LG rolls out 2014 TV lineup

LG Electronics (LG) today introduced its 2014 TV lineup in Korea, unveiling a total of 68 new models including ULTRA HD TVs in sizes ranging from 49 to 105 inches, its largest collection to date. Among its new models is LG’s groundbreaking 105-inch Curved ULTRA HD TV in addition to its smaller 65-, 55- and 49-inch curved 4K units. 

As the first manufacturer to introduce an 84-inch ULTRA HD TV to the world in 2012, LG has consistently upped the ante with first-to-market ULTRA HD and OLED units. New for 2014 is LG’s webOS Smart TV platform, first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in early January, which the company expects to set a new standard in the smart TV market for its openness and ease-of-use.

“We are extremely confident that our state-of-the-art ULTRA HD and OLED TV models will establish a new benchmark this year,” said Hyun-hwoi Ha, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. “With our strong competitiveness in display technology including ULTRA IPS, CINEMA 3D and the unrivalled simplicity of the webOS Smart TV platform, we are optimistic that in 2014, LG will be the one to watch in the TV industry.”

Ushering in the ULTRA HD Era

LG ULTRA HD TVs incorporate In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels that offer exceptional colour accuracy and consistently superb picture quality with minimal colour distortion from practically any vantage point. LG’s ULTRA HD Engine Pro offers the processing power necessary to achieve the 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) resolution and a proprietary chip works in conjunction with the engine to eliminate any visual artefacts. LG’s newest ULTRA HD sets all have the ability to upscale standard HD and Full HD content to near 4K quality.

LG’s leading CINEMA 3D technology offers the most immersive viewing experience in the industry, producing a convincingly realistic 3D effect with minimal flicker in 4K resolution. On LG’s larger ULTRA HD units, the effect is even more stunning and impressive and the unique 3D control feature makes it possible to adjust the degree of 3D at the touch of a button. All 2014 ULTRA HD TV models from LG are equipped with an advanced 3D conversion engine for those times when 2D just isn’t enough.

To ensure that its latest models deliver the very best in sound, LG teamed up with Harman Kardon, one of the most respected names in the audio industry. LG’s new ULTRA Surround system, combined with Harman Kardon’s expertise, pulls the viewer deeper into the onscreen action with audio that has never sounded more real.

Expanding the availability of 4K content continues to be a key component of LG’s priorities as an industry leader. The company has teamed up with a number of global content providers such as FOX and Netflix and is working closely with terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcasters to develop more quality 4K content.

Continued Leadership in OLED TV

LG’s comprehensive lineup of 77-, 65- and 55-inch OLED TVs further cements its leadership in what is expected to become the biggest growth segment in the TV industry. LG continues to improve the quality and range of its OLED models while expanding its global production capabilities. To bring the benefits of OLED TV technology to as many consumers as possible, LG is introducing both FULL HD as well as 4K ULTRA HD models.

Added benefits such as eGallery will showcase the rich colours and lifelike features of LG’s OLED TVs. eGallery boasts more than 150 works of mood-enhancing content, including paintings from some of the world’s most renowned artists, gorgeous landscape images, accompanied by beautiful melodies, to turn any living room into a private art gallery.

New Features to Maximize User Convenience

As announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, the simple and intuitive webOS platform will be featured in more than half of TVs including of LG’s ULTRA HD, OLED and CINMEA 3D Smart TVs this year. Its ease-of-use makes content searching and viewing, connecting with other devices, and even the initial setup process incredibly smooth. 

The first time the user turns on a webOS Smart TV, an inviting, animated character, BeanBird, appears onscreen to help get connected and walk the user through the setup process. And the new, open platform makes it extremely easy for developers to create applications and enhances the compatibility of LG’s Smart TVs with other devices.

LG’s newest TV features brings the company closer to its vision of making the TV the entertainment hub of every living room. Healing Mode uses sound therapy to improve one’s wellbeing in four different categories ― Deep Sleep, Increased Mental Strength, Stress Relief and Refresh. Sports Mode fine-tunes colour expression, optimizes surround sound and employs LG’s Clear Voice technology to turn any living room into a raucous sports arena.

Media Personalities Julie Gichuru and Lulu Hassan help to raise Ksh 7.2 million for Turkana’s Water and Sanitation Projects

The Julie Gichuru and Lulu Hassan led BE A HERO campaign has managed to raise over 7.2 million. The campaign which was sponsored by Leading antiseptics brand, Dettol in partnership with Non-Profit Organization Save the Children Kenya is aimed at raising funds that will go towards installing hand washing and sanitation facilities in schools in Turkana County.

Turkana County Women Rep Joyce Emanikor  flanked by Save the Children Kenya Country Manager, Duncan Harvey and RB Manager, Mr. Richard Pereirra (R )n displaying the cheque  with the funds raised during the BE A HERO campaign that was sponsored by Dettol.

Save the Children will be installing the hand washing and sanitation facilities in 15 – 20 schools  within Turkana County and training of teachers and students in health and hygiene promotion.

Launched in October last year, The BE A HERO campaign is part of Dettol’s Commitment  to raise water and sanitation standards  in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid regions, by installation of sustainable health projects that will ease access to basic sanitation in these regions.

