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BenQ GP1 (P1) LED pocket projector eyes-on

by Darren Murph posted Mar 5th 2009 at 12:48AM

Remember that GP1 pico projector that was quietly announced alongside a slew of others at CES this year? Apparently it's sporting the P1 moniker in Europe, which is infinitely confusing given that BenQ used to have a PJ that looked mighty similar to this one, and yeah, it too was called the P1. At any rate, the GP1 you see here is BenQ's first ever LED beamer, and with it will come an 858 x 600 native resolution, 100 ANSI lumens, 2,000:1 contrast ratio, an integrated USB reader, TI's DLP technology and a lamp life of 20,000 hours. It should be out in Germany by April, but we're still expecting it here in the US next month for a lofty $599.

Gallery: BenQ GP1 (P1) LED pocket projector hands-on

Samsung 6000 / 7000 and Sony BRAVIA V-series LCDs appear on Bestbuy.com

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 6:47AM

Tthe new HDTVs from CES 2009 are almost upon us, with new Samsungs and a few Sony BRAVIAs popping up on Best Buy's website with the pricetags and shipping dates we've been waiting for. Samsung's 55-inch Internet@TV widget enabled, LED-backlit 7100 model has a pricetag of $3,799, although we couldn't get any indication when to expect one in our neck of the woods. The 46-inch 6000 series model checks in at $2,799 and is due in early April, with assorted sizes falling in from there, including selections from the older CCFL backlit 6 series line. Checking for a Sony V-Series BRAVIA or the 32-inch XBR9? They're up as well, with a $2,399 pricetag on the 52-inch KDL-52V5100 due in stores March 22, although the Internet enabled sets are nowhere to be found. Take another look at our video of widgets in action before deciding, if the benefits of LED backlighting are cause to upgrade this spring are you ready to chip in $200 extra (the price difference between Samsung's Yahoo! widget packing 7000 series and old school Infolink RSS 6000 series models) to Twitter on your TV?

[Thanks, Deen & Best Buy Employee]

Dell's 22-inch LED-backlit G-Series LCD now available in renewable quantities

by Tim Stevens posted Feb 27th 2009 at 9:18AM

Dell's LED-backlit G-Series LCDs now available in renewable quantities

After teasing its entries last month and offering up the 24-inch G2410 a couple days ago, Dell's officially rounding out its eco-game on the desktop panel scene with the 22-inch G2210, a display so energy efficient it can only display pictures of windmills and solar panels (seriously, hit the read link). The 22-incher has an extremely miserly 18 watt power consumption rating, compared to the G2410's 20 -- impressive, but you're probably more interested in the 1000:1 contrast ratio (dynamically boosted up to 1,000,000:1), 250 nits of brightness, and 5ms response rate over a resolution of 1680 x 1050. At $239, it's actually a little cheaper than anticipated, which might just give you some extra incentive to pick one up with your tax refund -- you environmentalist you.

[Via iTech News Net]

SIM2 Solar Series infinite contrast HDR LCD ships in Q2

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 3rd 2009 at 1:46PM

After several years high dynamic range LCD technology is finally ready for market, now that SIM2 and Dolby are showing off this Solar Series 47-inch screen at the 2009 Integrated Systems Europe show. Just like last year's prototype, it's both brighter (4,000 cd/m2) and has a greater contrast ratio than any flat panel currently available. The 2,206 LEDs can provide up to an infinite contrast ratio and supposedly match real world visuals thanks to 16 bit color processing. The only bad news is that even with a name change to Dolby Vision, that ugly wide bezel from the BrightSide days still remains. We'll have to wait until closer to the Q2 shipping date to find out the price, but with SIM2's high end reputation it won't be cheap.

Update: SIM2 pinged us to say that only the professional version will be available in Q2. The "consumer unit" won't be formally launched in the US until CEDIA this September.

