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HDTV Technology Review - 2007 

Consumer Edition 

By Rodolfo La Maestra 

1

HDTV Technology Review 2007 

By Rodolfo La Maestra May 2007 

Introduction 

As with every year, this report reviews the state of HDTV technology for consumers, 

its implementation, industry matters, government affairs, and the industry behind it. 

This year, in addition to this report, I have produced a more comprehensive Industry 

Edition distributed by Display Search (almost 600 pages). On this Consumer Edition, 

I concentrate most of the material on what the readers of the HDTV Magazine 

usually devote more interest to: HDTV hardware, especially TVs. 

Additionally, to round up the presentation, I provide a brief review of the main 

subjects related to DTV. However, due to space considerations, the full coverage of 

those subjects, such as digital connectivity, multi-channel audio for HD, content 

protection, satellite/cable/broadcast, IPTV, DTV implementation, etc. will be released 

in separate editions. 

The review includes future products and technologies announced as of May 2007, 

with information supplied directly by manufacturers, or gathered at HDTV 

conferences, CEDIA, NAB, CEATEC, and the International CES (Consumer Electronics 

Show), where the industry also introduce innovations, prototypes, and technology 

statements. 

If you are looking for a previously released product or technology that is not 

mentioned in this report, please consult the other annual reports available at no cost 

published by the HDTV Magazine: 

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/reports/hdtv-technology-review.php 

These reports also provide a historical background of government mandates, 

industry agreements, satellite/cable plans, and descriptions of the technologies 

introduced during the covered year, including some previously reported products 

that are current to 

facilitate reading and 

comparison analysis 

within the same 

document. 

The group of reports 

can be used as a 

research tool for past, 

present, and future 

products and 

technologies, and to 

analyze the evolution of 

HDTV. 

2

When applicable, a brief background is provided to give an historical perspective of a 

given subject before getting into the detail of the current year. 

Products are mentioned highlighting the month of their introduction and future 

availability to provide a perspective of their maturity in the market. CEDIA and CES 

announcements are highlighted within each manufacturer. 

Most publications show current DTV products with basic specifications and do not 

analyze the market to guide consumers to help them make the right choice for their 

needs. Hundreds of manufacturers and products are included in this report, with 

detailed specifications and features to facilitate comparisons with other models, 

brands, and technologies. 

However, this report is not only 

about products and 

technologies, there is abundant 

coverage in sections dedicated 

to standards, connectivity, 

government, IPTV, etc. that 

provide a broad picture of the 

history and implementation of 

HDTV beyond a TV set, unlike 

any other publication or book. 

From the consumer point of 

view, many attend CES to plan 

future purchases and maybe 

start saving for products that 

could be released months or 

years later. Some decide to rather buy now a current product because CES helped 

confirm that it might not be worth the wait. This report helps consumers making 

those choices because of its full coverage of the subject. 

The report also highlights 

industry trends, the adoption 

(or abandoning) of H/DTV 

technologies, the remarkable 

growth of flat panel displays, 

the endurance of continued 

LCoS support, the 1080p Holy 

Grail, the CinemaScope 

implementations with new 

1080p projectors and 

anamorphic lenses, the Hi- 

Def DVD format war, the 

oversize panel competition, 3- 

D, and the ED display 

technology in all its varieties 

(SED, NED, OLED, FED). 

This report assumes that the reader has a basic understanding of H/DTV. Certain 

technical information might seem overwhelming to readers that feel the need to 

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understand the basics first. The Glossary at the end of the report and tutorial 

articles at the HDTV Magazine are recommended: 

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/articles-author.php?id=16 

All types of H/DTVs and technologies are covered in this report: RPTV (rear 

projection TV), FP (front projectors), Direct-view (CRTs, CRPs, etc), Plasmas (PDP), 

DLP (Digital Light Processing), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LCoS (Liquid Crystal on 

Silicon, including JVC’s D-ILA and Sony’s SXRD), and the EDs displays mentioned 

above. 

This report also reviews DTV 

related equipment such as Hi- 

Def DVD for playback and 

recording, HD tuning set-topboxes 

(STB) for small-dish 

satellite, digital cable, and 

over-the-air (OTA) w/antenna 

reception, HD DVRs (Digital 

Video Recorders), the 

implementation of digital 

video connectivity, etc. 

The information about 

models, prices, and 

specifications has been 

researched and confirmed 

with product demonstrations, lab reviews, press releases, technical material, and 

manufacturer interviews at CES and other conferences. Prices are quoted as MSRP 

and rounded to facilitate reading and quick comparisons; when unknown, TBA or 

TBD is generally used. Product availability is stated as TTM (Time to Market). 

As the industry grows in complexity, variety, and number of HD products, the effort 

to research, review, analyze, and compare products, added to a full H/DTV coverage 

at CES and other HDTV events, and issue final projections, is becoming an 

overwhelming task for one person year after year. 

In the past, many people 

referred to this effort as a "CES 

report". The truth is: CES is 

important but is just one piece of 

the industry perspective offered 

in this document. Although I 

know in advance the 

technologies and products 

expected to appear at CES, the 

show permits me to eyewitness 

them and talk to the engineers 

that participated in their 

development. No press release 

or magazine’s new-product page 

can provide such transparent 

review, a unique and complete 

4

picture of the H/DTV industry. 

Additionally, the effort for preserving a broad scope facilitates the linking of all the 

HD areas and allows for a deeper analysis and a wider perspective across 

manufacturers, technologies, and the industry in general. 

Although considerable effort was made to consolidate and verify the correctness of 

the data included in the report, I cannot assume responsibility for 

omissions or errors. 

Should you have any comments or questions, please contact me 

at: 

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/about/contact.php?name=lamaes 

tra 

Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. 

Rodolfo La Maestra 

HDTV Technology Consulting 

Senior Technical Director 

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/ 

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Table of Contents 

Chapter 1 - H/DTV Implementation 

The Updated Transition Plan (2006 and 2007)................................................16 

Approved New DTV Deadline ....................................................................16 

Approved Public Education / Emergency Program ........................................16 

Cable DTV Downconversion......................................................................16 

Approved DTV Converter Box Budget for Subsidy ........................................17 

Converter Box Subsidy Program Updates ...................................................17 

Integrated Tuner Mandate Update................................................................18 

Tuner-less DTVs .....................................................................................19 

Analysis and Projections For 2007/8/9 ...........................................................20 

Chapter 2 - DTV Standards 

A-VSB - Advanced-Vestigial Side-Band..........................................................21 

x.v.YCC ....................................................................................................23 

LG’s MPH (Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld)........................................................23 

Chapter 3 - Satellite, Cable, Broadcasting 

Satellite...................................................................................................... 25 

DirecTV ....................................................................................................25 

Dish Network (EchoStar).............................................................................27 

Microsoft Partnership ..............................................................................28 

Cable.......................................................................................................... 28 

DOCSIS 3.0 ...........................................................................................28 

CES 2007 ..............................................................................................29 

The CableCARD Implementation - Current Situation ....................................30 

CableCARD Implementation Analysis .........................................................30 

Multi-Stream CableCARD .........................................................................33 

Cable STB Integration Ban .......................................................................34 

Congress Support for DCAS .....................................................................34 

FCC Approved DCAS – Some Integrated Ban Waivers ..................................34 

Switched Digital Video (SDV) ...................................................................35 

Broadcasting .............................................................................................. 35 

3-in-One TV Tuner..................................................................................35 

Down-Conversion Proposal.......................................................................36 

Do You Know Where Your Recording is Tonight?..........................................36 

Broadcasting Industry Preparing for 1080p Production .................................36 

Chapter 4 - Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) 

Introduction..............................................................................................37 

What Does IPTV Mean to You? .....................................................................37 

Different Methods of HDTV Over IP...............................................................38 

Current/Planned IPTV Market Solutions.........................................................39 

Chapter 5 - CRT, SED, OLED, FED, NED, 3DTV 

6

The Technologies 

LCD vs. CRT in Europe ............................................................................40 

3DTV ....................................................................................................41 

Samsung...............................................................................................42 

SED......................................................................................................44 

Applied Nanotech ...................................................................................45 

Display Manufacturers 

Canon...................................................................................................46 

SED ...............................................................................................46 

GTT ......................................................................................................46 

JVC ......................................................................................................47 

Hitachi ..................................................................................................47 

LG........................................................................................................47 

Mitsubishi..............................................................................................47 

OLED .............................................................................................47 

Motorola ...............................................................................................48 

NED ...............................................................................................48 

Philips...................................................................................................48 

RCA......................................................................................................48 

Samsung...............................................................................................48 

OLED .............................................................................................48 

FED ...............................................................................................48 

CRT ...............................................................................................48 

Sony ....................................................................................................49 

OLED .............................................................................................50 

Thomson (RCA)......................................................................................51 

Toshiba.................................................................................................51 

SED line .........................................................................................52 

Chapter 6 - Digital Light Processing (DLP) 

Texas Instruments .....................................................................................54 

CES 2007 .......................................................................................54 

TVP9010 HDTV Processor..................................................................55 

TVP9007 Converter Box ....................................................................55 

Akai.........................................................................................................56 

Barco .......................................................................................................56 

BenQ .......................................................................................................56 

Christie ....................................................................................................56 

Digital Projection International.....................................................................57 

Dwin........................................................................................................58 

Hitachi .....................................................................................................58 

HP ...........................................................................................................58 

InFocus ....................................................................................................58 

LG ...........................................................................................................60 

Marantz....................................................................................................60 

Mitsubishi .................................................................................................61 

NEC .........................................................................................................63 

Nuvision ...................................................................................................63 

Optoma....................................................................................................64 

Panasonic .................................................................................................70 

Philips ......................................................................................................70 

Projectiondesign ........................................................................................70 

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Radio Shack..............................................................................................71 

RCA (see Thomson) ...................................................................................71 

Runco ......................................................................................................71 

SAGEM.....................................................................................................73 

Samsung ..................................................................................................73 

Sanyo ......................................................................................................76 

Sharp.......................................................................................................77 

SIM2 USA .................................................................................................78 

Thomson ..................................................................................................83 

Toshiba ....................................................................................................84 

Vidikron ...................................................................................................87 

Viewsonic .................................................................................................89 

Vivitek .....................................................................................................89 

Yamaha....................................................................................................90 

Zenith......................................................................................................90 

Chapter 7 - Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) 

Canon ......................................................................................................91 

Cinetron ...................................................................................................91 

DreamVison ..............................................................................................91 

ELCOS .....................................................................................................92 

Faroudja...................................................................................................92 

Hitachi .....................................................................................................92 

JVC (D-ILA) ..............................................................................................92 

LG ...........................................................................................................98 

Meridian-Faroudja......................................................................................98 

MicroDisplay Corporation ..........................................................................100 

OMT.......................................................................................................100 

SONY (SXRD)..........................................................................................101 

Syntax/Brillian ........................................................................................103 

Chapter 8 - LCD Projection (FP and RPTV) 

Canon ....................................................................................................104 

Epson ....................................................................................................104 

Hitachi ...................................................................................................107 

Mitsubishi ...............................................................................................108 

Panasonic ...............................................................................................109 

Sanyo ....................................................................................................110 

Sony......................................................................................................111 

Toshiba ..................................................................................................112 

Viewsonic ...............................................................................................113 

Chapter 9 - Plasma Panels 

Audiovox ................................................................................................114 

Cinemateq ..............................................................................................114 

Daewoo..................................................................................................114 

Dell .......................................................................................................114 

Dwin......................................................................................................114 

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Fujitsu / Hitachi.......................................................................................114 

HISENSE ................................................................................................115 

Hitachi/ Fujitsu........................................................................................115 

HP .........................................................................................................117 

LG .........................................................................................................118 

Marantz..................................................................................................121 

Maxent...................................................................................................121 

Mitsubishi ...............................................................................................121 

NEC .......................................................................................................122 

NIKADA..................................................................................................122 

Norcent ..................................................................................................122 

Panasonic ...............................................................................................122 

Philips ....................................................................................................127 

Pioneer ..................................................................................................128 

Runco ....................................................................................................132 

Samsung ................................................................................................133 

Thomson ................................................................................................137 

Toshiba ..................................................................................................137 

Vidikron .................................................................................................137 

VIZIO Inc. ..............................................................................................138 

Chapter 10 - LCD Panels 

Akira......................................................................................................140 

Asus ......................................................................................................140 

BenQ .....................................................................................................140 

Hisense ..................................................................................................140 

Hitachi ...................................................................................................140 

HP .........................................................................................................141 

H&B.......................................................................................................142 

Humax ...................................................................................................142 

JVC........................................................................................................142 

LG .........................................................................................................146 

Maxent...................................................................................................149 

Mitsubishi ...............................................................................................150 

NIKADA..................................................................................................151 

Norcent ..................................................................................................151 

NUVISION ..............................................................................................152 

Panasonic ...............................................................................................152 

Philips ....................................................................................................152 

Prima.....................................................................................................154 

Proton....................................................................................................154 

Proview ..................................................................................................156 

Runco ....................................................................................................156 

Samsung ................................................................................................157 

Sanyo ....................................................................................................160 

Sharp.....................................................................................................161 

Sony......................................................................................................168 

Syntax/Brillian ........................................................................................173 

Thomson (RCA) .......................................................................................175 

Toshiba ..................................................................................................175 

VIZIO Inc. ..............................................................................................178 

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Vidikron .................................................................................................179 

Viewsonic ...............................................................................................179 

Westinghouse .........................................................................................180 

Chapter 11 - HDTV Tuners / DVRs 

AMD ......................................................................................................184 

AverMedia ..............................................................................................184 

AVerTVHD MCE A180......................................................................184 

AVerTVHD Hybrid Express card ........................................................186 

AVerMedia AVerTVHD Combo PCI-E ..................................................187 

AVerMedia AVerTVHD Hybrid USB ....................................................189 

AutummWave .........................................................................................190 

AV Toolbox .............................................................................................191 

CodexNovus............................................................................................191 

Contemporary Research............................................................................193 

Digeo.....................................................................................................193 

Digital Stream.........................................................................................194 

DIRECTV ................................................................................................195 

CES 2007 .....................................................................................196 

Sat-Go portable receiver .................................................................196 

Dish Network ..........................................................................................196 

2006 line of MPEG-2/MPEG-4 models ................................................196 

CES 2007 .....................................................................................197 

Ezneo ....................................................................................................198 

Gefen.....................................................................................................198 

Hisense ..................................................................................................198 

HP .........................................................................................................198 

Humax ...................................................................................................198 

JVC........................................................................................................198 

Key Digital..............................................................................................198 

LG .........................................................................................................198 

MatrixStream IPTV Technologies ................................................................199 

Deployment Diagram......................................................................200 

MicroTune...............................................................................................202 

MIT (Micro Image Technology) ..................................................................203 

Mitsubishi ...............................................................................................204 

Motorola.................................................................................................204 

CES 2007 .....................................................................................204 

MovieBeam .............................................................................................205 

Moxi ......................................................................................................205 

MyDTV45.com.........................................................................................205 

Netgear..................................................................................................206 

Onair Solution .........................................................................................207 

Pace ......................................................................................................207 

PrimeDTV ...............................................................................................207 

Pro-Brand...............................................................................................207 

PX Digital Multimedia ...............................................................................207 

RCA .......................................................................................................207 

Samsung ................................................................................................208 

Scientific Atlanta......................................................................................209 

CES 2007 .....................................................................................210 

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Sharp.....................................................................................................211 

Sony......................................................................................................211 

Sylvania .................................................................................................211 

TEAC .....................................................................................................211 

Thomson ................................................................................................211 

Cable STB DCI9000........................................................................212 

Satellite STB .................................................................................212 

IP DBI200.....................................................................................212 

Triple Play Services over Multiple Network Types ................................213 

Tivo .......................................................................................................213 

USDTV ...................................................................................................213 

UTStarcom .............................................................................................213 

V,Inc .....................................................................................................214 

Viewsonic ...............................................................................................214 

Vizio ......................................................................................................214 

Voom.....................................................................................................214 

Winegard................................................................................................214 

Xceive....................................................................................................215 

Zenith....................................................................................................218 

Zoran.....................................................................................................218 

Chapter 12 - High Definition DVD 

HD DVD and Blu-ray Formats 

Background ............................................................................................219 

Formats Reconciliation..............................................................................220 

Associations of the Formats.......................................................................220 

Formats - Companies Support ...................................................................221 

Universal Player.......................................................................................222 

Samsung.............................................................................................222 

LG......................................................................................................223 

The Universal Confusion ........................................................................223 

We Do it For the Consumer ....................................................................224 

Player Interactivity...................................................................................224 

Content Protection for Hi Def DVD..............................................................225 

AACS Down-Res ......................................................................................226 

PVP-OPM ................................................................................................227 

Gaming ..................................................................................................227 

How Much does the PS3 Actually Cost? ....................................................228 

Cables for PS3 .....................................................................................229 

Console Comparative Speculations ..........................................................229 

Xbox 360 ............................................................................................230 

Hi-Def DVD Formats Specifications .............................................................231 

Computing – Hi-Def Laptops......................................................................232 

Toshiba...............................................................................................232 

Dell ....................................................................................................233 

Fujitsu ................................................................................................233 

HP......................................................................................................233 

Samsung.............................................................................................233 

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Sony ..................................................................................................233 

Computer Drives .....................................................................................234 

BenQ ..................................................................................................234 

Dell ....................................................................................................235 

NEC....................................................................................................235 

Pioneer ...............................................................................................235 

Sony ..................................................................................................235 

Toshiba...............................................................................................235 

CES 2007 and Late 2006 Computer Equipment Introductions......................235 

Hitachi .........................................................................................235 

HP ...............................................................................................236 

LaCie ...........................................................................................236 

LG ...............................................................................................236 

Niveus Media.................................................................................236 

Pioneer.........................................................................................237 

Samsung ......................................................................................238 

Sony ............................................................................................238 

Toshiba ........................................................................................238 

Parts and Chips .......................................................................................239 

PC applications for BD ..............................................................................241 

Discs......................................................................................................241 

NME ...................................................................................................242 

Multi-layer Dual Optical Disc ..................................................................242 

Toshiba’s Triple-layer Hybrid TWIN Disc Format ........................................242 

Recording Media for HD DVD and Blu-ray ....................................................243 

Sony ..................................................................................................244 

TDK....................................................................................................244 

HD DVD ROM ..........................................................................................244 

BD Discs.................................................................................................245 

BD-ROM Pre-recorded Media .....................................................................245 

Studio Announcements..........................................................................245 

Format Launching.................................................................................245 

HD DVD Launch........................................................................................246 

Blu-ray Launch.........................................................................................246 

Industry and Content Support – CES 2007 ...............................................247 

Blu-ray Presentation .................................................................................247 

HD DVD Presentation ................................................................................248 

Warner’s Total Hi Def Disc (Dual Blue Laser Formats) ...................................248 

Format Market Penetration – CES 2007.......................................................249 

Titles and Blu-ray Player Sales...................................................................250 

Film Grain Added to HD DVD .....................................................................251 

HD DVD Players/Recorders................................................................... 253 

Alco....................................................................................................253 

LG......................................................................................................253 

Onkyo.................................................................................................253 

RCA....................................................................................................253 

Sanyo.................................................................................................254 

Shinco Electronics ................................................................................254 

Toshiba...............................................................................................254 

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The Actual Value of the Player .........................................................254 

Current Toshiba Players:.................................................................256 

1080p Video Processing in Toshiba Players ........................................256 

1080p 24fps Output in Toshiba Players .............................................257 

Toshiba Plans for 1080p 24fps .........................................................257 

New Toshiba Players.......................................................................258 

Blu-ray Players / Recorders.................................................................. 260 

Hitachi ................................................................................................260 

JVC ....................................................................................................260 

LiteOn.................................................................................................261 

LG......................................................................................................261 

Mitsubishi............................................................................................263 

Panasonic............................................................................................263 

Philips.................................................................................................264 

Pioneer ...............................................................................................265 

Samsung.............................................................................................266 

Sharp .................................................................................................269 

Sony ..................................................................................................270 

Formats Implementation Issues .................................................................271 

Blu-ray.........................................................................................271 

HD DVD........................................................................................272 

Analysis for the Hi-Def DVD Adopter...........................................................273 

Balancing Features ...............................................................................273 

1080p Outputs.....................................................................................273 

1080p24fps for Film Content Playback .....................................................273 

The Format Choice - Survey Question......................................................274 

Audio Claims........................................................................................275 

Image Constraint Token (ICT) - Early Adopter Impact................................276 

ICT Token - An Issue Anytime any Place ..................................................276 

ICT Token - Industry Impact ..................................................................277 

Hybrid Discs ........................................................................................277 

Partial Implementation of Features .........................................................278 

A Different View of Hi-Def DVD Booths at CES..............................................279 

Asia’s Hi-Def DVD Challengers ..................................................................280 

China’s EVD, HVD, and HDV ......................................................................280 

Taiwan’s Forward Versatile Disc (FVD) ........................................................280 

Versatile Multi-layer Disc - VMD Format ......................................................283 

Chapter 13 - HD Video Processors 

Engines for Video Processors 

ABT ....................................................................................................284 

Gennum Corporation.............................................................................285 

Silicon Optix ........................................................................................287 

Algolith.........................................................................................289 

BenQ ...........................................................................................289 

Calibre .........................................................................................290 

Cinetron .......................................................................................290 

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Denon ..........................................................................................290 

Digital Projection ...........................................................................290 

Epson...........................................................................................290 

JVC..............................................................................................290 

Mitsubishi .....................................................................................290 

NEC .............................................................................................290 

Proview ........................................................................................290 

Syntax .........................................................................................290 

Toshiba ........................................................................................290 

Yamaha........................................................................................291 

GEO chip ......................................................................................291 

Video Processors 

Algolith ...............................................................................................293 

Calibre................................................................................................294 

Digital Projection ..................................................................................295 

DVDO .................................................................................................296 

Faroudja .............................................................................................296 

Gefen .................................................................................................296 

Lumagen.............................................................................................297 

NEC....................................................................................................298 

Pixel Magic (Crystalio II) .......................................................................298 

Chapter 14 - HD Video Cameras 

HDV Format ............................................................................................299 

AVCHD Format ........................................................................................299 

Ambarella...............................................................................................299 

Canon ....................................................................................................299 

Professional Products......................................................................299 

Consumer Camcorders....................................................................301 

Hitachi ...................................................................................................303 

JVC........................................................................................................303 

Consumer Products – CES 2007 .......................................................304 

Professional Products......................................................................306 

Panasonic ...............................................................................................307 

Panasonic Broadcast.......................................................................308 

Consumer Products ........................................................................309 

Sanyo ....................................................................................................311 

Samsung ................................................................................................313 

Sony......................................................................................................313 

Sony High Performance Broadcast ....................................................314 

Consumer Products ........................................................................315 

Chapter 15 - Screens and HT Equipment 

Digital Innovations...................................................................................320 

Dnp .......................................................................................................320 

D-Box ....................................................................................................320 

Hillcrest Labs ..........................................................................................321 

Jasco GE ................................................................................................321 

Lightscope ..............................................................................................321 

Optoma..................................................................................................322 

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Panamorph .............................................................................................322 

Planar Systems .......................................................................................322 

Sima......................................................................................................323 

Stewart ..................................................................................................323 

VUTEC ...................................................................................................323 

Glossary of H/DTV Terms ..................................................... 326 

About the Author.................................................................. 354 

15

Chapter 1 - H/DTV Implementation 

For a complete coverage of this subject, please consult the Industry Edition version 

of this report. 

The Updated Transition Plan (2006 and 2007) 

Approved New DTV Deadline 

Feb 06 

As part of a $40 billion budget-cutting package, it was reached a compromise DTV 

bill ending analog television services by the hard date of February 17, 2009. The 

compromise of date, budget, subsidy, etc. was achieved after doing an effort to 

reconcile the proposals of Senate Commerce Committee’s (April 7, 2009), with the 

House Commerce Committee’s (December 31st, 2008). 

The bill finally passed as 216-214 on February 1, 2006, and the President signed it 

into law on February 8, 2006. The new hard date for the discontinuation of analog 

broadcasting is February 17, 2009. 

According to some sources, the February 17, 2009 date was apparently selected 

considering that is two weeks after the Super Bowl and a month before the widely 

watched National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament. 

The auctioning of the analog spectrum has a new date as well: January 28, 2008. It 

is estimated that such auction could raise about 10 billion for the federal budget. 

Approved Public Education / Emergency Program 

A five million dollar budget was also approved for a consumers awareness program. 

The legislation would also set up a $1 billion program for emergency workers to 

upgrade their communications systems. 

Cable DTV Downconversion 

Although the House proposal had it included, the agreed bill excluded language that 

would have allowed HDTV broadcast signals to be down-converted to analog by cable 

operators at the head-end, which would have permitted cable subscribers to view 

digital content using the existing analog TV’s without any changes at their homes 

(for up to 5 years after the transition). 

Such initiative would avoid requiring the acquisition of a cable digital-to-analog 

converter at the viewer’s end, an investment estimated to be more expensive than 

the down-conversion at the head-end, which would have required also the 

continuation of the analog version of those digital channels within the cable service, 

and the cable spectrum required for that duplication. 

16

According to some industry estimates, about 40 million cable television households 

with analog TVs would be required to get a box upgrade (and pay) for digital cable 

service to be converted to analog for viewing on their existing analog TVs. 

The bill also excluded language addressing a) a mandate to cable for the must-carry 

of DTV multi-channels broadcasters pushed for, and b) the Broadcast Flag. Both 

issues would affect directly a broadcaster’s future. 

In April 2007, the FCC decided to allow Cable companies to continue their analog 

subscriber services even after the Feb 2009 broadcast switchover to digital. 

Approved DTV Converter Box Budget for Subsidy 

A DTV tuner-box subsidy was also agreed (Senate proposed 3 billion, House $1 

billion), and approved as 1.5 billion. The subsidy is to help consumers that rely on 

OTA TV broadcasting to obtain a Digital-to-Analog converter box that would allow the 

viewing of DTV content on their existing analog TVs. 

Consumers that need the economic support to acquire a converter could request up 

to two $40 coupons. It was estimated that converter boxes would cost about $60 

each in the future; the two coupons cannot be applied to one box. 

This would not affect consumers who own integrated digital televisions or subscribe 

to satellite services or digital cable services, which service provider already supplies 

the necessary decoder equipment. 

Converter Box Subsidy Program Updates 

Update Jul 06 

The U.S. Commerce Department proposed eligibility of an estimated 21 million U.S. 

households, for coupons to aid in the purchase of converter boxes, based on an 

estimate of the number of households who rely solely on OTA television broadcasts. 

Congress passed a law providing an initial $990 million, and as much as $1.5 billion, 

to subsidize the purchase of converter boxes that would allow analog sets to receive 

digital signals, up to two $40 coupons per household, to which consumers that could 

demonstrate eligibility would have to apply between Jan 1, 2008 and March 31, 

2009. 

The government requested public comment on the proposal. Ideas of limiting the 

coupons to low-income families living below the poverty level were suggested. 

NAB’s estimate of 73 million TVs not connected to cable or satellite, does not 

reconcile with the Government Accounting Office (GAO) estimate of 44 million TVs. 

NAB’s representative Dennis Wharton said “we would hope that no broadcast-only TV 

sets are forced to go dark during this transition”. 

Update 2007 

17

The National Telecommunications & Information Administration, responsible for the 

converter coupon program, plans for their system to distribute the $40 coupons to 

be ready by January 2008. 

Of the budget of 1.5 billion, approved by Congress for the digital TV transition, the 

first $990 million is spent in subsidizing converter boxes for the coupon program, it 

was decided that the remaining $510 million would be released upon Congress 

approval to TV households with only over-the-air antennas receiving analog NTSC. 

Mar 07 

Rules were established regarding the coupons program for converter boxes for the 

DTV transition: 

· 22.5 million coupons are expected to be available from the $890 million fund. 

· Starting January 1, 2008, coupons can be requested via toll-free phone 

number, Web site, fax or postal mail, until March 31, 2009. 

· Converter boxes could cost between $50 and $70 each. 

· NTIA can request Congress additional $450 million, for extra 11,250,000 

coupons if needed. 

· The extra coupons are reserved for households that self-certify that only 

receive TV over the air (no cable or satellite), estimated at 19 million 

households. 

· No income limit is required for coupons. 

· Coupons could not be used for equipment exceeding the services of just 

tuning (DVD recorder for example); acceptable features include EPG, 

equipment for software upgrades, antenna inputs, and video outputs. 

· Coupons expire within 90 days of receipt, releasing the money for further 

coupons. 

Integrated Tuner Mandate Update 

In mid 2005, the FCC received the input from manufacturers, broadcasters, and 

industry trade groups regarding an FCC’s tentative decision to accelerate tuner 

integration on all TV sizes from July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2006, advancing 6 

months the current deadline, and also including sets under 13 inches (which was not 

within the current mandate). 

Advancing the deadline was also viewed as a way to reduce the number of D/A 

converters that would be needed in the subsidy program when analog signals stop 

broadcasting. 

The CEA also requested to “eliminate the July 1, 2005 deadline that requires 

manufacturers to make half of the 25-35 inches sets capable of receiving digital. 

18

Manufacturers had argued that the 50 percent deadline did not work because 

consumers would end up buying the cheaper analog sets, and retailers were less 

willing to order the more expensive, digital sets.” The FCC rejected that request. 

While Walt Disney, the NAB, and the Association for Maximum Service Television 

(MSTV) urged the FCC to adopt the advanced deadline of Dec 2006, the CEA, the 

CERC (Consumer Electronics Retailers’ Association), Sharp Electronics, and Philips 

Electronics North America opposed and claimed not having enough time to 

manufacture those receivers by the end of 2006. 

The CEA and CERC issued the following statements: “the FCC should refrain from 

making any rulings regarding the inclusion of digital tuners in new receivers with 

screen sizes less than 13 inches until manufacturers, retailers and the commission 

adequately are able to examine the impact of the small chassis products that 

currently are subject to the commission's tuner requirements.” They opposed 

accelerating the timetable claiming that no evidence justified the change. 

Other comments from the CEA regarding the effect on manufacturing and consumers 

of accelerating the mandate, were as follows: 

“Some manufacturers could opt to market monitor-only models that remove both 

digital and analog tuners, or stop manufacturing certain sets altogether. For smaller 

sets, 13 to 26 inches, the requirement would double the development costs for 

manufacturers, as well as double the price of a typical 13-inch television to 

consumers,” Shapiro said, and he added: “If the product is rejected by lower income 

and other consumers because the price exceeds their budget, it will not be carried by 

retailers and, eventually, not produced by manufacturers.” 

Shapiro said the “the unfortunate result of accelerating the tuner mandate deadlines 

for all sets would be to decrease the number of DTV tuners in the marketplace, 

which clearly does not serve the transition.” 

On November 2005, the FCC voted for setting the new date as March 1, 2007 for all 

sizes including those smaller than 13 inches, which received the support from the 

NAB taking into consideration how important they are in times of emergency, and 

that they are commonly used without STBs. 

The revised mandate has been approved as follows: 

Upon approval >=36 inches 

Mar 1, 06 for >= 25 inches (was July 1, 06) 

Mar 1, 07 for >= 13 inches (was July 1, 07, although the FCC proposed Dec 31, 06) 

Mar 1, 07 for < 13 inches (was not required before) 

The mandate does not apply to other small screen video capable devices that do not 

receive OTA broadcasting, even when they might be used to watch TV shows, such 

as PDAs, mobile phones, iPODs, etc. 

Tuner-less DTVs 

2007 

19

Toshiba introduced new lines of HD flat-panels, rear-projection, and direct-view sets 

that do not include the mandated ATSC OTA tuner by not including any tuner, which 

then qualify the sets as "monitors." 

Toshiba is not alone in this approach. CableCARD-less TV lines are appearing as well 

from various manufacturers that find no merit in integrating a unidirectional cable 

tuner w/CableCARDs into DTVs, while the cable industry is gradually moving toward 

a bi-directional OCAP solution. 

According to Toshiba, the monitors will cost $300 less than comparable "integrated" 

TVs with mandated tuners. 

"This is all the video display a consumer needs if they get programming from a cable 

or satellite TV box," Toshiba said, and the company is absolutely correct, the large 

majority of TV consumers subscribe to cable and satellite services anyway. 

A quick look at the background of this mandated integration on my other reports will 

highlight my anticipation to what Toshiba is actually doing. 

Analysis and Projections For 2007/8/9 

The target base for DTV implementation has increased from last year’s figures, it is 

now 289 million people / TVs (from 285) for 111 million households (from 109.7), 

and the 2.6 rate of TVs per household did not change. 

According to CEA projections, by the end of 2007, 13 months before the analog cutoff 

date of Feb 2009, 83 million DTV sets would be purchased by consumers (based 

on the sales to dealers figure). If another 30 million would be sold in the remaining 

13 months (using the 2007 estimate also for 2008), there would be 113 million sets 

sold to dealers by the deadline. On the surface, some could say that each of the 111 

million households could be supplied with one of those 113 million DTVs, “if they buy 

it and if the distribution is 1 to 1”. 

However, what the statistics still do not show is that many of the DTV early adopters 

households have most probably purchased a 2nd or 3rd DTV set already for their 

homes, making the actual distribution of DTVs to unique households different than 1 

to 1. 

The projections are not indicative of how many households would actually be covered 

with those 113 million DTVs by Feb 2009, so I would assume a guess-estimate of 

around 70 million households (of the total target of 111), or maybe even less. 

In such case there could be about 41 million households without a DTV by Feb 2009 

(111 – 70 = 41 million), which would need to have cable or satellite STBs to been 

able to continue receiving television content converted to analog for their analog 

TVs. If they do not subscribe to cable or satellite, they would have to purchase a 

converter box (DTV to NTSC) for over-the-air reception, hopefully, qualifying for the 

Government coupons for the transition. 

In order to cover the 2.6 ratio eventually all the 289 million TVs would have to be 

replaced by a DTV set to be as capable as the TVs consumers have today regarding 

tuning over the air. 

20

Chapter 2 - DTV Standards 

For other standards not mentioned on this update, please consult the HDTV 

Technology Review Report of earlier years. 

For a complete coverage of DTV Standards, please consult the Industry Edition of 

this report. 

A-VSB - Advanced-Vestigial Side-Band 

Nov 06 

A-VSB is a DTV broadcast system for mobile purposes proposed to the ATSC in 

December 2005. During 2006 Sinclair Broadcast Group, Samsung Electronics, and 

transmitter manufacturer Rohde & Schwarz, joined efforts to successfully test DTV 

mobile reception at highway speeds. 

A-VSB is expected to be included in the Advanced Television Systems Committee 

(ATSC) digital-TV standard by 1H07, and is backward compatible with 8-VSB the 

current DTV terrestrial system. 

A-VSB, was previously simulated at NAB in April 2006, using forward-error-correction 

(FEC) “turbo-coding” for difficult signal environments, which used about one fifth of 

the transmitted bits for the actual video, the rest was to provide robustness so the 

signal is tuned well by the receiving device. 

In other words, 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) of transmitted signal would have 

only 375 kbps of actual video. That number of bits is considered sufficient for small 

devices such as cellphones and PDAs. 

Sinclair’s Buffalo digital station, WUTV-DT, received a temporary license for the join 

group to test A-VSB in a real-world environment, and it did successfully up to 

150Mph using a Samsung YEPP portable digital media player to decode and display 

the MPEG-4 video carried within the turbo-coded streams transmitted from a server 

specially suited for the parallel transmission of 8-VSB and A-VSB. 

CES 2007 

Samsung announced A-VSB and did a demonstration at the show. 

According to Samsung: 

“The A-VSB technology eases synchronization of broadcast signal timing of different 

towers in a Single Frequency Network (SFN). SFNs can improve broadcast quality 

with higher uniform signal strength throughout a service area, even in locations that 

normally would have their signals interfered with by obstacles such as hills or 

buildings.” 

“A broadcaster adds a specified Supplementary Reference Sequence (SRS) to the 

transmitted signal. A-VSB receivers can use the SRS in order to remain “locked in” 

to the transmission. This helps maintain reception of the main signal and extra 

‘turbo’ signal(s) even when interference would normally disrupt a signal, like when 

the signal is reflected from moving objects near the receiver. A-VSB also enables 

21

the receiver to stay ‘locked on’ to the signal when the receiver itself is moving, such 

as when someone is walking with their portable TV.“ 

“Broadcasters can implement A-VSB technology with no impact on legacy (non-A- 

VSB) digital TV receivers. Existing legacy receivers (e.g. TV receivers not A-VSB 

enabled) will ignore the added information in the signal while continuing to receive 

the main TV stream (e.g., high definition TV programming). In addition, as A-VSB 

technology helps broadcasters deploy SFNs to fill gaps in the coverage of their 

service area, owners of legacy receivers may find their reception quality is also 

improved.” 

“The upgrade to the current 8-VSB standard could be implemented by broadcasters 

at low cost, possibly with just a software upgrade”, said John Godfrey, VP of 

government and public affairs for Samsung Information Systems America, a 

corporate R&D lab. 

“One of the options available in the A-VSB standard, he added, would enable 

terrestrial broadcasters to reach homes and apartments whose over-air signals are 

currently blocked by tall buildings or mountains. The option would enable 

broadcasters to build additional towers whose signals could be synchronized with 

their main towers in much the same way that satellite-radio providers synchronize 

the signals from orbiting satellites with ground-based repeaters.” 

“Another optional A-VSB technology is called “single-frequency network,” a delay 

signal that broadcasters could insert into their transmission to synchronize the 

simultaneous transmission of a program on their assigned channel from multiple 

towers in a market. By filling in coverage gaps, the technology would further 

improve mobile and portable reception but also improve reception by legacy DTV 

sets in homes where over-air line-of-sight signals might otherwise be blocked. 

Synchronization is needed because the reception of two signals slightly apart in time 

would confuse the tuner and cause the screen to go black”, he said. 

The complete analysis and coverage of this standard in included in the Industry 

Edition of this report. 

22

x.v.YCC 

x.v.YCC is a technology established as an industry standard by the International 

Electronics Commission in January of 2006 that expands the current color data range 

of video by approximately 1.8 times. It is based on the “Munsell Color Cascade” a 

universal color chart defining the colors of natural objects and is used to evaluate 

color expression capability of displays, which provides the ability to display more 

natural and vivid colors similar to what the human eye can actually see. 

Sony, Mitsubishi, Silicon Image, HDMI Licensing, LLC., and others are implementing 

and facilitating xvYCC, a technical standard that expands the range of colors of the 

current standard, BT.709-5, used for HDTV; it adds shades of cyan, bright green, 

etc. making the colors more natural and richer. Sony is implementing the 

technology under the name xvColor. 

“The existing standard works for most TVs, but it constrains the capabilities of LCD 

televisions with light-emitting diode (LED) backlights and rear-projection TVs with 

digital light-processing technology”, Vik Murty said, senior manager of product 

marketing at Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. 

In a demonstration of HDMI 1.3 facilitating this feature at Dolby Laboratories in 

December 06 in New York City, Mitsubishi announced plans to incorporate the 

standard into their HDTVs beginning in April, some use lasers rather than LEDs or 

regular lamps. 

It was commented that broadcasters are also preparing their systems to be xvYCCcompliant, 

and that pre-recorded media, such as Hi-def DVDs might eventually take 

advantage of the expanded color palette and the hi-bit support provided for that 

purpose with HDMI 1.3. 

Features like Deep Color are also part of the benefit, which smoothes out the fine 

gradients between shades of colors. 

More details of Deep Color and xvYCC are covered in the section dedicated to HDMI 

1.3 digital connectivity, a connectivity requirement that source and display devices 

must have to been able to transport the higher requirements of Deep Color and 

xvYCC. 

I discussed with Silicon Image, HDMI Licensing LLC, and HDMI the issues of what 

consumers should know when buying HDMI suited products, such as TVs, players, 

etc. 

Some consumers demand that HDMI be 1.3 without looking at the features of the 

products. Specifying the existence of 1.3 in a product spec is not enough to 

determine if a TV is able to do everything the 1.3 specification can facilitate, such as 

xvYCC and Deep Color, therefore is recommended and necessary for manufacturers 

to clearly indicate the implemented features rather than just indicating (or 

consumers requesting) only a 1.3 HDMI specification version. 

LG’s MPH (Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld) 

23

In April 2007 at NAB, LG introduced a system developed by Zenith Electronics and 

Harris to broadcast ATSC DTV broadcasts to mobile devices. It was not disclosed if 

the system was submitted to consideration as a standard, to compete with the A- 

VSB system from Samsung and Sinclair, mentioned above. 

The system uses a multiple-stream approach, the main stream for legacy DTV 

devices tuning to A-VSB and the MPH stream for mobile devices even operating at 

high speed. 

24

Chapter 3 - Satellite, Cable, Broadcasting 

For the complete coverage of the subjects of this chapter, please refer to the 

Industry Edition report. 

DirecTV 

CES 2007 

Satellite 

Current Satellite Fleet 

Orbit in 

Service 

Bird 

Status 

degrees 

Name 

72.5 Local Broadcast Channels D1 Existing 

95 International Programming G3C Existing, Leased from 

PanAm Satellites 

99 Local HD Broadcast Channels SW2 

D10 

Existing 

D10 Planned for 07 

101 Core Programming Services 

and Local Broadcast 

Channels 

D1R 

D4S 

D8 

All Existing 

D9S 

103 Local HD Broadcast Channels SW1 

D11 

110 HD Programming D5 Existing 

119 Spanish-Language Program. D7S Existing 

HD Programming 

Local Broadcast Channels 

Existing 

D11 Planned for 07 

More Local HD Channels as Planned 

DirecTV confirmed again that the company is on track with the plan to launch over 

100 channels of HD programming in 2007, according to president and CEO Chase 

Carey, with most of those channels expected to be available 3Q07. 

DirecTV stated the it has made agreements with 70 hi-def channels, among which 

are sports networks YES and NFL Network, CNN, USA, The Weather Channel, TBS, 

Food Network, A&E, Bravo, FX, HGTV, MTV, The History Channel, USA Network. 

25

Comcast Sports Net, New England Sports Network, National Geographic, Cartoon 

Network, Sci-Fi Channel, Speed, and FOX Sports. 

Gaming Channel (Although not in HD) 

DirecTV announced the launch of a new professional sports league for video gaming 

on DirecTV 101, and commented that the program will have the best players in the 

world playing on franchise teams, and those players will be earning a salary in 

addition to compete for the $1 million price. 

NASCAR HotPass HD 

DirecTV introduced “The Zone”, a NASCAR oriented service to provide exclusive 

coverage to subscriber fans with a mobile luxury lounge located within the infield at 

select NASCAR events. The service will debut at the Daytona 500 on February 18 at 

Daytona International Speedway, and appear at 17 races through out the 2007 

NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. http://www.directv.com/hotpass 

Mobile DirecTV 

DirecTV introduced a portable receiver/display 

system named “Sat-Go”, ideal for traveling 

subscribers, as long as they can carry the 25-pound 

briefcase. TTM Spring 2007, $1,500. 

The system features a flat DirecTV antenna, built-in 

17” display, rechargeable laptop-type battery, and a 

receiver. The receiver can be detached and put to 

use in regular receiver applications. 

The portable receiver was designed by TV producer 

Rick Rosner, who licensed the technology to 

DirecTV. 

More details in the HD Tuner/DVR Section. 

26

Dish Network (EchoStar) 

CES 2007 

EchoStar announced their offering of free ViP622 HD-DVRs to new customers starting 

Feb. 1, 2007, and named the effort "Digital Home Advantage Program”. 

Please check the HD Tuner/DVR section for the features of this receiver. 

EchoStar also introduced a portable DBS 

system (as DirecTV did) at CES 2007, 

TTM of the “MobileDISH" system is 

spring 07. 

However this system is not as portable 

as DirecTV’s, it is designed for vehicle 

applications with a roof-mounted 

antenna designed by RaySat. 

CES Innovations Award 

At CES 2007 DishNetwork also showed a ViP 622 with an external expansion Hard 

Disc Drive (picture below; and back of the unit further below) 

27

Microsoft Partnership 

In February 2007, Dish Network has been reported to be working with Microsoft to 

offer satellite programming to PCs, one year after DirecTV’s deal with Microsoft for 

direct downloads from DirecTV’s STBs. 

DOCSIS 3.0 

Cable 

DOCSIS® (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification), is a CableLabs certified 

project to define interface requirements for cable modems implemented on cable 

television systems for high-speed data distribution, facilitating industry compliance 

with certification and retail sales of cable modems. 

One benefit to consumers is a low-cost “always-on” Internet connection, including 

broadband Internet connectivity, telephony, real-time interactive gaming, and video 

conferencing, which could create business 

opportunities to cable companies. 

According to James A. Fontaine, President 

and CEO of Microtune, “DOCSIS 3.0 

represents a major technology shift in the 

cable industry, permitting cable operators to 

enable faster, scalable broadband Internet 

services, including movie downloads and 

other IP video”. 

“Our new wideband tuner is key to enabling 

true DOCSIS 3.0, and we have been actively 

involved in the definition of the DOCSIS 3.0 

specification which ensures our compliance 

with this important standard. As a major supplier to the industry’s premier 

equipment manufacturers, we are providing our customers cost-effective and highly 

advanced technology to help them accelerate adoption of DOCSIS 3.0 capabilities in 

their next-generation cable products”. 

28

“DOCSIS 3.0 and wideband technologies are part of the cable industry's effort to 

counter the Telco’s capacity advantage, and Microtune’s new wideband tuner is a key 

component that will enable cable operators to deliver new high-bandwidth broadband 

Internet services”. 

Microtune announced their new DOCSIS 3.0 wideband tuner chip (MicroTuner 

MT2170) capable to handle a wider (100 MHz) and faster (160 Mbps) cable modem 

connection to homes, competing with high-powered fiber-to-the-home networks. 

The chip was said to be capable to tune between 50 MHz-1 GHz, which would make a 

cable plant of 750 MHz or 860 MHz to been able to grow to 1 GHz and accommodate 

for twenty extra 6 MHz channels, which could be used for IPTV services, HDTV, 

channel bonding, etc. 

According with Microtune the spec would also permit the bonding of non-adjacent 6 

MHz channels from a 64 MHz spectrum range, which the Wideband tuner can raise to 

100 MHz, handling about 16 bonded channels. Please check the HD tuner section for 

specs. 

CES 2007 

Comcast Cable and Cox Communications are moving forward with their support for 

OCAP (Open Cable Application Platform) middleware by CableLabs. 

Cox and Samsung signed a letter of intent to implement OCAP on several CE devices, 

such as TVs, set-top-boxes, and DVRs. 

On the announcement Cox said, "Our successful trial of the Samsung OCAP solution 

illustrates Cox's dedication to offering customers additional devices that will operate 

seamlessly alongside our current leased devices". 

CableLabs certified a 42”plasma from LG which implemented bi-directional OCAP 

middleware. 

Comcast and Panasonic agreed to begin testing OCAP-based interactive digital cableready 

software in Panasonic’s products in January 2007, with target availability 

beginning 2008. 

29

Upon the agreement Comcast declared, "The development of OCAP-powered TVs is 

another example of how Comcast is working with the CE industry to enhance the 

consumer viewing experience by making it even easier to enjoy new interactive 

applications combined with the convenience of integrated digital cable services”. 

Thomson introduced their first OCAP cable HD STB for the US market. 

The DCI9000 HD-STB. 

Further detail on this subject is included in the Industry Edition. 

The CableCARD Implementation - Current Situation 

Dec 06 

According to CED, as of November 2006, there were 216,000 CableCARDs supplied 

by cable operators as reported by the National Cable & Telecommunications 

Association (NCTA). 

Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable (and Adelphia), Cox Communications, Charter 

Communications and Cablevision Systems Corp., deployed 191,000 CableCARDs 

covering 80 percent of U.S. cable subscribers. 

Regarding the effort for the CableCARD deployment the following averages were 

provided: 

Average 

Cable Co. 

Cablevision Charter Comcast Cox 

Time 

Warner 

Cable 

Truck rolls 1.1 1.3 1.05 1.101 1.73 

Monthly lease $1.25 $1.50 None $1.94 $2.05 

The same report indicated that 541 products from 29 CE companies implementing 

Unidirectional Digital Cable Ready Products (UDCPs) were CableCARD verified. 

CableCARD Implementation Analysis 

Those that have followed my coverage of FCC’s mandated integrated ATSC tuners 

and unidirectional CableCARDS/QAM tuners in HDTVs in my yearly reports, might be 

familiar with my position on the subject, and what that means to consumers pockets 

and their power of choice, which is my primary concern. 

CableCARD was pushed as a positive feature to consumers, consumers believed 

cable STBs were not needed anymore, while the real situation was and still is, that 

CableCARDs into TVs made those sets cost more than they should, and most 

consumers still have their STBs on the same place they were before CableCARDs. 

30

Cable companies did not implement CableCARD as the FCC has hoped. The 

CableCARD solution as implemented was only unidirectional, and still is after several 

years, while waiting for the proper solution. Consumers paid more for their DTVs but 

there were no (tuner-less) monitors around anymore to compare prices and 

determine the additional cost. 

The idea of a TV being "cable ready" without a set-top box and simply plug the cable 

and install a CableCARD in the dedicated slot did not work as expected, it was a halfway 

to get to a final solution. 

Many manufacturers have been removing the CableCARD tuners and some even the 

ATSC tuners from their newer lines since 2006, and label those sets “monitors”, 

going around FCC’s integrated tuner mandate by not including the legacy analog 

NTSC tuner into the sets. As mandated, if it has a legacy NTSC tuner, a display has 

to have digital tuner (and the CableCARD/QAM tuner went with it). 

The main problems I saw since day one was that: 

a) Digital tuners were still expensive at the time of the mandate, and still are, 

b) The consumer did not have a choice, most DTV manufacturers did not 

produce monitor lines (tuner-less DTVs). 

c) Over 90% of TV viewers would not need terrestrial tuners because they 

subscribe to cable or satellite, who supply their boxes anyway, 

d) Satellite boxes already have a terrestrial over the air tuner, 

e) Cable boxes are still needed for PPV, VOD, and cable supplied EPG, because 

CableCARD tuners, implemented as unidirectional, lacked those features. 

f) The consumer is paying for the planned obsolescence of unidirectional 

CableCARD tuners into new DTVs that would not be able to be upgraded. 

g) The saddest: Proper advice was not provided timely to most consumers and 

there are now millions of unidirectional CableCARD-ready DTVs in their 

homes, and still growing. 

According to a recent report, Panasonic commented 

that the “CableCARD effort stalled, as the victim of 

conflicting business interests, manufacturing costs and 

a lack of consumer response. Out of six million, 

CableCARD-ready digital TV's sold only 170,000 sets. 

Less than 3 percent are actually using a CableCARD 

device. The rest are receiving digital cable and HDTV 

programming the more familiar way, through the cable 

company's rented set-top box.” 

In December 2006, an update of CableCARD 

deployments was reported by CED to have reach 

216,000-plus, details in the DTV implementation 

section. 

As mentioned above, according to a report made to 

the FCC in March 2007, more than 259,000 

CableCARDs have been deployed by cable companies, among which are Comcast 

Corp., Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Adelphia 

(now part of Comcast and TWC), and Cablevision Systems Corp. 

31

Regarding CableCARD suited equipment, the NCTA reported over 548 models 

available from CE manufacturers, however, and those are unidirectional only. 

However, a research from the Envisioneering Group revealed that “80 percent fewer 

television models with CableCARD are available this year [2006] than in 2005”. 

According to Sharp Electronics, offering 10 CableCARD sets in 2005, in 2006 did it in 

only 2 ($16K+ hi-end models). 

Philips Electronics was reported to offer only 3 CableCARD models in 2006 (down 

from 7 last year). 

Sony also reported a reduction to 2, from 4 ($5K+ models). 

Rich Dinsmore, vice president for marketing at TTE Corporation, owner of the RCA 

brand, declared "As manufacturers, we are disappointed in the CableCARD's rollout, 

which increased the set's retail price by about $40, to collect that extra money in 

today's retail environment is very difficult when nobody talks about the feature in the 

retail store." 

However, I believe Mr. Dinsmore was not considering the overall picture of tuner 

integration, which have cost consumers much more than those $40 per tuner. 

When I did the first research on the year integrated TVs were mandated by the FCC 

the average difference between DTVs with digital tuners and their monitor 

counterparts, was $704 more. In some cases, plasmas were priced over $1000 

more for that integrated tuner feature. Please read the details at my earlier reports 

since 2004. The addition of a CableCARD/QAM cable tuner using the mandated 

digital tuner integration exacerbated that extra cost. 

In other words, a mandate could have worked well if a) tuners cost less, b) the bidirectional 

cable technology intended to replace the cable STB would have been 

ready and matured, and c) volume would have helped bring TV and component 

prices much lower than it did. 

Those factors were not in place in a timely fashion, and a mandate without having 

those factors was not respectful of consumers pockets and freedom of choice. 

Consumers are also implicitly mandated to foot the bill for the planning errors of the 

DTV transition. 

Ross Rubin from NPD group was reported to say "The set-top box offers cable 

providers a point of control, a presence in the living room, Comcast and Time Warner 

have had very good success with offering digital video recorders, which require a 

set-top box." 

A research from Kagan Research, said “45 percent of the nation's cable customers 

used set-top boxes that enabled them to receive such digital services, not offered by 

CableCARDs, because those services require a bi-directional system, a feature 

CableCARD does not have as implemented.” 

Several manufacturers have been working with the cable industry to suit their TVs 

with two-way CableCARDs and OCAP software technology (mentioned earlier), but 

32

those products are not yet available in volume, and the millions of HDTVs that have 

already been sold with CableCARDs slots cannot be retrofitted to accommodate for 

the new technology. 

Please read the analysis on the subject on previous reports, millions of consumers 

and dollars were wasted on this effort for CableCARD products since they were 

introduced a few years ago, and many millions more will be sold before the complete 

solution is implemented into DTVs, probably in another year or two. 

From another angle, "Some operators have made it difficult for consumers to get a 

card and encouraged them to take a set-top box instead. The cable operator is in 

the business of selling services, not hardware," said Neal Goldberg, general counsel 

for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. 

In addition, he added, “The Federal Communications Commission mandated that 

consumers be made aware of CableCARD's limitations, and the cable industry is 

following that mandate by posting information on its Web sites and supplying it when 

consumers request a card. Once consumers learn that they will not be able to get 

pay-per-view and video-on-demand with a CableCARD, many opt for a set-top box.” 

Over the past couple of years I personally did many calls to cable representatives to 

obtain the kind of information Mr. Goldberg mentions, cable companies never 

volunteered clear responses unless specifically asking for the issues, and in many 

cases the responses showed ignorance about the subject, intentionally or not. 

Reportedly, “The CableCARD is essentially dead," said Mr. Doherty of Envisioneering. 

"It will go down in history like the Edsel." 

I wonder if that history would also say, “Rodolfo predicted it since day one, over 3 

years ago”. 

Multi-Stream CableCARD 

In July 2006, CableLabs® awarded qualified status to Motorola for its Multi-Stream 

CableCARD (M-Card) that would allow STBs or Cable-ready TVs to tune to 

multiple programming to watch and/or record 

simultaneously. 

The M-Card, a security component of the cable system, is 

also backwards compatible with unidirectional devices such 

as current CableCARD TV slots, but it would perform in a 

single-stream manner, similar to the current CableCARD. 

M-Cards originally planned to become available from MSOs 

within 2006. They can be tested with a tool (HPNx PRO) 

made by Digital Keystone together with CableLabs, which 

would be made available to CE manufacturers to test M-Card related devices. 

In November 2006, a “streamlined process” was launched for the testing the M-Card 

whereby manufacturers would be allowed to perform self-verification of their M- 

Card-enabled devices. 

33

Support from TiVo Inc., Motorola, Digeo, Solekai, Digital Keystone, and ViXS was 

given to the process, according to CableLabs. 

DVRs would be benefited by the M-Card approach because it would permit a dual 

channel reception to record one channel while viewing another. 

Tivo Series 3 performs a similar feature but by designing the boxes with dual 

unidirectional CableCARDs (and dual slots in the box), which the M-Card would 

simplify to only one slot, one card. 

The NCTA confirmed that CableLabs has qualified M-Cards from Cisco/Scientific 

Atlanta and Motorola. 

Cable STB Integration Ban 

By July 2007, cable service providers are supposed to separate their security 

functions from the other set-top-box functions; the use of a CableCARD for the 

security functions is expected to facilitate that split. 

Under the plan, the consumer would be able to purchase a cable STB in a retail store 

and request a CableCARD to the cable company to unable the security features 

related to the subscribed service. 

Further coverage on the Industry Edition. 

Congress Support for DCAS 

In November 2006, Congress sent a letter to the FCC to recommend not to 

implement the “Integration Ban” as planned for July 2007 using CableCARDs on STBs 

but to rather consider a software downloadable solution such as the one the industry 

has been working over the past few years, DCAS, Downloadable Conditional Access 

System, viewed as less expensive and more practical than the CableCARD. 

According to CED, “the letter - dated Nov. 27, 2006, and signed by Senate 

Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska); House Energy and 

Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas); and Rep. Fred Upton (R- 

Mich.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the 

Internet - argued that the FCC has ‘ample authority at its disposal’ to establish a 

timeframe for cable operators to develop and deploy downloadable security.” 

Further coverage in the Industry Edition. 

FCC Approved DCAS – Some Integrated Ban Waivers 

In January 2007, the FCC agreed that DCAS (Downloadable Conditional Access 

System) would comply with its rules of separating security from cable tuner 

functionality, recognizing that the solution was a “more elegant and less expensive” 

option. 

34

FCC’s Media Bureau denied the waiver Comcast filed in May 2006 regarding Motorola 

DCT700, Scientific Atlanta Explorer 940, and Pace Micro Technology DC501p 

(Chicago); reportedly, Comcast will pursue their case with the Full Commission. 

Other waiver requests from Verizon, RCN, and Charter Communications, were still on 

hold by the FCC. 

However, the FCC granted requests from BendBroadband and Cablevision Systems 

Corp. 

Cablevision’s request was granted on the merits that their STBs already had a 

Smartcard design since 2001, although not performing the kind of securityindependence 

a CableCARD solution would. The FCC granted a temporary 

grandfather permission to continue using the Smartcard boxes, but they would have 

to be replaced by July 2009, granting 2 years of extension to the full replacement. 

BendBroadband request dated October 2006 was approved; the company’s limited 

capability boxes can be used until digital replacement be done in 2008. 

Further coverage in the Industry Edition. 

Switched Digital Video (SDV) 

Using SDV a cable company can dynamically make available only the channels that 

are actively requested in a given area, using only the bandwidth required by those, 

which allows for increased allocation for hi-speed internet and telephone services 

using the same pipe. It would also allow increasing the number of channels in the 

cable service without incurring in expensive upgrades. 

The dynamic distribution of channels to nodes is triggered by viewers requesting 

them, once the last viewer on a given channel ceases to view the channel, it is no 

longer sent to that node. 

The system permits the continuous use of existing coax to the home without having 

to upgrade to Fiber, which is expensive to a cable company. 

Please consult further detail on the Industry Edition. 

Broadcasting 

Please consult the Must-Carry subject in the Industry Edition. 

3-in-One TV Tuner 

In February 2006, MicroTune announced a 

chip capable to tune ATSC/NTSC/Digital Cable 

Ready (DCR) for under $3, the MicroTuner 

MT2131. 

35

As you see on the photo the tuner is very small, and it performs the functions of 

about 100 silicon components, reducing the bill of materials by about 60%, according 

to the company. 

Down-Conversion Proposal 

In Aug 06, Broadcasters from ABC, CBS, NBC and Telemundo complained to 

Senators and leaders of the house about a U.S. House of Representatives plan (H.R. 

5252) allowing cable and satellite TV operators to down convert over-the-air HD 

programming to SD resolution for delivery to subscribers until Feb 17, 2014. 

“It would be like allowing a third-party competitor to convert color TV to black and 

white”, some broadcasters wrote to the legislators. 

The complaint did not include down conversion from digital to analog devices. 

Do You Know Where Your Recording is Tonight? 

In April 2006, Cablevision announced plans to offer for later in 2006 RS-DVR 

(remote-storage digital video recorder), a service for subscribers to make remote 

video recording, without a DVR at their homes, with current STBs, at the control of 

the viewer’s remote, in other words, transparent to the user. 

The recording would be stored at servers located at Cablevision's facilities, which 

means no DVR distribution, installation, and maintenance, reduced costs. 

Some issues needed to get resolved at the time of announcement such as the 

expected cost-savings to be passed on to customers, legal issues with program 

providers. 

Cablevision had plans to test the service in its Long Island, NY, market for 60 days, 

which would require a software download on set top boxes. 

Broadcasting Industry Preparing for 1080p Production 

In Feb 07, the industry said it was reading the offering of a number 1080-line 

progressive production products and the implementation of a 3Gbps networking pipe 

for delivering 1080p HD throughout a station, automatic analog-to-digital conversion 

of audio and video, and multi-channel solutions, running under the same control and 

monitoring system. 

Harris’ Platinum and Panacea are some examples. 

Pro-Bel’s Cygnus router, 1080p capable, 576x576 routing in a single 26 rack-unit 

housing. 

NVision will introduce their 3 Gbps router at NAB 2007. 

36

Chapter 4 - Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) 

The complete coverage of this subject is in the Industry Edition. 

Introduction 

IPTV is becoming the buzzword used to generally name TV distribution using IP 

networks. Some IP content distributors that only offer limited services making 

subscribers believe this is a full service with all the features of legacy digital cable 

are also using this term very loosely. 

There are several camps on this subject, on one side some industry experts firmly 

believe that the infrastructure of our current IP networks is solid enough and is ready 

for full-blown HDTV distribution over IP. As you will see below several companies 

and Telcos have not only started testing IPTV, they have also successfully 

implemented services for thousands of subscribers. 

Other industry experts assert that consumers customarily use more bandwidth than 

what current networks can support, and the current capacity would not be able to 

also support real time HD video in addition to the variety of digital activities 

consumers do every day. These experts say that HDTV distribution using IP would 

not replace real-time traditional broadband methods such cable and satellite. 

Some actual implementations from manufactures and Telcos offer hardware and 

services that give the impression that IPTV is ready to handle several HDTVs 

programs in parallel to having several PCs in the same house downloading movies, 

music, files, photos, etc. all running over the same IP pipe. 

What Does IPTV Mean to You? 

IPTV manages TV signals stored as digital files that can be distributed within packets 

using Internet Protocol (IP) to devices such as video cell phones, iPods, and other 

portable receivers, in addition to the TVs at home. 

One IPTV application is the video service distribution from telecommunications 

companies such as Verizon, Bell South, Qualcomm, and AT&T Wireless to deliver 

movies, TV shows and sports highlights to the subscriber’s PCs or handsets. 

IPTV is also the term used by Telcos to describe sending telephone, high-speed 

Internet and TV channels over hybrid coax or fiber-optic cable. 

Some IPTV services supply only VOD; others include real-time HDTV as well. 

One of the virtues of IPTV is the ability to maintain a two-way communication with 

subscribers, as opposed to unidirectional terrestrial broadcasters. However, with 

IPTV those broadcasters can generate new revenues from the same content by 

expanding the distribution via IPTV to destinations other than regular antennas. 

According to Broadcast Engineering “ESPN and CNN HD content viewed by 

consumers at their PCs is distributed using a separate IP routing system that delivers 

the video over the Internet within IP packets. Tribune Broadcasting, and Sinclair 

37

Broadcast Group use TeleStream’s FlipFactory for IP delivery to share content. 

Leveraging technologies such as these from the Associated Press, CBS News Source, 

Path 1 and other video resources”. 

Different Methods of HDTV Over IP 

When using standard MPEG-2 compression, an HD channel requires about 19 Mbps 

of bandwidth to be transmitted. If using DSL or cable modem, although is 

considered hi-speed for typical Internet services, it currently have the capacity to 

transmit only a small fraction of what raw HDTV requires. 

Even when re-compressing the 19 Mbps with more efficient compression algorithms 

like MPEG-4 or VC1, and even when using additional transmission-saving techniques 

to fit HDTV content into those typical hi-speed Internet services, the approach would 

be a challenge, not to mention that, after making use of this bandwidth for HDTV, 

there will be little or no room left for Internet downloads of music, files, photos, etc. 

Additionally, it becomes less feasible to consider accommodating additional parallel 

real-time HD channels to satisfy the individual viewing needs of a typical home with 

several TVs. 

Some IPTV advertising campaigns say “we could download any HD program of your 

choice into the DVR for later viewing”, the download could happen while you sleep, 

the downloading speed would not need to be as fast as the viewing speed from the 

DVR. 

Others say, “we could send the program for real-time viewing” which generally 

means one selection from a group of options, like a VOD service. 

Other IPTV service providers claim to have found a way to send several HD feeds 

throughout various rooms on the home. 

Others advertise having hundreds of channels on the line up, but fail to elaborate on 

the viewing restrictions, compression artifacts, freeze ups, single TV per home 

limitations, etc. 

IPTV service providers like AT&T and Verizon consider themselves to have an 

advantage over cable companies because their IPTV services only require just 

enough bandwidth to send the selected channel. 

This means they do not need to send out all the 150 parallel channels like cable and 

satellite. More specifically, the channel tuning selection is not done the traditional 

way as with terrestrial, cable, etc, where a viewer chooses from a wide selection of 

parallel channels arriving to the STB and selects only one from the multi-channel 

stream. 

When using IPTV, you select and request delivery of the specific program to your 

STB from the line up. Such delivery could be viewed in real-time or be downloaded 

to a DVR for later viewing, depending of the service and installed hardware. 

38

IPTV is being implemented in different flavors, and part of the reason for the 

variation is that while some neighborhoods have very limited Internet speed, others 

have been provisioned with very fast fiber optic networks. 

Current/Planned IPTV Market Solutions 

A couple of years ago I was contacted by a company that developed an HD-IPTV 

system. Using this solution, consumers would purchase client STBs for PCs and 

stand-alone TVs and receive IPTV content even at 1080p quality, as claimed by the 

company. 

MatrixStream is the name of that company, founded in 1999 and headquartered in 

Vancouver, British Columbia. I included their launched HD 1080p server/client IPTV 

products on last year’s annual HDTV Technology report (March 2006, 2006 HDTV 

Technology Report). 

The interesting part was that the company also offered hardware to enable “anyone” 

to become a content distributor via IP from a server to clients in a network. 

The company adopted MPEG-4 Part 10/H.264 compression which cuts in half the 

stream requirements to transmit via IP the typical HDTV content compressed with 

MGEG-2. MatrixStream also implemented techniques to optimize the transport over 

the Internet by using proprietary buffering and error-correction techniques that 

compensate for Internet bottlenecks. 

MatrixStream claims they can transmit a DVD-quality TV signal requiring only 1.5 

Mbps and a high-definition 1080p signal requiring only 2.5 Mbps, both within the 

limitations of typical DSL and cable-modem hi-speed connections. 

If you are interested in further information, please consult the details of companies 

implementing the IPTV concept as well as some leaning lessons, the hardware, the 

systems, etc. on the Industry Edition report. 

39

Chapter 5 - CRT, SED, OLED, FED, NED, 3DTV 

In this section, I first cover the technology subject, and then I cover the display 

manufacturers with their products. However, some technology descriptions are 

included within the coverage of each manufacturer. 

Based on the actual sales of analog CRT direct-view reported for 2006 and the 

planned sales for 2007, there may be a lack of consumer education regarding the 

DTV implementation and analog obsolescence. The consumer has not yet 

abandoned CRT analog and still buys in the millions of units. 

You may review the unfortunate situation of Canon and Toshiba regarding their SED 

plans, and the new efforts by Sony regarding OLED. 

The Technologies 

LCD vs. CRT in Europe 

Nov 06 

Europe has shown a turn in the CRT vs. LCD consumer choice, whereby LCD is taking 

the place of CRT earlier than anticipated. 

As reported by CNET News (credit due to Michael Kanellos): 

------------------------------ 

“LCD televisions outsold conventional CRTs in Europe for the first time in the third 

quarter, according to data released Monday by research firm DisplaySearch. And 

North America is next. 

Worldwide, shipments of liquid crystal display TVs were up 99 percent compared with 

the same period last year. During the three-month period, 10.8 million units left 

factories, according to DisplaySearch. 

The crossover to digital TVs is occurring earlier than predicted. In part, it comes 

from the fact that manufacturers continue to drop prices at a rapid rate. The surge 

can also be attributed to interest among consumers for high-definition TVs and 

services. Sales of LCDs will outpace cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in North America this 

quarter, according to DisplaySearch. 

Among the digital TV standards, LCD is increasing its size over plasma. Plasma TV 

unit shipments were up 38 percent in North America--slightly faster than the 35 

percent growth of LCDs--but down in other regions. LCD TVs traditionally have 

smaller screens than plasmas, but manufacturers have been upping the size. LCD 

manufacturers now sell 40-inch TVs--the plasma stronghold--and will try to compete 

in the 50-inch and larger space next year with technology that will purportedly 

improve picture quality. 

In response, plasma manufacturers have been cutting the costs of their products. 

Overall, Samsung shipped more TVs worldwide and culled more revenue from TVs in 

the third quarter than its competitors, according to DisplaySearch. 

40

Samsung had fallen behind South Korean rival LG in terms of unit shipments in the 

second quarter. LG accounted for 11.4 percent of shipments in the second quarter, 

while Samsung accounted for 10.6 percent. In the third quarter, Samsung rose to 

11.2 percent, while LG declined to 9.9 percent. 

Samsung also accounted for 15.2 percent of TV revenue worldwide, widening the gap 

with Sony, which sits at 10.3 percent. 

But, the average store price for a TV was $548, up 25 percent in the period, thanks 

to interest in flat-panel and high-definition TVs. 

Analysts, in fact, note that people are spending more on average on flat-panel TVs 

than they did in the past, though prices of individual sets are going down. The 

conclusion: consumers are gravitating toward bigger and bigger sets.” 

3DTV 

Glasses-free 3DTV - Soon a Third Dimension in 1080p 

Jun 06 

At the SID conference, Philips and Sanyo showed prototypes for 3D. 

Philips has implemented their WOWxv technology expected to become available 

within 2 years for consumers, and the company is in negotiations with broadcasters, 

producers, and TV manufacturers. 

Sanyo showed a glasses-free 3D monitor used to display two programs at once (for 

two persons located at angle, such as for car applications where the driver and the 

passenger are viewing different purpose images). 

The 3D technology was said to be independent of the display where it is 

implemented; it could be applied to plasma as well as to LCD. 

The pixels of a display are used half for one image and half for another image the 

eyes blend them together when viewing both images from the proper distance (a 

sweet spot) to realize and appreciate the 3 rd dimension of the perceived image. 

Otherwise, the images tend to overlap or appear blurry, unless polarizing glasses are 

used. Work is under way to increase the viewing sweet spot and to reduce the need 

to use glasses as much as possible. 

A 42” set from Philips (Nov 05) priced at about $12,000 had a sweet spot of about 

12 feet, but a 20” set was said to have the sweet spot at less than 2 feet. The 

company is working in displaying eight pairs of left/right images to open the sweet 

spot area sufficiently so the effect can be appreciated from various depths and 

vertical positions, as well as when the viewers are moving around the projected 

image. 

Various industries have plans for 3D, cell phones, cars, arcade games, and of course, 

the pornographic industry as well. 

Nov 06 

41

Source “Electronic Business”, credit to Drew Wilson: 

“LG Electronics, Sanyo, Sharp, Philips Electronics and Toshiba are some of the 

companies developing 3DTV without requiring the viewer to use special eyeglasses. 

Large investments are taking place on this effort, like 7.7 million in a four-year R&D 

project by the European Union involving 200 researchers from 7 countries, or the 

$23 million by Korea’s government, a project under the direction of Samsung. 

According to the same source, “Two years into the project, researchers have 

developed prototype 3D displays and can stream stereo video through the Internet, 

we are carefully examining all functional building blocks of 3DTV,” said project leader 

Levent Onural, professor at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. 

Further comments added “3D viewing is nothing new. Stereoscopic 3D is as old as 

photography and 3D films in cinemas played decades ago. But putting the 

technology in high-resolution, glasses-free digital form at an affordable price is what 

the race is about.” 

“3D is a good value-added feature to add to flat screen TV,” says Chris Yewdall, 

president of 3D conversion company Dynamic Digital Depth Inc.(DDD). 

Manufacturers and Hollywood see a big opportunity with 3D movies that are 

increasingly appearing in cinemas, Yewdall estimates that 170 cinemas in the U.S. 

are currently 3D equipped. 

His company, DDD, developed software that enables realtime conversion from 2D 

content to 3D. The company has licensed the technology to the top five mobile 

phone companies, who are expected to launch a product next year, Yewdall says. 

DDD’s technology is already in notebook PCs made by Japan’s Sharp Corp. 

“You can put your DVD into Sharp’s laptop, press` play’ and watch it in 3D without 

glasses,” he says. 

But early efforts target higher-end applications where price is not the key issue and 

standards don’t get in the way. The 3D laptops are mainly for professional 

applications such as medical imaging. Likewise, Philips has shipped a glasses-free 

3DTV known as WOWvx, though it is used in casinos and for advertising applications. 

Hans Driessen, spokesman for Philips 3D Solutions, says a consumer solution under 

development will include automatic, realtime conversion of 2D content to 3D and a 

display to support the image integrated in one box. 

When 3DTV will arrive in an affordable mass market version depends on who you 

talk to. Samsung Electronics claims they will market a glasses-free, high-resolution 

3D display in 2009; Philips would only say less in than 10 years. 

“There is no consensus,” says Chris Chinnock, president of Insight Media, who puts 

3DTV a decade away. “This is the killer app that everyone has their eye on, but there 

is tremendous work yet to be done in display, conversion technology, formats and 

standards.” 

Samsung 

Nov 06 

42

Samsung declared that they were experimenting on how to increase the performance 

of LCD TVs by adding carbon nanotubes while cutting costs. 

The following was reported by CNET News (credit due to Michael Kanellos): 

---------------------------- 

“The Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, the laboratory arm of the South 

Korean industrial giant, has come up with a 15-inch prototype LCD (liquid-crystal 

display) screen that employs an array of carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes replace 

more-conventional light sources, such as bulbs or light-emitting diodes, to illuminate 

images on the screen, said Jin Taek Han, a senior researcher at the lab. 

The prototype essentially represents the marriage of two separate avenues of TV 

technology and could help dramatically lower the cost of LCD TVs in the future. 

Samsung has already been experimenting with carbon nanotube TVs called fieldemitter 

displays, or FEDs. 

In such TVs, thousands of nanotubes shoot electrons onto a phosphorescent screen 

to illuminate images. Carbon nanotubes are hollow molecules of intricately arranged 

carbon atoms that that have fairly remarkable properties. They conduct electricity 

better than metal, are stronger than steel and can emit light. 

These nanotube TVs are actually similar in concept to traditional CRT (cathode-ray 

tube) TVs, and advocates claim that they will provide better resolution and picture 

quality than LCD TVs or plasma TVs. Toshiba and Canon will bring out a similar 

nanotube set known as SED TV late next year. (SED stands for surface-conduction 

electron-emitter display.) 

SED TVs, however, require new production lines. This means higher prices, at least 

initially. Some analysts have also said that SED TVs may have a hard time 

competing in the market because prices on LCD TVs and plasma TVs are dropping so 

quickly. 

By combining carbon nanotubes with LCDs, Samsung could leverage its expertise in 

LCDs. The company is the largest maker of LCD panels in the world. 

Nanotubes could also help cut LCD costs. Current light sources are costly and have 

to be carefully placed in a TV. The backlight on a 37-inch LCD currently represents 

38 percent of the device's cost, and 50 percent of the cost for a 40-inch LCD, Han 

said. 

Companies are trying to reduce the cost of the light source by switching to LEDs and 

experimenting with lasers as a light source. Carbon nanotubes could work out even 

cheaper, as it may be possible to grow them in a substrate, the material on which a 

circuit is created. 

"We think carbon nanotubes have a strength in cost," Han said. 

Additionally, the nanotubes could lower energy consumption and improve picture 

quality, he said. It takes traditional LCD 15 milliseconds to render a picture. It 

takes the LCD with carbon nanotubes as a backlight just four milliseconds to do so. 

43

Samsung's goal is to create an LCD with a carbon backlight that lasts 30,000 hours 

and puts out 60 to 70 lumens per watt, about the same as for a traditional tube TV. 

Han added that the work is in the initial stages. For all of their unusual properties, 

carbon nanotubes remain difficult to mass-manufacture. Tubes grown in the same 

batch will have different electrical properties, for instance. 

The Samsung lab, which has an annual budget of $300 million and employs about 

1,000 researchers, is also looking into how the properties of nanotubes can be 

enhanced or controlled with different dopants--elements added to a semiconductor to 

modify its electrical conductivity. And in the end, these types of screens might be 

best suited for small formats, such as cell phone screens. 

Carbon will also face stiff competition from LED TVs. Several manufacturers, such as 

Lumileds, are working to reduce the cost of LEDs, which are semiconductors that 

function as high-powered lamps. 

Samsung is further ahead on nanotube-based FED TVs. The work on those sets has 

been transferred from the company's lab to Samsung Display, which will try to figure 

out if FED TVs can be economically mass-manufactured. The LCD with the carbon 

backlight, though, is still inside the Samsung lab.” 

------------------------------ 

SED 

Toshiba and Canon have been working together since 1999 in a joint venture for the 

development of SED panels, expected to be 55 inches and above. Flat panel TV with 

SED (surface-conduction electron-emitter display) technology is said to be similar 

than CRT beam-emitting technology to obtain comparable clear images but with a 

flat panel. SED handles fast images without jagged edges and consumes one-third 

the electric current of plasma. 

SED is formed by two glass plates with vacuum in between, one mounted with 

electron emitters and pixels similar in number to those of a CRT electron gun, and 

another glass plate coated with a fluorescent substance. The technology has a very 

narrow slit (several nanometers wide) made from ultrafine-particle film; reaction to 

voltage produces a tunneling effect and the emission of electrons, which are 

accelerated by the voltage applied between the glass plates and collide with the 

fluorescent-coated glass plate, which emits light. 

SED has a wide angle of viewing, similar to CRT. Larger screens can be 

manufactured increasing the number of electron emitters to match the required 

number of pixels. SEDs do not need electronic-beam deflection. Wall-mounted 

large-screen TV displays can be made with only a few centimeters thick. 

SED products are expected to perform with 1 millisecond response time and 8600:1 

CR, and planned to be offered at a price range of LCD-TV panels of equivalent size, 

starting with 50” model. The companies expected SED panels to challenge the flatpanel 

market currently dominated by plasmas and LCD-TVs. 

Although the first SED televisions were slated to be available in 2005 and fullproduction 

was expected in 2006, Canon stated at CES 2006 that Japan expected the 

first model to become available for 2007. 

44

SED has been delayed a few times since 2005 for different reasons, but more 

recently, in March 06, Canon and Toshiba delayed the SED launch of SED TVs to 

3Q07 due to cost reasons compared to competitor flat-panel technologies. 

CES 2007 

Texas-based Nano-Proprietary filed a lawsuit with Canon claiming that its 1999 

license agreement with Canon did not include Toshiba, who owns half of the join 

venture (SED Ltd). At that moment, it was speculated that it might cause Canon to 

buy Toshiba's stake in the join effort. 

Nano-Propietary terminated the license under a breach of contract condition, which 

placed under review the Toshiba plans to build a $1.49 billion factory this year in 

Himeji, Japan, for the panels to be produced there. Canon was considering 

manufacturing the displays on a smaller scale on its own, to meet a launch planned 

for 4Q07 in Japan. 

Under the situation, the planned 55-inch SED television display at CES 2007 was 

scratched. 

Canon said that, regardless of the outcome, they might supply SED televisions to 

Toshiba for that company to sell them under the Toshiba brand. 

Feb 07 

However, Canon unfortunately lost the license for nano-technology implementation 

on their planned SED panel manufacturing. 

The Texas court decided that Canon has infringed the license agreement with Texasbased 

Nano-Propietary who won the $5.6 million lawsuit on the basis that Canon was 

not permitted to share the license to use the technology with other companies, like 

Toshiba, which was not a Canon subsidiary, and “Canon's decision in January to buy 

out Toshiba's stake in the unit came too late”, said Texas Judge Sam Sparks. 

A new (more costly) agreement was expected to take place between the two 

companies, and between Nano-proprietary and Toshiba, and Samsung, and any 

other companies “if they are interested in licensing the technology in a non-exclusive 

or exclusive basis” Nano-Proprietary said. 

This caused a halt on Canon’s plans for mass production SED displays on 4Q07, 

although it could be limited to a reduced distribution in Japan. 

But after months into the litigation, the court ruled that the joint venture with 

Toshiba was not a Canon subsidiary. 

The court has a pending trial decision to make sometime after April 2, 2007 

regarding Nano-Proprietary's claims that Canon committed fraud extending the 

license to Toshiba and possibly other Japanese companies. 

Applied Nanotech 

As mentioned in the 2006 report, the Texan company has created a 25-inch 

prototype TV based on carbon nanotubes, claimed to be brighter and crisper than 

45

today’s TV sets. Canon, Toshiba, and Samsung, among others, were testing this 

slim technology over the last few years. 

According with the company, field emission display (FED) TVs, electrons get filtered 

into an array of thousands of tips only a few nanometers wide, which then deliver 

electrons to illuminate the screen. Panels using this technology could be as slim as 

LCDs or plasmas. 

Mar 06 

The company announced that it has signed a letter of intent to enter negotiations for 

a trial on carbon nanotube TVs with Da Ling, a Taiwanese contract manufacturer, 

which would invest $10 million on a pilot manufacturing facility to make carbon 

nanotube TVs based on Applied's technology. Trials were expected for late 06 or 

beginning 07, with commercial availability within two years. 

As with SED technology, pressure exists on maintaining a low price on the nanotech 

technology to position carbon nanotubes in a favorable competitive situation against 

the constant price reductions of LCD and plasma at similar sizes. 

Display Manufacturers 

Canon 

SED 

Over the past couple of years, the 

company demonstrated their SED 

technology (in partnership with 

Toshiba), on the right is the 37” 

prototype panel shown at CES 2006. 

Canon said that the first unit would be a 

55” 1080p model (which will become 

available in Japan in 2007). Canon 

could not confirm an estimated price, 

nor date of availability at that time (over 

one year ago). The panel is expected to 

have a life cycle of about 30,000 hrs 

(similar to CRT, Canon said). Canon and Toshiba were planning to sell similar 

models under their brand names. 

For an update about this joint effort (that failed for non-technological reasons), 

please see the SED comments in the “technology” beginning of this section. 

