LG Oled 65E7V: image quality always at the top

Presentation

Updated 08/11/2017 at 10:58

We tested the HDR10 part in more depth on the LG 65E7V TV and it turns out that the management of the HDR10 poses serious problems, especially in video games. This is a software problem that has still not been resolved to date.

The LG Oled 65E7V differs from LG 55B7V and 55C7V televisions by its more advanced audio system and its design called "Picture-on-Glass", the back of the screen being covered with glass. Also remember that, according to LG, all Oled TVs of 2017 use the same 10-bit Oled panel displaying an Ultra HD definition of 3,840 x 2,160 px, the same electronics and the same LG MP16 + processor. On paper, this LG Oled 65W7V should therefore in principle display an image identical to that observed on the LG Oled 65W7 and on the LG 55C7V.

This LG OLED65E7V TV is sold for around € 5,000. The 55-inch version, the LG 55E7N, does not have exactly the same design, with a slightly different stand and rear panel.

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Image quality

Not surprisingly, the sub-pixels of the LG 65E7V are identical to those of the LG Signature 65W7 and LG 55C7V and common to all the Oled models that we tested this year (Sony Bravia KD-65A1 and Panasonic TX-65EZ1000). Each pixel is always composed of four sub-pixels (one green, one red, one blue and one white). The white and blue sub-pixels are larger in order to improve the maximum brightness of the screen.

Compared to the 2016 models, LG has changed its anti-reflection filter: if the reflections appeared purple on last year's Oled TVs, this is no longer the case and they are now neutral. Efficiency is always good on this semi-glossy slab.

With the exception of green, all the colors tested display a delta E of less than 3. The colors are therefore faithful to those sent by the source. The average delta E is 1.6, well below the value of 3 below which the eye no longer perceives the difference between colors displayed on the screen and ideal colors.

The gamma curve always shows a slight variation on the grays from 60%. This variation is a little more significant than on the 65W7 or the Panasonic 65EZ1000, but it remains acceptable. The gamma average remains at the reference value (2.2). Note that this television now has an automatic gamma mode - much simpler for the general public - which allows automatic switching from gamma 2.2 - ideal for HD / Full HD content - to gamma 2.4 which is the standard for Ultra HD Blu-ray.

The color temperature (average at 6,610 K) is completely in line with the 6,500 K reference, with a stable curve over the entire spectrum.

Oled technology allows individual pixels to be turned off and therefore to obtain absolute black and a contrast considered to be infinite. Whatever the brightness on white (here calibrated at 153 cd / m²), blacks are at 0 cd / m² (our probe cannot measure a black below 0.0049 cd / m²). This contrast is still as impressive and allows you to enjoy all the nuances, even in complete darkness. The measured light peaks are quite close to those we had measured on the W7, which confirms the use of the same type of panel. On a target containing 1% white, we measured a light peak at 729 cd / m² in HDR Cinema mode. The psychological bar of 1000 cd / m² can be reached using the HDR Vivid mode which pushes the blue and white sub-pixels to the maximum at the expense of respecting the color temperature; the rendering is then cold and draws a lot towards blue. In fact, the only change compared to last year is the overall brightness. LG increased the light peak by 37% between 50 and 70% of APL (Average Picture Level).

LG's Ultra Resolution scaling engine does not appear to have changed since last year. It can still display Full HD content on this Ultra HD panel without distorting the original source too much. The treatment is very good. It does not generate artifacts and does not smooth the flat areas too much. The native 4K version still has a lot more detail, but the scaling is nicely done.

The compensation system is identical to that on board the 2016 Oled televisions. LG had significantly improved its engine last year, but this is not the case this year. Last year, LG had caught up some of the delay on the tenors of the category, namely Panasonic and Sony, but the latter have just released their Oled televisions, raising the bar even higher. The motors used by Panasonic on the TX-55EZ950 and by Philips on the 55POS9002F are our new benchmarks in this area. The engine used by LG still allows you to display a beautiful moving image. This customizable TruMotion allows you to play on fluidity and sharpness on 10 levels in order to display an almost clear image without exaggerating the camcorder effect (see the box "Our settings, our measurements", below). With moderate compensation levels, there are few artifacts. However, LG remains a notch behind Philips and Panasonic, whose engines make it possible to display a perfectly clear image in movement.

As on the 65W7 and 55C7V, the delay in the display was largely revised down compared to last year. In game mode, we measured it at only 21 ms. This input lag is identical in Full HD and in 4K HDR game (from a PS4 Pro or an Xbox One S, for example). At 60 Hz, this value represents less than two images of delay compared to the source. This is still twice as much as PC monitors which go down to 10 ms, but it is the best in terms of television. The difference between the action performed with the joystick and its repercussion on the screen is almost imperceptible. In cinema mode, this input lag rises to 87 ms, but this has little impact on watching a film.

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Clouding

As with all Oled TVs on the market, each pixel is managed individually and there is therefore no clouding. Banding effects (horizontal or vertical bands) are also absent on this model. The homogeneity of the brightness on the screen is good (average deviation measured at only 5%). This excellent result is again explained by the use of Oled technology.

