LG To Start Global Rollout Of 8K OLED TVs

Nancy Klosek

 

LG Electronics will begin rolling out the world’s first 8K OLED TV (the SIGNATURE series 88-inch Model 88Z9) and its LG 8K NanoCell TV (75-inch Model 75SM99) this month in global markets including the U.S., according to a press announcement issued Sept. 3 by the company’s Korea-based headquarters. The market rollout also includes Australia, Germany, France and the U.K. The 88-inch model had been on display in Korea at the company’s own Best Shop stores this summer, and was available to be special-ordered then for around the U.S. dollar equivalent of around $41,000.

As the world’s first 8K OLED TV and LG’s largest OLED TV to date, the 88-inch LG SIGNATURE Model 88Z9 OLED 8K TV delivers 8K Ultra HD resolution (7,680 x 4,320) with 33 million self-emitting pixels, equivalent to 16 times the number of pixels in a Full HD TV and four times that of a UHD TV. It further features a minimalist design with a brushed aluminum stand and a virtually bezel-less display, and comes with an integrated 80-watt speaker system for powerful sound.

The 75-inch 8K NanoCell TV employs LG’s Nano Display technology. Nano Color filters out impurities to enhance color reproduction, and Nano Black – advanced Full Array Local Dimming Pro technology optimized for 8K – controls the TV’s backlighting for deeper blacks and greater contrast, according to LG.

Both 8K TVs offer 8K upscaling and improved noise reduction, upgraded from four steps to up to six steps, which takes effect when converting content from native 4K (3,840 x 2,160) or Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) – functionality enhanced by LG’s second-generation Alpha 9 Gen 2 8K intelligent processor, says the company. LG’s advanced chip elevates picture and sound quality by using deep learning technology and accessing an extensive database, enabling it to recognize source quality and optimize any kind of content. The Alpha 9 Gen 2 8K also analyzes ambient conditions to achieve the optimum level of screen brightness at all times.

As for audio performance, says LG, an intelligent algorithm can up-mix two-channel audio to virtual 5.1 surround sound, supplying a three-dimensional soundscape to enhance enjoyment of movies, music and sporting events. The TVs are also WiSA-ready for wireless home theater, with uncompressed 16-bit audio on up to 5.1 channels, so viewers can experience Dolby Atmos sound.

LG has future-proofed its 8K TVs by providing four ports that support HDMI 2.1 specifications, which will allow viewers to watch 8K content at 60 frames per second. The TVs are also compatible with automatic low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR) and enhanced audio return channel (eARC).

And both of these models support Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit – and in select markets, will offer built-in versions of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, providing voice control of the TV and connected smart devices.