LG’s new TVs might have solved OLED’s main problem

LG has used CES 2025 as an opportunity to announce an upgraded OLED evo TV range. OLED TVs have long been hailed as the pinnacle of TV technology thanks to the precise light control of being able to turn on each pixel individually. However, OLED TVs then gained a reputation for being best in dark rooms because the earlier models used not to be very bright. LG is aiming to change that perception for those willing to pay top-dollar.

The headline feature of the 2025 LG OLED evo TVs is an upgraded LG Brightness Booster Ultimate technology, which LG claims “enhances light control architecture and light-boosting algorithms to achieve brightness three times higher than conventional OLED models”.

However, it’s important to point out that this technology is only available in the premium TVs (55/65/77/83” and G5/M5 models), and is being measured against the conventional B5 OLED models, not compared to last year’s G and M series TVs.

What’s more impressive is that LG is claiming to still maintain perfect blacks, even with the increased brightness. These premium TVs have received “perfect black” and “perfect colour” certifications from UL Solutions and TÜV Rheinland has certified the 65-inch G5 model for “QuickStability with Image Quality”.

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The big news for film buffs is that the 4K LG OLED evo TVs with light sensors support the new advanced Filmmaker Mode, “Filmmaker Mode with Ambient Light Compensation”. This mode is like the regular Filmmaker Mode found on fancy TVs, but now has the added ability to compensate for the room’s lighting conditions to ensure the viewer sees the film as the artists intended it.

Ensuring that there’s something for everyone, these TVs will also be among the first 4K TVs to include a 165Hz variable refresh rate. This is above the max refresh rate of 120Hz for both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, but will be great for PC gamers who want to use the biggest screen in the house.

The most impressive feature is that the M5 top-of-the-range LG OLED evo TV will have the Zero Connect Box, a box that transmits picture and sound to the TV wirelessly, meaning that the TV only needs to be connected to power, and game consoles and set-top boxes can be placed in a more discrete location. It’s an extremely impressive technological advancement, which will hopefully be available in Australia soon.

Would you like AI with your TV?

Of course, it’s not a gadget in 2025 without a bunch of AI features, so these new premium TVs utilise deep learning algorithms to upscale low-resolution and low-quality pictures. Dynamic Tone Mapping Professional, for example, LG claims will give professional creators increased control over HDR10 content. In addition, AI Sound Pro will deliver 11.1.2 virtual channels of surround sound, tweaking the audio for a more “immersive” experience.

Continuing the AI theme is the new AI Remote, which LG says will add to the personalisation of the TV. When you turn on the TV, it will recognise your voice and open an AI welcome screen that greets you by name.

Image: LG.

US and Korean users will be able to search movies more conversationally, and then be served options that fit their request and are tailored to their personal tastes. Like Samsung’s AI-enabled displays, LG’s TVs will also be connected to Microsoft’s generative AI Copilot platform. It’s billed as providing access to a chatbot through the TV to troubleshoot user challenges. Depending on your perspective, one challenge might be wanting to watch TV without being bothered by extra AI content getting in the way.

There’s also a new home screen for webOS which LG claims is fast, convenient and “increasingly personalised with enhanced UI and categories”. There is no word yet about whether this personalised home screen will still be littered with ads on the premium, expensive models. Though, presumably these ads will use more of the personal data that the TV has collected to directly target each user more accurately.

As was introduced last year, LG’s TVs will be eligible for five years of webOS updates, under the webOS Re:New program.

Local pricing and availability are still TBA. We’ll update you when we know more.

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Huge 116-inch Hisense TV is brighter and more energy-efficient

I hope you’ve got space for a 116-inch TV in your living room; Hisense has just shown off a mammoth TV at CES 2025 built with its new TriChroma LED technology. So, if a 300-inch projector doesn’t take your fancy, maybe a big TV will.

To cut through the buzzwords, TriChroma LED uses Mini LED technology, which is capable of producing red, green, and blue colours individually. According to Hisense, the result is higher brightness levels and improved colour accuracy, spanning 97% of the BT.2020 gamut. As an added bonus, the TV maker claims it uses up to 10% less power.

Positioned as an evolution of Hisense’s existing flagship ULED X range, the 116-inch TriChroma LED TV wields 21,000 LEDs behind a 4K LCD anti-glare panel. These backlights produce a peak brightness of 10,000 nits, which should make for easy viewing even in the middle of the day. To round out the package, the TV hosts a 6.2.2 built-in sound system.

