On today’s discussion in “You Asked,” we’ll delve into various questions concerning the PlayStation 5, Sony TVs, Samsung’s Tizen update, and the ideal television for a dimly lit room.
Let’s start by addressing the question, “Do modern Sony TVs require an internet connection?” A reader, Jay Luis Martinez, has read comments suggesting that recent Sony TVs, specifically from 2023 or 2024, can’t function in offline mode. From a US perspective, Sony TVs do not need an internet connection. This fact likely remains the same in Europe, considering their robust consumer protection regulations. It would be highly unorthodox and potentially detrimental for a prominent brand like Sony to create TVs that are inoperable without internet. Misinformation often circulates in online forums and comment sections, so it’s always wise to verify such claims before accepting them as facts.
Next, we look into the possibility of forcing Dolby Vision on PlayStation 5 Pro games. Luigi has posed this question hoping to enhance his gaming experience on his 2023 LG C3. Unfortunately, it’s not feasible to trick the TV into Dolby Vision mode using any known consumer device. The ideal scenario involves the signal containing a Dolby Vision flag and metadata that the Dolby Vision chip in the TV can work off. This information is best sourced from the original material designed for Dolby Vision use.
Turning our attention to Samsung, Roderick Strong is curious about the new Tizen update for Samsung TVs from the last five years. The update began rolling out recently for some Samsung TV models but appears to have paused. Samsung has not officially released a rollout schedule, suggesting there may have been some deployment difficulties.
Lastly, we discuss the best TV for a room with no light. Tom Rice is considering the LG B4 and C4, the 77-inch model of the G4, and the 100-inch Hisense U8 for a completely dark room. In a pitch-black room, the need for high average picture level decreases while the need for exceptional backlight control increases. OLED TVs are ideal for such settings due to their ability to produce true blacks without backlight bleed-through. However, if opting for an LCD-based TV, a high-end mini-LED TV would be the best choice.
When it comes to brightness, a TV that doesn’t hit 1,000 nits for HDR can still work fine. The LG B4, which reaches just under 700 nits for HDR highlights, should suffice.
However, spending more on a TV doesn’t just give you better backlight control and brightness but often superior picture processing. This feature influences various picture quality aspects such as clarity, sharpness, detail, color accuracy, among others. TVs like the LG C4, Bravia 8, and Samsung S90D are excellent choices for dark rooms due to their superior processing capabilities.
Ultimately, choosing a TV boils down to personal preference, especially when balancing picture size and picture quality. For those seeking expert advice, the LG C4 is a strong recommendation.
And that wraps up this edition of “You Asked.” Stay tuned for more insights and answers to your burning questions in the world of digital electronics.
