On right this moment’s episode of You Requested: Will we get USB-C on TVs and will it substitute HDMI? What’s the most recent on QDEL? Can AVRs injury your image high quality? And are 55- and 65-inch TV sizes being phased out?
May USB-C substitute HDMI?
Leon writes: Given technological developments, why don’t producers attempt to equip TVs with USB-C? Possibly it could actually later substitute HDMI, which is able to sending each audio and video indicators. Are there any limitations apart from the truth that media electronics nonetheless run on HDMI? It could be handy to attach your cell phone or laptop with USB-C like on displays. Do you suppose we’ll see it within the close to future?
Not too long ago, Zeke and I have been speaking about how we might like to see USB-A banned on new electronics. Can we please simply retire USB-A?
Proper now, the USB ports on TVs can be utilized for powering small units, like streaming sticks or powered antennas, or for fundamental media playback. Some TVs will mean you can replace the firmware through a USB port. I’d like to see it modified to USB-C.
Nonetheless, I don’t see USB-C changing HDMI any time quickly, if ever. It could be a big shift. A/V gear makers have so much invested in HDMI. The Shopper Electronics Management (CEC) protocol is designed to run on HDMI. HDMI delivers knowledge on particular lanes, and all of the enter/output boards mated to the System on Chip (SOC) that runs the TV are designed to make use of HDMI.
Additionally, if I’m not mistaken, USB-C at USB4 maxes out at 40 Gbps, whereas HDMI 2.1a and a couple of.1b max out at 48 Gbps, permitting for greater bit depth and better refresh charges at each 4K and 8K.
So: Ditch USB-A for USB-C? Sure. Ditch HDMI for USB-C? In all probability by no means.
Which LG is greatest?
Sophia writes: I’m trying to improve my tv this yr and making an attempt to resolve between the LG G4 and LG Z3. Why haven’t you reviewed the LG Z3? Is it value shopping for the Z3 over the G4?
Purchase the LG G4. There’s nothing to be gained with the Z3. It should upscale every little thing you watch to its a lot greater decision — that’s extra of a legal responsibility than a profit.
Additionally, I have a tendency to not evaluate 8K TVs typically; there aren’t a lot of them, and so they don’t usually get supplied up for evaluate.
What’s my subsequent massive Sony TV?
Marc-Berco writes: For the final 10 years my TV has been the Sony KDL-40W905A (2013 mannequin), one of many very first TVs utilizing quantum dots. I nonetheless completely love the image high quality (and even the audio high quality is surprisingly good). The TV additionally hasn’t registered any fault but, however, after all, that could be deceptive. I’ve had the “improve itch” for a while, and now I’m additionally ready to get a much bigger TV (contemplating a 75-inch). How a lot has the image high quality advanced since 2013? Will any or most present fashions (no matter model) surpass my W905A? For the final a number of years I’ve been offered on OLED as my new TV, however I’ve been strongly contemplating the Bravia 9.
TVs have improved dramatically previously 12 years. You’ll be shocked by what you get now. The Bravia 9 is stellar — I extremely suggest that TV. Even the Bravia 7 will possible look higher than your W905A in lots of respects. Persist with Sony in the event you can. You’ve grow to be accustomed to the look and adjusting to a different model’s look may be robust.
The way forward for QDEL
Peter writes: May you cowl QDEL and the probability of it changing OLED and MicroLED? How quickly might that occur? Ought to we await it?
QDEL is an attention-grabbing up-and-coming expertise, and I’m wanting ahead to seeing it advance within the coming years. Nonetheless, I feel we’re a substantial distance from a aggressive QDEL TV. When one does come out, it is going to possible be heralded because the “newest and biggest” and priced equally to present OLED TVs — regardless of being inexpensive to make. In different phrases, you’ll pay a premium.
I don’t suppose that QDEL is prone to take down any LCD-based TV expertise. It’s extra prone to supplant OLED, however in all probability not anytime quickly. If I used to be trying to get a brand new TV within the subsequent couple of years, I wouldn’t await it. On that word, I usually suggest not ready for “the following massive factor” as a result of there’s at all times one other “subsequent massive factor” and you may find yourself ready without end.
Cease that phantom clicking
David Okay writes: There’s a mysterious clicking sound coming from my Sony OLED tv. All through the day, I sometimes hear a click on that resembles the sound made when the system is turned on or off, though the TV is totally powered off on the time. Do you’ve any concept what may be inflicting this “phantom click on”?
I believe the press sound has one thing to do with the ability provide or the TV working an OLED pixel refresh cycle. If it’s the latter, it’s taking place a lot too usually. Dig into the menu, discover the OLED care part, and switch it off. If that doesn’t cease the press, the ability provide could also be doing one thing it shouldn’t. Have you ever tried unplugging it from energy? Additionally attempt unplugging any linked HDMI cables.
I’m simply undecided — I haven’t heard a lot about this. If anybody else has skilled phantom clicking with their Sony OLED, let me know and we’ll see if we are able to kind this out. (I do know it will drive me loopy.)
Can AVRs mess up image high quality?
Jerry Clark writes: I found that YouTube movies have been a lot brighter utilizing the TV app, so I made a decision to run my HDMI inputs on to the TV and never via my AVR. After doing that, each enter was brighter, which I didn’t count on. I used to be utilizing glorious high quality HDMI cables in each circumstances in order that shouldn’t be an element. In actual fact, I plugged the Apple TV field into the TV with the identical cable that was used to hook up with the AVR. Is that this regular? What might trigger this apart from a nasty AVR? Have you ever ever skilled this?
It could assist to know what AVR you’re utilizing however I’m going to take a stab at this:
Is it regular? No, I wouldn’t name it regular. Is it frequent? I wouldn’t go that far both, though many AVRs do supply video processing, which I sometimes advise towards utilizing.
What might be the trigger? It’s not essentially a nasty AVR, however if in case you have video processing enabled, it might be doing undesirable issues — it may be incapable of passing alongside HDR, which might clarify so much, too. Have you ever checked: Does the HDMI enter that used to indicate the AVR video feed have the identical image settings as the remainder of your HDMI inputs? Tune into that HDMI enter and test the image settings, then transfer to one of many different HDMI inputs, and see if all of the settings are the identical, from the image preset to brightness, and many others. Do the identical whereas enjoying a video within the YouTube app. I believe that there are some variances until you already took the time to regulate all of them.
And have I ever skilled this? Sure, a few occasions as I moved towards HDR TVs, however earlier than A/V receivers had caught up (about two years there).
Are customary TV sizes being phased out?
John writes: Do you suppose corporations like Samsung and LG will discontinue customary TV sizes like 55-inch and 65-inch? If that’s the case, TV lovers might battle to purchase TVs as a result of they’re changing into too massive for many individuals, particularly these dwelling in tiny homes or flats.
No, these sizes aren’t being phased out, and certain received’t be for a very long time, if ever. I additionally don’t suppose that the 55- and 65-inch sizes will get left to the low-end market. Sure, 80-inch-plus fashions are surging in reputation — I feel the 85-inch dimension is the quickest rising TV dimension — however the 65-inch remains to be the preferred as a result of it’s massive sufficient and manageable for most people.
Appreciation for Caleb
Aaron writes: Hello Caleb, I’ve written a number of occasions previously with questions. I’ve no query this time. I simply needed to write down and remind you that you’re superb and have been doing a killer job. Thanks a lot for every little thing you do.
Thanks. I admire you being right here as a lot as you admire what I’m doing right here. It’s my honor, actually.
