HDTV
July 1, 2009
Philips finally prices 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV
We mentioned a rumored price for the Philips Cinema 21:9 way back when, but at the time we also heard a supposed June release date. That's come and gone and now a new price has officially been announced. Once converted from euros, the price will equate to roughly US$7400. The set, which will ship in the UK at some point, is the first to feature the 21:9 aspect ratio, enabling it to playback movies shot in widescreen format without those annoying horizontal black bars. Philips also manages to fit 8.3 million pixels on the 56-inch display, as far as I know the most ever for an HDTV. Unfortunately though, there isn't any indication the Cinema will ship to North America.
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June 26, 2009
Cello Electronics HDTV line records Freeview TV OTA to SD cards
Now that is interesting. A British LCD TV company named Cello Electronics has announced the world's first HDTV that records directly to SD cards. Unfortunately for us in North America, it's only headed for the European market at the moment. The set, available in 22-, 26- and 32-inch screen sizes, records over-the-air Freeview TV to an SD card making it easy to transfer content for viewing on your laptop or netbook. Moreover, the HDTV has dual SD slots and two TV tuners so you can record two channels at once. Known specs are minimal at this time, but it is known that the set has a remote-controlled EPG, 1440 x 900 resolution, but unfortunately no HDMI slots.
Shipping in July under the Soundwave brand, the Cello Electronics HDTV will be priced at TBA, £399.99 and £469.99, in order of size mentioned above.
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June 23, 2009
Vizio outs fall XVT family with new internet content, 240 Hz SPS
Vizio barely got its spring HDTV line out the factory gates before it announced its fall 2009 line this morning. The internet-connected SV422XVT, SV472XVT and VF552XVT are sized 42-, 47- and 55-inches, respectively. The trio features 1080p resolution panels, 240 Hz SPS (scenes per second) and Smooth Motion technology. The larger two models also feature TruLED backlighting with Smart Dimming, while the two smallest feature 4 HDMI slots and the largest 5 HDMI ports. The Vizio HDTVs also have new content thanks to recent partnerships. Widget functionality over 802.11n LAN or Ethernet now includes Amazon Video On Demand, Blockbuster On Demand, Rhapsody, Vudu, Revision3, Twitter, Faceibook, Netflix, Flickr, Pandora and more. The 42-, 47- and 55-inch Vizio XVT Connected HDTVs will ship in November, October and December priced at $1199.99, $1699.99 and $2199.99, respectively.
Vizio will also be launching a pair of 120 Hz Thin Line XVTs in September, sized 32- and 37-inches. They'll be priced at $749.99 and $849.99, respectively.
Read--New Vizio XVT HDTVs announced
Read--Vizio and Rhapsody partnership announcement
Read--Vizio announces new content partners
June 23, 2009
LG using ARM processors in future internet-connected HDTVs
One of the most common complaints about new internet-connected HDTVs is the noticeable unresponsiveness of content widgets such as those offered by Yahoo's Widget Engine. The reason for this is that the CPUs used in these televisions were designed for nothing more than a menu and a picture. Network access severely stresses HDTV manufacturer-made CPUs. In a world where speed is everything, lag time in electronics is unacceptable is you want to sell.
That said, LG is reportedly discontinuing in-house manufacturing of CPUs for its HDTVs, instead outsourcing production to chipmaker ARM. Future LG internet-connected HDTVs will use the ARM11 MPCore processor, a multi-core chip that should easily handle local area network access and TV widgets when used in tandem with the company's Mali graphics chip.
Variations of the ARM11 processor are used in the new iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre, both of which handle internet connectivity without a hitch. Notably, Intel helped develop Yahoo's Widget Engine, so look for Intel to push its chips on HDTV manufacturers in the near future as well.
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June 21, 2009
HD DVD player ownership continues growth in the United States: Harris Interactive
A recent online poll conducted in April by research firm Harris Interactive has revealed some home theater-related oddities. Notably, that sales of HD DVD players in 2009 are up by roughly the same amount as the high-def format war winner Blu-ray. 11% of Americans own an HD DVD player in 2009 compared to only 6% in 2008. Surprisingly only 7% of Americans own a Blu-ray player in 2009 compared to 4% in 2008. If you factor in the 9% of Americans that now own a Playstation 3 and 3% that own an HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360, the two HD formats are still close to even. Moreover, the survey indicates that interest in Blu-ray isn't going to pick up anytime soon--unless prices come way down. Only 7% of non-Blu-ray owners reported an intent to purchase a Blu-ray player in the next year.