Gallery: SIM2 / Dolby Vision Solar Series HDR display

Tokyoflash's Heko watch: the perfect gift for fashionable cryptologists

by Ross Miller posted Feb 3rd 2009 at 12:04PM

We've always been a fan of watches with unconventional ways of telling time, and Tokyoflash's Heko is no exception. The top and bottom rows each have four LEDs aligned for their analogous analog positions -- 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 -- and two lights in between to indicate one-hour / 15-minute intervals, respectively. The four diodes in the middle are used when the minutes aren't a multiple of five. For example, in the picture above we've got (from left to right) 1:37, 1:43, and 10:13. More instructions are available on the product page. Made from solid stainless steel and weighing in at 140 grams, it's available for 9,800 yen ($109) and comes with white, blue or multi-colored LEDs.

Gallery: Tokyoflash's Heko watch: the perfect gift for fashionable cryptologists

Researchers develop higher-efficiency LEDs

by Nilay Patel posted Jan 14th 2009 at 5:16AM

Terrific-looking LED-backlit HD displays were all over CES this year, and it sounds like they're only going to get better -- scientists from Renssalaer Polytechnic Insitute and Samsung have developed a new polarization-matched LED that cranks out 18 percent more light while being 22 percent more efficient than traditional LEDs. The improved performance is due to a reduction in "efficiency droop," which causes regular LEDs to turn less power into light when fed higher currents -- the team replaced the traditional active layer of the LEDs with a new specially matched layer. No word on when any of this is coming to market, but we're holding out hope for CES 2010.

Samsung's LED-backlit P2370L LCD monitor looks good for $399

by Darren Murph posted Jan 13th 2009 at 10:40PM

Comically enough, Samsung didn't even bother telling us the panel size of its P2370L, but we'll go out on a limb and assume it's 23-inches diagonally based on the cryptic model name. The latest member of Sammy's Touch of Color family sports a LED backlight, a depth of just 0.65-inches, 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, two-millisecond response time, DVI input, 1080p native resolution, a swivel stand and "Starlight" touch controls. If in fact we're looking at a 23-inch LED-backlit LCD for just $399, we'd say it's quite the bargain -- particularly when compared to Apple's 24-incher (which runs $899). Guess we'll find out when it ships later this quarter.

[Via SlipperyBrick]

Apple's 24-inch LED Cinema Display goes touchscreen courtesy of Troll Touch

by Darren Murph posted Jan 13th 2009 at 12:53AM

Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing Apple's 24-inch LED Cinema Display knows that it's hard to lay off on the touching. No one knows that better than Troll Touch, who has just announced a touch panel integration kit for Apple's freshest LCD. The touchscreen gets powered internally via USB, and the custom touchscreen overlay design doesn't alter the panel's form factor in any way. Those looking to dive in from scratch can order a touch-enabled version now for $2,299, but those looking to simply upgrade their own can ship it to Valencia, California along with $1,399 marked for integration. Talk about a steep price to pay for permission to touch.

Brando's USB Digital Microscope is perfect for at-home cell studies

by Darren Murph posted Jan 10th 2009 at 2:23AM

If you're too strapped for cash to afford a real-deal microscope, and your expired college ID won't get you into the lab any longer, why not pull the trigger on Brando's USB Digital Microscope? Described as "amazingly easy to use," this here 'scope can be utilized for "various applications such as science and engineering work and study, dermatology (skin / scalp) exams, detailed repair and assembly." Or, you can just use it as "a reading aid." Which is a fantastic idea if you actually don't want to read anything at all. Anywho, sure sounds like bundles of fun for just $75.

Dell previews new G-Series monitors

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jan 8th 2009 at 4:17PM

Hot on the heels of Dell's new XPS Studio laptop release, the company's back with its G-Series LED monitors. We're assuming that the G stands for "green," 'cos they're really working the tree-hugging angle on this one -- pointing out that widescreen LED flat panels consume less than half the power of comparable monitors, and that their designs incorporate "environmentally preferable" materials. Two models are currently available -- the G2210 measures 22-inches, boasting 1680 x 1050 resolution and should fetch $279, while the G2410 24-inch boasts 1920 x 1080 (HD) resolution, with an asking price of $359. Both models are planned for late February.

