Unfortunately LG's ultra-thin new sets—which boast 8ms response time, LG's TruMotion 120hz video smoothing technology and a space-saving LGS (light guide sheet) backlighting technology—appear to be, at least for now, trade show gimmicks. That means no price, no model name, no date of availability. And without seeing, in person, whether this LGS backlighting provides a comparable image to a regular CCFL backlight, it difficult to guess if we'll even see any of the new technology in production sets. But that's fine—for now, we gawk. [Tech-on]

Analysts at DisplaySearch have told Eric Taub at the NYTimes that they are projecting a dismal year for TV sales in 2009: not only are sales of all TVs expected to decline in all of North America by 4%, LCD TV sales are expected to grow only 2%. That's compared to a 22% gain in 2008 and 77% in 2007. Always thought to be recession proof, TVs are getting hit.

But why the slowdown on continuously plunging prices? Expecting reduced sales, panel factories are cutting back on production. And if you've been paying attention, you know that production efficiencies at high volume (via things like 150-inch panels of mother glass) are what drives prices down.

DisplaySearch is seeing panel factories in Taiwan and Korea are currently scaled back to 80% capacity; pair that with cancelled plans for new, more efficient manufacturing plants, and you've got the recipe for a halt to the downward pricing trend on HDTVs:

Mr. Semenza [of DisplaySearch] expects that prices for LCD sets 32 inches and smaller will remain fairly stable. Retail prices on TVs 42 inches and larger will not decline as fast as they have in years past.

Bummer. [NYTimes, Photo: mgminthu/Flickr]

Alright, so LCD stands for liquid crystal display. (Again, we're keeping this kind of simple, for simplicity's sake.) Basically, the liquid crystal part is a gel that sits in front of a backlight or—in the case of older panels such as those found in Game Boys up till like 2003—a reflective panel. (Remember those crappy lighting accessories?) The gel is divided up into a bunch of separate pixels, which can be fired individually. Color LCDs are a bit more complicated, made up of red, blue and green subpixels which combine to create pixels with the full range of color. To throw one more bit of tech at ya, most LCDs at this point are thin-film transistor LCDs, so that the control layer is embedded within the panel itself instead of off to the side. This provides better image stability and other benefits.

One of the problems with LCDs, and why plasma has an advantage in showing blacks, is that the liquid crystal layer is not opaque, even when all of the pixels are closed. On most LCDs, the bright backlight is on when the TV is on, so that will always bleed through at least a bit. LED-backlit LCDs can light up just a part of the panel instead of the whole thing, to an extent minimizing the problem.

Besides the "dynamic" backlighting described above, LCD technology is constantly improving its contrast through various crazier schemes involving pixel twisting and other light-blocking techniques.

The other notorious LCD problem is moton blur. If you've been buying LCD monitors for the past few years, you'll notice that advertised response times have dropped precipitously, down to as little as 2ms on some gamer-friendly computer monitors, and 6ms on big ol' TVs, so there's less true blurring of the picture. LCDs can also reduce motion blur further by processing the image: High-end LCDs use 120Hz technology to essentially double the framerate of source video, tricking the eye into seeing less blur.

Some 120Hz LCDs achieve this by tossing in a black frame of "downtime," but other sets morph two frames into a third, middle image that sits somewhere between the original frame and the next. As you might suspect, this can result in a weird, uncanny super silkiness that some reviewers object to.

Other reasons home theater buffs pick plasma over LCD in serious showdowns are that LCD naturally produces a less uniform picture and can't be seen as well (in color or brightness or both) from wide angles. LCDs can produce great pictures, and will keep getting better (LED backlights FTW), but in sets 42 inches and above, it just can't quite touch plasma, despite the fact that its cheaper pricer point has given it an overwhelming marketshare on the HDTV front.

