For a number of years, the perceived wisdom has been that a TV is great for watching shows, movies and playing games on a console, while the PC gamer needs a specialised monitor due to speed, connectivity and picture quality demands. This may have been true once, but the modern MiniLED TV has advanced to the point where it can make a definite claim as the one-stop solution for all your gaming and entertainment needs.
This will be welcome news to many, as the prices of RAM and graphics cards continue to spiral, making it harder to put together a gaming rig. What if you didn’t need a dedicated gaming monitor but instead could do it all through a quality TV like the new Hisense MiniLED ULED TV U7SG, which boasts fast refresh rates, popping colors, balanced contrast and plenty more?
So, is it finally time to use the biggest screen in your home as the centre of your gaming and entertainment world?
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Can a MiniLED TV cope with the demands of modern games?
Hisense
Older TVs often suffered when it came to gaming, as the displays had low 60Hz or 100Hz refresh rates (how quickly everything on the screen is redrawn each second) which could lead to jagged graphics when subjects were moving – which is pretty much all the time in a game. The technology has caught up significantly though, with the Hisense U7SG offering a native 165Hz panel, so the action looks smooth and natural. It also has the ability to push its Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 330Hz under compatible gaming conditions, thanks to the inbuilt Game Booster 330 feature. This is all aided by the Hi-View AI Engine Pro, that analyzes what’s happening onscreen and adjusts the display accordingly so everything looks its best and helps reduce screen-tearing.
Of course, one of the main requirements of any gaming display is how quickly it responds to the commands from controllers or keyboard/mouse movements. Again, in the past this was an issue for TVs, but the introduction of HDMI 2.1 has all but eliminated the input lag that could make gaming on those sets frustrating. You can also attach several devices at once, as the Hisense U7SG has 4x HDMI 2.1 ports built-in, so you can dispense with the pain of cable swapping when going from a gaming session to a movie night.
Is the picture quality on a MiniLED TV as good as a dedicated monitor?
Hisense
Modern televisions offer excellent features when it comes to picture quality, ones that can make gaming monitors look a little ordinary. For example, the Hi-QLED MiniLED Pro technology in the Hisense U7SG consists of thousands of MiniLED backlights that offer pinpoint control over colours and brightness. It’s true that this is the basis of all MiniLED TVs, but it’s how this technology is controlled and images are processed that can make a huge difference. Hi-QLED MiniLED Pro adopts an approach that uses up to 3,000 independently controlled local dimming zones, delivering light precisely where it’s needed instead of brightening the whole panel. The result is sharper contrast, deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and fewer halos.
This is great if you want to play sports games, where the players and the colors on their jerseys are more defined, plus you get the sensation of being in an immersive stadium environment rather than the flat lighting that can be portrayed on less premium MiniLED displays. If you’re into RPGs, then you won’t miss hidden treasures or doors because of muddy, dark scenes. The increased contrast means you’ll also be able to clearly read text on the screen, even from the comfort of your sofa.
One of the main advantages of MiniLED TVs is that they boast high-end color capabilities too. This is true of the Hisense U7SG, which features Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10+ Adaptive, which ensure you see a rich blend of tones and hues, perfect for games, movies or following your favourite team. It also supports IMAX Enhanced content, so you can enjoy a huge cinema-like experience.
While you get detailed and fast graphics on a gaming monitor, now you can enjoy those features plus the everything above if you use a MiniLED TV as advanced as the Hisense U7SG. That particular model is also Pantone Validated, so skin tones are naturally portrayed, colors and shades are vibrant and rich without being oversaturated, all of which adds up to content being displayed just as the creators intended.
Isn’t a MiniLED TV just too big?
Hisense
Typically, gaming monitors tend to live in the range between 24-inch and 32-inch, while MiniLED TV often start at around 40-inch and go up from there (the Hisense U7SG lineup tops out at a massive 100-inch model).
If you’re dead-set on staying with a keyboard & mouse rig, with the screen right in front of you, then a gaming monitor might be the better choice. But, even here there’s a few things to consider. Modern TVs are light and thin, with the Hisense U7SG featuring a slimline unibody design that can fit at the back of a desk or even be wall-mounted if you want the extra space. It’s anti-reflection and glare-free technology also means the display can cope with a variety of lighting situations without the screen washing out right in the middle of a speed-run.
There’s no need for speakers either, which can be a drawback with some gaming monitors, as the U7SG comes equipped with 2.1.2 multi-channel surround sound. In addition to left and right channels, this audio setup further enhances low-frequency performance and provides a more layered soundstage than a traditional TV. The advantage of this is immersive audio where you’ll be able to locate footsteps in a FPS game, feel a racing car engine pass by, or enjoy a dynamic sonic experience when watching blockbuster movies.
Should I buy a MiniLED TV for my gaming setup?
If you’re a competitive eSports gamer, or play mainly online shooters to a high level, then a premium-end gaming monitor may be the better choice, as those can have refresh rates that go up to 240Hz or more. But with a Hisense U7SG you’re getting a very high 165Hz display, which is absolutely top-tier for a TV, plus the advantages of a much larger screen, vibrant colors and surround sound that will give you an engaging and envloping experience. Whether it’s huge open world adventures, high speed combat, frantic sports action or wanting to be able to enjoy couch-play with friends, a MiniLED TV gives you many of the advantages of a gaming monitor, plus plenty more besides.
Choosing a model like the Hisense U7SG means you’ll enjoy fast refresh rates, little to no input lag, rich colors, local dimming for detailed contrasts, vibrant sounds, plus the ability to sit back and switch from your PC exploits to a streaming service to watch your favourite shows or movies, all without having to leave your seat.