CES 2009

Formerly a feature reserved for high-end HDTVs, 120Hz with dejudder is becoming more common at for less money, as evinced by Sony's 2009 KDL-V5100 series of flat-panel LCDs.

The V-series of Sony LCDs is the company's least-expensive with 120Hz processing.

(Credit: Sony)

The three-size V-series includes the 52-inch KDL-52V5100, the 46-inch KDL-46V5100 and the 40-inch KDL-40V5100. Each offers the company's dejudder processing, known as MotionFlow, that we've reviewed in models such as the KDL-46W4100 from 2008. While we're not big fans of dejudder processing in general, some viewers like the smoother look, and Sony's version performs relatively well.

Other features of the V-series include 1080p resolution, four HDMI inputs, a PC input and compatibility with a range of Sony proprietary add-ons like the Bravia Internet Video Link.

Sony is also touting the TVs' energy efficiency, saying they exceed Energy Star 3.0 and highlighting their light sensor and variable backlight features.

The KDL-V5100 sets will be available in spring for prices yet to be determined. Sony also announced higher-end Z-series and XBR9-series models.

Sony HDTVs that will actually ship in 2009

Last year Philips won our best of CES award with the Eco TV, and in 2009 other companies are following suit with their own green TVs. The Samsung UNB6000 series of Samsung LCDs is "eco-friendly", with the company claiming 40% or more energy savings over traditional LCDs. The sets also put a focus on energy usage by including a power indicator menu and an optimized energy savings mode, which dynamically adjusts settings to conserve power. We can't say we're fans of dynamic adjustments for image quality, but those that value energy savings over performance might prefer this mode. Here's a quick rundown of the feature set.

Key features of the Samsung UNB6000 series:

• 120Hz response time
• Slim design, around an inch thick
• LED-backlit
• Samsung claims 40%+ energy savings
• Built-in Ethernet
• WiFi-ready, with purchase of additional adapter
• Infolink RSS-capable
• Energy Star 3.0 compatible

Pricing and availability of the Samsung UNB6000 series (estimated street prices):

• 32-inch UN32B6000 ($1,599, June)
• 40-inch UN32B6000 ($2,299, March)
• 46-inch UN46B6000 ($2,799, March)
• 55-inch UN55B6000 ($3,599, March)

Like the step-up UNB7000 series, the UNB6000 uses a so-called edge-lit LED backlight system, which allows it to achieve such a thin cabinet depth. The downside is that it can't utilize the local dimming technology we liked so much on the A950 series. We've never tested an edge-lit LED display, so we're anxious to check it out in the lab.

It's worth pointing out that while the UNB6000 series includes an Ethernet port and is Wi-Fi ready, it's only compatible with Samsung's Infolink RSS service, not the Internet@TV widgets available on the UNB7000 and UNB8000 series. The UNB6000 series also appears to lack the Ultra Clear antireflective coating available on step-up models. So while the UNB6000 series offers low power consumption, there are some trade-offs.

The A950 series was Samsung's only LED-backlit LCDs in 2008, but the company is serving up several LED-backlit lines in 2009. The UNB7000 is the step-down from the top-of-the-line UNB8000 series, but includes nearly all the same features except 240Hz refresh rate. Here are the details.

Key features of the Samsung UNB7000 series:

• 120Hz response time
• Slim design, around an inch thick
• LED-backlit
• Ultra Clear antireflective screen
• Internet@TV capable (Yahoo widgets)
• Built-in Ethernet
• Wi-Fi-ready, with purchase of additional adapter
• Energy Star 3.0 compatible

Pricing and availability of the Samsung UNB7000 series (estimated street prices):

• 40-inch UN46B7000 ($2,499, April)
• 46-inch UN46B7000 ($2,999, March)
• 55-inch UN55B7000 ($3,799, March)

Like the step-up UNB8000 series, the UNB7000 uses a so-called edge-lit LED backlight system, which lets it achieve such a thin cabinet depth. The downside is that it can't utilize the local dimming technology we liked so much on the A950 series. We've never tested an edge-lit LED display, so we're anxious to check it out in the lab.

We've covered 120Hz technology extensively before and the short story is that the associated dejudder processing can have a large effect in minimizing film judder, but not every viewer likes the effect. We haven't seen any sets with 240Hz processing yet, so its unknown is if it will offer a significant upgrade over this series.

