Sony LCD Flat Panel HDTV KDL-V26XBR1
Another LCD TV from Sony that as superb functionality, the 26″ KDL-V26XBR1 BRAVIA™ LCD Flat Panel HDTV boasts of the latest technologies to give the customers the best experience in watching a TV. It has a WEGA Engine technology, which delivers superb picture quality from any video source minimizing signal deterioration. It also has other features that make it more user-friendly especially in navigating television functions such as favorite channels and television channels among others.
It has an S-Master Full Digital Amplifier that delivers superb clear dialog and reproduces the original sound quality while minimizing any sound fragmentation or jitter noise. It also has Light Sensor that allows the picture brightness level to be optimized to ambient light. More features and specifications of the KDL-V26XBR1 can be seen at Sony’s website.
Sharp 108-inch LCD television
This is real entertainment. Sharp Electronics has released one of the world’s largest televisions, a 108-inch LCD television — larger than the biggest plasmas that have yet been announced. It is said to have a higher resolution than plasmas and lower in power consumption. The set is 93.9 inches high, 52.9 inches wide and 107.8 inches on the diagonal, and shines with 2.07 million pixels (1,920 x 1,080).
This would surely bring up the level of competition among the players in the plasma industry and the makers of LCD televisions. And what’s great about competition is that some tend to lower their prices in order to attract more customers. With the emergence of this kind of technology, imagine what we would have in our own homes in a few more years. Would you still go to movies? I don’t think so.
Imagine watching movies on this kind of TV or playing PS3 games. Spice it up with a cool surround sound system, and you would really feel like everything is real.
More LCD vs. Plasma
We previously wrote a guide comparing the two prevalent technologies in slimline displays: LCD and plasma. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. I happened to chance upon more arguments for either side on digitaladvisor. This time, it’s more of what your requirements are, and how you plan to use your flat screen TV.
Some points of note:
- LCD has a longer life span.
- Home theatre buffs would appreciate plasma’s higher contrast.
- Energy conservation buffs would prefer LCD’s more efficient use of electricity.
- D-I-Y buffs can mount LCD screens themselves, while plasma screens need to be mounted professionally (they’re heavier and more delicate).
- If you plan to watch in large groups, plasmas are better, because of the wider viewing angle.
LCD and Plasma Go Head-to-Head in Competition
LCD and Plasma always had their own niches in the television industry. Each had its status for being ideal in certain situations. LCD displays, for instance, were great for monitors and smaller-sized television panels. They were also good for applications where Plasmas wouldn’t survive, such as for displaying static images (plasmas have burn-in problems especially prevalent with static images or even black bars in wide-format DVD videos).
Plasma displays were great for large sizes. And plasmas were always better at contrast. Dark was dark. Light was light. Plasma had none of the washed-out image problem some LCDs sometimes still exhibit.
Until recently the technologies weren’t really in direct competition, as plasma was more suited to bigger screens while LCD had the edge on smaller ones. Giant LCD sets were available, but they relied on bulky image-projecting equipment behind their screens, and thereby lacked the fashionable thinness of plasma flat-screen units.
But LCD technology is evolving as manufacturers turn out increasingly larger flat-panel units. LCD manufacturers can now make a flat-screen TV as big as 46 inches without compromising picture quality. And they say even bigger sets are in development.
However, the issue these days is not as much about the capabilities and applicability of either plasma or LCD technology. Advocates of environmental conservation are warning against the implications on energy consumption of television sets getting larger and larger, be they LCD or plasma.
“If we could cut the energy use of a TV when it’s on by 25 per cent, we could cut the electric bill in the U.S. by a billion dollars a year, and prevent 7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year — (carbon dioxide being) a key contributor to global warming … We really want manufacturers to get ahead of the curve here.”
While there is apprarently a misconception that plasma televisions consume more energy, this is apparently because they are generally larger in size than their LCD counterparts. With this in view, TV manufacturers are trying to assure consumers and advocates alike that they are addressing the energy/conservation issues by developing and producing new models that are more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Philippine Market Shifting Towards Large-Screen Flat-Panel TVs
Contrast: affluence in the face of
a struggling economy.
According to a news report by inq7.net, the Philippine market is getting ripe for the picking for flat-panel TV manufacturers and retailers.
For now, though, the demand and interest for flat panel TVs is still limited within the upper income classes who prefer–and have the means–to bring the theatre experience home into their living rooms.
