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MicroDisplay planning to shake up 1080p LCoS HDTV market
We're all about driving down prices, thus we're all about MicroDisplay's apparent plans to break the LCoS market wide open when it starts throwing down at CES. The Silicon Valley startup has hopes to deliver "50-inch plus" LCoS sets to "major big box retailers" under "major CE brand names" soon after unveiling its product line in just about a month. The firm is banking on the skyrocketing HD sales, not to mention the phasing out of CRT-based sets, to propel its single-chip sets atop the market. By developing self-proclaimed "unique and proprietary 1080p LCoS digital projection imaging devices," the company is aiming to mass produce a 50-inch model with a lightning quick response time for "under $1,500." Taking a note from Philips' single-chip motif, the sets would eventually range from 50- to 62-inches, with most sets hitting retails floors "around summer 2007."
JVC's DLA-HD1 1080p LCoS projector with 15,000:1 native contrast ratio
JVC has a new top-end LCoS projector set for release with this, their 1080p DLA-HD1. This projector goes Full HD with a 1920x1080 pixel resolution pumped out that trio of 0.7-inch D-ILA devices. Those D-ILAs coupled with a new optical engine which prevents light leakage into the projection lens gives the DLA-HD1 bragging rights to the industry's highest, 15,000:1 native contrast ratio -- "true black" reproduction according to JVC without any iris mechanism. The projector operates at just 25dB in normal mode while pumping 700 lumens off a 200W ultra high pressure lamp. It also brings a 2x manual zoom/focus Fujinon lens and 4-ms response. Oh bonus, unlike the $20k Meridian Faroudja or $6k Cinetron 1080p LCoS offerings, JCV tosses in 2x HDMI inputs on top of component, S-Video, and composite inputs for just ¥798,000 (about $6,753) when these hit Japan starting in late January '07. [Via Impress] Read [warning: PDF link]
Are you getting all the HDTV resolution you paid for?
Not necessarily, given the results of Home Theater Mag's recent tests of 61 HDTVs. Using test patterns from a Silicon Optix HQV HD DVD, they tested deinterlacing, 3:2 detection and for the 1080p sets, bandwidth. Unfortunately, just over 54% of the HDTVs failed the deinterlacing test, 80% failed the 3:2 test, but the 1080p sets passed the bandwidth test, despite all but one (Pioneer Elite PRO-FHD1) losing some detail. If a HDTV doesn't pass these tests, then you're losing at least some visual information from a 1080i signal. Some televisions throw away half the horizontal lines, which results in a fail on the deinterlacing test, or don't perform inverse telecine on moving images appropriately, failing the 3:2 test. Of course, contrast ratio, refresh rate and black levels still contribute to overall picture quality, but you should take a look at their results to make sure you're getting every pixel you expected from your new HDTV.[Thanks, Ryan]
Sony's KDS-R70XBR2 and KDS-R60XBR2 1080p SXRDs now shipping
Now you can put Sony's latest DRC-MFv2.5 under the microscope in the comfort of your own home, as the newest XBR additions to its LCoS-based SXRD line begin shipping today. The aformentioned Digital Reality Creation technology separates the KDS-R70XBR2 and KDS-R60XBR2 from the A2000 line with this newer version designed specifically for upscaling all sources to 1080p. Three 1080p HDMI inputs, 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, CableCARD support and a host of other features are included at a price of $6,999 for the 70-inch and $4,299 for the 60-inch model.
JVC busts out "world's largest" RPTV at 110-inches
It might not be as fancy as the ongoing plasma and LCD wars for largest display, but rear projection displays can have size wars too, and JVC looks to have the largest yet, at a spankin' 110-inches. The TV uses JVC's proprietary "D-ILA" liquid crystal panel tech, for a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, and pulls 220w of juice for powering all its glorious pixels. As usual, there's not much of a plan yet for commercializing this display -- the main purpose of the prototype is to show off a new screen tech from Toppan Printing that is manufactured as a single component -- but there's always bragging rights and booth extravaganza action to be had.
An hourly cost breakdown of HDTV ownership
So exactly how much does that HDTV sitting in your living room cost you? HDTV Almanac takes a look at this and does some simple math to come up to $.37 an hour. That is if you assume the TV is going to be there for five years along with two people watching it the American average of four and a half hours a day. Plus, the cost of the HDTV ($2000) and the monthly charge of high-def service ($100) needs to be calculated too. The only variable missing is power consumption but this number can vary from TV type and manufacturer and in the end $.37 isn't that bad of a cost. Having trouble with the significant other justify the cost of a new HDTV? Simply bring up these numbers and it suddenly seems a tad more reasonable; See, we are here for ya.
