The new Samsung 933HD+ and 2333HD LCD monitors deliver integrated HDTV functionality in desktop monitor form factors with features such as:

• Built-in digital TV tuner with optional cable or satellite connection
• Dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and a fast 5 ms response rate
• 1366 x 768 resolution for 19 inch 933HD+
• 1920 x 1080 resolution for 23 inch 2333HD
• Glossy black finish with rounded bottom edge and matching crystal-like acrylic bar
• 16:9 aspect ratio
• Settings such as brightness, backlight, and color effects can be customized with a touch of a key using the MagicColor, MagicBright, Color Effect and Image Size functions
• Up to two HDMI connections depending on the model
• Built-in stereo sound system
• 2333HD comes with Dolby Digital support
• Remote control

The Samsung 933HD+ has an estimated street price of $249.99 while the 2333HD has an estimated street price of $329.99.

Technorati Tags: Samsung 933HD , Samsung 2333HD

Samsung updates their popular LED HDTV product lineup with the introduction of a new flagship series called the 8500 Series. Taking the picture quality and thinness of the previous LED HDTV models, Samsung adds the latest networking technologies as well as new interactive features to the 8500 Series.

The 8500 Series will initially consist of two sizes – a 46 inch model with a suggested price of $3599.99 and a 55 inch model with a suggested price of $4499.99.

If you haven’t seen the Samsung LED HDTV, you really owe it to yourself to see one in person (head over to Best Buy and you’ll typically see several models on display). The product line uses white LEDs as backlight source enabling an incredible 7,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The colors pop, the details are incredibly sharp.. it’s just a sight to behold.

Other features and specs to the new 8500 Series include:

• 2 ms response time
• Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation – using 240 Hz refresh rate
• Three Auto Motion Plus presets as well as user customizable levels for judder and motion blur reduction
• New Samsung Medi@2.0 suite providing mode content from more sources than before.
• Internet@TV Content service with widgets from Yahoo!
• Touch of Color with Charcoal accents
• Crystal neck swivel stand
• Compatible with ultra-slim wall-mount solution which is sold separately
• Ultra Clear Panel
• Wide Color Enhancer Pro
• Down-firing speakers with integrated woofer (15 watts x 2 in the 55 inch model and 10 watts x 2 in the 46 inch model)
• DLNA- certified for wired and wireless access (USB dongle for wireless sold separately)
• Energy Star 3.0 compliant
• Built-in ATSC/Clear QAM digital tuner
• Picture in picture
• Local dimming
• 4 HDMI (HDMI-CEC) version 1.3 input (side)
• 1 component input in the rear
• 2 USB 2.0 inputs (side)
• 1 Ethernet connection in the rear
• 1 optical audio output in the ide
• 1 PC input in the rear

Expect the new 8500 Series around August/September of this year.

Technorati Tags: Samsung 8500 Series LED HDTV

Hitachi Home Electronics announced yesterday their new LCD HDTV product lineup consisting of two new series – the Hitachi UltraVision Series and the Hitachi Alpha Series.  The Hitachi UltraVision Series comes in screen sizes ranging from 42 inches to 55 inches and has features such as 1080p resolution, 120Hz panel speed, and Hitachi’s Reel120 smooth movie motion technology. The Hitachi Alpha Series has two models at this time (a 32 incher and a 42 incher) and has features such as seven HD inputs with four of them being HDMI connections as well as RGB input for direct PC connectivity. Features aside – the biggest news about these new models? The price. The low end Alpha series has a 32 inch model under $500 dollars. The high end 55 inch model in the UltraVision series comes in at under $1800 dollars. Very nice!

