LedBacklit
Latest
Samsung's XL2370 'highest performance' 1080p monitor goes global in August
We're not at all clear what, if any difference, exists between Samsung's new XL2370 monitor and the $399 P2370L announced back in January. Both are 23-inch LED backlit members from Samsung's "Touch of Color" lineup sporting a 2ms response and 1080p resolution. The XL2370 claims an ambiguous "finger-slim" design sounding very much like the 0.65-inch depth of the P2370L. The only hard difference is the stated increase in dynamic contrast ratio from 2M:1 (P2370L) to 5M:1 -- a pointless distinction most likely rooted in competitive hyperbole rather than any visible distinction you'd see in your home office. Regardless, the XL2370 will carry the title of Samsung's "highest performance monitor" (which is saying something) when it ships to Korea in mid-July on the way to its European and "other parts of the world" debut in August.
LG introduces stylish, LED-backlit 22-inch W2286L LCD HDTV
By and large, there's nothing too incredible about LG's latest LCD HDTV. It's 22-inches, can double as a PC monitor, boasts a deceiving 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and consumes some 40 percent less power than the average Earth-hating 22-inch LCD. There's also a pair of HDMI sockets, a DVI port and a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, not to mention an automatic brightness sensor that responds to ambient light. There's no word yet on how pricey the 20 millimeter-thick set will be nor when it'll ship stateside, but hopefully it -- along with its 24-inch Full HD sibling -- will make the trip in short order.[Via AkihabaraNews]
LG slides out 55LH95 and 55LH93 wireless LCD HDTVs
Maybe it's just the disco-inspired wallpaper that has our motors all revved up, but whatever the case, we're pretty jazzed about LG's newest 55-inch duo. The 55LH95 and 55LH93 are the company's latest ultrathin LED-backlit sets, both of which slim down to 24.8 millimeters and pack a grand total of 3,360 LEDs -- a number that LG claims is around seven times that used in most edge-lit LED TVs. There's also a 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, a 240Hz refresh rate and -- potentially most intriguing -- a mysterious wireless feature that enables DVD and game consoles to transmit information sans an HDMI cable. There's no mention of what technology is baked in (AMIMON's WHDI, perhaps?), but either way, we're hoping the same stuff remains once these get announced for North America. Estimated pricing on the July-bound (in South Korea) sets is pegged for $5,500 and $5,900, respectively, and LG is apparently planning to issue 42- and 47-inchers with the same amenities here soon.Update: SiBEAM pinged us to confirm that it's WirelessHD included here.
JVC shows off LED-backlit, 7mm-thin 1080p LT-32WX50 LCD HDTV
CEDIA's UK show is going on right now across the pond, and while things are rather quiet overall, JVC has definitely garnered a fair bit of attention with its 32-inch LT-32WX50. The 1080p set features 100Hz dejudder technology, a 4,000:1 contrast ratio, 90 percent of Adobe's RGB color space and -- here's the real kicker -- a thickness of just seven millimeters. The whole panel weighs just 11 pounds, meaning that even the weaklings should be able to transport, move and install this one sans any overpriced help from Geek Squad. Around back, there's a pair of HDMI inputs, a PC port, an SD card slot and a USB connector. If all goes well, it should start hitting retailers this fall, but there's no mention of when it'll ship stateside.
