While we all wait around for larger-sized OLED displays to become feasible for the consumer market, Nanosys has stolen in and demonstrated a new LED coating technique that proposes to radically improve color saturation in LED-backlit screens. Based on standard blue LEDs -- the most efficient kind -- this works by applying nanoparticles to the light and thereby endowing it with the desired hue. While the nano-coating can make standalone LED lights far richer in color, the real potential is in its deployment in LED-backlit displays, such as those becoming dominant on laptops today. By employing a coated array of blue LEDs instead of the standard white stuff, this can deliver greater color saturation while fitting within the same energy profile of current LED tech. Products boasting Nanosys' new hotness are said to be coming out later this year, with some appropriate premium slapped on the price for the fancier output.

Nanosys offers better saturation of LED-backlit displays with nanoscale coating originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has set an important milestone in developing OLED technology. The OLED prototypes that OSRAM has developed as part of a research project are large transparent light sources only a few hundred micrometers thick.

Thanks to new technology these organic light emitting diodes do not need separate encapsulation and can be made incredibly thin in any layout.

The transparent test samples have a luminous area of 210 cm² and are already showing the enormous potential of OLED light sources.

Akamai Technologies has launched the Akamai HD Network, its next generation video delivery offering and the first platform to deliver HD video online to viewers using Adobe Flash technology, Microsoft Silverlight, and to the iPhone, at broadcast-level audience scale.

The new HD Network combines Akamai’s patented HD EdgePlatform, adaptive bitrate streaming and DVR technology. It supports live and on-demand HD streaming.

Filed under: Misc, Polls

It's that time of year, from now 'til CES a constant stream of new displays will finally be launched, touting specs, features and bullet points. Of course, once it's time to buy a new one we'll all have our own list of priorities, but which one is the least likely to make you consider a certain model? Whether it's a Hz race that doesn't concern you plasma fans, a complete disregard for useless contrast ratio measurements, or if you've already decided widgets aren't for you, let us know.

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Poll: Which HDTV feature are you least concerned about? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Value HDTV brand Vizio has introduced 31 new models, including its first HDTV with 240-Hz technology and an LED backlight.
The company also announced that it has filed a patent-infringement suit against LG Electronics, and that a similar case against Funai is continuing.

Panasonic has announced the release of two of what it describes as the lightest HD camcorders ever made.
Each model weighs just 0.5lbs (0.2KG) but boasts high-powered 16x optical zoom capabilities and can shoot 1920 x 1080 Full-HD videos.

Filed under: Polls, Displays, LCD, Plasma

Last week we took a peek into plans for future HDTVs, but it's 2009 and for buying an HDTV in the here and now there's only a few flat panel choices - while plasma definitely has its fans, facts are gentlemen (and most buyers) seem to prefer LCDs. As seen at CES, every manufacturer has kicked the competition for backlighting and image quality up a notch, with higher quality CCFL backlighting and even LED trickling to lower end brands, most notably Vizio's planned $2,000 55-inch HDTV due later this year. Further confusing things, though Samsung will also have an updated local dimming LED backlit line on shelves later this year, it's currently touting slim, energy efficient edge lit LED models, despite their slightly lower picture quality, while some top of the line LCDs with older CCFL lighting keep pumping out high quality pictures. So we bring the question to you, of the technologies currently on the market, which one has you convinced it's a good buy?

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Poll: Best LCD backlighting choice? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 16 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Philips, LCD

We'll definitely be missing Philips UltraWidescreen 21:9 display with no U.S. release in the plans, but buyers world wide who need a bit of a convincer to drop the €4,000 need only check out the new Cinema "interactive movie." The two+minute feature takes you through a fictional movie setup with director, FX supervisor and director of photography chiming in on the importance of cinema widescreen. The interactive bit comes into play as the viewer can switch between 16:9 and turn Ambilight on and off on a simulated screen playing the flick. Cinema 21:9 launches this month in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Russia, the trailer is embedded after the break (live demo video is here), check it out and let us know if you're ready to come out of pocket for this 2560x1080p beast.

