LG launches 'smarter' TVs

 

Gallery

Posted on 7 Jan 2009 at 17:41

LG kicked off CES 2009 with the promise of more advanced, lower-power TVs. Key to this was the announcement of a range of LED-backlight sets, each with 240 local dimming zones - twice as many as the 120 zones on last year's sets.

The result is finer control of the backlight across the image, which produces a higher overall contrast ratio (LG quotes 2,000,000:1 for its new sets) and darker blacks. The other benefit is that LED backlights use a lot less power than the standard CCFL lamps traditionally used in TVs, and helps LG meet its CO2-reduction targets.

"We'll reduce CO2 production in manufacturing by 150kilotons a year and emissions from our products by 30megatons a year by 2010," said Dr. Woo Paik, president and CTO of LG.

LG also announced that its high-end TV sets will include the TruMotion 240Hz (200Hz in the UK, due to our electricity operating at 50Hz) engine. This is designed to eliminate motion blur on fast-moving scenes. It works by combining a 120Hz mode that generates extra frames in the video with a backlight that can be rapidly turned on and off.

"The backlight turns on and off too quickly to flicker, but creates a clearer image," said Paik.

The new televisions will also have integrated wireless HDMI to reduce the clutter of cables. The technology uses radio transmissions in the 6GHz band and will be able to transmit uncompressed, lossless 60fps, 1080p video. We're unsure how this will be delivered in the UK, where radio frequencies are more tightly controlled than in the US.

With the economic downturn meaning that more people will choose to get their entertainment at home, LG was keen to release new technologies that will improve the experience. Top of the list, was a 3D chipset, developed in combination with movie studios and TV channels, which will be integrated into LG's TVs.

New models will also have a network port, so that they can be connected to the internet. The main benefit will be integration with Netflix (the online movie-download site), Yahoo! Widgets and YouTube. This integration is also available in LG's Blu-ray players.

LG has all of its new TVs running on its stand, and we'll bring you video coverage of them on Friday.

Finally, all James Bond fans will be interested in our sister title's (PC Pro) coverage of LG's new mobile: the world's smallest watch phone.

Author: David Ludlow in Las Vegas