LG unveils range of multi-format HDR TV models

TV manufacturer LG has unveiled its 2016 Super UHD TV range, which it claims to be the first to market with HDR support for both the Dolby Vision and HDR10 variants of the technology.

The HDR-enabled range comprises three series – the UH9500, UH8500, and UH7700 with nine models in 55- to 86-inch class screen sizes. Beginning later this month, 55-, 60- and 65-inch class models from the new UH8500 and UH7700 series will be available for purchase at retail in the US.

Additional models will be available, including a 75-inch class model from the UH8500 series and the entire UH9500 series 86- and 65-inch class models, will be available later this spring.

The incorporation of Dolby Vision, says the TV manufacturer, makes its sets the first to be compatible with the HDR formats that are currently available in the market. A number of Dolby Vision titles are now available through streaming providers, with about 30 titles available via Vudu. According to LG, about 100 Dolby Vision titles could be available by the end of this year.

LG says iut is working with content providers  including Amazon Video, Netflix and Vudu to provde HDR streaming content via smart TV apps.

Amazon Video currently has titles available in HDR on LG TVs and will soon begin offering a Dolby Vision enhanced experience.

“Amazon Video provides customers with HDR content today, and we’re thrilled to work with LG to extend our premium offering to include a Dolby Vision enhanced HDR experience on LG Super UHD TVs,” said Jim Freeman, vice-president of digital video at Amazon. “We can’t wait for our customers to have even more ways to enjoy a premium movie and TV viewing experience.”

Neil Hunt, chief product officer at Netflix, said the streaming video provider planned to deliver “the potential of HDR across a growing number of titles over the coming years”.

All models include LG’s IPS 4K Quantum display technologies, designed to enhance colour reproduction. LG claims that its use of 10-bit processing gives its sets the capability to render more than one billion possible colours. All Super UHD TV models come with the LG webOS smart TV platform.

The models vary in price from US$1,799 (€1,630) for the 55-inch UH7700 to US$9,999 for the 86-inch UH9500 at the top end.

“Leading the way with HDR, LG continues to pioneer picture quality innovation in both our OLED and LED UHD TVs. With our new LG Super UHD TV line-up, we’re delivering our best 4K LED TVs yet offering consumers a superior viewing experience with four times the resolution of Full HD, over a billion rich colors and elevated brightness, along with the first available complete HDR experience,” said David VanderWaal, vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA. “LG Super UHD TVs are the first to be compatible with all HDR formats for images that come to life as never before along with access to the most HDR content choices.”