LG’s Premium OLED TV M3 Goes Wireless, HDMI plugs into separate box

Today at CES 2023, LG announced the brand-new LG Signature 97” OLED TV M3. The LG Signature range has always been LG’s crown jewel, debuting the company’s cutting-edge technology in a stylish package with premium pricing, so of course the M3 has all of the company’s latest screen innovations. But the most interesting new feature isn’t even attached to the screen – instead of plugging HDMI cables in behind the screen, the brand new Zero Connect Box can wirelessly transmit 4K, 120Hz pictures to the screen from anywhere in the room.

It’s a similar idea to the Samsung One Connect Box, which uses a single cable to convey power and signals from a box you can neatly store in a cabinet under the TV. But, by making it wireless, LG has opened up the possibilities for where in your room you can put the screen, especially given how thin the TV is when wall-mounted.

LG’s OLED TV M3 says “look Mum, no cables!”

While the exact specs of the Zero Connect Box are still unannounced, LG promises users that it will leverage “state-of-the-art technologies to provide reliable video and audio transmission” to the fancy OLED screen. The mention of 4K, 120Hz means that it’ll definitely have HDMI 2.1 compatibility for keen gamers. The Zero Connect box can also connect wirelessly to compatible sound bars, presumably for easier wall mounting.

According to the announcement, the Zero Connect Box will use an algorithm that can minimise transmission errors and disruptions while recognising changes in the immediate environment, like people or animals standing between the TV and the antenna. The antenna can be adjusted to improve the signal. It’s also voice-enabled, for those moments when the remote has fallen down the back of the couch but the news is about to start.

The challenge of the Zero Connect Box will be how it manages lag, which won’t be noticeable for movies, TV shows and sports, given both the picture and sound will be coming from the same place, but could be an issue with gaming. It’s something reviewers will definitely be checking for when the time comes.

For those who raised their eyebrows at the idea of a 97” black mirror, the announcement talks about the LG Signature OLED M3 using something called “One Wall Design”. One Wall Design uses an integrated bracket to sit flush against the wall with no visible gap. LG alludes to this as an “art gallery aesthetic”, suggesting that the TV may also be able to display art when not in use, like LG gallery TVs can.

While we haven’t been able to go hands-on with the TV yet, it has already won two CES 2023 Innovation awards (Video Display and Embedded Technology), so it seems like a gadget to look out for.

Currently, there is no pricing and release date information available for the LG Signature OLED M3 TV on the company’s website, but it seems safe to assume that the release will be sometime in the first half of the year, and the price will be a lot.

Visit our event hub page for the full rundown of everything CES 2023.

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New Samsung Micro LED TV leads 2023 range at CES

As part of its CES 2023 announcements, Samsung announced updates across the company’s entire TV, projector and soundbar range, with something for everyone. Those served by the latest devices include travellers, regular people who just like watching TV, smart home owners, and the extremely wealthy who like the look of the Samsung Micro LED TVs.

For fans of Mini-LED, or Neo QLED as Samsung calls it, this year’s 4K and 8K televisions will have Auto HDR Remastering, which uses AI deep learning technology to apply HDR effects on SDR content in real-time. This means you’ll supposedly be able to see the textures on old episodes of Gilmore Girls and Buffy while the Neural Quantum Processor upscales to as close to 4K as possible.

For 2023 TV owners with smart homes, you’ll no longer need a dongle to use SmartThings to control Zigbee and Thread devices, as the SmartThings Zigbee & Matter Thread One-Chip Module will now be built into the new TVs.

Samsung Micro LED is the future of TV, at a price

The hero of the range is the new Micro LED line-up, which will offer new models ranging in size from 77” to 114”, and be fully customisable for customers in terms of size, aspect ratio and configuration. Micro LED is a term to remember, because once it becomes more affordable, it’s bound to be the next generation of premium screen technology and unseat OLED.

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January 4, 2023

Samsung 2023 monitor range includes 57-inch dual 4K monster

Unfortunately, it’s got a while until it becomes significantly more affordable. Although we don’t have pricing on the new, bezel-less, more customisable Samsung Micro LED TVs, last year’s models had the price only available on request, and the 89” was rumoured to start at $80,000USD (around $117,500AUD), so it’s not going to be for everyone.

