lcos
Latest
JVC-Victor's DLA-HD10KS 1080p LCoS projector
JVC-Victor just announced their DLA-HD10KS LCoS based 1080p projector intent on kicking those DLP projectors to the curb. Utilizing their D-ILA implementation of LCoS like we've seen in their highly-praised big panels, this baby pumps a theater-like 27-decibels and features an okay 2,500:1 contrast ratio, 2048 x 1536 resolution, and one measly DVI-D HDCP port -- sorry, no HDMI here folks. And that rather lackluster 600 lumen rating makes the DLA-HD10KS suitable only for the darkest of home theater setups. Dropping July 1st for ¥1,440,000 (or about $12,500) with replacement 200W lamps set to pull an additional ¥26,250 (or about $228) per pop. For that price, you might want to hang with 1080p DLP just a bit longer, eh?[Via Impress]
Sony's 18,000 lumen SXRD 4K prototype projector
So you've got a fancy home theatre system do ya? Oh, and you like to boast a bit about the 3000 lumens your 1080p DLP kicks? Well check that ego son, 'cause Sony just unveiled their newest SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) 4K projection technology which slams your home kit with a blinding 18,000 lumens (nearly twice the brightness of their top-o-the-line SRC-R110, pictured to right) and a 4096 x 2160 resolution. As you may have guessed, these are designed and priced for commercial movie theatres. Still, if you've got a couple hundie grand to drop, we're sure Sony might grant an exception to you and your fifty-foot screen.
Home Entertainment Expo: Sony
The online mag Big Picture Big Sound got a chance to get up close and personal with Sony's new SXRDs and Bravias at this years Home Entertainment Expo. They had the opportunity to get some great pics of the entire new line of Sony products. Sony seems to have a whole line of cool and somewhat innovative products this year. A great thing to note is that all of their 1080p HDTVs accept 1080p signals. Their XBR2 Bravia line has swappable color bezels to match any color decor. They are now putting front HDMI inputs and even removable speakers for the 70-inch SXRD XBR. Only wish one of us lived on the west coast.Follow the link for the complete picture set.
Carbon nanotubes manage 1080p on a 0.7-inch microdisplay
We can't say it was love at first sight for us and carbon nanotube displays, with the first screen cap resembling a Lite-Brite a lot better than a next generation display technology. Well, now we're ready to give this nano tech another chance, since Syscan Imaging has just managed to squeeze a 1920 x 1080 resolution onto a 0.7-inch LCoS microdisplay for use in projection TVs. It's even at a lower cost than competing technologies, and should hopefully overcome some of the current problems with the low yields and color inconsistencies of LCoS. Carbon nanotube displays also run cooler and have zero ghosting, so we're pretty stoked, but we'll have to wait until 2007 for these to make it to shelves.[Via HD Beat]
True 1080p from Sony: 5 new Grand Wega SXRD models and 6 new BRAVIA LCDs
In case you were wondering what you would be connecting your new 1080p Blu-ray player or Playstation 3 to this fall, Sony has the answer with their new models, many featuring 1080p inputs and display. The 40- and 46-inch BRAVIA XBR models (KDL-40XBR3 & KDL-46XBR3) will feature 1080p resolution and three HDMI inputs each, built in ATSC tuners, two component inputs, BRAVIA Engine Pro image processing and WCG-CCFL backlighting. They will retail for $4300 and $5200, respectively. The BRAVIA V2500 series offers similar features but add a bottom speaker. All are slated for release in September.For the Grand Wega LCoS-based SXRD sets, the XBR line will include 60- and 70-inch (KDS-R60XBR2 & KDS-R70XBR2) models with two 1080p HDMI inputs, a front mounted HDMI input, 0.61-inch SXRD microdisplays, and the same Digital Reality Creation Multi Function Version Two Point Five image enhancement technology featured in the LCDs to upscale SD and 720p or 1080i sources. They will retail for around $7800 and $5300 this fall. There are also three 50-, 55- and 60-inch models (KDS-50A2000, KDS-55A2000 & KDS-60A2000) in the A2000 series releasing this summer with the same feature set and Cinema Black Pro for up to 10000:1 contrast ratio. Their prices are $3500, $4000 and $4500 respectively.Read - Grand Wega announcementRead - Bravia announcement
1080p carbon nanotube-based LCoS microdisplay
Syscan Imaging has announced the first product from the nanotechnology company they acquired last fall. The 0.7-inch microdisplay claims to deliver 1920x1080 images at a lower cost than competing technologies. They also hope to overcome some of the problems that have hamstrung LCoS technology so far by increasing yields and having a lower operating temperature. Finally, its designers are optimistic they'll be able to reach even higher resolutions in the future. Looks like D-ILA and SXRD may have some competition, although HDTVs based on the technology are not expected to hit until 2007.