VIZIO Internet App HDTVs launch later this year, for less than you might expect
Sure VIZIO only just showed off new updates in its high end XVT series, but it's already planning the next generation of LCDs with VIZIO Internet Apps included. Packing widget functionality, 802.11n wireless networking and slider QWERTY Bluetooth remote, the SV422XVT, SV472XVT and VF552XVT Connected HDTVs are coming home in November, October and December, respectively. Already on deck to serve up content for your widgets are Vudu, Revision3, Facebook, Twitter, Rhapsody, Blockbuster OnDemand, Showtime, Flickr and more. The biggest surprise? There's apparently no price premium planned for these features, with the 55-inch clocking in at the same $2,199 price as the model it's replacing, though the 47-inch jumps $200 over the previous edition to $1,699, while adding the local dimming LED backlit technology previously reserved for the 55-inch. The 42-inch will be the first and cheapest available at $1,199 (sans LED) -- we'll see if that bar is low enough to get viewers to jump into the internet-connected display future.Read - VIZIO Announces High Performance XVT HDTV Line Up with 240Hz SPS(TM), TruLED(TM) and Smart Dimming(TM) Technology, VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA), and Slim Line(TM) 120Hz LCD HDTV Models Read - VIZIO Unveils Rhapsody Digital Music Service for VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA(TM)) Connected HDTVs Read - VIZIO Reveals Dynamic New Content Partners for VIZIO Internet Apps Connected HDTV Feature
Hands-on with Yahoo Widgets on a Samsung 7000 series HDTV
There's little doubt that Yahoo Widgets took the HDTV market by storm at CES, in fact by the end of the first day of the show, it was news if a manufacturer didn't announce the feature. Initially we didn't understand what all the fuss was about, but after spending some time with the Widgets, we started to see the light. Unfortunately something has changed in the past five months and now that we have it in our home to play with, it just doesn't seem the same. The one word we'd use to describe the difference is "laggy" -- check out the video after the break to see for yourself. The demos at CES were down right snappy, but even in our hard wired tests connected to the internet via a 20Mbps FiOS connection, the widgets loaded so slow we're not sure we'd actually even use 'em. To make matters worse, because most people don't have internet connections behind their HDTV, they're going to need some sort of WiFi adapter to make this work. The Samsung 7000 series HDTV we tested has an optional USB dongle that sells for $80, but we couldn't even get it to work despite the hour of our life we wasted on it.
Samsung's B-7000 LCD treating owners to trippy visuals? UPDATE: Samsung responds
Samsung's UN-B7000 LCD HDTV hits all the right style checkmarks, with edge-mounted LEDs handling the backlighting and the Touch of Color fascia. The review unit at FlatpanelsHD even managed to score pretty high marks in color accuracy, even illumination and black levels. Unfortunately, a nasty "trailing" effect showed up on the 46-inch model when viewing fast-moving objects and totally ruined the party. Credit the reviewer for trying different settings and upgrading the firmware to get rid of the problem, but to no avail. Chime in below and let us know if you've seen this same behavior, or if the reviewer just got a bad unit; unless your TV-viewing habits include a square of blotter paper, of course.UPDATE: Samsung has told us that any of the "trailer" visuals are not an artifact of the set. A run through our own comments and various internet message boards does not turn up any consistent complaints about these motion blur-type problems, either. [Plastikman art courtesy hyperreall][Thanks, Patrick!]
Samsung's 46 and 55-inch B9000 HDTVs boast widgets, wireless external media box
With no picture to show for it, unfortunately (that's the 8 series, pictured), Samsung's gone ahead and announced the 46-inch and 55-inch B9000 HDTVs, which looks to be a follow-up to the A950 models from last year. According to flatpanelshd, the latest addition to the Touch of Color series include LED backlights with localized dimming, Medi@2.0 with YouTube / Yahoo! widgets, built-in USB port, DLNA functionality, built-in DVB-T and DVB-C tuners, and most interesting, a wireless connection to an external media box that's reportedly similar to Sony's ZX1 -- no word on whether or not that means it's using WHDI. As for the other details, including pricing and availability, you're gonna have to keep waiting, we're afraid.
Samsung's 46 and 55-inch B9000 HDTVs boasts widgets, wireless external media box
With no picture to show for it, unfortunately (that's the 8 series, pictured), Samsung's gone ahead and announced the 46-inch and 55-inch B9000 HDTVs, which looks to be a follow-up to the A950 models from last year. According to flatpanelshd, the latest addition to the Touch of Color series include LED backlights with localized dimming, Medi@2.0 with YouTube / Yahoo! widgets, built-in USB port, DLNA functionality, built-in DVB-T and DVB-C tuners, and most interesting, a wireless connection to an external media box that's reportedly similar to Sony's ZX1 -- no word on whether or not that means it's using WHDI. As for the other details, including pricing and availability, you're gonna have to keep waiting, we're afraid.