GTT 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for details on the model below: 

FP CRT 

Dec 05 

GTT HT Reference 9 projector, 9” CRT, offered as a $48,000 package. 

46

JVC 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the model below: 

CRT direct-view 

30” AV-30W777, $800, TTM Jun 06 

Hitachi 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the models below: 

CRT RPTV 

F710A series 

S825 series 

Aspect line 

2006 line additions 

CRT RPTVs 

1080i, ATSC/NTSC tuners, Magic Focus Auto Convergence System, HDMI, 0.52mm 

fine pitch Screen, six Aspect Mode choices for 4:3 expansions to 16:9. 

51” 51F59 $1,300, TTM Apr 06 

57” 57F59 $1,500, TTM May 06 

65” 65F59 $1,800, TTM May 06 

Jun 06 

RPTV 

The company said they would offer a line with three models with an entry level set 

with 51” for $1,000 expected street price. 

LG 

The company abandoned CRT tube TV in Europe (Oct 05), to concentrate in thin TVs. 

CRT market in Europe was expected to drop 20%, doubling LG expectations 

beginning 2005. 

CRT direct-view 

30” $900, flat-faced, ATSC tuner, NO CableCARD, TTM March 06, HDMI, RGB, 1080i 

Mitsubishi 

OLED 

On December 2005, the company announced their development of new blue 

phosphorescence Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) material which has four times 

greater luminous efficiency than currently used fluorescent material, and can be 

manufactured at lower cost than other OLED processes; it uses a wet-coating 

process, and could be applied for large panels. 

OLED devices emit light when an electric current is applied and do not require a 

backlight to function. They consume less power, have a wider viewing angle, and 

display a brighter image with a refresh rate a thousand times faster than LCDs. 

According to Mitsubishi, the new OLED device also employs hole blocking material 

and hole injection material to achieve 30cd/A efficiency at an intensity of 100 cd/m2 

(external quantum efficiency: 13 percent), more than twice that of conventional blue 

wet-coating type OLEDs. 

47

Motorola 

NED 

On May 2005, Motorola introduced its first working nano-emissive display (NED) 

prototype (five-inch diagonal proto-television) at the Society for Information Display 

(SID) conference in Boston. The wafer-thin display is one-eighth of an inch thick. If 

enough interest from large companies is reached manufacturing could be by 2007, 

and prices could be under $1000 (Display Search, estimated that a 40-inch NED 

display could retail for $800 or less). 

Reportedly, NED uses millions of accelerated electrons charged by just 5 to 10 volts 

of electricity, compared with 5,000 volts for large-screen, high-def LCDs. The 

electrons shoot toward a phosphor plate, creating the moving image. This technique 

requires less voltage than a CRT. Unlike LCD, a nano-emissive display, which uses 

carbon nanotube technology, will be easily viewable from all angles. 

Don Bartell, a product director at Motorola, stated that a critical benefit of NED over 

other display technologies is no limit to the display size. NED could be used by ad 

agencies erecting monolithic 100-inch roadside billboards and consumers wanting a 

42-inch home entertainment centerpiece. 

Philips 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for CRT direct-view models 20-32”. 

RCA 

(please refer to Thomson) 

Samsung 

OLED 

The company made an OLED prototype 40-inch panel made from a single-sheet 

organic light-emitting diode (OLED) that consumes less power than traditional flat 

panels and do not require a backlight, with higher resolution than LCDs. OLED has 

been implemented in phones and other devices with small screens, but Samsung has 

implemented it also on larger prototypes, such as a 14.1-inch OLED panel 1280x768 

and a 21” HD 1920x1080. The 40” is a 1280x800, brightness of 600 nits, contrast 

ratio of 5,000 to 1, 2.2 centimeters thick panel to fit TVs under 3 centimeters deep. 

FED 

OLED is joined by field emission display (FED) televisions where thousands of carbon 

nanotubes, or other components, shoot electrons at a screen to create a picture; FED 

televisions are expected to be thinner than current flat-panel televisions and provide 

better resolution. A prototype has been developed by Samsung from a sheet of 

730x920 millimeters of mother-glass using amorphous silicon processes, as with 

LCDs. 

CRT 

Space-saving CRP (Cathode Ray Panel) technology 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for specs on the following models: 

30” TX-R3079WH 

30” TX-R3080WH 

48

CES 2006 

CRT Slim Fit with only 16” depth, ATSC/NTSC tuners, 

and 3-2 pulldown. 

30” TX-S3082WH $1,000, TTM Mar 06, HDMI 

30” TX-S3080WH $1,000, TTM Mar 06, HDMI 

27” TX-S2782H $700, TTM Apr 06, 2 HDMI, 2 

component 

27” TX-S2783 $500, TTM Apr 06, SD 480i 

analog, component 480i DVD input 

Samsung discontinued 32” flat-screen CRT in 2006 to 

concentrate in Slim-Fit models. 

CES 2007 

Samsung introduced two new CRT model implementing the Slim-Fit concept: 

27” TX-T2793 $550, TTM Apr 07, 16- 

inch depth and contemporary design, Nano 

Pigment Screen produces deeper colors, higher 

contrasts and a wider range of color expression 

throughout the entire screen, built-in HDTV 

tuner, progressive scan, 3:2 pull down, 

2xHDMI, 2 auto sensing HD/DVD component 

video inputs, 20-watt side built-in speakers 

with SRS 5.1 audio processing, 16:9 aspect 

ratio. 

TX-T2793 shown 

30” TX-T3093WH $700, TTM Apr 07, 16-inch depth, contemporary design, 1/3 

the depth of traditional CRTs, Nano Pigment Screen produces deeper colors, higher 

contrasts and a wider range of color expression throughout the entire screen, built-in 

HDTV tuner, progressive scan, 3:2 pull down mode, 2xHDMI, 2 auto sensing HD/DVD 

component video inputs, 20-watt side built-in speakers with SRS 5.1 audio 

processing, 16:9 aspect ratio. 

30” TX-T3092 $700, TTM Apr 97, same as 

above but with bottom built-in speakers and with 

standard SRS TruSurround XT audio processing). 

TX-T3092 shown 

According to Samsung, in 2006, the company 

dominated the CRT HDTV market with a market share 

above 50 percent in dollars and units, largely driven by 

the new line of SlimFit HDTVs. 

Sony 

49

CES 2007 

OLED 

Sony Electronics demo a set 

of OLED small screens 

(organic light-emitting 

diodes) and declared "It is 

not as far off as you might 

think, perhaps next year", 

although Sony was not 

announcing products or a 

commitment to OLED TVs, 

mass-manufacturing is 

depending upon a price 

consumers are willing to 

pay. 

An OLED display produces 

light upon the application of 

an electrical current, and 

they do not require a backlight, consume less power, and could be thinner than LCD 

panels. 

Samsung also produced larger OLED TVs. 

The screens were approximately 3mm deep on the 11-inch model (SVGA 1024x600), 

and less than 10mm 

deep on the 27-inch 

model (1920x1080), 

they are considered 

next generation 

displays by Sony, with 

high contrast 

(1,000,000:1 CR), 

wide color gamut, and 

quick response time. 

development”. 

Sony declared “The 

prospect of mass 

production of the 

panels for smaller size 

OLED TVs is close to 

be cleared, and 

development on the 

panels for middle 

/larger-sized is 

currently under 

50

Thomson (RCA) 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report, the company decided to eliminate 

IEEE1394 and CableCARD on 2006 models to reduce costs. 

CRT RPTV 

Eight new models for June 2006, DVI, component, 480p/1080i 

52” R52WH73/74 $1,150 

52” R52WH76/78 $1,200 

56” R56WH76/78 $1,400 

61” R61WH76/78 $1,500 

CRT Direct-view 4:3 

SDTV 480i, 8 new sets, curve & flat tubes, ATSC tuner, TTM Mar 06 for most models. 

27” 5 models from $369 to $459 (27V414T, 514T, 524T, 525T, 534T) 

32” 3 models from $549 to $679 (32V434T, 524T, 654T) 

HDTV, 16:9, 1080i, integrated ATSC tuner. 

26” HD26W854T $629, TTM June 06, 16:9 AR 

27” HD27F754T $549, TTM Mar 06, 4:3 AR 

Toshiba 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the 

following models and lines: 

CRT line 

HF85 TheaterWide 

Cinema Series 

CRT RPTV HC85 Custom Series and TheaterWide 

At CES 2006, the company declared that is was 

investing in LCD and SED in 2006, while also 

carrying plasma as a mainstream product, and 

abandoning the CRT RPTV line. 

At that time the following direct-view CRT models were announced: 

CRTs direct-view 

Eight models for 1Q06, all with integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM on-the-clear tuners 

51

HDTV line 

1080i native, two models with FST Pure widescreen, HDMI/HDCP, 2 Colorstream 

component analog input. 

26” 26HF66 

30” 30HF66 

Standard Definition line 

480i, FST Pure, ColorStream inputs, silver/gray bezel design 

26” 26DF56 widescreen 

30” 30DF56 widescreen 

27” 27DF46 flat-tube 4:3 

32” 32DF46 flat-tube 4:3 

Two other curved picture tubes with 480i, Colorstream inputs, silver cabinets, darkgray 

cosmetics: 

27” 27D46 

32” 32D46 

May 06 

CRT Direct-View 

At the Toshiba dealler show the company announced several direct-view CRT TVs, 

including analog direct-view models in 13-inch and 19-inch non-flat screen sizes, and 

14-, 20- and 24-inch flat-screen sizes. 

Digital direct view, four levels 

Standard definition (SD) 480i models 

27” & 32” non-flat screen sizes 

27” & 32” flat-screen screen sizes with new cabinet design. 

New category of digital widescreen CRT direct view models 

26” & 30” 16:9 models with SD resolution and a similar pair in HD resolution. 

Toshiba declared “We will be No. 1 in the category in 2006”. 

SED line 

Originally planned for late 06, 36” demo at CES 

2006, 1920x1080 50”+ screen sizes were in the 

plans. 

In March 06, Toshiba and Canon announced their 

postponement of the launch of SED televisions until 

July 2007 and availability until 4Q07; Beijing 

Olympics in 2008 was viewed as an important factor 

for SED. The low prices of competing technologies, 

such as LCDs and plasma displays, forced Toshiba and Canon to evaluate ways to 

make SEDs cheaper, although in their opinion, the better SED picture should justify 

the differences in price. 

In October 2006 (CEATEC), Toshiba/Cannon showed several 55” SED panels, and 

declared that have found how to manufacture SED 55” TVs at a more competitive 

price than anticipated, although they said there should be premium over LCD 

competitors justified by the better viewing experience, CR in the order of 50,000:1, 

450 nits of brightness, one millisecond response time that would eliminate the image 

52

lur and ghosting known in LCD, 30,000 hours of life expectancy, half power 

consumption of plasma and lower than LCD, etc. 

Toshiba and Canon estimated a production 

level of 65,000 SED TVs per month when 

their plant becomes fully operational, a level 

that was said to be increased to meet their 

goal. 

In December 2006, after a series of delays 

Toshiba anticipated that “the company will 

not be showing SED at CES 2007”, it is 

uncertain how this cancellation and the legal 

situation with the license would further 

postpone the introduction, but judging by the 

accelerated drop in price of LCD and plasma 

panels during 2006 the prospective of 

introducing SED as competitor technology has 

become more difficult. 

This time the delay has been caused by other reasons, not by a technical issue, but 

rather a legal issue between Canon and Nano-Proprietary regarding the licensing for 

the development of Canon’s SED TVs. Please see the legal situation covered at the 

start of this section. 

53

Chapter 6 - Digital Light Processing (DLP) 

Texas Instruments 

CES 2007 

New DLP HDTVs from Samsung, Mitsubishi, NuVision, Panasonic, RCA, Toshiba, etc 

were shown at CES. Some of those with “slim designs” of about 10 inches deep, 

some with LED based engines like Samsung. 

TI made no announcements 

regarding the implementation 

of a full 1920x1080 chip for 

RPTVs, as the 1080p chip used 

for front projectors. 

Considering that DLP RPTVs are 

targeted to a section of the 

market that generally looks for 

economical solutions to large 

screens, true 1080p (rather 

than using a 960x1080 chip 

and a mirror switching 

technique, as they do now), 

might be a feature that would 

probably be implemented if it 

could be done at a low cost. 

TI mentioned that the 1080p chip used for front projectors is possible to be used in 

rear projection sets but it costs a little more and apparently TV manufacturers might 

not be willing to pay for the extra cost. Additionally, the chip for FP has a 

surrounding back area needed for front projectors but is not necessary for RPTV 

applications because of the frame of the TV, and TI would have to make one chip 

without that black surrounding for such purpose. 

TI also mentioned that for such chip, the manufacturer would have to make a light 

engine that operates differently than the 960x1080 chip, and TI would have to 

supply the software for that application. 

According to TI, this is a decision manufacturers have to make. 

Regarding HP dropping DLP RPTV manufacturing, TI commented that it might have 

been a decision based on not making sufficient volume and decided to concentrate 

on other lines, however TI stated that no other manufacturer has shown signs of 

moving away from DLP. 

TI is concentrating its efforts in helping the manufacturers and in the development of 

new technologies. No comments were made about any chips higher than the 1080p 

resolution. 

True 1080p chips are very successfully being implemented in a number of new front 

projectors by various DLP supporting manufacturers, such as Optoma, BenQ, SIM2, 

54

Sharp, Marantz, etc., at prices now reaching the

lasers, a DLP chip, power supply, 1.5 inches long, 

capable to beam SDTV quality on a screen larger 

than what the LCD panel can display in the phone. 

Akai 

RPTV 

3-RGB LED based 1080p DLPs 

20,000 hrs – 50,000 hrs, fast turn on time 

46” PT46DV27L $1,800, TTM Mar 06 

52” PT52DL27L $2,200, TTM May 06 

Barco 

RLM H5 Performer 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

BenQ 

FP, current models 


Mar 06 (Cebit introduction) 

BenQ W10000 

15,000:1 CR, 1,200 lumens, TTM 4Q06, 

€10,000 

CES 2007 

BenQ introduced four new models: 

MP721 $1,500 

MP721C $1,000 

MP611 $900 

MP611C $750 

Featuring, cross-functional units, MyScreen, presentation timer, power alert tone, 

“Q” hot-key, blackboard mode, panel-key lock, built-in unobtrusive on-screen timer, 

PC/ laptop connection with a common RS-232 cable, 25dB noise level, 2100 ANSI 

Lumens to 2500 ANSI Lumens, 2000:1 CR, all accept analog RGB, component video, 

(the MP721 and MP721C also accept DVI-I input), handle 480p, 576p, 720p, and 

1080i, optional LinkPro wireless connectivity module available for the MP721 and 

MP721C, five-segment golden-ratio color-wheel, 5.9 pounds, 10.9” x 8.7”, TTM mid- 

Jan 07, glossy-black finish. 

Christie 

From the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

Roadie $25,000, 2048x1080, 1500:1 CR, 25000 ANSI, 2:1 AR 

56

Digital Projection International 

FP 

dVision HD 720p $17,000, two 250watt lamps, 2500 lumens, DarkChip3 DMD, 

1600x1200 computer input, 120kHz horizontal, 2000 hrs lamp life, 6000:1 CR, VGA 

15 pin, DVI-D digital RGB, BNC RGBHV, component. 

iVision HD-7 720p, 2 nd generation, 1000 ANSI lumens, 3000:1 CR, 1.75-2.25:1 zoom 

lens. 

FP 

Jun 06 

dVision 1080p, TTM May 06 

$30,000, 500-2500 ANSI, lens shift 0.55 vertical +-, 0.45 horizontal +-, 6000:1 CR, 

2x250w UHP dimmable to 2x200W, lamp life 2000 hrs, DVI-D digital RGB, RS-232 9- 

pin, D-sub, 1 USB-B, 1 LAN RJ-45, 1 remote, 2 x 7-segment color wheel, 5x speed, 

1920x1080 single chip 0.95” Dark Chip3 DMD, VIP1000 video processor, NO 1080p 

Input, 10 meter fiber optic DVI cable to projector. 

True 1080i to 1080p de-interlacing, SD/HD multidirectional diagonal filter; HQV video 

enhancement, DNR, 16 to 1024 tap Adaptive Scaling; true 10-bit processing; audio 

delay, geometry, e-Warp vertical/horizontal keystone for cylindrical , spherical, and 

asymmetric displays. 

Inputs: 1 comp YPbPr, 3 BNC, DVI-D digital RGB, HDMI, analog 15-pin VGA, analog 

RGB BNC, 1 S/PDIF audio, 1 toslink, 1 SDI (Pro only) BNC. 

Outputs: DVI-D, HDMI, analog RGB 15-pin VGA. 

Control: RS-232 9-pin D-sub, 1 USB 2.0, 1 Ethernet RJ-45, 1 IR remote. 

Continuous adjustable motorized iris, practical as the projector lamp ages, reducing 

the CR as iris size increases and the lamp ages. 54dB fan noise (I hope this spec is 

an error in a world of 30-40db noise level projectors, otherwise start thinking in a 

separate room just to mount the projector), 900 watts consumption (2 lamps), 4000 

hrs at 80 % life on the lamp, 2000 hrs at 100% lamp power, $650 replacement x 

module. 

Sep 2006 (CEDIA) 

The company showed the 1080p 3-chip DLP projectors – the TITAN 1080p-250 and 

the ultra-high-end HIGHlite Reference 1080p projector, along with their video image 

processor and source switcher, VIP 2000. DPI also announced the addition of the 

TheaterScope Premier lens system to their line of home cinema projectors and 

system accessories. 

57

TITAN 1080p-250 

3x 0.95 1080p DarkMetal DMDs, 59.5 pounds, noise level lower than 35dB, 2000 

ANSI lumens, 5000:1 CR, enhanced seven-point color correction for expanded color 

space and super-accurate end-user color alignment, user-selectable Xenon Color 

Mode, accurate colorimetry control for accurate white point definition with extensive 

control over gamma, color and grayscale tracking, seven user-selectable inputs, 

including DVI/HDCP and HD/SD-SDI, Constant-height screen implementation 

possible with DPI's optional TheaterScope Premier System with specially designed 

large precision anamorphic lens mounted in a motorized lens sled triggered via 

contact closure or RS 232 control, to slide the anamorphic lens into the projector's 

light path which optically stretches the projected image to fill the full width of the 

2.35 screen surface. 

HIGHlite Reference 1,080p 

2048x1080 native resolution, world's lightest and smallest 2K by 1K three 1.26-inch 

DLP DMD chips, 5000 up to 14,000 ANSI lumens, 2000:1 CR, TTM October, 

$106,000 MSRP, liquid cooling for quiet operation, medium-to-very large home 

cinema environment installations. 

Dwin 


Hitachi 


HP 

RPTV 

1080p line 

xHD4 wobulated chip 


2006 line 

HP Visual Fidelity technologies w/patented 

wobulation, CableCARD, TTM summer 06 

1080p model with LED 

52” ID5280n, super-bright LEDs that replace a 

traditional bulb and provide a broader range of colors as well as instant on/off. 

720p 

52” ID5220n 

May 06 

RPTV 

58” md5883n replaces the 5880, 1080p input, 

52’ 

65” 

InFocus 

FP 

58

PlayBig line, TTM Feb 06 

IN72 $1,200, 480p 

IN74 $1,700, 576px1024 

IN76 $3,000, 720p, CES demo did not impress me as 

advertised. 

ScreenPlay 777, TTM now, 720p, details at CES 2005 report. 

RPTV 

ScreenPlay, 6.85” deep (specs on CES 2005 report). 

50” 50md10 

61” 61md10 

CES 2007 

InFocus made several 

announcements: 

InFocus celebrated the company’s 

20-year projection history. 

The Play Big SP777 (shown) home 

theater projector was announced 

to have a reduced price, $10,000 

from Jan 1, 07. The SP777 is a 

720p DarkChip3 DLP® projector with 5000:1 CR, 2000 video-optimized lumens, 

and is a current model. 

A new projector was previewed, Play Big IN1 instant home theater and gaming 

projector, with a built-in DVD player and 

speakers, optional ceiling mirror for bed 

viewing, TTM 1H07. 

Two new meeting products, Work Big IN24+ 

and IN26+, 30% brighter with 2,200 lumens. 

Work Big IN24+ IN26+ below: 

Two next versions of Work Big IN32 & IN34 

for 1Q07, and the introduction of the Work 

Big IN36 with 3,000 lumens. 

59

LG 

RPTV 


FP 

AN110, first wall mounted projector, 2500:1 CR, 1280x768 DMD, 1000 ANSI lumens, 

max 100 inches screen, 24 db noise 

level, HDMI. 

Marantz 

Previously released models: 

VP8600 $6,000, TTM now, for lower cost 

installations, HD2+ chip, 720p, 650 ANSI 

lumens, 4000hrs bulb life, 10-bit gamma 

processing, VGA, component, analog RGB, 

DVI/HDCP, 3:2 pull-down, right. 

VP-12S4 $15,000, TTM now, 720p, upgraded 

version for image enhancement over current 

model done via firmware, uses Gennum GF9350 

fully programmable architecture, details and 

specs at CES 

2005 report, 

left. 

VP-10S1 

$38,000, 

TTM now, 

HD2 

720p, 

right. 

VP-11S1 

1920x1080p new projector was shown as a 

prototype (left), 700 ANSI, 5000:1 CR, 2 

60

HDMI, 2 component, Gennum video processing, $TBA (estimated between $15K- 

$20K), TTM mid-06 (left). 

Jun 06 

In New York Marantz announced that it was the first to market an HD DLP front 

projector using TI’s new native 1080p DarkChip III .95 DMD, controlled by TI’s newly 

developed DDP3021 dual drivers, claimed to provide precise mirrors control, the 

Model VP-11S1, introduced as prototype above at CES 2006, now confirmed to be 

$20,000 MSRP, sold thru Marantz’s 500 dealer network, accepts 1080p, up-converts 

non-1080p sources with a next-generation Gennum Visual Excellence Processing 

(VXP) video processor. According to Marantz, “It was mission critical to us at 

Marantz to only build products that will resonate with the most fastidious and 

meticulous videophiles”. 

The projector uses an improved three-primary color wheel spinning above 10,000 

rpms, powered by a new Quiet Fluid Dynamic Bearing motor to reduce the visible 

rainbow patterns some people see in motion scenes. 

The 12-bit processing implemented in this projector claims to produce image 

gradations that are four times richer than previous systems; the Gennum VXP 

processor de-interlaces, scales, reduces noise, enhances detail, and performs color 

correction, which Gennum says is the first consumer application of the same 

processor used in two thirds of commercial cinema projector lines. 

CR 6,500:1, brightness between 600 to 700 lumens, dual HDMI, component video, 

and analog RGB, RS-232 serial control port, vertical lens shift. 

Marantz declared that they will introduce a long-throw lens feature in a next model 

later in 2006. 

Mitsubishi 

For earlier models, please consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

In February 2006, Mitsubishi announced their use of laser as a source of light instead 

of mercury lamps used on projection sets. The use of laser offers a higher picture 

quality with greater color range according to the company. At that time, there was 

no announcement regarding availability or pricing. 

Apr 06 

Laser technology 

Mitsubishi showed a prototype of slim big-screen TV 

(52 inches and larger) expected to be available late 

next year (TTM Nov 07), using colored lasers to display 

bright, deep images on large, thin, lightweight screens. 

Traditional DLP TVs use white-light mercury lamps as 

the television's light source; laser television uses 

separate red, green and blue lasers in conjunction with 

an HDTV chip, for greater range and intensity of colors 

(1.8 wider than LCD), deeper black levels, lighter 

cabinets because the screens would be advanced 

61

plastics rather than the glass used in plasma flat-panel units. 

Laser television is expected to use about a third the power of conventional, largescreen 

models using high-power lamps, required to be on at full power while the TV 

set is on, lasers, which are based in semiconductors, turn on and off when needed 

(such as for the reproduction of better blacks than plasma panels), and would last 

longer. Consumption is claimed to be even better than LED-light based sets. 


The company presented two 73” microdisplay RPTVs as part of the company’s new 

lines, which have the following features: 

Mitsubishi's proprietary 6-Primary Color System claims to provide brighter colors 

over a wider range and whiter whites, the light engine generates yellow, cyan and 

magenta without mixing combinations of red, green and blue to create them, as 

others do, delivering a broader color palette and a brighter picture more efficiently, 

includes a six-color control for further color accuracy. 

The new models use BrilliantColor technology for improved overall picture 

brightness. The new sets also use TurboLight180, Mitsubishi's patented lamp 

system technology, to focus light more efficiently and creating an image 10 percent 

brighter than standard 180-watt lamp systems, without increasing the consumed 

power or produced heat. 

The sets implement PerfecTint, for independent tint or hue adjustment of six 

separate colors, rather than shifting the color of the entire picture. 12-bit video 

signal processing for a sharper picture, 4D Video Noise Reduction technology to filter 

video noise without removing picture detail, all 1080p HDTVs accept 1920 x 1080p 

inputs at 24 and 30fps from broadcast sources and 24/30/60 fps from HDMI, the 

Tru1080p feature claims to maintain the signal path as 1080p. 

Additional features include ClearThought Easy Connect, for components recognition 

when plugged in, NetCommand®, for the management of the home theater system 

with a single remote control. 2xHDMI, IEEE1394, DVI-I for analog RGB or digital 

DVI, CableCARD tuner, and multi-format card readers to display digital photos and 

videos. The company added that they will announce delivery dates and suggested 

pricing later. 

New DLPs 1080p 

Turbo Light150 system, Dark Detailer, Plush 1080p, Tru1080p processing, 4D Video 

Noise Reduction, 12-bit signal processing, PerfectColor, ClearThought, Easy Connect 

(all TM), 2 HDMI, DVI-I, 2 component, 732 models include 3 component inputs, 

Diamond series include front 1394 with DV Decoder input, and for high-bandwidth 

real-time audio, video and data networking between the TV and other consumer 

electronics products, such as camcorders and HD-DVRs, additional simple remote 

Model below 73” include 6-primary Color System (yellow, cyan, magenta added to 

the color wheel for brighter colors and whiter whites) 

62

52” WD-52631 $2800 

57” WD-57731 $3100 

57” WD-57732 $3300 

Diamond line 

57” WD-57832 $3,800 

65” WD-65731 $3,800 

65” WD-65732 $4,000 

65” WD-65831 $4,600 

73” WD-73732 $6,000 

73” WD-73831 $6,500 

FP 

CES 2007 

HD1000 $1000, TTM Aug 06, 720p, 2500:1 

CR, 1500 lumens, Darkchip2, 25db noise, HDMI, 

RGB, 7 segment color wheel 

HC3000U $1,700, TTM Oct 05, 720p, 4000:1 CR, 1000 lumens, 6 segment color 

wheel, DarkChip 2, 25 db noise, HDMI, RGB, component. 

HD4000U $2,000, TTM Jan 06, 720p, 2000 ANSI lumens, 2500:1 CR, 4000 hrs 

lamp life, digital keystone, 3yr warranty, 5 segment color wheel, 31db noise. 

NEC 


LT30 

Nuvision 

Oct 06 

RPTV 

63

Deep Black LED 1080p DLP 

52” 52LEDLP $4,400, TTM Oct 06, individual red, green, and blue superbright 

LEDs,

HDT100 $3500, 720p, 0.8 inch chip, Darkchip3, 1.25x zoom, 4 way 

vertical/horizontal optical lens shift capability, 1000 ANSI lumens, 5000:1 CR, 32dB 

fan noise, TTM now. 

Sep 2006 CEDIA 

The HD81 has started to ship to dealers for $7000 MSRP, 6000/10000:1 CR, 17-stpe 

auto-iris function, 1400 ANSI lumens, 300w lamp, 10-bit color processing, 7- 

segment color wheel, 2xRGBHV/component BNC, 2xcomponent, VGA 

(RGB/YPbPr/SCART), two RS232, two 12V triggers, and one IR port extension. 

The HD70 for $1000 MSRP shipped by the end of Sep 2006 to dealers, 1280x720, 

Dark chip 2, 1000 ANSI lumens, 4000:1 CR, VGA. 

CES 2007 

Anamorphic Lens Kit for 2.35:1 presentation 

Optoma introduced its anamorphic lens kit for 2.35:1 widescreen images from 

projectors, such as Optoma’s HD81 1080p. 

The BX-AL133 anamorphic lens converts a native 16:9 image to 2.35:1 cinema 

widescreen image, eliminating the black bars commonly visible on a 16:9 screen 

when playing a DVD formatted to the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. 

Optoma’s anamorphic lens is fully layered with optical coatings that minimize 

chromatic aberrations and astigmatism, and is made up of 100% glass, and 

generates a brighter image – up to 30 percent – than without the lens, because all 

the light energy and pixels of the projector chip are used for the entire 2.35:1 image. 

The BX-AL133 anamorphic lens is fully motorized and works with the HD81’s 12V 

trigger control. The HD81 scaler’s Auto235 mode automatically detects between 

16:9 or 2.35:1 content and format the image while moving the lens to the correct 

position in a few seconds, or it can be manually triggered by using the BX-AL133 IR 

remote control. 

The complete kit includes the anamorphic lens, a bracket for the lens, ceiling mount 

adapter plate, a motorized, remote-control sled for the lens, as well as upgradeable 

firmware, and will be available in February 2007, estimated price of $6,000 through 

authorized Optoma dealers. Optoma is also offering an HD81/BX-AL133 

bundle for an estimated street price of $10,000. 

HD81 as introduced in production at CES 2007: 

65

RPTV 

CES 2006 

BigVizion 

1080p, TTM late 1Q06, customizable and 

modular 80 to 100-inch rear-projection 

display that can be either installed or builtinto 

a wall, single-mirror system by TI, ISF 

3C codes, light engine can be accessed from 

the front of the optical screen, 10000:1 CR, 

IR pass-through for system integration, 

component, DVI and HDMI, VGA, RGB, 

support 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p 

inputs, targeted for the professional 

installer market, customizable color 

scheme, bezel color to match a customers' 

décor. 

80” HDBV3080 $17,000, TTM Mar 06 

90” HDBV3090 $18,000, TTM Apr 06 

100” HDBV3100 $20,000, TTM Apr 06, 30” 

deep 

CES 2007 

Optoma showed their new oversized 1080p 

120-inch BigVizion, part of a line of 

DLP®-based rear-projection displays that 

can be installed or built-into a wall with an 

estimated 40-inch depth, and is available 

through Optoma's network of key 

distributors and dealers, $50,000, TTM 

2H07. 

Current BigVizion 

displays are still 

available in 80-, 

90-and 100-inches, 

and come with 

Optoma's 

proprietary video 

enhancement 

processor and light 

engine, accessible 

from the front of 

the optical screen 

66

for installation and future upgrades. 

The line features 10,000:1 CR, IR passthrough 

for system integration, precision 

pixel matching technology for 1:1 scan 

conversion, multiple inputs, including: 

HDMI, BNC, RGBHV, VGA, Component, 

and supports 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i 

and 1080p inputs. 

The models were announced at a higher 

price this time (CES 2007), TTM now: 

HDBV3080 (80-inch) $23,000 

HDBV3090 (90-inch) $25,000 

HDBV3100 (100-inch) $30,000 

Optoma also introduced the portable: 

Movie Time DV11 $1,000, TTM Feb 07, compact design, slot-in DVD drive, 480p 

EDTV resolution, enhanced audio with larger 5-watt speaker drivers, updated 

cosmetic design, shorter profile, white cabinet with black accent trim. 

The Optoma MovieTime DV11 is a pure 

digital DVD projector and accepts direct 

digital signals from a DVD to the 

projected image. There is no analog to 

digital conversion in the signal 

processing. 

Features: 

Display Technology DarkChip2 DLP® technology by Texas Instruments 

Brightness 1300 lumens 

Contrast Ratio 2500:1 

Throw Ratio 1.26 – 1.41 

Aspect Ratios 4:3, 16:9 and 5:4 compatible 

Image Size 36 to 335 inches 

Projection Distance 4.9 to 32.8 feet 

Weight 7.8 pounds 

DV10 (below) $1,000, 1000 lumens, 480p, 4000:1 CR, 28dB fan, 200-watt lamp. 

67

HD73 $2,000 street price, TTM Feb 07 

Optoma also introduced the HD73 home theater 720p projector, 0.65-inch 

DarkChip3 DLP® DMD chipset, Optoma’s proprietary ImageAI technology, Texas 

Instruments’ BrilliantColor, Optoma’s proprietary TrueVivid, Faroudja’s DCDi 

image optimization, dual digital inputs, digital horizontal and vertical keystone 

correction, 27dB noise level, 1300 lumens, contrast ratio: 4500:1 (Full On/Full Off); 

6000:1 in ImageAI mode, video 

compatibility: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, 

HDTV (720p, 1080i/p), SDTV (480i/p, 

576i), aspect ratio: 16:9 native, 4:3 

compatible, LBX support, I/O 

Connectors: HDMI, DVI-I w/HDCP, 

Component, RS-232, IR Receivers and 

12V Trigger Relays, lamp life: 3000 

Standard, weight 7 pounds, sales 

through authorized Optoma dealers 

and retailers. 

HD70 $1000, TTM now. 

The company’s new portable 720p resolution home theater projector. 

Featuring screen support up to 300-inches (diagonal), single 0.62-inch DarkChip2 

DLP® DMD, digital horizontal and vertical keystone correction, 28dB operation, 

Texas Instruments’ BrilliantColor color 

processing, 1000 lumens, CR: 3000:1 (Full 

On/Full Off); 4000:1 in ImageAI mode, 

uniformity: 95 percent, video compatibility: 

NTSC, PAL, SECAM, HDTV (720p, 1080i/p), 

SDTV (480i/p, 576i), aspect ratio: 16:9 

native, 4:3 compatible, LBX support, I/O 

Connectors: HDMI, Component Video, VGA 

with Component & SCART, IR Receiver, 12V 

trigger relay, lamp life: 3000 hours 

(standard), 5.6 pounds. 

Other FPs below: 

EP716 

EP719 

EP749 

68

EP770 

EP771 

EP910 

EP7150 

HD3000 

HD70 

HD72 

HD73 

HD81 

HD81VL (new HD81 for later 2007) 

HD7300 

TX773 

TX775 

TX780 

HD7300 below: 

TX773 $2,500 street price, TTM Jan 07 

Multimedia data projector, lightweight, 3500 

lumens, 2200:1 contrast ratio, Express on/off 

function, native XGA (1024 x 768) projector, IR 

sensors, RS-232, 6.5 pounds, built-in 3-watt 

speaker, DVI-D w/HDCP, single 0.7-inch DLP® 

chipset, max. resolution: PC: SXGA+ (1400 x 

1050), video compatibility: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, 

HDTV (720p, 1080i/p), EDTV (576i/p), aspect 

ratio: 4:3 native, 5:4 and 16:9 compatible, VGA-in, USB, Audio-In, Audio-Out, VGA- 

Out, RS-232. 

CES 2007 

New HD81- LV estimated at $8,000, TTM 3Q07 

2500 lumens, 12000:1 CR, optional 2.35:1 anamorphic lens/transport system 

announced by PR as $4,000 (BX-AL133), although that price may actually be around 

$6,000 MSRP, still has no lens shift for facilitating installation with the odd projector 

offset design, still no motorized zoom nor 

motorized focus, 2.35:1 automatic recognition 

for lens transport operation, includes separate 

scaler/controller, controller to be offered also 

separately, package of projector/scaler/lens/transport to be offered for HD81-LV as 

for the HD81. 

69

Panasonic 

For 720p and earlier sets, please consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

1080p sets (DLX76), as announced at CES 2006 

56” PT-56DLX76 (below) 61" PT-61DLX76 (below) 

ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners, CableCARD, SD Card and Photo Viewer, RGB PC input, 

HDMI, TV Guide On-Screen Electronic Program Guide, 30W audio system that 

includes a 15W subwoofer, TTM June 06, $TBD, 13000:1 CR. 

Later, it was reported that the sets on the DLX76 line accept 1080p. 

DL500D line, 720p 

TC-52DL500D, TTM now, 2500:1 CR 

TC-61DL500D, TTM 06, 2500:1 CR 

CES 2007 

FP 

AE1000, designed for savvy home theater enthusiasts, AV professionals, and gaming 

aficionados, 11000:1 CR, new optical system with spherical glass lens system for 

crisper, more vivid images. 

Philips 


Projectiondesign 

FP 

F1+ 2500:1 CR, 1400x1050, 2500 ANSI lumens, 28db quiet operation. 

Action! Model 3 1080 

True 1080p single DC3 DMD 0.95”, Crystalio II 

(according to them the world’s most 

technologically advanced video processor) with 

4 th generation broadcast quality algorithms for 

superior SD and HD video image quality, dual 7 

segment color wheels and light formatters, 

DuArch illumination architecture featuring dual 

lamps, TI’s BrilliantColor SLR technology, 24/7 

operation warranty, Gennum’s VXP Visual Excellence Processing, adjustable output 

brightness from 550 to 2500. 

70

Dec 06 

The company announced that it has added the feature of Brilliant Color technology 

into its Action! Model Three 1,080 above, now available for $25,000, adding cyan, 

magenta and yellow filters to normal red, green and blue filters to improve the 

capability of displaying those 3 colors naturally, and enhancing color rendition in 

saturation and gamut using the existing lenses and Projectiondesign’s current 

proprietary DuArch illumination architecture with dual lamps, dual seven-segment 

color wheels and light formatters. 

Projectiondesign has available a variety of bayonet mount lenses, and features 

horizontal and vertical lens shift capability to facilitate installation. 

Radio Shack 


RCA (see Thomson) 

Runco 

FP 

Please consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for details and specs on the 

following equipment: 

------------------------------------ 

VX-2 Series 3-chip 720p HD-2 DMD projectors. 

CineWide and CineWide with AutoScope technology optional on all models to 

obtain full capability of their DMD chips, displaying movies formatted in the 2.35:1 

aspect ratio with increased resolution and brightness, and motorized anamorphic 

lens assembly via RS-232 commands. 

Reflection Series 720p 

CL 610/610LT, 1150 ANSI lumens, 2200:1 CR 

CL-810, 1250 ANSI lumens, 3100:1 CR 

CL-810Ultra 

SDC-1 Controller is an optional, stand-alone component controller specifically 

designed as a unique interface solution for both the CL-610 and CL-810 projectors. 

CL-420 

affordable 720p, implements Enhanced GEN 3 technologies 

Signature Cinema SC-1 2048x1080, 40 feet wide screen max, 9000ANSI, 1500- 

2800 CR. 

Video Xtreme VX-80d 3-chip 1400x1050, 375” screen width, 8000 ANSI, 1500- 

1800:1 CR, DVI, RGB, 1000 hrs lamp (or 6 months). 

Runco also introduced the CineWide with AutoScope technology for widescreen 

reproduction of movies originally filmed in the CinemaScope 2.35:1 format, 

maintaining constant vertical height on the screen while the image gets wider. The 

system uses a combination of software, electronics and remote controlled motorized 

71

anamorphic optics. A projector is then able to use the full pixel array on its DMD 

chips for a 2.35:1 image having enhanced resolution and increased brightness. 

--------------------------------- 


Video Xtreme 3-Chip 1080p projectors 

Runco claims to be the first to achieve THX certification 

VX-22d $45,000 

VX-44d $80,000 

VX-55d $100,000 ($115,000 when equipped with the CineWide with 

AutoScope option and Runco’s most advanced McKinley anamorphic optics). 

Claimed by Runco to offer the “industry’s best black level and contrast performance. 

Runco has engineered Imaging Science Foundation (ISF ) calibration standards into 

every model for the purest video performance.” 

“Our Video Xtreme portfolio of 3-chip 1080p projectors takes video projection to the 

next level with dazzling picture quality and extensive options to deliver 

unprecedented cinematic realism,” said Runco President Bob Hana. “These flagship 

projection systems are created for the very finest home theater applications, and are 

designed for true connoisseurs of big screen picture perfection who will accept no 

compromise.” 

Offered with CineWide and CineWide with 

AutoScope technology to reproduce 2.35:1 

CinemaScope movies with vertical screen image 

height, eliminating useless black bars, 3 1080p 16:9 

SuperOnyx DMDs, Runco’s award-winning Vivix II 

video processing, CinOptx lenses for a range of 

different throw distances, AxiShift technology with 

a motorized horizontal and vertical lens shift system, 

DHD controller with HDMI connectivity, optimized for 

1080p performance for the new projectors. 

http://www.runco.com/ 

CES 2007 

Runco International announced that it ‘is now’ shipping its Video Xtreme line 

including the new THX Certified VX-22d, VX-44d and VX-55d 3-chip 1080p DLP 

projectors mentioned above, and the new THX Certified VX-2000d and VX-6000d 

single-chip 1080p DLP projectors. 

VX-44d below 

VX-22d below 

72

According to Runco: 

“The VX 1080p models are offered with numerous configuration options and prices, 

for a broad and versatile lineup that will easily meet the needs of any high-end 

installation requirement.” 

“For the ultimate in viewing flexibility and enjoyment, each model is available with 

Runco’s exclusive award- winning CineWide and CineWide with AutoScope 

technology. This ground-breaking option can transform a superb home theater 

system into a true home cinema experience, reproducing 2.35:1 CinemaScope 

movies with unparalleled accuracy and full vertical screen image height, eliminating 

useless black bars.” 

Vx-2000d below: 

Vx-6000d below: 

All Video Xtreme projectors come with a reengineered 

DHD controller, now with HDMI. 

SAGEM 

RPTV 

720p AXIUM line 


Samsung 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the following lines: 

HL-R 68 Series 



SP 720p line current (China) 

L3HR sub-line 

L6HR sub-line 

L7HR sub-line 

2006 models 

720p line 

HL-S 86 Series 

73

Pricing was said would drop $200-$300 from 2005 models, Game mode as above, 

USB 1.1 input for JPEG and digital music files, TTM Mar 06, 2500:1 CR. 

50” HL-S5086W $2,300 

56” HL-S5686W $2,700, HDMI 

61” HL-S6186W $3,100 

In 2006, all 1080p RPTVs were announced to drop the premium of 1080p price (over 

720p sets) from $1000 in 2005 to $500 in 2006. 

1080p line 

TTM 2Q06, HDMI inputs will be capable of accepting 1080p, LED light engine will 

replace the conventional Ultra High Pressure (UHP) lamp and extend bulb life from 

6,000 hours to 20,000 hours maintaining consistent brightness levels throughout the 

life of the bulb, increase color gamut reproduction >100 percent of NTSC, turn-on 

time shortened from 30 seconds for UHP to seven for LED. The 56” 1080p LED set 

will be $1,000 higher than similar UHP models. 


TTM Apr 06, 1080p, 10000:1 CR, hidden speakers, ATSC/NTSC/CableCARD tuners, 2 

HDMI inputs, PC input, 1080p input capability, 15-wattx2 audio, DNIe, 10000:1 CR. 

50” HL-S5087W $2,900 

56” HL-S5687W $3,200 (shown) 

61” HL-S6187W $3,600 

67” HL-S6787W 


TTM 06, 1080p, 10000:1 CR 

50” HL-S5078W 

56” HL-S5678W 

61” HL-S6178W 

71” HL-S7178W 


TTM Mar 06, 720p, 2500:1 CR, ATSC tuner, floating bezel, DNIe. 

42” HL-S4266W $1,900 

46” HL-S4666W $2,100 

67” HL-S6768, TTM 06, 10000:1 CR (mentioned at CES 2006 but not confirmed by 

press release) 

LED based DLP RPTV 

74

56” HL-S5679W $4,200, TTM Apr 06, 1920x1080p, LED light replaces current UHP 

bulb, 20,000 hrs life, 7 seconds turn-on time, ATSC/NTSC/CableCARD tuners, 

10000:1 CR, IEEE1394, 2 HDMI 1080p inputs, quieter, black glossy finish (above). 

On July 2006, Samsung announced their shipment to dealers of the above set, at the 

MSRP price originally announced at CES 2006 above. According to Samsung, the set 

was back-ordered since CES 2006. 

The LED system claims to use a postage-stamp-sized LED lighting array of 6 LEDs 

per each of the 3 colors, red, blue, and green, lifespan rated at 20,000 hours, 

extends the color gamut of traditional DLP rear projection TVs without the use of a 

color wheel, and uses less electricity than conventional micro-display RPTVs and 

most flat-panel TV displays. 

FP 

SP-H710AE $4,000, TTM now, HD2+ DMD chip, 

1280x720, 250w lamp, 6-segm-color wheel, 29db in 

theater mode, DVI-D/HDCP, 2xcomponent, PC input. 

SP-H800BE $12,000, TTM now, HD2+ Dark-chip 3, 

1280x720, 250w lamp, 8-segment color wheel, 10-bit 

processing, 28db in theater mode, DVI-D/HDCP, 

2xcomponent, PC input. 

SPH-700AE $12,000, 700 ANSI, 2800:1 CR, 720p. 

CES 2007 

RPTV 

Samsung introduced two new Series: 

87S Series 

1080p Slim LED DLP eliminates the need of a 

color wheel to minimize moving parts, TTM 

Apr 07, single chip DLP LumiLit light engine, 

long life time (approximately 20,000 hours) 

without sacrificing brightness, 1920 x 1080 

(1080p) resolution, 3D ready technology, 

integrated HDTV ATSC/QAM tuners, side A/V 

pack, 3xHDMI inputs, WiseLink (USB 1.1) 

with 

Picture 

Viewer, 

RS-232C 

input to 

browse photos or MP3s on-screen, mercury free 

for environmental friendliness, short turn-on 

time (less than 10 seconds). 

50” HL-T5087S $2,400 

56” HL-T5687S $2,800 

61” HL-T6187S $3,200 (right) 

75

According to Samsung “with LED powered DLP HDTV line, Samsung removes the 

traditional rear projection TV UHP lamp 

and color wheel and replaces them with 

powerful LED technology whereby, red, 

green and blue LEDs sequentially fire to 

produce smooth, stable color, offering 

consumers the opportunity to enjoy a 

captivating cinematic experience with 

improved color reproduction. The 

exclusive Cinema Smooth LED light engine 

provides a dramatic improvement in 

reliability and longevity many times longer 

than that of lamps. Furthermore, the LED 

technology can save users hundreds of 

dollars a year in electricity and lamp 

replacements. 

These new LED based DLP HDTVs for 2007 are equipped with a wide-angle lens 

system that allows them to take on a super sleek cabinet, reducing the height by 

2.5-inches, depth by 2.0-inches and width by 2.0-inches compared to the previous 

Samsung LED based DLP TV.” 

79W Series 

1080p LED conventional design 

56” HL-S5678W $4,000 

76S Series 

Lamp-based, Ultra-Slim 1080p DLP HDTVs, sleek ultra-slim cabinet, Samsung's 

Cinema Smooth Light Engine, TTM Apr 07, 3D ready for enhanced gaming, movie 

viewing, television viewing and more, ultra-slim depth of only 10.6", 10,000:1 CR, 

Samsung's Brilliant Color II and Cinema Smooth Gen 8 Exclusive Light Engine, 

integrated HDTV ATSC/QAM tuners, side A/V pack, 3xHDMI inputs, WiseLink (USB 

1.1) with Picture Viewer, RS-232C input, PC-input. 

50” HL-T5076S $2,100 

56” HL-T5676S $2,500 

61” HL-S6176S $2,900 

HL-T7288W below: 

HL-T6779 below: 

Sanyo 

Wireless Projector System 

CES 2007 

76

Sharp 

FP 

For models: 

DT-100, portable entry level, 

XV-2000, mid-level 

XV-Z12000 MARK II (former top-of-the-line 720p) 


XV-Z3000, $3,500, TTM Apr 06, latest 720p chip, 

6500:1 CR, 1200 ANSI lumens, 30dB fan, dual iris 

system, 3-2 pull-down, HDMI, 6-segment color 

wheel, demo with Studio Tech 130 by Stewart 123 

screen diagonal, (right photo). 

DT-500, $3,300, TTM July 06, 1280x768, 4000:1 

CR, 1000 ANSI lumens, 8.6 lbs, powered optical iris, 

6-segment 5x speed color wheel, I/P conversion, 3-2 

pulldown, color management system, 3-step bright 

boost, HDMI (left photo). 

1080p model (advanced announcement at CES 2006) 

XV-Z20000, $12,000, TTM 3Q06, 1920x1080p resolution, Sharp’s CV-IC III Video 

Scaling Circuitry, DVI/HDCP and 2xHDMI 1080p-capable inputs, 1000 ANSI, 10000:1 

CR. Excellent demo with Blu-ray at CES 2006, will accept 1080p when released. 

Sharp announced at CEDIA (Sep 2006, that 

the projector would be available in October 

2006 for the $12,000 originally disclosed 

MSRP. 

CES 2007 

Sharp finally introduced the XV-Z20000 

above, using the latest 0.95"single DMD from 

Texas Instruments, high-gloss black, 1080p, 

Sharp's CV-IC III Video Scaling Circuitry, 12000:1 CR, 1000 ANSI lumens, 

77

DVI/HDCP, 2xHDMI, TTM now, $12,000, RS 232, Minolta optics, 1:1.35 manual zoom 

lens with vertical lens shift function (above). 

Model DT-510 $2,500, TTM Feb 07, 720p, gloss-white design, 8.8 pounds, 

1280 x 720, 4000:1 CR, 1000 ANSI lumens, powered optical iris system, 6 Segment 

5 X Speed color wheel, I/P conversion, 3-2 pull down, Color Management System 

(C.M.S.), 3-step Bright Boost and an HDMI interface, 0.62" DMD 1280 x 720 TI 

chip, BrilliantColor Technology and TrueVision Image Processing, HDMI, powered 

optical iris system, whisper-quiet operation. 

Model XV-Z3100 $2,700, TTM Feb 07, 720p, 1000 ANSI Lumens, 6500:1 CR, low 

fan noise of 29dB (in economy mode), I/P 

conversion, 3-2 pull down, Color Management 

System (C.M.S.), 3-step Bright Boost, a 12- 

volt trigger and an HDMI interface, 720p, 6 

Segment 5 X Speed color wheel, dual iris 

system, high-gloss black casing, 12-volt 

Screen Trigger, 0.62" DMD 1280 x 720 chip, 

BrilliantColor Technology and TrueVision 

Image Processing. 

SIM2 USA 

FP 

Grand Cinema Line 

C3X LINK $24,000, TTM now, 3-chip 

720p DLP, with 2 nd generation remote 

DigiOptic Image Processor DOIP, 

connected through a single glass-fiber 

optic cable with the DOIP Image 

processor up to a distance of 1600 feet 

away, 2 HDMI/HDCP, ALPHA Path light 

engine, 6500:1 CR, multiple lens 

options, RS232, USB, 20lbs. 

C3X LITE $16,000, TTM now, 720p 3-chip, 2 HDMI, 5500:1 CR, lens included, 150- 

watt lamp, SIM2 ALPHA Path 3-Chip Light Engine. 

C3X $20,000, TTM now, 6500:1 CR, 720p x3 chip, 2 HDMI, multiple lens options (T1 

and T2), Hi-Brite lamp. 

Domino 

D35 $5,500, TTM now, 720p, HD2+ 

DarkChip2, improved version of the 30H model, 

3200:1 CR (Full ON/Full OFF), 150W lamp, 

6000 hrs life, RGBHV, HDMI, BNC component, 

RS-232, dual 12-volt. 

D35 below: 

HT3000 1080p 0.95” single chip, TTM spring 06, 10-bit DSP, 2 HDMI, 4000:1 CR. 

78

The HT3000 was actually released at $16,000, TTM updated as October 2006, 1080p 

0.95 inch DMD Dark3 chip DLP projector, 10 bit 

DSP on all analog inputs, 4000:1 CR, mentioned in 

2006 report but with no price. 

Sep 06 CEDIA was used by the company to 

introduce new Home Cinema “Scope” anamorphic 

lens options to display projected source material in 

a variety of aspect ratios up to 2.35:1, designed 

for any SIM2 projector, and with a motorized 

version for the 1080p HT-3000 projector, and 3- 

chip 720p C3X projector family, enabling HT 

installations to maintain the height of the image frame when shifting between 

sources with 16:9, 4:3 and 2.35.1 aspect ratios. $9000 for the lens and $12000 for 

the lens/motorized sled version. 

SIM2's proprietary Alpha Path light engine, new seven-segment (RGBRGB + Neutral 

Density Filter) color wheel, 200-watt high output lamp rated at 4,000 hour lifespan, 

5,000:1 CR (full on/ full off), live color management and gamma control functions, 

new Dynamic Noise Reduction, Spatial Noise Reduction processing, two HDMI/HDCP 

inputs, VGA, component, RS-232, IR input jacks, two 12V trigger outputs to control 

motorized screens and other support equipment. 

Includes a high quality lens with a throw ratio of 1.5-2.0:1, but is also available with 

an optional long-throw 2.0-3.0:1 ratio lens, TTM Oct 06, $17,000. 

HT300 E-LINK, 720p, HDMI, HD2+ Dark chip 3 DMD. 

HT300E, 720p, HDMI, 3500:1 CR, HD2+ Dark chip3 DMD. 

Domino 55M (included in the CES 2005 report). 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

Grand Cinema HT305 E 

$9,000, TTM Sep 06, 720p, replaces 

HT300E, 150 watt lamp, HD2+ Dark Chip3, 

3500:1 CR (Full ON/Full OFF) 20%+ light 

output, 1.8-2.4:1 long-throw, RS-232, dual 

12v trigger, HDMI/HDCP, RGBHV, BNC 

component video 

HT305 E below: 

Nov 06 

FP 

D80 1080p, $10,000 

79

SIM2 announced the reduction in price of their 

1080p DLP Home Theater with D80 Projector on 

the Domino line. 

According to the company “The D80 delivers much 

of the core performance of the company’s singlechip 

flagship HT3000, including true 1080p 

resolution, full 10-bit processing, and SIM2's 

proprietary Alpha Path light engine, all at an 

under-$10,000 price point.” 

The SIM2 D80 implements TI’s 0.95-inch 1080p DarkChip3 DMD chipset, features 

a new seven-segment color wheel (RGBRGB + Neutral Density Filter), end-to-end 

10-bit video processing, 160-watt high output lamp, >4,000:1 CR (Full ON/Full 

OFF), 14" x 12-1/2", HDCP-compliant HDMI input, VGA, component, high-quality 

internal deinterlacing/scaling engine, capable of 16:9, 4:3, and Letterbox formats, 

three custom user settings for each input and additional aspect ratio adjustments, 

rear-panel RS-232 port, dual 12V trigger outputs, Matte Black or Matte White cabinet 

colors. 

CES 2007 

Also introduced at CEDIA 2006 

Grand Cinema HT5000 $50,000, TTM Jan 07, 3x1080p chips 

3 x 0,95" 1080p DLP® DarkChip3 by Texas Instruments, 1920 x 1080 pixels HDTV 

resolution, 6 HDMI HDCP inputs, Contrast ratio >5000:1, Lamp: 300W, Choice of 6 

lenses(1), SIM2 Live Colors Management and Gamma Functions (36 predefined 

adjustments), Intelligent memory functions, New Dynamic Noise Reduction and 

Spatial Noise Reduction. 

Lens options: 

Lens Type L0: Throw ratio 0.67:1 (Fixed wide angle) 

Lens Type L1: Throw ratio 1.12:1 (Fixed wide angle) 

Lens type L2: Throw ratio 1.39 - 1.87:1 




Installation: 

Lens shift: V+/-100%; H +/-64% 

Digital keystone adjustment: V+/-22° 

Picture size (inches diagonal): 50-300 

Aspect ratio: 4:3, 16:9 Anamorphic, LetterBox, panoramic, pixel to pixel + 3 

custom-user adjustments 

Electronics: 

Horizontal & vertical scan freq.: 15-80kHz/48-100Hz 

Video and Graphic standards: PAL (B,G,H,I,M,N,60); SECAM; NTSC 3,58; NTSC 4,43 

automatically selected; HDTV: ATSC (480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p); EU 576p + 1080i 

50Hz; PC graphic: VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA 

Contrast ratio (Full ON/ Full OFF): >5000:1 

Format Board: 10 Bit 

Video processor: built in 

80

Special video adjustments: Dynamic Noise Reduction, Spatial Noise Reduction, 

Fleshtone Regulation 

Other special adjustments: Memories/Overscan, Live Colors Management (LCM) and 

Gamma Functions 

Inputs/Outputs: 

1 x Composite Video (RCA) 

1 x S-Video (mini Din 4 pin) 

1 x RGBS/YCrCb (4x RCA) 

1 x RGBHV/YCrCb (5x BNC) 

6 x HDMI – HDCP compliant (6x 

HDMI) 

1 x OUT Digital Audio (Toslink) 

1 x DVI (1x DVI-D) 

1 x HD-SDI (1x BNC) 

2 x VGA (DB15) 

1 x RS232 (DB9) 

1 x USB connector (USB) 

1 x LAN (RJ45) 

2 x OUT 12V 100mA (via Jack) 

General Specifications: 

Software control: upgradable via RS232 serial interface, USB and LAN 

Mains voltage range: 100-240Vac ±10% (48/62Hz) 

Power consumption: approx. 400W 

Weight: approx. 45 Kg (99.2 lbs) 

Dimensions (WxHxD): 570x260x730mm (22.4”x10.24”x28.7”) 

CinemaScope System 

$9,000 manual lens, $12,000 lens and motorized sled. TTM now. 

Very high quality 

anamorphic lens 

attachment, with and 

without a motorized sled 

that allows remote and 

automated activation of the 

lens for 2.35:1 image 

presentation. 

According with Sim2 “While 

most high-end home 

theater displays feature 

16:9 "widescreen" aspect 

ratios, these systems are 

still significantly narrower 

than the 2.35:1 aspect ratio 

preferred for the finest cinematic releases. In order to display the full frames of 

these films, the video system must display black bars on part of the top and bottom 

of the screen in a process commonly known as "letterboxing”. 

Not only does this result in an image that is "shorter" than the screen height, it also 

fails to make full use of the resolution capabilities of the unit, as the pixels 

81

associated with the "letterboxed" portions are essentially unused. As a result, nearly 

1/3 of the projector's resolution capabilities are wasted, and there is decrease in 

brightness of as much as 20%. 

SIM2's Home Cinema "Scope" System corrects these deficiencies through a 

combination of internal image processing and external optical adjustment. By 

adjusting one of the projector's custom user settings, installers can set the unit's 

scaling to stretch 2.35:1 images vertically, cutting off the unused "letterbox" 

portions and using the full DMD chip resolution for image reproduction. 

Letterboxed for a 16x9 screen 

Reformatted for a 2.35:1 screen 

When this image is projected through Home Cinema "Scope" lens, the image is then 

stretched horizontally in the exact ratio needed to restore the original 2.35:1 aspect 

ratio of the source material”. 

Sim2 adds “When displaying source material created in other common aspect ratios, 

such as 1.85:1, 1.78:1 (16x9), or 1.33:1 (4x3) the projector processing is restored 

to its normal setting, and the anamorphic lens is removed from the projector output. 

When used in conjunction with the company's top-of-the-line C3X or HT3000 

projectors, the Home Cinema "Scope" system is available with an optional motorized 

sled, which is capable of inserting or removing the anamorphic lens when triggered 

by IR remote commands, or a whole-home control system. For other projectors, the 

lens is added and removed from the output manually.” 

PROC3 $18,000, TTM Mar 07 

SIM2 Pro Cinema Division introduced their first 

projector for professional digital theater 

applications, the Three-Chip PROC3. 

Featuring 3 HD2+ DarkChip3 DMD 720p chips, 

4000 ANSI Lumens, designed for E Cinema, preshow 

advertising, and post-production applications, 

proprietary ALPHA Path light engine, 2800:1 CR (Full ON/Full OFF), for screen sizes 

of up to 300 inches. 

17" square footprint, 1280 x 720, 10-bit video processing, high-quality internal 

deinterlacing/scaling engine, capable of 16:9, 4:3, and Letterbox formats, three 

custom user settings for each input for additional aspect ratio adjustments to suit 

any screen geometry, RS-232 interface, 12V trigger outputs, warranty program for 

parts, labor, and lamp. 

Mar 07 

82

SIM2 introduced the Home Cinema “Flex” system, a lower cost 2.35:1 widescreen 

theater projection option to the Home Cinema “Scope” system, $3,200 (6,000 with 

optional sled), TTM Mar 07. 

The system consists of an anamorphic 

lens with an optional motorized sled to 

allow remote and automated activation 

of the lens, and is compatible with the 

D80, Grand Cinema HT3000, and C3X 

projectors. 

The SIM 2 projector's custom user 

settings can be set stretch 2.35:1 

images vertically, while the 

anamorphic lens system stretches the 

image horizontally for a full 2.35:1 presentation. 

According to SIM, “When displaying source material created in other common aspect 

ratios, such as 1.85:1, 1.78:1 (16x9), or 1.33:1 (4x3), the projector processing is 

restored to its normal setting, and the anamorphic lens is removed from the 

projector output. 

Both the "Flex and "Scope" systems are available with optional motorized sleds that 

are capable of inserting or removing the anamorphic lens when triggered by IR 

remote commands, or a whole-home control systems. Each lens system is also 

available as a standalone unit that is inserted and removed manually. 

SIM2's Home Cinema "Scope" System, which employs higher quality optics than the 

"Flex" system, is compatible with the Grand Cinema HT5000 and C3X three-chip DLP 

projectors only. It is currently available at a suggested retail price of $8.995 for a 

static lens system, or $11,995 for motorized system.” 

Thomson 

From CES 2006 

Thomson discontinued the ultra-thin RPTV line (co-developed with Infocus) 

RPTV 

Six new 720p models (one RCA brand), TTM summer 06, CableCARD/ATSC tuners. 

RCA Scenium 

2 HDMI/HDCP inputs, component, VGA, wired IR 

50” M50WH185, $2,000, TTM June 06, 4 models as 185/6/7/8 

61” M61WH185, $2,500, TTM June 06 

RCA brand 

50” M50WH72S $1,800, TTM Apr 06, HDMI, 2 component 

CES 2007 

TTE Corporation introduced three new RPTVs, a pair of 50-inch 720p sets and a 51- 

inch 1080p model: 

1080p model 

51” M51WH200 $2,000, TTM Jun 07, featuring two antenna inputs, two rear 

component, two rear HDMI, audio system 20-watts with digital audio output. 

720p models 

83

50” M50WH92S $1,300, TTM Jun 07, HD5 DLP® technology, Enhanced Natural 

Vision – EN-V picture processing, two antenna inputs, 2xcomponent, 2xHDMI, 20- 

watts audio, digital audio output, 7 band graphics EQ. 

50” M50WH197 $1,500, TTM Jun 07, RCA Scenium, same features above plus 

Amplified Resolution Contrast & Color – ARC 2 advanced picture processing, adaptive 

spatial/temporal noise reduction, dynamic contrast enhancement, multi-axis color 

space correction, Audio SRS TruSurround XT sound, CableCARD slot, VGA input, 

rear wired IR port, 6-device backlit learning remote. 

Continuing in the line are two RCA Scenium 185 Series models (TTM now): 

50” M50WH185 $1,600 

61” M61WH185 $2,100 

Featuring ARC 2 advanced picture processing and SRS TruSurround XT sound, two 

antenna inputs, 2xcomponent, 2xHDMI, Onboard sound 20-watts, digital audio 

output, 7 band graphics EQ, CableCARD slot, VGA input, rear wired IR port, 6- 

device backlit learning remote. 

Toshiba 

For the TheaterWide HM95 and HM195 (1080p) lines, 

and the Cinema Series HMX95 and MX195 (1080p) lines 


At CES 2006, as mentioned on the LCD section, the 

company decided to use the CES show to make 

announcements that usually are done at their dealer 

show in spring. The company said it was investing in 

LCD and SED in 2006, while also carrying plasma as a 

mainstream product. Toshiba abandoned the CRT RPTV 

line in 2006. 

RPTVs 

720p line 

Talen 5 light engine, HD5 chip, Brillian Color 2 technology, Hi-Bright Radiance 150- 

watt lamp, PixelPure Pro 12-bit video processing (333 MHz) that produces real speed 

progressive scanning, increased dynamic range and sharpness, improved video noise 

reduction and dynamic gamma, new cosmetic look with SoundStrip speaker 

technology, small cabinet design (front dimensions smaller than same size plasma 

sets), silver finish for Theater wide, black for Cinema Series models. 

50” 50HM66, TTM Apr 06, pictured above 

56” 56HM66, TTM May 06 

Mar 06 (Germany) 

FP 

Et20 $1900, integrated DVD player, super 

close lens system for up 2 meters diagonal 

image from 1 meter distance (or 1.5 meter 

image from 70 centimeters away), Realta 

HQV video processor for pixel-by-pixel 

noise reduction and advanced multi- 

84

cadence detection, ‘Anyplace’ 2D keystone, integrated 5.1 surround sound system, 

May 06 

Nine 9 DLP RPTVs on the 2006 line up at the company’s dealer show ranging in price 

from $1,700 to $4,800 between 42 and 72 inches. All suited with ATSC/QAM digital 

tuning, for terrestrial and digital cable-in-the-clear broadcasts, 2xHDMI. 

50" and above sets include a CableCARD slot or digital cable compatibility (DCR) and 

RJ-45 network capability, for a PC connection to back MP3 audio files and JPEG 

pictures, PixelPure Hi-Bit 12-bit digital video processing technology, compact Scoop 

Design cabinetry, and “SoundStrip” speaker system. 

60” and larger screen sizes use Toshiba’s XHD 1,080p TALENX light engine with 

Texas Instruments’ new xHD5 (1920x1080p) DMD, Xtreme BLACK aperture control 

technology claimed to have twice the pixel resolution and contrast of previous 

models. 

720p 

TALEN 5 light engine using the HD5 DLP chip, Radiance 150-watt lamp. 

42” 42HM66 $1,700, TTM Jun 07 

50” 50HM66 $2,200, TTM now 

56” 56HM66 $2,500, TTM now 

Cinema Series 720p 

50” 50HMX96 $2,500, TTM now 

56” 56HMX96 $2,800, TTM Jun 07 

XHD 1080p 

Four new models with aperture control, window picture over picture (POP) and TV 

Guide on screen. The two “Cinema Series” 1080ps are available in black cabinet with 

a high-gloss black bezel, PC input and Virtual Dolby Digital. 

62” 62HM196 $3,200, TTM Jun 07 

72” 72HM196 $4,500, TTM Jul 07 

Cinema Series XHD 1080p 

62” 62MX196 $3,500, TTM Jul 07 

72” 72MX196 $4,800, TTM Aug 07 

CES 2007 

Toshiba introduced a mobile projector for multimedia performance 

TDP-T45U $1,200, 2,500 ANSI Lumens, Multimedia Capabilities, and Dual 

Computer Connectivity for Mobile Presentations, 2000:1 CR, XGA 1024 x 768 

resolution, lightweight design, 2xcomponent, 1-watt speaker, 6.6 pounds, TTM Sep 

07, 0.55” DMD DLP, No. of pixels 786,432 (1024 x 768), standard Lens 1.2x 

manual zoom/manual focus, F/f (mm) 

F = 2.0 – 2.2, f = 19.41 – 23.32 mm, 

190W lamp, 16.7 Million Colors, 2000:1 

CR, 36 – 300 inches diagonal screen 

size, distance 11.5 ft/100-inch, 

Frequency Horizontal (kHz) 15.7 – 

106.25kHz, vertical (Hz) 50 – 85Hz. 

RGB 2 x D-sub 15-pin, Video NTSC, 

85

PAL, SECAM, Color Difference HDTV/DTV 

Input Signal Format (480p/480i/576i/576p/720p/1080i), RGB VGA, SVGA, XGA 

(true), SXGA (compressed), UXGA (compressed), MAC (MAC 16, 19), Output 

Terminals Audio 1x stereo minijack 

(variable output), RGB 1x D- 

sub 15-pin, Digital Keystone 

Correction Manual +/- 15°, 

Internal Speaker 1.0W Monaural, 

PC Interface RS232C (mini DIN-8 

pin), External Dimensions (WxDxH) 

11.2” x 10.0” x 3.8” 

Weight 6.6 lbs., Power Source 100 

– 240V, 50/60Hz. 

Toshiba announced another mobile 

projector, this one with wireless 

networking capabilities: 

TDP-TW100U $1,700, Digital Zoom, 2,700 ANSI lumens, integrated IEEE 802.11g 

wireless2 functionality, 6.8 pounds, 2000:1 CR, XGA 1024x768, Natural Color 

Enhancer2 (NCE2), automatic vertical keystone correction (plus or minus 30 

degrees), 33 dB fan noise, 0.55” DMD DLP, 1.6x Power Zoom/Auto Focus, F/f (mm) 

F = 2.23 - 2.82, f = 20.5 – 32.8mm, 275W light, 16.7 Million Colors, Screen Size 

(Diagonal) 30 – 300 inches, Projection Distance 3.5 ft - 36.4 ft, Throw Ratio 1.8 - 

2.9:1, Compatible Scanning Frequency Horizontal (kHz) 15 – 120kHz, Vertical (Hz) 

50 – 150Hz, RGB 2 x D-sub 15-pin, Input Signal Format 

480p/480i/576p/576i/720p/1080i), RGB VGA, SVGA, XGA (native), SXGA 

(compressed), UXGA (compressed), Digital Keystone Correction Automatic vertical 

+/- 30°, Noise Level 36dB (33dB in low mode). 

The company also introduced another multi-function projector for large-scale 

venues: 

TDP-TW350U $2,339, 3,500 ANSI lumens, Network Management, wireless 

capabilities, 2,000:1 CR, 1,024 x 768 XGA resolution, integrated IEEE 802.11g 

wireless2 functionality, 

Toshiba’s proprietary Natural 

Color Enhancer color 

correction circuitry, PC card 

slot, automatic two-way 

digital keystone correction 

system, 29dB fan noise, 12.1 

pounds, 3xcomponents 

(shared with computer 

inputs), two four-watt stereo 

speakers, one type A USB 

port, 0.7-inch DMD DLP, 

Projection Lens Standard Lens 

1.5x power zoom /auto focus, 

F/f (mm) F = 2.4 – 3.0, f = 

21 – 31.5mm, Light Source 

300W, screen Size (Diagonal) 33 – 300 inches, Distance 4.8 ft – 36.4 ft, Scanning 

Frequency Analog RGB fH: 15 - 120 kHz, fV: 30 - 150 Hz, 2 x D-sub 15 

86

RGB 1 x 5 BNC (R,G,B,H,V), 1 x DVI-I, USB 1, keystone correction Auto 

Vertical/Auto Horizontal. 

Vidikron 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for models: 

Model 10 

Model 12 

Model 30 

Model 90 

Model 100 

All other models could be found at the 2005 Report or earlier. 

Apr 06 

Vidikron introduced the Vision Model 90 a direct descendant of their flagship Vision 

“LightAmp” Model 100, with many of the same technologies and performance 

advantages, including Vidikron’s proprietary built-in Imagix video processing, 3- 

chip, 1280 x 720 (720p), engineered to meet the exacting standards of the Imaging 

Science Foundation (ISF). 

Available with a choice of four precision lenses for use with multiple screen widths 

and in rooms of varying sizes, electronic horizontal and vertical shift, Vidikron’s 

IntelliWide technology, CineWide with AutoScope technology options for 

CinemaScope 2.35:1 aspect ratio, 2xDVI/HDCP, RS-232, Light output rated at a 

CSMS home theater calibrated level of 45.3 Foot-Lamberts (fL), with a CSMS 

calibrated contrast ratio of 258:1 (atypical ANSI contrast 3000:1). 

Vision 90 

$20,000, available in Classic White or a stylish Graphite Gray cabinet. 

CineWide with AutoScope technology option is $13,000. 

Model Vision 30 720p 

Model Vision 50 $10,000, 720p 

Vision 90 below: 

Additionally, Vidikron offered their VDP-80 digital video processor/controller, 

originally offered exclusively with the Vidikron Model 80 D-ILA projector, now 

available for integration with other Vidikron displays. 

The VDP-80 features Vidikron’s exclusive Imagix video processing, video switcher 

that process the selected input, and output in the appropriate format and resolution 

required by the connected video display, Standard definition (SD), enhanced 

definition (ED) and high definition (HD) video inputs supported (and PC formats), 

custom-programmed to maximize the performance of its partner display, IR remote 

control, RS-232 interface, engineered to maximize the Imaging Science Foundation 

87

(ISF) standards, up to 10 separate video components can be connected with video 

signals from 480i to 1080i 

VDP-80 video processor $6,000, TTM now. 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

Vidikron introduced the Vision Models 70, 85, 110 and 120, featuring CineWide and 

CineWide with AutoScope, 1080p, THX certified, joining models 90 and 100 (which 

have been upgraded to Vision Model 90t and 100t to reflect their new THX status), 

Vision 70 and 85 are single chip, Vision 110 and 120 are 3-chip projectors, Vidikron’s 

exclusive all-digital Imagix video processing integrated into the Models 70 and 110, 

while the Vision Models 85 and 120 offer an outboard video processor/controller, 

HDMI, Vision 85 offering the fixed CineWide option, and the 70, 110 and 120 each 

available with both the fixed version and the motorized AutoScope option. 

The Vision Models 110 and 120 offer a range of precision lens options, are equipped 

with generous electronic horizontal and vertical lens shift, have substantial light 

output capabilities making them suitable for larger screen sizes and applications 

where higher ambient light levels are present. 

Vision 70 $12,000 (shown), integrated Imagix 

video processing, fixed and motorized lens 

option 

Vision 85 $17,000, outboard video 

processor/controller, fixed Cinewide optional 

lens 

Vision 110 $40,000 

Vision 120 $45,000 

CineWide lens option and CineWide with AutoScope 

motorized anamorphic lens system are priced separately. All models in Classic White 

or the optional Graphite Gray chassis. 

Vidikron announced the availability of the CineWide and CineWide with 

AutoScope option on the Vision Model 30 and Vision Model 50 DLP 720p 

projectors, the latest Vidikron projectors to incorporate CineWide and CineWide with 

AutoScope (now four models with five different CineWide options). 

The projectors incorporate a Vidikron’s DualV Stage Illumination (DVSI) system 

that provides for selectable lamp intensity levels for enhanced dynamic range 

performance, Vidikron’s proprietary Imagix video processing technology, 

component and digital HDMI inputs, discrete IR, RS-232 control, rated at a Cinema 

Standard Measurement System (CSMS) home theater calibrated levels of 19.0 and 

21.5 Foot-Lamberts (fL), with CSMS calibrated contrast ratios of 203:1 and 218:1 (a 

typical ANSI contrast 2150:1 and 3000:1), respectively, engineered to meet the 

exacting standards of the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF). 

Vision Model 30 new MSRP $6,000 

Vision Model 50 new MSRP $8,000 

Fixed CineWide ($3,000) lens optional on both. 

88

Vision 50 available with the ultimate CineWide with AutoScope ($12,000) motorized 

anamorphic lens system, both available in Classic White or the optional Graphite 

Gray chassis. 

The Vision 30 offers two different lenses based on desired throw distances. 

The Vision 50 adds motorized power zoom and focus control, as well as 

comprehensive electronic lens shift capabilities. 

CES 2007 

Vidikron announced that the projectors above are now shipping and introduced the 

new flagship projector THE VISION MODEL 150 LIGHTAMP, 3-CHIP 1080p, 

featuring new 3-chip light engine, advanced Xenon LightAmp illumination system 

with 1.2 kW Xenon lamp, Vidikron’s exclusive V2 technology, multiple aspect ratio 

control, Vidikron’s proprietary IntelliWide mode, optional wide range of high 

precision zoom lenses, motorized horizontal and vertical lens shift, all-digital VHD 

controller featuring exclusive Imagix video processing and advanced aspect ratio 

control system, DVI/HDCP, Discrete IR, RS-232 control, superb scaling and brilliant 

color reproduction no matter the source, engineered with ISF calibration standards, 

THX certified. 

As with the other projectors Vidikron offer CineWide and CineWide with 

AutoScope technologies for the Vision Model 

150 for true 2.35:1 widescreen movie 

projection preserving every pixel of resolution 

and eliminating distracting black bars on the 

top and bottom of the screen. 

Vision Model 150 $100,000, TTM Jan 07, 

pricing for the fixed CineWide lens option and 

the ultimate CineWide with AutoScope 

motorized anamorphic lens system vary, 

available in Classic White or optional Graphite Gray. 

Viewsonic 

CES 2007 

PJ258D iPod below: 

Vivitek 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for earlier RPTV models 

89

Yamaha 

FP 

Consult the 2006 HDTV 

Technology Report for earlier 

models: 

DPX-830 

DPX-1200 

DPX-1100 

DPX-1200 

DPX-1300 

Zenith 

(Please see LG) 

90

Chapter 7 - Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) 

Canon 

CES 2007 

Realis 

SX6 1400x1050, 1.7 power zoom, 3500 ANSI lumens, 

1000:1 CR, DVI/HDCP 

SX60 1400x1050, 1.7 power zoom, 2500 ANSI lumens, 

1000/2000:1 CR, DVI/HDCP 

SX50 1400x1050, 1.7 zoom, 2500 ANSI lumens, 

1000:1 CR 

X600 1024x768, 1.7 power zoom, 3500 ANSI lumens, 

1000:1 CR, DVI/HDCP 

Cinetron 

Sep 06 

FP 

HD-900 1080p, $6000, TTM Oct 06, three 0.7" Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS 

panels), each with 1920x1080 pixels of resolution, 6000:1 contrast ratio, integrated 

Realta HQV(R) processing, MSRP $6000. 

According to the company the HD-900 is the world's first 1080p projector to feature 

built-in Realta HQV (Powered by Teranex) 10-bit video processing as the famous 

$60,000 Teranex Xantus box, full-resolution four-field, pixel-based, motion-adaptive 

video deinterlacing for SD and HD signals. 

Temporal-recursive and codec noise reduction; automatic film-based and advanced 

cadence detection; and pixel-based detail enhancement, the patented Full HD 

CRYSTAL Light Engine(TM), available in the U.S. through custom-installation and A/V 

equipment dealers, with a two-year limited warranty on parts and labor, and a 1000- 

hour warranty on the lamp. 

DreamVison 

DreamBee $7,800, 3x1080p 0.7” D-ILA chips, 

15,000:1 CR, internal cooling system, 2xHDMI, 

horizontal/vertical lens shift, GF9351 video processor 

featuring VXP technologies, 1000 ANSI lumens, 170w 

lamp (200W in 

bright mode), 

1080p 

50/60/24 inputs, 22dB noise (left). 

CinemaTen 80 3x1080p 0.82” D-ILA chips, 

external video processor Dream Scaler 2 

powered by ABT, 10-bit video processing, 

91

800 lumens, 3500:1 CR, 200 watt lamp (200 hrs), 1080p 48/50/60 inputs, 4xHDMI v 

1.1. 

ELCOS 


Faroudja 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology 

Report for the DILA 1080p front projector 

with DVP1080 HD video processor. 

CES 2007 projector shown, check 

Meridian/Faroudja for more information. 

Hitachi 


Report for the following models: 

RPTV 

T925 Series 

X927 Director’s Series (hi-end line) 

JVC (D-ILA) 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for background regarding RPTV demos 

(70” and 56” slim line prototype, FH96 line, and R1U Professional Series). 

At that time, JVC was exploring the use of LEDs as the light source for both HD-ILA 

RPTVs (replacing the current high-pressure mercury lamp) and flat panel LCD sets 

(replacing the current CCFL light source). 

According to JVC, LED backlighting offers faster response time for detailed fast 

motion images, and deliver more vivid color images, and. reduced hold time for less 

blurring and ghosting. JVC also demo a Quad HD-ILA for presentation and 

commercial applications. 

FP 

DLA-HX2E projector specs, consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

2006 lines 

Optical Iris, 5 th generation DIST, JVC’s 

Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing, 

dynamic auto iris, ATSC/QAM/NTSC 

tuners, 2 HDMI, 2 component, PC input. 

RPTV 1080p series (right) 

TTM July 06, planned with NO 1080p 

acceptance, 3 x 0.7 inch 1920x1080 

chips 

56” HD-56FN97 $3,500 

61” HD-61FN97 $3,800 

70” HD-70FN97 $5,500 

92

RPTV 720p series 

TTM Mar 06, 3 x 0.7” 1280x720p chips 

52” HD-52G787 $2,800 

56” HD-56G787 $3,200 

61” HD-61G787 $3,500 

I mentioned on my CES 2005 report that in my opinion the 70” 1080p DILA showed 

a better image compared to the SONY SXRD and Samsung DLP 1080p sets of that 

CES, when they were all just introduced at that time. However, at CES 2006 (and 

still at CES 2007) I noticed an effect that the more I looked at it the more it 

bothered me. Apparently, the lenticular screen produces the effect of an artificial 

pixel movement that interacts with the movement of the image itself, more 

noticeable in large images of a consistent color (like a blue sky). 

To make sure, I did the same type of viewing on the set installed on a dedicated 

darker room, the effect was less obvious, but the effect was still there. I would 

suggest to the prospective buyer to perform the viewing test on both types of room 

lighting to make sure is not an issue of concern, as it was to me. 

After being aware of the effect, if I have to live with the set, I would end up paying 

attention to the pixel movement rather than enjoying the content. 

Fortunately, JVC’s plan for no 1080p inputs was revised by the time the units were 

released. 

FP 

Introduced Feb 06 

DLA-HD10K $25,000, TTM now, 3-chip D-ILA 'non-moving' mirror reflective 

technology, 1920x1080p, accepts 

1080p 48/50/60 fps over DVI-D, highresolution 

lenses with motorized zoom 

and focus with a 0-60% vertical offset, 

two models: a long throw with a lens 

throw distance of 2-3.8:1 (placement 

of the projector at the back of the 

theater), for a 10-foot screen, the 

projector could be placed anywhere 

from 20 to 38 feet from the screen, 

and a short throw model with lens 

throw distance of 1.5 - 2.0:1 to 

facilitate projector to be used for CRT 

replacement or rear screen applications, 2500:1 CR, 27db quiet fan noise, userreplaceable 

lamp with 2000 hrs life at $500, Faroudja, Silicon Optix, and Anchor Bay 

Technologies are planned to supply three different external digital signal processor 

packages with this model. 

June 2006 

FP 

A total of 10 D-ILA front projector packages offered by the company, priced from 

$6,995 to $21,995, three new 1080p systems introduced with DVDO high 

performance video processor in partnership with Anchor Bay Technologies, developer 

of the DVDO. 

93

DLA-HD2K $13,000, TTM now, with DVDO processor. 

