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It's been a great year, thanks for being a part of flatscreens.biz I hope to keep on providing you with the latest news and views on what's happening in the world of flat screens, HDTV, lcd TVs, plasma TVs and more.
Have a Safe and Happy New Year. I wish you all the best in 2005.
by Mamoru Kurihara Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
The flat-screen television market will become even more competitive in 2005 as Canon Inc. plans to debut with new-generation displays.
Canon said Wednesday it planned to begin manufacturing televisions using rear projection technology--so-called third-generation display--and next-generation organic electro luminescence (OEL) displays in the second half of 2005.
The company already announced its plans to market high-resolution surface conduction electron emitter (SED) TVs, which were jointly developed with Toshiba Corp., in the latter half of 2005.
Canon's plans to market televisions and screens using three types of technology is part of a strategy to strengthen its position in the display market, primarily focusing on televisions. more...
Entropic Communications will be at CES (Booth 26815) to show of their home networking for digital entertainment technologies. Their c.LINK technology enables the networking of digital entertainment media from PCs, set-top boxes, digital video recorders such as TiVo, and other consumer electronics over the standard coaxial cable already installed in virtually all U.S. households.
See their Press Release Below:
Video-on-demand movie services are expanding from the familiar pay-per-view model, as companies such as Starz Entertainment Group LLC (SEG) have begun offering subscription packages featuring web-based downloads of popular entertainment directly by broadband to the PC with STARZ! Ticket on Real Movies.
Initially offered for viewing only on the PC, consumers with heavy investments in plasma screens and HDTVs are looking for display options beyond the desktop, and that's where Entropic comes in. Entropic's technology permits networking of digital entertainment from PCs, set-top boxes, digital video recorders, and other consumer electronics over the standard coaxial cable already installed in virtually all U.S. households.
A demonstration of downloaded high-definition movie content from Starz Entertainment Group, stored on a PC hard drive, and transmitted over the in-home coax to a HDTV screen in another room, will take place at next month's CES in Las Vegas in Entropic's Booth 26815.
"We're interested in expanding the horizons of people who want to download high-quality content from the web onto their PCs," said Bob Greene, SEG senior vice president, advanced services. "Partnering with Entropic on this demo shows what a powerful model this can be, as STARZ! movies stored on a PC's hard drive can be accessed and shown on any set connected to the cable jack in the wall."
Entropic's c.LINK-270 chipset, when built into a variety of consumer electronics such as set-top boxes, digital video recorders, and televisions permits seamless networking over the existing coaxial cable infrastructure at speeds as high as 270Mbps. The high speed and reliability of coax make it the ideal medium for networking high-bandwidth applications such as video.
"We believe that traditional service providers such as cable MSO will continue to offer VOD for hundreds of titles, many of which will be available in HDTV format," said Patrick Henry, Entropic's president and CEO. "However, there will be tens of thousands of titles of more niche content, including old-run TV programs and movies, that will be available over the web. STARZ! Ticket on Real Movies reliably delivers this content to the home in a very secure way, and Entropic's technology moves the content around the home in a very reliable and secure way using the in-home coax."
Entropic is a founding member of the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA(TM)), formed to standardize technologies for linking consumer entertainment devices over existing coax cabling. Other members include Cisco Systems, Comcast, EchoStar, Matsushita Electric (Panasonic), Motorola, RadioShack Corporation, and Toshiba. For more information: www.mocalliance.com.
About Starz Entertainment Group
Starz Entertainment Group (SEG) is the largest provider of premium movie services in the United States with approximately 167 million pay units. SEG offerings include the Starz Super Pak(R), with up to 13 digital movie channels and more than 750 movies per month, Starz On Demand(R), the only on-demand pay TV subscription service available on the cable and satellite platforms, and its broadband equivalent, STARZ! Ticket(SM). SEG also offers a suite of advanced video offerings, including STARZ! HD(SM), Encore HD(SM), and Starz On Demand HD(SM). Starz Entertainment Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L, LMCb), www.starz.com.
About Entropic Communications
Entropic Communications is a privately held semiconductor company based in San Diego, Calif., enabling home networking for digital entertainment. Entropic's products allow consumers to easily share digital entertainment throughout the home by leveraging the existing coax infrastructure to fundamentally change the way content such as movies, music, and images are stored and networked by the average user. For more information: www.entropic.com.
