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JVC shows off projectors with 4K precision, but not quite 4K pixels
JVC first brought 4K home with its $175k DLA-RS4000 and now it's back with four new models with greater than HD resolution at much easier to swallow prices. You'll note the term used is "with 4K precision", because strictly speaking these don't project over 4,000 pixels of horizontal resolution, coming in at a still impressive 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. While this is still about four times the number of a standard HD image, it's less than say, Sony's VPL-VW1000ES. Filling in the difference is JVC's e-Shift technology, which was originally developed for its 8K projector. It works by creating two 1080p frames, with one shifted down diagonally and alternated at 120Hz to create the effect. The scheme is not far off from the old wobulation technology featured in some "1080p" DLPs once upon a time, but this time there are no moving parts as it's all being done electronically. Shown off with an HD resolution source the upscaled image was still impressively sharp to us, even up close, while it also handles native 4K feed. While JVC may not be winning on raw pixel count, what it does have is a serious price advantage. Sony indicated its hardware would be available for "less than $25,000" but the top of the line JVC has an MSRP of just $12k, while the cheaper model will be $7,999 when they all ship in November. Check out the press release after the break and images in the gallery for details, including those so rarely seen native contrast ratio measurements. %Gallery-132988%
Sony 'Hybrid FPA' liquid crystal alignment technique sets LCD issues straight
Sony has announced a new LCD display technology called Hybrid FPA (field-induced photo-reactive alignment), which it claims provides a bevy of improvements for LCDs in the areas of response time, contrast, panel stability, and production speed. For those of you who slept through display science in school (no shame), this boils down to Sony finding a better way to wrangle unruly liquid crystal molecules (LCMs) into more optimal alignments -- which is important since this affects how light passes and therefore how images are resolved. The new technique builds on earlier work, which focused on the vertical alignment of LCMs via an alignment layer. As the left diagram shows, through pre-tilt positioning at the substrate layer, LCMs were forced into a more stable vertical state, which made shifting them quicker and more precise while requiring less voltage. In other words, images resolved faster and more evenly, resulting in "cleaner" whites and blacks with less motion blur. Hybrid FPA simply improves the situation by aligning LCMs even more vertically, which produced response times of less than 3ms in tests. That's great news for 3D lovers and gamers, and should help Sony at least move units off of retailer shelves at some point, particularly if its plans for rapid commercialization of this tech hold true.
Epson rolls out new 3LCD projectors for budgets big and medium
Since it's CEDIA time, Epson has seen fit to unveil several new 1080p projectors, ranging from price brackets in the (reasonable for this crowd) sub-$7,000 category with the new Pro Cinema 6100 to the Home Cinema 8350 which comes in at less than $1,300. The Pro Cinema 6100 (above) debuts the company's new 3LCD Reflective and UltraBlack tech courtesy of a dual-layered auto iris that is its first to reach dynamic contrast ratios of up to 1,000,000:1, while the Pro Cinema 31000 and Home Cinema 21000 beamers feature similar lens technology with appropriately lower-end chipsets, stats and prices when all of them ship in December. The next jump down is the Home Cinema 8350 and 8700UB models that eschew the new HDMI 1.4 ports and more exotic lens technology of the higher end models while still bringing improved specs over last year's lineup to retailer shelves when they ship later this month. Detailed specs follow after the break if you're wondering just how far an extra dollar or two will go.
BenQ debuts GL series of LCDs with 12,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
Alright, so we all know (or should know) that a manufacturer's stated contrast ratio isn't the best way to judge the quality of an LCD, but we've got to hand it to BenQ with its new GL series of monitors, which boast a ridiculous 12,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. That, as you might have guessed, is apparently the industry's highest and, according to BenQ, helps to add "color depth and definition to darkened and complex visuals." Otherwise, the 18.5-inch GL930, 19-inch GL931, 20-inch GL2030, 21.5-inch GL2230 and 22-inch GL2231 models each look to pack some decidedly more standard specs, including a 5ms response time, LED backlighting, varying amounts of ports depending on the model, and a 1,600 x 900 resolution on the 20-incher (complete specs on all the models aren't available yet). That 20-inch GL2030 model is also the first of the lot to roll out (sometime this month), while the rest will be available in July.
