CES 2009: Wireless, 240 Hz, LED-backlit, and media-streaming TVs from LG

Rolling out 12 new TV lines is no small feat, even for a big manufacturer like LG. But that’s what happened this morning at CES. Here are a few of the highlights:

•LHX Slim Wireless LED Backlight HDTV
This 55-inch model hits all the points on our high-end want list: LED backlighting (with 240-zone local dimming) TruMotion 240 Hz display, a 24p input mode with 5:5 pulldown, and ISFccc picture calibration modes. LG specs the contrast ratio at 2,000,000: 1! The company also includes a separate set-top box to send HD signals wirelessly to this ultra-slim TV.

• LH50 Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV with NetCast Entertainment Access
This 120 Hz LCD line comes in 47- and 42-inch screen sizes and provides an Ethernet port to plug into a home network. When connected, viewers can stream videos directly to the TV from Netflix and YouTube, as well as access Internet media including Flickr photo albums using the Yahoo! Widget Engine.

• PS80 Full HD 1080p Plasma HDTV with NetCast Entertainment Access
LG is still very much in the plasma business, and its new PS80 line comes in 50- and 60-inch screen sizes. Both new models are THX-certified with a THX Cinema picture mode, and they also feature something called THX Media Director that appears designed to maximize ease-of-use. NetCast Entertainment Access via an Ethernet port is also on-board.

Price and availability for all models TBA. —Al Griffin

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