LG hypes Netflix credentials for new line, but 4K OLED TV is a no-show
LG has unveiled its TV range for 2015 with a focus on its 4K ColourPrime technology and Netflix certification, but can't confirm an Australian launch window for its anticipated Ultra HD OLED.
LG Australia has launched its 2015 range of TVs, pushing its partnership with Netflix, but there's no word on its promised Ultra HD OLED offering.
LG Australia previously showed off its EC970T Curved 4K OLED at an October 2014 launch. Projected for November 2014 for AU$9,999, the unit failed to arrive last year and was not part of the 2015 product launch. Instead, the company is sticking with its 55-inch Curved Full HD OLED TV , now priced at AU$3,999.
LG Australia's GM of marketing Lambro Skropidis said that the company was concentrating on the US sales of the 4K OLED before launching into the local market. He was unable to name an exact window of time for the launch, but assured attendees that it was "definitely coming."
New Models
The new elements of the 2015 range instead focus on 4K panels featuring the ColourPrime technology shown off at CES this year. These are present in the UF950T series, available in 55-, 65- and 79-inches, costing AU$4,699, AU$6,499 and AU$12,999 respectively. The UF950T also features a quadcore processor, WebOS 2.0 and a boosted '6-stage upscaler' to improve content not in Ultra HD resolution.
CNET's TV guru David Katzmaier says "these are still LCD TVs, and we don't expect them to match plasma's quality, let alone that of OLED, LG's higher-end display technology."
The step down is the UF850T and UF770T series. These units do not have ColourPrime, but instead use 'Ultra Luminance Technology.' The UF770T series begins at AU$1,799 for the 43-inch, up to AU$9,499 for 79-inches. The UF850T runs from AU$2,599 for 49-inches to AU$5,199 for the 65-inch model.
In all, 66 percent of LG's TV range for the year will be Ultra HD models.
Netflix
LG's relationship with Netflix was also prominent at the launch, with LG's home entertainment marketing manager Grant Vanderberg saying that "Netflix will dramatically change the way Australians watch content on their TVs -- it's the start of something new."
The Netflix app is now available on a wide range of LG TV and AV products from 2012 through to 2015. LG highlighted that its TVs are 'Netflix certified' -- ostensibly meaning that they're configured for Netflix content and 4K streaming where available.
In January at CES, Netflix announced its Netflix Recommended program for TV certification. At the time, the company said the program and the use of the Netflix Recommended logo on compatible TVs for in-store marketing would be confined to the US, possibly expanding to global markets at a later date.