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GPNC Korea announces the first me-too Android HDTV
Anyone opposed to another Android packing TV announced by a foreign manufacturer of questionable validity? We figured you weren't, so say hello to GPNC Korea's television running Android 1.5 on a 833 Mhz ARM Cortex A8 chip. While it's claiming NTSC and ATSC support among other broadcast standards, the USA doesn't appear to have made the cut for availability, with 10 different countries including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Australia and Dubai. Practically identical to People of Lava's effort, it is slated for 42-, 47- and 55-inch LED-backlit versions with no real price or date, and even this promo pic looks very familiar. GPNC managed to keep the screen clear of error messages this time, but its website is flagged by Google as "dangerous" so we'd probably wait for something more official before making any attempts to preorder. At this rate, these TVs will be as ubiquitous as Android/ARM tablets before long -- let's hope Sony and Intel spill the details on those Google TV plans sooner rather than later.
Philips intros new Ambilight HDTVs, speakers and other AV wares
Philips ain't much for introducing new gear here on US soil, but for those fortunate enough to buy their milk with Euros, the company has a cornucopiaof new kit to tempt you with. It seems as if the company chose to skip right over CES and do its own thing here in late February, with the "2010 Consumer Lifestyle" event bringing to us a refreshed lineup of LED-backlit Ambilight HDTVs (7000, 8000 and 9000 series), a new Immersive Sound home theater system (with tri-speaker satellites) and the aluminum-tinged Soundbar HTS9140. We're also told that the new line of 8000 and 9000 LED 1080p TVs are 3D capable, with a "3D upgrade pack" to be made available separately and include two Active3D glasses and a wireless transmitter. In related news, that now-forgotten Cinema 21:9 set -- which was supposed to ship many moon ago -- now has a "summer 2010" estimated arrival date on it, though we certainly aren't holding our breath just yet. Hit the source link for all the other goods, but don't expect to find much in the way of pricing and availability.
Nanosys offers better saturation of LED-backlit displays with nanoscale coating
While we all wait around for larger-sized OLED displays to become feasible for the consumer market, Nanosys has stolen in and demonstrated a new LED coating technique that proposes to radically improve color saturation in LED-backlit screens. Based on standard blue LEDs -- the most efficient kind -- this works by applying nanoparticles to the light and thereby endowing it with the desired hue. While the nano-coating can make standalone LED lights far richer in color, the real potential is in its deployment in LED-backlit displays, such as those becoming dominant on laptops today. By employing a coated array of blue LEDs instead of the standard white stuff, this can deliver greater color saturation while fitting within the same energy profile of current LED tech. Products boasting Nanosys' new hotness are said to be coming out later this year, with some appropriate premium slapped on the price for the fancier output.
LG Magic Motion gesture control HDTV remote hands-on
Packed in with LG's new top of the line LCD, the 3D capable, LED backlit LE9500 is a new RF remote that users wave, Wii-style, to operate the onscreen menus. There's also a standard IR remote for universal remote compatibility and the very necessary lazy bastards who don't want to lift their arms to change the channel compatibility. Check out a quick demo from the CES show floor after the break. %Gallery-82618%
VIZIO's 2010 LCD lineup is LED from top to bottom
VIZIO's finally seen fit to bless the world with further details of its 2010 LCD lineup for the benefit of those without the scratch to ring up an XVT Pro 3D model this August. The XVT Series continues on its LED backlit way, with VIZIO Internet Apps, 802.11n and Bluetooth QWERTY remote in 42- to 55-inch sizes, waiting until May or later to buy should net an extra HDMI jack and updated StudioSound HD. Everything below that, from the 37- to 16-inch HDTVs get the Razor LED edge lit treatment, with a few snagging other bonuses along the way like VIA and 120Hz motion processing. Check the press release for the details, whether dorm room or living room we're sure there's something that fits the bill.
