panel

Flat-panels to kill off rear-projection TV sales by 2011

Will rear-projection TV sales plunge to near zero within the next 48 months? That's what a new study from IDC Group claims. With ever larger plasma and (especially) LCD flat-panel HDTVs becoming ever more affordable, IDC sees sales of RPTV sets--those utilizing DLP and LCoS microdisplays--dropping to under 30,000 units by 2011. That's a dramatic drop from the peak of 3.51 million sold in 2004 (according to the CEA).

None of this is shocking news, of course--the trend toward flat panels has been increasingly irreversible as large plasmas and LCD screens continue to break key price-point … Read more

Samsung LCDs promise six-figure contrast

(Update 11-14-07) Since this post first published, we have reviewed the 46-inch model from each series described below. For complete details check out the full reviews of the Samsung LN-T4671F and the Samsung LN-T4681F . For further information on the company's less-expensive lineup of flat-panel LCD HDTVs, check out our roundup.

Samsung LN-T71F series

The big step-up feature for this series is a 120Hz refresh rate, which is said to cut down on the motion blur sometimes seen by sharp-eyed viewers in fast-moving scenes -- although in our tests of 60Hz LCDs, motion blur hasn't been an issue. Samsung'… Read more

MacMall has the HP L1706 Smart Buy Flat Panel for $139.99, after a $30 mail-in rebate.

MacMall has the HP L1706 Smart Buy Flat Panel for $139.99, after a $30 mail-in rebate. . >> Regular price is $169.99 >> Offer ends 7/31/2007 >> Click here for deal

Down the line: Samsung flat-panel LCDs

We've reviewed three models from Samsung's 2007 flat-panel LCD lineup so far this year: the LN-T4665F, the LN-T4661F and the LN-T3253H. If those model numbers don't mean much to you, don't worry. We'll take you through the company's 2007 LCD lineup from least- to most-expensive, and when we don't have actual reviews we'll provide our take on step-up features and how the models relate to one another. Update 07-12-2007: Samsung has announced two additional series of LCD TVs for 2007, detailed here.

Samsung LN-T42H series

This is Samsung's entry-level LCD series. … Read more

Take control of Vista with Vispa

Is a 0.1 version release really worth looking at? I mean, don't these beta releases increase global warming by making my machine belch blue smoke? Maybe in some cases, but Vispa 0.1 is one program that gives you a clearer Vista.

It's a minuscule, butterfly-size program--weighing in at 63kb--but with a targeted punch to the heart of Windows Vista's control panel. In one simple interface, Vispa collates some of the most obscure Vista functions, heretofore accessible only through the Registry or in deep corners of the Control Panel. Not surprisingly, it's not for beginners, either.

Father's Day Plasmas/LCDs

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Anyone who flipped through the ads in the Sunday Paper would have seen SO many gadgets being pushed for Dads & Grads. There was an underlying guilt that surged through me as i flipped through them over breakfast... I only got my dad a book... and a card. Was i supposed to have gotten him a new phone? laptop? digicam? TV? And then suddenly I was lost browsing the many options of 30-60" plasmas and lcds... 720p vs 1080p... so, I gave up and went and chatted with my … Read more

Government plea for plane that doesn't land

If you can imagine a plane that can stay in flight for years at a time and refuel itself autonomously, then you're thinking like a government agent (or at least a science fiction writer).

Last week, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, began soliciting bids from the private sector to design a plane that can remain aloft for five years with a 99 percent probability.

Called the Vulture Air Vehicle Program, possibly after the vulture's ability to sail on thermal streams, the project "will … Read more

ICFF Field Report: Sunflower-inspired eco-lighting

One of the most noticeable trends at this year's ICFF was the prevalence of nature-inspired design, whether it be pillows with birds printed on them or wall fixtures with antlers. There was also, predictably, a heck of a lot of "green" design and LED lighting. This prototype, called the Corona Solar Light, was one of my favorites.

Designed by Shane Kohatsu and Emi Fujita, these are long skinny outdoor lights that resemble sunflowers or some other kind of tall, long-stemmed plant. In the "head" is a solar panel, which charges the light during the day … Read more

Pioneer unveils its 2007 plasma HDTV lineup

Gizmodo's got the early scoop on the new Pioneer plasmas. Early prototypes of these eighth-generation panels turned heads when they were originally on display at January's Consumer Electronics Show, and the company has finally supplied the pricing and availability details for the entire line:

Pioneer PDP-4280HD (42-inch, $2,700, June) Pioneer PDP-5080HD (50-inch, $3,500, June) Pioneer Elite PRO-950HD (42-inch, $3,200, July) Pioneer Elite PRO-1150HD (50-inch, $4,500, July)

1080p models: Pioneer PDP-5010FD (50-inch, $5,000, September) Pioneer PDP-6010FD (60-inch, $6,500, September) Pioneer Elite PRO-110FD (50-inch, $6,000, September) Pioneer Elite PRO-150FD (60-inch, $7,500, September) … Read more

Promise of more efficient solar panels

There are two major problems with the current silicon panel technology used to generate electricity. For one, silicon is inefficient in converting solar energy. The thinner the silicon panel, the less efficient it becomes. Secondly, silicon panels make up about 45 percent of the total cost of current solar power installations. So thinner panels requiring less silicon would cut down on installation costs.

Now researchers in Australia say they've found a way to make silicon films, 1 to 2 microns thick, into more efficient energy converters. The trick is to impregnate the silicon film surface with small amounts of … Read more