LG Debuts 3D Ultra Definition TV

Debra Kaufman CreativeCOW.net. All rights reserved.

Are you in the market for a 3D TV? How about a smart one that will connect to the Internet and apps? Add in super high resolution Ultra Definition (UD) and an 84-inch screen size and you've got the new LG Electronics TV that debuted this week at the Consumer Electronics Show.

LG Electronics Director of Corporate Communications Ken Hong

Creative COW spoke to LG Electronics Director of Corporate Communications Ken Hong on the eve of CES about the TV. Hong revealed that the 3D Ultra Def set is expected to be available in stores in Q3 2012, although a price has not yet been decided.

Ultra Definition, by the way, is defined by the set's 8 million pixels, which LG describes as "four times the resolution clarity (3840x2160) of existing Full HD TVs." The set also offers LG's Slim and Narrow Bezel Design, which reduces the TV's frame to negligible levels, thus maximizing 3D viewing experience. Another cool feature is LG's 3D Depth Control, which allows users to control the 3D effect. This LG set is based on passive 3D, which means that users don't have to buy expensive glasses, another plus.

The set also offers immersive sound with LG's 3D Sound Zooming technology, which constantly synchronizes sound output with the location and movement of on-screen images. Sound Zooming generates variety of depth in sound based on an algorithm that analyzes the varying depth of numerous on-screen objects displayed on the 3D TV.

The new set also allows users to access LG's Smart TV ecosystem, which is comprised of over 1,200 apps and premium content services including the 3D Zone, a collection of 3D movies including those made available via the set's embedded 2D-to-3D conversion engine. The set also comes with LG's ergonomically designed Magic Remote with its Voice Recognition, Wheel, Magic Gesture and Point control modes for commands.

Needless to say, getting all this into one 84-inch TV set was no mean feat. "Certainly there were technical challenges," says Hong. "As large as the UD TV may be, we had to ensure two design factors. The bezel had to be reduced to negligible levels in order to remove physical obstructions that interfere with the viewing experience."

"Second, the UD TV had to be thin, so that it would be optimal for wall-mounted display as well as to exhibit a sleek design that could accommodate even the most contemporary living room decor," he adds. "While these were design considerations, such evolutions in product design were supported by challenging technological developments."

LG Twin Towers 20 in Seoul, Korea

With 3D TVs getting most of the attention at recent Consumer Electronics Shows, the smart TV is coming into its own at CES 2012. "Along with display quality and 3D, Smart TV functions will constitute the core areas that help shape the future of TV," says Hong. "The two functions will see noticeable advances over the next few years, as large glasses-free 3D display panels with further improved 3D qualities will be unveiled. Meanwhile, the Smart TV ecosystem will mature to encompass a larger number and variety of apps that help users undertake a wide array of activities, including content viewing and games to online shopping and management of smart home appliances."

Personally, I've been waiting for Smart TVs, or connected TVs, for the last ten years at least. I'm delighted to see that they're finally making their way to CES and, in short time, to my local electronics store. The average younger viewer is already online while watching TV. Why not merge the experience? I can hardly wait to see how LG's new UD 3D TV - and the smart TV offerings of other CE manufacturers - plays out in the market.

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