ViewSonic has introduced the VP 50 Series — 22-inch widescreen VP2250wb, 26-inch widescreen VP2650wb and traditional 4:3 19-inch VP950b — displays, which include up to 110 percent color gamut based on the National Television System Committee (NTSC) guidelines and OptiColor technology for better accuracy and more detailed images in any viewing environment. To compliment the increased color gamut, the displays have quick response time, dynamic contrast ratio and four USB ports. Priced at $380, the VP950b combines 1280×1024 native resolution, 2ms response time, 280 nits of brightness (typ).

The VP2250wb, priced at $450 ESP, sports a 1680×1050 native resolution, 2ms response time and 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The VP2650wb boosts a 1920×1200 native resolution, 3ms response time and a 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (typ) providing the ability to display true high definition 1080i or 1080p content. The VP2650wb will be sold for $580. The company has also introduced its first picture frames - the widescreen 7-inch DP701W4WH, widescreen 8-inch DF88W-523 and traditional 8-inch DF87G533. Pictures can be uploaded to the frames with a USB cable or directly from a camera’s memory card. With 128MB of internal memory standard, the frames can display and rotate nearly 106 1.2-megapixel photos. The user can browse and display photos individually, view thumbnails or create an image slideshow with transition effects. The widescreen 7-inch DP701W4WH uses a 800×480 resolution, 220 cd/m2 brightness and a 400:1 contrast ratio (typ) that are ideal for crisp and vibrant images. The frames can display JPEG or BMP files and also include clock and alarm functionality. The frames are currently available at $100 for the DP701W4WH and $120 for the DF88W and DF87G

Toshiba recently unveiled several new lines of LCD TVs, portable and home DVD players, DVD recorders, and some LCD TV-DVD combo units. The AV500 series LCDs range from 19- to 42-inches in size, and feature a 720p HD image resolution. Dynamic backlight controls can adjust for deeper black levels, and the display is housed in a glossy black cabinet. LCDs in the AV500 series will range from $430 to $1300, and Toshiba expects to ship the various models between February and May. The Regza CV510 series ($900 - $1100) is designed for TV and game enthusiasts, and will be available in 32- and 37-inch sizes at 720p. Toshiba’s PixelPure 4G 14-bit Internal Digital Video Processor provides smoother images with over 4,000 levels of gradation; audio is reproduced through the company’s 1.5-inch SoundStrip speaker system. The new Gaming Mode provides more direct video signal-to-screen throughput, allowing for faster display response time. The Regza CV510 series will ship in March.

Also new is the Regza RV530 series ($1100 - $2700), which are ideal for home theatre enthusiasts. The LCDs come in sizes ranging from 32-inces to 52-inches, and include the same features as the CV510 series. In addition, the RV530 series is capable of displaying 1080p video, and have a 15,000:1 contrast ratio. The Regza RV530 series will ship during February and March.

For sport and action lovers, the Regza XV540 ($1700 - $2900) series features a 120Hz refresh rate at 1080p, and is available in 42-, 46-, and 52-inch sizes. The display features over 16,000 gradation levels, using the 14-Bit PixelPure processor with a 10-bit panel. ColorBurst technology is also included, providing 108-percent of the color gamut of standard NTSC, which gives users a rich color palette. The 42- and 46-inch models will ship in March, with the 52-inch version following in April.

The Regza XF550 series ($2000 - $3200) is framed by a 0.9-inch bezel, and uses the thinner SoundStrip 2 speaker system to deliver audio content. Available in 40-, 46-, and 52-inch sizes, the LCDs take advantage of 1080p video resolution, and display the same 16,000+ gradation levels found in the XV540 series. The 120Hz panel also uses the same color gamut as the former series, and features three HDMI connectors that are compatible with X.V. Color and Deep Color, as well as HDMI CEC. Toshiba expects to ship the Regza FX550 series in February.

Even while heavily backing the transition to HD DVD, Toshiba continues to develop upconverting DVD players that can scale from 720p to 1080p. The SD-6100 ($70) connects through HDMI CEC, or through ColorStream Pro component video. Supported formats include DivX, WMA, MP3, and JPEG, while the entry level SD-4100 ($40) lacks support for DivX and WMA. The SD-4100 will ship in January, with the SD-6100 following shortly after in February.

Toshiba’s single deck D-R410 DVD recorder ($120) connects through HDMI CEC, and supports DVD±R/RW formatted discs. It has the ability to upconvert video to 1080p, and can playback JPEG and MP3 files. The D-R560 ($180) shares these capabilities, and adds an ATSC/NTSC tuner, with WMA and DivX playback.

