LG rolls out 84-inch ultra-definition TV

By Kim Yoo-chul

LG Electronics Wednesday released an ultra-definition (UD) television with an 84-inch screen as a strategy to increase its brand awareness in the local market.

It supports an advanced film-based three-dimensional (3D) technology and will sell for some 25 million won (about $22,000) via LG’s authorized local distribution channels such as BestShop, HiMart and other major department stores, it said in a statement.

LG is the first to introduce the UD TV in Korea. Japan’s Toshiba earlier released its first UD TV late last year, however, the Japanese TV manufacturer didn’t introduce the TV here, because of high prices.

``This is the TV that all LG customers have dreamed of,’’ said Lee Tae-kwon, a senior LG executive handling its local marketing, in a media briefing at LG headquarters in Yeoui-do, Wednesday.

Lee said some 70 sets have so far been sold since LG received pre-orders last month. ``Price is just a small thing for big customers as they give more credit to distinguished values,’’ the LG executive said.

``The number of people with more than 1 billion won in cash-equivalent assets in Korea is 130,000. They are our primary target. Through major department stores and credit card firms, LG will launch detailed promotional campaigns,’’ Lee said.

Company spokesman Yoon Won-il said the TV will be distributed to major outlets in North America, Europe, Asia and South America from next month. LG has high hopes for the market in China and recently held a press conference for the media there.

This is the first mass-produced model after LG brought the 84-inch set to this year’s technology exhibition in Las Vegas. Lee said the TV has all of LG’s Cinema 3D and Smart TV features built-in.

The company’s TV chief Kwon Hee-won will unveil its updated business strategies and more details for UD TV content in a dinner meeting with Korean media at the IFA technology fair in Berlin, Germany that starts at the end of the month.