PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S support the new HDR (High Dynamic Range) format. However, owners of LG’s OLED TVs are frustrated as the TVs suffer from too high levels of input lag in HDR so they have started a petition to get LG to fix the issue. LG has remained mum on the matter.

HDR creates new challenges
HDR lays the foundation for amazing picture quality but it also creates new challenges. As PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S have embraced HDR, TVs are struggling to keep up.

More specifically, TVs can suffer from “input lag”. This has nothing to do with blur or judder but instead refers to a small signal delay; the time it takes from input signal to output picture. While input lag is irrelevant for TV programs it is important to gamers. Too high input lag will make the game controller feel sluggish.

That is why owners of LG’s 2016 OLED TVs have started a petition to get LG to fix the issue.

”input lag in regular HDR mode is very high in the 60-70ms range”
- ”Loyal OLED owners, who have spent thousands of dollars on their top-of-the-line TVs, request that LG address this issue as other competitors, such as Samsung and Sony, have already addressed this with firmware updates for their TVs,” said David S from North Carolina who started the petition.

Input lag is measured in milliseconds and can hit 60-70 ms on LG’s 2016 OLED TVs in HDR mode. With non-HDR mode, the TVs can hit much lower values. We measured 34 ms of input lag on the E6 OLED. Typically, 50 ms is considered acceptable for casual gaming, whereas critical gamers typically aim for less than 25 ms.

- “For even the casual gamer, input lag in regular HDR mode is very high in the 60-70ms range. We are requesting LG to address this issue, which will allow gamers of all types to experience lower input lag while playing HDR videogames.”.

When contacted by FlatpanelsHD last week, LG had nothing to announce regarding the matter.


Samsung & Sony have fixed the issue
The entire TV industry appears to have taken by surprise by Microsoft and Sony’s decision to support HDR on game consoles. No one talked about HDR console gaming when the 2016 TVs were launched in April/May.

Samsung and Sony have already issued firmware updates to bring down input lag in HDR mode. This typically involves deactivated most of the picture enhancement systems. The user can do this manually but oftentimes certain settings are locked. That is why gamers prefer a “HDR Game Mode”.

At the time of writing the petition has 1578 supporters. If you want to support the cause you can
 sign here. The signatures will be delivered to LG Electronics.

- Source: Change.org