The Verge - The HDTVs of CES 2012

Vizio will jump on the 4K TV bandwagon, but not this year (hands-on)

2012-01-13T18:10:03Z

Vizio doesn't have any 4K TVs yet, but it was showing off an 84-inch prototype showcasing the next resolution bump at CES this week. When we say prototype, we mean not even close to production — you can't see it in the photos, but the TV had a seam down the middle that became noticeable when there was motion across it. It was difficult to judge the quality of the higher resolution because most of the content displayed on it wasn't 4K. The TV doesn't have a name, and it's not remotely close to a price or release date, but Vizio wants the world to know it's moving to 4K.

The best of Samsung's 2012 TV lineup: 75-inch Series 8 LED, 55-inch OLED, and 4K prototype display

2012-01-12T21:25:46Z

As per usual, Samsung announced a boatload of TVs during its press conference earlier in the week, so we hit the floor to pull out the highlights. The most stunning display was certainly the 55-inch OLED prototype, which we heard should be on sale by the 2nd half of the year. The viewing angles were superb, the bezel was nearly invisible, and the back was essentially a giant metal mirror — certainly one of the nicest products we've seen this week. As for products shipping sooner, Samsung's Series 8 LED TVs were nearly as impressive as the OLED and support Samsung's smart interactions. They're also even bigger — the screen tops out at 75 inches. The Series 7 and Series 8 TVs also support the new smart evolution upgrade kit, though we...

Sony still working on OLED display tech, developing Crystal LED 'in parallel'

2012-01-12T01:20:46Z

LG and Samsung are showing off crazy next-gen OLED TV prototypes here at CES, but Sony went another way with its Crystal LED prototype — it's extremely impressive, with nearly 90-degree viewing angles, but it's also prompted a lot of rumors that Sony's abandoning OLED TVs for the consumer market. We asked for clarification and it seems the truth is a little different: Sony says that Crystal LED will be developed in "parallel" to OLED for future consumer and professional applications. We don't know if that definitively means that Sony will put out any future consumer OLED TVs — it hasn't done anything meaningful since it killed the XEL-1 in 2010 — but the door is certainly still open. Here's the full statement:

The Crystal LED...

On the floor at LG: an 84-inch 4K prototype, and the 1mm-bezel LM9600

2012-01-11T21:17:32Z

We've been walking around LG's booth at CES and one of the biggest draws here is the company's 84-inch 4K monster panel. The display, marked "84UD," is a 3840x2160-pixel LCD with 8 million-color pixels and LED edge lighting, and FPR (passive) 3D. Inside, the behemoth has built-in Blu-ray to 4K upconversion and LG's Smart TV platform. A rep on the floor told us that we can expect the TV in stores in the second half of 2012.

The company had the rest of its 2012 lineup laid out, and we also spotted the LM9600, a slim 55-incher with a tiny 1mm bezel. The image only stops 5mm from the edge of the TV, making for a pretty dramatic black bar-less effect, and the panel features LG's Nano LED backlighting, with the LED substrate directly on the...

Samsung Smart TV with 'Smart Interaction' (hands-on video)

2012-01-11T19:01:41Z

We just got a chance to check out Samsung's Smart TV tech at CES 2012, and we've got a hands-on video for you. The TV features Samsung's "Smart Interaction" tech, using two unidirectional mics and an integrated webcam for motion and voice control — users can turn the TV on or off, change the volume, activate apps, and search the web. The TV can also identify users with face recognition via the integrated webcam. Be sure to check out our Samsung storystream for more information on their showings at CES 2012.

Panasonic's 2012 Smart Viera plasma HDTVs offer improved panels, expand app ecosystem

2012-01-11T17:13:00Z

Panasonic remains one of the last manufacturers using plasma displays in consumer HDTVs, yet if its presence here at CES is any indication, the company remains fully invested in the technology. Its 2012 Viera plasma lineup totals 17 products in all, grouped into six product lines — U50, XT50, UT50, ST50, GT5, and the signature VT50 series. Self-illuminating panels are utilized in all devices, providing the deep black levels that have garnered Panasonic a loyal following of home theater enthusiasts.

The real hardware refinements are reserved for models beginning with the UT50 line, where the addition of NeoPlasma Black 2550 FFD (Focused Field Drive) technology results in improved motion fluidity over last year's product, according to...

Haier Transparent OLED TV hands-on

2012-01-11T00:40:52Z

A 22-inch television may not sound that interesting — but what if you can see right through it? Haier is showing off just such a device here at CES, as part of its "Future Technologies" portfolio of products. As you can tell from the gallery below, this isn't a television aimed at the living room: it packs a resolution of 1680 x 1050 with 8-bit color depth, and it requires an external backlight to render images in any conventional sense. Haier sees it being used in commercial applications, such as strore-front displays and wall installations, and we've heard the company will soon be announcing a 46-inch version as well. While the novelty was certainly intriguing, we have to wonder if the display would excel even in those scenarios —...

Vizio reveals new line-up of 3D HDTVs, expands app market selection

2012-01-10T13:02:31Z

Vizio has announced new models in its line of 3D-capable high-definition LCD televisions, while increasing the number of titles available on its Vizio Internet Apps platform. The televisions range from 32-inch to 65-inch models, all feature built-in Wi-Fi, and utilize the company's passive "Theater 3D" technology, which it claims provides a 3D viewing experience without the nasty headaches and sore eyes we've come to expect. The entry level E-Series includes 32-, 42-, and 47-inch models, priced from $549.99 to $899.99, and are available now. The M and R Series feature increasingly improved backlighting, while also upping the number of 3D glasses included (from two to four, depending on the model). Pricing and availability for the latter...