With CES coming up in just a few short days, here's a quick outline of a few Home Theater and Audio companies with must see exibits and booths.
Canton -- South Hall 1, 20944
Company debuts its beautiful new Vento (Italian for 'wind') loudspeakers, which sound even better than they look. Canton will also debut its Karat Reference 2 DC Center Channel speaker to complete the Karat Reference Theater.
Parasound -- South Hall 1, 21927
Parasound debuts a PLIIx software upgrade for its Halo C 1 and Halo C 2 A/V controllers; includes Dolby Pro Logic IIx, THX Gaming mode, adjustable tone controls, improved bass management, and much more. Get a sneak peek at Parasound's New Classic component line at the booth (a new AV processor and five amps to start). Scheduled for formal announcement and delivery First Quarter.
Parasound -- Alexis Park -- 1302
Two of Parasound's JC 1 400-Watt monoblocks will be helping to move significant quantities of air in the high-end audio suites.
Atlantic Technology -- South Hall 1, 21744
Test your virtual courage and eye-hand coordination in the Ultimate Gaming Theater. Designed and built by the Cinema Design Group, it combines Atlantic Tech's new-for-CES System 4200e THX Select speakers, Atlantic's processor and amplifier, plus a state-of-the-art video system, serious lounging, and Electronic Art's hottest street racer game.
Wireworld -- South Hall 1, 21729
Press Conference on 9 AM Friday in S-227 near the press room.
A new concept in speaker cables for custom installers; no tools, no stripping, and no mess. New HDMI/DVI cables will push the Digital TV performance envelope.
ATI's HDTV Wonder HDTV PCI tuner card gives you the ability to add HDTV viewing capabilites to your home PC. At less than $200, this is one of the cheapest ways to upgrade to HDTV without a $1000 investment.
Gary Krakow over at MSNBC has a very good review of the HDTV Wonder HDTV tuner card.
ATI’s HDTV Wonder package consists of their HDTV PCI card that goes inside your computer, a remote control for your new HDTV tuner and a directional indoor HDTV antenna which looks a lot like Terk’s HDTVi that I’m using in my living room (except the Terk also includes rabbit ears for analog TV). The PCI card is capable of receiving broadcast HDTV stations and regular standard definition analog TV stations all broadcasting over-the-air in your neighborhood. The card can also handle analog cable TV but not digital and HDTV Cable or satellite signals.more...
You'll also find more information at http://ati.com/products/hdtvwonder/index.html
LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd. , one of the world's leading manufacturers of thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) technology, will demonstrate its full line-up of TFT-LCDs for LCD TVs, desktop monitors, notebook PCs, mobile and other applications during CES 2005 in Las Vegas.
As the leader in large and wide TFT-LCDs, with the world's first wide format 22-inch, 23-inch, and 30-inch high-resolution monitor panels, the world's first 17.1-inch wide notebook panel, as well as the first 42-inch wide TV panel, among others, LG.Philips LCD is proud to present their vision of "the wide generation" of flat displays.
Specifically, the company will highlight its portfolio of TFT-LCDs for the rapidly growing high definition (HD) LCD TV market, including:
-- 55-inch Wide Full HD LCD for HDTVs and Multimedia Information Displays
-- 42-inch Wide XGA LCDs for HDTVs, Portrait and Multimedia Information Displays
-- 37-inch Wide XGA LCD for HDTVs and Multimedia Information Displays
-- 32-inch Wide XGA LCD for HDTVs and Multimedia Information Displays
-- 26-inch Wide XGA LCD for HDTVs
-- 23-inch Wide XGA LCD for HDTVs
"LCD TV product prices have continued to decline in 2004, as their availability increases and OEMs offer price breaks and discounts to attract consumers. Based on the increased demand for LCD TVs, iSuppli predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44 percent from 2004 to 2008 for the LCD TV market," noted Paul Semenza, vice president of iSuppli Corporation. "LG.Philips LCD is the leader in LCD TV panel shipments, with 30 percent of the market in the first half of 2004," Semenza added.
