LG Electronics Officially Launches Its 2018 UHD TV Lineup

LG Electronics Officially Launches Its 2018 UHD TV Lineup​

(LG Electronics)(March 6, 2018) LG arrived at CES 2018 with its all-new ThinQ Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform, a new Alpha 9 processor for top-line premium OLED TV models, and an announced partnership with Google Assistant, all intended increase performance and streamline user lifestyles. Today, those technologies were officially released into the television marketplace as LG launched its 2018 class of OLED and LCD-based UHD TVs.

LG’s new crop of high-tech video displays is capped by a total of nine AI-enabled OLED TVs spanning four model series (W8, E8, C8, and B8). With screen sizes ranging from 77- to 55-inches, buyers will once again find high-end options including the company’s famed “Picture-on-Wall” and “Picture-on-Glass” ultra-thin OLED designs. Pricing starts at $2,499 for the 55-inch OLED55C8PUA and climbs to a whopping $14,999 for the 77-inch OLED77W8PUA.

Seven different Super UHD TVs from three series (SK9500, SK9000, and SK8000) are also AI-enabled. With screen sizes ranging from 75- to 49-inches, pricing for LG’s LCD offerings are significantly more affordable than its OLED affair, ranging from $999 for the 49-inch 49SK8000PUA to $2,699 for the 65-inch 65SK9500PUA.

LG touts the new Alpha 9 processor (found on W8, E8, and C8 OLED models) as providing improved color accuracy and advanced image renderings, while its LCD lineup’s Alpha 7 processor is paired with new Nano Cell technology for wider color. In addition, Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD) is included on SK9500 and SK900 LCD models for noticeably better contrast and black level performance. Both Alpha 7 and 9 enabled TVs support major HDR formats, including HDR10, HLG, and Advanced HDR by Technicolor, and can decode Dolby Atmos audio.

LG’s Al ThinQ and webOS smart TV platforms offer usability features (such voice commands) in combination with connected functionality with other smart home devices.

New model rollout will begin on April 2nd and extend through July.

Available Models and Launch Dates
LG Signature OLED TV AI ThinQ W8

• 77″ class (76.7″ diagonal) OLED77W8PUA: $14,999.99 (available week of April 16)
• 65″ class (64.5″ diagonal) OLED65W8PUA: $6,999.99 (available week of July 16)

LG OLED TV AI ThinQ E8

• 65″ class (64.5 inches diagonal) OLED65E8PUA: $4,499.99 (available week of April 2)
• 55″ class (54.6 inches diagonal) OLED55E8PUA: $3,499.99 (available week of April 2)

LG OLED TV AI ThinQ C8

• 77″ class (76.8″ diagonal) OLED77C8PUA: $8,999.99 (available week of April 12)
• 65″ class (64.5″ diagonal) OLED65C8PUA: $3,499.99 (available week of March 19)
• 55″ class (54.6″ diagonal) OLED55C8PUA: $2,499.99 (available week of March 19)

LG OLED TV AI ThinQ B8

• (TBA at a later date)

LG Super UHD TV AI ThinQ SK9500

• 65″ class (64.5″ diagonal) 65SK9500PUA: $2,699.99 (available week of March 19)

LG Super UHD TV AI ThinQ SK9500

• 65″ class (64.5″ diagonal) 65SK9500PUA: $2,699.99 (available week of March 19)

LG Super UHD TV AI ThinQ SK9000

• 65″ class (64.5″ diagonal) 65SK9000PUA: $2,199.99 (available week of March 12)
• 55″ class (54.6″ diagonal) 55SK9000PUA: $1,599.99 (available week of March 12)

LG Super UHD TV AI ThinQ SK8000

• 75″ class (74.5″ diagonal) 75SK8070PUA: $2,699.99 (available week of April 23)
• 65″ class (64.5″ diagonal) 65SK8000PUA: $1,999.99 (available week of April 2)
• 55″ class (54.6″ diagonal) 55SK8000PUA : $1,199.99 (available week of April 2)
• 49″ class (48.5″ diagonal) 49SK8000PUA: $999.99 (available week of May 7)

 

[tripplej]

Thanks for the news. I like LG sets. Always good quality. Especially those OLEDs.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Very cool. I'm excited to see what tangible improvements these new sets bring. Each successive generation of OLED has been better than the last.

 

[Robert Zohn]

Here's the upgrades for LG's 2018 OLED TV line-up:

New for 2018:

» a9 Intelligent processor, for improved video processing, HDR tone mapping and controlling LG's webOS.

» ThinQ A1, LG's Artificial Intelligence employees Voice Control to command Google Home and or Amazon Echo.

» Improved motion resolution with "Black Frame Insertion." Thanks to LG for adding this feature to the user menu!

» LG's optional SK10 Dolby Atmos audio system elegantly integrated into the 55" & 65" C8P

» New Built-in Fine Art Gallery Collection, great feature when you are not watching TV content.

» SpectraCal Auto calibration w/36000 points of calibration for the best possible picture quality. (check out our video)

» Prevent image retention & burnin w/"logo luminance adjustment."

» Available in three screen sizes, 77", 65" and 55".

» Newly designed "leaf shaped" table top pedestal stand, improved stability and beautiful.

 

[Todd Anderson]

The inclusion of self-calibration is HUGE.

@Robert Zohn, would you agree that most LG OLEDs ship with a fairly accurate Cinema picture mode?

Also, as a retailer, what's been your experience with burn-in? (I've had my OLED for almost 2 years... haven't seen evidence of burn-in).

