CES 2009

Is plasma dead yet? Not if Panasonic can help it.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The television category is a perennial CES staple and this year was no different. For some reason nobody showed a TV bigger than Panasonic's 150-inch plasma from last year (have we maxed out in flat-panel screen size?), but most of the other trends I discussed in the preview were borne out in the show's extensive announcements. Here's my take on what CES 2009 bodes for HDTV this year.

Plasma ain't dead yet.
I get more than my share of e-mails, and have seen plenty of blog comments and forum posts that are quick to claim the demise of plasma at the hands of LCD. Judging from CES announcements by companies that comprise the "big three" of plasma--Panasonic, LG and Samsung--those big glass flat panels have a brighter future than Detroit, at least.

Panasonic, by far the biggest and most-committed of the group, bragged about its newest plasma factory (No. 5) coming online, and showed its largest plasma lineup ever, with five new series and a new 54-inch screen size. I'm really excited to review the company's new "NEO PDP" panels, the first of which, members of the S1 series, will ship in March. They boast significantly improved black-level performance and contrast ratios, according to the company, yet manage to cut power consumption in half. If the latter claim proves true, LCD will lose perhaps its biggest arrow in the antiplasma quiver (at least among consumers who care about the planet and are savvy enough to ignore the nonissues).

Absent any announcements by Pioneer (which will come in late spring, most likely), Panasonic's G10 series is probably the surest bet for Editors' Choice of any TV I saw at the show. That's why I awarded it Best of CES in the TV category. In case you're wondering, however, all of the Neo PDP panels, including the least-expensive S1, share the same basic picture-quality specs.... Read more

Samsung is clearly intending to make a big push with its LED-backlit LCDs, but the company did announce one new line of LCDs without LED. The Samsung LNB750 series uses standard CFL backlighting, but includes other cutting-edge features such as 240Hz refresh rate, a slim inch-thick design, and access to Samsung's new Internet@TV content. Here are the details.

Key features of the Samsung LNB750 series:

• 240Hz refresh rate
• Slim design, around an inch thick
• Ultra Clear antireflective screen
• Wide Color Enhancer Pro
• 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 LNB750 series (estimated street prices):

• 40-inch 40LNB750 ($1999, May)
• 46-inch 46LNB750 ($2399, May)
• 52-inch 52LNB750 ($2899, May)

We've covered 120Hz technology extensively before, and we expect 240Hz to offer similar advantages. The major area for improvement is the associated dejudder processing, particularly eliminating annoying artifacts and making the processing look more natural. Wide Color Enhancer Pro is a feature that supposedly matches a source's color space to the HD color space--we haven't seen a feature like this yet, so it will be interesting to test in the labs.

A built-in Ethernet connection enables access to Samsung's new Internet@TV platform, which lets users access Yahoo widgets capable of delivering content from services such as Flickr, Yahoo News, Yahoo Weather, USA Today, YouTube, Showtime, and others. The LNB750 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.

The 32-inch KDL-32XBR9, along with larger XBR9 models, get Yahoo widgets.

(Credit: Sony)

Sony's first 2009 series of XBR models, three letters that signify higher-end features and performance in the company's TV oeuvre, is equipped with "widgets" courtesy of Yahoo.

Described as "Internet applications...that deliver real-time information" in the press release, the widgets "expand and personalize the TV experience by adding onscreen applications that provide such real-time information as weather reports, stock ticker updates, financial news, Yahoo Video, Flickr images, and additional content."

The XBR9 series consists of four sizes: the 52-inch KDL-52XBR9, the 46-inch KDL-46XBR9, the 40-inch KDL-40XBR9, and the 32-inch KDL-32XBR9. Prices were not divulged, as usual, and availability details were limited to "spring."

Sony has gone Yahoo "widget"-happy with its TV lineup for 2009, incorporating the Internet-enabled doodads into two of the series announced at CES.

Described as "Internet applications...that deliver real-time information" in the press release, widgets "expand and personalize the TV experience by adding on-screen applications that provide such real-time information as weather reports, stock ticker updates, financial news, Yahoo! Video, Flickr images, and additional content."

The Sony KDL-Z5100 series will incorporate Yahoo widgets.

(Credit: Sony)

The three-model "Z-series," which consists of the 40-inch KDL-40Z5100, the 46-inch KDL-46Z5100, and the 52-inch KDL-46Z5100, will be available in the spring for yet-to-be-determined prices. It boasts nearly identical features to the company's higher-end XBR9 series, although styling and price will differ. According to Sony, the XBR models also feature a wider color gamut backlight, but we doubt the improvement will be obvious to most viewers.

All Z-series models include a fluorescent backlight (as opposed to the LED-backlit XBR8 series from 2008) and 240Hz refresh rates, so we expect video-processing performance to be similar to that of the 240Hz Sony KDL-52XBR7 we reviewed last year.

