Gizmodo: LCDs

SenseSurface: Stick Real Control Knobs On a Flat-Panel Virtual Display

Sean Fallon — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:40:00 EDT

Touchscreens are great, but for many of us nothing beats old fashioned tactile controls. That seems to be one of the reasons why Lyndsay Williams of Girton Labs is in the process of developing SenseSurface—a system that allows users to stick working knobs to on-screen virtual controls. Apparently, the magnetic knobs can be placed anywhere on an LCD because the movement is picked up by a "unique sensing surface" attached behind the screen. It seems fairly unnecessary, but I'm sure that there are practical applications for this for music and graphics fields—or anyone who is tired of smudging up a touchscreen. Must be seen in video:

[Guardian via Music Thing via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Old School Digital Car Dashboard Roundup Is an LCD Light Show

Jason Chen — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:40:00 EDT

Motive mag takes a look at the digital dashboards of the 1980s; a time where men were men and electronic car computer technology barely made anything fancier than some green LCDs. Despite this handicap, auto manufacturers came up with some fancy displays, as typified by this predecessor to my own 350Z, a Nissan 300ZX Turbo. Man, we'd like to see more of this kind of digital Knight Rider-esque readout in modern cars, but we have a feeling that the tach on the Prius would look pretty pitiful. [Motive Mag]

Are Gadgets Using Up Some Elements?

matt buchanan — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:40:00 EDT

Gadgets are using up the earth's elements. Like, the basic elements that make up all chemical matter according Armin Reller, a materials chemist at Germany’s University of Augsburg.

Gallium is apparently critical for making LCDs. We'll be out of it in a few years. Hafnium (part of Intel's breakthrough with Penryn) will be gone by 2017 says Dr. Reller. We're also blowing through our supplies of zinc and copper, even though we have a shitload of it. Obviously, it would seriously cramp our gadget style, since copper is in like, everything. Oh yeah, and an element going extinct might not be good for the environment. [Asimovs via Valleywag]

Mitsubishi 149 iSP Series LCDs Loaded With 16 Speakers Up Front

Benny Goldman — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Mitsubishi's 149 iSP series LCDs have a 16-speaker sound bar built-in for people who are too lazy (like me) or don't know how (like my parents) to set up a home theater. The integrated Sound Projector, as it's called, sends sound flying around the walls to act like surround sound—in my experience, it was way better than typical front speaker-only setups but didn't match the immersive feeling of true surround.

One great thing about the set is that you can change the way it does sound depending on room size and TV placement using simple menu options. Oh yeah, and the picture on the 120Hz set wasn't bad either. The 149 comes in two flavors, a 46" for $3300 and a 52" for $3700, out soon. [Mitsubishi]

Sharp's 108-Inch LCD Heading For The US in September

Sean Fallon — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:50:00 EDT

If you have $100,000+ to blow on a TV (I envy you) you will be happy to know that the Sharp LB-1085 108-inch LCD TV will be heading to the States in September. [Sharp]

2001-inspired Humax HAL TV Set Won't Leave You Stranded In Space

Adrian Covert — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:20:00 EDT

Chauhan Studios and Humax had this awesome concept TV on display at the Milan Design Show, which looks straight out of the spaceport in 2001: A Space Odyssey. And being named HAL, it's likely where the designer drew influence from. The LCD also has an extra set of speakers in the base to add sound depth. And with most design shows, there were no details on pricing for the HAL TV, or even a release date. [MocoLoco via Unplggd]

Hitachi To Sell 1.5-inch Ultra Thin Plasma Next Year

Mark Wilson — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:59:00 EDT

At CES, Hitachi showed off an impressive 1.5-inch-thin plasma display. Today at the CEA industry update the company has told us that the concept will become a reality when the televisions go on sale in the US sometime during 2009. They also hinted that LED-backlit LCDs could be available in as little as 6 months. As for OLED, that's still a ways off.

gCubik is Palm-Sized 3D Display Everyone Can See at Once

Kit Eaton — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:50:00 EDT

Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology has created this prototype physical 3D display that works a little differently than the other 3D tech out there. Those bright spots aren't LEDs, but a complex array of lenses arranged on top of LCDs, forming the sides of a cube. By a kind of optical parallax trick, and something called "integral photography," it makes it look like there's an object in the box. Best of all, gCubik is a naked-eye tech and can be viewed simultaneously by a group of people. The team's working on making it wireless and higher-res, and even hopes to commercialize it within three years for use in design, education or games devices. You can see it in person at the SIGGRAPH show in August. [Fareastgizmos]

LG Develops World's Largest Elliptical and Circular-Shaped LCDs

Sean Fallon — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

This isn't the first round LCD display to show up on the radar, but LG claims that their new 6-inch elliptical and 1.4-inch circular-shaped LCDs are the largest in the world. Both versions are capable of displaying up to 262,000 colors with a near 160 degree viewing angle, which could prove useful in devices like photo frames, instrument panels, watches, cellphones and gaming devices—but anyone hoping for a cute display for their PC may have to wait a while longer. [LG]

Samsung Develops New 'Blue Phase' LCD Panel for TVs

AddyDugdale — Wed, 14 May 2008 05:25:00 EDT

Samsung has developed a new technology for LCD panels called Blue Phase, which it claims improves picture quality on its high-end LCD TVs. Called Blue Phase, the cost-efficient design eschews liquid crystal alignment layers, instead making its own, bringing production costs down. Current video image quality is driven at 120Hz, but the new technology will effectively double that to 240Hz. A 15-inch model will be unveiled in LA next week, and Samsung expects mass production to begin in 2011. Full press release below.

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.

