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Posts with tag pdp

Samsung reveals 50- / 58- / 63-inch 7 Series plasma HDTVs

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 23rd 2008 at 9:50AM


Not a huge fan of the LCD HDTV? Is plasma more your style? Fantastic, because Samsung just took the (official) lid off of the already spotted 7 Series plasma lineup. Featuring the outfit's Touch of Color design, a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, daytime / nighttime calibration options and a DNIe Pro video processor, this trio makes no bones about which rival it's gunning for. The entire crew also features InfoLink RSS access, a USB 2.0 port (WiseLink Pro), DLNA compatibility, four HDMI-CEC jacks and 1080p panels. Read up on the full rundown of specs in the read link, and prepare to hand over $2,799.99 for the 50-inch PN50A760, $4,499.99 for the 58-inch PN58A760 or $5,499.99 for the 63-inch PN63A760 sometime next month.

Vizio's 42-inch VP422 plasma gets reviewed: you get what you pay for

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 16th 2008 at 5:21PM


What, you seriously expected the $999 VP422 to perform like a $5,000+ KURO? In your dreams, bub. Vizio's latest 42-inch plasma, which certainly looked a-okay on paper for the price, recently hit the test bench over at CNET, and while the overall package was deemed enough to "satisfy casual viewers," those with even a single videophile gene in 'em should be wary. The unit managed to snag an extremely rare 6.0 out of 10 rating, with "highly inaccurate green primary color and poor grayscale tracking" as the two biggest knocks. Granted, reviewers did appreciate the rock-bottom price, respectably array of inputs and the "relatively clean image," but at the end of the day, you can only expect so much from a sub-$1,000 42-inch PDP. Give the full review a look and determine if it's sufficient for your wants needs.

VIZIO does 'em cheap: 32-inch VP322 / 42-inch VP422 plasmas under $800

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 25th 2008 at 8:31AM


If VIZIO's brand new XVT Series is a bit rich for your blood, how's about a pair of plasmas for under eight bones? Yep, the 32-inch VP322 and 42-inch VP422 -- which were announced at CES at $689 and $999, respectively -- are now available in Wal-Mart locations across America, and they're selling for even less than that. Right now, those longing to hop in the HDTV game without breaking the bank can secure the VP322 for just $599, while the VP422 will set you back just $799. Both sets possess a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 720p panel, 3 HDMI sockets (along with component / VGA) and a built-in ATSC digital tuner with ClearQAM support. Not too shabby for the price, wouldn't you agree? [Warning: PDF read link]

Pioneer intros 60-inch KRP-600M KURO plasma in Japan

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 11th 2008 at 4:45PM


Here in North America, we already saw Pioneer get official with its second-generation of KURO plasmas, but today is all about Japan. Said outfit has just revealed the dazzling KRP-600M, which checks in at 60-inches diagonally and 64-millimeters in depth. Pioneer is being its typical self when it comes to specs by simply tossing the 1,920 x 1,080 resolution out there and insisting that it pretty much looks better than any other TV on the entire planet. Not that we really dig that Bose approach™, but at least we're told that there are component, VGA, DVI, HDMI, Ethernet, RS-232C, IR repeater and audio in / out jacks. The set should hit Japanese shelves later this month for around ¥850,000 ($7,970), while the optional table stand, wall mount and speaker system will run you quite a bit less.

[Via Tech-On]

Shinoda Plasma showcases 125-inch curved PTA display

by Darren Murph, posted May 16th 2008 at 11:23AM


Surely you remember Shinoda Plasma and its obscenely large PTA display, right? Unfortunately, this one's no 142-incher, but 125-inches of curvaceous screen real estate still isn't anything to sneeze at -- especially when we're talking about an actual prototype. The 3- x 1-meter display consists of three PTA (plasma tube array) modules connected together, and it features a rather uninspiring 960 x 360 resolution but weighs just 7.9-pounds. The actual "display part" measures just one-millimeter thick, and while this unit is likely to make a veiled appearance at InfoComm next month, a mass produced version will reportedly be produced in conjunction with Hibino. Honest opinion? We're still feelin' the resolution of Alienware's curved monster, but digital signage fans should certainly dig where this one is headed.

