Eyes-on with Panasonic’s new HDTV lineup ahead of CES press conference

Posted on 07/01/2013 by Sarah Silbert

Our liveblog of Panasonic's press conference is mere minutes away, but we've already glimpsed some new HDTV models displayed on stage. There looks to be an update to the top-of-the-line WT series of LED sets -- we'd estimate the size as 55 inches. Next to it is a yet-to-be-announced plasma model, almost certainly from the high-end VT series. We're eyeballing it at 65 inches, but we'll know soon whether our estimates are correct -- and hopefully, get the lowdown on specs and availability. Stay tuned!

Update: We had a chance to get up close and personal with the new TVs after the press conference -- you'll find three models in the gallery just below.

Gallery: Panasonic 2013 HDTV lineup eyes-on

Zach Honig contributed to this report.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

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Sharp announces new 6-, 7- and 8-Series AQUOS LED TVs as part of 2013 lineup (update: pricing info)

Posted on 07/01/2013 by Edgar Alvarez

Despite not having the best of years, Sharp has still managed to make its presence felt in the television market -- namely by introducing plenty of AQUOS TVs in recent months, including that 90-inch LED beast we saw back in June of 2012. Today, the Japanese electronics maker is looking to increase its efforts on that front, with the firm adequately choosing this year's CES as the platform to unveil its new lineup of 60-,70- and 80-inch LED televisions in the 6-,7- and 8-Series. For starters, the entry-level 6-Series will boast 1080p capabilities with AQUOMotion 240 (120Hz) as the main driving tech behind it, while the higher-specced (and presumably more expensive) 7- and 8-Series are set to carry the same resolution features (sorry, no 4K here) but with Quattron "color intensification" and AQUOMotion 480 and AQUOMotion 960 technology inside both. Smart and 3D features can also be found in most of Sharp's novel TV models, which should pair nicely with what the company's calling "striking new slim designs." All in all, Sharp is kicking off the new year with about 18 new AQUOS LED TVs -- and for those interested in learning each model name, the presser after the break should help do just that.

Update: We have just received pricing information from Sharp, and it looks as if the cheapest model will start off at about $1,500 for the 60-inch, non-3D LC-60LE650, while the most expensive HDTV is set to be the 80-inch LC-80LE857 with a hefty price tag of $6,500 -- both of which will be available in February and April, respectively. In addition, Sharp today also announced its new SmartCentral platform, which will be a one-stop hub for the now-accustomed smart TV applications like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu and Facebook. You'll find more pricing and availability information for the other models inside the updated PR past the jump.

Gallery: 2013 Sharp AQUOS TVs

Continue reading Sharp announces new 6-, 7- and 8-Series AQUOS LED TVs as part of 2013 lineup (update: pricing info)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Sharp

Sony’s $25,000 XBR 4K LED Ultra HDTV and tablet remote control hands-on

Posted on 01/12/2012 by Mark Hearn

Recently Sony invited us to check out its forthcoming 84-inch XBR 4K LED TV and we couldn't resist an opportunity to get an idea of how well the company's $25,000 flagship stacked up against the competition. Perhaps trying to simulate an in-home viewing experience, Sony packed its gargantuan TV into a family room setting and allowed us to give it a spin. While we didn't get to channel surf freely, the provided stock media did a great job of highlighting the display's capabilities. Images were crisp but fluid, while colors remained strong and organic. One of our biggest concerns was that things would look too good and possibly appear unnatural.

But the XBR-84X900 managed to produce an excellent picture with stellar viewing angles. As for the content itself, we were treated to a collection of pre-loaded clips running off of Sony's recently announced 4K media server controlled by the system's included Xperia Tablet S. It should be noted that The Amazing Spider-Man was listed as a 56.4GB file -- compared to its Blu-ray counterpart, which comes in at an almost modest 36GB. Check after the break for more of our impressions, and a look at the tablet (loaded with a remote control app) that's included.

Continue reading Sony's $25,000 XBR 4K LED Ultra HDTV and tablet remote control hands-on

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

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JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer

Posted on 18/10/2012 by Jon Fingas

Every TV maker trying to avoid total commoditization has a special trick to keep its designs unique and worth a higher price. For JVC, that trick is sound. It's launching the BlackSapphire line of LCD-based 3D TVs with the 55-inch, edge LED-lit JLE55SP4400, whose signature is an unusually powerful built-in audio system: the 45W system and 3D processing supposedly produces surround sound without having to line the living room with extra speakers. Odds are that the set won't provide much competition for dedicated speakers, although JVC is promising more integration beyond this with rare built-in SlingPlayer TV streaming, just in case there's a Slingbox in another part of the home. The all-in strategy could make the inaugural BlackSapphire more of a bargain than it looks: that $1,300 you'll pay when the screen ships this month might be all you need to start watching.

Continue reading JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer

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JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung 75-inch ES9000 smart TV makes stateside debut: on sale in August for $9,999

Posted on 18/07/2012 by Sarah Silbert

The mammoth 75-inch ES9000 LED smart TV that Samsung recently unveiled for the Korean market is making its way stateside. Today the 3D-capable, LED-backlit set was on display in New York as part of the Sammy-sponsored SpaceFest marking the Space Shuttle Enterprise's arrival at the Intrepid. How smart TVs relate to Space Shuttle orbiters is beyond us, but the ES9000's US debut is welcome news for those with a massive living room to fill, and were disappointed after the ES8000 75-incher shown at CES and even given a price tag earlier this year failed to materialize.

Detailed specs are currently MIA, but as we noted before in our hands-on, the 75-incher's bezel measures just 0.31 inches, and the frame sports a rose-gold finish. There's also a built-in web camera that retracts when not in use, and the TV comes with four pairs of 3D glasses. Being a smart TV, this guy also includes the full suite of Smart TV features, such as Smart Interaction for enabling gesture and voice controls and Smart Content for sharing media across several devices. Samsung also used today's occasion to introduce a new Angry Birds app for its smart TVs, which lets users play the game entirely with gesture controls. The app will be available for a free download later this month, and the ES9000 will go on sale in August for a super-sized price of $9.999. Check out the PR below for more info.

Continue reading Samsung 75-inch ES9000 smart TV makes stateside debut: on sale in August for $9,999

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Samsung 75-inch ES9000 smart TV makes stateside debut: on sale in August for $9,999 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp launches ‘world’s largest’ 90-inch LED AQUOS TV, we go hands-on

Posted on 18/06/2012 by Edgar Alvarez

You know what they say: bigger is always better. With that in mind, Sharp's taken the wraps off of its flagship 90-inch AQUOS LED TV, and in the process dubs it the world's largest (sorry, 80-incher). At first glance, this enormous smart television is everything you'd imagine and more, led, naturally, in large part by that gorgeous 90-inch (diagonally) LED screen. Sharp's new AQUOS measures in at 4 feet in height, 5-inches in thickness and weighs in at a mere 141 pounds (without the stand). The company's also done a nice job of stuffing a good amount of software inside the 1080p-capable AQUOS, including apps such as Netflix, Hulu and Vudu. Additionally, Sharp is throwing in a pair of three-dee glasses, which should come in handy during your precious movie night with the family. Best of all, it's up for grabs now, but prepare your wallet to take a major hit, as you'll have to shell out $11,000 to get one of these in your living room. While you think that over, there's a glorious picture gallery for everyone's viewing pleasure down below, and the official presser right past the break.

Gallery: Sharp 90-inch AQUOS LED TV hands-on