LG Ultra-Slim "Full LED" 55-Inch LCD HDTVs

LG have unveiled two new "full LED" HDTVs, each with 55-inch LCD panels and 240Hz refresh rates.  The LG 55LH95 and LG 55LH93 both use 3,360 individual LEDs and boast a contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1; the company's backlighting technology can individually control 240 sections of the display, dimming or brightening as suits the image on-screen.

Despite sliding in all those LEDs, the new HDTVs are still slimline.  Depth is just 24.8mm, despite the company also fitting in wireless connectivity; it's unclear from the press release exactly which format LG have selected, but considering they're boasting zero degradation we're assuming it's some type of ultrawideband HDMI. 

The two new sets will be released in July, priced at around $5,500 for the 55LH93 and around $5,900 for the 55LH95.  Smaller 42-inch and 47-inch "full LED" sets will follow by the end of 2009, though they won't be as slimline as these 24.8mm flagship models.

Press Release:

LG Electronics Announces the Official Start of the Ultra-Slim Full LED LCD TV Era

Seoul (Korea Newswire) June 25, 2009 02:00 PM — LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, today unveiled two new ultra-slim "full LED" LCD TVs in Seoul. The new 55-inch screens –- models 55LH95 and 55LH93 respectively –- lead the market in terms of picture quality, design and convenience.

"These products were designed specifically to target the high-end segment and offer unmatched quality and design," said LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company President and CEO, Simon Kang. "These new models will change the LED LCD TV market landscape and we expect these devices to reinforce the premium image of LCD TVs in general," said LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company President and CEO, Simon Kang.

LG's ambitious new product line offers a brighter and clearer screen than competing products thanks to backlighting that employs a total of 3,360 LEDs –- seven times more than existing edge-lit LED TVs. LG's full LED LCD models also features a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio through enhanced dimming technology that divides the screen into 240 blocks. And with a refresh rate of 240 Hz, these TVs maintain a vibrant, smooth image even during fast-paced action scenes.

LG's newest ultra-slim full LED LCD TVs employ patented technology that helps keep the overall chassis thickness down to just 24.8mm. This proprietary technology allows the LEDs to be spread-out horizontally and minimizes the distance between the LEDs and the screen. Another innovation offered for the first time in the new LED LCD TV is the enhanced wireless feature which eliminates the need for image compression. Content can be sent from DVD players, game consoles or home-theater units wirelessly without any degradation.

LG's ultra-slim full LED LCD TV is priced at around KRW 7 million (approximately US$ 5,500) for the 55LH93 and around KRW 7.6 million (approximately US$ 5,900) for the 55LH95 model which will be launched in July 2009.

LG plans to aggressively expand the LED LCD TV business and is aiming for three to four million unit sales next year. Three different models of full LED LCD TVs will be offered to suit different market segments. The ultra-slim model will be positioned as the premium product with additional products in this category being announced later this year. The company will unveil less expensive 42-inch and 47-inch full LED LCD TVs by the end of the year without the ultra-slim feature.

LG is forecasting that the global LED LCD TV market will grow to 30 million units by next year and to 68 million by 2011, up from 3.1 million this year. LG is aiming to become the world's second biggest seller of LCD TVs and predicts that the proportion of LCD TVs that feature LED technology will also grow from 2.6 percent this year to 20 percent next year and to 40 percent by 2011.