LG Electronics Australia (LG) have done it again thinking ahead and unveiled its hotly anticipated, AI-capable*, 2018 TV lineup. Featuring its most advanced OLED, SUPER UHD and 4K UHD models yet, the range of TVs became available in Australia mid April 2018.
The beginning of LG and Artificial Intelligence
The integration of LG’s proprietary AI technology – ThinQ™– into the 2018 LG TV range marks a step-change in the company’s commitment to making the viewing experience easier and more interactive. With AI functionality embedded in LG OLED, SUPER UHD and 4K UHD TVs, LG’s motion-activated Magic Remote has taken on yet another step up, with users being able to speak directly into the remote to make the most of convenient advanced voice assistant technology. In the back end, LG does this by employing Natural Language Processing (NLP) to deliver intelligent voice-activated control and connectivity based on its deep learning platform, Deep ThinQ.
It’s not just simple commands that LG’s voice recognition picks up, LG AI ThinQ understands a broad spectrum of natural expressions, such as “volume up”, “raise up the volume”, “make the TV louder”, “sound is too quiet” – and more. LG Smart ThinQ works hand-in-hand with popular streaming apps and the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) to deliver real-time information offering the content consumers want most.
“The general phenomenon of Artificial Intelligence – or AI– is beginning to permeate our lives. Ultimately every device will soon be listening; waiting to follow our commands and answer our questions. It’s the next level of robotics. But for the everyday items that we rely on the most that also makes it one of the biggest technological and social changes we have seen in decades. What makes this even more exciting is that companies like LG are making AI a reality and we are seeing quantifiable changes in the way we can go about our lives; freeing up time and making things easier,” said UNSW Professor Toby Walsh, leading Australian researcher in Artificial Intelligence.
AI-enabled LG OLED TVs with exceptional processing power
LG OLED TVs have been in the Australian market since 2013. Over the course of five years, the company has continued to enhance its display technology and offer a variety of different designs and sizes. There are seven new AI ThinQ-enabled OLED TV models for the Australian market in 2018, including the W8, E8 and C8. Designs range from Picture-on-Wall (model 77/65W8), to Picture-on-Glass (model 65/55E8) and Cinema Screen design (model 77/65/55C8).
As a world-leader and pioneer in OLED display technology, you’d expect no less from LG than a major differentiator. This year, it’s a new processor –the α9 (Alpha 9) intelligent processor. The α9 processor reduces noise, transfers messages faster and creates colours on the screen that look more realistic. It also supports high frame rate (HFR) video images with up to 120 frames per second for a smooth and more life-like video with reduced judder or blur.
Wide viewing angles and deeper blacks in LG AI-enabled SUPER UHD range
LG SUPER UHD TVs continue to bring the whole family together this year, allowing everyone in the household to have an excellent seat in front of the screen. LG makes this possible through Nano Cell technology with IPS, which helps deliver breathtakingly vivid colours at wide viewing angles. The line-up of SUPER UHD TVs in 2018 consists of nine models, including the SK95, SK85, SK80 and UK75 ranging from 49 to a massive 75-inches** in size.
4K Cinema HDR is integrated in selected LG SUPER UHD models and OLED TVs in 2018. The technology brings the best of what Hollywood technology has to offer into the home. 4K Cinema HDR with Dolby Vision™ gives viewers an incredibly immersive home entertainment experience. Not only that, but Dolby Atmos, which is newly integrated in selected 2018 SUPER UHD models, further enhances the home cinema experience via incredible atmospheric sound.
To top things off, Full Array Dimming, found in LG’s 2018 SUPER UHD TVs (SK95 + SK85 series only) means deeper blacks which gets closer to replicating the picture quality achieved with LG OLED TVs. Full Array Dimming actively dims and brightens the backlight in these TVs to produce better contrast in videos on the screen.
LG Australia commented:
“At the core of what we deliver at LG is helping make life and living the best it can be and that means passionately improving the day-to-day lives of Australians. 2018 is a massive year of innovation for us as we are integrating LG AI ThinQ technology into our TV range for the first time,” said Angus Jones, General Manager of Marketing at LG Electronics Australia. “This marks a significant and exciting step-change in our journey to help make the TV viewing experience easier and more intelligent for all Australians.
“Globally and locally we work with some of the best in the business such as Netflix, Dolby, Meridian and Google to name a few, to bring their expertise and experience into our products. Based on these partnerships our focus is on continuing to offer Australians premium cinema viewing experiences in the comfort of their own homes.”
Netflix- recommended LG UHD 4K TVs
Last, but certainly not least, LG is introducing six UK65 UHD/4K AI ThinQ™ TVs in three sizes. Coming in larger sizes and packed with LG’s webOS Smart TV platform this year, all of these models are recommended by Netflix***. Netflix acknowledges that these models provide users with easy access to the content they know and love, with 4K picture quality to match.
LG will continue to shape the premium TV market in 2018. In 2016 and 2017, Australian independent consumer group, CHOICE, awarded LG as ‘Best Brand’ in the television category.
For more details on the 2018 range of TV products, please visit http://www.lg.com/au/tvs/all-tvs.
by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme
