LG OLEDB6P and OLEDC6P Review
OLED65B6P, OLED55E6P, OLED65C6P, OLED55C6P
4K, UHD, OLED TV, (Curved and 3D C6P only)
by Jack Burden, Senior Editor
There are few differences between the LG B6, C6, and E6 models. The E6 and C6 have 3D capability. All have 40W Harmon Kardon speakers but the B6 and C6 have 4 channel audio. B6 is the thinnest TV at 1.9” depth while the C6 is curved and the E6 is 2.2”. Other than that, they are pretty much the same – even in price. Only Sony and Samsung's very best, top of the line 4K full local dimming models can come close to matching these new OLED TVs. The black levels are perfect, and color information just pops off the screen. LG's new 4K line of OLED TVs won our Best of CES 2016 award for the second year in a row for best picture in the market.
Strengths
- Super rich colors
- Pitch blacks, Superb contrast
- Perfect side angle viewing quality
- Magic remote controlling Smart TV operation
- 40W audio output from speakers (negates need for sound bar)
- Web OS3.0 makes the best Smart TV operation even better
- Bright Room performance surprisingly good
Weaknesses
- Picture Artifacts visible due to processing and OLED screen
- Crosstalk at times during 3D viewing (C6P)
Neutral
- Panel Uniformity
Picture Quality Rating: 98/100
Why is OLED technology better than LED/LCD TV in Picture Quality?
If I had to answer this question in a word: Contrast.
A bit of design speak first:
First and foremost OLED TVs do not contain the “twisting” crystals found in all LCD based TVs (including LED TVs). Instead of producing color information by way light passing through these prisms of crystal glass as they turn at incredible speeds, color information in OLED TVs is produced from organic carbon based compounds, which emit green, blue and red lights in response to electric current. This is actually more akin to the way plasma TV phosphors work than the twisting crystals in an LCD. There are no additional light sources necessary to energize the organic color compounds than this small electric charge. Interestingly, a small part of OLED TV technology is taken from the CRT TV. OLED TVs have a cathode layer to provide the mentioned electric charge to the pixels.
Back to picture quality. Due to the backlight used to illuminate images on an LCD TV, there is less flexibility in producing black or very dark scenes. There must always be a flowthrough process from the backlight, through the LCD. There are various ways LCD panel manufacturers attempt to accomplish deep black levels but let's suffice it to say that they all fall well short of the effortless and perfect black levels of OLED TVs. All the OLED has to do to present perfect black is cut the power to any individual pixels. Since there are over 8M pixels in the new 4K OLED models, you can well understand how vast the contrast ratio is even in small individual areas of the screen. Illuminated colors pop much more off of this platform, making them look more vivid and alive even when properly calibrated.
While there are some slight advantages of LED backlit LCD TVs in potential brightness, peak whites, and video processing, they easily eclipsed by the contrast, color and black presentation of OLED TVs.
See our complete discussion on OLED vs. 4K.
Picture Depth is top notch along with many picture quality features
Black Levels and Color
When you view an B6 next to a 4K LED TV, the first thing you notice is the immense and infinite black levels of the OLED TV. Yes, 4K LED TVs can still pump out a brighter picture due to amped up LED backlights, but it's no comparison in depth of blacks of an OLED. Now for review, you videophiles know that brighter LED backlights in the store can look great, but get it home in a lamp-lit room and you start to see all the flaws (and turn down the backlight setting). As mentioned above, you also remember that deeper black levels create colors that pop more and more contrast on the screen. Essentially to make my point simple, black levels win out over brightness in picture quality performance importance. OLED TV wins out easily against 4K LED in this very important category.
Here is a prime example of the amazing colors seen on LG's OLED TVs
I'm not entering into a discussion about the maneuvers like Quantum Dot/ Nanocrystal layers that 4K manufacturers are employing to try to equal OLED in color performance. Instead, just know that they are doing everything possible to try to compete with OLED in performance, which means OLED is better right? Yes, that's right. The B6 has incredible deep pitch blacks and the best looking colors you have ever seen in terms of brilliance, depth, saturation, and contrast. There is just something, “better than this world” about the colors on this OLED TV. Color's are extremely accurate both before and after calibrating.
Side Angle Viewing/Picture on Glass Feature
Another area we always highlight is off center viewing contrast and color saturation. With OLED and the B6 it's perfect just like it was with good plasma TVs, because every pixel is lit organically (and with an electrode) so there is no backlight. On the B6, LG went a step further and applied the pixel directly to the back of the glass panel so there is even less layers between you and the color.Let's just say that side angle viewing is perfect no matter your viewing angle. The light comes from the panel itself, not a backlight.
HDR Compatible
The big focus TV feature for 2016/2017 is HDR (High Dynamic Range). HDR extends the range that a pixel in an LCD or OLED TV can show. This applies to the brightness and luminosity of images. Contrast is enhanced by increased brightness rather than deeper blacks. Rather than just increase the brightness of the picture overall though, the real purpose of HDR is to increase contrast in various image areas of the picture. It improves the presentation in the brighter parts of the picture and this creates more contrast with surrounding darker parts of the picture. Since picture contrast is one of the primary features in improving perceived depth, HDR is considered a major picture quality improvement even though it may not increase the overall contrast of the panel a lot. Bright colors receive enhanced purity. A good HDR image will show better shadow detail, and the scenes that you will notice the most are those with light illuminating images, especially outside sunlight effects or a room that has sunlight coming in through a window and illuminating parts of the room. HDR content is and will be in short supply for a while.
Though there is little HDR content available, we have viewed some of Amazons. It can appear oversaturated at first, but it's certainly brighter and more colorful. I like it. Some purists may not.
