LG's 55-inch LW9800 3D HDTV earns THX certification, our home theater respect

Let's face it. We live in a world chock full of entertainment options. With more means of accessing the visual goods, comes less reason to leave the house. Well, LG's aiming to make the cinema experience even more passé with its 55-inch Nano Full LED Cinema LW9800 3D HDTV set. Recently shown off at CEDIA 2011, the slim, flat panel is the first passive 3D display to garner THX certification, delivering HD enthusiasts closer to true "movie experiences." The 480Hz TV utilizes film-pattern retarder tech to optimize 3D image separation, and also includes LG's Smart TV suite of streaming video services (Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, et al.) and app store. So, if you're ready to roll your eyes at Lucas' latest tweaks from the comfort of your couch, get set to fork over $3,800 and join the at-home grousing.

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LG ELECTRONICS' PREMIER NANO FULL LED CINEMA 3D HDTV IS FIRST PASSIVE 3D TV TO ACHIEVE THX® 3D CERTIFICATION

NANO FULL LED Technology and LG Smart TV Deliver Ultimate 2D and 3D Home Theater Experience

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 7, 2011 – LG Electronics USA today launched the world's first passive 3D TV to achieve the coveted THX® 3D Display Certification.

LG's new "NANO FULL LED" model is a stunning ultra-slim full-backlight LED HDTV being shown publicly for the first time here this week at the 2011 Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo. Shipping now, the flagship 55LW9800 also includes the LG Smart TV platform featuring wireless access to a rich array of online content without a PC*.

This unique NANO FULL LED HDTV uses LG's film-pattern retarder (FPR) 3D screen technology making it the first 3D TV using flicker-free passive technology to achieve both THX 2D and 3D Display Certification. Joining an elite group of HDTVs, the 55LW9800 passed more than 400 THX tests evaluating left and right eye images for color accuracy, cross-talk, viewing angles and video processing performance. THX offers the only performance benchmark available today for 3D hardware.

"The milestone of being the first passive 3D HDTV to pass our rigorous testing and achieve 3D Display Certification is quite impressive," said Kevin Wines, Image Technology director, THX. "LG has created a product that meets the utmost standards for 2D and 3D picture quality, delivering movie experiences with the same stunning color and detail found in the filmmaker's studio."

THX provides the ultimate benchmark and performance criteria for CE manufacturers to deliver best-in-class entertainment products. THX 3D Display Certification confirms the 55LW9800 meets THX's qualifications for having the correct gamma, luminance and color temperature. These requirements in addition to low cross-talk and wide viewing angles result in superior 3D picture quality and performance.

The NANO FULL LED display employs a thin film incorporating a full array of LEDs, giving it more uniform light distribution and detailed local dimming from over two hundred addressable sectors. With more uniform lighting and improved localized dimming in both 2D and 3D modes, this model offers a greater range and life to colors. Add LG's TruMotion 480Hz refresh rate and the overall effect is a picture so smooth, sharp and realistic, it's as if the action is playing out right in viewers' living rooms. With NANO technology, superior picture quality meets stylish design, allowing for an incredibly narrow bezel and thin depth of just 1.08 inches.

Next Generation 3D TV Technology from LG
The 55LW9800 features LG CINEMA 3D technology, which lets people recreate the 3D movie theater viewing experience in their homes with lightweight eyewear, crisp, bright images and wide horizontal viewing angles. LG CINEMA 3D makes it easy to host family and friends for a sporting event or 3D movie night given the low cost of the glasses.

LG's FPR technology optimizes the separation of images for the left and right eye, which are then filtered through the glasses to give viewers a better 3D effect with minimal cross-talk. LG's 3D Light Boost, a thin film covering the screen, creates bright, crisp 3D images for a superior 3D viewing experience by helping to counteract dimness that can occur with other 3D systems. The 2D to 3D Conversion feature provides a ready supply of shows and movies in high quality 3D.

"The 55LW9800 provides the ultimate home theater experience for consumers who want great picture, immersive and life-like 3D, and best-in-class technical certification from THX," said Jay Vandenbree, senior vice president, home entertainment, LG Electronics USA. "The display experts agree with what consumers have already said- LG CINEMA 3D provides a top-notch 3D solution, hands down."

Enhanced LG Smart TV
To complete the package, the 55LW9800 incorporates the expanded LG Smart TV online content package, which offers easy access to thousands of movies, customized apps, videos, web browsing as well as simple multimedia file sharing within a consumer's home network*. New additions to LG Smart TV include content from Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, MOG, as well as video conferencing with Skype (accessories sold separately), and numerous options in the LG App store, such as the new 3D Zone. All this content is organized in a simple to use interface controlled by LG's unique gesture-based Magic Motion Remote Control and easily accessed using the TV's built-in Wi-Fi.

The 55LW9800 is available in a 55-inch class size (54.6-inch measured diagonally) at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $3,799.99.

LG has expanded the 2011 CINEMA 3D series to include 10 models. In addition to the new 55LW9800, they are: the LW6500 series in 47-, 55- and 65-inch class screen sizes (47.0-, 54.6- and 64.7-inch diagonals, respectively), the LW5600 and the LW5700 series in 47- and 55-inch class screen sizes (47.0- and 54.6-inch diagonals, respectively), and the new LW5300 entertainment packages bundled with a 3D Blu-ray player in 47- or 55-inch class screen sizes (47.0- and 54.6-inch diagonals, respectively). While all LG CINEMA 3D models are bundled with four pairs of lightweight, 3D glasses and additional sets of glasses are available for affordable purchase.