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Luminoz screen could lead to uber-slim RPTVs
Just hours after getting wind of Sony's plans to unveil a three-millimeter OLED, Luminoz is claiming that it has "developed a screen that can reduce the depth of a rear projection TV to about 12-centimeters." Apparently, the newfangled screen "eliminates the need of a large mirror that is necessary in the existing rear projection TVs," and as if the space savings weren't spectacular enough, we can also expect increased contrast ratios. Reportedly, the firm is hoping to inject its screen into 65-inch or larger rear projection televisions, and if all goes as planned, commercialization should occur sometime next year.
Q Acoustics' decor-friendly QAV HT speakers
Large HD displays are a lot less of an eyesore than in the days when CRT RPTV's ruled the roost. But unless you install in-wall speakers, you're still left with speaker cabinets spoiling your floor plan. Q Acoustics is hoping to make the speakers disappear with their QAV lineup, though. These speakers achieve svelteness by using NXT's latest design, the "Balanced Mode Radiator," which rounds out the typically thin sound of NXT's panels by adding a traditional cone driver. Q Acoustics is especially proud of the pictured "soundbar," which puts all three front channels in a single unit that adjusts to span the width of your TV. We're skeptical that 40" of separation between left and right can produce a soundstage, but it does cut down on visual clutter. No word on US availability, but you can pick up a 5.1 set in the UK for £600 ($1200).[Thanks, dv9r]
Study predicts RIP for RPTV's by 2011
A study from technology analysis firm IDC is predicting that annual RPTV sales will sink below 30,000 units over the next 48 months. The market for large, direct view sets was ruled by these displays not long ago -- sales peaked at 3.5 million units in 2004. But increasing competition (in both display size and price) from plasma and especially LCD isn't showing any signs of slowing. Even though we've seen RPTV's making moves in the bigger (and even bigger) and slimmer directions, it will probably only delay the inevitable. But if you're shopping for a bargain, keep an eye on these displays. In terms of dollar-per-square inch, you should be able to score a sweet deal over the coming months. As the article recommends, though, "Just be sure to get that extended warranty!"
JVCs "world's largest" TV: 110-inches (and 728-pounds) of HD
They've been showing it off for more than a year, now the latest HDTV to wear the "world's largest" crown is up for retail. On sale starting July with delivery in October, JVC's 110-inch HD-110MH80 will throw a 1080p, rear-projected image right in the comfort of your very own digs. Measuring 3-feet deep and 728-pounds, the new RPTC features JVC's D-ILA technology to achieve that 1920 x 1080 resolution and 5000:1 contrast. Priced at ¥6,400,000 or about $53k when she lands Stateside. Oh, anyone else lovin' the remote in that press picture above?[Via Impress]
AKAI / Memorex to ship 1080p rear-projection LCoS HDTVs this summer
Considering how well RPTVs (well, HDTVs in general, actually) have been selling lately, it's no surprise to see two more low-end manufacturers looking to grab their own piece of the pie. MicroDisplay Corporation announced at CES that bottom-end stalwarts AKAI and Memorex will both start shipping 1080p-capable rear-projection sets this summer. The TVs will be based on MicroDisplay's "proprietary single-chip 1080p LCoS digital projection imaging technology," dubbed Liquid Fidelity, which supposedly maintains a crisp, "home theater-like" picture while eliminating two of the three chips "required by other LCoS technologies." No hard details were shared about any of the units, but it was noted that we'll see sizes ranging from 52- to 62-inches, and each set will be "customized with a variety of options." So if you'll still be hunting for a 1080p set this summer, and don't mind the low-end quality for the rock bottom price, these AKAI / Memorex units should fit the bill quite nicely.