HDTV ownership on the other hand continues to move skyward--47% of Americans now claim to own an HDTV compared to only 35% in May 2008.
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June 8, 2009
NEC bows 24-inch LCD2490WUXi2 and LCD2490W2 color-accurate LCDs
Granted, a pair of 24-inch NEC LCDs just isn't quite as cool as a 43-inch curved desktop display, but either would make a half decent computer monitor. The LCD2490WUXi2 and LCD2490W2 are the latest color-accurate monitors to be spun off of NEC's production lines. Each IPS panel covers about 96.7 percent of the sRGB color space, producing better images than either TVA or PN displays, and enabling them to be used for professional-level video editing. Other common features between the two include 12-bit color lookup tables, ambient light sensors, automatic brightness controls, 320 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and both DVI and VGA inputs. The only difference between the two is that the LCD2490W2 includes a SpectraView color calibrator enabling enhanced imagery. Both panels sit on swivel stands and will ship later the month; the LCD2490WUXi2 for $1099 and the LCD2490W2 for $1299.
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Vizio outs 31 new HDTVs spread among XVT, M and E series'
When it comes to announcing new HDTV lines, it's go big or go home these days. Aside from price, there just isn't all that much differentiating different displays. That's what Vizio is doing this morning, adding 31 new models to its XVT, M and E series lines. The new XVT models, ranging from 32 to 55 inches, bring TruLED backlighting, 1080p resolution, 2, 000, 000:1 contrast ratio and SRS sound technology to the table. Models come in both 120 Hz and 240 Hz varieties. The M series is the designer line, sporting JAVA color, 1080p resolution, 50, 000: 1 contrast ratio, 120 Hz technology, and multimedia playback via USB. Models will be available sized between 32 to 47 inches. Finally, the E series is the eco-friendly family, ranging in size from 19 to 42 inches. With its EcoHD technology, it manages to use 20% less energy than the Energy Star 3.0 specifications while (hopefully) maintaining picture quality and performance. Check out the full press release with all the little details after the cut.
Continue reading: "Vizio outs 31 new HDTVs spread among XVT, M and E series'"
June 5, 2009
Dell to launch a 43-inch immersive gaming TV in 2009?
If you happened to attended the Electronics Entertainment Expo this year and hit up the Alienware booth, you were lucky enough to lay eyes on the 43-inch immersive display optimized for video games. Manufactured by US-based Ostendo Technologies, the CRVD Display is 103.6 cm long and 32.5 cm wide, has a 122 cm radius, a response time of 0.016 milliseconds, a resolution of 2880 x 900 and a contrast ratio of 10000:1. Interestingly, the CRVD Display opts to use rear projection technology packing in 4 DLP lamps as the RGB LED light source. The display was only a prototype and wasn't accompanied with any indication of a release date or potential price, but Ostendo said it would be working closely with Dell to bring the 43-inch gaming display to market.
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June 2, 2009
BeoVision 7 LCD HDTV upgraded to include built-in Blu-ray player
It's been a couple of years since high-end HDTV maker Bang & Olufsen released the 40-inch BeoVision 7 LCD HDTV. But despite the fact the company has announced the BeoVision 8 this year, it decided to give the 7 series an upgrade anyway. Scrapped is the DVD optical drive, replaced instead by an integrated BD Live Blu-ray player. Picture frame rate has been upped to 120 Hz from 60 Hz reducing motion blur, and buyers will have the choice of two loudspeakers: either the BeoLab 7-2 stereo speaker or the BeoLab 7-2 center speaker unit with Acoustic Lens Technology. Also included with the updated home theater package is the Beo5 remote control, enabling turn-and-tilt control of the 40-inch LCD panel and control of automated home systems such as lighting and outdoor pool covers. Unfortunately the price of the BeoVision 7-40 remains about the same sporting an MSRP of $13500 with the included center loudspeaker. Got the cash? You'll be able to pick up the integrated Blu-ray BeoVision 7 this month at all Bang & Olufsen retail locations.
