Loewe Bild 7: the world’s finest TV?

Bild 7 will be Loewe’s first OLED television. This new TV will become the German manufacturer’s flagship model when it launches this September.

The Bild 7 (‘bild’ means ‘picture’ in German just in case you were unaware) is equipped with a custom-made LG OLED panel. This is then wrapped up in a minimalist design. The Bild is also packing an integrated hard disk (PVR), wide-ranging connectivity and more. Loewe reckons that they have created a TV that may reasonably be considered the finest in the world.

OLED, as most of you will already know,  delivers advances in picture quality. These include unprecedented black levels, greater contrast, truer colour rendition, a wider colour gamut and wider viewing angle.

The Bild 7 incorporates the most advanced OLED panel currently in existence and combines it with Loewe’s proprietary picture processing to deliver an outstanding picture quality. Loewe calls this ‘VantaVision’, a term derived from VantaBlack, the darkest man-made substance ever created.

The TV comes in two screen sizes – 55-inch and 65-inch – and supports 4K Ultra HD and HDR (High Dynamic Range), with Dolby Vision to follow shortly after launch. It is also fully compliant with the Ultra HD Premium standard (currently awaiting certification).

Loewe Bild 7 sound matters

Loewe is renowned for delivering the best TV sound on the market and the Bild 7 boasts Loewe’s best-ever integrated soundbar. The soundbar incorporates six high-specification active drive units coupled to 120W amplification. This is twice the power of the speaker system in LG’s flagship 65-inch G6 ‘Signature’ TV.

Low-frequency performance is dramatically enhanced by the addition of four ‘racetrack’- style ABRs (Auxiliary Bass Radiators). These units replace the bass reflex design of previous Loewe models. The resulting sound is said to be rich, detailed and capable of room-filling volume, without necessitating further audio equipment to engage the viewer sonically.

Loewe highlights the significant improvement in midrange performance, which enhances the clarity of dialogue. This is obviously a critical component of the TV viewing experience.

Loewe also offers a range of active speakers (both wired and wireless) and powered subwoofers for stereo, 2.1, 3.1 or 5.1 surround sound. The TV incorporates Dolby and DTS surround sound processing, enabling a full home cinema system to be created with minimal clutter and maximum simplicity.

Loewe Bild 7 build quality

As one expects of a flagship Loewe TV, the Bild 7 is made using the highest quality materials, with a meticulous level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. The screen is less than 7mm thick, its sleek aluminium bezel is finished in matt graphite grey (similar to Apple’s Space Grey). This coordinates with a choice of dark or light grey acoustic fabric for the soundbar at the front and cable cover at the back.

Impressive design touches abound, not least the Bild 7’s motorised movement. This delivers the best of both worlds: a super-minimal TV screen when switched off, together with superlative audio performance when in use. Prior to power-up, all that is visible from the front is the glass screen, with its discrete bezel and iconic ‘Loewe Eye’ hanging beneath.

Switch the TV on and the screen slides smoothly upwards, revealing the slim yet powerful integrated soundbar.

The TV comes with a wall mount, with optional table and floor stands available in matching graphite grey. The floor stand sports a motorised swivel action; the table stand can be specified with or without motorised swivel. The stands are sized differently for each model to ensure each ensemble remains perfectly in proportion.

Loewe Bild 7 designed for use

The Bild 7’s sophisticated design doesn’t stop on the outside. Loewe has paid considerable attention on the usability and design of the GUI (Graphical User Interface). The result, which is both beautiful to look at and more intuitive to use, has been nominated for the UX Design Awards 2016.

Loewe has made this more than a TV though. Thanks to the Bild 7’s internal 1TB hard disk recorder (expandable to 2TB), this, opens up a raft of content-sharing functionality that is unique to Loewe.

Not only is this a built-in Freeview HD PVR for recording programmes, it also acts as a video server for other Loewe TVs in your network. This function is called DR+ Streaming. Viewers can also pause a programme and pick up where they left off on another DR+-equipped TV.

Multi room, sharing and PiP

The TV’s triple-tuner, dual-channel configuration allows viewers to watch one channel while following a second in picture-in-picture (PiP) mode and recording a third on the hard drive. Naturally, you can control all of this via the Loewe Smart Assist app for Android and iOS smartphones.

The Bild 7’s credentials as a fully integrated entertainment ‘hub’ are further enhanced by Loewe’s built-in wireless multi-room functionality. This enables live streaming from one Loewe set to another, similar to Sky Q. Music can even be synchronised Sonos-style between several Loewe TVs.

Bluetooth connectivity adds further wireless options. Stream music from a smartphone or tablet and listen via the integrated soundbar. Bluetooth headphones can be paired, too – perfect for a spot of silent late-night viewing without the encumbrance of wires.

Loewe Bild 7 price and availability

The Loewe Bild 7 OLED TV will be available from September. Prices are £4,490 for the 55-inch screen (Bild 7.55) and £6,490 for the 65-incher (Bild 7.65).