LG OLED65E8P and OLED55E8P Review

First the differences with the C8 model below it. The OLED65E7 has Picture-on-Glass high end design elements which creates a little more depth in the screen both in picture quality and depth of the screen itself at 2”. It also has a 60W integrated soundbar speaker package rather than 40W for the C8. That's really about it.

The primary upgrades over last years E7 model are the new A9 (a stands for alpha) intelligent processor which improves depth, color, processing – a needed upgrade in OLED TVs as we have made mention for years. And secondly the AIthinQ hub for all things smart TV (and smart home) as well as Google Assistant. The best OLEDs still top the best LED TVs in picture quality as well ask (a higher) price although the very best, top of the line 4K full local dimming LED models can come close to matching these new OLED TVs, especially in a bright room. The black levels of the E8 are perfect, and color information just pops off the screen. LG's new 4K line of OLED TVs won our Best of CES 2018 award for the third year in a row for best picture in the market.

Advancements over last years E7 model are better processing which helps with clarity of images. Voice control is further enhanced to include Google Assistant. And more compatibility with various HDR specs like HDR10 and HLG. While Dolby Atmos sound is not new, it's still welcomed.

Strengths

• Super rich colors, excellent with HDR content. Supports high dynamic range (HDR) formats including:
• Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, and HLG
• Amazing blacks, Perfect or limitless contrast
• Perfect side angle viewing quality
• Magic remote controlling Smart TV with Google Assistant
• 40W audio output from speakers (negates the absolute need for a sound bar in a small room)
• ThinQ makes the best Smart TV operation even better
• Bright Room performance surprisingly good
• New A9 processing chip does better job with all motion than last year
• Has discreet settings for HDR and standard format
• Super Sharp looking glass on glass design adds to picture depth

Weaknesses

• Picture Artifacts less visible due to better A9 processor
• Slight glare on screen especially when displaying darker images
• Image retention is possible, especially for gamers with static images

Neutral

• Gaming Input Lag

Picture Quality Rating: 98/100

Black Levels and Color

When you view an E8 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.

I'm not entering into a discussion about the maneuvers like Quantum Dot/ Nanocrystal/QLED 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 E8 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 E8 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 E8, 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.

Video Processing/Up Conversion to 4K Clarity and Definition

Video processing and conversion is one of the drawbacks to picture quality, but much less so with the new A9 processor. There was a real need here and indeed it does improve clarity and decrease those annoying picture artifacts that we used to be so familiar with in the early days of plasma TVs. This is the one clear advantage to LED/LCD TVs in my mind; the best ones do smooth out images better than OLED TVs. While video processing has not been LG's strength they've improved a ton with this OLED TV version. 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 E8 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.

Quick Picture Settings

Normal

Picture Mode: Expert Dark Room
OLED Light: 46 (Adjust to increase and decrease TV brightness for various room light conditions)
Contrast: 96
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: Warm 2 (If the picture is slightly too warm(red) for you try Warm)

Features Rating: 92/100

Design and Appearance

The C8 looks super sharp from side angles with that pencil thin look at the top. You immediately think, “man that is an expensive looking TV!” If you dont wall mount it, the TV sits nice and low on the accompanying stand and looks like one unit rather than stand and TV. It's a great looking TV with a minimalist design as it should be. 1.8” depth.

Note on Image Retention: There is a "pixel refresher" and a new "Logo Luminescence Adjustment" feature to control IR on the C8, two features there to help just in case. As long as you are careful, you will likely not notice any image retention issues.

AI ThinQ WebOS Smart TV Features

AI thinQ is the hub for your connected devices. The primary improvements over last years excellent WebOS 3.5 are the inclusion of Google Assistant in facilitating a far greater range of options in voice control. 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 “hot” buttons for connecting directly to Netflix and Amazon with a press of a button. Boot up times are faster, 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 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 and Roku do offer more Apps selection, although LG will have nearly all of the major Apps that are considered important.

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 C8P models both have 40W output and has impressive sound that will suffice in smaller rooms.

Gaming Performance

The E8 delivered a good performance of 28ms 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 E8P support the latest and greatest HDR10 as well as Dolby Vision and Technicolor HDR and HLG. It's good to be versatile as you never know which technology will get adopted.

Value Rating: 81/100

MAP Pricing

OLED55E8PUA - $2999 (anticipated average pricing $2699)

OLED65E8P - $3999 (anticipated average pricing $3699)

Prices of OLED TVs keep getting better, but the E8P is still up there. The glass on glass design really is beautiful if you can afford the difference. For a comparable LED you probably shell out about $1500 less. Is it worth the difference? For many the answer is yes! 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...go for it. You will not be disappointed by the picture.

Overall Rating: 93/100

Quick Specs

• Perfect Black Panel
• Google Home Compatible
• Dolby Vision
• ThinQ AI
• Google Assistant
• iPhone and Android device connection and control – Yes (Magic Mobile Connection)
• 2160p Resolution (4K)
• A9 Processor
• 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, HDR10, HLG
• 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
• 65E8 without stand 57" x 35.6" x 2"
• 65E8 with stand 57" x 36" x 8.7"
• Speakers: 20W X 3 (60W total)
• Warranty 1 Year parts and labor