For a while, curved TVs were the talk of the town. They offered a new way of watching TV, as they aimed at mimicking the natural movement of human eyes. Some gamers also feel that curved screens improve the gaming experience.
So, are curved TVs good for gaming?
Here’s What You Need to Know about Using Curved TVs for Gaming.
Curved TVs can provide a more realistic viewing experience, and some users believe they help with eye strain. Using them for gaming has its downsides though, and you’ll need to consider them before committing to a curved TV.
How Much Input Lag Do Curved TVs Have?
The input lag of curved TVs doesn’t differ that much from standard TVs on the market, and the amount of input lag varies on the display resolution and refresh rates of your TV’s model.
That said, the input lag will improve when Game Mode is turned on.
What Are The Refresh Rates On These Models?
The refresh rate of curved TVs is usually set at 60 or 120 Hz.
Some curved TVs support variable refresh rates, which lets the TV adapt to refresh rates automatically based on the source.
Do Curved TVs Have a Game Mode?
Some curved TVs have a game mode.
Game mode is designed to improve the gaming experience and decrease lag time. However, it also decreases picture quality.
You can think of game mode as a reallocation power, wherein you decrease the picture quality to improve your TV’s ability to respond to commands.
Can All Curved TVs Be Used As Computer Monitors?
You can use any curved TV as a monitor. But the performance depends a lot on the model and its input lag.
What About Curved TV, PlayStation, and Xbox Compatibility?
You won’t have any issues using a curved TV as a gaming monitor for your Xbox or PlayStation.
Remember that your primary consideration for choosing a TV for gaming is its refresh rate and input lag.
Go for a TV with a variable refresh rate and with a low input lag. These features contribute significantly to a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Do People Generally Use Curved TVs For Gaming?
Curved TVs and similar displays were quite popular for a while, but you don’t see many on the market these days.
If you take a look at the offerings from different brands, you will notice that there are not that many curved TVs offered. And if brands still have curved TVs for sale, they are not highly promoted.
One thing that might have contributed to the demise of curved TVs is the higher price point when compared to a flat-screen TV—because truth be told, most people believe that you still get the same gaming experience with a flat TV of the same size.
Curved TVs and flat TVs just aren’t all that different.
And since curved TVs and flat TVs are so similar, the higher prices for curved TVs meant that most people still opted for regular, flat TVs.
How Good Is the Image Quality and Resolution?
The image quality and resolution of curved TVs are generally on par with their flat display counterparts.
Can Video Games Ruin Curved TVs?
Video game consoles do not pose any danger to curved TVs, or any modern TV, in general.
Are Curved TVs Durable?
Curved TVs are just as durable as flat TV displays.
If you know how to properly care for such devices, you can extend the lifespan of curved TVs.
On average, TVs can last around seven years, with heavy use and good maintenance practices. With lighter use, you can expect your curved TV to last even longer.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Curved TV?
There are a number of advantages claimed by curved TV manufacturers.
- A curved TV offers a more lifelike gaming experience, as they create an illusion of having peripheral vision.
- You get to move your eyes naturally, and everything is at an equal distance from your eyes. In gaming, eyes get stressed easily. Curved TVs reduce eye strains because of this equidistant feature.
- Thanks to the curved form-factor, you get better color consistency in different viewing angles.
- Curved TVs also give you better image sharpness.
- Curved TVs give you an almost 3D experience. Although nothing beats a real 3D display and glasses, curved TVs provide that lifelike experience due to the depth planes.
- Curved TVs also have better contrasts. Since light is pointed to your seating position, the contrast performance is better, compared to scattered lighting on flat displays.
- Viewing angles are also wider on curved TVs.
But curved TVs have disadvantages as well.
- There are geometrical issues when watching from the side. You get the best image when viewing straight-on.
- On-screen reflections are more evident.
- Curved TVs cost more.
- They’re better on a TV console over a wall mount.
- Curved TVs are better when it has a bigger screen, which cost a lot.
What Are the Most Popular Curved TVs?
Samsung is known for introducing curved TVs on the market.
Although curved TVs did not take off as compared to other TVs, the brand managed to release a good lineup of curved TVs.
Here are models to consider.
Samsung RU7300
The Samsung RU7300 is a 4k smart TV that features exceptional clarity on its curved screen.
It is compatible with the leading apps like Apple TV, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. There’s a built-in UHD processor that can adjust to provide 4k resolution.
When it comes to gaming, the RU7300 is quite decent. Input lag is low, but it has a mediocre response time, which can cause some blurring. It can handle the usual gaming resolutions, making up for any shortcoming.
Samsung TU8300
The TU8300 from Samsung features a crystal UHD Display, which gives you lifelike imagery on the screen.
It comes with many of the popular smart TV apps, and the TU8300 has low input lag and black frame insertion to compensate in motion handling when gaming.
The response time isn’t the best, though, and it does not have variable refresh rate support.
Samsung KS9800
Samsung KS9800 is a curved smart TV that features 4k resolution.
It features quantum dot color technology that helps cover wider spectrums for more realistic images onscreen.
This TV also comes with Triple Black Technology and HDR 1000, which enhances the visual experience.
For those into gaming, the KS9800 can perform well with HDR games while keeping a low input lag. That means that if you’re in gaming mode, you need not sacrifice picture quality while maintaining low input lags.
Samsung KS8500
The Samsung KS8500 is an exceptional choice for a curved TV.
Featuring 4k resolutions, the KS8500 has an ultra black enhancer that improves details and contrast. To get the best images on the curved screen, the KS8500 comes with an auto-depth enhancer to supplement the display.
The KS8500 also comes with DTS Premium Sound 5.1 for a more detailed and realistic sound experience.
For gaming, the KS8500 also shines with its low input lag and fast response time. The same can be said when playing HDR games, so you get an excellent gaming experience.
Are Curved TVs Still Being Sold?
For the most part, curved TVs have been discontinued. Some think that the curved TV is just the same as the flat-screen with the curve and the price tag as the only real differences.
While the idea was good, perhaps consumers could not justify the high price tag. Not to mention, some consumers wanted something more traditional since it is easier to repair a traditional flat-screen if needed.
And while curved TVs and displays are available in many sizes, you get better results with bigger-sized displays. Which, of course, means spending more.
While curved TVs have been discontinued, you can still find the occasional Samsung RU7300 being sold brand new by some retailers.
What TV is Best for Gaming?
Since you most likely won’t be able to find—nor do you necessarily want—a curved TV for gaming, you should look for a TV with the following features:
- Low Input Lag, which will reflect the actions onscreen quickly.
- Fast Response Time, which reduces blurs when figures move.
- Variable Refresh Rate, which can adapt to the source media.
- A powerful Game Mode, which offers low input lag with little to no deterioration in image quality.
Some good smart TVs on the market that fit these qualifiers are the LG CX, Samsung Q80T, Sony A8H, and Vizio P-Series.
Final Thoughts:
Using a curved TV for gaming offers some benefits, but some drawbacks as well.
When it comes to picture quality, the curved display is on par with other high-quality TVs, but some say it improves the gaming experience, thanks to less eye strain.
But curved TVs can be quite pricey.
Curved TVs never really took off, but they are not bad TVs by any means. However, they are pretty hard to find for sale these days.
With that said, you need to weigh the disadvantages before scouring the Internet for leads on curved TVs.
Sources:
Curved TVs: 6 Reasons You Should Buy One–And 6 More Why You Shouldn’t
What Happened to Curved TVs? Here’s Why They Disappeared as Quickly as They Arrived
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