LG Shows Off New Edge-to-Edge HDTVs

LG's new SL80 and SL90 series HDTVs feature edge-to-edge class and a super-slim bezel...and the SL90s also sport LED backlighting technology.

LG Electronics has put on its annual Summer Show, parading new products that it hopes will light up consumers’ wallets come the end-of-year holiday buying season. In the mix this year are two new HDTV series, the SL80 and SL90 series, both featuring edge-to-edge glass panels and slim bezels—with invisible speaker systems and Energy Star 3.0 compliance. Plus, the SL80s sport 240Hz refresh, while the SL90s offer LED backlighting for improved dynamic contrast ratios.

“Consumers are looking for stylish technology that fits seamlessly into their existing home environment, without sacrificing the advanced technology they’ve grown accustomed to,” said LG Electronics USA senior VP for marketing and strategy Peter Reiner, in a statement. “With the SL80 and SL90, LG has combined the best of design and display technology—transforming the home entertainment experience from something ordinary into something better.”

The SL80s and SL90s will each sport three different display modes—sports, cinema, and gaming—along with an “invisible” speaker system tuned by audio expert Mark Levinson. The TVs also include a picture wizard to help customers calibrate their displays, and Clear Voice technology that enhances frequencies in the human speaking range to help dialog be clearer and more audible.

The SL80s will be available in August in 42-, 47-, and 55-inch sizes; all unit feature 240 Hz fresh rates and CCFL backlighting technology in a super-slim bezel measuring just 1.8 inches at its slimmest point. The SL80s offer a dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1. The SL80s will carry suggested retail prices of $1599.95, $1,899.95, and $2,755.95, respectively. LG hasn’t detailed the SL90 line, save that they’re even thinner—1.15 inches at their thinnest—, will sport a 120Hz refresh rate, and will use LED backlighting to achieve dynamic contrast ratios of up to 3,000,000:1. No word on SL90 models or pricing yet, though.