Toshiba matches prices, ship dates to LED backlit REGZA LCDs in Japan
Toshiba is back and ready to make good on some of the higher end HDTVs promised at CES, after showing off the energy efficient C8000 REGZA LCDs, it's time for the 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio local dimming LED backlit ZX8000 (labeled SV670 in the U.S.) series. These also pack the latest edition of Super Resolution+ upconverting, ClearScan 240Hz motion and fifth generation Pixel Pure image processing. We've heard those picture quality claims and seen the (sometimes controversial) results before, but a few features anyone can appreciate are InstaPort HDMI for lagless switching between inputs and AutoView calibration for room lighting conditions. Add-on hard disk drives are also available, and the ZX8000 models are expected in late June / early July for 46- and 55-inch models topping out around 600,000 ($5,944.) Willing to live without LED backlighting, 240Hz or other bullet points? The ZH8000, Z8000 and H8000 models are ready and waiting for appropriately lower prices. %Gallery-40868%
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.
Dell's 22-inch LED-backlit G-Series LCD now available in renewable quantities
After teasing its entries last month and offering up the 24-inch G2410 a couple days ago, Dell's officially rounding out its eco-game on the desktop panel scene with the 22-inch G2210, a display so energy efficient it can only display pictures of windmills and solar panels (seriously, hit the read link). The 22-incher has an extremely miserly 18 watt power consumption rating, compared to the G2410's 20 -- impressive, but you're probably more interested in the 1000:1 contrast ratio (dynamically boosted up to 1,000,000:1), 250 nits of brightness, and 5ms response rate over a resolution of 1680 x 1050. At $239, it's actually a little cheaper than anticipated, which might just give you some extra incentive to pick one up with your tax refund -- you environmentalist you.[Via iTech News Net]
Haier rings up two new LCD TVs at CES
Being the official HDTV of the NBA, would you expect Haier to do any less than ring up a pair of new TVs at CES? Both the 47-inch HL47XT1 and the 42-inch HL42XT1 have good specs (especially given the company's durable goods background), each touting 1080p resolution, four HDMI inputs, LED backlighting and 120Hz refresh rates. These sets also pack hidden Sound Chamber speakers (tweeter and midrange drivers mated up to a port for enhanced bass response) and SRS TruSurround XT circuitry to float a soundfield into the room. Sounds good, and the specs are entirely competitive, but some pricing and availability info more specific than "2009" would sure help gauge where these TVs will fit in the market -- hopefully these two aren't bricks like some of the company's other efforts.
Dell to transition all laptops to LED displays by 2010
We've already heard about a certain other computer manufacturer's supposed plans to go all LED with its laptops in the not too distant future, and it looks like Dell is now set to take the energy-saving leap as well. According to PC Magazine, Dell says that two-thirds of its Latitude E-series laptops will ship with mercury-free LED backlighting as standard by December 15th of this year, and that by the end of 2009, fully 80 percent of all its laptops will be equipped with LED-backlit displays, which also have the added benefit of looking better and being thinner. The remaining laptops will then apparently make the switch sometime in 2010. In case you're wondering, Dell also says that it is "absolutely committed" to transitioning its desktop displays to LED, although it doesn't seem to be quite ready to make any firm commitments.
