LG has announced that it is expanding its line-up of 8K LCD TVs with three 'NanoCell' ranges in 2020. Starting at 55 inches, the TVs will come equipped with Full Array LED backlight and HDMI 2.1 as well as Filmmaker and HGiG modes.

Update 6.1.2020: Additional details relating to Filmmaker Mode, HGiG Mode, and Dolby Vision IQ.
LG 8K 'NanoCell' TVs
Like Samsung with its 'QLED', LG has renamed its high-end LCD TVs 'NanoCell' to emphasize that a nano layer has been implemented in the LCD stack. It is designed to filter out unwanted wavelenghts of light to deliver better "wide color gamut" pictures.

LG is emphasizing that its LCD TVs are "real" 8K TVs, a reference to arch rival Samsung's 8K TV that use sub-pixel rendering to improve viewing angels at the expense of resolution. The spat between the two South Korean giants began at the IFA show in September 2019 and will seemingly continue into 2020.

- "Every model  exceeding the industry’s official new 8K Ultra HD definition set by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) with trusted independent labs such as TÜV Rheinland validating that LG Signature OLED 8K and LG 8K NanoCell TV exceed this definition," said LG.



All three LCD TV ranges will come with a full array local dimming (FALD) LED backlight that is designed to improve black levels and contrast. Last year, FlatpanelsHD reviewed the FALD-enabled LG SM90 and found it to be lacking in several areas including contrast. Hopefully LG's flagship LCD TVs for 2020 will bring improved picture performance to the market.


Alpha 9 Gen 3, HDMI 2.1
All three models are equipped with the third generation of the Alpha 9 video processor that features new picture enhancements powered by machine leaning as outlined in our article about LG's new 8K OLED TVs.

LG's 8K LCD TVs also come equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports and support for various optional HDMI 2.1 features such as eARC and ALLM. LG said that Nano99, Nano97 and Nano95 support HGiG Mode (HDR Gaming Interesting Group), while Nano95 only supports the latter.



Like its new 8K OLED TVs, LG's 8K LCD TVs will have support for the new AV1 video format, in addition to HEVC and VP9. AV1 was developed as a royalty-free video format for HD, 4K, 8K, and HDR video by a group of industry heavyweights, including Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Netflix.

- "The new models offer the capability to play native 8K content thanks to support of the widest selection of 8K content sources from HDMI and USB digital inputs, including codecs such as HEVC, VP9 and AV1, the latter being backed by major streaming providers including YouTube. LG’s 8K TVs will support 8K content streaming at a rapid 60FPS and are certified to deliver 8K 60P over HDMI," said LG.

The company also highlighted features such as the latest version of its webOS platform, support for multiple HDR formats (including Dolby Vision IQ), Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Atmos, 'magic remote', hands-free voice control, and BT surround. The full array backlight usually differs between the models, but we are chasing more details in reference to the 2020 models at CES.

LG's 8K LCD TVs will be available starting at 55 inches meaning that the South Korean company is bringing 8K to smaller screen sizes this year. 8K resolution will be available in three LCD ranges named Nano95, Nano97, and Nano99. The company has yet to announce pricing details but we think it is safe to assume that the 8K LCD TVs will be significantly cheaper than LG's 8K OLED TVs - perhaps even affordable. Will that reverse the 8K market's fortunes in 2020? Probably not as there is still a dearth of 8K content.

More details will be revealed at CES 2020. 

LG 2020 8K LCD - specifications
3 ranges
Nano99: 65, 75 inches
Nano97: 65, 75 inches
Nano95: 55, 65 inches (Europe) / 65, 75 inches (North America)

Picture
8K 'NanoCell' IPS LCD
Full array local dimming
Alpha 9 Gen 3 video processor
HDMI 2.1, including eARC & ALLM
HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision (IQ), Advanced HDR
HGiG (HDR Gaming Interesting Group) support
Filmmaker Mode

Smart TV and audio
webOS
AV1, HEVC, VP9 decoding
Dolby Atmos
Magic Remote
Hands-free voice control
BT Surround
WiFi