DLA-HD10K, the successor of the HD2K, with both long and short throw lens options 

DLA-HX2U price lowered to $7000(from $9000) 

Sep 06 

JVC Professional Products announced their decision to pair their DLA-HD10K 

projector with an external Realta HQV(R) video-processing box from Silicon Optix, 

named the HR1080Pro, with true 10-bit video processing, full four-field, pixel-based, 

motion-adaptive video deinterlacing for both SD and HD signals, temporal-recursive 

and codec noise reduction, automatic multicadence detection, and pixel-based detail 

enhancement. 

Oct 06 CEATEC 

JVC introduced a working prototype of a 110-inch H-DLA television as a technology 

statement, although the company also showed a 58-inch version that will be 

available at a price and time not determined at the introduction. 

The product is targeted to consumers that might not be satisfied with LCD blurring 

when playing back high-speed motion and plasma’s problem with showing black, 

according to JVC. 

JVC also demo a 4K2K 3D projector of 3D images when used in conjunction with 

special 3D goggles, showing its ability for “super-high” resolution images of 

4096x2190 or about four times the resolution of HD. TTM Feb 07 worldwide, pricing 

was not available. 

CES 2007 

RPTV 

The company unveiled two 1080p HD-ILA RPTVs implementing a new light-engine 

design for wall mounting slim cabinet depths of 10.7 and 11.6 inches, side heat 

dissipation, side-mounted inputs/outputs, alternative placement on stands, concave 

mirror for wider projection angle of 138 degrees, reducing projection distance 

approximately 40 percent, three JVC D-ILA micro devices, 10000:1 CR. 

The new sets also feature JVC’s 

Genessa 32-bit CPU video 

processing, fifth generation of 

JVC’s D.I.S.T. (Digital Image 

Scaling Technology) to up-scale 

any video source to display at 

full high definition 1080p, SD 

signals are improved through 

better IP conversion, scaler 

performance and a new PLL 

system, Digital Noise Suppressor 

that detects and eliminates 

“block noise”, a Mosquito Noise 

Suppressor that eliminates noise 

without degrading the image, a 

3D Y/C comb filter with DTV 

Cross Color Eliminator that uses 

94

an advanced 10-bit 3D Y/C separation process to eliminate cross color and dot 

interference that is imbedded in older source material. 

58” HD-58S998 $3,300, TTM Jan 07, 

1080p, 10.7 inches deep 

65” HD-65S998 $4,200, TTM Mar 07, 

1080p, 11.6 inches deep 

A matching stand (RK-CSLM8) and wall 

mount adapter (TS-CP01WG) are available 

separately. 

FP 

The company also introduced a 1080p 

D-ILA front projector, the first for the 

company’s consumer electronics 

division (according to JVC), 

implementing a new .7-inch D-ILA 

panel and light engine design not 

using an iris, for high black levels 

without impacting brightness, 2x 

Fujinon zoom lens, ceiling or tabletop 

mounting, lens shift 80 percent 

vertical/34 percent horizontal. 

DLA-HD1 

$6,300, TTM Feb 07, 15,000:1 CR 

95

According to JVC, the new projector features the following: 

Native contrast ratio of 15,000:1; true black reproduction without an iris mechanism. 

New 0.7-inch full HD D-ILA device with a device contrast ratio of 20,000:1. 

Combined with a new optical engine, the projector achieves a contrast ratio of 

15,000:1, the industry’s highest without the use of an iris. 

The new 0.7-in. full HD D-ILA device exhibits a significant reduction in stray light 

caused by, among other factors, the dispersion, and diffraction of reflected light. JVC 

decreased orientation irregularities by flattening the gaps between pixels, adopted 

improved liquid crystals, and used new orientation technologies. This enabled the 

device to achieve a device contrast ratio of 20,000:1. 

At CES 2007, the projector was demonstrated side by side with the Sony Pearl (with 

the dynamic Iris in auto) and the JVC looked superior in picture quality, the blacks 

were much deeper and color depth was also better. On the left is the team that 

performed the demonstration. 

The new optical engine uses wire grid polarizers to improve the precision of light 

polarization, preventing light leakage into the projection lens, thus allowing the 

closest to true black reproduction. 

Flexible setup enabled by high 

performance 2x zoom lens and 

front fan intake and exhaust, the 

projection lens features a large 

diameter, all-glass lens with 16 

elements in 13 groups made by 

Fujinon Corporation that 

significantly reduces chromatic 

aberration and ensures a high 

resolution picture, with every point 

on the screen perfectly in focus. 

The projection system features a 

±80% vertical and ±34% 

horizontal lens shift function, 

allowing a wide range of placement 

flexibility for either ceiling, tabletop or on a shelf. 

96

Using a front fan intake and exhaust for the cooling system allows placement 

options. The simple and clean design leaves only interface connections on the back 

panel, giving users flexibility in deciding where to put the projector. The lamp is 

easy to access and replace from the side panel wherever the projector is located, 

ceiling mount or tabletop. 

Gennum Corporation video processor reproduces high quality images faithfully, with 

the GF9351, with high-precision scaling, and four VXP technologies: 

a. FineEdge 

Edge correction technology that gets rid of the jaggy artifacts so common to 

diagonal lines, creating instead smooth outlines. 

b. FidelityEngine 

Imaging technology that improves detail while reducing noise. This 

technology ensures a clear, detailed playback picture even for video sources 

with lower resolutions. 

c. TruMotionHD 

De-interlacing technology that supports HD signals (1080i), converting them 

to high-quality 1080p signals for playback. 

d. RealityExpansion 

10-bit image processing technology. This technology can upsample 4:2:2 

(Y:Cb:Cr) video signals to 4:4:4 format, and delivers outstanding image 

processing at a level comparable to that of broadcast masters. 

Additionally, JVC introduced a number of HD-ILA new technologies, stated by the 

company as follows: 

Cinema Wide HD-ILA 

With an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, JVC’s prototype Cinema Wide HD-ILA offers enhanced 

viewing of DVDs and high definition movies. Most widescreen movies are distributed 

in this 2.35:1 aspect ratio, while current widescreen TVs have a 16:9 (approx. 

1.78:1) aspect ratio. JVC’s Cinema Wide HD-ILA displays 2.35:1 content properly 

without letterboxing. 

LED HD-ILA 

Replacing the current high-pressure mercury lamp in JVC’s rear projection HD-ILA 

televisions with LEDs would 

provide quick start and extremely 

long product life. The wide color 

range allows for flexible color 

management. Combined with 

the latest wire grid-based optical 

engine and latest D-ILA devices, 

it achieves a startlingly high 

contrast ratio. 

110-Inch HD-ILA Rear Projection 

TV 

97

JVC has built a prototype 110-inch rear projection TV using the company’s HD-ILA 

technology. The full HD set, like currently available HD-ILA televisions, uses three 

0.7-inch 1920x1080 pixel full HD D-ILA (LCOS) devices. Power consumption is a 

green 230 watts (shown). 

Jan 30, 07 

JVC Professional Products introduced two new HD-ILA RPTV slim-design 1080p 

models for the commercial, professional, and custom installation markets. 

61” HD-P61R2U $3,200 

70” HD-P70R2U $5,000 

Featuring three-chip D-ILA technology, HDMI, RS-232C, D65 color temperature 

standard, ATSC digital TV tuning and CableCARD slots, Waves’ MaxxBass technology 

to enhance audio performance, dynamic iris, cabinet depth around 20 inches. 

LG 


In March 2006, LG announced the withdrawal of the products due to “certain part 

procurement issues” VP Bob Perry said. 

Meridian-Faroudja 

CES 2007 

A new projector was shown at CES, with three D-ILA chips for smooth, flicker-free 

high-resolution images 3-chip D-ILA (Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier) technology 

produces clear, natural images without the flicker or ‘strobed rainbow’ artifact effect 

that plagues other projectors, the company said. This projector was optimized by 

William Phelps. 

D-ILA1080MF1 1080p Digital Projector 

According to Faroudja, images are as smooth as film, boasting incredible detail, 

thanks to the chips’ native 1920 x 1080 resolution, which is based on a reliable, 

precision mirror reflective technology with no moving parts to produce the full-spec 

1080p High Definition resolution you need to enjoy movies and HD video sources at 

their very best. 

Emission Method: D-ILA (Direct drive Image Light Amplifier) (Reflective Active Matrix 

Principle). 

Display Panel/Size: D-ILA Device / 0.82in (1920 pixels 1080 pixels) x 3 (Total # of 

pixels: Approx. 6,220,000). D-ILA devices are manufactured using extremely 

high-precision technology. Pixel effectiveness is 99.99%. Only 0.01% or less 

of the pixels will either not illuminate or remain permanently illuminated. 

Projection Lens: Normal Throw version 1.9x power zoom lens (2.0:1 to 3.8:1) 

(Power zoom/focus adjustment) Short Throw version 1.4x power zoom lens 

(1.5:1 to 2.1:1) (Power zoom/focus adjustment). 

Light-source: 200 W Ultra-high pressure mercury lamp [Part No.: BHL5008-S]. 

98

Screen Size: Approx. 60in to 200in (Aspect ratio: 16:9) Projection Distance Normal 

Throw Approx. 2.5 m to 15 m Short Throw Approx. 2 m to 10 m. 

Input Signal: 1080/60p or 1080/50p. 

Resolution: 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels. 

Input Sync Frequency: Horizontal 56.25 kHz, 67.43 kHz, 67.5 kHz Vertical 50 Hz, 

59.94 Hz, 60 Hz. 

Video In: DVI input via DVI-D (Single-24pin) connector, HDCP-compatible. 

Control: RS-232C I/O via D-sub 

9 pin. 

Service: 3.5 mm diameter, 

tip/ring/sleeve mini-jack. 

Screen Trigger: 3.5 mm 

diameter, tip/sleeve mini-jack. 

Power: AC 100 V - 240 VAC, 

50/60 Hz Rated Power 3.5 A 

(100 VAC)-1.4 A (240 V AC). 

Environment Temperature: 41˚F 

to 95˚F (+5˚C to +35˚C). 

Environment Humidity: 20% to 80% (No condensation 

Weight: Approx. 37.5 lbs (17.0 Kg) 

D-ILA1080MF2 1080p 3-chip D-ILA: 

Featuring separate Gamma curves for SD and HD sources, 2100:1 CR, light output 

500 lumens typical, very small pixel spacing (pixel aperture), high precision imaging 

Look-Up-Tables (LUT), optimized by William Phelps utilizing proprietary software and 

optical equipment in the UK factory, D65 color balance calibrated to 128 levels of 

white, D65 calibration error less than .003 from 0-100IRE, exact gamma curve based 

on light characteristics of human eyesight, film and the projector. 

The projector also features improved 

contrast ratio with excellent shadow 

detail, superior White Field uniformity, 

excellent lens optics for corner-to-corner 

focus, 1.3x zoom lens (1:8–2.35:1, 

manual zoom and focus), 250 watt, NSH 

bulb for accurate and stable output, 

replaceable without de-mounting the 

projector, Optional DVP1080MF digital 

video processor converts all SD/HD 

99

sources to 1920x1080 DVI, DVI input, HDCP compatible, 3-chip D-ILA® (0.82-inch 

diagonal), screen size/Throw: 40in to 200in (16:9)/1.6m to 10.5m (16:9), 

resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels 

(16:9) x 3 chips, projection, wide 

conversion lens attachment option, 

250 W Ultra-high pressure mercury 

lamp [Part No. BHL5006-S], 

contrast ratio: 2100:1, color 

temperature: D65/user selectable 

1/user selectable 2, gamma control: Normal, A, B, and Custom, serial control: RS- 

232C x1, power input: 100V-240V AC, 50/60Hz, rated power: 3.5 A (100 V AC) – 

1.4 A (240V AC). 

MicroDisplay Corporation 

Nov 06 and CES 2007 

The company announced that “will soon begin manufacturing HDTVs for well-known 

brand names (such as Akai and Memorex), powered by its unique and proprietary 

1080p Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) digital projection imaging devices. 

The single-chip design of MicroDisplay Corporation’s proprietary technology will allow 

major partner brands to sell an exceptionally high-quality HDTV picture at a much 

lower manufacturing cost. 

As a result, large-screen 1080p HDTVs will soon be available to a much larger group 

of consumers. MicroDisplay Corporation is the first company to mass-produce LCOS 

devices with the fast response times necessary for use in a single-chip design. As a 

result, this technology sets a new cost/performance standard for the industry. 

MicroDisplay Corporation made its debut at CES 2007. 

The company added “With our technology, TV manufacturers will now be able to 

offer bigger screens and impressive 1080p picture quality to their customers at much 

lower price points”, said VP of Marketing for MicroDisplay, Marty Zanfino. 

“This stands to revolutionize the industry and bring the market price for a 50-inch 

plus, 1080p rear-projection HDTV down below $1500. That’s an extraordinary 

value.” 

“MicroDisplay is partnering with major HDTV brands to develop and distribute rearprojection 

HDTV models with screen sizes of 52” to 62”. The new MicroDisplay 

single-chip, LCOS-powered, rear-projection HDTVs are expected to hit stores in 

summer 2007.” 

Some of the above models were shown at CES. 

OMT 

CES 2007 

Mini Projector

http://www.omtdisplay.com/Minien.htm 

SONY (SXRD) 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the 

following models: 

Grand Wega RPTV XBR1 line 

VPL-VW100 (Ruby) FP (shown right) 

4K Digital Cinema SXRD projector (below), specs 

included in the 2005 report, 

SRX-R110, introduced first at Digital 

Cinema Laboratory in Hollywood, CA; 

resolution of 4096x2160, compatible with 

2K projectors of 1920x1080, judged as with 

a picture quality of at least 35 mm, 10000 

ANSI lumens, 3000:1 CR (expected at 

2000:1 in the 

production 

units), expected 

in movie theaters 

by 2005, dualscreen 

mode for the projection of dual 1920x1080 

images, and quad-mode for four 1920x1080 images, 

$80,000, $15,000 extra for lens, TTM Jan 05, suitable for 

up to 40 feet wide screens. 

Shown again at CES 2007 with spectacular images on 

local-theater-size screen. 

SRX-R105, $60,000, 5000 lumens, smaller version, suitable for up to 25 feet 

screens. 

June 2006 

RPTV 

Sony Introduced five new 1080p Grand WEGA models with 1080p inputs from 50 to 

70 inches based on Silicon X-tal (Crystal) Reflective Display (SXRD) 

XBR line 

Two new models TTM fall 2006, with the following features: 

Three 0.61-inch SXRD chips 

(one each for red, green and 

blue color reproduction), 

delivering more than 2 million 

native pixels (1920 X 1080) for 

a full high-definition picture, 

video signal process 

enhancements include Sony's 

WEGA Engine HD system. 

Digital Reality Creation® Multi 

Function Version Two Point Five 

(DRC-MFv2.5), enabling digital 

mapping of not only 

101

conventional NTSC sources, but also 1080i HD signals, Cinema Black Pro mode for up 

to 10,000:1 CR, digital cable-ready with integrated CableCARD slot and TV Guide® 

on screen program guide, 2xHDMI inputs with 1080p capability, front HDMI HDV 

camcorder connection, PC input, and side speakers (removable on the KDS-R70XBR2 

model). 

60” KDS-R60XBR2 $5300, (3800 on Feb 07, 4 months after introduction) 

70” KDS-R70XBR2 $7800, ($6000 on Feb 07, 4 months after introduction) 

A2000 Line 

Three new models, TTM summer 2006, with the following features: 

New compact, bottom speaker cabinet 

design; same WEGA Engine system, 0.61- 

inch SXRD chips, and Cinema Black Pro for 

10,000:1 CR (based on overall light levels of 

the original source) found in the above XBR 

line; 2xHDMI inputs with 1080p capability, 

front component input for HDV camcorder 

and PC input. 

http://www.sony.com/2006TV 

50” KDS-50A2000 $3500 

55” KDS-55A2000 $4000 

60” KDS-60A2000 $4500 (shown) 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

Sony introduced the VPL-VW50 (Pearl) front projector, $5,000, TTM Sep 06, added 

to the existing line of front projectors, the QUALIA 004 and the VPL-VW100, using 

three 0.61-inch SXRD chips (one each for red, green and blue color reproduction), 

delivering a 1920 x 1080 full highdefinition 

picture, high response 

times (2.5ms rise and fall), 200-watt 

Ultra High Pressure Lamp, 900 

lumens, 1-chip video processing 

engine using a fully digital chassis, 

eliminating signal noise caused by 

analog to digital or digital to analog 

conversion. 

Dual HDMI inputs for 1080p/60 and 

24p frame rates, processes at a direct 

multiple (96fps) of 24p to avoid 

artifacts like judder or flicker when 

viewing next generation highdefinition 

formats like Blu-ray disc, 

component video, RGB, RS-232C 

connection, new All Range Crisp Focus 

(ARC-F) lens, optimized for high 

resolution 1080 images, with 16 

elements, flexible throw distances, 

Advanced Iris 2, which produces 

102

accurate blacks and helps to deliver a dynamic contrast ratio of up to 15,000:1 when 

"auto" Iris mode is selected, and with a variable setting for user optimization,1.8x 

powered lens zoom, powered focus, powered vertical lens shift, advanced cooling 

structure for a low fan noise of 22dB. 

CES 2007 

Sony displayed a 55” laser projection TV using SXRD with a wider color gamut and 

high contrast. The monitor model was only 273mm deep and 1920x1080p. The laser 

durability would be a welcome feature regarding customers not needing to replace 

light source over time (shown at left). 

Apr 07 

Sony introduced the CineAlta, a 4K digital cinema projector with 4 times HD quality 

on a screen 20 meters wide, it measures about 1.5 meters high, 1.4 meters deep 

and 74 centimeters wide, weighs 300Kg, uses a 4.2kW bulb, light bounces off a 

1.55in flat-panel display based on Sony's SXRD, 4096x2160 pixels of resolution (8 

million pixels versus 2 million of HDTV), about $126,000. 

The projector sits on top of a ‘media block’ bay containing a RAID HDD storing the 

movie encrypted in JPEG2000 format, which could be decrypted when it is shown by 

using a key that is deleted if someone tries to remove the ‘media block’ from the 

projector, and the HDD would still be encrypted. 

Syntax/Brillian 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for earlier models, such as the 6580i 

1080p RPTV below: 

Read the complete coverage of how this company 

implemented LCoS 1080p video processing on the 

dedicated section within the 1080p subject. The HDTV 

included an installer with the purchase (an ISF 

calibration for two inputs using the calibrator’s ISF 

equipment). 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

Olevia 5 Series 

RPTV 

Features award-winning Brillian UltraContrast LCoS(TM) Light Engine Technology 

with true 1920x1080p resolution and Pixelworks DNX video processing, 

preconfigured for home theater installations, able to be integrated into home 

automation systems with its RS232 control, accepts 480i up to 1080p native 

resolution input via HDMI and DVI inputs, 4000:1 CR, fast 4ms average response 

time, was said to become available through custom installation specialists plus select 

regional retailers. 

65” 565H $4,300, TTM Oct 06 

103

Chapter 8 - LCD Projection (FP and RPTV) 

Canon 

Feb 07 

Canon announced the availability of 3 LV series projectors. 

Featuring XGA (1,024 by 768), UXGA (1,600 by 1,200) and SXGA (1,280 by 1,024), 

short throw distance using a 1.6x Canon wide-angle seven-group zoom lens, 

component through VGA with optional cable, VGA in, audio in. 

LV-X7 

LV-7260 

LV-7265 

$1,000, 1500 ANSI lumens, 500:1 CR 

$1,200, 2000 ANSI lumens, 600:1 CR 

$1,500, 2500 ANSI lumens, 600:1 CR, DVI-I, VGA out, audio out 

Epson 

For the models below, consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

------------------------- 

RPTV 

Two CrystalPRO HD Displays 1080p, TTM Jan 06 

55” and 65” 

FP 

MovieMate 25 Projector-DVD/Music Player 

Pocket Projector 

800x600, 3 LCD, LED source, 1.1 lbs, 

technology exhibition 

PowerLite Home 20 

PowerLite Cinema 

PowerLite Cinema 800 

104

----------------------- 


The company showed their LCD projectors, two of those, the models 30 and 33, are 

offered with a dual-aspect ratio (4:3 and 16:9) projection screen that folds into a 

travel-friendly case, standard on the model 33, offered separately on the 30. They 

both have VGA, 854x480, 1200 ANSI lumens, 1.5x optical zoom lens, short-throw 

lens to project an 80W-inch image from 6.6 feet away or up to 300W inches from 

24.8 feet, offset lens shift. 

MovieMate 30 $1,000, TTM Oct 06, 3-LCD, for mass retail distribution, 

integrated JVC DVD/CD player, built-in stereo speakers, illuminated remote control. 

Moviemate 33 $1,200, TTM Oct 06, 3-LCD, for mass retail distribution, 

integrated JVC DVD/CD player, built-in stereo speakers, illuminated remote control. 

Additionally two other projectors complete the introduction: 

Cinema 400 3LCD model, 720p, $1,600, TTM Sep 06, 5,000:1 CR, 1,500 ANSI 

lumens, Cinema Filter and Dynamic Eye Iris, seven color modes, vertical and 

horizontal optical lens shift, 1xHDMI. 

PowerLite Pro Cinema 800 HQV $7,000, for custom installer distribution. It features 

Silicon Optix's HQV video processing technology using pixel-based (rather than 

frame-based) motion adaptation and detail enhancement. 

The TX3 was said to be “specifically tailored with true 10-bit video processing, 

distribution through the custom installation channel, advanced three-chip 3LCD 720p 

light engine, Cinema Filter and Dynamic Eye Iris technology, 5,000:1 CR, 1,600 ANSI 

lumens, vert/horiz optical lens can be moved up to 100% horizontally and 50% 

vertically. 

Nov 06 

Epson introduced a new top-of-the-line 1080p LCD projector, the Epson PowerLite 

Pro Cinema 1080 distributed thru custom installation dealers, TTM Jan 07, $5,000, 

C²Fine 3LCD chips, OptiCinema optics, E-TORL lamp, 1080Perfect video processing, 

Absolute Black technology, ISF-certification, AccuCinema Lens designed for high 

picture integrity from corner to corner, 1080Perfect video processor, 12,000:1 CR. 

CES 2007 

Epson announced the development of a Next-Generation HTPS Panel for LCD 

Projection TVs, a new high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) 0.7 inch liquid crystal 

panel to increase the performance of 3LCD front projectors and large-screen 1080p 

LCD projection TVs, and obtain a greater than 20 percent aperture ratio 

improvement over conventional TN (*) panels to improve luminance with current 

lamps or use lower-watt lamps for same levels of luminance. (*) Twisted Nematic, a 

type of LCD that uses a nematic liquid crystal, where light rotates 90 degrees as it 

passes through the LC layer. 

The sample products are now being shipped. The new technology enables the use of 

smaller panel size to achieve the same resolution, True-HD (1080p) resolution for 

105

large-screen LCD projection TVs previously required a 0.9 inch panel that now it can 

be achieved with a 0.7 inch panel for cost savings in TV manufacturing. 

Sample specifications (compared with preceding product): 

LCD type 

Existing L3D09U-61G00 

TN organic alignment 

layer 

Technology D5 New series 

Newly-developed L3D07U- 

81G00 

TN organic alignment layer 

Effective pixels 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 

Panel size 

(diagonal) 

0.9 inch 

(2.3 cm) 

0.7 inch 

(1.9 cm) 

Pixel pitch 10 µm 8.5 µm 

Aperture ratio 51% 55% 

(source Epson) 

Epson selects either C2FINE (VA LCD + inorganic alignment layer) or conventional 

(TN) technology for each product category, depending on the performance required. 

For example, the C2FINE technology first marketed in September 2006 is used for 

products requiring high image quality with sharp contrast and reproduction of jet 

black, while conventional TN technology is used for products requiring a balance 

between image quality and cost. 

Related information regarding Epson's HTPS and other imaging technologies: 

http://www.epson.co.jp/e/technology/technology_HTPS.htm 

3LCD: http://www.epson.co.jp/e/technology/technology_projection.htm 

Oct 06 

PowerLite EMP-TW1000 3LCD 1080p 

Projector with HDMI 1.3. 

The company introduced the EMP- 

TW1000 in Japan, capable of 1080p, 

2.1x optical manual zoom lens, 48-bit 

color depth, lossless audio streams, 

12,000:1 CR with a 1200 lumen lamp, 

26dB fan noise, ¥350,000 ($2,900 

US), TTM Dec 06 in Japan. 

Apr 07 

Epson introduced to market two new 3LCD 1080p front projectors, 12,0000:1 CR, 

1200 lumens: 

PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 $3000, TTM Apr 07 

106

PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080 $5,000, TTM current (advanced introduction Nov 06 

above) 

Featuring horizontal/vertical lens shift, C2Fine system, 2.1x zoom lens using Fujinon 

optics, 100-inch screen size from 2-22 feet, up to 120 inches image size, HDMI 1.3, 

14-segment lens design, capable of x.v.YCC when sources become available. 

Hitachi 

For the following models and lines, consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report: 

------------------------- 

FP 

PJTX100 

UltraVision® 

HD-PJ52 

ED-PJ32 

RPTV 

VF820 Series 

CineForm VG825 Series 

2006 line additions 

---------------------------- 

UltraVision LCD RPTVs 

720p 3-LCD panels, 11-Element Lens System, ATSC/NTSC tuners, Cable CARD, 

HDMI, 2 component, multiple color temperatures, Virtual HD 1080p video processor 

50” 50VS69 $2,300, TTM Jul 06 

55” 55VS69 $2,600, TTM Apr 06 

62” 62VS69 $3,000, TTM Apr 06 

Jun 06 

RPTV 

New LCD-based rear-projection models were offered in the 62W-inch, 55W-inch and 

50W-inch screen sizes, they feature reduced cabinet width and depth, charcoal 

styling with silver accents, the 62W-inch size is a new size: 

50” $1,800, TTM Jul 06 

55” $2,300, TTM now 

62” $2,700, TTM now 

CES 2007 

3-LCD 1920x1080, PictureMaster IV processor, new compact industrial design, 

bottom speakers, gloss black finish. 

50” M50P801 TTM May 07 

55” M55P801 TTM Jun 07, D7 panel, 2xHDMI, bottom speaker, gloss finish 

62” M62P801 TTM Jul 07, D7 panel, 2xHDMI, bottom speaker, gloss finish 

107

Mitsubishi 

April 06 (Dealer Line Show) 

RPTV 

The company introduced a new line of LCD HDTVs with three-chip LCD technology, 

pricing, and availability not disclosed at the event. 

According to the company, the new models feature new compact, high-style designs 

with thin bezels, 1280x720, Plush720p(TM) technology that scales and upconverts 

analog TV signals and deinterlaces 1080i to 720p with precision. 

New and improved light engines with 132-watt lamps (producing 20 percent more 

light than last year's models), light engine featuring SmartShutter(TM) to improve 

contrast ratio by four times for blacker blacks and more shades of dark gray. 

The sets also feature large aperture optics, wider vertical viewing angle, 3D Video 

Noise Reduction system that analyzes multiple frames to identify and remove video 

noise or snow caused by distortions in the video signal, keeping detail in the 

foreground and eliminating background noise, even in fast moving scenes. 

Includes three video modes (Brilliant, Bright, and Natural) for optimum viewing in 

different lighting environments, from bright florescent light to sunlight to low light. 

Each mode has two color temperature settings, high and low, and is accessible via 

remote control, 2xHDMI(TM) inputs, 2xcomponent inputs, ClearThought(TM) Easy 

Connect technology. 

52” WD-52531 $2,400 

62” WD-62531 $3,100 

Sep 06 

FP 

HC5000BL $4,500, TTM Oct 06 

1080p, in black (HC5000U in white by special order) 

Integrated Reon-VX HQV® video processing from Silicon Optix, providing true HQV 

four-field, motion-adaptive, per-pixel, HD deinterlacing, multi-directional diagonal 

filter to remove any "jaggies" and/or stair-step artifacts from deinterlaced video 

sources without blurring the image, HQV noise-reduction technology removes the 

noise and artifacts caused by 

compression. 

The HC5000BL uses new inorganic 

more durable LCD panels, to 

render a more color-consistent, 

even-toned image than previous 

generation LCD panels. Enclosed 

anti-dust LCD optical engine, 

exclusive algorithms to control its 

dynamic iris, 10,000:1 CR, new 

algorithms to detect and maximize 

color information as well as 

luminance, up to 5000 hours of 

108

lamp-life (in Low mode), HDMI and DVI connectors, standard black or optional white, 

1000-ANSI-lumens, powered lens shift, powered zoom, two-year limited warranty on 

parts and labor, plus a 90-day warranty on the lamp, 19dB noise in low mode (24db 

in high mode), horizontal/vertical lens shift, side loading lamp design, auto iris. 

Shown at CES 2007 (above). 

Panasonic 

RPTV 

LCX66 Series 

ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, 720p, optical output, SD memory card, RGB PC input, 

HDMI, 2 component, VGA/SVGA/XGA, $ TBD, TTM May 06. 

52” PT-52LCX66 

56” PT-56LCX66 (right) 

61” PT-61LCX66 


The company showed their first LCD 1080p projector: 

PT-AE1000U, $ N/A 

Features a 2x optical zoom lens with lens-shift function 

capable to project a 100-inch image at 10 to 20 feet 

away from 

the screen, 

1,100 ANSI 

lumens, 

11,000:1 

CR. 14-bit dynamic gamma correction, 

2xHDMI, D-sub 15, YPbPr. 

The company also demo its new: 

PT-AX100U $3,000, TTM Sep 06, 720p, designed as “an affordable luxury for 

entertainment enthusiasts that desire a rich home theater viewing experience,” the 

company said, 1280x720p, 220 watt UHP lamp, 2,000 ANSI lumens, 6,000:1 CR, 

Panasonic’s new Light Harmonizer image technology, which measures ambient light 

and adjusts the screen brightness so that images remain bright, crisp and vivid even 

in well-lit rooms, according to Panasonic. 

The projector also features a new Pure Color 

filter that uses optical adjustment to achieve 

more accurate color reproduction, Cinema Color 

Management to control approximately 

1,070,000,000 colors, Smooth Screen 

109

technology with crystal double refraction to arrange pixels on a screen with no gaps 

in between, for a smoother appearance. 

CES 2007 

RPTVs 

LIFI light source backlighting for 3LCD. 

A LIFI lamp does not use filaments but rather sends plasma radio frequencies 

through the lamp itself to emit a glow and it does not wear out, according to 

Panasonic. 

Two series of sets will be available in April/May 2007. 

LCX Series 

720p, new floating panel design, TTM May 07 

New 0.69” 720p LCD Panel, all black cosmetics, 3,000:1 CR, 400cd/m2 brightness, 

full range speaker system (20W output), HDMI (front 1, rear 2), PC input, SD card 

slot, EZ Sync. 

50” PT-50LCX70 

56” PT-56LCX70 $1,700 

61” PT-61LCX70 $2,000 

LCZ Series 

1080p, TTM May 07, similar 

features as LCX line but with 

0.74” 1080p LCD panel and 

piano black cosmetic. 

50” PT-50LCZ70 $1,800 

56” PT-56LCZ70 $2,000 

61” PT-61LCZ70 $2,400 

shown 

Mar 07 

Vertical/horizontal lens shift, 2x powered zoom, Auto Rolling Filter (to detect and 

remove filter sections with accumulated dust), 3000/5000 hours lamp, Panasonic's 

Daylight View 3 for color/brightness/contrast room optimization, NTU models feature 

built-in wireless and wired network capability. 

PT-F100U $5,300, TTM Apr 07, 4:3 AR, 3200 lumens 

PT-F100NTU $5,500, TTM Apr 07, 4:3 AR, 3200 lumens 

PT-FW100NTU $6,000, TTM Jun 97, 16:9 AR, 3000 lumens, 1280x800 LCD panel 

Sanyo 

RPTV 

720p, 150-watt / 10000 hrs lamp, 10-bit video processing, TTM 3Q06, $TBA, HDMI, 

1000:1 CR, ATSC/QAM tuners. 

55” PLV-55WHD1 

65” PLV-65WHD1 

110

FP 

For the PLV-Z4, please consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

Oct 06 

FP 

Sanyo introduced: 

PLV-Z5 $1,700 

1280x720, 10,000:1 CR, twin-iris system, 1100 

ANSI lumens, TopazReal Technology, 2xHDMI, 

2xcomponent, D-sub 15 input, 3D-color 

management, 100” screen from 9.8 feet (up to 20 

feet),12-bit digital video processing of RGB color. 

TopazReal Technology said to combine the lamp brightness level and newly designed 

LCD panels for a sharp picture in scenes with a wide range of brightness levels, with 

“crisp, bright high-contrast images, even in well-lit environments” as stated by 

Sanyo. 

3D-color management to adjust and save the hue, gamma curve, and level of colors 

and fine-tune the image settings, lens protected from dust by a motor-operated 

sliding shutter that can be opened or closed automatically by remote control, threeyear 

warranty, $200 rebate between Oct. 20, 2006 and Jan. 31, 2007. 

CES 2007 

Cinema 

PLV-HD2000N (2K) projector 

1080p 

PLV-HD150 7000 ANSI Lumens, 1000:1 CR, 4x300w UHP 

lamp, no ceiling mount, 24p/60p capability. 

PLV-HD100 5500 ANSI Lumens, 1000:1 CR, 4x250 w UHP lamp, ceiling mount, 

24fps thru SDI. 

Sony 

Mar 06 

RPTV 

Sony announced that new 3LCD microdisplay 

RPTVs will be offered: 

1280x720p, dual HDMI inputs, front component 

input for HDV camcorders, compact frame 

design, below-screen mounted speakers. 

Grand WEGA 

42” KDF-42E2000 $1,400 

46” KDF-46E2000 $1,500 

50” KDF-50E2000 $1,700 

55” KDF-55E2000 $1,900, shown 

Feb 07 (Annual Dealers Show) 

111

Sony announced to dealers the expansion of the BRAVIA line to include a “highperformance” 

sub-brand of microdisplay RPTVs and front projectors, named Best 

Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture, TTM Spring/Summer 07, $TBA. 

“When you see the BRAVIA brand, you know you’re not only getting the exceptional 

quality, but also the distinctive elegance that Sony is known for delivering,” said 

Randy Waynick, Sony home products division senior VP, according to TWICE. 

The new BRAVIA Internet Video Link module mentioned at CES 2007 (LCD panels 

section) for $300, TTM Jul 07, will be compatible with all new BRAVIA 3LCD RPTVs. 

RPTV 3-LCD 

KDF- BRAVIA line 

The BRAVIA name will replace the Grand Wega trademark. 

E-Series 

1080p 

Reduced cabinet depths. 

46” KDF-46E3000 

50” KDF-50E3000 

720p 

Designed for tight places. 

37” KDF-37H1000 

FP 

Mar 07 

Sony introduced two new BRAVIA 3LCD projectors replacing Cineza trademark, TTM 

Jun 07. 

Both featuring 1280x720, 165-watt UHP Lamp, 1,100 lumens, short focal-length lens 

with 1.6 times zoom, 20dB fan noise (in low lamp mode), HDMI 1080/24p, which is 

downscaled to native 720p and displayed at a native multiple of 24, RS-232C, 

component, composite and S-video. 

VPL-AW10 

$1,000, Sony's Advance Iris for 6,000:1 CR in "auto" iris mode. 

VPL-AW15 $1,300, Advanced Iris 2 technology, which together with the High 

Contrast Plate device claims to produce deep, accurate blacks and a dynamic 

contrast ratio of up to 12,000:1 when "auto" iris mode is selected (variable setting is 

also available), lens shift, Sony's All Range Crisp Focus (ARC-F) lens for flexible 

throw distances to facilitate installation, color palette adjustable with Sony's Real 

Color Processing function, HD15 input for analog PC. 

Toshiba 

CES 2007 

TLP-XD2000U $8,500, XGA resolution, for mobile professionals, 6.2 pounds, 

2,000 ANSI lumens, 1024 x 768, 600:1 CR, digital zoom function on the remote, 

automatic vertical keystone correction (plus or minus 30 degrees), 29 decibels (dB) 

(in low mode). 

112

1.2x manual zoom/manual focus, projection lens F/f (mm) F = 1.6 - 1.881, f = 18.6 

- 22.3mm, light source 180W (160W in low mode), diagonal screen size 33 - 300 

inches, projection distance 3.9 ft - 30.0 ft. 

TLP-X3000U $1,800, 3000 ANSI lumens, 

1024x768, 400:1 CR, 33dB. 

Viewsonic 

FP 

CV100, $1,000, 480p, 1000 ANSI lumens, 2000:1 CR, 16x9, DVI/HDCP, motion 

adaptive de-interlacing with 3-2 pulldown, reduced noise output, 4000 hrs lamp life. 

CES 2007 

The company introduced the three-pound PJ358 LCD projector. 

113

Chapter 9 - Plasma Panels 

Audiovox 

TTM Apr 06, ATSC tuner, DCDi, 2-2 & 3-2 pulldown, DVI/HDCP 

37” FPE3706 $2,500 

50” FPE5006P $3,500 

Cinemateq 


Daewoo 

DVI/HDCP, IEEE1394 

42” DTV-4220EA EDTV 480p, $1,500, TTM Mar 06 

42” DTV-4230HA 1280x720, $1,800, TTM Mar 06 

Dell 


Dwin 

May 06 

50” HD-250 PlasmaImage, processor connected via DVI, with 10 digital/analog 

inputs (2 DVI/HDCP inputs, 2 RGB, 2 component). 

Fujitsu / Hitachi 

Fujitsu 

Feb 07 

AVIAMO line 1080p 

Featuring Advanced Video Movement (AVM) III technology to process 1080p 

natively, 1920 x 1080p, 2xHDMI, Night listening mode, CableCARD. 

37” P37FT05AUB $5,000 

65” P65FT00AUB $18,000 

114

HISENSE 

One of China’s top five electronics manufacturer 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for 42”, 50”, and 63” earlier models. 

Aug 06 

42” PHD-4220US $1,800, TTM 

now, added to current LCD TVs (20”, 

32”, 37”, and 42”), distribution 

through Tiger Direct, Hisense panels 

distributed also by Kohl’s 

department stores and select online 

dealers, 1024x768, 10,000:1 CR, 

brightness 1,500 cd/m2, built-in 

ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner, HDMI, 

2xcomponent, VGA input. 

CES 2007 

50” PHD5039US 1366x768, 

10,000:1 CR, 1000cd/m2, 8ms, 

NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners 

Hitachi/ Fujitsu 

Hitachi 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the following models: 

UltraVision® HDS52 Plasma HDTV Series 

UltraVision® CineForm(TM) HDT52 Plasma HDTV Series 

UltraVision® CineForm(TM) Director's Series(TM) models 

2006 line 

Dual HDMI, ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners 

42” P42XTA51US $6,000, TTM early 06, 1024x768 

50” P50XTA50US $8,000, TTM early 06, 1366x768 

Jun 06 

Black frame styling with black side-mounted speakers, ATSC/NTSC CableCARD 

tuners; day/night picture memory modes; six-speaker, 36-watt audio systems, 

manual tabletop swivel stand (optional for 55W-inch). 

42” 42HDT79 $3,000 

55” 55HDT79 $4,800 

Ultravision S Series 

42” $2,500 

55” $4,300 

42” 42HDF39 $2,300, 1024x1024, one HDMI input, ATSC/NTSC tuners, Wal- 

Mart distribution and all dealers. 

More 1080p plasma displays are planned for 2007 when pixel density can be 

increased and power consumption reduced. A 50” model is expected for 2007. 

115

Ultra-Vision Director's series 

Four-model line (2 LCDs) under limited distribution to A/V specialty dealers and 

installers, feature three HDMI inputs, 3 component video inputs, 

ATSC/NTSC/CableCARD tuning, TV Guide On Screen electronic program guides, 

IEEE-1394 inputs, extended color reproduction capabilities. 

42” 42HDX99 $3,500, TTM Aug 06, 1024x1080, Alternate Lighting of Surfaces 

(ALiS) technology using one addressed electrode in between each pixel, smallest 

pixel pitch in the industry for plasma, power efficiency, 17 percent brighter than last 

year, consumes 16 percent less electricity. 

55” 55HDX99 $5,300, TTM Aug 06, 1365 by 768. 


Hitachi demo what they called “full HD” prototypes expected to become available in 

2-3Q07, which will be produced at their third FHP plasma factory in Kyushu, Japan, 

in October when it opens to meet 200,000 units per month. 

Director Series 

42” 1920x1080i, 3,000:1 CR 

60” 1920x1080p, 5,000:1 CR 

Another 50” model was said to be planned for 2007. 

Current UltraVision models: 

42” 42HDS69 $2,100 

42” 42HX99 

Both 1024x1080i, Alternate Lighting of Surfaces (ALiS) technology for 1080i. 

CES 2007 

Hitachi introduced a $2,500 50-inches '1080' plasma (but with a catch, see below): 

401 Series 

1080p PictureMaster IV video processor, 3xHDMI 

Simplay certified inputs, 

42” P42H401 $N/A, TTM Apr 07 

50” P50H401 $2500, TTM Feb 07 (picture) 

55” P55H401 $N/A, TTM Jul 07 

Features Alternate Lighting of Surfaces (ALiS) 

technology, called "HD 1,080", however, it only has 

1,280 pixels horizontally out of the 1,920 of the 1080i/p standard, netting only 1.3 

million pixels of the 2+ million of the 1080 format. 

According to Bill Whalen, senior product marketing manager of Hitachi “AliS uses 

interlacing techniques because we are sharing electrodes between the vertical pixels, 

and by addressing them very rapidly we are firing each cell from above, below and 

behind; we have over 1,300 patents in plasma technology, we have kind of locked 

up the ability to share those electrodes." 

116

The panel has 3xHDMI inputs accepting 1,080p certified by Simplay HD, new 

industrial design with black bezel/silver/gray trim, speakers recessed below the 

screen, fourth-generation 1,080p video processing engine named Picture Master IV. 

Other H series models 

55” 768p 

42” 

CES 2007 

Feb 07 

Hitachi in Japan announced a delay (from March 07 to year-end) in deciding the 

building of their next plasma display factory, due to market demand, prices falling 

and LCD competition, however, Hitachi indicated that they would meet demand by 

doubling capacity to 4 million panels by December within two existing plants in 

Miyazaki, southwest Japan. 

This news follow a similar announcement made by Pioneer a few days before (Hitachi 

is the # 5 plasma maker, Pioneer is number 6 th ). 

HP 

2006 line 

10,000:1 CR, ATSC/NTSC tuners 

42” PL4260N 

50” PL5060N 

CES 2007 

HP announced their plans to introduce new 720p plasmas, TTM spring 07, $TBA. 

117

The new panels feature 6.87 billion colors, low-reflection phosphors, black walls 

around pixels to reduce reflection and enhance detail, brightness and contrast, 

integrated speakers. 

42” PL4272N 

50” PL5072N 

LG 

I am including all 2006 models because some were slated for late 2006, although the 

information is as they were announced. 

CES 2006 

LG announced 8 integrated plasma models for 2006 using their new XD Engine 

video-enhancement circuitry with 14-bit color processing for 4.4 trillion colors. Four 

models with 160 GB HD DVR capabilities and dual ATSC tuners, others with 

CableCARD tuners, nine-in-two flash-memory card readers, IEEE-1394, TV Guide On 

Screen EPG, all models have 1366x768 resolution, HDMI, Image Sticking 

Minimization mode. 

50” 50PC1DR $5,000 (now $3,600), TTM 1Q06, 768p, HD DVR, 2 HDMI, TV 

Guide On Screen EPG, CableCARD and ATSC tuners, black/silver gloss (50PC1DRA 

model in black gloss finish, $5,200). 

Three 42” integrated models, TTM 1Q06 

42” 42PC1DA $3,500 (now $2,500), ATSC/Digital Cable 

ready, dual HDMI/HDCP, shown right 

42” 42PC3D $3,000, ATSC only tuner, PSIP EPG 

42” 42PC3DV $2,000, EDTV, ATSC tuner, PSIP EPG, 

HDMI and PC inputs 

50” 50PC3D $4,000 (now $2,900), TTM Mar 06, NON-HD DVR model, TTM 

March, ATSC tuner, but NO CableCARD tuner, HDMI, PC input, 768p 

PB2DR series 

$TBD, TTM 3Q06, 768p, 160 GB DVR, 14 color processor, 10000:1 CR, 2 ATSC 

tuners, dual HDMI, IEEE1394, component, RGB. 

50” 50PB2DR 

60” 60PB2DR 

47” 47LB1DRA $TBD, TTM Aug 06, 1080p, HDMI, component, RGB 

50” 50PB2DW wireless plasma panel 

71” MY-71PY10 $70,000, 1920x1080p, 2005 model 

continues, now reduced in 

price check below, shown left, 

check 2005 report for 

complete specs. 

Shown also at CES 2006 the 

following technology (right) 

statement of a l102” plasma: 

118

102” 1920x1080p, 5000:1 CR, 1000 cd/m2 brightness, NTSC/PAL/SECAM tuners, 

TTM N/A, $ N/A. 

LG announced in Feb 06 that their DVR suited TS will have 250GB HHD drives (rather 

than the current 160GB), the new models will be released by the end of the year. 

Also shown was the world’s first 60” 1080p plasma (at CES 2006, according to LG) 

60” $N/A, TTM after 2006, 1920x1080, 5000:1 CR, 1000 cd/m2 brightness, 

NTSC/ATSC/clear QAM tuners, PC compatible, HDMI, DTV Link (below). 

Apr 06 

LG announced the availability of their 71” monitor MW-71PY10 with 1920x1080p 

display resolution, $70,000, featuring LG's proprietary XD Engine technology, for 

upconversion of low resolution of analog signals, implementing six distinct processes 

to improve brightness, enhance detail, and apply more accurate color and noise 

reduction with film-like high- resolution. 

The set also features HDMI and DVI inputs (w/HDCP), multiple HD component 

inputs, RGB, PC connectivity, flexible PIP, split-zoom and twin- picture features 

allows sub-windows to be moved, resized, swapped, and split into multiple windows 

(up to nine), 1200:1 CR, image retention minimizing circuitry, two-year limited 

warranty on parts and labor. 

Jul 06 (Product Review Announcements) 

60” 60PC1D $5,900 (now $4,900), 1366x768, TTM Sep 06, same design as 

the previously released 50PC1DRA included below, latest XD Engine, 7,000:1 CR, 

ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners (fifth-generation VSB digital TV reception chipset), 2xHDMI 

inputs. 

50” 50PC1DRA $4,500 (now $3,700), TTM now, 1366x768, built-in HD-DVR, 

160-gigabyte HD-DVR, ultra-thin cabinet, up to 15 hours of digital high-definition 

programming or more than 66 hours of digital standard-definition programming, 

digital cable-ready (CableCARD), TV Guide on-screen® interactive program guide, 

eight days of program information. 

50” 50PY2DR $5,400 (now $4,700), TTM now, 1366x768, integrated HD- 

DVR, glossy, black cabinet, record, pause and playback live TV on its 160-gigabyte 

119

hard drive, stores up to 13 hours of HDTV, or 63 hours of SDTV, TV Guide on-screen 

interactive program guide which displays eight days of program information, Digital 

Cable Ready, digital photos or music from digital cameras, or MP3 player onto the 

hard drive and listening. 

60” 60PY2DR $8,400, 160GB DVR, 1366x768, IEEE1394, HDMI, 5000:1 CR, 

ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners w/CableCARD. 

Oct 06 Dealer Show 

LG announced planned releases of new plasmas, featuring HDMI-CEC standard, “LG 

Simple Link”, integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners and LG’s proven fifth-generation 

“VSB” circuitry. 

PC3D Series 

HDMI, 10000:1 CR,ATSC/NTSC/QAM clear tuners. 

42” 42PC3DV $1,200, 852x480 ED, shown right 

42” 42PC3D $1,900, 1024x768 

42” 42PC3D-H $1,900, 1024x768, high altitude up 

to 6562 ft 

50” 50PC3D $2,900, 1366x768 

50” 50PC3DH 1366x768, for altitude up to 9514 

feet. 

PB4D Series 

160 GB DVRs for 13 hrs HDTV or 63 hrs of SD, 

DVR can also record from an external highdefinition 

source such as a cable box or satellite 

tuner in 480p resolution via component inputs. 

42” 

50” 

60” 

Panel from PB4 series shown at right: 

PC5D Series 

Clear Filter Pro technology replaces the front 

glass filter with a thin film filter which reduces reflection and double imaging, 

Extreme Contour Compensation (XCC) which 

minimizes color contouring to display more natural 

color transitions, LG’s exclusive XD Engine 

technology, 1366x768, 15000:1 CR, 2xHDMI. Panel 

from PC5D Series shown at left. 

42” 42PC5D $1,700 

50” 50PC5D $2,500 

These models supplement 

the carry over models 60PC1D and 42PC3DV. 

PY3D Series - 1080p 

Added 60” and 50” to its current 71”, accepting 1080p at 

24/30/60 frames per second over HDMI and component, 

3xHDMI, USB, shown right. 

120

CES 2007 

LG announced a reduction of the price of their 71” plasma as follows: 

“Reflecting manufacturing 

efficiencies and marketplace 

realities, LG repositioned its 

flagship 71-inch Plasma Full HD 

Monitor (71PY1M), one of the 

largest plasmas available for 

consumer purchase. The new price 

of $14,999.95 is an amazing 80 

percent decrease from the unit’s 

introduction price in early 2006. “ 

71” 71PY1M on right: 

Marantz 

May 06 

61” PD6150D $18,000, 1366x768, monitor, no tuners 

Maxent 

For current and earlier models, consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

CES 2007 

The company introduced 3 new panels, the 42-, 

50- and 58-inch plasma televisions, featuring 

standard RS-232 and RJ-45 ports for remote 

network control, advanced audio processing, DVI, 

RGB input, loop-out, SD/HD component video 

inputs, discrete audio inputs, and audio and 

subwoofer outputs, subwoofer outputs, picturein-picture 

and side-by-side picture, and built-in 

audio amplifiers. 

42” MX-42HPT51 $1,300, WXGA, ATSC tuner, 

TTM 1Q07, below and side (angle and front) 

50” MX-50HPT51 $1,800, WXGA, ATSC 

tuner, TTM 1Q07 

58” MX-58HPT51 $2,500, WXGA, ATSC 

tuner, TTM 3Q07 

Mitsubishi 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for earlier models. 

121

NEC 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for 

earlier models. 

63” 61XR4 $14,000, TTM Nov 05 ($11,500 Feb 

06), right. 

NIKADA 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for 

earlier models. 

Norcent 

CES 2006 

VION line 

42” PT-4291 $2,100, 1024x768, black, ATSC/NTSC tuners, 2x component, 1100 

cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 CR. 

42” PT-4210 $1,900, TTM Mar 06, 720p, DVI 

42” PT-4242HD $2,200, TTM Mar 06, 720p, DVI 

CES 2007 

Norcent introduced two new HD plasma televisions featuring: 

Built-in ATSC and NTSC tuners, HDMI, component, and PC with audio inputs, 3D 

digital comb filter, 160-degree side-to-side viewing, 480i/480p/720p/1080i signal 

compatibility, trilingual (English, French, Spanish) on-screen menu, sleep timer, 

parental control, SRS audio enhancement. 

42” PT-4246HD $1,200, TTM now, 1024x768, 1200cd/m2 brightness, 8,000:1 

CR, Clear-QAM tuner. 

50” PT-5045HD $1,900, TTM Feb07, 1366x768, 1000cd/m2 brightness, 

10,000:1 CR. 

Panasonic 


122

PX500 line 

PX50 line 

ONYX Series 

8-Series 

CES 2006 

600 Series 

ATSC/NTSC/CableCARD tuners, HDMI/HDCP, 

PC inputs, SD card slot, TV Guide On Screen 

EPG, TTM spring 06. 

42” TH-42PX600U $3,200, 1024x768 

50” TH-50PX600U $4,200, 1366x768 

65” TH-65PX600U $TBD, 1920x1080p, TTM Aug/Sep 06, expected to be at $8000 

when released in the US), 1080p acceptance expected for later in the year (upon 

HDMI 1.3 later release they said, although 1080p 

is actually not exclusive on the 1.3 version), PC 

input, NTSC/ATSC/QAM CableCARD tuners, HDMI 

version 1.2 inputs with HDAVI control, TV-Guide 

EPG, left, good blacks, skin color very nice, all 

natural colors, pixel structure viewable from 3 feet 

away, best plasma on that size at CES 2006. 

Future 1080p models would start from the 42” 

size. 58” model mentioned but not confirmed at CES 2006, later added at CES 2007. 

60 Series 

ATSC/NTSC tuners, HDMI/HDCP, SD card slot, NO CableCARD, TTM spring 06 

37” TH-37PX60U $2,200, 1024x720 

42” TH-42PX60U $2,600, 1024x768 

42” TH-42PD60U $2,000, 852x480p EDTV 

50” TH-50PX60U $3,700, 1366x768 

58” TH-58PX60U $5,500, 1366x768 mentioned 

but not confirmed at CES 2006, see below for 

details. 

103” 1080p plasma panel prototype was shown 

as a technology statement, picture on the 

right: 

Mar 06 

As promised at CES 2006 above, Panasonic launched two 58-inch, 1366x768, models 

capable of displaying nearly 29 billion colors with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, TTM 

summer 06. 

Panasonic added "Now that we've increased the number of our panel's displayable 

colors from eight billion to nearly 29 billion with 3072 shades of gradation and upped 

our maximum contrast range from 3,000:1 to 10,000:1 to achieve the blackest 

blacks and whitest whites in the industry, we feel very confident of retaining our top 

ranking with both HDTV plasma buyers and the consumer electronics media." 

123

Panasonic announced a new plasma panel factory, the company's fourth, scheduled 

to go online in 2007 at Amagasaki, Japan. The new facility will increase Panasonic's 

production capability by 170,000 panels a month, bringing the company's total 

capacity to 592,000 42-inch-equivalent panels per month. 

The models feature HDAVI (EZ-Sync) technology for single remote/one-button HT 

system control, integrated SD Memory Card slot for digital images and slide shows, 

PC input, integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, state-of-the-art video noise reduction, 

motion-adaptive digital comb filter, 3D color management, motion pattern noisereduction 

technology. BBE(R) ViVA HD3D Sound with four speakers plus passive 

radiator (600), single-tuner split- screen display, 2xHDMI. 

58” TH-58PX600U $6,000, CableCARD, TV Guide EPG 

58” TH-58PX60U $5,500 

Jun 06 

The company introduced the 9-series of professional plasma displays featuring 16-bit 

digital signal processing, improved sub-field driving technology for 3072 gradation 

steps, 10,000:1 CR, enhanced video capabilities, thin/lighter design, Real Black 

Creation color-enhancing for high-contrast and rich, deep blacks, Motion Pattern 

Noise Reduction circuit for consistent sharpness across the entire image during fastpaced 

scenes, improved burn-in resistance, 60,000-hour service life. 

The panels also feature three multi-function input back slots for optional terminal 

customization boards (37in model with two), the new PC board PLUG-VC251 can be 

inserted to run applications and presentations or receive updates, compatible with 

Windows XP, XP embedded operations systems, and Windows-based applications 

software. Another new feature is a new CAT 5 transmitter with a switcher function 

(model KE811CT) to receive signals from a separate command center to control up 

to 128 plasmas in parallel from a single location. 

Built-in image-enlarging function for use with up to 16 multi-screen display systems 

(4 x 4 construction, for 1 x 4, 2 x 3, up to 4 x 4 construction), Advanced Dual Picture 

Mode to combine video clips with textual information from a PC, the 50in and 42in 

models can also be displayed vertically without any adjustments, TTM Jul 06. 

37” TH-37PH9UK 



Jul 06 

Matsushita announced in Japan their launch of four new models of high-definition 

plasma TVs, including the world's largest with a 103-inch panel, in Sep 06 in Japan, 

and overseas shortly after. Some models already mentioned above under other 

announcements. 

50” 

58” TH-58PX600U 1366x768, 10000:1 CR, 2HDMI, HDAVI tech, CableCARD 

65” TH-65PX600U $10,000, TTM Sep 06, 1080p, 

103” TH-103PZ600U $70,000, TTM Dec 06, ($50,000 in Japan), 1080p, (7 ft 

10.5 in by 4 ft 7 in), 474 lb, 5,000 units planned per year globally, manufactured in 

limited quantities build-to-order, through select high-end A/V specialty dealers, 

three-year in-home limited warranty, 4000:1 CR. 

124

Sep 06 

Panasonic’s announced price reductions between $500 and $200, as follows: 

$500 reduction: 

58” TH-58PX600U from $6,000 to $5,500 

58” TH-58PX60U from $5,500 to $5,000 


37” TH-37PX60U from $2,000 to $1,800 


42” TH-42PX600U from $3,000 to $2,600 

50” TH-50PX600U from $4,000 to $3,600 

42” TH-42PX60U from $2,500 to $2,100 

50” TH-50PX60U from $3,500 to $3,100 

Price unchanged for: 

65” 1080p model, still at $10,000 

Additional price reductions were applied to prices above by several retail chains, such 

as Circuit City and Fry’s. 

Panasonic was not alone at announcing price reductions: 

HP (42” PL4260N reduced $100, 50” PL5060N reduced $200), and 

Hitachi (42” 42HDS69 reduced $300, 55” 55HDS69 reduced $300). 

Oct 06 CEATEC Japan 

Panasonic introduced their existing 103” and 65” models, and two new models in 50” 

and 58” all in 1080p, all HDMI 1.2 and with SD Card slots and Viera Link, TTM Sep 

06 in Japan, the 103” ($70,000) and the 65” ($10,000) models planned to become 

available in Oct 06 in the US. 

CES 2007 

Panasonic announced its 

full line of Plasmas for 

2007, including a 50- 

inch and 58-inch 1080p 

high definition model, 

added to the current 65- 

inch and the world's 

largest Plasma, the 103- 

inch, for a total of 7 

plasmas for 2007. 

Panasonic also unveiled 

a prototype 42-inch 

1080p that Andrew 

Nelkin, Panasonic Vice 

President, Display 

Group, quoted it as "demonstrates Panasonic's technological expertise in Plasma 

125

development”. The prototype uses smaller ribs and phosphor materials, and 

improved the aperture ratio, having the same high brightness as the current 42-inch 

Panasonic HD model, TH-42PX600, incorporates the 1080p HD high-speed pixel drive 

Panasonic developed for its 1080p HD plasma TVs to ensure stable light emission 

from all the pixels. 

Plasma sales increased 138 percent in 2006 and are expected to almost triple in 

2007. Panasonic has two new PDP factories in Amagasaki, Japan, to meet the 

planned 11.5 million-unit production schedule for 2008. 

The new line of both 720p and 1080p plasmas feature a new sleek cosmetic design - 

a piano black bezel, improved EZ-Sync remote to link Panasonic consumer home 

entertainment and video products, SD Memory Card slot with Photo Viewer. 

1080p 700 Line 

1920x1080p, NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, SD Memory Card slot, 3xHDMI inputs EZ- 

Sync, New Cosmetic, TTM Apr 07, 4000:1 CR, Ethernet port. 

42” TH-42PZ700 $2,500 

50” TH-50PZ700U $3,500 

58” TH-58PZ700U $4,800 

1080p 750 Premium Line 

TTM May, H.264 MOEG4 playback 

from SD card slot, Studio reference 

Mode (exact color reproduction as 

studio), Pro Setting Mode for 

calibration, 3xHDMI, black chrome 

ornament cosmetic. 

50” TH-50PZ750U $4,000 

58” TH-58PZ750U $5,500 

PX77 Line 

TTM Apr 07, new cosmetic, Anti-Glare coating, side firing speakers. 

42” TH-42PX77U $1,800 

50” TH-50PX77U $2,800 

PX75 Line 

TTM Mar 07, gloss black frame, bottom-mounted speakers, new cosmetic. 

42” TH-42PX75U $1,600 

50” TH-50PX75U $2,500 

58” TH-58PX75U 

Carried over from 2006 

65” TH-65PX600U $10,000 ($7,000+ on street) 1920x1080p, 

NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, CableCARD slot, SD Memory Card slot, HDMI inputs 

with HDAVI-Control, TV-Guide, TTM now. 

126

103” TH-103PZ600U $70,000, 1920x1080p, TTM Dec 06 

Philips 

According to Philips, AmbiLight 2 further refines the backlighting system by adding 

separate systems for each half of the screen. This gives a stereo effect to the 

synchronized backlighting technology. 

CES 2006 

42” 42PF9631D $2,500 TTM June 06 

50” $3,500, TTM June 06, AmbiLight 2 

50” 50PF9731 $4,000, TTM July 06, AmbiLight full-surround for rear 

illumination on all four sides of the panel (below) 

127

63” model to be introduced, specs N/A 

Pioneer 


43” PDP-4360HD 

50” PDP-5060HD 

Elite models 

PRO-930HD 

PRO-1130HD 

Pioneer demo their first 1080p 50” plasma 

model Elite PRO-FHD1 at CES 2006, 

announced as MSRP $10,000, TTM June 06. 

Up-scales video to 1080p, and features 

HDMI, DVI, component, optional tabletop 

stand and wall-mount bracket. The demo 

was done with their new Blu-ray player. 

Accepts 1080p. 

The panel uses Pioneer’s Pure Crystal Emissive Layer and First Surface PureColor 

Filter technology for the efficient use of smaller pixels in plasma cells, and Deep 

Encased Cell Structure to improve brightness and image accuracy, according to 

Pioneer. I addition the panel uses PureDrive III signal processing system to reduce 

the noise and obtain high contrast and natural color images. 

The PRO-FHD1 1080p model was released as announced above, and is now at 

$8,000 MSRP, 2xHDMI, DVI-D, RS-232, RGB-HB, 120 Hz display, accepts 

1080p/24Hz. 

Mar 06 

PureVison Black Plasma Display in Europe 

Pioneer confirmed the upcoming arrival of model PDP-5000EX, a 50” 1080p panel 

said to be available on June 06, implementing a technology that doubles pixel 

density and resolution, and Deep Waffle Rib Structure, making each cell deeper to 

increase overall phosphor area for a brighter image and casing each cell with 

horizontal ribs, diminishing light leakage from neighboring cells for sharper, more 

accurate images. 

The panel also features a new T-shaped electrode to prevent misfiring of individual 

cells, PUREBLACK Crystal Layer sandwiched between the plasma glass and the 

individual light cells, High Quality Up Conversion to 1080p, minimizing interlacing 

128

motion artifacts of 1080i and increasing the 

resolution of a 720p signal, PURE Drive 2 HD 

Signal Processing for low noise, high contrast 

and natural color images, Direct Color Filter to 

reduce ambient light reflection, enhanced ISF 

C 3 capability with detailed gamma selection 

with eight steps, 2xHDMI, DVI (HDCP), 

component, optional tabletop stand, and wall 

mount bracket, 3000:1 CR, Brightness of 

1000 cd/m2. 

May 06 

Cable CARD/ATSC tuners 

Two piece models: 

43” PDP-4350HD $5500 

50” PDP-5050HD $7500 

One-piece models 

43” PDP43A5HD $5500 

50” PDP50A5HD $7500 

Jun 06 

Three new Elite plasma models were introduced in Urushi gloss-black bezel finish, 

new seventh-generation glass technology; the 42 and 60 sizes the panels implement 

network connectivity supporting Windows Media Connect and DLNA compatibility to 

share photos, music and movie downloads from a connected PC, TV Guide 

OnScreen® electronic program guides with eight days of programming. dual 

NTSC/single ATSC tuner built in, Digital Cable Ready (DCR) w/CableCARD, 

2xHDMI, two viewing modes for both day and night viewing, fully integrated onebody 

design on the 42” plasma and side-mounted, detachable speakers on the 50” 

and 60” televisions use SRS(WOW) technology, TruBass® and Focus, SRS 

(WOW) with 3 surround sound modes, sub-woofer connection. 

42” PRO-940HD $4,000 

50” PRO-1140HD $5,500 

60” PRO-1540HD $8,000 (below) 

129

Pioneer declared they were planning to introduce more 1,080p models in 50 and 60 

inches screen sizes, in addition to their 768p panels, due to the lower incremental 

cost for 1080p on those sizes. 

Although the company has previously mentioned their plans to scale back plasma 

production (after acquiring NEC) the company now stated their intention to increase 

plasma display output by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. 

According to TWICE the company also stated that “because of cost and efficiency we 

shut down some of the older lines we used to produce plasma and are now reworking 

them for future production of the larger screen sizes and 1,080p,” Meyhoefer said, 

adding, “We would like to double our capacity [from 1.2 million units per year] in the 

next couple of years.” 

And according to a report in daily newspaper Asahi Shimbun, Pioneer plans to spend 

more than $178 million to build in Japan a new plasma panel production line that 

would help increase capacity by up to 40 percent. Construction is expected to begin 

in March. 

CES 2007 

Pioneer introduced 

technology at the show that 

was described to be the most 

advanced plasma highdefinition 

television, to 

become available summer of 

2007. The panel has richer 

colors, deeper shades of 

black, better contrast than 

competing plasma panels, 

liquid crystal display panels, 

and even better than SED, 

according to Pioneer. 

"We have to find our 

own balance and not 

simply follow the 

competition," Katsunobu 

Shioda, general 

manager of Pioneer's 

home entertainment 

business group, told 

Reuters at CES. Shioda 

added that the new 

panel may “cost more 

than its rivals' products, 

but will deliver better 

picture quality and 

performance”. 

Prices and sizes would 

be known in May. 

130

Black levels exceeding previous Pioneer plasmas, dark scenes are darker while 

maintaining clarity of detail, reducing luminance by 80 percent. The test equipment 

typically used to determine the variance between peak white and peak black does 

not have great enough range to measure Pioneer’s new display so a contrast ratio 

specification is not yet determined. 

Rich colors in dark scenes are a second benefit of the lower luminance levels and 

deeper blacks. The new display reproduces colors with greater richness and 

accuracy even in dark scenes. 

Performance in bright rooms is 

significantly improved with a 

newly engineered filter that 

minimizes the effect of ambient 

light so the display is able to 

maintain deep black levels 

regardless of lighting 

conditions. 

I attended this demo and there 

was a remarkable improvement 

in picture quality, black level 

with clear distinction of 

different black textures on the 

content used for the 

demonstration. Frankly, I was 

not expecting anything less from a plasma company such as Pioneer, which 

consistently has brought to market the best quality plasmas for years with the Elite 

line. 8G prototype shown. 

Additionally, Pioneer showed itself very motivated, and the only manufacturer, to 

provide the best 1080p 24Hz picture performance with the Pioneer Elite® 

PureVision 50” 1080p plasma display, Blu-ray Disc® player and A/V receivers that 

work together to handle the 1080p 

24Hz rate needed to preserve a 

feature film’s original sequence. 

According to the company “The 

majority of feature film titles are 

mastered on discs at 24 film 

frames per second (fps or Hz) with 

a 1080p signal. Since most 

televisions are unable to accept the 

1080p 24Hz format, many employ 

a technique known as Inverse 

Telecine. 

Also known as 3:2 pulldown, this 

process converts 24fps into 30fp 

by inserting six additional film 

frames per second. While an 

improvement in the playback 

131

performance, the scene sequence is compromised and a slight judder may appear 

during motion action. Pioneer delivers a new dimension in high definition with its 

high end audio video products that resolve and improve feature film playback”. 

The PRO-FHD1 panel implements exclusive Advanced PureCinema or 3:3 pulldown, 

whereby each film frame is shown three times every 24th of a second for a smooth 

picture at 72 frames per second. 

Additionally Pioneer introduced three new plasma televisions (TTM now): 

Featuring 4-inch slim, one-body design, New First Surface Pure Color Filter to 

improve contrast ratio with ambient light by 10 percent for enhanced detail, Deep 

Encased Cell Structure to prevent light from leaking into adjacent cells, new Red and 

Blue Phosphors, improved phosphor gases that deliver images with an expanded 

color spectrum and wider color palette, Crystal Emissive Layer between the plasma 

glass and individual light cells to allow the cells to charge and discharge more 

efficiently, making the transition between color and black much smoother for 

improved detail in dark scenes, and an overall reduction in energy consumption. 

TV Guide On Screen® eight days of programming, SRS(WOW) - SRS Surround, 

TruBass® and Focus, 3 surround sound modes, 42” with fully-integrated speaker, 

50” and 60” with detachable 

speakers, 2xHDMI that accept a 

1080p/24Hz signal for 

technology such as Blu-ray 

Disc, dual standard (NTSC)/one 

high definition (ATSC) tuners, 

Digital Cable Ready (DCR) with 

a CableCARD slot, Home 

Gallery USB connection. 

42” PDP-4270HD $3,500 

50” PDP-5070HD $4,500 

60” PDP-6070HD $7,000 

PDP-6070HD showing 

Runco 

CES 2007 

Runco launched the new XP- 

65DHD plasma display monitor, 

1080p, 16-bit digital video 

processing for 4096 steps of 

graduation to eliminate primitive 

"solarization" and "stair stepping" 

characteristics plaguing entry 

level plasma displays, according 

to Runco. 

Outboard DHD with HDMI Digital 

Video Controller/Processor, 

compatible with all ATSC HD 

132

esolutions, including 1080p 24, 30 and 60, discrete multiple aspect ratio control 

including Runco’s VirtualWide for viewing 4:3 content in widescreen without 

appreciable picture degradation, RS-232 control, included Imaging Science 

Foundation (ISF) calibration standards into every model, less than 4 1/2 inches 

thin, high altitude regions model XP-65DHDxa compliant to over 9000 ft., $20,000. 

Additionally Runco introduced six new plasmas from 42” to 60” (three each to the 

PlasmaWall and CinemaWall lines), TTM now, achieving ISF (Imaging Science 

Foundation) certification for day and night settings, and featuring high-gloss black 

frame, RGB, DVI/HDCP, RS-232, 4-inches thick, wall/ceiling/desktop installation: 

PlasmaWall 1365x768 

Featuring the latest generation Runco’s DHD Digital High Definition Video 

Controller/Processor with advanced Vivix II processing external modular controller. 

42” SP-42DHD 

50” SP-50DHD 

60” SP-60DHD 

CinemaWall 1024x768 

Featuring the latest generation of Runco’s plasma technology and advanced 

integrated Vivix II processing. 

42” SP-42 

50” SP-50 

60” SP-60 (shown) 

Samsung 


Report for earlier models, such as: 

72 Series 

I include below some background 

about Samsung’s 80” model from 

last year report: 

In October 05, Samsung announced that the 80” HP-R8082 panel is in production 

and will be released for sale in Feb 06, for $150,000 (not $39,000 as originally 

disclosed at CES 2005). 

I discussed the price discrepancy issue 

with Samsung representatives at CES, 

I was told that four units were already 

delivered, but no official clarification 

was given for the price discrepancy. 

For that reason, I requested Samsung 

to issue an official statement. Mr. Bill 

Dickey, Sr. Marketing Manager, 

Plasma Displays, Samsung Electronics 

America submitted the following 

statement for this report: 

133

“When we first introduced the product in 2005 the pricing provided to the media was 

based on production/sales levels of 1,000 units per month, as well as utilization of a 

new mass-production line at Samsung Display and Digital Interface (SDI), our sister 

company. 

After introducing the concept TV, the required order volume did not materialize and 

SDI chose not to invest in a new line to build the 80" PDP. Because of these 

dynamic market conditions, the 80" displays produced today are essentially handmade 

on a pilot production line with a current capacity of 3-4 modules per month. 

Because of this limited production capacity, we are unable to achieve any economies 

of scale in procuring the components necessary for manufacturing this large panel. 

Compounding this is the additional manpower required to achieve the extremely high 

quality levels required of Samsung flagship products, due mainly to the lack of 

automated production processes. 

Finally, because we are shipping these massive TVs singly, rather than in container 

quantities as planned, the transportation costs have skyrocketed. 

For these reasons, Samsung has had to increase the market price of the HP-R8082 

to the current $150,000 level. If demand increases enough to justify the investment 

in plant and personnel, SDI will invest in a new production line and the price would 

be expected to drop to the previously proposed levels.” 

On March 07, Samsung indicated that “The 80-inches plasma is not at retail, 

therefore there is no pricing available”. 

Samsung demonstrated a 102” prototype plasma panel that has not been made 

available for retail yet. 

CES 2006 lines 

73 Series 

2 HDMI, 2 component, anti-reflective film, 175 degrees angle, ATSC/DCR tuners. 

42” HP-R4273 $3,300, TTM Jul 06 

50” HP-R5073 $4,300, TTM Jul 06 

63” HP-S6373F $N/A (but $11K 

was estimated), TTM N/A, (right), 

1920x1080p panel, 3000:1 CR, 

1000 cd/m2 brightness, ATSC & 

NTSC tuners, digital cable ready, 2 

component inputs, HDMI, PC input. 

53 Series 

ATSC/NTSC tuners 

42” HP-R4253, $3,000, TTM Apr 06 

50” HP-R5053, $4,000, TTM Apr 06 

May 06 

Following the early announcement at CES 2006 (above) Samsung confirmed the 

release of the panels. 

134

The company declared (according to TWICE) “Today, our entry 40W-inch LCD TV is 

slightly below the price of our entry 42W-inch HD plasma”, said Tanenbaum. “We are 

testing that right now. We do not have any magic crystal ball that can say which 

display type consumers are ultimately going to want, but right now, both products 

are high in market share, and demand for our plasma product remains very strong. 

We see that continuing at least for the near- and midterm.” 

The company showed two series of models implementing FilterBright anti-reflective 

technology for improved contrast in bright room conditions. 

53 Series 

TTM Jul 06, ATSC/NTSC tuners, “invisible speaker” cabinets, 2xHDMI inputs. 

42” $3,000 

50” $4,000 

73 Series 

TTM Jul 06, “invisible speaker” cabinet design, swivel stands, 2xHDMI inputs, 175- 

degree viewing angles, built-in ATSC/CableCARD tuners, 9 in 2 memory card slots. 

42” $3,300 

50” $4,300 

Current model 

63” HP-R6372 $10,000, built-in HD/CableCARD tuners, DNIe image enhancer 

CES 2007 

Samsung introduced the following new plasmas featuring FilterBright2 Plus 

Technology, Samsung's 

first full HD 1080p 

resolution plasma HDTV 

with FilterBright2 Plus 

technology that helps 

enable greater contrast in 

bright rooms, a powerful 

anti-reflective film which 

absorbs external light and 

transmits internal light, 

increases contrast levels 

and prevents unwanted 

reflection. In bright 

daylight, FilterBright2 Plus 

creates high contrast with 

pure black to show clearer 

image details and 

generate powerful dark 

area representation. 

94 Series 

Wireless 1080p, Advanced wireless A/V center using the latest 802.11n standard 

(150Mbps transfer speed with a range of 300 feet), 1920 x 1080 (1080p) resolution, 

10,000:1 CR, NTSC / ATSC digital cable ready tuners built-in, Side A/V pack, 3xHDMI 

1.3 with CEC inputs for added home theater connectivity, 9-in-2 memory card slot, 

USB 2.0 input, RS232 input, Auto Wall-Mount Ready, and neck type swivel stand, 

175-degree viewing angle. Bluetooth technology for use with wireless headphones. 

135

58” HP-T5894W $5,700, TTM Sep 07 

84 Series 

1080p, 10,000:1 CR, NTSC / ATSC digital cable ready tuners built-in, 3xHDMI 1.3 

with CEC inputs, 2xComponent inputs, PC 

input, USB 2.0 input, Stylish TrueWide 

16:9 cabinet design with 15W x 2 

"hidden" speakers, Auto Wall-Mount 

Ready, and neck type swivel stand. 

50” HP-T5084 $4,200, TTM May07 

58” HP-T5884 $5,200, TTM Sep07 

HP-T5084 shown: 

64 Series 

720p, Auto Wall-Mount capability, 13bit 

signal processing and 549 Billion colors, 10,000:1 CR, NTSC / ATSC digital cable 

ready tuners built-in, 2xHDMI inputs (although also specified as 3xHDMI 1.3 inputs), 

PC input, TrueWide 16:9 cabinet design with 15W x 2 "hidden" speakers, neck type 

swivel stand, advanced digital connectivity with Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) to enable a 

single remote control unit to operate a BD player, home theater system and other 

A/V products that are also CEC compliant, Wise LinkTM (USB 2.0). 

42” HP-T4264 $2,300, TTM Mar07, 1024x768, 1,500cd/m2 brightness 

50” HP-T5064 $3,200, TTM Mar07, CES 2007 “Honoree award”, 1365x768, 

1300 cd/m2 brightness. 

HP-T4264 below: 


54 Series 

A new series enhancing the previous 53 series, 13bit signal processing and 549 

Billion colors, 10,000:1 CR, 1,300:1 cd/m2 brightness, NTSC / ATSC digital cable 

ready tuners built-in, 2xHDMI inputs, USB 2.0, PC input, TrueWide 16:9 cabinet 

design with 15W x 2 "hidden" speakers, round base swivel stand. 

42” HP-T4254 $2,100, TTM Jul07 

50” HP-T5054 $3,000, TTM Jul07, CES “Honoree award” 

136


Samsung’s new auto wall mount system for the plasmas above provides remote 

control of the angle of the TV view, by tilting from 15- to 20-degrees in multiple 

directions. The system has a safety sensor preventing the panel from touching the 

wall or objects while in motion, TTM Mar07, $1000 (U.S. Market). 

Thomson 

2006 line TTM Apr 06 

42” P42WHD500 $1,800, 3 models in this size, DVI and HDMI, VGA for PC 

50” $2,100 

Toshiba 


Cinema Series 

720p True HD HPX95 panels 

TheaterWide line 

HP95 panels 

Custom Series 

42” 42DPC85 

May 06 

The company announced the release of two new models, with ATSC/QAM tuners, 

2xHDMI inputs, PC input, new cosmetics, and improved contrast ratios. 

42” 42HP66 $2,300, 8,000:1 CR 

50” 50HP66 $3,300, 10,000:1 CR 

Vidikron 

CES 2007 

Vidikron introduced PlasmaView VP-6500VHD 1080p 65” panel complementing the 

company’s current lineup of 42, 50, and 60-inch plasma monitors. 

Features 16-bit digital video processing for 4096 steps of graduation to minimize the 

“solarization” or “stair stepping” previously plaguing digital flat panels, according to 

137

Vidikron, IntelliWide mode, separate VHD controller’s Imagix video processing 

allows viewing of all 4:3 content in a 

16:9 widescreen format, filling the 

entire 65-inch screen without 

appreciable picture degradation, 

compatible with all ATSC HD 

resolutions, including 1080p 24, 30 

and 60 frame rates, higher altitude 

model VP-6500VHDa edition for over 

9000 feet above MSL, finished in 

pewter, brushed anodized aluminum 

frame, elegant anodized black plasma 

framing option is also available, 

$20,000, TTM mid-Jan07. 

Plasmaview line 

Two new 60” monitors to the current 42, 50, 60 and 65 inches line. TTM now. 

VP-6000 $15,000 

VP-6000VHD $17,000 

Less than 4” deep, 1365x768 

(720p), replacing current VP-60 

and VP-60VHD, 3:2 film detection 

circuitry, Imagix processing 

technology, VP-6000VHD 

equipped with external VHD 

controller, multiple aspect ratio 

control, IR and discrete RS-232 

controls, Vidikron’s Dynamic Pixel 

Protection to help prevent 

stationery image burn, finished in 

pewter, brushed anodized 

aluminum frame, an elegant 

anodized black plasma framing 

option is also available. 

VIZIO Inc. 


2006 line 

42” P42HDTV $1,800, TTM Mar 06, HDMI/HDCP, 768x1024 

50” P50HDTV $2,700, TTM Jun 06, HDMI/HDCP, 1366x768, DCDi 

2007 line 

42” VP42HDTV in 2007 it was reduced to $1,100 

50” P50HDTV in 2007 it was reduced to $1,700 

50” VP50HDTV in 2007 it was reduced to $1,500 

138

60” VM60P $2900, 1366x768, 7000:1 CR, ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, 

4xHDMI, 4.8-inches deep, input formats 1080i/p, 720p, 480i/p, 1200 cd/m2 

brightness, 2xcomponent, http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=23 

139

Chapter 10 - LCD Panels 

In January 2007, according to Electronics Weekly, Market watcher iSuppli predicted a 

slower growth of the LCD-TV market this year. 62.5 million units would be shipped 

in 2007, a 57 % increase from the 39.7 million in 2006, but only 95% of the 2006 

growth. 

Although worldwide LCD-TV factory revenue is expected to increase by 20% in 2007 

($53.5 billion, from 2006’s $44.7 billion), the prediction of the revenue slowdown 

was said to be a larger impact than the units sold, with about 56% decrease in 

growth compared to 2006 (which was 76%). 

According to the Electronics Weekly news “The number of LCD-TV units shipped in 

2007 will increase dramatically for sets that are 40-inches and larger, iSuppli 

predicted. For LCD-TVs in the 40-inch to 41-inch range, iSuppli said manufacturers 

will ship 2.3 million units by Q4 2007, up 60.3 percent from 1.4 million in Q4 2006”. 

Akira 

46” HLT460W 


Asus 

22” MW221U 


BenQ 

Dec 06 

The company launched a new LCD monitor lineup with widescreen aspect ratio, 

HDMI, HDCP, D-Sub and DVI-D, VISTA ready, TTM now, the 24-inch models have 

component inputs. 

19” FP94VW $300, 1,440x900, 2ms response time, 700:1 CR 

22” FP222WH $549, 1,680x1,050, 6ms response time, 700:1 CR 

24” FP241VW $1,500, 1920x1080, 6ms response time, 1000:1 CR, silver and 

black chassis 

24” FP241VW Z $1,300, same as above but with black chassis 

Hisense 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report . 

Hitachi 

For the HDL52 Series and the 

UltraVision® CineForm(TM) Director's Series(TM) 


Jun 06 

Hitachi introduced new panels: 

140

Director's Series 

32” 32HLX99 $2,500, TTM Nov 06 

37” 37HLX99 $3,000, TTM Oct 06 

Ultravision T Series 

Features include 120Hz refresh rates, black-finish trim frames with titanium gray 

lower speaker panels and matching swivel stands, side-panel menu controls, 

preprogrammed illuminated remote control, day and night memory by input with 

timer, new day dynamic picture memory, three-language onscreen display, parental 

locks, on/sleep timers, auto link input sensor, discrete IR codes, 3xHDMI, 

3xcomponent inputs. 

32” $2,200 

37” $2,700 

CES 2007 

H201 Series 

PictureMaster IV 1080p processor, Quickstart seamless ATSC, QAM and NTSC 

tuners, black and titanium gray ID, 3xHDMI 1080p compatible/Simplay certified, 

separate day, day dynamic and night picture memories, customizable timers. 

