The Xbox One S is out August 2nd but in order to take advantage of all of its features, you’re going to need a compatible television. Microsoft’s mid-cycle refresh of the Xbox One may seem like a minor upgrade on paper, but the inclusion of HDR and 4K will make games and movies more immersive than ever. At least until Project Scorpio comes bearing VR support.
So before you head out and buy an Xbox One S, take a look at your current TV and decide if it's worth upgrading to get the most out of Microsoft’s new console. If you are upgrading your TV, here’s what you need to know to get the best Xbox One S experience.
HDR stands for “high dynamic range” and has been used in the photography world for a long time. You may have noticed a “HDR” mode on your iPhone or Android, which helps capture more detail in dark or overly bright areas. HDR for televisions also aims to increase the level of realism and detail, but for video instead of still images.
With HDR, blacks will be deeper and darker and whites will be whiter. You’ll also get a wider range of colors with HDR to help reproduce subtle color differences. The goal of HDR is to provide a picture that’s more true to real life and while the effect is subtle, it’s noticeable when compared alongside non-HDR content.
Here’s where HDR gets tricky - currently, there are two standards of HDR: HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Here’s what you need to know about each standard:
HDR10
HDR10 (aka HDR1000) is the open industry standard that has been adopted by TV manufacturers like Sony, LG, Samsung, Sharp and more. Movie studios behind HDR10 include 20th Century Fox, Netflix, Warner Brothers, Walt Disney and others. Every upcoming 4K capable Blu-ray player will support HDR10.
Dolby Vision
Dolby Vision is a proprietary standard created by Dolby and it promises some technical advantages over HDR10. Dolby Vision features 12-bit color depth vs HDR10’s 10-bit. Dolby’s standard also cranks out more nits of screen brightness than HDR10, which is great if you have a TV that can get that bright.
HDR10 vs. Dolby Vision: Which is better?
On a technical and theoretical level, Dolby Vision is superior. However, HDR10 wins by being the more widely adopted standard that doesn’t require specialized hardware. If you have the means to purchase a TV that supports Dolby Vision, you can do so without too much worry, as that TV will also be able to support HDR10. However, you’ll risk paying more for a Dolby Vision supported TV if that HDR format fails to get traction.
If all you want to do is to use your Xbox One S to its fullest potential, then a 4K HDR10 TV will be just fine, as there are no plans for the console to support Dolby Vision.
LG 65EF9500 ($4,499)
If cost is no object, the LG 65EF9500 is one of the best 4K UHD TVs you can buy right now. PCMag says, “Once again, LG has produced an OLED display that offers the best picture you can buy.” The TV features an OLED display, which produces the blackest blacks and more vibrant colors than even a plasma TV could provide. It features great video processing and has a striking look with its 0.25-inch thin body. It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10, so your Xbox One S will work well with it, and you'll get the most out of any media that supports Dolby's proprietary technology.
Samsung UN65KS8000 ($2,799)
If you don’t drive a Bugatti and maybe want to feed your kids instead of blowing all your money on a TV, the Samsung UN65KS8000 is a great high-end choice. It supports HDR10, which will work great with the Xbox One S, and offers 4K resolution upscaling for all the 1080p content you’re likely still consuming. You’ll still get a gorgeous life-like picture, but just a tad less dynamic and eye popping as the LG.
Vizio P Series ($1,000 - $3,799)
Vizio has long been known as a budget brand, but the Vizio P Series proves the company can stand with the best. The P Series offers outstanding picture quality and also features a unique Android tablet remote, plus it has Google Cast and smart TV features built in. However, it doesn't actually support Dolby Vision and HDR10 formats yet. Vizio plans to patch in support, so while the Xbox One S will conceivably pair perfectly with the Vizio P Series, you will be waiting on an update patch before it can take full advantage of all of the console's features.
Samsung UN55KU6300 ($898)
If you’re on a budget, the Samsung UN55KU6300 is your best bet. It offers both 4K resolution and HDR10 support for your Xbox One S. You don’t get the flexibility of having Dolby Vision support, but if all you want to do is play games and watch Blu-ray movies in HDR, the UN55KU6300 will do just fine. You do give up some color reproduction and brightness for this budget set, but if you’re upgrading from an old 1080p TV, you’ll be blown away by its sharpness and colors.
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Lewis Leong is a technology journalist who has an unhealthy obsession with audio gear and racing simulators. Follow him on Twitter.
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