CES 2008 HDTV Roundup: Hitachi, LG, HP, Sony and JVC Models

High Definition is all the rage and the first day of the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) reflected that trend. Manufacturers lined the exhibition halls with HDTVs each trying to out do the other. Hitachi claiming the World's Thinnest. Others trying to grab the World's Largest, Absolute Crispest, Most Vibrant, and World's Smallest. No one seemed particularly interested in the claiming the title consumers will likely care about the most, World's Cheapest HDTV.

Here is a sampling of some of the notable HDTVs presented at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Hitachi

Hitachi showed off its 32-inch UT32X802 Ultra Thin plasma display panel coming in at 1 ½ inch in depth, as well as a ¾ of an inch deep LCD panel. Hitachi unveiled 9 new models including 42, 37, and 32 inch models in it;s Director, UltraVision V and S series. To take a virtual tour of Hitachi's booth at CES head on over here http://av.hitachi.com/events/08ces/index.html.

LG Electronics

Continuing the obsession with thinness, LG unveiled it's 42-inch LGX LCD HDTV Super Slim at 1.7 inches deep it is just barley edged out by Hitachi. With 4 new Plasma HDTV displays and 7 other models of LCD HDTVs sporting new features like LED backlighting, and Invisible Speaker design, LG Electronics made a strong showing. The CES innovation awards thought so as well with an Innovations Honoree nod to the LG71 Wireless LCD HDTV Series coming with a separate wireless receiver with a 50-foot radius, allowing you to hang this on just about any wall.

HP

HP, known for its PCs, is making waves with its new MediaSmart Technology. Hp launched a line of 1080p HDTVs with the ability to wirelessly connect to and receive audio and video from PCs and other 802.11 devices in the home. Already have an HDTV? Hp has you covered there as well with its new MediaSmart reciever. Plug it in to you HDTV and instantly stream movies, music, and photos to the big screen from any computer in the house.

Sony

Sony unveiled a staggering 17 different Bravia LCD HDTVs in 6 different Series shipping in the Spring of 2008. Sony's Full HD 1080p models include the new Z-Series 40-inch KDL-40Z4100 and 46 inch KDL-46Z4100. The W-Series includes the 52-inch KDL-52W4100, 46-inch KDL-46W4100 and 40-inch KDL-40W4100 models. The entry-level V-series new editions are the 52-inch KDL-52V4100, 46-inch KDL-46V4100 and 40-inch KDL-40V4100 models. The Z, W, and V series have HDMI, Component and PC inputs as well as a nifty USB Photo and Media Player capabilities. Sony also announced small size XBR6 series models in new 37-inch (KDL-37XBR6) and 32-inch (KDL-32XBR6) screen sizes.

On the lower end of the HD spectrum the company announced several 720p models. The N-series shows Sony hasn't forgotten the audiophiles either. With integrated 5.1 audio the KDL-37N4000 and KDL-32N4000 models should help build your home theater without breaking the bank. For the even more cost conscious the KDL-26N4000 comes with 3.1 audio coming with matching speakers and a subwoofer built into the stand. The N-Series has been styled to match that PS3 you received for Christmas. Rounding out the low-end Sony offered 4 new models to the M-Series, the 19-inch KDL-19M4000, The 26-inch KDL-26M4000, 32-inch KDL-32M4000 and the 37-inch KDL-37M4000.

Sony also announced the availability of the industry's first Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) television in the United States. The 11-inch XEL-1 is only 3 millimeters thick and is reportedly 40% more energy efficient when compared with a traditional LCD flat panel.

JVC

JVC jumps on the Ipod bandwagon with the announcement of new JVC LCD TVs with a built-in iPod dock. Four new models, including three full HD 1080p sets, come with JVC's new TeleDock®, a flip-down iPod dock in the base allowing you to watch that tiny video Ipod screen scaled up to 52 inches. Using the TV remote with a circular keypad, similar to the Ipods control wheel, you can watch videos, playback music, all the while charging your Ipod.

The new JVC P-Series are the 1080p 42-inch LT-42P789, 47-inch LT-47P789 and 52-inch LT-52P789. The 32-inch LT-32P679 offers 768p model.
Not to be outdone by Hitachi or LG, JVC also unveiled it own World's Thinnest LCD TVs (with built-in tuners.) The 42-inch LT-42SL89 and the 46-inch LT-46SL89 have a maximum depth of 2.9 inches.

Only a small sampling of the new HDTVs at this year's CES and still no word on the World's Cheapest. Generally, prices are kept underwraps, and expect these High Definition sets to be available by Q2 of 2008.

Sources:

Hitachi http://www.hitachi.us/Apps/hitachicom/content.jsp?page=media/press_releases/details/01042008_HAL_CES_08_Innovations_release.html&level=2§ion=media&parent=press_releases&nav=left&path=jsp/hitachi/forhome/ubcg/&nId=iD

LG Elcetronics http://us.lge.com/ces2008/

HP http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/080107xa.html

Sony http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/television/flat_panel_displays/lcd/release/32715.html

JVC http://www.jvc.com/press/CES08.jsp