Title: The Pitfall of Choosing Budget Edge-Lit TVs: A Cautionary Tale for Black Friday Shoppers
Subtitle: A Proficient SEO and High-End Writer’s Insight into the Potential Disappointment of Big Screen Bargains
By Pierre Herubel
Everyone dreams of owning a big-screen TV, that grand centerpiece that dominates the living room and immerses viewers in a cinematic experience. In the past, these behemoth TVs were a distant fantasy, priced too steeply for the average person to afford. However, in recent years, the cost of 75-inch TVs and larger has significantly dropped, making them an alluring temptation for consumers looking to upgrade their home entertainment setup.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that these budget-friendly options may not match the picture quality and performance of their high-end counterparts. Renowned brands like LG and Samsung offer OLED and QD-OLED TVs in larger sizes, up to 83 inches, which deliver unparalleled visual excellence. However, such luxury comes with a hefty price tag that many cannot justify.
Luckily, budget brands like TCL, Hisense, Amazon, and even LG and Samsung themselves now offer 75-inch-plus TVs for under $1,000, making them accessible to the masses. With Black Friday just around the corner, there’s a high possibility of scoring unbelievable deals. But as a seasoned reviewer, I must emphasize the importance of caution when it comes to purchasing these TVs.
In my recent testing, I compared two affordable options: the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED (65-inch) and the Samsung CU8000 (75-inch). The disparity in picture quality between the two was evident, with the Omni QLED outperforming the CU8000, particularly in darker viewing conditions. The crucial difference was the backlight technology used, with the Samsung CU8000 employing an edge-lit LED backlight and the Omni QLED utilizing a full array local dimming LED backlight.
Edge-lit TVs often struggle with delivering optimal picture quality, and one of the significant issues is poor black uniformity across the entire screen. During my evaluation of the Samsung CU8000, this problem became glaringly apparent. The edge-lit panel, combined with its large 75-inch size, resulted in an unsightly “screen clouding” effect that marred the viewing experience.
As much as the allure of a giant TV may tempt you, meticulous consideration is crucial when selecting your purchase. Based on my experiences, I highly recommend placing edge-lit TVs at the bottom of your priority list. Through my testing, I discovered that these TVs consistently falter, especially in darker scenes.
To illustrate this point, I attempted to watch one of my favorite movies, The Batman, on the Samsung CU8000. To capture the essence of the film’s brooding and moody atmosphere, I dimmed the lights. Unfortunately, the blacks and shadows in the movie appeared gray, and light seemed to bleed across the screen, creating a cloudy and indistinct image. Simply put, the movie looked subpar.
This experience solidified my belief that black uniformity was a glaring weakness of the CU8000. Struggling to discern the events unfolding onscreen was a tremendous letdown. A full array LED backlight with local dimming would have undoubtedly improved the TV’s performance, but sadly, the CU8000 lacked this feature, leaving The Batman difficult to appreciate.
I must admit that in brighter scenes, the Samsung CU8000’s colors popped impressively, as demonstrated in Top Gun: Maverick. However, when it came to dimly lit or dark scenes, its shortcomings were laid bare.
Conversely, the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED, despite having average black levels due to its full-array local dimming, fared much better with the same scenes from The Batman. Although its black levels weren’t particularly deep, the milky-cloudy light that plagued the Samsung CU8000 was less prominent, allowing for better clarity and visibility.
Additionally, both TVs were subjected to the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark Blu-ray demo footage, specifically designed to test 4K HDR images on various sets. Once again, the Omni QLED proved superior in handling contrast and black levels compared to the CU8000. Shots of a city at night showcased the night sky’s blackness better on the Omni QLED, with its local dimming once again playing a role in enhancing the viewing experience.
To conclude, while the allure of a big-screen bargain may entice you this Black Friday, thorough research is of utmost importance. For the best visual performance, OLED, QD-OLED, or even mini-LED options should be considered, although they come at a higher cost. However, if you opt for a basic QLED or LED set, make sure it possesses the necessary features.
Personally, I strongly advise against choosing edge-lit TVs, especially if you’re a movie enthusiast. While they may seem like a steal, viewing them in dimly lit conditions will result in frustration and disappointment. Save your hard-earned money and explore other alternatives in the market.
You might also like
I have over 10 years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry and I have been on the list of the top authors on LinkedIn for the past 5 years.