DTVScoop - Digital Television News

iSuppli: LCD 40-42 Inch Model Prices to Fall

2005-07-30T16:24:53Z

Market research firm iSuppli says that because of a glut in LCD inventory worldwide, the average price of LCD panels for manufacturers dropped $1,000 this month to $1,125. This roughly translates to consumer LCD TVs having a price as low as $2,500 during Q4--just in time for the holiday buying season.

Since Sony announced that it was leaving behind plasma TV development earlier this year and opened up a new joint venture with Samsung to produce more 40 to 42 inch LCD panels, the price has decreased with supply.

Global LCD TV sales are up 87 percent from 2004 and expected to hit 18.8 million units by the end of 2005.

Panasonic TH-42PD25 Plasma HDTV

2005-02-21T19:34:45Z

The people over at HomeTheaterMag.com have put up a review of the TH-42PD25 plasma TV from Panasonic. The TH-42PD25 is an HDTV plasma TV that won out over the others in the review for its black level and gray scale accuracy.

Using a Video Essentials test patterns DVD, the testing revealed that the TH-42PD25 had an issue with bright scenes--the brightest image would be crushed white. For example, a cloud in the sky would have no detail other than a white blob. Reducing the contrast ratio didn't help either--the picture merely became darker while the detail on whites didn't improve.

]]> Also, the TH-42PD25 had difficulty processing images--a waving flag had noticeable jaggies and the rooftops in Gladiator appeared step-like. On the other hand, after calibration and coupled with a progressive scan DVD, the TH-42PD25 won out over the other plasmas in the test group for its black level and gray scale accuracy.

More info: HomeTheaterMag.com

Panasonic VIERA Flat Panel TVs

2005-02-16T18:41:09Z

Panasonic has introduced a range of flat panel displays coined "VIERA". The plasma VIERA displays will be available in three plasma screen TV sizes--the 50-inch, high-definition TH-50PV30, the 42-inch TH-42PA30 and the 37-inch TH37PA30, both of which are standard definition models.

VIERA will also have two LCD TV sizes--the 32-inch TX-32LX1X and 26-inch TX-26LX1X, both HD models. The 65-inch T-65PHDB-K will also be available shortly.

]]> According to Panasonic, the Viera series combines Panasonic's advanced picture processing technology with leading-edge device technology that helps assure superior quality in all components from display panels to speaker units. Panasonic's LSI system technology also provides extremely precise processing of a wide range of signals while also supporting sophisticated networking capabilities. Panasonic's breakthroughs in each of these core technologies, has been incorporated into the VIERA line. This is complemented by an elegant, innovative design that makes the TVs a truly superb addition to any home. With a gracefully curved base, beautiful lines and a pearl-silver finish, the televisions are styled to make a dramatic and lasting impression. The stand, available as an option, appears to blend seamlessly with the plasma itself to create a composed, unified image.

Plasma TV Prices Falling for Super Bowl

2005-02-02T07:22:34Z

Plasma and other big screen digital televisions are falling in price just in time for the Super Bowl. At Costco last month, a coupon for $400 off a 42-inch, high-definition Visio plasma TV brought the final price to under $2,000--$1,999. This was near the low-price for lesser quality EDTV models during the 2004 holiday season.

]]> Online comparison shopping site NexTag found the average price of plasma TVs on its site dropped $271.87 or 6.2% since Christmas 2004. Other retailers are also offering incentives--for example, Best Buy is offering 36-month, no interest purchases on all its TVs, with guaranteed Saturday deliver (before the Super Bowl) if ordered by 7pm Saturday.

Pioneer PDP-435SX Wins Award

2005-01-31T03:07:23Z

According to the January 13 announcement of the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ), the Pioneer PDP-435SX digital high-definition plasma TV has been named the recipient of the ECCJ Chairman's Award in the 2004 Energy Conservation Grand Prize. Annually the ECCJ recognizes and awards these prizes for outstanding products with exceptional energy-saving performance in the category of consumer devices or systems for the Japanese market.

The PDP-435SX realizes the power consumption of just 306 watts - the lowest in its class, according to Pioneer - by employing a number of energy-saving technologies, including Pioneer's P.U.R.E. Panel technology.

This plasma TV has been enjoying a good reputation in the Japanese TV market ever since its release in July 2004.

Fujitsu Rumoured to Consider Exiting Plasma Business

2005-01-29T07:32:22Z

First, Sony and Toshiba were rumoured to be exiting the plasma display business. Now, there is an AFP report suggesting that Fujitsu is re-evaluating its plasma display business and may consider exiting it entirely.

