Compare LG UR781 vs Sony X90L

The LG UR781 is currently the most affordable model from the Korean manufacturer, offering excellent value for its price. Its standout feature is the WebOS system, which provides an intuitive interface and access to a wide range of streaming platforms, making it a significant advantage for everyday users. The TV delivers satisfactory picture quality for its price range, catering well to the needs of basic users.

While its HDR capabilities are somewhat restricted due to the absence of Dolby Vision and HDR10+, it does support fundamental formats like HDR10 and HLG. The TV performs admirably with low-quality materials, aided by its smooth tone transition feature that ensures clear and seamless transitions, particularly useful for viewing content from lower-quality sources such as terrestrial television.

For gaming enthusiasts, the LG UR781 offers very low input lag, an essential criterion for enjoyable gaming. Though it lacks a 120Hz panel, which is a compromise for its budget-friendly pricing, it remains an appealing choice for gamers seeking affordability. Its brightness is slightly lower than competing models, and the colour gamut coverage is limited. However, thanks to dynamic tone mapping, HDR content still appears impressive.

After proper calibration, the TV achieves improved colour accuracy and sharpness, significantly enhancing the viewing experience. For those seeking a budget-friendly option and willing to accept some trade-offs, the LG UR781 is a solid choice.

Sony X90L is a higher-end model from the Japanese manufacturer, which premiered in 2023 but will continue successfully in 2024 as well. The Sony brand and the name Bravia are associated with excellent picture quality, and this model confirms that reputation – it offers great brightness and very good black levels. Despite having fewer local dimming zones than its competitors, it makes up for it with an advanced algorithm. Additionally, after calibration, the television presents very well-rendered colors, resulting in a natural and cohesive image reminiscent of IMAX theaters. In everyday use, X90L performs excellently, mainly thanks to the image processor that effectively scales lower resolution content and the recording function from the built-in tuner, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s televisions. Sony is also closely tied to the world of PlayStation, and in this regard, X90L Sony does not disappoint. It is equipped with HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, and a convenient Game Bar, making it a good choice for gamers who expect smooth gameplay and quick response. However, even in such a successful model, there are some drawbacks. Gamers may be disappointed by the lack of support for HGiG, which could improve image quality in HDR games. Additionally, Sony has not yet released an update that would reduce input lag in Dolby Vision mode – something that has been achieved in the higher model, the A95L. Those who prefer slimmer devices should know that although Sony X90L looks elegant due to its aluminum frame, it is not among the thinnest televisions on the market. Even though X90L has already been on the market for a year, it remains a solid device that combines good picture parameters with functionality and support for gamers. It is a successful choice for those looking for a versatile high-end television.

The LG UR781 benefits from a VA panel, which provides superior native contrast compared to screens using IPS/ADS technology. This panel excels in rendering bright objects against dark backgrounds without distortion. However, the absence of local dimming technology means that in darker conditions, blacks can appear with a slight navy blue tint. This characteristic is noticeable in dark scenes, where details closer to black may adopt a subtle blue hue.

Despite this limitation, the LG UR781 demonstrates commendable performance in reproducing deep blacks, which enhances the realism of movie viewing. Compared to IPS panels, it offers significantly better image quality in dark scenes, making it a strong contender for film enthusiasts. The VA panel's ability to produce more vivid contrasts further elevates the overall picture quality, allowing the television to capture and display intricate details in shadowy or dimly lit scenes effectively.

The Sony X90L television is equipped with a VA panel and in the tested size of 65' has 88 dimming zones. It may seem that such a number of zones does not make a great impression, but thanks to the local dimming algorithm, the television handles blacks very well. This is clearly visible in the first and third test slides, where the contrast reaches nearly 100,000:1. In more demanding scenes, the X90L does not achieve such spectacular results anymore – a contrast level of 6000:1 is simply acceptable. The light separation is really good, confirmed by the scene from the movie "Oblivion". However, the small number of dimming zones causes the halo effect to be visible, especially in the test film from "Sicario 2," where the helicopter lights cause quite a noticeable flare on a large area of the screen. Despite the small number of dimming zones, the Sony X90L does a really good job of reproducing blacks. Although it does not compare to the highest series of miniLED or OLED televisions in terms of black depth and contrast level, it offers solid results that are sufficient for demanding users in most cases.