One notable addition to Sony TVs this year is an Internet-powered TV Guide Onscreen. It should be an improvement over standard TV Guide, and we're looking forward to testing it. Interactive features aside from widgets include compatibility with the company's Bravia Internet Video Link and improved DLNA capability over the 2008 models--now the Sonys can stream video and music from networked PCs, just like Samsungs and Pioneers. Other features common to the line include four HDMI inputs, a PC input, and an improved XMB-style interface.

Sony KDL-Z5100 models

• Sony KDL-40Z5100 ($TBD)
• Sony KDL-46Z5100 ($TBD)
• Sony KDL-52Z5100 ($TBD)

Sony HDTVs that will actually ship in 2009

Samsung's UNB8000 series doubles its fun with a 240Hz refresh rate.

Samsung has put a big emphasis on LED-backlighting on this year's LCDs, and the UNB8000 series are the most souped-up models the company has at CES 2009. Here's a quick rundown of the feature set.

Key features of the Samsung UNB8000 series:

• 240Hz response time
• Slim design, about 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 UNB8000 series (estimated street prices):

• 46-inch UN46B8000 ($3,299, May)
• 55-inch UN55B8000 ($3,999, May)

Like the step-down UNB7000 series, the UNB8000 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 use 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.

From the specification sheet, the major step-up of these HDTVs over the step-down UNB7000 series is the 240Hz refresh rate. We've covered 120Hz technology extensively before, and we expect 240Hz to offer similar advantages. The major area for improvement is the associated dejudder processing, particularly eliminating annoying artifacts and making the processing look more natural.

The rest of the features are available on the UNB7000 step-down models. As mentioned, the sets are superslim, coming in about one inch thick, and also feature Samsung's "Ultra Clear" panel, designed to reduce reflection and increase contrast. Built-in Ethernet enables access to Samsung's new Internet@TV platform, giving users access to Yahoo widgets, which deliver content from services such as Flickr, Yahoo News, Yahoo Weather, USA Today, YouTube, Showtime, and others. The UNB8000 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 the new HDTVs at CES are.

Of course, it's also likely that this series will offer different image quality from the other series, so you'll have to wait for our full review to see how it stacks up. Last year's Samsung LN46A950 was one of our highest rated LCDs of the year, so the UNB8000 series has high expectations.

LG's LH55 lineup features 240Hz with scanning backlight technology.

(Credit: LG)

Now that 240Hz technology is appearing in TVs from most major manufacturers at CES, LG is interested in touting its own version, a so-called scanning backlight that, according to the company, outperforms other 240Hz methods.

The four-model LH55 series, LG's baseline 240Hz models, includes the 37-inch 37LH55, the 42-inch 42LH55, the 47-inch 47LH55 and the 55-inch 55LH55. The 37-inch set is the smallest 240Hz model we've hard of so far. They will ship in March, although pricing wasn't announced.

Compared with standard 120Hz LCDs, 240Hz models supposedly deliver smoother images and even better motion blur reduction. We've only tested one such TV so far, the Sony KDL-52XBR7, and it did indeed produce less motion blur, according to test patterns. As usual, however, the difference was nearly impossible to spot compared with normal 120Hz models with standard program material.

LG first introduced me to its scanning backlight technology at a private demo in December, where it compared a so-equipped LG model directly with the Sony. I found it difficult to tell the difference once the TVs were comparably adjusted, but that was with LG's test patterns and setup. I'll perform a more thorough evaluation once I have some comparable models in the lab, but at first sniff, the two 240Hz technologies seem to produce very similar results.

That doesn't stop LG from taking pains to differentiate its scanning backlights, which is the same method used by Vizio and Toshiba. According to LG, the system improves upon the so-called MEMC system used by Sony and Samsung because it requires fewer processing steps. LG's backlight flashes on and off extremely quickly, whereas the MEMC system achieves 240Hz the old-fashioned way: by interpolating three frames from the single frames on the 60Hz source material. The latter, according to LG, requires two processing boards, uses more power and is less cost-effective.

Like most LG HDTVs these models offer 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 employs a series of onscreen test patterns to ease user calibration. LG points out the power saving capabilities of LED technology, and the LH90 series also offers a "smart" room lighting sensor that also helps improve efficiency and automatically adjust the picture.

LG LCD and plasma TV photos

The ZV650 series from Toshiba utilizes a 240Hz refresh rate.

(Credit: Toshiba)

Now that LCD TVs with 120Hz refresh rates are becoming commonplace, manufacturers including Toshiba are implementing 240Hz to bolster claims of smoother images with improved blur reduction.

Toshiba's ZV650 series includes three screen sizes, the 42-inch 42ZV650, the 46-inch 46ZV650, and the 55-inch 55ZV650, and will be available in April (prices were not announced).

In describing its 240Hz models, the company called it a "240Hz effect" to be extra-careful. Compared to 120Hz models, the company claims that 240Hz delivers smoother images with less blurring--although if our review of the Sony KDL-52XBR7 is any indication, the difference will be difficult to discern.

Like LG and Vizio, Toshiba uses the scanning backlight version of 240Hz, which turns the backlight on and off very rapidly. Sony and Samsung use a different version, which interpolates three extra frames for every true frame. We doubt many viewers will be able to tell the difference, but we'll wait till we can compare the two 240Hz methods.