Bandai's Luminodot: 1,600 glass pegs for your child to swallow
Bandai's Luminodot is a godsend for the light peg artiste looking to take his work to the next level. What we have here is essentially an updated Lite-Brite with over twice the resolution (read: pegs) of the original. Just like Hasbro's classic toy, several design templates are included with the kit -- and if you're feeling creative, there is an online template generator that will render your own designs to PDF. Also included with the kit are 1,600 pegs in twelve colors (or about half of what you will need to fill up the Luminodot's 70 x 50, 3,500 peg display -- you can order additional pegs on their website). But the most impressive feature is probably the LED backlighting: in addition to lighting the pegs, the Luminodot has twenty-five preprogrammed animated sequences. As with most toys this cool, Luminodot is only available in Japan -- though we have seen at least one for sale on eBay. Video after the break.[Via technabob]
Samsung rolls out 8 new HDTVs, new 40-inch LED backlit LCD
Samsung's Series 7 / 8 / 9 plasmas and LCDs have broken cover already in Europe or North America, including the slim PAVV Bordeaux 850 (pictured), but Asia gets first crack at the latest iteration of the company's local dimming LED backlighting tech trickling down into the 40-inch LCD size range. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology, 1080p, 2,000,000:1 contrast ratios are a must, while also substituting direct YouTube access for the U.S. version's USA Today-powered InfoLink RSS service. No word on the prices the newly expanded Bordeaux line, but we're more interested in how soon the latest in backlighting technology is moving downmarket.Update: Not first, just new, although that shouldn't sate our appetite for a future LN40A950 one bit. [Thanks to all for pointing that out]
LG's 13.3-inch P300 arrives in Europe, Americans beg a little more
As expected, South Koreans got their hands around LG's stylish P300 a good while back, and while Americans just knew it was headed stateside in short order, it looks like Europe has received the nod for second dibs. The LED-backlit 13.3-incher reportedly packs an Intel T8300 processor (yeah, that's Penryn), 3GB of DDR2 RAM, an NVIDIA graphics set, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera, dual-layer DVD writer and a couple of USB 2.0 ports to boot. For those already head over heels for the design, you can lay down €1,599 ($2,350) right now to claim your own -- just don't rub it in too much, okay?[Thanks, Aido] %Gallery-16683%
LG's 13.3-inch P300 series of LED-backlit laptops
LG's dressing up the gear-waifs to roll out product again in South Korea. Up on the block is this, their new XNOTE P300-series of 13.3-inch LED backlit 1,280 x 800 laptops. The top-end, ???2,600,000 (about $2,810) model touts a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 processor, 2GB of memory, 256MB of NVIDIA Geforce 8600M graphics, 250GB of disk, super multi-drive disc, 1.3 megapixel camera, integrated WWAN, and HDMI out. Although we'd appreciate a few more pixels on that screen, an easy on the shoulder 1.6-kg (3.5-pounds) weight is sounding might fine.
Samsung's 40-inch 1080p LCD TV panel -- just 0.39-inches thin
With Sharp, Hitachi, and LG.Philips all announcing ultra-thin LCDs we were beginning to wonder, where's Samsung with their world's first / biggest / thinnest boasting? No more. Meet the 10-mm (0.39-inch) thin, 40-inch LED-backlit, Full HD LCD TV panel which covers 92% of the NTSC color gamut while consuming less than 90 watts of power. That profile easily bests the crazy thin measurements we've already seen. At the moment, however, no price or production run details are available. That could change on Wednesday when the panel goes on display at FPD International in Japan.
Samsung's 70-inch LED-backlit LCD television now on sale
Samsung's gettin' busy this morning in Korea with the launch of their 70-inch Full HD LCD television. Not only is it the world's largest commercially available LCD, this 1080p pup also brings a 120Hz refresh along with Samsung's local dimming LED backlighting solution for a reported 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio... for whatever that measurement's worth. The LN70F91BD is another ACAP packer featuring 3x HDMI 1.3 terminals and a USB 2.0 jack for purposes unknown. Available in S.Korea only at the moment with worldwide sales starting in the second half of the year. Only ???59,000,000 for the privilege which translates to about $63k or €48k -- chump-change for culturally ambiguous superstars.[Via AVING]
