Nothing too exceptional here, but Sharp is livening up its AQUOS LCD TV family with the introduction of three new (currently unpriced) kids. First up is the 19-inch LC-19D1E (available in black or white), which features a 1,366 x 768 resolution, 7,500:1 contrast ratio, built-in Freeview tuner, PC / HDMI inputs and 176-degree viewing angles. Next, we've got the 32-inch LC-32XL8E and 37-inch LC-37XL8E (piano black only), both of which boast 1080p panels, 100Hz technology, a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 6-millisecond response time, three HDMI sockets, SRS TruSound and a Freeview digital tuner to boot. Folks in the UK can find the smallest of the three right now, while the newest duo in the XL8E series can be procured later this month.

[Via TechDigest]

While we just heard last month that flat-panel sales would be spearheading 2008 consumer electronics growth, a new outlook has those very sales looking bleak for the remainder of the year. The news come amidst the expectation of LG Display to post profits for Q2 that "more than [triple] thanks to strong demand for TVs and tight supplies of PC panels." According to James Kim, an analyst at Lehman Brothers, "earnings have peaked in the second quarter," and while he asserts that "demand to replace TVs with flat-screen models is still there, fewer consumers are buying large-size TVs because of the weak economy." Still, sales of smaller sets are expected to steadily climb in emerging markets as the Beijing Olympics draw near, but it remains to be seen how large an impact those markets will have.

[Via WidescreenReview]

Owners of Panasonic LCD HDTVs can finally enjoy the same luxuries afforded to the plasma owners, ending a two-year phase of panel discrimination. The outfit's "exclusive" service has been rechristened VIERA Concierge and is now available to both LCD and PDP owners. Per usual, callers will be connected with subject matter experts to answer any questions they have, and there's also an HDTV loaner program which "makes HDTV loaners available at no charge to customers who have a plasma or LCD undergoing repair." It's about time LCD users got some respect around here, yeah?

Unlike Sanyo, Pantel has a pretty good idea of when outdoor displays will sell: summertime. That being the case, Pantel has jubilantly announced that its 20-, 52-, and 65-inch models are all shipping. Each display boasts a "weatherproof" enclosure that keeps the panel within safe from unpredictable weather. These units were designed to withstand water, extreme heat / cold, wind and dust, and judging by a few unofficial tests, they'll hold their own against sugary beverages as well. Grab yours now for $2,999, $9,999 or $25,999 (respectively) and make your way over to the deep end.

The term "widescreen" is one of the most notoriously confusing monikers this side of Full HD used to describe a display's specifications. Widescreen generally translates to a 16:10 aspect ratio when discussing computer LCDs (monitors or laptop displays) or 16:9 if your talking about the living room TV. Of course, it can also refer to the 2.35:1 ratio often used for films or something entirely different if you're Apple touting the wonders of your new widescreen iPhone. Fortunately, we're trending towards at least some convergence around the 16:9 aspect. DisplaySearch predicts that by 2010, 16:9 panels will make up 90% of new laptop displays and 67% of new monitors. Acer has been at the forefront of this transition with products like its Gemstone Blue laptops and the Acer P224W monitor pictured above. The move is being driven by panel manufacturers' desire to maximize production efficiency -- something they should have realized before the glass sizes diverged in the first place. Regardless, the end result should be more pennies saved by you, Joe Consumer, and that's a good thing.

The downturn in the housing market is producing some interesting cross-marketing promotions. Well-heeled jet-setters moving into NYC's SoHo Renwick luxury condos when it opens in 2009 will be greeted by Bang & Olufsen gear, including a BeoVision 8 32-inch LCD TV, BeoSound 4 audio player and a BeoLab 4000 speaker. For sure, luxury space comes at a premium price in SoHo, so we can understand the desire of residents to own a compact system. And with the Renwick's all-glass exterior, the super-bright output of an LCD display also makes sense. Top it all off with B&O's famous design, and you've got a system that's a good fit for the target demographic. Sure, it's not the most bang-for-your-buck setup, but we don't really expect that Renwick residents will be counting pennies anyways -- prices for the units start at $975,000 for a one-bedroom unit. For that price, couldn't they toss in a larger 1080p set?

Ever notice that all the hot-on-OLED firms, um, aren't named Sharp? Yeah, we've seen intentions to plow full speed ahead into OLED development from Panasonic, Sony (obviously), LG and a host of others, yet Sharp seems quite content with rocking the world with its LCDs. During a brief chat with TechRadar, the outfit's Miyuki Nakayama was quoted as saying that "LCD isn't mature yet, [as] there is still a lot to come in the future," specifically noting that LCD resolutions could be jacked to 4K2K. Better still, when pushed to comment on the OLED bandwagon (and more specifically, Sharp's decision to stand aside), he stated that "organic EL screens aren't a threat to LCD and they won't be for at least another decade." The reason? "The screens don't last long and they can't easily be made bigger." In all honesty, we can see Sharp's point -- after all, it makes LCDs for quite a few applications not named HDTV. Still, some pretty bold words, no?

