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John Lewis and LG reveal JL9100 4K TV for 2015

Exclusive: John Lewis to return to the TV world later this year with a 4K TV built by partner LG

High street retailer John lewis has revealed it is teaming up with LG again in 2015 for a second generation own-brand TV, the JL9100, and Expert Reviews was the first publication to get a look at it. The two companies aren’t pulling any punches this year, launching with 4K panels and WebOS smart TV at a very competitive price.

We were impressed with last year’s JL9000, an edge-lit Full HD TV with integrated sound bar, but it arrived at a time when the prices of 4K TVs were dropping dramatically and it largely struggled to compete with cheaper UHD sets. That looks set to change in May, when the JL9100 will launch in 40, 49 and 55in screen sizes. As you would expect from any UHD TV worth its salt there are several 4K60p-ready HDMI 2.0 inputs on the back, as well as an HEVC decoder for playing 4K content on the TV itself.

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The JL9100 will build on LG’s existing range of mid-range 4K TVs, but use a John Lewis-designed bezel and stand designed to match the accompanying Magic Remote. The final base stand has yet to be revealed, but we can confirm it won’t contain a soundbar like the original TV – instead, an optional 2.1 wireless soundbar is also set to launch around the same time, having been designed by John Lewis to match the TV’s appearance.

WebOS, LG’s superbly simple yet comprehensive smart TV system, will be making an appearance, complete with Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, BBC iPlayer, Demand5 and Sky NowTV, which is still exclusive to LG’s TV range.

The JL9100 will be a 2D-only TV, eschewing any kind of 3D support in order to keep prices competitive. That means customers will be able to pick up a 40in model for around £799 or 49in model for £1049. Prices for the 55in model have yet to be confirmed.

Naturally we’ll be taking a closer at the JL9100 a little closer to launch, but based on price and initial impressions alone, this could be a TV to keep an eye out for if you’re looking to upgrade to 4K in 2015.

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