by Peter Putman

Not surprisingly, 1080p was of considerable interest at CEDIA Expo. LCD technology can deliver it now; plasma can't. Does that give LCD TVs an edge? Not really, for the best overall flat panel picture quality (color accuracy, grayscale, black levels, motion detail) seen at the show still came out of plasma sets. Following are some of the more significant plasma and LCD flat panel offerings from CEDIA 2005.

Pioneer had the best-looking integrated digital plasma TVs at the show. The Elite series PRO-930HD is a 43-inch model with improved black levels and color that will retail for $5,000, while the Elite PRO-1130HD fills the 50-inch space at $6,500. Both panels use a new crystal emissive layer for more efficient operation. In the PureVision line, the PDP-4360HD ($4,500) and PDP-5060 ($6,000) also made their debut, and they too have the new crystal emissive layer as well as first surface color filters.

In what amounts to a major shift in marketing, Fujitsu is moving into integrated plasma TVs. The P42XTA51US ($5,999) is a 42-inch integrated CableCARD TV, while the 50-inch slot is filled by the P50XTA50US ($7,999). NEC has redesigned and re-priced their line of plasma monitors with the 42XR4 ($5,995), 50XR5 ($7,995), and 61XR4 ($13,995).

Panasonic demonstrated their 8th generation plasma TVs, ranging in sizes from 37 inches to 65 inches. The latter (Onyx TH-65XVS30U) retails for $18,999, and the 50-inch Onyx TH-50XVS30U will set you back $7,999. You can get Panasonic's 50-inch TH-50PX500U for $4,499. All models are fully integrated digital TVs with CableCARD slots.

LCD technology brought plenty of "buzz" to the show. BenQ unveiled the DV3750 ($3,299), one of several 37-inch 1920x1080p LCD TVs at CEDIA, but identified it as an "LCD Display" in a clever piece of wordsmanship, thereby getting around the FCC digital tuner requirement for screens in this size.

Ovideon also had a 1080p 37-incher (no price yet) in their booth, while Mitsubishi had their 37-inch LT-3780 all spiffed up, running the same 1080p content loop as their 1080p DLP RPTVs. Samsung showed the LN-R469D 46-inch LCD DTV ($5,999). It's a CableCARD set with DNiE processing and had acceptable picture quality, but higher black levels than nearby plasma monitors.

Across the way, JVC hung up their LT-40FH96 (no price yet), a 40-inch LCD TV with 1920x1080 resolution that comes out of the Samsung factory. Around the corner, SIM2 showed two versions of their 40-inch 1366x768 LCD panel, the HTL40 and HTL40 LINK with outboard video processor. The former sells for $6,995 and the latter for $9,995.

LG Electronics made a statement with their 55-inch 55LP1D (about $14K) integrated LCD TV. It also has 1920x1080 resolution, but as impressive as it looked, Sharp's AQUOS LC-65D90U ($20,999) 65-inch integrated digital TV was even larger. It sports improved color rendering and a claimed contrast ratio of 800:1. Sharp's 45-inch category has also been upgraded with the metal finish AQUOS LC-45GD7U ($6,499) or black finish AQUOS LC-45GD5U ($6,499). Both are CableCARD sets with outboard media control boxes.