Hannspree unveils new TVs with faux-wood curvature

Most of those new HDTVs that we've seen more or less look the same -- from the side and the back, that is. Each one comes with basically the same generic plastic case wrapped around ports that we generally don't mess around with more than we need to. But these new Hannspree sets are something else indeed. Each Hanspree Lounge model is wrapped in faux wood paneling, and its curves give you something to admire whilst you're grabbing that next beverage from the fridge during commercials. These new HDTVs will display at 1,366 x 768 and come in three sizes -- 26-inch, 32-inch, and 37-inch -- whose prices range from $1,200 to $1,900, respectively. The New York Times reports that the smaller model will be available this week, with the 32-incher rolling in by the middle of the month and the 37-incher dropping "in early November." Um, isn't that around now? Oh, and each comes with a memory card reader (no word on what type) too.

[Via The New York Times]

Update: Jared C. pointed out that the Hannspree website actually does list what memory cards this TV accepts, something we missed on our first pass. They include CompactFlash MicroDrive, Smart Media, SD, MMC, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro.

[John @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:02PM]

Ooooooh. Nice. I like the (hopefully!) aluminum base, reminds me of a Herman Miller chair base. I hope that base is real metal, and not plastic metal.

Too bad I can't afford it.

[meee @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:12PM]

they should make it out of real wood and charge $10,000 for it

[Derrick Utsey @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:12PM]

Didn't TVs go through this back in the 70's?

[Mr.Ortiz @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:26PM]

Yes. My family had a TV with a wooden cabinet in the 70s/early 80s. We also had a station wagon with faux-wood panels. A neighbor had faux-wood walls in their home. Faux-wood is not a good look for anything. It's tacky and you're not fooling anyone.

[john @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:16PM]

Nice. I'll buy one when they get to 1080p.

[GSP @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:35PM]

"Faux wood" ?? Its "plood" (plastic wood). and you're right, it doesn't fool anyone anymore.

[Oliver @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:43PM]

Nice. It reminds me of the Eames lounge chair.

[Enzo @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:06PM]

Who the hell calls it plood?

[John @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:28PM]

I don't think it is about faking anyone into believing it is wood - I think fake metals are much more cunning/evil/cruel. One knows the fake wood is fake, but it sort of is accepted and looks neat. However, plastic chrome accents, plastic aluminum, plastic glass (ie, crystal-clear polycarbonate) imitate the real thing so well at times you cannot be sure (without testing) whether something is "real" or not. They are more of a fake, as they cannot be singled out by look alone. This sort of fake wood is clearly fake. Other fake woods (resins, plastics) can be convincingly painted (and sometimes textured) that they look real from a distance.

[Paul @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:28PM]

I think only about 10 people call it plood. A quick google search yields quite a few results however almost none of them pertaining to fake wood.

urbandictionary.com at least references the notion but still has some discrepancy about the word plood
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=plood

[VW Steve @ Feb 27th 2008 3:40PM]

Vehicles were made out of wood, and cars did have real wood on the sides up until the '60s. You can still purchase vehicles from a small company in England that retain wood frames for thier sports cars. Go do some research before you start throwing out stupid comments...

[Chris @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:31PM]

I never understood why cars had faux wood panelling. Cars were never made out of wood...so what exactly is fake wood panelling on the door a "throwback" to? Someone please explain.

[shmengie @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:36PM]

very 'retro'. looks good from the sides and back, but butt-ass fugly from the front.

[apdingfield @ Nov 2nd 2006 6:09PM]

@Chris...

Cars were made of wood, at least parts of the body were during WWII to conserve metal for War use. Haven't you every heard of/seen a Woodie Wagon?

[foo @ Nov 2nd 2006 6:59PM]

real wood AND ethiopian sheep leather then you qualify for $10000

[tomnbs @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:07PM]

"Dont't you go fallin' in love with it Clark. I'm takin' it with me when I leave here next month."

[jason @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:49PM]

the wood doesn't look too bad, ut I prefer black or a brushed aluminum. what I really like is the overall shape of the unit and the base - it can easily be on the floor or a shelving unit, I'd even bet they can be removed if you wanna put it on a wall.

[Gadget Extremist @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:43AM]

The 70's style of television design is back with a thinner vengence!

[theo Windebank @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:24AM]

wow very nice!

[KilgoreTrout XL @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:53AM]

Very cool.

[Dave @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:06AM]

alright, so you forgot to mention whether it's an LCD, a plasma, CRT, DLP or what? Looks like an LCD to me, but what do I know?