Fujitsu and Hitachi jointly manufacture plasma displays in a 50-50 joint venture, Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display. Although demand for plasma TVs is expected to grow, the large infrastructure investments appear to be scaring off Fujitsu. The company is rumored to be in talks with Hitachi to reduce its interest in the joint venture.

Fujitsu pioneered plasma displays in 1968 and was the first company in 1995 to manufacture a production plasma television.

NEC N940 and N840 Cell Phones Come with Built-in TV

2005-01-29T07:05:00Z

For the Chinese market only, NEC announced two new handsets capable of displaying television (analog, unfortunately). The NEC N940 is a dualband handset (900/1800MHz) equiped with a large, bright 2.1 inch touch screen TFT display screen (resolution of 176x220 pixels and 262,144 colors).

]]> Other specifications include:

GPRS
WAP browser
MMS
Internal antenna
Polyphonic ring tone
Handwriting recognition software
PC sync
Photo album
Photo editor

NEC's other model, the NEC N840 comes with a more sophisticated camera, same TV functionality and similar other specifications.

(Photo Source: AFP)

Samsung's New OLED Display

2005-01-29T06:38:10Z

Continuing its innovation in the digital television sphere, Samsung Electronics has developed the world's largest organic light emitting diode display for HDTVs.

Brighter, slimmer and more power efficient, the 21-inch OLED panel demonstrated outperforms existing LCD panels on the market. OLED LCD screens generate its own light, thus eliminating the need to have a backlight and resulting in more efficient monitors.

]]> Samsung said its new portable display would be used for televisions and computer monitors and that the technology can be mass-produced using existing LCD production facilities.

Samsung's new OLED display has a resolution of 6.22 million pixels and uses an active matrix technology for low power consumption and high resolution.

(Photo Source: AFP)

China's New DTV Chip

2005-01-26T19:06:11Z

Fudan University in Shanghai has developed China's first DTV chip. The "Zhongshi No.1" chip supposedly outperforms US and European sensitivity and anti-jamming standards and at a lower cost. It is hoped that the new chip will pave the way to a new generation of high-definition televisions.

The Chinese government is eager to capitalize on the growing digital television market in China, in time for the 2008 Olympics. Official Chinese statistics cite 370 million TV sets and a growth rate of 40 million sets each year. Nationwide digital TV service is expected by 2015.

Samsung LNR570D LNR460D LNR409D Review

2005-01-22T21:56:50Z

Samsung introduced at the CES in Las Vegas three new LCD TVs. The 57-inch LNR570D widescreen LCD TV is the world's largest consumer LCD TV on the market featuring HDTV technology. The 46-inch LNR460D employs the LED-LCD backlight technology resulting in faster refresh rates and clearer and brighter pictures. The 40-inch LNR409D features Samsung's "Flat Flourescent Lamp" technology.

]]> Some more highlights:

Samsung 57-inch LNR570D:

built in ATSC Tuner and cable card
true high definition resolution with 1920 x 1080 progressive scanning
6.2 million pixels
600cd high brightness
8ms response time
contrast ratio greater than 1000:1
176 degree horizontal/vertical viewing angle
home networking capabilities built-in
available June 2005 at a MRSP of $15,999

Samsung 46-inch LNR460D:

LED-LCD backlight technology resulting in increased colors and brightness
resolution of 1920 x 1080 progressive
170-degree horizontal/vertical viewing angle
available May 2005 at a MRSP of $12,999

Samsung 40-inch LNR409D:

"Flat Fourescent Lamp" backlight unit resulting in enhanced brightness and uniformity
3000:1 contrast ratio best in class
3.2 billion colors highest in an LCD TV
built-in ATSC digital TV tuner
built-in networking capability
available May 2005 at a MRSP of $5,999

Sony and Toshiba to Exit China PDP Market

2005-01-22T18:56:53Z

SinoCast reports that Sony and Toshiba will exit the Chinese plasma display panel market and focus on LCD TV-based televisions. With plasma displays contributing 60 percent or more to the cost of plasma TVs, there is little markup for the two plasma TV makers since neither manufactures their own plasma display panels.

]]> Currently, there are only 5 major companies in the world capable of manufacturing plasma screen displays--they are Panasonic, Pioneer, Fujitsu-Hitachi, LG Electronics, and Samsung. Every other manufacturer must purchase and rebrand their displays from these 5 companies.

Adding additional pressure to Sony and Toshiba are local Chinese plasma TV manufacturers who have made big inroads into the profits of the more established manufacturers.