HP leaves DLP out of 2007 CES lineup
HP has revealed some of its display plans for this year's CES, and the biggest surprise isn't what the company is showing, but what it's not. Crave has a list of TVs to be displayed, and it conspicuously lacks HP's award winning wobulating DLP HDTVs, which were being shown as recently as last year. According to the posting, HP is no longer manufacturing the sets, and what is on store shelves now is the last of them. While DLP might no longer have a future with HP, there's still a full slate of flat panel TVs planned for next week's event, highlighted by two 1080p MediaSmart LCDs (the 42-inch SL4278N and 47-inch SL4778N) with WiFi-enabled Windows Media Connect for streaming media directly to the HDTV. For those not into any newfangled wireless streaming, the LC4276N and LC4776N bring the 1080p sans MediaSmart, along with three new 720p (they still make those?) models in 32-, 37- and 42-inch sizes. Two plasma TVs of unspecified resolution and parentage (42-inch HP PL4272N and 50-inch HP PL5072N) will also make an appearance.
JVC's new 1080p projectors, front & rear
JVC is highlighting its LCoS-based D-ILA with a few new products due in early 2007. First up, the new DLA-HD1 projector, with its 1080p resolution and native 15,000:1 contrast ratio, is now set to hit the U.S. in February with a price of $6,300. If you prefer your projection from the rear JVC has unveiled two new slim HD-ILA sets, the 58-inch HD-58S998 and the 65-inch HD-65S998. Much like Samsung's 10-inch deep DLP from CEDIA, these are designed for shallow cabinets and stands made to fit flat panel displays or even hung on a wall. The three D-ILA devices in each HDTV are combined with a new mirror and lens that has allowed JVC to reduce the projection distance needed and slim down the sets considerably. They feature a 10,000:1 contrast ration and the same Genessa image processing found in other JVC sets, as well as two native 1080p HDMI inputs. The HD-58S998 is due in January for $3,299 followed by the HD-65S998 in March for $4,199. Continue on for a pic from the side of the 10.7-inch deep HD-58S998 and a look at the DLA-HD1.Read - JVC Slim HD-ILA RPTVsRead - JVC DLA-HD1 Projector
MicroDisplay planning to shake up 1080p LCoS HDTV market
We're all about driving down prices, thus we're all about MicroDisplay's apparent plans to break the LCoS market wide open when it starts throwing down at CES. The Silicon Valley startup has hopes to deliver "50-inch plus" LCoS sets to "major big box retailers" under "major CE brand names" soon after unveiling its product line in just about a month. The firm is banking on the skyrocketing HD sales, not to mention the phasing out of CRT-based sets, to propel its single-chip sets atop the market. By developing self-proclaimed "unique and proprietary 1080p LCoS digital projection imaging devices," the company is aiming to mass produce a 50-inch model with a lightning quick response time for "under $1,500." Taking a note from Philips' single-chip motif, the sets would eventually range from 50- to 62-inches, with most sets hitting retails floors "around summer 2007."
Surprise of the day: HDTVs top holiday shopping lists
Okay, so it's probably not exactly shocking, especially considering the skyrocketing sales of RPTVs in the most recent quarter, and the (presumed) riots over cheap LCDs and plasmas on Black Friday. But the fact still remains that even though Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft are off tooting their own (console-based) horns, consumers are still eying those big screen televisions above all else. Reports suggest that TVs don't seem "very complicated, and they're not terribly expensive," which makes sense considering the plummeting prices of HDTVs over the past few months. Notably, the holiday's dust collectors are none other than "DVD players / recorders," presumably including those still pricey HD DVD and Blu-ray units. So if a svelte new set is atop your holiday wish list, rest assured, you're not alone.