[Via Press Release and Akihabara News]

Pioneer's 2008 Kuro Line: Thinner Blacker Plasmas and an LCOS Projector But No LCDs

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:00:00 EDT

Today Pioneer is revealing its official 2008 Kuro TV lineup for the US. As we expected from European announcements, it includes second-generation Kuro plasmas—thinner, with five-times-deeper black levels than the first critically acclaimed Kuro plasma—and a Kuro-branded LCOS projector originally developed by JVC. What's missing here are the smaller-sized Kuro LCDs that Pioneer is offering European flat-panel shoppers. Here's the full product rundown, plus the reason for the missing LCD piece of the puzzle:

More Kuro Than Kuro
On the plasma front, Pioneer's new Kuros fit midway on the contrast gamut between the previous generation and the "Extreme Contrast" panel shown at CES. The five-times-deeper blacks don't show up on the brightly lit sales floor as well as they do in a dimly lit home, but Pioneer's Russ Johnson says they will blow away videophiles, particularly with respect to color purity and gradations of shadow. The idea is that you will see more without colors being blown out, and without "hotspots" that make whites too bright. There will be two 1080p plasma TVs out next month, the 50" PDP-5020FD for $4,000 and the 60" PDP-6020FD for $5,500. They're both about 20% thinner than the previous Kuro models, now measuring 3.7" thick. Besides the features that it shares with the previous generation, these Kuros have a new remote control and new HD GUI for better ease-of-use. We're also told they have some networking capabilities—Home Media Gallery plus DLNA compatibility with PCs and other network devices. More on that when we check them out.In the Elite line, Pioneer is rolling out souped-up versions of the above TVs at $1,000 premiums—the 50" PRO-111FD and 60" PRO-151FD. The bigger news from a gadget perspective is that there will be two plasma monitors that are even thinner. They will be 50% as thick as the original Kuro, measuring just 2.5". As monitors, there have no ATSC tuners or speakers, but they will be highly customizable thanks to some serious connectivity and remote access tools. It's a rich man's product, for sure, but worth knowing it's hitting the market, since the tech will eventually trickle down.That Projector Rings a Bell
As for the KRF-9000FD projector that snuck out at the European launch, some were smart enough to spot it as a re-branded JVC RS2 or HD100, the two so similar they're referred to as "twins". Johnson tells us that the company chose the LCOS projector because its performance was "consistent with the deep black levels" of the Kuro line. Pioneer added some tuning options to jive with Kuro deep-black benchmarks, but at this time the company did not do too much to make it a product distinct from JVC's. It will be branded simply as the Pioneer Elite Kuro Projector, and it will sell for $9,000, as early as June via the Elite dealer network.

Why No LCDs???
Johnson was good enough to shed some light on the missing LCDs. It turns out, ~~Pioneer Europe has a different LCD supplier than Pioneer USA. Pioneer's European supplier—Philips?—has~~ Pioneer's global LCD partner—Sharp—supplies different product to Europe than it does to the US. Sharp supplies 1080p LCDs in 32", 37" and 46" sizes with 100Hz frame mode to Pioneer Europe, but can't bring them to the US—even for itself. Of course in the US, it would be 120Hz, not 100Hz, a PAL spec. Those are the baseline requirements for Pioneer to work its Kuro magic. These requirements can't be met by the US LCD affiliate, says Johnson, "not even in their own line-up", but he does expect them to come eventually. Since Philips is no longer in the US TV biz, and since Sharp appears to be Pioneer's other LCD partner, I guess we'll have to wait until Sharp catches up.

That Kuro Secret Sauce
All this hullabaloo about Pioneer quitting panel manufacturing and instead buying panels from Panasonic made us ask Johnson exactly how Kuro will stay alive, and he surprised us with some factoids:
• The second-gen Kuros gets the 5X deeper black with the same panel, plus better filtering and video processing.
• Even the "Extreme Contrast" CES panel, the one that freaked us out, was based on "current glass," and not some futuristic laboratory panel. "It's how you fire the pixel," says Johnson. We don't know exactly what that means, but it's strangely reassuring. [Pioneer USA]

Hitachi UltraThin 1.5-Inch LCDs Finally Hitting US Soil

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:45:04 EDT

Six months after announcing it would bring its 1.5"-thick UltraThin line to the US, Hitachi is finally starting to ship product. Sizes range from 32" to 47" and 1080p from 37" and up—previously we thought the line would stop at 42". HD Guru tells us they don't have integrated HD tuners, so you'll have to use your cable box or spring $299 for a separate tuner. But hell, they are sexy, and they come with 120Hz image processing for better motion. The only thing remotely wrong with them is their high price: the top of the line 47-incher will set you back $4,700—and won't be here until September. What's that saying? Never too thin—or too rich? Specs, pricing and shipping dates of the full line below.

Hitachi to Showcase the World's First UltraThin Line of Displays at Annual Dealer Show This Week
The Much Anticipated and Only "1.5" Displays Are Now Available to Consumers
CHULA VISTA, Calif. —(Business Wire)— May. 1, 2008 At its Annual Dealer Show this week, Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. will showcase its "1.5" family of UltraThin Displays, which, for the first time, are now available for purchase by U.S. consumers.

Unveiled to rave reviews at the Intl. CES in Las Vegas in January of this year, the 1.5 displays — so named due to their sleek 1.5-inch depth — continue to generate excitement and momentum, particularly now as consumers are able to purchase these slim, stylish displays through retail and specialty AV dealers nationwide for the first time.

Available in four screen sizes (32-inch, 37-inch, 42-inch and 47-inch), the 1.5 displays embody an array of Hitachi's engineering breakthroughs which have resulted in an award winning design, unrivaled thinness and outstanding picture quality. From the patented ventilation technology to the backlight, power supply and unique crystal frame, the innovations found in the 1.5 line represent Hitachi's achievements in areas as diverse as automotive design, server systems and optical R&D.