TUAW Holiday Gift Guide: Displays
A display, whether it's a primary, extra display for a portable, or a desktop secondary, is something that's very useful, and makes a great gift. Here's a few gift ideas for displays to use with your Mac. Dell ST2210 This display offers a 1920x1080 resolution, a 21.5 inch viewing area, and is available for only $189. It has a DVI and VGA port, which means that you might need an adapter to connect it. There's also a 24 inch model of this display, the Dell ST2410, if you're looking for something a little bit bigger. Samsung XL2370 If you're wanting another option, there's the Samsung XL2370. It's LED backlit, like the Apple LED Cinema Display, and can be purchased for around $399. It has a display resolution of 1920x1080, and it features a DVI and HDMI port, so you'll need an adapter to hook it up to a Mac with a Mini-DVI or Mini DisplayPort. Apple LED Cinema Display The Apple LED Cinema Display offers unique features that make it easy to connect to a Mac, like the MagSafe connector that charges a MacBook. The display is measured at 24 inches, and can display a 1900x1200 resolution. It also features a built-in iSight camera, a mic, speakers, and a three-port USB hub. You can purchase it for $899, though refurbished models have shown up for $599 from Apple. 27 inch iMac The 27-inch iMac, can be used in Target Display Mode as a monitor for another Mac with a Mini DisplayPort. It offers a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, and it's LED backlit. You'll just need a cable to do so, and you can purchase a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable from Apple or Monoprice. Of course, the iMac is a computer, so we aren't suggesting using it primarily as an external display. Do you have any suggestions for displays? Leave a comment and let us know!
Toshiba 'Space Chair' ad redefines armchair viewing (video)
There's something wrong when an advertisement is more memorable than the product. Nevertheless, here we have Toshiba's Space Chair ad campaign promoting its new 2010 REGZA SV LCD TV series, Toshiba's first with LED backlight and local dimming. The campaign will later expand to include a second take featuring the Satellite T Series of 11-hour CULV laptops set for introduction in 2010. The ad follows the journey of "an ordinary living room chair" to the edge of space before falling back to Earth where the ground crew relied upon a GPS beacon to locate the craft. A few facts about the shoot: A helium balloon lifted the chair and Toshiba's own IK-HR1S ultra-compact 1080i camera to a height of 98,268 feet above terra firma FAA regulations required that the weight of the rig had to be less than four pounds The chair is made of biodegradable balsa wood at a cost of about £2,500 The rig was launched in Nevada's Burning Man Black Rock desert The temperature dropped to minus 90 degrees at 52,037 feet The chair took 83 minutes to reach an altitude of 98,268 feet and just 24 minutes to fall back to earth Truly amazing stuff. Now buckle up and click through for the show.
VIZIO brings the LED party to 19- and 23-inch models
Unless you've been under a rock for a hot minute, then you know that LED backlit LCD HDTVs have been all the rage, though so far no one has brought those benefits to the smaller TVs. Well today VIZIO added a 19-inch and a 23-inch model to its LED lineup. Only the 23-inch is 1080p, but both have very thin profiles and the improved contrast and color you'd expect. The interesting twist is that both models will work as a picture frame, which someone (as in, literally one person in some random corner of the globe) might appreciate. The 19-inch model retails for $349, and the 23-inch will set you back another $50, but there's no word on when you can expect these to show up on a store shelf near you. More pictures and the full release after the jump.
Samsung's 40-inch LCD is world's thinnest at 3.9-mm, attracts magic pencils
What measures 3.9-mm thin by 40 inches? If you answered the standard Korean product waif you'd be close. This time, however, we're talking about Samsung's LED backlit LCD featuring a 120Hz refresh and 5,000:1 reported contrast. Yup, that makes it the world's thinnest -- easily besting cross-town rival LG's 5.9-mm thick LCDs -- even if you can't buy it as a complete television package... yet.[Via Akihabara News]
VIZIO VF551XVT LED-backlit HDTV spotted in the wild
We'd been promised at CEDIA that VIZIO's first LED backlit LCD would be hitting stores within days and were thankfully not misled. EHD reader Evan spotted this VF551XVT chilling on a Costco rack (not the best place for PQ evaluation, we know) nearby rocking a $1,999 price tag, we're sure they can be found in your neck of the woods by now. The only decision remaining, if VIZIO is a brand on one's watchlist, is whether to snap up this reasonably-priced competitor, or wait a little while for its widget & WiFi packing Connected TV VF552XVT due out later this year.
