Toshiba to launch 20 new LCD flat panels in the spring
New LCDs spread across five series and price points.
A lot of people walked into Toshiba's 2008 CES press conference expecting a train wreck in the light of Warner's pre-show Blu-ray bombshell. But after a quick obligatory mention of it being "a difficult day" for the godfather of the HD DVD format, it was back to business: namely, highlighting the company's 2008 line of LCD flat-panel TVs. The company touted five new series of models, all of which will be released this spring. Full details after the jump.
AV500 Series: The entry-level line-up features 720p HDTVs ranging in size from 19 to 42 inches. Each model includes integrated digital tuners (ATSC/QAM), a single HDMI input, and a single VGA input for PC connectivity. Pricing and availability is as follows (with the first two digits indicating screen size, and all models in black unless otherwise indicated): 19AV500 (March, $430); 19AV501 (March, $430, white); 22AV500 (May, $550); 26AV500 (February, $650); 32AV500 (February, $800); 37AV500 (February, $1,000); 42AV500 (March, $1,100).
Regza CV510 Series: The step-up 720p panels get a makeover thanks to a thinner 1.5-inch ThinLine bezel and SoundStrip speakers. Extra features include 3 HDMI inputs, a new gaming mode (which supposedly reduces screen lag), and upgraded PixelPure 4G 14-bit video processing. Just two models here, both releasing in March: the 32-inch 32CV510 ($900) and 37-inch 37CV510 ($1,100).
Regza RV530 Series: The RV530 line steps the resolution up to full 1080p and adds a fourth HDMI port (albeit on the side). Moreover, the PC input can accept full 1920x1080 resolution as well. Five models are available: 32RV530 (March, $1,100); 37RV530 (February, $1,300); 42RV530 (February, $1,500); 46R530 (February, $2,000); and 52RV530 (March, $2,700).
Regza XV540 Series: The bit step-up for the XV540 line is the addition of 120Hz refresh rate, which Toshiba calls "ClearFrame." Ideally, the 2008 iteration (which includes film stabilization motion smoothing and--new for 2008--5:5 pulldown) will do a better job at reducing motion blur and judder than last year's
Cinema Series Regza XF550 Series: Toshiba's flagship TV line includes all of the goodies found in the stepdown models, but utilizes a Super Narrow Bezel (just 0.9 inches surrounding the screen) and equally petite SoundStrip 2 speaker system, delivering a "virtually all screen" appearance similar to that of the 2007 RF350U series. The three models are scheduled to hit next month: 40XF550 ($2,000); 46XF550 ($2,500); and 52XF550 ($3,200).
If these models fail to move you, you can hold out for the company's fall line-up, which will include a variety of high-end enhancements, including the integration of a PS3-style Cell processor for extra video processing capacity.