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4K Ultra and the end of the world

LG is at it again with another hilarious digital signage prank.

September 5, 2013

It's too far from April First for April Fool's Day, so it must be getting close to Halloween, because LG Electronics is up to no good yet again.

After scaring the bejeezus out of elevator riders with monitors that made it appear the floor was falling out beneath them around Halloween last year, LG this year tricked job interviewers into believing their city had just been devastated by an apocalyptic meteor strike.

A new video, uploaded to YouTube by LG Electronics Chile, shows workers installing an LG Ultra HD TV in an office, making it look as though the display is a window overlooking the city outside. Then, as job seekers start their interviews, the "window" shows a meteor streaking through the sky and crashing into the city, sending a shockwave and debris straight for them. The idea, of course, is that the images on-screen are so lifelike and convincing, thanks to the 4K ultra-HD screen, that people literally believe their world is coming to an end.

(As with its earlier efforts, some might suspect that LG used paid actors, according to Mashable, but the video already is a viral hit with nearly 2 million views since its posting on Sept. 2.)

Also, as before, while the display being used isn't technically a commercial-grade digital signage display — this time it's a consumer-grade ultra-HD TV — the video, if real, is a striking testimonial to the incredible picture quality and clarity of the new 4K displays hitting the market from a variety of display providers.

Also, as before, the prank really does leave the viewer feeling a bit sorry for the poor victims; LG definitely has a wicked sense of humor.

Watch the video below:

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