"It is expected that LCD TV market growth from 2004 to 2008 will reach a CAGR of 54 percent. LG.Philips LCD has consistently been a leading supplier in the fast growing LCD TV field, and we expect them to remain so for many years to come," noted Ross Young, president of DisplaySearch.
LG.Philips LCD will also demonstrate the following TFT-LCDs at CES 2005:
-- 30-inch Wide QXGA+ LCD for High Resolution Desktop Workstations
-- 23-inch Wide UXGA LCD for Premium Desktop Monitors
-- 20.1-inch Wide SXGA+ LCDs for Notebook PCs, Desktop Monitors and Multi-functional Monitors
-- 17.1-inch Wide XGA+ LCD for Desktop Monitors and Multi-functional Monitors
-- 17.1-inch Wide UXGA LCD for Notebook PCs
-- 15.4-inch Wide SXGA+ LCD for Notebook PCs
-- 14-inch Wide XGA LCD for Notebook PCs
-- 8-inch Wide VGA LCD for Rear-seat Automotive Entertainment
-- 7-inch Wide VGA LCD for Automotive Entertainment and Car Navigation
-- 6.5-inch Wide QVGA LCD for Automotive Entertainment and Car Navigation
Also making its U.S. debut at CES 2005 will be the company's AMOLED display prototype, the world's largest single plate low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) technology-based active matrix organic light emitting diode example. This 20.1-inch prototype for future-generation TVs significantly improves the display's response time and provides superior color saturation, along with reduced power consumption--all within a slim form factor, and no backlight.
The company will also feature some of its line-up of TFT-LCDs for smaller mobile applications, featuring both LTPS and field sequential color (FSC) technology prototypes, such as 2.0-inch and 2.4-inch LTPS VGA screens utilizing LG.Philips LCD's innovative S-IPS (Super In-Plane Switching) technology.
CES 2005 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 6-9. Trade media interested in seeing LG.Philips LCD's TFT-LCD portfolio first hand at CES should contact Yuri van der Leest of LG.Philips LCD, at yuri@lgphilips-lcd.com, or via telephone at +82 2 3777 0947, or visit meeting room N245, located upstairs within the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
About LG.Philips LCD
LG.Philips LCD (NYSE: LPL, KSE: 034220) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels. The Company manufactures TFT-LCD panels in a wide range of sizes and specifications primarily for use in notebook computers, desktop monitors and televisions. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, LG.Philips LCD currently operates six fabrication facilities in Korea and has over 10,000 employees in locations around the world. For more information about the Company, please visit http://www.lgphilips-lcd.com. LG.Philips LCD makes "Technology you can see!"
Comcast officials announced today that they are expanding the Digital Cable lineup with the addition of three new channels beginning December 28th in the Dallas area: Canal 22, FamilyNet Television and Once TV.
FamilyNet Television is a faith-based family entertainment and informational network featuring award-winning programs the whole family can enjoy on Digital Classic. Canal 22 and Once TV both feature Spanish language programming to further enhance Comcast's growing collection of Hispanic programming on our Cable Latino Digital Service.
"Comcast is very excited to add these three new channels to our Digital Cable lineup," said Mike Cleland, Comcast's Area Vice President. "We are always focused on providing a variety of programming that our customers desire."
Depending on the Digital Cable package of services Comcast customers choose, they may see these exciting new networks on the following channels: Canal 22 will be on Comcast Digital Cable channel 639, FamilyNet will be on Comcast Digital Cable channel 296, and Once TV will be on Comcast Digital Cable channel 641. The new channels will be available in the following communities: Addison, Allen, Arlington, Bedford, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Colleyville, Coppell, Dallas, Dalworthington Gardens, DeSoto, Double Oak, Euless, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Frisco, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Hebron, Highland Village, Hutchins, Irving, Lancaster, Lewisville, McKinney, Mesquite, Murphy, Pantego, Parker, Plano, Princeton, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, St. Paul, Sunnyvale, The Colony, and Wylie.
For more information about Comcast's products and services, please telephone 1-800-Comcast or visit the company's website at http://www.comcast.com
LG Electronics of South Korea recently vowed to bag the largest portion of Taiwan’s market for liquid-crystal display (LCD) television sets in 2005 with its undercutting strategy first on 32-inch wares.
