Key Points
- Dual-view OLED displays allow users to view multiple video streams simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple sets.
- There are eight disadvantages to owning a dual-view OLED display.
- Alternatives to dual-view OLED TVs include multi-view QLED displays and QNED TVs, which offer great picture quality and durability.
Dual-view OLED displays have the advantage of readily allowing users to view more than one video stream concurrently. Compared to traditional televisions, this has some distinct advantages as you don’t need to purchase more than one set to make multiple viewers happy.
However, as with any OLED display, there are some inherent disadvantages that might be a breaking point for people considering a dual-view OLED display.
A Brief Overview of Dual-View OLED TVs
So, what is a dual-view OLED? Dual-view OLEDs enable users to simultaneously watch two separate video sources at the same time, thanks in part to the new display technology championed by manufacturers like LG.
The intense and vibrant colors of an OLED are married to the concept of a dual-purpose display. Now, picture-in-picture isn’t anything new in TVs.
But, rather than having a small inset picture on top of the main broadcast, you get two huge images to take up the whole of the massive display. There are some caveats concerning OLED TVs, as will be discussed in the next few sections.
Reasons to Avoid a Dual-View OLED TV
OLED TVs have quite a reputation in regard to overall image quality. Color reproduction and image clarity are generally stunning with HDR content. However, there are some reasons why you would actually avoid purchasing a new dual-view OLED TV.
1. Burn-In
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Image burn-in is a common issue with OLED, and generally occurs with static unmoving elements of a video feed. You’ll sometimes find this occurs with news networks where the main logo stays in the corner of the screen in a static fashion.
Once burn-in has set in, there really isn’t a way to resolve the issue. You can purchase another television, but that can be a very costly endeavor in itself. As such, it’s a solid reason to avoid a dual-view OLED TV.
2. Shorter Lifetime
OLED televisions have a much shorter lifespan than many of their counterparts. Televisions utilizing technologies like QLED or Micro-LED displays are going to have a much longer run time. This is thanks, in part, to the organic component of the OLED display.
The organic components that help transmit the picture from these types of televisions degrade at a much higher rate than other viewing technologies. While this might not be a dealbreaker for some, it is a solid reason to avoid a dual-view OLED TV.
3. Higher Cost
On top of a shorter lifespan, OLED TVs can typically cost more than other contemporary television sets. There are definitely pricy TVs using QLED, QNED, or other display technologies in a similar price bracket. On average, an OLED TV just simply costs more.
This harkens back to the organic compounds used to create an OLED display. These aren’t cheap by any measure, and that increased production cost is likewise reflected in the final cost for the consumer. If cost is a concern for your next purchase, this might be your reason to avoid a dual-view OLED TV.
4. Color Quality Deterioration
As the organic compounds that allow for image broadcast start to break down in an OLED display, this causes other effects on the overall picture quality of the television. Older OLED televisions can suffer from a loss in the vibrancy and color of the picture.
Now, TVs all degrade over time; that’s just part and parcel of running an appliance daily. However, few suffer from the same effects as an OLED TV in decline. If you’d rather have consistent colors and saturation for a longer period of time, this might be a solid reason to avoid a dual-view OLED TV.
5. Sub-Pixel Layout
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Now, with most display technologies, there is a degree of uniformity to the sub-pixel layout. OLED displays have a ton of variable sub-pixel layouts. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially when you consider these differing sub-pixel layouts are generally filtered through software processes.
However, this can lead to image inconsistency, especially when viewing certain media sources. If you’d rather have a more consistent picture, it is a rock-solid reason to avoid a dual-view OLED TV as your main viewing source.
6. Auto-Brightness Limiting
Auto-brightness limiting, or ABL for short, helps to maintain the longevity of your OLED display. How it works is as follows: during extremely bright or dark scenes, it levels out elements to keep things uniform. In theory, this should help your dual-view OLED TV have a long life of service.
However, in practice, this often results in dimly lit scenes during films with more ambitious cinematography. Now, turning off ABL increases the risk of burn-in, so you’ll want to keep it on, lest you void the warranty of your television.
That said, if you’d rather have an image where you aren’t struggling with image settings to get a clear picture, you might want to avoid a dual-view OLED TV.
7. No True Whites
OLED TVs are renowned for the accuracy of their color reproduction. You get true blacks with no crushing; a rarity in most consumer-grade displays that aren’t tailor-made for graphic design and color work. However, you don’t get true whites while using an OLED display.
Now, this isn’t a top reason to avoid a dual-view OLED TV. It is more of a minor gripe against the capabilities of this particular technology. Still, if you’re a stickler for color accuracy, having a software-filtered blue posing as a white probably isn’t up your alley.
8. Fragility
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OLED displays are typically thinner than many other types of televisions. This signature thinness can lead to a fragile television set. If you’re concerned about damaging your TV set through an accident, or even just during a move, there are valid reasons for anxiety.
While most displays can have a variety of factors at play in regard to their overall construction, the unique method used by OLEDs lends itself to fragility by design. If you’re looking for a robust television set, then you have plenty of reasons to avoid a dual-view OLED TV.
Alternatives to a Dual-View OLED TV
There are, thankfully, alternatives available to dual-view OLED TVs with stunning picture quality and great color reproduction.
Multi-View QLED TVs
- Art Mode
- QLED 4K 100% Color Volume (Quantum Dot technology)
- Anti-reflection and the matte display
- Slim-fit wall mount
One alternative to a dual-view OLED TV is a multi-view QLED display. This functions in a similar manner to a dual-view OLED, but uses quantum dots to transmit the image rather than organic compounds.
Multi-view is a proprietary feature of televisions by Samsung, so expect to see it on displays like the QN900A and The Frame. Still, if you’re after stunning picture quality while watching two separate video feeds, Samsung’s The Frame 4K display is a great choice.
QNED TVs
- 120 Hz refresh rate
- Quantum Dot NanoCell Color Technology
- α7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K
- FreeSync Premium and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
QNED TVs operate in a similar manner to QLEDs, utilizing quantum dot nano cells to transmit an image. LG makes a variety of great QNED televisions, like the QNED80.
These displays might not allow you to view more than one video source at the same time, but they do offer up great picture quality in an affordable and durable package.
Sure, color reproduction might not be at the same level as a high-end OLED display, but televisions like the QNED80 are a solid investment that won’t disappoint.
Closing Thoughts
There’s nothing stopping you from purchasing a dual-view OLED TV if that’s really what you’re after. However, be aware of these eight valid reasons why you might want to avoid using these sorts of televisions. Dual-view OLED TVs have a number of great advantages to them, but there are some very serious drawbacks, as well.
Summary Table
| Reason Number | Reason to Avoid a Dual-View OLED TV |
|---|---|
| 1 | Burn-In |
| 2 | Shorter Lifetime |
| 3 | Higher Cost |
| 4 | Color Quality Deterioration |
| 5 | Sub-Pixel Layout |
| 6 | Auto-Brightness Limiting |
| 7 | No True Whites |
| 8 | Fragility |
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