The World's Slimmest HDTVs from JVC, Available in July

JVC USA announced the release of their new LCD HDTVs next month, the world's thinnest. According to JVC USA, the 42" LT-421L89 and 46" LT-46SL89 HDTVs measure a mere 39mm, with a maximum depth of 74mm at the panel’s center.

Our screens features HDMI interface (three inputs), TV Tuner, S-Video / VGA port. The 42" TV should cost 1215€, and the 46" TV 1500€.

JVC TO OFFER WORLD'S THINNEST TUNER-EQUIPPED LCD TV WITH SLEEK, THIN-BEZEL DESIGN AND REDUCED POWER CONSUMPTION

Technology to be offered in two screen sizes

WAYNE, NJ, June 17, 2008 -Establishing a new benchmark in flat panel TV design, JVC in July will market the world's thinnest LCD TVs with built-in tuners*. The new line of super-slim Full HD TVs also weigh less and consume less power than conventional LCD TVs.

JVC's new slim LCD TVs, part of the company's Procision series, feature a cabinet that across most of its width measures a mere 1.5 inches (39mm) deep, with a maximum depth of just 2.9-inches (74mm) at the panel's center. The design ensures that from nearly any angle, the sets present a super-slim appearance. Complementing the slim design is a thinner bezel, further minimizing the presence of the cabinet.

The new super-slim design will be available in two screen sizes in the U.S., the 42-inch LT-42SL89 and the 46-inch LT-46SL89. Both offer 1920 x 1080p resolution.

The slim design was made possible through the use of a new JVC-developed slim panel backlight unit and power supply substrate, or chassis. The new slim LCD panel backlight unit is 40 percent smaller in depth and bezel width compared to a conventional LCD backlight, measuring just 0.79 inches (20mm) deep and 0.51 inches (13mm) wide. In addition, the unit weighs only 26.4 lbs (12kg) and consumes a mere 145W (see diagram 1).

*with built-in tuners as of January 6, 2008, according to a JVC survey

Efforts to reduce the depth of an LCD panel backlight result in uneven hot spots appearing on the LCD screen surfaces because CCFL light sources are brought closer to the liquid crystal panel (see diagram 2). To overcome this problem, either light-diffusing plates are applied or more CCFL tubes are used. But the former approach can result in lower brightness, while the latter approach can be costly and increases power consumption.

JVC's display engineering team succeeded in developing a new, slimmer backlight unit by optimizing the light-diffusing plates and light-reflection sheets, as well as improving its overall composition. This provided uniform light-diffusion at all the corners and edges without the addition of more CCFL tubes, while maintaining adequate luminance to ensure that the screen always remains bright (see diagrams 3 and 4).

JVC also developed a slimmer yet efficient power-supply substrate and employed a direct-mount configuration for it on the LCD panel backlight unit with a fan-less heat dissipation system to further reduce power consumption.

Both models will be VESA compliant for easy wall mounting, but JVC will also offer its own mounting solution - a wall mount designed to position the slim TV closer to the wall than does a standard mount.

Both sets include a full complement of connections, including three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one S-Video in and a PC input. Other features include front touch sensor controls, a headphone jack, USB picture viewer and an illuminated universal remote control.

The new JVC super-slim LT-42SL89 and LT-46SL89 will be available in July with approximate retail prices of $1,899.99 and $2,399.99, respectively.

source akihabaranews

The Panasonic TC 37LZ85 is a 37 Inch LCD TV from the Viera range and is aimed at the mid-price market. As this TV is Full HD at 1080p pictures are much sharper and more realistic than a HD Ready television, but this is only possible if the source is HD as well.

There are a few great features on the Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85 that help to make the TV perform better than many other TV’s in the same price range. However; the TV does have a few flaws one of these is its digital comb filter, some TV’s that are cheaper have a better version. Although the Comb Filter does help to clear up the picture, other TV’s on the market use a system called motion adaptive filters.

The Panasonic TC-37LZ85 is not going to blow your mind away, as it is just an average TV and better deals can be had with a cheaper brand. Although some people will want to purchase the Panasonic as they know that they will have a TV with great build quality.

The sound on this television is better than your average TV giving you 20 Watts of virtual surround sound from its full range speakers. As this is a Full HD TV you will need to be able to connect a number of HD sourced products, so the addition of three HDMI inputs is very welcome.

The Panasonic TC-37LZ85 costs just $1,399.99 and can be purchased

source product-reviews.net

Sony KDL40W3000 Review

It was around this time last year that Sony launched their full HD 1080p W series Bravia LCD televisions that received rave reviews in almost every home theatre magazine: at that time, these were the LCDs that came closest to matching the superior picture quality on their plasma rivals.

Since then both plasma and LCD technologies have advanced tremendously – competition in the HDTV arena has never been stiffer. Over the next few weeks, Sony will fill up some advertising airtime on your television with Play-Doh bunnies rolling around in the streets of Manhattan, New York City to the tune of The Rolling Stones' ageless "She's A Rainbow", promptly proclaiming the arrival of some new Bravia models.

