The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has long become one of the most popular platforms for demonstrating innovative successes in the consumer electronics segment. This year was no exception. Almost all industry leaders presented new model lines, including those with innovative technologies. Of course, the LG and Samsung stands have traditionally been the center of attention and the South Korean giants did not disappoint expectations. As usual, high-tech TVs generated the most interest.
The list of the most promising and interesting innovations from LG includes:
– transparent LG OLED T;
– wireless OLED M4 series;
– OLED UltraGear gaming monitor with Dual-Hz function (4K@240Hz / FullHD@480Hz for high frame rate gaming);
– OLED panels with META 2.0 3rd gen;
– latest α11 AI video processor.
In addition, the company presented superb OLED B4 / C4 / G4 panels and improved QNED series with mini LED backlight and QD-based NanoCell technology.
77in LG Signature OLED T has a transparent front OLED panel with an opaque folded film (‘contrast screen’). It turns into a traditional TV after unfolding the film behind the image. In fact, in ‘transparent’ mode, this model is a stylish interior element.
The Wireless OLED M4 with a Zero Connect box is a brighter version of last year’s M3. The additional heatsink and MLA (Micro Lens Array)-based META 2.0 OLED panel with ‘META Multi Booster’ (pixel-level brightness optimization) feature delivers peak brightness of up to an unprecedented 3,000 nits in a 3% window. In fact, the company is eliminating the traditional brightness limitation of OLED panels.
The new α11 AI video processor further enhances the performance of AI Picture Pro (new Object Enhancing and AI Director Processing functions) and AI Sound Pro (virtual 11.1.2 surround upmixing).
LG OLED TVs
LG expands the OLED range with G4, C4, B4 series and flagship wireless M4 series. Like last year’s LG OLED M3, the M4 comes with a Zero Connect box that enables wireless A/V streaming.
M4 and G4 have the next-gen α (Alpha) 11 AI processor with a new Peak Highlighter feature. According to the company, it offers ‘a 70% improvement in graphic performance and a 30% faster processing speed.’ Moreover, AI Picture Pro offers some new features:
– Object Enhancing by Visual Perception with pixel-level optimization – greater detail level for upscaling;
– AI Director Processing (‘Director Tone’ mode) with max authentic playback.
In addition, the improved AI Sound Pro supports virtual 11.1.2 surround upmixing vs 9.1.2 in the G3, and a voice remastering feature improves dialogue clarity.
Both TVs are very bright due to the MLA-based META 2.0 panel with Multi Booster feature. Also, the α11 AI processor supports wireless audio Wowcast capabilities to compatible LG soundbars and lossless wireless Dolby Atmos transmission.
Finally, it supports DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected content, including videos from Netflix, for example.
G4 has Zero Gap design.
The peak brightness of mid-range LG C4 OLED varies 1,000 – 1,500 nits.
All TVs run under webOS 24, have Chromecast built-in, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) ClearMR certification, Game Optimiser and are compatible with Nvidia G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync.
M4 vs G4 vs C4 vs B4:
– α11 vs α11 vs α9 vs α8 AI 4K processor;
– MLA (up to 84″ models) vs MLA vs no vs no;
– 144Hz vs 144Hz vs 144Hz vs 120Hz refresh rate;
– all 4x HDMI 2.1 inputs;
The company promises sales from March 2024.
LG OLED Evo C4 vs G4
Specs:
– lineup – 42″-83″ (6 models) vs 55″-97″ (5 TVs);
– panel type – WOLED vs WOLED MLA;
– peak brightness – 1,000 – 1,500 nits vs up to 3,000 nits in 3% window;
– video processor – α9 7gen vs α11(with Peak Highlighter feature);
– OLED Evo (OLED EX) vs OLED Evo (MLA (55-83″) + OLED EX + heatsink);
– alternative names C4x vs 46;
– Brightness Booster vs Brightness Booster Max;
– Flat vs Zero Gap design;
– WiFi – WiFi 5 / 802.11ac vs WiFi 6 / 802.11ax;
– Bluetooth 5.0 vs 5.2.
Both models have:
– twin tuner (ATSC 1.0 ,USA and DVB-T2/S2/C, Europe);
– recorder;
– 4x HDMI 2.1;
– HFR (HDR10 and Dolby Vision) – 4K@120Hz;
– Game Optimizer / Dashboard;
– HDMI VRR / FreeSync / G-Sync – (40-144 Hz);
– ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) + QMS (VRR-based Quick Media Switching technology instantly changes in the range from 24Hz to 60Hz frame rate) + CEC (Consumer Electronics Control controls all HDMI devices with one remote) control;
– auto Filmmaker Mode + HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group standard for setting screen colors);
– audio – HDMI ARC / eARC, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS formats;
– HDR – HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision / Dolby Vision IQ, Advanced HDR (auto brightness adjustment);
– WebOS 24 – Chromecast, AirPlay 2, HomeKit, Google Assistant / Alexa, Amazon Prime Video / Apple TV app / Disney+ / HBO Max / Hulu / Netflix / YouTube.
