LG 4K Ultra HD OLED E6 HDR TV review

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OLED is on a roll. With new manufacturers sighing up to release screens using the display technology, consumer awareness is set to skyrocket. LG has, of course, been leading the way with OLED for some time, and for many will be the first port of call for a new OLED screen. 

The OLED65E6 reviewed here sits below LG’s Signature G6 flagship model, but uses the same panel and image processing technology. We tested the 65-inch version, but there’s also a 55-inch model.

LG OLED65E6 4K UHD OLED TV: Build quality and features
In turns of design, the E6 knocks it out of the park. The ultra thin picture on glass design and industrial looking Harmon Kardon designed soundbar are unapologetically upmarket. 

Connectivity includes four HDMI inputs and three USBs. Users can timeshift onto a connected USB hard drive. An HDD Eco mode switches any connected hard drive into standby mode if it hasn't been used for a while. 

AV and component inputs are all via adapters. There's an optical audio output and Ethernet LAN. The set has both a Freeview Play tuner, and generic satellite alternative.

The set ships with two remotes, one incorporates the brand’s Magic Pointer system, used to navigate LG's webOS platform, the other is a simplified pointer.

Now in its third iteration, webOS is an outstanding connected platform. Apps, channels and inputs are accessed via bar at the bottom of the screen. You can reorder these tiles to suit how you use the set.

There’s a full complement of catch-up services available, including BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, plus Now TV and 4K enabled versions of Netflix and Amazon Video. There’s also dual band Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct.

Auto Power off is variable between 4, 6 and 8 hours if used.

LG OLED65E6 4K UHD OLED TV: Performance
Image quality is excellent straight from the box. Images impress with HD, and downright dazzle with 4K. In terms of black level, detail and colour richness, it’s a knockout.

Picture presets include Standard, Eco, Cinema, Sports, Game, Photo, HDR Effect (which is variable between Low, Medium and High), plus ISF Expert Bright and Dark Room.

The set was evaluated primarily on its Standard setting, which offers the best balance of all the presets for both HD and 4K content.

The E6 is certified Ultra HD Premium, and supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. We’re still waiting on Dolby Vision UHD Blu-rays, but you can see its dynamic metadata at work on select Netflix streams such as Marco Polo and Adam Sandler’s Ridiculous 6.

When watching HDR10 content from a 4K UHD Blu-ray, viewing modes are locked to HDR Standard, HDR Bright and HDR Vivid. Of these, the Bright setting is arguably the most impactful. The HDR Standard mode is burdened with yellowish whites, to which I’m not particularly partial. 

The 4K HDR Blu-ray release of Batman V Superman Dawn of Justice is a great example of how different HDR grading can look. The wider gamut gives full reign to Zack Snyder's heavily filtered cinematic vision.

Because OLED is self emissive, so there’s no backlight clouding issues to diminish bright peaks. A sequence of exploding fireworks looks crisp and dynamic.

While OLED doesn’t suffer from image retention in the way plasma did, LG has instigated some panel noise clean up options: Screen Shifting, on by default, and Clear Panel Noise, which can be used to refresh the panel after prolonged use. 

Installers should take care with LG’s Trumotion processing. Both Smooth and Clear introduce motion resolution artefacts. Turning Trumotion off solves this, but there’s a drop in detail. The best option is the Trumotion User setting. Setting de-judder at 3, and de-blur at 10 results in minimal motion artefacts and smooth horizontal pans.

LG OLED65E6 4K UHD OLED TV: Verdict
Overall, we rate the E6 is an outstanding UHD set. It’s great with both HD and UHD content sources, is beautiful to look at and has a first rate connected smart platform in webOS.

Normally, screens are outshone by there successors. But the E6 could be different. Unlike its 2017 replacement, due later this year, it offers passive 3D support. For buyers that have invested in, and enjoy, 3D content, this is a big deal. Two pairs of lightweight passive glasses are provided in the box. The 3D performance of the E6 is actually really good, offering a real sense of depth and no crosstalk effects. 

Don’t be put off by the lower peak brightness on HDR (compared to LED LCD), this is an incredibly dynamic looking set. Colour vibrancy and deep blacks are a joy to behold – and significantly it looks wonderful with both 4K and HD content.  Highly recommended.

The OLED65E6 is available now
Price: £3,699
The LG E6 is available through AWE Europe and Invision UK.

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