3M's New Vikuiti Film Aims To Help Save Power For Flat HDTVs By Up To 30 Percent

3M's Optical Systems Division just unveiled the industry's first multi-function film for monitors, Vikuiti™ Brightness Enhancement Film - Reflective Polarizer (MNT BEF-RP-230). Delivering superior performance that's similar to that of two separate prismatic enhancement and reflective polarizer films, Vikuiti Monitor......Read More

A Filmmaker's Guide to Why You Need to Calibrate Your HDTV Today

I've been around my share of low-budget and big budget films for nearly seven years now and it always amazes me just how much goes into making a feature film. It's easy to see how and why actors, directors, writers,......Read More

Boston Acoustics Introduces New High-Gloss Black Version of P400 Theater Speaker

Two Other P Series Models Now Available in Black Finish. Boston Acoustics, Inc., a manufacturer of loudspeakers, today announced the introduction of a new version of its P400 Theater Speaker (MAP: $900) with a high-gloss black finish. The P400 provides......Read More

California Passes Anti-Flat-HDTV Legislation To Try To Save Energy

As a resident of California who owns a "green home" complete with new windows, high efficiency air conditioners, space-age insulation and drought tolerant planting on over two acres of hillside - today's decision to toughen standards on HDTVs is a......Read More

California Reportedly Set To Regulate Power Usage of Flat HDTVs

Remember back in the 1980s, when you were watching The Price is Right with Bob Barker and they finally got around to giving away a car that had "California Emissions" as one of the line-listed features? Living in Pennsylvania, I......Read More

Can The Home Theater Business Re-price Itself Back Into The Hearts and Wallets of Consumers?

This recession is a bitch. The talking heads on the Sunday morning shows were shooting off this weekend about the fact that the American economy was headed into recession no matter what, but the collapse of the real estate market......Read More

CEDIA 2009 Show Report - Andrew Robinson

While not quite as jammed packed or exciting as previous years, CEDIA 2009 still proved to be the place to be for new product launches, as understated as those launches may have been. Before I get into what excited me......Read More

CEDIA 2009 Show Report - Jerry Del Colliano

For most of the past decade CEDIA has been picking up steam while the winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has struggled with its identity as it struggled to digest COMDEX and the computer geeks that came along with the merger.......Read More

CEDIA 2009 Show Report - Ken Taraszka, MD

CEDIA has been blowing up with new video technology over the last few years. 1080p was the big news just years ago, and while talk of 2K, 1440p and other formats have been thrown around and to some extent even......Read More

Chief Launches Power-Infused Mounts and Accessories to Protect Flat Panels

The new mounts provide discrete power conditioning plus surge protection all in one SKU. Chief Manufacturing, a provider of flat panel TV and projector mounts, now offers power-infused mounts and accessories. These new products offer power, power conditioning, and surge......Read More

Chief® Introduces Industry's First Ultra-Thin Flat Panel TV Mount

Thinstall™ Mount Series complements new UltraThin HDTV designs. At less than the width of a penny, Chief's New Thinstall™ Series maintains the low-profile of this year's ultra-thin flat panel TV revolution. The new line of mounts incorporates exclusive design features......Read More

Chief® Launches MOUNTBUILDER™ Online Product Configurator for Building and Specifying Mounting Solutions

The new online tool offers the ability to visually configure products; build and save parts lists; and specify mounts and accessories. Chief Manufacturing, a projector, monitor and flat panel TV mounting solution provider, is excited to announce the launch of......Read More

Chief® Launches Online Education Center

The new site provides training modules, videos, downloads and quizzes to improve your mounting knowledge and make you a Chief product expert. Chief Manufacturing, a provider of projector, monitor and flat panel TV mounting solutions, is excited to announce the......Read More

Chief® Offers the First No-Profile Mount with Limitless Centering

The new mounts are the most flexible mounts on the market, offering optimal flat panel placement with every installation. Chief's new PIWRF™ and MIWRF™ no-profile universal and custom wall mounts float on the wall, providing optimal flat panel centering every......Read More

Chief® Provides Flat Panel Tilt at the Touch of a Button

The new CM8T15U™ automatically adjusts to preset positions for viewing. Chief Manufacturing, a provider of flat panel and projector mounting solutions, announces the release of the CM8T15U Automated Tilt Mount, providing flat panel tilt at the touch of a button.......Read More

