Sony unveils world's thinnest LCD HDTV - 9.9mm KDL-40ZX1
by Richard Lawler 
posted Aug 28th 2008 at 1:44AM
Sony's taken the crown in the race for thinnest LCD HDTV. At just 9.9mm thick the KDL-40ZX1 nearly halves the depth of Hitachi's former champ (likely throwing up in the bathroom right now) and comes within a whisper of Pioneer's ultra thin concept. Featuring a LED backlighting, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz MotionFlow tech, x.v.Color and BRAVIA Engine 2 image processing this is about as close to a 40-inch window on your wall as is likely to arrive soon. Only one HDMI in is directly on the screen itself, all unnecessary HDMI / USB / component inputs are relegated to a base station, with the option for wired or -- possibly WHDI based? -- 5Ghz wireless (unfortunately limited to 1080i max resolution for now). We'd mention the XMB GUI, AcTVila video on-demand and DLNA support, but at some point it's just piling on. A mere 490,000 yen ($4,474 U.S.) puts the ZX1 on your wall, due at your local Japanese retailer November 10. See you there?[Via AV Watch & Sony Insider]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ken @ Aug 28th 2008 2:37AM
We have the ultra-thin Hitachi's at work and have ran into a few problems.
-They are very expensive.
-They have limited inputs, meaning you need the base station or something like a AV receiver, Bose V-series system (OMG, BOSE!!!), or the Hitachi box - issue is, now you have 'equipment' and need a cabinet to put things in.
-You need a special wall mount (Chief makes one for the Hitachi specifically) to keep it slammed against the wall, otherwise, why bother?
-You need to have recessed power and HDMI. With the mount sticking out from the wall about 1/2", you need room for the cables.
Once you explain this to people, their dreams of 'just putting it up' are quickly shattered and they just buy a thicker TV and live with it sticking out 6" from the wall.
Its very good stuff, but the installation process becomes very expensive and challenging for most.
If Hitachi, Sony, etc. made this in a 52" size, it would be more interesting for use as the main TV of the house in conjunction with in-wall/ceiling speakers and the more exotic install. As it is now with 37 and 42" sizes, people want this for bedrooms and don't want to go through all the stuff I just mentioned.
recordere.dk @ Aug 28th 2008 2:51AM
Didn't anyone notice, that the press release says November 10, the year 2006 ?
Is this really a new product, og is it a forgotten and abandoned product that someone just found on a website ?
Mark @ Aug 28th 2008 4:14AM
There is a white PS3 in the background so my money would be on it being a recent announcement.
Mark @ Aug 28th 2008 4:14AM
A thin screen is great but all the stuff Sony can't make thin - the processor board, the speakers, the PSU probably has to get shoved out somewhere else. Unless I absolutely wanted to hang a TV on the wall like a picture I think I would be happy to have something thicker which was self contained.
GhostDoggy @ Aug 28th 2008 5:24AM
How many folks need this kind of thin? Seriously, if you are using the base stand its many times thicker than the display and as such you are already having to afford that thickness. If you hang it on the wall I bet you will consume more depth for the wall mount than on the display.
I suppose if you were hanging it on the wall of a hallway this thin unit might come in handy, but I cannot think of one person I knew that made a claim to have a thin-need in their flat panel.
chuck @ Aug 28th 2008 9:35AM
Funny, looks like it's about 8" thick to me...