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LG UH8500 TV Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31 am
LG UH8500 Picture
7.6
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.5
Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.7
TV Shows
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.5
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.8
Video Games
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
8.0
HDR Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.5
HDR Gaming
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.0
PC Monitor
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
This TV was replaced by the LG SJ8500

The LG UH8500 4k HDR TV doesn't have revolutionary picture quality, but it is still the best LED TV from LG that we have reviewed so far. It even improved on the already great WebOS smart platform, which is a nice bonus. Like other TVs from LG, it's a good pick for a living room with seating on the sides of the TV. Unfortunately, the picture isn't the best in a dark environment.

Our Verdict

7.6 Mixed Usage

Good TV for mixed usage. Performs best in a bright room with wide seating as the image remains accurate when viewed from an angle, but blacks appear gray in a dark room.

Pros
  • Wide viewing angle
  • Good for sports and video games
  • Great WebOS 3.0 smart platform
Cons
  • Sub-par picture quality in a dark room
  • Peak brightness could be better
7.5 Movies

Fairly good TV for watching movies. Low native contrast ratio so blacks appear gray in a dark room, and local dimming is poor. Image is very accurate and uniformity is quite good.

7.7 TV Shows

Good TV for TV shows in a bright room. Image remains accurate when viewed at an angle, and TV can get decently bright to fight glare. Reflection handling is quite good, and smart platform works well for casual viewing.

7.5 Sports

Good choice for watching sports. Image remains accurate for those with wide seating and gray uniformity is decent so only some dirty screen effect is visible.

7.8 Video Games

Good choice for gamers. Best suited to a bright room due to low native contrast ratio. Motion handling is very good, so only a short trail is seen following moving objects. TV feels responsive with low input lag however some temporary image retention is present after viewing static HUD elements in games.

8.0 HDR Movies

Fairly good choice for HDR movies. Unfortunately native contrast ratio is low so blacks appear gray in a dark room, and local dimming is poor. Can produce bright, vivid highlights which is good and supports both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision format.

7.5 HDR Gaming

Good choice for HDR gaming. Supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10 and can produce bright, vivid highlights due to peak brightness and wide color gamut. Feels responsive due to low input lag and little motion blur which is good.

7.0 PC Monitor

Decent PC monitor. Sides of the screen remain accurate when viewed from up close. Feels responsive due to low input lag and little motion blur. Supports chroma subsampling for clear text no matter the content.

  • 7.6 Mixed Usage
  • 7.5 Movies
  • 7.7 TV Shows
  • 7.5 Sports
  • 7.8 Video Games
  • 8.0 HDR Movies
  • 7.5 HDR Gaming
  • 7.0 PC Monitor
  1. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
  2. Updated Feb 24, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3. Updated Feb 18, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the 55" (55UH8500) and expect, for the most part, our review to be valid for the other available sizes.

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their LG UH8500 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.

Size Model
55" 55UH8500
60" 60UH8500
65" 65UH8500
75" 75UH8500

Compared To Other TVs

Comparison picture

Top row, from left: Sony X850D (XBR55X850D), LG UH8500 (55UH8500), Vizio P Series 2016 (P65-C1). Bottom: Samsung KS8000 (UN55KS8000), LG UH7700 (55UH7700). Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The LG UH8500 is a good choice for a wide living room with seatings on the side of the TV. Unfortunately, when watched from front or in the dark, there is a lot of better performing TVs.

Video

Test Results

Design
9.5
Design
Style
Curved No

The LG UH8500 is a nice looking TV. Its recess glass, shiny metal stand and its completely white back are some of the details that makes it stand out. There is a high end feel to it.

Design
Stand

The stand is made of heavy stainless steel and has a handy space in which to hide a few cables, for a clean look.

Footprint of the 55" TV stand: 33.9" x 15.4"

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 300x300

Another LG TV with a fully white back cover. It shouldn't be seen in most cases, but it's nonetheless original and noteworthy. It might matter more in some rare room setups where the TV sits in the middle of a room.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.59" (1.5 cm)

The glass sits above the borders. This gives the LG UH8500 an interesting look when viewed from up close. The pixels of the screen don't start right at the edge of the borders, though - the edge and the pixels are separated by a black space.

Design
Thickness
Max Thickness 1.77" (4.5cm)
Picture Quality
6.3
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
1,188 : 1

This TV has an IPS panel, and so isn't able to produce deep blacks. Compared to other IPS TVs, it managed to do a little better than average.

