The 3D-capable Samsung LED HDTV series, made up of the LED7000, LED8000, and flagship LED9000 (a.k.a. “the 0.3-inch HDTV that comes with the really awesome remote”), will start shipping by March… at least in the UK, according to the announcement made during Samsung’s 2010 Forum in Vienna.
LG Display will begin production on 20-inch OLED (Organic LED) screens later this year, according to VP Won Kim. Usually found on high-end mobile phones, OLED technology allows for power efficient displays that are not only slim, but also brighter, and more vividly colored.
Just like every major AV brand, Panasonic has unveiled 3D-capable Plasma HDTVs. But that’s not the big news. All the attention is on their announcement (more of a confirmation, actually) of a partnership with satellite TV provider DirecTV to launch new high-definition 3D channels, which should give us more reasons to spring for a 3DTV in the near future (because really, we’re not setting up a 3D entertainment system for Monsters Vs Aliens).
Last year, internet-connected sets with widget-based interfaces were the big thing on high-end HDTVs. This year 3D entertainment looks to be the buzz word. Samsung has unveiled three new high-end HDTVs that will be compatible with the Blu-ray 3D standard (which gives you a full, in-home 3D movie experience when paired up with a 3D Blu-ray player and digital 3D glasses).
Sharp will be putting out a new line of LED-backlit Aquos HDTVs later this year that’s based on what they call QuadPixel technology, which supposedly increases the number of individual colors on the screen from a billion to1 trillion colors.
Toshiba has just unveiled a new line of smarter HDTVs called “Cell TVs” that boast processing power, 3D video conversion, and net-connectivity—which makes it sound like they’re putting out a freaking computer. The assumption is not so far off though, since the first model to be rolled out this year, the ZX900 Cell TV, comes with an 8-core, 2.3GHz Cell processor.
LG has just shown off their upcoming HDTV called the Infinia LE9500, a gorgeous 55-incher that sports a less-than-an-inch-thick panel, a fast 480Hz refresh rate, and wireless internet connectivity. It also comes with a Wii-like remote to give it extra awesome points.
Skype went with the times by upgrading their video-chat capabilities to support 720p HD video chats. The higher resolution is made possible by Skype’s 4.2 beta app, which can support the high-res video streams, although the guy on the other end is going to need a 720p-quality webcam and a 1Mbps internet connection for that to happen. The HD capabilities are currently limited to Windows-based systems, although Mac support should be added with an update soon.
LG in Korea announced the world’s first commercial launch of 3D LCD panel boasting full HD resolution. Tagged as the LM230WF4, the 23-inch 3D monitor LCD panel comes with shutter glasses that delivers full HD resolution, and promises a picture quality that is almost twice as crisp as HD 3D displays currently available in the market.
Samsung has introduced a new 27-inch monitor in Korea that features a built-in TV tuner. Tagged as the SyncMaster P2770HD, the display has an HD 1080p resolution as well as picture-in-picture functions that let users watch TV while working the PC.