If Micro LED is a bit rich for your blood, there’s always the current reigning champion of the blackest blacks: OLED. The new OLED range will come in 55”, 65” and 77” models, and utilise the same Quantum Dot technology and Neural Quantum Processors that are in the Neo QLED TVs to get the best of both worlds. They still have all the usual gaming features, like a 144Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1, but they now also have AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification.

Samsung’s big display options for 2023: Neo QLED, OLED, and computer monitors

Speaking of gamers, the big 2023 upgrades to GameBar 3.0 are MiniMap Sharing and Virtual Aim Point. MiniMap Sharing means you’ll be able to see the minimap of your game on any display (I look forward to clarification on what “any” means in this context). Virtual Aim Point will add more noticeable crosshairs on any first-person shooter game to assist with aiming. We can no doubt look forward to the discussion of whether this constitutes an unfair advantage later.

Lifestyle TV fans weren’t left out on this announcement, either. The Premiere short throw projector will now come in an 8K flavour, for those who want their Ultra High Definition movies to be displayed up to 150”. The Freestyle portable projector will now have Smart EDGE Blending, so you can use two side-by-side for watching content in a 21:9 aspect ratio configuration. Plus, there is also going to be an optional Auto Rotating Wall Mount & Stand so you can have your TV automatically change from landscape to portrait if you decide to cast TikTok videos to the TV.

Completing the range is the soundbar lineup. The hero of the new features is AI Sound Remastering, which will use AI to remaster each sound object to make voicers clearer, and make the environmental sounds more immersive without being overwhelming. The range also promises to be the most “customisable and personalised ecosystem available to date”, but the announcement did not fully detail how that worked.

Most of these devices will be available in Australia in the first half of the year, with pricing to be announced later. More details can be found via Samsung’s official announcement, and the company also showed off its impressively large 2023 monitors.

Visit our event hub page for the full rundown of everything CES 2023.

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Samsung 2023 monitor range includes 57-inch dual 4K monster

As if the 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark desk display wasn’t big enough, the brand has gone even bigger with the Odyssey Neo G9, leading the Samsung 2023 monitor range as announced at CES 2023.

Standing at 57 inches, the 1000R curved monitor has a whopping 7,680 × 2,160 resolution to go with its high 240Hz refresh rate. With a 32:9 aspect ratio display, the Odyssey Neo G9 also supports VESA Display HDR 1000 via quantum mini LED technology, while Samsung claims it’s the world’s first monitor to support DisplayPort 2.1. For comparison, 2.1 reportedly transfers data at twice the speed of the previous DisplayPort 1.4 protocol.

Although the Odyssey Neo G9 doesn’t appear to swivel and pivot like the mammoth Odyssey Ark from last year, its initial spec reveal indicates strong performance for gaming. It’s not just for gamers, though with the Neo G9 accompanied by several other monitors suited for creative professionals as well.

Additional Samsung 2023 monitor announcements

Odyssey OLED G9

The full Samsung 2023 monitor range as announced at CES

Not to be confused with the Neo G9, the OLED G9 has a few differences worth mentioning. As indicated by its name, it uses OLED lighting, with quantum dot lighting individual pixels to produce high colour contrast and true RGB colour representation. The OLED G9 is also slightly smaller at 49 inches, but its 0.1ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate mean it should still be a gaming beast. Plus, the display has a greater curve at 1800R, and outputs to a quad-HD resolution.

What’s more, the OLED G9 display includes various streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video, so you can watch movies and TV shows without a PC, as long as you have an internet connection.

Viewfinity S9

Samsung specifically mentions creative professionals as the target audience for this one. The Viewfinity S9 is a 5K (5,120 x 2,880) 27-inch monitor made for precise colour representation, emphasised by its wide colour gamut of up to 99% DCI-P3. Its built-in Colour Calibration Engine helps to generate precise screen colour and brightness, a necessity for editors and digital artists alike.

