Mitsubishi's 2009 TV lineup: A new LCD TV series, and even new rear projection sets

If rear-projection TV is dead, someone forgot to tell Mitsubishi. Its just-unveiled 2009 TV lineup features a new premium series of LCD TV models and four new rear-projection microdisplay DLP TV sets, including an 82-inch behemoth.

The most notable feature of the new Unisen LCD TVs (Click on the image at right for a closer look) is an integrated 16-speaker Dolby Digital 5.1-channel sound system. The sets use sound–processing circuitry and digital delays to create "sound beams" that can produce an immersive surround-sound experience without additional components or speakers.

Three new series bearing the Unisen name will be available next month. All are 1080p sets with 120 Hz technology to reduce motion blur, and ultra-thin (1-inch) frames. The Unisen 151 sets come in 40- ($1,800), 46- ($2,200), and 52-inch ($2,600) screen sizes. Step-up Unisen 153 models add a more stylish finish, different anti-judder technology, and a calibration microphone for optimizing sound. These come in 40- ($2,000), 46- ($2,400), and 52-inch ($2,900) screen sizes. At the top of the LCD lineup is the Unisen Diamond 249 Series, which consists of 46- ($2,800) and 52-inch ($3,300) sets. These sets have all the 153-series features, can be professionally calibrated, a more powerful amplifier, and a different finish. These sets are also Internet-ready.

For reviews of previous Mitsubishi LCD sets, check out our LCD Ratings (available to subscribers). For more detailed info on the new models, visit Engadget to see the Mitsubishi press release.

Class-action settlement reached for owners of Toshiba rear-projection DLP TV owners

If you own a Toshiba rear-projection DLP TV that's had a problem with short bulb life, you may be getting some relief. Last week, a court approved a class-action settlement that requires Toshiba to reimburse the cost of replacing the bulbs used in the lamps, and to extend the warranty for replacement bulbs from six to 12 months.

The settlement applies to 2004 and 2005 Toshiba rear-projection DLP sets purchased between January 1, 2004 and September 18, 2008. The lawsuit alleged that the bulbs used in the lamps were defective, and that Toshiba knowingly misrepresented the life span of the bulbs, breaching express and implied warranties. The suit claimed that while Toshiba estimated the life of the bulbs to be about 8,000 hours, many customers found they were burning out after 300 hours, or about two months of regular use. Replacement bulbs cost about $300 each if installed by the user.

Toshiba, which is no longer in the rear-projection TV business, denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to the terms of the settlement, which was approved by a federal district court on Feb. 24, 2009.

If you own one of these TVs and believe you are eligible to make a claim, visit the settlement's website (http://www.dlplampsettlement.com) for more information. While the warranty extension applies to all TVs covered by the deal, regardless of whether you file a claim, you will have to apply to get a new bulb or receive a reimbursement for one you've already purchased.

—James K. Willcox

Then there was one—in the rear-projection business

Samsung, one of the last two manufacturers of rear-projection televisions, today confirmed that it's joining the ranks of manufacturers who have exited that dwindling market segment. The company told us that it would continue selling its remaining RPTV sets through the first half of this year but would no longer make new sets. That leaves Mitsubishi as the only company still making RPTVs—at least for now.

Sales of RPTVs have dropped sharply over the past few years as sleek flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs have gotten bigger and cheaper, pushing the bulkier sets out of the picture. In 2004, sales of RPTV sets exceeded 3.5 million units, and there were more than a dozen brands on the market. In 2008, with just two brands remaining, analysts expected U.S. sales of rear-projection sets to total about half a million units, compared to 30 million LCD TVs and 4 million plasma TVs.

—James F. Willcox

3D TV: Finally Ready for Prime Time?

3D technology, which had moments in the 1950s and '70s, is once again in the spotlight here at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Companies including Dolby, Nvidia, Panasonic, Samsung, and Texas Instruments are all expected to make 3D announcements.

3D-capable sets from Samsung (DLP and plasma) and Mitsubishi (DLP) are already on the market. But consumer interest has been dampened by the fact that most 3D content has been PC-based and requires both conversion software and pricey, shutter-style polarized glasses for viewing on a TV. The lack of a single 3D standard is another drawback.

