--from i4u news, i4u.com
Top 100 Holiday Gift Guide. As you know we started our main Gift Guide for 2008. We segmented our 100 tech gift tips in 10 categories and several are already complete like the Top 10 TV Gift Guide.
Our eclectic list of TV recommendations include large panel and small panel HDTVs and TVs with special features like iPod dock or integrated DVD drive. Of course the new category defining LaserVue Laser TV is also part of our Top 10 TV recommendations for the 2008 Holidays.
The list of the top 10 links to a description of the product
Top 10 TVs:
* 1. Vizio VP322
* 2. Sony Bravia XBR8 HDTV
* 3. 65" Panasonic TH-65PZ850U Plasma HDTV
* 4. JVC 42 inch HDTV with iPod Dock
* 5. Samsung LN55A950 55 inch HDTV
* 6. Haier HLT71 7-inch LCD TV
* 7. Toshiba 19LV506 HDTV with internal DVD
* 8. Mitsubishi LaserVue Laser TV
* 9. 103 inch Panasonic Plasma HDTV
* 10. Pioneer KURO 60-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
see all with direct and up to date pricing information from Amazon.com.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Consumerscope : The Future of the Display Market
The display market is the largest sector of the CE industry, with shipment revenues expected to hit $27.8 billion by the end of this year. It's also probably the most fiercely competitive sector in the industry.
Young and old industry players work feverishly to develop the next big thing in displays.
With innovation taking place on a number of fronts, a host of new display technologies and capabilities will reach markets sooner than many realize. There are four areas of development worth watching.
Energy Efficiency and Green Designs
Although televisions rank behind many household appliances in terms of energy consumption, manufacturers and consumers will seek greater efficiencies in all their powered products. This stems from a desire to reduce expenditures on electricity but also to embrace a "green" lifestyle of reduced wastes and strain on the environment. Beyond maximizing the energy efficiency of existing technologies, such as LCD or plasma, several manufacturers hope to disrupt the market with new approaches such as OLED, laser TV and LED backlighting. Nearly nine in ten consumers rate energy efficiency as a desirable trait of their next television purchase.
Enhancing the Viewing Experience and Product Design
Better picture quality, thinner displays, new form factors and 3-D images are or will be upon us soon. Full HD has quickly become the near default high-definition television. CEA expects 55 percent of HDTVs shipped into the marketplace next year will be 1080p displays, up from 34 percent in 2008. Incremental improvements also give way to new technologies. Eighty percent of consumers would like even better picture quality, while 73 percent hope for a thinner shape and 41 percent would like a more elegant design.
Despite the lackluster embrace of the 3-D movie experience, manufacturers and studios remain optimistic about 3-D's potential. About one-third of consumers responded with interest in 3-D television, which signals they are intrigued by the concept but not completely familiar with the technology.
Displays Move Beyond the Living Room
One of the most interesting areas of development for displays has been outside the confines of the standard living room television stand or mount; think backyards, floors, restaurant menus, gas pumps or subway walls. On the commercial side, video displays continue to make their presence felt in a number of ways. Undoubtedly, consumer attention will gravitate towards what's most interesting, a fact not lost on developers of next generation display technology and advertisers.
Children may help drive the market for backyard movie equipment. The thought of watching a Disney movie under the stars with the family led to relatively strong interest among parents with children (20 percent vs. 9 percent for households without children).
Connectivity Completes the 360-Degree Experience
According to comScore, Americans viewed 11.4 billion online videos during July for a total of 558 million hours. With more content available online and faster broadband connections, some consumers began viewing online video as a substitute rather than a complement to their TV. According to the research, 61 percent of consumers say they see Internet connectivity as a desirable feature of their next television purchase. While this is a high figure, keep in mind it falls well behind many other criteria, so at this stage it may still be premature to declare this convergence a done deal. Nonetheless, many of the pieces have fallen into place to enable more efficient connectivity within the living room. Whether it's a set-top box, a media extender, or a direct connection to the television itself, consumers have more choices than ever to expand their content offerings.
Connectivity may also entail eliminating wires within the home theater set-up. With nearly three-fourths of consumers wanting wireless connectivity, the market potential for technologies solving this issue shows tremendous upside. While the interest is certainly there, manufacturers must remember that consumers have little tolerance for television disruptions.
Other Matters
Don't expect another concentrated upgrade cycle on the scale of the transition from analog to digital television. The industry will soon hit the physical limits of human senses. Greater advancements in picture resolution will eventually be undetectable by the human eye. Most consumers will live happily ever after with a 4-inch deep flat panel display, so ultra thinness may not be the next big thing either. Energy efficiency and connectivity will likely have the biggest impact on the display market in the short to mid-term.