Continue reading Philips "Carousel" short shows what you're missing without 21:9 and Ambilight

Philips "Carousel" short shows what you're missing without 21:9 and Ambilight originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony is making some impressive 'green' claims with its new BRAVIA WE5 series of Full HD LCDs.
Dubbed the "eco TV", the electronics giant says that the WE5 is equipped with the first-ever micro-tubular HCFL backlight. It claims this is the key to its ability to cut power consumption by more than 50 per cent.

Filed under: Other hardware, Projector

Okay, fancy pants with your dedicated front projection setup -- where do you put your L/C/R speakers after your whole front wall of your private screening room is taken up by a screen? With most speakers, pushing the left and right channels to the corners of the room won't do the sound quality any favors, and that's doubly true for any speakers located behind the screen (where you also might want to put your center channel). Well, Screen Excellence's Enlightor 4k screen material is just for you. The screen material is designed to handle resolutions up to 4096x2160 without nasty moire patterns showing up, and it also exhibits a uniform audio response so you can put your speakers right behind it without screwing up the sound.

Screen Excellence's Enlightor projection screen is 4k ready and acoustically transparent originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Philips, LCD

Oh, bollocks! If one particular spokesman who opened up to ZDnet today is accurate, Philips' totally sweet 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV won't ever be sold on American soil. Quite frankly, we're wondering what's up with Philips and its apparent disdain for the US market. It farmed out its Blu-ray / DVD and TV operations in North America to Funai, it didn't even bother showing up in Vegas for CES, and anything even remotely swank that it produces seems to be reserved for those overseas. What happened to the worldwide love, Philips? Did someone give you the impression that Yanks wouldn't buy one of these completely mesmerizing new panels? Sigh.

[Thanks, Sean]

Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV: not for Americans originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Philips, LCD

Philips' groundbreaking Cinema 21:9 HDTV looked so curious when it launched a fortnight ago that we actually questioned its authenticity. Clearly, this beauty is for real. Pocket-lint was lucky enough to be on-hand for its unveiling in London, and it hosted up a nice video showing off the 56-inch beast in action. The black bars you've grown used to detesting were indeed gone, and while Philips wouldn't dole out any hard specifications, we are told that it boasts five HDMI sockets, a Spring release date and an estimated £3,000 ($4,276) price tag. Vid's after the break, per usual.

Continue reading Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV gets showcased on video

Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV gets showcased on video originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Philips, LCD

Last July, we took a look at whether or not ultra widescreen HDTVs could eventually become a reality. Fast forward half a year and change, and here we have Philips answering that with a resounding "sure, why not?" The Cinema 21:9 is said to be the planet's first cinema-proportioned LCD TV, and of course, it'll also incorporate Ambilight technology around the borders. We'll be frank -- we had our doubts upon seeing the lackluster website linked below that this thing was even real, but Philips itself confirmed to us that the panel will be shipping in the not-too-distant future in Germany, Belgium, the UK and France. We're also told that a full site will launch on January 29th, though no pricing details (nor a US release date) were mentioned. Our one and only wish? That this thing would've been displayed at CES last week.

[Via GadgetVenue]

Philips introduces ultra widescreen Cinema 21:9 LCD TV originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, DLP, LCD, Projector

Today, Samsung is the only TV maker with sets containing Luminus Devices' PhlatLight, but according to a new report detailing the technology, that could be a-changin'. We heard that this stuff was taking home some fancy award earlier this year, but now we're getting a real in-depth look at what all it can do to make our lives better. Aside from having the potential to last the entire lifetime of the TV (over 60,000 hours) and "deliver a consistent picture without fading," PhlatLight essentially "combines the benefits of both LED and laser technologies." There's plenty more on the technicalities waiting in the read link below, but those focused on end products will be delighted to know that this system is slated to arrive in front projectors and pocket projectors in the not-too-distant future.

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