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High-Def Digest Checks Out The First 4K Ultra-HD TV in the US

Mon Oct 29, 2012 at 05:00 PM ET
Tags: LG, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

by Michael S. Palmer

Hundreds gathered last Thursday -- some waiting overnight -- at Video & Audio Center in sunny Lawndale, California (which, the Mayor reminded everyone is NOT Torrance) for the official launch of the first Ultra-High-Definition television available in the US market. The 84-inch television, model 84LM9600, is an LED TV with a "4K" 3840 x 2160 screen resolution. At eight million pixels, that's four times the pixel count and resolution of current "Full HD" 1080p televisions. The 48LM9600 includes LG's Magic Remote for hand gesture and voice control, is 3D capable using passive glasses and, as one of LG's Smart TVs, comes equipped with apps and access to streaming audio and video content.

But "wait a minute," you may be asking yourselves. They have 4K digital projectors in commercial cinemas, but is there any home entertainment -- broadcast, streaming, download, physical media -- available today in the new Ultra-HD standard? That depends. There are a few 4K DSLR cameras and video recording devices, so if you're a budding filmmaker or a home-movie enthusiast, you could watch your own content on the Ultra-HD TV. However, in terms of professionally produced product -- Hollywood films, television series, and video games -- you're currently limited to Blu-ray's 1080p content.


But fret not, my friends, LG has you covered with its proprietary up-conversion engine (this TV has two dual-core processors built-in), the "LG Resolution Upscaler Plus," which automatically up-coverts all of your content to 3840 x 2160. I didn't get to check a variety of sources in person, but after watching the in-store demo loop over and over again (the source, according to LG: an LG Blu-ray player), and it looked stunning. Jaw-dropping even.


Most of the footage was from HD time lapse photography -- famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, beautiful desert canyons, rolling clouds in clear blue skies, starscapes swimming across the horizon. You've seen this material before, and I would have sworn LG hooked up a 4K source. Other than some light banding seen at an unfair distance of 12-24 inches, which I'm guessing is in the source material or Blu-ray encode, the Ultra-HD TV was mesmerizing. Though, to be fair, ever other 1080p HDTV in the store wasn't running the demo loop so there wasn't a chance to compare and contrast it with the best LEDs and Plasmas from LG and competing brands, but still the demo was breathtaking. For what it's worth, LG claims the LG Resolution Upscaler Plus will work with SD footage as well, but I didn't get to see that first hand. My guess is results would vary depending on the source quality and viewing distance.

So how much will you have to pay to be among the world's first to own a 4K display and is it even worth it?


The MSRP is listed as $19,999.99, but the retail price at Video & Audio Center was a few pennies shy of $17,000. LG claims that any TV or display above 65-inches (what this intrepid reporter owns) will benefit from the added pixels Ultra-High-Definition, but then again there are a lot of people with projectors happy with screens in the 100-200 inch range. Also, the lack of native 4K content concerns me. The full press release follows below, but here's the one disclaimer that caught my eye:

*No “ultra high definition” or “4K” video content is currently available. No broadcast or other standard currently exists for “4K” or “ultra high definition” television, and the 84LM9600 may or may not be compatible with such standards if and when developed.


Remember all those early adopters who had DVI or RGB component HD inputs on their "HDTVs" who ran into limitations when HDMI arrived on the scene? The risk here is that you'll be stuck with a next-generation TV that can't actually play next-generation content. But then again, if you're in the market for an 84-inch television, having four-times the pixels is certainly a benefit much like having a high quality computer monitor -- Retina Display or other -- where everything on your computer looks better, even 720p and 1080p content.

Here's a few more pictures of the world's first Ultra-HD TV in action, followed by the official LG Press Release:



LG ELECTRONICS LAUNCHES FIRST
‘ULTRA-HIGH-DEFINITION’ 4K TVs IN U.S.

LG’s 84-inch Class Display Boasts Four Times the Resolution of Full HD,
Ushers in New Era in Picture Quality for Large-Screen TVs

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 25, 2012 – Ushering in a new era in home entertainment, the first “Ultra High Definition” flat-panel TV – with four times the resolution of today’s HDTVs – went on sale today to consumers in the United States.

LG Electronics USA chose Southern California, the epicenter of entertainment and innovation, as the consumer launchpad for this groundbreaking technology. Teaming up with high-end retailer Video & Audio Center, LG hosted hundreds of consumers eager to be among the first in the United States to have an opportunity to see and purchase LG’s new Ultra HD TV.