Chief® Website Now Includes RSS Feeds for Easier Access to New Information

Chief's user-friendly website includes a new way to have news headlines delivered directly to you. Chief, a provider of innovative mounting solutions for projectors and flat panel displays, is excited to announce that the website now offers RSS feeds allowing......Read More

Global TV Revenues Decline 12 Percent in Q1-2009

With a lingering global recession continuing to place pressure on discretionary spending, global TV shipments declined 6% Y/Y in Q1'09 to 43.3M units according to the latest Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report from DisplaySearch. This was a decline......Read More

HDMI 1.4 - Another New Example of Planned Obsolesce Imposed On The Home Theater Market

I just read an editorial by controversial filmmaker Michael Moore last week on the Huffington Post about one of his most popular topics, General Motors. Before he got to a pretty empowering outlook for what the company could do going......Read More

HDTVetc.com Relaunches Online HDTV Educational and Review Site

Home theater enthusiast print magazine, HDTV Etc., has been reinvented and relaunched as an online resource for consumers looking to get educated before they buy their next LCD, plasma, LED, OLED or front-projection HDTV. "Consumers are rightfully confused when talking......Read More

Hitachi Splits Off Consumer Group From Parent Company

HDTV giant, Hitachi, announced today that they would split their consumer electronics divisions from the parent company. The company will be run by Shutoku Watanabe as president. Watanabe was Hitachi's CEO and president. The company said in a written report......Read More

Hollywood Sets New Trend: Recycle Your Home Theater (LA Style)

Green is in - especially in trendy West Los Angeles. It's been years now since the Blue-state, ultra-liberal, Hollywood power brokers in TMZ.com-photog-infested neighborhoods such as Brentwood, North Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades started dumping their Mercedes S65 AMG sedans......Read More

Hulu To Start Charging Users In 2010

Popular online video site, Hulu, announced at a television tradeshow last week that they plan to start charging users at some point in 2010. Hulu has gained popularity, especially with Millennial and Generation Y users for its free content (with......Read More

Is Brighter Better? LED HDTVs Are Flying Off Of Store Shelves

Anyone who reads home theater magazines or online publications knows the hot new thing is LED HDTV. Samsung and Toshiba are pushing them like mad and, despite the higher prices, people are lining up to buy them by the tens......Read More

JVC's New 42 inch LCD HDTV Targets Digital SLR Camera Users

Establishing a new category in flat panel TV design, JVC just announced the availability of a super slim LCD TV monitor that features a color space that is wider than a typical HDTV's. The new JVC Xiview LT-42WX70 is a......Read More

JVC's New LCD Beats ENERGY STAR 3.0 Standards

One of the new twists to the question of "Is plasma better than LCD HDTVs" is the increasing energy efficiency of LCD sets. JVC today announced that its line of LCD televisions outperforms the latest ENERGY STAR 3.0 standards for......Read More

Large LCDs Break Sales Volume Record in June 2009

June 2009 shipments of large-area TFT LCD panels reached 46.7 million units, up 8 percent month to month (M/M) and 24 percent/Y, according to the most recent DisplaySearch Monthly TFT LCD Shipment Database. This sets a new record for the......Read More

Leon's New 1.5-Inch Deep Horizon Soundbar For Thin LED HDTVs

Leon Speakers just announced that it has extended its Horizon Series with the addition of the new Horizon 212 Ultra-Thin Soundbar. At only 1.5 inches deep, the Horizon 212-UT is the only high-fidelity soundbar available that matches the extremely shallow......Read More

New Affordable Westinghouse 120 Hz 1080p LCDs Now Out

Westinghouse Digital Electronics is making owning a high-end, large screen LCD HDTV more affordable than ever with the launch of its new TX Series of advanced 120Hz refresh rate 1080p LCD HDTVs. Available in 37", 42" and 55" class models,......Read More

New DVDO iScan Duo Video Processor Has Dual HDMI A/V Outputs

Anchor Bay announced recently the introduction of their latest high-performance video processor, the DVDO iScan Duo. With 8 HDMI 1.3 inputs, 2 HDMI 1.3 video/audio outputs, and an HDMI 1.3 audio only output, plus an array of image and system......Read More

