What can we expect to see at CES 2018

[oddbox83]

Could HLG be added to Blu-rays, an extension on top of the usual AVC stream ignored by players that don't support it (like 3D) but playable by those that do, probably 4K players with a firmware update and newer models.

I guess the industry wouldn't want to muddy the waters and make 4K discs a harder sell, but I'd like HLG on the stuff that doesn't get a 4K release. Pipe dream I suppose.

I've only seen about a minute of HLG so far (my connection is too slow to stream 4K but I was able to get a glimpse at least of Blue Planet 2 in 4K HLG on iPlayer) and I was rather impressed by what I saw. Since HLG allows implementations of a basic HDR on existing platforms, I'm all for it, and the full HDR formats can still be used on the newer ones.

[PaulGo]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Could HLG be added to Blu-rays, an extension on top of the usual AVC stream ignored by players that don't support it (like 3D) but playable by those that do, probably 4K players with a firmware update and newer models.

I guess the industry wouldn't want to muddy the waters and make 4K discs a harder sell, but I'd like HLG on the stuff that doesn't get a 4K release. Pipe dream I suppose.

HLG is best used for live media adding it to Blu-rays would not be useful since HDR10 is a much better solution.

[apollo828]

Originally Posted by PaulGo

HLG is best used for live media adding it to Blu-rays would not be useful since HDR10 is a much better solution.

Yeah, my understanding is that HLG doesn't look as good as HDR10. HLG is aimed more at live/online transmissions as a data saver. (That said, HLG looks fine. I played a test file on my 4K TV, which recognized the file as HLG. It looked great.)

[oddbox83]

By Blu-rays I mean the good old 1080p version. Since HLG has the potential to be an extension of existing broadcast, that’s why I’m thinking of it as an optional extension to standard Blu-ray while retaining full backwards compatibility with players and TVs that wouldn’t be able to read HLG data.

If another were to be added to 4k Blu my preference would be Technicolor HDR.

[PaulGo]

HDR10 can be used with 1080p content. However I doubt you will see any 1080p Blu-rays with HDR10 or HLG since currently only 4K TVs have HDR10 or HLG compatibility. One of the biggest selling points aside from the higher nits is a wider color spectrum both are only available on 4K TVs

[Geoff D]

Yep, 1080p HDR on disc is in the UHD Blu spec (incidentally my Sony and OPPO decks will actually output 1080p HDR if I set the resolution to 1080p but leave HDR on in the player) but I also highly doubt we'll ever see something mastered as such to disc, not from a major studio anyway. Upscales are a given at this point.

[ray0414]

Lg has unveiled their 2018 lineup tonight. Technical specs are still missing (brightness, color gamut). But there's a C8 77" model this year and it seems the G series is removed and they've added an entry level oled which will have a weaker processor. On the lcd side, their top 2 lcd tvs will keep IPS panels but are getting FALD backlighting.

[JohnAV]

There was this news - LG Lays Groundwork for TV of Tomorrow With ThinQ® and α (Alpha) Processor

LG's newest α (Alpha) 9 intelligent processor provides true-to-life images with incredibly rich colours, sharpness and depth for more realism. A core innovative element of the α (Alpha) 9 is the four-step process of noise reduction, which boasts twice as many steps compared to conventional techniques. This algorithm allows for greater finesse in noise reduction, improving the clarity of images affected by distracting artifacts and enabling more effective rendering of smooth gradations.

The processor also improves colour performance, thanks to the advanced mapping capabilities making colours look closer than ever to the original content. The improved colour correction algorithm allows for more natural colours by expanding the reference colour coordinates seven-fold compared to before. α (Alpha) 9 is designed to support high frame rate (HFR) for producing smoother and clearer motion images at 120 frames per second for better rendering of fast-action content such as sports and action movies. As a result of the new image processor, 2018 LG OLED TVs can display any content at maximum quality for a truly spectacular viewing experience.

Also - LG's 2018 TVs will have Google Assistant built in - Verge

LG’s integrated assistant strategy seems to be two-fold. You’ll be able to use the ThinQ AI for more contextual, TV-specific tasks, like asking to “search for the soundtrack of this movie” or “turn off the TV when this program is over.” But users in some countries (LG hasn’t yet specified which ones) will also have access to Google Assistant on top of that for controlling smart home devices or accessing anything else Google Assistant can do. LG also says that its ThinQ AI TVs will be able to serve as a central smart home hub, too. The TVs will likely still run webOS underneath these new ThinQ features.

[JohnAV]

Now for a another novelty, I kid you not!

CES 2018: Samsung's 'directional speaker' aims to replace headphones - What Hi*Fi!

The speaker, to be launched at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, will come in three forms: Handy, Neckband, and a smartphone cover.

We're all used to headphones, and we're all used to wireless speakers. But what if your wireless speaker became your headphones? That's the concept Samsung is demonstrating with S-Ray, a portable directional speaker that can be carried anywhere.

