The LG OLED M4 stands out primarily due to its wireless capabilities, aside from the necessary power cable. It is designed to match the performance of leading 4K models. The OLED M4 televisions excel in picture quality and are particularly noteworthy for their gaming and streaming capabilities.
A key highlight is its lossless wireless radio transmission. The LG OLED M4 can be viewed as a more stylish iteration of the OLED G4, earning its place at the top of the best TV rankings thanks to its outstanding picture quality. The design of the M4 closely resembles that of the G4, with the notable absence of connection ports.
Instead, the package includes a compact wireless box that transmits both video and audio from connected devices and receives HDTV signals. The processor, OLED screen, speakers, and overall TV functionalities are identical to those of the G4. However, one may wonder where the wireless design might fall short. Does this connection method impact the quality of the image, sound, and gaming experience?
LG M4 is primarily designed for elegant wall hanging
Design
The LG OLED65M49LA 4K HDR OLED TV is specifically crafted for a sleek wall-mounted installation. It features a recessed area with mounting screws located at the top of the rear panel, similar to the design of the LG OLED G4. Once installed, the unique LG bracket folds down, leaving only a few millimeters of clearance between the television and the wall.
The installation process is streamlined and aesthetically pleasing, as the only cable needed is the power supply, eliminating the clutter of additional wires. This cable-free approach is also seen in Samsung models like The Frame and OLED S95D.
The wirelessly connected M4 works in a similar way to other LG OLED TVs
On the lower section of the back panel, there are additional VESA mounting threads with a 300 x 300 mm configuration suitable for a 65-inch screen. Alternatively, users can opt for their own wall bracket or floor stand, though the stand is not included with the LG OLED M4.
The build quality of the television is commendable, featuring meticulous craftsmanship with minimal gaps and a robust structure, despite its slim profile. From the front view, the TV appears nearly frameless.
Equipment
The M4, which connects wirelessly, operates similarly to other LG OLED TVs, utilizing the well-known Magic Remote that features both buttons and a mouse pointer function. Given its flagship status, it would have been ideal to see a premium version of the remote, perhaps with a metal casing and backlighting.
Unfortunately, LG has opted to include a standard remote control with the flagship LG OLED65M4 TV, which is disappointing for a product at this price point. While LG’s menu system is well-organized and generally responsive, other brands, particularly Hisense with models like the U8NQ, tend to launch apps more quickly.
With webOS, LG offers a very large selection of apps, a control panel for all connected smart devices, and different usage profiles.
Additionally, the remote allows for easy assignment of secondary functions to numbers 1 through 8, enabling direct access to devices such as gaming consoles or Blu-ray players. Voice control is compatible with Alexa and LG’s ThinkQ, and the M4 is equipped with a speakerphone, seemingly integrated into the unit itself.
With webOS, LG provides an extensive array of apps, a control panel for managing all connected smart devices, and various user profiles. This feature enables children and other family members to enjoy their preferred content independently. The current version of webOS is 24, and the OLED model is set to receive five future updates to accommodate upcoming webOS enhancements.
Sound quality
The LG OLED 65M4 TV features compact and flat speakers as a result of its design. Nevertheless, this slim OLED television delivers commendable audio quality, which can be fine-tuned through the settings menu. An automatic calibration option is available to optimize sound performance based on the surrounding acoustics. For a more nuanced and robust audio experience, it is advisable to consider an external sound system or to invest in a high-quality soundbar and subwoofer.
Game mode
The 120Hz responsive display provides smooth, tear-free gaming visuals, even during rapid movements. This feature is a hallmark of contemporary OLED TVs, which are marketed as gaming TVs equipped with HDMI 2.1.
In line with LG’s offerings, the television supports variable refresh rates and is compatible with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync technologies. The overall picture quality is remarkable. However, LG TVs currently lack a picture mode that matches the neutrality of the Filmmaker mode found in cinematic viewing.
Fortunately, wireless data transmission does not introduce any noticeable delays. The HDMI input lag increases by approximately 2 milliseconds, which is virtually imperceptible. For gamers using the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, 4K transmission at 120Hz is more than adequate, with no artifacts observed during this data transfer.
The Smooth setting eliminates film judder entirely, but adds a few more pixels to moving images.
Image quality
The LG OLED G3 and G4 models clearly demonstrate LG’s capability to produce televisions with outstanding picture quality. Similar to the G4 and the Panasonic Z95A, the LG 65OLEDM49 features an integrated MLA OLED panel. This panel utilizes microlens technology, resulting in significantly enhanced brightness compared to standard OLED displays.
Additionally, the television excels in color accuracy, particularly in the Filmmaker and Cinema picture modes. It achieves a peak brightness of 1650 nits while maintaining neutral color reproduction. This performance places it on par with the OLED G4, which is highly regarded for its exceptional picture quality.
However, color consistency and brightness are just components of overall picture quality. A critical aspect to consider is the design of the LG OLED M4. LG claims it supports 4K resolution at up to 120Hz, along with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The picture quality was evaluated using test images and 4K Blu-ray content, revealing no noticeable degradation in quality.
In Filmmaker mode, each pixel is accurately mapped to the screen in a 1:1 ratio. The OLED65M49LA also excels in motion handling. Activating the TruMotion feature for motion smoothing effectively reduces judder in 24p films, with the Cinematic Motion setting ensuring smoother visuals without artifacts.
