Final Words & Verdict
Final Words & Verdict
The KTC G42P5 is an interesting 42” 4K OLED monitor based on the LG OLED panel. It’s a (relatively, considering the size and type of screen) affordable solution for gamers. Additionally, the panel can be overclocked to a 138 Hz refresh rate. Thanks to the OLED panel and the incredible pixel response time, you perceive the 138 Hz comparatively as a good IPS panel with 175 Hz in motion clarity. But you don’t see a difference between 138 and 120 Hz (on the KTC) at the end of the day, either. In terms of gaming and HDR, this monitor is OLED typical. It’s super fast and just brilliant in rendering colors. The contrast, in particular, blows your mind. All other panel types cannot keep up with that. Additionally, you get a KVM switch (for multiple inputs) and almost all the necessary cables. It’s a great buy if you want OLED and its benefits for gaming, but there are some limitations that you have to consider. Before purchasing this screen, consider the size of the panel and the fact that it is necessary to have sufficient distance to use it in good condition. KTC relies on a solid base, which, on the one hand, allows a secure stand, but on the other, it was designed so that the monitor takes up little space in depth, enabling it to be positioned close to the wall. The stand is optional, but we recommend getting it as it was strong, attractive, had some nice RGB lighting, and was pretty versatile. Combined with the white metal enclosure of the screen, it looked smart and sleek on the desk. On the other hand, the support lacks a little ergonomics compared to similar gaming monitors. It is certainly tiltable, but there is no way to adjust it in height or rotate it. KTC G42P5 is by no means an all-rounder. The biggest point of criticism is the HDMI 2.1 ports, which only run at 24 Gbit/s. The ABL is a bit too aggressive – especially in SDR mode (and desktop usage). KTC offers all the protection functions for organic LEDs, but the burn-in issue cannot be completely ignored. Finally, a heatsink is missing here, which makes sense for OLED monitors. It shouldn’t be a problem if you don’t run the desktop statically 24/7 under full brightness – without the mentioned protection features. Pixel shifting is always enabled and cannot be influenced by the end user via OSD.
Features
The KTC G42P5 offers 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility if you don’t want to use the stand (which is not a must, and you can buy the monitor without it). The two HDMI and one DP port, two USB 3.0 ports, and a headphone jack are features you can’t miss, and you should be satisfied with this package. You also get the Type-C PD 90 W reverse charging via USB Type-C and the KVM support. The design is less striking than some other “gaming monitors.” The build quality is good (especially since we like the metal/white backside), and the stand is solid. The OSD is easy to navigate, the joystick does well, and you can always use the attached remote to change the options; both are convenient with the OSD. It’s not official, but the monitor is FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible.
Image quality
Its use is a joy for the eyes, especially in HDR-compatible games, where we can get that extra touch of image quality, combined with its 138 Hz with the dedicated setting via the monitor menu or the classic 120 Hz. The OLED panel is of very good quality and offers a very nice rendering, with good dynamism in the image, which is appreciable. The second you power up the monitor, your eyebrows will frown upwards as the image quality is spectacular. OLED is OLED, which means perfect blacks and superb contrast. The OLED panel shows excellent black depth, contrast, and pixel response times. OLED panels can also excel in HDR playback. No matter how many zones a mini-LED model offers, devices like the KTC G42P5 have a clear advantage. Overall, the KTC G42P5 delivers a convincing performance as a media monitor. The OLED panel can show its benefits if you want to play games or have HDR content on the program. However, some compromises must be made for all-around use, which should be carefully considered before purchasing.Native Colour Depth is 1.07 Billon Colors (10bit). Gamut is 133% sRGB | 99% DCI-P3 | 99% Adobe RGB. As expected, with an OLED panel, blacks are deep, whites are bright, and the overall relationship between the darkest and the most colorful tones is quite expressive, making for an immersive viewing experience, particularly in dark rooms. The HDR feature is useful. Still, it’s “only” HDR10. The default setup was decent enough, and with a few simple tweaks to the RGB channels and brightness, you can get a nice setup for wide gamut / DCI-P3 mode. The sRGB emulation with factory calibration is also very good.