Hitachi UltraVision Series

Common features and specs for the UltraVision lineup include:

• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Five (4 on the 42 inch model) HDMI inputs
• x.v. Color and Deep Color support
• ENERGY STAR qualified
• Preprogrammed Remote
• SRS TruSurround HD
• Power Off Timer
• Intelligent Light Sensor
• Lockable Picture Settings
• 120Hz refresh rate
• 7 aspect modes and auto zoom
• ATSC/NSTC/QAM tuner
• 24 W Stereo Sound
• 2 Wideband component inputs
• 2 composite video inputs
• 2 S-Video inputs
• 1 PC input
• 1 PC audio input
• 1 RF antenna input
• 1 Optical output
• 1 USB input for software upgrades

The three UltraVision models are the

• UltraVision 55-inch Class L55S603 – available in September $1799
• UltraVision 46-inch Class L46S603 – available in August $1299
• UltraVision 42-inch Class L42S503 – available in June $999

Hitach Alpha Series

Moving to the Alpha lineup, here are the common features and specs:

• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Four HDMI inputs
• ENERGY STAR qualified
• SRS TruSurround HD
• Anti-glare screen
• ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner
• 4 aspect modes
• Custom input labels
• 24 W stereo sound
• 2 wideband component inputs
• 2 composite video inputs
• 2 S-video inputs
• 1 PC input
• 1 PC audio input
• 1 Optical output
• 1 headphone

The two Alpha models are the:

• Alpha Series 42-inch Class L42A403 – available in May $849
• Alpha Series 32-inch Class L32A403 – available in May $499

Technorati Tags: Hitach UltraVision Series, Hitach Alpha Series, HDTV, LCD HDTV Sets

I just noticed that Samsung’s newest LED HDTV sets with Yahoo/Intel Widget Channel technology is now available over at Onecall.com. We first saw these widget enabled HDTV sets over at CES 2009 and it’s exciting to see them available to consumers now. The widget-enabled LED TVs include the new Series 8 and Series 7 product lineups with the largest display measuring 55 inches. (The series 6 LED TVs that you’re seeing all over Best Buy do not have the widget support built-in)

Onecall currently offers the UN55B7000 for $3199 and the UN55B800 for $3599. As I said back then – my next large-screen HDTV set will be a widget-enabled display.. no doubt about it. Why? It’s cool. Ha.

Technorati Tags: Samsung LED HDTV, Widget LCD HDTV

If you’re into plasma panels then you’ll want to check out the upcoming Panasonic TC-P54Z1 (otherwise known as the Z1) – the company’s most advanced plasma HDTV model to date. First off, the unit comes with a 54 inch panel, and features a form factor that measures a mere one inch thick. Other slick capabilities include:

• 40,000:1 contrast ratio
• Neo PDP panel technology
• Swivel table stand
• Digital Cinema Color gamut
• THX certification
• 1080 lines of horizontal resolution
• 24 Hz Cinematic Playback
• Built-in speakers

The Z1 is also great for those of you into mounting displays on the wall. The system features a wireless HDMI solution thanks to a bundled transmitter/receiver system. The transmitter box has a built in SD card reader and supports VIERA Link Internet.

According to HD Guru, the TC-P54Z1 will be shipping in June for a price of $5999.95.

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

Technorati Tags: Panasonic Z1, Panasonic TC-P54Z1, Plasma TV

Sony expands their BRAVIA LCD HDTV lineup with the announcement of the new BRAVIA W-Series of LCD HDTVs. The new models feature full HD 1080p resolutions and built-in Ethernet connectivity allowing users access to Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video content which includes selections from partners such as Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Yahoo!, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, etc. Oh and yes, the W-Series supports widgets thanks to the inclusion of Yahoo’s Widget Engine. This means you’ll be able to track sports scores, view stock prices, read news content, and interact with Internet content all while viewing television content.

Other features on the W-Series include:

• Motionflow 120Hz technology
• Sony BRAVIA Engine 3 for clear picture
• DLNA compliant allowing users easy access to multimedia content stored on PCs or DLNA servers on the network
• USB input
• 24p True Cinema support
• XrossMediaBar (XMB) with enhanced 3D favorites menu
• Internet powered TV Guide
• BRAVIA Sync support
• BRAVIA Link Compatibility
• 4 HDMI inputs

The W-Series will initially consist of three models – the 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 and 40-inch KDL-40W5100 – all of which will come out this spring.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony BRAVIA W-Series LCD HDTV sets, Sony

Targeting digital imaging professionals and enthusiasts, JVC announces their latest full HD LCD TV monitor – the 42 inch LT-42WX70. What makes this display ideal for digital imaging folks out there? It’s all in the colors. According to JVC, the LT-42WX70 provides accurate reproductions of “both video and still photographs”.  Making this possible is the displays support for a much wider color gamut than it typically found in today’s HDTV sets. The super slim display supports 100 percent of the HDTV broadcasting (sRGB.904) color space and 96 percent of the Adobe RGB color space. Not too shabby for an LCD display eh?

