The highly acclaimed Samsung S95C QD-OLED TV, known for its exceptional performance, has a peculiar limitation that may disappoint PC gamers. Reviewer Vincent Teoh discovered that the TV’s HDMI 2.1 ports do not support the full bandwidth capabilities of HDMI 2.1. While a standard HDMI 2.1 port can handle 48Gbps, the S95C’s ports are limited to 40Gbps. This restriction could potentially create issues for PC gamers aiming to utilize the TV’s 4K 144Hz capabilities.
Teoh speculates that the One Connect box, an external unit where the TV’s processing and connections are located to maintain a slim design, may be the cause of this reduced bandwidth. While the One Connect box contributes to a sleek appearance and hides cable clutter, it appears to come with compromises in terms of connection capabilities.
Fortunately, this limitation is unlikely to affect the majority of users. Most applications do not require the full bandwidth of HDMI 2.1. Notably, even the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, the latest gaming consoles, cannot output more than 40Gbps, even in 4K 120Hz with HDR. Additionally, high-end streaming devices and 4K Blu-ray players do not necessitate such high bandwidth. Even the Apple TV 4K (2022), renowned for its streaming quality, does not support 48Gbps output.
However, some high-end graphics cards can fully utilize the 48Gbps HDMI bandwidth, especially when aiming for the TV’s maximum 144Hz refresh rate and 4K resolution. In such cases, connectivity issues may arise if the TV cannot handle the demanding output from the PC.
Despite this limitation, the Samsung S95C QD-OLED TV remains an excellent choice for movie enthusiasts and gamers alike. It continues to be regarded as one of the best OLED TVs on the market. However, for PC gamers seeking a TV that fully supports 48Gbps at 144Hz, alternatives such as the Samsung S90C or the Samsung QN95C may be more suitable options.
