The beauty of modern televisions is that they can be updated with the latest software either automatically (over the air or internet) or manually (through a USB stick) to fix existing bugs or introduce new features. On this note, LG Electronics has released a beta firmware (version 04.31.02) for its UB850V series of 4K Ultra HD TVs, which we’ve found to improve several aspects of picture quality on the 49-inch model that’s still sitting in our test room.
3D Full HD
When we reviewed the LG 49UB850V two months ago, we noted that the TV didn’t deliver full HD 3D resolution, failing to fully resolve the alternating black and white vertical single-pixel lines in our custom-authored test pattern.
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| Before firmware update | After firmware update |
We’re pleased to report that firmware 04.31.02 has addressed this issue, restoring arguably the most appealing attribute of 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) TV, namely full HD resolution from a passive 3D display. With this most recent firmware, LG has also toned down the blur filter processing in 3-D mode, so that extra-dimensional images no longer look softened. We sampled a few of our favourite 3D clips on the 49UB850, and were very happy with the amount of detail, texture and depth on show.
Improved Pseudo-Local Dimming
Once updated with software version 04.31.02, our LG UB850V review sample exhibited less blooming/ haloing artefacts due to improved backlight management and pseudo-local dimming algorithm. With [LED Local Dimming] set to “Low“, more dimming zones (there are 12 columns in total, spanning the entire height of the panel) stayed lit even when there’s only a small area of bright elements on screen. While this configuration did not lower black level as aggressively, we preferred it since blooming (which was more distracting) was reduced substantially.
Furthermore, whenever the firmware-updated 49UB850V encountered a blank input, a screen-wide infobar would pop up at the bottom asking if you’d like to switch inputs, effectively forcing the LED backlight to stay illuminated, again minimising the occurrence of blooming. Very clever, LG.
Other Enhancements
OSD (on-screen display) menu (including WebOS) speed and responsiveness was noticeably faster after installing the new firmware, contributing to a smoother and much more pleasant user experience. Netflix 4K streaming is now fully operational on the 49UB850, having been unavailable when we tested the UHD television back in June.
A [De-Blur] slider has been added to the [TruMotion] “User” setting, though it didn’t improve motion resolution beyond the LCD baseline of 300, which is hardly surprising given that the UB8500 lacks any functional motion blur reduction technology (you’d have to go one rung higher to the UB950V for that).
Verdict
It’s refreshing to see a TV manufacturer responding to constructive feedback in a quest to improve its products. In light of the various improvements brought about by the latest firmware, we’ve upgraded the rating of the LG 49UB850V to “Qualified Recommendation” in our original review.
In regards to the “deblur” your right, it’s not surprising that LG put a deceitful useless
bar on the tv their reputation to falsely claim and impose useless features is extremely
well known state side and they have been falsely making claims about features for years,
I don’t know how they get away with misleading consumers and selling products that
have useless features that don’t even work,when a person is told that a product has
certain features and the manufacturer claims the feature is available they should be held
to that claim otherwise it is just plain and simple falsely advertising a product.
Well done LG
We’ll it made lg improve there TV,so good on u HDTV test,1200 pound for a 4k TV ant bad,lg are turning out some kick ass tvs,I just sent back a Sony for banding so lg 4k for me
If only they could also improve the input lag by a new FW the way Samsung apparently did with their latest 4K TVs.
Or maybe they did?
@Vincent: Did you by chance measure the input lag before updating the FW?
@Yappa: Yes I did measure. No improvement: 66ms in [Game] mode as measured using Leo Bodnar input lag tester.
Warmest regards
Vincent
Thanks for this vital update news. I have been looking at 4k TV and LG’s 55 4k OLED has me salivating. However that will cost a couple of limbs and I saw this on hotuk deals for under a grand. So I put them right as all the comments hinted at poor performance and a few quoted your tests
Shame the seller doesn’t list it any more
Thanks very much for the update Vincent, I feel relieved now..:)
@Vincent Teoh: Thanks, too bad that the lag hasn’t been improved. I am afraid what it’ll be like for the upcoming 4K OLED sets.
quick question, where did you got the beta firmware? I checked everywhere (lg site, Internet) but can’t find.. I have this model and I will really happy to solve the issues described in your previous review by using this firmware. thanks in advance! and thanks for the amazing work you are putting for your review!
Where’s the update also I got this TV ,I notice banding on screen Gray screens u notice it,so come on where’s the update otherwise this TV is going back
I was just about to buy the 55″ 55UB950V version of this TV, but didn’t, because of this and other terrible reviews online. Any chance of a full re-review once the finalised firmware comes out of Beta? I’d love to know about black level problems, banding, etc. Have the 3D problems been resolved? You’re now giving it a “Qualified Recommendation”. What part of this is qualified, I need to know if it still the worst 3D 4K TV.