Gaming/HDR
Playing on an OLED screen with high refresh rates is enjoyable. The basic advantages of OLED technology can be appreciated in many places in this type of usage. It provides a first-class gaming display. The KTC G42P5 is predestined for gaming due to its OLED panel with little input lag and perfect response times. We were impressed with the OLED per-pixel dimming, excellent contrast ratio, and true blacks for HDR games and movies. Overclocked with native 120 Hz or 138 Hz, assuming you have a powerful PC, quite a lot is possible. Disappointingly, however, the bandwidth of the two HDMI 2.1 ports is halved at only 24 Gbps each, which excludes around 4:4:4 chroma at 4K and 120 Hz, unless you use DSC - which then only works on the PC, not on the console. It is limited to 4:2.0. The games overall ran great on the G42P5. A smaller screen is better except for the competitive crowd (CS: GO/LoL/Fornite). It is a great choice for the average/casual gamer. The large panel (despite its flat design) provides a high level of immersion. The panel’s short response times and the maximum possible 138 Hz ensure an extremely clear image. KTC G42P5 lets even the smallest bright objects emerge from the black without creating blooming or halos. It works particularly well in games with a high proportion of darkness. However, like many other OLED TVs, the monitor only supports HDR 10, not HLG and Dolby Vision—a bit of disappointment in this price category. In practice, the HDR image looked very good, with excellent OLED contrast helping provide a very enjoyable experience.
Office
Things look different in desktop operation. An RGBW subpixel matrix is used, which affects the text clarity and can cause color fringing in (very) extreme cases. If there is no clear light-dark movement in the image displayed, the display reduces the brightness to around 35 percent after a few minutes. This function, called ASBL, protects the OLED panel from damage, which is intended to prevent burn-in effects but also means that the brightness changes regularly. Nevertheless, this is somewhat annoying when writing or reading. After all, static picture elements are usually displayed much more frequently in PC operation - task and menu bars, toolbars, etc. But if you work in a document, then open the browser, jump to a messenger, etc., you will notice the ABL very quickly. This inconsistent playback is disruptive in normal office use. It would be nice if the feature could be deactivated (or limited) in the OSD, for example, with a lower maximum brightness. The type of coating will certainly lead to some discussions: KTC uses a dull matt AG coating and foregoes some of the subjectively possible contrast range that characterizes OLED technology. Depending on the installed device, this can be an advantage as it minimizes reflection and ensures a perceived reduction in contrasts. Overall, we prefer this coating for the intended use as a desktop monitor. Since the monitor cannot be adjusted in height (at least when using the provided stand), neck pain results when working for a long time. The best solution is to use the monitor arm to adjust the height. Overall - where the monitor excels in games, it can only be recommended to a limited extent for office use, definitely not the „24/7” device.
Concluding
The KTC G42P5 impresses as a gaming monitor, although it’s pretty good for office use when using a monitor arm with height adjustment. It’s also great for HDR movie watching, especially with its OLED virtues and sheer size (but on the other side, it’s quite heavy and difficult to handle due to the size). An affordable gaming monitor with OLED technology in 42 inches is not commonplace. It has an attractive design and a decent optional stand (but with limited adjustability). It also includes DP and USB-C connections (with 90W PD). The customer gets a very good OLED panel for his money, which screams for HDR gaming. Conversely, it is a pity that the panel only supports HDR 10. But you also get a brilliant monitor in SDR thanks to the OLED technology. There’s no ghosting or screen tearing; the viewing angles are great. Colors, black levels, and contrasts are great. Response times and the 138 Hz overdrive mode are also impressive for gamers. In office mode with large, bright images, the monitor is dimmed for protection. The KTC G42P5 is a large, colorful, and high-contrast OLED monitor with many gaming features and is thus suitable for gamers who like to play games on a large screen in great quality. It is a wonderful screen, with vibrant colors and deep, dark blacks flowing from the screen’s surface. Aside from the superb HDR display for a monitor and the still unique combination of 4k and 138 Hz on OLED, the image quality of the PG42UQX is very good. There is a super low input lag thanks to monitor-focused design and features. The main point of criticism could be the mediocre speakers and lack of full HDMI bandwidth (but for many, especially when you’re not a consoler gamer – it shouldn’t be a major issue). Additionally, there’s no support for Dolby Vision and HLG HDR formats. Certainly, the 42-inch diagonal does not make it suitable for everyone, especially for everyday use, so it is necessary to get used to it and position yourself at a greater distance from the monitor, therefore less comfortable than a classic monitor. However, its size allows you to work multitasking, placing multiple windows and tabs side by side, increasing your productivity. If you have space and want to enjoy video games in their highest quality, it’s a way to go. The supporting hardware (especially the GPU) must also be of a certain level, but you already know this. We now come to the sore point, namely the cost. This monitor is not affordable for everyone, even if it is worth its price (especially now, with the discounts). Concluding, we can surely grant this monitor a „Recommended” award. For the current promotions, please check the below links.
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