LG OLEDB7P and OLEDC7P Review

OLED65C7P, OLED55C7P, OLED65B7A, OLED55B7A

4K, UHD, OLED TV, HDR

by , Senior Editor

"The perfect black levels in these OLED TVs make them irresistible"

LG OLED55B6P 4K OLED TVFirst just a review of some of the difference of all those confusing LG OLED model numbers. The B7A is available at retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, while the B7P model is available at Costco/wholesale club. The higher the first letter, the higher end the features and cost. The C7 includes a built in subwooder and Dolby Atmos sound quality as two additions the B7 does not have. A little upgraded sound package is the difference. The B7P and C7P have the “blade-slim” design of 1.8” in depth. The E7 and and G7 have Picture-on-Glass design which creates a little more depth in the screen both in picture quality and depth of the screen itself at 2.4” to 2.7”. The E7and G7 also have 4.2 Channel audio vs. 2.2 in the B7 and C7. Other than that, they are very similar – 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 2017 award for the second year in a row for best picture in the market.

Advancements over last years C6 model are better brightness levels which helps cut down some on glare. And more compatibility with various HDR specs like Technicolor including a Technicolor picture mode. Dolby Atmos sound is also new.

Strengths

  • Super rich colors, excellent with HDR content
  • Pitch blacks, Perfect or limitless contrast
  • Perfect side angle viewing quality
  • Magic remote controlling Smart TV Web OS3.5 operation
  • 40W audio output from speakers (negates the absolute need for a sound bar in a small room)
  • Web OS3.5 makes the best Smart TV operation even better
  • Bright Room performance surprisingly good

Weaknesses

  • Picture Artifacts visible due to processing and OLED screen
  • Video noise during darker scenes from Blue Ray or DVD programming
  • Slight glare on screen especially when displaying darker images
  • Non-permanent image retention is possible, especially for gamers with static images

Neutral

  • Gaming Input Lag

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.


2016 LG B6P OLED TV Picture Quality
Picture Depth is top notch along with many picture quality features

Black Levels and Color

When you view an B7 or C7 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.

2016 LG B6P OLED TV Color Quality
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

"Since OLED TVs do not suffer from this problem, why make them curved?"

Another area we always highlight is off center viewing contrast and color saturation. With OLED and the C7 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 C7, 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. This nuance also shows itself when viewing the stunning color of HDR (more on that below.) 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 Looks Great on the LG OLED

The big focus TV feature for 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. This works beautifully with LG's OLED TVs due to their limitless contrast. All HDR content looks superb on the TV. 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 can be 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. I'm also not sure video processing is LG's strength. 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 C7 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
A shot from the House of Cards on Netflix in 4K

Quick Picture Settings


Normal

Picture Mode: Expert Dark Room
LED Light: 45 (Adjust to increase and decrease TV brightness for various room light conditions)
Contrast: 95
Brightness: 50
Aspect: Original
Energy Saving: Off
Color: 50
Sharpness: 0
Tint: 0

Expert

Dynamic Contrast: Off
Color Gamut: Normal
Edge Enhancer: Off
Color Filter: Off
White Balance: White 2 (If the picture is slightly too warm(red) for you try Warm)

Features Rating: 92/100

Design and Appearance

"You will literally know more than the game day announcers in the review box – for better or for worse.."

I like the design of the B7 and C7 better than the E7 which has the extended speaker on the bottom. This one has a cleaner look. It is as thin as the width off a pencil from the sides which is just awesome looking. It's a great looking TV with a minimalist design as it should be.

WebOS 3.5 Smart TV Features

The primary improvements over last years excellent WebOS 3.0 are cybersecurity assurance program certification, a better or at least different zoom function which allows the user to zoom in on various areas of the picture. You will literally know more than the game day announcers in the review box – for better or for worse. Also, what we found interesting was the ability to connect our mobile devices to the TV and view content on the TV, especially pictures or videos. There are new “hot” buttons for connecting directly to Netflix and Amazon with a press of a button. 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 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 smooth, and very 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.

2016 LG B6P OLED TV Apps and Operating System
WebOS 3.5 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 to name a few.

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.

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 B7 and C7P models both have 40W output and has impressive sound that will suffice in smaller rooms. The E7 delivers better sound still. But the B7 and C7 have 4 channel output that outpaces most TVs on the market in terms of volume, voice clarity, and detail without getting too tinny.

Gaming Performance

The C7 delivered a good performance of 39ms 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. There is a new HDR Mode for HDR gaming which looks great.

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 C7P support the latest and greatest HDR10 as well as Dolby Vision and Technicolor 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: 84/100


MAP Pricing

OLED55B7P - $3999 (anticipated average pricing $1799)

OLED55C7P - $3999 (anticipated average pricing $1999)

OLED65B7P - $5999 (anticipated average pricing $2799)

OLED65C7P - $5999 (anticipated average pricing $2999)

Maybe 2017 will be the year LG OLEDs (and Sony's) break the price barrier. If they can get a bit more reasonable, we could see LG and Sony take market share from LCD TVs. 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.

Overall Rating: 94/100

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)
  • HDR with Dolby Vision
  • Dolby Atmos
  • USB 3 inputs
  • Optical Digital Output
  • Wireless Dual band,
  • Dual Band Wireless supports the Wireless Lan (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) standard
  • 65C7 without stand 57.2" x 32.8" x 1.8"
  • 65C7 with stand 57.2" x 34.4" x 8.5"
  • Speakers: 20W X 2 (40W total)


Jack Burden 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