The LG 84-inch class (84-inch diagonal) LED TV, with a native Ultra High Def screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 to match its impressive size*, has an MSRP of $19,999.99. Model 84LM9600 quadruples the level of detail from full 1080p HD resolution to a massive 8 million pixels. Even before so-called “4K” content is available, LG’s powerful up-conversion engine, the proprietary “LG Resolution Upscaler Plus,” delivers higher detail from current HD/SD external sources.

On hand at Video & Audio Center’s Lawndale/Torrance, Calif. store today to discuss the importance of Ultra HD’s development and its expected market adoption were industry luminaries, including Jeff Joseph of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA); Randall Dark, an award winning director and 4K content pioneer; and industry insider and technologist Tom Campbell.

  • Joseph, CEA’s senior vice president of communications and strategic relationships and passionate advocate for 4K technology, said, “Innovation drives our industry, and Ultra High Definition is the latest innovation that will transform home entertainment. This milestone is a pivotal moment in TV history because Ultra HD 4K technology will make it possible for consumers to purchase huge TVs with crystal clear picture quality.”
  • Dark, CEO of Randall Dark Productions, and one of the world’s first directors/ cinematographers to advance high-definition programming, said, “Content is always a major factor when new hardware technologies are introduced on the market. The LG Ultra HD TV’s upscaling capability is crucial so consumers can enjoy the benefits of higher resolution now, while the rest of the industry, myself included, work on ways to advance this new format with native 4K content.”
  • Campbell, widely quoted technologist and futurist who serves on the CEA Ultra HD Working Group, said, “I liken the dawn of Ultra HD technology to the switch from standard-definition analog TV to digital high-definition TV in the late 1990s. It’s going to be big, and not just because it’s key for big screens. I can already see consumers calling for more models, more sizes and more content.”

“Picture quality has always been LG’s foremost priority, one that’s especially important now as manufacturers scale TVs to meet the trend line pointing toward larger and larger class sizes,” said Jay Vandenbree, senior vice president, LG Electronics USA, and head of LG’s U.S. home entertainment business. “We were instrumental in developing the HD standard and, similarly, our goal now is to pioneer Ultra High Def technology to create the crisp and immersive viewing experience consumers are currently missing with large-screen TVs.”

Joseph Akhtarzad, vice president and co-owner of Video & Audio Center’s three LA-area stores, said, “Ultra High Definition is a very significant development, a high-end product catering to a high-end consumer who demands the ultimate home entertainment experience. We are proud to be the first retailer in the nation to sell this cutting-edge LG technology to consumers.”

In addition to its excellent picture quality, LG’s 84LM9600 boasts a growing Smart TV ecosystem, which is composed of over 1,000 apps and gives users access to a growing range of premium content services**. Users can easily browse and navigate through the Smart TV ecosystem using LG’s Magic Remote, which allows users to make commands using the control modes of Voice Recognition, Wheel, Magic Gesture and Point. It also features LG’s CINEMA 3D technology and an imbedded 2D to 3D conversion engine expanding 3D content availability. For more information on LG’s Ultra HD TV please visit, http://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-84LM9600-led-tv.

*No “ultra high definition” or “4K” video content is currently available. No broadcast or other standard currently exists for “4K” or “ultra high definition” television, and the 84LM9600 may or may not be compatible with such standards if and when developed.

**Internet connection and certain subscriptions required and sold separately. Content and services vary by product and are subject to change without notice.

For a small percentage of the population, the viewing of stereoscopic 3D video may cause discomfort such as dizziness or nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms, discontinue using the 3D functionality and contact your health care provider.

Designs, features and specifications subject to change without notice. LG LED TVs are LCD TVs with LED backlighting.

About LG Electronics USA, Inc.
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $49 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and energy solutions, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. LG Electronics is a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

 

 

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PlayStation 3 Banned in Europe - Shipments Seized

Wed Mar 02, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, LG, Legal Cases (all tags)

A patent dispute between Sony and LG could mean a complete shutdown of European sales.

Lawsuits are nothing strange to major tech companies, but results are. Usually something like the current patent dispute between Sony and LG would be settled out of court, but it looks like things are starting to heat up.

A preliminary ruling in the Hague demands that all PlayStation 3s coming into Europe be confiscated by officials. Tens of thousands of systems have been seized already, according to the Guardian.

If the court decides to extend the injunction, retailers will have to start pulling PS3s off of the shelf. Potentially even worse for Sony, if the company is found to have infringed on LG's patents, Sony will have make financial compensation. That means LG will get a cut of every PS3 sold to date.

Source: Guardian

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Warner Teams with LG and Sony for Pack-In 3D Blu-rays

Mon Aug 02, 2010 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: LG, Sony (all tags)

Mail in coupons for 3D IMAX films will come packed in with Sony and LG 3D products.

