Mitsubishi
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Mitsubishi shows off prototype LCD HDTVs backlit by LEDs and lasers
Mitsubishi's showing off a new approach to traditional flat screen LCD TVs with this prototype (on the left) that uses a combination of lasers and LEDs for backlighting. Rather than using plain white LEDs like most displays, it's similar to Sony's old Triluminos tech with red provided by lasers, and then cyan LEDs for blue and green that Mitsubishi claims provide a wider color gamut. There's "tens" of red lasers, along with hundreds of edge-mounted LEDs being mixed together to even out the intensity between the two, but we'll have to wait until later in the fiscal year of 2011 to see if Mitsubishi's second go-round with LaserTV is a hit.
Google, Best Buy, Sony and others form alliance to defend FCC's proposed 'AllVid' standard
We've already seen Sony, TiVo and others come out in support of the FCC's proposed CableCard replacement, known as AllVid, but it looks like they're now stepping up their game considerably. In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the group -- which also includes Google, Best Buy, Mitsubishi and others -- has announced that they've formed the "AllVid Tech Company Alliance" in a concerted effort to defend the proposed AllVid standard, and counter arguments from those opposed to it -- namely, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (or NCTA) and the cable companies that are a part of it. As you might expect, the Alliance isn't making a lot of new arguments, but it is stating its position pretty frankly, telling the FCC that "it is essential for the Commission to break down the wall separating the home network from MVPD [or pay TV] networks – not just poke a few holes in it, or rely on progress on the peripheries." You can find the complete letter (in PDF form) at the source link below.
Mitsubishi creates giant curved OLED, probably won't fit in your living room (video)
Display companies like Mitsubishi still don't make a big-screen OLED we can buy, yet look at this, a curved display created by the company that looks to be about four feet tall and maybe 10 feet around. Okay, so a 3mm pixel pitch wouldn't look too great standing anywhere within about 20 feet of the thing, but that's why it's designed for malls and big stores, places where its 1,200 nit brightness can shrug off ambient light. It was unveiled at ISE 2011 and there's a video of it doing its thing after the break, but surely it won't be long before they're all over Las Vegas.
New adapter from Mitsubishi brings Samsung's old 3D-capable TVs up to spec
Although 3D as a feature didn't become commonplace on HDTVs until 2010, Mitsubishi and Samsung have both been shipping a number of 3D-ready models for several years. However, they rely on a different input format than the one used by 3D Blu-ray movies, 3DTV broadcasts and most 3D videogames so an adapter is required to make it work, which Mitsubishi released for its own DLP TVs last year. While enthusiasts on AVSForum quickly developed workarounds to get them working with some of Samsung's DLPs as well, those won't be necessary now that Mitsubishi is releasing the 3DC-100S, which will work with Samsung's TVs (only projection sets, not plasmas) right out of the box. right now it's available as a part of a $449 MSRP starter pack bundle but word is it should be available on its own shortly, in case you want to check out some ESPN 3D action without shelling out for a brand new TV set, press release is after the break. [Thanks, Paul]
Mitsubishi launching eight electrified vehicles by 2015
Mitsu's i MiEV may be getting off to a slow start, but it's just the beginning. The company has announced a number of programs collectively titled "Environment Initiative Program 2015," a sort of stepping stone toward a broader reaching "Environmental Vision 2020." That Vision indicates a desire to have 20 percent of Mitsubishi sales be either pure electric vehicles or at least plug-in hybrids. The 2015 initiative sets a more modest goal of five percent, and to get there the company will launch a whopping eight electro-augmented vehicles between now and 2015. It starts with a commercialized MiEV this year, moving to two PHEVs next year, a new EV in 2013, and then another new EV in 2014 -- hopefully with names that roll off the tongue a little better than "i MiEV." Might we suggest the 2014 Mitsubishi Mitueevee?