1080p projector roundup
HDTV Magazine talks 1080p, covering such issues as frame rate and de-interlacing. While we've discussed de-interlacing and upconversion before, this article breaks down the difference some devices may have in adjusting the framerates of 1080p content, while Sony's upcoming Blu-ray player will output 1080p at 60fps only, Philips is opting to push the native 24fps and so far Toshiba has forgone 1080p altogether. That's one more setting that you may want to make sure your next TV and high-def DVD player purchase include the option to adjust, or if they don't adjust, have default settings that mesh properly. Since that wasn't enough full-resolution controversy, they make a cursory comparison of two LCoS-based front projectors, the JVC DLA-HD10K and Sony VPL-VW100 with four projectors featuring Texas Instruments' new true-1080p DLP technology, no wobulation here. The Optoma HD81, Sharp XV-Z20000, Marantz VP-11S1 and Action model 3 1080p.[Corrected Sharp model #]
LightVu HMD uses "NanoPrism" tech to eliminate "cyberstress"
Although not any more stylish than the rest of the head-mounted displays on the market, the LightVu reference design from Israeli startup Mirage Innovations could provide a benefit even more important than fashion, which is preventing you from throwing up. The lightweight plastic goggles feature a proprietary technology that the company calls "NanoPrism," which supposedly eliminates the "cyberstress" (nausea, dizziness, vertigo) inherent to other binocular devices by some fancy manipulation of the 42-inch-equivalent picture. Specifically, a diffractive optical plate built into the frames reflects the video from whatever microdisplay device is being used (LCD, LCOS, OLED) so that both eyes see one continuous image. So far no manufacturers have picked up this design, but we'll take one for a spin after a big meal if we ever get a chance, and let you know if we were able to keep our food down.[Via EE Times and I4U]
HDTVs on sale @ Best Buy
Because if there's anything we like more than HDTVs, it's cheap HDTVs. All televisions $499 and up (excluding Sony XBRs and HP models) are apparently on sale this week, and there's free shipping for online orders. If you already know what set you want and have just been waiting for a price break, this may be a good opportunity.See any other good deals in this weeks ads? Let us know in the comments for people like me who don't read the newspaper.[Via digg]
Blu-Ray Demo impressions
A few weeks ago I had a chance to check out a demo of the HD-DVD player at Sound Advice and tonight I had a chance to see a Blu-Ray player in action. Warren called me last week to ask me if I was going to go to the demo and I didn't even know about it because I threw away the invitation with the rest of the junk mail. Warren was sick and he didn't make it, so you are stuck with only my impressions.
What is so difficult about LCoS?
LCoS is all the rage today in the world of projection TVs, between American's Favorite Sony SXRD and JVC's D-ILA. ExtremeTech even did a shootout recently of some of the latest LCoS TV's. It is now a major contender for most consumers who are considering a projection TV today. LCoS hasn't always been all peaches and cream, for years fortunes were lost in attempt to cash in on this promising technology. Thompson was the first to to give up after releasing a commercial LCoS in 2001. The next to attempt to realize the dream was Toshiba, as well as Phillips and Mitsubishi. Intel even announced that they would produce LCoS chips at CES 2004, only to cancel those plans 10 months later. The most recent to announce that they were canceling their plans was LG, only 6 months after the annoncement.We all know the great benefits of LCoS, but what makes them so difficult to produce? Thanks Warren!
Canon's SX6, SX60, S600 REALiS LCoS projectors
Canon might not be helping Toshiba bring SED sets to market sooner, but they did just drop three new LCoS projectors in their REALiS line. The SX6, SX60 and S600 are named similarly, but they differ greatly in price at $6,999, $5, 999 and $3,999 repsectively. Starting at the top, the SX6 offers 1400x1050 res and a 1000:1 contrast at 3500 lumens. Sibling SX60 keeps the res, drops the lumens to 2500 but can show a 2000:1 contrast via a Home Cinema Mode. The baby of the REALiS line, the S600, is XGA only or 1024x768 with the 3500 lumen output at 1000:1 contrast.The suggested retail prices seem a bit high for these specs, but they're not completely out the ballpark either. Each of these DVI-equipped projectors arrive in May sans HDMI interface.
LCoS shootout continues with part three
The LCoS round up continues with part three of four over at ExtremeTech. In the latest installment, we get to the good stuff: test pattern analysis and viewing opinions from the 34 lucky dogs that got their peepers on the five test sets. Right up front, all but one of the sets in the shootout get a grade of "A" or "A-" for the test pattern evaluations. JVC's HD-61Z886 consumer edition set shown above scored a "B-" here,due to some artifacting that didn't appear on the rest of the bunch as well as a 4% overscan issue. The same general grading results followed suit in the viewing tests and it's worth a note that JVC's profession edition, the DLA-HRM1, came out on top here with the highest marks. Then again, with a list price of $44,995, it should have, since it's actually a reference monitor.
