This state-of-the-art OLED TV delivers AI enhancements, a complete good platform, alongside excellent footage and sound
Execs
- Spectacular picture accuracy
- Superb blacks and distinction
- AI-enhanced good platform
- Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Atmos
- Extremely low enter lag
Cons
- Restricted HDR brightness
- No HDR10+ help
Key Specs
- Evaluation Value: £2499
- 4K Extremely HD decision
- HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HLG
- webOS with ThinQ AI
- 4 x HDMI 2.1
- W1228 x H738 x D251mm
- Weight: 23kg
The LG C9 (OLED55C9, OLED65C9) is now not out there to buy from most on-line retailers (although you possibly can attempt your luck on web sites reminiscent of eBay). It has been changed by the 2020 LG CX, which affords even higher efficiency and a variety of new options over the C9.
Authentic assessment as follows.
The LG OLED55C9 is the newest mid-range 4K OLED TV from the producer. It contains the Alpha 9 processor not discovered within the entry-level B9, however eschews the costly beauty enhancements discovered on fashions additional up the vary, making it one thing of a candy spot when it comes to efficiency and value.
The 2nd-generation Alpha 9 processor isn’t the one new function within the C9; there’s additionally improved sound high quality and webOS 4.5 with its snazzy new consumer interface. The inclusion of synthetic intelligence guarantees the neatest OLED but, and the usage of HDMI 2.1 connections ensures this TV will stay future-proof for years to return.
The vary consists of the 55-inch OLED55C9PLA (£2499), 65-inch OLED65C9PLA (£3299) and 77-inch OLED77C9PLA (£7499).
Associated: Finest TVs
LG OLED55C9 – Design
The LG OLED55C9 boasts a super-slim OLED panel with a black trim across the periphery and no actual bezel. The TV is mere millimetres extensive on the high, however even on the backside the place the audio system, electronics and connections are housed it’s lower than 5cm deep.
The stand appears to be like much like final yr’s C8, with a design that fires sound instantly on the viewer. It’s weighted on the rear to supply stability and help. The again panel is completed in a darkish brushed steel, and the general look is minimalist, modern and classy.
This yr LG has added HDMI 2.1, and it’s the one producer to help the brand new commonplace on its 4K TVs. Different producers declare you can ship the identical options utilizing HDMI 2.0b, however even when that’s true, LG’s new TVs are bulletproof relating to any future developments.
Associated: What’s HDMI 2.1?
The explanation for this future-proofing is HDMI 2.1’s means to deal with an unimaginable 48Gbps, permitting it to help increased body charges as much as 120Hz, dynamic metadata for HDR, eARC (enhanced audio return channel), variable refresh charges (VRR), and an auto low-latency mode (ALLM).
Along with the 4 HDMI inputs, there are three USB ports, terrestrial and satellite tv for pc tuners, a LAN port, a CI slot, an optical digital output, and a line-out that doubles as a headphone jack. When it comes to wi-fi help there’s built-in Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth (5.0) and AirPlay 2.
The newest model of the Magic Distant stays a masterpiece of ergonomic design. It’s snug to carry and intuitive to make use of, due to its on-screen pointer. There’s a built-in microphone for voice management, and devoted buttons for Netflix, Amazon, and Rakuten TV.
Associated: Find out how to discover 4K HDR content material on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
LG OLED55C9 – Options
The LG OLED55C9 may be very a lot an evolution of the corporate’s earlier OLED TVs, with the identical 4K (3840 x 2160) 10-bit panel as final yr. Nonetheless, it additionally accepts a 12-bit sign and helps 4K body charges as much as 120Hz. The panel can ship 100% of the DCI-P3 wider color gamut, and in testing it produced a peak brightness of 780 nits on a ten% window.
The 2nd-generation Alpha 9 processor employs deep-learning AI algorithms that analyse a database composed of tens of millions of photos. Because of this evaluation it then optimises the image relying on the sort and high quality of content material. The processing may even recognise particular content material, after which optimise the picture accordingly.
As a part of this optimisation course of the Alpha 9 upscales lower-resolution content material, applies noise discount the place mandatory, and enhances the sharpness to deliver out extra element. The brand new AI Brightness function makes use of a sensor to detect ambient gentle, after which optimises the brightness primarily based on the particular viewing setting to enhance the visibility in darkish areas of the image.