Two combination DVD/VHS recorders were also unveiled, providing 720p, 1080i, and 1080p upconversion through HDMI. These units also record to DVD±R/RW formatted discs, and include ATSC/NTSC tuners. The D-VR660 ($250) offers bi-directional dubbing, while the D-VR610 ($180) includes a line input connector to record from cable boxes and satellite receivers. With the exception of the D-VR660, all models will ship in February; the former will follow in March.

Toshiba’s portable DVD offerings consist of the SD-P71S ($130), SD-P91S($180), and SD-P101S ($300), which feature a 7-, 9-, and 10.2-inch swiveling widescreen, respectively. The entry-level SD-P71S has a new durable rubberized black cabinet, and features up to three hours of battery life. The two larger models have up to five hours battery life, and support for WMA, MP3, JPEG, and DivX file formats; the 7-inch model does not support DivX. All three units feature a car cord adapter, and will be available by April.

Toshiba also revealed two new LCD TVs with built-in DVD players: the 19-inch 19LV505 ($480), and the 22-inch 22LV505 ($600). The 22-inch version features a screen resolution of 1680 by 1050, and a 1000:1 contrast ration, with a 5ms response time. Using HDMI and VGA connections, it can be connected up to computers and home theatre equipment. The 19LV505 also comes in a high-gloss white finish version, called the 19LV506. All models support DivX, MP3, WMA, and JPEG playback. The 22LV505 will ship in April, with the two 19-inch models available the previous month in March.

Sony has decided to introduce some 17 new Bravia LCDs, divided into six different lines.
The Z Series is comprised of just two models, sized at 40 and 46 inches. Both of these are fully 1080p60/24 capable, and support x.v.Color, an industry standard said to increase color range by 1.8 times. The sets also rely on Sony’s 120Hz Motionflow rendering, which improves response in action scenes. Four HDMI and two component inputs are present, along with a lone PC input; the latter two types are limited to 1080p/60. Also included with the sets are USB music and photo players.

The W Series sports 40-, 46- and 52-inch sets, also capable of 1080p60/24 and 120Hz rendering, though no mention is made of x.v.Color. The same inputs and USB players are present as in the Z sets. The V Series is again nearly identical, even incorporating the same sizes, but drops Motionflow to return to 60Hz rendering.

The XBR6 Series is home to 32- and 37-inch sets, which are 1080p-capable, but operate strictly at 60Hz and 60fps, and lack the USB player. No details on inputs have been released. The same is true of the N Series, which has 26-, 32- and 37-inch sizes. These sets are limited to 720p resolution, but the 32- and 37-inch units have built-in 5.1 surround sound, while the 26-inch display has 3.1-channel audio.

The base level of the new Bravias is the M Series, featuring 19-, 26-, 32- and 37-inch options. All four are 720p-capable, and generally host two HDMI and two component inputs plus a PC connection. The 19-inch set is actually capable of 1440×900 resolution, but eliminates one HDMI and one component input.

M Series

V Series

XBR6 Series

Philips today introduced several new home and personal audio products, also a new line of LCD TVs. Pairing up with RealNetworks, the company’s new Streamium NP1100 relies on the 4.5 million track collection offered by Real’s Rhapsody network, as well as internet radio, and PC music libraries to bring audio to the home environment. The device uses a black and white display to show track information, and has a built-in WiFi receiver to connect with users’ home wireless networks. Philips expects to ship the NP1100 in May for $150. Accompanying the home player system are the GoGear portable music players ($110 - $200), which will also draw from RealNetworks’ Rhapsody service. Available in eight configurations, which come in 4GB and 8GB sizes, along with different sized screens, two of the variants will also include Bluetooth connectivity. Shipping times of the various models range from today to the second quarter of 2008.

The FlatTV 7000 series ($1700 - $2800) LCDs range from 19- to 52-inches diagonally, and feature a 120Hz refresh rate to improve image quality. Speaker grills are absent from the front of the units, instead opting for rear-firing drivers that use an acrylic flare to bounce the sound forward; in addition, a wOOx subwoofer enhances bass.

HD Digital Natural Motion technology cleans up digital artifacts resident in the video, and some of the models feature LED Ambilight, which adjusts lighting behind the TV to provide better ambient light for viewing. Phillips includes a setup assistant to help with tasks such as screen calibration, while four HDMI inputs are available to connect devices. The FlatTV 7000 series will ship between March and May.