Complete CEDIA coverage
Just In case you missed our CEDIA coverage the last few days, here is run-down for your reading pleasure.General info HDBeat @ CEDIA 2006 Irony @ CEDIA Sony @ CEDIA - Booth Tour THX @ CEDIA - THX certification for video displays HD DVD @ CEDIA - Promotional Tour Panasonic @ CEDIA - A little touch of room in the middle of CEDIA HDNet @ CEDIA - Filming high-def in high-def SED @ CEDIA - MIA Hitachi @ CEDIA - Jean-Paul Goude done big HDTVs Fujitsu @ CEDIA - Aviamo 1080p plasmas Samsung @ CEDIA - LED-powered DLP Pioneer @ CEDIA - History of Pioneer plasmas Hitachi @ CEDIA - Worst looking rear-projection at the show? SunBrightTV @ CEDIA - live and in person Sony @ CEDIA - Take a close look at the SXRD NuVision @ CEDIA - LED-powered DLP - 52LEDLP Global Outdoor Concepts @ CEDIA - Outdoor LCDs Sony @ CEDIA - 52-inch 1080p XBR2 & XBR3 Bravia lines Runco @ CEDIA - plasmas that don't forget Hitachi @ CEDIA - 42-inch 1080p plasma Samsung @ CEDIA - 10-inch deep Slim DLPs on display Sharp announces 42-inch 1080p Aquos LCD US availability, pricing - UPDATE Pioneer @ CEDIA - New PureVision Elite plasmas on display Sony @ CEDIA - 52-inch 1080p, 40- & 32-inch 720p BRAVIA LCDs Planar @ CEDIA - Three new 1080p LCDs Complete listing after the jump.
Sony @ CEDIA - Take a close look at the SXRD
Sony is confident about their SXRD technology. So confident that they want CEDIA attendants to take close look at it - very close via the provided magnifying glass. SXRD is an LCoS variant and therefore is a very good picture even at that close of a range. Sure, there was some lines and grains when scrutinized but there wasn't another manufacturer at the show with enough, er, backbone to provide a similar demo.
JVC now shipping new HD-ILA 1080p HDTVs
JVC's 2006 line of LCoS-based HDTVs is finally available on store shelves, they announced these 56-, 61- and 70-inch RPTV models back in January but announced at CEDIA they are now shipping. They use the same technology as Sony's SXRD sets -- no LED backlighting this year -- with 2-million plus pixels on its 0.7-inch microdisplay chip. The big advance over previous models is their ability to accept and display a true 1080p input. Also features is the dynamic iris technology for improving black level quality that was so well reviewed in last year's models. They include JVC's Genessa 32-bit CPU and Digital Image Scaling Technology (D.I.S.T.) for upscaling all sources to 1080p via their ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, dual HDMI and component jacks, IEEE 1394, and PC input. Each TV is available in two editions, the FN series has a silver cabinet and black bezel, while the FH line adds an RS-232C jack, gold connections and all black cabinet and bezel. The HD-70FH97 is pictured above, check below for the 56- and 61-inch models. Prices below are MSRP, a quick Froogle search shows they can be found for considerably less, although none of the stores we checked indicated they were in stock yet.Pricing: HD-56FN97 $3,499.95 HD-61FN97 $3,799.95 HD-70FN97 $5,499.95 HD-56FH97 $3,799.95 HD-61FH97 $4,099.95 HD-70FH97 $5,799.95
Cinetron's new HD-900 LCoS projector brings more 1080p love
We're not going to lie: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels is just a dang sexy spec, and we sure don't mind seeing it show up in a well-designed box like this here Cinetron HD-900. The LCoS projector pumps out 1000 lumens and a 6000:1 contrast ration with its trio of 1080p chips. Sadly, there's no HDMI to be had here, but other connection options, including DVI, are well represented. Under the hood the HD-900 is running a Realta HQV processor, for 10-bit processing of SD and HD signals. The best news, however, is the $6,000 pricetag, which ain't bad at all for what you get. We should be seeing this one in the US this October.[Via AboutProjectors]
Sony brings new Bravia LCDs and LCoS displays to Japan
As if to prove a point, Sony is throwing down a whole lotta 1080p, erm, "True HD" displays in Japan. For starters, they've got two new LCoS rear projection TVs that implement the fancy Digital Reality Creation chipset for enhanced upscaling. The 60-inch KDS-60A2500 and 50-inch KDS-50A2500 are otherwise quite similar to the current SXRD displays of the same size available in the US, but the 600,000 yen ($5,135 US) and 500,000 (4,279 US) respective pricetags for the new A2500 displays are quite a bit steeper. As for LCDs, five of the displays mirror existing offerings in the US, but the high-end 52-inch KDL-52X2500 and its lesser 46, 40 and 32-inch S2500 friends are all new. The 52-incher manages a DRC chipset, 1500:1 contrast ratio, Live Color Creation and a 1080p resolution, while the cheaper displays lose DLC, and only manage a 1366 x 768 resolution. All four LCDs run at 450 nits of brightness, and are due in Japan on October 20th, following the LCoS sets which should be out September 15th.[Via HD Beat]
