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Budget home cinema: This LG OLED TV could be the start of a capable entertainment system

Good news budget home cinema fans, this OLED TV could be what you need to start an affordable, effective entry-level home theatre setup.

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Budget home cinema: This LG OLED TV could be the start of a capable entertainment system

You can achieve an affordable OLED TV-centric home cinema setup with careful component selection. Photo: LG

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When the first OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TVs were launched, they broke the image quality bar – and bank accounts – of everyone but the most well-heeled early adopters. As increased production yields have led to a drop in prices, OLED TVs have started to become more attainable for typical home cinema enthusiasts who have to plan around life, monetary and space considerations.

That’s where OLED TVs like this 48-inch LG OLED48A3PSA TV, which is currently discounted on Amazon SG, come into their own. If you live in a small apartment, are looking for a TV for your bedroom or want an OLED TV that won’t break the bank, this set could strike a balance between image quality, size and affordability.

While it doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles of LG’s B and C-series OLED TVs, it could form the start of an effective budget home cinema setup.

LG OLED48A3PSA, 48 inch OLED 4K SMART TV (S$1,174; Usual Price: S$2,249)

Photo: Amazon.sg

This 2023 model is part of LG’s A-series range of OLED TVs. Its α7 AI Processor 4K Gen6 helps upscale content and enhance contrast and detail while supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range standards. Its ThinQ AI learns how users interact with the TV and their viewing habits. It has three HDMI ports, supports Dolby Atmos and an eARC (enhanced audio return channel). The TV’s speakers can work together with compatible LG soundbars to create a more immersive soundstage.

  • Three HDMI ports (one eARC)
  • 60Hz refresh rate
  • Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG HDR formats

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WHY BUY THIS OLED TV?

Unlike LED and QLED TVs, OLED panels don’t need an additional backlight panel as each pixel provides its own light source. This offers several advantages.

OLED panels are noticeably thinner than LED panels because they don’t have a backlit layer. As each pixel can be controlled individually, OLED panels can produce accurate and consistent colours across the entire screen.

Since each pixel can also be turned off, it also produces deep, inky blacks. This offers improved contrast over backlit LED panels, which struggle to produce true black – which usually appears as a dark grey on LED-based panels.

On the audio front, it supports an eARC (enhanced audio return channel). This allows the original full-resolution audio signal to be transmitted through an HDMI cable. If your soundbar and TV both support surround-sound standards like Dolby Atmos (which includes vertical surround channels) or DTS-HD, you’ll be able to enjoy more immersive audio without buying a separate amplifier.

This can form the starting point of a budget home cinema system – add a soundbar and surround speakers as your budget permits, for a more immersive experience.

One point of note: OLED TVs are generally not as bright as TVs with LED-based panels. If your viewing area receives a lot of natural light you may want to opt for blackout curtains to control the ambient light and reflections.

Also of note for dedicated console gamers: The TV’s 60Hz refresh rate – how many times per second a display draws a new image – means that on-screen action may appear less smooth than on more expensive panels offering a 120Hz refresh rate.

GET IT IF:

  • You want to experience OLED image quality without breaking the bank
  • You want a smaller screen for use in a small living area or bedroom
  • You can control the amount of ambient light in your viewing area

This OLED TV offers a potential sweet spot between image quality, size and affordability. Perhaps best of all, it can form the basis of a budget home cinema setup centred around an OLED TV.

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.

Prices are accurate as of the time of publication. Discount codes for some products are available for eligible Prime members.

Not a Prime member yet? Join Prime or start a 30-day free trial at Amazon.sg/prime. Prime members enjoy free one-day domestic delivery and free international delivery on eligible items.

Source: CNA

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