We had heard that certain
Mitsubishi representatives had been telling Diamond dealers that production had been suspended on the outfit's flagship
LaserVue HDTV, and sure enough, the story is true. We have confirmed with Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America that the outfit has "temporarily suspended production of LaserVue televisions due to a problem with manufacturing equipment used to produce LaserVue TVs." We're also informed that "Mitsubishi Electric engineers are taking the necessary action to ensure that the company resumes production as quickly as possible, while maintaining the highest standards for product quality and reliability." So far as we know, this isn't a sign of sudden discontinuation, as Mitsu has affirmed that it's "expecting production to resume in early 2009." We'll update with more as we get it in.
Update: We asked a few followup questions, and we did find that Mitsu isn't anticipating any supply issues, which indicates the problem may be short lived (or at least it hopes so). As for an official comment on what went wrong? "LaserVue production was suspended due to a manufacturing equipment issue." That's all we've got.
[Thanks, Chuck]
posted Feb 11th 2009 12:32PM
Now Mitsubishi needs a bail out too,,,
I so want this technology to work out. Its just mind boggling how awesome this tech could be if used with front projection setups.
Heh, sure - just remember not to stand up during the movie.
@mike lol nice!
hey! i forgot to get popcorn! ill be right bac......AHHH OH MY GOD MY EYES!!!
Well, now try to film off a movie.... #bzzzzz#
Imagine sharks with Laser-TV on their head!
Harharhar...
Dr. Evil just peed in his pants and has wet panties now. YAY!
I don't follow TV technology much but that one looks damn sexy!!!
Agreed 100%!
I bet they stopped because nobody wants this TV.
Have you ever seen this TV? Its the best picture on the market, hands down, go read the reviews if you don't trust me. Unfortunately it comes with a steep price tag and they unveiled it during what has become the worst recession in recent memory.
Regular consumers want only two things - a big screen and a flat panel. RPTVs are dying/dead.
"Color accuracy? Black level? Who cares about that when I can get this 60" Cheapio ZXXXV7 LCD for $800! I'll have the biggest screen on the block!"
RPTVs have crummy viewing angles. Also, they don't take well to zero overscan.
I was ecstatic to switch from RP to a direct-view LCD.
It's a DLP, the picture is really no better than LED based DLP which works in a similar manner for about $4000 less.
But for that extra $4000 you get to say you got Fricken Laser beams...
Laser doesn't suffer from a lot of the problems mentioned for other RPTVs...hence it's insanely high price tag. The picture quality really is better.
Of course this is probably the worst time ever to try and launch a super high end TV technology to go against $600 LCD HDTVs.
While it was expensive, this was a very nice TV. Too bad.
Who can afford it... plus with no 3d standard out or firmware its just a very expensive outperforming TV.
(I still wish I had one).
While it was expensive, it was a really nice TV. Too bad.
While it is expensive, it was a really nice TV. Too bad.
While it is expensive, it was a really nice TV. Too bad.
Yeah, I know. I'm bummed.
Thats bullsh#%!They see that the Laser-vue isn't selling because of its high price!DUH!!
Looking forward to this, keep us posted.
Everyone in the factory must have gone blind.
With F.U.D. like this I'm surprised anyone's ever been able to sell a laser pointer.
Time to move production out of china is it?
The problematic component is probably high power green (and maybe blue) laser diodes.
I doubt if LCD, plasma, and DLP were perfect 10 years ago either. Kudos to MDEA and Sony for supporting technologies such as this and OLED, which I guarantee you, WILL be the future of DTV.
Somebody shot their eye out.
I thought these tv's were supposed to cost 1/2 as much as LCDs?
Do they have any plans to release this outside the US? I coudnt find it in Europe
I asked a friend living in Japan and I dont think it is even avaiable there!
That's the most beautiful looking HDTV I've seen.
It even looks like a Mitsubishi Lancer (use your imagination...twist it a bit...yeah).
From what I can tell from talking to people within the company the issue was because there was (is currently) one machine in the world capable of producing the parts needed for the laser assembly and it broke. Because there are no off the shelf parts available some needed to be manufactured, hence the delay. Regardess of whether they should have thought about that prior to production it's apparently resolved and most retailers (Fry's, Best Buy) should receive their units in April/May.
No information about Mitsubishi laying off workers or so ?
Economics, you know ?
I like this TV anyway.
I think some assembly robots with frickin' lasers on their heads were running amuck and damaged the equipment...
I assume they never released the 73" version, which I would be very interested in.