LCoS Shootout part deux
If you are interested in the nitty-gritty of HDTV projections sets, this article is for you buddy. This is Extreme Tech's round two of their LCoS Shootout where they go in detail about the testing. And let me tell you, they did extensive testing. Before they just shoot numbers at you, they explain in full detail what and why they are testing it. For example, they explain the brightness level and why it's set so high when it comes right out of the box. It is, of course, because of the sales floor and making it stand out from the other TVs.Take some time (15-25 mins) and read over this article.
Sony KDS-R60XBR1 is Engadget's Readers Choice
The 2005 Engadget Awards are out and we quickly skipped past all of the uber-cool, but not so high-def devices until we found the Engadget HDTV of the year. Looks like there was a split on this one, but we can see why. The Engadget Readers voted the Sony KDS-R60XBR1 LCoS HDTV as the best high-def set of 2005. Several of our readers also like the 60-inch Sony so we can't argue with that pick. Engadget picked the Toshiba SED set and after personally viewing it at CES, we understand. The SED sets aren't available for consumers yet, and likely won't be until very late this year, so we're expecting to see the SED set top the list for the readers next year.What HDTV sets would you consider as the top high-def TV for 2005?
Sony VPL-VW100 SXRD projector
Were they late or weren't they? Sony originally planned to bust out the VPL-VW100 SXRD projector by the end of 2005, but we just noticed availability today thanks to a European launch. We might forgive 'em based on the specs of this powerful projector; the VPL-VW100 is a 1920 x 1080 res unit with an output of 800 lumens and contrast ratio upwards of 15,000:1. Folks looking for an HDMI-capable projector will be thrilled since the VPL-VW100 sports one along with a DVI-D, component, S-Video, and Ethernet jack. The guts are built off of the successful Sony SXRD sets that we just love, so just might eBay our Xbox 360. On second thought, that won't help too much since the projector is in the $8k to $10k street price range.
Did you take advantage of the Super Bowl?
Well, the game is only a few hours away and if you haven't got your new HDTV yet, you better have a big truck and be able to find one in stock. We all know by now that this last week is huge for HDTV sales, but we are curious to know if you bought one because you are a true fan or because the true fans bring down the price for the rest of us.Don't get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of a great sale, but did the Super Bowl really have any barring on purchasing a new HDTV? There really was some great sales to be had, and we are sure the retailers and manufacturers are going to announce "record HDTV" sales in a few weeks, but did you take advantage of it?Me? No. I love the Super Bowl and football alike, but it did not drive me to purchase a new HDTV. Maybe if I was hosting the party this year, a bigger one would be cool, but not this time around. Maybe next year though.
Super Bowl Tickets or total HDTV package?
Super Bowl XL is almost here and you don't have tickets, do you? eBay has you covered though; I found a set of VIP Suite Tickets that are going for $6,500 at the time this post was written. Now, would you spend that much money for a night of football bliss or would you put that wad of cash towards a great HDTV package? Check out what that same $6,500 can get you in our proposed package.
LCoS Shootout at ExtremeTech
With all the emerging display technologies today it is hard to keep up. The latest rear projection display technology to take the market by storm is LCoS or Liquid Crystal on Silicon. LCoS isn't exactly new, but it had its coming out recently. In the beginning, LCoS was plagued with problems. Mitsubishi was one of the first major brands to release an LCoS TV that was relatively problem free, but their 82" Alpha had an MSRP of $22,000. ExtremeTech's LCoS shootout could not have come at a better time. With the even further decline of CRT RPTVs, consumers are looking for a technology that can provide the same contrast as CRTs but with a much higher refresh rate. Head over to ExtremeTech for a great review as well as a great explanation of LCoS technology. I was however a bit disappointed that they didn't include "'Americas Favorite TV".Thanks Warren!
Is Sony's SXRD really America's favorite HDTV?
Sony has some cool commercials, don't they? We love that new one with the 'low-def' sports. You know, the one with the little fake football players that some guy is moving around pretending like the Bears could ever win the Super Bowl. It's cool. But then at the end of it comes Sony's famous marketing: SXRD, America's Favorite HDTV. Now that is a great TV. We love it around the HD Beat labs and all, but we just don't know if it deserves the "America's Favorite" label. What about the Panasonic 42 and 50-inch plasmas or Samsung DLPs? Sure, Sony made a great HDTV, but the SXRD is just too new in our opinion to be considered for America's Favorite HDTVAre we right here or just too afraid to say Sony has the best?
