Best Buy has an in-house HDTV with a built-in Blu-ray player

Signifying a possible new trend in HDTV design, Best Buy will soon be releasing a 32-inch Insignia LCD HDTV with a built-in Blu-ray player. For cheap too, at only $599. Of course the Insignia NS-LBD32X won't feature any of the new higher-end features we've seen this year. But it will have a respectable 1080p display, 20000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, and 450 cd/m2 brightness. No word on the Blu-ray specs short of playback, but for $599 you can't really complain.

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Viewsonic unleashes a plain jane HDTV sextuplet

Viewsonic has launched six new LCD HDTVs today, though they're nothing to write home about. The 32-inch VT3245, 37-inch VT3745 and the 42-inch N4285 make up the real HDTV half of the line. The smaller pair both feature 1980 x 1080 pixel resolution, 5 millisecond response time, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 3D video processing, SRS TruSurround XT audio, and a variety of image scaling modes. The VT3745 will ship this month for $799, while the VT3245 will ship in October for $649. The larger NT4285 features a 10000:1 contrast ratio, an Eco panel, and all the features mentioned above. Shipping in October, the NT4285 will require you to shell out $999.

The VT2042, VT2342, and VT2645 are built to function as smaller HDTVs though they'd typically be better suited to a computer monitor environment. The VT2042 and VT2342 feature 1600 x900 and 1920 x 1080 resolution, respectively, as well as 10000:1 contrast ratio, 5 millisecond response time, 3D video processing, SRS TruSurround HD audio, and a tilt base. The VT2342 also adds in 3 HDMI slots for gaming and Blu-ray viewing. The VT2645 has similar features but only manages 1366 x 768 resolution. All are available this month priced at $299, $349 and $449, in order of mention above.

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Sony 46- and 52-inch BRAVIA ZX5 wireless HDTVs stream 1080p

Sony chose today to announce its BRAVIA ZX5 wireless HDTV line in Japan, the update to its ZX1 series. The 46- and 52-inch wireless models each come with a TV Station hub that contains all of the physical inputs. This allows the displays to be completely wireless. While the ZX1 could only stream 1080i resolution video, the ZX5 bumps it up to 60 Hz wireless HD format or 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. The display also manages the newer 240 Hz refresh rate and LED-backlighting. The TV Station hub has four HDMI slot, a pair of D5 component equivalent ports, a pair of RCA jacks, and single S-video and VGA slots. An Ethernet connection is also built in, enabling DLNA streaming and internet video streaming. Both models should ship in the United States sometime in the future, but for now it's a sure thing both models will ship in Japan for $4937 and $5581, respectively, on November 20.

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Sharp AQUOS LE700E and LE600E LED LCD HDTVs: World's most energy efficient

Sharp has introduced a pair of 46-inch LCD HDTVs that boast the world's greatest energy efficiency--both members of the new LE700E and LE600E AQUOS families. Both models use "white full LED backlighting" enabling the consumption of only 89 Watts at full power, while the larger 52-inch models manage to consume less than 100 Watts. Both ranges will also be available in 32- and 40-inch models. Features common to all the sets include 1080p resolution, 2, 000, 000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 90% "constant screen illumination", and a 100Hz refresh rate, common to Europe. While launch dates haven't been set, prices will range from US$1324 for the 32-inch LE600E to US$3385 for the 52-inch LE700E.

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Mitsubishi ships VUDU-integrated Diamond LCD TVs in the United States

Mitsubishi has announced it is now shipping its VUDU-integrated Diamond Unisen Immersive Sound LCD HDTVs. Comprised of the 46-inch LT-46249 and the 52-inch LT-52249, the new Diamond line features 1080p resolution, integrated 18-speaker Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound with Dual Driver Extended Range Sound, a 240 Hz refresh rate, and a 1-inch thickness. Both sets also feature wide color gamut backlight technology and Energy Star 3.0 certification. The VUDU integration provides 2200 HD titles and 16000 titles in total. Plus, later this month, VUDU will also provide video, music and photo streaming from YouTube, Pandora, Flickr, Picasa, and "On Demand TV" which provides 80 channels. There is also a limited time offer available that will net new owners $50 worth of free SD, HD and HDX movie rentals. Available now in the United States, the new 46- and 52-inch Diamond models are priced at $2599 and $3099.