At some point though, all TV manufacturers have a brand or model with these traits, so any competitive advantage by a first mover quickly disappears. In the slightly more distant future, look for flexible displays in everything from "smart" wallpaper to folding pocket displays to interactive digital billboards to make their mark on how society interacts with information.
Young and old industry players work feverishly to develop the next big thing in displays.
With innovation taking place on a number of fronts, a host of new display technologies and capabilities will reach markets sooner than many realize. There are four areas of development worth watching.
Energy Efficiency and Green Designs
Although televisions rank behind many household appliances in terms of energy consumption, manufacturers and consumers will seek greater efficiencies in all their powered products. This stems from a desire to reduce expenditures on electricity but also to embrace a "green" lifestyle of reduced wastes and strain on the environment. Beyond maximizing the energy efficiency of existing technologies, such as LCD or plasma, several manufacturers hope to disrupt the market with new approaches such as OLED, laser TV and LED backlighting. Nearly nine in ten consumers rate energy efficiency as a desirable trait of their next television purchase.
Enhancing the Viewing Experience and Product Design
Better picture quality, thinner displays, new form factors and 3-D images are or will be upon us soon. Full HD has quickly become the near default high-definition television. CEA expects 55 percent of HDTVs shipped into the marketplace next year will be 1080p displays, up from 34 percent in 2008. Incremental improvements also give way to new technologies. Eighty percent of consumers would like even better picture quality, while 73 percent hope for a thinner shape and 41 percent would like a more elegant design.
Despite the lackluster embrace of the 3-D movie experience, manufacturers and studios remain optimistic about 3-D's potential. About one-third of consumers responded with interest in 3-D television, which signals they are intrigued by the concept but not completely familiar with the technology.
Displays Move Beyond the Living Room
One of the most interesting areas of development for displays has been outside the confines of the standard living room television stand or mount; think backyards, floors, restaurant menus, gas pumps or subway walls. On the commercial side, video displays continue to make their presence felt in a number of ways. Undoubtedly, consumer attention will gravitate towards what's most interesting, a fact not lost on developers of next generation display technology and advertisers.
Children may help drive the market for backyard movie equipment. The thought of watching a Disney movie under the stars with the family led to relatively strong interest among parents with children (20 percent vs. 9 percent for households without children).
Connectivity Completes the 360-Degree Experience
According to comScore, Americans viewed 11.4 billion online videos during July for a total of 558 million hours. With more content available online and faster broadband connections, some consumers began viewing online video as a substitute rather than a complement to their TV. According to the research, 61 percent of consumers say they see Internet connectivity as a desirable feature of their next television purchase. While this is a high figure, keep in mind it falls well behind many other criteria, so at this stage it may still be premature to declare this convergence a done deal. Nonetheless, many of the pieces have fallen into place to enable more efficient connectivity within the living room. Whether it's a set-top box, a media extender, or a direct connection to the television itself, consumers have more choices than ever to expand their content offerings.
Connectivity may also entail eliminating wires within the home theater set-up. With nearly three-fourths of consumers wanting wireless connectivity, the market potential for technologies solving this issue shows tremendous upside. While the interest is certainly there, manufacturers must remember that consumers have little tolerance for television disruptions.
Other Matters
Don't expect another concentrated upgrade cycle on the scale of the transition from analog to digital television. The industry will soon hit the physical limits of human senses. Greater advancements in picture resolution will eventually be undetectable by the human eye. Most consumers will live happily ever after with a 4-inch deep flat panel display, so ultra thinness may not be the next big thing either. Energy efficiency and connectivity will likely have the biggest impact on the display market in the short to mid-term.
At some point though, all TV manufacturers have a brand or model with these traits, so any competitive advantage by a first mover quickly disappears. In the slightly more distant future, look for flexible displays in everything from "smart" wallpaper to folding pocket displays to interactive digital billboards to make their mark on how society interacts with information.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Mitsubishi LaserVue debuts on Amazon
The first Laser TV finally makes its appearance on Amazon.com. Mitsubishi announced last week that the 65 inch LaserVue L65-A90 is officially on sale in stores. Amazon is not directly offering the LaserVue HDTV yet. A retailer named Electronics Expo is offering the L65A90 Laser TV via Amazon for $6,999.
Reviews of the LaserVue Laser TV have been very positive so far. The only beef is with the high price and it seems none of the retailers currently see the need to move down from the MSRP of the L65A90.
The highlights of the Mitsubishi Laser TV are reproduction of color gamut in excess of 200% of BT.709* (twice that of other HDTVs), 135W power consumption (a third of other HDTVs), 120Hz, x.v. Color, and 1080p.
More details on Amazon.com.