The Smooth setting completely removes film judder but may introduce slight pixelation in moving images. Ultimately, the M4’s nearly wireless motion picture performance is comparable to that of LG’s other OLED televisions.
Connections
All external device connections, including HDMI ports for gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and media players, as well as antenna inputs, are housed within a cube-shaped unit known as “Zero Connect” by LG. This unit facilitates the wireless transmission of both audio and video signals to the television.
Equipped with two TV tuners and USB recording capabilities, users can record one television program while watching another simultaneously. Additionally, a CI+ module can be inserted to decode encrypted television channels. The presence of three HDMI 2.1 ports ensures ample connectivity options, with these inputs supporting 4K gaming at 120Hz.
All connections for external device are located in a cube-shaped radio unit that LG calls Zero Connect.
The system also supports Dolby Vision, variable refresh rate (VRR), and automatic switching to a lag-free game mode through ALLM. However, it is worth noting that LG has opted to include only three HDMI inputs, whereas other OLED models from the brand typically feature four. This four-port configuration is also standard among high-end models from competing manufacturers. Furthermore, LG has eliminated analog inputs and outputs, reducing the number of USB ports from three to two. A new menu has been introduced for configuring the LG OLED M4 alongside its external connection box.
Despite the presence of two power cables—one for the screen and another for the box—the wireless transmission of audio and video has its unique characteristics. This design allows for flexible placement of the screen, independent of the location of the TV or gaming console. The gaming console and Blu-ray player can be positioned alongside the switching unit. To ensure interference-free wireless communication, it is essential to maintain a reasonable distance and ensure a clear line of sight between the LG TV and the connected devices.
LG Zero Connect
The installation menu will provide users with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to achieve their installation goals, offering all necessary information throughout the process. A small LED indicator in red, green, and blue located on the top of the set-top box player displays the quality and stability of the radio connection between the TV and the set-top box.
Interestingly, red, green, and blue are also the primary colors used in television displays. In this context, blue indicates an excellent connection, green signifies a good connection, and red denotes a problem. To activate the red LED and disrupt the radio connection, one would need to specifically shield the box. However, the radio connection has inherent technical limitations, functioning only within the same room as the TV.
LG utilizes its proprietary radio system operating in the 60 gigahertz frequency range. This system employs license-free channels as defined by the IEEE802.11ad and 802.11ay standards, commonly referred to as WiGig. In contrast to Wi-Fi, which operates at 2.4 or 5 GHz, the 60 GHz frequency has shorter wavelengths, resulting in a significantly reduced range of up to 10 meters indoors, without the ability to penetrate ceilings or walls.
These fundamental technical parameters are also compatible with M4 technology, suitable for residential applications. LG’s patented 60 GHz technology is specifically designed for the connection between the Zero Connect set-top box and M4. This connection operates bidirectionally, allowing the TV to receive commands from the remote control and relay them to the set-top box, which then transmits high-quality audio and video signals.
Conclusion
The LG M4 is an exceptionally designed television that appeals to those who prioritize both aesthetics and functionality. Its picture quality is undeniably impressive, and the capability for wireless signal transmission enhances the elegant display of the TV.
The reliability of over-the-air data transfer was commendable, provided that the manufacturer’s installation guidelines were adhered to. Users experienced no major problems, even while gaming at 4K resolution with HDR and 120 fps. However, it is worth noting that the OLED M4 is rated slightly lower than its technological counterpart, the G4, due to having only three HDMI ports.
LG OLED M4 Specifications
| Brand | LG |
| Series | M4 |
| Model | OLED65M4, OLED77M4, OLED83M4, OLED97M4 |
| Ruler | LG Gallery Series |
| Image, screen | |
| Image | Ultra HD (UHD) / 4K / 2160p |
| Matrix type | OLED |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Matrix bit depth | 10 bits |
| Refresh rate | 40 .. 120 Hz |
| Game Features | FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible (Nvidia), Game Optimizer |
| Matrix | WOLED (MLA) |
| Brightness | 1640 nits |
| Video signal delay | 15 ms* |
| CPU | α11 AI Processor 4K |
| Signal standard | |
| TV tuner | Analogue (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) |
| DVB-T/T2/T2-HD, DVB-C, DVB-S/S2 | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision | |
| Dolby Vision IQ, HLG | |
| Interfaces | |
| Video | Optical digital |
| 3 x HDMI 2.1 (CEC, ARC, eARC, HDCP 2.3) | |
| Antenna RF + satellite input (Main + Sub) | |
| 2 x USB 2.0 | |
| Net | Ethernet RJ-45 / LAN |
| Wi-Fi 6 | |
| DLNA support | |
| Wi-Fi Direct | |
| Bluetooth 5.1 | |
| Audio | Digital optical output |
| RS-232C Input (Min Jack) | |
| Audio system | |
| System | 4 x 10 W + 2 x 10 W (subwoofer) |
| Possibilities | 4.2CH, AI Sound Pro, Dolby Atmos, WiSA Ready, LG Sound Sync, OLED Surround, DTS:X |
| operating system | |
| OS | webOS 24 |
| Processor (SoC) | 4-core |
| Processor (CPU) | NA |
| Processor (GPU) | 2-core |
| RAM | 2 GB* |
| Memory | 16 GB* |
