LG Electronics has unveiled a groundbreaking new television technology at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas – a completely wireless and transparent OLED TV dubbed the “LG Signature OLED T”.
A Television That Disappears
The highlight feature of LG’s latest innovation is the ability of the self-emitting OLED display to become fully transparent, effectively enabling the TV to “disappear” into the background when powered off.
As described by a CNN article:
When turned off, the TV is completely transparent, offering just a barely-there tint, similar to looking through a clean window. It blends into the wall behind it or whatever else is behind the TV in your space.
This enables the screen to double as a functional piece of interior design rather than dominating a room as a black mirror when not in use.
Key Details and Specifications
According to CNET, the Signature OLED T model on display was a 77-inch 4K smart TV featuring LG’s latest α9 AI processor for improved upscaling and image processing performance.
Additional specs noted across the various news articles include:
- Wireless TV operation with no cables needed
- Can be mounted on floors or ceilings for flexible placement
- Dolby Atmos support
- Four 48W speakers integrated into the frame
In a hands-on evaluation by ZDNet, they noted the OLED T delivered “stunningly vibrant images” when powered on. The design was described as “gorgeous” and attention grabbing.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Screen Type | Transparent OLED |
| Sizes | 77″ |
| Resolution | 4K |
| Operation | Completely wireless |
| Audio | Integrated Dolby Atmos speakers |
Over 10 Years In The Making
While unveiling a TV with a transparent display may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie even for 2024, LG has actually been working on the technology behind the Signature OLED T for over a decade.
The journey toward a commercial see-through TV began back in 2014 when LG first demonstrated a 55-inch transparent OLED panel prototype. However, it’s taken years of research and innovation in areas like film etching and transparent pixel design to make larger transparent displays technically and economically viable.
The wireless capabilities have also required breakthroughs by LG engineers across antenna, signal processing, and power systems to enable completely cable-free operation without compromising 4K image quality.
What The Critics Are Saying
The response from CES 2024 attendees and early reviewers has been highly positive overall. There is an awe factor around the uniqueness of the transparent screen and excitement for how it could enable new TV placement options.
CordCutters News described it as “one of the coolest things at CES,” while a Mashable reporter exclaimed they “[need] this in my life immediately!”
However, the high price tag expected to be in the “tens of thousands” range when released later this year and questions around real-world functionality have tempered some of the initial enthusiasm. Reviewers note you would still need a dark environment for ideal viewing, while the always-on transparent design could prove distracting for regular TV watching.
There is also competition already looming on the horizon with Samsung demonstrating their own early transparent OLED prototypes at CES 2024. But LG has a significant head start toward commercialization.
What’s Next For The LG Signature OLED T?
While the LG Signature OLED T grabbed headlines at CES as a showcase of the future, when and how will consumers actually be able to get their hands on one?
The company is targeting the second half of 2024 for an official sales launch. In terms of pricing, a retail cost in the $40,000 to $50,000 range is considered likely based on the high-end positioning and limited production volumes.
Distribution is expected to be restricted to premium electronics chains and custom installers catering to luxury buyers during the early sales period. Wider availability will ultimately depend on driving down manufacturing expenses over time.
If successful with the 77″ model, LG is also planning larger versions in 97″ and enormous 136″ screen sizes. However, these jumbo transparent TVs may be multiple years away from realization.
The Bigger Picture For Display Innovation
While still firmly in the concept product stage today, LG’s see-through OLED television provides a compelling vision of how displays might integrate more seamlessly into our living environments in the future – becoming functional art pieces even when powered down.
The technology behind the Signature OLED T also promises to unlock new industrial and commercial transparent video wall applications going forward.
Further into the future, LG demonstrated an even more radically different transparent display product under their LG Labs arm at CES dubbed the “Dukebox”. This hybrid concept incorporates a transparent OLED panel framed by an old-fashioned vacuum tube amplifier, fusing digital and analog design eras into an attention grabbing AR/VR displaypiece.
So while you may not find an affordable invisible TV at your local Best Buy tomorrow, the LG Signature OLED T kicked off 2024 as a sign of the innovations still to come across the consumer electronics landscape this decade. Turning walls or even windows into video displays no longer seems like pure fantasy after experiencing LG’s latest creation in person on the CES showfloor.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