*BT.709 is an ITU-R standard designed to provide a common digital standard for interoperability between the three analog video/TV systems (NTSC, PAL and SECAM) for high definition television.
Reviews of the LaserVue Laser TV have been very positive so far. The only beef is with the high price and it seems none of the retailers currently see the need to move down from the MSRP of the L65A90.
The highlights of the Mitsubishi Laser TV are reproduction of color gamut in excess of 200% of BT.709* (twice that of other HDTVs), 135W power consumption (a third of other HDTVs), 120Hz, x.v. Color, and 1080p.
More details on Amazon.com.
*BT.709 is an ITU-R standard designed to provide a common digital standard for interoperability between the three analog video/TV systems (NTSC, PAL and SECAM) for high definition television.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Mitsubishi LaserVue Laser TV is Holiday Gift Guide Tip
The first Laser TV is really here this Holiday. It was long delayed but finally Mitsubishi has managed to bring the LaserVue Laser TV to the market. It is still expensive, but hey this way your neighbor cannot afford one. This is your chance to get something brand new this Holidays for your living room.
The Laser beams of the Laser TV provide an extensive range of rich, complex colors, truly distinct clarity, and immersive depth of field. Additionally the Mitsubishi LaserVue has about half the operating power consumption of similar-sized LCD TVs, and a third of Plasma.
The LaserVue TVs also come equipped with 3D-ready viewing technology.
Other features of the Laservue L65-A90 include x.v.Color, PerfectColor, 4 HDMI ports and wired IR input.
The first LaserVue HDTV has a screen size of 65 inches and has an MSRP of $6,999. Retailers stick to this price so far, as there is no alternative. There is only one Laser TV on the market.
For Whom:
The Mitsubishi LaserVue L65-A90 is the highlight for early adopters this Christmas. There are not many chances to actually own a new technology from the first series.
The Good:
* Displays more colors than other TVs
* Uses less power
* Supports 3D
* Totally new Technology
The Bad:
* Expensive
The Laser beams of the Laser TV provide an extensive range of rich, complex colors, truly distinct clarity, and immersive depth of field. Additionally the Mitsubishi LaserVue has about half the operating power consumption of similar-sized LCD TVs, and a third of Plasma.
The LaserVue TVs also come equipped with 3D-ready viewing technology.
Other features of the Laservue L65-A90 include x.v.Color, PerfectColor, 4 HDMI ports and wired IR input.
The first LaserVue HDTV has a screen size of 65 inches and has an MSRP of $6,999. Retailers stick to this price so far, as there is no alternative. There is only one Laser TV on the market.
For Whom:
The Mitsubishi LaserVue L65-A90 is the highlight for early adopters this Christmas. There are not many chances to actually own a new technology from the first series.
The Good:
* Displays more colors than other TVs
* Uses less power
* Supports 3D
* Totally new Technology
The Bad:
* Expensive
Saturday, January 3, 2009
LaserVue Review with Picture Quality Comparison
The Mitsubishi LaserVue Laser TV gets tested some more at Bjorn's an Electronics retailer in Texas, by the guys from TechLounge. We already reported about their first encounter of the LaserVue at the World Premier in the same store two weeks ago.
This time the guys spent some time with Blu-ray movies and watching them side-by-side on a LaserVue L65-A90 and a Pioneer Kuro PRO-151FD 60 inch Plasma.
Their verdict: "If you are the kind of guy (or girl) who has to have the latest in tech, no matter what the cost - an early adopter, a frequent flyer on the bleeding edge - you'd be wise to take a closer look at the LaserVue. The picture quality is fantastic across the board, from unruly action flicks to serene, Sunrise Earth-like films.
And the colors. You're not going to find a set that is capable of displaying colors quite like this one. If you're a Nebraska fan or you cheer for a team sporting a cardinal for a mascot, you're set. If George A. Romero's film collection never leaves your Blu-Ray player, or you're a Republican, you'll love the LaserVue."
Read the full LaserVue review on TheTechLounge.
What this review also means is that at least at Bjorns you can actually pick up a Mitsubishi LaserVue and bring it home for $6,999. I have not seen it anywhere else on sale yet.
This time the guys spent some time with Blu-ray movies and watching them side-by-side on a LaserVue L65-A90 and a Pioneer Kuro PRO-151FD 60 inch Plasma.
Their verdict: "If you are the kind of guy (or girl) who has to have the latest in tech, no matter what the cost - an early adopter, a frequent flyer on the bleeding edge - you'd be wise to take a closer look at the LaserVue. The picture quality is fantastic across the board, from unruly action flicks to serene, Sunrise Earth-like films.
