The ByD:sign / EyeFi tag-team duo just announced a refresh of their 42 and 47-inch 1080p LCD sets. The new LF-4200DFK and LF-4700DFK pair of televisions still pack a 1920 x 1080 resolution and 500cd/m2 brightness only now with an integrated digital/analog tuner and improved 1200:1 contrast. They also tout a faster 6.5-ms response for the 42-inch panel on down to 6-ms for the 47-inch. The slabs pack a Faroudja DCDi scaler; HDMI, S-Video, D-Sub 15, and composite inputs (see ya component); and presumably a Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) panel like their previous low-cost sets. At ¥219,800 (about $1,903) for the 42-inch and ¥269,800 (about $2,336) for the 47-inch, they've got the minerals to call these the "industries cheapest Full HD LCDs." But as Costco and Sams patrons can already attest, that ain't even true. Still, let's wait for some solid US pricing after these launch in Japan on March 9th before bringing the hammer down too hard.

[Via Impress]

Read -- 42-inch
Read -- 47-inch

It's one thing to be fashionably late, but to arrive at a party that essentially ended months ago (at least) and expect to shake things up is probably an ill-advised move. Nevertheless, Japan's ByD:sign (badged as EyeFi here in the States) is offering up a 42-inch plasma TV (PE-4202DFK) that sports a built-in digital terrestrial tuner and manages to include an HDMI input, but somehow touts a completely uninspiring 852 x 480 resolution. Just in case the rest of the specs even matter after that blow, it also features 1,500 cd/m2 brightness, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, Genesis DCDi chip, S-Video / composite, VGA, analog / optical audio, and removable 10-watt stereo speakers as well. While the lowly resolution may suit your Wii playing needs just fine, you won't enjoy any crisp HD DVDs or Blu-rays in their full, unadulterated glory here, and at a whopping ¥170,000 ($1,430), you can do a whole lot better for your money anyway.

Get ready to get your squat on with these chubby little combo sets from Japan's ByD:sign. Better known by their EyeFi branding at least amongst the Sam's Club shopping posse, these 19 and 15-inchers feature a built-in DVD player which likely accounts for the junk in the trunk. The 19-inch 1966GJ features a 1440x900 resolution, 300cd/m2 brightness, 700:1 contrast ratio, 8-ms response, and weak sauce 135/150-degree (up 'n down / left 'n right) visibility. The 15-inch 1566GJ delivers 1024x768, 250cd/m2, 450:1, and 16-ms specs with an outright dismal 100/120-degree visibility. Both feature terrestrial analog tuners which will cause you a bit of grief, someday, along with inputs ranging from composite, S-Video, Japanese D4, and D-Sub15 RGB. Oh hey, they've got handles too, for quick escape to the garage or wherever you might be hiding your brown-bag discs. Hitting Japan today for ¥59,800 / ¥39,800 (about $506 / $337) for the 19/15-inch model, respectively. No doubt hitting the neighborhood Sam's Club under the el cheapo EyeFi branding soon enough, if not already.

[Via Impress]

Read -- 19-inch LCD/DVD combo
Read -- 15-inch LCD/DVD combo

Continuing the fight to leave no inappropriate colon usage left untouched, Japanese manufacturer byd:sign has announced a new LCD TV for those looking for a little small-screen action. While the 15-inch LN-1502AY likely won't fulfill all your couch potatoing needs, it should get the job done in an office or bedroom, with XGA resolution, 600:1 contrast ratio, 350cd/m2 brightness, and a 16ms response time. You'll also have to settle for a regular analog TV tuner, though it does boast DCDi technology by Faroudja, which promises to improve picture quality and reduce those nasty jagged lines (if you squint hard enough, you can pretend it's HD). Inputs are similarly lightweight, with just single composite, s-video, D2, and analog RGB ports, along with two RCA audio inputs and one stereo mini jack. Getting this little numbers for yourself will set you back ¥34,800, or about $290.

[Via Impress]

Here ya go TeeVee fans, 5ish new models straight out of Japan. We know it hurts to see all this not-for-the-US tech coming through but just hang with us on these, 'cause from the looks of it, they'll be available on these golden shores under the EyeFi branding soon enough. The five HDMI-equipped sets break down into 37, 32, and 27-inchers capable of 1920x1080, 1366x768, and 1280x720 pixels respectively. Each model features an ISDB-T Hi-Vision (high definition) digital tuner for Japan (with ATSC and DVB-T tuners on the way for the US and beyond). The big, bad, 37-inch LF-3701DFK (pictured) brings a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 8-millisecond response, and 176-degree visibility along with the usual in and outs consisting of S-Video, 2 x composite, Japanese D4, and RGB. And fortunately, that speaker sprouting below the panel can be chucked for a cleaner look when attached to your home audio system. The two 32-inch models -- LW-3202DFK and LW-3201DFK -- are the same panels only with fixed speakers mounted either below, or along sides of the LCD. Same story on those 27-inchers -- the LW-2702DFK and LW-2701DFK -- with the former also offering that 1366x768 pixel resolution seen by the 32-inch models. Prices are set to range from ¥99,800 to ¥199,800 (or about $863 to $1,729) when these panels hit the streets of Japan starting today -- righteous pricing by the time these panels hit the US.

[Via Impress]