CES - Televisions

Samsung adds Wi-Fi-only Galaxy Tab, drops TV bezel

Adopting the style of a fast-moving Demo conference, Samsung busily showed off a few dozen new products over about 40 minutes at its CES 2011 press conference today, starting with a Wi-Fi-only version of its Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet that will be available early this year (nope, no price yet).

The specs? Nothing unexpected. The Galaxy Tab runs on Android 2.2 (Froyo) and features a 7-inch TFT display with 1,024x600 WSVGA resolution. It weighs 13 ounces and is less than half an inch thick for tossing in a pocket or purse. The Galaxy Tab includes 16GB of internal storage and has microSD expansion for up to 32GB of additional storage. It also has a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera for taking pictures on the go, and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel shooter and camcorder for video chat.

Also getting time on the big stage was the Samsung Infuse 4G, which will be one of the first smartphones in the U.S. to tout Samsung's next-generation Super AMOLED Plus touch screen. That screen claims 50 percent more sub-pixels for better contrast and outdoor visibility. The screen on the Infuse also measures 4.5 inches diagonally, making it one of the largest displays on a smartphone today. The phone will be available through AT&T.

Samsung seems bent on bucking design trends this year, unveiling a number of products with unique style flourishes. John Revie, Samsung senior vice president, took the stage to talk 3D TVs and essentially declared the bezel dead.

The company showed two large HDTVs surrounded by a border that's just two-tenths of an inch wide--practically invisible. The TVs--available in the first half of this year for an as yet unannounced price--will have what's being called a "1-foot connection," meaning any device in range of your TV or computer that's previously registered will automatically connect. A new "search all" feature on smart TVs will make it easier to find content and apps.

Also on the borderless front, Samung execs tried on a pair of superlight 3D glasses that look like rimless sunglasses ("Matrix 3D glasses," as one CNET commenter said during the live blog).

Other Samsung announcements from the press conference and earlier:… Read more

Panasonic introduces tablet, Viera Connect (live blog)

Panasonic executives, speaking at CES in Las Vegas this afternoon, unveiled a service that will provide Internet connectivity to and apps for its Viera TVs. It's called Viera Connect. They also showed off an Android-based tablet called the Viera Tablet.

Joining me were CNET's trio of television experts, including David Carnoy, David Katzmaier, and Matt Moscovciak, as we outlined the news released during the event and provided commentary.

For the full blow-by-blow, see the Cover It Live module.

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=286b32ae00" >Panasonic CES … Read more

Samsung D6500 plasmas add inch, stay slim

LAS VEGAS--Today Samsung announced details on its 2011 line of plasma TVs, and the mid-level PND6500 series showcases many of the company's changes compared with its 2010 plasmas.

One change is a slight increase in screen size. The two members of the D6500 series measure 51 and 59 inches, which is an inch greater than last year's Samsung plasma sizes of 50 and 58 inches, and one-ups the 50-inch plasmas of competitors like LG and Panasonic. On the other hand both are selling 60-inch plasmas, an inch larger than Samsung's new size. Apparently TV salesmanship is a … Read more

Samsung 120Hz LED LCD TVs get 3D too

In 2010 Samsung's least expensive 3D-compatible LCD TV was the 46-inch LN46C750, a non-LED-based 240Hz model that currently sells for $1,400. The 46-inch size in the new UND6400 series might not get that cheap, at least at launch, but Samsung still considers the series entry-level...for a 3D LED.

The five-size series, all of which feature an edge-lit with local dimming LED backlight, is described by Samsung as "perfect for consumers looking for an affordable 3D entertainment option."

Unlike the C750 and all other 2010 LCDs with 3D compatibility, the D6400 models have a 120Hz refresh rate, not 240Hz. … Read more

Samsung LEDs flaunt 0.2-inch thin frames

As flat-panel TVs get flatter and lighter, TV makers look to differentiate themselves among the wall of panels at your local Best Buy in ever more ingenious ways. One of the most impressive we've seen is the ultraslim bezel available on the Samsung UND7000 series, which frames the picture with an edge just 0.2 inch wide.

That razor-thin frame significantly out-slims the 2010 champ, LG's 7/8-inch-bezel LE8500/LX9500, and allows Samsung to make statements like "consumers can enjoy the 55-inch screen in the same space of most 52-inch TVs." It's so thin the … Read more

Samsung's best LED sports micro dimming

Editors' Note Jan 8, 2011: The Samsung UND8000 series was one of three nominees for CNET's Best of CES award in the TVs category.

Last year Samsung was the first TV maker to try local dimming of its LED backlight from an edge-lit configuration. The UNC8000 performed well enough in our review, but not up to the standards we've come to expect from the company's best LCD TVs.

Its successor, the UND8000 series, aims to improve upon that performance with a backlight scheme more like that of the full-array local-dimming UNB8500 models from late 2008. The D8000 … Read more

Philips delivers LED TVs with MediaConnect, NetTV, and Cinema 21:9

LAS VEGAS--Philips has brought up us to speed with the new lines of HDTVs to hit in 2011. While we're glad to see Philips' 4000, 5000, and 6000 models all come with MediaConnect (a PC-to-TV screen technology) and NetTV (which offers a wide variety of video content access from providers like YouTube and Vudu), we were really interested to hear about Cinema 21:9.

First expected to be available stateside in the second half of 2011, Philips' Cinema 21:9 LED HDTV will feature a superwide 58-inch screen directly aimed at recreating the 2.39:1 anamorphic 3D experience … Read more

LG touts appliances but teases phone, tablet

LG Electronics unveiled a range of home video products and smart appliances at its CES press conference in Las Vegas today--but mostly just a taste of some of its highest-profile gadgets to debut at the show.

Those wanting extensive details on the company's upcoming smartphone for Verizon, a model equipped with the up-and-coming LTE (Long-term Evolution) wireless technology, will have to wait for full details tomorrow at the Consumer Electronics Show. Likewise, LG's tablet news also remains under wraps.

But the company did share some details about its new Optimus Black Android-powered smartphone. It comes with a … Read more

Tivizen brings live TV to iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch

LAS VEGAS--Looking for a little live TV on the go for your iPad? Well, later this year, as long as you live in the right coverage area, you'll be able to get live broadcasts delivered directly to your Apple mobile device with the Tivizen iUS-100 receiver from Korea-based Valups. The Mobile DTV accessory, which also works with the iPhone and iPod Touch, is scheduled to ship in June for $99 and will have a free companion app at launch.

In case you don't know what Mobile DTV is, it's a new mobile digital broadcast standard that's … Read more

LG's high-end passive 3D LED TVs get 240Hz

Update August 16, 2011 We won't be reviewing this TV, but we did review the LG LW5600 series. The two are extremely similar except that the LW6500 has a 240Hz refresh rate--a difference we don't expect to have much impact on picture quality. For more, check out the full review of the LD LW5600 series.

After Vizio, LG is the second TV maker at CES to announce a lineup of TVs equipped with so-called passive 3D compatibility. Passive 3D differs from the active variety found on nearly all current 3D TVs in a number of ways, including the … Read more