LG was the first major TV manufacturer to use a mobile operating system to power its TVs last year. Its webOS software has been updated this year to webOS 2.0, which runs much faster than before.
The original webOS was from HP, which licensed it to LG.
The premise of the OS is integration. It is very easy to navigate the apps, various connected devices and the TV channels - all from a single menu.
LG smart TVs also come with a gesture remote controller, which allows users to move their remote to control the on-screen cursor. This year, the company added a numeric keypad to the controller. There is even a scroll button, for accurate selection of the many different on-screen options.
Of the three brands, LG's remote is the easiest and most intuitive to use.
Where LG TVs lost out last year was in the limitations due to the region controls. Like with Samsung smart TVs, it is possible to change the region in LG's TV to access apps meant for other markets.
However, the TVs sold here come pre-installed with options only for this region. This means you can switch to settings for Australia, but not the US or Europe.
Thankfully, users can get Netflix, which made its regional debut in Australia earlier this year.
Unlike Samsung smart TVs, which automatically download apps meant for a market and delete those that are not, LG TVs do not do that. This means users can change region and download apps unique to that market, but still access those apps when they change to another region later.
So switch region to Australia to get Netflix. Switch to the Singapore store to access apps like local catch-up TV service Toggle.
Changing regions is simple. Unlike Samsung, there is no hidden code to enter. Change region from the settings menu and the TV will reset itself.
The catch: Users have to register an account for each market's LG Content Store by using a different e-mail each time. This means visiting, say, five stores will require five e-mail addresses.
And because the TV cannot access the US store, Netflix is the only 4K content streaming option available, since others like Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video are not available in this region.
But LG is the only TV maker here offering Organic light-emitting diode (Oled) screens, which are regarded as having the best in display contrast and colours.
Combined with the 4K content from Netflix, LG's Oled TVs offer the best viewing hardware option available here. But users signed on to other 4K services will have to look elsewhere.
Sherwin Loh
