LG Introduces a Folding OLED TV Named “Signature R”

• LG presents the first of what could possibly be a series of unfolding screen TVs.
• The new product looks ready for the market, but the price will determine its potential.
• The rest of LG’s TV line presented in CES 2019 is equally impressive, featuring new tech and abilities.

Of all the exciting new tech that is demonstrated in CES 2019, folding screens are a field that draws special attention. However, it’s not everything about folding smartphones, as LG has included a folding TV in their new TV lineup named “Signature OLED TV R”. This is a real product that will enter the TV market, and not just a demonstration of what LG’s engineers can achieve.

The first ever rollable OLED screen was actually presented in CES 2009, but that was a feature-limited 13-inch TV that never made it to the shop shelves. LG’s signature is a full-fledged modern TV, featuring a 4K 64-inch display powered by an Alpha 9 Gen 2 processor, 120Hz refresh rate, and a 4.2 Dolby Atmos 100 Watt soundbar. Everything is neatly stored inside the Signature’s base which features a slick design, matching the style and aesthetics of modern homes, and even enhancing them.

The TV can roll up to deliver its stunning image quality when viewing content, but it doesn’t only work at full extension. LG took advantage of the rolling ability, so they included a new mode which they call “Line View”. This mode is rolling the screen up by a few inches, and it’s meant to be used as a smart home dashboard, for viewing images (streamed from a smartphone), for a clock, for the weather, and for listening to music. This makes the TV less intrusive to the environment when not being used as a TV, adding amazing versatility to its functionality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5YhmzjNrSM&feature=youtu.be&t=3937

So, considering that the “Signature R” is going to enter the TV market, wondering about the reliability and longevity of the folding mechanism is a natural concern. LG claims that the signature’s flexing screen will last for at least 50000 cycles of rolling/unrolling, which corresponds to about three decades. The OLED lifespan is expected to reach 100000 operation hours, which is also close to the three decades of time, depending on the daily usage. The new “Signature R” will become available in the second half of 2019, and while the price has not been announced yet, it is expected to be a hefty one.

On relevant news from the current CES, LG brought Apple AirPlay support on its new line of OLED TVs, 4K at 120Hz, 8K at 60Hz, smart variable refresh rates, HDMI 2.1, only 13 milliseconds of input lag, and new algorithms that can convert 2-channel audio to virtual 5.1 surround sound.

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