LG will show UHDTVs based on quantum dots in early 2015

LG will launch televisions with UHD resolution based on quantum dots in 2015. The Korean manufacturer will demonstrate the TVs at the beginning of January and the screens will be released later next year. Quantum dots allow TVs to display a wider color space.

The UHDTVs with IPS panels with quantum dots will be added to the existing line of LG TVs with UHD and OLED panels, the company said. According to Reuters, it concerns 55″ and 65″ models. Quantum dots are small crystals from 2 to 10 nanometers that can display colors based on their size. TV manufacturers can place a thin film with the crystals in front of the backlight, which gives the screens a higher color saturation.

However, footage is needed that uses the larger color space and that content is barely there. The current Blu-ray and HDTV footage is shot on the basis of the rec709 standard. The TVs therefore reproduce colors more intensely than they appear in the source video, at the expense of color fidelity. For better color reproduction, TVs and cameras should support the new rec.2020 specification, which brings the display of almost twice as many different colors than now within reach. TVs with quantum dots could theoretically support the new standard, but the cameras are barely there yet.

LG is not alone in using quantum dots. Sony is already doing that with its Triluminos TVs and Samsung will also unveil its first TVs with the technology during CES, which will take place in Las Vegas in early January.