For years OLED TVs have delivered the most effective picture high quality out there with show know-how that has remained largely unchanged, however LG promised one thing even higher for 2021. The G1 has an all-new panel not out there on another TV LG sells. The firm calls it Evo and says it achieves greater brightness and improved colour. My verdict? Yes, it is barely higher than earlier than however even in a side-by-side comparability, it was troublesome to inform the distinction.

LikeGreatest image high quality we have ever testedSlightly brighter than earlier modelsBeautiful slim design good for wall-mounting

Don’t LikeExpensiveImage high quality enhancements over cheaper OLED TVs are minor

I arrange the G1 subsequent to the CX, the most effective TV I reviewed in 2020, measured each and watched quite a lot of TV exhibits, motion pictures and video games. The G1 was certainly a bit brighter than the CX however colour was almost equivalent, as have been different facets of image high quality like video processing and uniformity. Both regarded spectacular, nevertheless, and in most materials I actually could not say one regarded higher than the opposite.

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LG G1 TV evaluate: Can OLED image high quality get even higher?

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The essential benefit the G1 has over the CX and just about each different OLED TV is its distinctive design. This TV is made to be wall-mounted — fairly actually; it does not even include a stand! If you need to put it on a bit of furnishings, as proven within the photographs on this evaluate, you will must pay $100 further for LG’s little facet legs. And that may be a disgrace, as a result of one thing this skinny ought to actually be on a wall.

New for 2021 LG has improved its already best-in-class gaming options by including image modes particularly for video games, in addition to a handy menu that exhibits all gaming information and changes in a single place. There’s a brand new distant and a brand new sensible TV homepage, too. The extra reasonably priced C1 shares these options with the G1, nevertheless. At this level, the G1 is the most effective TV I’ve ever examined — by a nostril. I’ve but to evaluate its competitor from Sony, the A90J, which additionally guarantees a brighter panel, or another high-end TVs like Samsung’s Neo QLED fashions, in order that title won’t final. But for individuals who do not have cash to burn, the additional image high quality of the G1 most likely is not value the additional cash over mainstream OLED fashions just like the CX or C1. Get to know the LG G1 collection It is available in three sizes and prices a bundle: 55-inch ($2,200), 65-inch ($3,000) and 77-inch ($4,500). It differs from the cheaper C1 collection by providing fewer sizes (the C1 has 48-inch and 82-inch choices too), that Evo panel and the slimmer, wall-mount-centric Gallery design. The C1 additionally lacks a far-field mic for hands-free voice and a Next-Gen TV tuner, each comparatively minor extras included on the G1.OLED show know-how is essentially totally different from the LED LCD know-how used within the overwhelming majority of at present’s TVs, together with Samsung and TCL’s QLED fashions.The finest LCD TVs I’ve reviewed up to now scored a 9 in picture high quality, whereas OLEDs TVs just like the G1 have scored a 10. High-end LCDs (particularly with HDR) are brighter than OLEDs, however the image high quality on OLED TVs, together with that of this G1, is superior general. All OLED TVs are extra topic to each short-term and everlasting picture retention, aka burn-in, than LCD TVs. We at CNET do not contemplate burn-in a purpose for most individuals to keep away from shopping for an OLED TV, nevertheless. Check out our information to OLED burn-in for extra. Throw it on the wall A TV does not get any extra minimalist than this. Like many units as of late the G1 is just about all image when seen from the entrance, however it’s the facet view that units it aside. It measures simply 0.8 inches deep and is designed for almost flush wall-mounting. And as I discussed on the high, it does not even include a tabletop stand: If you need a stand mount, it can price $100 further.