Other features of the JVC LT-42WX70 include the following:

• 52 picture quality adjustment properties
• GENESSA Picture Engine
• Color modes include Wide (the TV’s color space), Normal (ITU-R BT.709; HDTV standards), x.v.Color (xvYCC extended gamut), sRGB (same primaries as HDTV) and Adobe RGB.
• Real Bit Driver processes in 12-bit, and so up-converts 8-bit HD broadcasting and DVD signals or 10-bit Blu-ray signals into 12-bit Deep Color signals
• 120Hz Clear Motion Drive III reduces blurring
• 3D real time, motion-estimated Hadamard noise reduction
• Curved pedestal-style stand which you can dock a separate available tuner
• The low profile tuner can be placed either horizontally or vertically, or hung on the wall
• ENERGY STAR 3.0 rating
• Three HDMI CEC terminals
• D-Sub 15 with component video, and an audio input jack

The JVC LT-42WX70 will be available in April – no word on pricing as of yet.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: JVC, LT-42WX70, Full HD LCD TV

ViewSonic announced two new displays today – the CD4230 ultra-thin bezel commercial display and the VTMS2431 LCD HDTV with multimedia support. Both panels will join ViewSonic’s digital signage family and will be on display at the Digital Signage Expo. Here’s what you need to know about each model:

ViewSonic CD4230:

• Measures 13.77m thin
• 42 inch commercial display
• 500 nits of brightness
• 1500:1 contrast ratio
• RS-232 daisy chain capable
• DVI and VGA port
• VESA mount compatible with carrying handles

ViewSonic VTMS2431:

• ViewSonic’s first LCD HDTV with internal media player
• 24 inch display
• 1080p resolution
• Integrated ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner
• USB port
• RS-232 port allows users to control it remotely

Now as far as availability is concerned, both panels will be coming out in the second quarter with the CD4230 priced at around $1999 and the VTMS2431 priced at $449.

Technorati Tags: ViewSonic, CD4230, VTMS2431

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America announces two new premium 1080p LCD TV monitors ideal for digital signage applications – the 46 inch LDTV146 and the 52 inch LDTV152. These panels feature an expected backlight life expectancy of almost seven years given a 12 hour per day usage, full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Other features include an ultra-thin glossy black bezel design, 120Hz processing, color frame, and HDMI/DVI-D support.

Here are the specs for each model. For the LDTV146:

• 46 inch display
• 500cd/m2 brightness
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 120Hz response time
• 2 S-Video, 1 Component Video, 4 HDMI
• Internal 10W x 2 speakers
• Measures 42 x 28 x 11.2 inches and weighs 61.7 lbs

For the LDTV152:

• 52 inch display
• 500 cd/m2 brightness
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 120Hz response time
• 2 S-Video, 1 Component, 4 HDMI inputs
• Internal 10W x 2 speakers
• Measures 47.7 x 31.2 x 14.1 inches and weighs 72.8 lbs

Both models are available now with the LDTV146 priced at $2995 and the LDTV152 priced at $3995.

Technorati Tags: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, LDTV146, LDTV152, LCD Monitor

Remember that crazy Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD TV announced at the end of January? You know – the one that has an aspect ratio that closely mirrors today’s movie aspect ratios (otherwise known as anamorphic format)? Well there’s now a date and price for this display – at least for residents of the UK. According to SlashGear over the weekend, the 52 inch Cinema 21:9 will be coming out in June for a price of €4000 (£3535/$5044). That’s certainly more expensive than comparable 52 inch panels out there.. but then again, how many other panels can claim a 21:9 aspect ratio? Yeah.. none whatsoever (yet the real question is – will anyone outside of movie enthusiasts really care?)

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Philips, Cinema 21:9 LCD TV