We'll go ahead and get this out of the way: seasoned HDTV owners won't likely gain much from this one, but those brand new to the world of high-definition are probably wondering what on Earth "calibration" even means. Rather than simply brushing it aside and dealing with those factory settings, we'd suggest tapping the read link for a simplistic guide that explains how to get your new set looking its finest. Be warned -- you'll probably have to spend some dollars if you expect class-A results, but anyone who has calibrated their own TV will likely agree that it's worth it.

t's been a hot minute since we've heard anything from Field Emission Technologies, but apparently the Sony spin-off is gearing up to make some serious noise in the industry. Field emission display (FED) still remains a relatively unknown panel technology, but FET is hoping to change all that by introducing a 60-inch display that will be "more energy efficient and sharper than [an] LCD." Analysts assert that FED will actually be a suitable alternative to OLED, and while Sony's own XEL-1 is fine and dandy, that 11-inch screen sort of renders it useless for home theater use. Reportedly, FET is "in negotiation with Pioneer regarding mass-production of field emission displays," and while the first batch of 60-inchers will likely hit hospital wards and TV studios first, you better believe the general public will be next in line.

[Via OLED-Display]

The VMAX Plus3 may be just the thing for home theater builders looking to set it and forget it, but what about projectionists on the run? Elite Screens' $2,199 Kestrel should be just the thing, as it comes in a highly portable package that enables users to erect a screen from the floor up with the press of a remote. Available in both 84- / 100-inch versions in either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios, these screens boast a "mechanized cross-rising apparatus is driven by a tubular motor," and the built-in 5-12V projector trigger should come in handy as well. So much for taking the top-down approach, huh?

We all know the angst that comes when you're sitting in front of your ISF-calibrated Kuro plasma, and the only thing separating you from the next rung of video nirvana is recalibrating right now. Rest easy, George Jetson, Bang & Olufsen has brought its Automatic Color Management, previously seen in the BeoVision 4, to the top-of-the-line BeoVision 9 plasma. The 50-inch plasma display that already has an integrated center channel speaker with an acoustic lens will be adding the auto-calibration feature in July. You'll definitely notice the added feature -- every 120 hours of viewing, a robotic arm with a camera (pictured) will flip down from the top of the display, take a white balance measurement, and adjust the set accordingly. Sounds great, but no word in the press release regarding pricing or an upgrade of the panel to 1080p. Seeing as the outgoing version of the BeoVision 9 goes for about $20,000, would that be too much to ask?

UPDATE: The spec sheet [warning: PDF link] on the B&O site still shows a 1366 x 768 pixel display for the BeoVision 9, but our sources say that the $19,900 price nets you a 1080p panel. - Thanks, Alex!

Regardless of how hard you wish upon your lucky stars, Samsung's 240Hz LCDs aren't going to magically hit store shelves in the near future. That's not to say you aren't interested in learning a tad more about how these so-called revolutionary panels will make your viewing experience better in a few years, though -- right? Tech-On was able to listen in on what LCD engineers and the like were saying about the prototype on display recently at SID 2008, and there were plenty of oohs and ahhs to go around. We'll spare you the technobabble in this space, but there's plenty of that in the read link below should you care.

Just like a George Orwell flick gone awry, OMDM's movable E-K50 II LED display is downright frightening. The gargantuan display is basically one with a car, and it comes complete with built-in speakers to really get the message across. We can hear it now: "Please deposit your mobile communication devices here, telepathy is the new unlimited plan." Yikes.

Though Canon has been focusing on SED and locking down LCD partnerships throughout the earlier part of the year, the firm will be showcasing its very own LCoS reflective LCD panels at InfoComm next month. The first panel is a 0.71-inch WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) model, which is said to be the "world's first LCoS panel of its size to achieve such a level of resolution." The second is a 0.55-inch SXGA (1,400 x 1,050) version, which can also be used in conjunction with other Canon technologies to bring new projectors to market. Beyond that, it seems we'll have to wait until June before finding out more, but you can certainly peek the read link and attempt to read between the lines.

Oh yeah, round displays have been around the proverbial block before (probably on wheels, which are also akin to a circle), but LG Display is attempting to make a splash of its own in the unorthodox display arena with two new developments. Hailed as the "world's largest 6-inch elliptical and 1.4-inch circular-shaped LCDs," both units are capable of displaying up to 262,000 colors and have a near 160-degree viewing angle. We're told that the devices could eventually find homes in digital photo frames as well as a variety of household / automotive applications, but we won't be getting any further details 'til they're both showcased at SID next week. One more look is waiting after the jump.

