Quick Query About Bias Lighting Kits for an Edge-Lit 4K LCD...

[IntelliVolume]

Getting close to pulling the trigger on something like the Loominoodle bias kit for my Samsung NU8000 due to my inability to deal with the blooming and ridiculous flashlighting in the dark (thanks to the members here who suggested the kit, such as Chip and StingingVelvet), but had a quick question about it:

I understand these plug into the TV's USB port for auto power up/down, but if there's no way to control their intensity, can anyone tell me if the white light they emit is TOO bright for a room? Is the bias lighting that glows from the back overpowering, rendering a screen to look somewhat "smaller" than it actually is, if that makes any sense?

Or is it more of a softer white glow?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

Getting close to pulling the trigger on something like the Loominoodle bias kit for my Samsung NU8000 due to my inability to deal with the blooming and ridiculous flashlighting in the dark (thanks to the members here who suggested the kit, such as Chip and StingingVelvet), but had a quick question about it:

I understand these plug into the TV's USB port for auto power up/down, but if there's no way to control their intensity, can anyone tell me if the white light they emit is TOO bright for a room? Is the bias lighting that glows from the back overpowering, rendering a screen to look somewhat "smaller" than it actually is, if that makes any sense?

Or is it more of a softer white glow?

I think they're generally around 6000K. The Luminoodle with the remote has 10 brightness settings and on/off options (which I'd recommend for easy access). It make the screen stand-out more, it's bright but not overpowering as they LEDs aren't visible.

[StingingVelvet]

I use the USB automatic one that costs $20. To me the brightness is perfectly balanced, but everyone's eyes are different. I didn't know there was one with settings, but if you're worried maybe get that one. Not sure what you mean by "smaller" but it might take some getting used to if you've been watching movies in the dark for years, as it definitely lights up the room to some degree. I might take a pic of it in action later for ya.

I wish you luck with it, it really turns a good LCD with flaws into a pretty great experience, in my opinion.

[koberulz]

I have a MediaLight, which also has a number of brightness levels and a remote control.

[IntelliVolume]

Thanks all. Much appreciated!

What I meant by "making the screen look smaller," Velvet, was that I have noted when viewing screens with room lighting on that they will appear "less impactful," especially when watching film. When a room is dark, a screen can "open up" visually, so to speak, making it feel more "theatrical" and impactful, as you're focusing right in on the image...

I was concerned that the bias lighting will be so bright that it makes the screen look a bit smaller in terms of impact; hope I'm making sense now.

Guess that's a price to pay for getting better black levels and eradicating the flash lighting from this stupid edge-lit panel.

As for brightness control, I wasn't aware these kits offered that feature -- what's the range of adjustment on these? Does it go from super bright to very dim?

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

What I meant by "making the screen look smaller," Velvet, was that I have noted when viewing screens with room lighting on that they will appear "less impactful," especially when watching film. When a room is dark, a screen can "open up" visually, so to speak, making it feel more "theatrical" and impactful, as you're focusing right in on the image...

I was concerned that the bias lighting will be so bright that it makes the screen look a bit smaller in terms of impact; hope I'm making sense now.

Guess that's a price to pay for getting better black levels and eradicating the flash lighting from this stupid edge-lit panel.

Yeah I guess there's a little of that. I sometimes unplug the bias light when watching SDR content, as I don't really experience much blooming at all in SDR. When watching in the dark like that there's definitely a sort of... I dunno, I feel a little more enveloped in the presentation I guess. Less distracted. I assume that's why a lot of people hate bias lighting and buy OLEDs and whatnot.

However bias lighting has advantages too, like less eye strain and richer color. I genuinely prefer the bias light experience, probably because I spent my entire teens and twenties watching/playing everything on a PC monitor at a desk with a lamp on. That's just me, it's what I'm used to. When I do watch in the dark despite it "enveloping me" more it also feels a little weird to be in total darkness and I feel eye strain and my eyes water if there's a really bright scene.

Anyway that's why I say there might be an adjustment period, as it really is a different experience to some degree.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Yeah I guess there's a little of that. I sometimes unplug the bias light when watching SDR content, as I don't really experience much blooming at all in SDR. When watching in the dark like that there's definitely a sort of... I dunno, I feel a little more enveloped in the presentation I guess. Less distracted. I assume that's why a lot of people hate bias lighting and buy OLEDs and whatnot.

However bias lighting has advantages too, like less eye strain and richer color. I genuinely prefer the bias light experience, probably because I spent my entire teens and twenties watching/playing everything on a PC monitor at a desk with a lamp on. That's just me, it's what I'm used to. When I do watch in the dark despite it "enveloping me" more it also feels a little weird to be in total darkness and I feel eye strain and my eyes water if there's a really bright scene.

Anyway that's why I say there might be an adjustment period, as it really is a different experience to some degree.

Thanks very much for your response; I definitely concur with everything you said.

I too enjoy watching film in a dim environment -- but there is definitely some eye strain when the screen gets bright during brighter sequences and such. This is where bias lighting comes in...however, the "bias lighting" I have been using up until this point has been the night light section of a torch lamp that sits off to the side of the left tower speaker in the front of my room...and this doesn't throw much light at all. So we're basically in the dark anyway.

Do the bias light kits, in general, make a room TOO bright? That's what I'm worried about...

[5150z]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

Do the bias light kits, in general, make a room TOO bright? That's what I'm worried about...

You should be fine. I have an Ideal Lume 6500k bias light covering most of my neutral grey wall behind my display and it works great. Not overly intense at all. Everyone should incorporate bias lighting, regardless of their display, if for no other reason than the eye strain factor. Especially as we age. I'm 60. Trust me!

