The issue that caused even LG’s latest 2018 OLED TVs to occasionally suffer from raised blacks on Dolby Vision HDMI sources has been resolved.

×Update: Just like the firmware for the 2016 and 2017 generation LG models, some users continue to experience problems. FlatpanelsHD will follow up.
Dolby Vision in true black
As reported by FlatpanelsHD, the issue was fixed on previous models earlier this year. At that time, LG promised to roll out a fix for the 2018 OLED models at a later time.

FlatpanelsHD detailed the problem in our LG C8 review through side-by-side comparison with the Loewe bild 5 (and Apple TV 4K as the playback device) that also supports Dolby Vision. At that time, the problem affected only LG and only with Dolby Vision HDMI sources – not built-in apps.

The issue was actually resolved with a previous firmware update, said LG, but this is the first chance we have had to reexamine things on an LG C8 model. Upon inspection with the later firmware, Flatpanels was able to determine that LG C8 no longer raises the black levels in the black bars and parts of the image - at least not with the content that we have used previously to identify the issue. LG C8, E8, G8, and W8 are all based on the same panel and video platform.



Playback device must be updated, too
LG explained that it has been collaborating with Dolby to develop the solution as Dolby is deeply involved in how its HDR system is implemented in TVs. The exact cause and technical details were not disclosed.

You must also update your Dolby Vision playback devices to the latest firmware version.

Dolby Vision is Dolby’s premium HDR video format. In its early years, it has been plagued by compatibility and picture quality problems but things are improving. When Dolby Vision works as intended, it offers brilliant HDR pictures.

As for the firmware, LG has since released a newer version so the company recommended that users install the latest firmware (version 04.10.15) that started rolling out globally last week. LG informed FlatpanelsHD that the new firmware fixes another issue relating to a short delay in luminance adjustment when watching certain scenes in HDR on the 2018 LG OLED TVs with the Alpha 9 processor (C8, E8, G8, W8).