Behind The INFINIA Dream
Temperature's dipping right here in the heart of Seoul. No complains though, for we enjoyed every minute of it. Today we head down to LG's R&D Campus, located at a quiet and suburban area known as Pyongtaek. While the Design Centre at Soecho does a good bulk of R&D design work for LG's fleet of upcoming consumer products, the campus here at Pyongtaek focuses more on the development of their systems engineering and the chaebol's fleet of home AV equipment. It's been a fruitful trip, since we've managed to gain precious insight into LG's LED and 3D technology driving their INFINIA range. Without further ado, allow us to show you what you can expect from LG in the very near future.
The Pyongtaek R&D Campus is just one of LG's many research facilities scattered around Korea. The campus includes a Productivity Research Institute and Media Research Laboratory in its midst.
It's a TV wonderland here. By the way, LG isn't just planning to buff up their LED backlit TV suite. Besides their wonderfully slim and attractive INFINIA range, LG is also planning to launch a number of CCFL based LCD and plasma display panels (PDPs) for the Singaporean market.
Expectedly, the entire fleet of the INFINIA series is here on display at LG's swanky showroom. Leading the pack is the LX9500 3D-capable model (for the Singapore market), alternatively known as LE9500 here in Korea since the latter doesn't tout any 3D functions. Dressed in the now familiar "Borderless" design, the LE9500 boasts of an almost non-existent gap between its topmost glass layer and inner bezel. This ultra-slim flagship model is powered by LG's LED Integrated Optical Plate (IOP) technology with Spot Control local dimming. Don't fret if you haven't a clue what that means. We'll elaborate more when we discuss LG's LED backlights later. With a staggering 10,000,000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, TruMotion 400Hz panel and an improved Picture Wizard display tuner, this svelte and sensuous display is undoubtedly going to hurt its rivals in the LED arena. Following closely behind is the LE8500 LED-backlight model, designed for "stylish design seekers" if we may quote LG. It offers the same Spot Control dimming feature, and comes with similar goodies such as DivX HD playback support, DLNA and Netcast TV. Difference is, the LE8500 has a marginally lower contrast ratio of 9,000,000 to 1 and 200Hz refresh rate.
55LE7500, 47LE8500, 55LE9500, 55LE8500. Note that the LE7500 comes with Edge LEDs with local dimming, while the flagship LE9500 suite goes one step up with direct LED backlights with segmented local dimming.
Don't you want one? The LE9500's Singaporean spin-off, the LX9500, will come with a slightly thicker bezel than the one shown here in order to accommodate its internal 3D circuitry and components.
The 55-inch LE8500 reminds us a whole lot of the current SL90 stalwart. If a 3D display isn't your cup of tea, LG is presenting the LE8500 series as a premium model just under the flagship LX9500. Expect DivX HD support, Real Cinema 24p conversion and DLNA features with this one.
Of course, LG’s new range isn’t all about LED-backlit TVs. The Koreans are also planning to reinforce their CCFL-backlit LCD and Plasma iterations with their imminent launch. A few examples are the 200Hz LD650 model (LD for CCFL backlit based), and PK950 (Plasma) set incorporated with Netcast broadband TV features and a TruBlack filter to enhance its black levels. Given what we’ve witnessed here, it is apparent LG has ambitious plans for the home entertainment space for 2010. Singapore need not have to wait long, for LG’s comprehensive TV range is expected to reach us before June comes around. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at LG’s LED technology behind their INFINIA babies.
This 60-inch PDP PK950 model packs a Full-HD screen, 600Hz Sub Field drive, TruBlack filter and all the pleasures a plasma display can offer.
If you're still a believer of CCFL-based TVs, then this mid-range model might interest you. The 42-inch LD550 comes with a 1080p panel and refresh rate of 120Hz. Comes with an Intelligent Sensor which detects the condition of ambient lighting as well.
The Secret Behind LG's LED Technology
Having been wowed by row after row of sleek televisions at the showroom, we proceeded next to the Demo Lab upstairs where a cozy little room awaited, decked with a geeky arrangement of cut-away TVs and exposed electronic circuitry which goes into the best of LG's LED and 3D engineering. We were lucky to have Mr Bogeun Chung, Senior Manager of LG's Customer Magazine Review Group, and his team of engineers who gave us an informative tour on how LG achieves what it did today with its current lineup of 3D and LED-based sets. Needless to say, we feasted on what's been offered.