32” TTM Jun 07 

37” TTM May 07 

T301 Series 

Hitachi's IPS-PRO 120Hz technology doubles the frequency of images from 60Hz to 

120Hz and inserts a black frame between each normal frame, refreshing images 

twice as fast, all black industrial design. 

32” TTM Jun 07 

37” TTM May 07 

HP 

Advanced Digital Media Television 

6000:1 CR, 6ms refresh rate, 176-degree viewing angle, the LC3760N includes a 

digital media receiver for a home network. 

Sep 06 

HP announced price reductions: 

32” LC3260N $1,100 (-$200), and later another $100 to $1,000 MSRP. 

37” LC3760N $1,500 (-$200) 

32” SLC3760N $2,500 (-$200) 

CES 2007 

HP introduced new flat-panel TVs with improved Visual Fidelity Engine (VFE) videoprocessing 

technology, MediaSmart fully networked LCD TVs, three Simplay-HDcertified 

HDMI inputs supporting 1,080p signals, 2xcomponent, thin screen bezels 

with polished piano black finish, RS-232, PC input, ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, TTM 

Spring 07, 720p and 1,080p resolutions, $TBA. 

72N 720p Line 

32” LC3272N 

37” LC3772N 

42” LC4272N 

141

78N 1080p Line 

Featuring 1,200:1 CR, 6ms response times, fully networked TVs to access digital 

media, Internet services through wired or 802.11a,b,g,n wireless connections to PCs, 

three antennas embedded in the TV bezel, improved user interface, enhanced 

content integration software to simplify the selection of PC-stored entertainment files 

for playback over the network. 

Supporting AAC (non-protected), MPEG-1/MPEG-2/MPEG-4, DiVX HD, AVI and WMV 

(SD and HD) video formats; MWA, MP3 and WAV audio formats; JPEG, PNG, GIF and 

BMP photo formats; and XP and Vista operation systems. 

42” LC4278N 

47” LC4778N 

H&B 

Aug 06 

BRAVO line 

Gloss black plastic bezels, in addition to the step-up Aluminum Series (solid 

aluminum bezel designs), integrated ATSC/NTSC tuning, 1366x768, HDMI, 

component video, LG Grade A sourced panels, TTM now. 

32” LCD-32WS $1,300, 1,600:1 CR, 8ms response time, side-mounted 

speakers and stand 

42” LCD-42WS $2,000, 1,600:1 CR, 8ms response time, integrated bottommounted 

speaker design and integrated stand 

Two additional models on the BRAVO series by Oct 06: 

37” LCD-37WS $1,700 

47” LCD-47WS $3,000, 1080p 

Humax 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report . 

32” LP32-TR1, 1366x768, ATSC tuner, HDMI, 

2xScarts RGB inputs, 160GB HDD DVR. Right: 

JVC 

For the 776 line of LCD panels 1366x768 WXGA 


40” LT-40FH96, TTM fall 05, 1080p, ATSC/CableCARD, dual HDMI, dual IEEE-1394, 

memory card for Microdrive, universal remote. 

2006 lines 

1080p 

1920x1080p, 5 th generation DIST, Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing, 2 HDMI, PC 

input, 2 component, new ATSC/DRC/QAM/NTSC tuning system, 2 IEEE1394, 

parametric equalizer. 

40” LT-40FN97 $3,800 

142

46” LT-46FN97 $4,600 

768p 

1366x768, 5 th generation DIST, Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing, new 

ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuning system, HDMI, 2 component (except 26”), PC input. 

26” LT-26X787 $1,400 

32” LT-32X787 $1,900 

37” LT-37X787 $2,500 

A new LCD capable to display at 120Hz high-speed was announced, TTM end-06. 

Apr 06 

JVC Professional Products announced the introduction of a new panel: 

40” GM-H40L2GU $5,000, TTM May 06, LCD monitor, which accepts multiformat 

signals including 1080p 24/24sF and is compatible with all video formats such 

as analog, DVI-D, and optional HD-SDI. 

The panel uses state of the art LCD technology to eliminate screen burn-in, and it 

features an automatic sleep function that turns the monitor off after a specified time 

when no signal is detected. This feature increases screen life and saves energy 

consumption. 

The slim design of the GM-H40L2GU allows this LCD monitor to be mounted in a 

variety of locations and positions either flush against a wall or mounted from the 

ceiling using standard VESA compliant mounting brackets. 

Other features include easily replaceable bezel, built in Eco sensor that adjusts 

brightness for various ambient light conditions, and front control lock to prevent 

unauthorized tampering in public areas. The GM-H40L2GU is also compatible with a 

variety of external control interfaces such as RS-232 and RS-485. 

Jun 06 

JVC introduced two new LCD panels implementing 120Hz refresh rate, 1366x768, 

fifth-generation Digital Image Scaling Technology and Genessa 32-bit CPU video 

processing. 

The sets use Clear Motion Drive technology, first announced by JVC last fall in Japan, 

to display images at least twice as fast than other competitors LCD TVs, additional 

interpolated frames are inserted on the frame sequence reducing blurring or ghost 

images, common in fast action scenes on many LCD TVs. 

Response times on both sets are claimed at 6ms, expected to help the clarity of the 

image. JVC commented: “there are diminishing returns when increasing LCD 

response times further” 

ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuning, digital 3D Y/C comb filter with DTV cross color elimination, 

digital noise reduction, and MPEG noise reduction, 2xHDMI, two HD component 

video, 15-pin D-Sub for PCs, new black cabinet with a narrow black frame around 

the screen, 20-watt amp, oblique cone speaker design, MaxxBass technology & DSP. 

32” LT-32X987 $2,000, TTM Oct 06 

37” LT-37X987 $2,700, TTM Aug 06 

143

Oct 06 (CEATEC) 

JVC indicated their plans to expand its LCD line in 2007 beyond the two panels 

currently available of 42-and 47inches, although at that time there were no plans for 

distribution into the U.S. market. 

JVC also announced a “new mathematical algorithm that cleans up the sometimes 

blurry image delivered by LCD when displaying fast moving images” It was not 

disclosed when this technology would be incorporated into any released product. 

In other words, the announcement did not confirm that neither the panels nor the 

technology would be appearing in the US market. 

CES 2007 

JVC introduced their new line of 1366x768 WXGA flat panel LCDs available in black 

or black and silver. 

Featuring JVC’s Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing, Natural Progressive IP 

conversion, new PLL system, 178-degree viewing angle, Digital Video Noise 

Reduction that reduces the “graininess” for both analog and digital video source, 

Block Noise Suppressor, Mosquito Noise Suppressor, 3D Y/C comb filter with DTV 

Cross Color Eliminator, 10-bit 3D Y/C separation process. 

The panels also feature four picture modes – standard, dynamic, theater and game, 

four 16:9 aspect modes – cinema zoom, panorama zoom, full and slim – and four 

4:3 aspect modes – panorama, cinema, full and regular, 2xHDMI, 2xcomponent, USB 

input for viewing digital photos, 10-watts-per-channel amplifier, Advanced Hyper 

Surround for simulated surround 

sound, Smart Sound feature to 

maintain constant volume level as 

content changes, LT-37E478/488 

and LT-42E478/488 add twin oblique 

cone speakers. 

78 Line 

Silver cabinet, TTM Mar 07 

32” LT-32E478 $1,100 

37’ LT-37E478 $1,500 

42’ LT-42E478 $1,700 

88 Line 

Black cabinet, TTM Apr 07 

32” LT-32E488 $1,100 

37” LT-37E488 $1,500 

42” LT-42E488 $1,700 

The new technologies shown at CES 

2007 were, as presented by JVC: 

120Hz Clear Motion Drive: JVC 

introduced its 120Hz Clear Motion 

Drive LCD TV technology last year in 

a 720p set. The company has since 

applied the technology to full HD 

144

displays. Clear Motion Drive uses a frame doubling driver and a motion interpolation 

technique to boost LCD image quality, improving resolution, motion detection, and 

color. 

32-Inch Super Slim LCD TV: This concept is an LCD TV that measures just over oneinch 

deep (1-2/5 inches) with a very thin frame for a TV that virtually disappears, 

leaving just the image. The set weighs a mere 17.6 pounds. 

37-Inch LED Backlight LCD: An LED light source offers several advantages – long 

life, durability, quick start-up and stable operation. Compared to a conventional 

CCFL light source, LEDs also offer vivid color reproduction and faster response, 

especially when combined with JVC’s 120Hz Clear Motion Drive technology. 

Mar 07 

JVC/Victor announced four new EXE LCD TVs 

1366×768, HDMI, ATSC/NTSC tuners, four 

different colors. 

20-inch model shown at right (pink!). 

20” LT-20LC8 

26” LT-26LC8 

32” LT-32LC8 

37” LT-37LC8 (below) 

New models to be available 3Q07, as follows: 

898 Series (top of the line) 

1080p, TTM Sep 07, HDMI 1.3a, 120Hz ($500 above the MSRP of 60Hz models). 

42” $2,700 (tentative MSRP) 

47” $3,300 

688 Series 

1080p, TTM Jul 07, 60Hz, black frame. 

37” 

42” 

788 Series 

Same features above adding gloss-black styling, higher contrast panel, $100 extra 

42” 

47” 

145

720p models 

1080p models are $300 over the MSRP of 720p models. 

32” $1,100 

37” $1,500 

42” $1,700 

LG 

(The lines from 2006 are still mentioned because some were recently introduced) 

The company announced seven fully integrated HD models, all at 8ms response 

times, Super In-Plane Switching with 178 degree viewing angles and XD Engine 

video processing. 

Two 37” HD, TTM Mar 06, component, RGB, HDMI, 768p 

37” 37LB1DA $3,300, ATSC tuner, Digital Cable Ready (DCR), TV Guide On Screen 

37” 37LC2D $2,700, Non-DCR, ATSC tuner, PSIP guide 

One 37” under the Zenith name brand 

37” $2,300, TTM Sep 06, ATSC tuner, NO CableCARD tuner. 

32” 32LC2D $2,000, 768p, TTM 06, HDMI, component, RGB 

Three 42” models TTM Mar 06, 1366x768, 

XD Engine, HDMI, component, RGB: 

42” 42LB1DRA $4,500, 160GB DVR, 

ATSC/CableCARD tuners 

42” 42LB1DR $4,000, 160GB DVR, 

ATSC/CableCARD tuners 

42” 42CD2D $3,500 TV/appliance 

channel distribution, ATSC tuner, NO 

DVR, NO CableCARD 

47” 47LB1DRA, $ TBA, 1920x1080p, TTM 

Aug 2006, dual ATSC tuners/Digital Cable Ready, dual HDMI, IEEE-1394, 160GB HD- 

DVR, 14-bit video processing, TV Guide On Screen (shown above). 

55” 55LP1M, $15,000, TTM 4Q05, 

monitor, 1080p, 2006 XD engine, HD- 

DVR, dual HDTV tuners, 1200:1 CR, 

500 cd/m2 brightness, Super In-Plane- 

Switching (Super IPS) for fastest 

response time, 178 degrees angle 

view, DVI/HDCP (shown). 

146

In 2006, LG made a demonstration of a pair of 3-D 42” LCD panels 

Jul 06 (Product Review Announcements) 

LG unveiled the 47” model mentioned at CES 2006: 

47” 47LB1DA $4,000, TTM Aug 06, 1080p DCR, LG's fifth-generation VSB 

chipset, is equipped with ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners CableCARD compatible, TV Guide 

On-Screen electronic program guide, 2xHDMI/HDCP inputs, swivel stand, VESA 

compatible for convenient installation, 14-bit color processor, 1600:1 CR. 

World’s first LCD TV to incorporate an HD-DVR 

42” 42LB1DRA 2,800, TTM now, up to 15 hours of HDTV or 66 hours of SDTV, 

Digital Cable Ready (CableCARD), Gemstar Digital TV Guide on-screen interactive 

program guide, Super In-Plane-Switching (Super IPS) technology for 178-degree 

viewing angles without loss of color or image. 

26” 26LC2D $1,050, fifth-generation VSB circuitry, 1xHDMI/HDCP 

Nov 06 (LG’s dealer show) 

LG introduced four series with over 20 LCD TV models (11 of them are 1080p). 

Pricing was not made available at the announcement. The panels feature improved 

contrast performance, a “TruWide Viewing Angle”, HDMI-CEC “Simple Link” to 

control other LG Simple Link compatible equipment, such as DVD players or home 

theater systems, connected with a regular HDMI cable using the HDMI-CEC standard 

and on-screen menus, 2xHDMI/HDCP inputs (step-up models x3), many models 

w/USB Media Host to play digital music and photo files. 

The LC7, LB5, and LY3 Series incorporate a wave-design at the bottom of the panel, 

providing a high-end look and simple accent design. 2007 models feature overall 

depth reduction with some models as slim as 3.1-inches. 

LC7 Series 

1080p, 5000:1 CR 

26” to 47” 

LB4D Series 

147

With 1080p in some models, TruMotion Drive, 3xHDMI inputs, USB Media Host (USB 

2.0) for photo and music, media card input discontinued. 

32” 

37” 

42” 

47” 

LB5D Series 

All 1080p, USB Media 

Host, 3xHDMI inputs, 

0.3mm micro-perforated 

speaker grills, shown at 

right: 

37” 

42” 

47” 

52” 

LY3D Series (below) 

All 1080p, TruMotion Drive, wide 

color gamut backlight to extend 

color coverage over 92% of the 

NTSC spectrum. 

47” 

52” 

57” 

LS7D Series 

ATSC/NTSC/QAM clear tuners. 

20” 

23” 

CES 2007 

LG demonstrated their 

100” LCD 1080p panel 

and introduced the full 

line of 20 LCDs mentioned 

above (Nov 06 Dealer’s 

show). 

LG also demo in their 

Low-Power Technology 

Zone a 42” LCD TV panel 

consuming 30 percent 

less power than 

conventional models, as 

well as a 26” LCD TV 

panel that consumes 35 

percent less power while 

148

increasing the brightness by adding a white subpixel to each pixel. 

The company also demonstrated the complete line of 37, 42, 47, and 52-inch 1080p 

LCD panels, with 5,000:1 CR, 180-degree viewing angle, 500 cd/m(2) brightness, 

and improved response time and color gamut. Other panels for the information 

market were on display (42, 47, and 55-inch sizes), RoHS-compliant. 

LG.Philips also demo new technologies for LCD in several prototypes, including: 

- 15-inch monitor LCD panel with controllable viewing-angle (178 degrees, 80 

degrees) with a single cell 

- 32-inch HDTV LCD TV panel with 65-watt low-power consumption using an external 

electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL) 

- 42-inch HDTV LCD panel with improved response time (MPRT) 

Maxent 

Jan 07 (CES) 

The company announced the expansion of its line of feature-rich flat panel digital 

televisions with the addition of the 22- and 32-inch WXGA LCD TV/DVD combination 

televisions (ML-2251HLT, ML-3251HLT), a high-performance LCD television with a 

full-function DVD player with bottom-mounted speakers, compact, ultra-sleek 

design, 1366x768, 4H filters, 3:2 and 2:2 pull-down, adaptive motion de-interlacing, 

variable aspect ratio and an IIS (Intelligent Image Scaling) Engine. 

NTSC and ATSC tuners, infrared pass through, image shift burn-in protection, 

advanced audio processing, HDMI picture-in-picture, RGB input, dual HD component 

video input, discrete audio inputs, and advanced black level extension, standard RS- 

232 and RJ-45 ports for remote network control. DVD player also plays CD/R, CD/RW 

and DVD-R/DVD-RW, DVI, loop-out. 

22” ML-2251HLT $900, TTM TBD in 2007 

32” ML-3251HLT $1100, TTM 1Q07, below 

149

37” ML-3731HLT $1,200, WXGA, ATSC tuner, TTM TBD in 2007, below 

42” ML-42ULT51 $1,400, WXGA, ATSC tuner, TTM 2Q07 

47” ML-47ULT51 $1,900, WXGA, ATSC tuner, TTM 1Q07 

Mitsubishi 

Jun06 

The company announced four new 1080p panels at their annual dealers show: 

Full Spectrum Color, 12-bit digital processing, 4D Video Noise Reduction, 2 HDMI, 

1394, DVI-I, component, Tru1080p processing bandwidth. 

37” LT-37131 $3300 

37” LT-37132 $3500, Guide on Screen, Net Command 

46” LT-46131 $4900 

46” LT-46231 $5200 Diamond, Guide on Screen, Net Command, 2 nd remote, 

gloss black finish 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

The company further introduced the sets above with the expected prices. 

Four fully integrated 1080p LCD panels designed, engineered and built in North 

America, featuring Mitsubishi's exclusive third-generation upconversion system, 

Plush1080p®, which has been updated to include the latest 1080i to 1080p deinterlacing 

techniques, 2xHDMI inputs, 1xIEEE1394 interface, DVI-I, component, 

Mitsubishi's ClearThought® Easy Connect, which recognizes when a component is 

connected. 

37” LT-37131 $3,300 

37” LT-37132 $3,500, TV Guide On Screen®, NetCommand® 

Both models above come on remote controlled, motorized swivel bases 

46” LT-46131 $4,900 

Diamond line 

46” LT-46231 $5,200, TV Guide On Screen®, NetCommand®, deluxe, high 

style black gloss finish, second simple remote control 

150

Models employ Mitsubishi's Full Spectrum Color enhanced CCFL backlighting 

technology, which reproduces over 90 percent of the NTSC color gamut, compared 

with 72 percent in standard LCD panels. 

Full Spectrum Color delivers images that are more intense, more vivid, and more 

real to life, according to the company, Mitsubishi's latest signal processing 

improvement, 4D Video Noise Reduction. Mitsubishi's 4D Video Noise Reduction 

adds an extra dimension to picture performance by using advanced algorithms to 

filter video noise more efficiently, Tru1080p process 1920 x 1080p inputs without 

downconversion. 

Mar 07 

Diamond Engine PRO line 

1920×1080, ATSC Tuner, 2000: 1 

CR, 2xHDMI 1.3 inputs. 

40” LCD-H40MZ70 

46” LCD-H46MZ70 

NIKADA 


Norcent 

CES 2006 

VION 

TTM Jan 06, 1366x768, 1000:1 CR, 550 cd/m2 brightness, 8ms response time 

20” LT-2090 $700, NTSC tuner, component 

27” LT-2790 $1,000 

32” LT-3290 $1,500, ATSC/NTSC tuners, HDMI 

42” LT-4290 $3,000 

CES 2007 

Norcent introduced a newer panel on the VION LCD-TV series, the 37” LT-3790, a 

16:9 widescreen model has 1366 x 768 resolution, built-in ATSC NTSC tuners, Clear- 

QAM tuners, 1xHDMI input, component video, PC with audio inputs, SRS audio 

enhancement for virtual surround-sound, 1000:1 CR, 500 cd/m2 brightness, nearly 

side-to-side 176-degree viewing, 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i signal compatibility, 

wall-mounting capability. 

37” LT-3790 $1,200, TTM 2Q07 

Additionally, the company introduced a 22” new monitor targeted for corporate 

executive, small office, or home application: 

22” LM-2265W $380, TTM 1Q07, fast 5ms response time, energy efficient 

VESA and DPMS approved, horizontal viewing angle of 150 degrees and a 130 

degree vertical viewing angle, brightness of 300cd/m2, contrast ratio of 700:1, 

WXGA panel resolution of 1680 x1050, 16.2-million colors, two 2-Watt internal 

speakers, DVI, 14.2 pounds. 

151

NUVISION 

Five models on HVU line, Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

Panasonic 

Some 2006 LCD televisions still listed 

ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, 1366x768 

LX60 series 

23” TC-23LX60 $1,000, TTM May 06 (NTSC Tuner) 

26” TC-26LX60 $1,400, TTM Mar 06 

32” TC-32LX60 $1,800, TTM Mar 06 

LX-600 series 

2x HDMI, TTM Mar 06, HDAVI 

26” TC-26LX600 $1,500 

32” TC-32LX600 $1,900 

CES 2007 

Panasonic unveiled 3 new 

models, the TC-32LX700, the 

TC-32LX70, and the TC-26LX70. 

Featuring Alpha IPS Technology And Smoother 

Picture, Motion Picture Pro technologies, intelligent 

Scene Controller, SD card, 178° viewing angle, 120 

frames per second image interpolation between 

frames to produce a cleaner, smoother picture, 

backlight control and gamma correction, HDMI inputs 

with EZ-Sync HDAVI-Control. 

26” TC-26LX70 $800, 720p, 1080i, 480p, 480i 

video in HDMI with HDAVI Control, 1366x768, 

TTM Mar 07 

32” TC-32LX70 $1,000, 720p, 1080i, 480p, 480i 

video in HDMI with HDAVI Control, 1366x768, 

TTM Mar 07 

32” TC-32LX700 $1,200, 720p, 1080i, 480p, 480i video in, HDMI with HDAVI 

Control, 1366x768, Alpha IPS, Motion Picture Pro, SD card slot, TTM Mar 07 

Philips 

2006 line at CES 

The company announced their next generation AmbiLight 

equipped HD LCD panels that emit ambient light around 

their frame using colors that match the dominant colors 

appearing at the screen to reduce the eyestrain and 

expand the scene/image improving perceived picture 

detail and contrast (AmbiLight Surround at left/top/right, 

AmbiLight Full Surround on all sides). Philips is also 

featuring this on their new plasma line. Clear LCD 

backlighting technology designed to speedup response 

152

time, reduce motion blur, improve contrast, and boost light output, strobes LCD hot 

cathode florescent backlighting, and fire pixels only as needed to eliminate motion 

smear. 

37” 37PF9631 $2,300, TTM Jun 06 (shown) 

42” 42PF9731 $3,000, TTM Jul 06 

42” 42PF9831 $4,000, TTM Jul 06, flag-ship, 4-side AmbiLight full surround 

MiraVision 

32” and 42” LCD panels that feature a reflective mirror when not in use, hides 

electronic wires 

Mar 06 

Philips announced: “Philips Electronics to medical systems company cannot meet 

demand for its top-of-the-range LCD television sets because of production problems 

with display panels coming from LG.Philips LCD, a joint venture with LG Electronics”. 

The shortages apply to the 9830 series that come in 32-, 37- and 42-inch sizes, with 

MSRP between 2,300 and 5,000 euros ($2,740-$5,970). By April, the 9830 series 

was planned to be replaced by the successor series called 9831 built partly on the 

same chassis. 

Sep 06 

The company announced and displayed a prototype of a 100” LCD panel at IFA 2006 

in Berlin (Sep 1), the panel implements Ambilight Full Surround, the new, four-sided 

version of Philips’ ambient lighting technology. TTM N/A, estimated price N/A. 

CES 2007 

153

Mar 07 

Philips announced they will discontinue the use of stroboscopic fluorescent backlights 

for flat TVs, and instead implement LED backlights, which are already in use in some 

higher-end panels. 

LED backlights are based in solid-state technology, do not use a bulb, last longer and 

consume less energy per lumen. 

Prima 


A Xoceco company. The Prima line is known in China and is for controlled 

distribution thru custom installers and A/V dealers, the Legend line is known in 

Canada for open distribution. 

27” 

32” 

37” 

All above planned to become available within 60 days 

New 1080p series, TTM Feb/Mar 07 

37” 

42” 

47” 

55” 

Proton 

Purity premium line 

ATSC/NTSC tuners (except the 32” with only NTSC tuner), HDMI, antiglare screen, 

176 degrees viewing angle (horizontal/vertical), 1366x768. 

32” LX-32B6C2(B) $1,700, TTM now 

37” LX-37A6C2(B) $2,800, TTM now 

42” LX-42A6C2(B) $TBD, TTM 1Q06 

47” $TBD, TTM 2Q06 

55” $TBD, TTM 2Q06 

Proton planned to have the larger screen models also in 1080p by special order. 

154

Sep 06 CEDIA 

Two 1080p panels were introduced at the show under the Puriti line, featuring 

1200:1 CR, 500 nits of brightness, 6.5 milliseconds response time, both use Proton's 

exclusive Puriti video processing technology that the company claims to deliver 

“reference standard picture quality” (Puriti processing is said to convert analog 

signals to digital filtering out noise artifacts). 

The panels also featured viewing angles of 176 degrees, 3D de-interlacing and edge 

enhancement, anti-glare screens, built-in NTSC and ATSC tuners, and a package of 

video enhancement circuitry to compliment the Puriti system, including a Motion 

Lagging Correction Engine for smooth screen action, 3D color management, 3-2 pull 

down, adjustable color temperature, PIP and POP functions. 

42” LX-42P7C2 $2,500, built-in surround sound circuitry, two 30-watt speakers 

47” LX-47P7C2 $4,000 

CES 2007 

The company introduced their first premier panel line with the P47D5 and P42D5. 

1080p HD resolution, built-in digital and analog tuners, HDMI inputs, conventional 

4:3, 16:9 Zoom, and Panoramic display modes, dual-picture functions (PIP/POP), 

1200:1 CR, brightness level of 500 nits, built-in 5-watt speakers, HDMI inputs. 

The panels use sixth generation of Proton’s exclusive Puriti video enhancement 

technology for a claimed wider color range than conventional LCD or CRT displays 

using built-in artificial intelligence system to analyze color frequencies and intensity 

for natural skin tones and improved blacks by compensating for picture detail lost to 

poor contrast, the company said. 

The Puriti processing converts analog signals to digital and filters out noise artifacts, 

and offers horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 176 degrees. Additional 

functionality includes Puriti’s 3D De-interlacing and Edge Enhancement processing to 

reduce jagged edges from interlaced video formats, fast refresh rate to eliminate 

delay or ghosting effects, Motion Lagging Correction Engine, 3D Color Management, 

3-2 Pull Down for film content, adjustable color temperature, an aluminum frame 

with a thin silver outer edge and a black inner frame. 

42” P42D5 $2,000, TTM now 

47” P47D5 $3,000, TTM now 

Three new models, 720p, HDMI, sixth generation of Proton’s exclusive Puriti video 

enhancement technology. horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 176 degrees, 

Motion Lagging Correction Engine, 3D Color Management, 3-2 Pull Down, and 

adjustable color temperature, high-gloss, piano-quality finish, a pair of 30- 

watt/channel speakers enhanced by Proton’s RealAcoustic audio technology. 

including 5-inch woofers and 1.5-inch tweeters, and a class A/B amplifier. 

32” P32D4 $1,000 

37” P37D4 $1,300 

42” P42D4 $1,600 

Additionally, Proton previewed at CES 2007 the next generation of flat-panel displays 

with an early display of its innovative LED BLU High-Definition LCD Televisions. 

155

The company’s new light-emitting diode (LED) backlight unit (BLU) replaces the cold 

cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlight solution typically used in LCD TVs, 

providing wider color range, longer lasting, greater translucency, no mercury, less 

weight and power consumption, as follows: 

Premier Line 

ATSC tuner, HDMI, 4:3, 16:9 Zoom, and Panoramic display modes, 10-bit processing 

technology for up to 1.07 billion colors (64 times more than conventional 8-bit 

processors) and a gray scale eight times more expansive, Picture-in-Picture, Pictureon-Picture, 

the 32-inch P32L1 does not use a fan for cooling (it maintains a low 

internal temperature under 122 degrees Fahrenheit). 

176 degrees horizontal/vertical viewing, fast response time (not specified), Motion 

Lagging Correction Engine for seamless screen action, 3D Color Management, 3-2 

Pull Down, frame of extruded aluminum with a thin silver outer edge and a black 

inner frame, TTM 2Q07. 

32” P32L1 720p (1366x766 WXGA) 

42” P42L1 1080P 

INTERMIX Project 

Proton also showcased at CES 2007 one-of-a-kind artist-enhanced LCD TVs from the 

International INTERMIX Project, “brightly patterned, graffiti-style sets displaying 

dazzling high-tech product interpretations from youthful, urban-oriented artists and 

designers”, according tom the company. 

Proview 

32” RX-326 


Runco 

CR-40HD $7,000, 1366x768, 4.5 “ deep. 

CES 2007 

Runco introduced new LCD panels under the new Crystal Series name, TTM now, 

featuring Runco’s exclusive Vivix II video processing, integrated ATSC/NTSC/Cable 

tuners, two 10W two-way detachable speakers, aspect ratio control, 1000:1 CR, 

grayscale tracking, Runco’s exclusive VirtualWide mode which converts 4:3 aspect 

ratio images to 16:9 without losing any image 

integrity, Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) 

calibration suite, 4.5-inches thick. 

32” CR-32Hdi $2,000, 1366x768 (right) 

1080p models 

40” CX-40HD $4,000 

46” CX-46HD $6,000 

156

CX-46HD below: 

CX-40HD below: 

Samsung 

(Some 2006 models are listed because they were recently released) 

Two HDMI, Game Mode feature eliminates image delay by bypassing video 

processing circuitry, enhances sound and boosts detail in dark areas, Super- 

Patterned Vertical Alignment (S-PVA) panel increases horizontal viewing angle to 178 

degrees and improves color gamut reproduction from 72 percent to 92 percent. The 

technology will add about a $200 price premium to unit cost. 

92 Series 

TTM Apr 06, 1366x768, 5000:1 CR, 2 HDMI 

32” LN-S3292D $2,300 

40” LN-S4092D $3,500 

46” LN-S4692D $4,500 

96 Series 

1080p, USB 1.1, 6000:1 CR, IEEE1394, ATSC/Cable tuners 

32” LN-S3296D $2,500, TTM Apr 06 

40” LN-S4096D $4,000, TTM Aug 06 

46” LN-S4696D $5,000, TTM Aug 06 

51 and 52 Series 

4000:1 CR, ATSC tuner, 170 degrees, 2 HDMI 

26” LN-S2651D $1,700, TTM Mar 06, black (52D in white) 

32” LN-S3251D $2,100, TTM Mar 06, black 

(52D white) 

40” LN-S4051D $3,300, TTM Apr 06, piano 

black (52D pearl white) 

82” LN-S8297DE (right), 1920x1080, DNIe chip, 

7000:1 CR, with LED backlight, 8ms response 

time, HDMI, factory statement LCD panel. 

Jun 06 

The 82” panel at CES 2006 mentioned above is 

157

now listed as model # LN-S8212D 

Samsung added the following models: 

32” LN-S3251D $2,000, TTM Jun 06 

46” LN-S4697D $10,000, TTM Jun 06, 1080p, 8ms, integrated CableCARD 

May 06 

The company has introduced the series of panels announced at CES above, although 

now with lower prices, 10 of those new panels are offered as 1080p resolution in 

2006. 

Some new features include Super Pattern Vertical Alignment (S-PVA) panel that 

allows 178-degree off-angle viewing, and Samsung said “Special attention has also 

been given to cosmetic styling”. 

96 Series 

Gloss-black bezel and base, down-firing below-screen speaker ports, distribution 

primarily to A/V specialty stores and Pro Group members. 

32” $2,300 TTM Jul 06 

40” $4,100 TTM Aug 06, 1080p, Cold Cathode Florescent back lighting 

(CCFL), digital CableCARD slot, USB input, nine-in-two memory-card reader 

46” $4,800 1080p, Cold Cathode Florescent back lighting (CCFL), digital 

CableCARD slot, USB input, nine-in-two memory-card reader 

92 Series 

1366x768, 5,000:1 CR, dual HDMI, component, 178-degree viewing angle. 

32” $2,200 

40” $3,300 

46” $4,000 

52 Series 

All-white high-gloss lacquer cabinets with rounded contour edges, designed for 

kitchen and bathroom placement. 

26” 

32” 

40” 

51 Series 

Dubbed Bordeaux, black lacquer cabinets to appeal to consumers looking for living 

room or family room placement. 

Aug 06 

Samsung introduced a 70” 1080p LCD TV panel at the International Meeting on 

Information Displays (IMID) 2006 in Daegu, Korea, which the company says quoted 

as the largest available considering that the largest LCD TV panel is 65” of diagonal. 

The panel features a viewing angle of 180 degrees in the four directions, 120Hz 

display rate (60Hz for conventional full HD LCD panels), production was said to start 

the first half of 2007, 600 nit of brightness, 2000:1 CR, color saturation of 92 

percent, response time less than 8ms. 

Nov 06 

158

Samsung announced that LCD panels could soon take over Plasma panels on the 50” 

size, taking into consideration the capabilities of the new plant expected to be in 

production in late 2007 in Tangjeong, South Korea, an eighth-generation (8G) 

factory, using sheets of glass that measure approximately 6.5 by 8 feet to produce 

52” LCD panels in volume, which would enable prices to be more competitive than 

today in that size range. 

A current advanced plant produces 1 million panels for LCD TVs per month, 40- 

inches panels in volume, and larger sizes up to 70-inches in smaller quantities. 

CES 2007 

Samsung introduced a double-sided 2.2 inches mobile LCD screen targeted for 

mobile phones that is capable to show two different pictures simultaneously on the 

front and back of the same screen. 

The technology implements a new pixel design for separate control of the LCD on 

each side of the display, whereby two gates control each pixel in a way that each 

single pixel is made capable to be used for two different screens using one single 

backlight, which according to the company, the system actually expects external 

light sources for the second screen to operate. Mass production is planned by 2H07. 

42 Series 

Entry-level from 23, 26, 32, 37, 40, to 46-inches, advanced game mode, 7000:1 

dynamic CR, 32” includes 3xHDMI, TTM Mar 07. 

23” $750 

26” $1,200 

32” $1,500 

37” $2,000 

40” $2,100 

46” 4662 $3,000 (shown at right) 

53/54 Series 

Featuring USB 2.0, glossy piano black or pearl 

white finish (23” and 19” - 54 Series, same price), TTM Mar07, 7000:1 CR, Super 

Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel with 92% wide color gamut (40", 32" 

models), Enhanced Game Mode, 8ms response time, RS232 port, 3xHDMI (2 rear, 1 

side). 

19” LN-T1953H $530 

23” LN-T2353H $850 

26” LN-T2653H $1,300 

32” LN-T3253H $1,700 

40” LN-T4053H $2,300, shown at right: 

65F Series 

1080p, HDMI 1.3, chrome accents and glossy 

black finish, SuperClear panel with 12,000:1 

contrast ratio, 550cd/m2 brightness, 92% color 

gamut, 178 degrees viewing angle, USB 2.0, 

3xHDMI 1.3 inputs (2 rear, 1 side), Anynet+ 

(HDMI-CEC) to enable a single remote control 

159

unit to operate a Blue-ray disc player, home theater system and other HDMI-CEC 

compatible A/V products, WiseLinkTM supports USB 2.0, remote-controlled wall 

mount (vertical up to 25- degrees and horizontal up to 60-degrees). 

40” LN-T4065F 

46” LN-T4665F 

52” LN-T5265F 

Samsung showed a new technology using LED lights for a wider color gamut and 

shorter startup times, implemented in the 81D line below. 

81D LCD 1080p TV Series 

TTM Jul 07, $TBA, 50000:1 CR, 105 percent wide color gamut, Super Clear Super 

Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panels, WiseLink with Bluetooth wireless, 

3xHDMI, initially planned with OCAP interactive cable-card system but withdrawn, 

LED backlighting, 120Hz motion blur reduction system, Bluetooth wireless connection 

technology. 

40” LN-T4081D 

46” LN-T4681D 

52” LN-T5281D 

57” LN-T5781D 

71D LCD 1080p Series 

Cold Cathode Fluorescent (CCFL) backlighting. 120Hz motion blur reduction system, 

Bluetooth wireless connection technology, TTM Jul 07, $TBA. 

40” 

46” 

52” 

57” 

61D LCD 1080p TV Series 

TTM Mar 07, $TBA, 8000:1 CR, 92 percent wide color gamut, SPVA panels. 

40” 

46” 

52” 

53D LCD TV Series 

TTM Mar 07, $TBA, 7000:1 CR, 92 percent wide color gamut, gloss black cosmetics. 

23” 

26” 

32” 

40” 

54D LCD Series 

Featuring similar options, pearl white cosmetics. 

Sanyo 

TTM 3Q06, ATSC, QAM clear tuners, HDMI, 1366x768 

26” SLT-2676S 

32” SLT-3276S 

160

CES 2007 

Sanyo introduced an outdoor weatherproof 42” panel, the CE42LM4WPN, meeting 

the international IP-56 rating (Ingress Protection, or IP, ratings were established by 

the European Committee for Electro Technical Standardization (CENELEC, described 

IEC/EN 60529) and specify the environmental protection an enclosure provides. 

According to Sanyo “The first number in the IP rating specifies the protection against 

solid objects where larger numbers indicate protection against increasing smaller 

things. The Sanyo CE42’s first number of five indicates protection against dust, 

meaning no harmful deposits will form inside the monitor. The second IP number 

specifies the protection against liquids. The Sanyo CE42’s second rating number of 6 

indicates protection against low pressure jets of water so it would be ideal to be used 

onboard ships.” 

The frame and cabinet were 

constructed from marine grade 

anodized aluminum and designed 

with a “no holes” ventilation 

system for the LCD monitor to 

stay cool while being protected 

from dust and the weather at the 

same time. In addition, Sanyo 

said that the CE42 was fitted 

“with a tough, tamper-resistant 

anti-reflection cover glass which 

makes this large LCD monitor 

highly suitable for use in welltrafficked 

public areas as well as 

in almost any kind of unprotected 

outdoor area. Designers and 

decorators who’ve been 

searching for a weather-tough display that they can put onboard a yacht or in a 

crowded public garden are now in luck with Sanyo’s CE42.” 

Features 1366x768, 500 cd/m2 on-screen brightness, 178 degree V/H viewing angle, 

800:1 CR, 8 ms response time, compatible with Sanyo’s PJ-Net Organizer (POA- 

LN01) so it can be controlled over the internet, 3-year warranty, $7,500, honored by 

the CES 2007 Innovations award in the Visual Display category. 

Sharp 

(Some 2006 models are still listed because they are still current) 

D4U and D6U series 


D90U Series 

65” LC-65D90U, originally released at $21,000 (right), 

TTM Nov 05 but still current in 2007, AQUOS 

1920x1080p, ATSC & Cable CARD tuners, fourwavelength 

backlight system, 1200:1 CR, 450 cd/m2 

brightness, HDMI 1.2, DVI-I, IEEE-1394, Quick Shoot 

video circuitry, 6 ms response time, TV Guide On Screen 

161

free interactive programming guide, titanium finish, detachable stand and bottom 

speakers.. 

57” LC-57D90U, originally released as $16,000, TTM Mar 06, AQUOS 1920x1080p, 

ATSC & CableCARD tuners, new five wavelength backlight system, multi-pixel 

technology that produces a contrast ratio of up to 1,500:1, enhanced Quick Shoot 

video circuitry for 4ms response time, wider viewing angles (176 degrees), dual 

HDMI, HD component, DVI-I, DTVLink, titanium 

finish, detachable bottom speakers (57” LCD 

shown). 

finish, TTM May 06. 

Multi-pixel technology for 

1200:1 CR, 6ms response 

time, 176 degrees viewing 

angle, 4-wavelenght 

backlight system, HDMI, 

HD component, DVI-I for 

PC, DTVLink, titanium 

32” LC-32D50U $2,300, 1366x768 

37” LC-37D90U $3,500, 1080p 

45” LC-45D90U $5,000, 1080p 

PT90 AQUOS Series 

TTM May 06, multi-pixel technology 

for 1200:1 CR,

37” LC-37SH20U $2,700 

42” LC-42SH20U $TBA 

82” 1080p factory statement panel shown at 

CES 2006; very limited distribution starting 

Summer 06. 

At CES 2006 Sharp also demonstrated Twoway 

viewing angle LCD 45” commercial 

panels and 7” for automotive applications (in 

production) as technology statement (right): 

In January 2006, Sharp introduced two new 

lines of LCD panels in Japan the G and B Series with HDMI/HDCP, DVI/HDCP, iLink, 

176 degrees of viewing angle. 

B Series 

37” LC-37BE1W 

37” LC-37BE2W 

45” LC-45BE1W, 1080p 

45” LC-45BE2W, 1080p 

G Series 

37” LC-37GE2 

45” LC-45GE2 

57” LC-57GE2 

65” LC-65GE1 

Early in 2006, Sharp announced that the company was ready to introduce into the 

Japanese market a 65-inch LCD monitor, the PN-655, with native resolution of 

1920x1080 pixels. 

According to the company “The screen employs a ‘dual fine engine’ which enables 

the display of both PC digital data and audio-visual images in full-spec highdefinition. 

It uses ‘picture in picture’ and ‘picture by picture’ functions to display 

various image sources simultaneously. It also sports functions for commercial use, 

such as a fan-less design and remote control functions. 

It has a screen brightness 400cd/m2, contrast ratio of 700:1, and 170-degree 

viewing angles. Sharp planned to start selling the PN-655 on March 24 in Japan. No 

pricing information was disclosed upon the announcement.” 

Aug 06 

The company introduced just before CEDIA three new LCD TVs to be available in 

October 06, one is the 42” below: 

42” $2,300 

The other two are 1080p panels manufactured at Sharp’s new Kameyama II Gen 8 

LCD TV plant, which processes eighth-generation glass sheets of 7x8 feet, which 

could produce six 52-inch LCDs at once, while the 6th and 7 th gen plants can produce 

smaller glass sheets that handle only two and three 52-inch panels. The plant was 

said as primarily targeted to the production of large-screen products for the US. 

163

The new two panels feature 1080p HDMI acceptance, built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM 

tuners, Advanced Super View panels for high contrast performance, deep black 

levels, and sharp detail. 

They also feature Enhanced Quick Shoot video circuitry for faster pixel response time 

of 4ms, and wider viewing angles of 176 degrees, 2,000:1 CR that can dynamically 

increase to 10,000:1 with enhanced picture control technology, four-wavelength 

backlight system for a wider color spectrum to achieve deeper reds than was 

previously possible. 

46” LC-46D62U $3,500 

52” LC-52D62U $4,800 

Sep 06 (Japan) 

Sharp announced the development of “the world's first liquid crystal display (LCD) 

panel that allows the viewing of three different images on one screen at the same 

time”. 

According to the company the panel would allow the driver of a car to view a 

navigation system, the passenger to look at shopping and restaurant information and 

a person in the back seat to watch a movie. 

As mentioned above, at CES 2006 Sharp unveiled a panel that allowed the viewing of 

two different images (http://news.com.com/2300-1041_3-5790363-1.html?tag=nl ), 

and is now being used in car navigation systems, according to Sharp. 

Oct 06 

Sharp introduced in Japan at CEATEC a 64” LCD monitor 

capable to resolve 4096x2160 pixel-lines (right), double 

the number of vertical and horizontal pixel lines offered by 

a normal HD screen, approximately 9 million pixel points. 

The monitor can also show four high-definition videos at 

once, is in development phase, and, according to Sharp, is 

expected to attract film and television producers as well 

as medical researchers. 

CES 2007 

Sharp Introduced a new 8th 

Generation AQUOS® HD LCD TVs 

of 108” made on their factory in 

Kameyana No. 2, Japan, the 

world’s largest LCD panel 

according to Sharp, which 

measures 93.9-inches (W) by 

52.9-inches (H) in size, and 

features Sharp's Advanced Super 

View LCD Panel 1920x1080p, 

enhanced contrast ratios, 

response times and more inputs. 

164

According to Sharp, they offer the 

most comprehensive flat-panel LCD TV 

selection, with more than 50 models in 

screen sizes ranging from 13- to 108- 

inches, and , “has met the demand for 

superior image quality by achieving a 

resolution that is four times higher 

than that of current HD (4096 x 2160), the 

world’s highest contrast ratio (1,000,000:1) 

and the ultimate in fast-motion image 

processing with 120 Hz frame rate conversion 

and an incredible pixel response time of 

4ms.” 

The development for mobile use in 

automobiles announced in Sep 06 above was shown at CES 2007. A three-way 

viewing angle display that lets three 

or more users watch three different 

programs that occupy the full screen 

of a single display simultaneously, a 

user sitting on the screen’s right side 

can view, one program while the 

screen’s left side displays different 

programming, and the viewer facing 

the center view of the screen will see 

a third program or image (navigation 

for the driver, a movie on DVD for 

the passenger, and a third video for 

those viewing from the back seat). 

AQUOS D92U 1080p line 

Featuring the top-of-the-line version 

of Sharp's proprietary Advanced 

Super View panel, the most 

advanced LCD panel in the world, 

15,000:1 Dynamic CR, 450 cd/m 2 high 

brightness, Fine Motion Advanced 

technology for 120 Hz Frame Rate 

Conversion, enhanced Quick Shoot video 

circuitry for faster pixel response time of 

4ms, wide viewing angles of 176 degrees, 

proprietary 5-wavelength backlight system, 

3xHDMI 1.3, 2xcomponent, 1xDVI-I, 

compatible with 1080p signals from Blu-ray 

and other new devices, RS-232C, piano 

black finish, detachable bottom speakers, 

detachable table stand, 60,000-hour lamp 

165

life. 

42” LC-42D92U $3,500, TTM Apr 07 

46” LC-46D92U $4,200, TTM Jan 07 

52” LC-52D92U $5,300, TTM Jan 07 

LC-42D92U below: 



65” LC-65D93U $11,000, TTM Mar 07, has the same features as above, with 

fixed bottom-placed speakers. 

AQUOS D82U 1080p Line: 

Produced at the new 8th-generation Kameyama 

plant, 10,000:1 Dynamic CR, Fine Motion Advanced 

technology for 120 Hz Frame Rate Conversion, 

enhanced Quick Shoot video circuitry for faster 

pixel response time of 4ms, wide viewing angles of 

176 degrees, Sharp's proprietary 4-wavelength 

backlight system, 3xHDMI, 2xcomponent, all 1080p 

compatible, piano black finish. 

46” LC-46D82U $3,700, TTM Mar 07, shown 

166

52” LC-52D82U $4,800, TTM Mar 07 

AQUOS D62 Line additions: 

2xHDMI, 1080p inputs over HDMI and component, 10,000:1 CR, 6ms response time 

32” $1,600 

37” $1,900 

In addition to current 42” and 56” models 

AQUOS D43U 720p Line: 

Featuring Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View LCD panel enables a Dynamic CR 

of 6000:1, 450 cd/m2 high brightness, enhanced Quick Shoot video circuitry for fast 

pixel response time (6ms), 176 degrees viewing angles, piano black finish, fixed 

bottom speakers, detachable table stand for wall-mounting flexibility, 1366 x 768, 

built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners, 60,000-hour lamp life, D-sub, 15-pin input for PC 

compatibility, HDMI, HD Component Video. 

26” LC-26D43U $1,100, TTM Feb 07 

32” LC-32D43U $1,400, TTM now 

37” LC-37D43U $1,700, TTM now 

42” LC-42D43U $TBD, TTM May 07 

46” LC-46D43U $2,700, TTM Mar 07 

52” LC-52D43U $4,000, TTM Jun 07, shown 

AQUOS D42 720P Line 

Featuring 1366x768, Advanced Super View 

panels, Dynamic CR of 6,000:1, thinner bezels 

with piano black finish, hidden speakers. 

26” $1,100, TTM Feb 07 

32” $1,400, TTM now 

37” $1,700, TTM now 

42” $2,200, TTM Feb 07 

AQUOS HDTV Game Players Series 

The new models features enhance the game-playing experience, including a "game 

mode", custom-designed remote control for quick "jump" into the game mode, 

"Vyper Drive" feature, which can handle the highest frame rates of even the most 

punishing video games and reduce lag time between game console and TV. 

The 32” panel is suited with 10,000:1 Dynamic CR, 37” 8500:1 CR, enhanced Fine 

Motion video circuitry for faster pixel response time of 6ms, built-in ATSC, QAM and 

NTSC tuners, 450 cd/m2 brightness, wide viewing angles of 176 degrees, Sharp's 

proprietary 4-wavelength backlight system, 3xHDMI, 2xHD component, all 1080p 

compatible, 10Wx2 audio, piano black finish, detachable bottom speakers and 

detachable table stand, long-life backlight system provides 60,000 viewing hours. 

32” LC-32GP1U $1,700, TTM Mar 07 (below) 

37” LC-37GP1U $2,000, TTM Mar 07 (right) 

167

Feb 07 

Sharp introduced in Japan (not for US distribution) an “R” line with five AQUOS LCD 

TVs, from 42” to 65” featuring Double-Speed Advanced Super View (to prevent 

motion blur on fast scenes), 1920x1080, 450cd/m2 brightness, 3000:1 CR, DTV 

tuner, HDMI. 

42” LC-42RX1W 

46” LC-46RX1W 

52” LC-52RX1W 

57” LC-57RX1W 

65” LC-65RX1W 

Sony 

(Some 2006 models are still listed because retailers still sell them as current models) 

CES 2006 

The company demo and announced a variety of BRAVIA LCD panels 

Two series with ATSC integrated tuners, redesigned remotes and direct-input access, 

1366x768, HDMI, component, PC inputs. 

BRAVIA U series 

32” KLV-32U100M $1,700, TTM Feb 06 

40” KLV-40U100M $2,800, TTM Mar 06 

BRAVIA S series 

With S-PVA technology for improved video angles 

32” KDL-32S2000 $2,000, TTM Mar 06 

40” KDL-40S2000 $3,000, TTM Mar 06 

46” KDL-46S2000 $4,500, TTM May 06 (1080p) 

168

26” and 23” models as well 

BRAVIA XBR 

Advanced Wide Color Gamut-Cold Cathode 

Florescent Light (WCG-CCFL) backlighting 

system, 1366x768, ATSC/CableCARD tuners, 

HDMI, component, PC input, USB. 

26” KDL-V26XBR1 $2,000 

32” KDL-V32XBR1 $2,700, SPVA 

40” KDL-V40XBR1 $3,500, VGA, SPVA, 1300:1 

CR 

82” BRAVIA LCD panel prototype was demo as a 

technology statement using Triluminous LED 

backlighting (right): 

Technology within the 82” model (CES 2006) 

The 82” LCD panel above implemented the world's first color range (the area that 

shows existing color, using Red, Green and Blue as axis of graph) that is “xvYCC” 

compliant. xvYCC is an extended international standard based on the sYCC standard 

used in still pictures and conventional color gamut standards used for video and 

broadcast. The standard was accepted by the International Electrotechnical 

Commission (IEC) in October 2005. The technology implements a high-resolution 

signal processing system to enable a wider color reproduction capability of TVs. 

According to Sony “This standard will expand the current color data range by 

approximately 1.8 times more based on “Munsell Color Cascade” (provided by 

Dr.Pointer, and measured by NPL, UK, is a color chart that defines all natural object 

colors. It is used to evaluate color expression of displays), and it was successfully 

reached due to the newly developed high-resolution signal processing system. 

Video cameras complying with this standard will be able to record a color variation 

that is very close to what human eyes can recognize, and TVs complying with this 

standard will be able to reproduce visual images almost in the same picture quality 

as it was recorded. In addition, LCD TVs will be able to show the detailed color 

variation of movie scenes, the different shades of a color, e.g. the red color of 

paprika or a tomato, as well as numerous color tones of petal.” 

Sony added: “Sony promotes the concept of “Full HD World”, as it enables 

consumers to enjoy a wider variety of high resolution video sources at home via 

digital high definition broadcast, HDV-ready digital camcorder and new optical discs 

such as Blu-ray. This “xvYCC” standard realizes the reproduction of truly natural and 

high resolution picture images in a wider color range, which represents a step further 

towards the new display era.” 

More updates on the above subject are included further down. 

Mar 06 

Sony introduced its new series of BRAVIA LCD TVs: 

BRAVIA S Series 

Integrated ATSC tuning, graphite bezel finish, 1366x768, new enhanced digital 

picture processor. 

169

26” $1,500 

32” $2,000 

40” $3,000 

46” $4,500 

BRAVIA U Series 

Fully integrated, silver bezel finish, 1366x768, new wide-viewing angle technology, 

redesigned remotes with direct input access. 

32” $1,700 

40” $2,800 

Sony indicated plans to introduce additional BRAVIA panels, including 1080p, for 

later 2006. 

Jun 06 

Sony introduced in the Home Entertainment Show six new LCD panels: 

BRAVIA 1080p line 

Featuring the BRAVIA Engine Pro full digital high-definition video processing system 

with Sony's Digital Reality Creation Multi Function Version 2.5 (DRC-MFv2.5) 

processor designed to upconvert standard NTSC up to 1080i high-definition signals. 

XBR3 line 

1080p, TTM Sep 06, 3xHDMI accepting 1080p, floating glass-encased, high gloss, 

piano black bezels with side speakers, built-in ATSC tuning, PC input, two HD 

component. 

40” KDL-40XBR3 $4,300 

46” KDL-46XBR3 $5,300 

XBR2 line 

32” KDL-V32XBR2 $2,400, TTM Sep 06, 1366x768, Sony's BRAVIA Engine 

and Live Color Creation, narrow two-tone black and silver bezel incorporates invisible 

bottom speakers with SRS TruSurroundXT and BBE Digital Enhancement technology, 

ATSC tuner, single HDMI, PC inputs, 2xcomponent. 

1080p line within XBR2 

Featuring BRAVIA Engine Pro processing, and HDMI inputs with 1,080p capability, 

TTM Sep 06, silver bezels that can be replaced by one of five optional colored bezels 

for custom integration into any décor, including red, white, blue, black and brown, 

same audio package, built-in ATSC tuner, PC input, two high-definition component. 

40” KDL-40XBR2 $4,000 

46” KDL-46XBR2 $5,000 

BRAVIA V2500 Series 

Featuring 1,080p resolution, 2x1080p-capable HDMI inputs, the BRAVIA Engine and 

Live Color Creation technologies, black bezel, space-saving bottom speaker design 

optimized for placement in existing AV cabinets, digital amplifier with SRS- 

TruSurround XT and BBE Digital Audio Enhancement technologies for high-quality 

sound, PC input, 2xHD component. 

40” KDL-40V2500 $3,500 

46” KDL-46V2500 $4,500 

170

Jul 06 

Sony introduced the BRAVIA X line in the UK, 1080p: 

46” KDL-46X2000U, accepts 1080p, improved red and green colors by using 

improved light-emitting phosphors. 1300:1 CR, wider viewing angle than the 

traditional 170 degrees, integrated power speakers, Dolby Pro Logic II Virtual 

Surround digital signal processing, DTV broadcast tuner, three Scart, two component 

inputs. 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

Sony introduced two extra 1080p models on the XBR2 and XBR3 lines on the 52” 

size, the 52XBR2 is similar to the already introduced 46” but it does not feature 

interchangeable bezels, it will have a fixed silver bezel. The 52XBR3 is delivered 

with a high-gloss piano black bezel. 

Both models have 3xHDMI, floating glass styling designs, wide-color gamut Cold 

Cathode Fluorescent backlighting, and Sony’s BRAVIA Engine Pro video processing, 

DRC Multi-Function version 2.5 circuitry to enhance both standard and high definition 

signal sources, built-in ATSC tuner, PC input; 2xcomponent. Sony’s Advanced 

Contrast Enhancer (ACE), with real-time image processing, and optimization of 

backlight levels, 1300:1 CR (7000:1 dynamic CR) for deeper blacks and better 

shadow detail. 

Sony said that specs are very similar to the models introduced this summer; 

availability was planned for Nov 06 at prices said to be announced: 

52” KDL-52XBR2 $6,500 

52” KDL-52XBR3 $6,800 

Additionally, Sony added two new BRAVIA panels with 1366x768p resolution, suited 

with ACE technology for optimized dynamic contrast ratio of up to 5,000:1 (onscreen 

contrast ratio is 1,300:1), narrow frame black bezel with invisible bottom 

speakers with SRS TruSurroundXT, and BBE Digital Enhancement technology, built-in 

ATSC tuner, HDMI and PC inputs, 2xcomponent. 

32” KDL-32S2400 

40” KDL-40S2400 

CES 2007 

Sony unveiled a 70” BRAVIA 1080p LCD with x.v.Color, the world’s largest x.v.Color 

set. 

70” KDL-70XBR3 $33,000, TTM Feb07, available for pre-order at select Sony 

Style stores and select authorized retail outlets including Video Audio Center, Home 

Theater Store, ABT Electronics, Little Guys, Myer-Emco, Bjorn’s, and Listen Up. 

The new set features Motionflow 120 Hz technology with motion compensation, 10- 

bit panel (which increases gradation level by 64 times from 8-bit panels), 

Triluminos LED backlight, xvYCC technology, which Sony has branded x.v.Color. 

171

x.v.YCC is a technology established as an industry standard by the International 

Electronics Commission in January of 

2006 that expands the current color 

data range of video by approximately 

1.8 times. It is based on the “Munsell 

Color Cascade” a universal color chart 

defining the colors of natural objects and 

is used to evaluate color expression 

capability of displays, which provides the 

ability to display more natural and vivid 

colors similar to what the human eye 

can actually see. 

The set has 178-degree 

viewing angle, BRAVIA Engine 

Pro circuitry with Digital Reality 

Creation-MultiFunction v2.5 

and Advanced Contrast 

Enhancer (ACE) for dynamic 

contrast ratio of 7000:1, 

3xHDMI 1.3, PC input, all 

1080p compatible (looks as 

24fps possible but not 

confirmed), 2xcomponent, 

piano black floating glass 

design (also available on other 

XBR3 models). 

Sony also implemented 

x.v.Color in four new highdefinition 

Handycam® 

camcorders, shown at CES 2007. 

The BRAVIA LCD line is now of 70, 52, 46, 40, 32, 26 and 23 inches. 

The 82–inch LCD TV was again demonstrated at the CES 2007 show, 1920x1080, 

120Hz motion compensation technology and 10-bit panel, increased gradation level, 

eliminating image blurring, LED backlight, HDMI 1.3, no Deep Color, implements 

x.v.Color (x.v.YCC). 

Internet Video system 

Sony introduced their future add-on behind-the-TV module to connect some 2007 

BRAVIA LCD TVs with HDTV over Internet broadband connections implementing 

proprietary digital connections without the use of a PC, $TBA, no subscription fee. 

AOL, Yahoo!, Grouper, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Sony BMG Music would 

provide Internet video, music videos, movie trailers, streaming music, user 

generated videos and RSS feeds. 

The module will use Sony’s Xross Media Bar (XMB) user interface and Internet Video 

Link that will first appear in the new S3000 line: 

S3000 Line 

172

TTM Spring 07, $TBA, 3xHDMI, 178 degrees, HD-ready, 2 SCART sockets. 

26” KDL-26S3000 

32” KDL-32S3000 

40” KDL-40S3000 

46” KDL-46S3000 

Feb 07 (Annual Dealers Show) 

Sony announced to dealers the expansion of the BRAVIA line to include a “highperformance” 

sub-brand of microdisplay RPTVs and front projectors, named Best 

Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture, TTM Spring/Summer 07, $TBA. 

“When you see the BRAVIA brand, you know you’re not only getting the exceptional 

quality, but also the distinctive elegance that Sony is known for delivering,” said 

Randy Waynick, Sony home products division senior VP, according to TWICE. 

Seven new LCD TVs are offered, compatible with the new BRAVIA Internet Video Link 

module mentioned above (CES 2007) for $300, TTM Jul 07, which will be compatible 

with all new BRAVIA LCDs, and 3LCD RPTVs. 

KDL-V LCD Series 

1080p 

Live Color Creation with WCG-CCFL backlight, 10- 

bit panel display for increasing the gradation level 

by 64 times from 8-bit panels. 

40” KDL-40V3000 

46” KDL-46V3000 

KDL 46” shown: 

KDL-S LCD Series 

(mentioned above) 

1366x768, Sony’s Love Color Creation with 

cold cathode fluorescent backlighting, 10-bit 


KDL-XBR4 Series 

New Motionflow technology to reduce image 

blurring and image “judder” by adding 60 

frames in the 60fps cadence (total of 120fps), 

Live Color Creation circuitry with cold cathode 

fluorescent backlighting, 10-bit video processing, 120Hz motion compensation, 

3xHDMI with 1,080p/60p and 1,080p/24p capability, PC connectivity via a 15-pin D- 

sub connector and HDMI port. 

32” KDL-32XBR4 1366x768 

Syntax/Brillian 

Oleiva 

CES 2006 

Three new families of LCD panels on 20”-47” sizes, TTM 1Q06: 

1) Syntax Select LT-HVN entry line with 20, 23, 26, 27, 32, and 40 inches 

173

2) Oleiva HVX and HVE classic line with same sizes and a 42” 

3) Oleiva Signature 1080p LT-HVi Ultra premium line with 37, 

40, 42, and 47 inches, using HQV Silicon Optix Realta chip, 

ATSC/NTSC tuners, 2xHDMI, 3xcomponent, VGA, all glass front 

with antireflective coatings, 1600:1 CR, 800cd/m2. 

The 42” (LT42Hvi $3,500) and 47” (LT47Hvi $4,000) are 

expected by 2Q06, and are said to support 1080p inputs. 

Jul 06 

The company introduced 3 new lines of Olevia LCD panels: 

Firmware upgradeability via USB, Director's Image technology to “recreate the 

director's intended image through calibrated 6500K color temperature, gamma, 

optimized gray scales and adjustable black levels,” the company said, Big Picture 

Technology, which “shows without distortion up to 11 percent more of digital 

broadcast images and up to 37 percent more of analog images,” the company said. 

Series 3 monitors, intended for consumers with HD-STBs, 1366x768. 

Series 5 integrated, TTM Jul 06, integrated 

ATSC/NTSC tuners, 1366x768, 8ms response 

time, 1600:1 CR, 178 degrees viewing angle, 

PC compatibility at 60Hz via HDMI and VGA, 

HDMI, component. 

27” 527V $800, side mounted speakers 

32” 532H $1,000, below-screen speakers 

37” 537H $1,500, below-screen speakers 

42” 542I $1,900, interchangeable 

speaker locations 

Series 7 integrated 

TTM Sep 06, 1080p, Silicon Optix HQV video 

processing, integrated ATSC/NTSC tuners, 

2xHDMI, 8ms gray-to-gray response time, 

SiliconOptix Realta Hollywood Quality Video (HQV(TM)) video processor powered by 

Teranex technology with an ATI Xilleon RF front end, native 1080p input, Dynamic 

contrast ratio of 1600:1, 178-degree viewing angle, PC compatibility 1920 x 1080 @ 

60Hz through HDMI and VGA, video compatibility through multiple HDMI with HDCP 

(2), HD/SD component (2) and VGA (1), D2Audio's DAE-1 (Digital Audio Engine) 

intelligent digital amplifier and SoundSuite audio enhancement software, highquality 

speakers can be side-mounted, bottom-mounted or removed. 

42” 742i $4,000 

47” 747i $5,000 

Dec 06 

The company announced that it has extended its supply agreement with LCD panel 

manufacturer LG.Philips LCD for 2007 for the purchasing of 700,000 panels mainly in 

the 37” and 42” sizes, and agreed for the efforts and collaboration for future 

174

esearch and development efforts in Nanjing, China, a new site to open early in 

2007. 

LG.Philips LCD will supply Syntax-Brillian 26W-inch, 32W-inch, 37W-inch, 42W-inch, 

47W-inch, 52W-inch, 55W-inch, 57W-inch and 65W-inch screen sizes. 

Thomson (RCA) 

2006 line 

Eleven new models under RCA brand, 26” and 

larger, ATSC tuner, HDMI, component, 

1366x768. 

26” 4 models (entry model L26WD12 $900 TTM 

Apr 06; top of line w/DVD player L26WD131D 

$1,200, TTM May 06) 

32” (entry model L32WD12 $1,100, TTM Apr 

06; top of the line w/integrated DVD player 

L32WD131D $1,500 TTM May 06) 

37” (entry model L37WD12 $1,600, TTM June 06; top of line w/integrated DVD 

player L37WD132D $2,000, TTM July 06) 

Monitors on 15”, 20”, and 23” will continue (no tuners). 

CES 2007 

37” L37WD23 NTSC/QAM/ATSC tuners, 2xHDMI 

Toshiba 

For earlier models, such as HLX line, HL line, etc. 

please consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report (or 

earlier years). 

From 2006 CES: The company decided to use the 

CES show to make announcements that usually are 

done at their dealer show in spring. The company is 

investing in LCD and SED in 2006, while also 

carrying plasma as a mainstream product. Toshiba 

175

is abandoning the CRT RPTV line this year (2006). For an SED 2007 update please 

review the current SED situation on the corresponding section. 

In February 2006, Toshiba announced in Japan “REGZA” their new brand name to be 

used on all of Toshiba’s flat-panel TVs that incorporate the company’s proprietary 

“PixelPure” high-bit image processing technology. Initially the name would be 

applicable to LCD panels (which use PixelPure, plasmas do not). 

In the plan, 11 LCD panels will be introduced on March 1 in Japan between 26” and 

47” using the REGZA name. The use of the “Cinema 

Series” naming for selected products does not interfere with 

using REGZA naming for PixelPure products. 

SED, using the PixelPure technology, would be expected to 

also use the REGZA naming when the first SED products 

are out later in 2006, but it was not confirmed by Toshiba. 

Four new models on the new WLT66 series (shown) 

TTM Apr 06, 2 x HDMI/HDCP inputs, 2 x SCART and a 

Component video input, integrated digital tuner, "Active 

Vision LCD picture processing technology for increased 

detail, color, contrast, and movement. 

32” and 37” 

42” 1920x1080 

47” 1920x1080, slim-line speaker system on the bottom 

May 06 

The company announced their REGZA models in five levels, including REGZA, REGZA 

LCDVD, REGZA XHD, Cinema Series REGZA LCD and Cinema Series REGZA XHD. All 

REGZA models have 176 degree viewing angles, ATSC/QAM digital tuning, jack packs 

with PC and HDMI inputs, and black and sliver cabinet designs. 

Toshiba’s 2006/07 TV line includes 20 LCD TVs, including the new REGZA models 

with sizes from 26W inches to 47W inches, TheaterWide and protected step-up 

Cinema Series, said Scott Ramirez, Toshiba television marketing VP. The REGZA 

term applies also to the “LCDVD” series — combination LCD TV/DVD products. 

Top-of the-line REGZA “XHD” sets are 1920 by 1,080p, have CableCARD slot, TV 

Guide On Screen program guide, dual HDMI inputs, “HD Window” picture-out-ofpicture 

function and Toshiba’s “Native Mode 1,080p,” which turns off scaling or overscanning 

processes. 

42” 42HL196 $3,000, TTM Jul 06 

Cinema Series REGZA models offer special high-gloss black finish cosmetics with 

SoundStrip speaker technology for reduced cabinet size, and a ColorMaster color 

management system which provides hue, saturation and brightness control of six 

individual colors, and a new six-item home theater remote control. 

37” 37LX196 $2,600, TTM Jul 06 

42” 42LX196 $3,300, TTM Jul 06, REGZA XHD 1080p 

47” 47LX196 $4,500, TTM Aug 06 

176

REGZA HD LCD TVs include: 

26” 26HL66 $1,200, TTM now 

32” 32HL66 $1,600, TTM now 

37” 37HL66 $2,200, TTM Aug 06 

REGZA LCDVD models include: 

26” 26HLV66 $1,300, TTM Jun 06 

32” 32HLV66 $1,700, TTM Jun 06 

37” 37HLV66 $2,300, TTM Jul 06 

RealSteel line 

Stainless-steel cabinet designed to match stainless-steel kitchen appliances. 

20” 20HLK86 $800, TTM Jul 06, and white version 20HL86 $700, TTM Jul 06 

LCD TV monitors (no tuners) 

26” 26HLC56 $1,100, TTM Aug 06 

32” 32HLC56 $1,400, TTM Jul 06 

37” 37HLC56 $2,000, TTM Jul 06 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

Toshiba introduced two Cinema Series Pro REGZA models: 

42” 42LZ196 $3,400, TTM Sep 06 

47” 47LZ196 $4,600, TTM Sep 06 

Both models feature Toshiba’s latest PixelPure Hi-Bit 12-Bit digital video processing 

with 4,096 levels of gradation for 16 times the gradation levels of standard 8-bit 

systems, new CineSpeed LCD panels at 8ms response time, 176 degree viewing 

angle, new ColorMaster Pro color management system for hue, saturation and 

brightness control of six individual colors, plus three user-selectable colors. 

The panels also feature new Native Mode for 1080p pixel-for-pixel images without 

any scaling or overscanning, new high-gloss black cabinetry, ATSC/QAM digital 

tuning, CableCARD slot, 2xHDMI, PC input, Discrete IR codes with IR pass-through 

port, IR Input port for system integration, TV Guide On-Screen program guide, HD 

Window POP, THINC RJ-45 network capability, to access JPEG picture or MP3 audio 

files using the TV remote, SoundStrip speaker technology for quality sound within 

compact cabinetry. 

CES 2007 

Toshiba announced a new LCD flat panel line of 13 new REGZA models from 26” to 

57”, the 52” and 57” screens were displayed at CES, with high-gloss black cabinetry 

implementing Toshiba’s slim SoundStrip speaker technology, ATSC/QAM digital 

tuning, SRS WOW sound, PC input, 3xHDMI. 

New technologies introduced on the sets included PixelPure3G advanced 14-bit 

digital video processing for 4,096 levels of gradation (16 times the standard 8-bit 

systems) for cleaner natural images with the new enhanced MPEG noise reduction 

technology, DynaLight dynamic backlight control for 5x contrast level 

improvement, ColorBurst, ClearFrame and CE-Link . 

REGZA 720p 

177

HL67 & LV67 Series 

Six 720p models from 26” to 42”, TTM Mar/Apr 07 

26HL67 

32HL67 

37HL67 

42HL67 

26LV67 

32LV67 

REGZA LCDVD 

26” to 32” same features, built-in DVD player, upconversion to 720p for HD display. 

REGZA 1080p 

HL167 Series 

Added a 52” model to the current 42” and 47”, accept 1080p, ColorBurst, CE-Link 

(HDMI – CEC) for two-way control between TV and source devices, such as HD DVD, 

through the HDMI cable, IR Pass-Through jack. 

42HL167 TTM Mar/Apr 07 

47HL167 TTM Jun/Jul 07 

52HL167 TTM Jun/Jul 07 

Cinema Series® REGZA 1080p 

LX177 Series 

TTM Jun/Jul 07 

Added four new models in 42”, 46”, and new 52” and 57” sizes, new ClearFrame 120 

Hz anti-blur technology that doubles the frame rate from 60 fps to 120 fps using 

Motion Vector Frame Interpolation, eliminating motion blur without adding flicker or 

reducing image brightness, HDMI, Deep Color, x.v.YCC technology for enhanced 

color space, premium cabinet design with new SoundStrip2 technology with an 

acoustic chamber for rich bass, natural voices and crisp highs, target high-end home 

theater applications, IR input, THINC RJ-45 connection, Virtual Dolby® sound. 

42LX177 

46LX177 

52LX177 

57LX177 

Apr 07 

Toshiba announced the: 

REGZA H3000 Series 

300GB HDD, eSATA port for external HDD, 2xHDMI, D4 input, Ethernet port. 

32” 32H3000, 1366x768, TTM Apr 07 

37” 37H3000, 1080p, TTM Jun 07 

42” 42H3000, 1080p, TTM Jun 07 

46” 46H3000, 1080p, TTM Jun 07 

52” 52H3000, 1080p, TTM Jun 07 

VIZIO Inc. 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for earlier models 

Jan 07 

The company announced a new 47W-inch 1,080p Vizio LCD TV on the Gallevia series 

currently having 20, 32, 37, and 46 inch screen sizes: 

178

47” GV47LF $1,900 

Features include translucent black/silver cabinet, touch-sensitive control keys, 500 

cd/m(2), 800:1 CR (1,600: 1 dynamic), response time 8ms, unique zero bright-pixel 

defect guarantee, free 1-year onsite service, PIP/POP, closed captioning, V-Chip, 3D 

comb filter, motion adaptive de-interlacing, 3:2 or 2:2 reverse pull-down, 

ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner, selectable color temperatures (6,500K, 5,400K and 9,300K), 

independent red, green and blue color fine tuning adjustments, 2xHDMI, 

2xcomponent YPbPr, RGB PC VGA-type, 5.1 optical audio output, removable 

speakers, stand. 

Vidikron 

CES 2007 

Vidikron introduced two new 1080p LCD monitors within the DView line of flat 

panels, featuring Vidikron’s exclusive Imagix 

video processing and proprietary IntelliWide 

technologies, multiple aspect ratio controls, ATSC 

tuner, DVI/HDCP, component, RGB, RS-232, 

complete Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) 

calibration suites, less than 5-inches deep, wallmounted/tabletop 

stand included, detachable 10 

Watt, 2-way detachable bottom firing stereo 

speakers. 

40” VL-40 $4,000 

46” VL-46 $6,000 

Viewsonic 

2006 line 

32” N3260w $1,300, TTM Jan 06, 1366x768, HDMI, RGB, ATSC tuner, component 

37” 

40” N4060w $3,300, 500 nits, 800:1 CR, 1366x768, 170 degrees viewing angle, 

10ms response time, HDMI/HDCP, ATSC/NTSC tuners, PC input via HDMI and VGA. 

Aug 06 

1366x768, 1000:1 CR, DVI/HDCP, component, ATSC tuner. 

27” N2751W $800 

32” N3251W $1000 

Nov 06 

The company introduced 3 new models as part of their plan to unveil a total of 25 

new products in 4Q06. 

The models are now available and feature a new bezel design, integrated speakers 

and power supply to help eliminate wires. 

19” VX1935wm $200, 1440x900, 700:1 CR 

20” VX2035wm $350, 1680x1050, 800:1 CR 

22” VX2235wm $400, 1680x1050, 700:1 CR 

179

CES 2007 

ViewSonic introduced new LCD TVs, the NextVision® 61 Series with 46-inch N4661w 

and 42-inch N4261w, 1080p resolution, advanced video and audio processing 

technology, and smaller LCD TVs (for kitchens for example) such as the 20-inch 

N2652w. 

Westinghouse 

PC monitors, the 37” and 42” LCD are tuneless monitors and comply with the FCC 

ATSC tuner mandate because they omit NTSC tuning, they are true monitor 

products. All include DVI, and component video. 

30” LTV-30w2 $1,200, NTSC tuners (June 05) 

32” LTV-32w1 $1,600, NTSC tuners (June 05) 

37” LVM-37w1 $2,300, 1080p panel, accepts 1080p on DVI and VGA, no tuners 

37” LTV-37w2HD $1,700, TTM Feb 06, 1366x768, ATSC/NTSC tuners 

40” LTV-40w1HDC $2,100, TTM Mar 06,component, ATSC/NTSC tuners, 1366x768 

42” LVM-42w1 $N/A, monitor no ATSC no NTSC tuners, 

42” LVM-42w2 $2,800, TTM Jan 06, 1080p, DVI, component, no tuners 

47” 1080p 

CES 2006 

The company demonstrated the world’s largest ultra high resolution LCD with 8 

million pixels. I could not witness the demonstration. 

56” 3840x2160, 8 ms response time, 600-nit, 1000:1 CR 

Mar 06 

The company announced the latest addition to its HD 1080p line: 

37” LVM-37w3 $1,900, bright flat panel, 8ms response time, high contrast 

ratio, six HD inputs, 43 pounds, 176 degree viewing angles (vert/horiz), 16.7 million 

True Color display, 550 cd/m2, 1000:1 CR. 

This model was introduced in addition to the current 42” model LVM-42w2 mentioned 

earlier. 

Nov 06 

Westinghouse introduced a new 42” model: 

Considered a step-down alternative model, priced to compete against HD plasma 

displays for the holiday selling season, 3D comb filter 1600:1 CR, 8ms response 

time, HDMI, component, VGA, 768p, monitor only, TTM 4Q06-1Q07. 

42” W4207 $1,500 

Anticipated in Nov 06 for CES 2007: 

Westinghouse said to introduce an expanded 2007 product line from 19W- to 52Winches, 

with ATSC tuners in most models, and new 26” and 52” screen sizes, the 26 

to replace the successful 27” size, adding a DVD within the set. 

All 1080p sets will be integrated with NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, Monitor-only (LVM 

line) for business-to-business purposes will continue. 

180

The panels also feature HDMI (version 1.1 initially), enhanced color gamut CCFL 

backlighting, dynamic contrast ratios of up to 5,000:1, 6.5ms response times, 

updated more upscale-looking brushed aluminum detailing in many models. 

Some of the new models are: 

Two 32W-inch TVs 

One 32W-inch TV-DVD combo 

37W-inch TVs 

40W-inch TVs 

Three new 1080p models 

With HDMI 1.2 

42” TX-42F430S $1,500 (originally 2,000), TTM Apr 07, 1080p, 5000:1 CR, 8ms 

response time, Integrated ATSC/NTSC/ClearQAM tuner, 4 HDMI, 2 Component, 1 

VGA, 1 SPDIF out, VESA compatible wall mount interface, built-in stereo speakers 

and subwoofer. 

46” (current) 

47” TX-47F430S $1,800 TTM Aug 07, 

(originally $2,500 and TTM Apr 07), 1080p 

model, 5000:1 CR, 8ms response time, 

Integrated ATSC/NTSC/ClearQAM tuner, 4 

HDMI, 2 Component, 1 VGA, 1 SPDIF out, 

VESA compatible wall mount interface, builtin 

stereo speakers and subwoofer. 

52” TX-52F480S $2,500, TTM Aug 07 

(originally May 07), 1920 x 1080 resolution, 

HDTV 720p, 1080i and 1080p, 5000:1 

dynamic contrast ratio, 500 nits brightness, 

6.5-millisecond response time (gray to 

gray), Integrated ATSC/NTSC/ClearQAM 

Tuner, 4 HDMI, 2 Component, 1 VGA, 1 

SPDIF out, 1 stereo out, VESA compatible 

wall mount interface, Built-in stereo 

speakers and subwoofer. 

Models shown at CES 2007: 

Non-1080p models (1366x768) 

SpineDesign intelligent cable access, DayBright panel technology for daytime or 

nighttime viewing and Autosource technology, automatic switch to the external 

source that is activated. HDTV 720p, 1080i, 8-millisecond response time (gray to 

gray), 2 HDMI, 2 component, 1 VGA, RF Tuner (ATSC, NTSC, CATV and clear QAM), 

1 SPDIF out, VESA compatible wall mount interface, built-in stereo speakers and 

subwoofer. 

181

42” models (SK-42H240S / SK-42H360S) 

$1,700, TTM Apr 07, 3000:1 CR, 500 nits, 

model 240 shown: 

32” models (SK-32H520S / SK32540S) 

$950, TTM Apr 07, 1200:1 CR, 400 nits 

32” SK-32H590D $1,050, TTM Apr 07, 

built-in front slot loading DVD player, 

wall-mountable, sleek stylish design, 

Advanced Calibration Menu, Preset Video 

Modes for customized viewing styles for 

movies, games and sports, 1200:1 CR, 400 nits brightness, no subwoofer. 

26” SK-26H240S and SK-26H520S, $700, TTM Apr 07, designed to replace CRTs, 

800:1 contrast ratio, no subwoofer. 

26” SK-26H590D $800, TTM Apr 07, built-in front slot loading DVD player, wallmountable, 

sleek stylish design, designed to replace a current CRT TV, Advanced 

Calibration Menu, Preset Video Modes for movies, games and sports, 800:1 contrast 

ratio, 400 nits brightness, no subwoofer. 

19” SK-19H210S $450, TTM Mar 07, ATSC (HD) tuner for 720p, 1080i resolution, 

“personal” LCD TV design, 1440 x 900 resolution, 5-millisecond response time (gray 

to gray), 700:1 contrast ratio, enhanced brightness, 1 HDMI, 1 component, 1 VGA, 1 

SPDIF out, 1 stereo headphone out, tilt adjustable stand, VESA compatible wall 

mount interface, built-in stereo speakers, no subwoofer. 

LCD Computer Monitors: 

24” L2410NM $700, TTM Jan 07, 16:10 aspect ratio, multifunction monitor, 

beyond 1080p quality with its super-high 1920 x 1200 resolution, 700:1 contrast 

ratio, AllGlass design that incorporates a minimal bezel, HD-Grade panels with highquality 

HDTV glass, DayBright panel technology for daytime or nighttime viewing, 

6.5-millisecond response time (gray to gray), ultra wide viewing angle at 175/175, 

HDMI-HDCP, YPbPr with audio, CVBS/S-Video with audio, PC with Audio In. 

22” LCM- 22w3 $450, TTM Mar 07, DVI-HDCP inputs, built-in speakers, 1680 x 

1050 resolution, wide viewing angle, 5-millisecond response time. AllGlass design 

that incorporates a minimal bezel, HD-Grade using high-quality HDTV glass, 

DayBright panel technology for daytime or nighttime viewing, 700:1 contrast ratio, 

e-WV compensation film, PC VGA input with audio, DVI-HDCP digital input . 

20.1” L2046NV $350, TTM Mar 07, 4:3 aspect ratio, 1400 x 1050 resolution, 5- 

millisecond response time, wide 170/160-degree viewing angles, AllGlass design with 

minimal bezel, HD-Grade panels using high-quality HDTV glass, DayBright panel 

technology for daytime or nighttime viewing, 650:1 contrast ratio, 5millisecond 

response time (gray to gray), wide viewing angle with e-WV compensation film (170- 

degree horizontal/160-degree vertical), dual PC inputs, VGA and DVI-D. 

19” L1975NW $300, TTM Mar 07, 16:10 aspect ratio, 1440 x 900 resolution, 

5-millisecond response time. AllGlass design with minimal bezel, HD-Grade panels 

using high-quality HDTV glass, DayBright panel technology for daytime or 

182

nighttime viewing, 700:1 contrast ratio, wide viewing angle with e-WV compensation 

film, MS Vista concept design, dual PC inputs: VGA and DVI-D, integrated audio. 

19” L1928NV $319, TTM Mar 07, 5:4 aspect ratio, 5-millisecond response 

time, 1280 x 1024 resolution, dual PC inputs, AllGlass design with minimal bezel, 

HD-Grade panels using high-quality HDTV glass, DayBright panel technology for 

daytime or nighttime viewing, 650:1 contrast ratio, wide viewing angle with e-WV 

compensation film (170-degree horizontal/160-degree vertical), dual PC inputs, VGA 

and DVI-D. 

As mentioned on CES 2006 (above) the company showed again the world’s first 

LCD monitor with 3840 x 2160 (greater than 8 megapixel) resolution, a 56” 

LCD Quad Full HD monitor, that the company says “offers stunning, never-before 

seen picture reproduction.” 

The company also announced their 82” LCD monitor, one of the world’s largest, at 

CES 2007 and stated that “LCD will overtake plasma as the display technology of 

choice in 2007”, and actually showed the model TX-52F480S anticipated above: 

52” TX-52F480S 1080p, 1080 Pure, 5000:1 CR, 500 nits, ATSC/QAM/NTSC 

tuners, 4xHDMI, 2xcomponent, VGA. 