The G1 comes with a wall-mount bracket inset right into a cavity on the again for a virtually flush mount.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Here’s what it seems to be like flush in opposition to the wall.
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This TV’s design is wasted when you do not wall-mount it. LG features a customized bracket within the field and directions that make it straightforward to slap up your self when you’re in any respect helpful — though I’m guessing most individuals on this value bracket will rent any person to do the job. Thanks to an inset on the again of the TV the wall mount does not add any further depth, permitting the G1 to hug the wall and current a really slim profile. Channels are constructed into the TV’s again to run cables by, for a cleaner set up behind the TV. LG recommends utilizing molding to cover cables on the wall itself. Note: I did not mount it myself in my check basement, however I’ve mounted loads of TVs earlier than and this one looks as if it might be a easy job. LG’s redesigned distant nonetheless has plenty of buttons and movement management.
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LG revamped the distant a bit. It stored my favourite options, specifically the scroll wheel and motion-tracking, whereas slimming it down barely. The largest distinction is the shortcut keys on the backside: 4 for streaming providers and two extra for the built-in voice assistants, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The former wasn’t but out there on my G1 evaluate pattern, however LG says it will likely be quickly.  The G1 can be geared up with a far-field mic (not out there on the C1) so you possibly can merely say the wake phrase to get the TV to reply, no distant required. It responded similar to I’d count on from a sensible speaker to my “Alexa” instructions. Based on my expertise with the CX, each Google and Alexa can do all the standard assistant stuff, together with management sensible house gadgets, reply questions and reply by way of a voice popping out of the TV’s audio system (yep, each voices). Basics like “What’s the weather?” works as you’d count on, full with onscreen suggestions. The G1 additionally works with Apple’s AirPlay 2 system, similar to many different TVs, permitting my iPhone to share pictures and video to the display screen from the Photos app and mirror my Mac and cellphone screens.  LG’s webOS menu system obtained a facelift for 2021 — and I’m not a fan. Gone is the small, unobtrusive overlay on the backside of the display screen that allows you to maintain tabs on what you are watching. Instead there is a full-screen homepage, just like Roku, Fire TV and Android TV. But it has fewer apps and extra, nicely, junk. The high two-thirds of the display screen are dedicated to the climate, setup ideas, a search window and a Trending Now part with a random assortment of TV exhibits and flicks. Below that’s an app row and, additional down, sections dedicated to inputs and specific streaming apps. In common it looks like a hodgepodge with an excessive amount of occurring, and most methods are easier and simpler to know. The new homepage takes up all the display screen.
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Features galore, state-of-the-art connectivity LG says its Evo panel, out there solely on the G1 this 12 months, makes use of a “new luminous element” for extra exact lighting. The building of the OLED pixel itself is totally different, with new supplies for purple and blue and a brand new inexperienced layer, all of which have narrower wavelengths in comparison with the pixels used on different OLED TVs.  Key TV options

Display know-how

OLED

LED backlight

N/A

Resolution

4K

HDR appropriate

HDR10 and Dolby Vision

Smart TV

Web OS

Remote

Motion

Otherwise the G1 has the identical picture high quality options because the C1, beginning with the brand new Gen 4 a9 processing chip that provides scene detection and upgraded object enhancement over final 12 months’s model. Both the G1 and C1 even have a 120Hz refresh charge. The entry-level A1 OLEDs, in the meantime, have a extra fundamental a7 processor and 60Hz refresh charge.  Just like final 12 months, LG’s OLED TVs’ image settings embrace a Filmmaker Mode. As promised, it turns off the cleaning soap opera impact for film-based content material (yay) however so do many different modes within the G1. While a lot correct, Filmmaker Mode can be comparatively dim so I ended up utilizing Cinema and ISF Bright for most important viewing.
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All of LG’s current OLED fashions (besides the A1) embrace the most recent model of the HDMI customary: 2.1. That means their HDMI ports can deal with 4K at 120 frames per second and variable refresh charge (VRR, together with NVIDIA G-sync and AMD FreeSync), in addition to enhanced audio return channel (eARC) and computerized low latency mode (ALLM, or auto sport mode). That means they will make the most of the most recent graphics options out there on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. New for 2021 is a Game Optimizer mode that places all the TVs’ gaming-related settings in a single place; see under for particulars. The choice of connections is in any other case top-notch, although it not helps analog element video. There’s additionally a devoted headphone or analog audio output and one other for IR blasters, which might ease some installations. Four HDMI inputs with HDMI 2.1, HDCP 2.2Three USB 2.0 portsOptical digital audio outputAnalog audio 3.5mm headphone outputRF (antenna) inputRS-232 port (minijack, for service solely)IR blaster port (minijack)Ethernet (LAN) port
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Picture high quality comparisons With its barely higher image and a few different minor enhancements the G1 beat the CX, my earlier image high quality champ, in side-by-side comparisons. According to my measurements and eyeballs, nevertheless, the brightness distinction was minor sufficient to be invisible at instances, and nearly each different facet of image high quality was nearly equivalent. Both TVs regarded a tad higher than the cheaper Vizio OLED. 

