Changes in the world of gaming TVs all gamers need to know about

With social distancing keeping us within the confines of our homes, video games have quickly become the go-to distraction for many looking to alleviate their lockdown boredom. It therefore comes as no surprise that while the pandemic had a devastating impact on many industries, the world of gaming has been booming. Along with this unprecedented industry growth, another trend is emerging: more gamers are shifting from using monitors to gaming TVs.

With the gaming market estimated to be worth about four times box office revenues at $159 billion in 2020, it’s clear that video gaming has become a legitimate competitor to movies. And the TV industry has taken note of this by bringing more features that gamers want to their new displays.

In the past, monitors were a first choice for gamers as they used to have lower input lag, higher refresh rates, and faster response times than ordinary TVs. Considering the fast-paced, split-second decision making that many games require, a lagging display can really ruin the experience. But with continued innovations in display technology, TVs have given gamers more reasons to make the switch.

 

The future of gaming displays

The launch of LG’s 2021 OLED TV range is, quite literally, a game-changer. Few monitors can compete with OLED’s lightning-fast 1ms response time and low input lag. Individual self-lit pixels also make gameplay a lot more detailed and immersive, which proves particularly useful in first-person shooters where vision means everything. But this just scratches the surface when it comes to the long list of gaming features OLED brings to the table.

LG’s OLEDs were the first and only TV’s to be compatible with Nvidia G-SYNC technology, and whereas backlit LEDs flicker and require higher refresh rates to adjust images accurately, OLED takes full advantage of video sync technology with individual pixel control. With the added support of AMD FreeSync and Auto Low-Latency Modes, screen tearing and stuttering are reduced significantly.

With consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X now on the market, you’ll want a TV that comes with the latest HDMI 2.1 technology to ensure a true next-gen gaming experience at a 120Hz refresh rate with OLEDs also having High Dynamic Range (HDR) support - a must-have in modern displays. HDR offers a wider range of contrast in brightness and colour detail, made even more effective with self-emissive OLED technology that can turn pixels on and off at an individual level.

LG’s Game Optimiser mode is another great new gaming feature coming with LG’s 2021 line-up. It uses AI to automatically apply the ideal picture and sound settings based on the genre of the game you’re playing, whether it’s a first-person shooter, role-playing game, or real-time strategy. 

In 2020, LG’s 48” CX quickly became a favourite among gamers as it was the first sub-50-inch OLED TV, as well as the first TV, to provide 4K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate. Now, in 2021, LG has once again upped its game with a sequel to this success – the LG 48” C1 OLED. Its new a9 Gen 4 AI processor intelligently optimises picture quality and creates more immersive audio with virtual 5.1.2 surround sound. Launching by the end of April in South Africa, the 48” C1 is sure to set the golden standard for gaming displays.

 

Softer on the eyes

A recent study shows that gamers spend, on average, more than six hours a week gaming, and for 17% of respondents, this number was more than 12 hours a week. All this time staring at a light source, together with excessive exposure to the blue light produced by digital displays, can lead to both headaches and sleep deprivation. 

At CES 2021, LG announced the first Eyesafe-certified television. Eyesafe has become a new standard for low blue-light solutions in consumer electronics. This technology greatly adds to eye comfort and provides a much more natural colour experience compared to other software-only solutions that affect colour quality. Now with Eyesafe, gamers will be able to really sink into those late-night sessions without strain.

 

More reasons to get a gaming TV

With the gaming industry on the rise and taking precedence over TV subscriptions among millennials, it appears less likely that young adults will be looking for ordinary gaming monitors. Leaders in TV are clearly shifting their focus to offering more than just incredible displays, but also improving gaming capabilities. And with all these revolutionary technologies made for creating the ultimate gaming experience, who wouldn’t want a gaming TV?