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Philips announces latest edge-lit LED Aurea HDTV

The third generation of the Philips Aurea edge-lit LED HDTV was announced on Thursday. The 40-inch 1080p LCD model utilizes Philips' Active Frame with Ambilight Spectra technology which lights up the display with 250 LEDs surrounding the display. The new Aurea display also includes Net TV which allows it to connect to home ethernet or wireless networks in order to stream YouTube and other video content from the web. Other features include DLNA compatibility, 80, 000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 100 Hz refresh rate, a 2 millisecond response rate, and 450 cd/m2 brightness. There's also a ton of connection options on this model including 5 HDMI 1.3a slots, S-video, USB, component, composite, VGA, and digital coaxial audio input. Philips hasn't announced pricing or availability for the Aurea, however it'll most likely only ship in Europe.

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Philips unsure about 3D HDTV

Philips is busy showing off a 3D version of its 21:9 Ambilight HDTV off at IFA, but the company still isn't sure when, and if, it'll enter the 3D market. First of all, the company still hasn't decided which 3D technology to use--apparently there are three separate methods of displaying 3D picture. Only one of the three methods doesn't require those ridiculous 3D glasses, something I'm almost positive would slow the adoption process (I'm sure price would be another issue). Second of all, Philips thinks that OLED or possibly quad-HDTV (quadriple the current 1080p resolution standard) could be the next big think in HDTV. Personally I think OLED is the best of the three for the time being, should production costs come down. The good news is that Philips will support the Blu-ray 3D Standard once it's actually down on paper and ratified. Just don't expect too much, too soon.

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Sony confirms 3D Bravia LCD HDTVs in the works with Blu-ray, PS3 support

Sony has confirmed its entry into the 3D HDTV space, issuing a formal statement regarding a line of Bravia HDTVs in that are in the works. The 3D LCD displays will be based on sequential frame display and an active shutter glass system with those compatible funky, yet horribly annoying, 3D glasses. Even cooler is the fact that Sony plans to incorporate said 3D technology into the Playstation 3, its Vaio notebook line, and its Blu-ray disc products. Check out the official video above.

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NEC Display to ship eco-friendly 19-inch MultiSync EA190M LCD display

NEC Display has recently announced the MultiSync EA190M display geared for offices everywhere. The 19-inch monitor features 1280 x 1024 resolution, 900:1 contrast ratio, 250cd/m2 brightness, a 5 millisecond response time, a Dynamic Video Mode with 5 presets, DVI and VGA inputs, a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, a 4-way stand, and built-in speakers. It also has an ECO Mode which NEC claims is twice as energy efficient and uses half the mercury of traditional LCD displays. Shipping this month, the MultiSync EA190M will cost $259.

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Toshiba 46-inch SV670U LED-backlit LCD HDTV gets reviewed

The prolific CNET reviewers have taken the 46-inch Toshiba SV670U LED-backlit LCD HDTV to task in their laboratories and given its cost, it looks like a good bet. The 46-inch set costs less than most sets using LED backlighting with local dimming, yet still manages plasma-like black levels, accurate color, and can separate its antiblurring and dejudder processing. The 240 Hz set also has plenty of connectivity options including 4 HDMI ports and a PC input, plus adds some silver into the usual plain black design of most other high-end LCD models. On the negative side, the 46SV670U suffers from some blooming, a poor off-angle performance, and a bit of an overactive backlight. But when all things were considered, including the relatively low price point, the Toshiba 46SV670U LED-backlit LCD HDTV scored a 3.5 out of a possible 5 stars from CNET.

Toshiba 46SV670U LCD HDTV--At Amazon
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