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LG’s α9 Gen4 processor helps make content look picture-perfect on their 2021 TVs

88-inches of view pleasure. Image courtesy of LG.

LG's CES 2021 TV announcements included processors, some gaming, webOS enhancements, an updated remote control, and a whole lotta good-looking TVs.

According to the company, they’ve upgraded their TV lineup inside and out with technology and features such as a new OLED panel, a new advanced LCD panel structure that combines Quantum NanoCell colour technology with Mini-LED backlighting for improved colour accuracy and greater contrast, and upgraded AI processor, and a redesigned webOS 6.0 as well as a new remote.

Let’s a take at what it all means.

OLED all the way!

Their OLED lineup for 2021. Image courtesy of LG.

And when it comes to the ultimate viewing experience of OLED, LG is offering consumers more choices than ever before.

LG’s newest G1 series features OLED evo, what LG calls their next step in the evolution of OLED TV technology. These will have higher brightness and punchier images with greater clarity, detail and realism, partly thanks to the new intelligent α (Alpha) 9 Gen 4 processor. There will be three models, in 55-inch, 65-inch and 77-inch versions.

The LG C1 series (the successor to the current CX series) boasts a range of size options from the 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, and the largest 83-inch model.

The largest 77-inch and 88-inch displays under the Z1 series are also the only 8K based displays. We don't have any prices for the new TVs yet I'm sure that the 8K models will have quite a few digits before the decimal point.

An alternative to wall-mounting your TV with the new Gallery Stand. Image courtesy of LG.

Both the 55-inch and 65-inch TVs in the G1 and C1 series can be used together with LG's new Gallery Stand that is an alternative to wall mounting a TV, giving more choice to users as to how they want to mount their new TV.

The heart of all 2021 models

The largest C1 series TV. image courtesy of LG.

LG said that all of their 2021 TV models will be powered by upgraded fourth-generation α9 Gen 4 processors that utilise deep-learning technologies to provide better image rendering and colour accuracy.

For its 8K OLED TVs, LG will install α9 processors designed exclusively to handle 8K resolution.

LG said the processors offer better upscaling technology and can analyse video frame by frame to deliver a seamless viewing experience. It does this according to the background or even the content genre, scene conditions, and ambient lighting conditions on the screen. Its artificial intelligence-powered audio technology can also automatically adjust sound volume to level it out for content. It can also up-mix it to 5.1-channel virtual surround sound just using TV speakers.

webOS 6's new interface. Image courtesy of LG.

The latest LG TVs also come with its enhanced smart TV platform, webOS 6.0, featuring enhanced voice controls and a user-friendly interface.

LG’s new Magic Remote supports new voice commands for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. By simply speaking out loud, Magic Explorer can deliver content related to what’s showing on-screen so users can learn more about the shows they’re watching. Besides voice recognition, the Magic Remote also comes with hotkeys for accessing popular content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. A new function called Magic Tap also opens up new possibilities for NFC enabled uses with the remote like content sharing from an NFC enabled smartphone.

OLED gaming gets even better

The optimal settings for your game will be automatically applied.

LG’s 2021 OLED TVs are equipped with new features such as Game Optimizer along with a 1-ms response time, and four ports supporting the latest HDMI 2.1 specifications for console connectivity. LG also claims they have low input lag, though details weren't speified. G-Sync and FreeSync are both supported once again and feature variable refresh rate (VRR), all of which can be managed within the Game Optimizer. The new Game Optimizer's key role is to automatically apply the best picture settings according to the type of the game being played, whether it is a first-person shooter, role-playing game or real-time strategy title.

LG's current OLED TVs are already a good match for gamers and the 2021 editions take them up a notch better with improved convenience and performance.

LG will also support for Cloud Gaming on Google Stadia and have the Twitch app pre-installed.

From OLED to QNED Mini LED

LG's new QNED range of TVs. Image courtesy of LG.

LG will introduce to its TV portfolio, QNED TVs that use new Mini LEDs for backlighting.

Mini LED displays use smaller LEDs than traditional LED displays, to power the TV's backlight needs for LG's non-OLED driven panels. These Mini LEDs will help deliver deeper blacks, better contrast, and colour reproduction to their LCD lineup that will be marketed as QNED TVs. LG’s new QNED Mini LED TVs combine quantum dot and NanoCell technology in one product. It will also support refresh rates of up to 120Hz for smoother and more natural movement.

In an 86-inch 8K QNED TV, LG’s Mini LED backlighting comprises up to almost 30,000 tiny LEDs that produce incredible peak brightness and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 when paired with up to nearly 2,500 dimming zones and advanced local dimming technology.

The QNED TVs will also available in 4K models with screen sizes ranging up to 99-inches.

No details yet of availability, but we'll update this space when we get word.