The new 1.5 line is further differentiated by its appealing design that, importantly, extends a complete 360 degrees around. So whether the displays are seen from the front, a side angle or from the back, the elegant lines and distinctive aesthetics demonstrate an attention to detail that make the displays the ideal complement to a luxury lifestyle.

Another important first: Hitachi has now outlined the pricing structure for the new 1.5 line, which will be offered in Director's Series (X) and Ultra Vision (V) models. Pricing and availability for each model is as follows:

Samsung's High End 650 Series LCDs Reviewed (Verdict: Great)

Brian Lam — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:50:02 EDT

CNet's reviewed Samsung's 52-inch 650 series LCD, the LN52A650. While there is a 750 series, it's worth noting that those sets get MPEG and MP3 playback from USB drives but have the same picture. So, for this generation of Samsung LCDs, this is as good as the picture gets. In summary, David Katzmaier loved the set.

The black level performance was probably not as good as the 81 series that uses LEDs (which I love.) But combined with the highly accurate colors, streaming of weather and stock data across the screen, 120Hz video processing, and excellent standard def processing earned this TV an Editor's Choice. The neggies? That same high gloss panel finish we've come to detest in daylight. Read the full review at [CNet. Samsung 6 and 7 series LCDs on Giz]

Pioneer's 2nd Gen Kuro Plasma HDTVs Revealed... in Europe

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:13:48 EDT

We can't totally figure this out, but we're trying: Pioneer Europe just promised to ship second-generation Kuro plasmas as early as June, yep TVs stated by the company to be five times better than the "best TV ever," the current Kuro plasmas. Pioneer US says that it will be announcing plasmas soon, but that its lineup will be "different" than the Euro plasma lineup seen here, understandable since these have DVB and other Eurotech not found in US TVs.

KURO Plasma TVs for absolute picture quality The new 2008 range of KURO plasma TVs exceeds the boundaries of what was thought possible in picture quality performance. The second generation KURO pushes closer to absolute black by further reducing the idling luminance and improving black levels five times over the previous 2007 KURO models. This has enabled Pioneer to accurately reproduce even higher contrast levels and deeper colours within the high-definition colour spectrum. The all-new 2008 KURO plasma TVs are available in 50 and 60-inch (availability depending on region).

The PDP-LX5090 and PDP-LX6090, 1080p sets at 50" and 60" sizes, are promised by June, with DVB-satellite-receiver PDP-LX5090H and PDP-LX6090H variants due in some regions later. Price is still TBD.

Like I said, we can't figure out exactly what Pioneer's US division has done to get moved to the back of the line as far as SWEET NEW PLASMAS go, but we're looking into it now. [Pioneer EU]

LG Buying Millions of Sharp LCD Panels

Brian Lam — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:18:10 EDT

LG is getting into bed with Sharp, planning to buy 2 million 32-inch panels from them, and an unspecified number of 52-inch panels. This is after news of Sony forking over for 1/3 of Sharp's 10th generation LCD plant. You know someone at Sharp is having a good month. [Reuters]

It's a Frame, It's a TV, It's a Cookbook? Pandigital's New 15-Inch...Whatever

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:34:52 EDT

Today, digital photo frame maker Pandigital is unveiling a frame that's also a 720p HDTV and a "digital cookbook." Say what you will about digital photo frames, but one thing's for sure: they can be anything their makers want them to be.

This $400 15-in. "mess-proof" sealed display has MP3 and video (MPEG, MP4, AVI) playback and includes a 6-in-1 card reader and an HDMI input (so you still have to remember to put the lid on your blender). It comes with both table stand and cabinet undermount, and its software includes not just an expandable collection of recipes, but an alarm clock and a calendar. What, no egg timer? [Pandigital]

Pioneer Calls Plasma Biz Reports "Inaccurate"

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:56:02 EST

Regarding recent stories that Pioneer may cease manufacturing its own plasma TVs, and presumably in doing so kill off the critically acclaimed Kuro TV line, the company's North American division has this to say:

The current press coverage was not released by Pioneer so it may be misleading and contains many inaccuracies.

The statement continues:

Pioneer reviews its display business strategy every year looking to maximize profitability and efficiency. At this time, the Company is not announcing any decisions with regards to manufacturing of any single component of its plasma displays. We will announce Pioneer's display strategy in detail at the information meeting in Japan to be held on March 7th and via press release to the rest of the world later that day.

Stay tuned for Friday's details, and in the meantime, don't believe everything you hear. (Just, maybe, some of it.) [Pioneer on Giz]

Sony Ponies Up for a Third of Sharp's Next Gen LCD Plant

Brian Lam — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:45:39 EST

As rumored, the move puts Sony in bed with Sharp the way they used to be with Samsung. [Reuters]

Future Sony LCDs to be Sharp-Powered

Brian Lam — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:00:20 EST

There's a rumor going around the tech finance pubs about Sony using Sharp panels in its future Large LCDs.

Seems to make sense, considering that Sharp's had the lead in big LCD making, based on the 108-inch champ from last year's CES. This affects you in a few ways: Sony LCDs have long worked with Samsung on their LCD panels. By comparison, Samsung has traditionally been behind in response times, contrast and black levels. But in the past lots of Sharp LCDs in bigger sizes have blotchy backlighting. Maybe the 10th generation factory Sharp is working on, reported to be the biggest in the world, will have eliminated all of these issues by the time it goes online in 2010. [Reuters]

Sony #1 in LCD; Biggest Names Hold Fast, But Cheap-o Brands Taking Out Weaker Competition

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:10:01 EST

Last quarter was an all-out TV-maker battle, and you my friends were the territory. DisplaySearch's results for Q4 '07 declared the victor in the US LCD category to be Sony for the very first time. Panasonic handily crushed all comers in the smaller US plasma race. Samsung, with strong #2 finishes in both, ended up remaining the #1 overall TV brand in the country, and LG also held its own. But...

