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Mitsubishi's 3D-ready and Unisen HDTV lines in the flesh

by Darren Murph posted Jun 11th 2009 at 5:13PM


Toshiba already showed us what its freshest line of HDTVs looks like, and now its Mitsubishi's turn. The outfit was on hand in NYC to showcase a few of its now-shipping sets, including the 3D-ready Home Theater line and its speaker-infused Unisen crew. We won't bore you with the specs (which can be found here and here, respectively), but we will confess that the 82-inch WD-82737 has us squirming uncontrollably. Have a peek yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mitsubishi's 3D-ready and Unisen HDTV lines in the flesh

Mitsubishi introduces 16-speaker Unisen LCD HDTV line

by Darren Murph posted Apr 8th 2009 at 9:00AM


With Mitsubishi's LaserVue lines humming along once more, it's time for the company to bust out a few more big announcements in the HDTV space. First up is the new Unisen line, comprised of the 151 Series (40-, 46- and 52-inches), the 153 Series (40-, 46- and 52-inches) and the high-end Diamond 259 Series (46- and 52-inches). Each set in the line comes with a built-in "5.1-channel" 16-speaker audio bar, much like the iSP LT-52149 that we reviewed last fall. Each model also incorporates a new UltraThin Frame design, Smooth 120Hz Film Motion technology, four HDMI 1.3a inputs and a USB media port. The top end crew also includes an iSP calibration microphone, Plush1080p 5G 18-bit digital video processing, a wired IR input and a few swank blue accents to really woo the ladies. The whole family should ship to the United States next month and range from $1,799 to $3,299. Exact pricing is just after the break.

Gallery: Mitsubishi introduces 16-speaker Unisen LCD HDTV line

Continue reading Mitsubishi introduces 16-speaker Unisen LCD HDTV line

DisplaySearch sez 50% of flat-panels will be "green" by 2011

by Darren Murph posted Jan 23rd 2009 at 12:24AM


While many TV makers have rushed to announce that their future sets were Energy Star 3.0 compliant, there's apparently quite a few manufacturers out there with aways to go in the eco-friendly department. A new report from DisplaySearch has it that in 2008, just 20% of flat-panel display shipments had "green features," while that percentage should rise to 50% by 2011 and 70% by 2012. So, just what does a set have to do to be classified as "green?" It needs to meet one of the following conditions: use environmentally friendly components and materials, achieve lower power consumption by using new components or technologies, be compliant with environmental regulations such as waste disposal, use production processes that reduce energy and materials consumed, be completely or partially recyclable after useful life or use green or eco-friendly concepts in product design. Seriously, just one of those? Not too high a hurdle, guys.

[Via CEPro]

Panasonic scales back flat-panel production investments

by Darren Murph posted Jan 19th 2009 at 1:22PM


Panasonic already notified the world that it would be moving all plasma panel production to two facilities, and now it's announcing a cut back in investment dollars previously earmarked for a separate pair of plants under construction in Hyogo prefecture. In an effort to take slumping flat-panel demand into account, it's scaling back its investment through 2012 by around $1.5 billion to ¥445 billion ($4.9 billion). Interestingly enough, Panny is simultaneously aiming to "boost its flat TV unit sales by 50 percent next business year," which should be pretty tough unless it steals some serious share from Samsung and LG. Let the battle wage on, we say.

Westinghouse launches more HDTVs than we care to count at CES

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 12:00AM


No wonder we haven't seen a fresh TV from Westinghouse since July of last year -- it's been hoarding 'em up for a CES extravaganza. The company is dishing out no fewer than 14 new sets (yes, we caved and counted), so let's not waste any time here. The 120Hz collection consists of the 21.6-inch PT-22F380S, 37-inch TX-37F510Z, 42-inch TX-42F970Z / TX-42F450S, 46-inch VK-46F260S, 47-inch VK-47F140S and 55-inch TX-55F350Z, all of which look to boast 1080p panels, a decent array of ports and an ATSC / NTSC / Clear QAM TV tuner if you're lucky. The lower-res sets include the 18.5-inch PT-19H340S, 21.6-inch PT-22H340S, 26-inch SK-26H630S / SK-26H735S / SK-26H570D, 32-inch SK-32H635S / SK-32H820S / SK-32H570D and the 37-inch SK-37H730S. If any of those caught your eye (we know, it's a blur), feel free to hop past the break for the spec-by-spec breakdown.

