2017 CES proved to be very exciting in TV department. We saw TVs which impressed us at design, picture, sound and price.
We will start with LG OLED TVs. The design of the top LG W7 signature OLED introduced a new category of wallpaper TVs. Before even thinnest OLED TVs had a bulky bar stuck at their bottom, back or somewhere else where all the computing power and ports were located. In LG W7 signature OLED it all changed with an introduction of a thin transparent cable which runs from the panel to the separate ports and computing block. This allowed OLED panel to become 2.5mm wallpaper thin and look like a poster on the wall but with full TV functionality. And also this gave LG some freedom like integrated premium speakers into the TV. Dolby Atmos soundbar delivers 60 watt over 7 channels. Overall this is the most amazing TV we ever saw and hopefully, things will keep moving in this direction. Maybe in several years all TVs will become credit card thin. LG W7 comes in two sizes. 65-inch model which weighs just 17 pounds and 77-inch model which weighs 27 pounds.
Sony followed LG on OLED route with an introduction of A1E series of OLED TVs in the United States. These TVs will begin selling in US later this year. It features an interesting technology when a screen of the TV acts as a speaker by producing vibrations. The OLED panels seem to be provided by LG though this is not confirmed at this moment. Below are some Sony 1AE specs:
- OLED display
- 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes
- HDR compatible (HDR10 and Dolby Vision)
- Works with Google Home
- Acoustic Surface audio technology
- Android TV operating system
On a budget side but with premium features Xiaomi impressed us with ultra-slim Mi TV 4. This TV is just 4.9mm thick and is thinner than your iPhone 7 at 7.1mm. Xiaomi Mi TV 4 will be available in three sizes: 49-inches, 55-inches and 65-inches. Similar to LG W7 all electronics is now located in Mi TV Bar separate from the actual TV panel. Prices are expected to be lower than $2,000.
Another TV-related product which impressed us on CES 2017 is Sony VZ1000ES laser short throw projector. It delivers amazing picture quality and doesn’t have to be placed far from the screen. It just needs to be centimeters from the wall to produce an amazing picture. The only negative side for it is $25,000 price which puts it out of reach for most of the consumers.