Like other new Samsung LCDs, the sets feature a super slim design, coming in about one inch thick. They also have Samsung's Ultra Clear panels, which are designed to reduce reflections and increase contrast. Built-in Ethernet enables access to Samsung's new Internet@TV platform, that allows users to access Yahoo widgets capable of delivering content from services such as Flickr, Yahoo News, Yahoo Weather, USA Today, YouTube, Showtime and others. The UNB7000 series is also Wi-Fi-ready, but you'll need to purchase an additional adapter. Finally, the sets are compliant with the new Energy Star 3.0 specification, although it seems like almost all 2009 HDTVs are.

Today LG announced a series of LCD TVs with wireless capability, where external components connect to a separate module that sends the signals over-the-air to the TV.

The LG LH85 series goes wire-free.

(Credit: CBS Interactive)

"Wireless" HDTV has been tried before but it has never seemed to take off. The LH85 series, which consists of the 47-inch 47LH85 and the 55-inch 55LH85, aims to change that trend. LG promises uncompressed delivery of 1080p content without wires, courtesy of a proprietary 60GHz radio and multielement antenna array.

Aside from the wireless capability, other features include a 120Hz refresh rate (not the 240Hz rate seen on many other LG models) with dejudder processing and extensive picture controls, including the same 10-point IRE system and full color management controls we liked on the company's 2008 models. A new "picture wizard" is available as well, which uses a series of onscreen test patterns to ease user calibration.

The LH85 series will be available in May, and pricing has not yet been disclosed.

LG LCD and plasma TV photos

Built-in Blu-ray eliminates the need for a separate, bulky player.

Blu-ray may still be a niche product, but it's a sure sign that the technology is going mainstream is that it's being built into TVs. Sharp has announced a full line of LCDs with integrated Blu-ray players, the LC-BD80U series, which is a new product category for CES 2009. While the initial details are scarce on the features of the built-in Blu-ray player, there are at least some specs available for the LCDs.

Key features of the Sharp LC-BD80U series:

• Advanced Super View antireflective screen
• 120Hz refresh rate, with dejudder processing
• Four HDMI inputs (three on the LC-32BD60U and LC-37BD60U)
• Two component video inputs
• PC input
• 32-, 37-, 42-, 46- and 52-inch screen sizes

It's nice to see LCDs with built-in Blu-ray, which can be convenient in locations where you wouldn't want the bulk of a separate player. However, we're anxious to see more details on this series, particularly pricing and whether the Blu-ray profile is fully Profile 2.0 compatible. It will also be a harder sell on some of the smaller screen sizes, where the superior image quality of Blu-ray won't be as noticeable, although it's still nice to have the option to watch your Blu-ray discs on, say, the bedroom TV.

It's also worth pointing out that Sharp explicitly says the LG-BD80Us will have dejudder processing, which is a feature that was missing from last year's LCDs. While not every viewer likes the effect of dejudder processing, it's nice to have the option, especially since it's quickly becoming a standard feature. (More info on 120Hz and dejudder processing here.)

The LC-32BD80U, LC-37BD80U, LC-42BD80U will come out in January; the LC-46BD80U and LC-52BD80U will come out in February. No pricing has been announced for these sets.

The LC-E77U series features five HDMI inputs.

While competitors like Samsung, Sony, and Vizio are rolling out new features such as 240Hz refresh rates, LED-backlighting, and interactive content to their LCDs, Sharp's new E77 lineup is fairly conventional, even by last year's standards.

Key features of the Sharp LC-E77UN series:

• 1080p native resolution
• Advanced Super View screen
• 120Hz refresh rate and dejudder processing
• Four HDMI inputs
• Two component video inputs
• PC input
• RS-232 port
• Swivel stand
• EnergyStar 3.0 compliant
• 40-, 46- 52-, 60-, 65-inch screen sizes

While most of these features are pretty standard, Advanced Super View (ASV) is a term specific to Sharp. ASV describes the coating used on the LCD panels, designed to reduce lighting reflections while maintaining a crisp picture. Most LCDs are using some sort of antireflective coating these days, so the technology isn't unique and we'll need to do a hands-on test to see how it compares with the competition.

The LC-E77UN series does have 120Hz refresh rate with "Fine Motion Enhanced technology" and dejudder processing, although previous Sharp HDTVs did not have the dejudder processing that most people associate with 120Hz.

The release of these TVs will be staggered. The LC-40E77UN, LC-46E77UN,and LC-52E77UN are available now. The LC-60E77UN will come out in September, with an MSRP of $3,500. The LC-65E77UN will also come out in September, with an MSRP of $4,500.

The 60-inch model, an industry first, aims to fulfill what Sharp believes to be an underserved community of consumers wanting bigger screen real-estate at a lower price. That said, you could go out right now and find a 65-inch plasma for less than $3,500.

Sharp also announced the stepdown LC-E67U series at CES 2009, which features lower prices and one less HDMI input.