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CNET Asia: Yet another 1080p vs 1080i article
O.K. we know this has been a topic of discusion before, but with Blu-ray and HD DVD here, it is definitly a good time to bring it back up. The classic 1080i vs 1080p argument. CNET Asia lays it out nice and easy for people to read. In the end though, they draw the same conclusion as everyone else though. If you are looking for bigger then a 60-inch, the extra resolution will make a huge difference as long as you give the HDTV the very best signal from your source. The smaller sets, lets say around 40 to 46-inches, meh, you really don't need it. If you notice a sharper picture it is probally due to the denser pixals that relate to how close you sit and not the higher resolution. Oh, and the article does point out a big stumbling block of 1080p HDTVs. Some don't accept the 1080p signal. *cough* Sony XBR1 SXRDs *cough* In the end is 1080p really that important? No, unless it is a very large screen.
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!]
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.
Sony retools Digital Reality Creation into "DRC-MFv2.5"
Sony has used Digital Reality Creation since '97 in many of their higher-end HDTVs. This proprietary system allows their HDTVs to look good from any source by scaling resolutions up to the sets native resolution. DRC-MFv2.5 has 1080p in mind and has been worked to guarantee that those new Sony HDTVs that were announced have a great picture. Yeah, those new Bravias and XBRs are equipped with this newer system that is designed to reduce digital noise and create an even more realistic looking picture.
Sony announces five 1,080p rear projection TVs
You can crank the total number of TV sets announced by Sony today up to twelve, because along with the seven BRAVIA LCDs we brought you just a little while ago, the company has also revealed five new rear projection models based on their Silicon Crystal Reflective Display (SXRD -- crystal becomes X-tal, get it?) technology. Each of these sets is part of the Grand WEGA line and features three SXRD chips along with the proprietary WEGA Engine HD and Digital Reality Creation Multi Function Version 2.5 systems, three HDMI inputs, and a full 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. The 70-inch, $7,800 KDS-R70XBR2 (pictured) and 60-inch, $5,300 KDS-R60XBR2 both trump the 60-inch, $4,500 KDS-60A2000, 55-inch, $4,000 KDS-55A2000, and 50-inch, $3,500 KDS-50A2000 by including native CableCARD support and integrated speakers, but the cheaper models will be available this summer, while you'll have to wait until fall to pick up either XBR set.
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 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 #]
The (in)famous 1080p truth
This article is making the rounds on the internet so we may as well throw in our two cents. I think there is a lot of confusion and misinformation about HDTV in general and 1080p specifically, and this piece in particular has a lot of both swirling around it.First, let's address the section I've seen quoted most often in forums (usually misinterpreted or presented alone with no context). "How about Blu-ray and HD-DVD? If either format is used to store and play back live HD content, it will have to be 1920x1080i (interlaced again) to be compatible with the bulk of consumer TVs. And any progressive-scan content will also have to be interlaced for viewing on the majority of HDTV sets."What does that mean? If you have a player that outputs only in 1080i (like the HD-DVD player Ben reviewed) and/or a 1080i TV, you will see ... you guessed it 1080i. Not incredibly complicated or shocking, just something I've seen people go into a frenzy over and suddenly believe 1080p is as real as the boogie man, Easter Bunny or gas that costs less than $2.75 per gallon. Trust me, 1080p is real, but you have to be careful about what you're getting.As it stands, this piece is at best half done, definitely outdated and somewhat inaccurate.
Canon's sweet new LCoS projector
This projector is making our mouths salivate. LOOK AT IT! It is simply a beautiful projector and knowing that it is a LCoS based one makes it good enough for us. Check out these specs: 1400x1050 resolution, 3500 lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. Yeah, the resolution is some what of a let down but it is still good. We would have liked to seen 1080p too but oh well. Canon included auto color correction too so if your screen is not white but rather green as Akihabara News suggests, it would make the necessary adjustments to the color. No word on price or availability yet but we will let you know as soon as we hear something new.
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!
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.
12 HD Days of Christmas: Day 7
"On the seventh day of Christmas...."No we didn't forget our holiday feature, we just got a little sidetracked wrapping up wearing tuxedos and Santa hats! We've got some catching up to do or we'll still be picking HDTV gifts out after Christmas. I'm sure the after-holiday sales will be good, but that wasn't the point of our "12 Days" series, so you'll see some days with two posts on this topic. Well we haven't talked much about our most favorite topic of all: HDTV sets! After much thought, the set that we would most love to see under your tree is....
