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LG to debut world's slimmest LED-backlit LCD TV (LH95) at CES
Not content with just making soap opera hair look like watery strands of gold, LG is also planning to trump last year's round of ultrathin LCD TVs by bringing the planet's slimmest LED-backlit LCD TV to Las Vegas. Expected to garner fingerprints from every nationality at CES 2009, the LH95 will check in at just 24.8-millimeters thick (0.976-inches) and boast a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and the outfit's 240Hz TrueMotion Drive dejudder technology. No word on a price or release date (or panel size, oddly enough), but hopefully we'll find out more in just under a fortnight.[Via Boy Genius Report]
LG Display plans to melt eyes with Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV
Seriously, there's only so much picture improving you can do before the law of diminishing returns demands some recognition. While Sony just spent boatloads creating an over-the-top advertisement for its largely unimpressive 240Hz Motionflow technology, LG Display is laughing all the way to Vegas with its Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV. Set to debut at CES 2009, said panel will boast a four-millisecond response time and an unprecedented 480 refresh rate per second. Curiously, we're not informed of the screen size nor the resolution, so we could theoretically run into a 9-inch 320 x 240 display and be totally underwhelmed. On the real, the outfit is expected to launch the world's first Trumotion 480Hz LCD TV panel in the second half of next year, but we're just about to lay down good money that Sony or Samsung accelerates development in order to beat it to the punch. Full release is after the break.
CNET takes a shine to Vizio's java-flavored VOJ370F LCD TV
Rack another one up for Vizio, the brand that keeps finding ways to resonate with consumers in its marketing move upstream. CNET put the java-toned VOJ370F model to the test and came away quite pleased, thank you very much. Sure, the 1080p pixel count is largely empty resolution, but a rich set of inputs both behind the panel and on the side, and image adjustments scored smileys from the editors. Best of all, the unit turned in good grayscale performance and the colors stayed accurate even when the backlight was turned down. To top it all off, the Vizio fared pretty well across the board in its cagematch with similar models from Panasonic, Hitachi and Sony. Hit the link for the details, or just go ahead and pick one of these up.[Via TVSnob]
DisplaySearch revises LCD TV forecasts for 2009, takes 'em lower
No surprises here, but the analysts at DisplaySearch have evidently been working overtime in order to revise the 2009 forecast for LCD TV shipments. We're not particularly sure where the originals sat, but if these new numbers prove true, we'll see LCD TV revenue fall year-over-year for the first time in the history of LCD TV shipments. The updated report notes that key factors in the downturn are "reductions in forecast TV prices and revised forecasts for year-over-year shipment growth for LCD and PDP TVs in 2009, down by 7 and 6 points from previous, respectively." As of now, LCD TV revenues are slated to drop 16% year-over-year, with total TV revenues falling 18%. Get a few big-screen OLED TVs out for under two large, and we bet all that changes -- don't mind that we're asking for the impossible or anything.
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.
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.
Toshiba's 46XV545U LCD HDTV reviewed: internal upscaling is a joke
Sympathizers were outraged that skeptics (read: us) didn't believe that Toshiba's Super Resolution Technology was anything worth writing home over, and hey, we hate to say we told you so. The outfit's 46XV545U was recently reviewed over at CNET, and critics found the internal upscaling technology to be more of a gimmick than anything. Sure, it artificially sharpened some SD content for the better, but all in all, the SRT system fell under the "bad," not the "good." Overall, the set offered up a decidedly decent experience from top to bottom, yielding a "Good" rating and three out of five stars. In other words, take your dollars elsewhere -- competition is fierce, and you're in no place to settle for less than the best in any given price range.
Ask Engadget HD: DTV converter, or a new TV?
Hard to believe, but in just over two months, analog signals will be a thing of the past in the USA. Okay, so we're sure a small grace period will be enacted, but the digital TV transition is coming at a furious pace. Devin has written in this week with a question that we reckon many are pondering, so here's your shot at discussing it: "I know I could redeem my $40 voucher for a digital TV converter, but I'm beginning to wonder if that's the best thing for my garage TV. I'm not really fond of cluttering the area up with another set-top-box, and really, I'm wondering if this is the perfect excuse to pick up a small HDTV. I'm wondering what other readers in this situation are doing, and if so, which small HDTV should I pick up to replace my existing analog set?" Sure, we should all feel absolutely terrible about junking that perfectly good analog set and using this as an opportunity to get yourself a new HDTV, but hey, why not donate the old set, take a tax write-off and get a warm, fuzzy feeling in exchange? That's our advice, what's yours?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.
