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Flat-panel TV shipments to fall for the first time ever in 2012?
The past fourteen or so years have been a great run for flat-panel TV sales, but according to IHS (formerly iSuppli), that run is finally going to turn in the down direction in 2012. The expected drop off is predicted to be five percent, which still leaves the total TVs sold in 2012 at 37.1 million, more than a few dollars for sure. The fact that last year saw a modest one percent raise is as good of an indicator as any that the good times are over. Of course this is but a single prediction from a single analyst firm and we'll all have to wait until the year is over and earnings are announced to know anything for certain.
DuPont's AMOLED HDTV tech licensed by... someone, will likely be used to build HDTVs
DuPont has wanted to bring AMOLED HDTVs to market since at least 2006, and now it appears they've found a partner to help make that happen. There's no name given, but a "leading Asian manufacturer" (Samsung's shown off the tech before and we figure it has some R&D cash to reallocate after dumping ZScreen) has apparently licensed the tech and, we assume, plans to put it to use. DuPont claims AMOLED HDTVs will be better than current LCDs in pretty much every way (color, contrast, response speed, viewing angle, power efficiency), as long they actually ever go on sale. Given the timing, we're hoping there will be something to see come CES time so we can find out if 2012 will finally be OLED's year. The press release is after the break, along with a quick video showing where AMOLED's come from: First, a slot coat HIL and primer layers have to love each other very, very much...
Sony's AR tool lets you put big screens in small apartments (video)
It may not be a slick as Panasonic's dream-TV AR app, but at least Sony's keeping up with the competition. Live from the company's UK outfit is an online AR tool enabling you, dear reader, to visualize all sorts of boob tubes you can (and can't) afford. After printing, affixing and photographing a marker, prospective buyers can get a better sense of what sets fit in their humble abodes. Interested in giving it a go? Mosey on past the break for PR and a video, and then hop beyond the source link to begin your adventure. [Thanks, Matt]
Zvox returns with a few new sound base speaker setups
We were impressed by the stereo sound Zvox's 425 and 550 soundbars produced when we checked them out a few years ago, and now the company has announced two new models in the Z-Base 555 and Z-Base 580. As indicated by the name, these aren't just skinny bars that sit in front of your TV, they're an entire box meant to be placed underneath one's flat panel. That difference gives them the space to deliver quality sound, and these new models expand the line with a few new features including Dialogue Emphasis and output leveling. Both are shipping now, the 555 sports a $399 MSRP, while the 580 sports a more powerful amplifier and larger speakers to justify its $599 price.
Ciil Technologies weatherproof HDTVs work by the pool, in the pool
Never heard of Ciil Technologies? Nah, you aren't out of the loop -- these guys were just founded last year, and now they're hoping to make a literal splash in the desert with their first full range of weatherproof LCD TVs. Designed to be used primarily outdoors (or in homes with loads of Super Soaker fights), this new range of fully-sealed 1080p HDTVs is made up of sets from 32- to 55-inches. Each one has nary a vent nor filter, enabling it resist dust, debris and even water. In fact, each one sports the highest waterproof (IP) and dust proof (NEMA) rating available, enabling 'em to withstand a good pressure washing and the occasional dip in the pool. It seems as if you'll have to inquire about pricing, but we're going to guess those that have to ask... well, probably shouldn't.
Samsung's figured out how to keep HDTVs running cooler
Now that practically every flat panel ships with an array of smart and app store friendly features included, keeping the processors doing all the heavy lifting cool is an issue. Enter Samsung's ultra Low Temperature Chip On Film (u-LTCOF) that spreads out the heat from the system-on-chip over a larger area and is designed specifically for its new 3DTVs using LCD/LED and plasma display technology. The tech goes back to '07, but Samsung plans to produce the new version around Q4 and replace the old metal film with "viscoelastic silicone" that should be about 20 percent more efficient. All in all that's great, and we're going to let it finish, but hopefully the company can also address that "Samsung whine" so many owners have complained about over the last few years.
InFocus rolls out three new large, thin displays for business, education
Don't count on these being available at your local mega-electronics retailer, but InFocus' new series of large, thin displays aimed at business and education users may just have you wishing they were. Available in 42, 55, and 65-inch varieties, the slim, professional-grade displays all pack a full 1080p resolution, a generous supply of inputs (including HDMI, VGA and RS232 for Crestron and AMX integration), a split screen feature to accommodate two separate video sources, and some anti-burn-in technology that will let you leave a pie chart up on the screen all day without any worries (if that's your thing). Of course, professional-grade also come with professional-grade prices, and these are no exception, with them running $1,399, $2,599, and $7,499 -- although InFocus insists they are aimed at the "budget-conscious professional."
Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Televisions
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Want a gift the whole family can enjoy? A brand new television is sure to do the trick and with more HDTV content available than ever from antenna, cable, satellite, Blu-ray discs or even the internet, there will always be something to watch. Whether it's their first flat-panel or an upgrade, these picks come through in several price ranges selected to maximize your, we mean their, viewing pleasure. The only question left we can't help you with? Who gets the first turn on the remote.%Gallery-79792%
Limited-color OLEDs could operate with 40 percent less power, look just as stunning
You know that fancy flat-panels can display more colors than the human eye / mind can even interpret, right? Thanks to our hard-wired limitations, a certain facet of boffins across the way are developing a method that would scale back the amount of colors used in an OLED screen in order to shave energy usage even further. Johnson Chuang of Simon Fraser University in British Columbia has worked with colleagues in order to conjure up sets of colors that "slash the power consumption of an OLED panel by up to 40 percent, with minimal effect on how people perceive an image." In theory, at least, this breakthrough could lead to longer battery life in cellphones, PMPs and all manners of portable devices. As Chuang puts it: "Say you're running low on battery and you want to use Google maps to get home; switching to an energy-aware color set could make your battery last longer." Don't pretend that doesn't interest you.
LCD sales expectations raised for the rest of '09
Same old same old, despite the screams of plasma fans, LCD sales are expected to reach higher than ever this year, as DisplaySearch has raised its estimate to 127 million units worldwide in 2009. Total TV sales are expected to drop, as well as those of plasmas, but even in the liquid crystal world all isn't pretty. As a result of the ongoing price war, even with higher sales manufacturers are raking in less cash, with revenue projected to be down as much as 6 percent. We doubt that will result in the long predicted LCD price spike, but we do have to wonder how much lower we'llssee sales go later this year around usual bargain hunting times like Black Friday, there may not be much room left.
Mitsubishi's 3D-ready and Unisen HDTV lines in the flesh
Toshiba already showed us what its freshest line of HDTVs looks like, and now its Mitsubishi's turn. The outfit was on hand in NYC to showcase a few of its now-shipping sets, including the 3D-ready Home Theater line and its speaker-infused Unisen crew. We won't bore you with the specs (which can be found here and here, respectively), but we will confess that the 82-inch WD-82737 has us squirming uncontrollably. Have a peek yourself in the gallery below.
Mitsubishi introduces 16-speaker Unisen LCD HDTV line
With Mitsubishi's LaserVue lines humming along once more, it's time for the company to bust out a few more big announcements in the HDTV space. First up is the new Unisen line, comprised of the 151 Series (40-, 46- and 52-inches), the 153 Series (40-, 46- and 52-inches) and the high-end Diamond 259 Series (46- and 52-inches). Each set in the line comes with a built-in "5.1-channel" 16-speaker audio bar, much like the iSP LT-52149 that we reviewed last fall. Each model also incorporates a new UltraThin Frame design, Smooth 120Hz Film Motion technology, four HDMI 1.3a inputs and a USB media port. The top end crew also includes an iSP calibration microphone, Plush1080p 5G 18-bit digital video processing, a wired IR input and a few swank blue accents to really woo the ladies. The whole family should ship to the United States next month and range from $1,799 to $3,299. Exact pricing is just after the break.
Media Dcor 's Ecco line hides your HDTV artfully & (relatively) cheaply
Media Décor focuses on but one of many ways to cover up your unsightly HDTV habit, and the new Ecco line has moved downmarket from the 110-inch crowd to a more reasonable 42- and 50-inch size. One of the cheaper means available (other than just admitting you watch television, $free.99) at $1,495 and up, buyers can pick from one of 38 limited pieces of artwork to install in this battery operated frame and promises an install time of less than half an hour. Check it out in action and see if this is just what you've been waiting for.
