CES 2008

Hitachi's 1.5 LCDs are just that thick.

(Credit: Hitachi)

Having already debuted its line of ultraslim, flat-panel LCD-based HDTVs in Singapore and Japan, Hitachi finally announced its availability stateside at CES. The models, which comprise three separate series of three screen sizes each, all have a depth of 1.5 inches, which is the thinnest we've seen from any flat-panel LCD. The closest competitor among announced (non-concept) models is LG's 42LGX Super Slim (1.75 inches), which joins the Hitachis in trumping JVC's "world's thinnest" (2.9 inches) models and the current champ, Sharp's LC-D64U series (3.25 inches). Personally, we don't see much use in making current inches-thin flat-panel displays a couple inches thinner, but there's no denying that trend, embodied in extreme by models like Sony's OLED (3mm) and Pioneer's concept plasma (9mm).

Watch the LGX Super Slim HDTV video on CNET TV.

Hitachi packed a passel of features into its slim LCDs. The 37- and 42-inch models from each series include 1080p resolution as well as the company's version of 120Hz technology with de-judder, which Hitachi calls "Reel20." We've reviewed similar technology in models from Sony, Toshiba and Samsung, for example, and we're curious to see how the Hitachi version stacks up.... Read more

Philips 120Hz-equipped PFL7403 series lacks Ambilight backlighting...

(Credit: Philips)

Although they won't have all the eco-friendly chops featured on the company's entry-level LCD, the most-expensive LCD HDTVs announced by Philips at CES this year do include 120Hz technology with de-judder, the company's first attempt at such video processing. The technology, dubbed HD Digital Natural Motion (HD DNM) with. Motion Estimation Motion Compensation (MEMC) as part of the company's Pixel Plus 3 HD package--got all that?--joins similar technologies we've reviewed from Sony, Toshiba, and Samsung.

... Read more

Sony's KDL-V4100 series represents the least expensive 1080p models in the company's lineup.

(Credit: Sony)

Although Toshiba's 20-model announcement takes the cake for sheer flat-panel LCD quantity so far at CES, Sony's surprise decision to divulge details on its own Bravia LCD sets at the show--17 in all--come pretty close. Usually "The Big 'S'" waits until its dedicated Las Vegas line show in February to announce anything substantive regarding its television plans for the year, but for whatever reason the big Bravia news comes early. While Sony did deign to announce an availability of "spring," unlike Toshiba it did not see fit to mention any pricing.

... Read more

The Samsung LNA650T series adds a colorful accent around the edge of the frame.

(Credit: Samsung)

Samsung's design for its second-highest-end series of LCD TVs announced at CES 2008, the LNA650T adds a colorful accent along the edge of the panel, called "TOC" for Touch of Color, for a look that's a slight departure from the all-glossy-black look of 2007. Red (pictured) will be the first color available, although a company rep said purple and blue, among other colors, will follow.

These models otherwise seem very similar to the LN-T71F series from 2007, of which we reviewed the 46-inch LN-T4671F. They include 120Hz technology processing and similar panel specs (4ms response time, 178-degree viewing angles), as well as the same kind of shiny, reflective screen. The company says it has improved the screen over the 2007 models, so we'll see if the reflections we complained about in our reviews have been reduced.

Samsung is also touting a new user interface that makes managing multimedia content easier, in conjunction with a new remote control that incorporates a wheel for easier navigation.

The LNA650T series includes three sizes: the 40-inch LN40A650T, the 46-inch LN46A650T and the 52-inch LN52A650T. As with other Samsung HDTVs announced at the show, the company will release these models in March and didn't mention pricing by press time.

Samsung LNA650T key features

• TruMotion 120Hz technology
• 1080p native resolution
• Shiny screen
• Four HDMI with Simplay certification

LG75 LED-backlit LCD

(Credit: LG)

Today LG announced a total of eight (!) series of LCD televisions for 2008, all of which include the letters "LG" in the model number. The flagship model, the 47-inch 47LG75, is the company's first to include an LED-powered backlight. Samsung was the first large-screen LCD maker to mass-produce LED backlights with its LN-T81F series, of which we reviewed the 46-inch LN-T4681F, and in that model we really liked the improved contrast ratio caused by the LEDs' ability to turn off, and so produce a darker shade of black. The LG75 promises similar technology, and a similar six-figure contrast ratio spec, offering 128 separate diodes that can be "locally dimmed" (dimmed independently from one another) -- for the record, Samsung did not disclose the number of LEDs in its 81F series models. The LG75 also sports 120Hz technology and a host of other improvements, including an ISF mode that has a user-accessible color temperature adjustment with 10 separate grayscale points, which should help calibrators improve color accuracy.

LG did not announce pricing or availability on the 47LG75.

• 1,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• TruMotion 120Hz technology
• Invisible Speaker System
• Intelligent Sensor for automatic optimization of brightness and color
• 24p TruCinema
• ISFccc Calibration Ready
• Four HDMI with 1.3 Deep Color

LG's LG71 series of wireless LCDs

(Credit: LG)

Among LG's numerous HDTV introductions at CES 2008, which include eight series of LCD HDTVs, one of which features an LED backlight, the company also introduced a series of wireless models. The LG71 series has two members, the 47-inch 47LG71 and the 52-inch 52LG71. According to the press release, "Its integrated 802.11n Wireless System allows a clean wall installation without down-converting signals. The unit comes with a separate wireless receiver with a 50-foot radius (approx.), allowing other devices to be placed nearby, hidden in a cabinet or entertainment console." These sets are the first wireless LCDs we've seen, although both LG (this year) and Samsung (last year) introduced wireless plasmas.

The LG71 series also sports 120Hz technology and a host of other improvements, including an ISF mode that has a user-accessible color temperature adjustment with 10 separate grayscale points, which should help calibrators improve color accuracy.

LG did not announce pricing or availability on the LG71 series.

• TruMotion 120Hz technology
• 802.11n Wireless System
• Invisible Speaker System
• Intelligent Sensor for automatic optimization of brightness and color
• 24p TruCinema
• ISFccc Calibration Ready
• Four HDMI with 1.3 Deep Color

Hole-y LCD, Batman!

(Credit: LG)

In one of the more distinctive styling decisions we've seen at this year's CES, LG is offering an ultrathin LCD with round hole right in the frame. The 42LGX Super Slim also, as the name implies, measures just 1.7 inches thick, besting the 2007 champ, Sharp's 3.5-inch thick LC-D64U series, by a solid 1.8 inches. If the hole and the thinness don't appeal to you, maybe this model's red backside will.

The 42LGX Super Slim also offers 120Hz technology and a host of other improvements, including an ISF mode that has a user-accessible color temperature adjustment with 10 separate grayscale points, which should help calibrators improve color accuracy. That's cool, but we care more about playing Valve's (thanks, Mellowie!) Portal on this thing and snickering every time we catch a reference to "Aperture Science."

As usual, LG did not announce pricing or availability on the 42LGX Super Slim.

• TruMotion 120Hz technology
• Invisible Speaker System
• Intelligent Sensor for automatic optimization of brightness and color
• 24p TruCinema
• ISFccc Calibration Ready
• Four HDMI with 1.3 Deep Color