In HDR mode, the LG UR781 falls short of the brightness expected for high-quality HDR experiences. Tests across multiple panels revealed a brightness of around 200 nits, which aligns more closely with SDR standards. As a result, HDR effects lack the desired impact, with bright and dynamic scenes appearing less striking than they should.

The television also exhibits limitations in colour reproduction under HDR settings. The colours may not appear as intense or rich as those on models that handle wide colour gamuts more effectively, leading to a less vibrant and dynamic image overall. Additionally, the LG UR781 struggles with accurate colour representation in HDR mode, which can result in muted content, particularly during daylight viewing when the image can lose its intensity.

Although the dynamic tone mapping feature helps optimise the image, it does not overcome these shortcomings. For users seeking a truly immersive HDR experience with vivid colours and bright highlights, the LG UR781 may not meet expectations.

HDR on the Sony X90L television looks promising. The luminance chart showed that the TV has a solid power reserve, reaching a maximum of 1000 nits in synthetic tests. But how does it perform in real scenarios? In scenes such as the first one from Life of Pi or the final sequence from The Meg, the TV can deliver this power on HDR content, achieving around 800 nits. Unfortunately, displaying small light elements on a black background, as in the scene from Sicario 2, poses greater challenges for the X90L – here the results reach about 600 nits. Despite this, when looking at competitive models with mini-LED technology, the effect looks very good and can shine enough to impress us. The color gamut coverage is also noteworthy, with a result of 96% for DCI-P3 and 76% for BT.2020, indicating good color reproduction in HDR content.

In Filmmaker Mode, the LG UR781 demonstrates the best factory-calibrated performance but exhibits notable flaws. The primary issue lies in white balance, where the graph indicates a drop in blue levels, resulting in a warmer image with a shift towards yellow tones. This deviation impacts the naturalness of colour reproduction, particularly in scenes with white or neutral backgrounds. The Test Colour Checker confirms that some colours deviate into incorrect shades, leading to a lack of true-to-life representation. This can diminish the realism of film scenes, with certain details appearing in inaccurate colours.

In terms of contrast, the gamma graph reveals a drop to a level of 2.0, below the optimal value of 2.4. This results in darker parts of the image appearing brighter than they should, reducing depth and dynamic range. Additionally, the EOTF curve shows an unnatural spike at the beginning, leading to over-brightness in the brightest areas of the image. This can cause a loss of detail in high-luminance scenes, further impacting the overall image quality.

The best mode in Sony televisions is the IMAX Enhanced mode. Although IMAX is mainly associated with the cinematic experience, here the color reproduction right out of the box is average. In the case of lower quality materials, such as HD – regular TV or YouTube – it is worth paying attention to the white balance. It is characterized by a deficit in red and an excessive dominance of blue, which gives the image a pinkish hue. The brightness characteristic, or gamma, for HD content is quite decent, but a slight boost may cause the image to become washed out and appear as if it is behind a light fog.

In 4K HDR content, the situation looks a bit different. The white balance shows a significant boost in blue, which makes the image appear unnaturally sharp and gives it an artificial feel. Such an exaggeration in color reproduction may not appeal to everyone, especially if one prefers more realistic shades. Additionally, the EOTF curve in Sony X90L looks quite decent at first glance. However, at the end of the graph, there are certain fluctuations that suggest the television is trying to maintain the appropriate brightness to avoid overexposing larger elements.

After calibration, the LG UR781 demonstrates commendable colour reproduction for SDR content. The calibration effectively improves white balance, yielding natural and balanced tones across various scenes. Gamma adjustments contribute to precise detail representation in shadows and highlights, enhancing overall image clarity. This results in a well-rounded performance for everyday use, with solid colour accuracy and well-balanced imagery in SDR mode.

HDR content, however, reveals the TV's limitations. The lack of support for a wide colour gamut restricts the depth and vibrancy that HDR is capable of. The EOTF curve deviates from the ideal, overemphasising details in bright areas, which introduces inaccuracies in colour representation. Tests using the Colour Checker confirm significant errors in colour reproduction. Additionally, the panel's relatively low brightness exacerbates these issues, diminishing the impact of dynamic range effects and causing colours to appear washed out.