Continue reading Dell previews new G-Series monitors

Vizio presents 240Hz, LED backlit updates to the XVT series

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 8th 2009 at 1:01PM

Just nabbed a 55-inch 1080p Vizio XVT for Chrismakwanzika and feeling good about yourself? Consider a return, because the specs on the new models are here and the list is long. Music, 1080p movies (MPEG-2, h.264 & WMV9) or pics from a USB drive? The whole line has that with Vizio's Multi-media hookup, while LED backlighting, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 5 HDMI ports are kept exclusive to the $1,999 55-inch VF551XVT1A. 42- and 47-inch models share the 240Hz motion technology that's become so popular with their larger relative, but only rock 50,000:1 contrast and 4 HDMI jacks for $1,099 and $1,399 respectively. 32- and 37-inch aficionados can expect 120Hz refresh rates for $749 and $999 respectively when they ship in the fall, while the rest of the pack are summer babies. Of course, by then you'd probably want to wait for a Connected HDTV....we love this time of year.

Continue reading Vizio presents 240Hz, LED backlit updates to the XVT series

Samsung's CES household appliance lineup: everything but the kitchen sink

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 5:08PM

If you thought Samsung would stop at the home theater at CES 2009, you've got another thing coming... from the kitchen. The RFG299 French Door refrigerator not only includes an eco-friendly design, high-rate urethane insulation, LED interior lighting, an EZ-Open handle and 28.5 cubic feet of storage, but it also boasts a 7-inch LCD on the outside. As we make our way down to the laundry room, we find the WF448 front loading washer, which features the firm's VRT technology to reduce noise and vibrations; better still, the included Steam Refresh and Odor Removal settings are perfect for neutralizing those absolutely rotten tees that grow increasingly rank with every passing deathmatch. No prices are mentioned, but they should fit just fine on your wedding registry.

Gallery: Samsung's CES household appliance lineup: everything but the kitchen sink

Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 5:00PM

Here we are, folks, finally at the end of Samsung's CES 2009 gauntlet. We've seen Blu-ray decks, a BD-infused soundbar, LCD-equipped refrigerators and even a few HDTVs, but Sammy's clearly hoping you pay the most attention to its new line of LED-backlit LCDs. The 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series sets all ditch traditional CCFLs in favor of the newer, brighter and more energy-efficient LED backlighting. Of note, the 8000 Series is the only one a 240Hz refresh rate; the other lines get stuck with the perfectly acceptable 120Hz Auto Motion Plus. Furthermore, the 7000 / 8000 crew will come ready for the Yahoo!-driven Internet@TV online content service, while the 6000 family will allow access to Sammy's own InfoLink RSS service. More meaningful specs (screen size, brightness, contrast ratio, price, favorite color / date spot, etc.) are sorely missing, but you can peak the linked PDF if you don't believe us.

Gallery: Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs

TI's DLP Pico technology unveiled in new round of pico projectors

by Darren Murph posted Jan 7th 2009 at 11:30AM

At last year's CES, Texas Instruments was simply demonstrating prototypes of its DLP Pico technology; this year, it's officially showcasing the real deal. The aforesaid chipset is currently residing within the WowWee Cinemin line and Optoma's PK-101, but here's something you didn't know. Evidently, the chip will also be a critical part of pico projectors from Samsung (the MBP200 with an SD card slot), BenQ (the GP1 with an integrated USB port; available in March for $599) and Toshiba (TDP-F10U Mobile LED Projector). Also of note, BUG Labs will presumably be introducing a module of its own dubbed BUGprojector, which will enable legible beaming of 480 x 320 images at just eight inches away along with stereo playback and a brightness of 9 lumens. Lastly, TI itself has announced that a DLP Pico Projector Kit which sports an HVGA resolution, a universal power supply and a few other integral components necessary for integrating it into consumer, industrial and medical products.

Read - TI's DLP Pico roundup
Read - TI DLP Pico Projector Kit

LG Digital Photo TV and slimmed down LED prototypes should be in pictures

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 6th 2009 at 5:32PM

And, fortunately they are. These pics of the on-even-when-it-isn't Digital Photo TV and slimmer-than-the-slimmest 47-inch concept panels come straight from our inbox to your eyes. The Digital Photo TV, surprisingly, displays a picture, while this 47-inch LED backlit display undercuts LG's own just-announced panel with its mere 8.9mm depth. Go ahead, be amazed, we won't blame you. Check the full PR after the break for more of the surprises LG has in store.