Dim lighting: The G1 carried out like a champ with the lights down low — and so did the opposite two OLED TVs in my comparability. I checked out The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey on customary Blu-ray, they usually all appeared roughly uniformly wonderful: good black ranges within the letterbox bars and deep shadows of Bilbo’s lounge in the course of the darkish Dwarven chant (36:58) and loads of particulars within the shadows and clothes of Thorin and firm. I could not see any actual benefit of the G1 with this type of theatrical state of affairs in customary (non-HDR) materials. Bright lighting: For a TV billed by LG as an enchancment in brightness, the G1’s measurements did not actually stand out. Yes, it did measure brighter than final 12 months’s CX by 129 nits in essentially the most correct HDR modes, however that is not an enormous leap and proved robust to discern in most program materials. I used to be additionally stunned that the C9 I reviewed from 2019 was brighter at most mild output and mainly the identical in its correct mode. As standard, any high-end LCD is far brighter.  Light output in nits

TV

Brightest (SDR)

Accurate colour (SDR)

Brightest (HDR)

Accurate colour (HDR)

TCL 65R635

1,114

792

1,292

1,102

Sony XBR-65X900H

841

673

989

795

Vizio P65Q9-H1

768

629

1,305

1,084

Samsung QN65Q80T

664

503

1,243

672

LG OLED65G1

377

334

769

763

LG OLED65CX

377

290

690

634

LG OLED65C9 (2019)