New VIZIO Higher End XVT Line Offers LED, 240 Hz Refresh and More

VIZIO has unveiled details for its Fall 2009 Extreme VIZIO Technology, (XVT) series lineup, with 8 new models ranging in sizes from 32" to 55". The comprehensive range includes cutting-edge technologies like 240Hz scenes per second, TruLED™ with Smart Dimming™......Read More

NuVision Steps On The Gas With New Sets When Others Are Exiting The HDTV Market

NuVision has announced multiple new displays due to launch in Q2 through Q4 2009 that will bolster its top-end product line. Numerous display brands have exited the market including Fujitsu, Vidikron, Hitachi Director Series, and most recently Pioneer's KURO brand.......Read More

NuVision To Release New Line of LCD HDTVs With Lucidium FX5 Series

NuVision is expanding its product line with the release of the all-new Lucidium FX5 Series. The Lucidium FX5 Series combines proprietary Film Times Five (FX5) and Frame Forward Motion (FFM) technologies to create a true 120Hz picture. The 42 inch......Read More

OMNIMOUNTS's New HDTV Mount Goes Video

OmniMount, today introduced the Power55 motorized flat panel mount. This new large remote controlled cantilever mount is the latest addition to the company's successful MotionPicture Series and augments the company's automated product offering. The Power55 was designed as an expansion......Read More

Pantel Offers Solutions For Outdoor Video For Up To 65 Inch HDTVs

Pantel offers gamers an exciting alternative to being indoors all summer. Pantel HDTV's are available in 20 to 65-inch screen sizes, offering a 5 to 6.5ms refresh rate depending on the model. With a protective anti-glare glass screen, Pantel LCD......Read More

Parks Associates forecasts over 1.4 billion subscribers worldwide for TV services by 2013

Broadband households in Europe and the U.S. consistently rank primetime anytime VoD services as the most valuable service out of all TV 2.0 offerings, according to Parks Associates' new report Television Services: The Global Outlook. The international research firm says......Read More

Pioneer To Leave The HDTV Business - Slashing 10k Jobs

Japanese electronics powerhouse, Pioneer, announced today that it would be ceasing production of HDTVs by March 2010 according to published reports. The company will cut over 10,000 job as its third quarter earnings were poor and as they head towards......Read More

Plasma Pat Sought By Tampa Area Police

Have you ever been approached by a guy in a van saying "we just finished installing speakers at this nightclub and have a few extra leftover?" Its one of the oldest tricks in a scam artist's repertoire and honestly because......Read More

Radio Shack Earns New Sales With Green Trade-in Program

If you thought sex sells then wait until you see how green sells. Radio Shack is the latest player in the consumer electronics space to cash in on the opportunity to open a sales dialog with consumers by suggesting that......Read More

RUNCO UNVEILS SEVEN NEW LARGE-SCREEN FLAT PANELS AND EXCLUSIVE OPAL IMAGE ENHANCEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Runco's revolutionary Optical Path Alignment (OPAL) image enhancement technology optimizes flat-panel imagery while enabling a Runco-caliber experience in high ambient light environments. Runco, a provider of video solutions, proudly introduces seven new 1080p LCD and plasma flat panels, the 70-inch......Read More

Runco's New Videowall VW-100HD In-wall Video System

Runco has come to market with their VideoWallTM VW-100HD in-wall projection video display is now shipping, offering installation professionals new levels of versatility and convenience while achieving full HD (1920 x 1080) imagery perfection on a massive 100-inch screen built......Read More

Samsung and Blockbuster Ink VOD Deal For HDTVs and Players

Samsung and Blockbuster just announced the immediate availability of Blockbuster's vast and growing library of premium digital entertainment for rent or purchase on select 2009 Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players and Blu-ray integrated Home Theater Systems. Specific models featuring the new......Read More

Samsung Inks a DRM Deal with Intertrust

Intertrust Technologies Corporation and Samsung Electronics have entered into a patent licensing agreement for all products made by the Samsung Digital Media & Communications (DMC) Division. Licensed Samsung DMC products include a broad range of consumer electronics and mobile products......Read More

