There is a clear trend in Japan, where all the relevant new TVs come from, and that’s building devices to store programs into the hardware itself, i.e. HDDs or Blu-ray recorders. Mitsubishi appears to be especially radical in this respect, announcing a TV with both a built-in Blu-ray recorder and HDD just last week. And today Hitachi followed up by adding a total of two new LCDs and three plasmas [JP] to their Wooo TV series, with all models featuring a built-in 500GB HDD.

The three plasma TVs will be available as 42/46 and 50-inchers (prices: $3,000/$3,500 and $4,000 – the picture above shows the biggest model). The two LCDs will be available in 37-inch and 42-inch versions (prices: $2,500 and $3,000). All of these TVs have the 500GB HDD on board, are full HD, can handle DLNA and have an iVDR slot. The plasma models boast a contrast ratio of 40,000:1.

Hitachi plans to ship the plasma TVs to Japanese stores starting September 10, while the LCDs (see the smaller model above) are scheduled for release in October. International sales plans haven’t been announced yet.

Even though LCD is clearly the dominant technology in the TV market, Panasonic still believes in the merits of plasma displays. The company currently showcases a new 85-inch monster plasma TV [JP] at the InfoComm in Orlando, Florida (the screen size is equal to that of four 42-inchers combined).

Made for professional use, the display is second in size to Panasonic own’s 103-inch PDP model. And the 85-inch plasma has some great specs: full HD resolution, 40,000:1 contrast ratio (2,000,000:1 max.), 99mm thickness, and 100,000 hours life span.

Panasonic plans to start selling this TV both in Japan and the US this fall, but the company hasn’t announced pricing plans yet.

Panasonic launched the VIERA R Series today in Japan [JP], consisting of a total of seven new plasma and LCD TVs. The first TVs of the series will be available over here starting July 1, with Panasonic not yet saying anything about sales in overseas markets.

The R series includes three plasma TVs, which are all full HD and sized at 42 ($2,900), 46 ($3,500) and 50 ($4,200) inches. They feature a contrast ratio of 4,000:1, a built-in 500GB HDD, two 16×4cm speakers and three HDMI ports.

The other four VIERA TVs of the new R series are LCDs sized at 17 ($1,300), 20 ($1,400), 32 ($1,900) and 37 ($2,500) inches. The only full HD model is the 37-incher, which also features an IPSα panel (120Hz speed). The 32-inch TV also has this panel but only achieves a resolution of 1,366×768 (just like the 17- and 20-inchers). All four LCDs come with a 250GB HDD.

Japan-based Shinoda Plasma [JP] has developed a plasma TV that’s 2 meters tall and 3 meters wide (145 inches), which is quite obviously able to show life-size images of (most) people. The spectacular display will be sold as part of digital signage or teleconference systems.

The TV can be attached to curved walls and is supposedly more eco-friendly than conventional plasma displays that are on the market now (the power consumption varies between 800W and 1,200W). It features a resolution of 960×720.

Shinoda Plasma says it expects sales of up to $35 million in the next fiscal year. The company says that buyers should be ready to shell out $50,000 per sqm for their flagship TV.

It just recently showcased a plasma display boasting 1mm thickness. Shinoda-san, the man behind Shinoda Plasma, left Fujitsu in 2005 after that company stopped producing plasma displays.

Via IT Media [JP]

Yama hama, here’s a pretty sweet deal on a gigantic plasma TV. Vizio is selling its 50-inch P50 model for $799 with free shipping until April 15th (or until they sell out). It’s a 720p/1080i TV that weighs a whopping 144 pounds thanks to all that gooey plasma.

There are two of each input — HDMI, Component, Composite, and S-Video – plus a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,000 cd/m2 brightness, and an integrated HDTV tuner.

VIZIO P50HDTV10A [Vizio.com via FatWallet]

If you have a lot of disposable income or you work for AIG and need a way to spend that sweet, sweet bonus check for all your hard work, might I suggest the 103-inch BeoVision 4-103 plasma TV from Bang & Olufsen at just under $140,000?

You’ll be able to pick one up this July although if you really can’t wait, it’s actually just a $70,000 Panasonic TH-103PF9 with a fancy aluminum frame. You’ll also get a motorized stand that can lift and tilt the screen, controlled straight from the remote control (which looks like a UFO). That remote can also be used to control various other components as well.

Here’s a video!

[via Wired]

From Tech-On!

Sales of Blu-ray Disc recorders, which sold as well as flat panel TVs, reached 1.34 million units, rapidly expanding from the preceding year’s 160,000 units. Compared with total sales of DVD players/recorders and Blu-ray Disc recorders, which edged down 0.1% YoY to 7.15 million units in 2008, the numbers reflect the fact that the DVD market is shifting to Blu-ray Disc.