By the time this whole 3D thing is up and running, you're going to have more free Blu-rays than you'll know what to do with. The agreement between Warner Home Video, LG, and Sony means you'll be getting Blu-rays with every piece of gear you pick up.

The LG deal makes sense for consumers. Buy a BX580 or BX585 3D Blu-ray player before December 31st and get a mail-in coupon for a free copy of IMAX Under the Sea 3D . The 2D version was pretty slick, so bumping it up to 3D should be interesting.

When it comes to Sony though, you'll be getting a coupon for IMAX Deep Sea 3D with the purchase of any 3D Blu-ray player, 3D TV, and set of 3D glasses. If you buy a full Sony package, you could end up with four or five coupons for the same movie.

The reason for the choice of movies should be obvious, but as WB's Dorinda Marticorena puts it, "IMAX is simply the best in 3D and these visually stunning titles are perfect for consumers who want to take full advantage of and show off their new Blu-ray 3D home theater systems."

Source: Warner

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
IMAX: Under the Sea (Blu-ray)
IMAX: Deep Sea/Into the Sea (Blu-ray)

LG Announces Two New 3D HDTV Lines

Thu Jul 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: 3D, HDTV, LG (all tags)

Both lines feature LED backlighting, 3D capability, and come in 47 and 55 inch sizes.

LG's new LX6500 line of televisions is fully 3D capable and is packed with plenty of other cool features too. It uses LED edge lighting and local dimming to achieve a contrast ratio of 8,000,000:1, for example. It also sports TruMotion 240Hz smoothing technology and a 2ms response time.

You can pick up the 47 inch LX6500 for an MSRP of $2,699 while the 55 goes for $3,499.

The LX9500 steps things up pretty significantly. It's got a bezel of less than an inch, which gives it a very clean look. It upgrades the edge lighting to full LED backlighting with 240 different segments. It adds TruMotion 480Hz tech and a response time of just one millisecond.

The 9500 also adds support for the Magic Motion control system. If you're so inclined, you can ditch the traditional remote and wave your hands to control your television.

The 47 inch LX9500 runs $4,300, while the 55 inch model sells for $5,400.

Source: eCoustics

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LG’s Blu-ray HTiB Rundown

Tue Jan 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: LG (all tags)

We're taking a look at the differences in LG’s new Blu-ray Home Theater Systems.

With the glut of announcements over the last few weeks, it’s easy to get a bit lost, especially when a company releases a series of similar products, like LG did with their new HTiBs. They’ve all got Blu-ray players, and they all offer networking functionality, so what’s the difference?

The LH335 is at the low end of LG’s new Blu-ray Theater System releases. It comes out in February and it’s about what you’d expect from a bare-bones HTiB. It’s got a Blu-ray player with 1080p playback that upscales standard DVDs to 1080p. It’s got an HDMI input for additional devices and an Ethernet port for hooking into the Netcast network.

LG’s LH535 steps things up a bit. It sports integrated WiFi, so there’s no messing around with cords or dongles. It’s got a pair of HDMI inputs, instead of the single input of the 335. The LH535 changes up the center channel speaker as well, opting for a flat and long center channel.

If you don’t want to deal with wired rear speakers, you can step up to the LHB975. It’s got a pair of wireless rear speakers and a wireless sub, which opens up installation and positioning options significantly. The 975 also upgrades the left and right speakers, opting for floor-standing models. The LH975 is set for release in March, a month after the 335 and 535.

Things get a little weird with LG’s top of the line HTiB. On the plus side, it’s fully wireless according to LG’s press release. It features a subwoofer and four floor-standing speakers. Here’s where things get odd.

The HB994PK is a 4.1 system, with no center channel. It’s got ambient mood lighting built into each of the speakers, and the front right speaker has a Blu-ray player integrated. For what it’s worth, they’re pretty slick looking speakers, but very odd. There’s no release date or pricing available yet for the HB994PK.

Source: LG

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CES 2010 Wrap-up: The Top Five Blu-ray Players

Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 04:50 PM ET
Tags: CES 2010, LG, Sony, McIntosh, Samsung, Panasonic, PlayStation 3, 3D (all tags)

Another consumer electronics show has come and gone, and while it’s fun to marvel at each new piece of equipment, it doesn’t mean anything until we know how it all lines up.

To start things off, we’ve taken a look at all the standalone Blu-ray players revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show – many of which we got to go hands on with – and we’ve pitted them against each other until only five remained.


