Hisense A6N vs LG NANO82T6B

Unfortunately, the quality of HDR effect on A6N is not impressive. A peak brightness of 250 nits does not allow for spectacular effects, and HDR is rather pale, resembling more of a regular SDR. This state of affairs will not satisfy more demanding users who want to enjoy high-quality film materials. Additionally, the color gamut coverage is also not very impressive – DCI-P3 at 82% is an average result that does not fully allow for enjoying vibrant colors in HDR materials.

The brightness of the LG NANO82T is rather average, especially compared to other TVs in a similar price range. With a peak brightness of approximately 280 nits, it falls short of many competitors offering levels exceeding 400-500 nits. This limitation impacts the viewing experience, particularly for HDR content. Bright areas of the image may lack definition, and the HDR effect fails to deliver the dramatic impact expected from higher-end displays, making the overall image less striking in well-lit scenes.

In the category of color reproduction, the Hisense A6N model in Filmmaker Mode leaves a lot to be desired. Although the name of the mode suggests that we should expect faithful reproduction of cinematic colors, the reality is different – the television has significant problems with image quality. The issue with white balance is particularly noticeable, both for HD and 4K content, which is heavily skewed by the dominance of blue. This results in artificial, cold tones, as clearly seen in the comparative photo below. The Colour Checker test additionally confirms these errors, which are exacerbated by low color gamut coverage. The gamma brightness characteristic shows a serious problem with maintaining a level of 2.4 – the graph is significantly below the reference value, leading to excessive brightness and washed-out blacks. The EOTF curve for 4K content also indicates brightness issues – at the beginning, there is a substantial peak due to the TV's excessive brightness, which negatively impacts image quality. Such image characteristics do not allow for full enjoyment of watching films and require manual adjustment.

The colour reproduction in the LG NANO82T in Filmmaker mode, while the best factory setting available, does have flaws. The primary issue lies in white balance, where measurements reveal a drop in the level of blue. This shifts towards yellow hues, making the image warmer than intended. Such deviations prevent natural colour reproduction, especially in scenes with white or neutral backgrounds. For instance, in Star Wars, where numerous elements should appear white, the colours deviate noticeably. The Color Checker test corroborates this, showing some shades "escaping" into others, further highlighting the lack of accurate colour rendering.

In terms of contrast, the gamma graph analysis showed a drop to 2.1, falling short of the optimal 2.4. This leads to darker parts of the image appearing brighter, reducing depth and dynamism. Additionally, the EOTF curve, which governs brightness reproduction, shows a slight spike at the start. This can result in an excessive brightness boost in the brightest areas, causing a loss of detail in very bright scenes.

Hisense A6N offers options and tools in its settings for correcting numerous image settings that we have utilized. When it comes to white balance, we managed to eliminate the excess blue color – this effect is clearly visible in the comparison photo below, where the boy in the image almost "comes to life." A significant improvement can also be observed in the gamma brightness characteristics – the TV no longer has serious issues with overly brightening the entire image. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for 4K content, where the EOTF curve could not be fully corrected due to the exceptionally low brightness of this model. For HDR content, we use dynamic tone mapping, which allows for the recovery of many details despite the boosting of mid-tones in the image. In the case of this TV, it provides more benefits than drawbacks. The errors that are still visible in the color palette test and Colour Checker for 4K materials stem from low color gamut coverage and are difficult to eliminate due to the characteristics of the television. Nevertheless, the tonal quality of the image is significantly better, which is why we recommend calibrating the factory settings that are far from ideal.

After calibration, the colour reproduction in SDR content on the LG NANO82T is impressive. The white balance has been effectively corrected, resulting in natural, balanced tones across various scenes. Gamma adjustments ensure more precise rendering of details in shadows and bright areas, enhancing the viewing experience. These improvements allow the television to perform well in everyday use, delivering solid colour accuracy and well-balanced images in SDR mode.

Unfortunately, the situation with HDR content is less satisfactory. The TV lacks support for a wide colour gamut, limiting the depth and richness that HDR can achieve. The EOTF curve deviates from the ideal, leading to overemphasis on details in brighter areas. This causes noticeable colour reproduction errors, as confirmed by Colour Checker tests. Additionally, the panel's low brightness further hampers HDR image quality, diminishing dynamic range effects and causing colours to appear washed out.

