This is also one of the many 2012 LG HDTVs to include the company's Smart TV platform, which provides on-screen access to thousands of movies, apps, videos and more, as well as a full web browser.
Other features in the LM9600 series include TruMotion 480Hz technology, built-in WiFi and four HDMI inputs.
Of course, you can watch these sets in regular 2D mode as well, with full 1080p resolution and with no glasses required. These passive 3D TVs use inexpensive 3D glasses (similar to what you find in theaters) to create a bright 3D image, though it does that at the expense of half the resolution. They are also part of LG's Cinema 3D line, which uses Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology to boast a 3D viewing experience without the flicker and additional expense of active shutter glasses. Available in 47-, 55- and 60-inch sizes, these top of the line 1080p HDTVs have a full backlit array. The LM9600 is the company's lone NANO LED series.
There is the standard edge-lit stuff, LED Plus (edge-lighting with local dimming) and NANO LED, a unique approach to LED backlighting that features a large number of tiny LED elements, combined with over 200 zones of local dimming in order to create superior lighting uniformity and contrast while minimizing cabinet depth. However, LG is throwing a wrench into things, by classifying its 2012 TVs under three LED groups. The LM9600 is LG's only NANO LED HDTV for 2012.Ībove, we covered two types of LED technology. VIZIO calls it "Smart Dimming" and Samsung calls it "Precision Dimming." To see what each manufacturer may call it, as well as what other features are being offered on this year's LED TVs, let's take a peek at what manufacturers are offering in the category in our LED TV Buyers Guide for 2012. The ones that do may go by another name, as dictated by the manufacturer. Just know that not all LED TVs offer local dimming. These days, even some edge-lit TVs use a form of local dimming technology to improve the overall image quality. The end result is a better perceived contrast and better overall black levels. Some also offer "local dimming," which allows different areas of the screen to be shut off or diffused.
In order to make the backlight more uniform, they also use a diffuser panel. This type of LED allows for a very slim bezel and the greatest energy efficiency.įull-matrix LED TVs use a full array of LEDs across the back of the display. These lights shine into a multi-layered diffusor panel, providing a uniform light source behind the LCD panel. Here comes the monkey wrench: There are two types of LED TVs to choose from.Įdge-lit LED TVs have a row of LEDs that wrap around one or more edges of the panel. Now that you know that you want an LED TV, it's probably a good idea to know what kind of LED TV. Samsung's ES8000 Series has Micro Dimming Ultimate technology and a built-in TV camera. However, it's important to note that despite having a slimmer appearance, a brighter image and better picture quality, LED TVs are actually more energy-efficient so you can feel good about your carbon footprint while kicking back to watch your favorite shows. LED TV is a lot thinner than its LCD predecessor. LED TVs generally boast better brightness and contrast over LCD TV, which means brighter whites (and other colors) and deeper blacks.īesides the on-screen image, there is a noticeable difference in the outer appearance of LED TVs. While both LCD and LED TV use LCD panels to create the image, LCD TVs use fluorescent tubes to light up that image while LED TVs use LED lights positioned along the sides or back of the TV to make that bright picture possible. However, LED TV (a variation of LCD TV, using an LED backlight) has been gaining momentum for the past few years, and is becoming one of the more popular choices for HDTV shoppers today.īorn out of LCD, LED TV is a relatively new TV technology. Of course, LCD and plasma are still alive and well - and the fans are still there, too. Oh, how times (and the technologies) have changed. Sometimes, it just came down to what was most affordable, with the larger TVs in both technologies carrying enormous price tags. Both technologies had their share of fans, their advantages and challenges. Years ago, when you wanted to buy a flat panel HDTV, there was really just one basic choice to make: LCD or plasma.