While speaking during a brief funds handover ceremony in Nairobi, RB Country Manager, Mr. Richard Pereirra noted that the company has placed a strategic focus on development of health and hygiene programs through this year.

“Dettol will continue to invest in health and hygiene promotion in schools and at the community level by partnering with the National Government, Local Governments and

Non-Profit Organisations.

According to the 2009 Kenya National Census, only 37% of families in Turkana have access to improved water and only 1% of the population has sanitation facilities coverage. As such, cholera is a constant threat to child survival contributing to an under-five mortality rate of 117 per every 1,000 live births in Turkana, and impeding Kenya’s efforts to end preventable child deaths.

“We are looking to enable easier access to health and hygiene facilities by installing hand washing and sanitation facilities that will benefit 35,000 school children in 15 – 20 schools”. Noted Save The Children Kenya Country Manager, Mr. Duncan Harvey.

Through the years, Dettol has implemented school programs focused on teaching children when and how to wash their hands with soap and water. Through this, the company has reached up to 1,500,000 children.

Dettol brand has been a key champion of hand washing with soap in partnership with the government and not-for-profit organizations, in its quest to support the country in achieving its goal to be a healthier country, in line with Vision 2030.

LG bolts for gold in the silver screen race

This month LG Electronics introduced its 2014 TV lineup in Korea, unveiling a total of 68 new models including ULTRA HD TVs in sizes ranging from 49 to 105 inches, its largest collection to date

Undoubtedly, the current TV innovation landscape represents one of the most dynamic times for picture quality given the emergence of new cutting edge technologies able to render imagery with a semblance of reality. Both Ultra HD, OLED and the effect of new game-changers such as intuitive OS and curved screens will all have their part to play. These technologies are not mutually exclusive and in most cases exist side-by-side.

According to Josep Kim, the Managing Director of LG East Africa, the company plans to change the dynamics of the current TV market, capitalizing on LG’s early leadership in OLED TV technology and manufacturing. “The overall strategy is to expand the company’s ULTRA HD TV and Smart TV offerings with a wider range of products that push the boundaries of innovation,” says Mr Kim.

Mr Josep Kim, the LG East Africa Managing Director showcases features of the world’s first Curved OLED TV during the its launch in the East Africa market as Mr. Moses Murji, the LG East Africa Marketing  Manager looks on.  

This month LG Electronics introduced its 2014 TV lineup in Korea, unveiling a total of 68 new models including ULTRA HD TVs in sizes ranging from 49 to 105 inches, its largest collection to date. Among its new models is LG’s groundbreaking 105-inch Curved ULTRA HD TV in addition to its smaller 65-, 55- and 49-inch curved 4K units. As the first manufacturer to introduce an 84-inch ULTRA HD TV to the world in 2012, LG has consistently upped the ante with first-to-market ULTRA HD and OLED units. 

Rather than using a new or different display technology, Ultra HDTVs are LED LCD models that “cram” more pixels onto the screen. With more pixels in a given area, images are sharper and more detailed than on regular HD TVs. Also known as 4K TVs, consumer Ultra HD sets have four times the resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) of traditional HD TVs (1920 x 1080 pixels).

Promised for several years and now finally making an appearance in the large-screen TV market are OLED sets. Using organic light-emitting diodes, OLED sets can light up each picture element individually, without the need for the separate light source that LCDs require.

This translates into a much brighter, more colorful picture. Because OLED TVs don’t require backlighting, they can be made much thinner, as well. OLED TVs are still significantly more expensive compared to regular LED LCD TVs but prices are falling as the technology matures.

Besides size, the common features of the premium TV sets are their ability to convert normal television pictures into 3D pin-sharp images and Ultra-HD picture quality. With the introduction of its Flexible OLED TV, LG has now achieved a major grand slam, having introduced its share of world firsts in the OLED TV space― flat, curved and now flexible.

Using the accompanying remote, the curvature of the Flexible OLED TV display can be altered to suit the viewing situation and environment, such as number of viewers and viewing distance. Since the curvature is adjustable, audiences can enjoy the best TV viewing experience possible. Complementing the company’s existing 55-inch CURVED OLED TV are two new products measuring 65 inches and 77 inches, measured diagonally with Ultra HD high resolution.

New for 2014 is LG’s webOS Smart TV platform, first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in early January, which the company expects to set a new standard in the smart TV market for its openness and ease-of-use.  “With our strong competitiveness in display technology including ULTRA IPS, CINEMA 3D and the unrivalled simplicity of the webOS Smart TV platform, we are optimistic that in 2014, LG will be the one to watch in the TV industry” says Mr Kim. 

As announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, the simple and intuitive webOS platform will be featured in more than half of TVs including of LG’s ULTRA HD, OLED and CINMEA 3D Smart TVs this year. Its ease-of-use makes content searching and viewing, connecting with other devices, and even the initial setup process incredibly smooth.

The first time the user turns on a webOS Smart TV, an inviting, animated character, BeanBird, appears onscreen to help get connected and walk the user through the setup process. And the new, open platform makes it extremely easy for developers to create applications and enhances the compatibility of LG’s Smart TVs with other devices.