Sony Pearl VPL-VW50 1080p SXRD projector shown, dated and priced in Japan
LCDs and LCoS RPTVs weren't all Sony had to show off today, they also displayed the eagerly-awaited smaller, cheaper and more efficient followup to their Ruby VPL-VW100 front projector, the Pearl VPL-VW50. Featuring the same third-generation .61-inch microdisplay that powers the RPTVs, this 1080p projector comes with a 200-watt lamp producing 900 lumens of brightness, two HDMI inputs as well and one component input for all the 1920x1080 high definition content you can feed it. Speaking of 1080p inputs, via HDMI it is ready for 1080/60p, 1080/50p and 1080/24p so no matter what framerate your Blu-ray or HD DVD player of the future outputs 1080p this can handle it without a problem. You can project an image of up to 300-inches just like the Ruby with a maximum 15,000:1 contrast ratio. Unlike the Ruby the Pearl features none of Sony's Digital Reality Creation (DRC) technology to enhance the quality of non-1080p content, so the quality of the deinterlacing on these lower-quality sources remains to be seen. Ship date is October 20 with a price of 735,000 yen ($6,290.65 US) compared to the 1,365,000 yen ($11,682 US) of the Ruby.[Via Impress]
Sony unveils new Bravia LCD, LCoS HDTVs for Japan
Sony rolled out some new HDTVs for the Japanese market this winter, some of which have already been announced in the US, the rest we hope soon will be. The biggest new news appears to be that their advanced Digital Reality Creation (DRC-MFv2.5) circuitry is moving downmarket, into the cheaper A2500 series of LCoS HDTVs. The two new RPTVs announced are the KDS-60A2500 and KDS-50A2500, 60- and 50-inches respectively. They'll accept and display 1080p just like their American A2000 cousins, but now with enhanced upscaling technology for non-1080p inputs. At an estimated 600,000 and 500,000 yen respectively, that would give them about a $500-US price bump over the previous 50- and 60-inch LCoS HDTVs and are slated to ship September 15th. Of the nine new LCDs, five are identical to the Bravia LCDs already announced in the US, but they have added the 52-inch KDL-52X2500 at the top of line, and three new S-series LCDs (46-,40- and 32-inch) at the bottom. The KDL-52X2500 includes the aforementioned DRC technology, WCG-CCFL backlighting (1500:1 contrast ratio), Live Color Creation, 1080p resolution and 1080p inputs. The cheaper KDL-46S2500, KDL-40S2500 and KDL-32S2500 are 1366x768 (720p) LCDs with the older Bravia Engine image processing, a 1300:1 contrast ratio on the two large TVs and 1700:1 ratio on the 32-inch. All four LCDs share a 450cd/m2 brightness, feature one HDMI and two D4 inputs (as compared to the three HDMI jacks for the US-specced TVs) and are due to ship in Japan October 20th.
European Imaging and Sound Association winners announced
Now this is the award show we are interested in. The European Imaging and Sound Association awards went down last week and there were big winners all the way around. Keep in mind that these models may not be available here in the States as this was for European products. Interestingly enough, Pioneer's 50-inch 1080p plasma didn't win best high-end plasma as it is just a display with no tuner. Samsung didn't repeat their achievement of winning three awards this year like they did in '05, thanks to their award winning LE40M61B LCD, but they did happen to go home with best innovation for their LED-backlit LCDs. Complete list of winners in the Video Panel Category Best LCD: Sony's 32-inch LCD - KDL-32V2000 Best high-end LCD: Ambilight-equipped 1080p 37-inch LCD - 37PF9731D Best plasma: LG 80GB sporting 42-inch plasma - 42PC1RR Best high-end plasma: Panasonic 50-inch plasma - TH-50PV600/PX600E Best projection TV: JVC HD-ILA powered HD-70ZR7U Best HDV camcorder: Sony HDR-HC3E Best DVD camcorder: Panasonic VDR-D300 Best media camcorder: Sanyo's high-def pocket cam - VPC-HD1 Best DVR - LG's 250GB DVR - RH200MHS Best editing software - Pinnacle Studio Plus v.10 Titanium Edition Best HD-Component: Pioneers 1080p plasma display - PDP-5000EX Best video innovation: Samsung's LED-backlit LCDs Best design: Loewe Individual LCDs Best Video projector: InFocus IN76 Best high-end projector: Sony's 1080p Ruby - VPL-VW1000 Do you agree with this list? Looks good to us.