Overall, the TV significantly improves after calibration, particularly in SDR mode. The enhancements to white balance and gamma elevate image quality, offering more natural and cohesive colour reproduction. Compared to its pre-calibration state, the difference is evident, and the television now performs noticeably better in standard dynamic range scenarios.

Let's check how the A6N handles low-quality materials. When it comes to smoothing tonal transitions, the lack of posterization reduction or smoothing of tonal transitions in low-quality materials, such as television or DVD, may be noticeable for more demanding viewers. As for digital processing, the model was presented correctly, and the branches were free of characteristic jaggedness – the image is very plastic and soft, which may appeal to people who prefer this kind of image style.

The LG NANO82T features a "Smooth Gradation" option for handling tonal transitions in low-quality materials. The "Low" setting improves the most problematic transitions, providing a noticeable and helpful enhancement. However, the "High" setting, while further smoothing tonal transitions, sacrifices some detail in the process. This can be a compromise that not all viewers will appreciate.

The image scaling on the LG NANO82T has some limitations, particularly when displaying lower-resolution content. The TV applies a subtle artificial sharpening, which makes the image appear sharper, but this effect is mainly due to artificial contours. Some users may find this beneficial, as it highlights details more prominently, but for others who prefer a more natural image, it may appear overly processed and artificial. This is a subjective preference that varies from viewer to viewer.

The 60 Hz panel in the Hisense A6N will likely please those who enjoy watching movies, as the TV offers an "ultra motion smoother," allowing us to adjust the motion blur – either more choppy or smoother, theatrical. As for trailing, it performs quite average – noticeable trailing can be seen, especially on dark backgrounds, which is a rather typical feature in this tier of TVs.

LG televisions, including the NANO82T, come with an interesting motion smoother called TruMotion providing users with control over the quality of films they watch. The TruMotion feature allows adjustment of the motion fluidity on a 10-point scale, offering a personalised visual experience.

However, when it comes to more dynamic content, such as games or action films, the performance falls short. With its 60Hz panel and relatively slow pixel response, motion fluidity is less than ideal. This results in noticeable trailing and less smooth playback during fast-paced scenes.

Overall, the LG NANO82T is a good option for those who primarily watch movies and prefer more subdued content. Viewers who prioritise fast, dynamic motion, may prefer an alternative model.

The Hisense A6N is a television that will likely appeal to casual gamers, primarily due to its 60 Hz panel, which may not satisfy more demanding users. Nevertheless, it offers several conveniences that can enhance the gaming experience. The television supports features such as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and Dolby Vision, allowing for better image quality and smoother motion in games that support these technologies. Furthermore, the low input lag ensures quick responses in-game, which is crucial, especially in dynamic titles. With these features, although the television is not the ideal choice for demanding gamers, it provides solid support for those who value comfortable gaming without complicated settings. It is an ideal solution for individuals who want to enjoy gaming without high hardware requirements while still having access to modern technologies that improve the gaming experience.

When playing on the console, the LG NANO82T offers several features that can enhance the gaming experience, though it also has some limitations. Notably, the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature stands out, automatically adjusting picture settings to switch the television to low latency mode, which is especially beneficial for gamers requiring quick reactions. Another advantage is the support for HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group), ensuring HDR games are displayed as intended by the creators and providing vibrant and realistic visuals. These features contribute to a solid gaming experience, but there are some drawbacks, particularly in fast-paced scenes.

The LG NANO82T has limitations when it comes to advanced gaming features. It lacks support for variable refresh rate (VRR), which affects gameplay smoothness, especially in more dynamic games. The TV's 60Hz panel restricts the ability to use higher refresh rates, a significant downside for gamers seeking smoother gameplay at higher resolutions. Additionally, the absence of G-Sync technology limits image synchronisation, potentially leading to tearing and stuttering during gameplay.

These limitations mean that while the LG NANO82T offers a good gaming experience for casual gamers, it may not meet the expectations of more demanding players seeking advanced features and maximum image fluidity.

These shortcomings may mean that the LG NANO82T does not meet the expectations of the most demanding gamers looking for advanced features and the highest image fluidity.