(July 22, 2010) The best selling HDTV screen size in America is 32″. Almost every TV maker offers models in this class, which creates stiff competition that drives prices down to record low levels.
A number of name brand entry models can be found for under $400, though you can also spend over $900 for a 1.1″ thin LED LCD loaded with many extra features. Which one is right for you?
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(July 17, 2010) On July 12, 2010 DirecTV nationally broadcast the Major League Baseball (MLB) All Star Game in 3D. Fox Network produced the program for exclusive telecast on the N3D channel 103. The format used was 720p side-by-side. Fox’s production was excellent, adding another dimension to America’s favorite pastime.
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(July 12, 2010) LG joins Panasonic, Samsung and Sony offering 3D capable HDTVs along with a compatible Blu-ray player and active shutter glasses.
Starting today, purchasers of either an LG LX9500 (photo above) or LX6500 3D ready LED (LCD) HDTV and the LG BX580
The top of the line LX-9500 is available in 47″ and 55″ screen sizes. Features include 1080p Backlit LED with local dimming, 10,000,000:1 rated dynamic contrast, 480 Hz with scanning backlight, intelligent ambient light sensor, 4 HDMI inputs, NetCast internet entertainment (including Yahoo widgets, Vudu, YouTube, Picasa photos) WiFi with optional adapter, wireless HD with optional adapter and USB input for music and video (JPEG/MPEG-4/DivX HD).
The 9500s utilize LG’s 240 zone led local dimming (55″ model) backlighting. It has a super slim .92″ wide bezel and has a depth of just 1.3″. It is the only LED 3D series that is THX certified. The 47″ 47LX9500 retails for $4300, the 55″ 55LX9500 retails for $5400.
The LX6500 series (photo above) is available in 47″ and 55″ screen sizes. It features a 1080p edge lit LED (LCD) panel with local dimming, 8,000,000:1 rated dynamic contrast, 240 Hz refresh with scanning LEDs, wireless HD (included), WiFi ready with optional adapter, 4 HDMI inputs, NetCast internet entertainment (including Yahoo widgets, Vudu, YouTube, Picasa photos) and a USB input (JPEG/MPEG-4/DivX HD). The 47″ 47LX6500 retails for $2700 and is available now on Amazon for $2150.65
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(July 11, 2010) Yesterday, DirecTV (along with Cox, Verizon FiOS, Comcast, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, Blue Ridge Communications and Service Electric Broadband Cable) brought the first major league 3D baseball game to HD subscribers in the NY and Seattle areas. To paraphrase Chico Escuela (Garrett Morris) “Baseball can be very, very good for 3D.”
The telecast gave a new perspective to the game, highlighting the physical space and interaction of the fielders as well as the pitcher to the batter like no other prior broadcast. You need to see it to appreciate it. My perspective shifted from distant spectator in a 2D HDTV broadcast to an umpire’s eye view and “you are there” immersive feel. However, the program was not without a number of distracting and annoying technical glitches.
The 3D program used “side by side” 720p, (photo above) yielding a resolution of 640 x 720 per eye. We evaluated the game on two 3D TVs, a Panasonic 50″ TC-P50VT25 plasma and a Samsung 55″ UN55C8000 LED (LCD) TV. The DirecTV broadcast was recorded on its HD22 and HD24 DVRs as well as the Cablevision signal on a TiVo Premier and Cablevision supplied HD DVR. We could not detect any visual differences between the providers.
Granted it is a major league first, some of the problems observed are avoidable and would greatly enhance a future broadcast on DirecTV 3D. They are:
Focus- Often, after a shift from one camera view to another there would be one second or so soft focus before the image would snap into sharp view. It became a major distraction and appeared to be electronic glitch.
Another focus issue: I have always admired how great the camera operators covering Major League Baseball maintain optical focus while tracking a play. The left field and home plate operators were not up to the standards set by major league camera men. A number of times the operator would hunt for the optimum focus (this occurred after the camera switch was made).
Electronic Score: Like the World Cup in 3D, the score graphic is placed in front of the screen (called negative Z-axis); while the field view perspective is behind the screen. This creates a brain/eye conflict, and can contribute to fatigue. I plea to the network powers, please get the graphics to be at the screen plane whenever there is a distant field view.
Crosstalk: Ghost images occurred infrequently on the Panasonic, but often on the Samsung. It was most apparent during high contrast situations, i.e. the player seen in front of the black wall in center field or an overhead shot contrasting the player’s uniform against the grass.
Breaks: There were no commercials during the game, just DirecTV promos and wonderful shots of Seattle. Unfortunately, there were times when the 3D cameras were not properly setup for the distance to the subject. This was very apparent with a shot of a seagull and a close-up of fish mongers at the Pike Place market.
We recall the growing pains experienced with the first sportscasts of HD and firmly believe the learning curve can come quickly for Major League Baseball and make it a “must see 3D” viewing experience. Overall, the debut demonstrates how sports will drive 3D adoption. We look forward Tuesday’s All Star Game in 3D on DirecTV.
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(July 8, 2010) Earlier this month, Mitsubishi introduced its 2010 HDTVs to the press at its New York City line show. For 2010 Mitsubishi is offering a its 2nd generation 3D capable laser powered 75″ Digital Light Processor (DLP) rear projector, 6 LED LCDs in three series and 13-3D capable DLP rear projectors in four series.
