CES 2009: LG 2009 LCD and Plasma HDTV ranges announced

LG today announced their 2009 ranges of LCD and plasma HDTVs, with twelve new product lines and a total of 36 new models.  Ranging in size from 19-inches to 55-inches on the LCD side, 23 of which support full 1080p High-Definition, together with 42-inch to 60-inch in the plasma ranges, four of which support 1080p, the HDTVs offer a range of technology from LG's core Invisible Speakers, AV Mode II, Clear Voice II and Picture Wizard systems, standard on all sets, to select models with TruMotion 240Hz and LED Mega Contrast.

Standout models include the LU55 Series, a selection of smaller LCD panels with transparent bezels and available in 720p HD 19-inch, and 1080p Full HD 22- and 26-inch sizes, and two new LED-backlit models, the LHX and LH90.  The LG LHX  is the world's first super-slim TV with full LED array backlighting (rather than edge-lighting), coming in at 55-inches and supporting LG's new Full HD wireless connections, which can stream lossless, uncompressed 1080p content direct to the display.

The LH90 range, meanwhile, takes the same technology as the LHX and shifts that model's separate connectivity and tuner box into the HDTV itself.  That saves space, but makes for a larger panel.  Still, as with the LHX you get 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast, 24p Real Cinema, TruMotion 240Hz, four HDMI ports and USB 2.0.  The LH90 range will be available in 42-, 47- and 55-inch sizes.

We'll be checking out LG's full range at the company booth here at CES 2009, so stick with SlashGear for live photos!

Press Release:

LG ELECTRONICS' 2009 HDTV LINES FEATURE SMART TECHNOLOGIES, BEAUTIFUL VIEWING EXPERIENCE

LCD, Plasma HDTVs Combine Stylish Design, Crisp Image Quality, Enhanced Energy Savings

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2009 – LG Electronics today unveiled 12 stylish new HDTV product lines – nine series of LCD models and three plasma series – with screens ranging from 19- to 60-inch class sizes. Each of these HDTVs blends a refined design with smart technologies to elevate and personalize the home theater experience. The entire line is being introduced this week at the 2009 International CES®, Booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

Technological Innovation and Energy Savings

Many of LG's HDTV series incorporate advanced technologies – such as LED Backlighting, TruMotion 240Hz and wireless capabilities. Four core technologies – AV Mode II (Cinema, Sport, Game), Invisible Speakers, Clear Voice II and Picture Wizard – further enhance the entertainment experience. (For more information, see separate releases.)

Two new series of "Broadband HDTVs" feature LG's "NetCast™ Entertainment Access". These plasma and LCD models offer Ethernet connectivity providing access to a wide variety of information and entertainment content directly from the Internet*. Through LG's new alliances with Yahoo!®, Netflix and YouTube, consumers can enjoy even more content from the comfort of their home. Consumers can use the Yahoo! Widget Engine for access to up-to-the minute weather reports, stock quotes, Flickr® photos, and more. LG HDTVs will be the first to offer instant streaming from Netflix and will also enable access to the vast array of user-generated content on YouTube directly on the LH50 and PS80 series. (See separate release.)

Two wireless HDTV solutions (LHX and LH85 series) remove unsightly wires and allow for flexible and convenient TV installation options. LG's new HDTVs also meet Energy Star 3.0 specifications and have additional energy saving features. With LG's "Smart Energy Saving" package, which consists of features such as backlight control options and video mute and some series adding Intelligent Sensor, LG is paving the way toward energy saving while also allowing consumers to customize their viewing experience.