ADAC crash tests first production Mitsubishi i-MiEV, it makes a mess but scores well
Looks like Volvo's C30 Electric isn't the only EV paying a heavy price for wanting to be run on the roads. Mitsubishi's i-MiEV, one of the first modern full-bore electric autos to be promised to hit US shores (but certainly not the first to make it), has just been subjected to crash testing by the ADAC, Europe's largest motorist club. The car went through both 40mph frontal and rear offset impacts, similar to the sort used by our own humble NHTSA. The car didn't score perfect marks, with some deformation in the footwell, but there were no major problems noted and, most importantly, the electrical systems safety cut automatically upon impact. This means no surprise electrocutions for anyone on the inside or out, which is a good thing -- unless you're a mutant lizard who enjoys such things. Update: We've updated the source link to the ADAC site, where you can see some additional images and even video of the crash. You'll need to exit the Google Translation window to view them, though.
Mitsubishi's 92- and 155-inch screens are bigger, biggest
After hearing about Mitsubishi's 92-inch DLP we just had to get our eyes on it and sure enough, we spotted models lurking around CES, along with the 155-inch display made up of OLED panels. There's not much to say about the DLP that we didn't cover during our 3D roundup, it's just bigger, with other changes and details still TBA -- we're waiting for 'em to cross the 100-inch mark -- while the OLED seemed suited to its potential purpose of lighting up stadiums and other similar areas, with rather impressive viewing angles although the seams in the panels were quite apparent up close. %Gallery-113376%
Mitsubishi's 'big year' at CES includes 92-inch DLP, 155-inch OLED displays
As we mentioned in our 3D roundup, the advantage of Mitsubishi sticking to DLP technology for its HDTVs is easily seen in square inches per dollar spent, and they're going to push that even further by introducing a 92-inch HDTV in 2011. We should get our eyes on the monster and its new "Clear Contrast" screen at the CES Unveiled event tonight, but you'll excuse us if we're slightly distracted by the 155-inch OLED that will apparently be on hand from its business division. No word yet on price or release date for the 92-incher, check out another picture and all available details in the press release after the break.
Mitsubishi i MiEV electric car launches in Costa Rica next month for a mere $61,500
Did you miss out on the Nissan Leaf pre-orders? Yeah, us too. Are you planning on cruising around in Costa Rica sometime after February? Sadly you can count us out there, but if you've checked both boxes you might want be interested to know that Mitsubishi's i MiEV electric car will be available there starting next month, making it the first country in this hemisphere to sell them. The car offers a 100 mile maximum range and a top speed of 80, quite comparable to the Leaf, but the $61,500 price down there almost doubles Nissan's offering up here. That's also twice what the i MiEV is expected to sell for when it ships to the mainland this fall, quite possibly thanks to the massive import duties applied to cars in the land of Pura Vida. But, with as few as 25 of the machines offered for sale, this is something of a niche release anyhow.
The Engadget Show returns tomorrow, December 17th with televisions, robots, giveaways, and more!
Ladies and gentlemen, it is that time again: Yes, the Engadget Show is back in a big way tomorrow, December 17th at 6:30pm at The Times Center in New York City! First up, Josh sits down with Mitsubishi product chief Frank DeMartin for a deep-dive into the future of televisions and a look ahead at what to expect at next month's CES 2011. Nilay and Paul will be on hand for a raucous roundtable and the folks from Aldebaran Robotics are coming all the way from France to show off their NAO robot. Plus, we'll have a never-before-seen tour of iRobot's labs, an exclusive demo from Ubisoft, mind-bending music from Bit Shifter, and one lucky audience member will be walking away with a brand new 46-inch Mitsubishi LT-46164! What's more, Google is hooking us up with five Cr-48 Chrome notebooks to give away in addition to some other special giveaway surprises. Trust us when we say that you really don't want to miss this one! Remember, giveaways happen at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City, just tune into the stream right here on Engadget. The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know: There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free The event is all ages Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2:00PM on Friday, December 17th, doors will open for seating at 5:45PM, and the show begins at 6:30PM We now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets -- and the Sprint text-to-win winners (see below) -- will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat. Ticketing will continue until all tickets are given away You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break) The show length is around an hour If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com. Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six
Buy an electric vehicle in the US, like the Nissan Leaf, and you can expect to get a nice boost to your tax refund: a $7,500 federal subsidy. Now the UK is getting in on the cash back game, with a programme program starting on January 1st to offer a 25 percent discount on EVs purchased -- up to a maximum of £5,000. Nine cars have been declared eligible for this decidedly choice bonus: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Peugeot iOn Citroen C-Zero Smart fourtwo electric drive Nissan Leaf Tata Vista Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vauxhall Ampera Chevrolet Volt Sure, the first three and the last two cars are effectively the same models, just with different bits of chrome stuck on the front, but a little badge engineering never hurt anybody.