Toshiba's Cell TV still on for 2009 debut, now with Blu-ray
Just in case there was any doubt, Toshiba has confirmed plans to launch its halo product, the Cell (for Cell Broadband engine, similar to the one in the PS3) TV, with all the LED backlit 3D GUI, 3840x2160 resolution, and DLNA streaming capabilities one could want, in Japan by the end of the year. Thanks to the company's new religion, it will also feature a Blu-ray recorder to go along with the 1TB hard drive, though we can bet that will be axed before making its way stateside in 2010. Of course we're still looking forward to the Media Center Extender packing display expected here some time soon, but when an executive promises the "ultimate entertainment machine" we can't help but wonder what's in store. More detailed specifications and any pricing info other than "it will be fairly expensive" are still unavailable.
Video: Slim, wireless, LED-backlit Sony ZX5 LCDs prepped for November release
Sony's packed in a plethora of buzz-worthy tech into its ZX5 series of Bravia LCDs -- thin panels, edge-mounted LED backlighting, 240-Hz Motion Flow, and wireless connection between the media receiver section and the glass. The new 46- and 52-inch versions have got the styling portion of the competition aced, but we're still smarting over the move away from local-dimming Triluminos LEDs. As for the Motion Flow, we'll have to wait and see for ourselves if 240-Hertz is going to be the magic number to win us over. But then again, we're greedy like that; but there's something drool-inspiring about a 52-inch LCD that gets 1080p video wirelessly sent to its 16.6-mm thin frame. Somehow, we don't think our response will be different when these beauties are released to Japan in November. Video after the break.
BenQ remains on green bandwagon, offers up LED-backlit G920WL and G922HDL displays
If the model names seem uninformative, here's what you need to know -- the G920WL is a 19-inch 1,440 x 900 display, and the G922HDL is the same, only shrunken down to 18.5-inches and 1,366 x 768. Both claim class-leading power efficiency (a staple for BenQ), with their Eco mode using only 10 and 11 watts, respectively. They come with the company's newish SensEye 3 auto-calibration utility, 250 nits of brightness, 5 millisecond response time, and a real, non-dynamic 1,000:1 contrast ratio. Should you need more pixels and inches, BenQ will be all too happy to serve your appetite with its similarly "green" V series, which goes up to 24 inches. The new G models are set for immediate release in Europe and Asia at "compelling price points," though BenQ remains mum on the possibility of North American availability. [Via Far East Gizmos]
Truth in advertising prevails in UK, Samsung to re-word 'LED TV' ads
Turns out it's not only us HD geeks that were irked by Samsung's ad-speak pitching LED-backlit LCDs as 'LED TVs' -- and in the UK, at least, there's been some corrective action. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has found that the terminology doesn't comply with marketing regulations and is misleading because unless you've got a set like Jerry Jones', the display isn't made of LEDs. Spot on, ASA! To be sure, Sammy's new sets do have plenty of redeeming qualities, but whatever marketing genius came up with the 'LED TV' phrase is going to have to go back to the drawing board. Now, if only we could get some of this reasoning applied to US marketing and/or rein in wacky contrast ratio figures, we'd really be onto something. [Via HDTV Almanac]
BenQ grabs green card with LED-backlit V2200 / V2400 Eco monitors
We firmly believe that the all-too-popular 'green card' is flailed about far too haphazardly these days, but whatever the case, BenQ's sure doing its darnedest to explain just how much Ma Earth adores its latest duo of V Series monitors. The 24-inch V2400 Eco and 21.5-inch V2200 Eco are both outfitted with LED-backlit 1080p panels, comically inflated dynamic contrast ratios (5,000,000:1, if you can even believe that) and a shell constructed from 28 percent recycled plastic. Meanwhile, we're told these panels can suck down around 30 percent less power while in Eco mode, and overall, they consume approximately 36 percent less power than CCFL displays. If you're onboard with everything, look for these to land in your neck of the woods soon, with China getting 'em first in a week or so.[Via Far East Gizmos]
LG unveils new slim design LCD HDTVs due this fall
Sure it's summertime in New York and not January in Las Vegas, but that didn't stop LG from rolling out a couple new lines of LCD HDTVs today. The new SL80 and SL90 models don't bring new high water marks on the spec sheets, but feature LG's take on the "borderless" design trend that's the rage these days, built from a single edge to edge piece of glass with a slim bezel and Invisible Speaker design. The top of the line SL90 is due later this year for an unspecified price range in 42- and 47-inch sizes with LED backlighting contributing to its 3,000,000:1 claimed contrast ratio and 1.15 inch depth, plus 120Hz TruMotion processing. The SL80 line has 240Hz processing, but older CCFL backlighting means a 300,000:1 measured contrast ratio and 1.8-inch thick design, but the 42-, 47-, and 55-inch models will be available this August for $1,599, $1,899 and $2,799, respectively. Want a closer look at LG's new global flat panel design platform? The gallery is right here.