RPTV sets dominate latest American HDTV sales figures
While the battlefield known as "the retail floor" is a tough place for an HDTV to be, it looks like rear-projection televisions -- of all types -- took the gold medal for sales according to the latest research from Pacific Media Associates. Although plasma sets certainly had their own walk in the park, RPTVs recovered from a weak performance this summer and surged "30 percent" in terms of units moved and revenue produced this past August. It was noted that buyers chose newer, more expensive 1080p-capable sets (particularly new units from Samsung and Sony) over the cheaper, more antiquated flavors, even though the average street price rose 0.5 percent. Samsung shareholders look mighty smart here as well, as the firm retained the top position in shares for both units and revenues, while Sony's mighty new 60-inch SXRD (the KDS-60A2000) became the best selling individual set (as confidently predicted). It should be stated, however, that all this could change when hoards of crazed buyers bombard retailers in search of rock-bottom LCD prices in just a few weeks, but we'll let the big-backed units have their 15 minutes for now.
Sony's KDS-R70XBR2 and KDS-R60XBR2 1080p SXRDs now shipping
Now you can put Sony's latest DRC-MFv2.5 under the microscope in the comfort of your own home, as the newest XBR additions to its LCoS-based SXRD line begin shipping today. The aformentioned Digital Reality Creation technology separates the KDS-R70XBR2 and KDS-R60XBR2 from the A2000 line with this newer version designed specifically for upscaling all sources to 1080p. Three 1080p HDMI inputs, 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, CableCARD support and a host of other features are included at a price of $6,999 for the 70-inch and $4,299 for the 60-inch model.
JVC busts out "world's largest" RPTV at 110-inches
It might not be as fancy as the ongoing plasma and LCD wars for largest display, but rear projection displays can have size wars too, and JVC looks to have the largest yet, at a spankin' 110-inches. The TV uses JVC's proprietary "D-ILA" liquid crystal panel tech, for a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, and pulls 220w of juice for powering all its glorious pixels. As usual, there's not much of a plan yet for commercializing this display -- the main purpose of the prototype is to show off a new screen tech from Toppan Printing that is manufactured as a single component -- but there's always bragging rights and booth extravaganza action to be had.
Sony brings new Bravia LCDs and LCoS displays to Japan
As if to prove a point, Sony is throwing down a whole lotta 1080p, erm, "True HD" displays in Japan. For starters, they've got two new LCoS rear projection TVs that implement the fancy Digital Reality Creation chipset for enhanced upscaling. The 60-inch KDS-60A2500 and 50-inch KDS-50A2500 are otherwise quite similar to the current SXRD displays of the same size available in the US, but the 600,000 yen ($5,135 US) and 500,000 (4,279 US) respective pricetags for the new A2500 displays are quite a bit steeper. As for LCDs, five of the displays mirror existing offerings in the US, but the high-end 52-inch KDL-52X2500 and its lesser 46, 40 and 32-inch S2500 friends are all new. The 52-incher manages a DRC chipset, 1500:1 contrast ratio, Live Color Creation and a 1080p resolution, while the cheaper displays lose DLC, and only manage a 1366 x 768 resolution. All four LCDs run at 450 nits of brightness, and are due in Japan on October 20th, following the LCoS sets which should be out September 15th.[Via HD Beat]
HP Pavilion md5880n 1080p DLP TV reviewed
Those good sports over at PC Mag subjected themselves to the tough job of spending time with that 58-inch DLP HDTV from HP we first heard about at CES, and the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. The 118-pound wobulator takes up its fair share of living room space, but with a wide array of features, like built-in 2.1 sound, 1080p resolution, a menu system that's "just about perfect," and an extensive array of picture tweaking options, the trade-off is easily justified. The inputs, which are conveniently located in the front of the TV, include two HDMIs, two component-videos, a VGA, CableCard and two RF inputs, as well as a USB port for firmware upgrades. At $3,500, it's a lot cheaper than most other, flatter alternatives, so you might even have enough money left over to keep your PS3 fund alive.
1080p projectors for less than 10k in 2K6?
Optoma's CTO thinks so. In an interview with Digitimes, he pontificates upon a variety of subjects, and also mentions that they will seek to develop the 1080p projector market, along with Mitsubishi, JVC, Sony and Samsung. Also big in 2006: slim RPTV's.Well, I guess it's time to get a bigger wall then.