Zeon display filter ameliorates backlight bleed, improves LCD contrast and viewing angles
Is your LCD TV not fulfilling your primordial need for contrast, more contrast? If so, you could do worse than to check out these so-called polarizer plates from Zeon, which promise up to ten times better contrast ratios than current LCD tech. The Japanese company's latest wares are compatible with IPS panels (yay!) and it even has a version for OLEDs on tap, though we hardly think weak contrast is the problem with OLED displays right now. Still, the expansion of viewing angles is always welcome, so let's hope the projected mass production by the middle of this year materializes, so that we can all be talking about awesome new displays come CES 2011. Onwards and upwards. [Warning: source link requires paid subscription.]
Poll: Which HDTV feature are you least concerned about?
It's that time of year, from now 'til CES a constant stream of new displays will finally be launched, touting specs, features and bullet points. Of course, once it's time to buy a new one we'll all have our own list of priorities, but which one is the least likely to make you consider a certain model? Whether it's a Hz race that doesn't concern you plasma fans, a complete disregard for useless contrast ratio measurements, or if you've already decided widgets aren't for you, let us know.%Poll-33625%
Don't let retailer's lights distract you from buying the right HDTV
In case you hadn't already learned your lesson and started checking behind the displays while HDTV shopping, the HD Guru points out another element of the in-store experience that throws off buyers (and likely contributes to the LCD vs. plasma choices we find so infuriating): lighting. In case you don't recall from your last trek to a big box superstore, the lighting is quite often stuck on blinding making it nearly impossible to discern any difference in picture quality between televisions, specifically in terms of contrast and black levels (the pictures above are of the same value priced display, at left, under normal home lighting, at right, how it looks under some store lighting setups.) Tested with an illuminance meter, all the stores (except Best Buy's Magnolia showrooms) averaged well above home ambient lighting levels, with Wal-Mart and Costco measuring the highest at 411.66 and 742.77 lux. Still, there's tips on how to get a good idea of a TV's black levels even under those circumstances, plus some choice words left over for the incredible (and useless) dynamic contrast ratio numbers every manufacturer trots out these days, so go ahead and get educated.
Asus outdoes itself with new 24, 25.5-inch displays
Asus is ritzing up its LCD inventory with four new high-end displays this month -- the VK266H and VW266H at 25.5 inches (beating out the manufacturer's current top end) and the VK246H and VW246H at good ol' 24 inches. They all feature the company's new Splendid Video Intelligence Technology, run at at 1,920 x 1,200, and have a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, which is a significant improvement over the current Asus flagship's 3,000:1, but the max brightness is a bit lower. Why two at each size, you ask? Actual specs are identical across the board, but the VK266H and the VK246H have built-in webcams, while the VW266H and VW246H don't -- unfortunately, pricing info is not yet available, so there's no telling how much extra you'll be paying to record cringe-worthy YouTube diaries.[Via PCLaunches; thanks, Vinit]
Acer's G24 gaming monitor with world's best contrast
Clearly, Acer's G24 monitor is the only monitor capable of matching your high-performance Predator gaming rig. It's orange... or "metallic copper" if you work in Acer's arts and charts department. Bounced around trade shows for the last month, the 24-inch LCD is now officially featuring a proclaimed 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio which, according to a Acer, is a world's first for monitors. Now the specs: 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 2-ms response, 400-nit brightness, and a host of Acer image tweaking and color management tech meant to brighten images and avoid ambient light reflection. Around back you'll find PC-friendly DVI and game-console/Blu-ray friendly HDMI too. Unfortunately, it's dateless and priceless just like Britney's little sister.
