Mitsubishi affirms that LaserVue HDTV production is back on

After Mitsubishi suddenly and unexpectedly suspended production of its flagship LaserVue HDTV in early February, many took the liberty of believing that the end was nigh for this extremely high-end set (given the not-exactly-booming economy). We contacted Mitsubishi in order to follow up, and today we've received direct confirmation that the LaserVue is indeed "back in production." In other words, the supply channels are all moving smoothly again, and whatever caused the issue to begin with truly was simply a snag and not a foreshadowing of the set's death. Too bad this thing is still up near seven grand in many places -- after seeing one in action, it's hard to look at any other technology the same way.

[Rovsky @ Mar 24th 2009 1:37PM]

yep....still can't afford it...

[Shinigami @ Mar 24th 2009 4:05PM]

Don't worry, they'll wait for you in the shops till you can ;)

[CaliforniaKid @ Mar 24th 2009 1:39PM]

They could sell a lot more if it was free!

[Brian @ Mar 24th 2009 1:42PM]

well duh...

[Shenanigans @ Mar 24th 2009 2:09PM]

Ummmm FAIL!

If they were free, they wouldn't be selling any- they'd be giving them away.

[Najakwa @ Mar 24th 2009 2:24PM]

@ Shenanigans: Wow, we bow to your superior intelligence on the definition of free. It was an attempt at a joke, get over yourself.

[Shenanigans @ Mar 24th 2009 2:40PM]

You'd better bow you turd.

[xcrunk @ Mar 24th 2009 2:53PM]

Dude, your comment is not even funny and borders on f*cking stupid.

First off, you can't sell something that's free. Duh!!!
Secondly, why would Mitsubishi give something away?

F*CK!! My f*cking head hearts because of your stupid comment. I want to punch my monitor now.

[xcrunk @ Mar 24th 2009 2:54PM]

HAHAHA...hearts....NO, it HURTS!!!

[Jon @ Mar 24th 2009 3:21PM]

when my head hearts I know something is seriously out of place.

[chrisnorth @ Mar 24th 2009 1:41PM]

why cant you guys give away one of these . lol

[forrest @ Mar 24th 2009 1:43PM]

Yeah seriously, I'll pay to have it shipped to me...

[oturn @ Mar 24th 2009 1:43PM]

I'm sure the 3 people waiting for theirs to arrive are excited!

[DoomGaZer @ Mar 24th 2009 1:54PM]

Weren't they supposed to make a smaller one? You know so that, like, normal people could afford to buy one?

[Adam @ Mar 24th 2009 2:35PM]

I was actually waiting for the larger one. 73"FTW

[jrgrade @ Mar 24th 2009 1:57PM]

Best TV ever made. The color depth is amazaing and with Blue Ray source at 1080p it's almost produces tears.

[anexanhume @ Mar 24th 2009 2:02PM]

Better than a Kuro?

[Najakwa @ Mar 24th 2009 2:34PM]

@anexanhume: you be the judge... its close. Seeing both in person though, I think that the Laservue wins.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/10/18/mitsubishis-65-inch-laservue-hdtv-undergoes-further-testing/

[tekd @ Mar 24th 2009 3:52PM]

How are they close at all...the LaserVue renders a LOT more contrast detail...look at the building behind Iron Man, or look carefully at his armor.
Whether you'd actually notice this while watching a moving image is another matter, but clearly the LaserVue puts out a much, much, more detailed image.
And anyways Pioneer is canceling their Kuro's anyway, so this is the new king.

[PeterG @ Mar 24th 2009 4:58PM]

Tears of pain maybe.

This is a DLP rear projector, and has all the same issues as LED DLP projectors, except it costs three times as much.

IMO DLP rear projections is dying adding a super expensive light source won't change that. Because in the end that is all the laser is. A super expensive light source.

Read this review. It still even has DLP rainbows:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hdtvs/3110/mitsubishi-l65-a90-65-inch-laservue-rear-projection-hdtv-test-bench-page3.html

[tekd @ Mar 24th 2009 5:57PM]

It's well different than DLP-no color wheel, and a much more reliable light source, and finally a much wider viewing angle. Not even close to the same thing unless you really push the definition.
And one of the benefits of DLP all along has been great contrast-this fixes almost all it's weaknesses. If you happen to be sensitive to rainbows because you feel some bizarre need to move your eyes around really quickly while watching TV then it's not for you. But I've enjoyed my DLP projector for years, unless I go looking for rainbows by moving my eyes around rapidly they're just not visible.

[Flaystus @ Mar 24th 2009 1:57PM]

Can these also fix your eye sight?

PEW PEW!

[Ehupp01 @ Mar 24th 2009 2:13PM]

I want to see it.