A resurgence of 3D in theaters could spark more interest in the technology. Two dozen 3D releases are planned for the next two years, and the number of 3D-ready movie screens is expected to triple. Both Disney's Pixar unit and DreamWorks Animation are among the studios with 3D movies in the works, and directors such as Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, and James Cameron have a 3D iron in the fire as well.

Our best guess is that even if 3D is successful in theaters, it will take several more years for it to become a meaningful experience in the home. Several companies are currently pitching their 3D approaches as a standard for the industry. Dolby, for example, is here at CES touting its 3D technology for use in Blu-ray movies and videogames. We expect Texas Instruments to do the same on behalf of its polarizing technology. Panasonic is rumored to be showing a 3D-ready plasma set, and is reportedly pitching a 3D technology to the Blu-ray Disc Association.

Setting a standard should help fuel the adoption of 3D technology in the home. In addition to the Blu-ray Disc Association, organizations including the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and the 3-D@Home Consortium are looking to establish standards and promote 3D technology to consumers.

But as I've discovered in the 20 years I've been covering the CE industry, these things take time. Still, it may well be that the stars are finally aligning for 3D technology to take hold. We'll be discussing 3D technology with TV manufacturers while we're here, so stay tuned for further developments from CES.

—James K. Willcox

Rear-projection TV test results

Although sales of rear-projection microdisplays have dropped off sharply as flat-panel models have gotten both bigger and cheaper, they're still the least-expensive route to truly big screens 60 inches and larger. We recently tested several 1080p models, ranging in size from 65 to 73 inches. Here's how they fared:

Mitsubishi LaserVue L65-A90, $7,000
This high-priced 65-inch set from Mitsubishi, dubbed LaserVue (click on image at right for a closer look), is among the first TVs to use a laser backlight instead of a bulb (or LED). As part of the purchase, the company sends a customer-service rep to the home to make sure it's set up properly.

• Highs: The set has bright images and impressive contrast, with deep black-levels and rich colors. Overall picture resolution was good. The cabinet is very thin (10.5 inches) for a rear-projection set, and it has four HDMI inputs, including one on the front panel.
• Lows: Some images were noticeably soft, sometime looking almost out of focus, and there was a subtle moving graininess, or video noise, in images, which could be speckles from its laser light source. Images had a pink cast to them, which we were able to reduce via the picture controls, and a "hot spot" was evident in the lower-center of the screen when a darker full-screen image was displayed. The TV seems to have an internal "floating" screen that bobbles around slightly if the TV is bumped, which was distracting.
• Bottom line: Though this laser-lit set did some things well—most notable good detail, deep blacks and vibrant colors—overall performance was a bit disappointing, as noted, especially considering its high price.

Jumbo HDTVs with budget price tags

If you're hankering for a 60-inch or larger HDTV but want to spend less than $2,000, forget about buying a plasma or LCD set. But don't give up hope—a value-priced rear-projection TV (RPTV) might be just the ticket, as we noted in an earlier post, "Bigger screens for less bucks." The new microdisplay sets are much thinner than the bulky projection TVs of old, so you don't have to sacrifice floor space in the interests of frugality.

Mitsubishi, one of only two TV makers still offering RPTVs, recently introduced its new 735 Series of DLP TVs (click on the image for a closer look). The 60-inch WD-60735 ($1,500) and the 65-inch WD-65735 ($1,700) offer true 1920x1080 resolution as well as the ability to produce "3D video." Both sets use a proprietary "six-color light processor" designed to boost on-screen color fidelity.

In preliminary tests, our engineers found that both sets offered fine picture and sound. Here are some of their findings. For more on the pros and cons of rear-projection TVs, check out our free online HDTV Buying Guide.

Rear-projection TVs: Bigger-screens for less bucks?

In the December issue of Consumer Reports, you’ll find our latest LCD and plasma TV report with complete HDTV Ratings for over 100 new models. (Ratings are available to subscribers.)

But you won't find any test results for new rear-projection HDTVs. Why? In a nutshell, there are very few new sets of this type. Of the countless TV models introduced to the U.S. market this year, only 14 were RPTVs, and only two companies—Samsung and Mitsubishi—continue to make and sell rear-projection sets.