[Via Pink Tentacle]

Second-generation Pioneer KURO unveiled: 5x deeper black levels

by Darren Murph, posted May 7th 2008 at 9:00AM

Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD
Quite a lot has gone on in Pioneer's world since it wowed us all with the Project KURO at CES, but one thing hasn't changed: it's dedication to world-class black levels. Announced alongside several other fine pieces of kit today in NYC, the 2008 KURO family will posses black levels "five times deeper than the previous KURO." According to company bigwig Paul Meyhoefer, the ultimate goal is "pure, absolute black," and it's well on its way with the latest line. You'll also find a feature dubbed Optimum Mode, which "simultaneously monitors video and room light conditions" and then makes the most appropriate adjustments based on what it senses. Sadly, most of the nitty-gritty details have been omitted for now, but you can count on the June-bound models checking in at just 3.7-inches thick, sporting 1080p panels alone (no 720p), coming in 50- ($4,000) / 60-inch ($5,500) sizes (no 42-inch) and arriving with a new remote / redesigned HD interface. Jump on past the break for the full release, but we're warning you, there's an awful lot of gloating down there.

Continue reading Second-generation Pioneer KURO unveiled: 5x deeper black levels

Pioneer intros 2008 Signature Series Elite KURO monitors

by Darren Murph, posted May 7th 2008 at 9:00AM


Not content with just busting out a new pair of Elite KURO plasmas, Pioneer has separately introduced four 1080p Pro models for those with (even more) exquisite tastes and deep wallets to back it up. The whole lot enjoys the firm's highly touted Optimum Mode, which "simultaneously monitors video and room light conditions" and then makes the most appropriate adjustments based on what it senses, and "industry leading" calibration features. As for the 50-inch PRO-111FD ($5,000) and PRO-151FD ($6,500), you can expect a bolstered two year warranty and a ship date to be determined, while the Signature Series PRO-101FD (50-inch) / PRO-141FD (60-inch) units will arrive in October and August (respectively) with prices not yet disclosed.

Pioneer, Panasonic reach basic agreement on Kuro production, first new displays due fall '09

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 24th 2008 at 9:27AM


Pioneer and Matsushita (Panasonic) have finally hammered out the basics of a deal that will allow the latter to supply panels for future Kuro plasma displays, and plasma HDTV fans to breathe easy again. Pending a final agreement in May, dollars and cents remain undisclosed, but we can expect a fusion of Panasonic's current "Neo PDP" technology from its Viera line when they begin production May 2009 in Amagasaki before hitting shelves in the fall. Kuro will still be maintained as a premium brand (with a premium price) with different image processing, while both companies plan to keep working together on reducing power consumption and the infinite black level plasma. Pioneer still plans future Kuro LCD HDTVs based on panels from Sharp,but it'll also apparently have access to IPS technology from Panasonic's tie-up with Canon and Hitachi. See? We told you it'd be okay.

[Via AV Watch]

Panasonic turning cellphone, gas pump into your next Plasma

by Thomas Ricker, posted Apr 3rd 2008 at 7:41AM


We kid you not. Panasonic is working on a new low-voltage (1.5v) plasma technology which it says will rival OLED displays in brightness, thinness, and contrast. Better yet, Panasonic claims that its plasmas can be manufactured for "much less money" than OLEDs. Panny already has plans to include their new plasma displays in cellphones for use with AT&T's Mobile TV service, gas pumps, ATMs, and on HP printers under a new exclusive two-year deal. Color us impressed if the new displays look anything like the 3.5-inch, 854 x 480 pixel Viera phone instead of that anemic looking phone pictured above which accompanied the press release.

Update: Looks like this is a late, poorly-executed April Fool's joke. More here.

Former LG employee leaks $1b in top secret plasma info to Chinese manufacturer

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 5th 2008 at 8:02PM


We've seen some pretty shady dealings from disgruntled ex-employees in the past, but this one may have skyrocketed into the upper echelon of tales of corporate deceit. As the story goes, a 49-year old man known only as Jeong felt the need to copy over some 1,182 top secret plasma display technology-related files onto his personal drive before waltzing out of LG's doors for the final time in July of 2005. A few months later, Chinese manufacturer Changhong-Orion PDP-Chaihong welcomed him with open arms and paid him a fat salary of roughly $300,000 a year (not to mention a few perks: free apartment, vehicle etc.), while casually accepting both the aforementioned files and continued insider leaks at LG -- information supposedly valued at over a billion dollars. But despite Jeong's arrest upon his last return home to Korea, Changhong is still apparently on schedule to produce plasma panels based on LG's technology come this December. Can you say: hot water over international trade-secret law?