While HDR mode highlights the TV's shortcomings, the improvements after calibration, particularly in SDR performance, are significant. Enhanced white balance and gamma adjustments greatly improve the viewing experience, providing more natural and consistent colour reproduction. Compared to its pre-calibration state, the LG UR781 now offers a much better performance for everyday use, especially in standard dynamic range scenarios.

Sony offers many tools to improve image quality, including two additional image modes that we decided to use during testing and apply calibration to them. This solution significantly facilitates the calibration work and is very effective, provided that the right tools are available. In the case of HD content, the white balance has been almost perfectly aligned – only one shade of gray exceeds the error value of "1", which is an excellent result. The same can be said about the brightness characteristic (gamma), which looks nearly perfect, with microscopic deviations of around 0.01.

In the case of 4K HDR content, the situation is not as ideal. Although the white balance has been significantly improved, it has not been possible to completely eliminate the dominance of blue color. Nonetheless, errors in the Colour Checker test only occasionally exceed the value of "2", which means that image distortions are practically unnoticeable. As for the EOTF curve, it is worth activating the filter in the upper right corner "EOTF in Movies" – the graph looks correct, but the television encounters difficulties illuminating very small elements, which results from the limited number of backlight zones. Despite these minor flaws, it is thanks to the calibration carried out that the IMAX Enhanced mode in the Sony X90L makes watching movies resemble a true cinema experience.

The LG UR781 performs impressively with tonal transitions, delivering high image quality across various scenes. The transitions are smooth and consistent, contributing to a pleasant viewing experience.

While the TV handles most tones exceptionally well, minor issues with gradation may appear in darker colours. These imperfections, however, are subtle and unlikely to be noticeable to the average viewer. Only those with particularly sensitive eyes may detect these flaws. Overall, the LG UR781 provides smooth tonal transitions, maintaining its appeal for casual and discerning viewers.

The smoothness of tonal transitions in Sony X90L is outstanding. The gradation is beautiful on high-quality sources such as 4K streaming. One can only notice slight banding on more demanding gradients, but the overall effect is very good and should satisfy even the more discerning viewers.

The tonality smoothing function on the LG UR781 yields mixed results. At the "low" level, it neither enhances image quality nor effectively diminishes film grain, making its impact relatively negligible. Increasing the strength of this function can soften gradations and reduce visible banding, but it risks over-softening the image in certain scenes, which may compromise the overall sharpness and detail.

As for image scaling, the LG UR781 struggles to deliver exceptional performance, particularly with lower-resolution content. The TV employs an artificial sharpness enhancement technique that introduces defined contours to create the illusion of sharper images. While this may appeal to users who prefer pronounced, vivid details, others seeking a more natural and authentic look may find this effect distracting or unrealistic. Ultimately, the perception of these enhancements will depend on personal preferences, with some users valuing the added sharpness and others prioritising natural image quality.

The Sony X90L TV features a tone transition smoothing function known as Smooth Gradation, which is incredibly effective. Even at the "low" setting, the effects are satisfactory, but at the "medium" setting, it works like a dream – we recommend using this option for the best results. The image scaling on the Sony X90L is simply excellent. The image is not overly sharpened, which gives a natural effect and makes everything look cohesive. It is evident that the engineers really put effort into this aspect, creating a solution that impresses and works well in everyday use. Because of this, even when watching content like regular television or YouTube, where the image is not inherently stunning, one can enjoy a smooth, cohesive, and visually pleasing experience.

The LG UR781 television provides decent motion fluidity for movies, primarily due to its "True Motion" feature. This option lets users fine-tune motion smoothing on a scale from 0 to 10, catering to different viewing preferences. Lower settings preserve a traditional cinematic effect with some judder, while higher settings create a smoother, more theatrical image. Although the latter deviates from the cinematic standard, it may appeal to viewers who prioritise seamless visuals.

However, performance declines when handling dynamic sports content and fast-paced games. Its 60Hz panel limits interpolation capabilities, meaning motion smoothness in movies can be improved, but motion blur cannot be effectively reduced. The absence of support for 120Hz and BFI (Black Frame Insertion) technology exacerbates this, causing fast-moving objects to blur. Moreover, the panel's slower response time further reduces sharpness in rapid scenes, which can be a drawback for gamers and sports enthusiasts seeking clear, fluid visuals in high-speed scenarios.