The Engadget Show returns Friday, December 17th with televisions, robots, giveaways, and more!
Ladies and gentlemen, it is that time again: Yes, the Engadget Show is back in a big way this Friday, December 17th at 6:30pm at The Times Center in New York City! First up, Josh sits down with Mitsubishi product chief Frank DeMartin for a deep-dive into the future of televisions and a look ahead at what to expect at next month's CES 2011. Nilay and Paul will be on hand for a raucous roundtable and the folks from Aldebaran Robotics are coming all the way from France to show off their NAO robot. Plus, we'll have a never-before-seen tour of iRobot's labs, an exclusive demo from Ubisoft, mind-bending music from Bit Shifter, and one lucky audience member will be walking away with a brand new 46-inch Mitsubishi LT-46164! What's more, Google is hooking us up with five Cr-48 Chrome notebooks to give away in addition to some other special giveaway surprises. Trust us when we say that you really don't want to miss this one! Remember, giveaways happen at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City, just tune into the stream right here on Engadget. The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know: There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free The event is all ages Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2:00PM on Friday, December 17th, doors will open for seating at 5:45PM, and the show begins at 6:30PM We now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets -- and the Sprint text-to-win winners (see below) -- will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat. Ticketing will continue until all tickets are given away You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break) The show length is around an hour If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com. Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
The Engadget Show returns next Friday, December 17th with televisions, robots, giveaways, and more!
Ladies and gentlemen, it is that time again: Yes, the Engadget Show is back in a big way next Friday, December 17th at 6:30pm at The Times Center in New York City! First up, Josh sits down with Mitsubishi product chief Frank DeMartin for a deep-dive into the future of televisions and a look ahead at what to expect at next month's CES 2011. Nilay and Paul will be on hand for a raucous roundtable and the folks from Aldebaran Robotics are coming all the way from France to show off their NAO robot. Plus, we'll have an exclusive demo from Ubisoft, mind-bending music from Bit Shifter, and one lucky audience member will be walking away with a brand new 46-inch Mitsubishi LT-46164! Also, in the spirit of the holidays, we'll be doing more giveaways than ever before! You really don't want to miss this one! Remember, giveaways happen at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City, just tune into the stream right here on Engadget. The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know: There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free The event is all ages Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2:00PM on Friday, December 17th, doors will open for seating at 5:45PM, and the show begins at 6:30PM We now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets -- and the Sprint text-to-win winners (see below) -- will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat. Ticketing will continue until all tickets are given away You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break) The show length is around an hour If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com. Sprint is offering 50 guaranteed tickets to the Engadget Show taping to the first 50 entrants who text "ENGADGET" to 467467 or enter online! Standard text messaging rates apply. Click for the Official Rules and see how to enter online. Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
3DTV roundup: LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung & Sony square off
After a year of hearing about 3DTVs nonstop we finally got some of the main contenders in house to examine, although we'll start by pointing out that this isn't so much of a "3DTV" roundup, since a more apt description of these displays is 3D-capable HDTVs. That's an important distinction to make, since nothing about the 2D performance of these TVs suffers because of their ability to do 3D, and in many cases they cost the exact same price as their comparable 2D-only models from last year. With that said Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi and LG's finest have had their moment and on the next page we've done our best to compare them in a way that makes sense for the average HDTV buyer who might also want to take in a 3D event or movie from time to time. Right now, there's barely enough 3D content to support more than a couple of hours viewing per week, much less support a full viewing conversion to all-glasses, all the time -- but more about that later. Check out our full impressions after the break.
Mitsubishi i is the new name of the i MiEV for American market, coming next fall for $30,000
Mitsubishi promised it'd bring the i MiEV over to the US before 2012 and now it's rehashed that pledge with a slightly more detailed roadmap and an indicative price point to boot. Maurice Durand, the company's communications manager for North America, is quoted as saying the newly renamed i will cost "around $30,000" when it launches, which is expected to happen in fall 2011. Sales expectations are a very modest 20,000 units by 2015, but apparently the idea is for Mitsu to just get its foot in the US electric vehicle market before introducing more powerful and versatile people carriers. The i is pitched as primarily a commuter's vehicle, though it has been enlarged slightly to accommodate US safety regulations and "larger frame people." Be honest, Maurice, you mean larger waistline, not frame.