Sony offering a fix to the A2000 resolution mess
Another week and another Sony controversy. This week is about how Sony's new A2000 SXRD line cannot display a full 1080i resolution over HDMI. Videophiles across the country must have been flooding Sony with calls and emails about this issue and Sony has listened to their pleas. CNET ran across this anomaly during their review and found it odd as 1080p HDTVs should be able to display 100% off a 1080i test pattern but this HDTV didn't. Apparently, Sony has tracked down the issue to a filter setting that was engaged that caused the test pattern to be fully displayed and they are going to offer a fix to the early-production models that are having this issue. The service fix isn't being offered yet, but according to the press release on CNET's site, there will be one. The best bet is to call Sony customer support and inquire when this fix is going to be offered and if they know if your particular A2000 is affected.[Thanks, Ivan]
Ultimate AV Review: Syntax-Brillian 6580iFB03 1080p 65-inch LCoS HDTV
Syntax-Brillian is a brand that many normal consumers have not heard of but they are out to change that. Did you know that they actully hold the trademark term on LCoS? Ultimate AV had the chance to review one of their newest TVs that they are known for. Big LCoS sets. The 6580iFB03 scored overall rather nicely even though being on the high-end of the scale with $8,000 price tag. That price gets the owner the professional calibration we are always telling you that you need though. But most importantly, that high price tag gets you and we quote "the best overall picture of any RPTV I've seen." This HDTV is all about the picture and if you can get past the circa 1994 cabinet, you will have a great high-def experience. This TV isn't for everyone but if that $8,000 price tag doesn't make you blink, check out this review and then find a Syntax-Brillian dealer to see the set in person.[Via HDBlog.net]
Micro-display sales broken down by type
HDBlog.net ran across some interesting numbers relating to the micro-display technology. They are rather predictable but interesting to look at nether-the-less. We agree with HDBlog.net as they don't really do anything for us but show that LCOS based technology is making a run for top slot. Keep in mind that Sony's SXRD and JVC HD-ILA technology is essentially proprietary versions of LCOS and therefore worked into these numbers. It is not surprising that as LCOS numbers increase, LCDs decrease as manufacturers move away from the once top competitor of DLPs to superior technology. 2002: LCOS 2% LCD 82% DLP 16% 2003: LCOS 1% LCD 53% DLP 46% 2004: LCOS 3% LCD 53% DLP 44% 2005: LCOS 9% LCD 50% DLP 41% 2Q06: LCOS 17% LCD 39% DLP 45% Thoughts?[Via HDBlog.net]
Syntax-Brillian opening assembly plant in California
Do you know a good amount of large HDTVs are built here in the States. Well, it's more like they are assembled here in the US. Many of the parts are manufactured elsewhere, but then they are shipped in small boxes to workers over here. It is just a lot cheaper to ship a few smaller boxes then one very large box. Syntax-Brillian is getting into that game and plan on opening a California based assembly plant for their LCDs and LCoS sets. This facility should be up and running soon with LCD assembly starting in late August and LCoS in September. The total output of 100,000 to 200,000 annually shows Syntax-Brillian has a good outlook for the American market.
Sony's A2000 series 1080p SXRDs dated, prices slashed
Sony's Grand WEGA 1080p SXRD LCoS-based line of HDTVs is a little closer to store shelves, since SonyStyle has posted ship dates & prices for the A2000 line (no word on the XBR models yet). Their features appear to be fully intact, with true 1080p input support, two HDMI inputs, NTSC & ATSC tuners. The good news is that the prices listed are significantly lower than when they were announced at the beginning of this month.Prices & Dates:50" SXRD KDS-50A2000 - $2,799.99 (down from $3500 previously), shipping 8/255" SXRD KDS-55A2000 - $3,299.99 (down from $4000 previously), shipping 8/1660" SXRD KDS-60A2000 - $3,699.99 (previously $4500), shipping 7/17Maybe Sony can transfer some people form their HDTV department to the Playstation 3 and BDP-S1 Blu-ray player departments, nothing like a price drop and ship dates moving closer instead of further away to make both products easier to love. We'll wait to see if this cost-conscious Sony extends to the XBR version of their SXRD sets before we get too excited. The BRAVIA line of LCDs are still slated for September, no prices or specific dates announced yet.[Thanks for the tip Carl!]
1080p D-ILA projector by JVC - DLA-HD10K
JVC has nice looking projector set to come out to the Japanese market sometime soon. For ¥1,440,000 ( $12,500) you get a full 1080p, D-ILA based projector that would be great for a dedicated home theater setup. The projector's brightness is only 600 lumens so you really need to watch the ambient lighting with this guy. It makes up for it though with a decent 2,500:1 contrast ratio and a high resolution of 2048 x 1536. This unit will be available on July 1st. [via Impress]