While these Big Four gained ground—often by keeping profit margins slim and exploring cheaper manufacturing—other well-regarded brands like Sharp, Philips and Hitachi fell back. The strongest competition in LCD came from Vizio and Polaroid, but many other brands clamored like barbarians at the gate.

DisplaySearch's charts with market share number are just below, but first answer this simple question:

[DisplaySearch]

Aquavision AVF 57-4LCD is World's Largest Waterproof TV, Lacks Vibrating Remote

Haroon Malik — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:16:18 EST

Besides your bodily filth, what else do you take into the bathroom with you? How about a 57-inch waterproof TV? That's right, those fellows at Aquavision, who have brought us all manner of waterproof TVs in the past, have now gone to work on the world's largest waterproof display.

Standing at 57 inches in diagonal length, the AVF 57-4LCD doubles up as a big-ass mirror when not in use. It is capable of Full HD (1920 x 1080), has two HDMI inputs for your waterproof HDMI equipped home theater equipment, both analog and digital tuners are in-built and, of course, a waterproof remote control. Unfortunately, it doesn't vibrate, which puts a bit of a downer on anyone hoping to have a waterfest. As for the price, if you have to ask, you probably don't know. We don't either, as pricing information has not yet been released. [Born Rich via DVICE]

The Weight Is Over: Extra-Thin TVs Hit the Scales

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:18:59 EST

This year's CES TV competition wasn't about how big TVs could be, but how thin they could get. Samsung, JVC, Hitachi, Panasonic, Sharp, Pioneer and developer LG.Philips were all showing off their rendition of belt-tightening in the flat-panel age. Some of you perceptively noted that up against a wall, inside a cabinet or on a stand, a 1" thick TV looks the same as a 20" thick TV, let alone a 5" thick set, so like big frickin' deal. We're with you. The truth is, while thin is sexy, the untold story is how much less this new crop of TVs will weigh. Both LCD and plasma will weigh substantially less in the coming years. How much less? Plasma will definitely drop more than LCD, but in both cases, the weight loss is astonishing. Jump for awesome chart:

Anyone who's ever tried to "install" a 50 inch plasma or LCD all by themselves (GUILTY!!) knows that this here is wonderful news, and not too far off. Many of these TVs will be shipping in 2008 and some in 2009. By and large, the buzz is that, before we get to the next wave of TV technology, there will be some nice improvements in the current stuff. TV manufacturers, my back and my little pinky finger thank you!

We Test Drive the First 3D Plasma Screen Ever, From Samsung

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:00:40 EST

Samsung built the first 3D plasma screen for giving that added dimension to gaming and movies, and the test drive was promising, if not earth shattering. You of course need goggles for the full experience, unlike some of those 3D LCDs that actually send different images to each of your eyes. This is more like the 3D rear-projection TVs we've seen from Samsung, Mitsubishi and others, which use DLP technology to flicker alternating left-eye and right-eye video feeds. This is, of course, flat. And probably a hell of a lot more expensive, if it ever ships. Video by Curtis Walker [Samsung]

Attempted Wanton Destruction of a Panasonic Plasma Screen

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:40:58 EST

Back in Panasonic's secret demo room at CES 2008, they're showing off a stress test where they slam a metal ball into a plasma with one joule of energy, and see if the screen will smash up. (Guess what? They've also run the test on LCDs.) Videography by Curtis Walker

Just Like Invisible Wii: Reactrix WAVEscape

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:00:00 EST

In Samsung's booth there's a 57" display with a Star Trek-like visor above it. The visor, called WAVEscape by Reactrix, contains a camera that can track your motion and distinguish it from the person next to you and all of the other people in the room, allowing you to use natural motions to interact with things on the screen: spin a globe, spike a volleyball and yes, punch a panda. Come on, you know you would if you could. Video by Curtis Walker [Reactrix]

Concept Samsung 82-Inch LCD World's Largest Ultra High-Definition

Haroon Malik — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:00:00 EST

Samsung has just popped out a ridiculously large 82" LCD TV, boasting ultra high-definition resolution of 3840 x 2160. That is a four-times increase on conventional LCD standards, and word on the street is Japan has already begun testing video broadcast in ultra high-definition. We are sure that'll eat bandwidth faster than the cookie monster (Chris) eats cookies. That aside, the picture rendition is jaw dropping.

Father of Plasma Saves Middle Earth, Predicts Plasma-Screen Laptops

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:39:21 EST

We bumped into Larry Weber, the shaggy professor mainly responsible for the invention of the plasma TV in the 1960s. He's got a lot to say about his latest project, mostly too technical for our hurting little brains. Here's the skinny:

He wants to improve notoriously inefficient plasma energy use to a point that it drains a battery less than the LED light source in an LCD does. Pair that with super-thin plasma technology, and voila—plasma-screen MacBook Pro anyone? We were just kidding about that whole "saving Middle Earth" business...or were we? [Larry Weber's Society for Information Display]

LG.Philips Joins Herd Thinning with 19.8mm 120Hz LCD

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:31:07 EST

Though neither LG nor Philips showcased a thin LCD in their spring lineups, their joint display development group LG.Philips is proudly displaying this 47" Ultra-Slim 120Hz LCD. How slim? 19.8mm, or about .77 inches, making it a lot thinner than the LCD TVs Hitachi is launching, and only a tad thicker than some of the other concepts we've seen. What's nice is that LG.Philips had the courtesy to show "before" and "after" shots of just how slender it had become. More shots and product details in the gallery. [LG.Philips]

UPDATE:

A top Philips exec told us the company planned to introduce a thin LCD like others, but probably wouldn't use the 120Hz 19.8mm LG.Philips panel above (Philips only owns 20% of the subsidiary.) He mentioned that quality could be an issue, and that of the four suppliers Philips uses for LCD panels, LG.Philips was not always the best.

