 8K resolution and offers excellent visual experience. It’s worth noting that new console makers boast that their platforms will support this standard, although in practice we probably won’t see this resolution in most games. As in the case of Q90T, quantum dot technology and OTS sound are implemented here.

~~Samsung Q950R~~

Sony KDL-43WF655

Diagonal: 43″

Resolution: 1080p 90 053
HDR: yes, HDR10, HLG

Speakers: 2x 5W

HDMI inputs: 2 ( 2.