... Read more

The Toshiba SV670 series is the company's first to incorporate LED backlighting.

(Credit: Toshiba)

Samsung, Sony, LG, and Vizio offer or will offer HDTVs with LED backlights, the most effective picture quality improvement available for LCD TVs, and now Toshiba will too.

The SV670 series includes two screen sizes, the 46-inch 46SV670U and the 55-inch 55SV670U, and will be available in June (prices were not announced).

The company was quick to stipulate that the sets' LEDs employ "local dimming" technology, which can dim and turn off sections of the backlight while leaving others bright as needed. Other LED models with local dimming we've reviewed in the past, from Samsung and Sony, delivered deeper black levels and better overall picture quality than standard LCD TVs.

As with many other higher-end models announced at CES this year, the SV670 series also boasts 240Hz refresh rates--although we appreciated that the company called it a "240Hz effect" to be extra careful. Compared with 120Hz models, the company claims that 240Hz delivers smoother images with less blurring--although if our review of the Sony KDL-52XBR7 is any indication, the difference will be difficult to discern.

Like LG and Vizio, Toshiba's 240Hz sets use the scanning backlight version of 240Hz, which turns the backlight on and off very rapidly. Sony and Samsung use a different version of 240Hz, which interpolates three extra frames for every true frame. We doubt many viewers will be able to tell the difference, but we'll wait till we can compare the two 240Hz methods.

... Read more

The SV1XVT series offers twice as many Hz as last year.

(Credit: Vizio)

The two models represent the 42- and 47-inch sizes in the company's step-up XVT series, models SV421XVT ($1,099 list) and SV471XVT ($1,399 list) respectively. Both will be available in the summer of 2009, and replace the current SV470XVT and SV420XVT at the same price points.

Like LG, Vizio uses a "scanning backlight" technology to achieve its 240Hz processing, unlike the MEMC technology used by Sony and Samsung, for example. The MEMC system inserts three interpolated frames for every true frame in a 60Hz source, while the scanning backlight system turns the backlight on and off very rapidly. We doubt the difference will be visible to most viewers, but we'll reserve judgment until we have a chance to test both systems in the lab.

Vizio says it has improved the dejudder processing on these models compared with the SV470XVT we reviewed last year. The company is also touting the XVT sets' antiglare screens and improved viewing angles, along with a variable backlight system that is said to cut power consumption by 15 percent. Both 240Hz XVT sets include four HDMI inputs.

The sets also include a USB input that can play back MPEG-2, H.264 and WMV9 video, along with JPEG photos and MP3 music files, and the company throws in a USB thumb drive with some preloaded 1080p video.

Vizio SV1XVT models

• Vizio SV471XVT ($1,399 list)
• Vizio SV421XVT ($1,099 list)

The LG 55LHX stuffs a ridiculous array of features into its 1-inch thick frame.

(Credit: LG)

In the features arms race among HDTVs introduced at CES this year, the military-industrial complex at LG seems poised for victory with the 55LHX.

The company's flagship HDTV, a 55-inch flat-panel LCD, delivers more bullet-point features than you'd care to remember. The parade begins with an LED backlight with local dimming for improved black level performance. If previous models from other makers, like the Samsung LN46A950 and the Sony KDL-55XBR8 are any indication, LED backlights lead to the best picture quality available among LCD TVs. Compared to last year's 47LG90 with 120 dimmable LED zones, the new set has 240, which should cut down on the blooming we've seen on other LED models.

Next up is a 240Hz refresh rate, a feature that sounds twice as impressive as 120Hz but won't provide anywhere near the same level of picture improvement as LED--if our review of the 240Hz Sony KDL-52XBR7 is any indication. Unlike the MEMC technology used by Sony and Samsung, LG employs "scanning backlight" technology to achieve its 240Hz processing. The MEMC system inserts three interpolated frames for every true frame in a 60Hz source, while the scanning backlight system switches the backlight on and off very rapidly. We doubt the difference will be visible to most viewers, but we'll reserve judgment until we have a chance to compare both systems in the lab.

That's all well and good, but the kicker is wireless capability. The 55LHX ships with a base station, into which you plug your gear. The station in turn transmits those video signals to the panel itself, so all you need to plug into the TV is the power cord. The transmission method utilizes a proprietary 60Ghz radio and multielement antenna array, and the company says it's capable of uncompressed delivery of full 1080p video.

Want more? The 55LHX joins the ranks of slim TVs making the CES rounds this year, offering a cabinet depth of 0.9 inches thick. Like most LG HDTVs, it also includes 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 employs a series of onscreen test patterns to ease user calibration. LG points out the power saving capabilities of LED technology, and the 55LHX also offers a "smart" room lighting sensor that also helps improve efficiency and automatically adjust the picture.

Pricing, as usual, was not disclosed, but we feel safe speculating that it won't be cheap. The 55LHX will be available in March.

LG LCD and plasma TV photos