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3D

No 2017 Oled TV is compatible with 3D. The 65EV7 is no exception.

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Ergonomics

The design of this LG Oled 55E7V TV is very similar to that of last year's LG 65E6V. The foot is a little less deep and a little less high. The lower part of the panel is therefore a little closer to the TV stand.

Another notable difference, the LG logo has disappeared from the front of the TV and is only found on the LG OLED mention on the foot. If the TV is mounted on the wall, then there is no mention of LG.

In profile, the television is still as thin, especially on its upper part. The footprint is always linked to that of the foot, whose depth reaches 19.5 cm, against 20 cm for the 55E6V of 2016.

The back of this TV is as understated as possible. On the left, we find the power cable and on the right all the connectors. The glass slab clearly gives a high end to this model. However, it ignores a cable management system yet present on the LG 55C7V.

This TV offers four HDMI 2.0a inputs (Ultra HD 60 fps, HDR, HDCP2.2), three USB ports including a USB 3.0, an Ethernet port, an optical digital audio output, a headphone output, a PCMCIA port (Interface common CI +), a rake antenna connector and a satellite. It has a DVB-T / T2 tuner and an integrated DVB-S / S2 and DVB-C demodulator. It also has 802.11a / b / g / n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 for connection with a wireless audio device (headphones or speaker).

The WebOS operating system in version 3.5 is still as pleasant to use. The interface is fluid and very colorful. Little penguins animate the different settings by providing details and explanations. The most popular applications are obviously present, such as Netflix, Pluzz, MyTF1, Google Play Films or Deezer. These applications launch quickly and remain in memory. The "Quick Resume" option allows you to wake up the TV in less than 2 seconds and find an application where it was left, including Netflix.

The new QuickAccess function allows you to assign the keys on the numeric keypad to a specific action. It is therefore possible to program the action of 9 keys. In our case, a long press on the 1 key allows you to switch to the HDMI 1 source, the 2 key to launch Netflix, the 3 key is associated with YouTube and the 5 key with Molotov, for example. The shortcuts are very simple to implement. It's a good idea, you just had to think about it.

The multimedia player is still as efficient and manages Ultra HD content. Supports WMA, MP3, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, PCM, LPCM, DVD-LPCM, ADPCM, DTS, AAC, HE-AAC, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, H.265 / HEVC codecs and containers, Xvid, H .264 / AVC, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VP8, VP9, RV30, RV40 and VC-1. However, DVD / Blu-ray ISO images and their native files are still not supported. The novelty lies in the compatibility with lyrics of music files and with 360 ° videos. The YouTube app does not yet allow videos to be played 360 °.

Unlike the LG 65W7V, delivered with two remote controls, the LG 65E7V only has one: the Oled Magic Remote. Compared to the classic Magic Remote, it inherits multimedia keys. It retains the Netflix and Amazon buttons as well as the Magic Link and Quick Access (0 key). The gyroscope works wonderfully, as does the built-in microphone allowing voice searches. This new remote control is prettier than the previous one, but it is not more pleasant to use. The very low center of gravity of the old version, which allowed it to be lodged in the palm of the hand without any effort, is no more. In addition, the keys are still not backlit.

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Audio

The audio part consists of four speakers and two subwoofers for a total power of 60 W. The sound is very good for a TV, without however achieving the performance of a Loewe Bild 7.55 or a Sony Bravia 65A1. The LG 65E7V still manages to go quite low in the spectrum since the low mids from 50 Hz are audible. The sound reproduction is excellent between 50 and 2000 Hz. The imposing size of the stand could have allowed LG to go a little further with a wider woofer and a vent system as found on the bars of his. As always, to enjoy a better immersion, it is better to invest in a sound bar or a home cinema kit.

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Consumption

With a white calibrated at 150 cd / m², we noted a consumption of 111 watts, that is a relative consumption of 95 W / m². The consumption is thus slightly lower than that of the Signature 65G6V (99 W / m²). This value is almost disappointing compared to that of the most economical LCD TVs which now drop below 70 W / m² (Sony KD-65XE8505 and KD-65XD9305), but it is extremely variable since it is directly linked to the image displayed. An entirely black image thus lowers consumption to less than 70 watts. With maximum brightness, consumption rises to 240 watts. Finally, in standby, even with the "Instant On" mode activated (it allows you to find the screen in 5 s as you left it), the TV consumes less than 1 watt.

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Conclusion

The LG Oled 65E7V television displays the same almost perfect image as its cousins: the high-end model LG 65W7 and the more affordable model LG 55C7V. It stands out from the latter by its design a little more worked and its sound system more accomplished. The LG 65E7V will still have a hard time finding a place on the Oled TV market, especially compared to the Sony Oled KD-65A1, sold cheaper and benefiting from a more efficient audio system, and the Panasonic TX-65EZ950, also cheaper and offering image processing a notch above.

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