LCD TV sales surged in particular, increasing 20% YoY to 9.06 million units or rising 8% YoY on a value basis. PDP TV sales climbed 8% YoY to 1.01 million units in 2008 although they slowed slightly in the second half. On a value basis, however, PDP TV [plasma] sales decreased 7% YoY due to the drop in the average selling price.

It’s hard to draw any accurate conclusion on these numbers without first seeing the same study here in America, but at least one thing is for sure. The Japanese’s are at least supporting their own economy with these purchases. That’s something we can’t say here.

The 1-inch thick plasma will hit retailers with an MSRP of $5,999 this coming June. Considering that the screen packs a 1080p picture and a native contrast ratio of 40,000:1, while being so damn thin, that price is good. Plus, you know that retailers will mark the TV down to a more affordable range so people can squeeze the TV on their already used credit card. HD Guru points out that the next compariable TV is the Sharp LC52XS1 which carries a price tag of $12,000. With this set leading plasma in the future, who said that plasma is dead? Oh, me.

Mead [probably] isn’t talking about the entire company here. There is a possibility that LG will only pull plasma out of certain markets where the display type is no longer profitable. Pioneer offered LCDs in Europe well before they were going to be available in the US. Philips pulled out of the US display market entirely last year so the move wouldn’t be unprecedented. Maybe plasma isn’t laying on its deathbed.

That would leave only Panasonic and Hitachi in making the flat screen. Could the two carry the torch alone? Both are gigantic corporations but somehow it’s doubtful they will continue if sales numbers continue the downward trend. But then again, there is something to be said about not having direct competition.

47news via AOLHD

Vizio, a long time favorite brand of bargain hunters and geeks alike, has stopped slapping their logo on plasma TVs. Plus, there is no plan to order more once the current inventory runs outs. The cut is, of course, due to plamsa’s poor sales in comparison to the companies LCD sales. Which is, of course, due to poor consumer information and as bright as the sun’s surface showrooms.

Don’t worry, consumers can still order Vizio plasmas on the website if the local store is sold out, but once those are gone, the Vizio plasma will simply be a memory. Just like Pioneer plasmas. So that leaves Panasonic, Samsung, and LG plasmas to choose from now. Got it.

The fascinating flashes between the center of and the edge of the ball. Your will feel amazing when you touch the glass heart as the blue flashes of lightning will move to greet your fingertips. It is small enough not to take up too much desktop space and its awe inspiring light show is big enough to amaze your co-workers.

$17 from Brando, purveyors of fine USB gadgets for the discerning computer user.

Via BB Gadgets.

Buying a plasma TV can be so frustrating. First, you as the informed consumer, know that plamsa TVs generally produce a superior picture verse LCDs but sometimes TV salesmen don’t agree. That being said, this guy managed to buy a plasma from Sears and turned down the $300 three-year service plan only to have the company call him a few days later to pitch the plan again. This time though, the rep ‘informed’ the buyer that plasma TV’s suck (or something like that) and need to be ‘recharged’ every five years at a cost of $500 so the $300 service plan is well justified. Thankfully, the customer turned down the service plan ’cause plasma TVs do not need recharging.

More plasma TV myths after the break.

1. Plasma TVs do not need to be recharged
2. Plasma TVs can suffer burn-in but only in extreme cases. Image retention is common but goes away after a few minutes.
3. Plasma TVs are reliable and the display should last years. That’s not to say other, random things can happen to the electronics.
4. Plasma TVs do not give off radiation.
5. Plasma TVs are not delicate little flowers. They can take some abuse and feature a screen protector that is generally child and Wiimote proof. Unlike the majority LCDs, btw.
6. Plasma TVs generally have better blacks and whites than LCDs.

I would buy a plasma over an LCD unless it’s going to be in an area with tons of sunlight which will cause glare on the screen protector. That’s just me though.

We all know the benefits of OLED and seen the figures on how much energy it saves and all that jazz, but do you know how it actually works? Well, you’re in for a treat, friend. Sit back, relax and enjoy this 4.5 minute video. The next time anyone asks what OLED is just direct them to this video. It breaks it down pretty well. It’s a shame they aren’t ready for the masses, though.

via BBG

Ha! The green-crazy European Union is looking to ban energy inefficient TVs, including large plasmas, in the interest of saving Mother Earth. Nope, not joking.

New regulations, which are set to be agreed upon this spring, would set minimum standards of energy efficiency. As we found out last week, plasma TVs aren’t exactly models of energy efficiency: a 42-inch plasma uses 822 kilowatts of electricity per year, while a 42-inch LCD uses only 350. A 32-inch CRT, not that anyone wants a CRT anymore, uses still less, at 322 kilowatts per year.