Samsung TX-R3079WH SlimFit Review

2005-01-21T19:12:11Z

While the world is taking notice of flat panel televisions, major manufacturers are also rolling out some cathode ray tube models for this year. Samsung will market 3 thin SlimFit tube models this year in the 26-, 27- and 30-inch sizes. In addition, LG Electronics will introduce a 30-inch model in August.

These new CRT-based digital televisions are two-thirds the depth of conventional TVs--for example, Samsung's new 30-inch SlimFit model will be 16 inches deep, compared with 24 inches for its standard tube set.

]]>
Weight will still be a problem, with Samsung's 30-inch SlimFit TV weighing 122 pounds (55 kilograms), compared to a slightly larger 32-inch wide screen LCD TV model weighing 50 pounds.

The new, slimmer CRT TVs use a modified version of tube technology to reduce depth but keeping an image that is as sharp and possessing the same contrast levels as a standard CRT TV.

Also, unlike LCD TVs and plasma TVs, these new CRT TVs do not suffer from image-lag or image burn-in.

In terms of price, while a 30-inch LCD TV can cost $3,000, a slim-tube model is around $1,000.

LCD TV and Plasma TV Survey Results

2005-01-21T17:39:09Z

A joint survey conducted by Taiwan's Market Intelligence Center and Synovate revealed some interesting trends about consumers considering plasma TV and/or LCD TV purchases.

First off, the survey showed that the primary motivations for buying a new LCD or plasma TV are picture clarity and high resolution (32 percent for LCD TVs and 31 percent for plasma TVs), followed by space-saving advantages (31 percent for LCD TVs and 24 percent for plasma TVs).

]]> The survey also found that 55 percent of respondents got most of their information from sales staff, 12 percent from the Internet, 10 percent from friends, 7 percent from catalogs, 6 percent from exhibitions, and 5 percent from ads placed in magazines and newspapers.

77 percent of respondents solicited advice from family and friends with 50 percent asking spouses, 14 percent asking parents, 7 percent asking children, 6 percent asking siblings and 1 percent asking boyfriend or girlfriend.

When it comes to how much to pay for a 32-inch LCD TV:

38 percent said they wanted to pay under NT$30,000 (US$942)
21 percent said they were willing to pay between NT$30,000 (US$942) and NT$40,000 (US$1,256)
21 percent said they were willing to pay between NT$40,000 (US$1,256) and NT$50,000 (US$2,198)
12 percent thought anywhere between NT$50,000 (US%1,570) and NT$70,000 (US$2,198) was a fair price
5 percent thought a price between NT$70,000 (US$2,198) and NT$100,000 (US$3,140) was reasonable
1 percent thought a price over NT$100,000 (US$3,140) was warranted

When it comes to how much to pay for a 42-inch plasma TV:

47 percent were willing to pay between NT$70,000 (US$2,198) and NT$100,000 (US$3,140)
33 percent would pay over NT$100,000 (US$3,140)

As far as Taiwanese consumers were concerned, the top flat panel televisions were, in order, Sony, Panasonic, Sampo, Teco and LG.

For future features, respondents said they were looking for:

internal DVD burner
internal DVD player
direct Internet access
internal digital TV receiver
internal hard disk drive
wireless Internet connection
wireless speakers

Philips 30-inch MiraVision Flat Panel TV

2005-01-20T03:30:01Z

Philips has announced a 30-inch version of its ultramodern LCD TV, the "Mirror TV." Available in the first quarter of 2005 for custom orders with a suggested price range from $1,999 to $3,999.

How cool is that?! Vanity and TV all in one.

]]> Basically a two-way mirror with an LCD screen behind it, when the Mirror LCD TV is activated, you see the display; when it's off, you see your reflection.

The Mirror LCDs are wide-screen, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a high 1280 by 768 resolution, with the image appearing as a window within an otherwise conventional mirror.

Philips 32PF9630A 32-inch LCD TV

2005-01-20T02:43:59Z

Philips' recently announced 32-inch LCD TV (32PF9630A) will be the first Philips' TV using its proprietary ClearLCD technology to be launched in the US market. ClearLCD uses scanning and dimming technology to create fast refreshing LCD images and high contrast.

Higher black level, greater contrast and larger viewing areas is achieved using Philips' HCFL lamp system, Aptura, when combined with ClearLCD. Aptura backlight solves many of the image quality issues commonly encountered with the LCD technology: Low-brightness, low contrast and narrow field of view. All three of these factors should improve significantly with Aptura backlight.

The 32PF9630A LCD TV will be availabe September 2005 at the MSRP of $2,199.