Improved 2025 Hisense ULED range

More 100-inch Hisense TVs are set to arrive in Australia this year, including new large sizes for the U8 and U7 models. Compared to 2024’s Hisense U8NAU, the 2025 U8 boosts peak brightness from 2,000 nits to 5,000, while increasing the dimming zones from 1,000 to upwards of 1,500.

Meanwhile, the 2025 U7 model also gets a brightness boost, now reaching 2,000 nits, up from 1,500 with last year’s U7NAU. Hisense also confirmed the U7 TVs will get “Game Mode Ultra”, supporting refresh rates of up to 165Hz.

Perhaps the biggest story for households looking for an affordable TV is the improved Hisense U6 range. Now considered part of the brand’s “ULED” range due to various spec improvements, this year’s U6 TVs will have Dolby Vision IQ and QLED Quantum Dot technology. It’ll also be a more viable option for gamers, supporting 144Hz refresh rates, up from last year’s 60Hz limit.

Hisense is also getting on the Micro LED bandwagon, showing off a 136-inch behemoth at CES. Image: Hisense.

Also slated for an Australian release, the Hisense Canvas TV will get a new 75-inch size, joining the 55 and 65-inch models currently available. Expect to see Hisense’s 2025 TVs land in Australia by the middle of the year, based on previous launch cycles.

While not necessarily coming to stores anytime soon, Hisense also revealed its latest foray into Micro LED technology. A 108-inch model and a 136-inch model at CES 2025 demonstrated the brand’s future plans of making TVs more energy-efficient while increasing pixel density.

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Hisense debuts its brightest-ever projector at CES 2025

Hisense has debuted the L9Q Laser TV, its brightest-ever projector, at CES 2025, along with a new range of mini projectors set to bring the big-screen experience to living rooms.

Powered by what Hisense calls the “LPU Digital Laser Engine”, the L9Q TriChroma Laser TV boasts brightness levels reaching 4,000 ANSI lumens. That’s bright by anyone’s standards. Like several of the brand’s projectors, the L9Q also comes with a 120-inch ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen that’s calibrated to produce the best possible output.

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If you already have a surface suitable for projectors, this new model supports adjustable image sizes starting at 80 inches, all the way up to 150 inches. According to Hisense, the L9Q requires less room to work, courtesy of its 0.18 ultra-short throw lens. It’s made for both movies and gaming, carrying Dolby Vision and “Made for Xbox” certifications.

Joining the L9Q are the Hisense C2 and C2 Ultra Laser projectors; the C2 produces 2,000 ANSI lumens, while the Ultra reaches 3,000. First shown at IFA 2024, the C2 Ultra can project an image as large as 300 inches; impressive if you have the space. The top-end model also embeds an integrated subwoofer for meatier audio, in addition to optical zoom functionality for more picture flexibility.

Hisense’s C2 Ultra projector. Image: Hisense.

Both the Hisense C2 and C2 Ultra Laser projectors use a gimbal-like design, enabling full 360-degree horizontal rotation and 135 degrees of vertical range. Accommodating a wide range of living rooms and viewing areas is the goal here, which might come in handy if you can’t place the projector directly in the middle of the room.

At this stage, the only confirmed local pricing is $4,499 for the Hisense C2 Ultra. Stay tuned for more details about the rest of the range in Australia.

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Valens Quinn attended CES 2025 as a guest of Samsung, LG, Hisense, Roborock, Ayonz, TP-Link, Ecovacs, Asus, and Dreame.

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No 8K content? No problem, says Samsung’s powerful new TV

CES 2025 is many things; a haven of new TV technology is up there as one of the annual event’s biggest drawcards. This year, Samsung has revealed its 2025 TV range, including the flagship Neo QLED 8K QN990F, a slimmer and smarter display for your living room.

Its exact specs haven’t arrived yet, but much of the TV’s smarts hinge on the new NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor. Tipped to power on-device AI features, like those discussed as part of Samsung Vision AI, the QN990F boasts improved upscaling and adaptive settings designed to get the most out of whatever you’re watching.

Per Samsung’s announcement, the TV’s 8K AI Upscaling Pro feature takes lower-resolution media and gives it the 8K treatment. Considering the dearth of native 8K content, it seems the smartest way to justify an 8K TV purchase. Samsung has runs on the board when it comes to AI upscaling too, based on our time with 2024’s excellent QN900D 8K TV.