Sony X90L with a 120 Hz panel is a great choice for both gamers and movie enthusiasts. The TV is equipped with the Motion Flow smoothness feature, which allows you to adjust motion smoothness using two sliders: "smoothness" and "clarity." The "smoothness" slider controls the level of motion fluidity, which helps reduce image stuttering, while "clarity" is used to reduce blurring and improve motion sharpness, which is especially useful in dynamic scenes.

The LG UR781 provides several features designed to enhance console gaming experiences but comes with notable limitations. On the positive side, it includes the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature, which automatically switches the TV to a low-latency mode, optimising response times for gaming and benefiting fast-paced titles. The television also supports HGiG, ensuring HDR games are displayed enhancing the overall gaming experience. Additionally, the Game Bar feature allows gamers to quickly access and adjust settings during gameplay, offering added convenience. However, there are significant drawbacks. The TV lacks VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), which may result in screen tearing or stuttering, particularly during dynamic scenes. It also does not support Dolby Vision for gaming, limiting HDR picture quality in titles that use this format. The 60Hz panel restricts gameplay to 60Hz, excluding smoother experiences available at higher refresh rates like 1080p@120Hz, 1440p@120Hz, or 4K@120Hz. The absence of G-Sync or FreeSync technology reduces compatibility with systems designed to synchronise the frame rate between the console and TV, potentially affecting gameplay fluidity. The LG UR781 is a functional choice for casual gamers who value affordability and features like ALLM and HGiG. However, it falls short for those seeking advanced gaming features such as high refresh rates, VRR, or Dolby Vision gaming.

Sony X90L is a television that performs well in terms of compatibility with consoles and features for gamers. Its 120 Hz panel and two HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s allow for smooth play in high resolution and at a high frame rate. Gamers can also take advantage of the ALLM feature, which automatically switches the TV to low latency mode, and VRR, which provides smooth gameplay without screen tearing. Game Bar is an additional advantage – an intuitive tool that allows for quick access to the most important settings and gaming features, making it easier to control gameplay.

Unfortunately, in terms of HDR in games, the Sony X90L has its limitations. There is no support for HGiG, a standard that many gamers consider essential for precise HDR reproduction in games. Although the TV supports Dolby Vision, which theoretically could improve image quality in games, the practical application of this feature is problematic. Dolby Vision in game mode is associated with very high input lag, making gameplay less comfortable and precise movements more difficult. Additionally, it is not possible to enable Dolby Vision along with VRR. This means that despite numerous advantages, gamers seeking perfect HDR in games may feel a sense of disappointment.

The measurement of input lag on the LG UR781 television is excellent across all signals and resolutions. This is a key advantage for gamers, ensuring a responsive and smooth gaming experience. In particular, the input lag for gameplay in 4K at 60 Hz with HDR enabled is only 13 ms. This exceptionally low latency is ideal for fast-paced online games where quick reactions and minimal delays are crucial. The manufacturer's optimisation efforts in this area are evident, making the LG UR781 a strong contender for gamers prioritising low input lag.

The input lag on the Sony X90L can be rated as decent, although it is not exceptional. In Dolby Vision mode, the television operates only at 60 Hz, and the high input lag complicates matters as it makes gameplay practically unplayable. For games at the popular 60 Hz frequency, the input lag is around 25 ms – this is an acceptable result, but for more demanding players, it may be disappointing.

However, those more advanced players who have equipment that supports higher refresh rates can expect better results. With a 120 Hz signal, the input lag drops to around 12 ms, providing significantly better responsiveness and smoother gameplay, meeting the expectations of more demanding users.

Displaying text at 4K resolution at 60 Hz on the LG UR781 is exceptionally sharp, with excellent chroma reproduction, ensuring that even small details, like grey letters, are clear despite the BGR pixel layout. An input lag of 14 ms provides quick responses, making the TV ideal for both work and entertainment.

