LG OLED TV hits Australia in March for $12K
LG has gone in strong for OLED and Ultra HD at CES 2013, and has priced the 55-inch OLED TV for Australia.
As we predicted late last year, OLED and Ultra HD have been a strong opening focus at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2013, with LG using its press conference (the first of the show) to reaffirm its commitment to the TV technologies.
OLED had been delayed on its way to the consumer, thanks to high panel-failure rates during manufacturing. LG's CTO Dr Skott Ahn said that the company has improved its manufacturing efficiency, and has already begun global sales of its 55-inch OLED. At the conference, it was announced that the US will see the OLED TV hit shelves in March for around US$12,000.
LG Australia's GM of Marketing Lambro Skropidis was able to confirm that Australian consumers will also see a 55-inch OLED panel at around the same time, noting that this will be in "late March". Pricing-wise, Skropidis said that he anticipates a recommended retail price (RRP) of AU$11,999. We'll confirm the model details for the Australian availability as they come to hand.
LG also announced the expected expansion of its Ultra HD range, adding 55- and 65-inch screens to the existing 84-inch model.
Also revealed was the "laser TV" — a short-throw projector that can sit just 22 inches from a screen, but provides a 100-inch home-cinema viewing experience. We'll have images and details when we see the laser TV on the show floor tomorrow.
Nic Healey traveled to CES 2013 as a guest of LG.
