Question *Subjective* is OLED actually worth it?

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amenx

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2004
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Good explanation of what goes on the various layers used to tame reflections in displays and why glossy has a more realistic image and depth perception.

 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
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If money was no issue, I would have OLED everything, but that would be about $4k for 3 PC setups in my house. So, I have 4x 1440p IPS monitors instead for a total cost of about $800. Now for my TV watching, I'm spoiled and have 3x OLED displays. After getting my first 55in 1080p OLED, I couldn't go back to watching anything else. That original 55in 1080p set is hooked up to my Wii U, Switch, PS3, and a couple of mini retro game consoles. There's a 55in 4k set is in my bedroom and a 77in 4k for the home theatre.
 
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Jul 27, 2020
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That original 55in 1080p set is hooked up to my Wii U, Switch, PS3, and a couple of mini retro game consoles.
That was wayyyyy back in 2018 or 2019??? I don't think they make those TVs anymore. And I think it also doesn't have HDR but the reviews still said the images popped wayyy more than IPS or VA panels. Have you done any screen testing to see if there are any discernible burned-in logos or other screen issues?
 

Motostu

Senior member
Oct 5, 2020
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Probably more like 10 years ago. My B7A (2017) is 4k, and I know the 6 series were 4k.
 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
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That was wayyyyy back in 2018 or 2019??? I don't think they make those TVs anymore. And I think it also doesn't have HDR but the reviews still said the images popped wayyy more than IPS or VA panels. Have you done any screen testing to see if there are any discernible burned-in logos or other screen issues?
2017 but I bought it for cheap as a closeout, so probably a 2016 model I'm guessing. No burn in or screen issues, but it was and still is mainly used for movies and gaming, so I wouldn't expect any issues. There is no HDR. This is one of the few OLED TVs that support passive viewing of 3D Blurays, and I still own a few. I'll probably hook a PS2 up to it soon as well since I have the component video adapter still. In a bright room, I can confirm there are purple reflections as noted in the review below, but otherwise it's a pretty perfect TV for retro and current Nintendo gaming.


Edit: Fun fact, the EG9100OLED has a curved screen and requires a set-specific wall mount that was originally $150 I think. I luckily found this wall mount as a clearance item at Micro Center a couple of years after I purchased the TV for $20, and only started using it about 2 years ago when I moved into my current house.
 
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Motostu

Senior member
Oct 5, 2020
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It's definitely not for every budget. Now that Samsung is in the game, though, prices have been coming down a little faster. Maybe in a few more years with better processes and improved yields they could get closer to LCD prices.


Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
 

MoragaBlue

Senior member
Jul 17, 2022
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Been pondering upgrading to an OLED, and the 32 Samsung on sale for $1,000 caught my eye. However, the TV features on it are a deal breaker. So, is there a 32 4k 240hz anyone can recommend? There seems to be very few of them. The Asus at $1,200+. LG at $1,200+. And, MSI at $950. Probably, best to wait until the price comes down?
 

MoragaBlue

Senior member
Jul 17, 2022
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Ok, I'm going buy one of these: ASUS ROG PG32UCDM or the PG32UCDP.

Anyone with insights or have used either of these? I'm new to OLEDs and have only done some preliminary due diligence, but it appears the UCDM uses the Samsung screen, while the UCDP the LG (which is $100 cheaper from them, but I prefer Asus's design, pre calibration and features).

I also looked into the MSI MPG 321URX at around $950, but it's not GSync certified. Does that even matter? Or, it'll work just as well, but MSI just didn't bother paying Nvidia for the fancy cert.

Thanks!
 

lakedude

Platinum Member
Mar 14, 2009
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We were just at Best Buy and my favorite TV by far was a matte finish Samsung OLED. OMG it was so nice but $3k ouch!
 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
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As an update to previous comments, I got really lucky and also decided to splurge recently on my first OLED PC monitor. I found a LG 27GS95QE-B.AUS as an open box at my local Micro Center, and that week they were running an additional 10% off monitors. After tax, I was out the door for around $590. At this price point, it was worth it to me to upgrade.

Money comments aside, I do absolutely love that this monitor has true HDR and VRR on the HDMI 2.1 input, as I have a PS5 at my desk. One feature I really love not related to the video output is the optical audio output. This greatly simplified by audio hookups from my PS5 + PC to the Bose soundbar I'm using for non-headphone listening. Lately I've been playing a lot of Diablo 4. The video output for a game like this one that has lots of dark backgrounds clashing with flashy spells, fire, etc. just looks phenomenal. It was really, really good on an IPS screen (equivalent to the one on the left in my picture), but it just pops now. At the end of the day, it's definitely the best monitor I've ever owned bar none. It's also nice to not have to compromise on visual fidelity or lack of VRR with my PS5, as I wait to rebuild my home theatre in my current house using my previously mentioned (in this thread) LG 77in OLED with VRR support. One last comment, in terms of brightness, even in a well-lit room, the brightness is more than sufficient for any work being done. In fact, at least the perceived brightness is so good, I actually turned it down quite a bit to match my IPS monitor, as I found it too bright for working with something like an entirely white Excel spreadsheet (I use this setup for working from home too).

Left - LG 144Hz, IPS 27in 1440p
Right - LG 240Hz, OLED 27in 1440p

Edit - To piggyback off the OPs percentage better metric. I would say 25-30% better visuals at 250-300% of the cost with SDR material, and probably 50% better if it's truly HDR enabled material. I wouldn't quite say it's a night and day difference, but it's absolutely a noticeable one! For my specific usage, the bump to true HDR and VRR for my PS5 gaming and simplifying my audio connections was a large deciding factor on the value proposition. Would I pay $1000 (MSRP + tax) for the upgrade, no, but clearly I was in at $590. :)

411207.jpg
 
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CakeMonster

Golden Member
Nov 22, 2012
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I've yet to try a large OLED, I don't doubt the contrast advantage thought. Would you say that it handles reflections worse or better than IPS when there's lots of other light sources? Are the reflections more annoying when the blacks are blacker? Still looking for a 4K IPS because of burn-in with regards to my use, but this will be an issue in the future regardless.

BTW, does anyone know how DSC works with regards to your display connection? Does it always max out the available bandwidth? Will it use more if you have UHBR20 (DP2.1 full) over UHBR13 over UHBR10 (HDMI2.1) over HBR3 (DP1.4) over HBR2 (DP 1.2/HDMI 1.4)?
 

lakedude

Platinum Member
Mar 14, 2009
2,686
485
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Would you say that it handles reflections worse or better than IPS when there's lots of other light sources? Are the reflections more annoying when the blacks are blacker?
IMHO this is not an OLED vs IPS thing but a glossy vs matte thing.

We were recently at Best Buy and the matte finish Samsung OLED was my favorite by far but it was $3k so it is still sitting there at BB.
 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
12,241
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IMHO this is not an OLED vs IPS thing but a glossy vs matte thing.

We were recently at Best Buy and the matte finish Samsung OLED was my favorite by far but it was $3k so it is still sitting there at BB.
I'd have to agree, it's a glossy vs matte finish thing. The LG OLED I have has a matte finish and it handles reflections really really well.