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Samsung begins production on edge-lit LED-backlit HDTV panels
Samsung's being a bit ambiguous with this one, but we won't deny that we're drooling pretty heavily over these new panels. Said outfit has just revealed that mass production has begun on the industry's first "ultra-slim LCD panels suited for large size TVs," and while we're wondering what exactly it means by that, we can't help but appreciate the attributes. We're told that the unique edge-lit LED backlighting offers lighter weight and thinner designs compared to standard direct-lit LED LCDs, and moreover, a 55-inch Samsung HDTV with edge-lit LED backlighting "uses up to 40 percent less power than conventional LCD TVs." The panels measure just 0.42-inches thick and are being produced in 40-, 46- and 55-inch sizes. We're still waiting to hear back from Sammy on whether these are the same ones used in the energy-efficient LCD HDTVs announced at CES or new models altogether, but 'til then, you can feel free to start digging in the couches for spare pennies.
Sharp bringing dual Freeview tuning HDTVs to Australia
Details are frustratingly sparse at the moment, but Smarthouse has it that Sharp is gearing up to offer HDTVs in Australia with a unique Freeview tuning system. Specifically, these sets will boast MPEG4 and MPEG2 tuners which will allow consumers to continue receiving their digital TV signals "without the threat of their TV recording being restricted." You see, the MPEG4 tuners would be used to restrict recording and limit ad skipping, but apparently no such strings can be attached to MPEG2 processors. It's said that the sets should be available "soon," but details like size, features and price have yet to be revealed. Patience, mates.
Toshiba shows off Cell TV interface, shoots for production in 2010
Toshiba's been talking up / showing off its Cell TV for quite awhile now, but a recent demonstration seen by the UK branch of CNET shed some light on Tosh's future plans for the technology. The Japanese language user interface (shown above) was said to be downright gorgeous and stupendously fluid, and they were even clued in on a concept that could use one main Cell TV as a "central brain," while other sets around the home could act as "dumb screens" that simply borrow computing power from the big guy. We're also told that Cell TV may actually arrive as a two-piece set; a standard monitor plus a dedicated set-top-box with the TV tuner, processor, etc. We know lots could change between now and then, but given that "then" is slated to be 2010, we're definitely expecting to see more near-final prototypes crop up over the next few months.
Sharp debuts AQUOS A series LCD HDTVs in Japan
Sharp already introduced us to its BD and E series at CES this year, but this here A team is something different. Debuting first in Japan, this threesome is comprised of the 52-inch LC-52AE6, 46-inch LC-46AE6 and 40-inch LC-40AE6, all of which sport 1,920 x 1,080 resolutions and a digital TV tuner. The whole crew also includes 120Hz de-judder technology, a 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 450 nits of brightness and 176-degree viewing angles. Moreover, each one features an integrated ambient light sensor to adjust the backlight automatically depending on surrounding light, and they also pack a pair of stereo speakers in case your surround rig is currently out of order. The larger two are expected to ship on May 15th, while the small fellow heads out on April 10th; as for pricing, we're hearing ¥390,000 ($4,048), ¥260,000 ($2,698) and ¥200,000 ($2,076) from largest to most diminutive.[Via Impress]
LG sells one million 32-inch LCD TVs in Europe, celebrates wildly
We can't say for sure what exactly the model number is (strange, we know), but LG Electronics is apparently pretty awestruck and excited about moving a million 32-inch LCD TVs over in Europe. Reportedly, the set -- which was introduced last April -- is sold in 26 European countries, and with it reaching the one million mark, it sets the LG record for the most of a single set sold since it entered the sector in 1999. A company official was quoted as saying that since its debut, it has sold 100,000 per month, and that the "key was to design a luxurious model specially to meet the refined tastes of European consumers." Hear that, Europeans? Y'all are refined!
Ask Engadget HD: Best 30- to 35-inch HDTV?