Hey, someone has to take care of Planet Earth's insatiable appetite for LCD, right? Samsung is once again looking to expand its LCD manufacturing operations in China, this time by investing around $500 million to erect a new facility for cranking out the seemingly successful 82-inch panel (among others). Reportedly, the plant will eventually be used to pump out 40-, 46-, 57-, 70- and 82-inch LCD panels in order to "satisfy the robust market requirement," but there's no word given on how soon product will start to ship from its doors.

Not that 70-inch LCD HDTVs are anything new, but a "fully waterproof" one just might be. Have a look at MarineAV's LCD70: a 1080p behemoth that features a 1,500:1 contrast ratio, 600 cd/m2 brightness, 8-millisecond response time, 178-degree viewing angles, a slew of inputs and VESA mount compatibility. We're told that the panel is actually a Samsung, which leads us to believe that MarineAV simply snapped up a few of these bad boys and added the water protection itself. Worth the £27,995.95 ($54,664) asking price? Depends on your perspective, we'd imagine.

[Via CNET]

By the press release, it's officially official -- Pioneer has made good on its promise to get serious about LCDs, even though its intentions to bring out a 46-inch class display this year remain murky. Europe will see three new Kuro-branded LCDs: the KRL-32V and KRL-37V models (32-, 37-inch sizes, respectively) in August, and a 46-inch KRL-46V which still has a nebulous "later in the year" date. All models include a high-contrast filter up front, three HDMI ports and 100Hz processing (count on 120Hz if when released in the USA). No pricing has been announced, so we'll be curious to see what sort of markup is slapped on the Sharp-sourced panel. More interesting, of course, will be the picture quality -- have Pioneer elves worked any magic into the electronics, and will the LCD's black levels measure up to the Kuro name?

Can't say we've ever heard of DX Antenna, but nevertheless, it's breaking ground in the LCD TV arena by introducing its 32-inch LVW-322. Specs wise, you're looking at a 1,366 x 768 resolution panel, 400 cd/m2 brightness, 1,500:1 contrast ratio, an 8-millisecond response time, 176-degree viewing angles, twin 10-watt speakers and analog / digital TV tuners. You'll also find a pair of HDMI inputs to complement the usual composite / S-Video / composite / VGA sockets, and there's even an optical audio jack and an Ethernet port to round things out. Expect this one to land in Japan next month for ¥100,000 ($928).

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Well, what have we here? A trio of newcomers from "North America's fastest growing brand of flat-panel HDTVs," that's what. Kicking things off in the all new XVT Series is the 42-inch SV420XVT and 47-inch SV47XVT LCD HDTVs, both of which feature 1080p panels, VIZIO's Smooth Motion technology (120Hz), a 6,500:1 contrast ratio and the usual complement of ports including four HDMI 1.3 sockets. Next up we've got the 50-inch VP505XVT, a 1080p plasma with Silicon Optix's famed REON HQV processing engine. Furthermore, this one packs an integrated digital TV tuner (with ClearQAM support), a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and SRS Labs' TruSurround XT audio processing technology. The new trio is all set to ship next month for $1,499.99, $1,899.99 and $1,699.99, and of course, you'll find 'em perched at Circuit City, Sears and your favorite Club retailer. [Warning: PDF read link]

We'd generally assume this was just some kind of sick joke, but given Uniden's history of cranking out kid-lovin', themed LCD TVs, we're being forced to accept the fact that this here unit is indeed real. The TL19TX1 is all set to launch next month in black or white and feature a 19-inch 1,440 x 810 resolution display, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, integrated digital TV tuner, twin 3-watt speakers, HDMI / component / composite inputs and enough Hello Kitty branding to make the average guy gag. Over in Japan, the unit will be selling for ¥69,800 ($647), but who knows how much it'll cost for you to import it. And yes, you'll be importing one for your little angel.

[Via CrunchGear]

Dust those cobwebs out and strain that memory, won't you? Surely you haven't forgotten about JVC's pair of "world's thinnest" LCD HDTVs; after all, they were just announced at CES. Whatever the case, the 42-inch LT-42SL89 and 46-inch LT-46SL89 HDTVs are both proud members of the outfit's Procision series and boast a cabinet that "across most of its width measures a mere 1.5-inches, with a maximum depth of just 2.9-inches at the panel's center." Of course, each set also includes a TV tuner, three HDMI inputs, two component jacks and one S-Video / VGA port to complement the USB picture viewer, illuminated remote and touch-sensitive buttons on the front panel. Both super-slim units will hit retail stores next month for $1,899.99 and $2,399.99, respectively.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

While those of us here in America puff our chests out each time we waltz by that LCD-equipped centralpark Connection refrigerator, folks in the UK can get extra prideful courtesy of John Lewis. Although the integrated coffee machine, electric oven, steam oven and 19-inch HD-ready LCD TV can all be purchased separately, they're being (smartly) marketed together to create the "ultimate kitchen combo." The whole shebang will run you £2,246 ($4,363), and not surprisingly, it's the £699 ($1,358) tele that's likely to bring in the most profit. Meat-heads will agree to anything with pixels though, right?

[Via CNET]