LG OLED65C9PUA OLED TV Review

In the world of HDTV sets OLED technology stands head and shoulders apart from the rest of the pack as far as picture quality is concerned – and there’s no better OLED television on the market today than the LG OLED65C9PUA.

Offering unbelievably high fidelity when it comes to picture sharpness and resolution, as well as providing a myriad of colors and lighting options you won’t find anywhere else (all ends of the spectrum), OLED televisions offer all the benefits plasma TVs offer with none of the drawbacks.

At the same time, because OLED TVs are so much better than everything else available right now you can expect to pay bit of a premium price tag. This is true with the LG OLED65C9PUA, though prices have come down quite a bit in the last few years, making this a much more reasonably priced option (even at 65 inches diagonal).

To better help you decide whether or not this is your next TV investment or if you should look somewhere else we’ve put together this quick review. We cover all the basics of this set and do a deeper dive into its core features and big benefits while highlighting some of the minor drawbacks you’ll definitely want to be aware of before you pull the trigger on this purchase.

Let’s dig right in!

First Impressions of the LG OLED65C9PUA

Right out of the box it’s important to know that this specific TV comes in three different configurations – 55 inch, 65 inch, and 75 inch models.

This review specifically tackles the “middle” option – the LG OLED65C9PUA – but you’ll be happy to know that because these TVs take advantage of the same internals, the same processing hardware, and identical Smart TV features this review really covers all three models quite well.

It all comes down to screen size and we feel that the 65 inch gives you the most bang for your buck (but that something will dive into more in depth in just a moment).

The first thing you’re going to notice when you lay eyes on the LG OLED65C9PUA is just how gorgeous this LG display really is.

LG is universally regarded as the masters of OLED technology, the pioneers that help to usher in this technology but also the manufacturer that has really perfected everything OLED has to offer. The display here is jaw-dropping to say the least, with amazing extra color, razor-sharp resolutions, and some of the best white and black light elements you’ll find anywhere in the world of OLED TVs.

The LG OLED65C9PUA model also features next generation HDMI 2.1 connectivity options, the new universal standard for the next wave of HDMI enabled devices. This is a huge bonus if you’re going to be upgrading your media hardware or want to take full advantage of the “Internet of Things” solutions that make the most of HDMI 2.1.

The smart TV features built right into the LG OLED65C9PUA are pretty solid, exactly what you would expect from a premium and top-of-the-line set like this and definitely what you’d expect from the folks at LG. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are baked right into this TV which will really help you to maximize home automation technology you might be using but also guarantees you can pair this TV with your smart phone and mobile devices with no difficulty, either.

The last thing we really want to touch on here before we dive deeper into the specifics of this television is the audio quality.

Whenever you’re talking about a flatscreen as sleek and as slender as this one most people immediately feel that audio quality is going to be lackluster and pretty tinny. There’s just not enough room for powerful speakers to be installed in a set like this.

Well, that’s not true any longer.

The LG OLED65C9PUA has some of the best built-in sound quality you’re going to find anywhere in the world of flatscreen TVs today. Not only can you achieve pretty loud sound levels without distortion but you’re also going to get solid high, mid, and low frequencies with quite a bit of bass packed in as well.

No, it’s not quite as nice as surroundsound or as a high-end sound bar. But those that sweat a little bit when it comes to the price tag of this OLED TV might be able to pull the trigger on this purchase knowing that they can upgrade their sound hardware little bit later down the line when their budget allows.

LG OLED65C9PUA Design and Build Quality

Year after year LG gets a lot of accolades and a lot of attention for the hardware design that they feature in their televisions, particularly at the high-end of their lineup with the OLED models like this one.

This particular option – the LG OLED65C9PUA – is no exception.

LG has found a way to really take advantage of the unique engineering properties OLED systems have to offer to provide for a super thin and almost totally bezel free display, a minimalist design that really strips this TV down to the bare essentials.

Barely framed with just a bit of brushed aluminum across the perimeter of this TV, whether it is set on top of a cabinet or mounted on the wall is going to look clean, sleek, and super futuristic – all while making the most of top-tier construction materials throughout.