I bought the LG UB850V 4K TV
this weekend THEN I read your review and of greatest interest the firmware update 04.31.02 which clearly addresses a number of shortfalls. I see people asking where and how to get the update – same question from me. Is it a case of talking to LG service support or should it be sent automatically through Allow Automatic Updates?
I just bought the 55UB850V yesterday because of it’s great “on paper” specs and because of LG’s passive 3D (which I think is better than passive 3D). I’ll be receiving it next friday and now I’m terrified…
Do you consider making a full review with the latest firmware update? Did you saw ANY improvement on the Blacks and on the motion blur, or does it still stinks anyway?
Thanks,
Miguel
anyone bought hte ub830v?
Great to hear LG have released a firmware update, notice you mention this is a beta. When will the firmware be officially released for UK. It’s not available through “check update” option in settings to date.
Unfortunately I bought the 49ub850v without reading reviews.
Beta firmware can be found by searching online… Links are available from a popular avforum thread on this set.
In general the picture quality isn’t bad after some serious calibration… Led local dimming works relatively well with the 4.35.22 firmware (later versions are now available). Colour reproduction is accurate, deep(ish) blacks can be achieved pretty easily. Trumotion “clear” setting is surprisingly good for high definition or 24fps content (still terrible with sub-hd or highly compressed video) and the auto noise reduction is a must for streaming content (even the Netflix 4k stuff) through the webOS.
I only have one real gripe with the set and that’s the quality of the 3D… The crosstalk is horrendous in the lower left of the screen. It’s a manufacturing issue IMO rather than a processing issue, you can reduce the crosstalk by shifting your position lower (like, floor height) but this then causes crosstalk in the top right of the screen – yay! This is from a viewing distance of about 7foot away with the centre of the screen at eye level. No amount of tinkering with the 3d settings fixes the issue and I’m tempted to try and get a refund
@Jon M, did you trying playing console games on the TV? I’m tempted by the 4K display, but I’m not sure what impact on the gaming experience long input lag will have. Any thoughts? Cheers
Was the 1920-limit on the HDMI ports fixed?
From the original review:
“Using a DVDO AVLab 4K test pattern generator, we verified that all four HDMI ports accepted and displayed 4K resolution at 50Hz and 60Hz, but curiously the UHD TV wouldn’t fully resolve the single-pixel vertical lines (only 1920 would appear on screen).”
…why would anyone buy a UHD-TV that only shows 1920 lines?
I replaced this set with another of the same model due to the 3d being blatantly broken.
Thankfully the 3d is now the best I’ve ever seen on a TV, bar none. Full HD, vibrant, passive 3d with zero crosstalk.
Unfortunately there’s still noticeable blooming/flash lighting from the corners of the screen (bottom left especially) and some vertical banding/backlight uniformity issues. It’s noticeable during panning scenes on light backgrounds. Pretty sure the backlight’s actually worse on this set than the previous one I had. Not noticeable all the time but on films like “Life of Pi” during scenes with all the sky/sea or while gaming with horizontal panning a constant thing – it’s noticeable and moves beyond a dirty screen effect to something you can see during stationary/solid colour images.
Gaming is fine. With the input label being set to “game console” and the picture settings on “game” you’re looking at around 50-60ms latency, which is fine IMO. Changing the input label to “PC” drops that down to around 40-45ms but also disables the black level adjustment and seems to disable led local dimming, making black levels terrible. You might be able to sort this somewhat by changing your game console picture settings to deep colour/full spectrum RGB but would still require some tweaking. If you’re looking for a good 4k gaming TV then you’re probably best looking at a bravia
-EDIT-
Also forgot to add, Netflix is basically broken on this set at the moment, whether wired or over WiFi it drops resolution all the time. Doesn’t just happen on 4k content and seemingly unrelated to network speed as LG would have me believe. My 150mbit connection doesn’t drop a beat over Ethernet and Netflix works on every other device I have (TiVo, ps4, iPad) without these resolution drops. A speed test run from the TVs browser seems fine so it’s likely down to the Netflix app being buggy.
@Vincent Teoh
Did the situation regarding input lag improved since August?
Cheers
I just bought the 49UB850T model. Do i need to update the firmware as well?
Hey Guys, I was thinking of getting this model as its only £799 pounds in Tesco. Given the improvements and cost do you think it’s worth that price?
Hi, thinking about buying this TV. But it looks like its bad in the input lag. Has anyone tested this with a PS4 and some new games (Battlefield Hardline)?
And if there are any gamers out there who playes Ps4. Any TV you guys can suggest?
Looking for a 55″, will be watching series/movies and using the Ps4.
Thanx in advance.
Hey Nel22, I bought one today from Pc world for £789 with 5 year guarentee and it’s great. I’m still trying to find a good comprehensive picture setup because the one I have done isn’t great but. It’s worth the price now. Colours are very vivid and sharp.
Can you do a test for display/input lag for this TV, now with any new firmware updates? From what I’m gathering, this would still be bad for gaming.