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June 1, 2009
TVSnob Roundup for May 2009
It's getting to be the busy time of year when all of the products we first laid eyes on at the beginning of the year finally get release dates and price tags. I'm in the market for an entire new home theater myself and the choices are overwhelming! But it's definitely nice to see the HDTV industry picking up again after the economic slowdown. Here's TVSnob's look back at the month of May 2009:
Blu-ray
DIY
DVD Players/Recorders
Digital TV Transition 2009
Gaming Systems
HDTV
Home Theater A/V
LCD TV
Media Streamers
OLED TV
Plasma
Projectors
Remote Controls
May 28, 2009
HDMI 1.4 specs announced; include 3D and 4K x 2K resolution support
HDMI Licensing, LLC unveiled what we can expect from the upcoming HDMI 1.4 standard today and it's some pretty impressive stuff.
First, an extra data channel will be added to HDMI cables for bi-directional communication over Ethernet. Second, an Audio Return channel will be able to send sound signals to any A/V receiver enabling home theater buffs to do away with a cable. Third, 3D over HDMI lists standard 3D formats enabling the standardization of inputs/outputs for 3D home theater devices. Fourth, 4K x 2K resolution support will enable four times the pixels of current 1080p resolution. 3840×2160 at 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz and 4096×2160 at 24Hz resolutions will all be supported. Fifth, sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601 color spaces designed for digital cameras will be supported. Sixth, a new micro HDMI connector with 19-pins will be added supporting up to 1080p resolution from portable devices. It'll be roughly half the size of the current mini connector. Seventh, an automotive connection specification will be added specifically for HD content transmission to automotive entertainment systems.
While the new specs are great, they also mean that HDMI cables will become more confusing. Namely that there will be 5 to choose from:
- Standard HDMI Cable - supports data rates up to 1080i/60;
- High Speed HDMI Cable - supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification;
- Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet - includes Ethernet connectivity;
- High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet - includes Ethernet connectivity;
- Automotive HDMI Cable - allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.
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May 27, 2009
LG claims the world's brightest 3D LCD monitor
LG has claimed the world's brightest 3D LCD monitor in a press release this morning. The 23-inch display is said to boast twice the brightness of other 3D LCD displays we've seen. How did LG do this? According to the company, their 3D technology is embedded within the panel enabling a higher brightness. Other companies typically install the technology outside of the panel or in the viewing glass.
3D TV viewing is enabled by basically splitting the display in two vertically and showing two different images on each side at the same time according to a time sequence. This tricks the human eye into seeing a 3D image. While most displays still require specialized 3D glasses for proper viewing, LG says its technology can be used with polarized glasses, a low cost alternative to the usual 3D glasses.
RIght now the 23-inch 3D LCD monitor is a prototype and LG hasn't said whether it'll be commercially available in the future. But it'll be on display next week at the Society for Information Displays conference in San Antonio, Texas if you're in the area and want to check it out. You can also check out a cool video demo after the cut.
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Continue reading: "LG claims the world's brightest 3D LCD monitor"
May 26, 2009
JVC's 42-inch Xiview LCD monitor is built for photographers
JVC announced today the Xiview LT-42WX70, a 42-inch LCD TV monitor built for digital imaging enthusiasts and professionals. Featuring a "color space that is wider than a typical HDTV's," the Xiview features a 1080p flat panel encompasses 100% of sRGB.904 color space and 96% of AdobeRGB enabling photographers and video creators the ability to see their images accurately reproduced. Powered by JVC's GENESSA Color Engine, the LT-42WX70 has 52 picture tweaking options, x.v. Color, JVC's Individual Gamma Adjust System for grayscale calibration, 12-bit Deep Color, 120 Hz motion blur technology and 3D noise reduction.
Measuring only 1-5/8 inches thick and weighing 26.4 pounds, the Xiview LT-42WX70 has a bunch of connectivity options including 3 HDMI-CEC terminals, D-Sub 15pin with component video and an audio input jack. The monitor also meets Energy Star 3.0 specifications.
Available now, the JVC LT-42WX70 will set you back $2399.95.
May 25, 2009
What recession? HDTV-owning households increase 4% since November 2008
Do you have an HDTV in your home yet? According to a February 2009 Nielsen survey (PDF), 33% or officially "slightly more than one-third" of American households now have at least one HDTV. That's up from 29.2% in November 2008 and 19.3% in February 2008. In other words: recession be damned!
Interestingly though, only 28.8% of HDTV actual subscribe to HD programming meaning not everyone is taking full advantage of the technology they've purchased. Other interesting stats include: 67% of HDTVs are located in the family or living room, additional HDTVs are usually in the master bedroom, and the average house has 2.6 TVs. The latter statistic indicates that standard-definition televisions are being reused in different household locations rather than tossed in the local landfill for the rest of eternity.
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