LG Electronics announced its 2012 global television lineup as it plans to roll out the new models beginning next month ― a month ahead of previous years.

The latest lineup is represented by the firm’s 3-D smart TV model called the Cinema Screen, which is said to “minimize the frame and maximize 3-D,” according to Kwon Hee-won, president of the home entertainment business at LG.

The 3-D lineup for this year is modeled by nine-member K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation.

“We decided to launch the products a month earlier than usual because we wanted to show LG’s firm will to be ranked No.1 in 3-D TVs, not only at the local level, but internationally, by preparing ahead,” he said.

Kwon also said that the company is expecting strong growth in overseas markets such as the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

The scheme was devised as LG Electronics plans to increase its global TV market share to 27 percent by the end of this year, up from 18 percent in 2011.

On the standardization of 3-D technology, a large portion of Japanese firms ― including Panasonic, Toshiba and possibly even Sony ― are currently choosing to use the passive film-patterned retarder technology, putting its rival Samsung in a lonely position, LG executives said.

“Not only the Japanese firms, but also the Taiwanese companies are adopting the FPR technology in 3-D and the FPR camp is growing, adding to speculation that it may become the standard,” said Kwon.

Kwon also said the latest 55-inch organic light-emitting diode TVs will soon officially go on sale in the market and that LG has plans to develop smaller OLED TVs.

For the glasses-free 3-D TVs, the firm will spend two to three additional years to unveil a more competitive product, which comes with fewer viewing constraints, he said.

By Cho Ji-hyun
(sharon@heraldcorp.com)