Viewsonic introduces 24-inch, 1080p VT2430 LCD TV
It may be leaving things a little late, but Viewsonic is apparently hoping that its new 24-inch VT2430 LCD TV will attract the eyes of a few holiday shoppers and, judging from the specs, it seems to stand a pretty good chance of doing just that. Leading that list is full 1080p resolution, which is certainly a nice bonus on a set this size, as is the promised 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, assuming the results actually live up to that number. Otherwise, you can expect a built-in ATSC / NTSC / QAM TV tuner, HDMI 1.3 connectivity, 250 nits brightness, and the usual VGA, component, s-video, and composite inputs to accommodate your non-HDMI devices. Best of all, it packs an MSRP or just $399, which likely means you'll find it even cheaper if you do a bit of shopping around.
Audioholics puts Mitsubishi's LT-46149 LCD with iSP to the test
If you're dead set on getting all your video and audio delivered from a single device, you could do worse than Mitsubishi's LT-46149 LCD and its iSP (Integrated Sound Projector) -- at least judging by the Audioholics review of the unit. The 16 beaming speakers across the bottom of the bezel proved more than just a toy and actually could be dialed in to create a real soundfield, albeit lacking in ultimate SPL output and bass. The lack of discrete input codes wasn't really solved by the automatic input selection and the backlighting could have been more even, but those problems faded away when watching movies. Some annoyance was laid at the feet of the 120Hz processing, consistent with other opinions (including our own). Keep in mind the "convenience with good performance" target for this set and hit the link for the full review.
Vizio enjoys a Black Friday bump in sales
Vizio's move to cut prices on select HDTV models in advance of Black Friday looks like it was a pretty shrewd maneuver, with the company showing 162,000 units sold in North America over last weekend. To put that in perspective, that's a sale almost every 1.5 seconds, 24-hours a day, from Friday to Sunday. The lion's share of those register checkouts were for 32-inch displays, and adding in 32 37-inch and 42-inch offerings accounts for almost all of the units; so this isn't a flood of 19-inch TVs that are finding their way into guest rooms and kitchens. Who knows if it's the new high-quality marketing message or the value-brand perception, but Vizio seems to be doing pretty well for itself, indeed.UPDATE: Wouldn't you know it, Vizio's Black Friday sales figures were actually even higher than those reported above. The 162,000 units moved were from Amtran, only one of Vizio's suppliers, and Amtran does not even provide 19, 22 or 26-inch TVs that were sold.[Via tgdaily]
Panasonic's FreeSat-tuning TX-37LZD81 HDTV reviewed
Panasonic's FreeSat-tuning VIERA TH-46PZ81B fared well in its recent review, and thankfully, so did the TX-37LZD81 LCD HDTV. The set, which was acquired and tested by the eyes at HDTVOrg, was highly praised in almost every area, with critics pointing out its fantastic ability to make both SD and HD content look its best. The integrated speakers weren't anything special, but it's not like you were expecting anything drastically different. We'd personally love to see that FreeSat tuner find more than a smattering of HD channels, but for those looking to pick out the ones that currently exist, this set wouldn't be a bad one to do that on.
Micro Matic v-POD weds beer dispenser and LCD TV
It's two things that are inevitably tied to one another each Sunday -- LCD TVs and alcohol. Now, Micro Matic is bringing them together like never before, and only the most serious of in-home bartenders need apply. The v-POD comes in a couple of shapes and colors to best suit your needs, with the stainless steel Kool-Rite boasting a half-dozen taps, stereo speakers and an inbuilt 10-inch LCD. Now, if only these were available with slightly larger HDTVs and price tags nowhere near the three grand mark, we'd be talking.[Via Engadget Chinese]
Loewe hints at Blu-ray-infused LCD HDTV by 2010
While most of the big boys are in a foot race to see who can pump out a legitimate big screen OLED TV the fastest, little ole Loewe is perfectly content with LCD. According to the company's CEO, Frieder Löhrer, he watches "all of the techniques that are on the market, almost on a daily basis," but was quick to dismiss that admittedly mesmerizing laser technology implemented by Mitsubishi as being too "inefficient and ineffective." When questioned on the possibility of joining a few other select firms in producing a Blu-ray-infused HDTV, he stated that he "could not say no," and he continued on to say that "it's a technique that we foresee not for the year 2008, but [probably] for early 2010." Hey, he never said he was trying to beat everyone else to the punch, right?