Samsung 8500 series LCD TVs feature local-dimming LED backlights, Yahoo! widgets
Sure, we might all just be getting used to LED-backlit LCD HDTVs, but this train ain't stopping, Chico -- Samsung just got official with the 8500 series, which features the next-generation of local-dimming LED backlights. The 54.6-inch and 45.9-inch 240Hz sets are just 1.6 inches deep and offer a 7,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, a 2ms response time, and an Energy Star 3.0 savings mode that continually adjusts the picture and backlight to optimize both picture quality and power savings. You're also getting Samsung's usual suite of connected TV features, like the Yahoo! Widget Engine, DivX playback, and DLNA support, but you'll be paying handsomely for all this newness -- the 45.9-inch UN46B8500's MSRP is $3,599, while the 54.6-inch UN55B8500 will run you $4,499.
Engadget HD puts the new Samsung LED edge-lit LCD TV to the test
If you've been wondering how the latest LED edge-lit LED TVs from Samsung look, now's your chance to find out. The crew over at EHD got their hands-on the 46-inch UN46B7000 and spent the time to write all about it. We'd like to warn you that If you don't click through you'll be missing out on all the fun, like all the internet connectivity features like DLNA and Yahoo Widgets. But even if you don't care about all the extras, there is still come great information that'll help try and figure out how much of a premium a 1.2 inch TV is worth.
Samsung UN46B7000 LED backlit LCD review
There aren't many technologies that are as fun to watch mature as LCD TVs. It is definitely one of the those technologies that continues to evolve and improves with each iteration. The latest crop of LED edge lit LCD TVs from Samsung fit into that category. The 46-inch 7000 Series is a mere 1.2 inches thick and uses less power than just about any HDTV of its size ever made. To top it off, it offers some of the best picture quality of any LCD HDTV ever made; and it does all of that while being more affordable than its predecessors. It goes without saying that we were excited to get our hands on it, but you'll have to click through to find out how we felt after wards.
Sharp intros slate of new AQUOS LCD HDTVs, first LED models included
There are just two months to go before CEDIA kicks off in Atlanta, but Sharp's obviously not down with waiting 'til the Fall to introduce its latest gaggle of AQUOS HDTVs. First off, we're taking a look at the outfit's first LED-backlit AQUOS television, which will be available in 52- (LC-52LE700UN), 46- (LC-46LE700UN), 40- (LC-40E700UN) and 32-inch (LC-32LE700UN) screen class sizes. Each of the sets boast 1080p resolutions, a new X-Gen Panel -- which supposedly leads to deep, dark black levels that could very well blow your mind -- a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 176-degree viewing angles. Separately, Sharp also debuted the 65-inch LC-65E77UM and the 60-inch LC-60E77UN, 1080p sets that are joining the E77 series and offering up 120Hz dejudder technology, a 4 millisecond response time, four HDMI sockets and an RS-232 socket for custom installers. We should be getting a little face time with all of these here shortly, and if you're looking for specifics on any given set, hop on past the read link and have a look.
