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Honeywell’s 82″ LCD HDTV (Outside Dimensions 52.9″ H x 79.6″ W)

Plagued by low profits (or outright losses), sagging sales, and enormous competition, one would think in these bad economic times new TV makers would not want to enter the U.S. market..  However, that is exactly what GE and Honeywell are doing this year!

The GE name is going to appear on televisions created by a 49%/51% joint venture of GE and Tatung, a Taiwanese builder of  HDTVs, computer monitors and appliances.  The new company is known as GDT for General Displays and Technologies. The GE line is set to launch in late April.

Honeywell has authorized another Taiwanese company; SOYO to design, sell and market Honeywell branded HDTVs. Honeywell will produce a line of LCD HDTVs from 19” to 82” screen sizes.  Yes, that right, an 82” LCD Full HD TV.

In an interview with Ed O’Brien, Honeywell’s director of marketing, details regarding its entry into HDTV business were revealed to the HD Guru and appear below.  In Part II, we will publish our exclusive interview with Peter Weedfald, President of GDT North America

Honeywell will have four distinct lines of HDTVs. The top of the line LE series will be offered in five screen sizes, which consist of 47”, 57”, 65”, 70”, and 82” screens.  All LE model specifications include a 120Hz refresh rate, Full 1080p HD, 178 degree viewing angle, 3 HDMI inputs, 2 Component video inputs, a VGA input, and one composite and S-Video jack.  Features include Picture in Picture (POP)/POP, SRS audio with 2 x 10 watts amplifier and stereo speakers. The bezel is finished glossy black.

The 82” MT-HWGWT8218AM (photo above) has a rated brightness of 600 cd/m², 16.7 million display colors, 120,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, and weighs in at a massive 303 lbs. Complete specs and photos for the entire LE line can be found at LINK.  Pricing and availability for the LE models are to be announced.

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The MLX series currently has a 42” model.  Its features include 120Hz refresh rate, 10 bit panel with 1.06 billion colors, 2 HDMI inputs, 2 component video inputs, a VGA input as well as composite and S-Video and includes a 6 ft. HDMI cable.  The HWJCT42B2AB retails for $1199.99 and is now available at LINK

The ML series currently offers two screen sizes 32” and 42”.  The 42” MT-HWJCT42B3AB is a 60 Hz Full HD 1080p LCD with 50,000:1 contrast ratio, 8-bit color, 5 HDMI inputs as well as VGA, 2-component video inputs, a composite video and S-video jack.  The 32” MT-HWJCT32B4AB has a 1365 x 768,  8-bit color panel and all the inputs of the 42” model, except with 2 HDMI jacks instead of 5.  A 6 ft. HDMI cable is included, as it is with every Honeywell HDTV.  The 32” and 42” were offered by Home Shopping Network (HSN), but quickly sold out.  Selling prices were $499.99 and $799.99 respectively and Honeywell plans to restock HSN within about 10 weeks. Complete specs can be found at http://www.honeywellce.com/#Products/LCD-TV/ML-Series/42inch

The SF line consists of a 22” HDTV with 1680 x 1050 resolution 16:10 panel.  It has 3 HDMI inputs, 2 component video inputs, and VGA a composite video jack.  Price and availability have not yet been revealed.

Honeywell’s O’Brien told HD Guru he plans to compete against the Vizios, and other recent market entries with better designs, engineering, higher quality control and a 5 year warranty. Its warranty is far longer than any other competing brand (most are one year parts and labor while some others only cover labor for 90 days). Read it here honeywell_5-year_warranty-1.pdf

The warranty is for the entire HDTV for one year and provides in-home service for screens 40” and larger.  Years two and three cover all parts and labor excluding the LCD panel and year four and five cover “parts only”(excluding the panel).  Honeywell has set up a network of independent servicers to provide warranty repairs.

Unlike other new brands like Vizio, Honeywell will supply a shipping carton (if needed) at no charge and if the HDTV needs to be shipped to Honeywell’s Calf.  facility in year 4 or 5, it will charge a flat labor rate of just $65 regardless of screen size!

O’Brien added Honeywell plans to sell its HDTVs soon in warehouse clubs, national and regional dealers as was as mass merchandisers like Target.

The HD Guru plans to review Honeywell HDTVs as soon as samples become available.

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