LG LCDs: Elegant Design, Wireless Content Access, Advanced Calibration Options

Innovative LCD HDTVs reward consumers' senses with easy calibration options for video

and audio as well as enhanced access to content. For a crisp, clear viewing experience, all of LG's LCD HDTVs use the Super In Plane Switching (S-IPS)** panel structure which provides faster response times and better color and contrast, even at the most extreme off-axis viewing angles. LG's overall 2009 LCD HDTV line features screen size classes ranging from 19- to 55 inches:

LHX Slim Wireless LED Backlight HDTV (Class Size: 55-inch*) A CES 2009 Innovations honoree, LG's LHX offers superior picture quality with an elegant ultra-slim design – less than one-inch thick at its thinnest point. Unlike other slim LED HDTVs that use "edge" lighting, LG's LHX uses a full array of LED backlights which employ local dimming techniques for precise picture control, resulting in deeper blacks, wide color gamut and smooth motion, achieving 240Hz performance for more natural picture clarity. Key features include:

• Full HD 1080p via Uncompressed Wireless Transmission from media box

• TruMotion 240 Hz

• LED backlighting with Local Dimming

• 2,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

• 24p Real Cinema (5:5 Pulldown)

• Intelligent Sensor

• ISFccc Ready

• Four (4) HDMI V. 1.3 with Deep Color

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• LG SimpLink™ (HDMI-CEC)

• Smart Energy Saving Plus

• LG Core Technologies

LH90 LED Backlight HDTV (Class Sizes: 55-, 47-, and 42-inch*): The LH90 series boasts all the same functionalities of the LHX model in a self-contained, clean modern silhouette (no separate set top box).

LH85 Wireless Full HD 1080p HDTV (Class Sizes: 55-, and 47-inch*): With an uncompressed wireless system and Full HD 1080p transmission from a separate media box, this series eliminates messy wires and cables and allows for the freedom to place the HDTV anywhere in the room. Key features include:

• Full HD 1080p via Uncompressed Wireless Transmission from media box.

• TruMotion 120Hz

• Intelligent Sensor

• 24p Real Cinema

• Four (4) HDMI V.1.3 with Deep Color

• ISFccc Ready

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• LG Simplink™ (HDMI-CEC)

• Smart Energy Saving Plus

• LG Core Technologies

LH55 Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV with Scanning Backlight (Class Sizes: 55-, 47-,42-, 37-inch*): For action junkies, TruMotion 240Hz uses a unique scanning backlight technique to improve motion picture response time with a more natural picture. Key features include:

• Full HD 1080p

• TruMotion 240Hz

• Intelligent Sensor

• 24p Real Cinema

• Four (4) HDMI V.1.3 with Deep Color

• ISFccc Ready

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• Smart Energy Saving Plus

• LG Core Technologies

LH50 Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV with NetCast™ Entertainment Access (Class Sizes: 47-, and 42-inch*): Using LG's first ever HDTV with Ethernet connectivity, consumers can access even more content and video on their big screen TV without the need for a computer. This connectivity offers access to Netflix Instant Streaming, Yahoo! Widgets, YouTube, and can also access music and photos stored on a home PC – so consumers have a choice when it comes to entertainment. Key features include:

• Full HD 1080p

• TruMotion 120Hz

• ISFccc Ready

• Intelligent Sensor

• 24p Real Cinema (5:5 Pulldown)

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• Four (4) HDMI V.1.3 With Deep Color

• Smart Energy Saving Plus

• LG Core Technologies

LU55 Stylish LCD HDTV Series (Class Sizes: 26-, 22-, and 19-inch*): LG's LU55 series offers stylish accents for the home office, kitchen, or bedroom with small screen sizes and transparent and modern designs. Key features include:

• 26- and 22-inch sizes are Full HD 1080p, 19-inch has 720p HD Resolution

• Transparent design

LH40 Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV Series (Class Sizes: 55-, 47-, 42-, 37-, 32-inch*): The LH40 series offers consumers an exceptional viewing and listening experience with a sleek exterior and unique Invisible Speaker System. With TruMotion 120 Hz and LG's S-IPS technology motion blur is reduced for a more natural viewing experience at almost any angle. Key features include:

• Full HD 1080p

• Three (3) HDMI™ (V.1.3 with Deep Color)

• Intelligent Sensor

• 24p Real Cinema (5:5 Pulldown)