183

Chapter 11 - HDTV Tuners / DVRs 

Many HD DVR and STB (set-top-box) tuners introduced before 2006 are still current, 

please review these products with their features, specifications, price, and availability 

in earlier reports from the http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/ web site. 

Regarding STB converters for the DTV transition please also consult the background 

on the section “DTV Implementation”. 

AMD 

CES 2007 

AMD unveiled their ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner, the industry's first and only 

device that enables users to watch and record premium HD digital cable content, 

such as HD ESPN and HD HBO, on their PC, which turns into PVR using the HDD with 

Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center menus and interfaces. 

TTM Jan 30, 07, inside desktop and notebook PCs from the industry's top PC 

manufacturers, certified by CableLabs®, able to stream to Xbox 360, if permitted 

by the content provider, powered by AMD Avivo image technology. 

Pricing will vary depending on the OEM manufacturer and the level of hardware 

included. 

http://www.amd.com/ 

AverMedia 

CES 2007 

AVerTVHD MCE A180 

ATSC/cable tuner for Windows XP Home/Professional or MCE 2005 PC, and is 

Microsoft Vista ready, supports 480p, 720p, and 1080i, multiple aspect ratios 

including 4:3 and 16:9, connects to multimedia devices such as DVD players, 

camcorders, or game consoles, includes AVerTV 6 application designed for PC 

multimedia lifestyle. Watch TV or use the PVR and TimeShift features to pause, 

rewind, and replay live digital TV. 

Additional features include Image Snapshot, sleep timer, 16-Channel Preview, full 

screen and PIP/POP, 32/64 bit driver support, composite and S-Video input, 

unencrypted QAM support (digital cable), 75 Ω TV antenna input, TimeShift, 

schedule recording into MPEG-2 formats, recording into MPEG-4 formats (*), channel 

management, fast channel switching, PIP (Picture-in-Picture) / POP (Picture-out-of- 

Picture), EPG

http://www.xvid.org/. The codecs are not developed by AVerMedia. Therefore, 

AVerMedia could not guarantee the function of MPEG-4 recording. 

System Requirements: 

Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz (Hyper-Threading) or Equivalent AMD Processor 

(Recommended CPU for TimeShift and Record: Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz (Hyper- 

Threading) 

VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c or above 

512 MB RAM or above 

PCI slot 

Sound Card 

Windows XP/ XP MCE 2005 

For HDTV (MPEG-2) only 

VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c and DxVA (HDTV) 

HDTV will only function when the TV signal is in HDTV format 

EPG below: 

185

AVerTVHD Hybrid Express card 

A hybrid analog worldwide standard TV and ATSC Hi-Definition receiver card certified 

with ExpressCard Interface solution for laptop PCs to watch analog and over-theair 

HD TV programs anywhere, MPEG-2 hardware encoder built-in, PVR features such 

as instant recording, playback, and TimeShift functions, high quality TV tuner, 

Recording Scheduler, Snapshot, AVerTV 6 software application, Multiple-user setting, 

Fast Channel switching and scanning, Wake-Up Recording from Hibernate (S4) / 

Stand By (S3) Mode. 

Major Features: 

· ExpressCard logo Certified 

· Worldwide Analog TV 

· ATSC Digital TV 

· EPG 

· MPEG-2 Hardware Encode 

· FM Radio 

· Clear QAM Support (Digital Cable) 

· 64-Bit driver support 

· Microsoft Vista Compatible 

· Small Form Factor 

Specifications: 

· Input Signal 

· 75 Ω TV Antenna 

· FM Input 

· Composite (RCA) 

· S-Video 

Package Includes: 

· AVerTVHD Hybrid Express 

· Quick Installation Guide 

· Installation CD 

· AVerTV 6 Application Software 

· Remote Control 

· FM Radio Antenna 

· S-Video/Composite (RCA) 

System Requirements: 

· 256 MB RAM or above 

· ExpressCardTM/54mm Slot 

· VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c 

· Sound card 

· Windows XP/XP MCE 2005 Compliant, Vista Ready 

SDTV 

· Intel Pentium® 4 2.4GHz (Hyper-Threading) 

· Intel Pentium® Mobile 1.3GHz 

· AMD AthlonXP® 2400+ 

HDTV 

· Intel Pentium® 4 2.8GHz for Record in MPEG-2 

186

· Intel Pentium® 4 3.0GHz for TimeShift 

· VGA card supports HDTV, DxVA and with 256MB or above 

· HDTV will only function when the TV signal is in HDTV format 

AVerTV 6 Application Software Features: 

Personal Video Recorder (PVR) 

· TimeShift 

· Schedule Recording 

· Recording into MPEG-1/2/4* formats 

Channel Management 

· Fast Channel Switching 

· PIP (Picture-in-Picture) / POP (Picture-out-of-Picture) 

· 16-Channel Preview 

Information Management 

· i-EPG 

· Closed Caption 

File Management 

· Multi-User Settings 

· Channel Remapping 

Power Management 

· Auto Power Off 

· Wake-up from S3 (Stand By) /S4 (Hibernate) mode 

· Sleep Timer 

Multi-Snapshots 

· Consecutive Snapshots 

· Save captured image in several format 

· Wallpaper the Snapshot 

Quality Management 

· Video Quality Enhancement 

· Audio Effect Adjustment 

AVerMedia AVerTVHD Combo PCI-E 

Combination World Wide Analog and High-Definition TV receiver module, for 

standard or over-the-air HD TV, or Unencrypted QAM support (Digital Cable) for PCs, 

records and captures music and TV programs in original MPEG-2 format, straight to 

the hard disk, Picture-in-picture for simultaneous analog TV and HDTV, AV 

equipment connectivity(camcorder, DVD player, or game for audio/video capturing), 

built-in MPEG-2 hardware encoder lowers the consumption of CPU process and 

guarantees high-quality video content editing, such as instant recording, playback, 

and TimeShift features, new AVer MediaCenter application software included, 10-foot 

UI, supports dual tuners or multiple TV tuner cards. User can watch several live 

programs simultaneously on one monitor (depend on CPU load). 


· World Wide Analog TV 

· Over-The-Air ATSC Digital TV 

· Unencrypted QAM support (Digital Cable) 

· Advanced 3D Comb Ghost Filter 

· Worldwide stereo sound 

· High Definition quality support up to 

1080i/720p 

· 32/64-Bit driver support 

187

· MPEG-2 hardware encoder 

· Windows XP / XP MCE 2005 

· Windows Vista Ready 

· Bundle AVer MediaCenter software 

· PCI Express x 1 

· Low profile 

Specifications 

· 75 Ω Digital TV Antenna Input 

· 75 Ω Analog TV Antenna Input 

· S-Video 

· Audio In L/R 

Package Includes 

· AVerTVHD Combo PCI Express 

· Dimension:138(L) x 69(W) mm 

· Weight:89g 


· Installation CD & Application Software 

· L/R Audio Cable 

· Low Profile bracket (optional) 

System Requirements 

For TimeShift and Record in MPEG-2 

· Intel Pentium® 4 2.8GHz (Hyper-Threading) or Equivalent AMD Processor 

· Intel Centrino Mobile 1.6GHz 

· VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c or above 


· PCI-Express x 1 slot 

· Sound Card 

· Windows 2000 / XP / XP MCE 2005 / Vista Ready 

For Dual Tuners Recording 

· Intel Pentium® 4 3.0GHz (Hyper-Threading) or Equivalent AMD Processor 

· Intel Centrino Mobile 2.0GHz 

· 1G RAM or above 


· VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c and DxVA (HDTV) 


AVer MediaCenter Application Software Features: 


· TimeShift 








· i-EPG 




188













AVerMedia AVerTVHD Hybrid USB 

USB TV Tuner/PVR to view both analog and high-definition TV programming on any 

PC or laptop. Compatible with Microsoft Windows XP Home/Professional, Media 

Center Edition 2005 and is Vista ready. 


· ATSC Digital TV 

· NTSC Analog TV 

· FM Radio 

· Windows XP / XP MCE 2005 

· Portable USB 2.0 TV Box 

· High Definition quality support up to 

1080i/720p 

· Composite and S-Video input 

· MPEG-2 hardware encoder 

· 32/64-Bit driver support 

· Windows Vista & MCE Compatible 

· Clear QAM support (Digital Cable) 

Specifications 

· 75 Ω TV Antenna Input 

· S-Video 

· Composite (RCA) 

· Audio In (L/R) 

· RF Radio Antenna Input 

Package Includes 

· AVerTVHD Hybrid USB 

· Dimension: 112.3 x 91.5 x 17.5 mm 

· Weight: 118.8g 


· Installation CD & Application Software 

· USB Cable 

· Remote Control (Batteries Included) 

· FM Antenna 

System Requirements 

· CPU 

189

. Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz (Hyper-Threading) or Equivalent AMD Processor 

· VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c or above 


· USB 2.0 port 

· Sound Card 

· Windows XP/ XP MCE 2005 


· VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c and DxVA (HDTV) 


AVerTV 6 Application Software Features: 


· TimeShift 








· i-EPG 
















In April 07, the company released the AVerTV Hybrid Ultra USB High Definition and 

Analog USB TV Tuner for laptops and desktops with a hybrid world-wide Analog and 

ATSC tuner. Features, certified for Windows XP, XP Media Center Edition 2005 and 

Windows Vista Premium Certified 32/64 bit, hi-speed USB2.0, watch and record 

NTSC & HDTV through the bus-powered USB design, hardware compression for 

sharp, clear video while reducing CPU resources, TTM Apr 07, $130 for the Media 

Center Upgrade Kit, including Windows Media Center Remote Control and Receiver. 

AutummWave 

Oct 06 

OnAir GT $180, HD tuner for laptop, requires antenna for OTA broadcasts, USB 2.0 

connection, the HD tuner within the GT is made by LG Electronics, sells on 

AutumnWave's Web site, light and highly mobile, SD tuning for analog or digital, 

could be connected to an HDTV cable box to record programming on a PC hard drive. 

190

AV Toolbox 

Feb 07 

ATSC-100 $200, TTM now 

OTA ATSC tuner, component, composite, multiple image profiles, closed captioning, 

V-Chip parental content control, automatic channel scan, adjustable audio levels, 

favorite channel list, On-Screen Display, Electronic Program Guide (EPG), aspect 

ratios 4:3 or 16:9, infrared remote control, output resolution 480p, 720p or 1080i in 

the YPbPr mode, optional ($29) indoor antenna, the ATSC-A50, is available for within 

25 miles with no line of sight obstructions, antenna powered by included DC power 

supply, built-in high gain amplifier. 

NO DVI, NO HDMI 

http://www.tvone.com/ 

CodexNovus 

Feb 07 

HDcodex 

DML-1000 (1,000 GB) 

DML-1600 (1,600 GB) standalone server/digital media player $7,000, TTM Jan 07 

Featuring 1.6 terabytes of memory, supports SD and HD up to 1920 x 1080p, multichannel 

5.1, and 7.1 audio formats, HDcodex user interface allows for quick media 

control, with all source information and metadata, no keyboard, no mouse, ISFcertified, 

incorporates All Media Guide’s (AMG) LASSO media recognition system, 

totally remote-control driven with 

included infrared remote control or 

by RS-232, and compatible with 

most popular home control systems. 

Supports MPEG, AVI, TS, VC-1, MP2, 

MP3, AC3, WAV, AAC, HTML, SWF, 

BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF, and JPEG media files. 

191

Powerful memory access and streaming systems for simultaneous streams of 

different media to different rooms, expandable with additional disk storage, supports 

the latest compression technologies, conserving disk space while still maintaining 

video and audio quality. 

Particularly useful for showroom and trade show applications. 

Video Output: 

Video Modes Supported: 

Audio Output: 

Digital (SPDIF): 

(Toslink) 

Analog: 

DVI or HDMI 

480p, 720p, and 1080p 

Coaxial and Optical 

Stereo 

Networking: 

Gigabit Ethernet: 

Static or dynamic 

IP addressing 

Heterogeneous, peer-to-peer, or server-based 

Import/Export: 

Two USB 2.0 ports, one back panel and one front panel 

Compatible with USB 2.0 compliant hard drives, and DVD Drives 

Codec Support: 

Video Codecs: 

Audio Codecs: 

File Compatibility: 

Video: 

Audio: 

Rich Media/Text: 

Imagery: 

MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VC-1, TS, MPEG-4, FFMPEG, XVID, 

LIBAVC, DIVX (compatible) 

PCM, MP2, MP3, AC3, AAC, FLAC 

MPEG, AVI, TS 

MP2, MP3, AC3, WAV, AAC 

HTML, SWF 

BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF, JPG 

Control: 

RS-232 for remote operation by Crestron, AMX, etc. via 9-pin sub-miniature 

D connector, IR control: Internal 

Storage Capacity: 

DML – 200 – 250 Gigabytes Internal Storage 

DML – 1000 – 1 Terabyte Internal Storage 

DML - 1600 - 1.6 Terabyte Internal Storage 

192

Data Entry: 

IR remote control (included) 

Networked PC via compatible Internet browsers 

Contemporary Research 

Dec 05 

IP-HDVR HD Tuner-DVR 

Ethernet controllable, RS-232, IR, 

ATSC/NTSC tuners and cable RF 

inputs (at the same time), decode 

clear-cable digital QAM channels, 

controls an external analog cable box 

for subscription-based programming, 120 GB hard drive, TV Guide On Screen, 

record and display digital video from IEEE-1394 ports, Component, RGB, DVI, Dolby 

5.1 surround sound over optical output, variable and fixed-level stereo audio ports, 

pauses live programming. 

Digeo 

Moxi 

(Implemented by Motorola) 

2 HDTV tuners, DVR, right 

Moxi Media Room and Moxi Mate (below) 

Moxi Back Panel Connections 

CES 2007 

193

Since 2004 Moxi Media center has deployed about 400,000 units exclusively through 

cable companies, it is available in 

100 cable markets nationwide from 

8 cable operators. 

The company announced that it will 

begin to sell new versions of Moxi 

directly to consumers in 2007 

through consumer-electronics 

retailers. 

Moxi demonstrated 2 prototypes of 

planned products for consumers, 

with Moxi interface, integrated 

CD/DVD player, watch/record/play 

HD, stream content from PCs, 

support web scheduling. 

One prototype featured Moxi Multi-room HD DMR, multi-room recording and 

playback with an integrated multi-stream CableCARD (M-Card), TTM 2H07 (below). 

A second prototype featured Moxi Home Cinema Edition HD DMR, Linux based 

system, AMD LIVE!, advanced audio features, TTM 2H07. 

The Moxi STBs to be released after mid-year will have CableCARD capability, but 

unidirectional features only, and no OCAP yet (they are working on it). They will be 

sold to consumers separately from the cable companies. 

Digital Stream 

HD 1150 $190, ATSC OTA tuner, component, no DVI, no HDMI, no 1394, RGB and 

YPbPr output, coax/optical digital audio, 1080i/720p480i/p output. 

HD 3150 (Pro Brand) $229, ATSC 

OTA tuner, 720p/1080i/480p output, 

component, RGB, simultaneous 480i 

via composite and S-Video, 16 days 

Guide, signal strength reading by 

remote, wide, narrow, and Zoom AR 

controls, freeze frame, coax/opt 

audio, stereo analog out, No DVI, No 

HDMI, No IEEE1394. A product of Pro Brand International, 770-423-7072. 

194

http://www.pbigroup.com/ 

DIRECTV 

H10 $300, Discontinued 

HR10-250 HD DVR, TTM 2Q06, discontinued, $600 as of 1Q07, MPEG-4, records 2 

different programs from either DIRECTV or ATSC while watching a pre-recorded 

program at the same time, record one watch another, pause and rewind live HDTV 

up to 90 minutes, instant replay, slow motion, 30 hrs MPEG-2 HD recording, or 50hrs 

on MPEG-4, or up to 200 hrs of SD. First receiver with interactive capabilities, size of 

HDD not revealed but said could be similar of current HD DVR, outputs 480i/p, 720p, 

1080i, 2 DIRECTV inputs, 2 ATSC tuners, 1 satellite in, HDMI, component, 

composite, digital/coax out, 2 Ethernet ports, 2 USB 2.0 for future connectivity. 

H20 

$200, MPEG-4, offered for free by DirecTV 

Aug 07 

HR20 HD-DVR $300, TTM now, MPEG-4, pause rewind live HDTV for 90 minutes, 

instant replay, 30hrs of HD recording, 200 hrs of SD, records 2 shows while plying a 

pre-recorded program, ATSC tuner. 

After much criticism about delays, DirecTV announced the new deadline for the 

introduction of new HD DVRs (HR20), initially in Los Angeles and to other major 

markets in subsequent weeks, DirecTV representative Robert Mercer said. 

In 2004, DirecTV announced plans to depart from Tivo plans and switch to the NDS 

Group, but their STBs were delayed several times, after their original plan for last 

fall. 

195

CES 2007 

DIRECTV announced that the DIRECTV Plus(R) HD DVR is able to allow access to 

pictures and music from Intel Viiv technology-based PCs, functionality that is already 

available in beta to all DIRECTV Plus HD DVR customers, later in 2007, the streaming 

video functionality will be added. 

Sat-Go portable receiver 

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4130026 

Featuring: 

Integrated 17-inch LCD monitor and 

satellite receiver with two speakers 

Compact and portable flat antenna 

and satellite receiver 

DIRECTV® programming accessed 

through a platform based on 

DIRECTV's D11 set top box 

Small profile IR remote 

Component and composite A/V 

inputs 

Composite A/V out 

Satellite in connection 

Phone Jack 

USB connection 

AC and DC capable (cigarette lighter adapter included) 

Rechargeable, replaceable, laptop-style battery 

The built-in DIRECTV Receiver can be separated from the DIRECTV 

Sat-Go antenna casing, and be connected to a DIRECTV Satellite 

Dish. 

“DIRECTV Sat-Go is specifically designed to be compact and highly 

portable for a variety of outdoor and indoor settings, including 

camping and hiking trips, RVing, tailgating, college dormitories, 

hospital rooms, hotels/motels, emergency response, and in-home as a second TV 

set.” 

Dish Network 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the portable video players and other 

older models, such as AV402E, AV500E, AV700E, etc. 

2006 line of MPEG-2/MPEG-4 models 

VIP622 DVR, Originally $300, now offered free to 

new customers (CES 2007) 

One-time upgrade for new lease customers which 

includes a dish and installation, TTM 1Q06, multiroom 

HD STB that supports 2 TVs simultaneous, one 

HD at 480i/p/720/1080i and one SD 480i (HD downconverted), 

stores180hrs of SD, or 25hrs HD, or a 

combination of both, 2 satellite tuner inputs, ATSC 

196

tuner, 1 UHF Pro remote control antenna input for included antenna, USB 2.0 port, 

Ethernet port, HDMI, YPbPr component, optical digital audio out, records Dolby 

Digital, 9 day Picture in Guide widescreen EPG, records two simultaneous programs 

in HD. 

VIP211 

MPEG-4 

Originally $50 

for new lease 

customers, 

TTM now; 

supports 1 

TV, ATSC 

tuner, 

480i/p/720p/ 

1080i 

outputs, USB 2.0. 1 satellite tuner input, 1 

Ethernet port, HDMI, YPbPr component out, optical 

digital audio out. 

VIP222 TTM 1H07 

Supports 2 TVs, one HD at 480i/p/720p/1080i, one SD at 

480i down-converting HD, 2 satellite tuners, ATSC tuner, 

USB 2.0 port, Ethernet port, optical digital audio out, HDMI, YPbPr component out. 

CES 2007 

DISH Network announced their new offer for free ViP622 HD DVR Receiver at no 

additional cost starting February 1st, 2007 to new DISH Network customers as part 

of the Digital Home Advantage Program, making the ViP622 DVR the first HD DVR in 

the satellite industry offered free to 

new subscribers. 

The STB offers true 30-second skip 

feature, supports two televisions in 

two separate rooms, and is suited with 

streamlined user-friendly menus and 

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and 

extensive recording capacity. 

ViP612 DVR TTM 2H07 

Similar features of the 622 but without the “one receiver/two rooms”, “picture in 

picture”, “1 Agile modulated Output”, and has only one set of RCA Audio/Video 

outputs. 

197

Ezneo 

TR-100 $189 

Gefen 

CES 2007 

Gefen announced a solution that records television programming or video from a 

digital camcorder using any USB storage device, allowing it to travel and be viewed 

on different computer displays. 

The PVR was released in two versions, one that supports high definition video 

resolutions up to 1080p, and a low definition version; both use the MPEG 4 format, 

and deliver preferences and access through an on-screen menu, allowing for easy 

selection and control. 

Hisense 

USDTV 

$199 (USDTV service has been discontinued). 

HP 

For specs and details about older models DEC Media Center, z540, and z545-b check 

the 2005 report. 

Humax 

Humaxusa.com (866) 486-2987 

HFA100 OTA ATSC HD receiver $229, HDMI, VGA, component. 

JVC 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for: 

TU-VIP622RU DVR with 320 GB. 

Key Digital 

KD-FIRE1080P $3000, 1394 

LG 

The company is doing efforts in building D/A converter boxes to facilitate the 

transition to DTV, see details of how LG is teaming with Thomson further below. 

In October 2005, LG announced that the company is also launching DirecTV STBs as 

a leading manufacturer of MPEG-4 STBs; the units are being sold under the DirecTV 

brand name, have advanced program guide, advanced security, and protected digital 

outputs (HDMI/HDCP) with simultaneous component/composite output, a generalpurpose 

LINUX-operating-system, and an USB port, are built around Broadcom's 

MPEG chipset and LG's fifth-generation "VSB" chipset to view MPEG-4 HD satellite 

broadcasts, current MPEG-2 standard- definition programming, and OTA ATSC 

(Advanced Television System Committee) digital HDTV and SDTV broadcasts. 

198

CES 2007 

Terrestrial HD STB 

MPEG-2 ATSC tuner, 

Dolby 2 channel, Energy 

Star Compliance, 480i out 

only via composite, RF 

channel 3 or 4, stereo L/R 

audio. 

The agreement also plans 

for LG to develop a MPEG- 

4 HD-DVR model as well 

as a Home Media Center 

STB. 

For specs and details on older models LST-3410A and LST-3510A check 2004 and 

2005 reports. 

MatrixStream IPTV Technologies 

The company introduced the world’s first VOD and IPTV HD-STB using H.264 AVC 

(advance video codec) adapted for 1080p, with 80GB of HDD, to receive SD and HD 

IPTV signals over broadband. 

The STB allows high bandwidth users (1.5 Mbps+) to view videos in real time via live 

streaming. For users with lower bandwidth, the IMX Set Top Box (STB) has the 

proprietary video preload feature that preloads videos to the STB cache before 

viewing. 

IMX 1020HD IPTV HD STB 

Available for trials since Jan 06, TTM 1Q06, 

supports HD 720P, 1080i and 1080P formats, 

H.264/MPEG 4 Part 10, streaming video, 

download and push VOD, 1080p over HDMI, 

component analog able to output 1080i 

subjected to downrez if the content protection 

requires it, HDCP over HDMI is activated 

depending on the content provider contract and 

STB (the boxes are offered world wide so it 

varies by location). 

According to the company, the IPTV signal will always be protected by encryption, it 

is up to the service provider to decide if they want to turn HDCP on or off depending 

on the contract agreement for content they have made for IPTV delivery. Usually a 

customer will get the set-top box from the service provider directly, however, some 

service providers might choose to provide it over retail, i.e.: Best Buy. 

IMX 1000 IPTV STB 

Designed to support Windows Media/VC-1 video codec, fully supports push VOD, 

download VOD, and streaming VOD in Windows Media format over the Internet. 

199

IMX 1100 PC Player 

Available since Jan 06 from 

http://www.movie99.tv/, at which it 

offered over 300 free channels from 

around the world and 150 free DVD 

and HD quality movie clips. 

Deployment Diagram 

The following is an example of how 

an IMX 1000 STB is deployed in a 

VOD environment. 

Each STB is connected to a TV 

through standard RCA output, S- 

Video output, component video 

output, or DVI output. Each STB 

fully supports Dolby Digital 5.1 

Surround Sound via the optical PCM 

output. 

Source MatrixStream: 

200

According to the company, “MatrixStream’s solution is generally marketed to 

broadband providers seeking an opportunity to increase ROI by deploying video over 

their networks. On the back-end, broadband providers have access to one of the 

most cost-effective, scaleable VOD systems available, complete with billing, 

management, subscriber management, channel management, and digital rights 

management. MatrixStream’s solution supports industry standard video codecs like 

MPEG4, VC-1, and H.264 and is capable of supporting all future video codecs”. 

“MatrixStream’s IPTV solution is automatically programmed with features currently 

available on DVDs, including interactive menus, subtitles, multiple audio tracks and 

video chapters.” 

• High Definition Video Support – MatrixStream’s video viewing clients display 

DVD and HD videos. 

• Video Content Security – MatrixStream offers extensive security measures, 

including built-in Microsoft DRM (Digital Rights Management) support with the 

option to add any 3rd party DRM system. Dynamic watermarking 

management technology is also utilized to protect content from piracy. 

• Advanced Video Codec Support – MatrixStream fully supports multiple 

industry standard advance codecs such as H.264, MPEG 4 Part 10, and VC-1. 

MatrixStream designed its IPTV system to support all existing and future 

subsequent video codecs. 

• Dynamic Advertising Module – MatrixStream allows IPTV operators/broadband 

providers complete control over dynamic ad insertion, targeting viewers 

based on personal preferences and interests. 

• Flexible Viewing Options – MatrixStream supports video viewing on both PC 

and the IP STB clients. STB clients can be remotely upgraded with new 

releases and additional options. MatrixStream viewing clients can also be 

ported to third party platforms and OEM STBs. 

Video Formats 

NTSC/PAL composite 

NTSC/PAL s-video 

Analog YPbPr / RGB 

150 MHz YCbCr / RGB digital video output interface 

- 8-bit 4:2:2 YCbCr data 



- 24-bit RGB data (888) 

- BT.601, BT.656, or VIP 2.0, "video valid" output signal 

- Master or slave timing 

Resolution / Frame Refresh Rates 

704/720 x 480i 30Hz 

704/720 x 480p 60Hz 

704/720 x 576i 25Hz 

704/720 x 576p 50Hz 

201

1280x720p 50/60Hz 

1366x768p 50/60Hz 

1024x1024p 50/60Hz 

1920 x 1080i 25/30Hz 

1920 x 1080p 50/60Hz 

Audio Formats 

- 16-bit linear PCM with HDCD support 

- MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 Layers I, II and III (MP3) 2.0 

- MPEG-2 BC multi-channel Layers I, II and III 5.1 

- MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2.0 

- MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 HE-AAC 2.0 

- MPEG-4 SBAC 2.0 

- Dolby Digital 5.1 

- DTS 5.1 

Back panel connections 

- WMA9@L3 2.0, WMA9 Lossless 2.0, WMA9 Pro@M2 5.1, LAN: 10/100 BaseT, RJ 45 

- Connectivity: Two USB 2.0 ports 

- Video: HDMI/DVI, S-Video, RCA composite, Y/Pb/Pr 

- Audio: S/PDIF, Left/Right channel audio output 

In September 2006 MatrixStream released a new HD IPTV package featuring video 

on demand (VOD), an IPTV basic IMX500 middleware server, an IMX 2410 XMS 

streaming server, and an IMX 4010 video encoder, capable of handling up to 500 

concurrent users,

The company announced a new DOCSIS 3.0 wideband tuner chip capable to handle a 

wider (100 MHz) and faster (160 Mbps) cable 

modem connection to homes, competing with 

high-powered fiber-to-the-home networks. 

Featuring: 

The chip is capable to tune between 50 MHz-1 

GHz. A cable plant of 750 MHz or 860 MHz would 

be able to grow to 1 GHz, and would allow the 

addition of about 20 6 MHz channels, which could 

be used for IPTV services, HDTV, channel 

bonding, etc. 

According with Microtune the spec would permit 

the bonding of non-adjacent 6 MHz channels 

from a 64 MHz spectrum range, which the 

Wideband tuner can raise to 100 MHz, handling 

about 16 bonded channels. 

Equivalent functionality of four DOCSIS 2.0 tuners, 

RF footprint shrinking by 75%, 

Power consumption cut by 75%, 

Reduced BOM costs for DOCSIS 3.0 cable equipment manufacturers, 

First 1-gigahertz (GHz) input DOCSIS® 3.0 compliant, 

Integrated miniature package, 

Radio frequency (RF) bill of materials costs reduction, 

Optimized to work with radio frequencies in the 50-MHz to 1-GHz range of the cable 

spectrum, 

Supports DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding technology (a bandwidth expansion technique 

that combines four DOCSIS channels to significantly increase data rates), 

Accepts bonded channels within bandwidths up to 100 MHz when paired with a 

DOCSIS 3.0-capable demodulator, engineered to function in a much more hostile 

signal environment than that experienced by conventional cable modem tuners, 

Able to process wideband bonded channels in the presence of multiple interfering 

signals, while meeting stringent DOCSIS 3.0 sensitivity and adjacent channel 

interference requirements. 

Sampling expected for 2Q07 to select customers,

Firewire ports for use with D-VHS 

VGA or Y-Pb-Pr output 

Mitsubishi 

HD6000 $2200, DVR, CableCARD, QAM, 1394, (check 2005 report for details) 

Motorola 

DCT6412 III 

Built-in home media networking capabilities, 

120GB DVR, dual tuner, MoCA, uses existing 

coax, QAM tuners, video-over-IP, Verizon is 

first customer with their FiOS TV service in TX, 

VA and FL. 

BMC9012 HD STB, interactive, 80GB, Moxi 

DCT6200 HD STB 

BMC9022 HD interactive STB, 160 GB DVR, Moxi, multi-room, broadband Media 

Center (below) 

DCT3400 Series, all digital HD STB, dual tuner DVR. 

Follow Me TV: DVR remote from/to, program DVR from mobile device, TTM Fall 2006 

QIP6416 HD, dual tuner DVR 

QIP6200 HD, single tuner 

QIP2500 SD, single tuner 

HDT101 

DSR470 

DCT2500 

DCT700 

DCT3080 

$299, ATSC tuner (right) 

Digital STB non-interactive 

Digital STB, interactive, VOD 

Mini-digital STB with only digital cable services 

All digital SD, dual tuner DVR 

CES 2007 

DCH Series 

204

Six new models of digital STBs, compliant with FCC’s separable security mandate 

with CableCARD, support Motorola’s Linux-Java software platform and the Open 

Cable Application Platform (OCAP) initiative, “Motorola Follow Me TV” feature for 

shift video, pictures, and music throughout the home and their compatible mobile 

devices, HDMI, optical/coaxial digital audio outputs, IEEE 1394a, USB, and Ethernet, 

720p/1080i outputs w/upscaling. 

Motorola DCH100 , a SD STB with integrated MoCA home networking interface. 

Motorola DCH200, an interactive STB for SD digital/analog services. 

Motorola DCH3200, an HD interactive STB. 

Motorola DCH6200, an HD interactive STB w/analog support. 

Motorola DCH3416, an HD DVR interactive STB, 160 GB HDD. 

Motorola DCH6416, an HD DVR interactive STB w/analog support, 160 GB HDD. 

MovieBeam 

Video-on-demand service for standard- and 

high-definition catalog and new movie releases 

for playback at any time from a 160GB hard 

drive. The service includes DVD releases and 

subscription-free model for movie rental for 

24-hour viewing periods for $1.99 for catalog 

titles and $3.99 for new releases, an extra $1 

fee is charged for HDTV titles. 

The HDD STB caches 100 movies and sells for $199 after a $50 rebate; $29.99 

activation fee, needs periodic connection to a telephone jack, no need for a 

broadband connection, uses PBS OTA datacasting tuned with OTA antenna. 

Movies are sourced from major Hollywood studios, including Disney, 20 th Century 

Fox, Lions Gate Entertainment, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, Paramount 

Pictures, and Warner Bros. Studios (Sony is not a participant). 

Ten movies are delivered to the HDD each week, while 10 titles are removed at the 

same time. Of the 100 downloaded titles to the HDD, at least 10 are 720p HD with 

Windows Media 9/VC-1 compression at one time, for viewing on HDMI/HDCP-enabled 

HDTV displays. The other 90 titles are in standard definition, which are upconverted 

to 720p over HDMI/HDCP for HDTV viewers. 

Connections other than HDMI support component video, S-video, composite and 

audio connection ports including digital coaxial, SP/DIF, HDMI and left/right stereo 

audio, the service also supports Dolby Digital 5.1, widescreen formats and closed 

captioning, spending limit, and parental controls. 

Moxi 

(see Digeo) 

MyDTV45.com 

ZAT-600HD $159, TTM now, ATSC tuner, 16:9 

and 4:3 AR, Dolby Digital decoding, HD and SD 

205

output simultaneously component, coax audio out, RS-232. 

CHO4006 $155, TTM now, ATSC tuner, 

component, NO HDMI, selectable output 

480i/p/720p/1080i, stereo output (no digital 

multichannel), 4:3/16:9 Aspect ratio control. 

http://www.mydtv45.com/a24f3d1510bddf1503178e2 

74a7e911e.item 

Netgear 

CES 2007 

Digital Entertainer HD (EVA8000) Media Receiver, TTM Feb 07, $349. 

Downloads HD content from BitTorrent and streams it to HDTVs and connects to a 

home-theater system to stream digital media from computers, network storage and 

USB media players. 

The EVA8000 automatically discovers, organizes and 

plays high-definition movies, TV shows, music files and 

personal photos - as well as Internet-based video, 

news feeds, weather reports and radio programs. 

Features 1080p capable HDMI, optical digital audio output (TOSLINK), compatible 

with MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, M4A, AAC, AC3, purchased music from iTunes on 

Windows (M4P), video formats (MPEG-1/2/4, WMV, XviD, H.264), and image formats 

(JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF). 

Connects to 10/100Base-T Ethernet controller, two USB 2.0 ports (front and rear), 

iPods or other portable music and video players, supports Universal Plug-and-Play 

(UPnP AV), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Microsoft® Windows Media DRM 

10 for Network Devices, WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK. 

Includes an onscreen TV wizard, installation software, Windows PC software. 

Access to music from iTunes, YouTube videos, and access to a PC desktop from the 

living room. An optional TV tuner installed on a PC, enables the EVA8000 to perform 

DVR functionality, to schedule recordings and pause or rewind live broadcasts. 

Multiple EVA8000 units can interface with "Follow Me" to pause video in one room 

and resume it in another, or "Party Mode" for music playback in the whole house. 

EVA8000 accepts USB flash drives, MP3 players, or other USB storage devices. 

Connects to a home entertainment system and to a router, such as a NETGEAR 

RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N Router with draft 802.11n-compliant technology 

(WNR834M, WNR834B, WNR854T, DG834N). PCs connected to the network with 

devices such as the NETGEAR Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter (HDX101) are assured 

of the smoothest content streaming, according to Netgear. 

http://www.bittorrent.com/ , http://www.netgear.com/ 

206

Onair Solution 

OA-STB1 $299, TTM now, ATSC/NTSC/QAM on-the-clear tuners, 

selectable480i/p/720p/1080i outputs, 16:9/4:3 ARs, DVI, RGB, component, 

coax/optical digital audio, 

http://www.copperbox.com/lite/popinfo.php?lc_code=OA-STB1&uneek=107728640 

Pace 

CES 2007 

A Dolby Digital Plus suited STB for broadcast tuning from Pace was introduced at CES 

2007 below: 

PrimeDTV 

PHD-101 $159 ATSC/QAM in-the-clear tuners 

PHD-200 $150, TTM now, replaces the 101. 

Pro-Brand 

See Digital Stream 

PX Digital Multimedia 

ATSC-1000 OTA HD-STB for HDTV and SDTV packaged with 

DA-5100 compact outdoor/indoor antenna 

http://www.px.com.tw/ 

RCA 

For the following models consult the 2004 and 2005 HDTV 

Technology Reports: 

ATSC10 $549 

DTC-210 $600 

ATSC11 $449 

ATSC21 $499 

CES 2007 

RCA introduced a range of 

products to complete the 

digital broadcast transition, 

addressing the needs of time 

shifters, analog TV owners, 

and road warriors. 

207

DRC8335 combo VCR/DVD recorder w/NTSC/ATSC tuners $250, TTM Apr 07: 

Featuring the ability to record standard analog cable TV, analog broadcast TV, and 

digital broadcast TV, it can connect to cable and satellite STBs, one-touch copy 

control to easily archive home movies from VHS to recordable DVD, records on 

multiple disc formats (DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW), DV-in port, “TV Guardian,” a foul 

language filter. 

DTA800 DTV adapter for the Analog 

Set: 

Receives digital OTA and converts for 

display on a conventional analog TV, 

remote control unit, TTM 2007, 

several million Digital TV Adapters are 

expected to be necessary by February 

17, 2009 for viewers that would still 

need to use their analog sets. 

MPC4000 Laptop Teleceiver for digital portability $200, TTM Apr 07: 

CES 2007 Innovations Award Winner, plugs 

into the laptops’s USB port and makes it 

into a PVR to record OTA and NTSC, 

provides EPG, pause “live” broadcasts, 

schedule recordings, scan through in 

forward or reverse at up to 16X speed, 

preview up to eight “live” channels at a 

time, create a favorite-channels list, analog 

NTSC and digital ATSC tuners, smaller than 

a deck of playing cards, less than 2 ounces, 

removable cover, docking station/stand, 

high-gain reception antenna included, 

laptop minimum processor speed 1.5 GHz 

and 256MB of RAM, high-speed USB 2.0, 

supports Dolby Digital sound, video 

resolutions up to 1920 x1080. 

Samsung 

SIR-T451 $250, TTM now, ATSC 5th 

generation high-definition terrestrial tuner, 

includes an LCD display and a DVI output, 

Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo or Dolby Digital 

5.1 surround audio, selectable outputs for 

1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i, outputs 480i 

simultaneously, allowing connection to an analog TV or standard VCR. 

For details and specs of older models SIR-T351, SIR-TS360, SIR-TS160, SIR-T165, 

check the 2005 report. 

DTB-H260F $179, TTM Oct 06, 

ATSC /QAM on-the-clear tuners, 

208

HDMI, component optical digital audio output, output options including 1080i, 720p 

or 480p/i. 

CES 2007 

DVD-AVR950– ATSC Combo / DVD Recorder 

TTM Jun 07, $320, full multi-format recording to DVD RAM/-R/-RW/+R/+RW and 

Dual Layer formats, HDMI 1.3, DVD up conversion to 720p/1080i HD resolutions, 

Cable Box control, HDMI CEC for simple home entertainment system control, 

progressive scan DVD, EZ Record for start recording in one quick step, DivX file 

playback, front DV input for digital camcorders and other devices, high quality 4 

head HI-FI VCR. 

Mar 07 

Samsung announced their plans for a D/A TV converter to be offered in time with the 

NTIA coupon program for the DTV transition to help consumers with terrestrial 

tuning of DTV signals. 

Scientific Atlanta 

The STB introduced at CES 2005 with HD recording ability on the HDD DVR / internal 

DVD format, was introduced again at CES 2006, check page 93 of the CES 2005 

report. 

The unit has now a model number: 

MCP-100 

DVR with DVD Recorder/Player is 

being tested in MSO labs and is 

expected to enter beta testing 

soon. The recording abilities are 

designed to respect key content protection flags including ‘copy freely’, ‘copy once’, 

and ‘copy never’ tags, Dual DVR recording, Multi-Room DVR, High-Definition, 

DOCSIS and OCAP capabilities, External SATA for storage expansion, Multi-Room 

DVR feature enables viewers in three other rooms in the home to access content 

stored on the DVR hard drive. 

Consult the 2005 HDTV Technology Report for specs on current models: 

Explorer 3250HD 

Explorer 8000HD 

And Explorer 8300 

209

CES 2007 

Scientific Atlanta showed a newer model 8300 with a Multistream-CARD (M-CARD), 

two-way capability, and two tuner 

DVR, TTM July 2007 to comply with 

the regulation. 

OCAP can be deployed later following 

the CableCARD version by 

downloading the upgrade without the 

user knowing. 

OCAP downloads are possible if the box has enough memory, not if the box is a 3250 

for example, it will not be possible. 

The cable operator is not expected to immediately replace existing non-CableCARD 

8300 units in subscribers homes when the new one with CableCARD is out, unless 

they have inventory available. 

The box would perform with the same features but physically would have a 

CableCARD inserted into the unit to perform the conditional access function outside 

the unit itself, a requirement of the FCC to all cable companies starting July 2007. 

OTA 

tuners 

are not present on STBs because they are judged not add any 

value over the cable services, technically possible but the 

cable operator is not interested. 

Some features of the new STBs (HD200i DVR below)are 

MPEG-4, 

home 

networking 

with IP for PC 

connection 

and coax for 

DVR access 

from other 

STBs in the home, those features are expected to come after 

the CableCARD is implemented in STBs to comply with the 

mandate. 

NAVIC was demo at CES 2007, is a 3 rd party application 

development software that could be implemented into 

Scientific Atlanta STBs. 

A model 4250HDC (pictured 

left) with CableCARD is 

expected to replace the 3250, 

with HDMI, bi-directional 

performance. To implement 

DCAS it is anticipated that a 

new STB will be released. 

210

Scientific Atlanta said that the 

DCAS implementation will happen 

when the government approves 

DCAS as an alternative solution 

to CableCARD (and it actually 

happened on Jan 07, please 

check the section dedicated to 

Cable for more details); 

government is expected to 

determine what the system can 

or cannot do. Once DCAS is 

approved, it would be a year time 

for its implementation. Some 

chips are available and the 

architecture is ready to support 

the HW, it needs to add the SW. 

Sharp 

HDD DVR recorders, check 2005 report for details 

DV-HRD200 

DV-HRD20 

Sony 

ATSC/QAM cable tuner DVRs 

DHG-HDD250 $800, TTM fall 04, 250GB HDD, 20 hours of HD recording 

DHG-HDD500 $1000, TTM fall 04, 500GB HDD (two 250GB HDDs), 60 hours of HD 

Check specs and details at 2005 report 

Sylvania 

6900DTE $329 ATSC tuner 

TEAC 

Nov 06 

TEAC announced their plan to enter the HDTV tuner market with an external HDTV 

tuner for notebook computers early in 2007, and a first portable storage device was 

for Dec 1, 06. 

“The HDTV tuner will be TEAC’s first venture into this product category”, said Aris 

Gharapetian, TEAC’s marketing manager. The HD tuner connects via USB, $TBD 

(but

and LG Electronics to each develop prototype OTA digital converter STBs to receive 

digital signals on conventional analog televisions, which would be used as future 

products of manufacturers for the implementation of the subsidy plan to help 

consumers unable to buy new digital sets. 

This selection took several months in the making and was made after a 

comprehensive evaluation of more than a dozen of proposals submitted by other 

major manufacturers when responding to a Request for Quotation issued in June 

2005 by the MSTV and NAB. 

CES 2007 

Cable STB DCI9000 

Thomson unveiled the first OCAP MPEG-4 HD PVR at CES, an all-digital high 

definition set-top box with embedded DOCSIS 2.0 modem and OCAP (OpenCable 

Application Platform) middleware, decodes both HD and SD, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, 

DSG (Digital Set-top Gateway), IP communication, facilitates services requiring twoway 

communication like switched broadcast, VoD, and bandwidth-intensive IP 

services, a new modem version supporting downstream channel bonding by TTM end 

07 would enable download speeds of over 100 Mbps. 

Cable operators can gradually introduce IPTV services on top of their existing 

broadcast and VoD services, available in two different versions, both supporting PVR 

functions, one with a 160 GB internal HDD, and one with an interface for an external 

disk, facilitates the deployment of Push Video on Demand, supports single stream 

and multistream CableCARDs. 

Thomson is currently working to support Downloadable Conditional Access Systems 

(DCAS). 

According to Thomson ”Last year at CES, we introduced our first OCAP capable 

MPEG-2 Standard Definition set-top boxes. A couple of weeks ago, we signed an 

agreement with Polycipher, a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner Cable 

and Cox Communications. Today, we are bringing our commitment to the North 

American cable industry to another level with the introduction of the DCI9000, the 

first MPEG-4 HD PVR supporting major open standards, like OCAP or DSG” said 

Frédéric Kurkjian, Vice President for Thomson’s Cable Premises Systems. 

Satellite STB 

Thomson announced their new satellite High Definition DVR Receiver with MPEG-4 

capabilities. 

IP DBI200 

Thomson launched a new range of HD MPEG-4 IP Set-top boxes, the DBI Series 

range, which feature a comprehensive portfolio of content protection technologies to 

secure video content delivered over IP networks, first products to integrate the 

NexGuard forensic watermarking technology developed by Thomson’s Technology 

Division to prevent the copying and illegal distribution of copyrighted video content. 

Thomson’s NexGuard solutions integrated into set-top boxes, alongside conditional 

access systems, will enable IPTV operators to assure content partners that their 

content is protected. 

212

Triple Play Services over Multiple Network Types 

Thomson’s pre-integrated service delivery platforms help service providers to 

introduce sophisticated voice and video features over broadband local loops and 

cable networks. 

Thomson’s triple play features combine innovative SmartVision TV services such as 

live TV with picture in picture, video on demand, network personal video recording 

and time shifting (the ability to pause and resume live broadcasts), with advanced 

Cirpack telephony management for services such as caller ID on TV for incoming 

calls, browsing call history with click to dial, activating call forwarding, configuring 

black lists or selecting musical ring back tones on the TV. 

Tivo 

Series 3 HD 

250GB DVR, dual HD recording (300 hrs SD, 

30 hrs HD), dual CableCARD slots on back 

(Multi-stream 2.0 or Single-stream 1.0 

variety) to support two signals, six tuners 

(dual cable tuners, dual NTSC tuners, dual 

ATSC tuners), can use any pair, supports 

digital and analog cable, external SATA drive, 

backlit remote, TTM 06, supports MRV and 

TTG, coax cable in, coax antenna in, no RCA or S-video inputs, outputs: HDMI, 

component, composite, optical audio, RCA stereo out, 2 USB ports, 10/100base T 

Ethernet jack connections, outputs 480i/p/720p/1080i/pass-thru, encodes analog 

content with MPEG-2, supports playback w/MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and WM9. 

Sep 06 CEDIA 

The TiVo's 'Series 3' High-Def DVR introduced above, “world's first and only THXcertified 

DVR”, was demo at CEDIA, and announced availability mid-September 06, 

$800, thru consumer chains such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics, and 

Fry's, in addition to www.tivo.com. 

The demo unit matched the features above, 35 hours of HD programming, 300 hours 

of standard definition, dual tuners, two program recording, two CableCARD slots, 

compatible with analog cable and OTA ATSC broadcast, Ethernet and USB ports to 

share digital photos, digital music, etc. 

As announced, it was indicated that later in 2006 the box would also support the 

newly released TiVoCast service feature, for the access to content directly through a 

broadband connection for Internet and cable. Firmware upgrades are expected to 

enable advanced MPEG-4 based download features. 

USDTV 

OTA STB, check 2005 report, closed business 

UTStarcom 

RollinStream Media Console for IPTV 

IPTV STB with UWB wireless 

213

UTStarcom (http://www.utstar.com/ ) with IPTV and Tzero Technologies 

(http://www.tzerotech.com/site/) with UWB introduced their solution STBs for at ITU 

Telecom World 2006 show in Hong Kong. 

Capable of over 500 MHz of bandwidth is 

suitable for simultaneously transmit several 

streams of uncompressed HD video. 

Tzero's UWB is WiMedia Alliance based and is 

compliant with other WiMedia-compliant 

devices. 

V,Inc 

Current model. As appeared in the CES 2004 report: 

-------------------- 

Bravo HD1 $350, TTM Feb 04, ATSC/NTSC tuners, scale to 480p/720p/1080i over 

component output, component, digital audio coax, titanium finish, NO DVI, NO 1394, 

NO VGA 15 D-sub outputs, aspect ratio control (4:3, 1:6 letterbox, 16:9 full), 

simultaneous SD and HD outputs 

----------------------- 

Viewsonic 

(Both discontinued) 

NextVision HD10 OTA HD-STB $350 

Nextvision HD12 OTA HD-STB 

$400, DVI/HDCP, 480i/p, 720p, 1080i output via remote, NO 1394, component, 

RGB, optical/coax audio. 

Vizio 

Bravo HD1 

$350, ATSC tuner 

Voom 

Discontinued models Motorola 550 and 580 due to closing of business, check 2004 

and 2005 reports for details. 

Winegard 

RC-1010 

$189, ATSC tuner, component, optical audio out, RS-232 

http://www.winegard.com/mobile/pdf/RC-1010.pdf 

214

Xceive 

the television market. 

CES 2007 

Xceive introduced their XC5000 next generation silicon tuner, 

the world's most highly integrated silicon tuner, according to 

Xceive, and ultra-small footprint, for analog, digital terrestrial 

and QAM cable reception, positioned to replace the 

conventional CAN tuner architecture as the tuner of choice for 

SPECIFICATIONS 

Outline Dimensions 

7 x 7 x 

0.85mm 

Supply Voltage (DC) 1.8V, 3.3V 

System setting time 5ms 

Input Impedance 75ohms 

VSWR (typical) 2.5 

Noise Figure (typical) 5dB 

Phase noise 

@10KHz 

–95dBc 

(typical) 

CTB 

–63dBc 

Image rejection 65dB 

AGC range 

90dB 

Video SNR 

(unweighted) 

54dB 

Frequency range 42 -864MHz 

Power Dissipation 1.0W 

Optimized for large screen hybrid televisions, the world’s best sensitivity, adjacent 

channel, phase noise, and dynamic range, unweighted signal-to-noise-ratio of 54dB 

and a noise figure better than 6dB for analog TVs, exceeding the parameters of a 

typical CAN tuner and exceeding DTV television standards (below) for both terrestrial 

and cable reception. 

Xceive’s QuickTune ultra fast per channel signal detection for complete 100 

channel scan in less than two seconds, ChannelVista (PIP) provides up to 12 video 

channels simultaneously around the main channel, gain adjustment of the RF front- 

215

end blocks in real time, integrated programmable DSP with on-board filters that can 

be configured to meet and exceed the requirements of ATSC, OpenCable, DVBT/C/H, 

DMB-TH and ISDB-T standards and can be used worldwide. 

Can tuner next to miniature Xceive 

Features: 

World’s smallest Hybrid TV tuner: 

• Fully integrated RF-to-Baseband 

• No metal shield required 

• Alignment-free 

• No external tunable parts 

Built-in VIF/SIF circuit 

Supports all analog TV standards: 

• NTSC, PAL, SECAM 

• CVBS, SIF or mono-sound output 

• Works well for non-standard signals 

Supports all digital TV standards: 

• ATSC, OpenCable 

• DVB-T, DVB-C 

• ISDB-T, DMB-TH 

Quick tuning supports ChannelVista 

Easily monitors signal performance 

IIC bus controlled 

Ultra small 48-pin QFN package, Lead-free 

Onboard demodulation of NTSC, PAL and SECAM TV standards, housed in an ultrasmall 

(7mm x 7mm) 48-pin QFN package, integrates all the SAW filters and 

video/audio demodulation in order to achieve a low BOM cost, on-board DSP 

controller minimizes tuner-to-tuner performance variations and achieves very tight 

tolerance specifications and yield. Production quantities will begin shipping in the 

second quarter of 2007, priced at less than six dollars in volume quantities. 

XC3028/L 

Ultra Small, Analog AND Digital Terrestrial and Cable Receiver 

Featuring: 

World’s smallest Hybrid TV tuner: 

• Fully integrated RF-to-Baseband 

216

• No metal shield required 

Digital picture carrier recovery: 

• Alignment-free 

• Quartz-stable and accurate 

• No external tunable parts 

Built-in VIF/SIF circuit 

Supports all analog TV standards: 

• NTSC, PAL, SECAM 

• CVBS, SIF and audio output 

Supports all digital TV standards: 

• ATSC, DVB-T, ISDB-T, DMB-T, DVB-C 

IIC bus controlled 

Ultra small 48-pin QFN package, leadfree 

SPECIFICATION 

Outline Dimensions 

7 x 7 x 0.85 

mm 

Supply Voltage (DC) 1.8V, 3.3V 

System setting time 

Input Impedance 

5ms 

VSWR (typical) 2.5 

Noise Figure (typical) 

Phase noise @10KHz 

(typical) 

CTB 

Image rejection 

75 ohms 

6dB 

–85dBc/Hz 

–63dBc 

60dB 

AGC range 

Video S/N (unweighted) 

Frequency range 

XC3028 Power 

Dissipation XC3028L 

Power Dissipation 

80dB 

48dB 

42 - 

864MHz 

< 1.2W < 

1.0W 

217

Zenith 

HDV-420 $260, ATSC OTA tuner, all-format HDTV 

reception, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i, and native 

output, 4th-generation VSB technology for 

improved terrestrial/cable reception and noise 

immunity, component, DVI, RGB 15 pin D-sub. 

Zoran 

CES 2007 

SupraHD 760 

The company announced a single-chip HDTV solution for ATSC tuners that integrates 

their HDTV processor technology with 8VSB demodulation technology at an 

exceptional price for the offered performance, so OEMs can manufacture costeffective 

quality DTV products. 

It supports full ATSC and NTSC functionality with a high quality video scalar, 

including LCD panels with 1440 x 900 resolution. 

The chip features NTSC/PAL video decoder with advanced 3D comb filter, advanced 

10-bit video processing for color fidelity of over 1 billion colors, adaptive edge 

enhancement, luminance and chrominance transience improvement, dynamic black 

level adjustment, integrated dual channel LVDS transmitter for direct connection to 

FPD, single-memory, 16-bit DDR memory interface, integrated HDMI/HDCP, marketproven 

ATSC software and TV application. 

218

Chapter 12 - High Definition DVD 

HD DVD and Blu-ray Formats 

Background 

Although this report covers the Hi-Def DVD subject comprehensively, please also 

consult the Hi-Def DVD section within the 2005 HDTV Technology Report for 

information before February 2005, and a complete background of formats, players, 

discs, audio/video codecs, etc. 

I include below a summary of the basic background to facilitate the reading of this 

report, as follows: 

The HD DVD disc is based in two 0.6 millimeter bonded discs (like regular DVD), with 

a capacity of 30GB dual layer (15GB single layer), which Toshiba says can hold up to 

8 hours of HD. The Blu-ray disc has a capacity of 50GB dual-layer (25GB single 

layer) and is constructed with a 0.1 mm optical transmittance protection layer above 

the 1.1 mm substrate. Both competing formats use blue laser technology. 

Both formats selected MPEG-2, MPEG-4 H.264, and WMV-9 VC1 as mandatory video 

codecs and all players must be able to decode them to be compliant. Discs would 

have to be encoded with at least one of them, at the choice of the content provider. 

Triple and four layer discs for longer duration were also invented, as well as hybrid 

discs that would hold the HD and DVD version of a movie in the same disc, which 

would help consumers, replication, and distribution channels alike. 

In October 2004, the DVD Forum and the Blu-ray Disc Association approved 

mandatory and optional audio formats for both Hi-Def DVD standards. Both groups 

approved Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 as mandatory HD player formats, which also 

ensure the audio playability of 5.1 multi-channel DVDs when played on HD players. 

At least one of the audio formats must be included on a pre-recorded disc, at the 

choice of the content provider. 

In the 4th quarter of 2004, Dolby announced its Dolby Digital Plus lossy format, a 

higher-bit rate enhancement to Dolby's existing AC-3 lossy format (refer to the 

Glossary for details). DTS also announced their DTS ++ (later named DTS-HD), and 

later further extended to DTS Master Audio naming convention, capable of higher bit 

rates, and lossless. 

At that time, both Hi-Def DVD format groups declared optional the player’s ability of 

decoding the 6.1 channels of DTS. On September 23, 2004, Dolby announced that 

the DVD Forum decided to include as mandatory audio formats for HD DVD at Dolby 

Digital Plus and MLP Lossless based Dolby True HD. MLP is the core audio 

technology behind multichannel DVD-Audio. 

During 2005/6 more multi-channel audio format decisions and announcements were 

made regarding their mandatory/optional application to both Hi-def DVD formats. 

Please consult the details on the Glossary or on the Multi-channel Audio section. 

219

Formats Reconciliation 

The reconciliation efforts to unify the two competing formats gained strength at CES 

2005, the efforts were lead by Toshiba (HD DVD) and Sony (Blu-ray). Unfortunately, 

the efforts failed shortly after, and the two formats were left heading to a market 

war. The history of CE has demonstrated many times that market wars are not good 

for establishing formats or standards, much less for consumers. 

Phillips indicated that the war of formats is driven by the goal of collecting future 

royalties for the standard patents of the adopted format. Additionally, computer 

companies would produce PCs with drives that go along with the format they 

support, Blu-ray on Dell PCs for example. 

Regarding plants for disc reproduction, when the formats where not even released, it 

was estimated at $150,000 the cost for adapting an existing DVD plant to been able 

to produce HD DVDs, while it would cost about $3 million for the adaptation of the 

same plant to produce Blu-ray discs. Sony responded by saying: “Blu-ray costs 

would quickly come down and the difference between costs of the two formats would 

be minimal.” 

According to Shina Abe, who runs the Panasonic replication task for Blu-ray, a test 

was made to measure the time it takes to produce a Blu-ray disc at a Panasonic 

plant in CA. It took about 4.5 seconds, and the expectation is to reduce that time to 

3.5 seconds per disc. 

Regarding combo lasers, a HD DVD single pickup with objective lens was reported to 

be able to hold 3 lasers (CD, DVD, and HD DVD), while Blu-ray objective lens are 

more complicated and more costly to implement in a similar feature, but it would still 

possible to make the combo pickup. Check the Universal Player chapter below. 

In 2006, Toshiba declared they would “still like to develop a unified format for 

advanced optical DVD discs, but two competing -- and incompatible -- products are 

likely to hit the market at first”. 

"We have not given up on a unified format. We would like to seek ways for unifying 

the standards if opportunities arise," Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida told an 

annual shareholders' meeting. 

Associations of the Formats 

Sep 06 

Sun Microsystems, the developer of the Java environment employed in Blu-ray, 

announced their association with the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and became a 

member of the board of directors, joining more than 170 companies already 

belonging to the association, among which are Apple, Dell, HP, Hitachi, LG 

Electronics, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Pioneer, Royal 

Philips, Samsung Electronics, Sharp, Sony, TDK, Thomson, Twentieth Century Fox, 

Walt Disney Pictures and Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment. 

The company declared plans to include Blu-ray technology into its Java platform and 

offer its interactive capabilities to the format’s movies, games, or other content. 

220

Formats - Companies Support 

In Jan 06, iSuppli published the following summary table that shows the 

manufacturer and studio support to both formats, I updated that table on Feb 07, as 

follows: 

Blu-Ray and HD DVD Participants 

Standard Equipment and Components 

Content and Software 

Blu-Ray Apple Buena Vista Home Entertainment 

BenQ 

Dell 

Hitachi 

Mitsubishi 

Panasonic 

Philips 

Pioneer 

Plextor 

Samsung 

Sharp 

Sony 

TDK 

Thomson 

Eagle Rock Entertainment 

Electronic Arts (Games) 

Fox Film Entertainment 

LIONSGATE 

MGM 

Miramax 

Sony BMG Music Entertainment 

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 

Sony PlayStation 

Twentieth Century Fox 

Universal Music Group 

Vivendi Universal (Games) 

Walt Disney Home Entertainment 

Both HP Paramount 

Sanyo (components) 

Warner Bros 

LG (Multi-format) 

HD DVD Acer Bandai Visual (animation) 

Canon 

Fujitsu 

Funai 

Intel 

Kenwood 

NEC 

Niveus 

Genius Product, Inc. 

HBO Home Video 

Microsoft Xbox 

New Line Home Entertainment 

Studio Canal 

The Weinstein Company 

Universal Studios Home Entertainment 

Toshiba 

Original Source: iSuppli Corp. January 2006 , with my corrections and additions dated Feb 07 

221

Universal Player 

Samsung 

On September 2005, Samsung announced their work on a dual format player that 

would support both HD DVD and Blu-ray in the same unit. At that time, Choi Gee- 

Sung, Samsung’s consumer electronics chief, indicated that the unit would be made 

available during 2006. 

Likewise, Samsung representatives at CEDIA 2005 confirmed the effort, but did not 

specify how they were planning to deal with the two different discs, nor it was clear if 

there will be two different laser pickup hardware pieces. 

Three months later, Samsung confirmed a change of direction. Samsung’s North 

America senior vice president of marketing, Peter Weedfald, stated: “The rules that 

govern the organizations touting the different technologies currently bar 

manufacturers from combining the two standards into a single drive”. 

An analyst from iSupply, Steve Kovsky, reported that a Japanese CE manufacturer 

expressed: "Technically it is possible, but at this point, it doesn't look like it will 

happen, which is a shame, because it will hinder adoption." 

Adding to the subject of how Samsung could address a dual format Mr. Weedfald 

commented: 

“The conundrum is that you've got two different camps. You've got licensing issues, 

you've got trademarks, you've got copyrights" he said. "You can't just be on the 

Blu-ray side and say, 'We will put HD DVD in there', and the reverse is true. 

Samsung may make a separate line of HD DVD players to complement the Blu-ray 

players it plans to release later this year. This would allow Samsung to support both 

formats, although not in a single product. The company, however, does not have 

current plans to do so”, he said. 

In June 2006, Samsung confirmed again that they had no plans to release a 

universal player for both formats in 2006 or early 2007, while Korean executives 

indicated, “Samsung has the ability to produce such a player, but does not have the 

intention to actually do so”. Du-hyon Kim, an assistant manager in Samsung's home 

platform product planning group, added: 

“We are considering a player that can play BD and HD-DVD, a universal player. We 

can't say when we might introduce such a player. If we launch a universal player, 

the decision would be made at the end of this year or early next year. Samsung has 

no intention to join the HD DVD player market, but if market trends are going to HD 

DVD or to a universal player, then we are going too. We are concentrating on Bluray. 

However, although Samsung has communications and alliances with Toshiba on 

standard DVD products, the two companies have no formal licensing agreements on 

HD DVD, but we want to make clear that Samsung is ‘fully committed’ to Blu-ray”. 

However, in April 2007, Samsung announced their plans to release a Duo player that 

would be able to play HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, the player will be available by the 

holiday season of 2007. The BD-UP5000 would also support the interactive 

technologies of both formats (HDi and BD-Java). 

222

LG 

LG also confirmed several times during 2006 that they had no plans for a universal 

player “the future DVD hardware plans was not yet defined”, the company said. 

In March 2006, LG said that the players in both formats they planned for release 

later in 2006 will not be released, instead, the company is planning to develop a 

dual-format player and release it in late summer/early fall “in light of the uncertainty 

in this early stage of the market for pre-recorded high-definition optical discs”, LG’s 

VP Bob Perry said. 

LG also announced in Mar 06 and later again in the year, their support for HD DVD, 

without dropping their support for Blu-ray. LG expected to announce the first HD 

DVD product in late 2006, its European president James Kim told Reuters on CeBit in 

Hanover, Germany. "We will do both," Kim said. 

LG confused the market and the consumer expectations by issuing intermittent 

yes/no announcements of a universal player at several events over 2006, taking 

many by surprise by actually announcing at CES 2007 that a universal player will be 

available in 4 weeks. 

However, the LG’s universal player, announced to become available in Feb 07 for 

$1200 (the BH100), was quoted as having licensing issues with the DVD Forum due 

to its inability to fully support HD DVD’s interacivity standard iHD developed by 

Microsoft, which would disallow the use of the HD DVD logo on the player and on 

advertising, and, Microsoft said, if LG uses the HD DVD logo on the player, the DVD 

Forum would have to press charges against LG. LG did not respond to my inquiry. 

The Universal Confusion 

LG’s universal player must have been in production long before the company 

repetitively indicated “no plans” for a universal player, otherwise it could not have 

been on the street the first week of February 2007. 

LG’s contradictory announcements for over a year convey an image of lack of trust to 

company statements, and although I am not a journalist, I would rather not 

disseminate any analysis based on information provided by LG, because it could 

create more confusion and uncertainty than not saying anything at all. 

Although the company stated that the creation of the universal player had the 

consumer in mind, after witnessing the several conflicting announcements, it is 

rather obvious that the company was actually looking for a profit out of the confusion 

of the format war. 

Charging consumers $1200 for their player does not actually help consumers, 

considering that the only thing consumers would have to do is wait until one format 

drops out of the war due to insufficient sales or pushed down by price competition. 

At the end of the war, a top-of-the-line player from the winning format would have 

then a relative cost of probably even less than half of the price of the universal 

player. A consumer buying into the universal product for the sense of a safe choice 

would have actually wasted a large part of the investment, because the other format 

223

did not survive, the studios supporting only the loosing format would have reissued 

the discs on the winning format, and the enhanced playing ability of the expensive 

universal player becomes useless when there are no discs to play. 

My recommendation is buy the product you need for your purpose when you need it, 

regardless of the format war, regardless of the profit LG appears to pursue with their 

universal player. However, if you can wait, let these companies learn a lesson and 

buy nothing until the war is over. 

We Do it For the Consumer 

Ironically, the same path taken by LG above (Jan 07) is being followed by Samsung 

with their “yes we will, no we won’t, maybe, definitely not - for sure”. After the 

many contradictions, Samsung just announced (April 07) a Duo unit to become 

available for the 2007 holidays. Check the Blu-ray equipment further down. 

The format war has given path to a land of profitable opportunities these companies 

adapt by switching directions very loosely to find angles of quick revenue within the 

consumer confusion, confusion they themselves created with a non-sense war of 

formats. 

Then, when they release a product as “this is to benefit the consumer”, rather than 

admitting the true intention of the introduction. 

We know companies are there to make money, but exploiting the pockets of 

undecided consumers is not good business. 

Player Interactivity 

A variety of interactivity features comes with both formats and on the demos it was 

very interesting to see how a viewer could perform new and many current functions 

in superimpose mode, functions than in DVD would require stopping the movie or 

going to the menu. 

Some of those features are the ability to call up picture-in-picture overlaying with the 

viewed content to run commentaries, download extra content with the player itself, 

such as video trailers sourced directly from the studios, etc. 

HD DVD uses iHD based interactivity layer developed by Microsoft and Disney, while 

Blu-ray uses a Java-based solution developed by Sun Microsystems. In December 

2005, HP, an old member of the Blu-ray board of the Blu-ray Association, announced 

that it requested Blu-ray to comply with home networking interactivity features 

(Mandatory Managed Copy and iHD) to be more appealing to computer users and to 

be included within the near future MS Vista PC operating system, expecting lower 

development costs and to be similar to the implementation done by HD DVD. 

However, the request was not approved because the BD Association did not want to 

delay further the implementation of the format to add this feature. HP then decided 

to end its exclusive support to Blu-ray, and support HD DVD as well; in other words, 

HP is now supporting both formats. The BD Association indicated that iHD 

224

functionality could be added in the future, but it will launch the Blu-ray format with 

the Java based support. 

Maureen Weber, general manager of HP's personal storage division confirmed the 

decision by stating "By joining the HD DVD Promotions Group and continuing work 

with the Blu-ray Disc Association, HP will be in a better position to assess true 

development costs and, ultimately, provide the best and most affordable solution for 

consumers." 

Content Protection for Hi Def DVD 

Advanced Access Content System, AACS, is the Hi Def DVD digital rights 

management system used for both formats, even though they have two different 

format regulating organizations (DVD Forum for HD DVD, and BD Association for Bluray). 

AACS was jointly developed by a group of companies including Intel, IBM, Disney, 

Microsoft, Warner Bros., Toshiba, Panasonic, and Sony. The AACS content protection 

system can revoke a number of levels of keys for content and players. 

Additionally, the Blu-ray content protection system employs 2 extra components: 

A) BD+ to provide content protection renewability, and 

B) BD ROM Mark, to control against mass production piracy, mass duplication, and 

unauthorized copies of pre-recorded media. 

The BD+ controls the playback on players that have been attacked by updating the 

security of the player that has been compromised. Players that have not been 

attacked but still vulnerable would not be affected by this control, in other words if 

one player of a model line has been attacked, the system will disable that player not 

the entire model line. 

The BD ROM Mark is an identifier in Pre-recorded BD-ROM movies produced by 

licensed BD-ROM manufacturers to disallow playback on unlicensed players when 

read by a player before the disc will be allowed to play. The ROM Mark is unique per 

movie title, not per disc, and helps control illegal disc replication. 

The BD Association (for Blu-ray) has agreed to adopt the Mandatory Managed Copy 

(MMC) feature as a requirement on the format. MMC is supported by Microsoft and 

Intel for the copying of video, however, the BD Association rejected the support to 

iHD for now, as mentioned above. 

MMC technology would allow the content of the High Definition DVD to be copied on 

a home-server and stream it throughout the entire home network, although it would 

not permit unrestricted copying. 

In February 2006, the HD DVD Promotion Group confirmed that “negotiations on the 

finished spec for the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) used to protect both 

HD DVD and rival Blu-ray Disc content are nearing completion and should be ready 

in time for the March rollout of Toshiba’s HD DVD first generation players, and since 

AACS is primarily software it could be added to finished players in a flash-memory 

upload.” 

225

In July 2006, a German CT magazine declared it found a security hole in the copy 

protection built into HD-DVD and Blu-ray player software by just pressing the “print 

screen” button on the computer keyboard which made possible to copy every frame 

of an HD movie, a manual process that can be automated to repeat it for all the 

video frames of a movie. 

Please check the HD Content Protection section for more coverage of AACS, and its 

situation of security breach with HD DVD and Blu-ray. 

AACS Down-Res 

In January, 06, the AACS (Advanced Access Content System) consortium, the 

organization responsible for content protection on the new Hi-def DVD formats, 

reached an agreement to require manufacturers of the two High Definition DVD 

player formats (Blu-ray and HD DVD) to enable their players with the ability to 

reduce the resolution over component analog connections from 1920x1080 to 

960x540, one fourth the quality of the image stored in the disc, when responding to 

a digital flag (Image Constraint Token) stored within the disc movie. 

The player’s digital outputs (HDMI or DVI) will still carry the full resolution of the disc 

because the outputs are protected by HDCP. Component analog connections cannot 

carry that protection, reason by which the resolution would be downgraded. The 

agreement would affect approximately 11 million HDTVs sold since 1998 suited only 

with component analog inputs, and many Home Theater PC (HTPC) systems not 

suited with HDCP compliant connections to the PC monitor. 

According to the plan, the recording studio supplies the digital flag in the disc, if the 

studio sets the flag “on” the player would not feed a full resolution signal to the 

analog outputs. 

To make a disc buyer aware, if a disc for a movie uses the flag, the disc package 

must disclose that the flag was used. 

Manufacturers of players and software (movies) would have to comply with the AACS 

ruling in order to obtain their license, but it was left to the discretion of each 

individual movie studio to decide which movies to down-res HD content over 

component analog connections to 540p quality (DVD is 480p, HD is 1080p) by using 

the Token. 

In March 2006, Sony announced their decision of not applying the “Image Constraint 

Token” on their Sony Pictures Blu-Ray titles, this decision was apparently temporary, 

Sony preferred to postpone the use of the Token until analog piracy proves to be a 

problem. 

After this announcement, other Studios decided to follow the same approach, such 

as Disney, Fox, Paramount, MGM, and Universal. They all stated that they have no 

intention of using this feature, which certainly provides some hope to about 11 

million HDTV owners that only have analog connections on their TVs and were 

looking forward to enjoy high definition pre-recorded movies on them. 

Please consult the analysis of the potential of this agreement later in this section. 

226

PVP-OPM 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for details, this content protection method 

was to be implemented in the new Hi-def DVDs to prevent pirates from attaching 

recording devices directly to the PC graphics card’s DVI or HDMI video outputs to 

gain access to a fully resolved unprotected image of the content. Please review the 

detail of this subject on the HD Content Protection Section. 

Gaming 

Sony first demoed the PlayStation 3 console (below) at CES 2006, which was 

planned for release during 2006 (originally May in US, spring in Japan) but was 

finally introduced in Nov 06. According to the original specifications, the PS3 would 

playback Blu-ray discs at 1080/60p and 1080i over HDMI, and is suited with a High 

Quality Image Processing driven by RSX Graphic Processor with a 32bit floating point 

processing for color video and audio. 

At the 2006 CES booth, it was revealed that 

Sony was subsidizing the PS3 and releasing 

the console at a loss (approximately $400) 

to help establish the Blu-ray format. Many 

BD player (non-gamer) consumers could be 

benefited if buying the PS3 instead of 

Sony’s $1000 standalone player, because 

both players were said by Sony to have the 

same performance and features (although 

that was not actually the case upon release, 

the 1080p24fps output was only a feature 

offered on the stand-alone player). 

In May 2006, CNET published the following comparison between the PS3 and Xbox 

360: 

Console 

Microsoft 

Xbox 360 

without HDD 

Microsoft 

Xbox 360 

with 20GB 

HDD 

PlayStation 3 

with 20GB 

HDD 

PlayStation 3 

with 60GB 

HDD 

Price Availability 

Optical 

Media 

Memory 

DVD with 

$299 Available 

possible 

add-on HD 

512MB 

DVD 

DVD with 

$399 Available 

possible 

add-on HD 

512MB 

DVD 

$499 

$599 

Nov. 17, 

2006 

Nov. 17, 

2006 

Blu-ray 

Blu-ray 

256MB 

XDR RAM 

256MB 

XDR RAM 

Chip 

3 IBM 

PowerPC 

CPUs each at 

3.2 GHz 

3 IBM 

PowerPC 

CPUs each at 

3.2GHz 

Cell 

Processor 

3.2GHz 

Cell 

Processor 

3.2GHz 

227

Later in the year the Xbox add-on HD DVD player was actually made available. 

In March 2007, Sony disclosed their plans to release a new model of the PS3 console 

with 80GB capacity. 

In April 2007, Sony decided to discontinue the US distribution of the 20GB version of 

the PS3. Over 90% of PS3’s sales were generated by the 60GB model. The 20GB 

version would still be supported by Sony, and will still be offered for sale in Japan. 

How Much does the PS3 Actually Cost? 

In November 2006, upon the introduction of the PS3, CNET provided an estimate of 

the actual cost of the console and its parts to help put in perspective the effort that 

Sony was doing to bring this console to market successfully for the gaming market 

and for the Blu-ray format. 

CNET estimated the total cost of the console as follows “The game console might 

cost you $499, but it's got $806 worth of parts and manufacturing behind it, a 

research firm says”. 

CNET continued, “The cost of manufacturing and materials for the low-end, 20GB 

version of the console comes to $805.85, iSuppli said in a report Thursday. That 

means that for every PS3 Sony sells for $499, it will lose $306.85 on components 

alone. Marketing and advertising costs would then boost the actual cost to Sony even 

higher. 

The PS3 with the 60GB hard drive comes with a manufacturing and component bill of 

$840.35. Since it sells that version of $599, the component bill exceeds the retail 

price by $241.35, iSuppli said. A Sony representative would not comment on the 

PS3's manufacturing costs.” 

Other analysts estimated the manufacturing and material costs for the PS3 between 

$725 and $905. 

Merrill Lynch was quoted as saying “the PS3 manufacturing and materials cost could 

drop to $320 in three years”. 

It is known that video game consoles manufacturers subsidize the hardware to 

recover the investment by selling expensive game software, but in this case the 

console has a feature that would facilitate the Blu-ray format establishment, an 

important matter for Sony. 

In comparison to the other format, in Nov 06, the Xbox manufacturing and materials 

cost $323.30, the box itself sold for $399. CNET said, upon introduction “the 

manufacturing and materials costs for the box came with a component bill between 

$501 and $525”. 

CNET added “The higher costs for the PS3 are largely driven by the expenses 

associated with the Blu-ray Disc drives and the custom chips used inside the 

machine. The Blu-ray drive costs $125, while the Cell microprocessor likely costs 

about $89. The reality synthesizer, a graphics chip from Toshiba designed for the 

228

PS3, comes to $129, and an incredible motherboard and power supply that costs 

$37.50, about double the price of the ones that go into PCs.” 

In other words, the PS3 is an incredible deal for either gaming or Blu-ray playing, 

and much more if the consumer heart is looking for both activities. 

Cables for PS3 

Monster Cable said it designed a GameLink line of high-performance audio/video 

cables to connect with HDTVs. 

An HDMI cable that features 720p, 1,080i and 1,080p video, 5.1 and 7.1 channel 

surround-sound audio, silver-content solder connections for optimum transfer of lowlevel 

signals, a nitrogen gas-injected dielectric insulator that maximizes video signal 

strength, 24k gold contacts and heavy-duty shielding for maximum rejection of 

interference for graphics, Duraflex protective jacket, announced for $100. 

As alternative to the HDMI connectivity, Monster released another cable: the 

GameLink Component Video & Fiber Optic Digital Audio Cable Kit, which includes all 

the cables needed for 720p/1,080i high-definition video and digital surround sound, 

24k gold contacts and PS3 Multi-AV Connectors, “Extra Low-Loss Optical Fiber” to 

reduce digital jitter, the kit was announced for $70. 

Another introduction was the GameLink Component Video & Stereo Audio Cable, for 

720p/1,080i HD and enhanced stereo sound hook-up into a single cable, 

implementing Monster’s proprietary SingleHelix construction, with dual conductors 

twisted in a special helical configuration reject RF and EM interference, for $60. 

Console Comparative Speculations 

In December 2006, after the release of PS3, there were a number of comparative 

speculations made by some industry sources, such as “Sony's PS3, priced at around 

$600, faces two main competitors in Microsoft's Xbox 360 at around $400 and 

Nintendo's Wii for about $250”, adding that the PS3 seems to impose die-hard 

gamers to invest in a Blu-ray player they might not actually use. 

PS3 at CES 2007 below 

Microsoft 

introduced the 

optional HD 

DVD player 

with full-length 

film and TV 

downloads in 

HD via its Xbox 

Live online 

gaming 

service, and 

does not 

impose its 

229

purchase to Xbox gamers that just want gaming. 

Mark Knox, a spokesperson for the HD DVD consortium, indicated, "we know that 

every HD DVD drive being sold to Xbox users is being used to watch films. They're 

not being forced to buy it," he said. 

"Every PS3 includes a Blu-ray drive, but that doesn't mean every gamer wants to 

watch a movie on PS3." 

Xbox 360 

The console was launched by Microsoft in November 2005, sold 5 million units 

worldwide by June 2006, and planned to ship 10 million units by December 2006. 

Originally, Microsoft announced at CES 2006 that they would release an external 

drive to allow the Xbox 360 game console to been able to play HD DVD discs and 

shortly after they commented that they could even do the same for a Blu-ray 

external drive, although that was graciously corrected later with “we have no plans 

for Blu-ray”…. The external HD DVD drive was actually made available. 

Oct 06 

Microsoft announced the addition of 1080p outputs to the Xbox 360 game console 

HD DVD player accessory (when released), and over 85 enhancements to the game 

console itself, 

including the 

playback of WMV 

files from a 

connected PC, 

disc, or USB 

storage device, 

in addition to its 

current feature of 

receiving 

streaming video 

from a Windows 

Media Center PC. 

After the 

downloaded 

upgrade it would 

also receive from 

Windows Media Connect or Windows Media Player 11. No HDMI spec was provided 

at the announcement. Support for 50hz HDTV display modes was added. 

Microsoft also reiterated their plans to launch the HD DVD add-on drive later in Nov 

06 for $199 with a free copy of Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” from Universal on an HD 

DVD disc for a limited time. 

According with Microsoft, the free update will be distributed thru the Xbox Live online 

gaming and entertainment network to all members (Xbox Live Silver and Xbox Live 

Gold) with no disc or hard drive required. 

Nov 06 

230

Microsoft announced their delivery of HD and SD movie and TV downloads via 

broadband connection to the Xbox 360 game console beginning Nov 22, 2007. 

CBS and Viacom with programs like CSI, Jericho, and Numb3rs would be supplying 

content. Viewers could own downloaded TV programs, but movies could only be 

rented for a 24-hour period starting when is played, and stay in the HDD for 14 

days. 

Microsoft’s VC1 Windows Media Video HD codec at 6.8Mbps and 5.1 Surround Sound 

will be used in all content, which would occupy about 4-5 GB for HD content, and can 

start playing when a “ready to play” message appears, even if the content is still 

downloading. 

Over 200 hours of HD downloadable content was anticipated by Microsoft from CBS, 

Warner Bros, Viacom, Paramount, UFC and Turner, before the end of 2006. 

The announcement was made one week before the Sony PS3 was expected to be 

released, and it would allow the Xbox to play HD movies without the consumer 

buying the HD DVD external player for $199, a feature option that the PS3 would not 

have because the player is built into the console. 

Mar 07 

Microsoft introduced the Xbox 

360 Elite, an upgraded video 

game console with 120GB HDD, 

TTM Apr 29, 2007, $480. 

Features HDMI for 1080p, a highdefinition 

cable, premium black 

finish, 30 feet wireless controller 

with 30 hr battery life with two 

AA batteries ($50 if sold 

separately), and Xbox Live® 

headset, optional Play & Charge 

kit rechargeable battery and 

cable ($20), optional 

rechargeable battery pack for 

25hrs of play $12). 

The HDD can be sold separately for $180 to mate the current model. 

Hi-Def DVD Formats Specifications 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for background information. 

Mar 07 

The BDA has mandated that all Blu-ray players sold after Oct 31, 2007 must have 

PIP video capabilities using the BD Java interactive technology, and must hold a 

minimum of 256MB of persistent memory storage to support the PIP feature, and 

must conform to all BD the specifications of the standard. A BD player with Internet 

connection must also be provided with 1GB memory to store web-downloaded 

content. 

231

Computing – Hi-Def Laptops 

Toshiba 

Microsoft announced at CES 2006 that they will support HD DVD on their Vista 

operating system. Microsoft, Intel, and NEC are backing the HD DVD format. 

Toshiba also announced March’s 2006 

availability of the Qosmio notebook 

with new Centrino Duo processor with 

a HD DVD drive, CD/DVD multi-format 

read/write capabilities, $3,000 price 

range, 1080p screen, and HDMI 

output. 

May 06 

Toshiba actually released the notebook 

above as the Qosmio G35-AV650, 17- 

inch display, resolution of 1,920 pixels by 1,200 pixels, plays back HD DVD, 2GHz 

Core Duo processor from Intel, two 100GB hard drives with RAID (redundant array 

of independent disks) support, 1GB of DDR2 memory, Nvidia's GeForce Go 7600 with 

256MB of DDR3 memory, $3,000, 10.1 pounds, Microsoft's Windows Media Center 

Edition 2005 operating system, no support for Intel's Viiv program on this system, 

maybe on future releases, according to Toshiba. 