Another helpful feature for creatives is the ability to connect devices such as cameras via USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports to quickly transfer large media files to a PC. As an added inclusion, the Viewfinity S9 comes with a 4K SlimFit camera, while the monitor natively supports video conferencing through apps included with Samsung Smart Hub, such as Google Meet.

Samsung 2023 monitor range release date

Although Samsung confirmed its 2023 range of monitors is coming to Australia this year, we’ll have to wait longer for extra details. We do know, however, that the Samsung Smart Monitor M8 will soon come in a 27-inch version alongside the already-available 32-inch model, along with more support for the Matter smart home protocol. If you want to be the first to get your hands on the Samsung 2023 monitor range, you can register your interest on the company’s website.

Visit our event hub page for the full rundown of everything CES 2023.

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Hisense 2023 TV range goes all-in on Mini-LED to take on OLED

This year, the Hisense 2023 TV range is going all-in on Mini-LED technology, making it the headline act of the company’s CES announcements this week.

Remember back a few years ago when no one could imagine a better TV technology than OLED? LED TVs were considered inferior because of their reduced light control, despite the brighter pictures that the LED backlighting made possible. But now Mini-LED is coming for OLED’s crown, with minuscule LEDs now allowing for better light control along with those brighter pictures.

The full 2023 Hisense ULED range will come in 55”-98” sizes and feature Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ and IMAX Enhanced certification. Having all three forms of HDR on board is still very unusual in the Australian market (most TVs here only have HDR10+ and/or Dolby Vision).

For those unfamiliar with IMAX Enhanced, it’s an HDR format that also adjusts the aspect ratio. On the hardware side, it involves “900 tests” to be certified, rather than just purchasing a licence (like Dolby Vision). On the streaming side, IMAX Enhanced streams use a different file that offers the IMAX version of the film, will smaller black bars and a 1.90:1 aspect ratio (different to the 1.43:1 aspect ratio of IMAX cinemas, and closer to the 19:1 of regular TVs), giving you a little more of the scene than the usual stream. Though, not all films and TV shows are available in IMAX Enhanced, so purchasers will need to find out if their preferred content and platform can make the most of it.

See Also

June 12, 2022

Hisense upgrades its reasonably-priced 2022 TV range

The full range will also have a bunch of features aimed at gamers, like 144Hz, Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync Premium, Auto Low Latency Mode, and HDMI 2.1 (which is required to get the most out of the latest gaming consoles).

Also across the Australian range is the updated VIDAA U7 operating system, which is different to the US Hisense TVs which usually have Google TV.

The Hisense 2023 TV to look out for

The hero of the Hisense 2023 TV range, which also marks ULED’s 10th anniversary, will be the 85” Mini-LED X TV. It has 20,000 backlights delivering 2500+ nits of brightness over 5,000 dimming zones, on what the brand calls a “Dynamic X Display” using a proprietary “Hi-View X Engine”. That extra brightness is important, because it’s one of the key ingredients for getting a good HDR picture.

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January 3, 2023

LG 2023 OLED TV range and soundbars revealed ahead of CES

The flagship TV will also have a 16-bit neural processor capable of upscaling content. One of the big features of the Dynamic X Display is a significant reduction in reflections. When it comes to audio, the TV will also have 4.1.2 speakers built-in, promising ‘true surround sound’ and Dolby Atmos, thanks to the upward-firing speakers.

While release dates haven’t been revealed yet, most of the Hisense ULED TVs are likely to be available in stores in the first half of the year.

Visit our event hub page for the full rundown of everything CES 2023.

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Live: All the major CES 2023 announcements

With one of the world’s biggest tech events underway, here’s where we’re tracking the biggest CES 2023 announcements as they happen. If you need a rundown of what to expect, including times for the big press conferences, check out our guide to everything you need to know.

Below is where you’ll find our live blog summarising the major CES 2023 announcements from companies including Samsung, LG, Hisense, Sony, and plenty more. Check back regularly as we update this blog with the many weird and wonderful tech announcements from CES 2023.

Major CES 2023 announcements live blog

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LG 2023 OLED TV range and soundbars revealed ahead of CES

Ahead of CES 2023, LG has revealed its 2023 OLED TV range, promising greater viewing immersion and an improved user experience through a redesigned webOS interface.