[eddievanhalen]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I use the USB automatic one that costs $20. To me the brightness is perfectly balanced, but everyone's eyes are different. I didn't know there was one with settings, but if you're worried maybe get that one. Not sure what you mean by "smaller" but it might take some getting used to if you've been watching movies in the dark for years, as it definitely lights up the room to some degree. I might take a pic of it in action later for ya.

I wish you luck with it, it really turns a good LCD with flaws into a pretty great experience, in my opinion.

I'm currently using an Ikea lamp that is made of frosted glass and the bulb is inside of it almost at the bottom making a very difuse light effect with a small 3 Watts LED bulb ("cold" light). I have that lamp sitting behind my 49" Samsung TV, you suggested me a bias light some time ago and it makes a great difference.
Could you please post the link to the bias light that you are using? I'd first try to get it in Spain and if not,I'll order it from the US.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by 5150z

You should be fine. I have an Ideal Lume 6500k bias light covering most of my neutral grey wall behind my display and it works great. Not overly intense at all. Everyone should incorporate bias lighting, regardless of their display, if for no other reason than the eye strain factor. Especially as we age. I'm 60. Trust me!

Thank you.

It doesn't distract from the screen though, does it?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by eddievanhalen

Could you please post the link to the bias light that you are using? I'd first try to get it in Spain and if not,I'll order it from the US.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076X89GRW
https://www.amazon.es/fondo-Luminood.../dp/B01LR3RAVU

The one below has the remote and brightness and colour options.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078949RR8
https://www.amazon.es/Luminoodle-Man.../dp/B01LG99NXI

Amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078949RR8/
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Practic.../dp/B01LR3RAVU

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

Do the bias light kits, in general, make a room TOO bright? That's what I'm worried about...

I don't think so personally, and it's a "cold light" as someone else said, like a pure white. I think that makes it different from having bright overhead lighting on. I forgot to take a picture but maybe I will tonight. If you're worried about brightness though maybe the less risky option is to get the one with 10 different settings.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I don't think so personally, and it's a "cold light" as someone else said, like a pure white. I think that makes it different from having bright overhead lighting on. I forgot to take a picture but maybe I will tonight. If you're worried about brightness though maybe the less risky option is to get the one with 10 different settings.

I think it depends on the TV's placement as well, if your display is a couple of feet away from the wall behind it, it will diffuse the light more, if it's wall mounted or in a enclosure it's going to be less so (and it should work better as well).

If your USB or wall outlets are hard to reach I'd recommend the remote option, I can reach behind my TV quite easily, but if you can't get the one with the remote.

I forgot to mention StingingVelvet was the chap who recommended my Luminoodle and I'm very happy with it, but knowing what I know now, I would have had the one with the remote.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I don't think so personally, and it's a "cold light" as someone else said, like a pure white. I think that makes it different from having bright overhead lighting on. I forgot to take a picture but maybe I will tonight. If you're worried about brightness though maybe the less risky option is to get the one with 10 different settings.

Originally Posted by chip75

I think it depends on the TV's placement as well, if your display is a couple of feet away from the wall behind it, it will diffuse the light more, if it's wall mounted or in a enclosure it's going to be less so (and it should work better as well).

If your USB or wall outlets are hard to reach I'd recommend the remote option, I can reach behind my TV quite easily, but if you can't get the one with the remote.

I forgot to mention StingingVelvet was the chap who recommended my Luminoodle and I'm very happy with it, but knowing what I know now, I would have had the one with the remote.

Thanks a million, fellas...I'll probably end up getting one with control over the intensity...

[IntelliVolume]

Oh, and indeed, Velvet -- if you can share a picture of what your room looks like with the light on, that would be swell!

Thank you.

[eddievanhalen]

Originally Posted by chip75

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076X89GRW
https://www.amazon.es/fondo-Luminood.../dp/B01LR3RAVU

The one below has the remote and brightness and colour options.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078949RR8
https://www.amazon.es/Luminoodle-Man.../dp/B01LG99NXI

Amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078949RR8/
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Practic.../dp/B01LR3RAVU

Thank you for the links, I really appreciate your help.
I'm ordering the plain white light from Amazon Spain, it's cheap and it looks well made.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by eddievanhalen

Thank you for the links, I really appreciate your help.
I'm ordering the plain white light from Amazon Spain, it's cheap and it looks well made.

You're welcome. I was very pleased with mine.

[Bill C]

Very interesting Im getting the lg sk8000 for a replacement on my 65 inch Panasonic .They couldn't fix so its a warranty deal. seen it at the store looks great but I heard the edge lit tvs kinda look bad in the dark witch thats how I love watching movies so I might try one of those also .Great Info.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by Bill C

Very interesting Im getting the lg sk8000 for a replacement on my 65 inch Panasonic .They couldn't fix so its a warranty deal. seen it at the store looks great but I heard the edge lit tvs kinda look bad in the dark witch thats how I love watching movies so I might try one of those also .Great Info.

The edge lit sets look like COMPLETE ASS in a dark room. I HATE that about my NU8000. Forget HDR -- the friggin' thing lights up my room like Christmas (the black levels I mean) and not in a good way...

I am going to try some bias lighting myself.

[eddievanhalen]

I own a 2017 49" Samsung HDR set that I watch on a fully dark room (walls are painted in navy blue), it's edge lit and it looks very fine, it shows it's an edge lit display but there are very little artifacting because of this and light is evenly spread across the street.