LG electronics presented the novelties of the 2023 range of its OLED TVs, which reach the third generation. The starting point for this year’s further development is the technological basis presented last year, which has been improved here in some aspects in order to offer a picture quality that LG doesn’t just want to be “the best” on the market. market, but aims to bring the viewer “inside the content” in order to achieve the greatest possible immersion.
LG OLED G3, in the 65 inch version.
LG’s 2023 OLED TV range consists of the A3 series, B3, C3, G3 and Z3 in order from entry-level to high-end (although the A3 series doesn’t come to the Italian market and the Z3 series with 8K panel will be available later in the year). The distinction is the one that LG already operates on previous generations: the B3 series for those looking for high-quality 4K TVs with OLED technology at affordable prices, the C3 series that represents the meeting point between high-level technologies and price and the G3 series the flagship of the entire range, thanks to some exclusive technologies (we will see more later) and the “gallery design” with wall mounting.
The B3 series will be available in sizes from 55, 65 and 77 inchesfor the G3 series, the dimension of is also added 83 inches and finally for the C3 series there are also the versions from 48 and 42 inches.
The panel that powers the G3 series TVs is an updated version of the Deuterium OLED EX panels used last year, bearing the name this time OLED MLA (Meta-lit Lens Array). We therefore find all the advantages already seen last year, to which is added a new structure of the panel that foresees the use of a specific layer of microlenses to improve light transmission in order to reach higher luminance peaks while preserving the organic substrate of self-luminous LEDs. LG guarantees its OLED panels for 5 years.
AI Alpha9 Gen6
To control the panel, in the G3 and C3 series we find the image processor Ai Alpha9 Reality Gen6 (for the B3 series we note instead the presence of the Alpha7 Gen6 image processor), which introduces three technologies in particular: Ai Super Upscaling, Tone Mapping Pro and HDR Expression Enhancer.
Ai Super Upscaling ensures the improvement of image quality in content with a resolution lower than the panel’s native 4K, respecting the creative intention of the author of the content: for example, if we watch a movie in which the image is contained by grain is marked, the upscaling engine can distinguish it from noise and preserve it even after processing to keep the appearance of the image as close as possible to the original.
The algorithms of tone mapping They are being further developed this year and can act on over 20,000 areas with the aim of expanding the dynamic range of the image and bringing it closer to the human eye. HDR Expression Enhancer instead works in synergy with the tone-mapping algorithms, but this time to apply tone-mapping curves to specific elements of the image (faces, objects, backgrounds) to get a better three-dimensional perception of the scene.
All image processing algorithms are of course not available in Filmmaker mode, whose purpose is precisely to faithfully preserve the creative intent behind the content. Instead, they are available to the user for all other modes, although LG notes that they may not be accessible if the content being played is copy-protected.
LG OLED C3, in the 42 inch version.
The Alpha9 processor also takes care of processing the audio signal, again with the help of AI algorithms. Among the innovations that affect the audio sector are Ai Clear Sound, Auto Balance and Virtual 9.1.2 mode, aiming to make the audio scene more engaging and immersive, but also balanced based on the environment in which the TV will be placed.
We talked about higher luminance levels earlier: this is particularly true for the G3 series. In fact, the technology is exclusive to this line Brightness booster max which, also thanks to the exclusive presence of a heat sink, allows a 70% higher maximum luminance (for sizes 55, 65 and 77 inches) compared to traditional OLED TVs (the B3 series, which remains in the LG proposal). At the moment there is no official rating data, but the advisory states that it is possible for these TVs to slightly exceed 2000 nits in the 3% window with native/alive profile and just under 1500 nits in the 10% window with calibrated profile . For the 83-inch G3 model, the increase in brightness is 30%, while for the C3 family we’re talking about 20% more, again compared to conventional OLED panels.
Then there is a special reserved for the G3 line Anti-reflective treatment of the panel (Super Anti Reflectivity Coating) more effective than previous generations, improving the viewing experience thanks to better perceived contrast and sharpness.
Web OS 23
The novelties in the 2023 TV range from LG also include the new version of the SmartTV operating system WebOS, which has a streamlined organization that promises a smoother and more responsive user experience. The main screen is now designed to significantly reduce scrolling and also the new organization “Fast Cards‘: These are ‘themed’ screens that collect apps and content related to a specific theme, for example ‘Home Office’, ‘Game’, ‘Music’, ‘Sports’ and so on. The new version of WebOS also offers the possibility of capillary customization also of the quick access menu, where the user can enter the menu items that he accesses most often without having to search for them in the menus every time.
In terms of customization, functionality is also worth mentioning AI Picture Wizard, which allows the TV to adjust the picture parameters according to the user’s preferences. In fact, despite offering technologies capable of delivering practically flawless images, LG recognizes that the user often wants to personalize the TV’s behavior to their own liking. To do this, the AI Picture Wizard proposes a group of 6 images starting from the same scene and prompts the user to choose the preferred one. The process is repeated several times until the TV finds all the settings (contrast, brightness, sharpness, saturation, etc.) that allow creating the picture closest to the viewer’s taste.
WebOS 23 also introduces the Material certification, the home automation protocol supported by the major electronics brands to turn the TV into a sort of “smart hub” through which to control other smart home devices. Matter certification will also be available for previous generation TVs via a firmware update.
There is no lack of features dedicated to gamers, even if with the 2023 edition LG pays more attention to the audio sector in a video game key. The optimizations for image quality and responsiveness therefore remain those of the previous generation, but the game mode is now enriched with equalizer controls to better tailor the sound to the player’s preferences (or needs).
Among the other novelties, the video camera is also worth mentioning LG SmartCamwhich turns your TV into an interactive screen for video conferencing or video calls, e.g the SC9S soundbars (accompanied by subwoofer) from 400W Total power E SE6S, 100W We emphasize the presence of the WoW Orchestra mode, which allows you to take advantage of any LG soundbar to reproduce a sound scene with greater spatiality.
Prices and availability will be communicated later.