Sony, which pushes Bravia LCD and hasn't sold plasma sets in years, is sending signals that it will soon focus on OLED instead. OLED pretty much makes both LCD and plasma look sad. They still cost a billion dollars and are a few years away, but the day of the OLED will come. [Giz Explains]

Samsung Develops World's First "Blue Phase" Technology to Achieve 240 Hz Driving Speed for High-Speed Video Seoul, Korea - May 14, 2008- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world's largest provider of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels announced today that it has developed the world's first "Blue Phase" LCD panel - which will offer more natural moving images with an unprecedented image-driving speed of 240 Hertz. Samsung is planning to unveil a 15" model of its Blue Phase LCD panel at the SID (Society for Information Display) 2008 international Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition, which will be held in Los Angeles from May 18 to 23. Executive Vice President Souk Jun-hyung, the head of LCD Business' Display R&D Center, said that "Our Blue Phase mode is a major evolutionary development beyond conventional liquid crystal modes. Samsung's development of the technology provides a tremendous opportunity to move image quality of LCD screens much closer to that of a real moving image." Developed with an extremely cost-efficient design, Samsung's Blue Phase mode does not require liquid crystal alignment layers, unlike today's most widely used LCD modes such as Twisted Nematic, In-Plane Switching or Vertical Alignment,. This new Blue Phase mode can make its own alignment layers, eliminating the need any mechanical alignment and rubbing processes. This reduces the number of required fabrication processes, resulting in considerably savings on production costs. Additionally, Blue Phase panels will reduce the possibility of bruising the LCD panel interface whereby pressure on the screen can impair uniform brightness. Overdrive circuits are currently applied to each LCD panel to improve the video image quality in premium LCD TVs, which are driven at 120Hz. The Blue Phase mode features a superior response rate, allowing images to be reproduced at 240Hz or higher without the need for any overdrive circuit. The term "Blue Phase" was coined when the technology's developers observed bluish hues while watching their new liquid crystal mode in operation. Since many academic and corporate institutions researched this new liquid crystal mode, Samsung has become the first to unveil a commercially viable product prototype using the "Blue Phase" technology. Samsung expects to begin mass producing its Blue Phase LCD in 2011. The LCD panels will be mainly used in TVs that require high-speed video reproduction.

There's also an iVDR port for iVDR drive cartridges, dual tuners and DLNA and 1080p compatibility. The cleverest bit? Most of the TVs' guts are in a separate box, connected by Ultra Wide Band, which is presumably how they keep the screen so skinny. They've got black or white bezels, and are available from June in Japan, for $2,670, $3,360 and $4,350. We don't have a date for their US release yet. [Akihabaranews and AV Watch]

The 1080p projector is for screens starting at 60 inches, and Pioneer promises that it's "in line with the KURO benchmark of deep black levels and rich colours, resulting in the unmistakable look of film." We hope so, given the assurances that Pioneer's restructuring wouldn't lead to the death of a great brand.

KURO Front Projector for large size screens

Developed specifically for cinephiles with a dedicated home cinema room, the KURO projector is configured for screen sizes starting from 60 inches. Aside from displaying signature KURO style cosmetics, it supports advanced calibration and is in line with the KURO benchmark of deep black levels and rich colours, resulting in the unmistakable look of film. It incorporates LCOS 1080p technology, producing the highest native contrast ratio. Based on 3 x 0.7 inch D-ILA, it boasts a wide lens shift capacity and dual HDMI 1.3 support.

KURO LCD TVs for smaller screen sizes
The KURO LCD TV range is 'HD ready 1080p' compliant with 100Hz frame mode, offering an unmatched fast moving picture performance. What is more, the LCD TVs feature an anti-reflective filter, triple HDMI 1.3 support and a specially tuned, high-standard picture quality. This latest Pioneer product is available in three sizes: 32 inch, 37 inch and 46 inch and differentiates itself from KURO plasma TVs in terms of design with an attractive 'aluminum look' finish.

The KURO Front Projector will be in the shops as of April this year. The KURO LCD TVs are available in three sizes of which the 32-inch and 37-inch TVs will be on sale as of August, the 46 inch model will be launched later this year.

Thanks, Virtual Press Office!

The VW46L FHDTV is next up and includes the same feature set, with the exception of a 46-inch viewable, 3x HDMI inputs, a 2000:1 contrast ratio (sans DCR) and no included HDMI cable. Naturally, there is no word on pricing as of yet. Hit the links for the full specs while you still can. [VO47L and VW46L thanks Dan!]

Climbing to 12.8 percent, Samsung's now just .2 percent away from the LCD lead (it's winning in flat-panels overall). If the trend continues, Vizio will drop a couple of spots as soon as next quarter. The question is whether that's because brand name sets are getting cheaper, or people are now simply willing to pay a bit more to get a better quality TV. [Bits]

As video editor Geoff Morrison's piece explains, part of the blur perception comes from the fact that, on standard LCDs, frames are frozen on the screen for 1/60th of a second, and then abruptly shift to the next frame. This is called "sample and hold." Other technologies like plasma and DLP don't hold the frame for that whole 1/60th of a second, but pulse from one frame to the next, with some healthy downtime. The obvious solution is to double the frame rate to 120Hz.