 

[Robert Zohn]

Out of the box LG's 2017 OLED TVs perform best in the "Technicolor" picture mode. Professional calibration does correct the color fidelity and peak and MLL as well as the PQ to the established standards.

I have not seen any permeant burn-in on any OLED and we sell many many hundreds. It is possible to burn a static image into an OLED, but it's not easy. The user would need to have the static image on the screen for at least 2 hours per day and watch nothing else and in about 2 - 3 weeks you may begin to see a very faint ghosted image of the static image with some content. For most users if your viewing habits include content with an opaque static image just changing the content occasionally will clear the temporary image retention and prevent any permeant burn-in.

Other good measures to prevent burn-in is to engage "Pixel Shifting" and run the "Clear Panel Noise" if you see any traces of image retention.

For 2018 LG now added a new feature called "logo luminance adjustment" and by setting this new app to lower the luminance in the area of the static logo will further reduce any possible image retention and burn-in.

 

[Robert Zohn]

The "Auto Calibration" is not a DYI application for most consumers. It still requires meters, skill and SpectralCal software.

The benefit of LG's auto calibration is to speed up the calibration process and to greatly improve the calibration results. I posted my interview with one of LG's experts about LG's 2018 auto calibration on our Facebook page.

 

[Robert Zohn]

Check out the elegant integration of LG's new SK10 Atmos sound bar audio system custom designed for the 55" and 65" C8P. This is a high-quality Dolby Atmos audio system designed by Meridian Audio and comes with the special mounting system.

Also integrates perfectly with LG's 2018 SUPER UHD 65SK95, 55SK95, 65SK90, 55SK90 series.

More pictures on my site.

 

[tripplej]

Just out of curiosity, why is the speaker on the soundbar pointing up? Shouldn't they be pointing front facing toward the user?

 

[Robert Zohn]

LG's new SK10Y is a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos audio system. The up-firing speakers are for the Dolby Atmos "L/R Heights". Behind the front grille are 5 speakers, front firing L/R/C and L/R rears. The SK10Y also comes with a wireless sub woofer.

Here's the .pdf spec sheet for the SK10Y.

The SK10Y can be further enhanced with LG's SK8 wireless rears so you can create a 7.1.2 or what I would prefer 5.1.4.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Well that changes my opinion (auto cal) a little. What kind of meter is needed? Is it similar to JVC’s auto cal (just an inexpensive meter)?

What’s the cost on the slick looking soundbar/stand?

 

[Robert Zohn]

You need a decent meter that is sensitive enough to read the lowest luminance level. An on-screen meter is best. I also suggest profiling the meter.

LG's 2018 SK10Y Dolby Atmos sound bar system with the special mounting system is $1,099. This is a high performance audio system that was designed by Meridian audio. Meridian is LG's new partner company.

 

[tripplej]

Thanks for the explanation in regards to the speakers. Appreciate it.

 

[Robert Zohn]

My pleasure, ^^ happy to always be helpful in anyway!

 

[Matthew J Poes]

The "Auto Calibration" is not a DYI application for most consumers. It still requires meters, skill and SpectralCal software.

The benefit of LG's auto calibration is to speed up the calibration process and to greatly improve the calibration results. I posted my interview with one of LG's experts about LG's 2018 auto calibration on our Facebook page.

Robert Thank you for sharing all this. This is really cool and makes the new LG OLED lineup all the more enticing.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You need a decent meter that is sensitive enough to read the lowest luminance level. An on-screen meter is best. I also suggest profiling the meter.

LG's 2018 SK10Y Dolby Atmos sound bar system with the special mounting system is $1,099. This is a high performance audio system that was designed by Meridian audio. Meridian is LG's new partner company.

I just realized that you added that SpectraCal is needed in addition to the meters.

This all makes the inclusion of auto-cal rather interesting to me, because it's obviously not intended to be used by the average buyer... I guess I could embrace a scenario where a buyer simply needs a Spyder meter. But the software, too? Kind of a weird requirement/inclusion.

How are they marketing it to retailers?

 

[Robert Zohn]

SpectraCal's Auto Calibration for LG's 12018 OLED TVs is available to professional calibrators or advanced consumers with SpectraCal's enthusiasts license.

 

[mechman]

I just realized that you added that SpectraCal is needed in addition to the meters.

This all makes the inclusion of auto-cal rather interesting to me, because it's obviously not intended to be used by the average buyer... I guess I could embrace a scenario where a buyer simply needs a Spyder meter. But the software, too? Kind of a weird requirement/inclusion.

How are they marketing it to retailers?

SpectraCal's Auto Calibration for LG's 12018 OLED TVs is available to professional calibrators or advanced consumers with SpectraCal's enthusiasts license.

It would be a plus to calibrators in that it would reduce the amount of time spent calibrating meaning more calibrations in a day. And it would be a plus for consumers because if I could reduce my time at a customer's house, the fee would be much lower.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

It would be a plus to calibrators in that it would reduce the amount of time spent calibrating meaning more calibrations in a day. And it would be a plus for consumers because if I could reduce my time at a customer's house, the fee would be much lower.

Which all sounds awesome to me!

 

[mechman]

Which all sounds awesome to me!

So pick one of these new LGs up and I'll bring my gear with me to AXPONA.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

So pick one of these new LGs up and I'll bring my gear with me to AXPONA.

I'm trying to convince my wife? May have to be a future AXPONA. I tried to tell her that it's lower profile and better image would make the design of our living room look better.

 

[mechman]

Tell her that it accentuates her eyes nicely!