Measuring 57” x 32.7” x 1.8” it’s almost unbelievable that this TV really does come in at less than 2 inches thick at its thickest part. The top half of the television comes in at just 0.1 inches thick to provide for and even more sleek and minimalist profile look which only adds to the attractiveness of this TV across the board.

Picture

To put it bluntly, you simply will not find a better looking television picture ANYWHERE else when you choose to take advantage of all the LG OLED65C9PUA has to offer.

The color quality here is unparalleled, the 4K resolution (native resolution) is stunning, and the way that the OLED technology pioneered by LG here handles action and motion – particularly when watching sports – makes you feel like you are watching real life in high definition.

To be fair, the panel in the C9 isn’t all that much improved compared to the previous year panel, but that’s because LG has already really maximized OLED television technology. The lighting here is a little bit brighter with darker and more authentic black colors and the HDR experience is going to make your jaw drop the first time you see it in action.

There’s no haloing whatsoever, you lose absolutely no detail in dark shadows, and you’ll never feel like bright pops of color are washed out when you have this set fired up.

Sound

As we made mention of a little bit earlier, the sound quality that you are going to get out of the LG OLED65C9PUA is almost too good to be true. It isn’t anything like what you find shoehorned into most traditional flatscreen televisions, that’s for sure.

A pair of 40 W speakers handle the bulk of the heavy lifting, specifically engineered with downward firing positions in the very bottom of the TV chassis to guarantee that your entire television watching spaces filled with accurate sound from top to bottom.

A 20 W subwoofer is also included to punch up the bass this sound set up, and while it again isn’t quite on par with high-end dedicated sound systems or even sound bars it’s light years ahead of what you’ll get out most flatscreen TVs.

If you’re serious about audio fidelity the odds are pretty good that you’ll either already have a surround sound system you’ll be plugging into the LG OLED65C9PUA or will be looking to upgrade later down the line with a nice new sound bar.

But with this OLED TV you won’t feel like you need to upgrade your sound ASAP, that’s for sure.

Ports

There are a bunch of connectivity options that you’ll be able to take advantage of with the LG OLED65C9PUA, the part of this TV that has been radically overhauled and upgraded compared to the previous version.

The LG C9 now supports three dedicated USB ports, has a built-in RF connection and tuner module, and can support composite input for older hardware as well as optical output for legacy audio systems.

On top of all that, however, you get four individual HDMI ports that you can take advantage of – with each and every one of them supporting HDMI 2.1 right out of the box. This standard supports 4K at 120 Hz with absolutely zero difficulty whatsoever, something that you will ONLY find with LG OLED TVs.

LG also made sure that these HDMI 2.1 ports handle Quick Media Switching natively as well. This means that your TV will automatically adjust its resolution and its frame right to match the content that you are pushing across the screen, guaranteeing that your TV is playing back media at the best possible resolutions every single time you fire it up (even when you’re working with different media sources).

Smart Features

This LG C9 OLED television take advantage of the latest Alpha 9 Generation 2 processor, the brains of the smart technology inside of this TV, and one of the most advanced processors you’ll find in any television on the market today.

The LG webOS interface has been paired seamlessly with the new ThinQ AI technology this hardware giant has been working on, both of which feature new improvements only available on this latest series of LG OLED TVs that represent major leaps forward compared to last year.

Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are both television as well, helping to provide immediate access and interfacing with your home automation devices as well as your smart phone or tablet.

Wi-Fi is rocksolid and you’ll have an opportunity to go with a dedicated ethernet connection if you’re interested in even faster and more secure connections, too.

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, the only real knock against this particular television is its price tag.

The C9 65 inch model from LG is going to set you back north of $2200 as of early 2020, which is quite a bit less than what you would have paid for OLED television technology even just two or three years ago – but it isn’t exactly a budget focused TV set, either.

All things considered, however, this is maybe the best premium television you’ll find on the market today – especially at the 55 inch, 65 inch, and 77 inch configurations.

The 65 inch set up that we have been reviewing throughout this quick guide really hits that sweet spot between price and performance, giving you a gorgeous picture with plenty of screen real estate to guarantee it is the focal point of any space.