And the colors. You're not going to find a set that is capable of displaying colors quite like this one. If you're a Nebraska fan or you cheer for a team sporting a cardinal for a mascot, you're set. If George A. Romero's film collection never leaves your Blu-Ray player, or you're a Republican, you'll love the LaserVue."
Read the full LaserVue review on TheTechLounge.
What this review also means is that at least at Bjorns you can actually pick up a Mitsubishi LaserVue and bring it home for $6,999. I have not seen it anywhere else on sale yet.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
LaserVue L65-A90 has World Premiere at Retailer
The release of the Mitsubishi Laser TV is drawing closer. Over the weekend Mitsubishi held a promotion event at a retailer in San Antonio's high-end audio/video emporium Bjorn's in Texas introducing the LaserVue Laser TV.
The guys from The Techlounge have been there and published a report of their encounter with the first Laser TV. On display was the 65 inch LaserVue L65-A90.
The hands-on experience of the 3D capability of the LaserVue did impress. The present Mitsubishi reps did acknowledge though that there is not much 3D material available yet to benefit from the 3D feature.
In a comparative setup the LaserVue showed the promised much better color performance when compared to a Pioneer Kuro and Sharp display. The black performance of the LaserVue was mostly on par with the Kuro.
The guys from The Techlounge have been there and published a report of their encounter with the first Laser TV. On display was the 65 inch LaserVue L65-A90.
The hands-on experience of the 3D capability of the LaserVue did impress. The present Mitsubishi reps did acknowledge though that there is not much 3D material available yet to benefit from the 3D feature.
In a comparative setup the LaserVue showed the promised much better color performance when compared to a Pioneer Kuro and Sharp display. The black performance of the LaserVue was mostly on par with the Kuro.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Advent Laser TV and OLED, Blu-ray only “5 years” left
A top Samsung UK executive has demolished Blu-ray’s chances of being relevant for more than about 5 years, if that, in an interview with UK tech site Pocket-link. How “blu” must Sony be feeling with Samsung right now?!
When HD-DVD was dealt its death blow at CES thanks to Warner definitively choosing the Blu-ray format, Sony’s Howard Stringer said at the Blu-ray press launch words to the effect that “We’re all feeling Blu today – in a good way!”
But perhaps Sony is feeling “blue” instead today, at least with its LCD screen manufacturing partner Samsung, after comments to UK tech site Pocket-lint by Andy Griffiths, Samsung’s “Director of Consumer Electronics” in the UK.
Griffiths made some bold statements, saying: “I think it [Blu-ray] has 5 years left, I certainly wouldn't give it 10".
But then he said that 2008 is “going to be huge" for Blu-ray, and that "We are heavily back-ordered at the moment”, clearly suggesting that while Samsung thinks Blu-ray’s future is bleak, right now things are still quite rosy.
He also told Pocket-link about rental sites and stores offering more Blu-ray titles, which ensured that while the Blu-ray format was the HD winner now, that wouldn’t be the case forever.
Samsung believes its future profits will come from OLED technology (organic light emitting diode). Promising better picture quality and colour depth than LCD or plasma, “high manufacturing costs” have prevented its widespread release, although 2010 is being flagged as the year of OLED.
Of course, we’ve also heard of Laser TV in the meantime, and if it too launches by 2010, it could easily be OLED TV’s biggest competitor, with both formats potentially leaving LCD and plasma in the digital dust.
When HD-DVD was dealt its death blow at CES thanks to Warner definitively choosing the Blu-ray format, Sony’s Howard Stringer said at the Blu-ray press launch words to the effect that “We’re all feeling Blu today – in a good way!”
But perhaps Sony is feeling “blue” instead today, at least with its LCD screen manufacturing partner Samsung, after comments to UK tech site Pocket-lint by Andy Griffiths, Samsung’s “Director of Consumer Electronics” in the UK.
Griffiths made some bold statements, saying: “I think it [Blu-ray] has 5 years left, I certainly wouldn't give it 10".
But then he said that 2008 is “going to be huge" for Blu-ray, and that "We are heavily back-ordered at the moment”, clearly suggesting that while Samsung thinks Blu-ray’s future is bleak, right now things are still quite rosy.
He also told Pocket-link about rental sites and stores offering more Blu-ray titles, which ensured that while the Blu-ray format was the HD winner now, that wouldn’t be the case forever.
Samsung believes its future profits will come from OLED technology (organic light emitting diode). Promising better picture quality and colour depth than LCD or plasma, “high manufacturing costs” have prevented its widespread release, although 2010 is being flagged as the year of OLED.
Of course, we’ve also heard of Laser TV in the meantime, and if it too launches by 2010, it could easily be OLED TV’s biggest competitor, with both formats potentially leaving LCD and plasma in the digital dust.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