Dell released the 3008WFP, its new flagship. Already available in Japan, the display is only the second ever beyond Dell’s own Crystal to optionally pipe video through a DisplayPort connector, enabling higher resolutions than single-link DVI as well as other features. It also stands as Dell’s most color-accurate screen and reproduces 100 percent of the NTSC color gamut at a 3,000:1 contrast ratio.

Images are clean thanks to an updated image processor, Dell says. Input is broad with the option of using HDMI or HDCP-encrypted DVI for digital signals as well as VGA, component, S-video, and RCA; expansion keeps in step with a four-port USB hub and a 9-in-2 card reader. The Texas-based PC builder lists the 3008WFP as available today for $1,999

HITACHI SHOWS OFF NEW ULTRA THIN PLASMA DISPLAY AT CES

– Just 1.5-inches Thin, Hitachi’s New Plasma Display is Centerpiece of “Innovations Showcase” at its CES Booth –

LAS VEGAS, INTL. CES (Booth: Central 11906) - Jan. 4, 2008 - Hitachi has developed an Ultra Thin plasma display panel (PDP) that is a mere 1.5-inches in depth. Having shaved more than one third of the thickness off of today’s comparable plasma displays, this new product represents an engineering achievement of significant importance from Hitachi.

This new Ultra Thin plasma display will be the centerpiece of Hitachi’s Innovations Showcase here at CES, which also features:
• A “super” Ultra Thin LCD at just .75 inches in depth
• An advanced search technology that can be applied to visual images
• A system that allows video to be shared between homes and then viewed on a TV, not a PC
• A wireless video gateway for sharing content among several displays in the home
• An IPTV user interface for accessing, managing and sharing content at home or on the go

Complete Family of Ultra Thin Displays
While a handful of companies, including Hitachi, have already developed Ultra Thin LCD models, Hitachi is among the first vendors to demonstrate an Ultra Thin plasma display. For various technical reasons, the challenges in producing a thin plasma display greatly exceed those associated with developing a thin LCD, making Hitachi’s achievements - 1.5-inch Ultra Thin models in both LCD and PDP - even more impressive. As a result, Hitachi expects to seize an early lead in the rapidly emerging and commercially attractive new category of Ultra Thin Displays.
- more -
“Hitachi has a long history of innovation and a proven track record of making breakthroughs that advance the consumer electronics industry,” said Daniel Lee, vice president of marketing for Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division. “But what is even more important than being first with a prototype or concept is being first to deliver the end product to consumers. Especially for our complete new line of Ultra Thin displays, we already have the manufacturing processes, sales and marketing investment and overall corporate commitment in place to put these products into consumers’ hands months, if not years, ahead of other suppliers. From our perspective, and that of our distribution partners, being first with a product in the sales channel is ultimately what is most important.”

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According to the BBC, Pioneer is planning to unveil an HD Plasma TV at CES 2008 in Las Vegas, which is just 9mm thick. The story has now been taken down by the BBC, but Pioneer has confirmed that it was genuine.Pioneer is claiming that the new model is the ‘world’s thinnest’ HD Plasma TV. Details of the specification are not currently available.

Leaked pictures of the set show that although much of it is ultra-thin, there is also a thicker area.

Pioneer will also demonstrate its new Kuro displays at CES, which offer extremely dark blacks and a wider colour range.

Pioneer recently announced that it had cancelled plans to open a new production facility for plasma screens, due to falling demand for the technology with consumers favouring LCD displays.

The latest technology products have always had a prime launching pad through CES. As CES is gearing up for 2008 show, Mitsubishi has revealed that it will unveil its new display technology ‘Laser TV’, in the upcoming show. It’s a make or break time for Mitsubishi. Though this technology was given a glimpse in 2006 itself, Mitsubishi could not stick to its scheduled 2007 release. Lot is expected of this technology as it is considered to be the next big thing in TV market with LCD’s and plasma TV’s ruling the roast at present.

The ‘Laser TV’ is actually a variant of DLP replacing the old lamp with three lasers, red, green and blue. The advantage of these lasers is that they remove the deep dark black rings and gives a better color. It is expected to display the 90% of colors visible to the human eye were a LCD or a Plasma TV reproduces only 40% of it. The manufacturers have not yet specified any price range for this product. It seems to be the most awaited technology of next year. Sounds great! Let’s hope it lives up to its expectations.