LG CS 65-inch OLED TV review

two minute review

Only available in the UK, Australia and France, the LG CS packs just as generous specs as its LG OLED siblings (LG C2 and LG G2 respectively) with the same premium attributes that have allowed LG's OLED offerings to stand out from the crowd. competence. Borrowing the frame design from the LG C1 2021 and panel from the LG B2, the most notable exception of the LG CS which largely mimics its sibling in the C2 is the lack of what LG calls the "brightness booster", which means the CS misses out on the C2's OLED Evo technology and the accompanying 20 per cent increase in brightness.

Powered by the same Alpha a9 Gen 5 processor as its stablemates, the LG CS achieves its goals with dynamic image depth, color accuracy, and stunning contrast. It's best to play around with the different picture settings to find the right option, as the default "power saving" setting ultimately won't allow the LG CS to really flex its muscles.

Fortunately, browsing through these settings and playing with them to find the one that works best for you is pretty straightforward, as LG CS offers an intuitive user interface that is generally easy to use. As with previous OLED versions from LG, it has a Wii-inspired remote used to control an on-screen pointer to open settings and run apps. Those unfamiliar with this method of control may be surprised at first, but you can disable motion controls entirely if they bother you.

For such an exceptionally slim TV, the LG CS also manages to deliver some of the best native sound around. Boosted by AI Sound Pro and Dolby Atmos support, the LG CS again mimics its LG C2 sibling by offering what it calls "virtual surround sound" as the TV can upscale stereo content and output it as 7.1. 2 channel sound.

All things considered, the LG CS's audio quality may surprise you if you don't expect the heights it manages to achieve. I'd even put it well above many TVs and even some of the more affordable soundbars, making buying an additional soundbar to pair with the LG CS potentially pointless for all but the most audiophile/movie buff.

Gamers will also find many welcome benefits such as CS OLED's HDMI 2.1 support (4K@120Hz), 1ms response time and variable refresh rates join the integrated Nvidia GeForce Now to make LG CS a clear contender for the title of best gaming TV. .

The CS can experience some glare in bright rooms, but not to the point of becoming distracting. And finally, the LG CS manages to represent excellent value for money despite its reasonably high price tag. It's not cheap enough to be considered a true budget alternative to the LG C2, but its starting price is slightly less than the C2 with very few compromises. This helps make the CS stand out as a slightly cheaper option for those looking for the OLED excellence offered by LG's best displays.

The LG CS OLED TV in a living room

The LG CS OLED combines old and new in a unique Frankenstein monster TV (Image credit: LG)

LG CS OLED TV price and availability

Interestingly, the LG CS is currently only available in three regions: Australia, UK, and France, with no indication that it will be coming to other regions like the US.

The price of the LG CS is slightly lower than the LG C2, which is the TV that the CS most closely resembles. Prices and size options are as follows:

55-inch: £1.499,99/A$2.776

65-inch: £1.999,99/A$3.776

The CS is also available in a 77-inch model in Australia, but doesn't appear to offer that size option in the UK, with Aussies considering paying AU$5 to get their hands on the LG model in that size. mayor.

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LG CS OLED TV design

The LG CS OLED is, like its C2 sibling, elegantly thin but a little sturdier compared to its reasonably heavy base that's packaged in three separate, easy-to-assemble components. Even as a gym junkie used to throwing heavy stuff around, one of the LG CS's core components managed to wow me with its weight, making the setup definitely a two-person job, even if it's relatively simple. The panel itself isn't particularly light either, with LG listing the 65-inch CS's net weight without its stand at 24kg, with the stand itself adding an additional 8,6kg.

If the CS OLED's frame design looks familiar, it should: it uses the same exterior design as the 1 LG C2021, which isn't a bad thing in our opinion. Thanks to its wonderfully narrow bezel, the LG CS's screen doesn't feel like it's missing an inch, and it's slim enough to look good when mounted on the wall.

The stand itself shares a similar level of sophistication, as the CS stand's visible angled silver component manages to largely disappear into the bottom of the TV. Design-wise, this is one area where the LG CS has a slight advantage over the LG C2 in comparison, where the support is a bit more pronounced.

You can't overstate how thin the CS panel is. For comparison, I stacked my iPhone 13 against the panel and it was about half the depth of the iPhone. A thicker section that houses the TV's speakers and components sticks out about two-thirds of the way from the rear of the panel, but not so much as to look unnecessarily bulky.

In terms of connectivity options, the LG CS essentially mimics the LG C2 with four HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC), three USB ports, optical out, and LAN support, and these are neatly housed for cable management on the back of the case. TV. pleasantly simple.

LG CS magic remote placed on a black table

The LG CS's magic remote (Image credit: Future)

The remote is again something the CS seems to replicate from the C2, with the included LG Magic Remote essentially identical to the C2's remote, except for a rebranded "Movies" button that takes you to an LG streaming channel. Having been used to boxier remotes, I immediately fell in love with the Magic Remote's curved edges and feel in the hand, with my partner commenting that the remote had a "classic look". Additional shortcuts on the remote include Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus streams, as well as buttons for Google Assistant and Alexa, which activate the Magic Remote's voice command capabilities.

LG CS OLED Smart TV and operating system

Once again, the LG CS emulates the LG C2 (and LG G2) by showcasing the webOS 22 smart TV platform, and the operating system is just as impressive here as it is with other TV offerings in LG's 2022 lineup.

The LG CS navigation menu

The LG CS navigation menu (Image credit: Future)

The CS's home screen is pleasantly uncluttered and easy to navigate, whether you're looking to find and click on your favorite streaming platforms or navigate to the inputs of the various devices you've connected to your TV. Aussies can instantly discover local streaming favorites like Stan, Binge and Kayo Sports from the menu, while other usual suspects like Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, Prime Video and YouTube are there too.

Like the C2, the aforementioned Magic Remote is designed for Wii Remote-style motion control, allowing users to navigate TV menus with an on-screen pointer. It's a quick and easy way to launch apps from your TV's home screen, but it's worth noting that not all apps support the stylus, and suddenly having to use traditional controls can be a bit of a shock.

Scrolling down a bit further also offers the 'Home Panel' option, which gives you the ability to see all your connected devices in one place, and connect to other smart devices around your home if you want. .

The LG CS OLED home dashboard

The LG CS OLED home dashboard is a hub for viewing all your connected devices, including smart home devices (Image credit: Future)

I personally chose not to connect to my Echo device as a personal preference to keep the two separate but fully integrated smart home enthusiasts will no doubt find a lot to like with the ability to see all their connected devices listed in the same place for simplified navigation.

Unfortunately, webOS 22 seems to have an annoying problem with its Wi-Fi connection, as in my experience I had to reconnect the LG CS every time I turned on the TV. The solution is relatively simple and the TV remembers your login so you don't have to ask for the password every time, but it can be frustrating when you expect to jump right into a particular app only to be told no. They are not. online.

The LG CS also offers pre-installed access to Nvidia GeForce Now, the cloud-based game streaming platform, and this can also be easily discovered through the LG CS menu. Having this as an out-of-the-box option is a pretty nifty addition, and I loved having seamless access to my Steam library through the TV without having to go through the process of connecting my gaming laptop to an HDMI port. Considering the TV's gaming support elsewhere, this goes a long way to making the LG CS feel like a competent gaming monitor, though you should make sure you invest in a compatible Bluetooth gamepad to take advantage of Nvidia GeForce support and play. Now.

Image quality LG CS OLED

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