1.) LG BD590 - LG stepped up big this year with the BD590. It’s got built in WiFi connectivity that lets it connect to any 802.11n wireless home network and, of course, wireless g and b networks as well. It’s DLNA compliant so you can stream audio and video from your home computer and it’s got access to some pretty cool online services like Netflix and Vudu. Oh, and did we mention a 250GB hard drive?

The BD590 is the first Blu-ray player to feature a hard drive built into it. You can rip CDs right onto it, and store audio, video and picture files right on your Blu-ray player. Purchased movies can also be downloaded and stored directly from Vudu.

Unfortunately, the BD590 doesn’t rip DVDs or Blu-ray discs, but that’s not entirely surprising. It may play ripped DVD files though, and we’ll find that out as more details come out. LG’s BD590 hits in late spring/early summer of 2010 at an as of yet unannounced price.


2.) Sony BDP-S770 – Sony’s Monolith design is fantastic when it comes to televisions, but the Blu-ray players have a bit of that 1980’s square bulk look to them. While the look of a player is important, it’s the functionality that really matters and the S770 is a workhorse.

The S770 is at the top of Sony’s new Blu-ray lineup, and is the only new Sony player to offer Blu-ray 3D playback. It doesn’t slack when it comes to 2D though; it does everything the rest of Sony’s 2010 BD player lineup does. It decodes and bitstreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and upconverts DVDs to 1080p. It’s got built in 802.11n WiFi and access to BRAVIA Internet video.

What may be the most promising feature of Sony’s S770, if 3D isn’t your thing, is an option that they call IP Content Noise Reduction. When streaming from Amazon, YouTube or Netflix, the S770 Blu-ray player will clean up the picture with a technology specifically made for web video. There’s no date or price on this one either, but we’re told to expect it this summer.


3.) McIntosh MVP881BR – We’d be remiss not to mention McIntosh’s Blu-ray debut. It may be a bit out of your price range, but if you can swing the $8,000 price, you’ll get an impressive Blu-ray player indeed. The MVP881BR doesn’t stream audio and video, it doesn’t access Netflix and it doesn’t let you make Skype calls on your television. It’s a Blu-ray player designed to do one thing, and to do it well.

McIntosh’s Blu-ray player is made with the same high quality components as their audiophile grade amplifiers and processors. It’s enclosed in a custom steel and aluminum case that eliminates vibration and shields circuits from interference.

It supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs, and a 24-bit, 192kHz PCM 7.1 channel bitstream is available. A quartet of 32-bit, 192kHz stereo DACS provide the 7.1 channel audio output, while a fifth supplies the stereo down mix. It also sports 14-bit video DACS that work with the Silicon Optics HQV Realta processor to provide a noise free and vibrant image.


4.) Samsung BD-C6900 – Samsung had a lot of cool new tech to show off at CES this year, and the BD-C6900 was right up there at the top of the list. It’s a 3D player that keeps all the 2D features and adds a few additional apps.

Samsung’s new app store is an open platform device, which they hope will explode in the same way that the iPhone app store did. There will be free apps released initially with premium apps to come, and the player will be able to access services like Netflix, Vudu, Blockbuster and Pandora right out of the box.

The BD-C6900 offers built-in WiFi, a quick load time (15 seconds as estimated by Samsung), and it outputs video at 1080p24/50/60. And while the success of the 3D video that it plays is still a big question mark, we can say for sure that this player itself looks slick while in motion. The clear panel above the spinning disc creates a very cool effect when you can see it.


5.) Panasonic DMP-BD85 – The DMP-BD85 is the king of Panasonic’s new 2D Blu-ray players. VIERA CAST has been upgraded for all models with the addition of Netflix. The BD85 streams the video service thanks to an included wireless LAN adaptor. It also employs a range of new technologies that go a long way to improve the quality of both video and audio.

To start with, Panasonic’s new Blu-ray players all incorporate a feature called PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus which helps to ensure that colors are accurately reproduced. The BD85 steps things up with gold plated terminals.

Audio is where the BD85 really shines. It decodes the usual assortment of audio formats but adds a HDMI Jitter Purifier to ensure clear robust bass sounds. It’s also got a built-in Digital Tube Simulator, that helps reproduce those warm tube amplifier sounds. The BD85 even has 7.1 channel analog outputs to complete the audio experience.


Honorable Mention: Sony Playstation 3 – The PS3 is getting two big firmware upgrades in the near future. The first will let it play Netflix without the need for a disc, which puts it back in the conversation when talking about connected Blu-ray players.

The second will let it play 3D Blu-ray discs in – according to claims made by Sony at the show – full 1080p. As Blu-ray players go, the PS3 is still impressive. It’s got a seemingly unending stream of manufacturer support coming to it in the form of regular firmware updates and increased functionality, something that few other players can claim. Oh, and it plays games too.