DisplaySearch sez 50% of flat-panels will be "green" by 2011
While many TV makers have rushed to announce that their future sets were Energy Star 3.0 compliant, there's apparently quite a few manufacturers out there with aways to go in the eco-friendly department. A new report from DisplaySearch has it that in 2008, just 20% of flat-panel display shipments had "green features," while that percentage should rise to 50% by 2011 and 70% by 2012. So, just what does a set have to do to be classified as "green?" It needs to meet one of the following conditions: use environmentally friendly components and materials, achieve lower power consumption by using new components or technologies, be compliant with environmental regulations such as waste disposal, use production processes that reduce energy and materials consumed, be completely or partially recyclable after useful life or use green or eco-friendly concepts in product design. Seriously, just one of those? Not too high a hurdle, guys.[Via CEPro]
Panasonic scales back flat-panel production investments
Panasonic already notified the world that it would be moving all plasma panel production to two facilities, and now it's announcing a cut back in investment dollars previously earmarked for a separate pair of plants under construction in Hyogo prefecture. In an effort to take slumping flat-panel demand into account, it's scaling back its investment through 2012 by around $1.5 billion to ¥445 billion ($4.9 billion). Interestingly enough, Panny is simultaneously aiming to "boost its flat TV unit sales by 50 percent next business year," which should be pretty tough unless it steals some serious share from Samsung and LG. Let the battle wage on, we say.
Dell's 22-inch UltraSharp 2209WA LCD monitor surfaces
Dell Canada is good for being the first to show off new LCDs, and yet again we're getting an early look at a forthcoming monitor courtesy of the Great White North. The 22-inch UltraSharp 2209WA will evidently arrive with a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, 300 nits of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angles and a 5-millisecond response time. It also features VGA and DVI connectors, four USB 2.0 ports and an undisclosed price tag. It'll supposed ship in one to two weeks, but given that there's not even an image available yet, we're not so sure we'd bet the farm on that estimate being accurate.[Via whirlpool, thanks Ed]
Westinghouse launches more HDTVs than we care to count at CES
No wonder we haven't seen a fresh TV from Westinghouse since July of last year -- it's been hoarding 'em up for a CES extravaganza. The company is dishing out no fewer than 14 new sets (yes, we caved and counted), so let's not waste any time here. The 120Hz collection consists of the 21.6-inch PT-22F380S, 37-inch TX-37F510Z, 42-inch TX-42F970Z / TX-42F450S, 46-inch VK-46F260S, 47-inch VK-47F140S and 55-inch TX-55F350Z, all of which look to boast 1080p panels, a decent array of ports and an ATSC / NTSC / Clear QAM TV tuner if you're lucky. The lower-res sets include the 18.5-inch PT-19H340S, 21.6-inch PT-22H340S, 26-inch SK-26H630S / SK-26H735S / SK-26H570D, 32-inch SK-32H635S / SK-32H820S / SK-32H570D and the 37-inch SK-37H730S. If any of those caught your eye (we know, it's a blur), feel free to hop past the break for the spec-by-spec breakdown.
Sharp closing down two LCD panel production lines, hacking 380 jobs
It's not pulling a Sony or anything, but even Sharp has been unable to absorb the downturn in flat-panel demand. We already knew that the firm was looking to scale back production by as much as 10% from the middle of this month, and our deductive reasoning skills are leading us to believe that this is the cutback we've been expecting. The outfit will be closing down two LCD panel production lines in Japan in order to "move production to a newer and more cost-efficient plant as the global downturn hits demand for electronic goods." Along with the closings will come 380 job cuts -- all temporary workers -- which will presumably be sent home when the lines halt for the final time in January.
AU Optronics delays construction of two LCD plants
Man, what a difference a year few months makes. At the front end of 2008, panel makers the world over were boasting about big investments to expand production lines and live large on Malta. Now, it's tough to go a week without hearing of at least one plant closing. Take Taiwan's AU Optronics, for instance -- in February of this year, it pledged $9.3 billion to build a pair of LCD factories. Now, it's placing those lofty plans on hold, noting that construction on "two new LCD plants" would be delayed by at least six months. According to chairman KY Lee: "One has to use the brakes and slow down a bit on a downhill path." A curious analogy, but we suppose it works.
LCD shipments expected to skyrocket in Latin America
With DirecTV launching HD service in Latin America, we'd say it's about time its residents realized that flat-panels are the wave of the future present. According to a fresh iSuppli report, the Latin American television market is expected to make a hasty and noticeable transition between now and 2012. Reportedly, LCD TV shipments to the region are set to rise and account for over 83% of the market in under four years; meanwhile, shipments of bulky CRT sets will decline to make up around 8% of the total market. The numbers are pretty baffling when you consider that CRTs held 77.4% of the market just last year, and it's actually rather scary to think where all of those soon-to-be-unwanted sets will end up.