[Via The Raw Feed, image courtesy of RPG Classics]

Pioneer says goodbye to plasma manufacturing

by Richard Lawler, posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 6:42PM Breaking News


We wondered why its so hard to find one of Pioneer's award winning Kuro plasmas on shelves these days, and here is the answer. The Nikkei is reporting that Pioneer plans to stop producing plasma panels altogether, and only put together HDTVs with panels purchased from other sources. Panasonic and Hitachi remain as the only Japanese plasma manufacturers, Pioneer already has a deal with the former to purchase plasmas for its 42-inch model, and will expand that agreement according to The Nikkei. Honestly, this wouldn't be a big deal for most companies, as we've seen with the Sony/Sharp/Samsung triangle in LCD manufacturing, but since Pioneer is the only manufacturer promising the blackest black levels this side of carbon nanotubes, we're freaking out a bit. Here's hoping Pioneer slides over the blueprints to the infinite contrast concept (and that sexy 9mm model) and keeps the party going.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in; via CNBC; warning: reg required on read link]

LG's sexy LG6000 / PG6000 HDTVs strut their stuff in London

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 18th 2008 at 12:35PM


Don't look now, but those delicious looking LCD TVs we saw grace the depths of the FCC's database last week have apparently surfaced across the pond, and they've brought a line of PDPs with 'em. 'Course, we already got a whiff of these at CES, but it's always reassuring to have a model number to cling to, no? The LG6000 LCD HDTV series consists of 32-, 37-, 42- and 47-inch iterations that boast a 15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, "invisible" Mark Levinson speakers, automatic brightness and color optimization, four HDMI 1.3 inputs, a USB 2.0 port and TruMotion 100Hz technology on the largest two sets. As for the 42- and 50-inch PG6000 plasmas, you'll notice a 30,000:1 contrast ratio, THX Display certification and most everything else previously mentioned on the LCD siblings. Regrettably, there's no word on a price or release date, but we can't envision such good looks coming sans a premium.

Wii coming to Rock Band, Rock Band Premium Microphone not coming to Wii

by Nilay Patel, posted Feb 1st 2008 at 8:51PM


We're chalking this up to mixed PR signals, but a spokesperson for PDP -- makers of that Rock Band Premium Microphone we caught the other day sporting a Wii logo -- just let us know it was an accident, and that the mic isn't compatible with the Wii after all. Of course, the only reason we cared is that the logo signaled the arrival of Rock Band on the Wii -- which we now know is happening anyway -- so the only people disappointed here should be those of you who wanted to experience Wii Rock Band with "premium" third-party accessories. So... too bad for three of you. We regret your loss. Now if you'll excuse us, we have to get back to mastering the drums on "Tom Sawyer."

Video: Panasonic's 150-inch plasma defies reality

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 7th 2008 at 3:02PM

Panasonic's 150-inch plasma display was fairly baffling while still veiled, but if you had to catch a few drops of drool when checking that out, we'd suggest grabbing a handful of napkins now. Mahalo Daily's Veronica Belmont was able to get up close and personal with Panny's new beast, and it pretty much goes without saying that you can't afford to miss the video waiting after the break.

Continue reading Video: Panasonic's 150-inch plasma defies reality

SOYO bringing 32-inch plasma, 24-inch 1080p LCD TV to CES

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 4th 2008 at 8:42AM

Apparently, Norcent isn't the only scarcely-mentioned company busting out some new kit at CES, as SOYO is also gearing up to show off a pair of impressive HDTVs in Vegas next week. It seems as though the firm is ditching the whole "bigger is better" mantra, and is instead focusing on squeezing more pixels into tighter spaces. The unnamed 32-inch plasma will feature a presumably sub-1080p resolution, a 1,500:1 contrast ratio, 500 nits of brightness, twin HDMI inputs, a single component / two composite inputs, S/PDIF audio out and a remarkable $499 price tag. As for the LCD, this 24-incher will boast a full 1080p resolution, a pair of HDMI / component jacks, picture-in-picture functionality, 500 cd/m2 brightness, a three-millisecond response time, 1,000:1 contrast ratio and an MSRP of $699. Sadly, we've no clue when either of these sets will be available for purchase, but hopefully it'll be sooner rather than later.
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