If you’re in the market for a new TV and want only the very best of the best when it comes to hardware, picture quality, and reliability (and don’t mind spending a premium price tag for an amazing TV) the LG OLED65C9PUA is going to be right up your alley.

If you’ve made any attempt to shop for a 4K TV at the higher end of the market before, then you must have heard the initials QLED and OLED before.

Yes, they share a good number of letters, but that doesn’t make them the same. They are, in fact, very different, with each possessing its strengths and weaknesses. Both technologies are, however, famous for driving some of the best TVs in the market.

As expected, a lot of buyers are often torn between choosing between the two. In this article, we will try to cover as many differences between the two as possible, so that you can make an informed choice when you set out to select the best TV for your needs. Before going on, however, let’s look at some definitions.

What is QLED?

QLED are initials that stand for Quantum Light Emitting Diode. In simpler terms, QLED TVs are just like any other regular LED TV, with the only difference being its ability to use quantum dots that are embedded in its LCD panel. These quantum dots are tiny nanoparticles that are designed to improve the brightness and color of your TV view dramatically. 

What is OLED?

OLED are initials for Organic Light-Emitting Diode. Perhaps, it will surprise you to know that the LED part of its name does not have anything to do with any LED backlight, as is the case with QLED and other LED TVs. Instead, it is used to refer to the fact that each of the pixels in this technology is also a teeny, tiny LED light. Despite its thinness, however, it is still able to produce color and light at once. 

Having understood what each term stands for, let’s now dive into the differences that exist between both of them.

QLED vs. OLED

• Black Levels and Contrast

This is perhaps the first thing most people look at when they are choosing a TV. Contrast is the difference that exists between the bright side of an image and its dark side. As long as a TV is able to deliver a dark black portion, it often does not need to make its bright part to be in the same level of brightness in order to achieve a good contrast level. 

The ability of OLED to go completely black when there’s a need for it to make it the undisputed champion when it comes to black levels.

QLED TVs, on the other hand, are forced to dim their LED backlights to get the perfect contrast. This is something that can sometimes prove challenging and can lead to light bleeding.

For now, OLED stays on top when comparing the two under this factor. 

• Brightness

When looking at this factor, you can see that QLED TVs have a considerable advantage over their counterparts. This is basically because of their use of separate backlights. This composition can make their LED backlights incredibly, achingly bright. Add the ability of a quantum fit to maximize the use of the light by producing brighter hues in the color spectrum, and you are presented with a display that can be seen, irrespective of the brightness level of the room.

OLED panels, on the other hand, can’t compete with this brightness level. This is because of the inability of their individual Light-Emitting pixels to produce this amount of light. While this might not be an issue in a dark room, it gradually begins to become an issue as more light is introduced into the room.

Winner: QLED.

• Color Space

A few years ago, OLED was the king in this section, blowing all its competition out of the water. Today, however, QLED has inched forward in terms of color accuracy because of its use of quantum dots. 

Of course, there’s no denying the ability of QLED to deliver outstanding color quality, but we are still waiting to witness better-saturated colors being produced at regular viewing times. Hence, we will declare it a draw between the two, for now, considering that color is subjective.

• Response Time

Response rate stands for the time it takes for a pixel to switch between states. Faster response time guarantees a crispier image, especially when a fast-action event is showing. Although there may be a speed of response time that a normal human eye is incapable of differentiating, we still understand from standardized measurements that QLED TVs are relatively slower.

While the typed response time for QLED varies between 2 and 8 milliseconds, OLED has a response time of about 0.1 milliseconds. 

• Input Lag

This refers to the delay between the time an action is taken and when the result is noticed on the screen. This is a big concern for gamers because it determines when their command on the controller reflects. The amount of input Lag often has a lot to do with how much image processing is happening behind the scene of your TV. Both the OLED and QLED TVs are capable of achieving low levels of input lags if you decide to use the TV game mode or turn off extra video processing.

Strengths and Weaknesses of OLED TV & QLED TV:

OLED TV Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

The OLED’s engineering is quite different than most other LED TVs in that, instead of an LED backlight that sources the color and image to your eyes, each particle in the screen is its own tiny LED light. In theory, this enhances the image and ensures you’re getting the best experience. 