Mr Bogeun Chung (in the middle) and his team of engineers posing for group photo here at LG's Demo Lab.
LG is branding their IOL and IOP technologies under the Full LED Slim moniker. Edge LEDs with local dimming will fall under the LED Plus tag. Do keep these in mind when LG new range of INFINIA TVs hit our shores.
There are namely three types of LED backlights deployed by LG: Edge LEDs, IOL and IOP. The LE7500 model, for example, uses Edge LEDS with local dimming features. IOL, on the other hand, is pretty straightforward in that the LCD display is lit up by an array of white LEDs located directly behind the panel. Being so, it is easier to control the illuminated area with such an implementation. Premium INFINIA models such as the LE8500 are incorporated with LG's IOP technology. In simple words, the panel is illuminated by partitioned segments, with LEDs surrounding each block to provide a more precise form of local dimming, compared to Edge LEDs which relies heavily on another layer known as the lightguide plate to diffuse the light direction. As such, IOP and IOL backlights are supposed to produce a higher contrast ratio and specific area of illumination, compared to Edge LEDs which are still slightly susceptible to backlight bleeds.
If you're still baffled by the various species of LED lights engineered by LG, well, here's a nifty representation which should enlighten you a little better.
We'll let these pictures speak for themselves if you're unconvinced by what they can do. It looks like LG has taken LED backlight technology to a whole new level. Indeed, IOL types are able to produce high levels of brightness since all of the diodes are packed behind the panel without allowing light to scatter. The same also goes for the IOP breed with its segmented layout. Judging from what we've seen, black levels achieved are almost close to that of plasma screens. Controlled dispersion is the name of the backlighting game. Well done LG.
Here's a demonstration of LG's Edge LEDs with local dimming capabilities (left) versus one of their IOP-based backlights. Localization of black areas between the two is apparent here.
A live moving image is displayed on the left half of the screen, while LG's localized dimming is shown working in tandem on the right.
LG's Stereoscopic Vision
Now that you've heard about LG's full foray into the LED arena, let us conclude our article with a little tidbit on their 3D technology. Trust us, these guys have done their homework on the mechanics behind 3D panels. We spotted all sorts of glasses scattered at their work desk, from passive polarized lenses to the active shutter glasses alternative. Panel wise, LG's first active 3D display like the LX9500 for example, goes up to 400Hz to produce 1080 lines of moving picture resolution based on a combination of their TruMotion feature and improved FRC chips. Crosstalk has been reduced, and we've been told that most 3D formats will be supported, including HDMI 1.4.
Gee whiz, it's 3D glasses galore as we noticed a smattering of passive polarized lenses and active shutter glasses littered here at the Demo Lab. Active shutter glasses are notably more expensive to produce though LG is optimistic that mass adoption of 3D systems would drive initial costs down in the future.
While our eyes preferred the "passive" experience, LG is moving away from the Patterned Retarder technology featured in last year's 3D-capable LH50 model, opting instead for the Shuttered Glasses solution many TV makers have adopted
While we've yet to evaluate any 3D sets for now, we did a little test on the LX9500 and it appears that the "vertical blackening" syndrome applies with this LED-backlit TV as well. Simply put, the active shutter lenses begin to darken when you rotate it to the vertical axis. Rumor has it that Panasonic's 3D plasma screens aren't susceptible to this. However, we'll only give a concrete verdict when we get a chance to review both units from both manufacturers. All in all, it seems like it's going to be an exciting year for LG. They are making headway not just in the innovation of LED backlights, but 3D technology as well. To add, you can also look forward to a grand total of 15 LED and CCFL based LCD displays to be launched for 2010. According to LG, their BX580 3D Blu-ray player will soon follow the LX9500's release as well. We'll be waiting.
Here's what happened when we rotated the glasses to a vertical position. It began to darken till it turned almost black. This could be an inherent issue with sequential 3D displays and LCD modules. We wouldn't recommend getting your 3D fix whilst lying down.
The "almost" final version of the LX9500 model AV enthusiasts can expect to be introduced soon. The LE9500, as we were told, has a slightly thinner bezel due to its lack of 3D capabilities. Are you ready for 3D yet, dear reader?
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