LG shows off G Platform plasmas with 30000:1 contrast ratio
If a 20.8-inch QXGA LCD was just enough to get your HD juices a-flowin', LG's latest bunch should really get you wound up. On display at FPD International 2007 in Japan, these "G Platform" plasmas claim to trump any other PDPs in the contrast department, as every one of them features a 30,000:1 ratio. Additionally, the company noted that color reproduction has been improved by "optimizing the panels' color phosphors and utilizing dielectrics," and there's also the 100Hz refresh rate to eliminate blur / flicker. Reportedly, the displays will be available in Q4 of this year in 32-, 42-, 50- (HD) and 50- / 60-inch (Full HD) models, but your guess is as good as ours when it comes to pricing.[Via FarEastGizmos]
Alphascan J2210W display embeds a Samsung panel
Korean display-maker Alphascan, a company of dubious and confusing origin, has apparently licensed Samsung's flat-panel technology and applied it to its new 22-inch slim monitor, the J2210W. The stylish, 16:10 display features a brightness of 300cd/m², a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 1680 x 1050 resolution, 5ms response speed, and D-SUB / DVI jacks. No word on price or availability Stateside, but we wouldn't recommend holding your breath. Feel free to peruse the monitor's "translated" info page on the read link.
LG FLATRON L1982U touts 3000:1 contrast ratio
Although LG is probably off attending to more pressing matters, the LCD team isn't fazed by all the drama at 3GSM, as it's busted out a new 19-incher with the oh-so-popular "world's best" label slapped right on. The FLATRON L1982U purportedly boasts the "world's highest" contrast ratio for an LCD computer monitor at 3000:1, and we're guessing the "computer" part is what allows it to hold the honors. Nevertheless, this beauty is dressed in all black, features the "f-ENGINE picture-enhancing" technology, Auto Bright to automatically set the brightness according to ambient light, 170-degree viewing angle, 2-millisecond response time, tilt / slide functionality, and a height adjustable stand. Reportedly, the firm's L1900J and L1970HR are also (albeit quietly) receiving the 3000:1 treatment, and while prices don't seem to be readily available, we're sure you'll be paying a premium for all that newfound darkness.[Via PCLaunches]
Samsung's latest "Bordeaux" LCD HDTVs boast a 10000:1 contrast ratio
Samsung's no stranger to pumping out displays with a very respectable 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and the firm is kicking out two more with its latest Bordeaux duo. While the company has already bumped the PVA LCD lineup to 32- and 40-inches before, now it's taking things a bit further by adding a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and a trio of HDMI ports, with one being of the front-accessible variety and the others flanking the rear. Additionally, the overall design scheme received a subtle, but much appreciated facelift, as the screens now offer up a shinier coat, rounder edges, and a pair of lovely demonstrators adorning each side. Unfortunately, the nitty gritty on this one is sparse, but as soon as Samsung divulges anything else substantial about these admittedly glitzy sets, we'll be on it.
Pioneer's next-gen plasma: 20,000:1 contrast ratio
Not one to let LCD (10,000:1) and SED (50,000:1) HDTVs steal the spotlight, Pioneer has fired back at CEATEC with a 60-inch plasma featuring a 20,000:1 contrast ratio (on the left). Compare that to the 3,000:1 contrast ratio of the current (on the right) 1080p PRO-FHD1 / PDP-5000EX ,and you can see how that is kind of a big deal. Despite the distinct lack of pricing or other information, Pioneer hopes to have its next big thing in PDP on shelves in time for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
JVC throws out the iris but still achieves 10,000:1 contrast ratio
Most projectors claim to have a very high contrast ratio along the lines of 10,000:1 - 15,000:1 reach this number with an adjustable iris. The aperture changes size and allows for light to flood in and out, but JVC has taken the conventional design and kicked it to the curb. Their design doesn't utilize a dynamic iris but can still achieve the highly sought after contrast ratio of 10,000:1. We don't know how they did it and we really don't think they are going to tell us in detail as this is a feat of technology -- that's if it looks and works good. This model is currently just a prototype and there isn't any word of product just yet although we are sure if this system works like they say, we will see this guy sometime soon.[via HDBlog]
Samsung's 19-inch CX919B boasts 2000:1 contrast ratio
With so much focus on response time these days, it's nice to see Samsung play up another aspect of its newest 19-inch LCD, namely the display's impressive 2000:1 contrast ratio. That's not to say the SyncMastermagic CX919B has a slow refresh rate -- to the contrary, it seems to employ the CX917B's "Response Time Accelerator" to go from gray to gray in a zippy 2-milliseconds -- rather, the highlight here just happens to be that "Dynamic Contrast" technology which promises to deliver truer blacks. Besides these two key details, however, not much else is known on the specs tip -- including our old favorites, pricing and availability.
