Gaming on a big screen TV can provide an immersive experience with impressive visuals and sound. LG‘s smart TVs are designed with gamers in mind, providing low latency and quick response times ideally suited for gaming. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover how to access and play games on an LG TV along with optimal setup tips for the best performance.
Downloading and Playing Games on an LG TV
LG‘s webOS platform makes downloading games and apps easy right on the TV. Here‘s how to get started:
- Press the home button on your LG remote to access the launcher
- Select the LG Content Store icon (shopping bag icon)
- Browse or search for game titles under the Games section
- Select a game, choose "Install" and the game will download to your TV
- Once downloaded, select "Launch" to start playing the game
The LG Content Store provides a variety of game genres and types, including:
- Arcade and action games
- Puzzles and board games
- Sports games like golf and soccer
- Educational games for kids
- Classic games like Pac Man, Tetris, etc.
According to LG, the Content Store offers over 300 game apps with more added regularly.
Optimizing an LG TV for Gaming Performance
LG TVs include specialized gaming features that make them well-suited for gaming across consoles, PCs, and cloud game streaming. Key capabilities include:
- Low input lag – Delay between a game controller and on-screen response is minimized, with LG OLED TVs averaging around 13ms input lag according to rtings.com testing.
- Fast response time – LG OLED TVs have a near-instantaneous 0.1ms response time, resulting in less motion blur.
- Variable refresh rate (VRR) – VRR matches the TV‘s refresh rate to the game‘s frame rate for smooth, tear-free visuals.
- Auto low latency mode (ALLM) – LG TVs automatically switch to low latency gaming mode when a console or PC is connected.
For the fastest response while gaming, enable Game Optimizer mode in the picture settings. This enables ALLM and tunes settings like de-judder and sharpness for gaming. Disabling motion smoothing is also recommended to reduce input lag. An HDR Effect setting is available if you want richer colors and contrast while gaming in HDR.
According to Hardware Unboxed‘s input lag testing, Game Optimizer mode reduced input lag by up to 6ms versus not using it.
Game Mode Calibration Settings
For the absolute best gaming performance on your LG TV, consider further calibrating the picture settings:
- Picture mode – Expert (Dark Room)
- OLED Light/Contrast – 100
- Color temperature – Warm 2 or lower
- Noise reduction – Off
- Black frame insertion – On
- Sharpness – 0-15
- Color gamut – Auto detect
These settings minimize input lag while providing accurate colors and deep blacks for greater immersion. Make sure HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color is also enabled for the port your console uses.
According to HDTVTest‘s optimized calibration, these settings can achieve 13.5ms input lag and under 5ms response time on the LG C1 OLED.
Game Mode Audio Settings
Don‘t neglect audio when gaming on your LG TV. Enable surround sound for more spatial awareness in-game. Volume normalization can prevent loud sound effects from disturbing others. Bluetooth headsets are also convenient if you game at night or want private listening.
Unfortunately, most slim LG TVs lack the speaker power and quality for truly immersive audio. Connecting a soundbar or speakers is recommended for the full gaming experience.
Connecting Consoles and PCs
Hooking up gaming devices to an LG TV is straightforward thanks to their HDMI 2.1 support. For 4K 120Hz gaming, connect your console to the HDMI port labeled for that capability, then enable HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color in the TV‘s settings. HDR can be enabled for richer colors if your game supports it.
For PC gaming, setting the HDMI icon label to PC optimizes the input for gaming with lower lag. Disabling energy saving and enabling auto low latency mode also helps minimize input delay. Match your in-game resolution and frame rate to the TV for the smoothest performance.
Here are some setup tips for a clean gaming setup:
– Position the TV for comfortable viewing distances based on size
– Reduce glare and reflections for best picture quality
– Use cable ties, wraps, and clips to organize wiring
– Place consoles and peripherals within easy reach
Cloud Gaming on an LG TV
In addition to console gaming, LG TV webOS supports cloud gaming apps like Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and more. Download the app for your desired service, log in, and stream games straight from the cloud to your TV.
A fast home internet connection is recommended for the ideal cloud gaming experience. Ethernet cables provide more stable and higher bandwidth versus WiFi, resulting in less latency. If using WiFi, position your router near the TV and connect on the 5GHz band when possible.
According to Nvidia, the GeForce Now app is optimized for LG TVs, supporting up to 4K HDR streaming at 60fps. This rivals the performance of expensive gaming PCs without the hardware.
How LG TVs Compare to Gaming Monitors
LG TVs make capable gaming displays but lack some advantages that monitors have:
- Monitors have higher peak brightness levels, often over 500 nits versus LG OLED TVs around 200-300 nits brightness.
- Monitor sizes max out around 30 inches versus LG TVs reaching up to 88 inches for big screen gaming.
- monitors typically offer narrower viewing angles but less risk of burn-in over time.
- Gaming monitors range from $200 to $800 while high-end LG 4K OLED TVs cost $1200 to over $4000.
However, only the very fastest gaming monitors match the <10ms response times and 120Hz refresh rates of LG's best TVs. Ultimately, LG TVs provide lower input lag than most monitors while offering a much larger screen area for immersive gaming. Their smart platforms also support convenient media features.
Comparing LG‘s Top Models for Gaming
When choosing an LG TV for gaming, LG‘s OLED models provide unmatched performance. Here are some of the top options across various budgets:
- LG C2 – Best overall for gaming with 4K 120Hz, VRR, and under 1ms response time.
- LG G2 – Brighter OLED for well-lit gaming but higher price.
- LG B2 – More affordable OLED with nearly as fast gaming response.
- LG QNED90 – Mini-LED TV with gaming features but no burn-in risk.
LG‘s 2022 QNED TVs with quantum dot and mini-LED technology nearly match OLED gaming performance for less cost. NanoCell LED-LCD TVs like the NANO86 also provide low input lag and fast gaming response for more budget-friendly options.
For the largest screen 8K gaming, the LG Z2 88-inch 8K OLED delivers an incredible gaming display future-proofed for top consoles and PCs.
Gaming on LG TVs – The Verdict
With dedicated gaming optimizations, LG‘s smart TVs are uniquely designed for gaming across different consoles, PCs, cloud gaming platforms, and the LG Content Store‘s game library. Fast response times, low input lag, and AI-enhanced picture combine to make LG one of the top TV brands for gaming. By following the setup tips provided, you can enjoy an immersive big-screen gaming experience with stunning visuals and sound.