Most Disappointing: Oppo – We loved the BDP-83, and we were very excited to see what else Oppo had up its sleeves. When the company’s official Twitter reported a reveal of their new player in January we had hoped this would mean CES. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Oppo didn’t attend the show, and hasn’t had any big announcements for us yet. Their Twitter feed acknowledges the expectation and states that the early January announcement date clearly isn’t happening. “Product announcements are tricky beasts,” says Oppo. “This one needs to be tamed a little longer.”

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LG Announces New Blu-ray Home Theater System

Mon Oct 12, 2009 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: LG, Home Theater In A Box (all tags)

The HB954SP features a Blu-ray player, 1000W of power across 5.1 channels, and some rather unusual speakers.

LG’s new Home Theater in a Box does everything an entry level HTiB really should do. It sports a Blu-ray player that lets users view Blu-ray and upscaled DVD content in full 1080p. It plays music from an iPod or iPhone, but not video. It streams videos from YouTube and offers USB playback.

The HB954SP features a pair of HDMI inputs so that other sources such as game systems and DVRs can be hooked up, and offers 5.1 channel audio. The system is designed with ease of use in mind, and even allows a simple shutoff for the subwoofer so “you do not wake sleeping children,” according to the press release.

The system comes with a subwoofer, two surround speakers, and one speaker each for the L/C/R channels. The somewhat egg shaped black speakers look a bit odd, but of course the sound is what truly matters. Boasting 1000 watts of power, the HB954SP should have no shortage of kick.

The HV954SP will be available this November. No pricing has yet been announced.

Source: Mirror UK

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LG Picks Up Four EISA Awards

Wed Aug 19, 2009 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: LG, Industry Awards (all tags)

The company's products were declared Best Value in HDTV and Blu-ray Player categories.

The European Imaging and Sound Association saw fit to shower LG with a handful of awards for their HDTVs and Blu-ray players. The Korea IT Times reports that in an addition to an award for greenest mobile phone, LG took home three home theater awards.

The as yet unreleased LG SL8000 took home the Best Value HDTV and has been praised for combining the best in design and technology into one device. The unique face of the LCD makes it appear to be one uninterrupted sheet of smoky glass, and according to the EISA provides “a great Full HD viewing experience at an affordable price.”

The critically lauded BD390 took home the Best Value award for the Blu-ray Player category. With built in Wi-Fi, Netflix and CinemaNow streaming, not to mention high visual quality and analog 7.1 ouputs at an affordable price, it’s no surprise.

Already a winner of a 2009 CES Innovations Award, the LG HB954PB is a fantastic looking Blu-ray home theater system which includes streaming capabilities. The EISA commented that owners of the home theater system were able to “experience Blu-ray in full High Definition and surround sound, for a high quality music and movie experience” with a “simple and easy installation” and “balanced, detailed sound.”

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LG President Says Strategy To Overcome Global Recession Is Working

Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: LG (all tags)

Focus on higher end products pays off for LG.

LG’s summer line show kicked off with a keynote by president Teddy Hwang, who says LG is flourishing despite a down US economy. According to a press release from LG, the US represents about twenty five percent of LG’s business, and they’ve been focused on staying profitable in that market.

“In the United States, the current climate continues to impact the industry” said Hwang. “We've seen this in home appliances, where LG focuses on higher-end products… LG is doing better than last year, because dealers and consumers love our new products, including network plasma and LCD HDTVs and Blu-ray players”

Hwang also announced a huge investment into plants in Mexico, and that LG will be consolidating LCD manufacturing from their Reynosa and Mexicali plants into one large plant in Reynosa. “The consolidation and expansion of these plants will offer improved efficiencies and, most importantly, allow us to better serve our U.S. customers”

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DVR and Blu-ray In One, It’s The LG HR400

Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: LG, Product Announcements, DVR, Industry Trends (all tags)

The UK gets one heckuva good combo from LG.

Why get a separate Freeview recorder and Blu-ray player when you can combine the functions of both into one unit? LG’s hoping that its UK based customers can’t think of a reason not to buy the new HR400, a Blu-ray player with Freeview functionality.

Featuring DVD upscaling, as well as Mpeg-4 and Divx support, the player has a pretty decent feature set, though nothing particularly stunning. Of course, the main attraction to the player is that it’s combined with a 160GB Freeview+ which allows not only recording, but pausing and rewinding of live television. Oh, and it streams YouTube videos as well, for those of you who’d want to subject a big beautiful HD screen to grainy video of a man getting hit in the groin.

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