LG UT8000 Review: Is This Budget 4K TV with webOS Worth Your Money?

First Impressions​

The LG UT80 has a very simple design. The panel is flush with the borders, which are thin and dont stand out at all. Its largely made of plastic, and although it doesnt look bad, its not premium at all.
The back of the TV is very plain. The inputs are recessed into the back panel, making them difficult to reach when the TV is wall-mounted. One of the HDMI ports faces out the back of the TV, so you'll likely need an HDMI angle adapter if you plan on wall-mounting it. There are clips just above each foot for very basiccable management.
Overall, this TV has decent build quality. Theres nothing premium about it at all, but there arent any noticeable design flaws or defects, either. The plastic body flexes easily, but this wont be an issue once youve installed the TV.

Introduce​

Parameter
LG UT8000​
Picture​
LGUT8000.jpg
Reference Price​
$499.99​
Model Year​
2023​
Built-In Media​
Television,Remote,Battery,Power Cable,Stand,Quick Start Guide​
Highlight
Display Size: 55-inch
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)
HDR Support: HDR10 Pro
Processor: a5 AI Processor Gen6
Smart TV Platform: webOS 23
Streaming Access: Popular apps & over 300 free channels
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports
Design: Sleek, super slim profile, wall-mountable or stand usage

System​

Parameter
LG UT8000​
Operating System​
webOS 23​
Internet Applications​
Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, Youtube TV, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more​
Remote Control​
Bluetooth​
Controller Type​
Voice Control​
Control Method​
Remote​
System Experience
The LG UT8000 presents a mixed overall impression. Its integration of webOS 24 with a new AI-powered assistant and built-in Google Chromecast support showcases its modern features and commitment to software updates through the Re:New program. However, the performance is hindered by a slower processor, resulting in a less responsive webOS experience, with issues like unresponsive menus and unreliable audio commands. While the content store offers a wide selection of streaming apps, the presence of persistent ads throughout the interface detracts from the user experience, as they cannot be fully disabled. Overall, while the LG UT8000 has potential with its features and app selection, its performance limitations and advertising presence may leave users wanting more.

Display​

Parameter
LG UT8000​
Display Technology​
LED​
Screen Finish​
Flat​
Has Color Screen​
Yes​
Resolution​
4K​
Refresh Rate​
60​
Picture Enhancement​
High Dynamic Range​
Viewing Experience
The LG UT8000 presents a mixed overall impression. While it has decent color reproduction within the DCI-P3 color space, its performance in HDR is limited due to poor tone mapping and inadequate coverage of the wider Rec.2020 color space. The native contrast is passable, but the absence of a local dimming feature results in washed-out dark scenes, particularly when bright highlights are present. The TV's gray uniformity is just okay, showing noticeable bright spots, while black uniformity is excellent but marred by a low contrast ratio that causes blacks to appear blue in brighter scenes.

Viewing angles are poor, leading to significant degradation of image quality off-center, making it less ideal for group viewing. Although the TV manages reflections reasonably well, the overall brightness is insufficient for well-lit rooms. Additionally, the BGR subpixel layout can result in blurry text for certain applications. Overall, the LG UT8000 may suit specific environments and use cases but has significant limitations in contrast, HDR performance, and viewing angles that could detract from the viewing experience.

Audio​

Parameter
LG UT8000​
Audio Channels​
2.0​
Audio Output​
Stereo, Surround Sound​
Audio Input​
USB, HDMI​
Audio Experience
Overall, the LG UT8000 delivers a well-balanced sound profile and can achieve impressive loudness at moderate listening levels. However, it lacks strong bass response, resulting in minimal depth in low frequencies. While distortion remains manageable at moderate volumes, it becomes more apparent at maximum volume.

Features​

Parameter
LG UT8000​
Video Encoding​
H.264 or H.265 (HEVC)​
Tuner Type​
ATSC​
D x W x H​
10.1"D x 48.7"W x 30.8"H​
Mount Standard​
300 x 300 mm​
Voltage​
120 Volts (AC)​
Other Features​
a5 AI Processor 4K Gen6; HDR10; Intelligent Voice Recognition; Game Optimizer; AI Sound Pro​
Motion Smoothing
Overall Impression:

The LG UT8000 TV presents a mixed performance, particularly in its handling of motion and dark scenes. While it manages decent response times and preserves fine details in bright scenes, its content smoothing features fall short, failing to effectively reduce macro-blocking and pixelization. The use of pulse width modulation for backlight dimming introduces flicker issues at lower brightness levels, leading to noticeable image duplication. Furthermore, the motion interpolation feature struggles with fast-moving content, resulting in significant artifacts. Consequently, the TV may appeal to viewers who prioritize bright scene quality but may disappoint those seeking a reliable performance in darker environments or during fast-action sequences.

Connectivity​

Parameter
LG UT8000​
Connectivity Technology​
Wi-Fi​
Screen Mirroring​
Miracast​
Wireless Technology​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi​
Usb Ports​
2​
USB2.0 Ports​
2​
Audio Out Ports​
1​
HDMI Ports​
3​
Connector Type​
USB, HDMI​
Signal Format​
digital​
Connecting TV
Overall Impression: This TV offers an excellent experience for users seeking low input lag, making it a solid choice for both desktop use and gaming. However, it has significant limitations, including a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz, restricted HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, and a lack of support for advanced HDR formats like HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Additionally, the absence of DTS audio format support may hinder its performance for users who rely on high-quality audio tracks. Overall, while it excels in responsiveness, its features may fall short for those seeking a more comprehensive viewing and gaming experience.

User Feedback​

Pros
• Crystal clear picture quality
• Great color right out of the box
• Responsive Magic Remote
• Stock sound system is impressive
• Overall great value for the price

Cons
• Extra fees required by some providers for 4K viewing
• ECO settings and Local Dimming may detract from picture quality
• Some users may experience slower app loading times

Overall Impression
This LG TV delivers impressive picture quality and sound at a competitive price, making it an excellent choice for consumers looking for a reliable and aesthetically pleasing television. While some additional fees for 4K content and certain settings that may impact performance are points of consideration, the overall value and features of the TV make it a strong contender in the market.
 
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