CES 2019: Our pick of the products

No longer exotic, 8K TVs are now standard issue although manufacturers may struggle to shift them given the limited amount of content (outside Japan). To counter that, each display is fitted with an upscaling technology that takes the input HD or 4K video, churns it through a software algorithm, and spits out a proxy 8K picture.

“Whether a viewer is watching content through a streaming service, set-top box, HDMI, USB or even mobile screen mirroring, [our] proprietary AI-based technology can recognise and upscale any content, regardless of the native resolution, to near pristine 8K quality,” Samsung’s PR explained.

Because the 33 million pixels in an 8K telly are packed so close together it’s difficult to notice any difference from a 4K device, unless you’re sitting just a few inches away from the screen. The TV would need to be enormous too.

That’s why screens of around 100-inches are being promoted. Samsung’s QLED-based Q900 series, unveiled at the show, includes 65, 75, 82, 85 and 98-inch 8K models. LG is selling an 88-inch OLED and a 75-inch LCD 8K TV and Sony’s Z9G 8K LCD comes in 85-inch, and 98-inch versions.

Pricing for these giants weren’t revealed but don’t expect much change from €16,000.

Unrolling the future
If they aren’t already, gigantic black plastic rectangles are likely to be deemed an inelegant home décor and an inflexible waste of space to boot. The next wave of home video display is likely to be a lot sleeker and not resemble a TV at all.

LG has come to successive CES events with….