Sony has announced a new prototype display technology called Crystal LED that it hopes will prove to be the next step in image quality for consumers.
Taking on the likes of Samsung and LG, both of which have unveiled 55-inch OELD TVs at CES, Sony’s 55-inch prototype uses millions of tiny LEDs to act as pixels and offers a Full HD self emitting display.
The light source is mounted directly onto the front of the television in a red-green-blue formation. This method apparently ‘dramatically improves the light use efficiency and offers higher contrast ratios, wider colour gamut and high refresh rates and response time when compared with current LCD and plasma displays.
Bright as a button
The full HD screen uses over six million LEDs, packed into a tightly designed space, and can produce 400 nits of brightness, which is comparable with OLED displays of the moment.
Intriguingly, Sony added this new technology was “parallel to its continued development and commercialization of OLED displays, and Sony will work conscientiously to bring the “Crystal LED Display” to market.”
Some TV mounts can tilt and swivel. However, OmniMount is giving the mount a makeover with its new ActionMount line.
Designed for active lifestyles, the new trio of TV mounts offers a full range of motion. That basically means that users can raise the TV up to 21 inches or lower it 21 inches. That makes this mount perfect for activities such as gaming, exercise, 3D and even group viewing.
Designed and engineered in the USA, the ActionMount series includes a total of three mounts. The PLAY20 and PLAY20X can fit TVs up to 32 inches and 20 pounds, offering up to 15 inches of vertical and horizontal adjustment. The PLAY20X also comes with a 9-inch arm extension. The PLAY40 can hold TVs that are 60 inches and beyond, up to 40 pounds. This is the one that offers the widest range, with up to 21 inches of vertical and horizontal movement.
All three mounts also have post-installation leveling, tilt and pan, and cable management.
LG’s 2012 TV line up is out of the CES 2012 gates, and it’s looking pretty tasty with diminishing bezels and growing screens and ever-better image quality all round.
The top of the 2012 TV tree is the LG EM9600, a 55-inch OLED TV that LG is claiming as the world’s largest.
It’s a mind-blowing 4mm thin, comes with “unrivalled” 3D picture quality and comes in the LG Cinema Screen design that we told you about earlier (meaning bye-bye bezel).
We should see the LG EM9600 UK release date land in the second half of this year. We’d tell you to start saving up but, to be honest, we don’t think six months’ of saving is going to do it.
Get thee to the bank
Size is everything to LG this year, it seems, as it’s also busted out what it’s calling the world’s largest Ultra Definition 3D TV – it’s a ridiculous 84-incher with 3D and Smart TV connectivity, known as the LG LM960V.
That Ultra definition promises picture quality of 8 million pixels – that’s four times the resolution of existing full HD TVs (3840x2160). Yikes.
You can also tinker about with the 3D depth as you watch and play on the set, while 3D Sound Zooming takes care of the tri-dimensional audio layout – the UD TV is heading to market in the second half of 2012 as well.
And the rest…
The rest of the range – you know, the TVs you might actually be able to afford to buy – seem to pale in comparison to all that world’s ultra largest excitement.
The LG LM660T, LM669T and LM670T all fall into LG’s Cinema Screen range, which means they’ll rock the 1mm bezel and come with Cinema 3D (4 pairs of 3D glasses and 2 pairs of Dual Play glasses will be included). The LM660T comes in a 32-inch edition, while all three will be available in 42-inch, 47-inch and 55-inch flavours.
The LG LM760T is equally catchily-named, and will come in 42-, 47- and 55-inch editions, what with its LED display, Cinema 3D glasses, stupidly thin bezel and magic remote.
Not had enough product names thrown at you yet? Good news, there’s more LED goodness in the form of the LM860V with 3D capability, Wi-Fi, magic remote and a dual-core processor to power Smart TV premium.
While 3D still will play an important role in all the major TV makers’ 2012 plans, all of them also will be focusing strongly on smart TV features that go beyond just a screen full of apps for Netflix and Pandora.
At the opening “press day” at the Consumer Electronics Show, LG spoke a lot about the company’s new line of Google TVs. The new models will include the Google TV platform built into a CINEMA3D TV that uses LG’s FPR passive glasses technology. Also included will be a Magic Remote Qwerty—a remote that combines the features of LG’s Wii-like remote and a QWERTY keyboard to make use of social media and other web features easier. The system allows for multitasking, so users can tweet or browser the web while watching TV.
