Total immersion: TOP 5 curved screen TVs

Curved TVs are becoming more affordable. A striking example of this is the Samsung UE-49KU6500 — a relatively inexpensive representative of 2016 with a resolution of 4K Ultra HD and a diagonal of 49".

The TV supports a resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels. This is a guarantee of impeccable image detail when playing the corresponding content. But even in its absence, the Picture Engine processor allows you to improve the quality of the picture and bring it closer to 4K format. Upscaling in the Samsung UE-49KU6500 works best with FullHD content as a source.

The 49-inch panel received an 8-bit matrix and edge LED backlighting. Thanks to this, the TV displays 16.7 million colours, guaranteeing excellent picture brightness. For high contrast in the Samsung UE-49KU6500, the technology of local dimming of fragments UHD Dimming is responsible, and for additional colour depth — Auto Depth Enhancer.

Claimed by the manufacturer and HDR support. But in fact, an extended colour gamut with detail in both the lightest and darkest shades when playing the corresponding content remains in question.

Curved-screen Samsung UE-49KU6500 complements the silver metal edging: the panel looks impressive and aesthetically pleasing. The speed of the TV is provided by the 4-core processor mentioned above, running the proprietary Tizen OS shell. As befits a Smart TV, there is a full-featured browser, the ability to install various applications, access to numerous multimedia services, and support for various file formats.

The disadvantages of the Samsung UE-49KU6500 include modest viewing angles and a low screen refresh rate of 60 Hz. This will adversely affect the smoothness of 4K content and may cause motion blur or judder. And the Picture quality index technology, designed to increase the frame rate in dynamic scenes, only partially offsets this minus. The disadvantage of the model can be considered the lack of the most "running" connectors — HDMI (3 pcs) and USB (2). But it can be leveled with a wireless connection.

In general, the TV can be recommended to anyone who wants to buy a curved panel from a well-known brand, but is limited in finances.

A 50-inch curved screen TV from a Japanese manufacturer debuted on the market in 2016. The Ultra HD-enabled panel is mid-range, equipped with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, and runs on the increasingly popular Android TV platform.

In addition to Ultra HD 4K resolution, the Sony KD-50SD8005 supports HDR technology. Feel all the benefits of natural colour reproduction and detailed reproduction of the smallest details of the image, even without the corresponding content, an 8-bit matrix with Frame rate control technologies helps. It brings the colour depth closer to 10 bits and makes it possible to display a billion shades.

For excellent brightness and contrast of the image in the model, the Edge LED backlight located at the bottom of the screen with a dynamic dimming algorithm, regulated by a 4-core X-Reality PRO processor, is responsible.

The curved screen in tandem with the black aluminium frame looks beautiful whether the TV is mounted on a stand or wall-mounted. The advantage of the model is the system of hidden placement of wires. They hide in a stand on the back, which adds aesthetics, orderliness and ease of cleaning.

The disadvantage of the Sony KD-50SD8005 is the low frame rate of 60 Hz, as for modern requirements. The Motionflow™ XR feature is supposed to compensate for the lack of smoothness in software, but against the background of TVs with 120 Hz, the difference is clearly visible. The disadvantages include the possibility of light in the dark, but this is typical of most TVs with Edge LED backlighting.

The Sony KD-50SD8005 TV is a worthy representative of curved panels in the middle price range. If high smoothness of video playback is not a critical moment for you, then the offered indicators of brightness, colour reproduction and image contrast can be a decisive factor in favor of this TV.

Launched in 2017, the Samsung UE-55MU9000U TV is the older brother of the Samsung UE-82MU8000 82 " which has a flat screen, lower colour gamut and lower contrast.

Samsung UE-55MU9000U received a 10-bit matrix that is capable of displaying a billion shades. And HDR technology is called upon to ensure their optimal balancing and demonstrate a full-colour, high-contrast image to the viewer.

Edge backlighting makes this TV one of the brightest and most suitable for even the most lit environments. In terms of contrast, according to the manufacturer, the Samsung UE-55MU9000U can compete with OLED TVs, including thanks to Precision Black local dimming technology, which provides close-to-true black colour in the right parts of the display. Although due to the specifics of the edge illumination, the usual dimming in fact gives a more preferable image.

