Looking for a white TV? Heres why you cant find one
Date:
Sun, 30 Jan 2022 15:00:00 +0000
Description:
Finding a white TV is as hard as tracking down the White Whale - but apparently theres a reason why there arent many out there.
FULL STORY ======================================================================
Finding a white TV can feel a bit like hunting the White Whale in Moby Dick - you know theyre out there, somewhere, but finding them has proven to be a lifelong task.
In our quest to track them down for readers, we only came across two models available in 2022: the 32-inch LG 32LM620BPUA and Samsungs The Frame , which only qualifies because youre able to swap out the bezels on the TV for an all-white trim.
Both are fine TVs for their intended purposes: the 32-inch LG TV is only a 720p model that works better in a kitchen or a kids room, while Samsungs The Frame is a designer screen thats meant to blend in rather than stand out.
That said, while each has its niche, neither really fulfill the role of a
true living room home cinema screen.
So why, out of the dozens of new TVs unveiled every year, are there just two white TVs? We had to get to the bottom of it, so we went straight to the source and asked our contacts at LG, Sony and Samsung to explain why there arent more options available. The real reason you dont see many white TVs
The answer of why theres not more of these albino bezel screens is actually pretty straightforward: it goes against everything these companies work
toward year after year.
White has been popular in certain applications, for example, smaller TVs targeted for kitchen use. We currently offer a white TV in a 32" FHD screen size, says Tim Alessi, Senior Manager of New Products at LG Electronics. However, for larger screens used in living rooms or home theater
applications, white is not desirable for a couple of reasons.
"A great deal of effort is made to minimize the visible bezel so the viewer sees all picture for the most immersive viewing experience. Using white would negate these efforts by making whatever bezel is visible too prominent." Tim Alessi, LG Electronics
First of all, a great deal of effort is made to minimize the visible bezel so the viewer sees all picture for the most immersive viewing experience. Using white would negate these efforts by making whatever bezel is visible too prominent. The other reason is that darker, or metallic finishes have a more premium look which most people prefer on a large-screen TV.
That last bit is obviously subjective - as some of our readers have asked outright for white TVs - however, you cant argue the fact that a white bezel would make it stand out more when youre watching a TV show or a movie.
When we asked Sony about it, we got a similar response.
White generally contrasts with on-screen content, leading to a less immersive experience, a Sony representative told us over email. Also, from a design standpoint, we feel that black provides a more premium look and feel.
Long story short? TVs with white frames really arent conducive to the home cinema experience. (Image credit: Samsung) Samsung has a white TV... if
you're willing to pay more for it
The only TV that might fill the role of a proper living room screen is Samsungs The Frame.
Released a few years ago to appease the more aesthetic-focused crowd, The Frame is part of Samsungs Designer Series of TVs that also includes The Serif and The Sero .
By default, The Frame comes with a black bezel - but its secret weapon is
that the bezel can be swapped out for a different one, including an all-white trim. Each of the available trims are available to buy separately for $99 /
99 (around AU$140) while the base 50-inch model of the TV sells for $1,199 / 999 / AU$1,699.
This is a lot pricier than other 50-inch 4K HDR QLED TVs, but its a price
most folks have been willing to pay.
The breadth of Samsungs TV lineup shows that we listen to our customers, innovating our products to fit their needs and passions, a Samsung representative told TechRadar over email. That can mean designing TVs to include our Gaming Hub for gamers, a better Home Screen for streamers, or in this case, TVs that maximize design & dcor versatility. Its this level of personalization that have made The Frame and The Serif such a hit with consumers.
In some ways, it might feel unfair that you have to pay more for the white trim on a TV - but, for now, Samsung is the only manufacturer fulfilling consumers desires for a white TV and therefore can charge a bit of a premium for it. Pictured: Samsung's QN900A Neo QLED TV that is 99% screen. (Image credit: TechRadar) Don't worry, soon bezels will be a thing of the past
Like the word fetch , white TVs arent going to happen - at least not anytime soon. But that might not be a bad thing as most manufacturers are in the process of making nearly bezel-less TVs. Each of the three manufacturers
above has TVs with supremely thin bezels in their lineups. Samsung has the bezel-free Q950TS 8K QLED TV that made its debut in 2020 and the Samsung QN900A that debuted in 2021, while LG has recently shaved the bezel on its
new OLED TVs from 6mm down to 4mm.
Reducing bezels or outright removing them entirely are huge areas of interest for manufacturers - outside of picture quality and performance, it's probably where they spend the most time in the design process.
What that tells us, essentially, is that we wont have to worry much longer about the color of the bezels for much longer. Yes, these TVs will still come with stands that are either metallic or black, but folks who wall-mount them will have a seamless look without worrying if the TV will match the dcor of the rest of the room.
So, to all the interior designers out there: dont worry, your deliverance is coming. Looking for the TV with the best picture performance? Check out our guide to the best TVs
======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/news/looking-for-a-white-tv-heres-why-you-cant-find- one/
--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)