Samsung, LG to phase out 3D

It can hardly come as a surprise, but both Samsung and LG are now set to phase out 3D.

Samsung Electronics is not going to install 3D function into new products, and LG Electronics is going to reduce the number of 3D TVs in half, reports Korean ET News.

“Although 40% of all TVs last year had 3D functions, only 20% of TVs this year will have 3D functionality,” said a representative for LG Electronics. “Because there are still consumers who enjoy 3D movies and others, we are going to apply 3D function mainly on premium products.”

The source attributes Samsung’s decision to drop 3D altogether by the lack of new orders for its shutter glass 3D glasses. “Even though we had been supplying 3D glasses until last year, there is no any request for new supply this year.” said a representative for Samsung Electronics’ partner. “It is seen that Samsung Electronics is not going to apply 3D technology into its new TVs.”

These moves come hardly as a surprise, as watching 3D television involved too many hurdles, the main one being the fact that people have to wear special glasses to enjoy the 3D pictures – and there still is a lack of standardisation for those glasses.

“3D TV was a fail due to content, prices and technology,” concluded a recent report from market research company IHS, “The fact that people have to wear glasses to watch 3D TVs did not work too well for consumers.”

LG to collaborate with Netflix on global expansion

LG to Collaborate on Netflix’s Global Business Expansion

• New Partnership to Offer Extensive Library of Content from the World’s Leading Internet TV Network

TORONTO — LG Electronics today announced that LG has initiated a global partnership with Netflix to facilitate the expansion of Netflix’s global on-demand Internet streaming operations beyond the Internet TV network’s already established markets (the Americas, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan). The expansion will bring an extensive library of high-quality content, including 4K HDR-mastered original TV series, to more markets in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. LG has been chosen as a primary global business partner of Netflix, due to the superior picture quality and performance they lend to the Smart TV industry and the Netflix viewing experience alike. At the time of Netflix’s launch LG and Netflix will combine efforts to provide prepaid access to the Netflix service.

Among Netflix’s acclaimed original TV show series are Marvel’s Daredevil, Orange is the New Black and Sense8. The company also plans to provide global members with its HDR-mastered original TV series Marco Polo. At the 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from January 6-9, visitors to LG’s booth (#8204 Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention) will even be able to watch a special 4K HDR clip from Netflix’s popular Dolby Vision™-mastered Marvel’s Daredevil series. Netflix has praised LG’s 4K HDR OLED TVs for having the purest black, contrast and colour vibrancy, all factors which ensure enhanced details and greater dimension when displaying their content.

“Our global partnership with LG will help entertainment lovers worldwide discover and enjoy Netflix,” said Scott Mirer, vice president of device partner ecosystem at Netflix. “We look forward to delighting our members with cutting edge technology and the ability to watch their favorite series in 4K and HDR.”

“We are excited to be the global business partner of the world’s most popular content provider Netflix,” said Brian Kwon, President and CEO at LG’s Home Entertainment Company. “From our side, LG will continue its dedication to innovating display and audio technologies in order to offer global consumers a superior 4K and HDR viewing experience. By adopting the most promising cutting-edge technological advancements, LG will continue to lead in the global premium TV market.”

LG to offer Freesat smart TVs

LG Electronics is to include the Freesat service on both new and existing satellite-enabled smart TVs.

The manufacturer plans to launch Freesat channels on the new LF650 and LF630 TVs, in screen sizes ranging from 32” to 55” and fully compatible with LG’s Magic Motion Remote Control.

In a first for Freesat, LG will also support the service across its existing TVs. Owners of satellite-compatible TVs will gain access to over 200 subscription free TV and radio channels, with many in high definition, via a software rollout to customers.

Commenting on the partnership, Andy Mackay, UK Commercial Director, LG Consumer Electronics, said: “We’re excited to bring the Freesat offering to our new and existing smart TVs. We are committed to offering people the latest technology innovations, with which to enjoy their favourite content, and this partnership helps us to ensure LG customers are getting access to the very best.”

