LG has unveiled the first details about its 2018 OLED TV line-up. C8, E8 and W8 will feature a new and advanced A9 ”Alpha” processor as well as support for High Frame Rate.

LG 2018 OLED TVs
LG’s 2018 OLED TV line-up will build on the 2017 line-up by adding ThinQ to expand the smart features, a new A9 video processor, and support for 120 frame per second video, also called HFR or High Frame Rate.

- “LG is continually seeking to innovate in home entertainment and LG ThinQ along with the α (Alpha) 9 processor will deliver a TV viewing experience that is unrivaled in the industry,” said Brian Kwon, president of LG’s Home Entertainment Company. “At LG, our interest is in improving user lifestyles and convenience, which our 2018 TVs amply deliver.”



The α (Alpha) 9 video processor is integrated in the C8, E8, and W8 OLED ranges. The new B series, B8, features a less powerful processor that has some limitations in regards to HFR, according to details added by CNET.

- ”A core innovative element of the α (Alpha) 9 is the four-step process of noise reduction, which boasts twice as many steps compared to conventional techniques. This algorithm allows for greater finesse in noise reduction, improving the clarity of images affected by distracting artifacts and enabling more effective rendering of smooth gradations,” the company said.

  Also read:  LG to unveil 88" 8K OLED TV at CES 2018

B8 will be available in 55 and 65 inch sizes, whereas C8 will be expanded with a 77 inch size, in addition to 55 and 65 inch sizes. E8 will be available in 55 and 65 inch sizes, and the W8 ”wallpaper” OLED in 65 and 77 inch sizes.



HFR, HDR and Dolby Atmos
Support for High Frame Rate makes the 2018 OLED TVs capable of handling video content shot at up to 120 frames per second. These are the first TVs capable of HFR, which is expected to be a major development in the coming years. Currently, there is very little content available shot at frame rates over 60fps.

Furthermore, LG said that its 2018 OLED TVs will feature ’4K Cinema HDR’ with support for four HDR formats; Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, and Advanced HDR by Technicolor. The first three are already supported by LG’s 2017 OLED TVs and the fourth is coming with a firmware upgrade.

- ”LG’s 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs process HDR images dynamically frame by frame using LG’s proprietary algorithm, Enhanced Dynamic Tone mapping. Both 2018 OLED TVs and SUPER UHD TVs come with Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound for the best audio- visual experience possible.”

Like last year’s models, all of the 2018 OLED TVs feature support for Dolby Atmos, the object-based audio technology.



ThinQ smart features
LG says that it intends to raise the TV experience to another level with a new AI-based system that it has dubbed ThinQ. One of the tentpole features of ThinQ is voice recognition to help the user control the TV and find new content.

- “With AI functionality embedded in their TVs, LG customers can speak directly into the remote control to enjoy all the convenient features of today’s advanced voice assistant technology. LG’s ThinQ TVs also function as smart home hubs, offering access to other smart home products such as robotic vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, smart lights, smart speakers and many other devices that can connect to the TV via Wi- Fi or Bluetooth,” LG explained.

It was left unsaid in the press release but as witnessed by one of the press photos (above), the system is based on Google Assistant. The company explains that users can ask the system to “show me yoga videos” or “show me all the movies this actor has starred in”. It also supports TV commends such as “turn off the TV when this program is over”.

FlatpanelsHD is chasing more information at CES 2018 and will bring you hands-on experiences with the 2018 OLED TVs later. Stay tuned.

 
LG 2018 OLED TVs
 
 
 
 α (Alpha) 9 processor
 LG’s newest α (Alpha) 9 intelligent processor provides true-to-life images with incredibly rich colors, sharpness and depth for more realism. A core innovative element of the α (Alpha) 9 is the four-step process of noise reduction, which boasts twice as many steps compared to conventional techniques. This algorithm allows for greater finesse in noise reduction, improving the clarity of images affected by distracting artifacts and enabling more effective rendering of smooth gradations.
 
The processor also improves color performance, thanks to the advanced mapping capabilities make colors look closer than ever to the original content. The improved color correction algorithm allows for more natural colors by expanding the reference color coordinates seven-fold compared to before. α (Alpha) 9 is designed to support high frame rate (HFR) for producing smoother and clearer motion images at 120 frames per second for better rendering of fast-action content such as sports and action movies. As a result of the new image processor, 2018 LG OLED TVs can display any content at maximum quality for a truly spectacular viewing experience.
 
 
 4K Cinema HDR
2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs from LG feature 4K Cinema HDR, which introduces a truly cinematic experience to the home, regardless of the format. LG’s 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs add support for Advanced HDR by Technicolor, building on a legacy of supporting most major HDR formats, from the superior viewing experience of Dolby VisionTM to HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). LG’s 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs process HDR images dynamically frame by frame using LG’s proprietary algorithm, Enhanced Dynamic Tone mapping. Both 2018 OLED TVs and SUPER UHD TVs come with Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound for the best audio-visual experience possible.
 
 
 ThinQ
With AI functionality embedded in their TVs, LG customers can speak directly into the remote control to enjoy all the convenient features of today’s advanced voice assistant technology. LG’s ThinQ TVs also function as smart home hubs, offering access to other smart home products such as robotic vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, smart lights, smart speakers and many other devices that can connect to the TV via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

LG’s ThinQ offers an enhanced interactive experience in the company’s newest smart TV lineup, including OLED and SUPER UHD TV models by employing Natural Language Processing (NLP) to deliver intelligent voice-activated control and connectivity based on LG’s own deep learning technology, DeepThinQ. With a dramatically streamlined setup process, viewers can easily and quickly connect to gaming consoles and external soundbars. Users can search for information, images or videos featuring specific content by making a verbal request through the TV’s remote control such as “show me all the movies this actor has starred in” or “show me yoga videos”.
 
LG TVs with ThinQ AI supports services based on Electronic Program Guide (EPG) to deliver information in real time or change to a channel that offers the content requested. Instruct the TV to “search for the soundtrack of this movie” or “turn off the TV when this program is over” without repeating the name of the program or entering a specific time. 
 
 - Source: LG, CNET