LG Oled C9/E9 55" As a Monitor

[reptileexperts]

Ever since VRR Gsync capabilities were updated for the LG 9 series oled panels (C9/E9 with B9 coming), its made them an attractive desktop monitor or couch gamer for a lot of reasons. Linus covered this in a video and went glory on the results, but of course neglected to really dive into some of the negatives and ways to counter. 

This week I received my LG Oled E9 55" to incorporate into my glass build (glass desk, glass case, now glass framed monitor)

 

The initial issues with using it as a desk based monitor / display is 55" is a lot of screen. There are a few ways around this, it just takes some a workaround or two to make it right. 

 

In nvidia inspector, set up a custom resolution of 2560 x 1080 to give you ultrawide 120hz gaming over HDMI 2.0 without issue. The oled black bars will not even be noticeable thanks to their pure blacks. 

 

Second, you can simply back up and utilize a laptop setup. This works great if you have the ability, but feels lacking and more like coach gaming.

 

Next concern for most folks will be OLED burn in - This topic was not hammered and to be fair, it shouldnt need to be. However, the discussion needs to occur. 

 

Steps I took to prevent burn in: 

 

Solid Black Background 

View -> hide desktop items

Install Autohide Mouse

Autohide taskbar

Transparent windows

Windows Dark Mode 

Change the Input on the C9/E9 to be labeled as PC in order to alternate between Game mode and IPS automatically, including HDR. This allows the oled to dim down during normal use, and only crank up to HDR levels during desired gaming. 

 

As the new CX models are being released, the C9/E9 models will stay at their lower pricing until end of product life. For those who are considering a high end gaming monitor / tv. Give it a consideration, or wait for the 48" Cx model that will run 1500-1800 usd on release. 

 

(PS. In the first picture, the monitor is on with my desktop settings mentioned)

 

[Dedayog]

Going to have to say that's way too big and way too close.

 

Looks good, but unreasonable IMO.

[reptileexperts]

5 minutes ago, jstudrawa said:

Going to have to say that's way too big and way too close.

 

Looks good, but unreasonable IMO.

Hence the Razer Turret that I use away from the desk. 

[Letgomyleghoe]

To bad it costs more than home theater pc

min getting a new tcl 4K tv that can do 4K 60hz or 1080p 120Hz, it will probably stay at 1080p for gaming since the pic it will be Hooked up to has an rx 580

[Dedayog]

12 minutes ago, reptileexperts said:

Hence the Razer Turret that I use away from the desk. 

I saw that, but what about the keyboard and mouse on the desk?  

 

It's gorgeous, but I don't see it as being a viable move.  

 

Probably a build log post or add to My Battlestation thread as well.

[reptileexperts]

5 minutes ago, jstudrawa said:

I saw that, but what about the keyboard and mouse on the desk?  

 

It's gorgeous, but I don't see it as being a viable move.  

 

Probably a build log post or add to My Battlestation thread as well.

using it in ultra wide framing as mentioned above as well allows for comfortable desk use. Its a highly adaptable solution. Not for everyone, which is why I wanted to give some pointers for folks looking at doing this with the new CX coming out to the market. 

[Tristerin]

Sadly my kids just busted my 55" 4k 60hz panel.  However it was way to big to be considered a gaming monitor.  Was great for couch gaming with friends on stuff like emulators for NES, etc but I hugely prefer my smaller monitors.  

 

Last night the TCL 4k 43" replacement TV arrived, Ill unbox it tomorrow and try it as a monitor (cause I was going to anyways) but I have a feeling it will be the same - to big.

[Chett_Manly]

Quote

48" Cx model that will run 1500-1800 usd on release. 

Really?

 

The 55 inch C9 has been rock stable at $1500 for like 6 months now. Seems strange they would jack the prices up so much you have the 48 costing the same as the previous 55. Especially since the feature set of the CX series isn't looking that much better.

[reptileexperts]

1 hour ago, Chett_Manly said:

Really?

 

The 55 inch C9 has been rock stable at $1500 for like 6 months now. Seems strange they would jack the prices up so much you have the 48 costing the same as the previous 55. Especially since the feature set of the CX series isn't looking that much better.

the c9 55 price on release was 2800 if I recall correctly. There is an entire reddit post on pricing history between the B and C on release with prediction on the Cx, it actually appears the CX will have a lower price release than previous models on release. Come Black Friday, I would suspect the 48" CX will fall around 1300-1500 depending on its release price. 