Samsung Concept 52" Ultra Slim LCD is Skinnier than Kate Moss's Wrist

Haroon Malik — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:19:04 EST

The concepts from Samsung just keep on rolling, and this Ultra Slim 52" LCD is part of the fascinating bunch. So what's so great about a 52" LCD TV? Oh, only the almost non-existent thickness of 40 mm! Not only does the Ultra Slim stay true to its anorexic name, it also has a tapered metallic backing, which means from behind it looks even thinner. Although, that isn't the way we like most things to look like from behind, it works well on LCD TVs. Check out the gallery for the proof. [Samsung. Photos by Curtis Walker]

What's the Worst Place in a Car to Put an LCD? We Report, You Decide

Benny Goldman — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:19:46 EST

What do geeks do at a car show? Check out the LCD screens, of course. We just got back from the car showroom at CES and found some pretty awful examples of "pimping your ride." Take a look at the most ridiculous places these gearheads put their screens, and let's make fun of them together.

First off, the runners-up:

#1. 2007 International CXT, tricked out by Treo Engineering. This bad boy sports 11 LCDs (four 23-inchers), including two in the wheel wells. Nothing says class like an LCD in the wheel well of your pickup.

#2. Audi A4, pimping courtesy of Oxygen Audio. True, this car sports a lady on the side (a rarity here), but the popping screen/trunk combo's a bit too phallic for our tastes.

#3. Scion, modifications by Bear Mountain Audio. With 15 LCDs this car could win on sheer volume, but the it's the angles of the in-door screens that give this one the extra push.

#4. Mini Cooper, facelift from Quantum Audio and Hypnotic. Just when we thought you put an LCD screen in your car so you can watch it, it turns out you were doing the people driving next to you a favor.

And now, the finalists...

Chrysler 300, sexified by Exonic. Between the 10 LCDs, including one in the hood, something just caught our eye.

Honda Civic, alterations done by RCA Mobile. RCA, even I know your name. I can't believe you'd present yourself like this, in public no less. Two LCD screens in the dash, two more that hit each other when you close the door, and one on either bumper may make this ride the Abomination of the Ball.

So there you have it. Hey, meatheads: just because LCDs can fit in every inch of your ride doesn't mean you have to put them there. Leave them to geeks like us.

*Big shout out to Wilson Rothman for his awesome photography!*

It's Official: Sharp Has No Answer to Panasonic's 150-Inch Plasma

Brian Lam — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:18:19 EST

An unofficial trip into Sharp's booth and the press conference today confirm that Sharp has nothing to battle Panasonic's monster 150-inch plasma HDTV but last year's 108-inch. (Last year, Sharp upset Panasonic's 103-inch plasma with the 108, so this is what we like to call revenge.)

Samsung's High-End LCDs for 2008: Series 6 and 7 HDTVs Get Ethernet, Amber Tint, but No LEDs (WTF?)

Brian Lam — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:00:01 EST

Samsung's 1080p LCDs are some of the best out there, and here are their top models for the coming year: The charmingly named LN40A650T, LN46A650T, LN52A650T, LN40A750T, LN46A750T, and LN52A750T. They've got 120Hz refresh rates with 4ms response times, putting them in the same league as last year's Sharps in those terms. They're also getting ethernet for RSS downloads of weather and other info. Touch of Color (TOC) bezel adds an amber, automotive paint inspired tint to the chassis. 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs and a scrollwheel remote. March 2008 availability in 40, 46, 52 inch sizes. Early specs revealed a 65 inch model, but that's been dropped from final press sheets. The seven series line is identical to the six, but gains a USB port for MPEG and JPEG playback and internal memory speculated to be 1GB in size.
The Catch: If this is their top of the line, I'm wondering where the glorious LED backlights are. This set also has that super reflective finish that makes daytime viewing a glare-filled experience.

SAMSUNG REDEFINES THE WAY CONSUMERS USE HDTVS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF ITS NEW SERIES 6 AND 7 LCD HDTV Featuring a Unique TOC Design, Samsung's Series 6 Brings a "Touch of Color" to HDTVs Samsung's Series 7 is an Entertainment Centerpiece For Enjoying a Wide Variety of Digital Media LAS VEGAS, N.V., January 6, 2008 - Samsung Electronics, the market leader in HDTV design and innovation, is redefining the role HDTVs play in the home with its forward- looking LCD HDTV Series 6 and 7. Not only is picture quality dramatically enhanced, but an elegant new design born from Samsung's extensive R&D in the automotive and fashion industries brings a never-before-seen ―Touch of Color‖ to any living room or home theater. Samsung's TOC (Touch of Color) design features a hint of amber color naturally blended into Samsung's traditional piano black bezel frame. Samsung has also incorporated sophisticated networking and easy connection capability in response to consumer interest. In particular, up-to-the-minute access to weather, news, sports and stock information is just a cable and a click away through the HDTV's Ethernet port and new InfoLink™ RSS service. Designed to be the entertainment hub in the home, the Series 6 and 7 LCD HDTVs enable consumers to access a wide range of digital and multimedia devices—such as MP3 players, camcorders, and PCs—and have their contents displayed, managed and played through the HDTV. Samsung's LCD HDTV lineup will be on display at Booth #11033 during the International Consumer Electronics Show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 through 10.
―With the application of TOC design to the Series 6 and 7 HDTVs, Samsung is truly
changing the look of TVs and introduces a visual appeal that will make it the centerpiece of
any living room,‖ said Jonas Tanenbaum, vice president of Flat Panel Marketing at
Samsung Electronics America. ―Featuring multifunctional connectivity, the Series 6 and 7
deliver an experience that goes well beyond traditional content viewing. Users can now
connect and utilize the data stored on a variety of digital devices, turning their HDTV into a
media hub. It is a whole new way of seeing and using HDTVs.‖

Series 6 Full HD LCD TV
Samsung's Series 6 marks the first appearance of TOC (Touch of Color) design in the
2008 LCD HDTV line-up. Inspired by designs from the automotive and fashion industries,
Samsung's new molding process creates a clean, smooth finish infused with a hint of a
translucent color during the manufacturing process.

