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    • LG 55B4: affordable OLED TV with good value for money
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    LG 55B4: affordable OLED TV with good value for money

    Umito Posted on

    This year, all the television series from the different manufacturers integrate artificial intelligence, and all highlight these capabilities. Despite the tendency to rush out and review each company’s flagship models, in LG’s case we specifically chose to review the more popular 55-inch B Series rather than the flagship C Series. have we thought about LG TVs for 2024-2025?

    Design and build

    The 55B4 is not a design icon. It lacks a separate hub for ports, an ultra-thin profile, or any flamboyant bezels – but it also won’t clash with your living room decor. Unlike the more expensive series, this model isn’t ultra-thin, with all the electronics positioned at the rear, adding a few extra inches to the depth. The feet are simple but tasteful, and from the front the thin bezel is attractive. If it is mounted on the wall, the thickness will not be noticeable.

    In terms of connectivity, the 55B4 is well equipped with four HDMI inputs supporting 4K at 120Hz with eARC, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an antenna input and an optical audio output. Surprisingly, it only supports Wi-Fi 5, but that doesn’t hinder regular use.

    LG has kept its familiar Magic Remote, a little bulky but comfortable to hold. It acts as an air mouse, which is convenient for those who are used to using computer mice. There is also a cross button navigation option and this year additional direct access buttons have been added.

    LG B4 2024 remote control (credit: Niv Lilian)

    Picture and sound quality

    The main cost of this TV is invested in its OLED panel (4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate), and it’s worth it: the colors are vibrant, the blacks are deep, and the brightness is good. However, the screen can reflect some light, so it is less suitable for viewing in reflective environments.

    The AI ​​component, important in TVs this year, shines here too. You’ll need to use a wizard to set your preferences for saturation, color, sharpness, etc., choosing your favorite images from a series. Personally, I prefer a clear, crisp image – unsurprisingly, this made for a pleasant, custom-calibrated viewing experience. Watching an epic drama like Shogun was visually impressive on this screen.

    AI extends to sound processing, supporting various audio systems – from just a TV, combined with a sound amplifier, Bluetooth speakers and much more, including Dolby Atmos. I tested the TV on its own and paired it with a five-speaker setup and a subwoofer. With a few tweaks, the sound was impressive, especially in AI mode when the TV was the only audio source.

    The image processing works flawlessly, handling both new and old content, like Star Trek episodes broadcast in 3:4 aspect ratio. With its impressive upscaling capabilities, the 55B4 delivers good quality for content that was not originally produced in 4K or streamed at a lower resolution, as is often the case with some services in Israel.

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    LG B4 2024 (credit: Niv Lilian)

    Applications and operating system

    While LG’s webOS isn’t my favorite among TV operating systems, I have to say that LG has improved it significantly, making the overall experience enjoyable. It still has some quirks, like updating apps on launch (why not background updates?), which requires a wait, but the range is excellent. It supports almost all known Israeli and global apps, from FreeTV to Netflix, Amazon Prime and even Twitch. LG also promises five years of software updates and four major version updates, which is a plus.

    Unique apps include Sports Tracking to follow your favorite teams with game data and ThinQ-based smart home hub integration. Once logged into my existing LG account, even my LG washing machine is connected – a nice touch. This TV can also serve as a hub for Matter-enabled devices. There’s also an option to connect various workspaces, from Windows Remote Desktop to the Chrome browser, allowing the TV to act as a large computer monitor. Hebrew voice search also works perfectly.

    LG B4 2024 (credit: Niv Lilian)

    Conclusion

    As LG’s most accessible series rather than a flagship, the B series offers solid value for money. Most of your investment goes into hardware – you won’t find luxuries like an ultra-thin display or separate port hub. But the price paid for this year’s OLED panel and AI processing really pays off, delivering a great visual experience with some nice extras. For those looking to upgrade to OLED without the flagship price, the 55B4 is a very suitable choice.

    Estimated market price for the model tested: approximately NIS 5,000.



    Umito
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