4K Ultra HD TV HDR Streaming with LG OLED and Amazon Video is Announced at IFA 2015
Updated Oct 8: Today is was announced that LG has aggressively lowered the pricing on its EG9100 1080P and EF9500/EF9600 4K Ultra HD models of OLED Smart TVs. Pricing changes are as follows:
EG9600 Models:
- 55″ Class Smart Curved 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $3999 Available Now
- 65″ Class Smart Curved 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $5999 Available Now
EF9500 Models:
- 55″ Class Smart Flat 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $3999 Available Now
- 65″ Class Smart Flat 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $5999 Available Now
Through the end of 2015, these prices shown above (and updated to the original post) will have an additional instant rebate of $1000. These new prices of $2999 and $4999, respectively mark a 30-45% reduction from where they were just yesterday.
EG9100 Model:
- 55″ Class Smart Curved 1080P OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $2499 Available Now
Through the end of 2015, this price shown above will have an additional instant rebate of $500, bringing the 55EG9100 to $1999. This price has already been updated at Amazon, even though this rebate is set to begin October 18. The internet giant strikes again.
Updated Sept 15: Pricing has dropped $500 on both 55″ models since the announcement from LG (at IFA 2015) less than 2 weeks ago.
If this news on LG’s 4K Ultra HD OLED TVs wasn’t awesome enough, LG announced yesterday that they are “working on developing a 55-inch rollable TV, which will be introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2016.” Yes, you heard correctly–a flexible, rollable OLED TV. More information can be found here as reported by Kim Yoo-chul of the Korea Times.
Originally Posted Sept 4: Just two months after being crowned “King of TV” at this June’s CE WEEK with their EG9600 Curved 4K Ultra HD OLED TV, LG creates a wave in Berlin, Germany with the introduction of the world’s first flat 4K Ultra HD OLED TV, the EF9500. Additionally, LG announced that all their 2015 4K Ultra HD OLED TVs will now have High Dynamic Range (HDR) content streaming via the Amazon Video App. For the moment, two Amazon original titles, Mozart in the Jungle and Transparent, along with the pilot episode of the comedy Red Oaks will be streamed in HDR. It won’t be long before Amazon Video adds more original titles to their HDR content list.
The EF9500 has HDR capability built-in while the EG9600 has a firmware update to make it to HDR capable.
According to Tim Alessi, Head of New Product Development at LG USA, ““LG is committed to delivering the best viewing experience, and it doesn’t get any better than HDR content on an OLED 4K display. Amazon has played an invaluable role in helping LG bring consumers the best way to enjoy streaming content and an incredible HDR experience.” As someone who attended the “King of TV” event at CE Week, I second Tim’s statement.
LG’s 2015 4K Ultra HD OLED TVs meet the Consumer Electronic Association’s (CEA) HDR guidelines.
Pricing and Availability:
EG9600 Models:
- 55″ Class Smart Curved 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $3999 Available Now
- 65″ Class Smart Curved 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $5999 Available Now
- 77″ Class Smart Curved 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – Available Soon
For a list of authorized online retailers, click here and here for the 55″ and 65″ models, respectively.
EF9500 Models:
- 55″ Class Smart Flat 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $3999 Available Now
- 65″ Class Smart Flat 4K Ultra HD OLED 3D TV with webOS 2.0 – $5999 Available Now
For a list of authorized online retailers, click here and here for the 55″ and 65″ models, respectively.
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Are the prices currently expensive? The short answer is Yes, just like any product in a new category. The good news is pricing will fall as the product category matures. Because OLED and HDR are in their infancy, better features like even deeper, darker, crisper colors will be among us in no time. Some of the features of the EF9500 and EF9600 models are webOS 2.0, quad-core processing, 3D readiness, the magic remote, and 20W of Harmon Kardon sound.
At IFA 2015, LG also announced the addition of iHeartRadio and Rdio apps to the webOS 2.o system.
Now, there is still plenty of confusion out there on the definitions of 4K and Ultra HD. The high majority of TVs available now and in the current future are actually Ultra HD. This means they have a resolution of 3840 x 2160. These TVs display an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (16:9). Ultra HD is a consumer display and broadcasting standard.
On the other hand, 4K has a slightly greater resolution of 4096 x 2160. This produces an aspect ratio of 1.9:1. See, 4K is a professional production and cinema standard. When you see a film on the big screen broadcast in 4K, this is what you see.
Still confused? Then check out these Wikipedia links on Ultra HD and 4K. The definitions get a bit technical, but they should help to diffuse the confusion. Just be glad I didn’t mention anything about the difference in 4:2:0 and 4:4:4 color depths.
Want to learn more about the 2015 lineup of LG 4K Ultra HD OLED TV’s? It’s all explained here. The same goes for Amazon HDR content. After seeing OLED firsthand at CES 2014 and 2015, I look forward to seeing what LG Electronics has on display at CES 2016.
To learn the latest on LG’s OLED and 4K Ultra HD OLED TVs, follow the Twitter handle @LGUS and the hashtag #OLEDisHere.
All photos are courtesy and property of PR PhotoNews/LG Electronics.