CES 2007 

Toshiba introduced the Qosmio G30/97A, an upgraded model of the existing Qosmio 

G30 laptop computer, $3000 in Japan, TTM TBA but estimated 1Q07. 

This is a new 

Qosmio (left), 

which not only 

plays HD, but also burns custom HD DVDs. 

Apr 07 

Qosmio G40 (right), Intel Core 2 Duo T7300P CPU, 

2GB of RAM, 512MB GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 

dual 200GB HDD, HD DVD drive, HDMI 1.3, 17” 

display 1920x1200, available in Europe in Jun 07 for 

about 3000 Euro. 

It features Intel 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 

17-inch widescreen display 1920x1280, 4.8-kg, 

320GB HDD, digital TV tuner, HDMI output. 

The first notebook computer with HD DVD-R 

optical drive that can burn up to 30 GB of data, 

video, photo, music onto a single HD DVD 

recordable disc, as well as playing HD DVD 

movies, featuring Microsoft Windows Vista 

Ultimate operating system, HDTV tuner, digital 

video recorder. 

232

Dell 

Dec 06 

Dell introduced the XPSTM M1710 (price starts at $3,700) consumer notebook 

computer with read/write capabilities across 

CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc 50GB media. 

48 Mbps, 1080p, 7.1 channels of 

uncompressed surround sound, options for up 

to 32 audio streams, NVIDIA® PureVideoTM 

technology, Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 and Intel 

Core 2 Duo T7600G (2.33GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 

667 MHz FSB) processors, Superior NVIDIA 

GeForce Go 7950 GTX graphics processing 

unit with 512MB, up to 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 

memory, Serial ATA HDD up to 160 GB. 

Fujitsu 

Apr 06 

Fujitsu announced they will be the first company to release desktop computers suited 

with Blu-ray drives and also other notebooks with HD DVD drives, TTM Jun 06. 

The desktop PC from Fujitsu features a 37-inch LCD screen, $5,000, in Japan. 

The notebook was expected to be around $3,300. 

HP 

Apr 06 

The company announced similar plans of PCs implementing either format by fall 06. 

As mentioned before, HP has decided now to support both formats. 

CES 2007 

Pavilion dv9000 notebook PC $1624, TTM now 

17 inch, optional HD-DVD ROM with Super Multi DVD+-R/RW Double laser 

technology, Intel Core 2 Duo and Solo mobile processors or mobile AMD Turion 64x2 

dual core and Mobile AMD Sempron processors. 

Samsung 

Feb 07 

Samsung introduced the M55 notebook PC with 

a Blu-ray drive. 

Features an Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz 

processor, 2GB RAM, 120GB SATA hard disk 

drive, and GeForce Go 7600 graphics with 

256MB RAM, 17-inch LCD screen with 

1920×1200 resolution, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g, and 

Bluetooth. 

Sony 

Sony’s new line of Vaio RC desktops, Blu-ray support for 

recording 1080 HD content to 50GB Blue-ray (Dual Layer) 

discs, aimed at audio/video professionals, high 

performance configuration designed for video capturing, 

editing, burning and 

233

other intensive multimedia tasks, TTM Summer 06, start at $2,300. 

May 06 

Sony Electronics introduced the Blu-ray enabled VAIO AR190G, 17-inch screen, 

HDMI, BD writer, $3,500, FireWire connection, you get a 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo 

processor, a midrange Nvidia GeForce Go 7600GT GPU with 256MB of VRAM, a 

200GB 5400 RPM SATA hard drive, TV tuner. 

CES 2007 

VGN-AR390E VAIO AR Notebook with Blu-ray Disc Technology, read/write HD Bluray 

discs, watch/edit/burn full 1080 to 25GB or 50 GB discs. 17” screen, watch and 

record ATSC and NTSC TV with dual tuners. 

Sony also introduced a high-definition living room PC (VAIO XL3) with an integrated 

Blu-ray Disc drive, a Digital Living System to 

watch HD movies and record, store and playback 

personal content on high-capacity BD media. 

Features built-in NTSC/ATSC tuners, 

unidirectional CableCARD, wireless remote and 

keyboard, stylish, horizontal form factor for 

entertainment rack installation, connects to a 

television via an HDMI cable, camcorder video 

applications to capture, edit and burn to Blu-ray 

Disc HD media in full 1080 resolution. 

Additionally, it features Intel® Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA® GeForce® 7600 

GTL graphics, 2GB of RAM memory, 500GB hard drive, CPU with liquid cooling 

technology, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium operating system with Media 

Center, Sound Reality technology to boost audio performance, support for Direct 

Steam Digital, TTM March 07, $3,300, crimson black. 

Computer Drives 

(CES 2007 and late 2006 equipment introductions follow the group below). 

BenQ 

The company demonstrated in June 05 at Computex 2005 a Blu-ray DVD burner 

expected to become available in the 1-2Q06; the model BW1000 can write at 2x for 

Blu-ray single and dual layer, 12x for DVD+R/-R, 4x for DVD+R/-R dual layer, and 

4x for DVD+RW/-RW. It reads at 2x for Blu-ray, 12x for DVD and 32x for CD. 

Jul 06 

Although not introduced as part of an US line the company unveiled a Blu-Ray 

recorder, the BW1000, $1000, TTM Aug 06, burns CD, DVD, single and double layer 

Blu-ray BD-R/-RE media, 25GB or 50GB discs. 

Writing speeds of 2x for BD-R/-RE single-layer and DL (single-sided double-layer) 

discs, 12x for DVD+R/-R, 4x for DVD+R/-R DL, 8x for DVD+RW/-RW, 32x for CD-R 

and 24x for CD-RW. 

Reading speeds of 2x for Blu-ray, 12x for DVD and 32x for CD-R. 

234

Dell 

Dell already supported Blu-ray, and Apple Computer has decided to join the Blu-ray 

group as well. 

NEC 

NEC HD DVD-ROM Drive HD-1100A (below) 

Pioneer 

Pioneer unveiled their first Blu-ray disc computer drive, the BDR-101A, with 25GB of 

storage, TTM 1Q06, $1000, plays BD-ROM discs, and plays/records standard DVD, 

would offer HDTV recording capabilities with a PC 

HDTV tuner, as well as having 2x speed at Blu-ray, and 

8x at DVD+-R, and 4x at rewritable DVD-+ formats. It 

can also support the reading of BD-ROM/R/RE, and all 

the other DVD -+ ROM/R/RW formats. 

May 06 

Pioneer announced that was 

shipping the industry's first Blu-ray 

Disc (BD) computer drive, BDR- 

101A, single layer 25GB burn 

capability, bundled with Sonic 

Solutions'® Roxio® Blu-ray Disc 

software and blank media by TDK, 

targeted towards professional 

users and technology enthusiasts. 

Sony 

Announced an external computer drive that will play 

and record BD discs, expected by year-end. 

Toshiba 

Toshiba HD DVD slim drive (right) 

CES 2007 and Late 2006 Computer Equipment Introductions 

Hitachi 

Super Multi Blue Drive, TTM Aug 06 

235

HP 

HP released its first Blu-ray disc player/writer, the HP bd135, records HDTV 

broadcasts, and stores data, digital photos, music and camcorder footage. 

LaCie 

LaCie introduced a Blu-ray external drive, the d2, compatible with Macs and PCs, and 

capable to read, write and rewrite 25GB or 50GB BD-R and BD-RE media, as well as 

being backward compatible with DVD and CD formats. TTM Jan 07, $1,149. 

LG 

LG introduced the GGW-H10N Super Multi Blue 

50GB dual format (Blu-ray and HD DVD) drive for 

computers, TTM May 07, compatible with DVD and 

CD 

read/ 

write, 

can 

record 

Bluray 

4xspeed 

50GB discs, can only read HD DVD, $1200. 

GBW-H10N Blu-ray only 4x-speed BD-R/BD-RE PC 

drive that can record 25 GB Blu-ray (single-layer) 

blank media, compatible with CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW/RAM +R/RW. 

Niveus Media 

Niveus Media introduced its Pro Series servers supporting HD DVD, the n7 and the 

n9 in rack mount, featuring Intel Viiv technology, Core 2 Duo Extreme processor, 

Nvidia’s GeForce Series 7 Graphics, HDMI output, faster frame rates, “enough 

horsepower to distribute audio and video throughout a multi-zone home,” according 

to the company. 

Based on Windows Media Center Edition 2005 and Niveus’ Summit Series platform, 

Niveus’ proprietary Glacier Passive Cooling technology, active and passive cooling, 

and patent-pending Niveus Convergence Panel, RS-232, integrated SD and MMC 

flash card reader and RAID 5 Hard Drive Data Protection. 

Additionally, Niveus announced its participation in the following programs: AMX’s 

InConcert manufacturer partner program, Crestron’s Integration Partner program 

and Exceptional Innovation’s Life|ware Ready program. The company will also 

236

continue to work with Netstreams, Universal Electronics and Vantage to ensure 

compatibility. 

TTM Sep 30, 2006 

n7 $7,000 

n9 $15,000 

Two more HD DVD supporting Media Center servers, Niveus Media’s 2007 Summit 

Series, were announced in the lower price range: 

TTM Sep 30, 2006 

Denali $3,500 

Rainier $7,000 

As specified by the company “Denali features Niveus’ Glacier Passive Cooling 

technology, as well as the patent-pending Niveus Convergence Panel. Providing 

faster frame rates, higher quality television, faster music encoding, rich graphics, 

and quicker response time. 

Niveus’ 2007 editions are amongst the first Windows Media Center systems to 

incorporate Intel’s Viiv technology, Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors, HD DVD 

and HDMI output; all in an audio/video component, based on Windows Media Center 

2005 software. 

The new Rainier includes: HDMI, integrated IR Receiver/Blaster, Serial (RS-232), 

Wireless 80211.b/g, integrated flash card reader (SD, MMC), Niveus’ unique 

industrial design with an all new front panel and the signature extruded aluminum 

heat sinks, Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) Video Quality Certification. 

The Windows Vista Capable 2007 Summit Series is eligible to receive the Windows 

Vista upgrade offered by Niveus. 

Pioneer 

Pioneer introduced their “Next Generation Combination Blu-ray Disc ROM and 

DVD/CD (Read/Write) Computer Drive - the BDC-202”, TTM 2Q07, for computer 

OEMs and system builders, the drive features the following speeds: 

Format Read Write 

BD-ROM 5X - 

BD-R/-RE 5X - 

BD-R DL/-RE DL 2X - 

DVD-ROM 12X - 

DVD-RAM 5X 5X 

DVD-R/+R 12X 12X 

DVD-RW/+RW 8X 6X 

DVD-RDL/+RDL 8X 4X 

CD-ROM 32X - 

CD-R 32X 24X 

CD-RW 24X 24X 

237

Samsung 

Sep 06 

Blu-ray supporter Samsung introduced HD-DVD player to their M55 notebook 

computers (source Engadget HD). 

The new notebook claimed to be “world’s thinnest and lightest 17-inch widescreen” 

notebook at 34.4mm thick, featuring a 256MB Nvidia GeForce 7600 Go graphics 

card, 120GB hard drive, 802.11 a/b/g wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0, inputs 

and outputs galore, HDMI, Intel T2500 Core Duo processor. 

The same source also claimed Acer and LG have also added HD-DVD to some 

devices. 

Sony 

Internal BWU-100A Blu-ray Disc drive, TTM mid-summer 06, supports recording of 

25GB and 50GB BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs, DVD R/RW and CD 

R/RW discs. 25GB Blu-ray disc will take approximately 30 minutes to burn, upon 

announcement there were plans to include software for capturing, editing, and 

burning discs of high-definition content from HDV camcorders. 

Captures video as 1080i for viewing on a Blu-ray player in HD, or can downconvert 

to standard definition resolution for burning on a DVD disc. 

Toshiba 

Toshiba introduced the world's first desktop HD DVD Writer for content creation in 

Media Center PCs, the new SD-H903A, which provides read and write support also 

for legacy formats (CD and DVD). 

The unit was designed for single-bay desktop PCs, to 

capture content, edit videos, and create digital content 

repositories for movies, music, and photos. 

It features support for dual layer discs, for up to 8 hrs 

of HD, 7,500 MP3 songs, or 30,000 high-quality 

images, large data back ups, etc., Serial ATA (SATA) 

interface, volume shipments scheduled for Feb 07, OEM sampling in January. 

HD DVD-R SL: 1x; HD DVD-R DL: 1x 

DVD-RAM: Max. 3x; DVD-R SL: Max. 8x 

Write 

DVD-R DL: Max. 2.4x; DVD-RW: Max. 4x 

DVD+R SL: Max. 8x; DVD+R DL: Max. 2.4x 

DVD+RW: Max. 4x; 

CD-R: Max. 16x 

CD-RW: 4x; High Speed CD-RW: Max. 10x 

Ultra Speed CD-RW: 10x 

HD DVD-R SL, DL: 1x; HD DVD-ROM: 2.4x 

Read 

DVD: Max. 8x; CD: Max. 24x 

Interface 

S-ATA 

Buffer capacity 

8MB 

Power source +5V, +12V 

Operating temperature 5-50 degrees C (excluding media) 

External dimensions (W x H x D) 146mm x 41.5mm x 184 mm 

Weight 

830g typical 

238

Mar 07 

Toshiba announced the introduction of the PA3530U-1HD1 external HD DVD combo 

that reads HD DVD at 1X speed, and CD at 24x, writes DVD+RW, DVD-RW, and 

DVD-RAM, USB 2.0. 

Write speeds 

DVD+R 4X 

DVD+RW 4X 

DVD-R 4X 

DVD-RW 4X 

CD-R 16X 

CD-RW 10X 

DVD+R DL 2.4X 

DVD-R DL 2X 

DVD-RAM 3X 

Read speeds 

HD DVD 1X speed (maximum) 

DVD 8X speed (maximum) 

CD-ROM 24X 

Parts and Chips 

Dec 06 

Sharp Electronics announced their commercial production of blue laser diodes used 

by both competing formats to read and write data on high-definition optical discs; 

the current volume of 150,000 units a month is expected to be raised to 500,000 

units by the end of 2007 with several billion yen of investment, using Sharp’s plant 

in western Japan. 

In Nov 06, according to EE Times, there are several manufacturers working with 

multi-format components, as follows: 

“Leading chip vendors such as Broadcom, STMicroelectronics and NEC Electronics 

told EE Times they are developing ICs that allow high-definition optical drives and 

players to comply with the two competing specifications. 

Broadcom Corp. has already shipped the industry's first dual HD/BD decoder chip, 

designed into the first-generation Toshiba HD-DVD player and into Samsung's Bluray 

Disc player. Broadcom will also make its next-generation platform--a much 

more highly integrated system-on-chip that is scheduled for announcement soon— 

comply with both formats, while adding support for BD's latest profile. 

ST is integrating the latest Blu-ray software changes into its STi7200 chip, originally 

developed for the set-top market, along with support for the middleware required by 

HD-DVD and Blu-ray. The chip will be in volume in 2007, Nurser said. 

While both Broadcom and ST—for now—offer only the back-end decoder IC for nextgeneration 

DVD players, NEC Electronics Corp. last month began sampling a frontend 

processor chip set that can handle read/write operations for both HD-DVD and 

Blu-ray Disc players. 

239

A back-end decoder must be able to handle different operating systems and separate 

middleware--Java for Blu-ray and Microsoft's HDi for HD. Some HD-DVD players are 

based on Windows CE, others on Linux. ST's universal player platform, for example, 

is built on Linux so as to cater to both HD and Blu-ray. 

"You need to pay close attention to each spec, anticipate changes in the future and 

architect a chip with the right partitioning of software and hardware so that there will 

be a built-in flexibility," said ST's Lagomichos. 

Broadcom's Shulsinger said the specs must be compared carefully to ensure that 

each device supports the more stringent requirements of the two. The specs 

themselves can be a moving target. Blu-ray Profile 2, for example, requires the 

system to connect to the Internet and decode two video streams. The chip decodes 

the primary stream in high definition and the second either in standard or high def, 

though dual HD streams may soon be required. That would mean "adding more 

memory to a chip”, Shulsinger said. 

More difficult challenges include cases in which one format supports items that the 

other does not, Shulsinger said. For example, both formats support the Advanced 

Access Content System, but Blu-ray requires an additional layer of encryption, 

known as BD+. An even bigger hurdle is the different programming environment. 

"It's the underlying software infrastructure that requires the huge effort" to make the 

decoder chip's software robust enough to work properly in both environments, 

Shulsinger said. 

Both ST and Broadcom plan to enter the front-end IC business as well. ST is working 

with a Japanese chip vendor that supplies ICs for optical drives. Broadcom is 

considering partnering with another vendor strong in the optical drive market. It's 

inevitable that a DSP and the analog chips used in the front end will be integrated 

into the back-end decoder IC, said Shulsinger. 

The optical side looms as a daunting technical issue. "The bottleneck is optical 

units," said NEC's Niitsu. 

Either a dual-format optical pickup unit or two separate optical pickup units would be 

necessary for any universal player, said iSuppli's Crotty, because each format stores 

information at a different depth on the disk. 

Ricoh, for one, is developing an objective lens that can read and write disks of both 

formats. NEC has developed a front-end chip set consisting of two processors: the 

µPC3360, an analog signal processor that controls the optical pickup and reads out 

data from disks, and the µPD63410, a digital signal processor for data processing 

such as error correction. 

NEC's chip set is designed to control read/write operations and process data from all 

the disks of 16 formats, including Blu-ray, HD-DVD, standard DVD and CDs (and I 

add, “according to other sources this chip would start shipping Apr 07”). 

ST's Nurser predicted that the cost delta for dual drives will become "very low" in 

2007. Asked how much, he declined to comment, noting that he received the 

information under a nondisclosure agreement.” 

240

PC applications for BD 


Discs 

Although both formats have done development efforts to provide multiple layer and 

hybrid solutions of 15GB, 30GB and 45GB from HD DVD, and 25/50/100 from Bluray, 

initially HD-DVD will become available in 15GB and 30GB versions and hybrid 

discs (HD and DVD versions of same movie), and Blu-ray in the 25GB and 50 GB 

versions, hybrid discs might arrive later. 

Toshiba 38.5 GB hybrid disc is dual sided, 30 GB HD dual layer (15GB each layer) in 

one side for blue laser HD DVD, 8.5 GB on the other side for dual layer DVD version 

(4.7 GB each layer) readable with red laser. 

The announced HD DVD 45 GB is a triple layer single sided blue laser-disc. The 

current 15 GB and 30 GB are also single sided, the 30 GB is a dual layer. 

TDK announced that they have developed a 4-layer Blu-ray disc that is capable to 

store up to 100 GB, sufficient for holding four HD movies, and the company demo 

the prototype since CES 2006. The disc records at 72 Mbps, double the 36MBps of 

Blu-ray, has special recording materials, and was able to perform at 6x speeds (216 

Mbps) with prototype discs. TDK also developed DURABIS, a hard coating 

technology to protect the Blu-ray disc surface of scratches and fingerprints, to a level 

equivalent to 100 times better than an unprotected disc. 

TDK discs will be available as 25GB BD-R 

(single-layer write-once), 25GB BD-RE 

(single layer, rewritable), 50GB BD-R 

(double layer, write-once), and 50GB BD-RE 

(double layer, rewritable). 

Sony BD discs for recording featuring 

AccuCORE scratch-guard protection, were 

planned for release by summer starting 

with single layer R and RE, dual layer 50GB 

will follow. Regarding BD-ROM movies, 

Sony released 20 titles for the player’s 

launch. 

241

Sony announced in February 2006 their plans for their new films in Blu-ray to be 

priced at $23.45 and catalog films at $17.95. Sony’s DADC (Digital Audio Disc 

Corporation) replication company was to begin producing Blu-laser 25 GB discs 

globally late February 2006 at a rate of 10 million per month with 30 replication 

lines. Sony planned that by the end of summer 2006 the plants would be ready for 

the 50 GB disc as well. 

NME 

In August 2006, Britain-based New Medium Enterprises (NME) declared they had 

solved a technical production problem, which will now enable the manufacturing of a 

low-cost (about 9 cents, rather than 6 for regular DVD, according to Dutch company 

ODMS) multiple-layer DVD disc containing one film in different formats. 

A multiple layer disc requires a player that is able to read it, and NME created new 

technology to read more layers than the current generation of DVD players, which 

can read up to two layers. 

NME created DVD discs with 10 layers that are readable on the company’s own 

player, and the company is willing to license the technology to other manufacturers. 

Multi-layer Dual Optical Disc 

In September 2006, two employees of Warner Brothers filed for a patent for a hybrid 

HD DVD disc format that would store both HD DVD and Blu-ray content within two 

layers of one side. 

Called a “multi-layer dual optical disc,” would use the other side of the disc for other 

content, such a DVD version of the movie. 

Blu-ray data is written at 0.1mm from the surface of a disc, while HD-DVD data is 

written at 0.6mm from the surface, the technique uses a semi-reflective film so 

either layer can be read selectively by the laser pickup, which means that either 

format would also be restricted to their individual single layer capacity (15GB for HD 

DVD, 25GB for Blu-ray). 

Toshiba’s Triple-layer Hybrid TWIN Disc Format 

Additionally, Toshiba announced yet another triple-layer hybrid DVD/HD DVD disc (a 

new TWIN format), to store both red-laser and blue-laser formats in a single side of 

the disc. 

As mentioned above (and in the 2005 and 2006 reports), Toshiba also introduced 

their 38.5 GB dual side/dual layer disc (HD DVD dual layer 30GB in one side, DVD 

dual layer 8.5 GB in the other side), as well as their 45GB triple layer format for 

expanded capacity purposes, using 3 layers on one side. 

In 2004, Toshiba and Memory-Tech proposed their first generation TWIN to the DVD 

Forum for approval, and the idea was to implement a practical, and cost beneficial to 

consumers, transition from DVD to HD DVD with a hybrid disc that would contain 

both formats, so consumers would not have to purchase the same movies again 

when they upgrade from DVD players to the HD DVD players. 

The first generation TWIN is a single sided dual layer format in which the HD DVD 

layer holds 15GB of content while the DVD layer would hold 4.7 GB; certainly limited 

242

in capacity, apparently unsuitable to long feature films, but according to Pony 

Canyon Inc. they have been releasing TWIN format titles very successfully since Apr 

06. 

The new TWIN disc was also developed together with Memory-Tech Corporation, and 

was submitted for approval of the DVD Forum. It is intended to store content as: 

A) Two HD DVD layers (30GB) and one DVD layer (4.7 GB) 

B) Two DVD layers (8.5 GB), and a third layer for HD DVD (15GB) 

According to Toshiba, the same replication equipment with an additional process can 

be used to add the third layer in the manufacturing of discs. 

From a consumer point of view, I personally find more practical to use different sides 

of the disc, one for the DVD version, and the other for the HD DVD version of the 

movie, and it would be practical if each side would still have the flexibility of dual 

layers. 

A dual layer disc should be able to be read by any current player (DVD or Hi Def 

DVD). Dual layers per side would provide enough space for extended feature films, 

hi-bit audio codecs, and additional content, without having to sacrifice the quality of 

the video signal with excessive compression and low VBR (Variable Bit Rate). 

Maybe by the time you read this, Toshiba would have submitted yet another disc 

format, however on the positive side, even with the reduced release of hybrid discs, 

the HD DVD format has done something positive for the transition from DVD. Bluray 

should be encouraged to do similarly, especially considering the high cost of 

single format Hi Def discs. 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report and the 2005 HDTV Technology Report 

for information about other disc formats/inventions. 

Recording Media for HD DVD and Blu-ray 

Fujifilm 

Verbatim 

Advanced Media 

Panasonic announced US introduction of BD discs for 2006 

in 25GB and 50GB storage capacity, as follows: 

Model Number Specification SRP* 

LM-BE50DE Rewritable, 50GB, Single-Sided, Dual Layer $59.99 

LM-BE25DE Rewritable, 25GB, Single-Sided, Single Layer $24.99 

LM-BR50DE Write once, 50GB, Single-Sided, Dual Layer $42.99 

LM-BR25DE Write once, 25GB, Single-Sided, Single Layer $17.99 

(data above courtesy of Panasonic) 

Jul 06 

Verbatim announced availability of its new Blu-ray Recordable and Rewriteable 

media. 

243

Initially discs will be only of 25GB, but Verbatim plans to release shortly a doublelayer 

disc. Mass production of BD-R and BD-RE media can now be done. 

Verbatim coats its discs with a ScratchGuard hard coat that protects the Blu-ray disc 

from scratches and fingerprints, and permits cartridge-less implementations. 

BenQ and Toshiba where quoted to release Blu-ray recorders in the next few 

months, although not for the US market. 

£20 for BD-R 

£24 for BD-RE 

Sony 

1Q06 

Sony announced the availability of the following BD discs: 

25 GB write once discs (BD-R) $20, TTM Apr 06 

25 GB Rewritable BD-RE $25, TTM Apr 06 

50 GB dual layer BD-R $48, TTM delayed until Jun 06 

50 GB dual layer BR-RE $60, TTM delayed until Jun 06 

Sony BD supports a 2x recording speed, 72 Mbps data transfer rate. 

TDK 

Apr 06 

TDK confirmed that the company was shipping 25GB 

recordable and rewritable Blu-ray Disc media to retailers 

nationwide. 

The single-sided discs are cartridge-less, single layer, with 

Durabis hard coating protecting technology that discharges 

static. 

25GB BD-R (recordable) $20 

25GB BD-RE (rewritable) $26 

TDK also announced that, later in 2006, it was planning to release the 50GB versions 

of the above, with dual layer. 

50GB BD-R (recordable dual layer) $48 

50GB BD-RE (rewritable dual layer) $60 

HD DVD ROM 

CES 2007 

51 GB HD DVD-ROM 

Toshiba announced their 51GB HD DVD-ROM Disc, with 

extended capacity able to store up to 7 hours of HD at a 

sampling rate of 17 mbps. 

The disc is a triple-layer HD DVD-ROM (read only) format 

and still needs to secure the approval by the DVD Forum, 

which Toshiba hopes they will get within this year, each 

244

layer storing 17GB of data. 

The new disc is a step beyond the current discs that hold 15GB of data in each layer 

of a single-sided disc, through improvements in disc mastering technology for further 

minimization of the recording pit, still using the current two 0.6-mm thick discs 

bonded back-to-back standard, common to both DVD and HD DVD formats. 

Toshiba also declared that the new disc can be manufactured in volume at little cost 

increment. 

BD Discs 

TDK 

Verbatim/MKM 

Sony DADC 

Panasonic disc manufacturing in Torrance, CA has modified (Dec 05) its existing pilot 

line for single-layer BD-ROM discs to be able to replicate dual-layer discs with 50 GB 

of storage capacity. 

BD-ROM Pre-recorded Media 

Studio Announcements 

Background of movie studios joining to both formats: 

In July 2005, Fox announced that, due to the BD+ protection Blu-ray incorporated in 

their format, the company has decided to support Blu-ray for home video releases in 

HD. 

In August 2005, Universal Music Group (UMG), one of world’s largest music 

companies, joined the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) as a contributing member 

(more than 140 leading members). Content from Universal Music includes Elton 

John, Maria Carey, and U2. 

In August 2005, Lions Gate Entertainment (LGHE), a division of Lions Gate 

Entertainment announced that it would release content on the Blu-ray Disc format. 

The studio is the fourth major studio to commit publishing movies in Blu-ray, and 

represents 4% of the home video market. 

In October 2005, Warner announced that the studio would release titles also in the 

Blu-ray format in the US, Europe, and Japan; Warner also announced that it joined 

the BD Association. 

In November 2005, MGM was reported to support the Blu-ray format and would start 

releasing titles from its library of 4000 films. 

Format Launching 

Both formats brought to CES 2006 (and later again in CES 2007) a collection of 

movies that would be released upon their individual launches, including some classics 

245

and many blockbusters. Some studios are expected to release movies for both 

formats. 

HD DVD Launch 

The format launch in March 2006 was accompanied by gradual release of titles from: 

Warner Home Video, 

Paramount Pictures, 

Universal Studios, 

HBO Video, 

New Line Entertainment, and recently the 

following two 

Europe’s Studio Canal and the Weinstein 

Company (Miramax previous owners), and 

Customflix.com (Amazon owned) for 

independent and small filmmakers. 

According to Access Hollywood, these 

companies represent more than half of 

produced movies. Upon launch, only a few 

titles were released such as Twister, Lethal 

Weapon, U-571, and Apollo13, by June 

about 50 titles were planned to be 

available, to total 200 titles by December’s 

Holidays. The titles became available in a 

mixture of HD-DVD discs and hybrid discs that contain also the DVD version of the 

content, which were said to cost a few dollars more. 

Blu-ray Launch 

The launch in April 2006 was accompanied by the gradual release of about 100 titles 

during 2006 from six studios as follows: 

Paramount Pictures: 

“Four Brothers,” “Sahara,” “Aeon Flux,” “Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow,” 

“The Italian Job,” “Tomb Raider,” “U2: Rattle and Hum,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “We Were 

Soldiers,” “Manchurian Candidate,” “Mission Impossible,” “Mission Impossible 2,” 

“Mission Impossible 3”; 

Warner Home Video: 

“Batman Begins,” “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory,” “Constantine,” “The Dukes of 

Hazard,” “The Last Samurai,” “Lethal Weapon,” “The Matrix,” “Million Dollar Baby,” 

“Oceans 12,” “Swordfish,” “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” “Training Day,” 

“Troy,” “Twister,” and “Unforgiven” 

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment: 

20 Titles, including: “Fantastic Four,” “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” 

“Behind Enemy Lines,” “Kiss of the Dragon” and “Ice Age”; 

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/MGM/Columbia Pictures: 

“The Fifth Element,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” “Desperado,” “For a Few Dollars 

More,” “The Guns of Navarone,” “Hitch,” “House of Flying Daggers,” “A Knight’s 

Tale,” “Kung Fu Hustle,” “The Last Waltz,” “Legends of the Fall,” “Resident Evil 

246

Apocalypse,” “Robocop,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Stealth,” “Species,” “SWAT,” 

“XXX,” “Black Hawk Down” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai” 

Sony will release four movies x month, increasing to 10 x month by the end of 2006. 

Lion’s Gate Home Entertainment: 

“Lord of War,” “The Punisher,” “Devil’s Rejects,” “Saw,” “T2: Judgment Day,” 

“Reservoir Dogs,” “Total Recall,” “Dune,” “Rambo: First Blood” and “See No Evil” 

Buena Vista Home Entertainment/Disney: 

“Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” “Hero,” “Dark Water,” “Ladder 49,” “The Brothers Grimm,” “The 

Great Raid,” “Armageddon,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Dinosaur” & “Everest” 

Eagle Rock Entertainment: 

Planned to provide 20 music artists such as Miles Davies and George Benson. 

Oct 06 

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced first three 50GB Blu-Ray Disc titles: 

Click (TTM Oct 10) 

Black Hawk Down (TTM November 14) 

Talladega Nights (TTM December 12) 

Industry and Content Support – CES 

2007 

Blu-ray Presentation 

• Seven of eight major Hollywood studios 

support BD 

• Five are exclusive to Blu-ray 

• You cannot watch films from these five 

studios on HD DVD 

• More content means more consumers 

can be attracted to BD 

• More important than any other factor for 

a format’s success 

Impact of 7 of 8 Studios 

DVD sales illustrate current HD format alignment of releasing studio 

The Top Selling 20 DVD Titles in 2006 (source: Daily Variety 1/5/2007) 

Blu-ray 

HD DVD 

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead man’s Chest X 

2. The Chronicles of Narnia X 

3. Cars X 

4. Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire X X 

5. Wedding Crashers X X 

6. Walk the Line X 

7. King Kong X 

8. Over the Hedge 

9. The Da Vinci Code X 

10. Ice Age: The Meltdown X 

11. Chicken Little X 

247

12. Click X 

13. X-Men: The Last Stand X 

14. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby X 

15. Flightplan X 

16. Superman Returns X X 

17. The Devil Wears Prada X 

18. High School Musical X 

19. Bambi II X 

20. Grey's Anatomy - Season 2 X 

Blu-ray hardware availability: 

Jun 06 :Samsung BD-P1000 

4Q06 :Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1 

Panasonic DMP-BD10 

Sony BDP-S1 

Philips BDP9000 

Sony PlayStation 3 

HD DVD Presentation 

Over 300 additional movie titles will be available in 2007, for an expected total of 

more than 600 titles worldwide. 

As of January 5, 2007, there are estimated to be more than 175,000 HD DVD players 

sold in North America, with more than 2.5 million players estimated by the end of 

2007. 

Titles using player memory as 

well as the secondary video 

encoder for picture-in-picture 

were shipping throughout 

2006, and titles using 

network connectivity are 

expected to be available in 

2007. 

Warner’s Total Hi Def Disc 

(Dual Blue Laser Formats) 

CES 2007 

Warner announced at the show their decision to release a ‘Total Hi Def’ or “THD” disc 

capable to store both blue laser formats. 

Kevin Tsujiharo, Warner Home Entertainment Group president, called THD “a 

solution that will allow retailers to invest in more inventory for a broader selection of 

248

titles and free up shelf space as title formats are combined onto one disc, we 

encourage a one-format platform. THD appears to be the best solution for retailers 

and consumers in the near term, to eliminate consumer confusion and fear of 

purchasing a player for using the eventual losing format. We view it as a solution, 

and so fundamentally this wasn’t done to try and create a new revenue stream.” 

The disc will store Blu-ray content in one side and the HD DVD version of the “same 

content and features” in the other side, with both sides capable of carrying dual 

layers, a feature demonstrated at the show, it will be made by replicators of the two 

formats, and will be the only high-def version that Warner will be releasing. 

Warner Home Video commented that the cost of manufacturing the product “isn’t 

going to be materially more” while consumer motivation in buying a player (on either 

format) increased due to the peace of mind that their movie choice will play 

regardless of the playing hardware. 

The price was not disclosed, but was indicated that will not be “prohibitively 

expensive”. 

Warner mentioned that Warner Brothers, New Line, and HBO will start doing THD 

discs in 2H07, instead of their HD DVD and Blu-ray disc releases, “Title names and 

pricing will be announced closer to the release dates” they said. THD is expected to 

motivate other studios. 

Licensing fees would have to be paid for both organizations as if the discs were 

manufactured in the two different formats. 

Format Market Penetration – CES 2007 

The HD DVD Promotions Group announced a projection of 1.8 million players sold 

within 2007, and that objective was considered “a minimum target”. 

Yoshihide Fujii, Toshiba Digital Media Network CEO and chairman of the International 

HD DVD Promotion Group, declared at CES: 

“If our resolution for 2006 was to bring HD DVD to the early adopter, then our 

resolution for 2007 is to bring it to the early majority.” 

In supporting that 

forecast Mr. Fuji 

mentioned that HD DVD 

studios plan $600 

million in HD DVD 

revenue this year, and 

he anticipates almost 50 

million HDTVs installed 

in consumers’ homes in 

the same period, 1.8 

million US players of 

that total is a 

reasonable forecast for 

the size of next-generation DVDs. 

249

The Group also used the opportunity to announce the joining of four new 

manufactures. Onkyo and Meridian were mentioned as with plans to manufacture 

HD DVD products, and Chinese manufacturers Alco (Venturer) and Shinco were 

quoted with similar plans. 

Alpine, a mobile audio equipment manufacturer, also demo at the show an HD DVD 

car player. 

HD DVD studios also declared plans to manufacture at least 300 new HD DVD titles 

during 2007 (raising the total of above 600), of which hybrid HD DVD/standard DVD 

discs would become a larger share than today. 

Hybrid discs are a feature of the HD DVD format that the HD DVD Promotion Group 

made special emphasis on their presentation. 

The Group considered important to facilitate the transition from the current DVD 

format to the HD DVD format, a transition that also respects the consumer’s 

investment purchasing media. The hybrid media would be playable on a current 

DVD player as well as on an HD DVD player when the consumer is ready for it. 

Titles and Blu-ray Player Sales 

25 Blu-ray movies were released during 3 weeks in Jan 07, compared to 11 titles 

from HD DVD. Also, according to studio sources, from the volume perspective, two 

movies on Blu-ray disc were sold for every one sold on the HD DVD format during 

January, perhaps due to the higher number of Blue ray titles released on that period, 

perhaps also for the effect of having now PS3 available. 

From another perspective, over the first 3 weeks of January Blu-ray outsold HD DVD 

on individual titles, Blue Ray’s Crank with 7500 sold units, while HD DVD’s top seller 

Batman Begins sold 4100 units, according to studio sources. 

The title comparison above is not a clear-cut comparison because the titles appeared 

as first release at different times and are not of the same movie, although they were 

both considered top sellers on each format during the same period. 

However, eProductWars.com, an Amazon related site, the movie The Departed 

released by Warner’s (a dual format label) on February 13 has been the title that 

sold more units on both formats for the past month, Blu-ray ranks # 36 as topselling 

product while the HD DVD version ranked # 45th as of February 8th. 

Another sign of market movement is the recent offer made at some retail-store 

chains, such as Best Buy, of 2 Blu-ray movies for the price on one (of a selected 

group of 6 titles in the $25 range). This type of incentive is needed to create sales 

momentum, I have not seen HD DVD doing similar promotions in the same period 

(first week of February 07). 

Another factor to consider is studio and title variety, all studios except for Universal 

Studios Home Entertainment are releasing titles in a constant basis on the Blu-ray 

format. 

250

Except for Paramount and Warner, which release movies on both formats, Sony, 

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Buena Vista, Lionsgate, Warner Home Video 

and Paramount Home Entertainment are releasing films exclusively in Blu-ray, while 

only Universal is exclusively releasing movies on HD DVD. 

In other words, the increased variety of studios participating on the constant 

introduction of new releases creates a wider choice of titles that could certainly 

attract more consumers than fewer studios. 

Sony Pictures did not waste the opportunity to declare an early victory comment as 

follows: 

“I think finally everything that we knew going into this format has started to 

happen,” said Sony Pictures Home Entertainment worldwide president David Bishop. 

“We have a critical mass of content, we have the biggest mass of consumer 

electronics companies in the world supporting this format. That has moved Blu-ray 

into the forefront. The message that we’re going to put out to the consumer now is, 

now it is safe to make a choice, no more fence-sitting is needed.” 

Regarding hardware, more than 1 million US homes were reported to have Blu-ray 

players of some kind (standalone units or PS3 consoles). Consideration should be 

given to the fact that it was only during the previous few weeks that Blu-ray players 

(Pioneer, Sony, PS3) were on the market to make for that million, other than the 

Samsung player that received disappointing performance reviews when it was first 

introduced a few months earlier, which would certainly have discouraged consumers 

to purchase the Samsung player, and Blu-ray discs in general. 

Film Grain Added to HD DVD 

In July 2006, Thomson's announced that their Film Grain technology will be used 

during playback of HD DVDs to recreate the film grain extracted before the video 

compression stage. 

In cooperation with SMPTE, the DVD Forum selected Film Grain technology for 

mandatory inclusion in HD DVD products, RCA's HDV5000, Toshiba's HD-A1 and HD- 

XA1, and Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD player. 

Thomson's Film Grain technology can also be embedded in broadcast and home 

theater player devices to maximize bandwidth and storage space while viewers see 

movies that match the filmmaker's artistic intent. 

The technology can also be implemented on H.264 compression and adapted to 

other compression algorithms. 

Broadcom's BCM7411D and Horizon Semiconductor's Hz100 and Hz300 are the 

integrated circuits that will incorporate Film Grain technology. 

Sigma Designs will soon offer an IC solution. Sonic Solutions is integrating Film 

Grain technology in its HD DVD production tools. NVIDIA is building hardware for its 

advanced line of Quadro Graphic Processing Units, and InterVideo, and CyberLink are 

integrating the technology into their personal computer HD DVD players. 

251

252

HD DVD Players/Recorders 

Alco 

CES 2007 

SHD7000 

TTM 2007, $TBA, Specs TBA 

LG 

Announced and showed the HD-199 HD DVD player at CES 2006 (and a Blu-ray 

player as well), however, in March 2006 LG announced that the unit will not be 

released as planned. See further below for details on what they are working with. 

Onkyo 

CES 2007 

Onkyo Corporation announced their plan to launch its first HD DVD player for the US 

market in 2007, no pricing or exact date were announced. 

Onkyo also announced plans to manufacture AV receivers to handle HD DVD with a 

HDMI cable for video, audio, and control signals. No specifics about the version of 

HDMI were given (hopefully it will be 1.3, 1080p capable, and with hi-bit audio 

codecs decoders installed in the AV receiver). 

RCA 

At CES 2006 the company 

announced the 2Q06 availability 

of their HDV5000 $500 HD DVD 

player, which was originally 

quoted as able to transfer HD 

video up to 1080p via HDMI 

output (right). 

Updated specs upon release: 

HDV5000 

$500, Ethernet port, decodes DD Plus, DTS-HD, and Dolby TrueHD (2 ch only), 

MPEG-2, MPEG-4 H.264 AVC, and VC1. However, even when the Dolby hi-bit audio 

decoders are mandated in HD DVD players they are not even mentioned on the 

product spec list in the RCA web site (as well as the DTS specs). The specs above 

were quoted as existing in the product; I suggest further research before assuming 

the product has those features. 

Jun 2006 

RCA has available software version 1.4 for the HDV5000. 

This latest version offers the following improvements: 

• Improves HDMI and DVI connectivity with some televisions, monitors and 

projectors. 

• Reduces HD DVD playback block noise. 

• Eliminates high frequency feedback with some televisions, monitors and 

projectors via the HDMI connection. 

http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/en-US/HDV5000Firmware 

253

Sanyo 

At CES 2006 the company unveiled their HD DVD player model HD-S100, TTM March 

06, outputs 1080i/720p/480i/p, 1080i on the first generation, $500. 

CES 2007 

Sanyo declared having no plans for manufacturing any player; the company said that 

it is rather supplying player components to the other manufacturers. 

Shinco Electronics 

CES 2007 

The company will introduce their HD DVD player in the US during 2007. 

HD-A100 $TBA, TTM TBA, Specs TBA. 

Toshiba 

At CES 2006, the company announced two HD DVD players to be released by March, 

one low-end unit for $500 (HD-A1, below), and another hi-end model for $800 (HD- 

XA1, right). Blu-ray commented that the 

pricing of these Toshiba players was half of 

what was originally intended to attract the 

mass market. 


Report for specs. 

The Actual Value of the Player 

Jul 06 

According to iSuppli Corp, after a “teardown” analysis, the Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD 

player has a bill-of-materials (BOM) cost to Toshiba estimated at $674, far exceeding 

the unit's $499 U.S. retail price. 

The estimate excludes costs for manufacturing, testing, cables, remote control and 

packaging, which could raise the total cost at least to $700, iSuppli said. 

In other words, Toshiba is subsidizing the HD-A1 to gain a market position based on 

value compared with Blu-ray. 

The analysis also revealed lack of efficient design, "The Toshiba HD-A1 is basically a 

combination of a low-end PC and a high-end DVD player," said Andrew Rassweiler, 

teardown services manager and senior analyst for iSuppli, in a statement. 

The HD-A1 is suited with a general-purpose microprocessor instead of more 

cost-effective application specific standard product (ASSP) semiconductors 

typically used in consumer-electronics products, iSuppli said. 

It features an Intel Corp. Pentium 4 as the main microprocessor, as well 

as Broadcom Corp.'s BCM7411 for high-definition video decoding and four 

254

ADSP-2126x SHARC programmable DSPs from Analog Devices Inc., according 

to iSuppli (estimated cost $137). 

$125 worth of memory, 1-gigabyte dual inline memory module (DIMM) from Hynix 

Semiconductor Inc., three other types of DRAM, a 256-megabyte flash memory disk 

from M-Systems and 32 megabytes of MirrorBit flash memory from Spansion, iSuppli 

said. 

Adding the memory chips bring the total cost of ICs used in the HD-A1 

to roughly $247 per unit, according to the firm. 

Toshiba is not alone in doing this market approach, Sony is also doing the same with 

the Play Station 3, but no claims were issued regarding subsidizing Blu-ray standalone 

players. 

Aug 06 

An announcement was made regarding the availability of a firmware upgrade for the 

first generation Toshiba HD DVD player to upgrade the Dolby True-HD 2-channel 

decoder (limited by the format standard) to be 

enabled for 5.1 channels. 

Such firmware was initially released as beta 1.9 and 

later released as version 2.0. 

According to the same source the other firmware 

upgrades from Toshiba were: 

1.2 fixed player glitching and Blacker than Black 

and Whiter than White via HDMI 

1.3 fixed RCA players that had the Toshiba boot up screen 

1.4 fixed certain HDMI/DVI problems (Toshiba never specified) 

CES 2007 

Toshiba made clear that HD DVD as standard made mandatory for players to include 

secondary video decoders, to support networking and persistent storage to let 

consumers download and store new content on their HD DVD players. 

The standard mandated lossy/lossless new Dolby Digital audio formats of Dolby 

Digital Plus and Dolby True HD. However, the spec mandates only two-channel 

True-HD decoders for HD DVD players. I wonder why anyone would be interested in 

playing back a hi-bit lossless 

multichannel movie soundtrack 

through a decoder that only 

handles 2 channels. 

An example of that 

implementation was the first 

release of the Toshiba HD DVD 

player with a True-HD Dolby 

decoder for only 2 channels. 

255

Toshiba announced its second generation of HD DVD players, and increased 

shipment volume to meet market demand. 

The HD-A2, HD-A20, and HD-XA2 are all backward compatible with DVD and CD, and 

upconvert DVDs. The HD-A20 and the high end HD-XA2 are designed to output 

1920 x 1080p via HDMI (but not at 24fps for film content), please refer to the 

analysis of this subject below. 

Current Toshiba Players: 

HD-A2 $500, TTM now, HDMI for 720p or 1080i (no 1080p), originally planned for 

TTM Oct 06 but in Nov 06 Toshiba announced that shipment was delayed to Dec 06 

due to a performance 

issue with one of the 

components 

manufactured by an 

external supplier, 

Dolby TrueHD 5.1, 

Dolby Digital Plus, DTS 

HD (core only), HDMI, component, Digital Optical out, Ethernet port. 

HD-XA2 $1,000, TTM Dec 06, supports Deep Color output through HDMI 1.3, 

and 297MHz / 12 bit Video DAC, 4x over-sampling, picture setting function, 

adjustable settings for color, contrast, brightness, edge enhancement and block 

noise, lossy and lossless formats decoding from Dolby Labs and DTS® including the 

Dolby® Digital Plus and Dolby 

TrueHD, DTS HD (core only), 

black high gloss finish and slim 

chassis design, component, 

Ethernet port, Digital Optical 

out, 5.1 analog connections. 

It also features Reon-VX HQV 

video processor from Silicon 

Optix, HDMI 1.3 for 720p, 

1080i or 1080p, however, be aware that currently this player will output 1080p as 

60fps only “- it deinterlaces the 1080p 24fps HD DVD content”, according to Toshiba. 

1080p Video Processing in Toshiba Players 

A) The signal is 

first converted to 

30 fps (interlaced 

as 60i) by 

performing 2:3 

pull-down of the 48 

half frames (from 

the 24 full frames 

of the film) and 

adding another 

(artificial) 12 fields 

256

to complete the 60i fields format required for the 1080i interlaced output of the 

player. 

B) For the 1080p output the player then de-interlaces the 60i interlaced signal above 

by doubling up the frames to obtain a 60 fps progressive version of it. The resulting 

signal is then outputted as 1080p 60fps (if the player has that feature) when that 

output format is selected in the player. 

Such 1080p 60fps output format matches with the inputs of some 1080p TV sets 

suited with the capability of accepting 1080p as 60fps. The format is more suitable 

for content that originated from 60i interlaced video, but is less suitable for 24fps 

film sources. 

1080p 24fps Output in Toshiba Players 

When playing back 24fps film content, recorded and stored on the disc as 24fps, 

applying the video processing above subjects the signal to unnecessary processing. 

That processing could have been avoided if the player would have been suited with a 

24fps option on the 1080p output, in addition to the 60fps option. In other words, a 

pass-thru feature for 24fps film content to be output as is. 

Such a feature would be appealing to some TVs and front projectors that accept 

24fps, and can display it at a higher frame rate without going to the 3-2 pulldown 

interlacing-deinterlacing processing mentioned above. Those capable 

TVs/projectors, to avoid the image judder that 24fps would produce if displayed at 

that slow speed, display the 24fps at multiples of 24, such as 48fps of Optoma front 

projectors, 96fps of Sony Pearl, to name two. 

Local theater film projectors avoid the judder by opening the shutter twice per each 

frame of the 24 celluloid frames, projecting at 48fps. 

Having the 24fps pass-thru feature is particularly important when the Hi Def image is 

projected in large screens, where excessive video processing is easier to detect, and 

should be avoided as much as possible. 

The video processing described above could be done all in the player (3:2 pull-down 

to get to 60i and later the 60p deinterlacing), or could be done as just the 60i part in 

the player, output the signal as 60i and the TV accepting it that way, and do the 

deinterlacing 60i-to-60p part within the 1080p TV. 

As in the past, when doing multiple tasks of video processing in the video chain, it is 

good to have the choice to assign the best performer on a particular video processing 

task (the player, the TV, or in a external scaler, or a combination of them distributing 

the steps). However, in this case, there is no choice for 24fps film, it has to be 

output as 60i or 60p, as it would be a video source content frame rate. 

This is not only about assigning a better performer to a task, is also about avoiding 

unnecessary video processing when 24fps film content is to be displayed in a 1080p 

24fps capable device. 

Toshiba Plans for 1080p 24fps 

257

According to Toshiba and the HD DVD Promotion Group, there are no upgrade plans 

to make this player 24fps capable. That official statement includes the near future 

player A20 (below), which was specified also as 1080p outputs without any frame 

rate indication, but is meant to be only 60fps. 

To be more specific, Toshiba’s response about the A20 was “the specs on that player 

are not yet complete (as of CES Jan 07 time frame) and we cannot comment about 

such a feature at this time, nor it can be anticipated ‘if and how’ that feature would 

be upgradeable”. 

Some unofficial sources in forums have commented that such features “would” be 

added to the HD-AX2, but I discourage recommending purchasing decisions of 

expensive equipment on promises that are not officially backed by the manufacturer. 

Considering the current situation of the format war, and considering that this level of 

media quality is appealing to large screen home theaters with projectors with 24fps 

capabilities, not having such feature is a disadvantage for the format (while Blu-ray 

has had it since day one). 

It would have been in the best interest of the HD DVD format that the second 

generation players of Toshiba would have been positioned more strategically with 

competitive quality features like this, especially after Toshiba obviously recognized 

the competitive edge of having 1080p outputs, which the first generation of players 

lacked. 

New Toshiba Players 

HD-A20 $600, TTM Spring 07, HDMI for 720p, 1080i, 1080p. 1080p only as 

60fps, refer to analysis 

above, Dolby TrueHD 

5.1, Dolby Digital Plus, 

DTS HD core only, 

HDMI, component, 

Optical audio, Ethernet 

port, CD playback, 

Mar 07 

Toshiba introduced the HD-EP10 HD DVD player for the market in Europe. 

Features 1080p, DTS- 

HD, Dolby True-HD, 

Dolby Digital, Dolby 

Digital Plus, HDMI 

output, can read HD 

DVD, DVD, DVD-R/RW, 

and CDs. 

Mar 07 

Toshiba announced a reduction of price on their HD DVD players effective April 1, 

2007, the prices will go down by $100 for the HD-A2 (to $399), $100 for the HD-A20 

(to $499), and by $200 for the top-of-the-line HD-XA2 (to $799). 

258

Datavision, a retailer, further reduced the prices by another $50 with an instant 

rebate, not backed by Toshiba. The retailer also offers purchasers of their HD DVD 

players the inclusion of 5 free HD DVD titles within the purchase. 

259

Blu-ray Players / Recorders 

Several announcements and player/recorder introductions from various companies, 

such as Panasonic, Sony, and 

Hitachi, were made in the 

Sep/Oct 06 timeframe at CEATEC 

in Japan. It was made clear that 

those products are not planned 

for the US market (not even with 

modified components, such as 

the Japanese digital TV tuners to 

ATSC tuners), so I am not 

including these products in this 

section. 

Blu-ray recorders in particular 

were said not to be appearing in 

the US market due to market 

and company decisions. 

Hitachi 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for Hitachi 

models such as the HDD and Blu-ray combo recorder 

in the right: 

CES 2007 Hitachi BD Video Recorder (below) 

JVC 

At CES 2006, JVC showed their BD player 

prototype (left), JVC gave no plans to 

support the other HD DVD format, no date 

commitment for their BD player. 

The company announced the development 

of the world’s first Blu-ray/DVD Hybrid 

ROM disc using three layers to store both 

260

HD and SD content on a single side, a technique authorized as part of the Blu-ray 

disc format by the Blu-ray Association. Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report 

and earlier as well to get the details of that disc 

format. 

Pre-recorded three layer hybrid discs were said to be 

available upon BD introduction. No JVC player was 

released during 2006. 

At CES 2007, the company showed again their Bluray 

player (right). 

LiteOn 

LG 

At CES 2006, the company introduced their Blu-ray player model BD199 (left), and 

announced a TTM 2Q06 release date even though final ROM specs were not yet 

completed. 

The unit plays back 1080p from a 1080p content in disc, and 1080i50/60, DTS++. 

However, in March 2006 LG announced that the player will not be released, and 

instead the company 

was planning to 

develop and release a 

dual-format player in 

late summer/early fall 

“in light of the 

uncertainty at this 

early stage of the 

market for prerecorded 

highdefinition 

optical 

discs”, LG’s VP Bob 

Perry said. 

CES 2007 

261

LG launched the industry’s first dual-format Hi Def player, the “Super Multi Blue” 

BH100, which plays Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs, as well as DVD. No CD playback but 

the computer drive does playback CDs. 

BH100 $1,200, TTM Feb 07 

Additionally, as mentioned in the PC section above, LG introduced the GGW-H10N 

Super Multi Blue 50GB drive for computers, TTM 1Q07, compatible with both Blu-ray 

Disc and HD DVD formats, and compatible with DVD and CD read/write. 

LG declared, “This is a great 

first step towards resolving 

consumer confusion and 

uncertainty due to the two 

high-definition formats. The 

Super Multi Blue Player will 

allow studios to better meet 

consumers’ growing demand 

for high-definition content in 

both the Blu-ray Disc and HD 

DVD formats; by providing a 

high-definition player that supports both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD discs, LG is 

delivering a product that puts the customer first,” 

The player features up-conversion of standard DVDs to 1080i resolution, 1080p 

outputs, interactive functions based on BD-Java, which allows advanced menus and 

functions to be displayed over the video of Blu-ray discs, although the same level of 

advanced menu interactivity is not available while playing HD DVD discs (see the 

universal player section above). The player takes 25 seconds to play Blu-ray, 30 

seconds to play HD DVD. 

The player also features 

support for MPEG-2, VC-1, 

H.264 video, MPEG1/2 

audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby 

Digital Plus, DTS and DTS- 

HD audio, HDMI out, 

component/composite 

video outputs, optical, 

coaxial, and discrete 5.1 channel audio 

outputs, ergonomic remote control. 

No Dolby True-HD audio decoder 

specified, although is a mandated audio 

format for HD DVD players (perhaps this 

is only a missing spec). Player review: 

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hddvd-bluray/2154/lg-bh100-blu-ray-discand-hd-dvd-player.html 

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Summary of key points to consider: 

• HDMI 1.2, not 1.3 

• 1080p over HDMI is outputted only as 24 or 30 fps, not 60fps. 

• Initial HDMI problems with Denon and Pioneer A/V receivers, reportedly fixed 

on newer units, firmware update for existing units was said to be available. 

• HDi interactivity features not implemented (for PIP onscreen video 

commentaries and downloading Internet content), a standard HD DVD feature 

that theoretically disqualifies the player to carry the HD DVD logo. 

• No menu screens from HD DVDs (yes for Blu-ray discs) 

• Dolby TrueHD implemented as 2-ch only (as Toshiba’s first player) 

• Downmixes six-channel uncompressed PCM to stereo over HDMI 1.2. 

• No CD playback (similar to the Sony and Pioneer Blu-ray players). 

• Decodes only the “core” 5.1-channel from DTS-HD Master Audio recordings. 

• High price when considering the lack of the features above. 

Mitsubishi 

CES 2006 

The company showed their 1080p Blu-ray prototype 

model, TTM N/A, $ N/A. 

The company did not release any model during 2006, 

and nor yet in 1Q07. 

Panasonic 

CES 2006 

The company announced the launch of their 1080p 

Blu-ray player DMR-E700BD planned for release by 

the summer 2006 (right). 

The player was released, but under another model 

number, see below. 

Jun 06 

Panasonic launched its first Blu-ray Disc player, as part of an “entertainment 

package” which includes the DMP- 

BD10 Blu-ray player ($1,300 MSRP), 

a 1080p ready SA-XR700 HDMI A/V 

receiver ($1,000) and a 5.1-channel 

surround sound SB-TP1000 speaker 

package ($3,000), all TTM Sep 06. 

The components sell separately, but 

Reid Sullivan, Panasonic 

entertainment group VP, said 

Panasonic was considering a package 

price for the whole system. 

263

DMP-BD10 $1,300, TTM Sep 06 

The player features 1080p output over HDMI, plays back standard DVDs, music CDs 

and DVD-Audio discs, in addition to high-definition Blu-ray Discs, Pixel Precision for 

High Definition (P4HD) pixel-by-pixel processing system and a 296MHz/14-bit digitalto-analog 

video converter (DAC), offering 4.4 trillion colors and 16,384 levels of 

gradation, 192kHz/24-bit DAC audio, 

virtual battery system to isolate noise 

before the signal is amplified, DTS, DTS- 

ES, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital EX, 

said to be upgradeable to include Dolby 

Digital Plus and Dolby Digital True-HD. 

CES 2007 

Panasonic Blu-ray player as released: 

Philips 

At CES 2006, the company planned to release first in the US in the 2H06 a Blu-ray 

player and a PC triple-writer for Blu-ray write-once, BD rewritable, DVDs, and CDs. 

As with past years at CES, Philips just demonstrate a prototype and pricing was not 

confirmed. The unit supports DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD via HDMI 1.3, supports 

1080p (although it was not confirmed upon the announcement), multi-channel 

analog outputs not confirmed to be able to carry the newer hi-bit DTS and Dolby 

codecs. 

As with the Pioneer BD player (further below), the unit was said not to have Internet 

audio streaming support on its first generation for Director’s commentary while the 

disc is playing. 

Philips CEO, Rudy Provost, made a remark of importance to about 10 million early 

adopters of HDTV with only analog inputs on their sets: ” The company said it’s 

confident the AACS content-protection group would approve copy-protection rules 

that would allow component analog outputs to carry HD video to early-generation 

HDTV monitors and TVs that lack HDMI inputs.” Unfortunately, after the remark was 

made, the AACS organization did not approve the feature that way, however, most 

movie studios are not implementing the Token feature that would downgrade the HD 

image over component analog connections. Please check the Content Protection 

section for details. 

Philips planned to introduce a 

Blu-ray player/recorder in 1H07, 

which also would play/record CDs 

and DVDs. 

264

Philips player (not recorder) as released: 

Original MSRP $1000 MSRP, Feb 07 MSRP $800 at Amazon, listed also as $550. 

Plays Blu-ray movie discs, DVD movie, and CD audio discs, upconverts DVDs to near 

HD quality through the HDMI output, HDMI at 720p/1080i/p, 1080i through the 

component video output for Blu-ray discs (standard DVD’s are output 480p through 

component video), hi-def animated menu, advanced subtitle functions, video scene 

search and pop-ups, unique 

10-in-2 multi-format memory 

card slot displays 3- 

megapixel and larger images, 

compatible with Secure 

Digital (SD), MultiMedia 

(MMC), CompactFlash, 

MicroDrive, XD Picture Card, 

Memory Stick, Memory Stick 

Duo, Memory Stick Duo Pro, 

Memory Stick Pro, RS MMC, 

and Mini SD. 

CES 2007 (right) 

Confirmed technical features include: 

· Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080p) output through HDMI digital output 

· Selectable 1080p/1080i/720p video upconversion of DVD’s through HDMI 

· BD-RE, BD-ROM, DVD ROM, DVD RAM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-ROM, 

CD-R/RW playback compatible 

· MPEG2, VC-1, H.264, HD JPEG decoding 

· 12-bit/192MhZ video D/A converter; 24-bit/192KHz audio D/A converter 

. Decodes Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby DTS, and MP3. 

· 1xHDMI 

· 1xComponent Video 

Pioneer 

As per CES 2006, Pioneer’s Blu-ray BDP-HD1 player was announced to be due in 

Apr/May 2006 with MSRP of 

$1,800 under the Elite brand, 

Pioneer commented there 

might be another non-Elite 

player later. The $1,800 price 

was said to be consistent to 

other Elite products of which 

higher quality is expected 

(right). 

The player’s HDMI output that 

was then quoted to be version 

1.3 spec, but it was not 

released that way at launch. It 

was reported to also include 

265

IEEE-1394 (iLink) with DTCP. Outputs 1080p24fps. 

Having a 24fps 1080p output is a perfect match with the 1080p plasma that Pioneer 

also introduced at CES, the Elite PRO-FHD1 for $10,000 MSRP, TTM June 06, with 

HDMI, DVI, and component inputs. 

Consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report for the specs of that early announcement. 

Jun 06 

Pioneer announced a delay in the introduction of the player above, postponed for 

September 2006 at a reduced price, from $1800 to $1500. 

Dec 06 

The player arrived to market. 

Some “negative” points to consider (in addition to its high price): 

• Although it has an Ethernet port to stream audio, video, and digital pictures 

using a home network from a PC running DLNA-certified server software, the 

player does not support BD Live, which Pioneer says is due to the specs were 

not yet completed; players with that feature would probably be available 

starting 4Q07. 

• HDMI interface is not 1.3. 

• No CD playback. 

• No Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio decoders. 

CES 2007 

Feb 06 

A first review of this player was performed in Feb 06 as follows: Review of Pioneer 

Elite BD Player: http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hd-dvd-bluray/2142/pioneerelite-bdp-hd1-blu-ray-disc-player.html 

Samsung 

At CES 2006, Samsung showed a Blu-ray recorder (BD-HR1000 on the right) that 

also performed as a network center with Ethernet IEEE802.11b/g wired/wireless 

transmission of audio/video (DVD quality) with PC, the unit records also in its 

266

internal 400GB HDD DVR (47hrs HD), 2.5 hrs HD recording on Blu-ray disc, available 

in Korea for $5,000 (right), HDMI out 

(720p/1080i) EPG. 

At the same 2006 show, the company 

announced their BD-P1000 player planned for 

release on April 06, $1000 MSRP (but also 

quoted as $1200), consult the 2006 HDTV 

Technology Report for the original 

specifications on the announcement; the 

updated specs are further below. 

Although it was earlier commented that 

Samsung would also produce a player that would support the HD-DVD format, it was 

negated at CES 2006 time. 

Updated specs of the BD-P1000 player (Jun 06) 

Supports DVD playback, CD Audio, MP3, JPEG photo display, can read BD-ROM, 

DVD-Video/RAM/-RW/-R/+RW/+R, CD-RW/-R. Reading of BD-RE/-R discs required 

the original unit to receive a firmware upgrade. 

The player can also read CF, 

MicroDrive, MS PRO/Duo, SD, Mini SD 

and RS MMC cards from its built-in 

card reader. The first firmware 

upgrade was supposed to fix 

compatibility with 50GB Blu-ray discs. 

Video formats supported: MPEG-2, VC- 

1, H.264, and JPEG. 

Outputs Blu-ray disc, DVD selectable 

upconverted as 1080p, 1080i, or 720p 

(HDMI), and unscaled DVD disc as 

576p or 480p. 1080p resolution over 

HDMI only. 

It is suited with HDMI, Component 

Y/Pr/Pb, Optical/Coaxial S/PDIF, and built-in Memory Card Reader, BD Java 

interactive capability. 

A late addition to the player was an 11-in-two multi-memory card interface, instead 

of the originally announced nine-in-two reader. 

Samsung’s proprietary single pickup with two-lens technology for DVDs and CDs in 

addition to Blu-ray discs, pop-up and always-on menu options, full color highdefinition 

animated button, improved bitmap and text subtitles, audio formats 

include multichannel uncompressed 192kHz/24 bit audio LPCM, Dolby Digital, DTS 

and MP3, 216MHz/12-bit video D/A converter. 

Without getting into performance details that most probably the reader already 

knows by now, this Samsung player had several performance problems upon 

introduction that rendered an unacceptable soft image. Samsung acknowledged the 

267

problems and informed consumers that sold units would be fixed with a firmware 

upgrade, and new units would not contain the problem. 

This Samsung BD-P1000, being the first Blu-ray player that appeared in the market 

after the HD DVD launch, proved a disappointing introduction which shattered the 

format expectations among Blu-ray supporters. 

In addition to the issue of image softness caused by the player, there was 

uncertainty of how much of the image problem was created by the format or the use 

of MPEG-2, or both. 

Concerns were raised about the combination of using less efficient MPEG-2 (than VC1 

and AVC-264) with a limited 25GB single layer disc. 

Oct 06 

Samsung announced a firmware fix for the BD-P1000 player, which was expected to 

fix the noise-reduction circuit in the Genesis scaler chip (that was left enabled) 

causing the picture to be softer, and to add Java title compatibility to coincide with 

the launch of BD Java titles being released during fall 06. Unofficial reports indicated 

that although the fix was supposed to take care of the softening of the image it 

actually did not as expected, but the upgrade did fix the image stuttering caused by 

the use of the DTS tracks (I could not confirm these claims with an actual player). 

Dec 06 

According to a recent review of the Samsung BD-P1000 player the player does not 

actually output 1080p from the disc 1080p source, it uses the same HD Broadcom 

BCM7411 decoder chip as the Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player, which outputs the 

1080p 24fps disc content as 1080i (from the decoder) and then uses a Genesis 

Faroudja FLI8638-LF video processor/scaler to de-interlace the video and output it as 

1080p from the player. I could not verify this claim with an actual player myself. 

For the implications in applying this technique, please refer to the analysis of the 

new Toshiba players regarding the issue of not having 1080p 24fps outputs. 

CES 2007 

BD-P1200 $800, TTM Mar 07 

Samsung announced their next generation Blu-ray 

Player BD-P1200 replacing their first model BD-P1000 

released to the U.S. market in June 2006. 

Some new features include the Hollywood Quality 

Video (HQV) processor for true 1080i to 1080p HD 

de-interlacing even for DVD, HDMI 1.3 for 7.1- 

channel Dolby Digital Plus, Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) technology for systems operability 

with a single remote. 

Samsung already offers a Blu-ray recorder that features the company's proprietary 

dual-lens pickup (one pickup with two lenses that allows backward capability, to play 

standard DVDs and CDs in addition to Blu-ray discs). 

The player also features 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolutions, 192KHz LPCM, Dolby 

Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, MPEG 2, DTS and MP3 formats, '®Easy Top Menu' for font 

and color changes of subtitles, menu titles, background color, and menu graphics. 

268

DVD Player 

BD Player 

SD 

HD 

Disc capacity Single-layer: 4.7GB 25GB 

Disc capacity Dual-layer: 8.5GB 50GB 

Compression: MPEG 2 MPEG 2/VC-1/H.264 

Data transfer rate up to: 10.08 Mbps 50 Mbps 

Recording time max: 2 hr. (4.7GB) 2 hr. (25GB) 

Maximum resolution: 720 x 480 1920 x 1080 

Output: 480i/p 480i/p,720p,1080i/p 

1080p native output, up-conversion of DVDs to 720p, 1080i/p, CD backwards 

compatibility, HDMI 1.3 (1080i/720p/1080p). 

In April 2007, Samsung announced their plan to release for the 2007 holidays their 

first Universal player, the Duo 

BD-UP5000 capable to play 

HD DVD and Blu-ray discs 

with the full interactive 

capabilities of both 

technologies HDi and BD 

Java. I could not confirm 

pricing, nor if the supplied photo is actually of the future unit. 

Sharp 

At CES 2006, the company demo their DV-BP1U Blu-ray player (below with specs), 

1080i/720p HDMI outputs, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, but the player was never 

introduced during 2006, neither on 1Q07. 

Feb 07 

Sharp announced that is has developed a new technology to reduce the cost of BD 

recorders to about $1260 in Japan (these units are not yet in the US), by using the 

AQUOS TV tuner. 

The new Sharp's BD-HP1 Blu-ray standalone recorder, planned for Japan’s market on 

March 20, 2007, connects to the iLink port of Aquos LCD TVs to obtain the tuned 

content from the TV to record externally and to draw just enough power from the TV 

to record video without the TV to be on. It was not specified if the recorder/feature 

would be compatible to other non-AQUOS iLink suited TVs. 

269

Comment for the US 

market: if the recorder 

does not actually have a 

tuner it could pose a 

problem with the FCC 

regulations that 

mandate the inclusion of 

an ATSC tuner on a 

device that previously 

tuned NTSC, although 

Blu-ray recorders did 

not exist before in the 

US they may be 

included in the mandate 

because of their generic 

TV content recording 

purpose, such as 

VCR/DVD/D-VHS 

recorders, which have 

NTSC tuners. 

CES 2007 

Sharp showed a Blu-ray 

player that will be available 2Q07, featuring HDMI, $1200, above. 

Sony 

At CES 2006, Sony demonstrated and announced the availability for spring 06 of a 

series of Blu-ray products from a stand-alone player (BDP-S1), VAIO desktop 

computers with BD drives, and separate drives for BD playing and recording (BD-R 

write-once and BD-RE rewritable). 


Report for original specs upon 

announcement. 

In the second semester of 2006, Sony 

delayed the release of the BDP-S1 

player several times due to software 

glitches and parts shortages. First 

delayed for July, then postponed until 

August, then to October 25, and finally 

arrived in Dec 06 to retailers (when I 

got mine). 

In December 2006, Sony announced that the BDP-S1 Blu-ray player was already 

shipping to retailers, for $1,000, outputs 1,920 by 1,080p at 24fps and 60fps over 

HDMI 1.1/HDCP, and up to 1080i over component analog, supports MPEG-2, MPEG- 

4, AVC and VC1, 1,080p up-scaling of regular DVD through HDMI. 

Additionally, the player features uncompressed multi-channel linear PCM digital audio 

output via HDMI, optical digital audio out and 5.1-channel decoding capability for 

backward compatibility with existing receivers, BD-ROM, AVC-HD and DVD playback 

270

from DVD/DVD+R/+RW encoded discs, MP3 audio files, JPEG images stored on 

DVD+R/+RW discs. 

The Blu-ray diode used in the BDP-S1 was said to be the same used in Sony's 

PlayStation 3 game console. 

Sony declared they would issue firmware updates in 2007 to enable the BDP-S1 

model to play back BD-R/RE recorded media and enhanced BD-Java functionality, 

which they did. 

On my unit, the playback of 1080p24fps was missing frames at intervals, and such 

fault was not listed on the 

features the firmware upgrade 

would fix, but after contacting 

Sony I was told that the 

upgrade would actually fix that 

fault as well. I just received 

the upgrade DVD (April 07) but 

I did not install it yet. When I 

do, I would be able to provide 

an assurance that the upgrade 

actually fixes that error. 

CES 2007 

Sony Sapphire 1 Next Generation Blu-ray player – Prototype design (shown above). 

Feb 07 

Sony introduced for dealers a $600 Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S300. 

Featuring 1080p24fps output over HDMI 1.3, upconversion to 1,080p, HD component 

output, supports AVC-HD discs encoded with xvYCC technology that expands the 

available color gamut 1.8 times, BRAVIA Theater Sync system via HDMI with a single 

remote, multichannel linear PCM digital audio output via HDMI, decodes Dolby Digital 

Plus, supports BD-ROM, BD-Java, AVC-HD, DVD video, CD audio, MP3 audio files, 

JPEG photo on DVD, supports DVD+R/+RW and DVD-R/-RW formats. 

Formats Implementation Issues 

As with any new format, system, or new technology it is to be expected to 

experience some operational or performance issues, and these two formats are no 

exception. This by no means is to be considered a log list of all those, but just a 

highlight of the fact that, even though the general appearance of the image of both 

formats is nothing short of what was expected, the players and discs are not perfect, 

especially on this first generation of software and hardware. 

Blu-ray 

'The Descent' 

The movie produced some playback compatibility problems with some standalone 

Blu-ray players, when playing back its extensive extras authored in the BD-Java 

environment, such as Blu-ray format's first picture-in-picture video commentary 

271

feature, extensive featurettes presented in full 1080p HD video, which in some cases 

just showed a blank screen. 

Reportedly, the problem apparently is caused by a player's lack of playback support 

for BD-Java-enhanced titles. Sony for example, promised a firmware upgrade early 

in 2007, which was issued. Pioneer was not reported as promising the same, yet. 

Sony's PlayStation 3 and other firmware-updated standalone Blu-ray players were 

reported to perform correctly, although I personally had some problems with playing 

back 1080p24fps where the image seemed to be jumpy at times, missing frames; 

Sony firmware upgrade was supposed to correct that problem as well but I did not 

install the upgrade yet. 

The Samsung player had several issues of concern at launch, mainly regarding 

picture quality, firmware updates were delivered to correct some of the problems. 

HD DVD 

The HD DVD format was also reported to have its own technical glitches with some 

titles (some mentioned were 'The Matador,' Derailed,' and 'Wolf Creek'), and some 

player/remote/HDMI issues, True-HD limited to 2-channel, etc. 

Toshiba and RCA players received firmware upgrades as well to correct some of the 

problems. 

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Analysis for the Hi-Def DVD Adopter 

Balancing Features 

There are several factors that might affect the adoption and success of any format at 

product introduction, in the case of Hi Def DVD is more complicated but the factors 

have to combine well to strike the correct balance of cost, protection of content, 

protection of the consumer rights, backward compatibility with existing HDTVs 

delivering the full quality of the format and be future proof for 1080p HDTVs 

accepting 1080p, etc. 

In addition to the above, the choice decision for a consumer gets more complicated 

when two formats collide against each other for market domination showing similar 

features of quality, strong studio support, and, other than the subsidizing factor, 

there is no apparent reason of why one format is releasing players at almost half 

price of the other. 

1080p Outputs 

A consumer that does not have a 1080p HDTV (or one that has it but does not 

accept 1080p) might not be interested in paying more for a Blu-ray player (or any 

player) that claims 1080p output capability as a superior feature (Sony, Pioneer, LG, 

possibly Philips, even Sony’s PS3). 

It is obvious that Blue-ray has chosen to emphasize the fact they have that feature, 

while HD DVD ignored it on the first generation. 

In other words, if you were just looking for 1080i quality, spending twice as much on 

a Blu-ray player to get “similar” HD 1080i quality than HD DVD would not seem to be 

a good investment, other than the exclusive movie titles selection. 

However, one has to determine what other features make up for the higher price of 

some 1080p capable players, such as quality design and construction, which may 

justify the higher price; 1080p would be a bonus then. 

1080p24fps for Film Content Playback 

HD DVD still ignores the 1080p24fps feature on the second generation players, an 

important feature for film content reproduction with capable displays. 

Not having a display that can properly handle 1080p24fps might already provide the 

answer for the decision: ignore this requirement on the player. 

However, do you know if you are planning to get a 24fps capable TV/projector in the 

near future? Are you willing to replace the player if you do? Why not get a player 

now that is capable of 1080p24fps and save you from a player upgrade in the near 

future? 

Those consumers that have interest in TVs/projectors with 1080p inputs at 24fps for 

film content might find that paying less for a non-1080p HD DVD Toshiba first 

273

generation player might look like good savings now, but may become a loss down 

the road if/when upgrading to a 1080p display with such 1080p inputs. 

The purchased player without 1080p could turn out to be another piece to upgrade 

down the line once realizing how good 1080p 24fps film content looks on a 1080p 

display that can handle 1080p correctly without performing unnecessary interlacing 


The Format Choice - Survey Question 

A recent survey was made on the HDTV Magazine about selecting HD DVD or Bluray, 

and the following question was asked: 

"What factors are weighing in your decision?" 

I provided the following candid response and analysis: 

Response 

Blu-ray. 24fps on 1080p. Manufacturer recognition and tendency to better quality. 

Analysis 

Although HD DVD is reading from the disc film content as 24fps, it is not outputting 

it that way, not even on their second-generation players. 

Toshiba's decision of not including such feature on the 2nd players was taken after 

Blu-ray came out with specs and players with such feature (Sony, Elite), bragging 

about it because of its importance for film content (with suitable displays). 

Even then, HD DVD ignored the feature on 2nd generation players (one player is out, 

one is coming out in spring 2007, neither one has it). 

Ignoring the 24fps quality feature while concentrating in price reduction suggest that 

there might be other possible shortcuts implemented across the player to make it 

enter the market fast at a lower price point (this is an assumption, but with valid 

logic based on verifiable facts). I would suspect that they would eventually 

incorporate the 24fps feature. 

Blu-ray is also releasing their players with features that are just partially 

implemented, my message goes for them as well. 

Since most TVs accept 1080i, or 1080p only as 60fps, this feature would not be as 

important as it is for front projectors and some new displays that can accept and 

process 24fps into frame-multiples to display a clean, artifact-free image, instead of 

converting it to 60i and later to 60p, the interlaced world of video that film should 

not be bothered with. 

Even Toshiba is promoting the 120Hz panels now (5 times 24fps), so it is not even 

consistent with their panel plans. Many other display manufacturers are also 

introducing displays that handle 120Hz. However, that does not necessarily mean 

that they will accept 1080p24fps and display it cleanly at 5 times the frame rate, 

anything could happen on any display, proper research is the key to an intelligent 

purchase. 

274

I have tested the 3 Blu-ray output versions of 1080p24fps film content (as 1080i, 

1080p60fps, and direct 1080p24fps) and there is a clear difference between them, 

easier to recognize in large screens, and it is detectable in casual viewing not just in 

lab type conditions. 

Because most of the TV consumer market does not have a way to handle 24fps 

without video processing conversions, the HD DVD market might be putting its bets 

on the logic that consumers will "keep on upgrading to the next model". 

High quality HT enthusiasts have waited very long for pre-recorded Hi-Def media, 

and would appreciate the 24fps feature. They most probably are the early adopters 

paying the first players at high prices ($1000+) so a format can be established and 

the R&D bills can be paid for newer and better models. 

However, Toshiba has apparently stop implementing heavy subsidizing on their 

stand-alone players to kill the price and establish their format based on volume, 

because it has introduced a player with the $1000 price point similar to Blu-ray. 

Toshiba is showing the real price of this technology in 2006/7. 

Unfortunately, even at the high price, Toshiba still ignores the quality 1080p24fps 

feature on their hi-end player. The true war begins now. A war of quality and merits 

without free lunches. 

I am not including the video game consoles on these comments because both 

formats have killed the prices to compete in that world. This is about stand-alone 

players. 

If you have a front projector, a large screen, and a quality HT that handles 1080p 

24fps properly, you owe it to yourself to get a 24fps capable player. 

If you do not, or you do not have a scaler dealing with 24fps at higher quality 

processing than the player, you probably would never notice a difference and might 

ignore my comments in making your selection based on that feature. 

Audio Claims 

Players on both formats claimed different capabilities regarding optional multichannel 

audio internal decoders, some do DTS-HD but no Dolby TrueHD, and some 

do Dolby TrueHD but only as two-channel, the minimum HD DVD standard 

requirement. 

Some are suited with HDMI 1.3 for streaming out the new hi-bit DTS/Dolby multichannel 

soundtrack for external decoding using a suited A/V receiver (when they are 

introduced in the near future). 

Some are suited with just HDMI 1.1 or 1.2, which would only be able to stream out 

DTS HD, but not DTS Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, or Dolby True-HD. Those can 

only be transported over HDMI 1.3 version that can handle the higher bit/protocol 

requirements. 

275

Check the section dedicated to “Multi-channel Audio for HD” for details about the 

connectivity issues when playing the new audio codecs on Hi-def DVD players. 

However, just playing Dolby True-HD soundtracks down-mixed as 640 Kbps Dolby 

Digital 5.1 over the coax/optical digital legacy connection, is a considerable 

improvement compared to the typical DVD Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks reproduced 

at just 384 Kbps (and sometimes even less). 

In other words, if the player or your system does not have hi-bit audio decoding 

capabilities you can still get the improved Dolby Digital legacy multi-channel 

mentioned above, which might be a sufficient benefit during this early adoption 

period of either format, until A/V receivers and Hi-Def players with the hi-bit 

decoders of your preference become more available. 

Image Constraint Token (ICT) - Early Adopter Impact 

One would think that the large mass of HDTV early adopters (about 11 million since 

1998) would be the most appropriate group of consumers to start up another high 

quality format like Hi Def DVD. 

However, they were out of luck with the recent AACS decision of not allowing Hi-Def 

DVD played back at HD resolution over the player’s analog connection if the content 

protection Image Constraint Token is used on the disc. The reason: is the only 

connection their TVs have for HD, analog. 

Many movie studios already announced that they will not be using the Image 

Constraint Token on the discs they encode, but the decision was temporary, it should 

be permanent, it has not been proven that using analog outputs for 1080i promotes 

piracy. 

Content providers control the decision not the consumer, and they might eventually 

implement the Token as planned and down-res HD viewing of pre-recorded movies 

over the component analog connections. 

If the token is turned on, those 11 million DTVs would be affected. Ironically, those 

DTVs were the ones that cost considerably more compared to current DTV prices. 

Imagine paying about $10,000 back then for one of those legacy HDTVs and not 

been able to view Hi-Def DVDs in HD. 

This also affects a large number of movie viewers that use their PC as home-theaters 

with a new Hi-def DVD player drive, where the PC/monitor system is not enabled 

with an HDCP compliant content protection connection, which is very common not 

having for most computer purposes. 

This matter will certainly be a turn-off to all those millions of legacy HDTV and PC 

owners in adopting either format, and that might be the reason that movie studios 

decided not to use it temporarily. 

ICT Token - An Issue Anytime any Place 

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A 4-8 year component analog DTVs should not be considered as ready for 

replacement and suitable for a landfill. Even when those early adopter owners might 

buy newer replacement DTVs, the older DTVs would naturally be put to use on 

secondary rooms as most people do. 

This is the scenario of the 2.6 average ratio of TVs per household that CEA statistics 

estimates people have. According to the estimate, non-primary TVs (such as the 

legacy DTVs above) are destined for secondary use on secondary rooms, for video 

games and pre-recorded media. That is DVD and Hi-Def DVD. Even as a secondary 

DTV, there is a need for those DTVs to continue performing the HD 1080i role, which 

would not be possible if the Token is implemented later on. 