As with earlier LG OLEDs, the C9 helps a variety of completely different variations of HDR, particularly HDR10, broadcast HLG, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient. Nonetheless, it doesn’t help HDR10+, presumably as a result of this type of HDR with dynamic metadata is primarily related to arch-rival Samsung. Sadly, this does put the C9 at an obstacle to competing OLEDs from Panasonic and Philips.
Associated: Netflix vs Amazon Video
LG OLED55C9 – Sensible platform
The LG OLED55C9 sports activities the newest technology of webOS, which now features a second tier on the launcher bar. This convenient addition makes it simpler to entry content material, with the AI-enhanced Preview function makes suggestions primarily based in your viewing habits.
LG has all the time included a complete collection of apps on its TVs, and that development continues. The C9 has nearly each streaming service conceivable together with Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Now TV, Rakuten, and all of the UK TV catch-up providers.
Fortunately, the Clever Edit function lists your apps primarily based on how typically you employ them, making it simpler to search out what you need amongst all that alternative. As well as, the advice function displays and analyses your viewing habits primarily based not solely on content material but additionally the time of day, permitting it to accommodate each youngsters and adults.
LG has revised the House Dashboard in order that it now contains all related cell units, inputs and residential IoT (Web of Issues) units in a single hub. This lets you monitor and management any related gadget in your good house. LG may also be including help for Apple’s HomeKit later this yr.
LG’s ThinQ open AI platform has been up to date in order that it not solely contains Google Assistant however, due to a firmware replace, Amazon Alexa as properly. On the time of testing, Alexa wasn’t out there however Google labored very properly, permitting us to manage the TV with our voice and use it as a wise assistant.
In case you personal an LG smartphone then you should use it to arrange the C9, and the TV is ready to auto-detect units related through HDMI. There’s a brand new TV channel banner, a mini-browser, and an expanded Gallery mode with seasonally curated photos due to TripAdvisor.
Associated: Finest streaming websites
LG OLED55C9 – Image efficiency
The LG OLED55C9 builds on the efficiency of earlier OLED generations, delivering a surprising image with SDR content material. Blacks are deep and strong, and the self-emissive nature of OLED ensures that brighter particulars are produced with exacting precision.
The colors are pure and the general picture has a pleasingly correct look. The TV ships within the Commonplace mode, and this delivers vivid and vibrant photos that actually pop. Nonetheless, those that favor an image that adheres to the business requirements may also select one of many two ISF modes.
The 2nd-gen Alpha 9 processor definitely performs its half, upscaling lower-resolution photos to make sure each pixel within the 4K panel is used to its full potential. The AI machine studying additionally helps, eliminating undesirable noise and enhancing the photographs.
The general image is clear and freed from undesirable artefacts and banding. LG’s 2018 OLEDs had points with macro-blocking at midnight elements of the picture and brightness flashing, however none of those issues are obvious on the C9, suggesting they’ve been addressed.
LG launched de-contouring in 2018, however it wasn’t a standalone function, as a substitute being mixed with noise discount. This yr, there’s a separate Easy Gradation management for individuals who wish to get rid of any banding – and it proved very efficient in testing.
The Movement Professional black body insertion function was additionally launched final yr. This has now been revised, enhancing movement dealing with with much less flicker. The movement dealing with normally was cheap, however utilizing the body interpolation could make film-based content material look extra like video.
The enter lag is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 12.7ms, which is remarkably low and certain to please avid gamers. The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 and its help for VRR and ALLM may also ensures a superior gaming expertise, and picture retention shouldn’t be a problem due to LG’s protecting measures.
The C9 isn’t only a nice TV with SDR content material, it’s equally as spectacular relating to HDR. An OLED panel isn’t as vivid as an LCD TV, however dynamic vary is about extra than simply nit values. Absolutely the blacks and pixel-precise highlights be sure that HDR retains loads of influence.
The HDR colors are additionally wonderful, delivering the entire DCI-P3 color house and doing so with distinctive accuracy. The ensuing HDR photos have deeply saturated colors that seem extra pure and nuanced, particularly when mixed with the superior distinction ratios.
Tone mapping additionally proved extraordinarily correct in testing, with Dynamic Tone Mapping mode extremely efficient at addressing the brightness limitations of OLED. This function analyses HDR on a frame-by-frame foundation, adjusting the tone mapping accordingly, thus enhancing the expertise.