Continue reading Westinghouse launches more HDTVs than we care to count at CES

Sharp closing down two LCD panel production lines, hacking 380 jobs

by Darren Murph posted Dec 19th 2008 at 1:38PM


It's not pulling a Sony or anything, but even Sharp has been unable to absorb the downturn in flat-panel demand. We already knew that the firm was looking to scale back production by as much as 10% from the middle of this month, and our deductive reasoning skills are leading us to believe that this is the cutback we've been expecting. The outfit will be closing down two LCD panel production lines in Japan in order to "move production to a newer and more cost-efficient plant as the global downturn hits demand for electronic goods." Along with the closings will come 380 job cuts -- all temporary workers -- which will presumably be sent home when the lines halt for the final time in January.

AU Optronics delays construction of two LCD plants

by Darren Murph posted Dec 19th 2008 at 10:55AM

Man, what a difference a year few months makes. At the front end of 2008, panel makers the world over were boasting about big investments to expand production lines and live large on Malta. Now, it's tough to go a week without hearing of at least one plant closing. Take Taiwan's AU Optronics, for instance -- in February of this year, it pledged $9.3 billion to build a pair of LCD factories. Now, it's placing those lofty plans on hold, noting that construction on "two new LCD plants" would be delayed by at least six months. According to chairman KY Lee: "One has to use the brakes and slow down a bit on a downhill path." A curious analogy, but we suppose it works.

LCD shipments expected to skyrocket in Latin America

by Darren Murph posted Dec 19th 2008 at 8:00AM


With DirecTV launching HD service in Latin America, we'd say it's about time its residents realized that flat-panels are the wave of the future present. According to a fresh iSuppli report, the Latin American television market is expected to make a hasty and noticeable transition between now and 2012. Reportedly, LCD TV shipments to the region are set to rise and account for over 83% of the market in under four years; meanwhile, shipments of bulky CRT sets will decline to make up around 8% of the total market. The numbers are pretty baffling when you consider that CRTs held 77.4% of the market just last year, and it's actually rather scary to think where all of those soon-to-be-unwanted sets will end up.

Sharp, LG to pay big fines for LCD price fixing

by Darren Murph posted Dec 18th 2008 at 8:20PM

There may have been a long shot in Hades that Sharp and LG would navigate their way out of paying a full $120 million / $400 million fine for their respective roles in a recent LCD price fixing bust, but that shot has apparently failed. It was announced this week that both firms would indeed be sentenced to pay the full fine "for their role in a price-fixing scheme that forced millions of US consumers to overpay for gadgets using liquid-crystal displays." The other culprit, Taiwan's Chunghwa Picture Tubes, has already agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and will be sentenced in January. Happy holidays, huh?

Eco-friendly, well-connected HDTVs to be all the rage at CES 2009

by Darren Murph posted Dec 17th 2008 at 4:41PM


The writing has definitely been on the wall, but CES 2009 is poised to be the showcase for energy-efficient HDTVs. With manufacturers jumping out of the woodwork to trumpet their compliance with Energy Star 3.0, TWICE expects a slew of top-tier TV manufacturers to boast about low power consumption numbers, and considering that a bunch of 'em will be demonstrating LED or OLED-based sets, we aren't surprised to hear it. Potentially more interesting, however, is the notion that "a number of plasma makers are expected to get into the power-savings act with models that significantly reduce draw levels in big-screen displays, taking away another advantage often cited by LCD TV competitors." In related news, we're expecting a record number of internet-connected sets, as TV manufacturers look to steal away market share currently held by STB makers. Sure, we won't see any panel size records shattered, but we're already giddy at what Vegas will hold in just under a month.

Panasonic to move all plasma panel production to two facilities

by Darren Murph posted Nov 21st 2008 at 1:19PM


And just like that, another mainstay in the flat-panel world is forced to make significant business changes to deal with drooping demand and a bizarre economy. Shortly after Sharp announced that it would likely be cutting LCD panel production by around 10%, in flies word that Panasonic is making an even more drastic move. Currently, the outfit produces 65-inch plasma panels at a plant in Ibaraki, while all other sizes are concocted at two factories in Amagasaki. Starting soon, all sizes will be made at the pair of plants in Amagasaki, a move that will supposedly cut production costs by up to ¥4 billion ($41.92 million) per year. Panny is hoping to use the Ibaraki venue to "concentrate [on] development and testing of flat-panels," which follows logic given its intentions to spark up a "development segment for LCD panels there next fiscal year."

Sharp plans to cut LCD panel production by as much as 10%

by Darren Murph posted Nov 20th 2008 at 2:15PM


Sharp hasn't cut production in its Kameyana plant since it began operating in 2004, but it's dangerously close to dialing things back a bit. As with practically every other flat-panel manufacturer out there, Sharp is feeling the pinch of the worldwide economic crisis, and as demand weakens for LCD TVs / LCD monitors, it's looking like now is an opportune time to slow things down. Purportedly, the company is considering scaling back production by as much as 10% from mid-December, though it is still expecting to reach sales of 11 million LCD TVs in the year ending March 2009.

Vizio intros 55-inch 1080p XVT HDTV, soundbar, more goodies

by Darren Murph posted Nov 20th 2008 at 9:35AM

Chrismakwanzika has come early for anyone remotely interested in Vizio kit, and quite honestly, even for those that aren't. From the top, we've got the 55-inch VF550XVT1A, a 1080p HDTV with 120Hz Smooth Motion Video technology, a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, five HDMI inputs, SRS TruSurround HD and a $1,999 MSRP. Next up is the firm's own soundbar and wireless subwoofer kit (VSB210WS), which has finally escaped rumor purgatory to pop official. The kit sports four 3-inch speakers alongside a single 1-inch tweeter for each channel, and the long throw 6.5-inch subbie makes sure the lows are well addressed, too. Just a single cable is needed to connect the VSB210WS to any flat-panel, and just $349.99 is needed to bring it home. On deck are a trio of smaller LCDs: the 19-inch VA19 ($249.99), 22-inch VA22 ($349.99) and 26-inch VA26 ($449.99), with the middle guy becoming Vizio's smallest 1080p HDTV ever. Closing things out is the 26-inch VMM26, a 25.5-inch "multimedia monitor" with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, HDMI / USB ports, touch-activated menus and a $429.99 sticker. All but the first two products mentioned are on sale now, while the first two will be available just before your '09 Super Bowl bash.

Vizio bucks the trend with Q3 growth, positive expectations for Q4

by Darren Murph posted Nov 4th 2008 at 12:31PM


In case it's not glaringly apparent to you: price matters. And it matters a lot. While most other HDTV manufacturers are sobbing at sales figures (or the lack thereof) right now, Vizio is grinning from ear-to-ear. The outfit's low-cost flat-panels have evidently struck a chord with bargain-minded consumers, as the privately-held company has confessed to having a profitable Q3. Of course, it won't be releasing actual numbers due to its private status, but according to business operations and marketing VP Jeff Schindler, the firm has "never had an unprofitable quarter." Furthermore, the company is expecting even more growth in Q4 as consumers look to get the most bang for their buck when buying new sets. Can't say we doubt its optimism.

DisplaySearch report takes long, hard look at flat-panel maturity

by Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2008 at 8:15AM


It's pretty obvious that flat-panel sales have the potential to slow (and that sets could get really, really cheap) in the current economic environment, but a new report from DisplaySearch asserts that the problem may be exacerbated by flat-panel maturity. According to David Barnes, DisplaySearch strategic analysis VP, the "concerns over contracting consumer demand over the near term may grab headlines today, but slower growth may be a long-term trend in the flat-panel market." In fact, it's expected that 4 out of 5 TVs in 2011 will use flat-panel technologies, meaning that this double-digit yearly growth we've grown accustomed to could be coming to an end. Of course, techs like OLED, SED (ahem) and holograms are just around the corner -- and be honest, who wouldn't trade in their KURO for a floating 1080p image with perfect contrast?

[Via TWICE]




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