3.0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Yes
Backlight
Edge

We set local dimming to 'High' for this test, but we found that it darkened the dot too much. For most content, the 'Low' or 'Medium' value of 'LED Local Dimming' would appear more useful, in that it will not darken small highlights. Overall though, the dimming performance is really poor.

7.1
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
312 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
138 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
287 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
300 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
300 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
301 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
138 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
287 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
300 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
300 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
301 cd/m²

SDR peak brightness for the LG UH8500 is bad. The UH8500 can't get brighter than 300 cd/m², and the local dimming also dims too much the 2% window, which is a bit disappointing for this LED TV, since it is in the high end of LG LED TV lineup.

7.7
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
352 cd/m²
HDR Peak 2% Window
219 cd/m²
HDR Peak 10% Window
541 cd/m²
HDR Peak 25% Window
556 cd/m²
HDR Peak 50% Window
473 cd/m²
HDR Peak 100% Window
370 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 2% Window
219 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 10% Window
541 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 25% Window
556 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 50% Window
473 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 100% Window
370 cd/m²


Update: Retested with a HDR signal and local dimming 'High'. It got a bit brighter, but it still isn't a very bright TV as far as HDR goes.

6.9
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
4.79%
50% DSE
0.209%
5% Std. Dev.
0.614%
5% DSE
0.096%

As most other LED TVs, gray uniformity is bad. At least, there is no obvious large banding issues so panning shots over playing fields shouldn't be much bothering.

6.2
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
LCD Type
IPS
Color Shift
22°
Brightness
28°
Black Level
75°

As with other IPS TVs, the TV can maintain good contrast and color saturation when viewed from the sides. Picture still begins to deteriorate at more extreme angles.

7.6
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
1.74%

The LG UH8500's black uniformity is decent, without any obvious clouding or light bleeding.

9.0
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

The picture above shows the TV fed with a 10 bit input signal. Our 10 bit gradient pattern isn't displayed perfectly, showing some minor color gradation issues, but it is still a lot smoother than when the TV is fed with an 8 bit signal. 10 bit HDR content should then be free from obvious banding.

8.9
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
White Balance dE
2.18
Color dE
1.8981
Gamma
2.07

Very good pre-calibration values. For most people, a professional calibration wouldn't make much noticeable difference.

9.8
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
White Balance dE
0.29
Color dE
0.5564
Gamma
2.21

We were able to obtain great results with relative ease, although it always takes more time with the 20 point values. It does get more precise, though.

8.0
Picture Quality
480p Input

DVDs looks good when upscaled and keep a fair amount of details.

8.0
Picture Quality
720p Input

Cable TV looks very good on the LG UH8500.

9.0
Picture Quality
1080p Input

Blu-rays looks very sharp and crisp when played on this LG TV.

10
Picture Quality
4k Input

4k native content looks very good without any image quality issues.

7.7
Picture Quality
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
DCI P3 xy
84.35%
DCI P3 uv
90.68%
Rec 2020 xy
61.85%
Rec 2020 uv
70.62%

The LG UH8500 offers the option to output a wider color gamut in all of its picture modes. It will be set to 'Wide' automatically when in the HDR picture mode. Unfortunately, even with the 'Wide' setting, the range of color doesn't increase much. TVs with higher DCI P3/Rec 2020 numbers are going to be better for HDR.

6.8
Picture Quality
Color Volume
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage
78.619%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage
43.854%
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage
57.325%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage
25.522%

The UH8500 has good performance for DCI-P3, but at very high and very low luminosity colors lose their saturation.

3.9
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR after 0 min recovery
4.687%
IR after 2 min recovery
0.556%
IR after 4 min recovery
0.062%
IR after 6 min recovery
0%
IR after 8 min recovery
0%
IR after 10 min recovery
0%

The UH8500 TV have some image retention and it is a bit worse than what we have see on the UH9500. We can clearly make out the colored logos from the static image of the test video right after the 10 minutes exposure to the burn-in scene, but it was completely gone after 6 minutes of recovery.

7.5
Picture Quality
Reflections
Reflection
1.8%
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss

A few lights won't be a problem. A small rainbow effect can be seen around bright reflections, though.

9.0
Picture Quality
3D
3D
Yes
3D Type
Passive
2D to 3D
Yes

As long as the TV is being watched from directly in front, there is no crosstalk to be seen. As with other 3D TVs, slight vertical angles or wide horizontal angles will create crosstalk.