LG’s Magic Remote also adds voice recognition this year to allow voice-controlled commands to access TV features.
Not all LG smart TVs will include Google TV. For the non-Google models, the company’s Netcast system will provide access to about 1,200 apps and include smart search functions to make it easier for users to search for content over a variety of apps at the same time.
Other CES news from LG included the expansion of the company’s FPR passive glasses CINEMA3D TV line, including a 4K 3D LED model, an 84-inch LED TV and a 55-inch OLED 3D TV that’s only 4mm thick.
Sony, one of the original product partners with Google TV, will also launch new products featuring that platform, including a line of TVs, a set-top-box and a connected Blu-ray player.
Sony also demonstrated a 4K Crystal LED TV that does not require any backlighting and two prototype glasses-free 3D TVs
Sharp’s biggest news was about their new largest screen size (an 80-inch LED 3D TV), but the company also has developed a new smart TV system called Smart Central. Smart Central combines the TVs content apps into a system that’s categorized into areas such as video, games, photos, social and more. Also included is Sharp’s Aquos Live feature that allows users to get help with their TVs live directly through the online connection. New feature called Beamzit lets you play content from wirelessly-connected PC—it sounds like a DLNA variation, which we’ll check on later at the show. Smart Central will be available on 60-inch and larger TVs
In a packed-to-the-roof press conference Monday, Samsung introduced its new line of products, including a 55-inch OLED TV, LED and Plasma TVs, Smart Features, and home theater gear. Here’s a rundown:
The 55-inch Super OLED TV, scheduled for release this year, is what Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics North America, called the “ultimate TV.”
Produced from a single pane of glass, the set features a minimalist design, 3D capabilities and improved color accuracy over conventional LED TVs, and fast response times the company claims virtually eliminates motion blur. It also has a built-in camera that recognizes movement for intuitive control, and two unidirectional array microphones with noise cancellation technology for clear voice recognition. A new dual-core processor allows users to run multiple apps, while an improved Smart Hub provides access to content from a single screen.
LED TVs and Plasmas
The line of new TVs include all or some of Samsung’s three technology initiatives:
·*Smart Interaction *- Launch and use apps more easily through motion and voice control and face recognition, which launches favorites based on individual users
·*Smart Content*-Share photos, memories and memos from the TV to the cloud to smart devices, manage health directly from the TV
·*Smart Evolution*- Select Samsung TVs in 2012 can be upgraded with the latest technologies through installed kits.
Samsung’s UNES8000 Smart LED TV and UNES7500 Smart LED TV feature 3D, while the 8000’s Micro Dimming Ultimate analyzes the picture in hundreds of pieces to optimize the LED backlight and video signal, which generates a 20 percent increase in brightness for richer colors, brighter pictures and higher contrast ratios.
The lines follow a minimalist design and feature a .2-inch bezel.The 8000 also has a new metallic U-shape stand.
The PNE80000 Plasma TVs have a new black bezel design, a 1.5-inch profile and Plasma +1 ultra-slim bezel design, which reduces the gap between the bezel and screen content. The plasma’s Real Black Pro Panel is designed to produce deeper blacks than previous models. The PNE8000 includes Smart TV features, 3D, Smart Interaction and a dual-core processor.
Better ZigBee performance, faster processing, lots of I/Os highlight $999 HC-800 home control processor from Control4, debuting at CES 2012; new HC-250 is Control4’s powerful new in-room controller.
Introduced today at CES 2012, the new HC-800 from Control4 is the company’s most powerful home automation controller yet, and it’s packed with connectors that were lacking in its predecessor, the HC-1000.
The 1U piece is “the most powerful processor we’ve ever delivered,” says product manager Kordon Vaughn, ticking off the list of features: on-screen Navigator (Control4 interface) and audio through HDMI, analog and digital outputs to deliver four independent audio zones, two RS-232 ports, six IR ports and more ….
“eSATA on the back panel is wicked! says Joey Ferrell of Tennessee Home Theater by HomeSecure, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
For seasoned Control4 dealers, the new unit could be described like this: “Take the power of the HC-1000, combine that with the features of the old HC-500 and you have a blazingly fast controller that can keep up just about anything you throw at it,” says Shawn Lemay, president of Sound & Theater, an integration firm based in Buffalo, N.Y.
