At CES 2016, LG has announced that it will start shipping its first 8K TVs in the second half of 2016. The 98-inch LCD TV can receive 8K content through a superMHL port.
LG’s first 8K TV
LG has plenty of 4K LCDs and OLEDs on display at CES but the company is already preparing to the take the next step to 8K resolution (7680 x 4320). That is 33 million pixels.
It will happen with a 98-inch 8K LCD TV that is part of the company’s “Super UHD” line of LCD TVs. The LG model UH9800 TV will go into production later this year and start shipping in the second half of 2016, LG confirms.
Consumers have only now started to adopt 4K TVs but the TV industry players believe that 8K is a logical next step once screen sizes go to 80 inches and beyond. Currently, HDMI only supports 4K resolution so LG has teamed up with the MHL consortium to incorporate the new superMHL standard into the 8K TV.
The superMHL standard supports 8K at up to 120 frames per second, making it more capable than both HDMI and DisplayPort. It also supports up to 16-bit colors, BT.2020, HDR (high dynamic range) and "immersive audio". The superMHL connector can carry video, audio, data, and power (up to 40W) at the same time, and has a reversible port. More info here.
LG has yet to release a specifications list for the 8K TV but since it is part of the “Super UHD” range it will also support WCG (wide color gamut) and HDR (high dynamic range).
The TV has moving speakers that slide down when you turn it on.
We asked LG for a price but at this point they have nothing to share. But one thing is sure; it will not be cheap. Sharp released an 8K TV last your for around $130,000 dollars.