Picture Quality
Pixels
Type LED
Motion
8.8
Motion
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Response Time
11 ms
Overshoot
5.1 ms

The pixels response time is quick, so there isn't a long trail following moving objects. There is a small amount of overshoot that isn't apparent.

2.8
Motion
Image Flicker
PWM Dimming Frequency
120 Hz
BFI
No
BFI Frequency
120 Hz
BFI In Game Mode
No
8.6
Motion
24p Playback
Judder-free 24p
Yes
Judder-free 24p via 60p
No
Judder-free 24p via 60i
Yes

Blu-ray movies play smoothly, as do movies played over cable or satellite. Streaming movies might show some judder if you do not enable motion interpolation (TruMotion).

10
Motion
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
Yes
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
Yes

Motion interpolation (TruMotion) has to be enabled to enjoy streaming movies without judder. The 'Smooth' pre-set will add the soap opera effect, but using a low custom value can remove judder without adding noticeable soap opera effect.

Inputs
8.0
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
26.9 ms
1080p With Interpolation
121.7 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
48.7 ms
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
31.3 ms
4k @ 60Hz
33.8 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
45.6 ms
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
36.8 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
N/A

The 1080p input lag is low enough for any fast-paced game. The TV's lag even remains at playable levels outside game mode, allowing for more picture options to be enabled. Unfortunately, motion interpolation adds too much lag for games to be properly playable. Those looking for that option for gaming should look for a different TV.

Update 12/08/2016: With the newest firmware update (04.30.19) there has been the addition of a HDR gaming mode. In this mode the HDR input lag is lower, and should be fine for HDR gaming. Note that although the TV accepts a 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + HDR signal, it can't accurately display the chroma subsampling in any HDR mode, even with the 'PC' icon selected.

8.0
Inputs
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 4k
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes

It supports most standard PC resolutions, except for 1080p @ 120Hz. To enable chroma 4:4:4 for sharper text, go in the input menu and change the icon of the input to 'PC'. For 4k resolutions, you must also enable 'HDMI ULTRA Deep Color,' which you can find in the 'General' menu.

Input lag in PC mode is the same as in game mode.

Inputs
Side Inputs

3 HDMI
3 USB

Inputs
Rear Inputs

1 Component In (need included adapter)
1 Composite In (need included adapter)
1 Digital Optical Audio Out
1 RF In
1 Ethernet

Inputs
Total Inputs
HDMI 3
USB 3
Digital Optical Audio Out 1
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 0
Analog Audio Out RCA 0
Component In 1 (incl. adapter)
Composite In 1 (incl. adapter)
Tuner (Cable/Ant) 1
Ethernet 1
DisplayPort 0
IR In 0
SD/SDHC 0
Inputs
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
Yes
5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
Yes
Dolby Vision
Yes
5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
Yes
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth Yes
ARC Yes (HDMI 2)
USB 3 Yes (1)
HDCP 2.2 Yes
CEC Yes
MHL No
Variable Analog Audio Out No
Sound Quality
7.0
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Std. Dev. @ 70
2.25 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ 80
4.49 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ Max
7.22 dB SPL
Max
93.1 dB SPL
Low-end Cutoff
89.8 Hz

This TV was tested with "Magic Sound Tuning" enabled. Good low-end extension, especially for a TV. Very good maximum loudness too, however, the TV is likely to pump at higher volumes. The frequency response, after applying Magic Sound Tuning, improves noticeably and becomes flatter and more balanced.

6.3
Sound Quality
Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion @ 70
0.025
Distortion @ 80
0.051
Distortion @ Max
0.058

Good distortion results overall; unremarkable performance.

Smart Features
Smart Features
Apps

Most of the popular apps are available, including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video, and a web browser. The overall number of available apps could be better, though.

9.0
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS WebOS

LG has improved its already good WebOS smart platform to version 3.0. The presentation looks great, navigation is quick, and the app selection covers the basics. In terms of usability, WebOS still has the edge when compared with the smart platforms offered by other brands.

0
Smart Features
Ads
Ad-free
No
Opt-out
No

Ads can be found in the LG content store, and you can only opt-out of personalized advertising.

Smart Features
TV Controls

Control buttons for basic functions can be found under the middle of the TV, right under the LG logo.

Smart Features
Remote
Remote Smart

Model #: AN-MR600

Smart Features
In The Box

- Remote
- Batteries
- Composite In adapter
- Component In adapter
- 2 pair of 3D glasses
- 1 cable tie
- Manuals

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 55.6 W
Power Consumption (Max) 118 W
Firmware 03.00.13