JVC's DVR-packin' LT-26DE9BJ LCD HDTV gets reviewed
We're not exactly sure why we're just now beginning to see a rash of new bedroom-sized HDTVs again, but we'll go the safe route and pick "economy." At any rate, JVC's got a unique one on its hands with the LT-26DE9BJ, a 26-inch LCD TV with a 160GB hard drive built-in to handle the PVR duties. The set, which is available now in the UK, also boasts a Freeview tuner and an 8-day EPG. Under scrutiny, the tele held up fairly well, with critics finding the image quality to be "exceptionally sharp" with both SD and HD material. The recording features were also admired, but the "average black levels" kept it from receiving a wholehearted recommendation. Still, if you can manage to find this one for a deep discount (sticker is £500), you just might have a winner on your hands.
Samsung's 55-inch LN55A950 LCD HDTV reviewed: exceptional and expensive
You already heard CNET's opinions on the 46-inch 950 series LCD HDTV, but what if that one just isn't big enough for your ego / den? Enter the 55-inch sibling, which was recently critiqued by the gurus over at Home Theater Mag. According to the review, the LN55A950 managed to deliver black levels eerily close to those emitted by Pioneer's famed KURO line, although the off-angle viewing was deemed mediocre. For those who found a way to sit relatively close to dead-on in front of it, image quality was said to be nothing short of fantastic. In fact, these guys recommended that you not buy another LCD HDTV until you've checked this one out first, although you should probably pay attention to the $4,000+ price tag before you waste any time warming to a set that's out of reach. Bottom line? This is a marvelous LCD for those with the cash to burn, but four large is a steep price to pay for awesomeness.
Sony's BRAVIA KDL-26M4000/R LCD HDTV reviewed
With all the big screen flat-panels cluttering up the HDTV arena, one may wonder if anyone's even paying attention to consumers clamoring for LCDs that can be handled by fewer than four burly gentlemen. Sony's BRAVIA KDL-26M4000/R is one set that fits better in a bedroom than a den, with a 26-inch panel and a 1,366 x 768 resolution. The gurus over at PC World were able to take the mid-sized set for a spin, and while it found that some tweaking was necessary out of the box in order to get the best possible HD quality, things were pretty swell once calibration was over. The built-in ATSC / NTSC / ClearQAM tuner did its job admirably well, and it also did a fantastic job of making SD content look as bearable as possible. The biggest knock against it was the price, which shouldn't be surprising for anyone who follows MSRPs of Sony TVs, as critics felt most folks would be happier spending less for similar sets.
Ask Engadget HD: What should I get on Black Friday?
This glorious day only comes once per year here in the United States, so you should know we're going to harp on it 'til it's over. We've ditched the usual Ask Engadget HD routine this week in favor of sparking up conversation about shopping, so have a read below: "No surprise, Black Friday 2008 is tomorrow. I don't particularly need anything, but I'm always down for an HD-related deal. I don't have time to shuffle through all those ads -- what are the best items to get, and where do I head to get 'em?"You've seen our breakdown of HD-related sales for Black Friday, but now it's time to toss in your votes for the best deals around. We know, it's slim pickings this year, but show us what ya got in comments.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.[Image courtesy of Sun-Sentinel]
Vizio hacks prices on select HDTVs prior to Black Friday
We've already seen that a number of retailers will be offering Vizio HDTVs on the cheap this Friday (or Black Friday, as the in-crowd calls it these days), but the company is stealing a bit of their thunder by announcing cuts from the top a few days early. Vizio's 19-inch VA19 LCD will be offered for just $199.99 at Costco through December 7th, while the 32-inch VP322 plasma (pictured) will go for $437 at Walmart starting today. There's also the 37-inch VW37 LCD HDTV for $499.99 at Costco, the 32-inch 1080p VOJ32LF LCD for $559.99 at Sears and the 42-inch 1080p VS420 for $698 at Sam's Club. If none of these sets float your boat, check out our condensed guide to Black Friday: HD style for something more to your liking.
Sony's BRAVIA EX1 / ZX1 HDTVs arrive in the UK
Wouldn't you know it? The world's slimmest LCD HDTV and one of the only wireless HDTVs have both arrived in unison in the United Kingdom. Without much fanfare, Sony has delivered the 9.9-millimeter thin KDL-40ZX1 (pictured) / KDL-52EX1 and the likely-WHDI-enabled KDL-40ZX1 / KDL-46EX1 to regions across the pond, though these beauties won't come with you relieving your wallet of some serious poundage. The KDL-40ZX1 gets going at £2,339, and it only gets wilder from there.[Thanks, Marcos]
