LG bets big on 4K Ultra HD, WebOS
LG's new TV range for 2014 has plenty of 4K, plus new WebOS-based Smart TV functionality and the promise of bigger OLED on the way.
LG has unveiled its home entertainment line up for 2014 in Australia and, unsurprisingly, the focus is on 4K Ultra HD.
LG's Lambro Skropidis said that Ultra HD uptake was on the rise in Australia, with 4K taking market share away from the flagging plasma technology. While still in its infancy, GFK data says that UHD is now 5 percent of TV sales locally.
LG will have six UHD models in the Australian market during 2014. The U Series, as it's known, will be split into the UB850T and UB980T ranges. The 850T is being designated as the mid-tier range — available in 49- and 55-inches, starting at AU$2499.
This makes the 980T the premium range for UHD, adding in a 200Hz refresh rate and local dimming, as well as some new sizing. The 980T will be available with a 65-inch panel from today, with a 79-inch version coming in mid-June. LG has said that it will also have an 84-inch model in late June and even a 98-inch panel at some point during the year.
Shown off at CES this year, the WebOS interface will replace LG's ageing Smart TV software across select TVs in the range. This will be all UHD TVs and any of the L Series of Full HD TVs from LB8500 and above.
WebOS is a remarkably clean and quick interface. The bottom navbar can be brought up without interrupting the current content being displayed, as can a side-appearing EPG. Even better, the interface makes it easy to swap between already open apps, giving a kind of multi-tasking feel to the experience.
The WebOS enabled TVs will come with ABC iView, SBS on Demand, Fairfax and Big Pond Movie apps already pre-installed. The LG Smart TV app store will be available on the UHD models from launch, but won't actually arrive on the L Series until 21 May.
Finally, LG will continue to push its OLED TV, with last year's model being joined by the 77-inch Ultra HD resolution model previously seen overseas. Both models are, of course, curved with flatscreen OLED TV still apparently a pipedream.
The 77-inch OLED also came with a sartorial warning from LG's Grant Vanderberg who said that the TV would "literally blow the sock off anyone watching it".
The full price list for the upcoming models is available below. We'll have hands-on previews with the key products in the coming weeks.