According to Samsung, "S-Ray helps people avoid having to put on earphones for a long time that can cause ear pain, and avoids the distractions to others that Bluetooth speakers can cause."

The way this new concept will work in everyday life is currently… unclear. There's an explanatory video – an animation of a person doing yoga, shopping at a supermarket and visiting a gallery, with directional sound being pushed towards them in each situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dbZ...ature=youtu.be

[D00mM4r1n3]

Fingers crossed for an early look at ATSC 3.0 equipment/demos. More than likely everyone and their Chinese knock-off adding voice assistants to their equipment. At least one company will call their remote an "assistant" instead of a "remote".

[SleeperAgent]

All I want is a UHD player that supports everything (DV, HDR, HDR10+, etc) and plays every disc I throw at it. Im so tired of trying to ghetto rig my sony into getting discs to play. Also, sub $300 price tag.

[Robert Zohn]

Yummy, a 77" C8!

[DJJez]

If the price is right that c8 77 inch will be mine

[Joce]

Is 120Hz useful only for movies/videos shot in HFR or those shot in classic 35/70mm with 24fps ?

[Tns49]

Originally Posted by Joce

Is 120Hz useful only for movies/videos shot in HFR or those shot in classic 35/70mm with 24fps ?

At least 120 is good for several things. E.g. 24 fps and 30 fps both go evenly in them. So show a image 5 times or 4 times (assuming not motion smoothing). THe claim in the LG alpha seems to imply better motion smoothing, something that LG has been a bit behind on.

[Geoff D]

^ Which is literally what any good 120Hz-native display panel is already doing with 24fps content.

[Tns49]

On the ATSC 3.0 front

ATSC 3.0 solutions for older model sets. E.g. there have been mentions of the LG antenna system for several years but not many details. Some reference to a dongle could be used, but no models mentioned.
New models including ATSC 3.0 tuners outside of Korea. For Europe similar news on DVB-UHDTV models.

[JohnAV]

From CNET

2018 LG OLED TV LINEUP
Series Style Sizes (inches) Shipping Processor
W8 Wallpaper 77, 65 June A9
E8 Picture on glass 65, 55 June A9
C8 Blade-slim 77, 65, 55 March A9
B8 Blade-slim 65, 55 June A7

High Frame Rate (HFR) capability: All of the new LG OLED sets will be able to play back high frame rate (up to 120 frames per second) video, which is smoother, particularly during motion, than standard 60fps video. Again that sounds pretty cool, but there are caveats. No HFR content is available today, although LG says some will be available via streaming later this year. Movies that use higher frame rates, for example The Hobbit by Peter Jackson and Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk are controversial, and many viewers don't like the effect. With action video and gaming content, however, it might be more widely accepted. If you really must have the absolute cutting-edge display, then HFR might be worth waiting for, but most users can skip it with no remorse.

Note that because of its lesser processor, the B8 can't play back content that's both HFR and HDR (high dynamic range). It can handle any other combination of frame rate, resolution and HDR, however, including 4K HFR without HDR, and 2K (1080p) HFR with HDR. The C8 and other A9 sets can play back 4K+HFR+HDR.

And since they lack HDMI 2.1, none of LG's 2018 OLED sets can handle HFR from external devices like 4K Blu-ray players, just via streaming or over-the-air broadcasts.

[JohnAV]

Roku at CES 2018

Ahead of next week’s CES in Las Vegas, Roku has introduced the Roku Whole Home Entertainment Licensing Program, an initiative that will integrate voice search and other entertainment features and capabilities into connected soundbars and smart speakers made by a variety of original equipment manufacturing (OEM) partners.

Roku’s new licensing program for OEM brands will include the following batch of options:

• Roku TV, the smart TV platform that is powered by the Roku operating system, will be integrated with Roku Connect and the new Roku Entertainment Assistant (see below for more detail about those programs) by the fall of 2018.
• A Smart Soundbar reference design for Roku TV makers and other OEM partners that taps into the Roku OS for voice control, content access and wireless audio streaming. While those Roku-designed soundbars will work with any TV with an HDMI ARC input, they are being designed to be optimized for Roku-powered devices, providing a simplified setup alongside the aforementioned integrated voice control.
• A Smart Speaker reference design. Similar to Roku’s work around soundbars, the design for smart speakers will also use the Roku OS for voice control, content access and wireless audio streaming. Roku is setting that up for single-room and multi-room audio set-ups and a way for those speakers to connect and integrate with Roku TVs and Roku streaming players.
• Roku Connect, a new program that enables OEM partners to build high-performance wireless speakers that connect to the Roku ecosystem and synchronize multi-room arrangements. Roku will offer that program for free to OEM partners and will underpin it with a logo program that identifies devices that are Roku Connect-compatible.

[weberrygt]

Originally Posted by gkolb

You must have missed the Sony tv's Dolby announcement.

DV starts rolling out in USA mid-January, and then to other areas over next month or so. It's in the Sony ZD9/Z9D thread.

Now Sony needs to announce the DV updates for the x800! (I know, one can dream that they will do this even if they said they wouldn't.)