HDI's 100-inch, laser-driven 3D HDTV gets $10k to $15k price tag
By Darren Murph 
posted December 12th 2009 2:55PM
posted December 12th 2009 2:55PM
Thought Mitsubishi's LaserVue set was pricey? Hah. HDI, the California startup with dreams of producing a 100-inch 3D HDTV that's driven by lasers, has just released the first hint of a price range, and as predicted, it ain't cheap. The set -- which has already been deemed a favorite by The Woz -- has reportedly had its first batch manufactured over in China, and we're told that a smattering of 'em should be available by May. If all goes well, the HDTV should be in full-scale production mode by Christmas of next year, and we've learned that the whole thing will measure around 10-inches thick. Amazingly, it'll also go relatively easy on the power meter, but the $10,000 to $15,000 price estimate is bound to shock some. Of course, Panasonic's own 103-inch 3D HDTV is currently pegged at around $75,000, so when you think of it from that perspective, HDI's offering is a bona fide bargain. And totally worth liquidating your future kid's college fund for.
Well, I guess that's a reasonable price at the moment.
Not yet mainstream and all
Maybe it'll be normal to have 3DTV in 5 or so years! (for an affordable price... and maybe a SMALLER screen?)
@wesley anthony Very reasonable price. When plasmas came out they were $20K for 40".
why are they trying to sell the HD3D TV's when everyone knows that the theater doesn't ever use LCD's... they use projectors... so why not have a 3D Projector Home line? duhhh MUCH cheaper
@(Unverified)
Because we all know how cheap it is to replace the bulbs on projectors every few months or every other year (depending on usage). Coupled with the fact that the projected image would be hard to see if you have lights turned on makes projectors not really a practical, "for-everyone" thing.
i love that today you can pick up a large TV for $2000 and have great quality. it isnt until you upgrade to something with 100+in that it gets out of control.
i can live with that.
Too bad that all we have to play on our excellent TVs is compressed garbage that looks worse than VHS.
WoW, that's big!
Lasers are awesome!
Debt...not so much.
@N900
TV's with feakin' laser beams attached the their freakin heads.
N900:
LOL, It is bigger than this one: http://vempaimia.net/usb-naytto-monenlaiseen-tarkoitukseen/
Ha ha! :D
I think we can all agree our kids will be happier with such an awesome TV instead of a college education.
@The Dead Marxist Trio
Throw in an Xbox or PS3 and I can virtually guarantee that.
Pew! Pew!
OK Engadget! I will drink Jonnie Walker blue label!
10-15k$ is expensive? really?! I thought it's very well priced.. 100" = 4x50" of HIGH quality tv sets that cost 4K each even right now. So 4x4K=16K
@tamosius
Well when you put it that way... I'm going to buy one, saw it into quarters, and profit.
@tamosius
So if i move my projector two meters further from the screen, it'd be worth four times as much as it did before?
@fylraen : let us know how it all works out.. then we all can have a laugh
@kimmik - moving 2 meters away the projector inside the box that is 10" thick... now that's the puzzle to solve! Maybe even worth 10-15k?
Those bank executive golden parachutes will come in handy here.
Are the lasers also capable of destroying commercials?
When I worked @ the BB in 2001 a 50" HD plasma was $12999. Not sure what they're on about his being pricey. Give it a decade and this could be the norm.
If the picture quality is as good as a Mits Laservue, I wouldn't even think twice about spending that much. However the picture quality is all I care about 3D is about as important to me as having a 15.3 sound system. I just bought a Panasonic G10 TV and the picture quality isn't even as good as a 3 year old fujitsu or kuro. I wish they'd spend more R&D making LARGE TVs like this one but with fantastic picture quality. Maybe I'm too old to care about 3D but putting on glasses or even not putting on glasses for 3D doesn't really excite me. There was a 3D episode of CHUCK last year and I'm pissed because it is all blurry and off color.
If this is 4k I am in for 2!
bargain!
Werent the first 100inchers $50,000 to $75,000?
I just liquidated my future kid's college fund for this.
Doh!
10 inches thick?
am i supposed to renovate my living room to get this to fit?
going ultra thin to ultra thick is fucked up.
@BrianH
Your also going from 50 inches to 100, so 10 inches thick sounds plenty reasonable to me. I wonder how much this beast weighs...
@BrianH Is your living room that big that you can easily fit a 100" TV into it? If it is then why are you complaining.
You guys must be poor I have three of them.
@Spoony
Pics or it didn't happen
This is actually much cheaper than I had thought: 10K to $15K for a 100 inch plus laser TV would be a steal, since laser is relatively a new niche in the retail market. I know the tech has been around, but to actually see one of the babies in person would be sweet!! - BLUEBOY
I've been looking forward to what laser technology can bring to hi-def, but I'm really, really not interested in 3D. Can I get it for $5K in a 2D only version?
No matter how nice the picture is, will there be compatible source material for it.
If Disney creates their next 3d movie for another system will my kids be happy they can not see it on their TV they way their friends can?
LINK TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE, NOT A WORTHLESS HIT TRAP SPAMMER PAGE!
WTF?
Damn, 100" diagonal and 10" deep? How heavy is that beast? I guess you wont be wall mounting it.
I want it!