The disadvantages of 4K Ultra HD panels include perhaps not the perfect viewing angles characteristic of VA matrices. Proper placement of the viewer in front of the screen will be the determining factor for obtaining a flawless picture.

One of the most successful features of the Korean manufacturer is the One Connect Box multiplexer. All Samsung UE-55MU9000U connection interfaces are placed in a separate block, which makes it convenient to organize and hide the wires. In addition, in the future, if the proposed connectors lose their relevance, it will be possible to replace the One Connect Box, not the TV.

Also, the advantages of the TV include a high-quality 40-watt audio system with two speakers and a low-frequency subwoofer. As a result, there is no urgent need to buy additional acoustics.

The traditional features of Samsung smart TVs include fast Tizen OS, video streaming, DLNA support, TV recording functionality, and convenient access to entertainment media services.

Overall, the UE-55MU9000U is probably the best curved LCD TV in terms of picture quality that doesn't support QLED or OLED. You will have to pay extra for this, but panels that implement one of the technologies mentioned above are even more expensive.

The 55-inch QLED panel, even when turned off, is able to attract attention. The bends of the curved-screen are repeated by a metal leg-stand, which goes well with a sophisticated framing frame. From the back, the TV is also elegant, which suggests the brand's "360-degree design". The rear surface of the Samsung QE-55Q8C successfully imitates polished aluminium. The network cable is easily hidden in the design of the stand, and all connectors are located in the One Connect remote unit.

The Samsung QE-55Q8C uses Edge LED backlighting with a bottom position and support for local dimming. Together with Quantum Dot technology, this guarantees the highest level of brightness and contrast in any room light. In addition, a 10-bit matrix in tandem with QLED provides reference colour gamut with the ability to display over a billion shades, which is best seen in 4K HDR playback. In this regard, the 55-inch panel is not inferior to the best digital cinemas.

Acoustics Samsung QE-55Q8C is represented by a 4.2 system with a total power of 60 watts. An excellent volume reserve, surround sound and deep low frequencies allow you to refuse to buy a soundbar.

The TV is running Q Smart TV, an updated version of Tizen. The interface is based on the Smart Hub shell, which offers wide multimedia capabilities. It works fast enough, you can control it both with the remote control and with voice commands or gestures.

Among curved panels with QLED backlighting, Samsung QE-55Q8C is the top solution of 2017. The novelty directly affects the price. For example, the model Samsung UE-55KS9000 55 " , released a year earlier, is not much inferior to this TV in terms of picture quality, but costs less. But if there are no limits to perfection for you and every detail is important, then the Samsung QE-55Q8C will be a more preferable choice.

The 55-inch LG 55EG960 is the flagship of 2015, which remains highly popular and does not lose its relevance today. He owes this, first of all, to the presence of an OLED screen and Ultra HD resolution. The closest relative of the curved panel is the flat model LG 55EF950V 55 " .

The panel received an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) matrix, the main advantages of which are infinite contrast and perfect black colour (each pixel can not only be dimmed, but turned off). Another plus is the smooth playback of dynamic scenes without distortion and trembling.

A 10-bit matrix is also responsible for high-quality colour reproduction in the LG 55EG960, but in terms of colour gamut and maximum brightness, the panel still loses to top-end QLED counterparts. But in terms of visibility in comparison, for example, with Samsung QE-55Q8CAM 55 " TV is ahead again: the picture is not distorted even at sharp angles.

A curved panel and a resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels are complemented by a passive 3D image technology that eliminates flicker. Together, these solutions will help you get closer to the feeling of presence. The LG 55EG960V comes with four pairs of 3D glasses.

The smart functionality of the TV allows you to open the webOS platform. It is intuitive, fast and convenient in tandem with the Magic Remote, which functions like a laser pointer. It is this shell that retains the status of the best on the market.

The downside of the LG 55EG960V, in addition to the high price, is the lack of hardware support for HDR, so you can't consider all the advantages of the corresponding content via HDMI or when playing video from Blu-Ray. The shortcomings of the panel include a rather capricious image setting (therefore, the presence of as many as six preset modes seems to be an appropriate solution), and a modest 2.0 audio system.

All in all, if you need a 60-inch curved OLED TV, the LG 55EG960V is the best choice. Its margin of safety in terms of image quality and supported technologies is undeniable even today.