One of them is the Sony KDL40W3000, an update to the outgoing W2000, which promises a higher contrast ratio, 24p support and better processing engine (among others). Let's see how it fares in our tests...

Full Specifications

Physical Measurements

Screen Size (Diagonal)	40 inches
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Dimensions Without Stand (in mm)	992 x 643 x 122
Dimensions With Stand (in mm)	992 x 688 x 265
Weight Without Stand	22 kg
Weight With Stand	26 kg

Display

Native Resolution	1920 x 1080
On Screen Contrast Ratio	1800:1
Dynamic Contrast Ratio	16000:1
Brightness	500 cd/m2
Viewing Angle (quoted)	178°
Backlight	WCG-CCFL
Pixel Response Time	8 ms

Video

HD Ready	Yes
Colour System	PAL/ SECAM/ NTSC 3.58/ 4.43
Teletext	Yes
Teletext Memory	700 pages
Special Features	Bravia Engine EX, Live Colour Creation, 24p True Cinema, 10-bit panel

TV Tuner

Analogue	PAL/SECAM
Digital	DVB-T (Freeview)
Stereo Reception	B/G, D/K, I, L, Nicam

Connection

HDMI	3 (2 rear, 1 side)
VGA	1 (HD-15 + audio in; rear)
Component	2 (YPbPr 3 x RCA connectors for video & L-R 2 x RCA connectors for audio; rear)
Scart	2 (21-pin; rear)
S-Video	1 (4-pin; side)
Composite (including audio input)	1 (1 x RCA video & 2 x RCA audio; side)
Analogue Audio Output	1 (L-R 2 x RCA connectors; rear)
Digital Audio Output	1 (Optical; rear)
Headphone Output	1 (3.5mm stereo minijack; side)

Audio

Speakers	2
Power Output	11W + 11W
Sound Effect	S-Force Pro Front Surround

Power Consumption

Operation	240 W
Standby	0.3 W

Source hdtvtest

Panasonic TH42PX80 Review

A new year, a new spring. Primroses are spotted; bumblebees and butterflies start flapping their wings; and it's nearly time to get the lawnmower out. And Panasonic – unfailingly – launches their new line of Viera plasma and LCD televisions.

Even though it sports only a 1024x768 rather than true HD native resolution, I wasted no time in acquiring the Panasonic TH42PX80 to review, simply because it is the first of the 2008 Viera plasmas to hit the United Kingdom. With Pioneer announcing that it will no longer sell 42-inch plasma televisions (i.e. the excellent Kuro 428XD and 4280XD) after next year, let's see if the Panasonic TH42PX80 has the potential to fill the void...

Design

The somewhat muted (presumably due to anti-glare filter) plasma glass of Panasonic TH42PX80 is framed by a polished black bezel that is adorned only by inscriptions of "Viera" on the top left and "Panasonic" at the bottom centre. The bottom border of the bezel curves slightly upwards, and is separated from the base of the cabinet by a similarly-arced metallic grey strip.

Along this base section (which is raked backwards subtly) you will find a power button, some LED indicators and sensors, a central plastic flap which can be lifted open to reveal some control buttons and more connection ports, and perforations at either end concealing the speakers within the cabinet.

Recessed handgrip at back of TV	Perforated speaker grille

While the wedge-shaped pedestal stand is included inside the shipping box, some assembly is required before it is ready for use. Considering that its task is to support a 26kg plasma screen, its lightweight plastic material doesn't really inspire confidence... but at least its glossy black coating matches the bezel of the Panasonic TH42PX80 perfectly.

To assist with handling the heavy plasma television, Panasonic has generously added a pair of recessed handgrips at the back of the panel. The quality of construction and finishing on the Panasonic TH42PX80 is excellent, rivalling that found on their supposedly superior commercial panels.

Connections

All three HDMI inputs on the Panasonic TH42PX80 are located at the back of the panel. As with the previous generation of Panasonic plasmas, the Panasonic TH42PX80 would automatically switch source when a device (e.g. Playstation 3 or DVD player) connected to HDMI input 1 is turned on (and off).

Rear: 3 x HDMI, VGA, component, VGA, 2 x Scarts, aerial, CI slot, audio out

Front control buttons, headphone jack, S-video, composite, SD card slot source hdtvtest

Panasonic TH42PZ85 Review

Panasonic TH42PZ85 is one of the first true HD plasma televisions from their new 2008 range of HDTVs to arrive on UK shores. The TH42PZ85 boasts Panasonic’s latest motion-compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) technologies – “Intelligent Frame Creation” and “24p Real Cinema” – that separates it from the PZ80 series (available at a slightly later date) which is also blessed with a native screen resolution of 1920×1080.

Our Panasonic TH42PZ85B review will pay particular attention to the effects of Intelligent Frame Creation (IFC) to determine if it’s worth paying extra for this technology over the PZ80 series.

In case you’re wondering about the difference between Panasonic TH42PZ85 and TH42PZ85B when shopping around, there is none: the alphabet B at the end of the model name simply denotes the British version which comes with a 3-pin power plug. Europeans, on the other hand, get the Panasonic TH42PZ85E. Picture performance should be similar across the board.

source hdtvtest