55em9700
Latest
LG's 55-inch OLED HDTV ships in Korea next week, has 100 pre-orders so far
We saw all the 2013 HDTVs debut last month at CES and the first few new models are starting to reach shelves. One of the more interesting sets arriving is LG's 55-inch OLED HDTV, the first of its kind at this large size. Shipments are starting Monday for the 11 million won ($10k~) television, and according to a press release, LG has notched about 100 pre-orders so far in its home country. For comparison, LG announced it sold 300 of its 84-inch, $20k Ultra HDTV in Korea as of last month. LG also mentioned it plans to sell as many as 15 percent more HDTVs in 2013 than it did in 2012, as it continues to push its Smart and 3D features. We're still waiting for Samsung to release its own OLED HDTVs, while this one is still slated to ship in the US in March for $11,999.
LG 55-inch OLED TV available for pre-order in Korea this week, ready to ship next month
If you spent the entirety of 2012 with 11 million won ($10,000 US) in your savings account and begging LG to take it, we'd wager that you were hoping that the Korean manufacturer's 55-inch WRGB OLED HDTV -- announced at last year's CES -- would make its way to your doorstep in a reasonable amount of time. Whether or not you feel that one revolution of the Earth around the Sun can be called reasonable, LG will begin taking pre-orders for the breathtaking screen in Korea on Thursday (January 3rd) and will ship the first batch to early adopters next month. There's still no word on when we can expect to see one in other parts of the world, but this -- as well as its stamp of approval by the FCC -- is a good sign that the wait may soon be over. Check out the full press release after the break.
LG's first 55-inch OLED HDTV pops up in the FCC's database
Although LG and Samsung exhibited dueling OLED HDTVs at CES earlier this year neither has been able to put a model on US shelves yet. that may change soon since we just spotted this 55EM9700-UA from LG in the FCC's database. Flashing WiFi and Bluetooth modules as well as a December 2012 build date, our only picture of the unit is from behind, powered off, although the photographer makes a cameo via reflection. Look lower, and you can see how its connections are buried down in the TV's stand -- thanks to that ultra-slim OLED frame, there's no room for inputs anywhere else. An appearance in what remains of 2012 seems unlikely, but the odds that next thing in television display technology will actually arrive soon are getting better -- assuming lawsuits don't put the brakes on everything. While you look for an extra $10,000 or so in that holiday budget, check out better pics in the gallery, and a promo video plus a pic of the label after the break.