“These buyers want to recreate theater experience. They watch DVDs on their TVs or they like to play video games in large screens. Some TVs are also used as both a TV and a computer monitor, which is a better option than having two separate screens,” Lim said.
… Put of the 200 respondents, 187 are wishing to buy large screen TVs while 69 of that are already planning to buy.
… Prices of LCD and plasma TVs have declined nearly half their price since these were introduced in the country several years back. From about 400,000 pesos ($ 7,500), LCD or plasma TVs larger than 40 inches now cost between 150,000 pesos (and 250,000 pesos (between $ 2,800 and $ 4,700).
While the market is not as mature as more developed countries in the West and likewise in Asia, this is a good sign, since people with relatively higher disposable income are opting to spend on good audio-visual equipment. This could be an indication tha they expect better times ahead.
One concern, though, is the absence of any legal provisions requiring networks to switch to purely digital signals in the future, nor are there any moves at present to implement video-on-demand or Internet-based television (IPTV).
Still, this is a good start.
Going Flat - Flat Panel Display Technologies Compared
“Flat panel television.”
The very mention of the phrase “flat panel TV” exudes class and leisure. After all, after more than half a century of consumer televisions being of the cathode-ray tube (CRT) variety, sleek designs that seem to say “cool” and “expensive” are what flat panel TVs have become. Lately, though, flat panel televisions are gaining traction in the market because of prices ever getting lower and screen sizes ever getting larger (though thinner and thinner). Gone are the days of bulky and heavy television sets. Now you can even mount the TV set on your wall and do away with having to set it on furniture.
What does “flat panel” denote, really? In truth, there is no one single technology or television variety that the term “flat panel” can be solely associated with. Flat panels come in different shapes, forms and sizes, from tiny eight-inch portable LCDs, to large 100-inch Plasma displays. There are also less commonly used techonogies, such as liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), and Organic LED (OLED), among others.
What’s common among flat panel screens and televisions is that they are less than 4 inches thick.
A comparison
Let’s have a look at the more popular technologies in flat panel televisions today, namely LCD and Plasma. These two are often pitted against each other to compare advantages and disadvantages. It’s generally a rule of thumb that Plasma displays are usually more expensive. But in some cases, LCD may still be the preferred choice.
Let’s first have a quick definition of how each other works. Plasma displays are in essence a mixture of inert gases sandwiched in between two flat glass panels. The display works by inducing each pixel to light up by passing electricity onto the plasma. The display uses the plasma itself both as the source of the image and the light.
LCD, on the other hand, displays images images using liquid crystals (as the name implies) sandwiched in between two plates of glass. When electricity is passed through each pixel, the liquid crystal can change position, pattern and color to form the desired onscreen image. LCDs do not emit light themselves, and must be lit up from behind (or sometimes the sides) with while lamp that is shone through the screen.
So how do they fare against each other?
Maximum size
Plasma televisions can come as large as 103 inches in diagonal measurement. LCDs max out at 73 inches.
Viewing angle
Plasma is the clear winner when it comes to flexibility in viewing. LCDs usually require that a viewer be directly in front of the screen in order to see accurate and consistent color reproduction and brightness. If viewed from an angle or from the sides, LCD displays usually come out discolored or sometimes even non-visible at all. Plasma doesn’t have this problem, since viewing from any angle is perfect.
Life span
In terms of life span, LCD has the advantage. Plasma screens and televisions have a lifespan of about 30,000 hours, or up to four years, until the plasma ceases to work. Plasma screens are also prone to burn in—that is, if a static image is displayed in a continuous manner, the plasma will leave a permanent imprint on the glass. LCD displays, on the other hand, can display both static and moving images without any problem. This is why Plasma is not ideal for use with computer monitors, as computers usually display static images most of the time.
LCD displays have about 50% longer life span than Plasma.
Power consumption
LCDs are ideal for use in portable devices because they consume very little electricity. Plasma, on the other hand, needs more electricity especially since it’s the screen itself that lights up.
Picture quality
Brightness and contrast are still among the basic criteria for judging picture quality. In terms of flat panel televisions, you can’t get the best of both worlds. LCDs will be brighter than Plasma displays, especially since LCDs have external lighting while Plasma has to light itself up in each pixel. However, contrast-wise, Plasma has the advantage because of the contrast range it can produce. You get the whitest of whites and blackest of blacks with Plasma.