Z3, G3, and C3 OLED evo series TVs comprise LG’s latest displays, packing the new a9 AI Processor Gen6, up from last year’s Gen5 models. This upgraded processor powers various visual AI Picture Pro features like improved upscaling and more lifelike HDR representation of people’s faces and other important subjects. Additionally, LG AI Sound Pro delivers what LG describes as virtual 9.1.2 surround sound from the TV’s speakers.

Alongside the OLED TVs’ reputation for deep blacks, high brightness, and strong colour accuracy, LG’s upcoming panels all include Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, best enjoyed with compatible movies and games. For gamers, the TVs feature a 0.1 millisecond response time, and up to four HDMI 2.1a ports supporting variable refresh rates (VRR).

G3 model gets exclusive brightness boost technology

Specific to the OLED evo G3 series is LG Brightness Boost Max, a technology designed to further increase the panel’s brightness. At an algorithmic and light control level, the TV maps and controls brightness for each pixel. LG claims this results in sharper and more realistic images.

Another G3-specific benefit is a visual overhaul to make the TV look nicer in the living room. Its One Wall Design doesn’t leave a visible gap when mounted to a wall, blending in even more with your room’s furnishings.

A refreshed webOS experience for LG 2023 OLED TVs

Dubbed “All New Home”, the redesigned user interface comes with the latest version of LG’s TV software webOS, shipping with the new TVs. According to the company, the UI includes more personalisation options and greater convenience. “Quick Cards” let you access regularly visited content grouped by categories like Home Office, Gaming, and Sports. Plus, AI Concierge provides you with curated recommendations based on your viewing habits and search history.

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January 3, 2023

CES 2023: everything you need to know

2023 LG soundbars bring versatile audio to the living room

To complement the 2023 OLED TV range, LG also announced two new soundbars: the SC9 and SE6 models, ready to show at CES 2023. Both support Dolby Atmos and IMAX enhanced quality powered by DTS:X, while connecting seamlessly with LG TVs.

LG’s SC9 soundbar

Aimed at producing a more authentic sound, pairing either soundbar with an LG TV enables WOW Orchestra, a feature that uses all of the audio channels across both the soundbar and TV to create an expanded soundstage. Additionally, WOWCAST lets you wirelessly connect the 2023 soundbars with LG TVs, all the while maintaining audio quality.

As the flagship model of the two, the SC9 supports seamless wall or stand mounting to the C series OLED TVs, letting you position the device to get the best audio experience. Meanwhile, the compact SE6 soundbar is suited for smaller spaces but still packs an audio punch.

Neither the 2023 LG OLED TVs nor the soundbars have a confirmed local release date yet. Once we get details, including pricing and a listing on the company’s site, we’ll let you know.

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CES 2023: everything you need to know

CES 2023, the latest iteration of what’s previously been known as the Consumer Electronics Show, is upon us. After a couple of pandemic-interrupted years, CES 2023 looks to be one of the biggest tech events in recent history.

Expect to see announcements from major tech brands including Samsung, LG, Hisense, Asus, Sony, and more. CES 2022 saw a wide range of announcements, from home entertainment, computing, gaming, and automotive, to home security.

What is CES 2023?

Held in January every year, CES is a consumer electronics trade show hosted by the Consumer Technology Association in Las Vegas where exhibitors gather to showcase the latest technology. A major event on the tech industry calendar, many companies use the occasion as an opportunity to announce upcoming product launches and concepts they’re working on.

More than 3,000 exhibitors will congregate at this year’s event, showcasing technology across a broad spectrum of categories. From home appliances, entertainment, sustainability, health, automotive, and AI, to emerging technologies like metaverse and Web3, CES 2023 will be big.

When is it?

CES 2023 formally kicks off on Thursday 5 January Pacific Standard Time (PST) and runs until Sunday 8 January. Prior to its official opening, there are two media-exclusive days on Tuesday 3 January and Wednesday 4 January, when companies brief journalists on their announcements.

Some pre-CES announcements have already happened, which we’ll aim to get you up to speed on as soon as we can.