Matthew Huntington, Chief Technology Officer at Freesat, added: “Freesat is delighted to be partnering with LG to offer Freesat on its range of new and existing satellite TVs. LG has built an important position in the UK market, repeatedly positioning great products at the right price. Partnering with Freesat will provide customers even better choice, with over 200 channels, completely subscription free, this partnership between LG and Freesat is offering viewers something special.”

Viewers will see a regular EPG as opposed to Freesat’s Freetime version.

LG brings 4K OLED TV to India

LG has introduced 4K OLED TV in India. The TVs have LG’s propriety WRGB technology and deisplay 33 million colour sub-pixels.

The South Koran electronics’ giant has launched two variants of the 4K OLED TV in the country; 55-inch model at INR384,900 and 65-inch at INR579,900. The TV comes with 3D glasses and has Harmin Kardon sound technology.  According to the manufacturer, the TV comes with easier-to navigate smart TV remote function.

“With the LG 4K Oled TV, we promise consumers in India the ultimate immersive cinematic experience. Time and again we have initiated ground-breaking innovation and raised the bar not only for ourselves, but for the industry as well. This latest Oled TV underscores LG’s commitment to bringing the best in home entertainment to our consumers,” said Howard Lee, Director-Home Entertainment, LG India, according to FirstPost.

Sky Deutschland takes OTT service to LG smart TV sets

German pay-TV broadcaster Sky Deutschland has made its OTT service Sky Online available to the owners of smart TV sets from LG (all WebOS models) in Germany and Austria.

The Sky Online app enables viewers to receive Sky Deutschland’s movie, series and live sports lineup – including the football Bundesliga – without a conventional subscription. A satellite dish, cable or IPTV subscription is not necessary as the signals are distributed to the TV screen through the internet.

As part of the partnership with LG, every buyer of a new LG smart TV set between August 1 and September 30, 2015 will receive three Sky Starter one-month tickets and three Sky Supersport day tickets forSky Online free of charge.

Sky Online launched in October 2014 and is accessible via web, iPad, iPhone, Android smartphones and tablets, Xbox One, Samsung smart TV sets and the Roku-powered Sky Online TV Box.

The offering which is available from €9.99 per month can be cancelled monthly.

LG selects Gracenote to power Smart TV interface in Europe

TV Listings, Cover Art and Images, and Cast and Crew Data from Gracenote will drive LG’s ‘On Now’ service

EMERYVILLE, California — LG Electronics (LG) has selected Gracenote® to power the On Now service in its latest CINEMA 3D Smart TV lineup in Europe. Gracenote eyeQ™ will provide TV schedules and listings, movie and TV show descriptive metadata, as well as Cover Art and images to help viewers navigate and find what to watch across both broadcast and on-demand sources. LG’s On Now will be offered as a software update to all LG Smart TVs in UK and Spain this summer with other European countries slated for later in the year.

On Now provides a smarter and simplified TV interface where viewers can get a snapshot of TV shows and movies that are currently playing, as well as available shows and movies from on-demand sources. On Now taps into Gracenote’s TV listings to show local and national channel information as well as Gracenote’s descriptive metadata for movie and TV show recommendations based on related programs and viewing preferences.

“For Smart TVs to truly make an impact among consumers, the experience has to evolve to make it easy for viewers to find the shows they love and also discover new programs to watch,” said Stephen White, president, Gracenote. “LG is now ahead of the curve in terms of the Smart TV user experience, incorporating descriptive data and rich images to help simplify discovery.”

Gracenote also provides rich visual images to enhance the On Now graphical interface, displaying photos of cast and crew, including popular actresses, actors and filmmakers. In combination with TV and movie Cover Art from the Gracenote database, viewers will be able to quickly navigate which programs to watch using On Now, without having to read too much on-screen text or scroll through endless choices.

As the only global solution for Smart TV programming guides and interfaces, Gracenote eyeQ features TV listings for more than 30 countries, up to 21 days of listings coverage and metadata for more than a million movies and TV programs.