PICTURE QUALITY This model had excellent high-definition picture quality. It did an excellent job displaying the finest detail. Color accuracy was very good, with images looking quite natural. Excellent contrast--the difference between the darkest blacks and brightest whites--gave images great depth and dimension. The brightness level was good, making it a suitable choice for most rooms. Excellent deep black level performance on this OLED is among the very best we've seen from any TV and quality doesn't vary with viewing angle, unlike we see with LCD (LED) models. Images had an excellent level of detail without added enhancement. In scenes with subtly shaded light-to-dark areas, such as a sky during sunset, the TV did a very good job producing a smooth transition without distinct, coarse bands. Film mode operation for HD film-based content was excellent, with no visible jaggies along the edges of objects during motion scenes. Deinterlacing was very good, with minimal jaggies visible when converting 1080i video content, such as from cable, to the display's native resolution. Its stunning black levels and resulting contrast help place this model's picture quality among the very best TVs we've tested. SPECIAL COMMENTS ABOUT THIS LG OLED In addition to the noted fine picture attributes, we did see unusual effects as we watched movies and videos. The left and right edges of the image showed slight but visible darkening mainly on darker scenes, almost like a vignette effect, which was somewhat distracting when present. Some temporary image retention was also noted; very subtle ghosts of the TV's bright menu windows remained visible when no video was displayed on the screen, and we also detected some darkening of the upper and lower part of the image after we had viewed a letterbox movie for a few hours. These effects were very subtle and probably wouldn't be detectable under normal viewing conditions, and eventually the ghosting did go away. Since OLED is so new we don't yet know if these issues could lead to permanent image burn in. For our test we ended up purchasing two samples of this model OLED. The first sample we acquired developed a problem within the first few days of use; after calibrating the TV for best black level and shadow detail, we noted days later that that black level had become a bit brighter than before and there was a visible array of illuminated vertical bands of slightly varying intensity that ran across the screen. To keep this in perspective, we had the room lights nearly off and as our eyes adjusted to the screen so we could see this clearly. We could also expose these near black bands by raising the brightness control, and we could not get the TV to a solid deep black without crushing shadow detail. The bands were also visible on our 10 IRE gray field pattern, and subtly visible on dark video content and it was at this point we decided to send the TV out for repair. We purchased a new second sample TV and that one did not reveal the brightened black level and we were able to achieve deep black along with good shadow detail. We did get the first sample repaired (LG replaced the panel), and while the noted problems were essentially fixed we still did see hints of the vertical bands, but certainly not a problem during normal viewing.
VIEWING ANGLE This LG OLED display has an excellent viewing angle overall. It will generally maintain the same picture quality when viewed from off angles, with fewer problems than LCD sets, for typical viewing conditions. Black levels and contrast do not degrade, though the image does introduce a slight shift in color temperature toward a cool, bluer tone as you move away from front and center.
ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE This LG UHD TV delivers full, but slightly compromised 4K picture detail, along with very good HD-to-UHD upconversion. All native 4K content we played on this model, including movies and test videos from our Sony FMPX10 player (via HDMI connection), were presented with generally fine detail but images revealed that some oversharpening has been applied which added coarseness to the edges of very fine detail. This was due to the TV's "Super Resolution" image sharpening feature whose effect was evident even though it was turned off; a quirk. When we went into the menu and turned the feature "on", then "off" again, the effect was deactivated and image detail was excellent. But then turning the TV off and back on reactivated the feature by default so we left it as is. Hopefully a future software update will address this bug. This model also supports video streaming of 4K programs via both Netflix and YouTube (among other emerging sources), and again, images were clean and finely detailed with none of the noted over-sharpening. Using the TV's USB port, we were able to playback 4K videos stored on a flash drive which were encoded in both the HEVC and VP9 formats, as well as MP4. High resolution photos showed full 4K detail but again the same quirky oversharpening issue popped up. With regular HD content, the TV's HD-to-UHD up-conversion processing was generally excellent with the edges along diagonals of image content looking very smooth with minimal jaggies. All three of the TV's HDMI inputs comply with the latest HDCP 2.2 copy protection specification, but only two are HDMI 2.0 compatible and able to support play back of 4K video at 60Hz. These specifications are required for compatibility with emerging 4K movie play back devices such as a 4K Blu-ray player.
MOTION BLUR This LG TV has excellent motion performance, with no visible blurring on our motion tests, thanks to LG's TruMotion. This feature is designed to reduce motion blur, a shortcoming of most LCD TVs. With the feature turned off, motion performance was only fair, with significant blurring on our motion tests.
SCREEN REFLECTIVITY Though not as mirror-like as on some LCDs, this screen surface is glossy and therefore susceptible to reflections from a nearby lamp or window. The screen is dark so it does a good job reducing glare from ambient light and maintains contrast even in a bright room.
3D PERFORMANCE The overall 3D effect was very good, on par with the better 3D displays. 3D images showed very effective depth, with little or no ghosting (left eye/right eye crosstalk) on our 3D test patterns and on a wide variety of 3D program content. There was an increase in ghosting when we viewed 3D images from above or below eye level, which got worse as you move closer to the TV. In 3D mode, the display presented full 1080p resolution to each eye, showing all the detail from the best 3D content from Blu-ray disc.
SOUND QUALITY This TV has good sound quality; about average among the TVs we've tested. When watching a movie blockbuster, a concert, or TV show, it delivers decent performance but falls short of the better performers. With movies, dialog was generally clear and natural sounding, though somewhat muffled, while background soundtrack music and other sounds were slightly recessed. Bass extension was decent which gave body to the sound, while treble was nicely detailed, but also a bit closed in. The speakers can play to fairly loud volume levels without obvious distortion, a plus if you'll be using this set in a larger room or noisy environment. Most will find this sound quality acceptable for typical listening.
EASE OF USE Overall, we found the set easy to use. Setting up the TV for the first time was straightforward, as was access to features and controls you'll probably adjust only once. Ease of access to features you typically use more often was excellent. Also, the remote is very good, and the on-screen menu is easy to navigate.
Remote has a dedicated button to access 3D. The remote's major function buttons were sufficiently large and have high-contrast labeling, making them easier to see and navigate.
STAND ASSEMBLY Mounting the TV to the included one-piece support stand is easy.
INTERNET FEATURES This TV provides advanced Internet capability. Features include access to a library of applications via "LG Content Store and a full Web browser. It also supports an optional Web cam for access to video conferencing applications such as Skype.
CONNECTIONS This TV includes three HDMI inputs, one shared connection between the component and composite inputs (which means you can only use one type or the other at a time), optical digital audio out, three USB ports, an Ethernet port, and Wi-Fi. Wireless connectivity includes: DLNA network file sharing. Analog connections are made via special breakout cable adapters (included) that attach to the TV as single plugs. That means you plug your component, composite, or stereo cables into a dangling "pigtail" rather than the back of the TV itself. This is actually a more convenient way to make the connections on slim-profile models, but if you lose that adapter you'll have no way to connect your cables directly to the TV. The cable connections on the rear panel are recessed with side or bottom-facing ports, so wires don't protrude beyond the display's depth.
INCLUDED IN THE BOX The TV comes with: a printed user manual, an electronic manual in the TV's menu, a quick start guide, a remote with batteries, breakout cables (One component, one composite with stereo audio ), and four pairs of 3D glasses. ABOUT FIRMWARE VERSION: Our test results and picture settings are valid for the version of firmware indicated. If your TV's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the TV's firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your TV via a wired or wireless network (if internet capable), USB port, or memory card, depending on your TV's capability. You can check your TV's firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer's website if further guidance is needed.