CES 2023 major presentation schedule

For us here in Australia, most of the action will happen in the early hours of the morning. Here’s a rundown of the major keynote presentations to watch during this year’s CES.

Nvidia

Nvidia’s virtual address will focus on accelerated computing and artificial intelligence. It will be interesting to see what GPU follows the RTX 4080 and 4090 models.

Presentation time:

• PST: Tuesday 3 Jan 8:00 am
• AEDT: Wednesday 4 Jan 3:00 am
• ACDT: Wednesday 4 Jan 2:30 am
• AWST: Wednesday 4 Jan 12:00 midnight

Asus

Asus has two major CES 2023 presentations showing off its latest PC and laptop technology. Up first is its Republic of Gamers (ROG) gaming brand, followed by its general consumer and business devices.

ROG presentation time:

• PST: Tuesday 3 Jan 10:00 am
• AEDT: Wednesday 4 Jan 5:00 am
• ACDT: Wednesday 4 Jan 4:30 am
• AWST: Wednesday 4 Jan 2:00 am

Asus presentation time:

• PST: Wednesday 4 Jan 10:00 am
• AEDT: Thursday 5 Jan 5:00 am
• ACDT: Thursday 5 Jan 4:30 am
• AWST: Thursday 5 Jan 2:00 am

LG

LG is always a major player come CES, with the brand set to announce its latest range of home entertainment devices and appliances.

Presentation time:

• PST: Wednesday 4 Jan 8:00 am
• AEDT: Thursday 5 Jan 3:00 am
• ACDT: Thursday 5 Jan 2:30 am
• AWST: Thursday 5 Jan 12:00 midnight

Hisense

Hisense will have a press conference alongside its major CES 2023 presence. In fact, prior to the show starting, the affordable home entertainment and appliance company just announced that its mini-LED technology is included in the 2023 ULED TV range.

Presentation time:

• PST: Wednesday 4 Jan 9:00 am
• AEDT: Thursday 5 Jan 4:00 am
• ACDT: Thursday 5 Jan 3:30 am
• AWST: Thursday 5 Jan 1:00 am

Samsung

Another big company in the home entertainment and home appliance space, Samsung’s CES 2023 theme is “bringing calm to our connected world“. Fortunately for us, the brand’s presentation airs at a more Australia-friendly time.

Presentation time:

• PST: Wednesday 4 Jan 2:00 pm
• AEDT: Thursday 5 Jan 9:00 am
• ACDT: Thursday 5 Jan 8:30 am
• AWST: Thursday 5 Jan 6:00 am

Sony

Sony previously confirmed its upcoming PlayStation VR2 headset will feature heavily as part of its CES presence this year. We’ll soon find out what else the tech giant has in store.

Presentation time:

• PST: Wednesday 4 Jan 5:00 pm
• AEDT: Thursday 5 Jan 12:00 midday
• ACDT: Thursday 5 Jan 11:30 am
• AWST: Thursday 5 Jan 9:00 am

AMD

Dr Lisa Su, AMD’s Chair and CEO will deliver one of the keynote presentations at this year’s event. According to the company’s press release from last year, high-performance computing, AI and gaming will feature at CES 2023.

Presentation time:

• PST: Wednesday 4 Jan 6:30 pm
• AEDT: Thursday 5 Jan 1:30 pm
• ACDT: Thursday 5 Jan 1:00 pm
• AWST: Thursday 5 Jan 10:30 am

Roborock

Known for its range of robot vacuums, Roborock is hosting a presentation to reveal its latest models.

Presentation time:

• PST: Thursday 5 Jan 5:00 pm
• AEDT: Friday 6 Jan 12:00 midday
• ACDT: Friday 6 Jan 11:30 am
• AWST: Friday 6 Jan 9:00 am

How to best keep up to date with CES 2023

We’ll cover as much CES news as we can here on GadgetGuy. Our own Valens Quinn will be at the event live in Las Vegas, plus we’ll have plenty of coverage from Australia going live during the day as well.

Our hub page for the event will go live soon, containing all the latest CES 2023 news.

Read more CES 2023 news on GadgetGuy.

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