LG Taiwan executives pointed out that LG would begin to assemble its 32-inch TVs in Taiwan and promote the products in accompany with pure South Korea-made TVs in Taiwan, in a bid to quadruple its sales to 20,000 systems in Taiwan next year. Industry watchers in Taiwan estimated LG to sell its TVs at around NT$40,000 (US$1,250 at US$1:NT$32).
Currently, Teco Corp. is the No. 1 supplier of LCD TVs in Taiwan, with sales volume of 28,000 systems, followed by Matsushita’s 16,000 systems. more...
A
30-inch 15:9 display / 1280 x 768 resolution / 500:1 contrast ratio /
170 degree viewing angle / Inverse 3:2 pulldown
WESTINGHOUSE W33001 -- This spectacular 30-inch wide
screen has it all, including 1280 x 768 resolution, 500:1 contrast ratio,
170 degree viewing angle, 500 nits of brightness, 16 ms average response
time, inverse 3:2 pulldown and virtual Surround sound. Its advanced picture
in picture system includes 2 NTSC tuners, and displays two Channels side
by side, or up to 13 channels at once -- so you can keep up with all
the sports action!
A big screen in a minimal form factor: 21.5" High x 34.6" Wide, and just
8 inches thin, plus a wall mount of only 1/2-inch!
Multimedia and PC connectivity: Watch TV, HDTV, DVD movies, VHS tapes,
even surf the net or play games through your PC
Inputs: Composite, S-Video, Component (2), DVI, RGB - VGA - PC Vide In,
Audio In (mini & dual RCA), RS232C Serial & Antenna In
Headphone Out
Silent fan-less power design
Weight: 41.9 pounds
Cabinet Color: Silver
Wall Mount Sold Seperately
Only
$1,349.99 
Product Specifications
| Monitor Type | LCD Flat Panel Screen |
| Type of Screen | LCD |
| Screen Size | 30 |
| Screen Size (Inches/Diagonal) | 30 |
| Contrast Ratio | 500:1 |
| Screen Format | 16:9 Widescreen TV Imaging |
| HDTV Capable | Capable with optional HD Tuner and Antenna |
| Response Time (Milliseconds) | 16 |
| TV Manufacturer's Warranty (Parts) | 90 Days |
| TV Manufacturer's Warranty (Labor) | 90 Days |
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The good people over at TrustedReviews have a new review of the InFocus LP600 - DLP Data Projector online.
InFocus has been manufacturing projectors for a very long time. In fact, many of the projectors that you see from other manufacturers are often re-badged InFocus models. Although InFocus does produce some very good home cinema based projectors, its main market data projectors. Data projectors are generally split into two categories, fixed and portable. Fixed projectors tend to find themselves mounted to ceilings in board rooms, while portable projectors are used as tools for mobile workers that need to give presentations to clients.The LP600 falls into the latter category, and it has to be said that it's a very small and light unit. This isn't the smallest or lightest projector you can buy, or even the smallest and lightest model that InFocus sells, but it does offer a very tempting combination of features and portability. more...
Merry Christmas from everyone here at flatscreens.biz
The prime TV buying season is now upon us, and if a television is on your shopping list, you should be thinking HDTV. The federally mandated transition to an all-digital broadcast system is getting closer all the time (the target is the end of 2006); and if you have to get a DTV-ready set anyway, why not go for one that's capable of displaying the beautiful, high-resolution images of high-definition?
Money No Obstacle
If you've been holding off because you preferred not to spend the thousands that the first high-definition sets cost (and that the sexiest plasma and LCD models now command), it's time to take another look at products and price tags: Today you can find HD sets for as little as $500. Here are some strategies for saving on your HDTV purchase, as well as a selection of products in the $500-to-$2000 range.
The first thing to consider is whether you need a true HD set--one with a built-in high-definition tuner--or whether an HD-ready set will suffice (see "Learn the HD Lingo"). HD-ready sets can cost a few hundred dollars less than comparable true HDTV sets, and they make sense if you'll be using an HD cable or satellite box and consequently don't need a built-in tuner to obtain over-the-air HD. more...
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