LG Cinema 3D & Smart TV Launch - Third Dimension Justified
LG Electronics unveiled a total of eleven new HDTV models today, including LED, LCD and Plasma models bearing Cinema 3D and Smart TV features. Do check out our coverage to find out more about the new passive 3D screens equipped with Internet capabilities.
Of Cinema 3D & Smart Displays
Held at Raffles City's Convention Center earlier this morning, LG's TV launch was closely preceded by the company's announcement of its rather dismal financial bearings. As reported in a press release published yesterday, LG Electronics recorded a loss of more than $US14 million for the first quarter due to hefty investments made in affiliated businesses. With today's HDTV introduction, the Korean CE maker hopes its new line of 2011 televisions would breath new life onto its road to profit recovery. LG's 2011 range will cover all three TV segments, mainly LED-backlit, LCD, and Plasma. Among which, 11 new series were spawned, including five LED models, four Plasma, and two budget CCFL LCD models. The flagship LW6500 model will lead LG's charge, a Full-HD 200Hz display with all the fancy trimmings such as Cinema 3D and Smart TV features. Based on what we've experienced, LG has made 3D fun again, if not more practical and less nauseating. More on Cinema 3D and Smart TV coming right up.
Although it is available in the States and Europe, LG Electronics won't be bringing in the NANO Full LED LW9500 model to Singapore. Instead, the LED Plus LW6500 (shown here) will be crowned as the flagship display for the Koreans' 2011 local line up. The Cinema 3D and Smart TV model will be available in 47 and 55 inch sizes, while the 65-inch variant should hit retail shelves sometime in July this year.
Cinema 3D
In essence, Cinema 3D is actually the marketing term for LG's passive Film Patterned Retarder 3D technology. Unlike current active-shutter types, Cinema 3D panels are fitted with a polarized film substrate and viewable with polarized lenses. What's more, the use of film instead of a glass substrate also helps the company reduce manufacturing costs significantly. In many ways, LG's Cinema 3D implementation also brings with it many advantages, judging from our brief experience with the new bunch of Cinema 3D sets. For starters, flickering and crosstalk issues were greatly reduced. And not to mention that the stylish passive glasses are lighter, more comfortable, and also independent of annoying batteries. Apart from its allowance for a wider viewing angle compared to active types, the lightweight glasses also allow you to watch 3D movies in any orientation you prefer and under any lighting condition. These are huge advantages for LG and the consumers adopting passive 3D technology over active 3D glasses designed for LCD panels. The downside is that you don't get 1080p resolution while viewing 3D content, but it's definitely HD at the least and is much more enjoyable for all the above reasons.
LG's Film Patterned Retarder displays consist of a backlight unit, LCD panel, and a FPR film substrate laid over the LCD panel. Since LG's passive stereoscopic technology isn't dependent on strobing images and shuttering lenses to create a 3D effect, it is also less prone to crosstalk and synchronization issues.
Premium models such as the LW6500 also does 2D to 3D conversion on the fly. We cannot comment about its performance in this area till we review the unit in detail. But based on our experience with the LW6500, however, LG's FPR technology has paid off in a big way, seeing how its native 3D delivery was almost crosstalk-free.
LG has reason to brag about their polarized passive glasses. Their eyewear are not only lightweight and battery-free, but also affordable as well. If you must know, they cost only 20 bucks for two pairs. For now, LG is currently bundling their LW6500 and LW5700 models with four pairs of Cinema 3D glasses plus the Magic Motion remote as well.
If you prefer 3D eyewear with a little more sex appeal, LG also has the French-flavored Alain Mikli glasses to accompany their Cinema 3D sets. The groovy spectacles won't come cheap though. Expect to fork out at least S$400 apiece. Crazy eh?
Smart TV
Smart TV is another prominent aspect of LG's latest HDTV range. Fundamentally, home users will be able to access a host of Internet apps and streaming applications from the TV's Home Dashboard page. LG's current platform boasts of 17 apps, including social networking tools such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Live streaming options are limited at the moment, with only MLB TV and Viewster available at this point in time. Local viewers will have to wait till Q3 this year in order to access the LG Apps store to download more content. One other nifty capability is the Smart Share feature. Simply put, it enables users to stream content to the TV using DLNA compatible devices. In terms of hardware, LG has thrown in the optional Magic Motion remote wand for their Smart TV package as well. Instead of relying on a standard remote's D-pad to navigate the onscreen interface, you can simply point and click on the screen's icons. For further details on LG's 2011 HDTV line up, please hit to jump stashed below.
Most of LG's Smart TV features can be found on its Home Dashboard as shown here. Its integrated applications will reside under the Premium "card", while DLNA media streaming devices will be listed under the Smart Share "card". Note that the LG Apps icon residing on the lower launch pad is inaccessible as yet.