Piquing my curiosity the most is the Auto HDR Remastering Pro, which is said to adjust visuals and colours on a per-frame basis. HDR movies and TV shows are commonplace, but I’m most keen to see how it handles gaming. Plenty of games support HDR, but not many use the format as well as live-action media.

Arthouse TVs and touchscreen projectors

For those who want a TV that doesn’t look like a TV, Samsung has a new version of its art-inspired display on the way: The Frame Pro. Using the NQ4 Gen3 AI Processor, it’s advertised as having brighter colours, better contrast and local dimming, The Frame Pro is a Neo QLED TV that improves on the original model.

Previously limited to Frame TVs, you can also now access the Samsung Art Store on the brand’s Neo QLED and QLED TVs. This provides access to thousands of artworks to display whenever you’re not watching TV.

Image: Samsung.

On the projector front, Samsung revealed the Premiere 5, an ultra-short-throw projector that lets you “touch” the screen. Equipped with triple-laser technology, the Premiere 5 has immersive entertainment in its sights, with the ability to “project images onto everyday objects”. Based on the projector’s interactive nature, it could fit into classrooms as easily as living rooms.

Both the Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN990F and The Frame Pro TVs are confirmed to arrive in Australia during the first half of 2025. Samsung confirmed a local release for the Premiere 5 too, although we don’t know anything beyond that. Expect more details, including pricing information, in the coming months closer to release.

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Samsung Vision AI is touted as the future of TVs, but what is it?

Get ready to hear a lot about “Samsung Vision AI” this year. In a teaser before CES 2025 kicks off in earnest, Samsung laid out its plans for all things TVs, monitors and screens.

Seemingly an extension of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features on mobile devices, Vision AI is all about “AI-powered screens”. A vague-sounding statement in isolation, it refers to displays that automatically respond to your surroundings and your preferences.

Explaining it further, SW Yong, Samsung’s Head of Visual Display Business, outlines an intent to make screens a one-stop destination.

“Samsung sees TVs not as one-directional devices for passive consumption but as interactive, intelligent partners that adapt to your needs,” Yong said in a press release. “With Samsung Vision AI, we’re reimagining what screens can do, connecting entertainment, personalisation, and lifestyle solutions into one seamless experience to simplify your life.”

What can Samsung Vision AI screens do?

Relevant to the brand’s TVs, monitors and range of displays, Vision AI is a set of integrated features that build on Samsung’s focus on artificial intelligence.

Similar to Google’s Circle to Search feature, there’s a new “Click to Search” feature with Samsung’s new TVs. It provides information about on-screen content, like identifying an actor, supposedly “without disrupting the viewing experience”.

Live translation is another headline feature. If, for whatever reason, you’re watching something that doesn’t natively support dubbed audio or subtitles, an on-device AI model will generate subtitles for you. Speaking of generation, you can also create custom wallpapers using generative AI.

But Samsung Vision AI isn’t just about what’s happening on-screen, it’s also meant to function as a smart home hub. Joining Samsung’s wider SmartThings platform, you can potentially use your TV to watch over your home to ensure your children and pets keep out of trouble. Or to simply dim the lights when you start snoozing in the lounge room.

Microsoft Copilot also makes an appearance on the new Samsung TVs and smart monitors. Other than “personalised content recommendations”, the functionality from the partnership hasn’t been shown in full yet.

Samsung Vision AI sounds like a lot, especially if you just want to use a TV as a screen to watch media on. We’ll soon see how much of its features enter the mainstream once Samsung’s new TVs arrive in Australia by the middle of the year.

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Valens Quinn attended CES 2025 as a guest of Samsung, LG, Hisense, Roborock, Ayonz, TP-Link, Ecovacs, Asus, and Dreame.

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This 3-in-1 LG projector is also a Bluetooth speaker and a lamp

For years, the competition in home cinema was to get the biggest screen, then the thinnest screen (while still huge). Now, the new frontier is the invisible screen. This has shown up in the trend of ‘lifestyle TVs’ – TVs that don’t look like TVs, but also in the flourishing market of ultra-short throw projectors that don’t look like projectors. Revealed ahead of CES 2025, LG’s latest entrant into this category, the PF600U, levels up the camouflage by also being a lamp.

