LG
LG integrates HD+ into smart TVs via HbbTV
The buyers of LG smart TVs of the model year 2023 will be able to receive German DTH satellite TV platform HD+ without additional hardware.
The South Korean TV manufacturer will integrate the HD+ TV app directly into the TV sets via the HbbTV Operator Application (HbbTV OpApp) for this purpose. A set-top box, CI+ module, smart card, TV key or other hardware will no longer be necessary for HD+ reception, only a satellite dish pointing to Astra (19.2° East). The TV sets with integrated HD+ are scheduled to go on sale in Germany at the end of March 2023.
“Before LG introduces product innovations, the following questions must be answered in a clearly positive way: Do they expand people’s options? Do they improve the use of devices in everyday life and meet the needs of a changing world? The HD+ TV app undoubtedly meets these demands to guarantee a cutting-edge TV experience,” said Daniel Schiffbauer, Sales Director at LG.
Andreas Schulz, Head of Product Management at HD+, added: “With the development of the integrated HD+ TV app, we have succeeded in reducing the technical hurdles to using HD+ to a minimum. Anyone who wants to watch the commercial channels in HD or UHD quality quickly, easily and without further hurdles on their new LG TV just has to activate the HD+ TV app. This not only gives users access to channels in the best picture quality, but also allows them to benefit from the advantages of the HD+ comfort function. This makes it possible, for example, to restart programmes that have already started, to search for the programmes of choice in catch-up services or to be automatically informed of sports formats, series or shows that are also broadcast in UHD.”
Andreas Müller-Vondey, Head of Marketing and Sales at HD+, said: “The integration of the HD+ TV app into the new LG models is not only a great benefit for our customers in terms of their viewing comfort. Our retail partners also benefit. Because with LG, all major TV manufacturers now offer HD+ on board as a factory default. We expect that by the end of the year HD+ will already be integrated in around 80% of all newly sold UHD TV sets. In sales talks, it will thus be even easier to demonstrate both the advantages of high-quality, new TV sets and to show the benefits that HD+ offers.”
To get to know HD+, the platform offers a six-month free trial period without registration or further obligations. Viewers who want to continue watching HD+ after the free period can sign up for a subscription at a retailer or in the HD+ web shop.
After Panasonic, Samsung, Vestel, TP Vision, Hisense and Loewe, LG is the seventh manufacturer to integrate HD+ directly into its smart TVs via the HbbTV OpApp. Sony also does this, but uses a specially developed Android app for the purpose.