451

339

851

762

I requested LG’s representatives whether or not my specific evaluate pattern’s brightness was typical of different G1’s they usually stated it was. As at all times, totally different sizes and samples can produce variations. LG OLEDs of current classic have a setting known as Peak Brightness that reinforces the sunshine output for SDR sources in Cinema and Expert modes. The thought is to extend distinction for brighter viewing environments whereas sustaining the superior colour accuracy of these modes. As with most TVs, the brightest mode for HDR and SDR (Vivid on the G1) is horribly inaccurate. For the correct colour columns above on the G1, I used ISF Expert Bright (Peak Brightness: High) for SDR and Cinema mode for HDR — I like to recommend G1 homeowners do the identical to get good colour in brilliant rooms. All current OLED units are nonetheless a lot brilliant sufficient for almost any viewing setting. Yes, they do get fairly a bit dimmer than LCDs when displaying full-screen white — a hockey sport, for instance — however even in these conditions they’re hardly dim. The G1’s display screen preserved black ranges and decreased reflections very nicely.Color accuracy: LG claims higher colour with the brand new Evo panel however in line with my measurements and eyeballs, it is robust to identify any distinction. Color on the CX was wonderful and the G1 was mainly the identical. An LG rep informed me that the G1’s white colour might look extra pure, like in a hockey match, however I did not see or measure any variations in full-field white/grey (ones that weren’t on account of very small variations in grayscale after calibration, at the very least).  Watching The Hobbit was largely the identical story, though at instances greens, just like the grass and hillsides of the Shire (12:24), appeared a bit extra greenish and fewer yellowish on the G1. It was a refined distinction at finest, and once more I did not see or measure any distinction in inexperienced check patterns, however it could possibly be because of the new panel. Maybe. Color on the G1 was nonetheless extraordinarily correct each earlier than and after calibration. The heat tones of Bag End’s inside and Bilbo’s pores and skin have been inviting and intimate, and out of doors his hobbit gap the inexperienced of the grass and bushes within the golden hour solar, and the purple and blue round doorways on Bagshot Row, regarded sensible and pure. The identical could possibly be stated for the opposite OLED TVs, nevertheless, and none delivered considerably higher colour than one other.Video processing: LG goes to nice lengths to tout the advance of its processing yearly, however watching numerous materials in the most effective image settings the CX and G1 regarded largely equivalent to me.  Motion dealing with on the G1 is superb and a contact higher than the CX. Under TruMotion, the brand new Cinematic Movement setting (the default for Cinema mode) served up 24-frame cadence with a really slight trace of smoothing, enhancing on final 12 months’s too-smooth Cinema Clear setting whereas preserving 600 strains of movement decision. 24p purists who need no smoothing in any respect will go for the Off place (the default for Filmmaker mode) and undergo the low movement decision, whereas tweakers will admire the high quality granularity of the User De-Judder mode to dial in the correct quantity of smoothness; something 4 or decrease launched some judder to my eye, conveying a way of movie moderately than cleaning soap opera impact. De-Blur settings of 5 or greater ship the total 600 strains of movement decision. User additionally opens up the OLED Motion Pro menu with three ranges of black body insertion that additional enhance movement decision, with 800 strains in Low and a full 1200 in Med and High. The latter introduces flicker, sadly, and all three are a bit dimmer than Off, but when blur actually bugs you then they’re value experimenting with. One enchancment over final 12 months is that partaking OLED Motion Pro not completely crushes shadow element — it’s kind of worse however nonetheless superb. Still, I’d select to go away it off and sacrifice some movement decision for max mild output and shadow element. Uniformity: Like all OLEDs I’ve examined the G1 was exemplary on this space, with no important brightness or colour variations throughout the display screen and almost good picture high quality from off-angle. Compared to the CX I did see a bit extra colour shift towards magenta in excessive angles with full-field mid-bright and brighter check patterns, however it disappeared once I moved nearer to on-axis and by no means affected the picture from a traditional viewing angle.
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Gaming: The G1’s very good picture high quality carries over to video games, and a few of its largest 2021 options upgrades are gaming-related. The new Game Optimizer is the identify of each an image mode and a full menu system. The latter gives all-new tweaks together with 4 sport style modes: Standard, FPS mode (stated to spice up shadow element), RPG mode (to spice up distinction) and RTS mode (stated to reinforce mid-grayscale areas). There are additionally sliders labeled Black Stabilizer (for adjusting darkish areas) and White Stabilizer (for brilliant areas), in addition to the OLED Motion Pro setting described above (LG says it is significantly helpful for video games) and the Reduce Blue mild setting (stated to be simpler on the eyes). I began my check in customary mode with settings at their defaults with Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla at 4K/60Hz and HDR working by my distribution amp so I might evaluate in opposition to the opposite TVs. Conducting a nighttime raid, the G1 regarded most just like the CX and the Vizio in its customary mode and all three TVs regarded wonderful, with the G1 delivering a contact higher shadow element already. Switching to FPS upped particulars even additional however washed out the picture a bit a lot for this cinematic sport — though I can see it being helpful in an precise FPS sport if you wish to reveal lurking enemies, or a really darkish HDR sport like Ghost of Tsushima. The RTS setting did increase midtones on the expense of some distinction, whereas RPG regarded fairly shut to straightforward, if not as impactful to my eye. In any case it is cool having these further adjustment choices, and I appreciated that they every get a devoted menu. Next I linked my Xbox Series X on to the G1 to check superior video options. VRR labored as anticipated, considerably lowering tearing in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and I appreciated the outstanding toggle and indicator within the Game Optimizer menu that assured me VRR was engaged. Another slider labeled Fine Tune Dark Areas is obtainable to deal with the difficulty of VRR wanting too darkish. I headed deep right into a crypt the place VRR was crushing shadows a bit — cranking up that setting, in addition to the Black Stabilizer, helped. The flipside is that doing so spoiled black ranges and washed out the look of the sport, so (as a card-carrying distinction fiend) I’d keep away from utilizing it until it actually hurts your gameplay. I additionally tried 4K/120Hz on Gears 5 and Star Wars: Squadrons, however the further smoothness and framerate have been troublesome to discern generally. I admire that some video games, like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, confirmed a splash display screen indicating that 120fps was lively, however most didn’t. I regarded for affirmation in LG’s show menu however, sadly, it does not have any. Samsung’s new 2021 Game Bar, however, does point out 120fps.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Buried inside Game Optimizer is one other setting labeled “Reduce input delay (input lag)” with two choices, Standard and Boost. The former, which is the default for any sport, serves up a superb lag quantity just like previous LG OLED fashions: simply 13.1ms for each 1080p and 4K HDR sources. Engaging Boost cuts lag even additional, to only below 10ms for each. The catch is that Boost is just out there for 60Hz sources, so you possibly can’t use it with 120Hz video games or VRR. And no, I do not suppose many people would discover the additional 3ms of lag. HDR and 4K video: It’s with HDR that you simply’d count on the G1’s brightness benefit to be most seen, however watching the 4K Blu-ray model of The Hobbit, variations have been once more very slight. Highlights just like the sky behind the elven king as he turns away from Thorin (7:59) or the window in Bilbo’s research (9:06) measured barely brighter on the G1 than on the CX in line with my mild meter however with out measuring it was robust to see the distinction by eye, even when put next facet by facet. Highlights on the Vizio appeared visibly dimmer than both one, for much less HDR pop, however the variations have been a lot narrower between the 2 LGs. Color was likewise just about equally spectacular on the LGs and a step behind on the Vizio, which regarded a bit duller in Bilbo’s backyard and the blue sky for instance (13:25). Any colour enchancment afforded by the G1’s new panel tech over the CX was much less seen with HDR than with SDR.

