Rob Sabin

The introduction of a flagship Ultra HDTV and a smattering of lifestyle products were among the key video and audio announcements at Sony’s pre-show CES press conference, but the booth demonstration of a remarkable prototype backlight technology may prove to the be most significant news for Sound & Vision readers.

Panasonic’s 2016 CES press conference focused largely on industrial and business-to-business products and services, but the brand highlighted a few choice tidbits for the A/V consumer sector that included new OLED and LCD UltraHDTVs, an Ultra HD Blu-ray player, and an expanded line-up of Technics audio products—among them the return of the Technics SL-1200 direct-drive turntable, a true audiophile classic.

If you're the owner of a new Denon A/V receiver awaiting the long-promised firmware update for DTS:X object-based surround sound, your wait is, well, still not over. But in what amounts to an invitation to the party, the company has now announced specific dates for the roll-out of that firmware for three 2015 models.

PRICE $2,800

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Accurate out-of-box color
Superb webOS 2.0 smart interface
Solid value in a 65-inch set
Minus
Moderate black levels and contrast
No future-proofing for enhanced UHD content
3D crosstalk

THE VERDICT
LG’s 65-inch Prime Series looks great with most content while offering sexy design and superb ease of use at an attractive price.

LG Electronics has impressed enthusiasts with stunning (and mostly expensive) OLED displays, but the company competes aggressively in traditional LED-driven LCD flat panels, too. The 65UF9500 reviewed here is a 65-inch Ultra HD model near the top of that line, and one of two models designated as Prime Ultra HDTVs (the other being a 79-inch version priced at $7,500). The Prime feature package includes, among other things, a wide color gamut option, enhanced brightness for highlights, and LG’s webOS 2.0 smart TV platform. Of course, it can’t boast the deep blacks and infinite contrast of LG’s OLEDs. That said, does it deserve a space among today’s top “regular” TVs? Let’s take a closer look.