• ISFccc Ready

• LG SimpLink™

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• Smart Energy Saving Plus

• LG Core Technologies

LH30 Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV Series (Class Sizes: 47-, 42-, 37-, 32-inch*): The LH30 series features LG's four core technologies in a simple and elegant form while Invisible Speakers make for a slim silhouette. Key features include:

• Full HD 1080p

• Super IPS Panel Technology

• ISFccc Ready

• LG SimpLink™

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• 24p Real Cinema (2:2 Pulldown)

• Three (3) HDMI™ (V.1.3 with Deep Color)

• Smart Energy Saving

LH20 LCD HDTV Series (Class Sizes: 42-, 37-, 32-, 26-, 22-, 19-inch*): LG's LH20 series provides a variety of sizes for diverse placement in consumers' homes. Key features include:

• 720p HD Resolution

• Two (2) HDMI™ (V.1.3 with Deep Color)

• ISFccc Ready

• Smart Energy Saving

• LG SimpLink ™ (32-inch and above)

• LG Core Technologies (32-inch and above)

LG Plasmas: Sleek Style with Advanced Content Access

Three new plasma HDTV series use the latest generation of panel technology for improved brightness, reduced reflectivity and fast response time with 600Hz smooth motion for an incredible viewing experience. The 1080p series (PS60, PS80) also features THX® Display Certification providing accurate picture reproduction and a more immersive viewing experience.

The PS80 series comes equipped with "THX® Media Director," a feature designed to simplify operation, ensuring optimized settings, use of product features and deliver a realistic entertainment experience. THX Media Director allows movies, music and other digital media to communicate picture and sound settings directly to other THX Media Director-enabled consumer electronics devices, dynamically configuring them for the best playback experience. Highlights from LG's 2009 plasma HDTV series include:

PS80 Full HD 1080p Plasma HDTV with NetCast™ Entertainment Access (Class Sizes: 60- and 50-inch*): LG's first plasma HDTV with Ethernet connectivity allows consumers to access even more content and video on their big screen TV without the need for a computer. This connectivity offers access to Netflix Instant Streaming, Yahoo! Widgets, YouTube and can also access music and photos stored on a home PC – so consumers have a choice when it comes to entertainment. Key features include:

• Full HD 1080p

• THX Display Certification and THX Cinema Mode

• THX Media Director

• Super Bright Panel

• 600Hz Smooth Motion

• Four (4) HDMI (V.1.3 with Deep Color)

• ISFccc ready

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• LG SimpLink™ Connectivity

• Smart Energy Saving

• LG Core Technologies

PS60 Full HD 1080p Plasma HDTV Series (Class Sizes: 60- and 50-inch*): The PS60 series features a unique single-layer design that gives the appearance of a pane of glass and offers consumers a variety of bezel colors to match their home décor. Key features include:

• Full HD1080p

• THX Display Certification and THX Cinema Mode

• Super Bright Panel

• 600Hz Smooth Motion

• Four (4) HDMI (V.1.3 with Deep Color)

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• Smart Energy Saving

• LG SimpLink™ Connectivity

• LG Core Technologies

PQ30 Plasma HDTV Series (Class Sizes: 50- and 42-inch*): The PQ30 series of plasmas offer consumers crisp picture and sound quality for those looking for maximum value in a cost-effective package. Key features include:

• 720p HD Resolution

• 600Hz Smooth Motion

• Three (3) HDMI (V.1.3 with Deep Color)

• USB 2.0 for access to digital music and photos (MP3, JPEG)

• Auto Volume Leveler II

• Smart Energy Saving

• LG SimpLink™ Connectivity

• LG Core Technologies

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.LGusa.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in 114 operations including 82 subsidiaries around the world. With annual worldwide revenues exceeding $40 billion, LG Electronics comprises five business units: Home Entertainment, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning, Business Solutions and Mobile Communications. LG is one of the world's leading producers of mobile handsets, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, front-loading washing machines, optical storage products, DVD players and home theater systems. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.