LG unveiled its flagship SL9000 ‘BORDERLESS’ LED TV to a string of 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' at IFA 2009 this week, where it stood out from the pack with a uniform, seamless surface from edge to edge, with no visible frame. By using a special sheet of laminate film LG was able to eliminate the gap between the screen and the bezel and also reduce screen glare. The SL9000 is also extremely thin at just 2.9cm, with the end result being a TV that appears to be a continuous sheet of smoked glass.
Although the SL9000’s design appeals when it is turned off, LG has also managed to cram the TV’s glossy enclosure with plenty of technology to ensure it impresses on the picture and sound fronts as well. An LED backlight provides for a 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and the set runs LG’s TruMotion 100Hz technology. Other specs include 178 degree viewing angle and 500 cd/m2 brightness.
To get around the problem of where to place the speakers for the TV’s borderless design LG has refined its ‘Invisible Speaker’ technology to hide two new slim 1-way speakers on the bottom of the set. LG says this, along with SRS TruSurround, delivers superior sound quality without the need for unsightly speaker grills that would ruin the TV’s aesthetic.
The SL9000’s Bluetooth compatibility means it is possible to view and listen to music, movies and photos from a mobile phone without any cables. It also means you can connect wireless headphones for private listening.
A rear USB 2.0 port also allows playback of JPEG, MP3, MPEG4 and DivX files stored on external hard drives or Flash drives.
The SL9000 features five distinct energy saving modes and, according to LG, uses up to 80 percent less power than conventional LCD TVs. LG has also included its ‘Intelligent Sensor’ technology, which analyzes the light in the room and automatically adjusts the SL9000’s settings, such as backlight intensity, to lower power consumption.
LG’s SL9000 will be available in 42- and 47-inch screen sizes from October. Prices yet to be announced.
