Terrible viewing angle on Samsung QN90D smart TV?
Posted by Arlenberli0z@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 9 comments
I’d like to have a 4k, 40’+, 144Hz smart TV for a productivity, rendering, and gaming monitor. This seems to be a tricky set of monitor requirements, so I did a lot of research and bought a Samsung QN90D (a VA panel) to replace my old Samsung NU6900 (also VA). I immediately noticed how terrible the color inconsistency is at the sides of the screen when viewed from monitor distance—colors and grays become dramatically more dull and washed out. The viewing angle scores on Rtings aren’t great: Color washout at 27° Color shift at 31° Brightness loss at 35° Gamma shift at 28° However, Rtings summed this up as “ok”. Here is the confusing part though: the old TV scored worse or par on all four metrics (26°, 16°, 36°, 23°), but, after A/B testing, it’s far superior to my eye, with no dramatic color shifts. What do you think is going on here? I hadn’t prioritized viewing angle but maybe I will now that I’ve seen how much it can wreck colors.
Accomplished_War1940@reddit
I have the 43 QN90D in front of me as a monitor, sitting 90cm away from it, and I can say that the viewing angle is terrible. Washed out colors and poor contrast in the corners, even in the center at the bottom. For games and movies it is fine, but for desktop use... oh my... I decided to return it.
Arlenberli0z@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I decided to return it and take the OLED plunge instead. I assumed that I could get a good 40”+ 144Hz monitor for work and gaming without a major downside in the sub-$1000 range, but I just don’t think that exists. At this point the burn in potential seems more tolerable than the colors being way off on 1/2 to 2/3 of the total width of the monitor.
Dreaditall@reddit
Do you have any images?
Arlenberli0z@reddit (OP)
Check this out. The first three images were taken on the QN90D. The last image was taken on the LG C4 OLED I replaced it with. You can see the color accuracy at the angles is dramatically better. The blooming and washing out is also eliminated. This is a much, much better looking TV. I originally avoided OLED because of burn in risks but at this point I’ll take the risk. If you care about color consistency it seems to be the only option.
Dreaditall@reddit
I got the QN90D and it works for me. I notice the blooming most when I’m playing a game and there is white text or something white against black background. For work the monitor is great. I sit central at 35 inches and I don’t notice any issues with viewing angles. I agree the C4 is a better screen but I couldn’t risk burn in. I’m happy with the deep blacks my TV can get and I play with HDR on and game mode on and it’s great.
Arlenberli0z@reddit (OP)
Great, I figured the same thing myself, but sometimes you just have to see it to get a feel for it. I aim to do rendering and other artistic works on it, so color accuracy is going to be a priority.
Dreaditall@reddit
The color accuracy seems good if you follow the rtings calibration.
Arlenberli0z@reddit (OP)
Sorry, I’m not using the proper terminology. It’s the viewing angle I’m referring to
Dreaditall@reddit
Ah I see. From the center I think the viewing angle is great from a distance of 35 inches