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Mitsubishi officially prices 2011 HDTVs including a 92-inch DLP and 75-inch LaserVue
Other manufacturers may say they're living large with their latest HDTVs, but Mitsubishi's "Go Big" slogan is supported by the biggest displays available for 2011. It's finally revealed details on the models, with new features including a clearer screen and 16 speaker soundbar with support for a wireless subwoofer on its top of the line 840-series that includes the 92-inch model (pictured above) we saw at CES. The other big addition for 2011 is support for Mitsubishi's iOS remote control app in the LaserVue TV as well as the 740 and 840 series DLPs. If you don't need those features, a built in IR emitter for 3D glasses or Stream TV Vudu Apps then look at the lower end 640-series rear projection sets. Still, no matter what the trim level, the new Mitsubishi is strictly a 73-inch and over TV manufacturer so it's definitely going to be big, whether it's the 840 series that ships in July or any of the other models that will be available this month. Specs and MSRPs are in the press release after the break, from the 73-inch 640 series for $1,599 all the way up to the $5,999 92-inch.
Sharp's new 70-inch LCD HDTV is definitely bigger than the one your friend just bought
At its "Spectacularge" press conference today Sharp announced its new 70-inch LC-70LE732U is the largest LCD HDTV on the market . It sports Quattron four color pixels, full LED backlighting, Netflix, CinemaNow, Vudu Apps and DLNA access among its list of features, but no 3D. That will be remedied by one of the three additional models of 70-inch LCDs Sharp says it will ship this summer but in the meantime we're just enjoying a throwback to the heady days of 2006 when consumer LCDs were last found in this size range. Interested parties with enough green to cover the $3,799 MSRP should be able to order these at their local retailers, while the rest can gawk at the specs in the press release and hands-on shots. Oh, and as for those adjectives you'll see just past the break -- a preview of Sharp's marketing campaign, whose target customer has an "emotional" connection to the word big -- well, somewhere Freud is having a field day. %Gallery-121176% %Gallery-121179%
VUDU teaches old boxes new tricks: HDX streaming, apps and more
It's unfortunately rare to see manufacturers extending support to hardware they no longer sell, but VUDU has reached back to owners of its set-top boxes and updated the software to bring them up to par with its platforms running on TVs and Blu-ray players. That means access to the VUDU Apps platform, access to 1080p, 5.1 audio HDX movies as instantly starting streams, not just downloads, movie trailers and social tie-ins with Twitter and Facebook. The new interface also means updates can be instantly pushed down from their end meaning easy access to any new features in the future. It all sounds good to us, go ahead and flick on your box and see if that new software works as well as promised.
New Mitsubishi 3D DLPs arrive for 2010, is this the mysterious StreamTV?
Sure most other manufacturers are new to this 3DTV thing but Mitsubishi is already on its fourth generation, announcing the new 638, 738 and 838 series DLP TVs. New for the 2010 lineup, and possibly giving some insight to those weird HDTVs that appeared on Amazon yesterday is "StreamTV" interactive media which appears to be a new (post Wal-mart acquisition?) branding for the VUDU Apps service we spotted during CES with Pandora, Flickr, Picasa and others built in. If that sounds like a little too much then don't worry, it's not in the base 638 series televisions while the 738 models add StreamTV, an optional WiFi N adapter and video calibration options, and the top of the line 838 models offer Mitsubishi's 16 speaker built-in iSP surround sound tech along with a few other minor adjustments as upgrades. We're still waiting to find out when these ship (probably in the next month or so), but one thing that never changes is projection's ability to go big for less money than its flat-panel competitors, ranging from $1,199 for the 60-inch WD-60638 to $4,499 for the 82-inch WD-8238 (don't forget to add in the price of a special checkerboard compatible 3D Blu-ray player or an adapter to make everything work.) Check after the break for a full breakdown, we'll let you know once more info is available -- or if some $6k autostereoscopic options pop up on the horizon. %Gallery-90047%
Toshiba brings new LCDs this month with WiFi and LED, but no Cell
They may not be quite as thrilling as the Cell TV ZX900 series Toshiba was focused on during its CES press conference, but if you can put off all that LED-backlit, Wireless HD 3D conversion madness there's a slew of other new HDTVs due this month. The 120Hz UX600 takes top billing with its edge-lit LEDs and sub 2-inch depth, plus the added bonus of an included WiFi adapter for access to all the NET TV features with VUDU and DLNA support, allowing access to Twitter, Pandora and more. The 40-, 46- and 55-inch editions retail at $1,399, $1,699 and $2,499, respectively. The 120Hz G300 series is available in the same sizes but without the LEDs, WiFi, Net TV and slim "Air Lagoon" styling the price maxes out at $1,599 for the largest screen. Moving down the line the E200 models focus on energy efficiency while the C100 and CV100 bring small 720p screens with or without built-in DVD player. A quick check of Amazon and other retailers shows the smaller ones already leaking into availability with their larger brethren due, oh, any day now. Check for full MSRP lists and press releases after the break,, plus a peek at the 55300U, if you must.
VUDU Apps demoed on Mitsubishi's 2010 LCD
We're still waiting for more details on what enhancements are in store for Mitsubishi's upcoming sequel to its well received 16-speaker packing Unisen line, but last night at Digital Experience we did get a chance to see one running the new VUDU Apps platform next to an older 2009 model. Overall the experience was smooth and snappy, and its PR informed us we could expect regular updates to the service from VUDU, with the content offerings managed on their backend flowing to your HDTV anytime it is logged onto the 'net. Check a quick video clip after the break, the new model is first, followed by Pandora on the older set.