Typically, we avoid these small size range requests, but given our own frustration in finding a legitimately awesome 30- to 35-inch HDTV, we felt this one needed to be blasted out to all of you fine readers."I'm having the hardest time finding a decent 30- to 35-inch HDTV. Due to the size, I'm looking LCD, but there just seems to be so few options. Has anyone picked up a set of this size for their apartment or bedroom that proved to be good? Any opinions would be great, I'm running out of patience here!"Stay calm, Paul. It's all going to be alright. We're just certain these readers will hook you up with a fine response -- right, folks?Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Bang & Olufsen debuts 40-inch BeoVision 8 LCD HDTV
Slowly but surely, the BeoVision 8 is creeping up into big screen territory. Bang & Olufsen's latest iteration, more casually known as the BV8-40, pulls those LCD TV edges out to 40-inches diagonally and features a lush 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution. Other specs include 500 nits of brightness, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, six-millisecond response time, a digital TV tuner (for those in DVB regions) and a pretty swank set of internal speakers to boot. All we're told regarding pricing is that the MSRP is "attractive," but we get the feeling it's only sexy to those who aren't concerned with zeros and decimal places.[Via GadgetReview]
Disney's latest LCD TV gets mauled by Stitch
Somehow or another, Lilo was completely left out of this arrangement, but as you can tell, there's no room beside Stitch anyway. Disney's latest 20-inch LCD TV has been decidedly commandeered by one of its (er, only?) most popular blue alien characters, and if you can look past that gaping mouth up top, you'll notice a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, HDMI and VGA inputs, a built-in TV tuner, dual five watt speakers and a bundled remote. Oddly, we're told that this royalty-laced set will be priced at an amazing ¥100,000 ($1,015), so you best be sure 1) your kid is a true, hardcore fan and 2) money ain't a thang.[Via CNET]
Toshiba intros power-sipping REGZA C8000 HDTVs in Japan
While the latest Toshiba HDTVs from Japan don't seem to sport any questionably useful upscaling technologies, the REGZA C8000 line does look to save you a few bucks on your monthly energy bill. The 32-inch 32C8000, 37-inch 37C8000 and 42-inch 42C8000 reportedly suck down anywhere between 31- and 51-percent less energy than prior models, with all three also sporting 120Hz Speed Clear Motion tech to nix those judders when watching intensely fast-moving scenes. The whole lot also includes digital TV tuners, while only the larger two get outfitted with 1080p panels (the 32-incher does 1,366 x 768). Pricing remains up in the air at this point, but all three should be in retail shops across Tokyo by the end of March.[Via Akihabara News]
Sony expands connected BRAVIA HDTV line with new W-Series
While these three weren't quite ready for CES, they're still being debuted in Las Vegas alongside Sony's new Blu-ray devices. The W-Series, as with the recently announced BRAVIA Z5100 and XBR9 models, is fully equipped with an Ethernet jack and a Yahoo!-powered widgets engine. Consumers who bite on the 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 or 40-inch KDL-40W5100 can expect easy access to Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Sony Pictures content, etc. The new family also includes Sony's Motionflow 120Hz technology, DLNA compatibility, a USB port for loading up external media, BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC), four HDMI inputs and the Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface. As expected, each one sports a 1080p panel, and while pricing details are still sorely missing, the trifecta should hit retailers later this Spring. Full release is after the break.
LG unveils 42- and 47-inch Bluetooth LH70 HDTVs in Korea
Watch out, world -- LG's got two new Scarlet sets comin' atcha, and both of them sport integrated Bluetooth. The LH70 line will (at least initially) consist of two models, a 42- (39.7mm thin) and a 47-incher (40.9mm thin). Each set will feature a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz technology, 2 millisecond response time, a USB port for connecting external media, a touch sensitive power button, DivX compatibility and an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness in order to best fit the room and conserve energy. Per usual, there's nary a mention of price, availability or percentage chance that these make it out of South Korea, but we'll be keeping an eye out.[Via AkihabaraNews]
3DFusion debuts glasses-free 3DFMax display
Forget all those 1080p sets with internet connectivity -- what you really want is an HDTV that does three-dee. Over at the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas, 3DFusion has announced the market launch of its 3DFMax stereoscopic, glasses free, broadcast ready (get all that?) 3D display. The set is built upon the Philips WOWvx 3D solution, but outside of that, we're really left to wonder what this thing's made of. No resolution, no contrast ratio, no price. Just the hope of a chicken in every pot and a 3D HDTV in every den.
DisplaySearch shows slight LCD TV shipment decline in Q4 2008
Not that we didn't see it coming, but it's still somewhat deflating to watch the dream die. Preliminary DisplaySearch numbers are showing that LCD TV shipments slipped year-over-year for the first time since this style of tracking began, though on the bright side, the decline was but a meager two percent. More specifically, shipments slipped from 8.9 million units in Q4 2007 to 8.7 million units this past quarter. Things look a touch grimmer when viewing all TV shipments, as those fell seven percent in North America to 10.7 million units in the same period. The crazy part? Shipments of plasma TVs increased 28 percent quarter-over-quarter and 10 percent year-over-year, and all the while, we're seeing PDP makers jump ship like the end is near. Ah well, more statistics and figures await those that love 'em in the read link below.