One 120Hz method simulates the other TV technologies by introducing that downtime. Between each bright frame is a frame that's totally black or very dim (as shown above). The rapid succession of bright and dark frames, 120 times per second, looks smooth to the eye, and keeps some of the LCD's issues hidden in the darkness. This technique is the best, according to Morrison. Alas, it is dying out.

The trouble with the method is that it reduces the prized brightness of an LCD. It is a sad truth that, in the cutthroat world of Best Buy TV selling, the brightest TV often wins.

That's why the second method (shown below) is coming into vogue. Rather than splice in black frames, LCD makers introduce a Photoshop-style interpolated frame, basically a morphed midpoint between Frame 1 and Frame 3. Thanks to faster processors, this is easier and easier to do, but it has problems. "There is the potential, though, of it looking too smooth," says Morrison. (What's funny is, "looking too smooth" was probably Morrison's life goal in high school, and now he condemns it!)

This is only a piece of the larger LCD issue Morrison discusses, and the gist is that even the inferior 120Hz concepts are improving the situation with motion blur on LCDs (and LCOS projection TVs like Sony's SXRD line). It's a great read, so have a look, or just share your own 120Hz opinions, revelations and nightmares. [Home Theater]

Dell say they soon make even more TV, include 40 inch and 46 inch. Ungar no trust Taiwan media now on. – Jason Chen

Dell denies plan to exit LCD TV business [Yahoo]

...Many of the non-traditional players have quietly de-emphasized the business since then in favor of focusing on their core products.

Dell to exit LCD television business: media [Reuters]

Viewsonic has been a good old maker of LCD monitors for as long as I can remember, so it's no big surprise that it has finally decided to throw in a high-definition HDMI multimedia interface and pump out LCD TVs. The 32-, 37- and 4-inch TVs all support digital TV and audio transfers though the same cable and have a screen resolution of 1366 768, a brightness of 500cd/m2 and response time of 8ms. Prices are $1284 for the 32-inch, $1793 for the 37-inch and $2392 for the 40-inch.

ViewSonic debuts 37-inch and 40-inch LCD TVs [New Launches]

Prices and reviews for ViewSonic LCD TVs [CNET]

The three BRAVIA products in question are flat panel LCD televisions, in 40, 32, and 26 inches (Model numbers are KDL-V40XBR1, KDL-V32XBR1, and KDL-V26XBR1 respectively). All three are HDTV-ready, have 1366 x 768 resolution, 13 watt speakers, and a special backlighting system that apparently produces "purer white light." The 40 and 32-inch models will also have some kind of super alignment that will result in wider viewing angles and faster response times, while the 26-inch will sit in a corner and feel really left out. Prices are $3,500, $2,700, and $2,000 respectively, and will be available later this month.

Sony's new projector and LocationFree TV updates after the jump.

Next is Sony's new SXRD 1080P Home Theater Front Projector. The VPL-VW100 features a 1920 x 1080 progressive high-def projection, and will have a contrast ratio of 15,000:1. This baby will cost a whopping $10,000 and will be available this November.

Finally, there are two products that we already kinda knew about: the LF-X11 12-inch LocationFree TV and the LF-PK1 LocationFree Player Pak for PC users. The LF-X11 is a simplified version of the LocationFree TV, with an expanded wireless range of up to 100 feet. The base station for the TV can connect to a set top TV tuner, a DVD player, and even a PVR if desired. Then there's also the LF-PK1 LocationFree Pak which we've already mentioned, that beams the TV signals to your PC. The LF-X11 will run you about $1,500 and the LF-PK1 will cost you $350. The LF-PK1 is currently available, while you'll have to wait until later in the month for the LF-X11.

Related
Sony Launches BRAVIA - Don't Ask What it Stands For
Sony LocationFree: Big Brother Anywhere

Press Release on BRAVIA XBR flat panel LCD televisions [Sony]
Press Release on SXRD 1080P Home Theater Front Projector [Sony]
Press Release on Sony LocationFree Devices [Sony]