Some of you keen readers pieced all this together already, but that commercial you've been seeing about an "all new television series" dubbed Scarlet isn't a new show at all; rather, it's a risky move by LG to push its Scarlet LCD HDTVs. The sets themselves have been out and about already, and while the specifications aren't anything to sneeze at, the displays aren't nearly as seductive as the 30 second spot. The idea was crafted and put into motion by LG global brand marketing VP Kwan-Sup Lee and a team of advertising / marketing agencies, and while it refused to disclose exactly how much it has spent on the endeavor, it did affirm that it was "millions more than a typical product launch in the US." Sure, we can appreciate the envelope pushing, but now that we're all psyched about the show, it's a bit of a letdown to know we'll never actually be able to tune in. Check out the ad in its entirety after the jump.

If you're vaguely remembering a mention of MLD, you're not crazy. Around this time last year, PureDepth announced that it was teaming up with Samsung to crank out a 46-inch Multi-Layer Display LCD. Fast forward to now, and we're hearing that the first MLD wares should be hitting the streets relatively soon. The technology itself consists of building displays that are in fact two or more layers of LCD panel that share a common back-light source, thus creating a depth effect when viewing material. As it stands, the outfit has signed agreements with Samsung (obviously) for development of displays in mobile handsets and Sanyo for mobiles, gaming solutions and automotive electronics (including in-car navigation). Interestingly enough, Q1 2008 saw quite the surge in support for the 3D sector, making the launch of MLD that much more applicable to the apparent desires of content viewers. Check out a few sample images and product prototypes in the gallery below.

Well, would you take a look at that. Right on cue, Dolby and SIM2 are collaboratively showcasing a 46-inch 1080p display built around the former firm's high dynamic range technology. The HDR-enabled LCD HDTV boasts 1,836 LED-based backlight units (designed / developed by SIM2), a full 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, brightness level greater than 4,000 cd/m2, an "infinite" contrast ratio, 16-bits of luminance and a Xilinx Virtex field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) chipset. Additionally, the prototype employs a design created by Giorgio Revoldini, and while we can't imagine hearing of a release date anytime soon, the two firms aren't wasting any time putting the new set on a world tour to presumably wow onlookers. Hey SED, you taking notes here?

It comes as news to us that plasma was "given up for dead less than a year ago," as the linked article says. But we won't complain about the success that PDPs are enjoying lately and the excitement that continues to be generated by the displays. It's obvious that LCDs have taken over as synonymous with FPD to most consumers, but there are a couple of things that play to plasma's strengths. First, the increasing demand for LCDs has created a supply shortage that PDPs are happy to fill. Second, and more exciting to us, is the movement of PDPs to the high end, premium market. It's a good time to be a plasma-aware HD-nut!

Just when you thought high dynamic range was slipping into the background once more, we've received new information that the technology is not only alive and well behind certain closed doors, but that it will be making its debut relatively soon. Reportedly, SIM2 has teamed up with Dolby to create a prototype display incorporating Dolby's HDR technologies. More specifically, the unit will be an HDR-enabled LCD using Dolby's LED local dimming technology, which should provide "dramatically enhanced contrast." Regrettably, we're not told anything beyond that -- resolution, design, inputs, etc. all remain a mystery -- but you can go on and mark Q1 2008 down as the period in which we should see the first elusive prototype. 'Course, the key word there is "should."

If you feel like your kid is single-handedly keeping Disney in business, get ready for another blow to the wallet. Up next on your youngster's must-have list is Uniden's TL20DXD, a 20-inch LCD HDTV that boasts that big-eared goodness you've come to expect along with a digital / analog TV tuner and a pair of HDMI inputs. Furthermore, you'll find a 1,366 x 768 panel, 500 cd/m2 brightness, an eight-millisecond response time, two component inputs, a single S-Video jack, audio / headphone outs and a pair of three-watt speakers to boot. Judging by the looks of things, it'll be available in your choice of black or champagne gold early next month for around ¥99,800 ($870).

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Businesses want to get their high-def on too, and Mitsubishi is happy to help out with the launch of the LDT461V 46-inch 1080p professional-grade LCD. Designed for digital signage, business, and classroom applications, the monitor comes beefed up from the normal consumer-level set with scheduling controls for timing presentations, motion shifting technology to prevent burn-in, and an expanded warranty program for easy repair and replacement. The set will be available this month for $4,995, just in time to start watching even more HD commercials at the mall.