CES 2024 was a success on a lot of levels for a number of manufacturers and it’s clear that the show will have a slightly different focus in the years to come. The automotive exhibit took some pressure off the main LVCC traffic and it has become rather clear that the convergence of technology and transportation will become a huge focus at this show.
Display technology is still a critical part of CES and one of the biggest players at CES 2024 was LG.
LG gave us an advance preview of their 2024 QNED and OLED TV product lines prior to the show, but they kept their cards close to the chest in regard to the new Signature OLED T Series Transparent TV.
The Backstory
LG’s sister company, LG Display, has been making transparent OLED video displays for a few years, but with a rather distinct focus on the commercial segment; one can find them in retail locations and even airports.
What makes transparent TV or display screens different is that in addition to images being displayed on the screen, viewers can also see what is behind the screen. It is akin to having a window that you can view images on.
Users can create a 3D-like image with a static background behind the screen in addition to the moving images on the screen.
Tip: Skyworth also showed a transparent OLED TV model at their booth, most likely sourced from LG Display.
Tip: Samsung showed a Transparent Micro OLED screen concept at CES, but the actual product is still a few years away.
LG OLED T
Operational features that support consumer-friendly operation include:
Transparent Mode: Objects displayed on the screen when in transparent mode appear to float in the air. With the transparent effect, the screen content blends with the surrounding space creating an atmospheric visual effect. This is ideal for artwork, videos, or photos using the Always-On-Display (AOD) feature.
A supplementary feature (T-Bar) also provides an info-ticker running along the lower part of the screen. The T-Bar displays news alerts, weather updates, or the title of songs while the rest of the screen shows a clear view of the space behind it.
Opaque Mode: If you want to view content, such as movies or shows just as on most TVs, just switch the T series to Opaque mode. A backing panel rises and turns the TV into a traditional-looking set.
Wireless Zero Connect Box: Borrowing from LG’s successful M series TVs, the Series T includes a Zero Connect Box. Unlike the vast majority of TVs, where all input ports for connecting external devices are on the rear or sides, the Series T comes with a separate Zero Connect box that sends video and audio signals wirelessly to the TV. This means that the Zero Connect box eliminates cable clutter to the TV providing more installation flexibility, and creating a cleaner look for your viewing space.
Tip: The T series also incorporates a 4K UHD display resolution and an Alpha 11 AI processor, WebOS, gaming support, and many of the features you would find on LG’s best Smart TVs.
The OLED T Series has a built-in downward firing speaker system.
From Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Home Entertainment Company: “An incredible feat of consumer-driven innovation, LG SIGNATURE OLED T offers brand-new screen experiences plus the picture quality and performance of our award-winning OLED technology…LG’s transparent OLED gives customers greater freedom to curate their living spaces, completely redefining what’s possible and pointing the way to an exciting future for the television industry.”
In our video below from CES 2024, Gregg Lee, Sr. Product Trainer at LG Electronics explains some of the magic that makes it work.
What We Thought
We spent some time watching the LG Transparent OLED TV and felt that it was very effective at accomplishing a number of goals; especially on a massive show floor with rather uneven lighting conditions.
The Transparent and Opaque modes work as advertised and the decision to go with the Zero Connect Box will make it so much easier to integrate into home environments.
Will this change the future of television at home? We suspect it will create new opportunities for creative artists and savvy marketers for many years to come.
When Can You Buy It?
The LG Signature T Series will initially come in a 77-inch screen size. Detailed specifications, availability, and pricing are still forthcoming, but LG is confident that the T-series will be available in late 2024.
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Christopher Mumford
January 21, 2024 at 6:21 pm
I think this is the next ” curved tv ” and will sell to a few people who will then realise what a waste of money it is. It has no place in a residential system.
Ian White
January 22, 2024 at 12:58 am
Christopher,
I think the distribution will be 80% commercial and 20% residential when the smoke clears. The concept works and there will be affluent customers who will want the TV placed somewhere in the home that does not involve placing it on a wall.
Micro LED is also going to be a hard sell until the panels are a lot cheaper. I would buy a 120″ 16:9 TV with excellent picture quality but not for tens of thousands of dollars.
Best,
Ian White