hdtv • QSF5

16 Sep 2014

The LGEC9300 sports the best picture quality ever

by No_Style | posted in: Technology News | 0

Cnet’s David Katzmaier posted his review of the most affordable 55″ OLED HDTV to date and apparently, it sports the best picture quality ever.

I was reminded of the many benefits and shortcomings of OLEDs through this review. Thin profiles, lower power consumption and superb picture quality are the high points but some of the shortcomings and potential issues with the technology gives me pause.

Like plasma TVs, it is susceptible to burn-in and as someone who watches sports and plays video games, this could be a deal breaker. Technologies like “pixel shifting” can help with this shortcoming but I am still weary of this.

There are also concerns about the screen’s brightness later down the road and the longevity of certain colored pixels.

The final negative is the curved screen. OLED panels can be easily manipulated but it doesn’t mean they should. Reviewers have mentioned the artifacts that are produced by curving these screens, so why do manufacturers continue to do this? Because they can market it. I just hope they get over this phase by the next round of OLED HDTVs.

I’ve always wanted an OLED. I’ve been waiting for affordable OLED screens for over 5 years. The technology sounded so promising and now we’re finally within striking range. $3000 is a lot of money for a 55″ 1080p HDTV these days but come next year, we could see them debut at $2500 or less and then I’ll consider getting my hands on one.

I just hope they make enough advancements to address the longevity and image retention issues.

25 May 2014

Checkpoint: LED Edition

by No_Style | posted in: Editorials & Features | 0

I purchased a 5 meter 5050 LED strip from Amazon.ca to backlight my HDTV. It came with the LED strip, an IR remote and power supply. I paid about $40 for it.

The effect was worth it but there were a few issues:

The adhesive isn’t very good. It’s 3M double sided tape but it’s already peeling off.
The LED strip cannot make 90 degree turns. I have to purchase some L shaped connectors to remedy this problem.
5050 RGB LEDs are nice but I am probably okay with the cheaper single color 3528 LEDs
The IR receiver that came with this bundle uses some of the same codes as my A/V receiver. I’ve already ordered an RF remote to deal with this issue.

I may have spent too much but consider it a few lessons learned. In a few week’s time, I should have everything working as intended with the HDTV.

I’ve already backlit the HDTV in the basement and I’m already considering backlighting the headboard of my nonexistent bedroom set.

—

I tried to play Dragon Age: Origins but I couldn’t get over the type of fantasy nonsense that was going on. Dragon Age was too “high fantasy” for me. I like my fantasy a bit darker a bit more “Witcher-esque”.

So then I decided to play the Battlefield 4 campaign. Let’s hope that the save file remains intact.

10 Sep 2012

Steam’s Big Picture mode starts soon

by No_Style | posted in: Game News | 0

Valve talked about this feature a year or so ago — a couch friendly mode for Steam’s interface. They went quiet and are not ready to start open beta testing of the controller enabled interface.

They even threw up a webpage detailing the upcoming interface.

The interface is just as I imagined it would be; big icons and some kind of carousal library. The web browser though, that’s unexpected. I’m very curious how this “first person web browser” feels and that “Daisywheel” typing interface is interesting as well.

The open beta should be available any minute now.

9 Jan 2012

CES 2012: Year of the 55″ OLED HDTV

by No_Style | posted in: Technology News | 0

That’s a lot of screen.

I used to think highly of Sony’s LCD HDTVs, but I’ve since given up on the failing conglomerate’s screens and hopped onboard the LG train. LG makes great screens. I really like 55LE8500 I picked up last year and unless LG starts stinking it up with their screens, I’ll continue to keep them in the running.

So it shouldn’t be much of surprise to know that I’m very much looking forward to LG’s 55″ OLED effort. The styling is elegant with its 1 mm bezel and that “Magic Remote” with its motion controls, built-in mic and trackball would make me pause for a second and rethink my Logitech Harmony strategy.

Samsung also announced their own 55″ OLED screen, but like LG they have yet to announce pricing. If you’re waiting for Sony, you may be waiting awhile as they’ve pulled out of the consumer OLED game.

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