LG 55UP81006LA HDR 4K TV is definitely one of the most sought after by the buyer. Unlike the LG 7 models, the UP8100 series is equipped with a wide range of functions. At the same time, the price of such TVs is very far from exorbitant.
A 50Hz IPS panel and Quad Core Processor 4K (LM21A) are up to the task. In addition to HDR10 Pro, the 55-inch unit can also handle Dolby Vision IQ . On board there is a SmartTV with the new LG webOS TV operating system and a triple tuner.
The LG UP8100 series is available in eight versions, from a smaller 43 “TV to a huge 86” (217 cm) TV. In the proposed LG 55UP81006LA 4K HDR review using a 55-inch TV as an example, we will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the UP8100 series in order to conclude for ourselves whether such TVs are worth buying.
LG UP8100 review
Design
LG 55UP81006 TV has a simple, but at the same time, quite elegant design. The product is made of high quality plastic. A crescent-shaped stand extending from the central part of the TV is used as a support. Such a stand makes it possible to place the TV on a narrower cabinet than with the version with two legs on the sides.
The depth of the stand is 26 cm. Therefore, the depth of the cabinet should not be too shallow. The width of the cabinet should not be less than 82 cm. As for the depth of the cabinet, in 2021 most LG TVs have lost some weight. This is due to the use of flatter LEDs in the backlight.
This circumstance is a big plus if the user wants to hang the TV on the wall. For wall mounting, you will have to purchase a VESA bracket of 300 x 300 mm (for the 55th diagonal). The build quality is excellent. Package includes: stand, Bluetooth Smart Remote and user manual.
WebOS 6.0
Like all 2021 LG TVs, the LG 55UP81006LA also runs the new webOS 6.0 operating system . Using the mouse pointer function on the Magic Remote, you can quickly and intuitively operate Internet applications. With the click of a button, the user has access to all streaming services, live streaming and media libraries.
All relevant streaming providers like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or Disney + are pre-installed. If you want to save yourself the trouble of entering letters using the remote control, it is recommended to purchase a CSL Bluetooth wireless keyboard with a built-in touch panel.
Unfortunately, the LG 55UP81006LA is only equipped with a DVB-C / S2 / T2 receiver to receive TV programs. This means that you can only record video from the transmitter that is currently turned on. A suitable USB hard disk is required for recording. It is undesirable to use a regular USB drive due to the large number of write cycles. Switching time between channels is a little less than 2 seconds.
Image quality
The LG 55UP8100 has a responsive 50Hz IPS panel with direct backlighting and a UHD image resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels). In addition to the HDR10 Pro standard, the device also supports Dolby Vision IQ. In most cases, the LG UP8100 55 ″ TV reproduces an evenly lit image without halos and light spots.
The typical downside for IPS panels is poor black levels. Due to the lack of local dimming, the black areas of the image appear in dark gray. This is especially noticeable in high-contrast images. The pluses include anti-reflective coating. Thanks to the factory settings, the picture looks very convincing.
A total of 9 preset picture modes are available. These include Filmmaker mode, Cinema mode and two expert settings for light and dark rooms. The most optimal is the movie mode. In this mode, the brightness of the colors is noticeably increased.
Filmmaker Mode is more suitable for purists who want to enjoy watching a blockbuster in original cinematic quality. However, it should be borne in mind that in this mode the image will appear 500 lumens darker, since all image enhancement systems such as Sharpness Enhancer and Advanced Color Enhancer are disabled.
To enjoy better picture quality, you should watch 4K HDR content. In this case, the 55UP8100 impresses with its extremely sharp images, high vivid colors and satisfactory contrast. Poor contrast is especially evident in dark rooms.
On the other hand, the UP8100 series TVs are suitable for collective viewing as they have extended viewing angles. When it comes to upscaling, there is nothing to complain about when watching HD 720p and Full HD 1080p content. Lower resolution SDR content looks blurry and out of focus in most cases.
Sound quality
LG has equipped the UP81006 TV with two 10W full-range speakers. Unfortunately, the user will not hear the bass. Although the acoustics are well coordinated, the depth of the sound is not felt. The lack of deep multi-channel sound is especially lacking when watching movies.
An example of such a panel is the LG SN7Y soundbar , which will provide a true cinema atmosphere with pronounced deep bass. The connection is made either via HDMI or wirelessly via Bluetooth.
Connections
The UP81006 series connection panel contains 3 HDMI 2.0 connections. HDMI port number 2 has eARC audio return . There are also 2 USB 2.0 ports, optical digital audio output, Ethernet RJ45 line-in, antenna input, and a CI + 1.4 slot. Wireless connections include Bluetooth Ver. 5.0 and Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
The LG UP8100 has realistic colors, wide viewing angles and a fairly high-quality picture. When the device is connected to the soundbar, the user becomes the owner of a full-fledged home theater. The UP8100 is more suitable for viewing in a bright room than in a dark one due to the low contrast of the panel. Also, the UP81 series is great for group viewing.