Cooperation with the PC in Sony X90L is at a good level. The X90L TV supports 4:4:4 chroma, which provides quite good font visibility, important when working or browsing content on a large screen. Although there are minimal issues with font readability on a dark background, it is not bothersome enough to be a significant problem in everyday use.

An additional advantage for PC users is the 120 Hz refresh rate and support for G-Sync functionality. As a result, gamers can expect smoother gameplay without stuttering or tearing effects, significantly enhancing comfort and gaming experience.

A key characteristic of VA panels is the noticeable decline in image quality when viewed from an angle. In the case of the LG UR781, viewing at a 45-degree angle causes a 70% reduction in brightness, resulting in a marked deterioration in black depth and overall picture quality. While VA panels offer superior contrast when viewed head-on, their viewing angles are more restricted compared to other technologies like IPS.

Viewing angles on the Sony X90L are unfortunately very poor, which is typical for VA panels. The picture loses quality when viewed from an angle, which can be problematic when watching from a greater distance or with a larger group of people. It's a pity that the manufacturer did not apply a coating to widen the viewing angles, which could significantly improve this aspect and make the TV more versatile for different room layouts.

Thanks to its satin coating, the LG UR781 performs well in reducing glare during daytime viewing, making light reflections less distracting. However, with a low brightness of only 231 nits in SDR mode, it may struggle to deliver clear images in brighter rooms, particularly on sunny days. In such conditions, the image may appear dimmer, resulting in reduced visibility and clarity.

The performance of the Sony X90L television during the day is at a very good level. The matte screen effectively suppresses reflections, which minimizes glare and keeps the image clear even in bright rooms. The SDR brightness of 785 cd/m² allows for comfortable viewing of standard television and lower quality materials regardless of the time of day. As a result, the X90L performs excellently in both well-lit living rooms and more sunlit spaces.

WebOS on the LG UR781 is a modern and intuitive system, offering easy access to popular streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube. Its interface is simple, supporting functions like Screen Mirroring, AirPlay, and Bluetooth, as well as external devices such as keyboards and headphones, enhancing its multimedia capabilities. Unfortunately, the basic model lacks the Magic remote, which would have allowed for on-screen cursor navigation. Additionally, WebOS can sometimes feel unresponsive, which can be a bit frustrating for users.

Sony X90L offers a rich set of features, starting with the Google TV system, which is the heart of entertainment. This solution provides access to a huge amount of apps and streaming services, and the interface is intuitive and clear. With voice assistant support, using the TV becomes even more convenient – just one command is enough to find your favorite movies, series, or music. Google TV operates smoothly and allows for full customization, making daily use enjoyable and hassle-free.

The TV also offers a range of practical features. It supports AirPlay and Miracast, making it easy to stream content from mobile devices. Additionally, other devices can be connected via Bluetooth, enhancing versatility and ease of use. For those who prefer traditional television viewing, there is even a recording function available without the need for an external decoder, which is a big advantage for fans of live shows.

In terms of design, Sony X90L may not be the sleekest, but its appearance is impressive thanks to the metal frame, which adds elegance. The TV is equipped with a stand that can be set up in three different ways, allowing it to be adjusted to various spaces and user preferences.

The LG UR781 television supports most video files and codecs and allows users to customise subtitles, including adjusting their colour and size. However, the biggest downside is the lack of support for less popular image formats, which can limit the versatility of the TV in certain use cases.

Sony X90L easily handles playback of most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who frequently access external content. However, it is worth mentioning a slight downside – the built-in player does not allow for changing the font color in subtitles, which can be problematic for some. Fortunately, thanks to the advanced Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. It is easy to install alternative media players that offer more personalization options.

Although the TV provides a modest amount of bass, the overall sound quality remains average. It lacks support for many advanced surround sound codecs, limiting its ability to fully reproduce immersive audio effects. The only surround sound option available is the ability to stream audio to an external device, such as a soundbar, via Dolby Digital Plus functionality.

The sound in Sony X90L is pleasant and clear, and the presence of bass makes the sound fuller. The TV performs well in playing music, offering satisfying audio experiences. An additional advantage is the support for Dolby Atmos and DTS technologies, which provide a more spatial and immersive sound. As a result, movies, games, and music gain depth and realism, creating a better experience for the user.

LG UR781 vs Sony X90L

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound