CES 2009: HDTVs from Panasonic, Samsung and Sony

The key trends we outlined at the start at CES—thinner sets, 240Hz refresh rate, and increased access to Internet content—were evident at press conferences by Panasonic, Samsung and Sony. Here are some of the highlights:

Panasonic: New slim plasmas, more VieraCast

Panasonic slimmed down its new Z1 plasma TV to just an inch thick by housing the TV tuner in a separate wireless media console. The set uses a new "Neo" panel developed by the company, which pumps up the set's brightness to twice that of previous models, or maintains the same brightness while cutting power consumption in half.

The company also showed four new Viera X1 LCD TVs (19- to 37-inch models) that include an external universal iPod dock. Content can be managed onscreen using the TV's remote control.

The company will increase its lineup of TVs that incorporate Tru2Way CableCard technology.

Panasonic intends to expand its VieraCast (Click on image above for a closer look) online access to more sets and Blu-ray players this year. While many other companies announced partnerships with Yahoo's Internet Widget service, Panasonic is adding Amazon Video On Demand streaming service, with access to 40,000 titles, to VieraCast.

It also demonstrate a 3D Blu-ray player and a 1080p display at its booth.

Sony: More networked content

Sony showed off new networked XBR9 and Z-series Bravia LCDs, which have built-in Ethernet ports (rather than an add-on module) for accessing Bravia Internet Video Link content, including Amazon Video on Demand and YouTube services, among others. The sets also have "Bravia Internet Widgets," Sony's name for Yahoo's widget service that provides on-screen applications, such as weather, stock updates, financial news, Flickr photos and other content, in real time on the TV.

(Click on the video player at right to watch my video—done at CES in collaboration with Which?, an independent consumer magazine in the United Kingdom—about new HDTV developments. You can also view a larger-version of the video on ConsumerReport.org's free online Video section.)

The XBR9 and Z5100 sets use Sony's 240Hz MotionFlow technology, which quadruples the usual 60Hz frame rate to help reduce motion blur. The XBR sets are offered in 32- to 52-inch screen sizes, while Z5100 models come with 40- to 52-inch screens.

For the eco-minded, Sony will offer VE5-series Bravia models, which the company claims use 40 percent less power than other Sony LCD TVs. They ship this summer in 40- to 52-inch screen sizes, and include a motion sensor that shuts down the TV when no movement in the room is detected.

Also new is a V5100 series of 120Hz 1080p LCD TVs, and a value-priced S5100 series with a 60Hz refresh rate. Both series will have 40- to 52-inch models. The company’s mass-market L series, which will replace its M-series sets, includes 26- and 32-inch sets.

Sony had a small 3D display, though the company wouldn't divulge any information about the technology being used. Based on the glasses I tried, it appeared to be a polarized 3D technology on an LCD TV. In my brief demo, the 3D effect was quite good, and the images were sharp and fairly detailed.

Samsung: LEDs and new designs

Samsung introduced the 6000, 7000, and 8000 series of LCD TVs with LED backlights, a feature that improves both contrast and black-level performance. All are ultra-slim models just over an inch thick, using "edge LEDs" that don't allow for local dimming (See our related story on LED lighting here). Samsung has also developed an ultra-slim wall mount that positions the TV just 0.6 inches from the wall.

These sets also sport enhanced networking features and Internet access, offering what Samsung calls "the Internet@TV Content Service platform," which is powered by Yahoo's Internet Widget technology. In addition to standard Yahoo widgets that provide news, financial info and weather updates and Flickr photos, the sets will offer other services, such as those from USA Today, YouTube, and eBay.

The 8000 Series models (click on the image at right for a closer look) use frame-interpolated 240Hz technology, which basically quadruples the TV's native frame rate to reduce motion blur. The 7000 and 6000 Series sets are 120Hz models. Cosmetically, the 8000 series sets have a piano-black bezel that fades into a chrome-like finish on the outer edges, while the other series have light ruby highlights.

Another new line, Series 7 LCDs (with 40- to 52-inch screens), include the first lamp-based models with 240Hz refresh rates. These models sport the new Internet service features, the new Touch of Color designs, and a transparent bar across the bottom bezel that divides the TV from the speaker compartment, which houses a pair of down-firing speakers. The sets have built-in wired Ethernet connection, and through the use of a wireless USB dongle, can support 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking capabilities.

Series 6 sets range in size from 19 to 55 inches; models 32 inches and larger have 120Hz technology.

The company also showed two new plasma lines, the Series 6 and Series 8. The Series 8 plasma TVs are billed as "the slimmest 1080p resolution plasma sets with built-in ATSC tuners." They have a chrome-like translucent surface encasing the slim bezel. Series 6 sets have a semi-transparent "rose black" color. Both of the new Series models sit atop newly designed reinforced glass stands.

These new plasma models have the same networking and Internet capabilities as the new LCD sets.

Stay tuned for addition reports about LCD and plasma TV lineups shown here at the show.

—James K. Willcox

Comments

[Samsung Help]

Thank you very much because my monitor has spoiled and i am looking for an updated monitor to buy. This blog helped me a lot to buy. Now i want to buy Samsung LEDs and new designs which you mentioned. 6000, 7000, and 8000 series of LCD TVs with LED backlights

[Mark McKenna]

This company claims to be able to deliver 3D movies on an XBOX 360 NOW...

http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2009/01/ces-2009-next3d-offers-free-in-home-3d.html

www.next3d.com