What does this all mean? Simply, that TVs that go over the EU’s limit on acceptable electricity use wouldn’t be allowed in Euroland. (It’s not that the regulations target plasmas specifically, rather that plasmas are the least energy efficient, hence more likely to get the banhammer.)

Gotta keep the Eurocrats busy, I suppose.

Looks like California is doing everything in its power to destroy the consumer electronics industry. That is to say a batch of newly proposed regulations would bar retailers from stocking energy inefficient TVs. The worst offenders? Plasma TVs, the kind popularized by very talented singers and athletes on shows like MTV Cribs.

The California Energy Commission wants to reduce the strain on the state’s delicate power grid, so it’s fingered energy-hungry TVs, which include LCDs and plasmas, as an easy-to-eliminate commodity. The Los Angeles Times wants you to know that LCDs consume 43 percent more electricity than tube TVs; it doesn’t mention that LCDs look 9,000 percent (approximately) better in the average living room than big tubes.

If passed, the regulations would first take effect in 2011, something that the Consumer Electronics Association—the same organization that puts together CES, which starts later this week—says would be devastating to the industry. If retailers can’t sell the TV sets that actually sell, in this economy, oh dear, then the whole industry is doomed. (Of course, you could just buy the TV from Amazon and ignore this whole debate.)

To put this in video game terms, it’s like Fable: do you want to be altruistic and save the environment and the energy grid, or do you want to be a selfish jerk and watch a 60-plus inch plasma after work? We worship Dionysus here, so you can guess our pick.

There was a time when the term plasma TVs meant expensive and power hungry electronic, but those days are fading. Three of the largest players in the plasma world now have Energy Star Certified models which is a big feat. This means that a 42-inch PDP cannot consume more than 208 watts while on and less than a watt in standby mode. LCD were once the champion of tree-hugging hippies, but they shouldn’t have to  suffer with the lower quality picture now that plasmas have the Energy Star Certification.

To the point: A nice plasma that offers a quality image, good colors, and a great scaler. Too bad it’s overpriced.

Specs:

• 1080p24
• Three 24pHDMI inputs
• Deep Color/x.v. Color Performance
• PictureMaster HD VI Processor
• Power Swivel Stand

The good points:

Oh, boy. The P50X902 Director Series has a killer image processor. What that means is that non-HD materal looks fine on it. In fact, it looks, well, good. I have never, ever said that about an HDTV as standard definition generally looks like crap, but this TVs scaler is something special. I would dare say that the scaler in this Hitachi is better than the 60-inch Pioneer Elite that I also have for review. Yes, it’s that good.

The goodies doesn’t stop with the image scaler. The colors and contrast ratio are also good — not great though. Colors were generally accurate after my calibration, but I couldn’t get the black level as dark as I like it. 

Hitachi has installed power swivel stands on its sets for a while and this high-end model receives the treatment as well. It’s likely to get oohs and ahhs, but chances are you will never use it. How many times have you ever wished the TV was slightly turned towards you? It’s a plasma with a great viewing angle anyways.

Also, I have never been a fan of Hitachi’s menu tree. This one is particulary slow and painful to use. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was responsive. Thankfully, the video adjustments are extensive and complete. Hitachi allows you to change almost anything on the TV, which more than compensates for the slow and dated menu.

The not so good points:

While the image scaler does an amazing job upscaling lower resolution video, there is a strangle anomaly where strong horizontal lines continue through the picture. Check the pic. See how the blinds leave lines on Pam’s shirt? It’s strange and sometimes distracting. It happens on all sources and I can’t figure it out. Interestingly though, my wife has never once noticed or seen what I am talking about.

The HD image isn’t amazing. It’s good, but not breathtaking. The set’s high price kind of makes me want more. The images are a bit soft and there is that damn horizontal-line thing that bugs the heck out me.

Oh, and the speakers and remote are crap. But who uses the built-in speakers and standard remote anyway?

Overall:

This is a great HDTV. It’s pricey and hard to find thanks to a limited distribution, but it’s a nice HDTV. Someone that needs a top-tier HDTV with tons of picture adjustments, but doesn’t have the cash for a Pioneer and also watches a lot of standard DVDs/non-HD cable should buy this plasma. That’s it. If that doesn’t describe you entirely, look elsewhere ’cause this 50-inch is overpriced at $3,200. Great TV, yes, but overpriced. I would highly recommend this plasma if it can be bought for around $2,500.

A federal jury found yesterday that Samsung willfully infringed two of Pioneer’s patents covering plasma televisions. As such, the Korean electronics giant will have to cough up (“cough up” is the technical term, mind you) some $59 million, payable to Pioneer.

As you might expect, Samsung plans to appeal the ruling forever and ever.

Sorta interesting: a Japanese corporation taking a Korean corporation to an American court for redress. We’re so globalized!