LG introduces new Infinia 3D-capable HDTVs and Blu-ray player

LG may have been beaten to the 3D TV punch by the likes of Samsung, Sony and Panasonic but the Korean manufacturer has still managed to claim a first with its new Infinia HDTVs – namely the world’s first Full LED 3D HDTV. This seems to splitting hairs a bit as both Samsung and Sony offer 3D TVs in edge LED backlit flavors, but LG’s new LX9500 series are the first with LED backlighting that supports localized dimming for improved contrast and blacker blacks. LG’s entry into the 3D market also sees the release of the edge backlit LX6500 series and the company’s first 3D-capable Network Blu-ray player.


LX9500
LG’s LX9500 series that was first unveiled in March comes in 47- and 55-inch screen sizes offering Full HD 1080p resolution to each eye through the now standard use of active shutter glasses and an emitter built directly into the TV. The TVs’ LED backlighting feature a 480Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, 2D THX Certification, DLNA Certification, a super-slim frame with a 0.92-inch bezel and boast up to 240 addressable LED segments (on the 55-inch model) for localized dimming and a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1.

LX6500
The the LX9500 series, the LX6500 series also comes in 47- and 55-inch screen sizes and retains Full HD 1080p resolution and DLNA Certification, but loses the 2D THX Certification and drops the refresh rate down to 240Hz and ups the response time to 2ms. Instead of LED backlighting the LX6500 series 8,000,000:1 contrast ratio is courtesy of edge lighting with local dimming.

Commonalities

With the use of an optional adapter both the LX9500 and LX6500 series can access online content, including NetCast, Yahoo! TV Widgets, Netflix, Vudu, Picasa and YouTube, over a home Wi-Fi network. Both of LG’s 3D LED HDTV series also include energy saving features such as an Intelligent Sensor to automatically calibrate and optimize image brightness, contrast, white balance and color based on the ambient light in the room,

BX580 Network Blu-ray player

LG’s BX580 Network Blu-ray player adds 3D playback capabilities in additons to standard 2D Blu-ray discs and DVDs. Unlike the new HDTVs the player comes with Wi-Fi capability built-in for access to online content capabilities from NetCast, including Netflix, CinemaNow, VUDU, YouTube, MLB.TV, Pandora, Picasa and AccuWeather. The player is also DLNA Certified.

LG's LX6500 series are priced at US$2,700 and $3,600 for the 47- and 55-inch models respectively, while the LX9500 series goes for $4,300 and $5,400 respectively. The BX580 Network Blu-ray player is priced at $350.