Sharp's 32- / 37-inch Blu-ray AQUOS LCD HDTVs up for pre-order
Right on cue, Sharp has offered two of its new Blu-ray-equipped AQUOS HDTVs up for pre-order. The 32-inch LC-32BD60U and 37-inch LC-37BD60U both feature 1080p panels, a trio of HDMI inputs, six millisecond response times and a slot-loading Blu-ray player on the side. Best of all, the 32-incher is coming up a dollar under a grand, while the 37-inch sibling will only run you $1,199. Sure, they're a bit pricey compared to optical drive-less alternatives, but if you've been holding off on simultaneously scratching the BD + new TV itch, here's your sign.[Via GadgetReview]
Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV: not for Americans
Oh, bollocks! If one particular spokesman who opened up to ZDnet today is accurate, Philips' totally sweet 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV won't ever be sold on American soil. Quite frankly, we're wondering what's up with Philips and its apparent disdain for the US market. It farmed out its Blu-ray / DVD and TV operations in North America to Funai, it didn't even bother showing up in Vegas for CES, and anything even remotely swank that it produces seems to be reserved for those overseas. What happened to the worldwide love, Philips? Did someone give you the impression that Yanks wouldn't buy one of these completely mesmerizing new panels? Sigh.[Thanks, Sean]
Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV gets showcased on video
Philips' groundbreaking Cinema 21:9 HDTV looked so curious when it launched a fortnight ago that we actually questioned its authenticity. Clearly, this beauty is for real. Pocket-lint was lucky enough to be on-hand for its unveiling in London, and it hosted up a nice video showing off the 56-inch beast in action. The black bars you've grown used to detesting were indeed gone, and while Philips wouldn't dole out any hard specifications, we are told that it boasts five HDMI sockets, a Spring release date and an estimated £3,000 ($4,276) price tag. Vid's after the break, per usual.
The HDTVs of CES 2009
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/The_HDTVs_of_CES_2009_HUGE_chart'; It's easy to see that a whole slew of new HDTVs were introduced to the world at CES, but actually keeping up with 'em is another thing entirely. In an effort to make sure you aren't duped into thinking that set you're about to buy is actually a CES '09-announced set, we've laid out the entire line of newcomers (ones that'll actually see store shelves -- we avoided the concepts to save you some grief) just past the break, complete with scheduled release dates and prices where applicable. Nah, you won't find any big screen OLEDs in there (maybe next year, kids), but there's plenty of Hz, pixels and inches to go around.
CES 2009 HDTV mega-guide
CES 2009 may be over and done with, but we'll be feeling the ramifications of it for months to come. For those not watching for every last announcement from the show, you may be surprised to find that dozens upon dozens of new HDTVs were introduced, with many of them slated to start shipping this Spring / Summer. Engadget HD has hosted up a thorough mega-guide to showcase what sets made their debut in Vegas this month, complete with links to more information as well as release windows and pricing where available. If you're even remotely considering a new set this year, you owe it to yourself to give this one a look. Head on over, won't you?
Coby outs trio of LCD HDTVs, perfect for your guest room
Most of Coby's gear at CES was a little lacking in the quality department, but if you're looking for something that'll only need to be turned on every now and then, the outfit's latest trifecta may just fit the bill. From smallest to largest, we've got the 15.4-inch TFTV1524, which offers a 1,280 x 800 native resolution, dual ATSC / NTSC tuners, an HDMI port, VGA socket and a set of stereo speakers. Next up is the TFTV1923, a 19-incher with a 1,440 x 900 resolution and pretty much everything else remaining similar. Finally, the 22-inch TFTV2224 ups the resolution to 1,680 x 1,050 but doesn't add anything else. There's no mention of pricing / availability, but we'd guess they'll be available soon for not-so-much.
Philips introduces ultra widescreen Cinema 21:9 LCD TV
Last July, we took a look at whether or not ultra widescreen HDTVs could eventually become a reality. Fast forward half a year and change, and here we have Philips answering that with a resounding "sure, why not?" The Cinema 21:9 is said to be the planet's first cinema-proportioned LCD TV, and of course, it'll also incorporate Ambilight technology around the borders. We'll be frank -- we had our doubts upon seeing the lackluster website linked below that this thing was even real, but Philips itself confirmed to us that the panel will be shipping this Spring in Germany, Belgium, the UK and France. We're also told that a full site will launch on January 29th, though no pricing details (nor a US release date) were mentioned. Our one and only wish? That this thing would've been displayed at CES last week.[Via GadgetVenue]