• The OLED’s screen is more flexible so it can roll up and down more easily.
• The most noticeable strength is the OLED’s ability to completely turn of its lights that intend to emit dark or black colors. Other LED backed screens cannot turn off single lights and instead have to cover them up to fill in dark areas. 
• The response time is about 0.1 milliseconds.
  
  

Weaknesses:

• Cannot reach the same intensity of brightness as QLED televisions can. However, in dimly lit rooms, the quality of the color’s contrast with dark colors is still better with OLED. 

QLED TV Strengths and Weaknesses

Introduced by Sony in 2013 and later developed and made popular by Samsung, Quantum Light-Emitting Diode (QLED) uses nanoparticles called quantum dots to enhance the color and brightness of the image. 

Strengths:

With the standard LED backlight,  you’ll find in other LED TVs, the quantum dots in the QLED intermingle and provide just the right amount of light and color to reach your eyes. 

• The quantum dots ensure the brightness of the screen can be seen even in the lightest of rooms. 

Weaknesses:

• The QLED cannot completely shut off the light in black areas and therefore must cover the backlight up in certain areas, which can lead to light bleeding. 
• Response time is between 2 – 8 milliseconds (still very fast). 

Several other factors differentiate these two technologies, but these are, perhaps, the most popular among them. Although both the OLED TV and QLED TV are exceptional televisions, only you can decide which one is best for your home. Interested in finding out which one is perfect for you? Reach out to talk to a member of our team today. 

Extended TV warranties are sold by third-party vendors and provide additional coverage for your expensive electronic purchases. As a consumer, typically, you have the option to purchase an extended warranty plan in conjunction with your TV purchase. If you’ve already bought your new television set and are in need of a warranty post-purchase, you can look at your options for coverage here.

A new TV can carry a high sticker price on its own, so you may be asking why you should add an extended warranty for your TV. Before you forgo important warranty coverage options for your home entertainment system and television, check out our top four reasons you should purchase an extended warranty that covers for damages beyond the initial manufacturer’s warranty.

Coverage Beyond the Manufacturer’s Warranty

Extended warranties are separate from the manufacturer’s warranty that comes automatically with a new TV set purchase, and typically provide a longer protection window as well as more coverage benefits and features. Read the details of your manufacturer’s warranty on your television, such as how long the plan lasts (typically 90 days) when deciding to purchase an extended warranty plan. Extended warranties can be purchased between 30, 60, or 90 days after your television purchase, and their coverage starts on the date of warranty purchase.

Full Replacement Coverage for TVs

The all-inclusive TV warranties can cover all glitches and imperfections, much the same as the manufacturer. You can purchase a protection plan to cover customer-related mishaps. This incorporates inadvertent screen damage, water damage, and harm caused by power surges. They can likewise take care of the expense of delivery and replacement of your damaged TV with a replacement model.

Greentoe Pro Tip: Always read the details of extended warranty plans for coverage limitations, deductible amounts, and out of pocket expenses when shopping for a new extended warranty plan.

In-Home Repair Service Convenience

Depending on the cost of the TV set, your warranty may provide in-home repairs instead of shipping your television off for repairs. Shipping a television set can be a burdensome process, and shipping delays can make getting your TV set back an unnecessary hassle. With the right protection plan for your TV, you gain access to professional repair services, and preventative maintenance is taken care of on-site instead of driving to a repair center or shipping your television to a repair company.

Transferrable Coverage

Do you plan on upgrading your TV when new technology hits the market? The good news is when you buy an extended warranty plan, you can include the plan in the sale of your television and transfer the plan to the new owners in most cases. Look at the details of your extended warranty contract, there is sometimes a small processing fee of $25 for warranty transfer to the new owners, but this can be a driving factor that makes purchasing your used TV set a better deal than one without the option of an extended warranty.

Want an extended warranty with the best coverage and the ability to name your own price? Check out Greentoe’s partners and compare plans here.

Canon last week announced that it has ceased research and development for EF-mount lenses for its EOS DSLR line, after a 30-year run and more than 130 million lenses sold. The camera maker plans to focus its new product R&D on its new mirrorless EOS RF-mount cameras and lenses.

