Lifi -- Engadget

lifi posts

Luxim wants to brighten your block with ultra-powerful plasma lightbulbs

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Mar 18th 2008 at 9:58AM

Sure, we all enjoy a Tic Tac from time to time, but what if that minty Tic Tac were also able to generate the same amount of light as an industrial LED? You probably wouldn't want to ingest that, though according to the company Luxim -- known to us for its work in the A/V world -- you might want to stick it in a streetlight. Apparently, the company has created a micro-sized bulb that uses 250 watts of power, but outperforms a 400 watt LED. Gas inside the tiny bulb is electrified by a component called a puck, which heats the gas into plasma and produces light, allowing a sizable chunk of energy to become light rather than heat -- thus the ultra-bright performance. Inside the mint-sized bulb the gas reaches 6000-degrees Kelvin -- or about the surface temperature of the Sun -- producing 140 lumens per watt, or roughly ten times that of a standard lightbulb. Really, it's quite bright. Still, a Tic Tac would probably be more refreshing.

[Via CNET]

Panasonic ships LCZ / LCX LIFI rear-projection HDTVs

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:19AM

Remember that LIFI RPTV that Panasonic introduced way back in January? Welp, it's finally shipping to anxious consumers. Reportedly, Panny has just loosed the LCZ and LCX line of rear-projection HDTVs into the world, both of which include the nearly-everlasting LIFI bulb. The LCZ series brings a trio of 1080p-capable displays that check in at 50-, 56-, and 61-inches, while the LCX delivers a 56- and 61-incher that offer up 720p. In case you weren't aware, the LIFI bulb is said to "virtually never need to be replaced," which means that you could potentially be watching these very sets long after SED units actually go mainstream (ahem). Nevertheless, both lineups are heading out the door as we speak, and prices will range from $1,699.95 for the 720p PT-56LCX70 to $2,199.95 for the 1080p PT-61LCZ70.

Panasonic's 2007 HDTV lineup unveiled

by Richard Lawler, posted Jan 10th 2007 at 6:34AM

Panasonic announced updates to several of its HDTV models here at CES, and revealed an all new 42-inch 1080p plasma (above). We asked about possiblities for big LCDs and related technology but Panasonic reps made things clear, its future in large TVs is currently in plasma and it doesn't believe LCD measures up. For your viewing pleasure today is the 61-inch LIFI RPTV which, for the uninitiated, contains a HID lamp that lasts so long you might never need to change it. Also there is the 1080p 58-inch TH-58PZ700 plasma we've been waiting to see on this side of the Pacific without springing for a 103-inch model, and the TC-32LX700 LCD. The TC-32LX700 has the new hotness 120Hz refresh rate Panasonic has called Motion Picture Pro and Alpha IPS technology to widen the viewing angle.

Read - Panasonic Unveils Three New Models In Its 2007 Line Of LCD Flat Panel High-Definition Televisions
Read - Panasonic Unveils World's First LIFI HDTV
Read - Panasonic Debuts Next Generation Big Screen 1080p High Definition Plasma TV's And Shows Prototype 42-Inch 1080p

Continue reading Panasonic's 2007 HDTV lineup unveiled

Panasonic's RPTV LIFI bulb lasts so long, it might never need changing

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jan 9th 2007 at 7:45AM

As much as we love the value of rear projections TVs they are not without their issues, most notably is the eventual replacement of the bulb. While some manufactures are using LEDs to solve this problem, these can be more expensive so Panasonic has taken another approach in an attempt to keep costs down. They are using converted HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps to create a new light engine that they are calling LIFI. They are claiming that this lamp lasts so long you may never need to change it. The brightness will never fade and has a very wide spectrum of light which helps the set produce a wide range of colors. The other great thing about LIFI is the boot times are greatly reduced because the bulb size is considerably smaller, they are claiming it display an image about 6 times faster. LIFI TVs will be available in 50", 56" and 61" sizes, all are available in your choice of 720p or the latest craze 1080p and 3,000:1 contrast ratio. There aren't any prices yet, but look for them in the 2nd quarter of 2007.