[Shenanigans @ Mar 24th 2009 2:17PM]

Maybe Dr. Evil bought up all the lasers for his sharks before Mitsubishi could buy 'em up for the LaserVue HDTV....

The world may never know.

[GodCentMe @ Mar 24th 2009 2:29PM]

If Laser TV's have been in known development since 2006, why is it that Mitsubishi is still the only company developing this technology? I'm yet to see one in real life, but have heard wonderful things about the TV; it just doesn't make sense that after three years there is still only one Laser TV available for sale anywhere!

[Shenanigans @ Mar 24th 2009 2:44PM]

Maybe it's the hefty pricetag when compared to other TV's of the same size.

Recession or not, $6000-7000 is still a lot for a TV.

[umm....hello??? @ Mar 24th 2009 3:47PM]

umm....I'm gonna guess because of patents?

[Maxx @ Mar 24th 2009 2:56PM]

I dont mind that its projection. You have to go projection when you are talking 65-73 inches and want to pay less than 20,000.

I would be in for a 73" as soon as I can get one for say $ 3,500.

[rx8_racing57 @ Mar 24th 2009 3:12PM]

With these kinda revolutionary technologies...It's something u gotta see 2 believe.
Kinda like my first "virgin" moment with Sony's OLED 11-incher.
As Jim Carrey once said...B-E-A-utifl!

Read that Endgadget/Giz post of the TV's possibly showing up in retailers like BestBuy or the now deceased C.C like 6-months ago and periodically went to check those retailers once every month and talked to the managers but they said they've been waiting for 'em for a almost a year now. Kinda like OLED, i guess production costs are a little higher than LED LCD's or Plasma, but hopefully in 2010, they get affordable enough to compete with the Pioneer KURO's of this world.
As for OLED, WAY 2 EARLY and I won't take the dive 'till at least 50+ inches of screen real-estate is available and competitively priced.
As for now my 63' 120hz LED LCD is serving its purpose.

LAKERS in '09 and Kobe=G.O.A.T. --It's gonna happen people, just wait for another 3-peat.

[Brad @ Mar 24th 2009 3:22PM]

I looked at one at an RC Willey. It was the 62" (I think) and the price was down to $3,999. For the size, I thought it was quite competitive and it looked great. Now I just need $4K. . .

[Jon @ Mar 24th 2009 3:17PM]

When they were producing this wasn't the rhetoric that it'd be half the price of the current high priced sets with a better picture?

[Ry @ Mar 24th 2009 3:30PM]

This tv really did not impress me..wouldnt be surprised if it was not setup right but the value just does not reflect the price tag..

6th ave had one sitting near some panasonic plasmas, the 850 and 800u..The difference was slightt to nothing..they had transformers on..

[Speney G @ Mar 24th 2009 4:15PM]

Is there anywhere in Manhattan that I can even go to see one of these?

[CloudAge @ Mar 24th 2009 4:35PM]

I'm glad i was able to purchase one before its time was up!

[kompulsive @ Mar 24th 2009 4:51PM]

Praise the Lord!

[Brat81 @ Mar 25th 2009 3:03AM]

Argh and we still won't see these panels in Australia for at least a year or so.

[Snowdog @ Mar 24th 2009 8:49PM]

LED DLP doesn't have a color wheel either, or a bulb to replace.
Viewing angle is the same as other rear projectors.

You don't have to push any definition. LED and Laser DLP are practically identical except for the ridiculous pricetag on the Laser version.

Laser DLP is a classic "more money than brains" purchase.

[Mike Weston @ Mar 26th 2009 12:29AM]

Who makes LED DLP, and does anyone make a 73"+ model? It looks like it's only Samsung (which is fine) and it tops out at 67" (not big enough).

[Snowdog @ Mar 26th 2009 12:51AM]

Can you actually buy a 73" + Laser DLP either? Didn't think so. They are only shipping 65" model which is smaller than available LED DLP.

[Mike Weston @ Mar 26th 2009 11:06AM]

Oh, I know that the 73" LaserVue is not available, and if it ever is it's going to be insanely expensive. That's why when you pointed out that LED DLPs have most of the same advantages, I was hoping there was a big one available.

I fear I'm destined to do front projection, which seems like a big hassle I'd rather avoid.

[michael @ Mar 28th 2009 12:45PM]

I only have one question - All DLP's to date have used "wobulation" to project a 1080p picture. In essence, this is horizontal interlacing, as opposed to vertical interlacing; how they've gotten away with the 1080p moniker is suspect to me. maybe better called (1080p/2)?

I'd be interested to note if the set also uses the wobulation technique or is it actually 1080p