On today’s episode of You Asked: What’s a good TV upgrade for your bedroom? How should you adjust the brightness settings on your Blu-ray player? And we tackle the frustrations of finding reviews for TVs sold at Costco.
Panasonic Blu-ray Brightness Settings
LG G4 OLED Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Tom Soker asks: I want to know the effect of the TV-Type setting on a Panasonic DP-UB842. I got it connected to an LG G4 77″. According to the datasheet, the settings in the player correspond to the following Brightness Mapping of HDR Content. OLED: Target 800-1000 Nits, Super High Luminance LCD: 1500-2000 Nits. The LG G4 has peak brightness for highlights of about 1500 Nits, so wouldn’t it be correct to select the Super High Luminance TV setting on the player to not limit its output to the TV?
Good question, Tom—and that’s quite interesting. The ideal setting may depend on the type of content and format, as not everything will reach that peak brightness of 1500 nits, especially on an OLED TV. This may explain the rationale behind the Panasonic player’s settings.
I may be stepping outside my comfort zone here, so feel free to share your insights. However, let’s put some numbers into perspective.
Looking at high-end TVs, let’s consider the Sony Bravia 9, which serves as a comparison for super-bright LCD TVs across different viewing scenarios.
For SDR content, the highest brightness you can achieve—assuming eco mode is off and all settings are optimized—can reach about 650 nits in a small window and 317 nits in a full window, according to our review. Therefore, you likely don’t need the highest brightness settings from your player in that case.
Bravia 9 Digital Trends
In contrast, the Bravia 9 can achieve brightness levels of 2600 nits peak in a 2% window and 700 sustained in full-screen scenarios.
When it comes to HDR, while the LG G4 does peak at 1500 nits, the brightness for broader scenes drops to around 220 nits sustained. Comparatively, the Bravia 9 peaks at approximately 2600 nits for smaller windows and about 750 nits for full-screen HDR content. Hence, brightness peaks can vary based on window size.
The takeaway is that LCD TVs, such as the Bravia 9, generally outperform OLEDs in terms of consistent brightness. This reasoning underlies the brightness settings available on the Panasonic player.
To sum it up, if you’re viewing SDR content, the Super High Luminance setting isn’t necessary. With HDR content, try both settings on your Blu-ray player. If you find specular highlights are muted in the OLED brightness setting, opt for the higher level. Otherwise, select the optimal range of 800–1000 nits for overall quality.
Why Are Costco TV Reviews So Hard to Find?
Caleb Denison / Digital Trends
@MannsWoodlandPerspective points out: It’s almost impossible to find Costco TV reviews and find equivalents.
This is indeed a challenge—and will continue to be if you’re only searching for specific model numbers. Costco often assigns distinct model numbers for TVs compared to other retailers for several reasons.
One reason is that it enables Costco to offer unique pricing based on their agreements with manufacturers, often at lower prices due to bulk purchasing. However, to maintain these lower prices, they require unique model identifiers.
The differences between a Costco TV and one from another retailer are often minimal; sometimes, it’s merely an extended warranty. In certain cases, like the TCL QM6K and QM6K Pro, the distinctions can be as significant as the type of panel used.
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Video reviews specific to Costco televisions are rare because reviewers typically receive units through brand programs, rather than retail purchases. These programs offer widely sold models across multiple retailers. Unless the reviewer buys it independently, they won’t have the exact Costco version.
Nevertheless, this often isn’t a significant hurdle. The best way to locate reviews is to conduct some research. Compare model numbers with those from Best Buy or other retailers, and examine feature lists and specifications to ensure the TV meets your expectations.
Focus on the model name (e.g., Samsung QN90F) rather than the model number, which can differ significantly.
For example, with TCL, caution is advised. Their QM7K is a well-regarded model we’ve frequently discussed. The Q77K, while it sounds similar, is entirely different and performs markedly worse. It’s easy to see how buyers could be misled into purchasing the wrong model, causing frustration.
Indeed, this situation complicates price comparisons and adds unnecessary stress for buyers. This lack of clarity is often my least favorite aspect of keeping up with TV news.
Is My Old OLED Still Worth It?
LG C8 OLED Digital Trends
Thomas Swift asks: I upgraded my sitting room TV to a new OLED last year and moved my OLED55C8PLA TV to the bedroom. Is my old OLED better than most of the new LCD panels on the market in 2025? It has no burn-in and still displays a good picture; the only difference is in dark scenes compared to my newer OLED. Should I update to a newer model LCD, or am I fooling myself?
This is a great question—and one that I can relate to personally. My practical advice would be to stick with the C8, especially since it has performed so well for you.
The LG C8 OLED was a significant success when it launched, and its enduring reputation is evident as we continue to discuss its merits years later.
If dark scenes present the primary issue for you, the latest LCDs—especially high-performing models like the Samsung QN90F, Sony Bravia 7 or 9, TCL QM8K, or Hisense U8QG—provide meaningful enhancements.
Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Although they cannot achieve OLED’s infinite contrast and pure blacks, these modern LCDs are significantly brighter. Recent advancements have narrowed the gap in black levels, resulting in an impressive viewing experience for both SDR and HDR content.
For instance, a friend who owns an LG C5 OLED recently faced a choice between the LG C2 and a TCL QM8 for his bedroom setup. He opted for the TCL QM8, and his immediate feedback was: “This TV is effing amazing.” This remark came from someone well-versed in OLED viewing.
This insight showcases how these TVs perform in everyday usage rather than solely relying on YouTube comparisons. While OLEDs are exceptional, I would willingly place nearly any of the discussed LCDs in my living room.
If you can secure a good LCD TV at a reasonable price, I would certainly support that choice.
For further details, click Here.
Image Credit: www.digitaltrends.com
