LG unveils fleet of 8K televisions in bold lineup for 2020
4K? What 4K?
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2020 is looking increasingly like the year of8K, with South Korean manufacturerLGDisplay gearing up to release not one, not two, buteightbrand new 8K TVs for viewers to choose between.
The new models include 88-inch and 77-inch sizes for theOLEDZX (the successor to 2019’sOLED Z9), as well as several LCD NanoCell TV models in65-inchand75-inchsizes: the Nano99, Nano97, and Nano95.
Each new8KTV from LG will also support ThinQ voice recognition,AppleHomeKit and AirPlay 2,Google Assistantand Alexa too.
Set to be unveiled formally atCES 2020(January 7-10), the expanded 8K range is a bold move from LG, which only included two 8K models in its2019 lineup.
Out of those two, one was an OLED TV (the LG Z9), while one stuck with an LCD panel (theLG SM99), but it’s clear LG is putting a lot of stock into the ultra-high definition resolution technology.
The battle for 8K dominance
It’s been a close race to see who can pull ahead with 8K, with the likes of both LG andSamsungmaking their intentions clear – and attempting to ensure their own take on 8K panels seem the most legitimate.
LG’s announcement on its 2020 8K sets states that each new model meets the “8K Ultra HD definition set by theConsumer Technology Association (CTA) which requires a minimum 50 percent CM threshold” – CM, or ‘contrast modulation’ being a metric for the level of contrast achieved between individual pixels.
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While LG says this is necessary for “real 8K”,the competing standard set by the 8K Association– with members including Samsung,Panasonic,Hisense, andTCL– doesn’t use that criteria. The push for 8K excellence is certainly to be welcomed, but it’s likely that the competing standards are only going to confuse consumers still getting their head around the advanced panel resolution.
The flurry of new 8K models, too, is likely to put pressure on buyers to commit to an 8K display before there’s necessarily the 8K content to warrant the purchase – and we all want to avoid a situation where these sets get into homes before they’re truly wanted, or where they simply gather dust on retailer shelves.
Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.
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