ICT Token - Industry Impact 

However, when a movie studio uses the ICT token the regulation says that the disc 

package must indicate so. Many millions of buyers could choose not to buy Token 

protected discs. 

If many movies of a format are found token protected, it could also affect the sales 

of players of that format (or both formats) by not attracting 11 million possible 

clients. That has the potential to produce consumer apathy in making a purchase. 

Apathy produces a slow market. A slow market could cause a dead format. A dead 

format could cause heavy economic loses on movie studio revenues which could 

affect the availability of movie selection to consumers. No one wins. 

It would be illogical that movie studios producing discs on both formats would issue a 

movie with token in one format but not in the other. Both formats could be affected 

equally with the token issue, but anything could happen in the heat of a format war. 

If the launching of new players would have been for just one format, a slower 

momentum to reach market acceptance might not hurt as much as when two 

formats are competing against each other. 

Both formats are under the pressure of demonstrating success as quickly as possible 

to the shareholders that want to see ROI after so much “I” of many years in 

development. Time is very valuable in those circumstances, cutting out the very 

people that could almost guarantee the sale of 11 million players in short order 

might be very damaging, to everyone. 

A token could become the worst enemy of the needed success because it makes the 

adoption slower. Prolonging the withdrawal decision of a loosing format could 

produce economic loses much larger than dropping the ball in time and move on to 

another CE business. 

Hybrid Discs 

HD DVD brags about their introduction of some movie titles on hybrid discs, which 

consumers could view on a DVD player as well as an HD DVD player by flipping sides 

of the disc. This feature helps everyone in the transition from DVD to the higher 

quality, incompatible format. Please check the discs and the analysis about this 

feature on the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

277

Blu-ray hybrid discs have not yet arrived to the market at the time of this report but 

they will hopefully be introduced soon as a dual side format, with the Blu-ray version 

in one side, and the DVD version on the other side. 

Although scarce in quantity and variety, the hybrid disc feature is viewed by some as 

a competitive edge of HD DVD. 

The new Total disc introduced by Warner, implements a similar dual side hybrid 

feature, but to store the two competing blue-laser formats, one on each side of the 

disc. 

My opinion about this is similar to the introduction of universal players. Discs and 

players would have to cost more to the consumer to offer duality, because the 

industry could not make up their mind and went to a war of incompatible formats. 

Why should the consumer have to pay extra for universal features on any product for 

other reasons that backward compatibility? 

Partial Implementation of Features 

Both formats were initially introduced without all of the features each format can 

offer, which could certainly make them fully competitive if implemented. 

Some of those missing features are the lack of 1080p outputs, the lack of HDMI 1.3 

for outputting hi-bit audio codec streams for external decoding (especially if the 

player lacks the decoder for that format), True HD in two channel mode only, none 

or limited Internet connectivity/functionality, no full implementation of interactive 

menu features, an included 1080p output but not at 24fps, a 1080p signal output 

obtained with work-around methods, such as not extracting and outputting directly 

the 24fps content stored in the disc, etc. 

A full format comparison should be made when both formats have implemented all 

the features of hardware and software. 

In the mean time, it seems both formats are expecting that the first batch of early 

adopters invest in players and discs with partially implemented features, quite an 

investment in the case of Blu-ray players above the $1000 threshold. 

Perhaps manufacturers expect that those consumers would reinvest again six 

months later another $1000 to get some missing features on the next generation of 

players, some not upgradeable via firmware. 

On a positive note, the players are finally here, and we should be grateful that Hi-Def 

ROM pre-recorded movies are now available, and that they make good use of the 

1080p/24fps format of film sources. 

278

A Different View of Hi-Def DVD Booths at CES 

It is 6:00 PM! 

Quickly, lock away these Hi-Def DVD players from the pirates, I meant consumers; 

they might even copy our fake carton mockups to install them in their Home 

Theaters! 

279

Asia’s Hi-Def DVD Challengers 

China’s EVD, HVD, and HDV 

Over the past couple of years, I have written in these reports (as well as in the 

pages of DVDetc and HDTVetc Magazines) about the four Hi-def DVD formats in the 

China/Taiwan market, three from China (EVD, HVD, and HDV), and one from Taiwan 

(FVD). Please consult 2005 and 2006 reports to find details about those formats. 

Taiwan’s Forward Versatile Disc (FVD) 

I met with Mr. Job Liu, Managing Director of POSO (Power Source Group Limited), 

who was representing the FVD 

format at CES 2006. Mr. Liu 

introduced also Margaret Fan, 

General Manager of Idar 

Electronics Co., a company 

involved with the FVD players 

and format. 

They showed the player, the 

movies, the FVD format efforts, 

and we discussed about 

specifications and technical capabilities of the format, discs, and players. At the end 

of our long meeting, I was offered if I wanted to take the player with me after the 

show, which took me by surprise, I declined politely, but I certainly accepted an FVD 

disc demo as my after show teaser. 

FVD discs and players were already available for sale back then. The player MSRP 

was $250, and FVD movies were quoted as about $6 per disc, although I have not 

seen an official price list as I did with Chinese EVD companies the year before. 

FVD is a red laser solution that supports FVD-video and WMV-9 HD video codecs, and 

WMA, LPCM and ITRI-Audio codecs. The disc can store 135 minutes of HD full-length 

movies in 720p/24/30 (SL), or in 1080i60/p24 (DL, or 3 hrs TL), in addition to 

720x480 and 320x240 regular video resolution at 60i. Peak rate of 15 Mbps at 

1920x1080x24fps. 

The FVD player is suited with DVI or HDMI and component analog connections, 

optical and coax for 5.1 or 2-channel audio, digital sampling 96kHz/24bit. According 

to the company at CES the player is able to output 1080i over component analog 

because the format uses its own content protection system (ITRI-AES, Innovative 

Technologies Research Institute - Advanced 

Encryption Standard). 

There was a PC playback software version 

(Super FVD, in beta then) that allows the use 

of existing DVD-ROM drives for HD FVD 

playback of movies without any additional 

hardware. There is no need for Microsoft’s 

280

Media Center in the PC because as mentioned above the format uses its own content 

protection system, no DRM. 

There are 29 companies and ITRI in the AOSRA (Taiwan Advanced Optical Storage 

Research Alliance), an organization founded in January 2002. 

There are several FVD disc producers like RiTek Corporation, Prodisc Technology 

Inc., U-Tech Media Corporation, Leaddata, 

Infodisc, Giga Storage, Optodisc, Nan-Ya, and 

CMC Magnetics Co. (their discs are pictured 

above on the left). Players are being 

manufactured by TATUNG, BenQ, LITE-ON, 

Actima, Mustek, PROTOP, Arima, MSI, QSINC, 

Ultima, and A-DATA. Chip-set manufacturers 

include VOS, ALI, MTK, SUNPLUS, and 

CHEERTEK. Video software content includes 

Newsoft, Deltamac, and Cine-Asia 

Entertainment. 

In addition to the existing titles, and WM9, fourteen FVD films were planned to be 

released soon: Air Panic, Avalanche, City of Fear, Death Train, Edges of the Lord, 

The Order, Us Seals, The Confession, Earthquake, Fire, Volcano, A Wobot Christmas, 

The Opponent, Diary of a City Priest, Buried Lies, Combustion, Malie. 

FVD was introduced on April 5, 2004 in Taipei Taiwan. The first FVD players were 

made available in May 2005 for $175 with 10 free movies in Taiwan. 

With a sales promotion in Europe and the US, the global volume was estimated to 

reach 100,000 players in 2005, 3 million in 2006, and 5 million in 2007. Later, 

Taiwan’s Kolin offered in November 2005 an initial sales promotion period for their 

first KVD-1080 player with an HDMI cable included, and three 1080i FVD movie 

discs, all for $240. 

Content is available mainly from independent studios but the alliance is doing efforts 

to expand to 100 the initial offering of titles by including other major studios. 

Idar Electronics Co. below 

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Comparison of Formats 

DVD FVD HD DVD BD 

Leading 

Organization 

DVD Forum 

Taiwan’s 

AOSRA 

DVD Forum 

Blu-ray 

Association 

Physical 

Capacity 

(single side) 

(SL) 4.7GB 

(DL) 8.5GB 

(SL) 5.4/6GB 

(DL) 9.8/11GB 

(TL) 15GB 

(SL) 15GB 

(DL) 30GB 

(TL) 45GB 

(SL) 25GB 

(DL) 50GB 

(4L) 100GB(TDK) 

Laser 

Red Laser 

(650nm) 

Red Laser 

(650nm) 

Blue Laser 

(405nm) 

Blue Laser 

(405nm) 

Resolution 

720x480i60 

1280x720p24 

1920x1080i60 

1920x1080p24 

1280x720p 

1920x1080i/p 

Chart sourced from FDV with my additions/corrections 

1280x720p 

1920x1080i60 

1920x1080p24 

FVD at CES 2007 

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Versatile Multi-layer Disc - VMD Format 

Mar 06 

Another high definition DVD format was introduced named “VMD” Versatile Multilayer 

Disc by New Medium Enterprises (NME), but the company stated that is not 

trying to compete with HD DVD or Blu-ray. 

According to the company, a VMD player would cost just $150, and a VMD burner 

could be introduced as well. 

The disc would hold up to 40GB and could be read using low-cost red lasers of 

standard DVD drives. The format is capable of multi-layers with 20GB, 30GB, and 

40GB discs. Even 100GB VMD recording had been achieved in the lab. 

NME is based in London, and was doing a merger with E-World, which owns a 

standard called EVS, a Chinese standard that is backed by the Chinese government. 

The technology can be adapted to blue laser when more affordable. 

The VMD format claims to have 2,600 Bollywood titles, distributed by Eros, and 

about 300 Chinese film titles through E-World, the two largest markets in the world, 

according with Bolger-Hagerty from NME. 

Other markets, such as the large Indian communities in London and New York might 

be also included in the distribution, and Hollywood content might be possible if/when 

content protection issues are addressed. 

Mar 07 

New Medium Enterprises has signed a retailer agreement with PC Rush, and online 

electronics superstore, to distribute VMD players in the US for a period of 3 years, 

TTM 2Q07. 

Two players will be offered: 

HD VMD Media Player Duo $200 

HD VMD Media Player Quattro $250 

The players feature DVD upconversion to hi def, in addition to playback VMD discs. 

283

Chapter 13 - HD Video Processors 

A good number of HD video processors were included on earlier State of H/DTV 

Review reports. Many of those units are still available as current models from 

companies like Lumagen, Center Stage, Cinemateq, Faroudja, Key Digital, etc. 

Please consult the 2006 HDTV Technology Report and the 2005 HDTV Technology 

Report for details on some of those previously released products. 

I am listing first the companies that have created video processing 

solutions/engines/etc, such as ABT, creator of the DVDO product, the Realta HQV by 

Silicon Optix, and the VXP by Gennum. Following that group, I review 

products/companies that have implemented those video processing solutions (or 

their own) on their products. 

Engines for Video Processors 

ABT 

Anchor Bay Technologies is the original creator of the award winning line of DVDO ® 

iScan, the company demonstrated at CES a 1080i (to p) de-interlacing product 

among other technologies. ABT’s HD de-interlacing technology includes detection of 

interlaced video, which originated from any progressive source, motion, and edgeadaptive 

de-interlacing for video sources as well as low latency options for video 

gaming. ABT’s Precision Video Scaling technology was first deployed in ABT's DVDO 

iScan HD. It has been incorporated into many hi-quality products such as the early 

Marantz’s DV9600 and the DVD-5910 Denon's 

flagship, DVD players. 

The scaling engine is completely flexible, 

accepting standard definition (480p, 576p) and 

high definition (720p and 1080i) inputs and 

outputting any resolution from VGA (640x480) 

to 1080p (1920x1080) with multiple standard 

and custom aspect ratios, and supporting other 

image manipulation features, including zoom, 

pan and border controls. ABT's high 

performance frame rate conversion also 

supports converting film sources from 24 

frames per second to 48, 60 or 72 frames per second. 

Some of the ABT technologies are: 

VRS Precision Video Scaling II, Precision Deinterlacing, Progressive Re- 

Processing (PReP), RightRate, AutoCUE-C, and Precision AV LipSync. 

Progressive Re-Processing (PReP) 

Improves video signals and removes artifacts caused by poor deinterlacing in source 

equipment, restoring a video signal to its interlaced beginnings and is properly 

deinterlaced using reference-quality Precision Deinterlacing, applying motion, edge 

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and source adaptive algorithms to eliminate jaggies, combing, and other degrading 

effects. PReP can enhance 480p, 576p, 1080p/50 and 1080p/60 signals. 

ABT2010 ASIC for OEMs: 

Second-generation video processing ASIC for up-conversion (up to 1080p) 

applications in DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray player/recorders, and AV receivers. 

Featuring Video Reference Series (VRS), 10-bit Precision Deinterlacing with 

five-field motion adaptive and edge adaptive processing, 10-bit Precision Video 

Scaling II that can independently scale horizontally and vertically, VRS Progressive 

Re-Processing (PReP) technology, to revert progressive video to its original 

interlaced format, and then converts the interlaced signal to progressive format 

using Precision Deinterlacing. 

Gennum Corporation 

Gennum Corporation is a leading producer of hybrid and silicon integrated circuits 

(ICs), electrical components and sub-systems for the video and audio markets, and a 

new provider to the data communications market. 

CES 2007 

The following was declared by 

Gennum’s about their new video 

processors GF9350 and GF9351, both 

suited with VXP Visual Excellence 

Processing technology, originally 

designed for broadcast quality use. 

These products are being implemented 

by companies like Christie, Leitch, 

Anthem, LG, Samsung, Optoma, 

Marantz, and Pixel Magic. 

A couple of examples are: high quality 

video processors, like Pixel Works’ 

Crystalio II, and Optoma’s front 

projector model 81, true single-chip 1920x1080p DLP projector released 4Q06 (of 

which a witness their excellent demos of the model 81 since CES 2006, reason by 

which I own one myself since November 2006). 

“The VXP technology incorporates fourth generation broadcast quality image 

processing algorithms, which deliver superior SD and HD video image quality. The 

key features of VXP technology include: 

• 1080p adaptive de-interlacing for optimal image sharpness TruMotionHD 

1080i and resolution. 

• FineEdge dynamic directional interpolation to eliminate jaggy artifacts found 

in traditional de-interlacing algorithms. 

• FidelityEngine image enhancements for removal of unwanted noise and 

improved detail and uncompromised image quality. 

• RealityExpansion10-bit image processing for eye-catching natural imagery.” 

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VXP supports picture-in-picture (PIP), picture-on-picture (POP), and picture-bypicture 

(PBP) applications, and supports all VESA and SMPTE formats up to 2048 

lines by 2048 samples, universal frame rate conversion and full programmability for 

dynamic effects. 

Fidelity Engine Processing 

TruMotionHD Processing 

FineEdge Processing 

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Silicon Optix 

This company was covered since the CES 2005 

report when they introduced their Realta HQV videoprocessing 

engine. Please refer to that document 

2005 HDTV Technology Report (and even the 2006 

HDTV Technology Report) for details. 

Other companies implementing their video 

processing-engine have quoted impressive 

performance statements about the Realta product; 

some of those are as follows: 

“The Realta HQV processor powered by Teranex with true 10-bit video processing, 

full four-field motion adaptive video de-interlacing for both standard definition and 

high definition signals, temporal-recursive noise reduction, automatic multi-cadence 

detection, and pixel-based detail enhancement. It also utilizes the same video 

processing power—1 trillion operations per second—as the famous $60k Teranex 

Xantus box.” 

“Instead of discarding half the resolution, and just doubling the lines (a shortcut that 

many video processors take today). HQV processes all 2 million+ pixels in both odd 

and even fields of a 1080i signal preserving all the rich details in an HD scene. Also, 

HQV per-pixel, motion adaptive noise reduction cleans the random noise that can 

plague HD broadcasts.” 

“Currently, given the scarcity of HD content, most of the HD broadcast programs are 

SD material up-converted to HD, often with Teranex equipment. Also, for years to 

come, much of the TV programming will continue to be delivered as standarddefinition 

(SD) 480-line interlaced video. Going from 480i video to 1080p involves 

resizing an image up to six times.” 

“Realta HQV employs for 480i to 1080p conversion the same algorithms used in 

Teranex up-conversion equipment. The processing relies on a combination of 

powerful features, such as multiple fields pixel-by-pixel analysis, 1024-tap scaler, 

HQV detail enhancement, HQV random, block and mosquito noise reduction, to 

deliver standard-definition broadcast TV and DVDs that approach HD quality.” 

“Unlike any other video processor, Realta HQV is also fully software programmable 

and upgradeable. The Realta HQV processor executes its video algorithms entirely in 

software. As new video processing software is developed, consumers can simply 

download the upgrades.” 

“The Realta HQV video engine has received numerous awards and accolades, 

including the “Best of Innovations” award for the Embedded Technologies category 

at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show, “Most Promising New Technology” and 

“Most Exciting New Company” from The Perfect Vision, “Best Buzz of CEDIA” from 

Insight Media, AVGuide Monthly’s “Best Product Overall,” Red Herring’s “Top 100 

Innovators” award, Fred Kahn’s “Silver Best of CES” award, and most recently “Best 

Picture of the Show” at the Home Entertainment 2005 Show in New York City, from 

Tom Norton of UltimateAVmag.com.” 

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Additionally, the company has introduced a test 

program for video products, the “HQV Benchmark Test 

DVD” for consumers to objectively evaluate picture 

quality. The test program includes patterns that have 

been designed to evaluate video performance such as 

decoding, video deinterlacing, film-cadence detection, 

video-over film, motion correction, noise reduction, and 

detail enhancement, in addition to ten tests with color 

bars, jaggies patterns, waving flag, detailed static 

image, etc. MSRP $30, TTM now. 

Jun 06 

Silicon Optix announced the Reon-VX chip, targeted for high-volume applications, 

including plasma TV, LCD TV, RPTV, home theater and business projectors, A/V 

receivers, personal video recorders, set-top boxes, Mediacenter PCs, and DVD 

players, including Blu-ray and HD DVD. 

“With the fully programmable, one-trillion-operations-per-second Realta chip, we’ve 

delivered a future-proof, no-compromise flagship video-processing engine using 

technologies proven on the front lines of Hollywood,” said Paul Russo, Chairman and 

CEO of Silicon Optix. 

“Reon-VX delivers many of the same Hollywood-proven HQV algorithms for 

mainstream markets. By focusing on typical home theater content and dynamically 

deciding which algorithms to apply on a per-pixel basis, Reon-VX offers mainstream 

markets the opportunity to experience HQV video processing,” continued Russo. 

The following specifications were provided by Silicon Optix about Reon-VX’s 

Hollywood Quality Processing: 

“HQV FOUR-FIELD PER-PIXEL SD/HD DEINTERLACING: Reon-VX offers true HQV 

four-field, motion-adaptive, per-pixel, high-definition (HD) deinterlacing, delivering 

the sharpest and most detailed HD images possible. With 1080i material you’ll be 

able to see things such as strands of hair, guitar strings, and even threads in suits 

and ties. By looking at each individual pixel, HQV processing ensures that there is no 

unnecessary loss of resolution, as is the case with region-based or frame-based 

solutions. 

HQV SD/HD FILM CADENCE PROCESSING: The wait for 1080p content is over. With 

HQV’s content-based HD cadence detection, the Reon-VX delivers true 1080p 

reconstruction of HD film sources, including Hollywood films and television shows 

produced on film. 

HQV SD/HD MULTI-DIRECTION DIAGONAL FILTER (MDDF): A true 10-bit diagonal 

interpolator that removes any “jaggies” and/or stair-step artifacts from deinterlaced 

video sources without blurring the image. 

HQV SD/HD DETAIL ENHANCEMENT: Detail enhancement brings out the fine detail in 

scenes and is important for SD and HD material. For example, it is possible to see 

blades of grass, small details on jackets, and wrinkles on faces. When combined 

with noise reduction and advanced scaling, Reon-VX detail enhancement can make 

regular DVDs approach the quality of high-definition DVDs. 

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HQV SD RANDOM NOISE REDUCTION: Random noise or film grain is an issue with 

DVDs and cable broadcasts. While many competitors take the simple approach of 

looking at a single frame and cutting off the high-frequency information, Reon-VX 

uses a much more advanced temporal approach of looking at many frames over 

time, which preserves image quality while reducing noise. 

HQV SD MOSQUITO AND BLOCK (CODEC) NOISE REDUCTION: Satellite and cable 

providers, as well as PVRs, compress the signal to get the maximum content into the 

smallest space. Reon-VX delivers high-quality codec (mosquito+block) noise 

reduction to remove the noise and artifacts caused by this compression. 

HQV COLOR SPECTRUM CONTROL: Selective color region enhancement allows 

certain regions (e.g., skin tones) to be accentuated. Reon-VX also contains advanced 

color edge enhancement that corrects artifacts caused by restricted chroma and 

luma bandwidth. It also provides full detection and correction of chroma upsampling 

errors. 

TRUE 10-BIT PROCESSING: Reon-VX offers complete input-to-output 4:4:4 color 

processing and a full 10-bit internal data path, thus enabling the rendering of more 

than one billion colors. 

DUAL-CHANNEL PROCESSING: Reon-VX’s powerful image-processing engines can 

process two full HD or SD resolution channels, thus enabling equal image quality for 

each video window in split-screen (PAP) mode. 

eWARP VX GEOMETRY PROCESSING: For applications requiring image warping, the 

Reon-VX’s proprietary eWARP VX engine allows for AnyPlace flexible projector 

placement while maintaining the highest-quality graphics, fine text, and crisp HD 

video.” 

Products that include the Reon-VX video processor will display the “HQV” logo. 

Products that include the fully programmable Realta processor will display the “HQV 

Powered by Teranex” logo. 

As of September 2006, several products have incorporated the Reon-VX and HQV 

technology as follows: 

Algolith 

DragonFly external Realta HQV video processor: $3000, TTM now. 

BenQ 

The company announced their selection of the Reon-VX HQV® processing engine to 

power its new WXGA (1280x768) DLP projector, TTM 4Q06. 

“Reon-VX HQV processing encompasses true 10-bit video processing, full four-field 

per-pixel SD/HD motion-adaptive video deinterlacing, SD per-pixel temporalrecursive 

noise reduction, SD codec (mosquito and block) noise reduction, and 

SD/HD per-pixel detail enhancement. 

The BenQ projector will also take advantage of Reon-VX’s exclusive advanced realtime 

warping and scaling engine to scale resolutions for correcting extreme keystone 

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angles in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, or for projecting on curved or 

warped surfaces while maintaining full image integrity” BenQ said. 

Calibre 

Vantage HD external Realta HQV video processor: $2900, TTM now. 

Cinetron 

HD-900 1080p projector with built-in Realta HQV processing: $6000, TTM Oct 06. 

Denon 

DVD players: 5910CI, 3930CI and 2930CI, with built-in Realta and Reon-VX HQV 

processing: 3930CI $1500 MSRP; 2930CI $850, TTM now. 

Digital Projection 

VIP 1000 external Realta HQV video processor: $6000, TTM now. 

Epson 

Epson also announced their decision to implement Realta HQV processing in their 

PowerLite Pro Cinema 800 720p projector, featuring 3LCD technology and an 

external HQV TX3 video-processing box for $7,000, TTM Jun 06. 

“We selected HQV processing because it delivers the best image quality in the 

industry. When viewing high-definition (HD) material with the PowerLite Pro Cinema 

800 and HQV processing, one can see every detail and nuance in scenes, from 

strands of hairs to threads in suits and ties. These kinds of details are lost with 

other video processors,” said Lowell Wolf, Product Manager, Home Entertainment 

Division, Epson America. “For regular DVDs and standard-definition (SD) material, 

HQV processing performs admirably, making SD material approach HD quality,” 

continued Wolf. 

JVC 

DLA-HD10K projector and external Realta HQV HR1080Pro video processor, TTM 

now. 

Mitsubishi 

HC5000BL 1080p projector, built-in Reon-VX HQV processing, $4500, TTM Oct 06. 

NEC 

TheaterSync external Realta HQV video processor: $3600, TTM now. 

Proview 

1080p LCD, Reon-VX HQV processing, 

TTM 1Q07. 

Syntax 

Olevia 7 Series, 1080p 42" and 47" 

LCD displays, built-in Realta HQV 

processing: 42" 742i $4000, 47" 747i 

$5000, TTM 4Q06. 

Toshiba 

TDP-ET20U all-in-one projector, with 

built-in Realta HQV processing, 

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$1,400. TDP-ET20U can project a 100" inch image from just 3.9 feet away, TTM now. 

Toshiba’s new top-of-the-line HD DVD player, the HD-XA2, offering 1080i-to-1080p 

HD deinterlacing, per-pixel motion-adaptive algorithms, multidirectional diagonal 

filter for jaggie-free video, per-pixel motion-adaptive noise reduction, detail 

enhancement, and advanced scaling for upconverted SD. 

Yamaha 

DPX-1300 720p projector with built-in Realta HQV processing, TTM now. 

Oct 06 

Silicon Optix's increase in revenues of 513 percent from 2001 to 2005 resulted in a 

17 ranking in the Software & Information Technology category of Deloitte’s 

Technology Fast 50 Program for Silicon Valley, a ranking of the fastest growing 

technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in the area by 

Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, one of the nation’s leading professional services 

organizations. 

GEO chip 

CES 2007 

Silicon Optix announced the volume availability of the new Geo chip by 1Q07. 

Geo enables RPTVs to compete with LCD and plasma displays and ensures pixel-bypixel 

brightness and color uniformity for both projection and LCD panels 

Silicon Optix announced Geo, a video/graphicsgeometry 

processing chip that would enable RPTVs 

to be thin and be hung in the wall to compete with 

current flat panels. 

The technology eliminates hot spots and color nonuniformity, 

allows for pixel-by-pixel brightness 

control for uniformity, eliminates “green glob” 

(pastel-discolored regions), commonly seen in 

three-panel projection systems, offers three 

independent geometry-processing channels 

capable of high-precision, pixel-by-pixel processing 

capable of digitally achieving lateral chromatic 

aberration correction. 

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Features electronic correction of optical problems such as lateral chromatic 

aberrations, optical distortion, and three-panel misconvergence, instead of typical 

optical and mechanical solutions. 

Geo offers inexpensive TV manufacturing, small cabinet depth, less weight, and less 

power consumption. 

“Picture a 55-inch rear-projection TV with a depth of just 5 inches, weighing half of 

what an LCD or plasma weighs and consuming a fraction of the power. That’s what’s 

possible with Geo,” said Paul Russo, Chairman and CEO of Silicon Optix. “Geo is 

going to revitalize the RPTV segment and solve common image-quality problems that 

have plagued projectors forever. Geo also solves the brightness-uniformity issues 

associated with LED-driven LCD displays, and the color-uniformity issues associated 

with three-panel projection systems.” 

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Video Processors 

Algolith 

DragonFly video processor, $3,000, consult details and original specs on the 2005 

HDTV Technology Report. According to the conversations I had back at CES 2006, 

the company had some financial problems that made it unable to release the product 

as originally planned by mid-2005, and was postponing release for 1Q06 but it was 

further postponed for later. The unit implements Silicon Optix Realta HQV chip, 1 

component in (max 1080i/60), 2 HDMI in (max 1080i/60), 1 component out (max 

1080i/60), RGBHV (max WXGA), 1 HDMI out (max 1080i/p/60), no pass-thru of 

1080p apparently because it does not even accept 1080p, full four field deinterlacing 

window for HD deinterlacing and 

cadence detection (1080i to 1080p), 

upgradeable algorithms via USB port. 

1080p output could be 24/30/60fps. 

CES 2007 

DragonFly $3,000, TTM now. 

The unit has been finally released. 

Featuring the above specs, 10-bit 

diagonal interpolator which removes so-called jaggies and stair-stepping artifacts 

from de-interlaced video sources without blurring the image; Noise Reduction 

capability, available as an option, reduces analog and MPEG noise artifacts and the 

fully automatic adaptive software algorithm adds a fourth dimension of pixel-by-pixel 

noise and motion measurement. 

Onboard USB interface allows Dragonfly 

software to be fully upgraded and reprogrammed 

via the Web, Automatic Per 

Pixel Video/Film Detection lets the 

Dragonfly make pixel-level decisions when 

processing film pixels as film and video pixels as video — rather than frame-level 

decisions, which can lead to visible artifacts, eWARP-2 engine allows AnyPlace 

flexible projector placement. 

The optional Noise Reduction and SDI Input are available for an additional $495 

each. 

Mosquito (video enhancer) $3,000, TTM now, noise reduction for digital and HD 

video signals, filters and reduces video imperfections without losing detail, HDMI, 

new edition, Version 2.0, of Algolith’s software core. 

Flea (video enhancer) $1,000, TTM now, HDMI input, new edition, Version 2.0, of 

Algolith’s software core, reduces noise and artifacts introduced by compressed digital 

video signals from such sources as DVDs, satellites, digital cable, PVRs, and Home 

Theater PCs. 

Serial Option $500, TTM now, small accessory module 

for the Mosquito and Flea to be controlled by Home 

Automation systems, such as Crestron, AMX and other 

manufacturers, RS-232, USB port, power input, bidirectional 

communication. 

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Calibre 

In September 2005, the company launched their 

Vantage-HD Home Theater video scaler and switcher 

suited with Silicon Optix Realta HQV chip with true 10- 

bit processing, automatic multi cadence detection, and 

four-field per pixel deinterlacing, $2,900, TTM 4Q05. 

Upon the introduction of the Vantage product the 

company released the following statements: 

“The video processing built into most home theater displays and progressive-scan 

DVD players has limited processing ability and runs basic algorithms none of which 

can match the awesome power of Vantage-HD’s 1T-flop DSP with 30-bit 4:4:4 scaler 

datapath, 12-bit component video A/Ds and studio quality 10-bit video decoder with 

super-adaptive comb filter and 4 x ITU656 over sampling.” 

“Vantage-HD includes per pixel multi-angle aperture-adjusted motion-compensated 

de-interlacing of both SD and HD images, with full de-interlace performance on 1080i 

formats as well as 480i and 576i, out performing all competitor algorithms providing 

a level of de-interlacing quality previously only found in high end studio facilities.” 

“Vantage-HD expertly processes film based material with full automatic detection of 

all pull-down cadences including broken cadences and non-standard cadences 

typically found in animation sequences, as well as the common 3:2 and 2:2 formats, 

all with automatic scene change detection to ensure clean cuts between scenes and 

the ability to process mixed scenes where film and video are overlaid.” 

“Lip-Sync errors significantly degrade the home theater viewing experience 

Vantage-HD automatically adjusts the audio time-line to suit its internal video 

processing delay. Audio time-line correction operates on all audio channels—digital 

coaxial, digital fiber-optic, analog and HDMI audio channels. It’s easy to see that 

Vantage-HD is far more than just another scaler.” 

“For DVD and digital cable/satellite users Vantage-HD provides real-time MPEG 

artifact reduction while leaving picture detail intact. Even conventional external 

scalers don’t fix all picture defects, even those considered benchmarks in home 

theater cannot reduce MPEG noise and cannot run their full de-interlace algorithms 

on HD signals due to a lack of real-time processing power.” 

In 2006, Calibre continued committed to HQV and actually introduced the product 

above for $2,900, as follows: 

Calibre released its Vantage-HD Home Theater video scaler and switcher powered by 

the Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processing engine. 

“We selected the Realta HQV for the Vantage-HD because it delivers spectacular 

image quality. Not only does it convert NTSC or PAL standard definition (SD) 

material to superb high definition (HD) images, but it is the only processor to 

correctly process HD video for maximum image quality,“ said Tim Brooksbank, CEO 

of Calibre. 

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Unlike any other video processor, Realta HQV is also fully software programmable 

and upgradeable. The Realta HQV processor executes its video algorithms entirely in 

software. As new firmware is developed, Vantage-HD consumers can simply 

download the upgrades from the Calibre web site. 

Vantage-HD is a scaler and a switcher with flexible range of inputs and outputs, 

integrated with on screen menu controlled by remote or by an RS232 serial link for 

use with third party control systems, the base input configuration is 2x HDMI with 

support for up to 8 channel digital audio, HDCP capability and backwards capability 

with DVI, 2xcomposite video and 2xcomponent analog video for YPbPr or RGBS SD, 

ED or HD signals compatible with 480i (NTSC), 576i (PAL/SECAM), 480p, 576p, 720p 

and 1080i as well as 1080psf. Additional options include 2xHDMI expansion board 

and an HD-SDI expansion board with single or dual port inputs available during 

2006. 

On discussing some technical features with Calibre, I obtained the following 

information: 

1. There are several aspect ratio conversions available; the aspect ratio can be 

customized for non-standard applications. Vertical stretch of a 2.35:1 image for use 

with 1080p projectors fitted with an anamorphic lens is pre-programmed into the 

selectable aspect ratio conversions. The chosen aspect ratio is automatically saved 

and recalled on a per-input, per signal aspect-ratio basis. It is also possible to select 

the required aspect ratio from the OSD menu, or via the OSD select button on the 

remote control, or via discrete IR command, or via RS232 serial command. 

2. 1080p will physically pass through the on-board circuitry but signal processing can 

be disabled by turning off the various filters and enhancement settings via the OSD 

menu. By 1080p passes through the scaler so that it can be scaled to different 

screen sizes or aspect ratio conversion can be performed. 

3. 1080i de-interlace uses a true per-pixel motion detection algorithm with MDDF 

(multi-directional diagonal filter). The algorithm temporal aperture is four fields. 

4. At present 1080p 24fps is output as 60Hz or 50Hz, there is presently no 

48Hz/72Hz option. That functionality may be added later, it has been discussed, but 

there is presently no timescale for this as market demand has been virtually nonexistent. 

The cadence detection and pull-down mode is automatically adaptive to 

the input cadence, so is not just fixed at 3:2 for 60Hz or 2:2 for 50Hz, it adapts to 

non-standard and broken cadences. 

5. There is an HDMI expansion card due soon, to add a further 2 HDMI inputs, giving 

a total of 4. You can fit either the HDMI expansion card, or the HDSDI expansion 

card. 

Digital Projection 

In September 2005, the company released their VIP 1000 video processor developed 

in partnership with Silicon Optix for use with Digital Projection displays. The VIP 

1000 is suited with the Silicon Optix Realta HQV state-of-the-art processor. Details 

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about the Realta processor were mentioned on the product above (from Calibre), 

which also uses the same chip. MSRP $6,000, TTM 4Q05. 

DVDO 

VP30, Third Generation 1080p capable video processor, ABT’s Precision Video Scaling 

II technology with 10-bit scaling, enhanced sharpness controls and non-liner scaling, 

analog transcoding, 11 video inputs (4 HDMI, 2 component, RGBHV, optional SD-SDI 

input), each input has separate picture controls, $2,000, TTM now. 

Other DVDO models are listed on the 2005 HDTV Technology Report and the 2006 

HDTV Technology Report. 

DVDO® iScan VP50 

$3,000, TTM now 

HD video processor/AV hub, converts SD, HD (including 1080p), and PC signals from 

DVD players, HD-DVD players, Blu-ray players, HD DVRs, game consoles, and PCs to 

any output resolution between VGA and 1080p. 

Features Anchor Bay’s Video Reference Series (VRS) technologies, 10-bit Precision 

Video Scaling II to independently scale horizontally and vertically, 10-bit HD 

Precision Deinterlacing adaptive processing (motion, edge and source) for artifactfree 

images, PReP processing. 

Faroudja 

CES 2007 

Gefen 

CES 2007 

HD Mate Scaler $350, TTM Jan 07 

Scaler/switcher combo, 2xcomponent inputs with 

TOSlink and analog audio inputs, 1xDVI output 

with its own TOSlink and analog audio, 1080p, 

mirrored audio in both digital formats. 

Home Theater Scaler $450, TTM Jan 07 

Scaler/switcher combo with HDMI, 2xHDMI 

inputs each with its own audio in S/PDIF and 

TOSlink format, 2xcomponent inputs each with 

296

its own analog audio, IR remote control for switching, each source is output in HDMI 

format, with mirrored audio delivered in both S/PDIF and TOSlink, 1080p. 

Home Theater Scaler Plus $350, TTM Feb 07 

Scaler/switcher combo, supports composite and S-video sources with analog audio, 

1xcomponent, 2xHDMI inputs, each with their own audio, scales all HDTV resolutions 

up to 1080p, audio delay compensation to match lips-sync of video and audio 

automatically. 

Lumagen 

Most Lumagen products and specifications can be found in 2005 HDTV Technology 

Report and the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

In September 2005 the company declared that they “now use” Silicon Optix’s Realta 

HQV engine on the new processor they were developing, RadianceXD (further 

below). 

Vision HDQ $2000, TTM Mar 06 

1080p 60 

upconversion, 4 

DVI/HDCP, 2 

comp, 1 SDI, 

transcoding 

between component and RGB analog HD, zoom feature up to 33%, programmable 

input types, output resolution 480p to 1080p, plus 1080i, VisionDVI processing, 3D 

comb filter for composite and S-video inputs, vertical refresh from 48-120 Hz, perpixel 

motion adaptive HD and SD deinterlacing, fully programmable scaling and 

aspect ratio, Panamorph mode 1 and 2 compatibility, onscreen setup and control 

with included remote, RS232, rack mountable, optional brackets. 

CES 2007 

RadianceXD $4,000, TTM 2Q07 

High definition audio/video switcher/processor with 1080p/60Hz support, 18 

video/audio inputs including 6xHDMI/HDCP 1080p/60, 4xSD/HDcomponent, 4xS- 

Video, 4xcomposite, PIP/POP, 2xHDMI outs, 2xcoax audio, 10-bit video processing, 

per-pixel SD and HD video de-interlacing, MPEG mosquito and block artifact 

reduction, second HDMI output can carry a copy of the first HDMI or used for audio 

out only for receivers. 

User-adjustable image enhancement with four configuration memories per input, 

programmable output resolution from 480p to 1080p, plus 1080i, ability to zoom in 

on any source by up to 33 percent, selectable aspect ratios of 4:3, 4:3 NLS, 16:9, 

1.85, and 2.35. 

The 4:3 NLS aspect ratio uses Lumagen’s Preciseview user programmable nonlinear-stretch 

mode for 4:3 sources to fill a 16:9 display. For film sources 2:2, 3:2 

and 3:3 pull-down detection and output at 24, 48, 60 and 72 Hertz for 24 fps film 

sources, plus 50 and 75 Hertz for 25 fps film source. 

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NEC 

In June 2005, the company announced that was partnering with Silicon Image to 

implement the Realta HQV engine on their plasma panels and projectors via the new 

NEC Theater Sync external video processing unit that will seamlessly connect to its 

displays. 

The Theater Sync unit handles all SD, HD, and PC signals over standard analog, DVI, 

and HDMI inputs, and will incorporate the newest HQV algorithm, CNR (CODEC 

Noise Reduction), to reduce the artifacts caused by MPEG and other CODEC 

compression methodologies. MSRP $3,600, TTM Oct 05. 

Pixel Magic (Crystalio II) 

In September 2005, the company announced their new Crystalio II HD consumer 

video processor implementing Gennum Corporation’s VXP (Virtual Excellence 

Processing) engine with upconversion to 1080p60fps. 

” The Crystalio II, the second generation in the Crystalio product family, is an 

advanced video processor with true 1080p HD motion adaptive de-interlacing and 

true 10-bit 4:4:4 broadcast quality processing. The Crystalio II also includes a wide 

range of advanced capabilities including 4 HDMI inputs, 2 HD-SDI/SD-SDI inputs, 

Ultra Fine Audio Delay, an internal HD media player, and support for 48 Hz and 72 

Hz outputs.” 

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Chapter 14 - HD Video Cameras 

HDV Format 

HDV was announced in the summer of 2003 and was 

established as an official format in the fall of 2003. 

Canon, JVC, Sharp, and Sony are the primary 

manufacturers supporting this HD format that uses mini- 

DV videotape, MPEG-2 and at resolutions of 1080i and 

720p. The companies indicated that camcorders could be 

made that can record on the same mini-DV both regular 

and HD formats. 

AVCHD Format 

Panasonic co-developed this standard with Sony. The format is capable of recording 

1080i or 720p video to standard DVDs. In July 2006, both companies announced 

that the format was to be expanded to record in flash memory cards and hard disc 

drives. 

AVCHD based camcorders were first launched by Sony. Hitachi will launch their 

AVCHD model in 2007. 

Panasonic was quoted as declaring “Our development teams are studying the 

feasibility of a Blu-ray disc camcorder, since the AVCHD format is compatible with 

Blu-ray, the former would not be made obsolete with the advent of Blu-ray disc 

camcorders”. 

AVCHD records onto standard 3-inch DVD discs, which can be played back on 

Panasonic and Sony Blu-ray disc players, and Sony’s Playstation 3. 

Canon, Sharp, Cyberlink, Intervideo, Nero AG, Sonic Solutions, Ulead Systems, 

Samsung, and Pioneer support the AVCHD format. 

Ambarella 

Dec 05 

A1 digital camera SoC (System on Chip) platform, TTM now 

The platform combines an HD H.264/AVC codec video processor, still image 

processor, audio compression, and system functions on one chip with an operating 

power of less than 1W and priced for consumer applications. 2.5x compression gain 

over MPEG-2/4 would allow storage of HD video content in flash-based memory. 

For more information, visit 

http://www.ambarella.com/ 

The company is producing chips that would allow manufacturers of HD cameras to 

release products in the $800 range. 

Canon 

Professional Products 

299

Sep 05 

XL H1 HD camcorder, $9,000, TTM Nov 05 

Records images at 1,080i resolution to DV 

tape using three 1/3 inch interlaced CCDs, 

selectable frame rates of 60i, 30 frames per 

second (fps) and 24 fps. 

HD-SDI output for image transferring, 20x 

optical zoom lens with built-in optical image 

stabilization technology, Canon’s DIGIC DV 

II processor, captures 2-megapixel still 

images to an SD card. 

Still picture technology in development by 

Canon: “Automatic face detection 

technology” Cameras using this technology 

can automatically locate a person’s face and 

apply two other developing technologies, 

“smile detection” and “blink detection,” that will tell the camera to wait until the 

subject is smiling and has his/her eyes open before snapping the picture. 

Detailed features and specifications: 

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid 

=175&modelid=14061&pageno=1 

Aug 06 

Canon introduced two new camcorders to its high-end 3-CCD HDV line. 

XH A1 $4,000, TTM Oct 06 

XH G1 $7,000, TTM Nov 06 (shown) 

The Image Quality of High Definition 

(1080i 60i, 30f, 24f) 

Genuine Canon HD Zoom Lens, 20x 

3 CCD Performance 

Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer 

Instant AF 

DIGIC DV ll HD Image Processor 

Complete Customization 

60i / 50i Video Mode Option 

Professional Jackpack 

XH G1 detailed features and specifications: 

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid 

=175&modelid=14057 

XH A1 detailed features and specifications: 

300

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=17 

5&modelid=14061 

Both camcorders record 1,080i HD video, 20x optical zoom lens with image 

stabilization, 2.8-inch widescreen flip-out LCD screen under the handle, 60i, 24F, 30F 

frame rates, Canon’s Digic DV II processor, new noise reduction system, lens with 

fluorite and UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) glass elements and multi-coatings to reduce 

flare and ghosting, manual focus and zoom rings, manual iris ring, high-speed zoom 

mode, new instant AF focusing system, which Canon says improves the speed and 

accuracy during autofocus, external sensor, in combination with Canon's autofocus 

system, to decrease the time it takes to find focus, including in low-light conditions. 

The camcorders offer control over 23 image settings, including color gain, RGB 

independent gain, and six-axis matrix, and can customize the camcorder’s display. 

Users can store up to nine image presets to internal memory or to an SD card for 

exporting to other XH A1 or XH G1 camcorders. SD cards can also be used for 

storing 2-megapixel digital still photos. 

The XH G1 model features HD-SDI output with embedded audio and timecode, 

Genlock synchronization and timecode In/Out. 

Consumer Camcorders 

Canon also announced the new model: 

HV10 $1,300, TTM Sep 06 

Records at 1,080i resolution to DV tape, the smallest and lightest HDV camcorder on 

the market at 0.9 pounds and sizing in at 2 inches 

wide by 4 inches tall, HD optics with super range 

optical image stabilization, Canon’s DIGIC DV II 

image processor, the company’s 1,920 by 1,080 

video CMOS sensor, recently introduced Instant AF 

auto-focus technology, 10x optical zoom HD video 

lens with a 200x digital zoom and smooth zoom 

control, 2.7-inch widescreen LCD. 

Level shot control to assist in framing, built-in video 

light, letterboxing for viewing 16:9 footage on 

standard-definition TVs, snaps 3-megapixel images 

to MiniSD cards or 2-megapixel images to tape while 

simultaneously recording video, 11 shooting modes, 

including continuous shooting to capture five fullresolution 

still images per second, built-in flash, 

histogram display and PictBridge compatibility. 

Jan 2007 

Canon announced their addition of a second HD Camcorder, the HV20, TTM Apr 07, 

$1,100, to join the current model HV10. 

The HV20 has several enhancements, new horizontal design, accessory shoe for 

adding video lights and microphones, 24P mode for recording feature film style 

video, HDMI output, microphone and headphone jacks with a manual level control for 

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audio recording, records 1,080i video to DV tape, 2.7-inch widescreen LCD, 10x 

optical zoom lens, Canon’s Super Range 

Optical Image Stabilization for video and 

still capture modes, smooth zoom 

control to regulate the speed of lens 

extension. 

The camcorder also features DIGIC II 

processor, 2.96-megapixel CMOS image 

sensor with on-chip noise-reduction 

technology, RGB primary color filter, 

“Instant AF” focusing system (which 

uses an external sensor to augment the 

internal autofocus system for a quicker 

and more accurate focus, according to 

Canon). 

CINE tonal and color adjustment 

settings existent on their higher-end 

video cameras, CINE mode can be used 

with 24P recording or independently, records 3.1 megapixel still images to a miniSD 

card or 2-megapixel images while simultaneously shooting video that can be saved 

to the card or DV tape, 11 still image shooting modes, built-in flash, PictBridge 

enabled. 

Feb 07 

PowerShot TX1 HD Camcorder 

TTM Mar 07, $500, US distribution unconfirmed 

Canon announced the new camcorder 

featuring a 7.1 Megapixel CCD image sensor, 

10X optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, DIGIC III 

image processor, can record movies in 

1280×720 HD resolution (16:9) at 30fps, 

supports up to ISO 1600 (800 in low-light), 

1.8-inch TFT LCD screen, uses SD or SDHC as 

storage media, measures 

88.8×29x59.9mm, weights 220g, 

component video output, records 44 KHz 

audio, captures VGA/30 fps or QVGA 

video at 60 fps, “MovieSnap” (still 

images while recording video), optical 

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stabilization, zoom functional on movie recording or shooting stills, 14 shooting 

modes, compatible with SDHC memory cards and MS Vista. 

Hitachi 

Oct 06 

Hitachi announced their plans to release Blu Ray and AVCHD Camcorders in 2007 

with 1080i capabilities at around $1500 for the Blu-ray model and a bit larger that 

the DVD camcorder size. 

The company plans to also release a dual DVD/HDD model. 

“Hitachi will try to come out with a video camera with a built-in Blu-ray burner in one 

to two years”, said Hiroto Yamauchi, general manager of storage products marketing 

at Hitachi. "I hope it is one year," said Kazuto Shimagami, senior manager in the 

company's storage products division. 

However, the planned camcorder would not use a 12 cm disk conventional drive, but 

rather a not yet existing Blu-ray burner for 8 cm disks, according to both managers 

above, for which specifications are being defined by the Blu-ray companies. 

The new disks would hold about one third of the data (1.4 GB) of a standard DVD 

disks (4.7 GB), and much less than the 25GB to 50GB (dual layer) of Blu-ray disks, 

but Hitachi thinks the capacity is sufficient for personal video footage. 

The camera is expected to be small when using that size of disks. 

Hitachi already has a camcorder with that disk size in Japan, and includes a HDD as 

well, which is hoped to come to Europe and the US in 2007. Hitachi showed at 

CEATEC in Japan one camcorder based on Blu-ray but it will delay introduction until 

it could be sold for 100.000 yen (

and includes MXF, Pinnacle AVI and Avid DV-OMF format support. It records high 

definition 720p 24/25/30 M2T for HD non-linear editing systems. 

Consumer Products – CES 2007 

JVC announced their first consumer full HD recording 3-CCD Camcorder System 

featuring 16:9 Progressive Scan CCDs, broadcast HD camera Fujinon Lens, 1920 x 

1080i: 

Everio GZ-HD7 HDD recorder $1,800, TTM Apr 07 

Everio SHARE STATION CU-VD40 $400, TTM Apr 07 

Super high-end processor, new HD Gigabrid high-resolution signal processing engine, 

Hard Drive 60GB Camcorder, 30 Mbps max, three 1/5-inch 16:9 progressive scan 

CCDs, diagonally offset pixel configuration, large pixels measuring 3.28 microns x 

3.28 microns, 3 spherical lens elements, minimal F. No. is F1.8 wide open and F1.9 

for telephoto, lens surface coated with a new Electronic Beam Coating (EBC) used for 

broadcast HD lenses reducing detrimental flaring and ghosting, optional HD Everio 

SHARE STATION CU-VD40 for transferring footage to disc, HDMI (digital viewing), 

USB (file sharing). ILink (HD streaming in 1440CBR), analog component. 

Options: 46mm telephoto and a 46mm wide conversion lens, battery charger and 

three additional batteries including standard, high power and extended power. 

stereo microphone. 

Specs and figures courtesy of JVC. 

Record Mode 

FHD 

(Full HD High 

Quality Mode) 

SP 

(Long Time 7 

Hour Mode) 

1440CBR 

(Constant Bit 

Rate Mode) 

Record 

Resolution 

CODEC 

Video/Audio 

System Bit Rate Recording Time 

1920x1080i MPEG2-TS / Variable Bit Rate approx. 5hr 

MP2 (MPEG1 (VBR): Max 30Mbps 

Layer 2) Ave. 26.6Mbps 

1440x1080i MPEG2-TS / VBR: Max 22Mbps approx. 7hr 

MP2 (MPEG1 Ave. 19Mbps 

Layer 2) 

1440x1080i MPEG2-TS / Constant Bit Rate approx. 5hr 

MP2 (MPEG1 (CBR): 27Mbps 

Layer 2) 

For editing/archiving, it includes the Cyberlink BD Solution software suite for 

Windows, PowerDirector for HD video editing, and PowerProducer for authoring high 

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definition Blu-ray discs and DVD-Video discs, and PowerCinema for HD file 

management and playback. 

As the Everio GZ-MG505 3-CCD hard disk camcorder, JVC adjusts the GZ-HD7’s 

three CCDs precisely in the 3-CCD prism on each axis of a 6-axis color matrix before 

mounting them firmly in place with the high precision appropriate for an HD camera, 

# of pixels per CCD: 1016 x 558, approximately 570,000 pixels, # of effective pixels 

per CCD: 976 x 548, approximately 530,000 pixels, JVC Uses Pixel Shift Technique 

(figure 1) be which the Red and Blue imaging CCDs are shifted a half-pixel both 

horizontally and vertically relative to the Green imaging CCD. Because the pixel-shift 

system uses progressive scan CCDs, signals are processed first as 1920 x 1080p 

progressive signals, then converted to 1920 x 1080i interlace signals for recording. 

Figure 1: Pixel Shift Scheme Concept 

As a result, the system records a higher resolution HD image than the interline (IL) 

CCD system shown in figure 2. 

CCD 

t t 

PS(ProgressiveScanCCD 

 

Optical location 

Frequency characteristics 

 

PSCCD 

OddField 

IL(InterLine)CCD 

Even Field 

MTF 

ICCD 

GCCD 

R,BCCD 

V 

OddField 

Even Field 

Figure 2: Frequency Characteristics 

HD 1920x1080i MPEG2 Transport Stream video with MPEG 1 Layer 2 audio, seven 

hour SP mode with a resolution of 1440x1080i, and a 1440CBR mode with a 

resolution of 1440x1080i and a five-hour capacity, HD Everio recordings can be 

305

archived onto Blu-ray discs using provided software and a high definition Blu-ray 

recorder. 

Pixel summary of recorded images 

Total pixels: 

2032 x 1116 (equivalent to 2.27 million pixels) 

Number of effective pixels: 1952 x 1096 (equivalent to 2.14 million pixels) 

The analog front end (AFD) uses 14-bit signal processing to produce HD high-quality 

resolution. 

Professional Products 

GY-HD110U ProHD Camcorder $6,550, TTM Jul 06 

Latest version of the HD100 series of 

ProHD camcorders; same design as the 

GY-HD100U with additional features 

requested by producers and 

cinematographers. 

ProHD HD100 Series Attributes: 

· True 24 frame Progressive recording 

· Time Code 

· HDV and DV compatible 

· Standard ¼-inch tripod mount 

· Full HD resolution 1280 x 720 image capture 

· Interchangeable lenses with bayonet mount 

· Professional design and compact form factor 

· Three 1/3-inch native high definition CCDs 

· Output in multiple HD formats including 1080i 

New GY-HD110U Features: 

· Black and white viewfinder display mode 

· Simultaneous use of both eyepiece viewfinder and tri-mode LCD display when 

powered by Anton Bauer or IDX battery system 

· Selectable mirror mode on vertically flipped LCD display 

· Adjustable setting of FOCUS ASSIST function 

· Choice of three image formats on composite out (letterbox, squeeze, side cut) 

· User selectable DNR ON/OFF menu setting 

· 13 segment audio level indicator 

· Manual audio control within FAS (Full Auto Shooting) mode 

· Audio limiter available in manual mode 

· Parallel power off management of DR-HD100 hard disk recorder 

The GY-HD110U can use all accessories including lenses and battery system adapters 

designed for the HD100 series of camcorders with no modifications necessary. 

http://pro.jvc.com/ 

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GY-HD200U $9,000, TTM now 

3-CCD ProHD camcorder w/16:1 FUJINON Lens 

According to JVC: 

Designed for newsgathering, field 

production, and cinematography, the GY- 

HD200 offers multiple frame rate 

recording including full-frame 720p/60 

imaging and real 24p. New image 

processing puts this camera at a 

performance level that can be considered 

for mainstream HD production. 

Multiple frame rate recording: 720/24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, and 60p 

Compact Shoulder Professional form factor 

Wide choice of lenses and accessories 

Optional HZ-CA13U Prime Lens adapter 

Built-in image flip recording when using prime lenses 

Built-in 14.4V type Battery Mount 

Dual-media (tape +HDD)recording with DTE 

Next generation super-efficient MPEG-2 encoding 

Enhanced Cinema Gamma 

Advanced 14-bit A/D converter 

Lower noise in low light 

Better highlight handling 

BNC connectors 

GY-HD250U $11,000 with Fujinon lens 

($10,000 without) 

60p recording, and upgrade from 

previous models that only recorded at 

720p/24 frames per second, for a film 

look, records on either MiniDV cassettes 

or hard disk with the optional DR- 

HD100U recorder, 16x Fujinon lens. 

Capable to output 1080i for broadcast plants, KA-HD250 studio adapter, new codec 

for efficient compression without visible motion artifacts, DA converter improved 

from 12 bit to 14, genlock capability for multiple camera shoots, HD-SDI output, 

enhanced cinema gamma, external time code synchronization, BNC connectors, 

built-in mount for an Anton Bauer Gold Mount 14.4V professional battery, patented 

focus assist feature. 

Panasonic 

Oct 05 

AG-DVX100B camcorder 

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Camera-to-camera time-code synchronization (facilitating simultaneous, multicamera 

shoots). User-settable file transfer over IEEE 1394, 24p/30p/60i MiniDV, a 

successor to its AG-DVX100A and AG-DVX100 models, RoHS-compliant (virtually 

free of lead, arsenic and other hazardous substances, directive becomes mandatory 

July 2006 in Europe), 4lb, 16:9 letter-box display mode on the electronic viewfinder 

(EVF), 3.5in color LCD monitor for distortion-free Squeeze Mode or Anamorphic 

Display, remote control of focus and iris 

(wired) when mounted on a jib or tripod, 

single button character off for LCD and 

EVF displays, improved video S/N for 

better low light recording; and higher 

resolution LCD (210,000 pixels) and EVF 

(235,000 pixels) monitors. 

Panasonic Broadcast 

AG-HVX200 handheld HD solid-state storage camcorder, $6,000, TTM Dec 05, 

captures video in 21 video formats, recording in 

both 1080i and 720p at 100Mb/s DVCPRO HD, 

intra-frame compression, full 4:2:2 color 

sampling, video is recorded onto P2 cards as 

IT-friendly MXF files in 1080/60i, 30p and 24p; 

in 720/60p, 30p and 24p; in 50Mb/s DVCPRO50 

and in 25Mb/s DVCPRO or DV, provides 64 

minutes of record time in DVCPRO or DV using 

two of Panasonic’s new 8GB P2 cards, 40 

minutes in 720p, 32 minutes in DVCPRO50; 

and 16 minutes in 1080/60i and 720/60p. 

P2 card video can be downloaded to a nonlinear editing system or server, or instantly 

edited from the P2 card through an IEEE 1394 or USB 2.0 interface. The AG-HVX200 

is also equipped with a MiniDV tape drive for shooting 4:3 and 16:9 images onto DV 

tape in 60i, 30p and 24p. With two P2 card slots, a shooter has hot-swap capability 

and a loop-recording feature. To prevent missing the start of a press conference or 

event, the camera can be preset to pre-record (up to seven seconds in DVCPRO and 

three seconds in DVCPRO HD. 

Captures images at any of 11 rates between 12fps and 60fps. Camera play back of 

the recording at normal rate allows the shooter to preview the off-speed effect 

without a frame rate converter. Down-converts off-speed recordings in 720p from a 

P2 card and copy it to a MiniDV tape to allow creation of special off-speed effects 

during DV production (technique previously possible only with a complete VariCam 

system). 

Eight gamma modes including Cine-Like gamma, and for newsgathering, a news 

gamma curve to assist a news photographer by allowing him to suppress oversaturated 

highlight areas during sudden contrast changes. 

Native progressive 16:9 1/3in, 3-CCD optical block, and a wide-angle, 13X Leica 

Dicomar HD lens with optical image stabilization. The lens covers a wide range from 

4.2mm to 55mm. 

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In the wide-screen mode, the 3.5in LCD monitor can display images in letterbox, 

which places vital camera operating information in areas above and below the active 

image area. The LCD permits the shooter to view and select thumbnail clips to 

speed editing, and allows random access to the thumbnail-displayed scenes (from 

the P2 card) for instant playback and the creation of an in-camera storyboard. 

Audio is supported with four-channel non-compressed 48KHz/16-bit digital 

processing in DVCPRO HD and DVCPRO50 and two channels in DVCPRO and DV. 

Interfaces include IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0, 2 XLR audio (with +48 volt phantom 

power) inputs, a component (D4) output, composite I/O, S-video I/O, audio (RCA) 

I/O, and headphone. Panasonic also announced that Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Avid’s 

Newscutter XP, Newscutter Adrenaline FX and Xpress HD, and Canopus Edius HD are 

supporting the camera with complete P2 editing solutions. 

For more information on the AG-HVX200, visit http://www.panasonic.com/hvx200 

Apr 07 

Panasonic introduced at NAB the AG-HPX500, a shoulder mounted camcorder P2, 

3x2/3-inch sensors, $13,000. 

Consumer Products 

Dec 06 

Panasonic introduced two new 3CCD HD AVCHD camcorders for SDHC or DVD 

recording. 

HDC-SD1 $1,500, TTM Mar 07 

HDC-DX1 $1,400, TTM Mar 07 

On Mar 07 the MSRP was reduced to 

$1,300 on both models. 

The HDC-SD1 records onto high 

capacity, solid-state SDHC Memory 

Cards, lightest 3CCD High Definition 

video camcorder, no moving 

recording parts make the unit 

resistant to impact. 

Supports three recording modes at 

6, 9 and 13Mbps, a 4GB card could 

record 40 minutes of 1,080i video at 13Mbps, or 85 minutes at 6Mbps mode. 

The HDC-DX1 records onto DVD discs, video and sound data are recorded directly 

onto the disc, 40 minutes of High Definition recording on a dual-layer DVD-R disc. 

Both models implement the AVCHD format, 3CCD camera system, Optical Image 

Stabilization, light received through the lens is split into its three primary color 

components (red, green and blue), and the signal from each is processed by one of 

the three CCDs (charge-coupled devices or chips), 5.1-channel surround sound 

system with 5 microphones. 

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Zoom Mic function links the microphone's action to the camera's action, when 

zooming in on a subject in the distance, for example, the microphones also zoom in 

and record the sounds specific to that subject, Leica Dicomar lens with 13 lens 

elements in 10 groups, with 21 multi-coated surfaces, using low-dispersion optical 

glass to reduce chromatic aberration, minimizing harmful reflections, 1080i recording 

(the AVCHD standard supports 720p and 1,080i recording). 

HDC-SD1 below: 

HDC-DX1 below: 

Feb 07 

Panasonic introduced the AG-HSC1U High End AVCHD Camcorder for the professional 

market, TTM mar 07, $2,100, 3-CCD, records 1080i high definition video to SD 

memory cards, can store up to 88 minutes on high speed 4GB SDHC card or 41 

minutes in the highest quality mode, 4GB SDHC card included, accessory 40GB hard 

drive with a built-in SD card reader for transferring images, image stabilized Leica 

Dicomar lens. 

3-inch wide screen rotating LCD, five microphone system for recording 5.1 channel 

surround sound, “zoom mic” function to isolate sound in the front channel as the 

camcorder zooms in on a subject, 2-megapixel still images can be taken during video 

recording, HDMI output, HD Writer 1.0 software for editing, Panasonic declared that 

“more sophisticated” editing software from third party non linear editing companies 

will be available in the spring, HD Writer can also burn HD video onto DVD-R discs 

for playback on Sony and Panasonic Blu-ray disc players and PlayStation 3. 

Panasonic unveiled a new camera using new solid-state memory card for its P2 line 

of camcorders. 

The card holds 16 gigabytes (GB) of data, about 16 minutes 1080i, doubling the 

capacity of the current 8 GB P2 cards, TTM May 07, enabling P2 cameras with 5 

memory card slots to record up to 80 minutes of HD. 

Remarks were issued about a 32 GB card ready in November 2007, for P2 cameras 

to record up to 160 HD minutes, $TBA (but estimated as $1,200, the price of the 

current 8 GB cards). 

Regarding the new camera, TTM May 07, Panasonic introduced a new shouldermounted 

P2 HD camcorder, the AG-HPX500 $14,000, an enhanced AG-HVX200, with 

three 2/3” imaging chips (CCDs), 4:2:2 sampling and independent frame encoding, 

records 32 HD and SD formats, swappable compatible lenses, four P2 card slots for 

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64 minutes in DVCPRO HD, 128 minutes in DVCPRO 50, and 256 minutes in DVCPRO 

on four 16GB P2 cards, “Native Mode” recording in 720p. 

P2 cameras were said by Panasonic to outsell tape-based HD cameras 10 to 1. 

Apr 07 

Panasonic introduced two new models that support 

MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, 1080i, with 3x0.52 megapixel 

CCD sensor, 10x optical zoom, 30x digital zoom, 3- 

inch LCD display: 

HDC-SD3, records SD-2GB, SDHC-4GB memory cards 

HDC-DX3, records to 8-cm DVD 

Sanyo 

Jan 06 

Xacti HD1 video camera, $800, TTM Mar 

06, with ultra-res and ultra-clear 2.2in 

OLED display with 210,000 total pixels 

display that flips out from the camera and 

rotates up to 285 degrees on axis for 

taking video or still images in otherwise 

difficult locations, pocket-sized, tape-less 

combo camera, weighs 8.3oz, can 

simultaneously record 720p HD video 

(MPEG-4 at 30fps) and 5.1 megapixel still 

images to SD flash memory card, 16:9 

widescreen format (HD-SHQ / HD-HQ 

modes). 

Highprecision 

large-scale integration for image processing 

executing a vast number of calculations in a short 

period of time, image processing functions for HD 

720p processing, real-time MPEG-4 compression 

and noise reduction. 10x digital zoom, 10x optical 

zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5 in 

both wide and telephoto angles, allowing for clear 

images in lower light situations, 21 minutes of 720p 

HD on 1GB SD card, 42 minutes on a 2GB card, 

2hrs in SD mode (640 x 480 pixels at 30fps 

progressive) on a 2GB SD card. 

Upon its introduction this camera was reviewed 

with disappointing results (quoted as “everything 

except for HD, the disappointment”). I have not 

tested the camera myself though. In doubt, I 

suggest potential buyers to perform proper 

research to confirm that quality, performance, and 

features match your requirements and expectations. 

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Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD1 720p HDTV 

http://viphttp.yacast.net/yacast/akihabara/AKIBA_HD1_HDTV_720p.wmv 

(Progressive Download HTTP "right click and save as", or "left click and view while buffering") 

Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD1 720p HDTV 

mms://vipmms9.yacast.net/akihabara/AKIBA_HD1_HDTV_720p.wmv 

(Streaming Windows Media, Requires at least 6MBits/s, copy link to your browser and execute it there) 

CES 2007 

Sanyo announced the world’s smallest and lightest HD digital video camera, 

Xacti HD2 $700, TTM Mar 07 

Featuring a new 7.38-Megapixel Sensor, up to 76% Greater Low-Light Sensitivity, 

HDMI into the HD2’s multifunction docking station, 720p HD digital camcorder, 7.1- 

megapixel digital still camera, pocket-sized, pistol-grip and thumb-operable design, 

records up to 21 minutes of high-definition video 

(or up to one hour of standard-definition video) 

per gigabyte of available memory on any 

standard SD or high-capacity SDHC card 

(memory cards sold separately), 8-gigabyte 

SDHC card for three hours of high-definition 

video, or up to eight hours of standard-definition 

video or thousands of 7.1-megapixel digital still 

images. 

Additionally, the camera features increased lowlight 

sensitivity to respond to light as low as 

12.5 lux in auto mode representing up to 75% 

increase in low-light sensitivity when compared 

to the 50 lux auto mode capability of the 

previous models, the HD1 and HD1a. The HD2 

responds to light as low as 6 lux, in lamp mode, 

representing an up to 76% increase in low-light 

sensitivity when compared to the 25 lux capability of the HD1 and HD1a. 

A special “High Sensitivity” button, super-fast start up and shooting, no tape to 

queue up, ready to record in as little as 1.7 seconds, digital image stabilization that 

works across the full shooting range from wide-angle to telephoto, distinguishes 

between “trembling hands” and “camera work” such as panning and tilting. 

1280 x 720 progressive HD video scanning, MPEG-4 technology for 30 frames per 

second, high-precision LSI (large-scale integration) circuitry for advanced, highdefinition 

image processing, super-fast 9Mbs frame rate, 10x optical zoom built from 

12 elements designed in 9 groups and with a built-in neutral density filter, with a 

maximum aperture of f/3.5 in both wide and telephoto angles, combined with a 10x 

digital zoom capability. 

The HD2 is capable of a total 100x zoom, 2.2-inch LCD display with 210,000 total 

pixels that flips out from the camera and rotates up to 285 degrees, video recording 

optimized for personal media players, “Web-SHQ” recording mode to capture video 

destined for video iPod and other popular MPEG-4 personal media players for which 

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the video is captured at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and a smooth and natural 30 

frames per second. 

16:9 still shooting to capture stills in the same widescreen format as their highdefinition 

videos, in-camera video editing enabling quick A>B deletions and easy 

combining of video clips, only 8.3 ounces (including battery and a standard SD 

memory card), measures 3.1″ W x 4.7″ H x 1.4″ D, stylish blue graphite body. 

Other features include sequential still shooting, High-quality 48 kHz, 16-bit, stereo 

AAC-LC sound (MPEG-4 Audio), pop-up flash, HD/Norm switch, Super Macro shooting 

down to 1 cm (W) / 1 m (T), self timer (2 seconds / 10 seconds), voice recorder 

function, red-eye reduction mode, Component, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, 

remote control, Exif Print and Print Image Matching III, PictBridge-capable for PC- 

Free printing with PictBridge-compatible printers 

SANYO Xacti HD2 optional accessories include: 

- NEW Belt-clip Holster Case (VCP-HCX1) $19.99 

- 0.6x Wide-angle Lens Adapter (VCP-L06WU) $99.99 

- 1.4x Telephoto Lens Adapter (VCP-L14TU) $99.99 

- 49mm Lens Filter Adapter (VCP-AL49) $17.99 

- L40 Battery Charging Cradle (VAR-L40U) $39.99 

- Original SANYO L40 Battery (DB-L40AU) $49.99 

Samsung 

CES 2007 

Samsung launched its first HD camcorder, 1080i and 720p resolution. 

SC-HMX10 $850, Sep 07, compact and lightweight design, 10x optical zoom, 4GB 

built-in flash memory, 2-in-1 memory card slot compatible with the leading memory 

card formats: MMC and SD cards, 2.7-inch-wide touch screen LCD, 1.5 megapixel 

CCD for still photos. 

After the show Samsung decided to withdraw this model from the plans, no 

particular reason was provided. 

Sony 

March 2005 

HDR-HC1, TTM July 2005, $2,000 

(street pricing of $1,000 on Feb 06), 

HDV 1080i, video and still images, 

Sony’s CMOS imaging sensor 

technology (one complementary metal 

oxide semiconductor image sensor 

instead of the system of three chargecoupled 

devices (CCDs) employed by 

the HDR-FX1, one main reason for the 

price and size reduction from the 

previous model HDR-FX1), weights 1- 

1/2 pounds, more compact Carl Zeiss 

Vario-Sonnar lens. 

313

InfoLithium battery, which delivers about 90 minutes of continuous recording 

(depending on recording mode), 2.7-inch wide hybrid, touch-panel LCD screen to 

access menu options, can switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios (in DV mode). 

Fully automatic controls, a built-in microphone for audio quality, an intelligent popup 

flash, and Super SteadyShot image stabilization. Captures 2.8-megapixel digital 

still images, which can be stored directly on Memory Stick PRO Duo" media for 

transfer to PCs and other devices. 

The only HD camcorder that allows to record high-definition video and take a 1- 

megapixel digital still image at the same time. 10X optical and 120X digital zoom, 

zoom ring, zebra pattern, and spot focus. White balance, shutter speed, and focus 

can all be adjusted manually. Cinematic mode to record video with a film-like 

appearance, Shot Transition" feature to create cinematic effects, records HD in total 

darkness with Sony's Super NightShot Plus Infrared System. 

i.Link Digital Video Interface (IEEE 1394) to enable high speed, bi-directional digital 

video/audio communication between two devices equipped with a compatible i.Link 

DV interface, including camcorders, professional digital video recorders, and PCs, 

PictBridge" Compatibility with PictBridge-enabled printers, such as Sony's new 

PictureStation" DPP-FP50. 

Sony reduced the number of circuit boards from 5 to 2 and the amount of parts from 

3000 to 2000 with a better design compared with the previous model. Optional 

accessories will include custom cases, lights, lenses, microphones, Stamina batteries, 

chargers, and cables. 

Jan 06 (pre-announcement) 

HDR-HC3 $1,100 

This camcorder was expected to be announced in the 

next few months by Sony (after Jan 06). Sony did not 

confirm the existence of the unit in January, it was 

unknown at that time if the HC3 was aligned to be a 

replacement of the HC1, or it is a lower level version of 

it (removed the mice jack and zoom ring). 

Records 1080i HD, 1/3” CMOS sensor, 2,103,000 gross 

pixel count, Carl Zeiss-Sonnar T* lens, 30mm filter 

diameter with 10x optical and 80x digital zoom, a focal 

length of 5.1 – 51mm, with a 35mm equivalent of 

41.3mm – 485mm in 16:9 aspect ratio, and 50.5 – 

594mm in 4:3 aspect ratio. Gross pixel count of 

2,103,000; a 1,076,000 effective pixel count in 4:3 

mode; a 1,434,000 effective pixel count in 16:9 mode; a 1,991,000 effective pixel 

count in 4:3 still mode; and a 1,493,000 effective pixel count in 16:9 still mode. 

HDMI out. HDR-HC3 video Review: http://cnet.nytimes.com/digitalcamcorders/sony-handycam-hdr-hc3/4505-6500_7-31749257.html 

Sony High Performance Broadcast 

April 2005 

HDC-1000 studio ($100,000), HDC-1500 portable ($90,000) cameras, TTM Aug 05. 

314

Both capable of 1080i or 720P HD operations. High-performance 2-megapixel 

1920x1080 progressive scan CCDs provide enhanced image quality and stability, 

native 1080/60P image acquisition with a newly developed video image processor, 

utilizing the latest 0.11um semiconductor technology. 

The 1080/60P performance of the new CCD combined with the camera's image 

processing algorithm permits an over-sampled 720P signal, resulting in unmatched 

spatial frequency characteristics and the highest level of 720P performance. 

The new cameras operate across the entire spectrum of HD standards including: 

Interlace 1080i mode @1080/59.94i, 50i 

Progressive 1080P mode @1080/23.98p, 29.97p, 24p, 25p 

Progressive 720P mode @720/59.94p, 50P 

Integrated down-conversion (SDI or VBS, with or without pull-down), dual HD SDI 

outputs, and output to VF signals with 60Hz scanning to minimize VF flicker even in 

24P mode. Two-channel external control lines can be secured within the fiber 

system with RS-232C or RS-422 connections for virtual studios. SD monitors can 

also be used as sub monitors with these cameras. 

Sony has made available the HDC-1550 triax interface portable camera for triaxbased 

applications ($96,000, TTM December 05), 

and an HDLA-1500 large-lens adapter for the 

HDC-1500 and HDC-1550 cameras. 

HD XDCAM cameras with 1080i resolution (right) 

PDW-F330 ($16,800) and PDW-F350 ($25,800), 3 

half inch CCDs of 1.5 megapixel each, use Sony’s 

Professional Disc optical discs for data storage. 

Apr 07 

An XDCAM EX camera was introduced at NAB as a technology demonstration only, 

MPEG-2, solid-state recording, two slots for 16GB cards for 1hr of HD video, 3xhalfinch 

sensors, can record at multiple frame rates (50i, 30p,25p,and 24p, and 720/50p 

for international), 1080/60i and 720/60p. 

Consumer Products 

Sep 06 

Sony introduced a new High-End HD Camcorder: 

HDR-FX7 $3,500, TTM Oct 06 

Records in 1,080i HDV, three-chip 

ClearVID CMOS sensor, smaller and 

lighter than the first high-end HDV 

model, 20x optical Carl Zeiss Vario- 

Sonnar T* lens with image stabilization 

equivalent to 37.4 - 748mm (35mm 

equivalent) in 16:9 widescreen mode, 

new digital extender function to magnify 

1.5 times for the effect of a 30x optical 

zoom without significant video quality 

degradation (according to Sony). 

315

Smooth slow recording in a six-second burst of video played back in 24 seconds as 

slow motion video, 1.2-megapixel stills while shooting video, manual controls for 

zoom, focus, shutter speed, white balance, iris, and gain, can record 8hrs with 

optional largest Sony’s L-series InfoLithium battery. 

Records and playback both 1080i HDV and standard definition DV video on standard 

miniDV tapes, HDMI, ClearVID CMOS sensor allows high-speed data transfer rates 

and lower power consumption, Enhanced Imaging Processor, greater light sensitivity 

with minimal picture noise, more accurate color reproduction than previous Sony 

models. 

High-resolution viewfinder to accurately check composition, focus and image color, 

3.5-inch SwivelScreen LCD screen with Clear Photo Plus LCD technology for 

superb contrast and accurate color reproduction, viewfinder and LCD screen can be 

turned on independently or simultaneously, extra-low dispersion lens glass in order 

to reduce color distortion, Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization helps to 

reduce shaky footage, even when shooting handheld at high zoom settings. 

Selectable exposure dial with iris, exposure and auto-exposure shift functions, to 

adjust both gain and shutter speeds. 

Options include lights, lenses, microphones, InfoLithium® batteries, chargers and 

cables. 

HDR-HC5 

$1,100, TTM now, MiniDV cassette 

HD camcorder for HD and SD video using 

MiniDV cassettes, 10x optical/80x digital 

zoom and Carl® Zeiss Vario-Sonnar® T* 

Lens, 4.0 megapixel still image, snaps 2.3 

megapixel photos while filming in dual 

record mode, slows down the audio, 

x.v.Color. Detailed features and 

specifications: 

http://www.sonystyle.com/is- 

bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/- 

/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation- 

Start?ProductSKU=HDRHC5&Dept=camer 

as&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_HighDefinitionVideo 

HDR-HC7 

$1,400, TTM now, MiniDV cassette 

Professional grade Carl Zeiss® Vario- 

Sonnar® T* Lens with 10x optical/20x 

digital zoom and a 1/2.9” ClearVid 

CMOS Sensor, 4.6 megapixel still images 

while recording video with the dual record 

mode feature, manually control focus, 

exposure, shutter speed, auto exposure 

shift and white balance shift, 2.7”2 Wide 

Clear Photo LCD Plus featuring Touch 

Panel SwivelScreen technology, Super 

316

SteadyShot® technology, Super NightShot®, x.v.Color. Detailed features and 

specifications: http://www.sonystyle.com/is- 

bin/%3Cwbr%20target=_blank%3EINTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/- 


Start?ProductSKU=HDRHC7&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_Hig 

hDefinitionVideo . 

HDR-UX5 $1,000, TTM Mar 07, AVCHD DVD camcorder, 5.1 channel audio. 

2.1 Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid CMOS Sensor 

Switchable HD/SD Format Recording 

x.v.Color 

DVD Format Video Recording 

DVD-R/-RW/+RW and +R Dual Layer Compatible 

10X Optical/80X Digital Zoom 

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens 

2.7" Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD Plus Display (211K Pixels) 

Smooth Slow Record 

Memory Stick Duo Media Slot 

Capture still images up to 2304x1728 resolution, 

directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media 

Dual Record 

Super SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System 

Tele Macro Function 

Active Interface Shoe 

Built-in Intelligent Flash 

Super NightShot® Infrared System 

Scene Selection Modes 

Fader Effects 

Picture Effects 

InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower 

Meter System 

One Touch Wide Angle Shooting 

Easy Handycam 

On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons 

Manual Focus 

Multi-Language Menu 

Detailed features and specifications: http://www.sonystyle.com/is- 



Start?ProductSKU=HDRUX5&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_Hig 

hDefinitionVideo 

HDR-UX7 $1,300, TTM Feb 07, AVCHD 

DVD camcorder, 5.1 channel audio 

According to Sony, the DVD recording format, 

in both MPEG2 (SD) and AVCHD delivers 

digital picture and sound quality comparable 

to that of MiniDV and high definition, but on 

DVD. Playback of these DVDs, after finalizing 

the disc in the camcorder, can be done in 

most DVD Players (SD), computers, Blu-Ray 

Disc players and even PlayStation®3 video 

game consoles. 

317


http://www.sonystyle.com/is- 



Start?ProductSKU=HDRUX7&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_Hig 

hDefinitionVideo 

HDR-FX1 $3,700, TTM now, HDV 

Detailed features and specifications (right): 

http://www.sonystyle.com/isbin/%3Cwbr%20target=_blank%3EINTERS 

HOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/- 


Start?ProductSKU=HDRFX1&Dept=cameras 

&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_HighD 

efinitionVideo 

HDR-SR1 $1,500, TTM Oct 06, AVC HD 

30GB HDD, 10 hrs HD in LP, or 4hrs of 

higher quality, HDMI, left. Detailed features 

and specifications: 

http://www.sonystyle.com/isbin/%3Cwbr%20target=_blank%3EINTE 

RSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/- 


Start?ProductSKU=HDRSR1&Dept=came 

ras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_ 

HighDefinitionVideo 

HDR-UX1 $1,400, TTM Sep 06, 

AVCHD 3-inch DVD video recording, HDMI. Right: 


http://www.sonystyle.com/isbin/%3Cwbr%20target=_blank%3EIN 

TERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/- 


Start?ProductSKU=HDRUX1&Dept=ca 

meras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcor 

ders_HighDefinitionVideo 

318

CES 2007 

Apr 07 

Sony introduced three AVCHD camcorders, using MPEG-4, and Dolby Digital 5.1 

audio: 

HDR-CX7 $1,200, records 3 hrs of 1080i 

on a 8GB Memory stick PRO Duo card, 15 

ounces. 

HDR-SR7 $1,400, can record 22hrs of 

1080i on a built-in 60GB HDD. 

HDR-SR5 $1,100, can record 15 hrs 

on a 40GB HDD. 

319

Chapter 15 - Screens and HT Equipment 

Digital Innovations 

Power Mount TTM 1Q07 

The first affordably priced wall mount for flat panels that is motorized and remotecontrolled, 

$300 (40” panel size, up to 80 lbs) and $450 (50” panel size, up to 130 

lbs), pivoting mechanism for left/right screen adjustments of 60 degrees or more per 

side, electronically performed with a two-button remote from up to 30 feet of 

distance, extends up to 20” or 26” from the wall depending on the model, fold flat 

when not in use, built-in safety clutch to stop rotation upon an obstacle, highperformance 

ball bearings for smooth long-lasting operation, solid metal 

construction, integrated cord organizers, smaller model also operable with 4 “C” 

batteries, http://www.digitalinnovations.com/ . 

Dnp 

Sep 06 

Retractable Supernova Flex Optical Front Screen with brushless DC motor for fast, 

smooth and quiet positioning, lightweight anodized aluminum enclosure, looks like a 

picture frame suspended by a pair of unobtrusive 1/48-inch cables, 

removable/replaceable cover comes in a variety of finishes, stainable surface can be 

painted to match the wall for invisible installation, highly resistant to ambient light, 

20:1 CR, peak gain of 2.0, sizes up to 150-inches in 1.33:1 (4.3), 1.78:1 (16:9) and 

2.35:1 Cinemascope, recommended for projectors with a minimum throw of 1.8:1. 

D-Box 

CES 2007 

Universal Motion Platform (UMP) featuring a 

two-point actuator system, plug-and-play 

product installable on most single seats, can be 

retrofitted to an existing home theater set-up, 

offered at a third of the price of current D-BOX 

motion simulation systems, works in conjunction 

with a wide variety of DVDs that are D-BOX 

motion compatible, $3,600. 