Consumer demand has also tanked. U.S. sales of rear-projection sets this year are expected to total about half a million units, compared to 30 million LCD TVs and 4 million plasma TVs.

That sales comparison tells the tale: One big reason for the overall decline in rear-projection TVs is that sleek flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs have gotten bigger and cheaper, pushing the bulkier sets out of the picture.

Still, you might want to consider a rear-projection TV if you want the most screen for the money. We've seen 60- to 65-inch RPTVs selling for about $1,500, and 72-inchers in the $2,000 range. A plasma or LCD TV of that size would easily run $5,000 or more. And the best of these sets are capable of excellent picture quality that gives flat panels a run for the money.

Tech talk: Contrast ratio

Q: I've seen HDTV ads where "contrast ratio" is highlighted. What is that?

A: "Contrast ratio" represents the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks that a television can display. But claimed contrast ratios can be misleading.

One ad might list a contrast ratio of 5,000:1 for one set, for example, while another ad for another set boasts about a ratio of 1,000,000:1. That's 200 times better, right? No!

There are many ways to measure contrast ratio, and the results aren't comparable. Also, they might be based on settings that wouldn't work in actual use, with picture brightness set too high and black level too low.

What you need to know: The best way to find a TV with great contrast is to check our HDTV Ratings (available to subscribers) and choose one that has an excellent score for picture quality. Contrast ratio is one of a few critical areas in which a TV must do well to earn that high score. You can rest assured that the scores for different TVs are comparable, because our engineers calibrate each set before testing and conduct the same exacting tests on every set.

To get a better understanding of what to look for when choosing an HDTV, watch our free online video: Buying a big-screen TV. You can also check our free HDTV buying guide on ConsumerReports.org.

Report from CEDIA: Next-gen TVs come into focus

What's the next big thing in the fast-changing HDTV market? I'm in Denver this week at a trade show called CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installers Association) to find out. Much of the focus is on pricey gear that needs to be custom-installed by a dealer, but manufacturers usually give us a glimpse of key trends and new products likely to make their way into the mainstream next year.

Here are a few things I expect to see:

LCD's 120Hz technology jumps to 240Hz

In the LCD TV arena, 120Hz technology—which essentially doubles the TV's frame rate to help reduce motion blur—has become a popular new feature. I expect to see several leading manufacturers, including Sony and Samsung, showcase new TVs with 240Hz technology, presumably with the belief that if doubling the frame rate is great, quadrupling it will be spectacular.

Sony has said it will offer two 240Hz models—the 46-inch KDL-46W1 and 40-inch KDL-40W1 in Japan by the end of the year. Based on my conversion of the price in yens, those sets will sell for about $3,700 and $2,700, respectively, but there's no word yet on arrival here in the U.S. At a recent European trade show called IFA, Samsung showed a prototype set that won't arrive for a few more years.

HDTV: Adjust the picture for best quality

When you turn on your new high-definition TV, it probably won't look as stunning as it did in the showroom. The default, out-of-the-box settings on most HDTVs are designed to create a super-bright, vividly colored image, but they're almost always a bad choice for use at home. Here in our labs, our engineers fine-tune each set before evaluating the picture. It's likely the TVs in our Ratings would have much lower scores if we didn't.

You don't need an engineering degree to get the most from your HDTV. The easiest way to adjust picture quality is to use one of the preset picture modes. (Press menu on the remote and find picture or video controls.) Most TVs are set to Vivid or Dynamic (names vary by brand), but we've found that modes like Natural, Cinema, or Pro generally provide the most pleasing, natural-looking picture. Play around with the choices and see which looks best. Finding the right mode might be all you need to do.

You can also adjust picture settings individually rather than using a preset mode. One simple method is to set the brightness, contrast, color, and tint controls to a middle or neutral position, then move them up and down until the image pleases you. Also, turn off sharpness, noise reduction, and image-enhancement. This approach generally results in a decent picture.

If you're more adventurous, try these seven steps to better picture quality. You'll find more detail in our article on tuning your TV.