LG QNED mini LED NanoCell TVs
Basically, LG focuses its efforts in the OLED panel segment. However, the company does not ignore other promising areas, developing, for example, the QNED series of LED LCD TVs with quantum dot (QD) technology and mini LED backlight.
As known, these technologies have radically improved image quality of LCD models. In particular, QD technology has expanded the color gamut and increased color accuracy by significantly improving the white quality.
It’s designed to form a color image using an RGB filter. In fact, the white is generated using an additional film with microparticles, whose size corresponds to the wavelengths of red and green. Blue is provided by an array of blue LEDs in front of the film. Blue falls on the film, is partially absorbed by microparticles and is re-emitted as green and red. Combining behind the film, they form a high quality white.
Today it’s the basis of LG NanoCell technology.
Mini LED backlight became the second epoch-making breakthrough. Replacing traditional LEDs with miniature ones allowed developers to create up to 1,000 local dimming zones in 65in TVs.
A sharp increase in the precision of backlight intensity control has increased the contrast of mini LED panels several times, eliminating the main problem of this technology.
As a result, today the market has formed a new segment LED TVs with QD and mini LED backlight, the image quality of which is commensurate with OLED technology. Of course, the competition in this segment is enormous. Last year’s Hisense U8K, TCL QM8 and, of course, the enchanting Samsung Neo series are great. But competition even with the most famous rivals is unlikely to confuse the South Korean giant.
LG QNED 2024
The new LG QNED 2024 line includes 4K and 8K models and uses the improved α8 AI processor, which provides higher performance (AI by ~1.3 times, graphics by ~2.3 times, processing speed by ~1.6 times). As a result:
– AI Picture Pro distinguishes faces, objects and background in the frame, complementing texture and the smallest details;
– two color technologies – Quantum Dot and NanoCell Plus;
– Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro divides images into blocks, analyzes them in real time, determines dark and light areas of the frame, and increases detail through precise HDR optimization;
– the popular local dimming technology increases contrast in models without mini LED backlight.
LG QNED TVs with mini LED backlight utilize Precision Dimming technology to improve gradations and accurate backlight control. For example, Million Grey Scale feature in QNED90 differentiates between shades of gray and represents gradation with a unprecedented 20-bit accuracy;
– Personalized Picture Wizard simplifies quality settings by offering several preset templates;
– AI Sound Pro supports 9.1.2 virtual surround sound from the TV’s built-in speakers;
– WOW Orchestra perfectly syncs any LG soundbar with TV speakers, forming a single 3D audio stage.
Of course, they support Apple AirPlay and Chromecast.
The line includes models from 43 to 86 inches and a flagship 98in TV. Ultra-thin QNED85 and QNED80 with a profile thickness of 29mm fit perfectly into any living room interior.
WebOS Re:New program offers an upgrade to the latest webOS smart TV platform version for last year’s LG QNED mini LED 8K models, including QNED99 and QNED95 series. As known, the main home UI screen of the newest webOS has Dynamic Q Card for fast, effortless access to popular services, including Home Office, Home Hub, Sports and Games.
Conclusion
LG has once again confirmed its right to a place among industry innovative leaders. Of course, transparent LG OLED T and wireless OLED M4 are unlikely to become bestsellers in 2024 due to their predictably high prices. But they successfully demonstrate the progress of these revolutionary concepts.
OLED G4 and C4 are worthy replacements for last year’s G3 and ultra-popular C3. In fact, the better processor and greater brightness due to MLA tech and heatsink are the main differences between the flagship G4 and mid-range C4. The difference in launch prices of last year’s 65in LG C3 vs G3 was £ 2,900 / $ 2,600 vs £ 3,500 / $ 3,300, or ~20-25%. Given the differences in specs, the price difference of new models will also vary in this range. At an adequate price, they will be able to offer superb price-quality ratios that will provide them with cloudless marketing prospects.
OLED B4 offers a budget option that is traditionally popular.
LG QNED TVs 2024 will face tough competition in the new segment of LCD TVs with quantum dot technology and mini LED backlight. Of course, Samsung, Sony, Hisense and TCL are more than reputable contenders, but the QNED series offers very promising specs.
Overall, fans of the LG brand get a wide range of great new products in all price segments.
The video demonstrates the world’s first 77-inch 4K wireless transparent LG SIGNATURE OLED T model.