Video Processing/Up Conversion to 4K Clarity and Definition
Video processing and conversion is one of the drawbacks to picture quality, really the only drawback. There are motion artifacts present depending on the signal source and strength (if streaming). This is the one clear advantage to LED/LCD TVs in my mind; the best ones do smooth out images better than OLED TVs. It must be more difficult for the OLED technology to process images more similar to plasma TVs in this regard. As you probably know, the 4K UHD resolution does not do you any good if you cannot enjoy the higher resolution. Therefore, up-scaling 1080p, and 720p and lower resolutions becomes probably the most important point in purchasing a 4K UHD TV due to the dearth of original 4K content. We give the B6 up-scaling performance a B-. We note the introduction of more artifacts in lower end signals 720p, 480p, 480i. With 1080p picture noise cleared up but was still noticeable.
A shot from the House of Cards on Netflix in 4K
Features Rating: 91/100
Design and Appearance
Some may not like the appearance of the speaker on the bottom of the TV in the E6 model and therefore the B6P or C6P will be your choice with cleaner lines. It's a great looking TV and of course if you are into the curved TVs appearance the C6 is your choice. In fact the only real reason to purchase the C6 curved screen is the more modern appeal of a curved screen.
WebOS 3.0 Smart TV Features
After taking flack from us and others two years ago, LG has put effort into speeding Smart TV function with the first WebOS and now WebOS 3.0. Boot up times are fast, and this is either the best or one of the best Smart TV systems out there now in terms of speed, and user interface. The interface layout is straightforward and more intuitive and makes sorting your favorite programs very easy with the point and click operation of the new LG Magic Remote (we love the Magic Remote). The ability of the user to order and place the various Apps that matter most is a considerable strength over competing systems. Overall, WebOS provides a painless, and enjoyable experience. The one knock is that Samsung's Tizen, Android and Roku do offer more Apps selection, although LG will have nearly all of the major Apps that are considered important.
WebOS 3.0 makes it very easy to choose your apps without leaving what you are currently watching
Smart TV options are Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, HSN, Showtime, Drama Fever, iHeart Radio, and newly DirecTV, and GoPro. The GoPro Channel App is only available to LG webOS and allows LG TV owners to stream GoPro videos on-demand.
The one I like for you cable-cutters out there is Sling TV, which for a monthly fee ($20) gets the all important ESPN and ESPN 2 taken care of. It also gives you the addictive and entertaining Food Network.
IheartRadio is an digital audio service which allows streaming of live radio stations.
We like the new Magic Remote even better for speed and easy functionality. The point and click operation is excellent and efficient.
Sound Quality
LG puts good focus on sound quality and realized that not everyone is going to go out and get a sound bar or surround sound system. The B6 and C6P models both have 40W output matching the E6, but without the sound bar. The E6 delivers slightly better sound still. But the B6 and C6 have 4 channel output that far outpaces most TVs on the market in terms of volume, voice clarity, and detail without getting too tinny.
Gaming Performance
The B6 delivered a good performance of 35.5ms input lag when in Game mode. This will definitely render a good gaming experience, but is not as fast as the Samsung or Vizio TVs for gaming.
Passive 3D
Not available on the B6P but it is available on the C6P. Excellent 3D quality using 4K resolution and and OLED panel sets the new standard for performance. This is the best quality 3D experience we've seen. Even though 3D is fading in popularity and focus, it's a nice feature to have.
Future Proofing Considerations
Naturally if you are going to spend the money on an OLED TV you want to know that it is future-proofed. We've got HDR and 4K to consider and who knows what new technology down the road. The B and C6P support the latest and greatest HDR10 as well as Dolby Vision HDR. It's good to be versatile as you never know which technology will get adopted. Right now, Sony and Samsung are supporting HDR10 and this is the format for 4K HDR Bluray. Dolby Vision HDR is not upgradeable, so it's good to know it's there at the start. This is the preferred current streaming content format from Amazon and Netflix.
Value Rating: 79/100
OLED55B6P - $3999
OLED55C6P - $3999
OLED65B6P - $5999
OLED65C6P - $5999
Even though these are the listed prices I think we will see these at much more reasonable prices this year-probably $2000 less. Value is not the strong suit of this premium TV. The picture is incredible, and my favorite in the market so if you can afford it – this is your TV, this or the G6P. Do I want flat or curved if they are the same price. Well, if I'm wall mounting, I want flat period. If it's on the stand and my décor can handle curved, I might take the leap just for the cool aesthetics.
Overall Rating: 91/100
Quick Specs
- Perfect Black Panel
- iPhone and Android device connection and control – Yes (Magic Mobile Connection)
- 2160p Resolution (4K)
- Tru-4K Engine
- Tru-4K Upscaler
- UHD File Playback (HEVC and VP9 decoder compatible)
- HDMI 4 inputs (2.0 compatible)
- 3D Passive 2 Glasses included (with C6P, not 3D with B6P)
- HDR with Dolby Vision
- USB 3 inputs
- Wireless Dual band,
- Dual Band Wireless supports the Wireless Lan (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) standard
- 55B6 TV Dims – 48.4" x 28.1" x 1.9" Deep without stand
- 55B6 TV with Stand Dims 48.4" x 29.9" x 8.9"
- 65B6 without stand 57.1" x 33.0" x 1.9"
- 65B6 with stand 57.1" x 34.7" x 8.9" deep
- Speakers: 20W X 2 (40W total)
Jack Burden joined the review staff of CEAG Inc. in May 2003 after finishing his graduate work at Harvard University. He has been reporting on consumer electronics and conducting product reviews for more than seven years. Focusing on the audio-visual segment of the electronics market... Read more about Jack |
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