Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or home theater devotee, the Hisense U8 series delivers a stunning premium viewing experience. Best of all, it will cost you next to nothing! Currently, the 55-inch model is enjoying a serious markdown, making it an especially great buy. This article will explore the features that make the U8 a standout choice, particularly for gaming, and offer guidance on optimizing its performance.
Why the Hisense U8 is a Game Changer
The Hisense U8 really stands out thanks to a number of proprietary technologies that enhance gaming and movie-watching. Two of these features stand out above all others though, its 144Hz refresh rate and its Mini-LED backlighting.
144Hz Native Refresh Rate: This high refresh rate is a boon for gamers, especially those with powerful PCs or next-gen consoles. The TV's native refresh rate is 144Hz, which is high enough to provide a smooth gaming experience. It allows for incredibly fluid motion, reducing blur and ghosting in fast-paced games. The Hisense U8 has a 144Hz native refresh rate, ideal for console gamers. This results in a more responsive and immersive gaming experience.
Mini-LED Technology: Mini-LED technology offers better contrast compared to traditional LCD screens. By using thousands of tiny LEDs, the TV can precisely control brightness and darkness across the screen. This results in deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and an overall more dynamic picture. The Hisense U8 has exceptional black levels in a bright room. It has a good response time for minimal blur behind fast-moving objects.
Gaming Features That Shine
Beyond the advanced core display technologies, the Hisense U8 is loaded up with image and tech boosting features to take gaming to the next level.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Support: The TV supports VRR, which allows for a smoother gaming experience by adjusting the refresh rate to match the frame rate of the game. It supports AMD FreeSync and Premium Pro VRR, providing a smooth gaming experience. It eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, resulting in a cleaner, more enjoyable gaming session.
HDMI 2.1 Ports: The TV has two HDMI 2.1 ports, which support up to 144Hz refresh rate, making it suitable for high-speed gaming. These ports unlock the full potential of next-generation consoles and high-end PCs, allowing for 4K gaming at high frame rates. The TV supports all common resolutions up to 4k @ 144Hz on two of its four HDMI ports.
Comprehensive VRR Compatibility: The TV supports multiple VRR technologies, providing a wide range of compatibility with different gaming devices. It is FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible, and HDMI Forum VRR, ensuring that gamers can take advantage of VRR regardless of their hardware.
Low Input Lag: Input lag is the delay between a player's input and the action appearing on screen. The TV has a measured input lag of 36.1ms when VRR is enabled, which is relatively low for a TV. The Hisense U8 also features auto low latency mode (ALLM) support, which reduces input lag for gaming. This minimizes the delay, providing a more responsive and competitive gaming experience.
Game Bar: The TV also features a new Game Bar for enhanced gaming functionality. This provides quick access to important gaming settings, such as VRR status, input lag, and refresh rate.
Optimizing Your Gaming Setup
To get the most out of the Hisense U8 for gaming, consider these setup tips:
- Set HDMI Format to Enhanced: This setting allows for 4K at 120Hz playability. This is crucial for unlocking the TV's full potential with next-gen consoles and PCs.
- Turn on AMD FreeSync: This feature helps reduce screen tearing and provides a smoother gaming experience. Ensure that FreeSync is enabled in both the TV settings and the gaming device's settings.
- Use the fourth HDMI slot with HDMI Enhanced Format enabled: This is recommended for gaming PC users. This ensures the best possible performance and compatibility.
- Adjust picture mode: Try different picture modes, such as HDR Game or HDR Vivid, to find the best one for your gaming needs. Experiment with different picture modes to find the one that looks best for different game genres.
- Set brightness and contrast: Adjust brightness to around 80 for SDR and 100 for HDR, and contrast to around 83. These settings provide a good balance between brightness and detail.
Value Proposition: How It Stacks Up
The Hisense U8 is a winner for the best value TV. Its class-leading blend of features, quality and performance provides unbeatable value. While other TVs may offer similar features, the U8's Mini-LED backlighting, 144Hz refresh rate, and comprehensive VRR support set it apart. Whether you’re a gamer or a home theater buff looking for a premium TV, Hisense’s U8 is a perfect choice. Now with its half off price drop, there’s no excuse not to get the premium quality you deserve! This causes flicker at an extremely high 7,800Hz even in all non-picture modes and brightness levels. Additionally, it has exceptional HDR color volume alongside excellent SDR color volume.
