CES 2023 2023: TV makers gamble on brighter tech

CES 2023 was a roll of the dice that paid off big time for the tech industry. After two years of pandemic setbacks, the Las Vegas-based event returned to form, attracting 115,000 industry professionals, making it the largest global technology event since early 2020.

With over 3200 exhibitors, including 1000 startups, the show was a veritable casino of innovation, featuring the latest and greatest in transportation, digital health, and more.

And just like any good Vegas extravaganza, the event was larger than life, with nearly 2.2 million net square feet of exhibits spread across multiple halls.

The big trends were automotive, which dominated the new West Hall, and sustainability in all its guises. But the show was also a thrilling showcase for next-gen TV innovation.

LG Display used CES 2023 to introduce third-generation OLED TV panels using ‘Meta Technology’ - a game-changing combination of a Micro Lens Array and booster algorithm that maximizes light emission and enhances brightness to levels.

With Meta, images are said to be 60 percent brighter and viewing angles are 30 percent wider than conventional OLED displays, all while using less energy. Meta builds upon LG Display’s previous success with EX Technology, and it looks exceptional.

The Micro Lens Array is a layer of micrometre-sized convex lenses that maximize light emission from the OLED panel and enhance energy efficiency. This effectively resolves the lingering issue of light being reflected back into the panel and being lost, which restricts the maximum brightness.

Panasonic was the first to tout an MLA screen. The Japanese giant unveiled its latest flagship, the MZ2000, at CES, and it looks like a real home cinema blockbuster. Cosmetically identical to last year's top model, the LZ2000, the MZ2000 comes equipped with a powerful Dolby Atmos sound system. But what had people talking was the adoption of that MLA OLED panel, and the resulting HDR uplift.

We spent some time up close with the model behind the scenes, and it was like getting a front-row seat to the biggest movie of the year at a premium theatre. Home cinema fans are going to love this screen.

The MZ2000 will be available in 55-, 65-, and 77-inch screen sizes, but only the smaller screens use what Panasonic is dubbing its 'Master OLED Ultimate' (MLA) module. The largest of the trio employs a 2022 vintage Master OLED Pro panel. But, just like any great movie, it's all about the experience...

LG also impressed with its own MLA OLED range-topping TV, the slick G3. The model is brighter than any LG OLED we’ve seen to date, with superb colour fidelity. Integrators should note that LG is dropping the Gallery designation for its G models, instead calling the flush design models 'On-Wall'. As before, there’s no pedestal supplied with the G3 but it does feature a Zero Gap wall mount.

The brand has also updated its LG web OS smart TV interface for 2023, reducing the scrollable UI to just two screens. This makes it easier to navigate. Hover over an app and you’ll get a rail of contextual thumbnails.

Samsung also played the brightness card at CES, with a second generation of QD-OLED that’s significantly brighter than last year’s debutant.

The brand unveiled two new QD-OLED models for 2023, the S90C and S95C. The step-up S95C can be distinguished from the S90C by its One Connect box on the back and more advanced sound system.

The S95C looks likely to be the brightest OLED available in 2023. The new panel delivers 2000 nits, up from 1500 last year. Images are astonishingly dynamic and colour rich. The S95C also boasts an advanced OTS+ sound system, with support for Dolby Atmos. The flatscreen will be available in 55-, 65- and 77-inch screen sizes.

Our show verdict? It may have been light on AV, but CES 2023 was a welcome win for innovation. We can't wait to see what next year's expo will bring to the table.