The PF600U is a three-in-one solution. In addition to being a Full HD ultra-short throw projector capable of projecting a screen size of 40-120 inches, it’s also a stereo Bluetooth speaker and an LED mood lamp capable of outputting nine colours over five brightness levels. When used as a projector, it reaches 300 ANSI Lumens of brightness.

What if your lamp doubled as a projector? Wonder no more with the PF600U. Image: LG.

For those wanting a subtle projector with a bit more oomph, LG also announced the CineBeam S (PU615U), following last year’s stylish CineBeam Q projector. It continues its predecessor’s minimalist metallic finish and prioritises portability, weighing in at only 2.5kgs.

The CineBeam S has 500 ANSI Lumens of brightness, 4K resolution, and a stereo speaker rated to support Dolby Atmos audio. Although this would imply the inclusion of upward-firing speakers, it’s more likely that the projector supports Dolby Atmos audio when connected to a compatible sound system.

Sleek and stylish, the LG CineBeam S barely even looks like a projector. Image: LG.

Most helpfully, this projector features Auto Screen Adjustment, Wall Colour Adjustment and Screen Scaling/Shifting, making it easier to use anywhere, on a variety of projection surfaces.

Unfortunately, it looks like Australians will have to wait a while for these projectors, as there currently aren’t any concrete plans or pricing on them. If you’re super-keen, LG has also revealed both projectors’ spec sheets.

Read more projector news on GadgetGuy

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CES 2025: Everything you need to know about the big tech expo

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Except in the case of CES 2025, or the Consumer Electronics Show, the annual tech event that sets the tone for the year ahead. Based on everything we’ve seen so far, the consumer tech industry’s fascination with AI isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

If you had any doubts beforehand, it’s right there on the event’s website; a big glossy generative AI animation of a neon-haired woman. Last year’s CES was also a hotbed of technology emblazoned with various forms of AI technology, a trend that’s set to continue in 2025.

Here’s what you need to know about CES 2025, including when you can tune in to the major presentations in Australia. As always, it’ll be a massive event filled with first glimpses of the technology arriving later this year.

When is CES 2025?

Publicly, this year’s event runs between 7-10 January, with your watch set to US time. But as we know by now, CES is truly a week-long extravaganza filled with press conferences, pre-show announcements, and lots of experimental tech to try on the expo floor.

For us here in Australia, a wave of press conferences kicks off on Tuesday 7 January 2025, as part of the CES media day. This is when media gets a firsthand look at the big announcements from household tech brands.

Afterwards, it’s a carte blanche for attendees to peruse the packed CES 2025 venues and see the latest technology before the rest of the world.

When to watch the CES 2025 presentations in Australia

LG

Dubbed “Affectionate Intelligence“, LG’s presentation is scheduled for the early hours of Tuesday 7 January 2025 at the following Australian times:

• 03:00 AM AEDT
• 2:30 AM ACDT
• 2:00 AM AEST
• 1:30 AM ACST
• Midnight AWST

Hisense

With Hisense’s presentation labelled “AI Your Life“, you might be starting to detect a theme. Set your reminder for Tuesday 7 January 2025 at these times:

• 04:00 AM AEDT
• 3:30 AM ACDT
• 3:00 AM AEST
• 2:30 AM ACST
• 1:00 AM AWST

TCL

Slightly later in the early hours of Tuesday 7 January 2025, here’s when you can watch the TCL press conference:

• 06:00 AM AEDT
• 5:30 AM ACDT
• 5:00 AM AEST
• 4:30 AM ACST
• 3:00 AM AWST

Samsung

Samsung gets brownie points for scheduling its CES 2025 presentation at a more Australia-friendly timeslot on Tuesday 7 January:

• 09:00 AM AEDT
• 8:30 AM ACDT
• 8:00 AM AEST
• 7:30 AM ACST
• 6:00 AM AWST

Sony

Also on Tuesday 7 January in Australia, Sony’s presentation airs at the following times:

• Midday AEDT
• 11:30 AM ACDT
• 11:00 AM AEST
• 10:30 AM ACST
• 9:00 AM AWST

Nvidia

One of the CES 2025 keynote presentations, Nvidia’s leather jacket-clad CEO, Jensen Huang, will take to the stage on Tuesday 7 January at the following times in Australia:

• 1:30 PM AEDT
• 1:00 PM ACDT
• 12:30 PM AEST
• Midday ACST
• 10:30 AM AWST

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