The C9 additionally helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient, which makes use of dynamic metadata (to not be confused with dynamic tone mapping) to ship refined enhancements within the HDR efficiency. Dolby Imaginative and prescient is accessible on Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, and 4K Extremely HD Blu-ray.
Nonetheless, LG doesn’t at present help HDR10+, which is one other model of HDR utilizing dynamic metadata. A variety of producers, together with Panasonic and Philips, now help each codecs, and there’s a hazard that LG may discover itself the one hold-out relating to HDR10+ (in a lot the identical means that Samsung is the one producer not supporting Dolby Imaginative and prescient). The 2 competing codecs are gaining traction within the market, so it is sensible for TV producers to help each and thus guarantee customers don’t miss out.
Associated: Finest TV offers
LG OLED55C9 – Audio efficiency
The LG OLED55C9 advantages from advances in audio copy that permit this extremely slim TV to ship a powerful degree of sound high quality. Partly that is because of the TV’s means to optimise its acoustic efficiency primarily based on the particular traits of the room utilizing the One Contact Sound Tuning function.
This utilises the mic within the distant to analyse the room’s acoustical signature from the primary listening place, after which set-up the TV accordingly. Earlier than saving the settings, the AI acoustic tuning permits you to evaluate the sound earlier than and after optimisation. There’s additionally a alternative of modes: Commonplace, Bass Enhance, and Treble Enhance.
Because of this acoustic tuning and the intelligent stand design that fires the audio in direction of the viewer, sound high quality is superb. The C9 creates a large entrance soundstage that retains loads of element and crisp readability. The dialogue is evident and targeted, whereas music spreads out from both aspect. Results sound clear and exact, and there’s an honest quantity of bass.
A brand new AI Sound mode makes use of psychoacoustic processing to up-mix 2.1-channel audio to digital 5.1 encompass sound. This sort of audio trickery fools the ear into pondering the sound has a extra open sense of staging that resonates across the room. This function does create the phantasm of larger encompass presence – however, fortunately, dialogue stays prioritised on the display screen.
If all this AI-enhanced acoustic wizardry isn’t sufficient, the C9 additionally helps Dolby Atmos. This permits the TV to decode the discreet channels encoded in Atmos content material and render a extra immersive expertise. Clearly, it could possibly’t absolutely replicate a real multi-channel speaker setup, however the usage of psychoacoustics ends in a extra open sound, with a larger sense of envelopment.
Associated: Finest soundbars
Why purchase the LG OLED55C9?
The LG OLED55C9 is the right evolution of what has come earlier than, refining the general efficiency relatively than attempting to rewrite the rule e-book. This OLED 4K TV builds on the expertise’s strengths, whereas including AI-enhanced image processing that delivers excellent SDR and HDR photos.
An OLED panel won’t be as vivid as an LCD TV, however the superior blacks and pixel-level precision greater than make up for that. An impressively correct picture and deeply saturated colors be sure that the C9 is able to exceptional ranges of image efficiency.
The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ensures this TV will stay future-proof for years to return, and total it’s feature-packed – apart from the absence of HDR10+. Players shall be delighted at an enter lag of lower than 13ms, and the AI-enhanced audio is spectacular, too.
A complete set of streaming providers is delivered by the extremely intuitive webOS system that now advantages from the inclusion of each Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. There are additionally AI-powered suggestions, and a brand new House Dashboard that turns your TV right into a digital hub.
The LG C9 is likely one of the smartest OLED TVs that cash should buy, however there’ll nonetheless be loads of competitors this yr. Specifically from the Panasonic GZ1000 and Philips 804, each of which can embody Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+, thus supporting each variations of dynamic metadata HDR.
Verdict
This state-of-the-art 4K OLED TV delivers AI-enhanced image and sound, and a wise platform that’s as complete as it’s intelligent. The SDR and HDR photos are each excellent, and it’s solely the dearth of HDR10+ help that disappoints.
How we check televisions
We check each TV we assessment completely over an prolonged time period. We use business commonplace checks to check options correctly. We’ll all the time let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to assessment a product.
Discover out extra about how we check in our ethics coverage.
Used as the primary TV for the assessment interval
Examined for greater than every week
Examined utilizing business calibrated instruments, discs and with actual world use
Examined with broadcast content material (HD/SD), video streams and demo discs
