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LG unveils 2021 OLED TVs – C1, G1, Z1 with HDMI 2.1, VRR, Alpha 9-4, more

11 Jan 2021 | Rasmus Larsen |

LG has unveiled its 2021 OLED TV line-up. G1 has a brighter 'OLED evo' panel, and all models feature HDMI 2.1, VRR, Game Optimizer, webOS 6.0, and much more. There are hints of a cheaper A1 OLED.

LG 2021 OLED TV line-up

In 2021, LG Electronics will launch G1 (successor to GX) with a brighter 4K 'OLED evo' panel. It is described as "next-generation OLED technology" with 20% improved efficiency by manufacturing arm LG Display. LG G1 will be available in 55, 65, and 77 inches while the more mainstream C1 (successor to CX) will be available in 48, 55, 65, 77, and for the first time 83 inches. C1 will feature the regular 4K OLED panel but will otherwise come packed with the same technology.

LG 2021 G1 OLED evo

LG G1 OLED TV has a brighter 'OLED evo' panel

- "Our commitment to raising the industry bar and increasing value for consumers are both clearly evident in the 2021 LG OLED TV lineup," said Park Hyoung-sei, President of the LG HE. "Featuring LG OLED evo, our most advanced panel technology yet, our newest OLED TVs are in a league of their own, delivering another level of viewing experience we feel confident in saying is second to none." The company will also launch new 77 and 88-inch 8K OLED TVs in the form of Z1 (successor to ZX). There are even hints to a cheaper A1 range of OLED TVs. Although it was not part of LG's press announcement, the company makes reference to it in its footnotes saying that the new 'Gallery' floor stand is "ideally suited for 55/65-inch G1, C1, A1 series models". That is an intriguing clue as it may indicate that the company is planning to bring OLED truly mainstream this year. We are chasing details. The footnotes also make mention of B1, which is the successor to BX. The B series usually has most of the same features as the C series but a less powerful video processor, presumably Alpha 7 Gen4. Update on LG A1 and B1: LG takes OLED mainstream with new 48-77" A1 OLED TVs The Gallery stand is optional and sold separately, the company said.

LG 2021 OLED TVs

New Gallery stand for LG OLED. Photo: LG

HDMI 2.1 with VRR and Game optimizer

All of LG's 2021 OLED TVs announced at CES 2021 will include four HDMI 2.1 ports that enable higher-quality video signals like 4K120 (4K at 120 frames per second) from consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X as well as future media players. New for 2021 is 'Game Optimizer', which is a central settings hub for all things related to gaming. The TVs will support HDMI VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, and all of this can be managed from within the Game Optimizer hub. G1 and C1 also feature an upgraded 'OLED Motion Pro' (BFI) function. The company did not say if it has managed to fix the VRR issues (raised blacks and flicker) currently affecting its 2019 and 2020 OLED TVs. - "LG’s 2021 OLED TVs are equipped with new features such as Game Optimizer along with a 1 millisecond response time, low input lag and four ports supporting the latest HDMI specifications. Not only does Game Optimizer allow users the ability to access all game-related settings in one convenient place, but it also automatically applies the best picture settings according to the type of the game being played, whether it is a first-person shooter, role-playing game or real-time strategy title," the company said. "LG OLED TVs are G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync Premium supported and feature variable refresh rate (VRR), all of which can be managed within the Game Optimizer." In 2019 and 2020, LG was alone in offering HDMI 2.1 ports and features in OLED TVs. In 2021, it will compete with Sony and Panasonic who are implementing HDMI 2.1 ports in their latest OLED TVs. Various other brands including Samsung will also offer HDMI 2.1 features in LCD TVs.

LG 2021 OLED TVs

LG G1 OLED TV

Alpha 9 Gen 4 "AI" video processor

All of this is powered by an upgraded Alpha 9 processor, now in its fourth generation. Like its competitors, LG is applying machine and deep learning to dynamically enhance pictures on-screen. The company refers to it as "AI", artificial intelligence. - "LG’s latest intelligent processor, the α (Alpha) 9 Gen 4 AI, revamps the performance on the newest LG OLED TV models in the Z1, G1 and C1 series," the company said. "The processor leverages deep learning to enhance upscaling, making content of any quality look picture-perfect on the large, self-emissive displays. LG’s newest processor features AI Picture Pro, which recognizes onscreen objects such as faces and bodies (8K models) and distinguishes between foregrounds and backgrounds, processing each object independently to make images more three-dimensional." Alpha 9-4 also analyzes audio and has the capability to "maintain a consistent level of volume when switching between channels or streaming apps" (Auto Volume Leveling) and a new feature (AI Audio Pro) that can upscale to virtual 5.1.2 surround sound.

LG 2021 C1 OLED

LG 83-inch C1 OLED TV

The company pointed out that its 2021 OLED TVs have been certified as "having 100% color fidelity", possibly a counter-argument to its arch rival Samsung's marketing for "100% color volume". We are not sure exactly how LG defines color fidelity but we take a closer look at things once we receive a review sample. - "With the company’s self-lit pixel technology, the panels featured in the 2021 lineup offer perfect blacks and have been certified as having 100 percent color fidelity by the global product testing agency Intertek," said LG adding the following footnote: "Third-party testing conducted by Intertek showed the color fidelity of the display is 100% based on CIE dE 2000 color difference metric calculated for 125 color patches distributed across the entire color volume. Color difference (Delta-E) value was less than 2 for each of the 125 color patches."

LG webOS 6.0

webOS 6.0 has a new full-screen homescreen

The TVs run webOS 6.0, which has a redesigned homescreen in full-screen (replaces the bottom bar in webOS) and some other new features detailed here. The TVs come with a new remote control with sponsored keys for Netflix, Amazon and Disney+. LG's 2021 OLED TVs will also come with features found in the 2020 models, including HDR support (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ), Dolby Atmos decoding, Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, Google Assistant, Filmmaker Mode, HGiG Mode, and much more. Follow the links for full specifications in the TV Database.
  • LG C1 4K OLED TVs - specifications
  • LG G1 4K OLED TVs - specifications
  • LG Z1 8K OLED TVs - specifications
  • Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.

    LG 2021 OLED TVs - specifications

    LG Z1LG G1LG C1
    Formats77, 88"55, 65, 77"48, 55, 65, 77, 83"
    DesignGallery designGallery design
    Gallery stand compatibleXX
    Resolution8K OLED4K OLED4K OLED
    OLED evoX
    Video processorAlpha 9-4 AI 8KAlpha 9-4 AI 4KAlpha 9-4 AI 4K
    OLED MotionXProPro
    webOS 6.0XXX
    Filmmaker ModeXXX
    HDMI 2.1 (4K120, ALLM, eARC)XXX
    HDMI 2.1 VRR, FreeSync, G-SyncXXX
    Dolby AtmosXXX
    Game OptimizerXXX
    HGiG ModeXXX
    TV Sound Mode ShareXXX
    AirPlay 2 & HomeKitXXX
    HDR supportHDR10, HLG, Dolby VisionHDR10, HLG, Dolby VisionHDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
    Dolby Vision IQXXX
    Google Assistant, AlexaXXX
    Hands-free voice commandsXX

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