So in purchasing a flat panel television, you would usually be torn between LCD and Plasma. Both have their advantages and as well, their respective disadvantages. In summary, you should opt for LCD if you are energy-conscious and if you want your set to last longer than usual (about seven years service life). You should go for Plasma if you want a larger screen and if you are particular about color reproduction and contrast.
[ Source: Flat Panel TV ]
Axion Portable LCD TV
This is a 2.5-inch wonder. The US$ 79.99 Axion AXN–5327 would satisfy the cravings of any certified TV addict, whether it be on the road, on the field (camping, anyone?) or the auto. You can even watch DVDs–if you have a portable DVD player, that is (most portable players have their own screens, though).
The features:
- 2.5″ TFT LCD Handheld TV
- Built-in rechargeable circuitry
- Built-in battery compartment
- AC/DC 3-way power
- 6V DC input jack
- Bar tuning system
- Audio/video input jack
- Volume and brightness controls on the side
- Retractable recline stand and carrying strap
- Cabinet color: silver/gray combo parts
- Warranty: 90 days labor, 1 year parts
Swarovski Crystal-Encrusted TV from Loewe
First, it was gold. Now it’s crystals. Loewe has recently launched LCD television sets encrusted with Swarovski crstals.
Supposedly perfect for adding that finishing touch to your designer décor customers will be able to choose between a choice of two body colours; High Gloss Cream and sleek High Gloss Black.
Priced around £5,000, the Loewe Individual Collection 1 lets you have a wide choice of colours and interchangeable side panels, including woods, coloured synthetics, and metals, to fit your mood style.
Plasma vs. LCD - all about the size
CNet reports on the basic criteria in choosing whether to go for plasma or LCD: the size.
Plasma should continue to be the choice for sets that are larger than 45 inches or so, while LCD TVs are quickly replacing CRT sets smaller than around 35 inches, Alessi said. The battle lines have been drawn in that middle ground, which coincidentally is expected to be the average TV size toward the end of the decade.
At this point, it’s all about the cost. Large LCD displays are still pretty expensive, but the performance and ergonomics considerations should have LCD at an advantage, especially when the cost lines are blurred and large-screen LCDs become cheaper.
Sony FWD-series LCD and Plasma Displays for Business
Sony Electronics today introduced several new LCD and plasma flat-panel professional displays that offer businesses both big and small advanced networking and display capabilities.
The redefined FWD-32LX1R, FWD-40LX1 LCD and FWD-50PX2 plasma models offer improved engineering from their predecessors and are designed to fit a variety of businesses ranging from small retail shops to large hotels. The new models will also incorporate connectivity options, providing easy to use advanced networking solutions.
The 32-inch FWD-32LX1R and 40-inch FWD-40LX1 LCD displays deliver 1000:1 contrast ratio providing outstanding image quality. Both models also incorporate S-LCD panels which produce exceptional black level reproduction and drastically improves gradation.
Each display can be controlled remotely with Sony’s current BKM-FW32 Network Management Card or recently introduced BKM-FW50 Network Media Card via Ethernet. The BKM-FW50 networking card also has the ability to remotely control multiple displays, as well as transmit movies or still images.
At 40-inches, the FWD-40LX1LCD panel fits easily into most hospitality-standard dressers. As a result, guests are given a better viewing experience without the added expense of a major room renovation. This model also has a 178/178 degree viewing angle, a key feature for conference room space.
Both new LCD models incorporate the Sony WEGA Engine™ system, a digital processing system that reduces video artifacts that can result from those analog/digital conversions.
“These are significant upgrades to our professional display category” said Tak Inagaki, general manager of Sony’s Display Marketing group. “Our diverse lineup and networking cards expand application-based solutions. They make digital signage easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes.”
Sony’s new FWD-50PX2 model is a stylish 50-inch plasma display with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and more than 60,000 hours of life. The display has both DVI-HDCP and dual option slots. Additionally, it features picture-in-picture, advanced video wall and optional network connectivity, making it ideal for a digital signage applications in office lobbies or reception areas. It also has a built-in digital amplifier and optional speakers.
The LCD models, the FWD-32LX1R and the FWD-40LX1, feature Sony’s new elegant bezel or flat design and are available in three colors: pearl white, crystal silver and frosted black. The FWD50PX2 plasma has a new flat finish available in silver or black.
(more…)