One of the big TVs to come from Panasonic this year is the TC-P42G25. This display features a 42” screen size and full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Today, the writers from Network World released a review of this particular model. The first thing they mention is that this display is THX certified. This is good news because it ensures that the TV meets a certain level of high performance expectations. The only major problem that the writers found with the image quality is that it had difficulty handling fast-moving scenes and panning scenes. Another little problem is the default color settings are a little to be desired. The final comment the writers made was, “The best I can say for this HDTV is that its angle of viewing is excellent and its Web apps are fairly good. The YouTube application has the largest number of built-in extra features of any of the HDTVs in our test group. But stay away from this set if your tastes run toward watching HD action movies or sports.”

[via Network World]

Samsung recently released a short film showing what they consider the “Future of AMOLED displays.” The video starts with a small cell phone sized display that grows with each new demonstration. The technology features AMOLED technology, which is currently only used in small displays and select HDTVs at this time. OLED lamp technology is far superior to other systems because it is self illuminating and can even be bent, broken, and warped and still display high quality images. The video also shows the futuristic displays displaying 3D images as well. While it would be nice to see this future become reality, chances are we won’t see anything like this in our lifetimes.

[via OLED Info]

One of the big selling points this year in the HDTV industry is to sell the 3D features. But is the extra money worth it? There are many who would say it isn’t and they have their reasons too. The main reason is a severe lack of 3D content. Some cable companies have 3D stations available, but they usually cost extra and are only demo stations and don’t always show 3D content. If you want to watch a movie then you better purchase the corresponding TV from the manufacturer that has exclusive rights to it. Otherwise you’re out of luck for now. Another reason that many people are shying away from 3D content is because of the glasses. Many people complain that the glasses are uncomfortable, especially for long periods of time. Another problem with the glasses is that they cost about $150 or more per pair. With problems like these it is hard to tell if 3D will actually make it to the mainstream or just fizzle like any other fad.

[via PC World]

The Google TVs have only just begun to sell and now Google is looking to give away 10000 Google TV devices. The only catch though is that you have to be a web developer. The goal of the giveaway is to help expand the sites that the Google TV platform can access. Web developers who apply will receive a free Logitech Revue with the Google TV platform already installed. Developers will then be able to tailor their website so that it can be accessed by the platform and display content easily. There is no end date for this giveaway so until it is probably going to run until supplies last.

[via Google]

SRS Labs is the industry leader in surround sound, audio, and voice technologies. Today, the company is proud to announce that their SRS TruVolume technology has been installed into over 55 million consumer electronic devices. This is a huge accomplishment since that number is 10 times more than the nearest competitor. SRS TruVolume provides listeners with a continual volume level through shows and commercials. “In the battle to eliminate harsh volume fluctuations, companies and elected officials alike have pontificated about how they have solved or are planning to solve this decades-old problem but, unfortunately, we have witnessed more talk than action,” said Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing for SRS Labs. “With today’s consumers viewing and listening to content acquired from multiple sources such as over-the-air, cable, satellite, Internet, and streaming services, the only effective solution to the problem lies at the very end where content is consumed and that’s why TruVolume has been so popular with our CE manufacturer partners.”

[via MarketWatch]

Dr. Larry Weber is called the man who invented plasma TV. Today, he announced that he is looking to increase efficiency on the technology in order to have it replace LCD screens for both laptops and the new tablets. He announced that one of the big goals is to reduce the energy efficiency of the technology. His eventual goal is to achieve 40 times more power efficiency, but for now he is happy to achieve 20 times more within a year or two. If Weber is successful in his research and development, plasma technology will become far more efficient than LCD displays and could essentially change technology completely. The only hurdle though is that LCD display has already been slowly fading and being replaced by OLED and LED technology.

[via DVICE]

A week ago, Best Buy announced that that Sony’s new GT1 HDTV series will be releasing soon in their stores. Today, the company has announced that the GT1 series are now available exclusively through Best Buy. The GT1 series is also the first TV series to include the new Google TV software. This system allows the TVs to search online, through cable, and through personal collections in order to find desired content for the viewer. “We know that consumers are hungry for the type of connected TV experiences that Sony and Google are bringing to the table,” said Michael Vitelli, president, Americas, Best Buy. “With our physical retail locations, Best Buy is uniquely positioned to bring this experience to life for our customers through our Blue Shirts and Geek Squad Agents. People expect the latest and greatest home entertainment products from us, but also the expertise and support that make it easier for them to enjoy these experiences.” The series includes four models ranging from 24” to 46” and range in price from $600 to $1400.

[via Businesswire]

Mitsubishi is announcing today the release of their new 3D HDTV starter pack, the 3DC-1000. This kit comes with almost everything you need in order to allow your Mitsubishi 3DTVs to play 3D content. The kit comes with an IR emitter, 3D adapter, and two pair of active shutter classes. There is also an HDMI cable to connect it to your TV. The only thing missing is a compatible 3D Blu-ray player. The kit does not come with a 3D movie like other companies, but instead comes with a showcase Blu-ray disc from Disney. Unfortunately it is not known exactly what the disc includes. The 3DC-1000 is available now through select retailers and is priced at $359.

[via 3D Display Info]

One of the many HDTVs that were recently released in the UK is the Philips 40PFL8605H/12. This 40” display features 3D Ready technology, full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, and a 500000:1 contrast ratio. Today, the writers from Trusted Reviews released their experience with this TV. The writers had high hopes for this display because of the company’s reputation of providing TVs with impressive visual processors. The design is one of the higher qualities of the TV, especially the LED backlight. This turns the entire TV into a show and not just what it displays on the screen. The writers also compliment the wide array of features that have been included with the TV. The main focus of the review was the new 3D Ready technology. The writers thought that if anyone could solve the crosstalk problems it would be Philips. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case as the writers noted fiddling for hours with the settings and not being able to completely dissolve the effects. On a good note though, the writers compliment the TVs ability to show 2D content and thinks that its one of the best 2D displays they have seen so far. The final verdict was, “The 40PFL8605 appears to have been designed primarily as a 2D TV, with 3D merely an upgrade option. And as a 2D TV it’s a considerable success, making a better job of justifying its existence in Philips’ range than last year’s 8000 series models. It’s also nice to find the 40PFL8605 offering a different aesthetic to the majority of Philips’ current range, even if the glass panel on the front creates a few problems. The 40PFL8605’s 3D pictures are considerably less successful than its 2D ones, though, thanks to crosstalk noise. It’s fortunate, then, that Philips doesn’t appear to be charging very much for the 3D package it’s now bundling with the TV. This doesn’t alter the fact, though, that in the end the set will likely only satisfy someone interested in 2D quality and multimedia features first, with only a passing interest in 3D (or no interest in it at all!). People really keen on 3D would be advised to look elsewhere.”

[via Trusted Reviews]

Every week HD Nation talks about the latest in HD content and HD news. This week, the hosts talk about the survey that a majority of users who want to wear 3D glasses include football watchers and video game players. The hosts do state that some of the biggest technologies started by appealing to smaller groups of people in the past. Another big announcement is that Netflix announced that PS3 and Wii video consoles will now be capable of streaming 1080p HD (1920 x 1080) resolution content with out the required CDs. Instead all you need is to have your game console connected to the internet. This week’s top five list is suitable for the upcoming holiday and includes the top five scary movies for Halloween in HD. The movies on the list include An American Werewolf in London, The Shining, Donnie Darko, Psycho, and Seven. An honorable mention includes the Exorcist for being considered one of the scariest movies of all time.

[via Revision 3]