In addition to its powerful processor, the HC-800 offers much better ZigBee performance than previous Control4 hubs, with an external antenna and a 20db amp to boost the wireless signal.
“Expect much faster performance,” says Vaughn. “It can process ZigBee packets much more quickly and offers much greater coverage.”
Complementing the HC-800 is the new HC-250 in-room controller with PoE for a “really clean install,” Vaughn says.
Between product reviews, manufacturer visits and trade shows, CE Pro comes in contact with many products. Here are the best products Robert Archer saw in 2011.
Conceptually the idea of PS Audio’s Power Plant products are easy to understand: The Power Plant 10 takes the power from a home’s AC outlets and regenerates that AC power into a clean source of energy.
SI Screens Zero Edge Black Diamond II
The easiest way to describe the Zero Edge screen is to say it looks like a poster frame and its style fits perfectly with contemporary interior designs, as well as installation scenarios where there is limited wall space.
SIM2 Lumis 3D-SOLO Projector
With the 3D-SOLO, Lumis tackles the issue of 3D image brightness through an automatic function that boosts the light output of the projector while applying new operational parameters, including image processing that are specific to 3D video.
Between product reviews, manufacturer visits and trade shows, CE Pro comes in contact with many products. Here are the best products Robert Archer saw in 2011.
The DHC-80.3 is priced at a fraction of what most pre/pros costs and it incorporates everything a home theater owner will need to own a state-of-the-art system. The preamp controller sounds fantastic with formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio HD, and sounds just as good with CDs. Through its networked audio and analog audio provisions, and room equalization and ISF calibration options, this product will do everything a home theater enthusiast will ever desire without emptying their wallet.
Oppo BDP-93
Oppo’s BDP-93 is a competitively priced Blu-ray player that incorporates the ability to play Blu-rays, SACDs, DVD-Audio and CDs, and offers streaming services like Netflix and Pandora. The 3D compatible player also incorporates Marvell’s Qdeo video processing technology, video upconversion, dual HDMI 1.4 outputs, vertical stretch processing, RS-232 for control and 7.1 channel analog outputs. This player offers great performance at a price point that’s hard to believe.
Parasound JC-3 Phono Preamp
The preamp offers a level of performance that’s just about untouchable at its price point. The robustly built JC-3 employs a dual-mono circuit design to remain true to the concept of the balanced output option and its signal-to-noise ratio is rated at 83dB with MM cartridges and 73dB with MC cartridges.
Audio Impact, specializing in Home Theaters and Smart Homes in San Diego, recently finished an outdoor music system with Sonos and outdoor rock speakers. The system has the Sonos Play3 and Play5 units, along with the wireless CR-200 remote control. This Sonos system allows music, from Pandora, to be played in a wine cave, along with the backyard pool area. The rest of the home has a Control4 Home Automation System with HC-300’s and SR-250 remotes.
All the equipment is centralized and wired inside Middle Atlantic racks.
Check out the movie to enjoy another easy-to-use, fun system from Audio Impact!
Between product reviews, manufacturer visits and trade shows, CE Pro comes in contact with many products. Here are the best products Robert Archer saw in 2011.
The AT-1 incorporates a technology that enables a small footprint speaker to play down to levels comparable to larger speakers. The speaker can be coupled with an Integra receiver, Bryston amplification and sources that include a Thorens turntable and Cary Audio 303T CD player to offer a dynamic listening experience that is rich with detail. Atlantic Tech hit a home run with this speaker because of its sound quality, small footprint, nice industrial design, and affordability.
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) C5 Headphones
B&W’s new C5 headphones provide music enthusiasts with an in-ear headphone product that delivers the same sound quality the company is famous for with its home audio products.
Bryston BDP-1 Digital Player
We may end up looking at the BDP-1 as the first product in a new digital music player category. The digital player separates the storage of music from the playback of music and does so with an innovative design that enables the unit to natively playback high resolution audio files from any USB storage device. The product contains no moving parts, streaming components or disc drives and can be combined with Bryston’s BDA-1 DAC to offer users a state-of-the-art digital audio solution that rivals the sound quality of the best analog systems.
