NEW YORK, 4:13 AM, FRI MAY 16 | 58 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@gizmodo.com | SUBMIT A TIP | RSS
UK | FR | NL | IT | DE | ES | JP | AU

Posts Tagged “Televisions”

home entertainment

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

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 »

home entertainment

The 10 Worst HDTV Ripoffs Explained

If you are planning on picking up an HDTV in the near future, HD Guru's list of the 10 worst HDTV ripoffs for 2008 is required reading—pure and simple. Chances are, many consumers have already heard about the issue with HDMI cables—which is probably one of the biggest scams of all time (right up there with Q-Ray ionized bracelets and the Ionic Breeze). Other scams, like the one involving contrast ratio specifications are also making their way into the public consciousness. More »

dealzmodo

Score Cheap Philips Flat Panel Refurbs

Maybe it has something to do with them exiting the US market, but Philips has some excellent deals on refurbished LCDs. All of them are 1080p and 60Hz, featuring sweet 3 HDMI ports and dynamic contrasts up to 8000:1, it's not the latest and greatest LCD tech on the market, but a 42-incher will run you just $650. For the size-mongers in the audience, a 47 with similar specs will cost a hundo more at $750. There's also a 50" plasma with 10,000:1 (non-dynamic) contrast. Shipping is $29. [bargainjack]

question of the day

Question of the Day: How Big is Your TV?

If you are among those fortunate enough to come home to a big, beautiful TV every night—don't take it for granted. The beginnings of our obsession with large televisions were, in a word, humble. If this were the '50s you would be walking to work naked in the snow only to unwind at night in front of a puny 16- or 17-inch TV (at best) with a crappy picture and only a few channels—and you would have loved it. The folks at Electronic House have put together a history of our obsession with big TVs, and that got me thinking—how big is your TV? More »

HP MediaSmart SL4278N and SL4778N Get Media Extender Update If you own an HP MediaSmart television, you can now download a firmware update that brings the Media Center support you've been waiting for. Go for, rejoice, etc.

home entertainment

Blockbuster Announcing a Media Streamer This Month?

While we've known that Blockbuster was looking to get into digital distribution since they bought Movielink, according to a very confident Reuters, Blockbuster will be announcing a streaming set top box for customers to download movies directly to their televisions (a la Vudu, Apple TV, etc). That's an important point, as Reuters stood firm that it will specifically not be a service for TiVo or Xbox 360 but a product offering a service. Herein lies the mistake. [Reuters]

concepts

Pioneer Kuro 9mm, Way Cooler Than the Gun

One of Pioneer's new Kuro television concepts (that we covered already today during our liveblog) is a plasma that's just 9mm thick. We're pretty sure that makes it The World's Thinnest Yada Yada Pissing Match Television; and it makes for a heck of a gallery. We'll be checking it out on the show floor soon.

oled displays

Sony's 11-Inch OLED TV For Sale on eBay

It's undeniable that Sony's XEL-1 OLED TV is a lovely piece of tech, but the only problem is that it can't be found in the US. One finally surfaced on eBay, making it available to American consumers – or a handful of bidders at least. eBay seller Kyotostyles2 put three of these TVs up for sale, and one has already been sold. The TVs have a Buy It Now price of $1999, but don't expect the price (or the TVs) to remain there for long. [eBay via TV Snob]

portable

Sony "Senseware" Mini TV Concept is Soft and Eyeball-like

Sony and Tokyo Fiber are taking a fresh look at the idea of mini televisions with this new "senseware" design. Senseware devices, as Sony envisions them, are "small, round, and soft reinterpretations of products that feel nice and have character." They are also designed to project images "that reach you like the song of a little bird by your pillow." This mini TV concept is designed to rest comfortably in the hand and the rubbery, fibrous surface beckons you to hold and squeeze them. These cute and cuddly TVs may never see the light of day, but if they did, I wouldn't be surprised if they proved to be popular. [Sony via Yanko Boing Boing Gadgets]

dealzmodo

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

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]

tvs

Fuchsia Sony Bravia, or Why They Make TVs in Black Part XVI

Part of the Sony Bravia S series, this fuchsia television may have an excellent picture with 4000:1 contrast ratio and great audio from Sony's top of the line integrated virtual surround sound technology, but it's fuchsia—you know—the slutty mom of pink. For those who are still interested, the 20" fuchsia Bravia will set you back $1000 when converted from European currency. So when people make fun of your TV, at least you can be like, "yeah, well it was like $1000 and I'm not gonna make a big deal about it but thought you should know." Note: why do TVs come in black in the first place? So colors pop. [sony via shinyshiny] [photo]

earth, wind and fire

Sony, Sharp, Hitachi Team Up for Green LCDs

Sony is big on making friends in the LCD business. First they open a joint manufacturing plant with Samsung, and now they've announced an initiative with Sharp and Hitachi to create an LCD display that can be powered through only half the electricity needed by today's models. Re-engineering LCD architecture coupled with advanced LED backlighting will bring the energy savings. Well, that, or we'll all forget about the initiative by its 2011 payoff anyway. [japantoday]

clips

Amateur Flamethrower Porn = Hot


Our favorite part of this video is not one of the many ridiculous flamethrower scenarios. It's a shot about halfway in where—with no semblance of cohesion—the filmmakers roll a 70" television down the stairs.

We all know that firefighters are heroes. But based upon the brilliant sacrifices of safety throughout this video, I'd argue that these firemakers are heroes, too. [break via digg]


ifa2007

Up Close and Personal Video of Philips Aurea


We were surprised at just how well Philips new Aurea (Europe only for now though probably US next year) looks in video. One part beautiful, one part hideous, it's an innovative product that will be perfect for a specific chunk of the market with the decor to support it (seriously, picture it next to a cement goose and twig wreath). But I think that the glowing itself works quite well. And if the frame is turned off, you quickly panic, wondering what evil force has cursed your viewing experience.

In this video, Philips Marketing Director Marc Harmsen walks us through their new product while we show plenty of action.


In Q2 of 2007, Vizio outsold Samsung in the LCD market by 130,000 units making them the leading supplier of LCD units in the United States. [TG Daily]

Plasma displays are selling like hotcakes and revenues are expected to peak in 2008. The glory will be short-lived, however, as increasing pressure from the LCD market is expected to drive revenues back down through 2011. [iSuppli]

glowy goodness

Philips Aurea, the Luxury Ambilight

Philips has been cranking out LCD Ambilights for a few years, upgrading the line in relative moderation. But their new Aurea televisions (a prototype pictured here) are a more aggressive take on ambient television lighting. Fully LED back-lit, the Aureas will actually glow through the case border, creating a dynamic frame effect. More »

field notes

Hands On With Samsung's Newest TV Tech: Wi-Fi Plasma, LED-Backlight LCD and 120Hz Blur Reduction

If you think all flat panels are the same, you haven't seen the stuff I'm about to show you. Remember that Wi-Fi 1080p plasma we told you about in April? Well that's it, above, and look ma, no wires. (Okay, there's a power cable plugged into the wall — who do you think built it, Nikolai Tesla?) After the jump, I'll show you the front and back of A/V box that the wireless TV uses, and maybe clue you into the joys of LED backlighting and 120Hz motion-blur reduction. (That last term has a kind of purr to it, am I right?) More »