Utilizing the award-winning technologies found in all Samsung HDTVs, the Series 6
delivers unparalleled picture quality. Samsung's Super Patterned Vertical Alignment
(SPVA) panel provides a 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes as well as overall
picture improvements in LCD panel technology. Samsung's Full HD (1080p) panel uses a
new high-speed liquid crystal to cut response time to 4ms. The fast response time, coupled
with Samsung's Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ motion blur reduction technology dramatically
reduces motion blur and judder—making the set ideal for playing video games and
watching action sports.

Additionally, the Series 6 features the latest version of Samsung's breakthrough super
clear panel technology, making colors appear more vibrant and blacks even deeper. With
the addition of enhanced films, glare is reduced and off-angle viewing has been optimized.
The total package gives gamers, sports fans and movie buffs superb viewing quality for the
applications they demand and use most.

To make the Series 6 a true entertainment hub for any home, Samsung has incorporated
advanced HD connectivity and networking capabilities that expand the HDTV's
functionality. A wide variety of multimedia devices can be connected to the set through any
one of the four Simplay compliant HDMI 1.3 inputs (including one on the side). Once
connected, users can easily access device menus and manage and display content
through the newly redesigned Wheel Key Remote control and the HDTV's sophisticated
content management interface.

The Series 6 Full HD LCD TVs will be available in March of 2008 in the following sizes: 40-
inches, 46-inches and 52-inches (Model numbers LN40A650T, LN46A650T, LN46A650T
and LN52A650T).

Series 7 Full HD LCD TV
Building on the superior technologies and features found in the Series 6, the Series 7
takes networking and multimedia management to a whole new level. Consumers can
easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a
side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect
their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

Additionally, the Series 7 features internal flash memory loaded with premium content to
enjoy right out of the box, as well as an integrated woofer for an enhanced audio
experience.

The 750 LCD HDTVs will be available in May of 2008 in the following sizes: 40-inches, 46-
inches and 52-inches (Model numbers LN40A750T, LN46A750T and LN52A750T).

Hitachi Builds 1.5-inch Ultra Thin Plasma To Go With Its 1.5-Inch LCDs

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:15:34 EST

As excited as we were when Hitachi showed off its 1.5" full-production LCDs in October, we were even more excited to know that they've pulled off a plasma of the same thick—rather, thinness. They may not be the 9mm plasma that Pioneer is apparently boasting, but plasma has been traditionally thicker and heavier than LCD, so all of this is wonderful news at a time when plasma is getting some serious kudos. Hitachi also promises to show off its super thin concept LED-backlit 3/4-inch LCDs at the show too, so we'll keep an eye out. Jump for press release.

HITACHI SHOWS OFF NEW ULTRA THIN PLASMA DISPLAY AT CES
— Just 1.5-inches Thin, Hitachi's New Plasma Display is Centerpiece of "Innovations Showcase" at its CES Booth —

LAS VEGAS, INTL. CES (Booth: Central 11906) - Jan. 4, 2008 - Hitachi has developed an Ultra Thin plasma display panel (PDP) that is a mere 1.5-inches in depth. Having shaved more than one third of the thickness off of today's comparable plasma displays, this new product represents an engineering achievement of significant importance from Hitachi.

This new Ultra Thin plasma display will be the centerpiece of Hitachi's Innovations Showcase here at CES, which also features:
• A "super" Ultra Thin LCD at just .75 inches in depth
• An advanced search technology that can be applied to visual images
• A system that allows video to be shared between homes and then viewed on a TV, not a PC
• A wireless video gateway for sharing content among several displays in the home
• An IPTV user interface for accessing, managing and sharing content at home or on the go

Complete Family of Ultra Thin Displays
While a handful of companies, including Hitachi, have already developed Ultra Thin LCD models, Hitachi is among the first vendors to demonstrate an Ultra Thin plasma display. For various technical reasons, the challenges in producing a thin plasma display greatly exceed those associated with developing a thin LCD, making Hitachi's achievements - 1.5-inch Ultra Thin models in both LCD and PDP - even more impressive. As a result, Hitachi expects to seize an early lead in the rapidly emerging and commercially attractive new category of Ultra Thin Displays.
- more -
"Hitachi has a long history of innovation and a proven track record of making breakthroughs that advance the consumer electronics industry," said Daniel Lee, vice president of marketing for Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division. "But what is even more important than being first with a prototype or concept is being first to deliver the end product to consumers. Especially for our complete new line of Ultra Thin displays, we already have the manufacturing processes, sales and marketing investment and overall corporate commitment in place to put these products into consumers' hands months, if not years, ahead of other suppliers. From our perspective, and that of our distribution partners, being first with a product in the sales channel is ultimately what is most important."

Developed using highly proprietary and innovative technology from Hitachi, which is so secretive and highly competitive it cannot be revealed, the new plasma display sample is 50 inches in screen size. Hitachi expects
to commercialize the product by late 2009 and other sizes may be available at that time.

