The LG 55LH90 HDTV is one of the company’s best models to date. This model features a 55-inch display, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and an estimated 2000000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Today, the writers from Market News released their complete review of the HDTV. They first talked about the physical aspect and though that the gloss-black bezel provided a nice touch. Their only concern is that the 55LH90 is a little thicker than other competing TVs. The setup was quick, and LG provided several features to help tweak the image to its best possible settings. One feature the writers highlighted was the Picture Wizard, which eliminated the need for a calibration disc. The image displayed excellent dark and bright areas. The LED backlight with local dimming allowed the TV to focus brightness where it needed, which also helps increase the contrast and color saturation. Their final though was, “Overall, this state-of-the-art LCD television delivers excellent performance: inky blacks and excellent shadow detail, rock-solid portrayal of motion, and great detail. The one flaw with the picture settings I used is slightly muted color on programming that is muted to begin with – Law & Order, for example. But programming with a vibrant look – say CSI: Miami – looks excellent. This issue is almost certainly something that a professional installer could address by configuring the LH90’s extensive Expert Settings Menu.”

[via Market News]

Apparently HDTV is really growing in popularity. In a recent study by Knowledge Networks, the USA populous has increased their HD viewing by 65% within the past two years. Also daily viewing of HD shows increased to 43% when only 26% stated they watch every day, two years ago. Part of the reason for the growth is due to the adoption of digital television and the new standard from the USA government that made all networks broadcast digitally. Another contributor is the increase of HDTVs that are now in the household. According to a report by Neilsen in May, one third of the US population has at least one HDTV in their home.

[via Geek]

The Samsung LED HDTV line is quickly rising in popularity. Today, the writers from I4U dubbed the UN55B8500 HDTV the top of the line out of all the LED TVs available today. The UN55B8500 is a 55” LED LCD HDTV that features full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and a 7000000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The TV’s predecessor is the UN55B8000 and is virtually similar to the 8500 with the exception of a 5000000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Both projectors even have the same connection panel, which includes four HDMI ports, a component, VGA, Ethernet, USB, and an antenna connection. Because the two HDTVs are so similar, I4U says that the biggest difference is in the display and the images quality is what makes the UN55B 8500 superior.

[via I4U]

This week at the FPD show in Japan, LG Electronics published their estimate on what the future of OLED displays will be. What they call the OLED Roadmap, gives a timeline of their OLED products up until the year 2016. It starts with the release of their 15″HD in November, followed by bigger 20- and 30-inch models through out 2010 and 2011. LG also intends to have the first 40-inch OLED TV available in 2012. Once all the major screen sizes are available, LG predicts that the retail price will plummet, making them cost even less than the cheap LCD panels. LG stated, “LG Display aims to achieve a 50% higher material cost and a 30% lower yield than those of LCD panels in 2012 and a 20-30% lower material cost and an equivalent yield in 2016.”

[via Gizmodo]

Touch screen monitors are quickly starting to grow in popularity. Acer has recently announced their first ever model, the T230H. This 23-inch display features full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, an 80000:1 contrast ratio, and a 2ms response time. Acer has also given the T230H a variety of connection ports including HDMI, VGA, DVI, and a USB port. Unfortunately, Acer has not released a USA launch date or price, but it is available in Europe for €349 ($514). More information about this monitor as it becomes available.

[via Engadget]

This week Hitachi is displaying some of their latest HDTVs at the ARTE exhibition in Singapore. The two latest models to join Hitachi’s product line are the L32N03A and L42N03A. These HDTVs feature 32-inch and 42-inch displays and WXGA (1366 x 768) and HD (1920 x 1080) resolutions, respectively. Both screens feature a native 1400:1 contrast ratio and LCD display technology. The connection panel is also similar, featuring three HDMI ports, composite, component, VGA, and an antenna connection. These HDTVs are available today, but only in Sinapore. A global release is pending final word from the company. If released globally, the L32N03A will retail for $571, while the L42N03A will retail for $1072.

[via CNet]

The Samsung UN55B8000 is one of the company’s latest LED HDTVs. This model features a 55-inch screen and has full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Recently, the writers from Market News got to test the TV first hand and release their review. The writers were very happy to see the ultra-thin cabinet and high gloss bezel. The thin design almost allows the TV to hand like a picture and is equally that close to the wall. Another benefit of the LEDs is that they consume less energy than conventional CCFL lamps and they don’t contain any hazardous material like mercury or lead. After a quick and easy setup, the writers bared witness to an amazing display. The contrast and color was near perfect and the resolution was amazing. The only problem the writers noticed was some mild hotspotting during dark scenes. But the problem was so small that it pails in comparison to the rest of the TV. The writer concluded by stating, “Throughout my testing, I was impressed by the superb detail and the lovely, natural color. This is a great TV.”

[via Market News]

This week is the Cable-Tec Expo in Denver, Colorado and Panasonic is demonstrating their full HD 1080p 3D HDTV prototype. The TV will features full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and use Panasonic’s shutter glasses and a modified Blu-ray disc to display some of the first true HD resolution images in 3D. Up until now when movies were filmed in 3D the resolution of the projector was split in half in order to create two images; one for the right eye and one for the left. Panasonic has recently developed a new 3D process that doesn’t split the resolution and allows each frame to have full HD resolution. “Panasonic believes that the Cable-Tec Expo, with its more than 10,000 cable industry professional attendees, provides the perfect opportunity for us to highlight the impact of Full HD 3D and to give cable engineering, operations and management leaders the chance to experience first hand the powerful and exciting possibilities of 3D which is anticipated to be widely deployed in 2010, creating new revenue opportunities for the industry,” said Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, Panasonic Corp. of North America’s Chief Technology Officer.

[via Panasonic]

One of the latest technologies for HDTVs is the development of LED HDTVs. but according to Sony that term is only a marketing plow in order to get sell more. Recently, the company stated that the only difference between an LED HDTV and LCD HDTV is the type of backlighting that is used. LED models do use a LCD display panel but instead of using hazardous CCFL lamps, they use eco-friendly, low energy LED lights instead. Sony is one of the few companies who are truthful about their TVs by labeling them LCD HDTVs with either edgelit or backlit LEDs. Because so many other companies label their products LED, Sony thinks that they are getting the short end of the stick and many consumers are overlooking their products. They stated, “The phrase LED TV is a farce – it is a term exploited by some companies to increase the status of their brands in the mindshare of average consumers out there. It’s unfair for Sony, who truthfully advertises their various BRAVIA products as LED-backlit or edge-backlit LCDs, which some people may pass off as inferior to a LED TV.” Backlit LED screens means that there are several thousand colored LED lights positioned behind the display screen in order to help increase contrast and color. The LED lights are also put into groups of four that include two green LEDs, a red and a blue. Edgelit LED displays have white LEDs mounted along the frame behind the LCD panel. This technique allows the TVs to be slimmer and more compact.

[via Sony Insider]

This time last year, Sony announced that they were filing a law suit against Vizio due to copyright infringements in regards to HDTVs and PC monitors. Today, both companies have announced that they reached an agreement with out having to take the case to court. The agreement states that Sony “has become a licensee under Vizio’s patent portfolio,” and that “Vizio now is a licensee under Sony’s color television patent portfolio.” “We are pleased with the result of our patent licensing efforts. It further demonstrates the technical strength and value of Vizio’s patent portfolio,” said Rob Brinkman, Vizio V.P. of Operations and Administration. Vizio also stated that now that this little tiff has been resolved, they can now resume to actively expand their licensing program in order to protect their patents.

[via Vizio]