DisplayBlog

Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field has a scoreboard that is fit for an upgrade. The scoreboard has a low-tech SD resolution and has been there since 2001. Time to upgrade. Daktronics will be manufacturing the new scoreboard and will be installed in 2007. The new system will focus on improving viewing angles to allow 3600 additional ticket holders to watch the action on the new screen. So, when you buy tickets for the 2007 season, make sure you’re not one of 400 that will get stuck at the south end of the stadium with no view of the new HD screen.

Source: Engadget HD, Post Gazette

Mitsubishi’s WD-73831 is a 73″ DLP TV that uses Texas Instrument’s largest 1080p DLP chip with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The WD-73831 uses the company’s TurboLight180 lamp system that uses a 180W lamp. Contrast ratio is improved using a dynamic contrast system. In terms of inputs, there are S-Video, Component, DVI, HDMI, and IEEE 1394 (also known as FireWire or i.Link).

The WD-73831 also has a CableCard slot and TV Guide On Screen. There is also a multi-format memory card reader that allows playback of digital photos and music. Even though I am a fan of DLP, for very large application in the 70″ range, I prefer LCoS as is used in Sony’s 70″ SXRD model.

Source: Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi’s XL650U is a LCD projector with a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200. The XL650U’s brightness specification is surprising high at 4,200 lumens. Other specifications include a 600:1 contrast ratio, two DVI inputs and wired networking. This unit doesn’t come cheap at $5,995, but the unusually high resolution of 1600 x 1200 is probably one of the reasons why. The LCD is used is a 0.8″ high temperature polysilicon (HTPS) LCD. The XL650U should be available now as it started shipping in December.

1600 x 1200 resolution on a 20″ LCD monitor requires a bit of focus. Imagine working on a 50″ or much larger screen via a projector like the XL650U. You get 1600 x 1200 resolution but with fonts that are much more readable. Since 1280 x 720 resolutions (720p content) can easily fit into the XL650U maximum resolution, watchin 720p HD content should not be a problem.

Source: Engadget, Projector Central

JVC introduced its HD-58S998 and HD-65S998 LCoS-based rear projection TVs. JVC has a name for its LCoS technology: D-ILA. What’s new here is that these two TVs have slimmed down. The HD-58S998, a 58″ LCoS TV comes in at a depth of only 10.7″ while the larger 65″ model, the HD-65S998, has a depth of 11.6″. As you can see from the first picture, JVC has done a remarkable job and has made these two TVs look very similar to a plasma or LCD TV integrated into a stand.

Both of these TVs are capable of displaying 1080p. JVC developed a new optical engine that incorporates a new concave mirror with a refracting lens to create a projection angle about 138 degrees wider and about 1.5 times greater than the company’s previous technology. The wide angle reduces the required projection distance by 40%.

Both TVs have a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and has JVC’s Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing among other technologies. There are two HDMI inputs, two component inputs and a PC input. A tuner is built-in that works with ATSC, DRC, QAM, and NTSC. The HD-58S998 will be available in January for about $3,300 while the larger HD-65S998 will be available in march for about $4,200.

I’m personally a fan of LCoS technology and can’t wait to see further advancements. For instance, instead of using a UHP bulb, I would like to see either a LED or laser-lit backlight. With these two units, JVC has done a great job making these two TVs look thin enough to be quite competitive with plasma and LCD TVs. Of course, by the looks of it, I don’t think you’ll be able to hang these on the wall. I do not like the idea of mounting a TV on the wall as it would require quite a bit of work. Also, what happens when you want to move the TV?

Source: JVC America

What’s in a brand? I say, I lot! Vizio. That name just doesn’t do it for me. But for some, the price might be very tempting. But before we get to the price, let’s look at the specifications: 1024 x 768 resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, a HDMI port, an ATSC tuner. All is good except for that resolution. What do these plasma folks think we are? Stupid?

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