Its flat panels and rear projectors represent a significant departure from any other vendors’ product lines. All 2010 Mitsubishi HDTVs are 1080p, and all are big screens with sizes from 40″ -55″ for LED flat panels and 60″ and above for DLP Cinema rear projeciton HDTVs.
LaserVue TV
The L75-A91 features a 75″ screen with a depth of 15″ and an available wall mounting bracket. It is the only TV available using three (red, blue, green) lasers. Mitsubishi increased efficiency over the previous generation, lowering power consumption to just 128 watts.
The L75-A75 features include: Cinema Color for a color gamut similar to color seen in digital projector equipped commercial movie theaters; StreamTV Internet Media (including VUDU movies, Pandora music and Flickr and Picasa photo);12-bit signal processing, 4 HDMI inputs; USB media input, 3D (Blu-ray, cable and satellite) capability with its optional ($399) 3D starter pack consisting of the 3DA-1 3D adapter, two pairs of Mitsubishi 3D glasses, an IR emitter and a Disney 3D Blu-ray demo disc.
3D DLP Home Cinema TV
The rear projection line-up features screen sizes from 60″ to 82″. Mitsubishi is the only remaining rear projection TV manufacturer. For a consumer seeking a really big screen at a very reasonable price (see chart below), consider a Mitsubishi DLP. Yes, they are deeper than a flat panel (i.e. 15.1″/60″ screen size, 16″/65″, 17.9″/73″) however; the majority of flat panels end up on stands or in wall units negating any advantage to a thinner design. There are four series, the C10 series (pricing NA), the 638, 738 and 838 series
All have 3D capability and feature a six color processor, 1080p (2D) and four picture modes. The step up 738 series adds StreamTV™ Internet Media, Wireless Internet Ready (Optional Adapter) 1080p 5G 12-bit Video Processor, 120Hz, Advanced Video Calibration and a Universal Remote Control. The top of the line 838 series adds 16 Speaker Immersive Sound Technology (more on this below), 32W Total System Power, Bluetooth A2DP Audio Streaming, Center Channel Mode, Surround Pre-amp outputs, Variable Subwoofer Output, New Cosmetics w/Blue Light Accent, Dark Detail Enhancer, PerfectColor and PerfecTint Color Management, ISFccc Advanced Video Adjustments, 4 HDMI™ with CEC, NetCommand Remote, a Wired IR input and a USB Media Input (Photos & Music).
The 3D Capabilities of DLP
Every Mitsubishi DLP can play 3D content with the use of the optional 3D Starter pack. The result, is a very bright image that is virtually free from crosstalk artifacts often seen with LED and LCD 3D displays. This is due to the very high switching speeds of the DLP chip. They are far faster than any LED lit LCD HDTV. The Mitsubishi reproduces 3D at the same resolution as broadcast over cable or satellite at 960 x 1080 resolution per eye.
Later this summer, Mitsubishi will be providing a free firmware upgrade to the 738 and 838 series products that will eliminate the need for the 3DA-1 converter for 3D viewing. The sets will be able to be viewed by simply using a pair of Mitsubishi 3D glasses and connecting the infra-red emitter.
Unisen Immersive Sound LED TVs
Mitsubishi line of LED LCD HDTVs offers features not found in any line other flat panel HDTV. All models include Mitsubishi unique built-in surround sound bar which reproduces movie and TV soundtracks in surround sound without rear speakers! All the Mitsubishi Unisen LED TVs sound far clearer and can play much louder without audible distortion than any other HDTV on the market today.
All models are LED edge lit, providing superior color and lower power consumption than the old fashioned CCFL lamps found in many other LCD TVs.
All models are either 120Hz or 240Hz depending on the series. It breaks down as follows (from the Mitsubishi press release.)
” All 154, 164 and Diamond 265 series Unisen Immersive Sound LED TV models for 2010 include Edge-Lit LED Backlight, Multi-Speaker Immersive Sound Technology with Variable Subwoofer Output and Center Channel Mode, StreamTV™ Internet Media, new Thin Depth Design, True120Hz, Energy Star™ 4.0 Qualified, Clear Contrast Panel, Plush 1080p® 5G 12-bit Digital Video Processing, 6-Color Processor™, 4 HDMI™, Deep Color™ and x.v.Color™, Easy Connect™, USB Media Input, and Detachable IEC Power Cord.
The MDEA 164 series is available in 40, 46 and new 55-inch screen sizes, and in addition to the features above, includes 16-Speaker Immersive Sound Technology, Built-in Wireless Internet, Bluetooth A2DP Audio Streaming, EdgeEnhance™, DeepField Imager™ and Advanced Video Calibration.
The MDEA Diamond 265 series is available in 46 and new 55-inch screen sizes. In addition to all features within the 154 and 164 series, each Diamond model includes 18-Speaker Immersive Sound Technology, True240Hz, new Thin Depth Design with Blue Light Accent, Plush1080p® 5G 18-Bit Digital Video Processing, iPhone Remote Control App, Audio Calibration Microphone, Perfect Color™, PerfectTint™, ISFccc® Advanced Video Adjustments, NetCommand, and Wired IR input.”
The chart below contains the prices and availability and screen sizes of the Mitsubishi 2010 DLPs and LED TVs
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