(August 5, 2024) Today, we continue our coverage of the 2024 TV Shootout with a quick breakdown of Day Two events. Hot off the intensity of Day One, things were more relaxed as the Shootout shifted from strict calibrations and hardcore scrutiny to out-of-the-box performance. All of the competing models from Day One were boxed up and removed, replaced by models representing the largest available sizes of yesterday’s TV contestants, save for LG’s larger version of its 65QNED90T, which wasn’t included for performance reasons, and LG's 97" G4 OLED (the 83" version of that TV line was used).
Here’s a list of Day Two TV models:
- Sony’s 77” XR77A95L QD-OLED, $4,999 MSRP (Buy on Amazon, Buy on Value Electronics)
- Samsung’s 85" 85QN95D miniLED LCD, $5,7999 MSRP (Value Electronics)
- Sony’s 85" XR85XR90 Bravia 9 miniLED LCD, $5,499 MSRP (Amazon, Value Electronics)
- LG’s 83" OLED83G4WUA MLA OLED, $6,499 MSRP (Amazon, Value Electronics)
- Samsung’s 77" QN77S95D QD-OLED, $5,499 MSRP (Amazon, Value Electronics)
Day One judges returned to watch various reference video content in bright and dark room conditions, taking notes across categories. While they were supplied scoring sheets to help guide analysis of various picture quality elements, judges were ultimately asked to submit a simple 1-2-3 ranking of their top three favorite performers.
Judges' Results
The TVs were arranged horizontally across a wall in the same order (left to right) as listed above, and two Sony BVM-HX3110 studio monitors were positioned to use as baseline points of reference. As you may recall, yesterday's winner was the 65" Sony A95L, and it's no surprise that its larger brother, the 77” XR77A95L, was chosen as the best out-of-box TV. LG's 83" OLED83G4WUA came in second place, with Samsung's 77" QN77S95D QD-OLED taking third.
My Take and Buying Recommendations
It's hard to argue with the judges' collective take. Sony's 77” XR77A95L QD-OLED generates a gorgeous image. While I detected a slight red push in some scenes on the A95L, it really did offer the best picture quality of the group. As for LG's 83" G4 offering, I wasn't surprised that secured the number two spot. As discussed in yesterday's Shootout coverage, the 65" LG G4 delivered excellent performance with standard dynamic range (SDR) and general high dynamic range (HDR) content. For $1,500 more than Sony's 77” XR77A95L, LG gives you six more inches of diagonal screen and a true eye-pleasing image... the bottom line: it's a great TV.
It's worth noting that the 83" LG OLED83G4WUA isn't quite as competent as competing Sony and Samsung QD-OLEDs when it comes to shadow detail and HDR in dark scenes. But it's important to keep in mind that most viewers aren't pausing and scrutinizing that kind of content. More than likely, the vast majority of buyers will sit back and absolutely love the image LG's flagship TV delivers.
Samsung's third place finish is probably deserved. Out of the box, it wasn't as impressive as the Sony and LG. My primary concern with the Samsung S95D QD-OLED series is an anti-reflective coating that's on the screen. You can't see its impact unless light directly hits the surface of the screen or there's bright light displaced to the side of the TV and your viewing position allows you to see a visible reflection, but results in those conditions have damaging effects on image quality. The coating has a notable negative impact on perceived black levels, image detail, and crispness – as I previously voiced, it makes the screen take on the appearance of an LCD TV that was manufactured five or six years ago.
If the Samsung 77" QN77S95D QD-OLED is on your shortlist and you're planning to install it in a light-controlled environment, it makes a perfectly fine choice. However, I wouldn't recommend placing the TV in a room with bright sources of light, be it overhead or side-mounted lights or a large bank of windows.
On the miniLED LCD front, the Bravia 9 looked great at times, definitively outclassing Samsung’s 85" QN95D miniLED TV in both price and performance. Is it an "OLED killer," as some have claimed? In my opinion, no – it doesn't operate in the same class as three OLED TVs in the Shootout. It's excellent, though, when considering what other LCD TVs have to offer. If, for whatever reason, LCD is the only kind of TV you're willing to buy, then the Bravia 9 is an easy "must buy" pick. But for me, the TV market remains OLED or bust in the vast majority of buying cases, as OLED – particularly the models in the 2024 TV Shootout – delivers the best image quality money can buy.
Additional Reading:
- It's a Sweep! Sony's Flagship OLED and miniLED TVs are Crowned "King of TV" at 2024 Shootout Event
- A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Friendliest National Home Theater Retailer In the US: Value Electronics
- Value Electronics Crowns New Kings of 4K and 8K TVs at Its Annual Flatpanel Shootout Event!
- Value Electronics' Flatpanel Shootout Takes Place This Coming Weekend... New Kings of 4K and 8K TVs Coming Up!
- Value Electronics Set to Hold Its First Annual Headphone Shootout Event
- A Clean Sweep: JVC Wins Big at the 2022 Value Electronics Long Throw Shootout
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