Alongside its 1.5-inch Ultra Thin PDP, Hitachi is also showing off its "super" Ultra Thin LCD which measures an incredible .75 (19mm) in depth. First seen at CEATEC in Japan last Fall, this 32-inch wonder offers another proof point for Hitachi's engineering prowess. The other breakthrough technologies Hitachi will feature in its Innovations Showcase include:

Similarity Based Image Retrieval System - With the volume of data already at unprecedented levels and expected to continue to increase rampantly, technology enabling quick searches of still and video images is much in demand. In response, Hitachi has developed a Similarity-Based Image Retrieval technology, a search engine for just such large-scale image and video archives. Similarity-Based Image Retrieval technology automatically extracts quantified information intrinsic to the image — such as color, shapes and forms — and runs searches to locate a match. This innovative search technique can be used for something as basic as searching for a movie scene or image on a camcorder to something as complex as searching for facial imagery in security, video surveillance or law enforcement applications.

Personal Video Sharing - Throughout CES, Hitachi will conduct ongoing demonstrations of its Personal Video Sharing System, which allows users to easily share and play content recorded for personal use, both inside and outside the home, via a home data center. The demonstration goes through a sample application in which content recorded on a video camera can be shared between two homes - for example, a consumer's home and that of their parents - simply by using the first home's central server. The parents can then easily view the latest videos of their grandchildren simply by using their television to access the network - there is no need to hassle with a PC.
- more -
Wireless HDTV System - This demonstration will show how high-definition video content is distributed over WiFi from a Hitachi wireless video gateway device to two Hitachi LCD HDTVs. The content is stored locally on a hard disk drive, but the server can also connect to a local PC or IPTV for HD content. Each TV has a remote control to select different content via a user-friendly menu. This form of wireless HDTV content distribution enables consumers to be located anywhere in the home where a power supply is available. Complicated and troublesome management of unsightly cable, satellite or other wiring is no longer needed. Easy access to stored video and Internet content provides an added advantage.

IPTV User Interface - Hitachi will also demonstrate its new IPTV User Interface. This innovative GUI features a set of intuitive controls for selecting and enjoying content from various sources (home
server/network, broadcast, Internet, handheld devices, etc.); a customizable menu with the ability to set user-specific preferences to enhance personalization and control; and multi-device support, which allows users to store and access content using multiple devices both inside the home and on the go.

Hybrid Monitor - Hitachi will show its one-of-a-kind Hybrid Monitor that uses an advanced Light Source System capable of generating an eight million to one (8M: 1) "mega contrast" ratio and optimum light efficiency. Through the ingenious combination of Hitachi's proprietary Micro Display system, a Sole Polarized Light Source a magnifying lens and an LCD panel, the Hybrid Monitor perfectly controls color gradation, allowing the viewer to see pure black and natural images in a more true-to-life way than ever before possible.

For more information about Hitachi's activities at the 2008 International CES, please visit http://av.hitachi.com/

Virtual Press Office Leaks JVC Dual-iPod Dock, World's Thinnest LCDs and More CES Announcements

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:10:53 EST

We just got an automated e-mail from the Virtual Press Office with 64 press release titles, all with broken links. But the titles themselves are very exciting, particularly the ones concerning JVC:
• LCDs with integrated iPod docks
• Dual-iPod docking stations
• "Colorful" Everio camcorders
• The world's thinnest LCD TVs, complete with a qualifying asterisk
Don't believe me? Jump for a shot of the email and all of its JVC-related listings:

Thanks, Virtual Press Office!

Toshiba and Sharp Partner On LCDs

Haroon Malik — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:15:00 EST

Toshiba and Sharp have announced a new partnership that will involve Toshiba purchasing 40% large LCD panels from Sharp, whilst Sharp shall purchase 50% of required semiconductors from Toshiba. [Daily Tech]

Dealzmodo: 47-inch 1080p Olevia LCD HDTV for $1599

Adrian Covert — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:07:14 EST

If you've done your gadget homework and read this year's Wired Test, you'd know they were pretty fond of this 47" Olevia 747i LCD. Now that they've dug up this deal at Target that lowers the TV's price to $1599 (regularly $2099), the Olevia looks like an even hotter commodity. [Target via Wired]

LG Sneak Peeks Spring 2008 LCD and Plasma Line with 120Hz, Wi-Fi and New Looks

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:55:06 EST

On a snowy day in North Jersey, LG decided the time was right to introduce most of the LCD and plasma TVs it would be showcasing at CES.

The hotshot model was the LG70 LCD featuring a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, four HDMI 1.3 jacks, USB 2.0 for pictures and MP3s, and Wi-Fi (in its LG71 variation). The leading plasma is the PG30, shown above. Slated to cost a hair less than the LG70 LCD, it will still have a 30,000:1 contrast ratio and a 100,000-hour panel highlife, pretty much ending the dispute about plasma screen burn. (LCD bulbs, which are replaceable, have a halflife of 60,000 hours or less.)

LG didn't announce pricing—citing a pretty liquid pricing market and mid to late spring shipping dates on most models—but it did give the specs on a whole bunch of sets on down the line, so jump for the fact sheet, plus beauty-shot galleries of both lineups.

LCD lineup including LG30, LG50, LG70 and Wi-Fi equipped LG71 TVs:

Plasma lineup including PG20 and PG30 TVs:

2008 HIGHLIGHTS: PLASMA AND LCD HDTVs
LG Electronics' focus on enhanced picture quality, specialized features and sophisticated styling elevates its 2008 line of LCD and Plasma HDTVs into an art form. LG's 2008 LCD line, including the LG30, LG50, LG70 and LG71 series, delivers an unparalleled consumer viewing—and living—experience.

