LG 3D HDTVs Out in May
Just three days after Samsung announced that it would begin shipping its 3D LED-based HDTVs, LG Electronics gave the release date for its LX9900 3D HDTV, promising that it will hit the shelves of electronic shops in the UK some time in May, just in time for the World Cup.
The LX9900 will be available in two screen sizes - 47-inch and 55-inch, both of which will have the seamless, single layer, ultra-slim Infinia design, measuring only 3.16 centimeters thick at most. The 47-inch model will have 864 LED lights while the 55-inch will have 960.
Aside from built-in active 3D technology, both sets also come with a 400Hz refresh rate, a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for deep blacks, four HDMI connections, Bluetooth connectivity and a bunch of Netcast interactive features.
They are said to be compatible with Sky3D, the first 3D TV channel in Europe which launches in May.
In line with the release of the LX9900, LG is also releasing its 3D Blu-ray player, the BX580, which offers not just full 3D playback, but also Wi-Fi and DLNA capability, Netcast and USB and HDMI ports, making it the perfect piece to complete a 3D home theater system, which most consumers are sure to have in the near future.
The LX9900 is LG’s first active 3D HDTV, with the earlier announced LG LD920, using passive 3D shutter technology.
LG Introduces Ultra-Thin Plasma HDTVs
LG’s XCanvas HDTVs have always had a reputation for being very slim. These have been mostly LCD sets, though - a fact which LG is trying to change as it releases two more ultra-thin Plasma HDTVs - the 60-inch 60PK550 and 50-inch 50PK550.
The last time LG released Xcanvas Plasma models was in the middle of 2009 - the 42-inch 42PQ60D and 50-inch 50PQ60D, both of which offer a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
The 60PK550 and 50PK550 measure only 25mm thick at most but at the same time offer three HDMI inputs and a USB port for excellent connectivity. They also have a 600Hz refresh rate, which matches the 240Hz technology of LCD sets, as well as a dynamic contrast control for automatically adjusting the contrast to suit various lighting environments.
The models are currently available only in Korea, where the LG Xcanvas series is based out of and cost $3,300 and $1,500 respectively.
Earlier, at the 2010 CES in Las Vegas, LG announced its new LED, LCD and Plasma models, which offer access to Skype and Napster, online video streaming capability, DLNA connectivity and a new Magic Wand remote system. Some of these HDTV sets are 3D-Ready.
LG 2010 HDTVs - More Interactive Than Ever
For 2010, LG Electronics offers no less than 41 new LCD models, including several LED-lit displays, and eight new Plasma sets - many of which take HDTV interactivity to the next level by including built-in support for Skype video calls.
Aside from access to Skype, these HDTVs also allow viewers to stream movies from Netflix 2.0, VUDU and YouTube, while listening to millions of songs from Napster and getting the latest online information via Yahoo! Widgets. They are also equipped with DLNA technology which means viewers can now access media files on networked computers.
LG’s biggest HDTV family for 2010 is the Infinia, which delivers ‘freedom through infinite possibilities’. This LED LCD HDTV series, consisting of the LE9500, LE8500 and LE7500 series, as well as Plasma sets PK950 and PK750, offers a stunning slim, design, being less than an inch thick. The LED sets offer a Full LED Slim technology which enhances local dimming for even deeper blacks and uniform picture. The LE9500 sets are also 3D-ready.
On the other hand, the PK950 and PK750 have a THX certified display and a new ‘Skin Glass’ protective system, which reduces glare even further and eliminates double imaging. They also have a Dual XD Engine so standard definition content appears in near HD quality, and a TruBlack Filter.
LG 2010 HDTVs also have a new remote system called the ‘Magic Wand’.
LG ‘Borderless’ HDTVs Land in the UK
Last September, LG Electronics unveiled its ‘borderless’ LED-lit HDTVs - the LG SL9000 and SL8000 series. Now, they are available in the UK for roughly £900 to £1200.
Don’t be confused by the term ‘borderless’, though, since this doesn’t really mean an HDTV without a bezel, or pictures that go from one edge of the screen to the other. Rather, these HDTVs use the Injection Compression technology, which creates an uninterrupted surface, with no space between the sleek, glossy frame and the screen intself.
In spite of this, both the SL9000 and the SL8000 have striking designs, with the former measuring just roughly 29mm at most and both sporting invisible speakers.
Both also carry excellent features, such as Bluetooth and HD DivX compatibility, edge-mounted LED lighting, Intelligent Sensor for reduced energy consumption and four HDMI inputs, although no ethernet port or interactive widgets are provided.
The SL9000 has a contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1, much higher than the SL8000’s 150,000:1. However, the SL8000 has a better refresh rate of 200Hz compared to the 100Hz of the SL9000.
Surprisingly enough, the cheaper SL8000 offers more outstanding images, with deeper, natural-looking blacks, excellent shadow detail and generally accurate, vibrant colors overall.
LG also plans to release its first OLED HDTV this November in Korea, which will be available in the UK by 2010.
