CES - Televisions

In 2008, JVC became the first company to offer TVs with built-in iPod docks. For 2009, Panasonic is joining the fray with its own line of iPod-friendly TVs, but JVC is looking to defend its turf with a second generation of models. Among the array of purported feature improvements in the so-called TeleDock line for 2009. These TVs offer better iPod integration (multiple aspect ratios for iPod video playback; iPod charges whether TV is on or off; song and artist info displayed on TV during song playback; photo slide shows from iPod or USB drive can be displayed during music … Read more

Haier is no stranger to the HDTV market, however CNET has as of yet only reviewed one HDTV from the company. Kind of weird seeing as how Haier is the official HDTV of the NBA.

We'll soon have a chance to make it up to the NBA, though, as this week Haier is introducing two new HDTVs. The 47-inch HL47XT1 and the 42-inch HL42XT1 each have a 120Hz refresh rate and LED backlights. Each also includes SRS TruSurround XT Sound and four HDMI ports. In addition, each TV has a Sound Chamber-hidden speaker with a separate bass port, a … Read more

As Americans become more conscious of TV power consumption, manufacturers are taking full advantage by offering more eco-friendly HDTVs. The KDL-VE5 series is Sony's power-sipping entrant for CES 2009, and includes the ability to turn off automatically when viewers leave the vicinity.

The three-size series includes the 52-inch KDL-52VE5, the 46-inch KDL-46VE5, and the 40-inch KDL-40VE5. As usual, prices were not divulged, and availability details were limited to "summer."

To save power, the VE5s incorporate a new Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL) backlight that the company says saves 40 percent compared with its conventional backlights. But more … Read more

A couple of years ago 1080p resolution, signifying the highest number of pixels available on most flat-panel HDTVs, was worth big bucks. Now it's found just about everywhere, including in Sony's least expensive line of larger-screen LCDs announced at CES 2009.

The KDL-S5100 series comes in four sizes: the 52-inch KDL-52S5100, the 46-inch KDL-46S5100, the 40-inch KDL-40S5100 and the 32-inch KDL-32S5100. All have basically identical features, but lack the 120Hz refresh rate with dejudder processing found on higher-end Sony HDTVs, starting with the KDL-V5100 series.

Other features of the S-series include three HDMI inputs, a PC input and … Read more

Formerly a feature reserved for high-end HDTVs, 120Hz with dejudder is becoming more common at for less money, as evinced by Sony's 2009 KDL-V5100 series of flat-panel LCDs.

The three-size V-series includes the 52-inch KDL-52V5100, the 46-inch KDL-46V5100 and the 40-inch KDL-40V5100. Each offers the company's dejudder processing, known as MotionFlow, that we've reviewed in models such as the KDL-46W4100 from 2008. While we're not big fans of dejudder processing in general, some viewers like the smoother look, and Sony's version performs relatively well.

Other features of the V-series include 1080p resolution, four HDMI inputs, … Read more

Sony has gone Yahoo "widget"-happy with its TV lineup for 2009, incorporating the Internet-enabled doodads into two of the series announced at CES.

Described as "Internet applications...that deliver real-time information" in the press release, widgets "expand and personalize the TV experience by adding on-screen applications that provide such real-time information as weather reports, stock ticker updates, financial news, Yahoo! Video, Flickr images, and additional content."

The three-model "Z-series," which consists of the 40-inch KDL-40Z5100, the 46-inch KDL-46Z5100, and the 52-inch KDL-46Z5100, will be available in the spring for yet-to-be-determined prices. … Read more

Sony's first 2009 series of XBR models, three letters that signify higher-end features and performance in the company's TV oeuvre, is equipped with "widgets" courtesy of Yahoo.

Described as "Internet applications...that deliver real-time information" in the press release, the widgets "expand and personalize the TV experience by adding onscreen applications that provide such real-time information as weather reports, stock ticker updates, financial news, Yahoo Video, Flickr images, and additional content."

The XBR9 series consists of four sizes: the 52-inch KDL-52XBR9, the 46-inch KDL-46XBR9, the 40-inch KDL-40XBR9, and the 32-inch KDL-32XBR9. Prices were not divulged, as usual, and availability details were limited to "spring." … Read more

We've heard a bit now about the Widget Channel, the partnership between Intel and Yahoo designed to bring Web functions like photo sharing and stock prices to living room TV sets. Well, MySpace is one of the partners on board: the News Corp.-owned social network has created a "widget for TV" that lets its members access a variety of features from Widget Channel-compatible TVs.

Basically, this means that you can install a MySpace widget in the Widget Channel "dock," and expand it in order to access profiles, status updates, in-box messages, and other site … Read more

The prices for 1080p front-projectors have gradually been coming down, and Sharp thinks it has a nice proposition for consumers in its new $3,000 XV-Z15000 projector that arrives in March.

This is a DLP projector that features a single 1080p DLP 0.65" DMD chip from Texas Instruments and what Sharp is calling "an unprecedented 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and high brightness in a price-competitive model."

The XV-Z15000 offers a native resolution of 1,920 x 1,080, a 24 Hz film mode, and a six-segment, six-speed color wheel. The press release adds that, &… Read more