I additionally checked out a number of the most revealing HDR content material round: the montage of photographs from the Spears and Munsil 4K HDR benchmark. Again the G1 was very good and higher by a slight margin than the CX, however the G1 failed to actually distance itself. Most scenes regarded very comparable between all three, from the crashing waves to the sunsets to the flowers to the objects on black backgrounds, and generally once I noticed a distinction it was the Vizio lagging a bit behind the opposite two. Spot measurements revealed mildly brighter highlights on the G1 however I could not inform the distinction with out measuring.The benchmark additionally has a 4,000 nit montage to check content material mastered at that degree and; once more, each LGs regarded very comparable. They outclassed the Vizio, which regarded considerably flat in some scenes compared. Picture settings, HDR notes and charts CNET is not publishing superior image settings for any TVs we evaluate. Instead, we’ll give extra common suggestions to get the most effective image with out itemizing the detailed white steadiness or colour administration system (CMS) settings we might have used to calibrate the TV. As at all times, the settings supplied are a guidepost, and if you would like essentially the most correct image it is best to get an expert calibration. Before my calibration for this evaluate the Cinema and preset was essentially the most correct, wonderful when it comes to grayscale and gamma with only a slight reddish solid (however nonetheless inside my error goal of delta 3). Since I now goal a 2.2 gamma for my critiques darkish rooms it was nearer than ISF Expert Dark or the brand new Filmmaker modes, which each goal gamma 2.4/BT 1886. ISF Bright was mainly equivalent to Cinema, however I reserved that for brighter rooms. For my calibration I tweaked the two-point grayscale to take away the purple solid, decreased mild output to my goal of 137 nits and elevated brightness two pips to assist with shadow element (whereas nonetheless protecting good black ranges), however in any other case I left nicely sufficient alone. The grayscale and colour have been already so correct on my LG-provided evaluate pattern that I did not want to the touch the multipoint system or the colour administration system. SDR darkish room settings: Picture menu: Select Mode: Cinema (User)Aspect Ratio Settings: 16:9 (Just Scan: On)Additional Settings menu: Brightness submenu: OLED Pixel Brightness: 48Contrast: 85Screen Brightness: 52Auto Dynamic Contrast: OffPeak Brightness: OffGamma (Adjust Brightness): 2.2Black Level: AutoMotion Eye Care: OffColor submenu: Color Depth: 50Tint: 0Color Gamut: Auto DetectFine Tune menu: Color Upgrade: Off (no different changes)White Balance menu:Color Temperature: Warm 49 (no different changes)Clarity submenu: Sharpness: 0Color: 50Tint: 0Super Resolution: OffNoise Reduction, MPEG Noise Reduction: Off [for low-quality sources, some users may prefer to enable noise reduction]Smooth gradation: Off [for low-quality sources, some users may prefer to enable]Cinema Screen: On [may be grayed out depending on source]TruMotion: Cinematic MovementReduce Blue Light: OffSDR brilliant room setting [all default except for below]: Picture Mode Settings: ISF Bright RoomBrightness menu:OLED mild: 100Peak Brightness: HighHDR Notes: HDR Cinema and Filmmaker mode have been very comparable, following the electro-optical switch perform — how the TV converts information to a particular brightness — fairly carefully and higher than Cinema Home, however Cinema was about 70 nits brighter so it is my favourite of the three. Game Optimizer is finest for gaming due to its processing however fairly blue; for the most effective colour accuracy for gaming it is best to regulate the colour temperature management (Color > White Balance > Color temperatureW45). Color checker was barely extra correct than on the CX from final 12 months however not nice, and HDR Color Checker was worse. As standard with OLED the set lined P3 HDR gamut very nicely. The G1 measured brighter than the CX or the B9 from 2019, however the C9 from 2019 really measured brighter in its least correct and mainly the identical in its most-accurate settings. Once once more the TV robotically detected and engaged the “HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color” setting designed for HDR sources. TV software program/firmware model examined: 3.10.29 Geek field

Test

Result

Score

Black luminance (0%)

0.000

Good

Peak white luminance (SDR)

377

Average

Avg. gamma (10-100%)

2.18

Good

Avg. grayscale error (10-100%)

0.40

Good

Dark grey error (30%)

0.42

Good

Bright grey error (80%)

0.33

Good

Avg. colour checker error

0.80

Good

Avg. saturation sweeps error

0.79

Good

Avg. colour error

0.94

Good

Red error

2.22

Good

Green error

0.64

Good

Blue error

0.46

Good

Cyan error

0.97

Good

Magenta error

0.98

Good

Yellow error

0.36

Good

1080p/24 Cadence (IAL)

Pass

Good

Motion decision (max)

1200

Good

Motion decision (dejudder off)

600

Average

Input lag (Game mode)

13.10

Good

HDR10

Black luminance (0%)

0.000

Good

Peak white luminance (10% win)

769

Average

Gamut % UHDA/P3 (CIE 1976)

98.91

Good

ColorMatch HDR error

5.25

Poor

Avg. colour checker error

3.29

Average

Input lag (Game mode, 4K HDR)

13.10

Good

LG G1 OLED TV CNET evaluate c… by David KatzmaierPortrait Displays Calman calibration software program was used on this evaluate.  How We Test TVs