Home Theater Technology

Wireless Home Theater is Real: Testing LG's "Zero Connect" Wallpaper TV

LG's separate transmitter box finally delivers cable-free 4K gaming and movies up to 30 feet from your devices

30ft
Max Range
4K@144Hz
Gaming Support
1 Cable
To The TV
VRR
G-Sync & FreeSync

Quick Take

LG's Zero Connect Box transmits 4K video wirelessly to compatible OLED TVs, eliminating cable runs between your devices and screen. All inputs (consoles, Blu-ray, streaming boxes) connect to the separate box, which beams content up to 30 feet away. Only a power cord reaches the TV, perfect for clean wall mounting. Supports 4K@144Hz, NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync with minimal latency.

January 2026
6 min read
Scroll for full review

Wireless home theater has been a broken promise for over a decade. Manufacturers have dangled the dream of cable-free entertainment only to deliver laggy, compressed video that serious viewers rejected immediately. LG's Zero Connect technology finally changes that equation with a dedicated transmitter box that handles the heavy lifting while your TV hangs on the wall connected by nothing but a power cord.

The concept is elegantly simple: instead of routing HDMI cables from your entertainment center to a wall-mounted TV, every device plugs into LG's separate Zero Connect Box. That box transmits visually lossless 4K video and full audio wirelessly to the display. The result? A TV that can sit up to 30 feet from your gear with zero visible cable runs.

How Zero Connect Actually Works

1

Devices Connect to Box

Gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, streaming devices, and soundbars all plug into the Zero Connect Box via HDMI 2.1, USB, optical, or Ethernet.

2

Box Transmits Wirelessly

The box converts and beams high-bandwidth 4K signals using a dedicated frequency designed for low-latency, visually lossless transmission.

3

TV Receives & Displays

The OLED panel receives the signal and renders your content. Only a single power cable connects to the TV, nothing else.

Gaming Without Compromise

The biggest concern with any wireless video solution is latency. Gamers need sub-frame response times, and previous wireless HDMI solutions introduced enough lag to make competitive play impossible. LG engineered Zero Connect specifically to address this problem.

The system supports full 4K resolution at up to 144Hz refresh rates, higher than most gaming monitors. Both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate technologies work natively, eliminating screen tearing without the performance penalties of traditional V-Sync.

Input Lag Testing

Independent tests show Zero Connect adds approximately 1-2ms of latency, imperceptible to all but professional esports players and well within acceptable ranges for console and PC gaming.

Gaming Specifications

4K @ 144Hz
Full resolution at high refresh rates
VRR Support
G-Sync & FreeSync compatible
ALLM (Auto Low Latency)
Automatically optimizes for gaming
Multiple HDMI 2.1 Ports
Connect PS5, Xbox, and PC simultaneously

The Audio Revolution: Dolby Atmos FlexConnect

For decades, better TV sound meant choosing between two imperfect options. Traditional AV receivers deliver genuine surround sound but require running speaker wire throughout your room and configuring complex settings. Soundbars promise simplicity but rarely deliver convincing spatial audio, especially for height effects.

Dolby's new FlexConnect platform introduces a third path: place compatible speakers anywhere in your room and let the system figure out the rest. The TV's microphones detect each speaker's position and capabilities, then automatically calibrates the audio to maximize Dolby Atmos performance.

Auto Room Mapping

TV microphones detect speaker positions and calibrate audio automatically. Setup takes under two minutes.

Flexible Placement

Place speakers wherever works for your room. The system adapts to your layout instead of demanding precise positioning.

TV Speakers Included

Unlike soundbars that override built-in speakers, FlexConnect incorporates them for center channel dialog and effects.

Height Channel Support

Compatible speakers include up-firing drivers for overhead Atmos effects without ceiling-mounted hardware.

First to Market: TCL's FlexConnect Speakers

TCL launched first with their Z100 FlexConnect speakers: 170-watt units featuring front-facing woofer, midrange, and tweeter plus an up-firing driver for height effects. Priced at $400 each, you can configure up to four speakers plus an optional $500 subwoofer.

Note: Current FlexConnect speakers only work within their brand's ecosystem. Cross-brand compatibility isn't required by Dolby's specification, though it's not prohibited either.

Real-World Considerations

The technology impresses, but practical limitations exist

Zero Connect's 30-foot range sounds generous on paper, but real-world performance depends heavily on what sits between the box and TV. Thick walls, metal cabinets, and certain building materials can interfere with the signal. LG recommends line-of-sight placement when possible, though the system can work through standard drywall without issues.

The Zero Connect Box itself needs ventilation and power, so you're trading cable management at the TV for a device that still requires placement somewhere in your room. For most users, this means positioning the box inside an entertainment center or media cabinet. This works fine as long as the cabinet isn't fully enclosed metal.

The Upside

  • Truly clean wall mounting: only power cable reaches the TV
  • Full 4K@144Hz gaming with imperceptible latency
  • Eliminates long in-wall HDMI runs during installation
  • Centralized connectivity simplifies device management
  • Works with existing entertainment center setups

The Tradeoffs

  • Only available on LG's premium OLED models (significant investment)
  • Signal interference possible with certain room layouts
  • Zero Connect Box still requires power and placement consideration
  • Thick walls or metal cabinets can reduce range
  • Not a solution for budget-conscious buyers

Zero Connect Box Specifications

Full connectivity breakdown for LG's wireless transmitter

Video Specs

  • 4K @ 120Hz / 144Hz support
  • Dolby Vision & HDR10+
  • Visually lossless transmission

Connectivity

  • Multiple HDMI 2.1 ports (48Gbps)
  • USB ports for media playback
  • Optical audio output

Network

  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • WiFi passthrough to TV
  • Smart TV apps run natively

Gaming

  • NVIDIA G-Sync compatible
  • AMD FreeSync Premium
  • ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)

Wireless

  • Up to 30ft transmission range
  • Dedicated frequency band
  • Works through standard walls

Compatibility

  • LG OLED M-Series TVs
  • Select Signature OLED models
  • Box included with compatible TVs

Our Review of the TCL Z100 Review

LG's Zero Connect delivers on the cable-free promise that previous wireless video solutions couldn't keep. For those willing to invest in compatible OLED hardware, it fundamentally changes what's possible with TV placement and clean installation.

Combined with emerging technologies like Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, we're entering an era where premium entertainment systems no longer require running cables through walls or precise speaker placement. The technology exists. It just requires buying into specific ecosystems.

For professional installations, Zero Connect TVs simplify mounting dramatically. Instead of routing HDMI through walls (which can introduce signal degradation over long runs), installers only need to handle power. The result is faster installation, cleaner aesthetics, and fewer potential failure points.

Who Should Consider Zero Connect?

Design-Conscious Homeowners

If visible cables ruin your aesthetic, Zero Connect is the only solution that truly eliminates them.

Serious Gamers

4K@144Hz with VRR support means no compromise on performance despite the wireless connection.

Challenging Room Layouts

When running cables would require major construction, Zero Connect provides a practical alternative.

Commercial Installations

Offices, lobbies, and retail spaces benefit from simplified installation and premium presentation.

Ready to Mount Your LG Zero Connect TV?

Zero Connect TVs are designed for clean wall mounting, and that's exactly what Dom's TV Mounting delivers. We specialize in premium OLED installations with perfect leveling, secure mounting, and professional power outlet positioning. Let us handle the installation so you can enjoy truly cable-free entertainment.

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Fully Insured
Premium OLED Specialists