A TV that rolls up like paper? LG unveiled its Signature OLED TV R, a 65-inch rollable screen amongst other TVs, including big 8K panels.
I got to see the rollable OLED as a prototype at last year’s CES, when LG showed it off to select media amidst a number of other conceptual ideas around TV screens. But now, it’s the real deal, and is rolling out as a consumer product this year. The only caveat is that you will need to save more than a few pennies to get one.
No pricing or exact availability was confirmed for it thus far, but the technical details appear to be final. You get a 65-inch OLED panel flexible enough to roll into itself, settling inside a rectangular base that also mechanically furls and unfurls the display. The box itself serves a secondary purpose as a standalone speaker. For example, if you want to play music through it, you don’t have to raise the display to do so.
LG is equipping the TV with its latest features, including Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integration, Apple’s AirPlay 2 (and HomeKit), AI picture quality, a 4.2-channel, 100-watt Dolby Atmos audio system and its latest a9 processor. Support for HDMI 2.1 is also coming.
There will be three viewing modes to choose from. Full view is with the screen fully vertical for a standard viewing experience. Line View only reveals a part of the screens, where users can select features called Clock, Frame, Mood, Music and Home Dashboard. Clock mode checks the time and weather at a glance. Frame displays family photos shared from a smartphone. Mood can “create a more relaxing atmosphere.”
8K TVs are coming
An 88-inch TV of any kind is easy to notice, and LG thinks it has a good size offering for its upcoming 8K panels, starting with the flagship Z9. There will also be a 75-inch 8K model. The resolution, being as high as it is, is most evident on larger displays, so expect screen sizes to continue inching up gradually until entire walls become screens.
To put it in perspective, 8K resolution is four times that of 4K. With 4K being four times the resolution of 1080p HD, you can see how many extra pixels are cramming into ever larger displays.
In addition, LG won’t be using the “Super UHD” branding for any TVs anymore. Instead, the LED models will fall under the NanoCell TV moniker. Every TV I saw in the LG booth looked vibrant and clear, so it will be interesting to see how well current 4K and HD content plays on these larger screens.
LG was busy at CES this year, with news and products around laundry, audio and even brewing beer at home.