[SolarNova]

3 hours ago, reptileexperts said:

~SNIP~

 

Solid Black Background 

View -> hide desktop items

Install Autohide Mouse

Autohide taskbar

Transparent windows

Windows Dark Mode 

Change the Input on the C9/E9 to be labeled as PC in order to alternate between Game mode and IPS automatically, including HDR. This allows the oled to dim down during normal use, and only crank up to HDR levels during desired gaming. 

 

~SNIP~

 

 

 

The 48" CX OLED is what im waiting for myself. Finally going to retire my dying 42" Plasma. 55" is indeed to big IMO, tbh 48" is to big as well BUT its much better than 55". The CX 48" has the added benefit of 120hz BFI which can be used to remove/reduce persistence blur, this imo is going to be a game changer as the moving image resolution is going to be exceptionally good, better, i expect,  than even 240hz monitors thanks to the added image quality of OLED.

 

Ill add to ur list of preventative measure with those i learned from my use of my Plasma.

 

 

• An alternative to a black windows desktop is to use a set of 20 or more backgrounds that randomly change every few minutes.

 

• Screen saver ! . A Windows screensaver like 'Mystify' uses a black background with randoms effects. Set it to a short idle duration like 4 minutes.

 

• When using a browser, do NOT open it up in fullscreen all the time, otherwise the window bars/menu bars , close button etc will eventual burn in if u do a lot of browsing. It will still take over a thousand hours for it to even remotely start to degrade ur panel but u can avoid it all together by opening up browsers in a smaller window and randomly positioning it each time.

 

• Unlike Plasma.. OLEDs so called 'burn-in' isnt damage caused by heat from an extended use period, but rather pixel degradation from cumulative use, as such u dont have to worry about permanent burn in from a single long gaming seasons (u will see some temporary retention but that will either dissipate slowly as u use it for other content, or be gone by the time u turn the screen back on hours later), but u should keep an eye on ur total play time of any game u play a lot. Anything above 1000 hours is going to start to 'potentially' cause issues if it has bright static UI's.

 

EDIT: My only worry about the new CX 48" OLED is the price, LG has mentioned the CX 48" is going to release at MSRP of 1800 euro (~£1500). Which is a lot higher than i was hoping for considering its size, and considering u can get a C9 55" for less than that. I had hoped it would be around £800-£1200 mark, again based on size, but ofc always expect LG would pull a Nvidia and just move the size vs price tier up a notch instead.

[jones177]

13 hours ago, reptileexperts said:

snip

 

Looks perfect.

 

I use an LG B9.  LTT did a video on the B9 and it is G-sync compatible as well. That I why I bought it.

 

What amazes me is the image quality at 1440p. It is better than my 32" LG 1440p 144hz monitor. I use that resolution with Metro Exodus with RT on.

 

I am not worried about burn it at all. If I leave it for a few minutes it switches itself off and if i stop typing the screen dims slightly and brighten up when I resume.

 

My setup is not pretty but it is functional.

 

 

[reptileexperts]

On 3/11/2020 at 11:38 AM, Chett_Manly said:

Really?

 

The 55 inch C9 has been rock stable at $1500 for like 6 months now. Seems strange they would jack the prices up so much you have the 48 costing the same as the previous 55. Especially since the feature set of the CX series isn't looking that much better.

Cx 48” pricing announced yesterday for the US. 1499! 

[SolarNova]

4 hours ago, reptileexperts said:

Cx 48” pricing announced yesterday for the US. 1499! 

I saw that.

 

That should mean the UK price is also £1500.

 

The GBP to Euro conversion works with the Euro price announced at 1800.

 

Since the US to UK exchange rates very rarely apply, and usually just match the figure, it makes sense the UK price would be £1500.

 

A tad pricey tbh, but give it a few months that 'should' drop to under £1000.

 

I really want to buy it soon, but im a scrooge with my money so ill probably wait till the price drops. I cant justify paying as much or more for a 48" OLED over a 55", despite preferring and wanting the 48" over the 55".