Many TV makers are trying their darnedest to create the most pleasing user interface, but we do think LG has done the best job so far. Here's a sneak peek at the Premium apps screen on the Smart TV platform. By the way, all 2011 models will be made available in early May.
It looks like LG has thought of everything to raise your comfort levels. Not only have they released a bunch of flicker-free 3D displays, but the new Magic Motion remote should also ease your navigation pains by a fair bit. Simply point and click at the screen like you would with a Nintendo Wii-mote. Yes, it's that simple.
What's On Offer
With respect to their overall vision, LG seems to be heading in the right direction. They seem to be listening to the general consensus and feedback from customers and have focused their efforts on ensuring that the new range of TVs provide hassle free, easy to use functionality. But a fancy user interface and design amounts to nothing unless it has good hardware at the core to make it shine. So now, it is time to delve a little deeper into the specifications of the new models going on sale soon.
The LW5700
The flagship model is the shining beacon for any new lineup and the LW6500 is no different. Showcasing the new Cinema 3D and Smart TV features, this Full HD Edge LED features new 3D Light Boost to bump up its brightness to 150 nits for better 3D performance. Other specifications are impressive as well such as a 9,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for the 55-inch and 47-inch units. The LW6500 encompasses the best aspects of LG's new lineup and is sure to delight consumers.
However pesky practical and real-life constraints such as size and cost can prevent you from purchasing the flagship model for your own use. The LW5700 has a lower dynamic contrast ratio when compared to the LW6500 and the refresh rate has also been bumped down to 100 Hz. However, the rest up the specifications match up well with the flagship series. This TV also boasts the new Cinema 3D and Smart TV features from LG. The last key difference to note is that the LW5700 is also available in a 42-inch model which means people with smaller budgets and tiny living rooms can still experience the best quality performance to be expected from LG’s new series.
 | LW6500
| Suggested Retail Price:
65" for $9999
55" for $4999
47" for $3499
Availability:
1st Week of May
65" in July 2011 |
 | LW5700
| Suggested Retail Price:
55" for $4599
47" for $3099
42" for $1999
Availability:
1st Week of May |
The LV series
Realizing that 3D might not be everyone’s cup of tea, LG has also introduced the LV series. These edge-LED TVs range in size from 32 inches to 55 inches and span different price points so as to appeal to the widest audience possible. What makes them highly attractive is the fact that each unit supports Full HD resolutions and also sports the LG Smart TV function.
 | LV5500
| Suggested Retail Price:
42" for $1699
Availability:
1st Week of May |
 | LV3730
| Suggested Retail Price:
55" for $3999
47" for $2299
42" for $1499
37" for $1399
32" for $999
Availability:
1st Week of May |
LV2130
| Suggested Retail Price:
32" for $799
Availability:
1st Week of May |
The Plasma Series
Plasma screens are known to offer high performance. The LG PZ950 is the flagship model from their plasma models. Available only in a gigantic 60-inch version, the TV features LG’s 600 Hz Sub-field Driving feature and 3D XD Engine. With an almost borderless design, the bezel being just 1.18 inches wide with a two-inch deep profile, this TV offers plenty of prime screen real estate. It also has Active Shutter 3D and Smart TV functions as would be expected from a high end model.
The mid-range model from the lineup is the PW450. It possesses the same 600 Hz Sub-field Driving feature and 3D XD Engine as the flagship plasma models and offers the same contrast ratio. However it is only equipped with 3D and is missing the Smart TV feature.
Also important to note is that the 3D capabilities for the plasma series is based on active shutter glasses technology instead of the new FPR technology LG has introduced with this launch. This could be because LG recognizes that buyers who opt to get a plasma panel understand that the advantages of this display technology, such as offering the best black-level and contrast ratio capabilities over an LCD-based panel. They are also likely to be ardent movie enthusiasts who would also appreciate the active shutter glasses technology (despite is limitations) to let viewers enjoy the full HD resolution even with 3D content.
 | PZ950
| Suggested Retail Price:
60" for $3999
Availability:
1st Week of May |
 | PW450
| Suggested Retail Price: 50" for $1899 42" for $1299 Availability: 1st Week of May |
The LK Series
Rounding up the launch is the LK Series of LCD televisions which offer a mix of smaller sizes and greater affordability. The LK450 also features Smart Energy Saving Plus which would help in cutting down the electricity bill, making it a good alternative for thrifty users as compared to the energy guzzling plasma screens. It also offers Full HD and has a dynamic contrast of 100,000:1.
 | LK450
| Suggested Retail Price:
42" for $1049
32" for $699
Availability:
1st Week of May |
 | LK330
| Suggested Retail Price:
32" for $569
Availability:
1st Week of May |
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