Samsung's New 65 Inch LCD HDTV

Samsung just announced availability for its latest CCFL-backlit LCD TV- the 65 inch LCD 650 Series (LN65B650) with 1080p resolution. The latest entry in the LCD 650 Series TVs will deliver Auto Motion Plus™ 120Hz refresh rate, fast 4ms response......Read More

Solutions For Recycling Your Televisions As You "Transition" To A New HDTV

A lot of fuss has been made about the DTV transition from analog television to an all-digital system. Transition dates have been postponed amidst political debate. Coupons for converter boxes famously ran out to screams by some of foul play.......Read More

Sony Cuts 16,000 Jobs as the Entire AV Business Cuts Back In Hard Economic Times

Sony Electronics announced today that they plan to eliminate upwards of 16,000 full-time and contract workers from their electronics business in order to deal with the slumping global economy. Sony has been on something of a roll, having won the......Read More

Sony To Add Netflix and ON Networks To BRAVIA Internet Video Platform This Fall

In the fall of 2009, Netflix members will be able to instantly watch more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes on Sony BRAVIA Internet Video-capable HDTVs and on previous BRAVIA models compatible with Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link module. With......Read More

Sony's Quarterly Profit Dives $390,000,000

Sony, one of the world's most respected names in electronics, posted a staggering $390,000,000 loss in the quarter ending June 30, 2009. As compared to a year earlier - Sony profited to the tune of 35 billion yet thus the......Read More

Study Says HDTVs in More Than 50 Percent of American Homes

A recent Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) tracking Pulse report shows strong growth over the past year in HDTV ownership. In 2009, 53 percent of total U.S. households report owning a high definition television, an 18 percentage point......Read More

Toshiba Buys Panasonic's Stake In LCD/OLED Business

Toshiba announced last Wednesday that they have reached an agreement with Panasonic to buy all of Panasonic's shares in the co-owned LCD and OLED panel production operation called Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology (TMD). The deal reportedly goes down on April......Read More

Two New Philips Ambilight HDTVs Added To 9000 Series

Philips recently introduced new additions to its 9000 series HDTVs via two new models for the 9600 series and the new 9700 series announced for release in summer 2009. 

The TVs boast full HD displays, Philips' Ambilight technology on three......Read More

Two New Wireless LCD HDTVs From LG

With an effort to improve options for custom AV installers, LG Electronics is highlighting its first-ever series of wireless LCD HDTVs, including an LED model. Whether it's design, technology or screen size, LG's wireless HDTVs have something for everyone, according......Read More

VIZIO Expands Flagship XVT Series of HDTVs

VIZIO recently unveiled several new models to the XVT Series expanding the performance line with five NEW models. The most dramatic technology introduction is the use of LED panels featuring 240Hz with Scanning Backlight and VIZIO's Smooth Motion II™ technology......Read More

VIZIO Licenses Digital TV Patent Portfolio to SONY - Ends Dispute

VIZIO announced that Sony Corporation has become a licensee under VIZIO's patent portfolio. VIZIO owns a substantial worldwide patent portfolio directed to digital television technology. "We are pleased with the result of our patent licensing efforts. It further demonstrates the......Read More

Vizio Now Number 2 Flat HDTV Seller in America - Samsung Is Tops

A new report came out today showing Vizio climbing above the mighty Sony as the second largest seller of flat HDTVs in America. According the report from iSuppli has Samsung as the clubhouse leader at 20.2 percent of the......Read More

VIZIO Offers Complete Line of Energy Efficient LCD HDTVs

VIZIO revealed details about seven new EcoHD™ LCD HDTVs that meet or exceed all of the Energy Star 3.0 requirements. Currently, all VIZIO LCD HDTVs meet Energy Star 3.0 requirements for lower energy consumption. These seven new EcoHD™ models, however,......Read More

What if HDMI Actually Worked?

Let me be clear with the fact that without HDMI there wouldn't be volumes of 1080p HD content, complete with beaming video, 7.1 uncompressed HD audio and all of those feature-laden supplemental materials that we get from Blu-ray. At the......Read More

Why Don't Today's HDTVs Auto-Calibrate Their Picture?

As an enthusiastic Mac user and admitted home theater junkie, I wonder why today's HDTVs can't calibrate themselves. The current set-up process for a Mac is nothing short of genius, which includes "wizard-like" auto calibration for video. Simply follow a......Read More