Quest and Custom Motion Platform (CMP), two 

motion simulation products 

designed for home theater, media 

320

and gaming rooms. Quest is a recliner chair available in a single-seat or love seat 

configuration that features pre-installed D-BOX motion actuators. CMP (formerly 

known as Odyssee), is a custom-built motion platform designed for installation in 

pre-built or dedicated home theater set-ups. 

Products require a motion controller system that may require the use of a PC running 

Windows 2000 or XP with a USB port. D-BOX offers over 650 encoded movies, 

adding 10-15 new titles per month, http://www.d-box.com/ 

Hillcrest Labs 

Spontaneous Navigation and Freespace remote system with 3 dimensional pointing 

“The Loop” to navigate screen menus remotely in 3 dimensions using everyday 

gestures. 

Jasco GE 

Quantum Digital Antenna with exclusive three-panel design made to receive digital 

television signals from multiple angles and avoid constantly repositioning the 

antenna, 20db gain, 3 HD3 circuit boards, one in each panel, filters out erroneous 

signals from cell phones, microwaves, and lights, built-in amplifiers to increase 

reception quality, hinged panels, $50, 2007 Best of CES Innovations winner. 

Lightscope 

CES 2007 

Displays art while protecting the flat panel TV 

when is off, TTM Mar 07. 

Come in three distinct designs, fine art 

silkscreen prints on quality vinyl, sample light 

and color from the TV to create dynamic, 

changing patterns, placed over the existing 

TV screen with a suction tape, available in 

small, medium and large sizes, $210 to $360, 

http://www.tv2art.com/ 

321

Optoma 

Panoview screen, 1.8 gain, 4 configurations, pull-down, motorized, fixed-frame and 

portable tilt. 

Panamorph 

Anamorphic lens and sled system for2.35:1 CinemaScope constant height 

applications. 

According to the company, “The Panamorph UH380 

[$2,500] is a high performance, patented, 

anamorphic add-on lens installed in front of digital 

projectors to convert them to a higher (wider) 

aspect ratio. The UH380 currently represents the 

industry standard for home cinema conversion to 

2.35:1 screens and is sold and endorsed by more 

home cinema projector manufacturers than any 

other lens. This lens can be used for constant height 

2.35:1 imaging as either a moveable lens (electronic 

vertical image stretch required for 2.35:1 content) 

or a fixed lens 

(both electronic 

vertical stretch 

and horizontal 

squeeze [for 

non-2.35:1 content] required).” 

The M380 ($2,500) mount supports the UH380 

with an IR remote-controlled motor transport 

system to change projector aspect ratios in less 

than 3 seconds at the push of a button. 

http://www.panamorph.com/index.html 

Please consult the sections dedicated to front 

projectors (specially DLP), many projector 

manufacturers are packaging CinemaScope lens/sled systems with their projectors or 

a separate systems. 

Planar Systems 

CES 2007 

Planar Xscreen $4,100, FP use on 

any room regardless of lighting 

conditions 

using 

ambient 

light 

rejection 

technology, 

eliminating 

the need for 

dark room 

theaters. 

322

Sima 

XL Theater 

Portable inflatable screen, 

16x9, durable frame and screen 

material, includes 2 amplified 

speakers, inflator/deflator 

pump included, inflates in 

under 5 minutes, compatible 

with most projectors, 0.15mm 

PVC screen material, .6mm PVC 

with 1000D Substrate Mesh 

frame material 

XL-8 $1900, 8 feet, 8 inch 

speakers, 80w amp 

XL-12 $2300, 12 feet , 10 inch 

speakers, 100w amp 

http://www.simaproducts.com/ 

Stewart 

Silent retractable projection screens implementing Lutron’s Sivoia QED (Quiet 

Electronic Drive) technology to eliminate the noise of typical motorized window 

treatments. 

StarGlass 

The first glass rear-projection screen, laminated between two pieces of glass for 

durability in even outdoors, childproof, resists wetness and direct sunlight. 

ElectraScope 

New 2.35:1 electric screen with 1.78:1 masking capabilities, ceiling retractable. 

Microperf X2 

THX Ultra certified acoustically transparent screen. 

Firehawk G3 1080p 

New screen that has also been paired with Sony’s VPL-VW50 SXRD front projector, 

which Sony calls “Sony/Stewart Theater” or “SST”. 

Check the Cinecurve and other screens on the 2006 HDTV Technology Report. 

VUTEC 

Art Screen SoundScape 360 flat screen masking system for plasma and LCD 

televisions from 32 inches and up, for front projection screens is available up to 110 

inches in size, $4,750 and up. http://www.vutec.com/artscreen/ 

323

SilverStar screen 

The performance of SilverStar (6.0 gain) enhances all measurements of picture 

brightness and quality. 

Vutec Vision XFT native 

2.35:1 screen 

Flat-fixed, vertical masking 

screen for anamorphic lens 

projectors, maintains 

constant vertical height for 

2.35:1 CinemaScope, 16:9 

HDTV, and 4:3 NTSC TV 

aspect ratios, no curved 

screen shadow effect, no 

space between the masking 

panels and projection screen, built-in intelligent motor control system, Decora-style 

keypad control, IR6 infrared interface adaptor for learnable IR remote, interfaces 

with AMX, Crestron, Lexicon and other manufacturers, ships fully assembled for 

immediate installation. 

324

Offers selection of varied screen fabrics including the Silver Star 6.0 gain and 180 

degree off axis viewing, BriteWhite Opaque with 1.3 gain, PearlBrite with 3.1 gain, 

GreyDove with 0.95 gain, Soundscreen with 0.95 gain, and Rear-Vu with 2.5 gain. 

http://www.vutec.com/ 

1(800)770-4700 

325

Glossary of H/DTV Terms 

The following are some descriptions for terms of video and audio concepts as they 

relate to DTV. I wrote this Glossary for the Reference Guide Issue of the HDTVetc 

Magazine a few years ago and have been updating it over the years, now updated as 

of May 2007. 

480i: SDTV format of 480 interlaced visible lines of 704 total pixels each (in 16:9 or 

4:3 aspect ratio), or of 640 total pixels each (in 4:3 aspect ratio). 480i is per frame 

(240 lines x two fields) at 30 fps (frames per second). 480i/30fps is similar to 

interlaced DVD quality. Comparatively, NTSC color television is also 480i visible lines 

but is analog in a 4:3 aspect ratio with 450 pixels edge to edge (also measured as 

340 TVL lines of horizontal resolution per picture height). 

480p: EDTV format of 480 progressive visible lines of 704 total pixels each (in 16:9 

or 4:3 aspect ratio), or of 640 total pixels each (in 4:3 aspect ratio). 480p is per 

frame at 24, 30, or 60fps. The 480p/60fps format is similar but in theory it should 

be better than progressive DVD quality, because the DVD progressive is the result of 

re-interleaving/line-doubling 480i/30fps stored DVD images, not 480p/60fps as 

EDTV, which should have better temporal resolution suitable for fast action content 

(like 720p is). This format was originally a SD format, in late 2000, the CEA 

promoted it to an EDTV level created for 480p. 

5c: Copy-protection protocol used by the IEEE1394 digital connection. Also known 

as DTCP. The name originates from the group of five companies that developed the 

standard. 

720P: HDTV format of 720 progressive visible lines of 1280 total pixels each in 16:9 

aspect ratio. 720p is per frame at 24, 30, or 60 fps. ABC and ESPN are 

broadcasting in 720p/60fps. 720p is considered a better format for fast action 

images like sports due to higher temporal resolution than the other commonly used 

HDTV format (interlaced 1080i). 

The higher temporal resolution of 720p allows the format to complete an image 

frame in 1/60 of a second while 1080i is only drawing 540 lines with half of the 

information of the frame of the format. On the next 1/60 of a second the 720p could 

record complete detail of a different fast moving image, while the 1080i would be 

registering picture information of only the second set of 540 lines containing only 

half of an image that could also have moved fast enough to produce interlace 

artifacts when putting the two fields together. 

810i: In late 2000, when the CEA created the additional EDTV level with the DTV 

formats, there were a number of 4:3 TV sets that manufacturers labeled HDTVs but 

only showed 810i lines of a 16:9 1080i image (25% less in the vertical resolution), 

using a letterbox approach to convey the rectangular widescreen geometry of the HD 

image within the 4:3 frame of the TV. 

The remaining 270i lines (1080i minus 810i) of the TV set were wasted on scanning 

black information for the top/bottom bars, instead of using the lines for the benefit of 

the image. The concept is similar to what a DVD player does when a regular 4:3 TV 

displays a 16:9 image as letterbox (throwing away 1 line for every 3 that kept to 

maintain geometry). 

326

The new EDTV category was placed by the CEA between the original SDTV and HDTV 

standards, but instead of putting those 4:3 810i sets on that EDTV category the CEA 

did the following: 

a) The 480p sets were promoted from SDTV to the EDTV level, and 

b) The 810i (non-HDTV) 4:3 DTV sets were promoted to the group of fully capable 

HDTV sets (720p or 1080i). With time, manufacturers of 4:3 DTV sets gradually 

designed those to adjust their scanning raster so they could show all the 1080i lines 

of incoming signal closer together, all within the displayed 16:9 image; in those TVs 

the black bars are dead space, the TV is not using vertical resolution lines for the 

black bars (as opposed to the 810i style). It is recommended that consumers verify 

how a 4:3 DTV handles 16:9 images before making a purchase. 

1080i: HDTV format of 1080 interlaced visible lines of 1920 total pixels each in 16:9 

aspect ratio. 1080i is per frame (540 lines x two fields) at 30 fps, and the HD format 

is commonly used since 1998. See DTV. 

1080p: HDTV format of 1080 progressive visible lines of 1920 total pixels each in 

16:9 aspect ratio. 1080p is per frame at either 24fps or 30 fps. 1080p/60fps is not 

one of the 18 ATSC formats but new displays introduced since 2005 are able to 

display in that format. 1080p/24fps should be ideal for the transfer and broadcast of 

24 fps film-based material, but it is not used at the present broadcasting. However, 

should it be used, objectionable flicker would require the 1080p/24fps to be 

converted to either progressive 1080p/60 fps or interlaced 1080i/30fps (60 fields per 

second). 

If the signal were to be converted to the higher 1080p/60fps, it would also require a 

CRT based video projector with a fast raster (67.5kHz, double the 33.75kHz of 

1080i/30fps) to been able to synchronize to the signal and display it as 60pfs. The 

same (fast raster) requirement would apply if the 1080p/60fps were obtained from 

line doubling a 1080i/30fps broadcast program using a scaler/line doubler processor. 

Some fixed pixel displays released on the first generation/s of 1080p HDTVs capable 

of displaying 1080x1920 are not actually able to ‘accept’ a 1080p/60fps signal from 

an external source. In 2006, such source was introduced, Blu-ray Hi-Def DVD. 

2-3 Pulldown (also mentioned as 3-2 pulldown): Technique used to 

display/transfer film based content to video. Film is shot at a rate of 24 frames per 

second, when projecting it on a motion picture cinema theater screen any visible 

flicker is minimized by opening the film shooter of the film projector twice for each 

frame, so viewers actually see 48 frames per second. 

Interlaced video systems display at 30 frames per second (in 60 interlaced fields for 

480i NTSC or 1080i HDTV). Simply transferring each of the 24 film frames onto one 

video frame would result in a video version of the film running about 25 % faster 

than intended, this is solved by repeating some of the images to restore the proper 

speed of the film when viewed as video. Telecine machines are used to transfer film 

to video to produce masters. 

Although DVD is a NTSC interlaced video media (480i 60 fields x second), frame 

content that originates from film is actually stored as 48 fields rather than 60 fields 

to save space. The original 24 frames of the film source can easily be reconstructed 

327

from the 48 fields by assembling a frame from each pair of fields that came from the 

same original film frame, without any motion between them (motion the interlaced 

video has between fields). In order to help on the identification of film source 

material for its frame reconstruction, a flag is usually inserted (but not always) 

within the MPEG-2 data stream to indicate that the content is sourced from film and 

has that frame structure cadence. 

If the flag is used, or if the playback device (DVD player, HDTV) detects the 24 fps 

film frame cadence automatically, it instructs the internal circuitry (when suited with 

that) to perform a 2-3 pull-down processing to repeat some of the 48 fields to 

construct a 60 fields video sequence ‘in real time’, so a video display device can 

synchronize and display it properly at 60i. 

Content originating from 60i video cameras is stored as is on the DVD and does not 

require this playback technique because all the 60 fields are already within the 

signal. Additionally, a deinterlacing technique is used to convert the 60 interlaced 

fields x second video to 60 frames x second for the progressive outputs of the player 

(and the display device to show it as a progressive image). 

The above also applies to 1080i HD resolution images sourced from 24 fps film, by 

applying the same technique, the film sourced HD image can be converted to 60 

fields x second for 1080i sets, or 60 frames x second for progressive displays. 

A/D (Analog-To-Digital Converter): Electronic device that converts analog 

signals to digital. A D/A is also a similar device that performs the reverse function. 

AC Line Conditioner/Surge Protector: Equipment that performs filtering of 

power-line noise/interferences on AC (alternate current), and protects the connected 

audio/video components from voltage surges and spikes. Some line conditioners are 

designed with separate sections to connect digital or analog equipment in two 

groups; the design claims that such separation blocks the feedback of digital 

equipment from interfering with analog equipment. 

Active Lines: Visible lines of the horizontal scanning (on NTSC is 480i of 525i, on 

HDTV is 1080i of 1125i). Blanking and vertical sync signals are within the nonvisible 

lines. 

Active Subwoofer: Loudspeaker constructed to reproduce only low frequencies, 

with a power amplifier that is usually built within the speaker cabinet. Some 

subwoofers are ‘passive’, which means that the subwoofer requires a separate 

amplifier to drive the loudspeaker. 

AES/EBU Interface: Connectivity standard for professional use established by the 

“Audio Engineering Society” and the “European Broadcasting Union” for digital audio 

transmission between equipment components. AES/EBU is carried on a balanced line 

terminated with three-pin XLR connectors. Sony/Philips’ S/P DIF is the consumer 

adaptation of this standard. 

Aliasing: (also called as flicker) Effect of a CRT electron gun drawing the scanning 

lines too slow, which gives time for the phosphors to fade. 

328

Alternate Scanning: (also known as Interlace: i) Technique that displays a full 

frame of a picture by showing two different fields containing only half of the video 

information (such as 480i, 1080i). 

Analog: (same as analogue) Continuous movement that takes time to change from 

one position to another. Standard analog audio and video signals have an infinite 

number of levels between their highest and lowest value, as opposed to digital that 

represent changes as only two steps (‘on’ or ‘off’, or binary’s ‘one’ or ‘zero’). Analog 

signals are stored magnetically, optical (films), and frequency modulated (Laserdiscs 

and VHS-HiFi). 

Anamorphic: (also specified as Widescreen video ‘enhanced for 16:9 televisions’) 

Technique that improves the vertical resolution of widescreen video (number of 

horizontal lines in the vertical direction). The technique horizontally squeezes a 

wider 1.78:1 aspect ratio (16:9) image to a 1.33:1 (4:3) image, making objects look 

thin and tall, so when the image is unsqueezed by the display, the original 

widescreen geometry of the image is restored without reducing the vertical 

resolution lines. 

This results in a gaining of 33% of vertical resolution compared to letterboxing with 

black bars (letterboxing takes away actual image content lines to show as black). In 

other words, a 16:9 image of 480i scanning lines would be shown with all its 480 

lines, not as 360 of the letterboxed version (which discards 120 lines of image 

content to create top/bottom black bars so a regular 4:3 TV can show the image as 

widescreen). 

ANSI Lumens: Method of measuring brightness by which the display device is 

divided into nine rectangles and light is measured from the center of each rectangle, 

then averaged among the nine and expressed as lux (lumen/square meter), which is 

then multiplied by the number of square meters of the image at the plane of meter 

reading. The result is the light output specification expressed in lumens. 

Aspect Ratio: The ratio between the width and height of the video image. 

Standard NTSC television has a 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio, which is similar to the 

Academy standard for films before the 1950’s, almost a square box shape. 

Widescreen screens are rectangular with a 16:9 aspect ratio (1.78:1); some 

widescreen display panels are only 15:9. 

Widescreen sets are offered to the consumer in several flavors: front projection, rear 

projection, direct-view TVs, LCD TVs, and Plasma TVs. Some film aspect ratios are 

1.85:1, anamorphic scope 2.35:1 or 2.40:1, and 65mm (70mm) from 2.05:1 to 

2.21:1. Images from those wider aspect ratios are fitted within the 16:9 (1.78:1) 

HDTV image as a wider rectangle with top/bottom black bars (that use some vertical 

resolution lines of the 1080i or 480p DVD). 

ATSC: Advanced Television Systems Committee, the federal committee that 

selected the new DTV standard, which the US adopted on December 24,1996 except 

for the full application of the 18 video formats described on the ATSC table III. 

Automatic Convergence: Automatic alignment of red, blue and green color 

images. 

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A-VSB - Advanced-Vestigial Side-Band: A-VSB is a DTV broadcast system for 

mobile purposes proposed to the ATSC in December 2005. During 2006 Sinclair 

Broadcast Group, Samsung Electronics, and transmitter manufacturer Rohde & 

Schwarz, joined efforts to successfully test DTV mobile reception at highway speeds. 

At CES 2007, A-VSB was demoed, and expected to be included in the Advanced 

Television Systems Committee (ATSC) digital-TV standard by 1H07, and is backward 

compatible with 8-VSB the current DTV terrestrial system. 

A-VSB, was previously simulated at NAB in April 2006, using forward-error-correction 

(FEC) “turbo-coding” for difficult signal environments, which used about one fifth of 

the transmitted bits for the actual video, the rest was to provide robustness so the 

signal is tuned well by the receiving device. 

1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) of transmitted signal would have only 375 kbps of 

actual video. That number of bits is considered sufficient for small devices such as 

cellphones and PDAs. 

The use of Single Frequency Network (SFN) within A-VSB can improve broadcast 

quality with higher uniform signal strength throughout a service area, even in 

locations that normally would have their signals interfered with by obstacles such as 

hills or buildings. 

A broadcaster adds a specified Supplementary Reference Sequence (SRS) to the 

transmitted signal and A-VSB receivers can use the SRS in order to remain “locked 

in” to the transmission. This helps maintain reception of the main signal and extra 

‘turbo’ signal(s) even when interference would normally disrupt a signal, like when 

the signal is reflected from moving objects near the receiver. A-VSB also enables 

the receiver to stay ‘locked on’ to the signal when the receiver itself is moving, such 

as when someone is walking with their portable TV. 

Please consult the “DTV Standards” section of the HDTV Technology Review Report 

for 2007 for more information. 

Bandwidth: Range of frequencies that equipment for radio, TV, audio, and video 

operate and let pass-thru. The wider the bandwidth, the better the audio, or video 

quality. The higher the bandwidth, the better the performance of the equipment. In 

a digital circuit, bandwidth is measured as bits per second. 

Baseband: Prime signal that is not modulated onto a carrier signal, but rather has 

its own path (composite, component, etc). 

Bi-directional: Devices and ports that can let signals pass in both directions (such 

as RS-232, IEEE1394). 

Black Level: (also known as brightness) Level of light produced on a video screen 

when it emits no light at all (screen black), the color NTSC system places the 

absolute black level at +7.5 IRE (unit of video defined by the Institute of Radio 

Engineers), a level that is higher than when the television was black and white, 

which set the absolute black level as 0 volts DC. The level was raised because B&W 

transmitters at that time could not handle a color signal with black level at zero 

volts. 

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Blooming: Effect that occurs on CRT images when the light hitting the screen is too 

high, because of excessive brightness or contrast, overdriving the phosphors (in 

CRTs) in a way that edges of images appear to exceed their boundaries dispersing 

the light to adjacent areas. 

BNC: Professional type of connector with a cylindrical shape with pins that lock into 

place. 

Brightness: (also known as black level) Intensity of light produced on a video 

screen, regardless of color. 

Burn-in: Term given to the permanent damage on a video display caused when a 

fixed image has been shown for too long. CRT and PDP plasma panels are prone to 

burn-in; LCD and DLP chip-based displays are not. To reduce the risk of burn-in, 

some display devices shift the entire image just a few pixels at intervals, in a way 

that is not noticed by the viewer. 

Usually manufacturers deliver displays with the contrast setting to its highest to 

increase the appeal of TV sets that stand out on fluorescent lighted showrooms. 

However, when you own the set it is always recommended keeping the contrast 

levels as low as possible until the display is properly calibrated, and to use stretching 

modes in 16:9 displays when viewing 4:3 images (to avoid long viewing with dark 

pillar bars). 

Ceiling Surround channel/speaker: Audio format that uses a ceiling (height) 

surround channel/speaker decoded from the center front and center back channels, 

using an algorithm similar to what Dolby Pro Logic uses when extracting and steering 

to the center front the signal decoded from L and R fronts. One war movie already 

explored that format. 

In the late seventies a similar technology was developed by ADS, Model 10 Acoustic 

Dimension Synthesizer, a comprehensive digital time-delay processor (and expensive 

at that time, almost $1000), the unit decoded a ceiling and center back surround 

channels/speakers in addition to the side/rear surrounds. After almost 25 years, the 

ceiling and back surround approach ‘reinvents’ itself. 

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): Vacuum tube containing an electron gun that drives an 

electron beam that rapidly hit a phosphor-coated screen and produce video images. 

Center Channel: Channel that primarily carries the dialogue from a movie 

soundtrack, but also contains a substantial portion of other non-dialogue sounds. 

The center channel also helps maintain the front sound imaging for off-center 

viewers. Center channel speakers are magnetically shielded. 

The use of TV’s small speakers (and small TV amps) as alternative for a missing 

center channel is not recommended as a permanent home-theater setup. The dialog 

and much of the sound of a movie comes from the center channel, some have 

estimated it in the order of 60% of the movie soundtrack. 

When using the TV’s small amp/speakers in a home theater, the speaker’s loudness 

capacity would be exceeded much earlier than the external L/R speakers/amp 

(assuming that it is larger than the TV audio, as typically is the case). The effect 

could be worsened if the system does not have a subwoofer to redirect low 

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frequencies from a small center and surrounds. The distortion on the center channel 

would affect the clarity of the dialog over loud passages. 

Additionally, sounds that are panning side-to-side would have different timbre while 

switching among speakers (from left to center to right) accompanying the video 

movement in that direction. Voices of people walking side-to-side will change their 

tone as they enter the TV’s center speaker and as they depart from it, reason by 

which it is recommended for the center speaker to be of similar type and timbre than 

the L/R, and be driven by similar amplification as well. 

Center Channel Input: Having this input in the DTV allows for the use of the 

internal speakers to reproduce the sound of the center channel in the home theater 

set-up. If the TV center channel input is line-level (RCA type), it can receive the 

center channel signal already decoded by an external surround processor, and use 

the TV set’s internal amplifier to drive the internal speakers of the TV. 

If the center-channel input of the TV is speaker-level, it can receive a speaker cable 

carrying an amplified center channel signal from an A/V Receiver or separate 

amplifier, bypassing the TV’s internal amp. This may be useful if your audio/video 

system has insufficient space to place a center channel speaker, or you might want 

to start your surround system at a reduced cost. However, as mentioned in the 

Center Channel description, this approach should not be permanent. 

Chroma: Sometimes called ‘Hue’, is the term used to characterize color 

information, such as hue and saturation (not black, gray and white). Interference of 

chroma can be seen as rainbow images and color transition dots, caused by the 

interaction between the chrominance and luminance components of a composite 

video signal. 

Circle Surround: Multi-channel surround effect produced from two channel sources 

by using ambient information stored in a stereo recording, a stereo recording 

encoded for surround, and recordings specifically encoded in Circle Surround. The 

surround sound information sent to the surround speakers is stereo, as opposed to 

the monaural approach of Dolby Pro Logic. Circle Surround creates a believable front 

soundstage, apportioning the stereo signal more comfortably across the three front 

channels; this makes the system appealing for music listening. 

Color Fringing: Artificial outlines surrounding the edges of colored objects on the 

video image. 

Color Temperature: The correct color temperature of a video display should be 

6500 degrees Kelvin, and expresses the color quality of a light source, which is bluer 

when the Kelvin measurement is high, and reddish when is low. 

Comb Filter: This filter separates the luminance and chrominance from the 

composite video signal, improving, resolution, picture quality, and reducing 

objectionable color patterns. Low-to-mid-line sets utilize a glass comb filter. Higherend 

sets utilize a CCD or digital comb filter, which greatly enhances resolution. The 

highest quality comb filters are 3D-Y/C digital comb filters, and may be motionadaptive. 

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Component Video: Analog component video connections used typically for DVD 

players/recorders, HD-STB/PVRs, audio/video receivers, video switchers, D-VHS 

VCRs, and HDTVs are: 

a) 3-wire 75 ohm coax analog YPbPr (YCbCr is actually 'digital' component video, and 

the nomenclature has been incorrectly used abroad for analog connections in 

consumer equipment), and 

b) 5-wire RGB BNC or VGA 15 pin D-sub, with the horizontal and vertical sync signals 

separated from the other 3 signals. Component video connections do not carry 

audio, for which separate audio connectors are required, such as digital coaxial and 

optical (Toslink). Component video offers higher quality performance than 

composite and even S-video, it bypasses the composite en/decoding process, and 

color carrier frequency. 

Composite Video: NTSC standard video connection (typically a yellow jack/plug) 

for the passage of an interlaced video signal that has luminance (black and white 

information), chrominance (color), sync (horizontal and vertical), blanking, and color 

burst signals, all in one wire. The standard has been used also in VHS and laserdisc 

equipment. Regardless of the type of connection (component, composite, S-video) 

the use of gold plated jacks/plugs is known to offer better connectivity between 

them. 

Contrast: Range between the maximum and minimum values of brightness; 

contrast ratio (CR) is a measurement obtained from the division of both. The 

specification came from the same panel of experts that established the ANSI lumens 

as the measurement of brightness in 1992 (under the American National Standards 

Association). A ‘perceived’ CR measured from an image as viewed would differ from 

the CR measured at the lens of the projection device (FPTV), and would differ from 

the CR measured at the screen point. 

Convergence: Alignment of the red, green, and blue CRT guns on a projected 

display device (RPTV or FPTV). Using the convergence controls of the TV, the three 

colors should overlap and display a white line on the crosshatch test pattern over the 

entire surface of the image. Display devices using fixed pixel arrays (such as DLP 

DMD chips) do not require convergence adjustments. 

D/A: Digital to analog converter (the inverse conversion is also mentioned as A/D). 

D-Sub: Name associated with the VGA connection with 15 pins for RGBHV signals. 

DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite): Satellite system that distributes signals from 

the satellite to the individual receivers, such as DirecTV, Dish Network, and Voom. 

DCDi Processing: Created by Faroudja, the DCDi technique is an additional 

improvement/upgrade to the 2-3 pull-down technique. It stands for Directional 

Correlational Deinterlacing, which according to Faroudja, provides for error-free 

deinterlacing of video originated sources such as sporting events. Reportedly, DCDi 

produces smooth, natural images by eliminating the jagged edges than can be seen 

on moving angled lines in video. 

Decibel (dB): (One-tenth of a Bell, named after Alexander Graham Bell) 

Logarithmic ratio used to measure power, sound pressure level, or voltage. A 3dB 

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loss/increase is considered an attenuation/augmentation of half/double of its original 

value; zero dB is the threshold of hearing; 120dB is the threshold of pain. 

Decorrelation: Technique used in THX processors for rear speakers to create an 

ambient DSP sound field similar in spaciousness and depth as a commercial theater. 

Definition: Fidelity of the reproduction of a video picture, affected by resolution. 

Deinterlacing: (or re-interleaving) Technique that involves assembling pairs of 

interlaced fields into one progressive frame (1/60 of a second long), and showing it 

twice, over the same amount of time as two fields. The need for 60 flashes on the 

screen each second stems from a biological property called the Flicker Fusion 

Frequency, whereby the human brain needs to see a minimum number of single 

image flashes in a second to see motion without seeing flicker. See progressive scan 

below. 

Digital Audio Inputs/Outputs: Audio jacks that can be either coaxial (RCA jack) 

or optical (Toslink) and allow for the passage of multi-channel digital audio signals 

over a single connection. There are other digital audio connections for multi-channel 

audio such as IEEE1394 (FireWire) used in some proprietary links between DVD 

players/Receivers/Processors, or the audio portion of HDMI. Digital connections are 

prone to less noise and interference than analog audio connections by keeping the 

signal in the digital domain. 

DLP: DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. DLP projectors and rear projection 

televisions provide premium quality images with excellent black levels without the 

use of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). These projectors use a Digital Micro-mirror 

Device (DMD) to create images that are enlarged to fill the screen. The DMD chip 

has upwards of 1.3 million tiny mirrors to resolve 720x1280 HD resolution images. 

In January 2004, the xHD3 DMD chip was introduced by Texas Instruments (TI, the 

manufacturer of DLP DMDs) that claimed having resolution enough to resolve 

1080x1920 HD images, although using a 1080x960 DMD chip (half of the mirrors) 

and using a technique named wobulation. In 2005, TI announced the release on a 

true 1080x1920 DMD chip for front projectors, and new projectors using the 

technology introduced at CES 2006. Since DLP is a reflective technology, DLP will 

typically have higher ANSI lumens and Contrast Ratios than LCD. A color wheel is 

employed to help create a full palette of colors on one-chip projection 

implementations, which can produce a “rainbow” viewing effect for some people; 

three-chip implementation does not need a color wheel to show all the range of 

colors. 

DNIe: Samsung’s proprietary name for their video enhancement technology “Digital 

Natural Image” enhancement. 

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround: Multi-channel perceptual encoding scheme. Initially, 

Dolby’s new surround system was called AC-3 (for audio coder 3). It was introduced 

in movie theaters in June 1992 as Dolby Stereo Digital (or Dolby SR). Dolby 

Surround is a single-band-limited surround channel with a range of 100 Hz to 7,000 

Hz. Dolby Digital, on the other hand, offers a full dynamic range on five discrete 

main channels L, C, R, Ls, and Rs (20 Hz - 20,000 Hz), plus a separate .1 channel 

for Low Frequency Effects (LFE) intended to be reproduced by a subwoofer. The 

surround channels are in stereo (as opposed to mono with Dolby Pro Logic). 

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This format has been adopted as the audio standard for DTV signals. Perceptual 

encoding seeks to eliminate the data humans cannot hear, while maintaining all the 

information humans can hear, and was designed to encode multi-channel digital 

audio. It divides the audio spectrum of each channel into narrow frequency bands 

that correlate closely to the frequency selectivity of human hearing allowing coding 

noise to be very sharply filtered taking advantage of the psycho-acoustic 

phenomenon known as auditory masking. Coding noise stays close in frequency to 

the audio signal being coded. This effectively masks the noise. 

AC-3 uses a “shared bit-pool” arrangement plus human auditory masking to make 

use of transmitted data as efficiently as possible, and allows multi-channel surround 

sound to be encoded at a lower bit rate than required by just one channel on a CD. 

Dolby Digital can process a 20-bit dynamic range digital audio signal over a 

frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz +/- 0.5dB (LFE bass channel: 20 - 120 Hz 

+/- 0.5dB) with sampling rates of 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz with a typical data rate of 

384 kbps (versus 1,411 kbps for DTS) with a compression rate of 12:1. 

The AC-3 algorithm was designed by Dolby to faithfully reproduce film and music 

based programs with interference-free discrete channels, not folded or matrixed like 

Pro Logic; whatever the director wanted to be heard from a specific area was the 

only thing that would be heard from that area. Dolby Digital is ported out of a DVD 

player or HD-STB via its digital coaxial or optical output and fed directly into the 

digital coax or optical jack of a Dolby Digital decoder/processor or receiver (with 

built-in DD decoder). 

A decoder/processor has six separate analog audio outputs, one for each discrete 

channel of the 5.1 Dolby Digital, five to be amplified by a separate power amp, .1 

LFE to be amplified by an active subwoofer. Dolby has enhanced the basic 5.1 

format with EX (adding a matrixed back surround channel extracted from Ls/Rs as 

Pro Logic extracts the Center channel, and Dolby Digital Plus, a new format to 

facilitate broadcasters with a more efficient compression method for the DD audio in 

DTV transmission (more on both formats below). 

Dolby Digital Plus: A powerful, flexible codec based upon Core Dolby Digital 

technologies. For broadcasters, it provides higher efficiency coding at lower bit 

rates. For the new blue laser Hi-Def DVD formats, it provides more channels, 

extended bit rates and higher quality. 

The Dolby Digital Plus format was announced in April 2004 at NAB. Dolby Digital 

Plus enables broadcasters to transmit 5.1 at 50% (192 kbps) data rate of regular 

Dolby Digital (384 kbps). Compatibility with all existing Dolby Digital consumer 

decoders is ensured, as the Dolby Digital Plus signal will be upconverted to a 

standard 640 kbps Dolby Digital Plus output in the set top box (a set top box that 

performs the upconversion would be needed). 

The format supports multiple languages in a single bit-stream, and was selected by 

the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) as the standard for future 

robust broadcast applications, and as an option for multichannel audio delivered by 

the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) Project for satellite and cable TV. 

Dolby Digital Plus was also announced as been capable of a higher-bit rate 

enhancement compared to Dolby's existing AC-3 (Dolby Digital) lossy audio 

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compression format. Dolby Digital Plus format supports new levels of quality data 

rates as high as 6 Mbps on 7.1 channels, with a bit-rate performance of at least 3 

Mbps on HD DVD and up to 4.7 Mbps on Blu-ray disc. 

According to Silicon Image, although the HDMI transport is able to handle 18Mbps, 

Dolby Digital Plus has no ability to carry uncompressed audio nor can it be operated 

in a lossless way. Check the Multi-channel Audio for HD section of the H/DTV 

Technology Review report for applicability and connectivity details. 

Dolby worked closely with Silicon Image to ensure transmission of Dolby Digital Plus 

signals on HDMI v. 1.3, earlier versions of HDMI are not capable to transmit this 

format. Those protocols and specifications were finalized by mid-2006. 

Dolby Digital Plus is a mandatory audio format in HD DVD players and an optional 

feature in Blu-Ray players. 

Dolby Digital Surround EX: Format of 6.1 multi-channel playback that provides a 

third surround channel (back) on Dolby Digital movie soundtracks encoded onto the 

left and right surround channels of 5.1 soundtracks. The format can be decoded by 

suited A/V receivers and Dolby decoders for playback over surround speakers located 

behind the seating area, while the left and right surround channels are reproduced 

by surround speakers to the sides. 

To maintain compatibility, no information is lost when the film is played in 

conventional 5.1. The benefits of Dolby Digital Surround EX include more realistic 

flyover and fly-around effects, a more stable image for atmospheres and music, and 

a more consistent surround effect. No additional effect tracks are needed; the mixer 

directs the available sounds to the appropriate channels for greater directional 

precision. 

Because the extra surround information is carried on the left and right surround 

channels, Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded soundtracks are still regarded as 5.1 

soundtracks, although with respect to home playback, the terms 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 

mean that there are five, six, or seven main speakers, plus a subwoofer that still 

reproduces the LFE channel recorded on 5.1 soundtracks, plus any bass the main 

speakers cannot handle. 

A 5.1-channel soundtrack can also be played on a 6.1- or a 7.1-speaker system, the 

two surround signals on the 5.1 soundtrack are spread across the three or four 

surround speakers by a Dolby Digital EX decoder, a THX Surround EX decoder, or 

other proprietary methods provided in home theater equipment by various 

manufacturers. 

Dolby Pro Logic: Matrixed surround system with four channels of information (Left, 

Center, Right, and Surround) that are folded into two channels and encoded onto the 

L/R channels. The Pro Logic processor, in turn, extracts those four channels from 

the two encoded channels, and steers or directs them to the appropriate speakers, 

e.g. dialogue to the center channel and mono effects to the rear. 

Under this scheme, the rear surround channel mono signal is divided over two 

speakers, which gives it more coverage. The rear channel information is derived by 

the simple formula of L-R with added reverb to give it a more natural like sound. 

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The Pro Logic format concept helped originate the newer Dolby Pro Logic II, and IIx 

as follows. 

Dolby Pro Logic II: Format that creates a 5.1 surround sound field from a twochannel 

stereo program material, whether or not it has been specifically Dolby 

Surround encoded. Encoded material, such as movie soundtracks, sounds more like 

Dolby Digital 5.1, while unencoded stereo material such as music CDs, sounds like a 

wider effect and more involving sound field. Pro Logic II provides two full-range 

surround channels, as opposed to Pro Logic’s single, limited-bandwidth surround 

channel. 

Dolby Pro Logic IIx: Format that works with 5.1 audio as well as two-channel 

material, producing up to 7.1 channels, by decoding center back and side surround 

channels from the left/right surround channels of Pro Logic II and 5.1 audio. Pro 

Logic IIx includes center channel width control and panorama mode, as well as 

music, movie and games modes. Dolby is positioning this format as an expansion of 

5.1 audio with the option to extend it to 7.1 surround. 

Dolby TrueHD: Introduced in September 2005, Dolby TrueHD can support up to 14 

discrete of lossless 24-bit/96 kHz audio channels at bit rates as high as 18Mbps. HD 

DVD and Blu-ray disc standards currently limit their maximum number of audio 

channels to eight. Check the Multi-channel Audio for HD section of the H/DTV 

Technology Review report for applicability and connectivity details. 

Dolby TrueHD builds upon the proven foundation of MLP Lossless by 

incorporating higher bit rates, additional channels, enhanced stereo mix support, and 

extensive metadata functionality, including dynamic range control and dialogue 

normalization. 

Dolby TrueHD is 100% lossless audio, delivering audio playback performances in the 

home that are bit-for-bit identical to studio masters, designed for next generation HD 

DVD and Blu-ray formats, and selected as mandatory (only 2 channel required) for 

HD DVD players and optional for Blu-ray players. 

Dolby Volume: At CES 2007, Dolby announced a new feature called Dolby Volume, 

developed to level out sound differences in TV programming without the typical 

“pumping” and artifacts introduced by other technologies. 

As said by Dolby, “ some programmers use compression techniques that allow them 

to boost the volume of their material without exceeding the peak limits set by 

Government. Some operators of TV channels also make different decisions about 

volume levels or fail to operate equipment properly”. 

Dolby modeled how the human ear works, responding to the energy of sound waves, 

the pitch, and the tone quality of sounds, and applied formulas to reduce the volume 

differences between programs and commercials without losing the needed sounds. 

DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection): Scheme created for the 

purpose of copy protection of digital video transmitted over the 1394 connection. 

DTCP is also known as 5c for the five companies that participated on the standard 

(Sony, Toshiba, Intel, Hitachi, and Matsushita). The format allows for copy freely, 

once, and never, as options of protection. 

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DTS (Digital Theater Sound): DTS originated as a digital 5.1 surround scheme 

developed for the movies by MCA/Universal and Steven Spielberg. DTS was first 

employed in Spielberg’s Jurassic Park in the summer of 1993. While it has not been 

around as along as Dolby, hundreds of films have been released with DTS encoded 

surround soundtracks. DTS Coherent Acoustics Coding (CAC) maps discrete 6- 

channel, 20-bit encoded data onto the 16-bit PCM digital audio stream, which is 

found on either a laserdisc or compact disc. 

DTS’ CAC signal is passed via the digital output (either coaxial or optical) present on 

many laserdisc, CD, and DVD players. While Dolby Digital uses perceptual coding to 

reduce the bit rate, DTS uses compression technology and the CAC algorithm with a 

higher bit rate than DD. The compression ratio is 3.75:1 of a 20-bit PCM digital 

audio stream with eight times over-sampling rate. It has a typical data rate of 1,411 

kb/s (as opposed to 384 kbps of Dolby Digital). It performs transparently by coding 

20-bit data at a bit-rate lower than 16-bit linear PCM. 

The Coherent Acoustic Coding algorithm is a scaleable digital coding methodology, 

which operates on a multirate filterbank. It has been designed to filter the audio 

signal into frequency bands, which match the critical perceptual bands of the human 

ear. Within each frequency band, the signals are re-quantified at a variable 

resolution. This is determined by the available bit-rate and an analysis of the 

long/short periodicity of the audio signal in each frequency band. 

According to DTS, this allows an efficient sharing of the limited number of 

quantization bits without any transient pre-echo distortion. Furthermore, by coding 

the spectral analysis to extend and include all channels, the re-quantization routines 

are fed from a common bit-pool. DTS feels that this optimizes the coding 

performance and audio quality of each individual channel in a multi-channel format 

delivering a full-bandwidth for each. 

Essentially, this allows six channels of transparent quality 24-bit recorded material at 

48 kHz with less digital compression. While Dolby Digital uses a different approach 

of providing multi-channel sound with low bit-rates, the results might seem similar to 

the untrained ear. 

Although the DTV standard does not include DTS as an audio alternative (only Dolby 

Digital), DTS was selected as a mandatory format for HD-DVD and Blu-ray players 

(in addition to Dolby Digital). 

DTS Formats Extensions: 

• XLL Extension for Lossless Audio coding, a bit-for-bit recreation of the original 

master recording using variable bit rate encoding as high as 24.5 Mbps for Blu-ray 

Disc and 18.0 Mbps for HD DVD formats. 

• XXCH Extension for additional channels, beyond 6.1. 

• XBR Extension for higher constant data rates, up to 6.0 Mbps for Blu-ray Disc and 

3.0 Mbps for HD DVD formats. 

• XSA Extension for Secondary Audio/Sub Audio Content, also known as DTS-HD LBR 

(low bit rate). 

DTS-HD Master Audio: 

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(Disclaimer: DTS graph shown under permission) 

The format is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master using high variable bit rates to 

provide up to 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency / 24-bit word resolution, 

as well as containing the DTS 1.5 Mbps core soundtrack within the bit stream to be 

backward compatible with legacy DTS-enabled audio devices, and deliver up to 6.1 

channels of sound. The format can also 

handle 192 kHz / 24-bit word resolution. 

DTS-HD is a 100% lossless format using 

a set of extensions to the coherent 

acoustics audio coding system, 

comprised of DTS Digital Surround, DTS- 

ES, and DTS 96/24, which allows the 

format to down-mix to 5.1 and twochannel, 

or deliver audio quality at bit 

rates extending from DTS Digital 

Surround to 7.1 DTS-HD channels, using 

a single stream up to 24.5 Mbps (18 

Mbps for HD DVD). 

When the format was created, DTS 

announced that the original DTS++ 

would be capable of higher bit rates. In 

October 2004, the DTS++ name was 

changed to DTS-HD. In December 2005, 

DTS announced their demonstration of a 24.5 Mbps extension of the format, DTS-HD 

Master Audio, 100% lossless and bit-for-bit identical to the studio master. Later, the 

HD audio format below the Master Audio level was called DTS-HD High Resolution 

Audio, capable of up to 6 Mbps resolution. 

The format was approved as an option for HD DVD and Blu-ray. HD DVD can handle 

up to a maximum of 18 Mbps, and by Blu-ray up to a maximum of 24.5 Mbps. 

DTS-HD High Resolution Audio: The format delivers up to 7.1 channels of 

sound said to be “virtually indistinguishable from the original soundtrack” using high 

constant bit rates and 96k sampling frequency / 24-bit depth resolution. The format 

offers an alternative for high quality audio when disc space for Master Audio is not 

sufficient for that higher format. 

As with Master Audio, the audio format also contains the DTS 1.5 Mbps core for 

backward compatibility with legacy DTS-enabled audio devices and deliver of up to 

6.1 channels of sound. 

The format was approved as an option for HD DVD and Blu-ray. HD DVD can handle 

up to a maximum of 3 Mbps, and by Blu-ray up to a maximum of 6 Mbps. 

DTS-HD LBR (Low Bit Rate Audio): 

A) Blu-ray Secondary Audio 

Multi-channel sound “Secondary Audio” is a scalable format using low-bit rate 

audio, an optional feature on Blu-ray Disc, designed for network streaming, 

broadcast and Internet applications. Data rates range from 24 kbps per 

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channel, at sampling rates of 48 kHz for Blu-ray Disc, and 44.1 kHz and 48 

kHz for HD DVD, with a resolution up to 24-bits. 

B) HD DVD DTS Sub Audio 

An optional format for HD DVD discs, considered of high quality using low bit 

rate audio; designed for network streaming, broadcast and Internet 

applications. Is a two-channel (2.0) scalable format, using from 64 to 192 

kbps data rates, and sampling rates from 8 kHz to 96 kHz with 24-bits 

resolution. 

DTV (Digital Television): The DTV standard is composed of 18 digital formats 

grouped into two levels of quality, as approved by the ATSC (American Television 

Systems Committee) in 1995: 

1) SD: Standard definition, 480i/p visible vertical resolution lines, with up to 704 

total pixels of horizontal resolution, aspect ratio in 4x3 or widescreen 16x9, and 

2) HD: High definition, 720p and 1080i/p visible vertical resolution lines, with 

respectively 1280 and 1920 total pixels of horizontal resolution, in widescreen 16x9 

aspect ratio. 

The FCC actually let manufacturers implement compatible DTV tuners with the ability 

to receive/decode the formats without imposing TVs to display the formats at their 

original resolutions; the tuners would generally convert the signals to 480p, 720p, 

and 1080i, to match the native format of most monitors. Later in 2000, the 

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) created another level in between SD and 

HD: ED (enhanced), which promoted the 480p format from SD to ED, among other 

changes (see 810i). 

The current NTSC over-the-air (OTA) TV system is 480i analog (actually 525i with 

480i visible lines) and is interlaced. Digital satellite and digital cable are equivalent 

to digital SD but they are also transmitting some channels in HD. To facilitate the 

transition broadcasters were given one extra channel slot from the FCC for the 

simultaneous broadcasting of the analog and digital versions of their programming. 

It is a large investment for stations to build a DTV facility with new cameras, 

equipment, etc. When DTV is fully implemented, broadcasters have to return one of 

the two channels, analog over-the-air broadcasting will stop, and current TVs, VCRs, 

Tivos, and any other equipment with analog tuners would stop tuning as well. 

The DTV system implementation is mandatory; HDTV is optional. The 

implementation of DTV was originally planned by 2007, but the deadline has been 

conditioned to when 85% of the US population can receive DTV signals, discussions 

were held in 2004 to determine if cable and satellite subscribers should be 

considered as part of the 85%, cable itself covers about 70% of the US population. 

In February 1, 2006, an extension to the deadline was approved, the new date for 

the discontinuation of analog transmissions is February 17, 2009, and the deadline is 

not conditioned to a percent of DTV reception by households per market as 

originally, it is a hard date. 

DTV Tuners: The ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) selected 8VSB 

as the digital television standard for terrestrial (over-the-air) broadcast of HD signals 

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in the U.S. All integrated DTVs have an 8VSB tuner, DTV monitors do not have one, 

and they need a separate HD-STB as a tuning device. 

In 2002, under a five-year phased-in guidelines mandated by the FCC, over-the-air 

DTV tuners were required to be added to 50 percent of sets measuring 36 inches and 

larger by July 1, 2004, and 100 percent by July 1, 2005. After that, 50 percent of 

sets measuring 25 inches to 35 inches are to add DTV tuners by July 1, 2005, and 

100 percent by July 1, 2006. The rest are to conform by July 1, 2007. 

On November 2005, the FCC voted for setting the new date as March 1, 2007 for all 

sizes including those smaller than 13 inches, which received the support from the 

NAB taking into consideration how important they are in times of emergency, and 

that they are commonly used without STBs. 

The revised mandate has been approved as follows: 

Upon approval >=36 inches 

Mar 1, 06 for >= 25 inches (was July 1, 06) 

Mar 1, 07 for >= 13 inches (was July 1, 07, although the FCC proposed Dec 31, 06) 

Mar 1, 07 for < 13 inches (was not required before) 

The mandate does not apply to other small screen video capable devices that do not 

receive OTA broadcasting, even when they might be used to watch TV shows, such 

as PDAs, mobile phones, iPODs, etc. 

The NCTA (National Cable and Telecommunications Association) chose QAM as the 

HD system for Digital Cable. Many 8VSB-integrated sets also include a cable QAM 

tuner to receive “in-the-clear” (unscrambled) cable signals, or a QAM tuner with 

Cable CARD for premium services. 

QAM integrated HDTV sets introduced during 2004 have CableCARD tuners but as 

only unidirectional; in order to receive VOD, impulse PPV, and cable customized 

electronic program guide, CableCARD tuners have to be bi-directional, which means 

that owners of 2004 QAM integrated HDTVs w/CableCARDs might still need a second 

cable tuner (HD-STB) for the bi-directional features. 

Dual Antenna Inputs: The existence of these inputs in the TV means that the set 

can accommodate two antenna sources, e.g. master antenna and cable-box or 

master antenna/cable-box and satellite receiver. By having dual inputs, antenna 

sources could be easily switched, rather than using external switching devices. 

DVi: Also known as iLink 1394 digital connection for digital video cameras. 

DVI (Digital Visual Interface): The DVI 1.0 specification was introduced in April 

1999 by the Digital Display Working Group integrated by Silicon Image, Intel, 

Compaq, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and NEC to create a digital connection 

interface between a PC and a display device. It is a connection with enough 

bandwidth for uncompressed HD signals. 

The 1.0 DVI specification is a point-to-point solution that supports video content but 

not audio. DVI standard cables have typically a five-meter distance limitation, 

although with better quality wiring, such as fiber-optic, higher distances are possible. 

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There are three types of DVI connectors: 

DVI-I (integrated), carries a single or dual-link digital signal, with an additional 

analog signal for legacy devices. 

DVI-D (digital) carries digital-only video data to a display. 

DVI-A (analog) is available for legacy analog applications to carry analog signals to a 

CRT monitor or an analog HDTV (claims to be better than VGA). 

DVI is being used as a secure connector for the passage of uncompressed digital 

video signals from HDTV receivers and other digital source devices such as DVD 

players, keeping all signals in the digital domain. 

DVI (or HDMI, its upgraded sibling) is found on most 2004 and after HD equipment 

and HDTVs. To protect content transmitted over DVI, the High-bandwidth Digital 

Content Protection (HDCP) scheme was created that provides a secure digital link 

between source and display, and does not allow for any recording of the digital 

signal. See HDCP. Additionally, HDMI has been aligned as the successor of DVI (see 

more below). 

DVD Changer: Player capable of playing multiple CDs or DVDs. Changers fall into 

two categories. Simple changers rotary in type with up to five or six discs fitting into 

the rotary platter, or Mega-Changers that can hold a library of up to 400-discs within 

the confines of a single machine. Some brands allow several mega-changers to be 

tethered together allowing for vast libraries of movies and music videos. 

DVD Recordable: There are presently three “re-writable” schemes for recordable 

DVD: DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW. Depending on the format, DVD recorders 

will also record DVD-R or DVD+R (“write-once” recordable DVD) formats, which are 

reportedly playable on all standard DVD players. Several DVD recorders have been 

introduced since 2002 that are capable of playing/recording a combination of 

rewritable formats in one unit. 

DVD/VCR Combo: Specialized machine that combines a DVD player with an 

integrated HiFi VCR into one cabinet. Designed for those users that want to “bridge 

the gap” from one video generation to another. There is also a TV/VCR or TV/DVD 

or TV/VCR/DVD Combo, which includes a television. 

DVD-Audio: A typical CD is PCM encoded into 16-bit words at a sampling rate of 

44,100 per second. DVD-Audio can use a variety of PCM resolutions, from multichannel 

24- bit/96kHz all the way up to 2-channel 24/192. Also included are 

sampling rates of 48kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 176.4kHz, as well as DTS and Dolby Digital 

data streams. 

For better space utilization, some channels can be encoded with high resolution while 

others, like the surround, in lower resolution. A single-layer, single-sided DVD holds 

4.7GB, enough for 40 minutes of six channels at 24/96. Six-channels of 

uncompressed 24/96 audio data require 13.8Mbps data speed while the DVD 

standard allows for up to 9.6 Mbps only, reason for which a lossless form of data 

compression was needed (Meridian Lossless Packing). MLP reduces storage and 

transfer-rate requirements by a factor of two without sacrificing quality (unlike 

“lossy” used on Dolby Digital and DTS). 

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Dynamic Range: Audio range expressed in dB measured between low-level noise 

and overload distortion; also defined as the range between the softer and loudest 

sound passages. 

EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV): Additional level of DTV created in late 2000 by 

the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) fitted in between the SD and HD levels. 

ED (Enhanced) is the naming convention to be used for display devices capable of 

480p, previously part of the lower SD level. 

Enhanced AC-3 Audio Standard: In July 2005, it was announced that the 

Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) added an enhancement (A52B) to 

the AC-3 standard currently used for DTV (Nov 94), this was a result of a RFI issued 

by the ATSC in December 2002, to which Dolby Laboratories responded (E-AC3). 

E-AC3 is said to provide improvements regarding the flexibility and performance not 

only for broadcast but also for cable, satellite, DVD, among others, using new 

coding, wider range of bit-rates, and number of channels. E-AC-3 is said to be able 

to be converted to AC-3 to be backward compatible with current decoders. 

Enhanced-VSB (E-VSB) Transmission Mode: In October 2005, the ATSC 

announced the publication of four new candidate standards related to E-VSB, namely 

the video system characteristics of VC-1 and AVC and how closed captions are to be 

carried with both, the transport of AVC, and an alternate transport approach for 

MPEG-2. The candidate standards: CS/TSG-658, CS/TSG-659, CS/TSG-660 and 

CS/TSG-661 are available at: 

http://www.atsc.org/standards/candidate_standards.html 

External Speaker Jacks: Connections that allow the attachment of separate 

speakers directly to a TV for improved sound quality, or the attachment of rear 

speakers to experience surround. However, the low wattage of the internal 

television amplifier could become a loudness/performance limitation. 

Front Projector: Video display device that is able to project an image on a 

reflective screen. 

Gamma: Exponential function that expresses the non-linearity of the light output of 

a CRT (relative to voltage). The ‘Gamma Correction’ control in video monitors 

compensate for such non-linearity. 

Gray-scale: Test pattern with shades of gray from white to black used to measure 

a monitor’s ability to reproduce all the shades in an uniform manner and at the 

correct color of white (6500 degrees Kelvin). Gray is defined as equal amounts of 

red, green, and blue; white is the peak level of gray; sunlight is in the area of 5400 

degrees Kelvin. 

Harmonic Distortion: Distortion caused when audio equipment adds unwanted 

overtones to an original signal. 

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection): Content protection system 

developed for DVI. The HDCP 1.0 specification was developed by Intel with 

contributions from Silicon Image in February 2000 to protect DVI outputs from being 

copied by providing a secure digital link between a video source and a display device. 

HDCP offers authentication, encryption, and renewability. 

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The Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA) endorsed HDCP as the standard 

for the secure transmission of HD signals over DVI. Since the DVI signal is 

uncompressed (overwhelming for the digital storage devices of today) and protected 

by HDCP, HD recording over the DVI connection is not feasible. 

HDMI: On December 9, 2002, the seven founders of HDMI (High-Definition 

Multimedia Interface) announced the 1.0 specification of this connectivity standard, 

the enhanced, more robust form of DVI. The seven founders are Hitachi, Matsushita, 

Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, and Toshiba. 

The standard supports HD uncompressed video, 8-channel digital audio (reportedly 

up to 192 KHz), and some control signals on a single cable (15 mm, 19 pin), while 

using less than half the available bandwidth. HDMI has the same video capacity as 

DVI, or up to five Gbps of bandwidth (single link), double what a HD signal would 

require, and is backward compatible with DVI by using an adapter, although only for 

the video signal. The HDMI connector is smaller than DVI. Silicon Image has also 

announced an HDMI version with a smaller connector suitable for portable 

equipment, such as video cameras. 

The HDMI specification supports 1080p, however there are HDMI transmitter and 

receiver chips that were developed without using that capability of the specification, 

either because they were very early releases or they were created that way for 

equipment that does not need 1080p capabilities, like a 1080i TV. Equipment 

manufacturers using those chips on otherwise capable 1080p sets could handicap the 

equipment. The version 1.3 specification planned for release on 1H06 is capable for 

Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD multichannel audio codecs for new Hi Def DVD players. 

HDTV (High Definition TV): Level of DTV quality capable of 720p or 1080i vertical 

resolution, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and Dolby Digital audio. See DTV. 

Horizontal Resolution: Not to be confused with horizontal scanning (‘vertical 

resolution’, which is the number of scanning lines of the television systems NTSC 

480i and HDTV interlaced 1080i). Horizontal resolution is measured left to right, and 

has been traditionally specified as the number of transitions (TVL, TV vertical lines, 

carried forward from the CRT analog age) in the horizontal direction measured up to 

the point equal to the picture height (75% or ¾ of the width of a 4:3 TV, 56% or 

9/16 of the width of a 16:9 TV). 

The horizontal resolution of a standard broadcast NTSC television is 340 TVL lines 

per picture height (450 edge to edge), DVD is 540 TVL (720 edge to edge), laserdisc 

is 425 TVL (567 edge to edge), and VHS is 240 TVL (333 edge to edge). 

Regarding HDTV the ‘total pixel count edge to edge’ for 1080i/p is 1920 horizontal 

pixels, and for 720p is 1280 horizontal pixels. 

In the more modern age of fixed pixel displays such as PDP plasmas, LCD, DLP, 

LCoS, and DILA, horizontal resolution is generally expressed as the number of pixels 

measured in the ‘complete’ horizontal line, edge to edge (not TVL). 

IEEE1394: 1394 is the short for IEEE1394. Digital interface conceived by Apple 

Computer in 1986, and it was called “Fire Wire” for its fast speed of operation. In 

1995, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) adopted the serial 

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us as its standard 1394. Sony trademarked their name iLink for their 

implementation of the 1394 bus as a 4-pin connector. 

HD signals are broadcast in compressed MPEG-2 format at approximately 19.4 Mbps. 

D-VHS VCRs and stand-alone HD-PVRs record MPEG-2 compressed HD signals, but 

only from a 1394 connection, which receives the digital data stream. HDTV monitors 

require a separate MPEG-2 decoder to decompress the signal for display, as oppose 

to DVI that is uncompressed. 

To address security issues, a scheme called Digital Transmission Content Protection 

(DTCP) was developed for 1394 that works with MPEG2 compressed video. 

Mitsubishi implemented a 1394 network/control called HAVi for the passage of digital 

compressed signals between DTV equipment. 

There are three types of cables used for 1394. A) A 6-conductor type that has two 

separately shielded twisted pairs for data and two power wires in an overall shielded 

cable with 6-pin connectors on either side. B) A 4-wire cable that uses two 

separately shielded data cables without power wires in an overall shielded cable with 

4-pin connectors on either end. C) A conductor using either type of cable above, but 

with a 6-pin connector on one side, and a 4-pin connector on the other side of the 

cable. 

The 4-pin connector is more common on digital video camcorders and other small 

external devices because of it's small size, while the 6-pin connector is more 

common on PC's, external hard drives due to it's durability and support for external 

power for 1394 peripherals. 

Interlaced: Technique applied in television by which video images are 

sent/displayed in two separate fields of lines that are merged together to complete 

one picture (frame). In the 480i NTSC and DTV formats, the 240 odd lines of one 

field are merged in an alternating mode with the other 240 even lines of the 

consecutive field, each field displayed at 1/60 of a second, and completing a frame of 

two fields in 1/30 of a second, fast enough for the persistence of vision to see them 

as they are all part of one single frame. 

When NTSC was created in the 1940s, this technique was implemented to been able 

to efficiently fit and send images within the bandwidth transmission constraints. The 

NTSC system has 525i scanning interlaced lines of which 480i are visible; the same 

concept was applied to DTV digital 480i and 1080i formats, the 1080i format has 

actually 1125i lines, 45 of which are not visible. 

Interpolation: Technique used in line-doublers to adjust for time differences in 

interlacing fields, to minimize ‘jaggies’, and improve overall picture sharpness. 

Some line doublers also interpolate calculated pixels between pixels on the horizontal 

line. 

Invar: The invar shadow mask, found on direct-view CRT TVs, allows the picture to 

have more contrast level without risking long-term damage of the shadow mask 

itself. When the set’s contrast is driven too high, a side effect called "blooming" 

occurs, to counteract this bleeding of colors, some manufacturers include the invar 

shadow mask, although still running the risk of burning the phosphors in the tube. A 

properly calibrated set would have the contrast level low enough not to need the 

invar (and the additional cost associated with it). 

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ISF (Imaging Science Foundation): Organization dedicated to promote the 

importance of properly calibrated display devices so they can perform to their full 

potential (NTSC or DTV). Training, calibration DVDs, and calibration professionals 

are offered by the organization to help consumers perform the necessary 

adjustments for their monitors to reach their best performance. 

Keystone Effect: Effect that produces a picture that has one edge with a different 

dimension than the opposite edge, most usually produced by positioning the 

projector at a pronounced angle relative to the screen. To compensate for the 

distortion, some projectors have digital keystone corrections (horizontally and 

vertically), however, the correction could create other image problems. It is 

recommended to avoid the keystone effect by physically realigning the projector with 

the screen, so keystone correction adjustments are used as little as possible. 

Lambert: Unit that measures the light intensity reflected off an object. 

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): LCD front and rear projectors use LCD panels to 

create images, which are then enlarged to fill a screen. The LCD panel uses two 

transparent sheets of polarizing material with a liquid containing rod-shaped crystals 

between. When a current is applied to pixel areas, those crystals align to create 

dark images. Panels do not produce color nor emit light; they are often side lit or 

backlit, and act as shuttles to selectively block off light and create images. 

Three black and white panels are used, and the white light from the lamp is 

separated (via dichroic mirrors) into red, green, and blue beams. These beams are 

fed through the panels and then recombined to create the full color images. An LCD 

projector can provide rich colors and a good-quality picture, but some LCD projectors 

show a “screen door” effect. 

LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon): Type of projection HDTV that uses liquid 

crystals coated onto a silicon chip, which uses a reflective (aluminized) layer. As 

compared to standard LCD chips, this reflective design increases contrast, and 

eliminates any dotted “screen door” effect. Since it is a digital display device, LCoS 

technology also eliminates any chance of image “burn-in”. 

Lenticular Screen: Screen used in RPTVs with a surface designed to reflect 

maximum light over horizontal and narrow vertical angles. 

Letterbox: Name used to describe the effect of viewing widescreen films or video 

wider than 1.33:1. To that end, black bars above and below the movie image are 

added to fill the 4:3 aspect ratio, to maintain the geometry of the original film (the 

aspect ratio chosen by the movie director). The ‘anamorphic’ method squeezes the 

image laterally when storing it, and the DTV monitor unsqueezes it when displaying 

it, which maximizes vertical resolution. 

The letterbox technique wastes vertical resolution (horizontal lines) for the black 

content of the bars. When the film image is even wider than the 1.78:1 aspect ratio 

of a 16:9 TV (such as 2.35:1, 1.85:1, etc.) two letterboxing black bars are 

embedded within the 16:9 image itself, in such case a combination of anamorphic 

and letterboxing methods are used to minimize the waste of vertical resolution for 

black bars. 

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LFE (Low Frequency Effects): ‘.1’ channel in Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1/6.1/7.1. 

The LFE channel contains low frequency effects in the range of 20-100 Hz intended 

to be reproduced by a subwoofer. 

Line Doubling: Technique that stores in digital memory the horizontal scanning 

lines of each field of an interlaced video image, and then displays them both together 

at once, producing a picture that has twice of the original lines, and providing an 

appearance of improved resolution. HDTV sets typically perform line doubling of 

480i NTSC images to display them as 480p. 

Line Quadrupling: In addition to applying the line doubling technique, line 

quadrupling interpolates additional lines in between to fill the image with calculated 

pixels of information, providing an even better appearance and brightness. Line 

quadrupling requires a display device with a scanning rate of four times the normally 

required. Some display devices obtain the quadrupling effect by interpolating 

additional calculated pixels in the horizontal line (in addition to the doubling of lines). 

In such case, the display would just need a scanning rate for line doubling speed. 

Lossless: Check DVD-Audio. 

Lumen: Unit of measure used to express the amount of light emitted by a source 

(see ANSI Lumens). 

Luminance: Signal that represents brightness in a video picture. 

Lux: Unit to measure the amount of light per square meter taken at an illuminated 

surface. 

MPEG-2: MPEG stands for the Motion Picture Experts Group. MPEG-2 is a video 

compression encoding/decoding method used in DVD, DBS satellite, and DTV to 

reduce the amount of data in the storage/transmission of digital video, by, for 

example, condensing redundant or repetitive image signals, or eliminating some 

picture elements. 

Multiscan: Feature of some monitors that are able to automatically synchronize 

their scanning rate to a variety of signal scan-rates. Generally, HDTV monitors are 

able to synchronize to 480p and 1080i, and sometimes to even 720p. 

Multi-Channel Analog Outputs: Set of six analog audio outputs designed to pass 

DVD-Audio and/or SACD aural information from the player to an A/V Receiver or A/V 

Processor. 

Notch Filter: Filter that helps remove a small part of the signal that contains 

excess color information. By doing so, it helps eliminate some objectionable color 

effects from less than desirable signals. However, by utilizing the circuit, there is a 

slight loss in resolution of picture. 

NTSC: National Television Standards Committee. Committee for the US analog 

color television video standard. 

Overscanning: Effect that occurs when parts of an image cannot be viewed 

because they have been placed beyond the edges of the TV frame. The effect is 

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caused when the TV scanning lines are adjusted to exceed the boundaries of the 

screen to hide the ruff edges of the image. 

OTA (Over-The-Air DTV tuners): Also known as ATSC tuners. See DTV tuners. 

Pan-And-Scan: Technique used to transfer a widescreen movie into a 4:3 format 

with no black bars; the transfer operator actively searches and selects the 4:3 part 

of every widescreen image that contains important content in the movie. A ‘Fullframe’ 

4:3 transfer may not always have been made with a Pan-And-Scan technique. 

Pixel: The smallest element on a picture. Unit used to convey image/device 

resolution. 

PIP (Picture-in-Picture): PIP allows you to view the active images of two sources 

simultaneously. For a monitor to perform this feature it requires receiving the 

images from dual tuners, or external sources that provide the images, or a 

combination of both. 

POD: (Point Of Deployment interface) of the Host Interface License Agreement 

(PHILA) for cable tuners. Now called CableCARD. 

Power Conditioning: Not all power is created equal. For audio/video components 

to perform to their best the power should be well-balanced and clean of noise and 

interference, if the utility company does not provide clean power or your audio/video 

system is sharing electrical circuits with appliances or other devices that can degrade 

the power quality, it is recommended to install a separate electrical circuit for the 

audio/video system, and/or the use of an AC line conditioner/surge protector device 

(refer to the term further above in the Glossary). 

Progressive Scan: Video format/technique that presents all of the scanning lines in 

the screen in one single pass from top to bottom, producing and image that has 

more resolution and brightness than its interlaced version. The 480p format, for 

example, requires the double of the transmission bandwidth and twice the monitor 

scanning raster speed of the 480i version. 

Video that originates as 480p/60 fps is able to better follow fast action content 

producing much better results than 480i/30fps, and it even displays better than 480i 

line-doubled to 480p/60fps, because the image originates as 480p/60 fps at the 

camera point. 720p is also considered more suitable to fast action content, such as 

sports, than the other 1080i HD format. 

PVR: Personal Video Recorder (recording on internal hard drive, HDD), also known 

as DVR. Tivo type of time-shifting device for HD content. 

QAM (digital cable tuners): Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. Digital modulation 

technique that calls for 64 and 256 QAM; using 64 QAM a cable channel that today 

carries one analog video channel could carry 27 Mbps of information, or enough for 

multiple video programs; using the 256 QAM, the standard 6 MHz cable channel 

would carry 40 Mbps. See DTV tuners. 

Raster: Rows of dots scanned when producing a video image. 

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RCA-type Jacks: Standard connection used for analog and digital purposes. 

Composite video jacks are labeled yellow, and standard audio cables for left (white) 

and right (red) channels. RCA type jacks are also used for YPbPr component analog, 

Dolby Digital/DTS digital coaxial audio, Super-Audio/ DVD-Audio analog multichannel, 

etc. 

Resolution: Capability of a video device to reproduce (or an image to resolve) 

detail. The term is generally used to express horizontal resolution, as the number of 

lines/pixels that can be displayed in the horizontal direction (see horizontal 

resolution). 

Response Time: A specification typically associated with LCD panels used to 

indicate how fast pixels react to changes of light and avoid a blurring effect that 

typically shows as trails and pixel movement that is not in the original content while 

displaying fast moving objects on the image. 

The measurement is expressed in milliseconds and, depending on the manufacturer, 

indicates the time it takes a white pixel to show black and back to white again, 

others express that as gray-to-gray, or just indicate the time it takes to become 

black from white but not to white again (half of the white-black-white task) which 

certainly appears as a faster spec to unsuspected consumers (such as SXRD’s Sony 

RPTVs did when introduced with 2.5 ms spec). 

Many LCD panels that were 20ms in 2004-5 have gradually been improved to 16, 12, 

8, 6, and even 4 ms. The smaller the number the faster the pixel reaction time is 

and the better the LCD should be in avoiding the blurring effect on fast moving 

images. 

Retrace: Action of moving the electron beam from the end of one scanning line to 

the beginning of the next one. Usually associated with CRT type of display devices. 

RGB: Red, Green, and Blue color signals (chrominance), primary components for 

color television; the primary colors of light. RGB video can be transmitted as: RGsB 

(the Green contains the sync signal), RGBHV (sync separate from colors, horizontal 

and vertical separate), RsGsBs (sync on each of the colors), and RGBS (sync 

separate from colors). See component video. 

RMS (Root Mean Square): Measurement of continuous power output produced by 

an amp. The higher the RMS number, the cleaner, and louder (without distorting) 

the sound will be; one of the primary specs to base an amplifier purchase. Peak 

power ratings show the maximum wattage delivered by an amp during a brief burst 

during a musical peak. 

Saturation: Term that expresses the purity and intensity of a color signal, and the 

extent by which it is free from white (less white results in more color saturation, less 

saturation results when adding more white to the color). 

Scanning: Action of moving an electron beam horizontally and vertically across the 

raster in CRT video. 

Scan Velocity Modulation (SVM): SVM adjusts the rate of horizontal movement 

of the beam as it "draws" the scan lines. Dark areas look larger over lighted 

background; lighted areas appear smaller over dark background. It is generally 

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ecommended to disable SVM on a properly calibrated monitor; one of the first 

things an ISF calibration job do is to find a way to disable SVM; look for a menu 

setting that is able to turn off SVM. 

SDTV (Standard Definition TV): Lowest level of DTV that originally grouped the 

480i and 480p formats together within that category (ATSC table III), see DTV. In 

late 2000, the CEA promoted the 480p to EDTV, leaving the SD level for just 480i 

digital. 

Shadow Mask: Metal plate on a CRT device that helps the electron beam hit each 

individual phosphor by using perforated holes. See Invar. 

Sharpness: Term to describe apparent focus and edge definition on video. 

Sharpness should be kept below the point at which extra edges are added to objects 

in the image. 

Spatial Interpolation: Technique that calculates additions/removals of pixels in a 

digital image using weighted averages of information from adjacent pixels, producing 

a more transparent result with fewer artifacts. The technique facilitates the repositioning 

or re-sizing of digital images. 

Spatial Resolution: Number of pixels appearing on the entire video image (matrix 

of horizontal and vertical resolutions combined). 

S/PDIF: Sony/Philips Digital Interface standard for digital audio connections 

(coaxial or optical TosLink). A consumer version of the AES/EBU digital transmission 

standard. 

Special Picture Tube: Better grade of picture tube, such as either dark tint or dark 

glass picture tubes, which, by darkening the faceplate, provides greater contrast 

between black and white, although requiring an increase of brightness levels so that 

the picture does not appear too dark. 

Other advancements include flat square tubes (FST) sometimes called "SuperFlat" or 

"FSTPerfect", which offers less distortion on the outer edges of the picture. Some 

manufacturers use special coatings to help cut down on glare and dust build-up 

giving the appearance of a richer picture, others use a combination of techniques to 

tweak out the highest performance from their picture tubes. 

STB (Set-Top-Box): Also mentioned as HD-STB, Digital set to box to tune DTV via 

OTA, cable or satellite signals. 

Subwoofer: Loudspeaker designed and dedicated to reproduce very low 

frequencies (bass) from the .1 LFE Dolby Digital or DTS channel, and/or from the 

bass received from the other channels if their lower frequencies are crossed-over to 

the sub with a low-pass control. A subwoofer normally looks like a big black box. 

Since bass is non-directional, it can be placed anywhere in the room. Woofers range 

in size from about 5-inches to 18-inches in diameter with the majority falling in the 

12-inch category. 

Some of these enclosures are ported with a hole on the side or the bottom, which 

helps add a thump to the bass response. 

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Virtually any mid-line A/V Receiver or above has a subwoofer output jack on the 

back panel. This will attach directly to the Left input of the sub. If the receiver does 

not have a separate subwoofer output jack, the left and right speaker outputs of the 

receiver can be connected into the appropriate left and right jack inputs of the sub, 

then, the left and right speaker outputs of the sub should be connected to the 

individual left and right speakers. In such case, the receiver crossover should be set 

as full range, and the sub’s crossover hi-pass control should be set to send only the 

non-bass frequencies to the L/R speakers. 

Verify the menu options of the receiver regarding not using the .1 LFE sub output, 

and to make sure it has a way to redirect the LFE effects to the main speakers 

(where the sub is connected). In either set-up, the lowest sounds are directed only 

to the subwoofer. Subwoofers are either active or passive. ‘Active’ subwoofers have 

internal amplifiers, ‘Passive’ subwoofers are less costly but require power from either 

the receiver or a separate external amplifier. 

Super-Audio CD (SACD): Sony introduced Super-Audio (SACD) in the fall of 1999. 

Warner Music launched DVD-Audio in early 2000 with a coalition of hardware 

manufacturers such as Toshiba, Panasonic, Pioneer, and Meridian. Record labels 

wanted to prevent digital copying so the players would have only analog outputs; 

this means six cables for multi-channel playback, which also requires a receiver/prepro 

with six pass-through inputs. 

When Sony acquired Columbia records it decided that CD quality was not enough for 

archiving the musical heritage, and invented a digital storage medium of high density 

(1 bit resolution sampled at 2.83MHz) called Direct Stream Digital (DSD), later used 

as an archival format and recording medium for the next generation of SACDs. The 

format was made able to record frequencies above 20KHz (the CD limit), which are 

inaudible but affect the audible range since they still modulate lower frequencies. 

Dual-layer “hybrid” SACDs would contain the new format as well as the CD standard 

16-bit/44.1 KHz “Red Book” (as published by Sony/Phillips) layer, which makes them 

backward compatible with CD & DVD players as well as on SACD players. The stereo 

tracks are a separate mix, not fold down from SACD multi-channels. 

Surround: See specific details in Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, DTS, Circle Surround, etc. 

Surround Speakers: Surround speakers are normally placed to the sides/corners 

above the listening area. Additionally another speaker may be positioned behind the 

listener as ‘center back’ for some formats, and even one on the ceiling. They carry 

directional effects (Dolby Digital/DTS) and/or just sound field enhancements (DD, 

DTS, Pro Logic, Circle Surround). 

Speakers for discrete full-bandwidth surround formats such as DD/DTS should be 

able to handle full frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz and be sufficiently larger to 

handle loud passages (compared to the ambience purpose of Pro Logic for example). 

Rear speakers are either bipole or dipole design; dipoles produce sound from the 

rear and front, out-of-phase from each other (for which some people recommend for 

surround); in the bipolar design the front and rear are in phase and sound equally. 

There are different views regarding which type to use for music or movies, or for 

discrete and non-discrete surround formats, for directivity or dispersion, and for the 

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type of room in which they are installed. Consult your specialty audio store for your 

particular application. 

S-Video (Inputs/Outputs): S-Video separates the luminance (Y) and 

chrominance (C) signals offering better picture quality and resolution than using 

standard composite/RF video connections. Use with S-VHS VCRs, and with other 

equipment as a second alternative to component video, if not present. 

THX: License that identifies and certifies compliance with color and sound high 

performance parameters for home theater systems. 

Timbre: Tonal characteristic of a sound determined by its harmonic structure. 

Toslink: Fiber optic connection for digital audio developed by Toshiba. 

Twitter: Type of flicker effect that occurs when white lines alternate within 

refreshing fields. 

UHF (Ultra High Frequency): Subset of the television broadcast frequency that 

ranges between 470 MHz and 890 MHz. Most of the DTV broadcasting stations are 

currently using this band. 

Underscanning: Effect caused by decreasing the horizontal and vertical raster size, 

allowing the four edges of an image to be seen into the screen, including skew and 

tracking (which should not be seen). See overscanning for a description of the 

opposite effect. 

VC-1: In April 2006, the SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) 

released the VC1 standard for compressed video bit-streams, together with a 

Recommended Practices document to provide guidelines for interoperable solutions. 

The SMPTE’s Compression Technology Committee put together a working group to 

maintain the test materials and documents, and to administer the bit-stream 

exchange program. Reportedly, Microsoft, who contributed the decoder source code, 

a prototype encoder, and other resources towards development of the process, 

proposed the formal standardization. 

The VC-1 documents are available at http://www.smpte.org/ : 

SMPTE 421M-2006, VC-1 Compressed Video Bitstream Format and Decoding Process 

Recommended Practices: 

SMPTE RP227-2006 VC-1 Bitstream Transport Encodings 

SMPTE RP228-2006 VC-1 Decoder and Bitstream Conformance 

Vertical Blanking: Automatic action of turning off the scanning electron beam in a 

CRT while returning from the bottom to the top of the image to draw the next set of 

lines. 

Vertical Resolution: Measurement in the vertical direction of the number of 

horizontal lines scanned from top to bottom to complete a picture frame. The NTSC 

system has 525i lines (with 480i visible), which includes TV broadcast/satellite/cable, 

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laserdisc, VHS, and DVD. The ATSC DTV system includes three levels: 480i digital 

for SDTV, 480p digital EDTV, and 720p/1080i digital for HDTV, all visible lines. 

Although not a broadcast format, HD also includes the 810i format of visible lines 

displayed within a 16:9 image when shown in some 4:3 TVs, as per CEA definition 

for HD updated in 2000. Vertical resolution should not to be confused with horizontal 

resolution, which is the number of lines/pixels measured left to right in the horizontal 

direction. 

VHF (Very High Frequency): Subset of the television broadcast frequency that 

ranges between 30 MHz and 300 MHz. Some of the DTV broadcasting stations are 

currently using this band. 

Video Compression: General name given to the methods used to reduce the 

digital data in a DTV signal (and DVD), such as MPEG-2, so the signal can be 

transmitted/stored within the allotted limited bandwidth/space. See MPEG-2. 

White Level: Level of the maximum picture brightness in TV, defining the range 

between the darkest and the lightest areas of the picture. 

x.v.YCC: x.v.YCC is a technology established as an industry standard by the 

International Electronics Commission in January of 2006 that expands the current 

color data range of video by approximately 1.8 times. It is based on the “Munsell 

Color Cascade” a universal color chart defining the colors of natural objects and is 

used to evaluate color expression capability of displays, which provides the ability to 

display more natural and vivid colors similar to what the human eye can actually see. 

Sony, Mitsubishi, Silicon Image, HDMI Licensing, LLC., and others are implementing 

and facilitating x.v.YCC, a technical standard that expands the range of colors of the 

current standard, BT.709-5, used for HDTV; it adds shades of cyan, bright green, 

etc. making the colors more natural and richer. Sony is implementing the 

technology under the name x.v.Color. 

Y: Abbreviation for luminance. 

Y/C: Y=Luminance, C=Chrominance (color). Nomenclature used for S-Video 

connections that separate both signals using 4-pin DIN connectors. 

YPbPr: Analog component video connection with 3 cables. Also mentioned simply 

as “component” on the report. Some component connections are only for 480p 

(DVD or EDTV). HD enabled component connections should be specified as 

720p/1080i or HDTV, otherwise, there might be a bandwidth limitation for HD 

signals, even when the connectors fit well. 

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About the Author 

Rodolfo La Maestra is the Senior Technical Director of the HDTV Magazine. Rodolfo 

participated in the HDTV vision since the late 1980's when HDTV 

was first proposed as an analog system. In the late 1990's, he 

begun tracking and reviewing HDTV related technologies and 

hundreds of consumer products, which prompted him in 2002 to 

pioneer the authoring of the annual HDTV Technology Review 

report, which encompasses all HDTVs and related equipment 

including Hi-Def DVD, content providers, distribution systems 

(broadcast, cable, satellite), government, standards, 

connectivity, content protection, H/DTV tuners and DVRs, etc. 

Rodolfo considers himself an educator, not a journalist, 

transferring knowledge, research, and experience. In addition to this annual 

publication, he has authored a variety of tutorials and educative articles for HDTV 

Magazine, DVDetc, and HDTVetc Magazines, and served as technical consultant and 

editor for the "Reference Guide" and the "HDTV Glossary of Terms" for HDTVetc 

Magazine, included in this report and now available for HDTV Magazine readers. 

In 2004, to help the public understand the H/DTV complexity, he began recording a 

TV technology periodical for Cable television that airs weekly. By 2006, the show 

reached the rating of second most viewed by the public among all the technology 

episodes. The opening episode at HDTV Magazine Resources: 

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/reference/tvshow_how-it-works.php 

Rodolfo's background encompasses Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, and 

Audio and Video Electronics, over 4,000 hours of professional training, a BS in 

Computer and Information Systems, and over thirty professional and post-graduate 

diplomas, some from American, George Washington, and MIT Universities. 

After 38 years of computer systems career Rodolfo retired in 2003 as Chief of 

Systems Development from the Inter-American Development Bank. He directed 65 

computer professionals in the areas of information/transactional/web online systems, 

database administration, etc. supporting about 30 member countries 24/7. 

In parallel, from 1998 he concentrated his personal efforts in helping the public with 

his other career of audio/video electronics. Rodolfo started with hi-end audio in the 

early 60’s and merged with Home Theater video and multichannel audio technologies 

over the past 40 years, such as the niche widescreen laser disc, anamorphic DVD, 

16x9 NTSC displays, HDTV, Hi-def DVD, and 2.35:1 CinemaScope HD Home Theater. 

When HDTV started airing in November 1998, he was an early adopter of the HDTV 

dream he followed since 80’s but realized that the technology as implemented would 

overwhelm regular consumers due to its complexity, and it certainly does even 

today. Rodolfo then launched his HDTV mission of 

educating and helping consumers understand the 

complexity, the challenge, and the beauty of the 

technology, so the public learns to appreciate 

HDTV not just as another television. 

Copyright 2007 Rodolfo La Maestra, all rights reserved. 

The material might not be reproduced or distributed in any form 

without permission from the author. 

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