Sony CES 2007
Sony showed two new HDTVs and a number of prototype displays at the 2007 CES. Technologies included LCD, SXRD and OLED.
Bravia LCD
Sony showed two BRAVIA LCD flat panels at its booth. The first will be available this spring, its model KDL-70XBR3. It is a 1920 x1080 progressive 70 inch panel with a 120HZ refresh rate, 10 bit processing and panel (1024 levels) and uses Sony’s Triluminos LED backlighting for better dynamic range (7,000:1) and a wider color gamut. Sony’s name for this is x.v. Color and is said to be used in conjunction with the wider gamut coming available in future Playstation 3 games using HDMI 1.3. The set is (ridiculously) priced at $33,000 making over twice as expensive as the currently available LG 1080p 71†plasma ($15,000)
Sony again showed a not ready for prime time 82†LCD Bravia flat panel. No price or availability was given.
It also displayed an unimpressive LASER driven 55″ 1080p SXRD rear projectior with about 10″ depth. The promise of LASER, really bright images, wider viewing angles and outstanding color were not seen by the HD Guru during the demonstration.
Most impressive were the 2 OLED (organic light emitting diode) prototype displays. The was a 1080p (1920 x 1080) monitor with around a 1/2 “ depth. The contrast, brightness, color saturation and viewing angle were outstanding, far exceeding Sony’s best Bravia LCDs. OLED technology has always had a useable life issue and Sony representatives did not say if this problem has been solved.
Looking closer to mass production than the 27″ model were 11†panels with a 1024 x 600 resolution. This units were wafer thin measuring about 1/8†depth. Again no lifetime numbers or possible availability was given.
Sony also announced coming this summer would be its own proprietary internet downloading of content including HD directly to your Sony TV. This capability will be available on most of its yet to be released 2007 Bravia flat panel LCD by purchasing an extra cost download module (price to be announced later).
Copyright 2007 HDGURU (sm) All rights reserved
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Last week,Sony announced that they would begin manufacturing and selling an 11 inch OLED television “later this year”. They acknowledged that it would likely be sold at a premium price initially.
Get ready for the most promising flat panel technology available.
GURU…. What is the best LCD Screen cleaner? I had heard that orginary rubbing alcohol is good! What would you recommend?? Thanks John D :-)
hello, i have a few questions. first i am about to buy a panasonic 52 lcd proj. hdtv and have heard some bad things about the bulb burning out quickly any opinion? second this tv also offers a vga input and i have heard that the xbox 360’s hddvd player will upconvert normal dvds to near hd via the vga optional coard. do you think thats possible or sould i stick with my upconvering dvd player with the hdmi output? if poss. please email me back with any opinion
Gary –
I saw some images on Engadget for Proton Puriti LCD tv’s. I see their website, but I cannot find them for sale anywhere. Do you know anything about them? Thanks!
Proton has had very narrow distribution in the US for quite a while. Due to its lack of availablity, it is not on my radar.
The HD Guru
HD Guru:
During CES 2007, did you hear any word if Sony would incorporate some features of the KDL-70XBR3 (e.g., 120 hz refresh rate, 10 bit processing, Triluminous backlighting, etc.) into smaller-sized LCDs for 2007? Or would they target these features for their 2008 offerings? Thanks.
I am convinced that Sony will be the first to market an OLED television,possibly late 2007 if not 2008. Howard Stringer,Sony’s chairman announced an OlED set will be available in 2008.
First,small screen sets,larger panels later.
OlED: Emissive,no back light.
Cheaper to manufacture
Lower power consumption
Viewable from all directions just like CRT
Highest contrast ratio
Wide color gamut
Full 1080p resolution
Extremely thin
Sony is getting ready to break ground on a new plant to build OLED televisions. They have achevied better then 60000 hours life from all three primary colors. This was the hold up.
If Sony or Samsung introduce OLED first,I believe this will be the nail in SED’s coffin.
I believe that OLED will become the dominant display device for both small and large panels and will leave LCD and plasma in the dust.
It is interesting that CES is taking on the flavor of the auto show with design concepts that may never hit the consumer market.
When I hear about the departure from proven technology such as LCD, bulb driven RP, or Plasma, I can see only 4 reasons to do so.
1. Significantly enhanced performance.
2. Increased reliability.
3. Decreased manufacturing cost.
4. Buzz to get consumers to trade up and buy
It sounds to me that few fall in category 1 above. Am I missing anything?
Gary,did you get a chance to view the 70 inch LCD? If so,what is your opinion of the LCD backlighting?
I agree $33,000.00 is a bit much. Sharp’s 65 inch Aquos was originally priced at $ 20,000.00,but now available for $7,600.00. Maybe this will happen to Sony pricing as well.
Blue OLED material was the weakest link,but they now have achieved 60000 hours lifetime with it.