LG30 LCD HDTV Series
(Sizes: 19-, 22-, 26-, 32-, 37- and 42-inches)
The LG30 series comes packed with the most functional and convenient features found in today's HDTVs. It offers consumers a wide range of screen sizes and features invisible speakers that provide a sleek, modern look, while projecting a wider sound sweet spot that yields higher quality sound. Other features include:
• Clear Voice technology that keeps volume levels even, so dialogue won't get muffled when background noise swells
• Content-specific AV modes that automatically tailor settings for movies, sports or games
• Three HDMI 1.3 connection ports (26-inch and larger sets only)
• LG SimpLinkTM connectivity to control other LG SimpLink-compatible equipment (26-inch and larger sets only)

LG50 LCD HDTV Series
(Sizes: 37-, 42-, 47- and 52-inches)
The LG 50 series offers slim profile, high gloss finish, and LG's invisible speaker system creating a clean, high quality look with matching performance. These "Full HD" 1080p sets also feature LG's proprietary Intelligent Sensor, which automatically adjusts the picture to ensure that its quality excels in all viewing conditions. An expert mode for custom picture calibration adds even more versatility to these sets. Other features include:
• 15,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• USB 2.0 jack for viewing JPEG media or listening to MP3 files
• Three HDMI 1.3 connection ports
• Clear Voice technology to provide high-quality dialogue when background noise swells
• LG SimpLinkTM connectivity to control other LG SimpLink-compatible equipment

LG70 LCD HDTV Series
(Sizes: 32-, 42-, 47- and 52-inches)
The Full HD 1080p LG70 series units are ideal for home theater enthusiasts. The elegant "teardrop" design is augmented by LG's hidden speaker system, soft touch controls, clean lines and a distinctive color accent to create a truly premium HDTV experience.

The LG70 series also incorporates an ultra-high 20,000:1 contrast ratio, and Full HD 1080p resolution. It also features LG's Intelligent Sensor to automatically calibrate programming in any room setting for a higher-quality viewing experience; and is ISFccc certification ready for detailed calibration.
• 20,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• TruMotion 120Hz
• Four HDMI 1.3 with Deep Color
• USB 2.0 jack for viewing JPEG media or listening to MP3 files
• Clear Voice technology to provide high-quality dialogue when background noise swells
• LG SimpLinkTM connectivity to control other LG SimpLink-compatible equipment

LG71 Wireless LCD HDTV Series (2008 CES Innovation Award Winner)
(Sizes: 47- and 52-inch)
The LG71 contains all of the features found on the LG70 series, plus wireless connectivity to enable clean, easy installation. The LG71 series is stylishly designed, featuring LG's transparent, "teardrop" form factor, for perfect table top or wall mounted viewing without visible wires or external components. Key features include:
• 20,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• TruMotion 120Hz
• 802.11n Wireless System
• Four HDMI 1.3 connection ports with Deep Color
• USB 2.0 jack for viewing JPEG media or listening to MP3 files
• Clear Voice technology to provide high-quality dialogue when background noise swells
• LG SimpLinkTM connectivity to control other LG SimpLink-compatible equipment

The 2008 plasma offerings provide home theater and sport enthusiasts with more HDTV options. In 2008, LG's line includes the PG20 and PG30 series.

PG20 Series
(Sizes: 42- and 50-inch)
Design and style conscious consumers will appreciate the PG20 because it compliments virtually any décor. The units are uncommonly slim at 84mm, and built with LG's invisible speaker system. The PG20 is loaded with advanced technology and user-friendly features, including a 15:000:1 contrast ratio that allows for deeper blacks. Other features include:
• Three HDMI 1.3 connection ports
• 100,000 hours panel life (to half brightness)
• High gloss finish
• Clear Voice technology to provide high-quality dialogue when background noise swells

PG30 Plasma HDTV Series
(Sizes: 50- and 60-inch)
The PG30 combines the latest technology with premium design, making it perfect for viewing sports and the latest action-packed movies. Its Full HD 1080p resolution and a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio ensure vibrant colors and deeper blacks. The PG30 also has a non-reflective coating to minimize excessive glare caused by harsh ambient light. Its slim depth, high gloss finish and LG's invisible speaker design augment its unprecedented detail and startling clarity. Other features include:
• 30,000:1 contrast ratio
• Swivel Stand
• Three HDMI 1.3 connection ports with Deep Color
• 100,000 hours of panel life (approximately 30 years)
• Clear Voice technology to provide high-quality dialogue when background noise swells

[LG Electronics]

Tow Hitch TV Adds Class To Your Pickup

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:37:39 EST

It's a familiar scenario: you've got a spare plasma that your girlfriend won't let you put next to your new, bigger flat panel. Whatareyagonnado? Easy: a $200 tow-hitch TV mount. Sure, it means you'll have to pass up on the tow-hitch tailgate hammock seats and Hitch Critter motorized redneck bait, both available at SkyMall for the price of your dignity, but man, won't your friends be impressed? Until your first fender bender, that is. [BBGadgets via Gadget Lab]

1080p TVs Never Deliver 1080p Motion, But Some Do Better Than Others

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:42:51 EST

It's a fact of life: when you buy a 1080p set, you never see true 1080p resolution when things are in motion. Gary Merson (of Home Theater Mag and HDGuru.com) looked at 19 TVs listed as 1080p, and found that while their "static" resolution ranged from true 1080 down to a miserable 400, the "motion" resolution of the best sets was 880, while the worst only delivered 360 lines. "You're never going to have full resolution with moving pictures," Merson told us. But the differences in performance were startling:

Vizio was the steaming turd of the study, with its GV47FHDTV scoring both the 400-line static res and the shabby-as-hell 360-line motion res.

The plasmas did the best on the test. The two Panasonics tested (50PZ700 and 50PZ750) scored full 1080 when still, and 880 when moving. A Samsung plasma (FPT5084) got high marks with 1080 static and 830 motion res. (Note: the test Merson used originated with a consortium of plasma makers—Advanced PDP Development Center—so plasma scoring higher is no big surprise.)

The LCDs that fared best on this resolution test were from Sharp, with 1080p static and 600 lines in motion, almost across the board. An LG model also scored 600 in motion, while Sony and Samsung LCDs scored in the high 500s.

For more detailed analysis and a look at Merson's chart, hit the Home Theater Magazine article. [Home Theater]