The reality of the floating screen is there, before our eyes. LG and Samsung have just proven it. At CES, I had a great evening with the two products, the OLED T (for Transparent) from LG and the transparent MicroLED from Samsung. Both are equal parts hypnotic and disconcerting.
First of all, LG’s OLED T, a foray into innovation that is not unusual for the Korean giant. The model I saw measures 77 inches, a larger size than previous concepts shown at CES and which LG says is just large enough without being excessive.
By default, the TV displays images on a transparent OLED panel, and the company accompanies it with a catalog of “Always Ready” video content specially adapted for background transparency. This includes an aquarium effect, wind-blown leaves and a partnership with music company Goofy for live performances. It’s clear that LG sees the OLED T as more than just an entertainment center to watch after dinner. It is more of an atmosphere machine.
The 77-inch LG OLED T TV at CES. June Wan/ZDNET
A product ready to be used, and a concept
With the press of a button, a shade of black unfolds beneath the TV, delivering the contrast levels I’ve come to expect from LG’s OLED panels. I was also told that the OLED T’s picture quality was closer to the C4 than the G4 model, and I agree. Colors on the demo TV weren’t as sharp and bright as my eyes are accustomed to. At least not after LG presented its G4 model to me a few minutes earlier.
Finally, LG’s OLED T is “wireless,” just like its M-series TVs, meaning there’s still a cable plugged directly in for power, but the rest of the I/O is managed by a transmitter box located nearby. This aspect, along with all the other flashy features mentioned above, point to a price that LG isn’t revealing yet, although the company has said it plans to sell the TV in the near future.
In comparison, Samsung’s transparent MicroLED demo was more of a vision of the future than a product accessible to the general public. This in no way discredits the innovation factor of technology. During the company’s First Look experience, Samsung demonstrated its transparent MicroLED displays in different form factors, demonstrating how the modular aspect allows buyers to tailor the displays to their liking.
June Wan/ZDNET
Believe me when I say this TV is really good
It’s hard to describe how mesmerizing this technology is, and the TV images certainly don’t do it justice. But trust me when I say this TV is really good. The high pixel density of Samsung’s micro LED is in the spotlight here, and the decision to opt for LED rather than OLED means images are less affected by environmental brightness.
Ultimately, it’s not possible to buy Samsung’s transparent Micro LED TV – not yet, at least – and so I’ll give LG the win.
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Source: “ZDNet.com”