If you feel the desire to get a head start in preparing for the burgeoning 8K TV universe, LG’s NanoCell 99 Series 8K TV could provide the perfect entry-level solution.  

And right now, you can take $1,000 off this 75-inch beast—although it will still set you back $4,000. A little pricey for sure, but one would expect that for a ticket that showcases what the 8K experience is all about, which should provide four times the resolution of 4K, according to LG. 

Keep in mind that we are still in the early innings of 8K TV technology, and after a few years, the price tag should be down to what we see for 4K TVs today—maybe even lower. 

What the 99 Series is really giving us is a glimpse of the future—and it does look fantastic. This particular offering features LG’s enhanced LCD display technology called NanoCell, which makes use of a layer of one-nanometer-sized particles.  

Previously called Super UHD, NanoCell employs a light-absorbing filter that removes unwanted wavelengths of light to offer more precise color reproduction. The end result is greater wide-ranging color accuracy.  

Since Samsung’s QLEDs also use nano-scale optimizations to enhance the picture quality offered by LCD displays, NanoCell is now considered a direct competitor to Samsung’s much-praised QLED lineup. Be aware that QLEDs do take a slightly different approach—utilizing quantum dots to boost brightness and color gamut—to improve the overall viewing experience.  

When it comes to overall picture quality, LG’s 99 Series doesn’t take a backseat to anyone, except for perhaps the company’s own OLED TVs. The picture is sharp and vibrant via its full-array LED backlight with local dimming, a next-gen tech that aims to divide the backlighting into small sections for more precise color control and contrast and truer black levels.  

What really separates itself from most non-OLED competitors is that it has solid wide-viewing angles, so if you have seating arrangements that are off to the side or wrap around the TV, you’ll surely notice the difference. 

The 99 Series also supports Dolby Atmos and all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR 10. And if you’re into voice assistants, you’re definitely in luck, as both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are conveniently built-in. The TV relies on the webOS smart TV platform, and support for AirPlay2 and HomeKit is included as well. 

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Minneapolis-based Science and Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek and Arirang TV. Follow or contact him on LinkedIn.  

Image: Reuters