Mitsubishi MDT231WG monitor is 23 inches of 120Hz gaming goodness and movie magic (video)
Sometimes having a computer monitor and a separate HDTV are just too much for your feng shui to handle, and Mitsubishi is here to enhance your qi with its MDT231WG all-in-one monitor. No, not an all-in-one in that it has a PC built in there, but rather it's intended to serve double-duty as a computer monitor and an HDTV. Its 120hz refresh rate and 5.5ms response time mean it'll keep up with Call of Duty, while its 178-degree viewing angle, 5000:1 contrast ratio IPS panel, and integrated 2.1 channel sound system means it should do a decent job at movie playback. And, with a combined power output for all three speakers of 11 watts you won't even have to worry about waking the neighbors. Right now this is looking like it'll only be hitting the Japanese market and, while Mitsu hasn't announced a price yet, we found one for pre-order at ¥118,000 -- just over $1,400 and a small price to pay for finding your perfect spot.
Mitsubishi updates 2010 3D-ready HDTVs for full 3D video support
While its older 3DTVs will still absolutely require an adapter, Mitsubishi is rolling out a software update for its 2010 line of 3D-ready HDTVs that will allow them to process additional forms of 3D video supported by HDMI 1.4 devices. The TVs shipped with only support for checkerboard or side-by-side format 3D, while the new update adds top-bottom (ESPN 3D) and frame packing (Blu-ray 3D) support without requiring an adapter passthrough. Owners of 738 and 838 TVs that are hooked to the internet should start seeing the update soon automatically, or it will be available for download from the website. You'll probably still want to grab a starter kit with IR sync and glasses if you want the Samsung-compatible specs, but DLP-link active shutter 3D glasses should work without any additional hardware at all. Update: Mitsubishi informed us the automatic update and the website should go live tomorrow, 11/16.
Mitsubishi starts Facebook search for old girlfriends, HDTVs
Sure 3DTV is a big buzzword in 2010, but facts are facts, Samsung and Mitsubishi have been pushing 3D-capable HDTVs for several years. Now that 3D content has become more widely available Mitsubishi has decided to hit Facebook to reconnect with a few old flames -- in this case projection televisions that can are 3D Blu-ray ready when hooked up to the adapter it released this year. Just sign up on the page to spread the word and enter a contest to win a new HDTV or starter kit with adapter + glasses, and check if your current television is 3D-ready. Surely you can fit that in between a busy schedule of pokes, Farmville and reminding people to vote, right?
Mitsubishi America offers up two new 3D projectors
The first new projector for the US is the HC4000 (pictured) which is touted as a great price for the performance DIY HT projector and features the 1080p DarkChip 3 DLP light engine. It is capable of 1300 lumens and provides up to 750:1 ANSI contrast ratio. It has support for an optional anamorphic lens for those 2.35:1 movies and is rated at a very quiet 25dBA in low mode. The estimated price is $1495 and should be available immediately. The bigger brother is the Diamond 3D which evidently has no price, but does use the 120hz Sony SXRD light engine, has an auto-iris function for easy setup, only musters 19dBa of noise while it is running and features two HDMI 1.4 inputs and an RS232 port for control.
Mitsubishi's huge, modular OLED display set to go on sale worldwide on September 21
Before you start dreaming of 155-inch OLED displays for your home theater, let us remind you that this Mitsubishi panel happens to pack an ignobly low 69 8.5dpi pixel density. So while it is indeed a wall-sized OLED image maker, it's not exactly designed to match up to the HD rigors of modern video. Composed of smaller, bezel-free modules, Mitsu's Diamond Vision OLED display has gone from CEATEC prototype last year to a triumphant retail product this year, starting to be exchanged for cash, trinkets and favors this September 21. As you might have guessed, it's primarily intended for use in digital signage scenarios -- which should be great so long as nobody tries to perch one up in the sun.