This move indicates that Canon is taking a major, if inevitable, step away from DSLRs in favor of Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Cameras. As a trend for photo industry watchers, it’s dramatic news. Mirrorless cameras from Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Fujifilm have been grabbing market share, while Nikon and Canon were dragging their feet. They’ve both caught up now.

In practical terms, however, this news won’t have any effect on current and near-future Canon DSLR users and buyers. Here are three reasons why you can keep calm, and keep shooting with Canon DSLRs—if you choose:

 • 76 lenses are currently available: Canon currently has 16 APS-C sensor compatible and 60 full-frame sensor lenses for its line of DSLRs. It’s a mature lineup, and there are plenty of lenses in the pipeline.

 • 18 Canon DSLRs: Over 18 DSLRs are currently available from Canon.  Models include the beginner-oriented Canon EOS T5i, the enthusiast Canon EOS 77D, and the popular pro-level Canon EOS-5D Mark IV. Some have even said that Canon has too many DSLRs, causing consumer confusion.

• Indie Lenses Abound: There are dozens of lenses made by independent lens manufacturers, such as Sigma, Zeiss, Rokinon, Tokina, and Tamron. Even if they were all to follow Canon’s lead (to be clear: none of the manufacturers we talked to have announced that they’re giving up on EF mount lenses), there are so many new lenses available now, that Canon DSLR users needn’t worry about their optical sources drying up.


A bit of Canon lens mount history

This isn’t the first time Canon has “abandoned” a popular mount. In 1987, Canon introduced the EOS system; the EF mount, with its autofocus feature, replaced the manual-focus FD system. This system which included the Canon AE-1 camera, the best-selling 35mm SLR ever made. But autofocus technology and electronic contacts that passed focus and exposure information from lens to camera made the FD system obsolete, and by the early 90s, Canon users had switched to the EOS system and EF mount lenses.

Over the next 30 years, you could say the EF mount was an unqualified success, with over 130 lenses sold to date, according to Canon. It’s been a good run—and it clearly isn’t over.

Back to the Present…and Future

What is Canon’s game plan? We can take some educated guesses. There are currently two mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras available from Canon: The M and R lines.

The Canon EOS M: Built around an APS-format sensor, the M-line uses EF-M-mount lenses, which still utilize a variation of EF-mount technology. Currently available cameras include the basic Canon EOS M6; the ultra-sleek EOS-M100, and the popular EOS M50 and EOS M5, which have a more traditional, DSLR-like form factor and sport electronic viewfinders.

The Canon EOS R: Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera, with its 30mp sensory is positioned to compete against the Sony Alpha a7 III. It’s an advanced  amateur to pro-level camera, and the first model in what Canon is indicating will be the camera line of its future. The Canon EOS RP is a lower-resolution (26mp) camera priced to attract advanced hobbyists.

Bottom line? Expect more R lenses from Canon that will have enhanced picture-taking capabilities in the coming years.

Buying Advice: Should I Switch to Mirrorless?

Canon DSLR users may be wondering whether it’s time to switch to a mirrorless model. Given the fact that Canon just introduced a new flagship DSLR (buying tip: it’s predecessor, the Canon 1D X Mark II, is sure to be available for less to make room for its successor), Canon’s overall commitment to DSLRs seems to remain solid. So, if you prefer a DSLR, there’s no need to worry.

If, however, you see the benefits of Mirrorless and the current Canon’s EOS R fits your needs, Canon has deliberately made it as easy as possible for you to transition. Three different EF to R lens adaptors are available so you can use your current lenses and needn’t trade them in for native R lenses:

Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS-R: This basic adaptor lets you use any EF or EF-S lens with an EOS R camera.

Canon Control Ring Mount Adaptor EF-EOS R: This adaptor has a programmable control ring around the base that lets you control aperture, focus, or other functions.

Canon Drop-in Filter Mount Adaptor: This adaptor lets you place in a filter between lens and camera, rather than in front of the lens. It’s great if you’re using ND filters…but you should still have an ND filter in front to protect the front glass element.