Gary Steel
AT A LAUNCH event at TVNZ last night, LG NZ launched three new series’ of its Ultra High Definition TVs.
These include the LA9700 series, which comes in 55-inch and 65-inch models; the LA9650 series, which also comes in 55-inch and 65-inch models; and the LA9800 series, which is available only as an 84-inch.
All the Ultra HDTVs incorporate the LG IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel, which LG says “offers extraordinary colour expression”, and is viewable from a wide, 178 degree viewing angle.
The LA9700 series is equipped with Nano Full LED backlighting. “With more than 100 (55-inch) and 144 (65-inch) separate dimming zones, illumination control is greatly enhanced, thus providing outstanding contrast and consistent brightness across the entire screen, and enhancing the viewing experience.”
The LA9700 series also features a cleverly concealed, four-speaker motorised sliding sound bar, while behind the screen a woofer provides an output of 50W. The sound bar lowers when the TV is turned on, and retracts when powered off or outputting to audio via optical output.
The LG Ultra HDTVs are future-proofed with HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). “The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) approved codec, which the industry is backing as the next standard in content compression, and will be activated in the very near future via software update. LG has incorporated HEVC playback via the USB port into the new Ultra HDTV range, and this may eliminate consumer need to purchase a separate UHD media device in the future.”
The 84-inch LA9800 Ultra HDTV will retail for $24,999, the 55 and 65-inch LA9700 Ultra HDTVs will retail for $8499 and $10,999 respectively, and the 55 and 65-inch LAt650 Ultra HDTVs will retail for $7999 and $9999 respectively.
Release date is later this months through selected outlets.
