Audio Video News

Sharp, Zenith, and Samsung held press conferences within hours of one another in which the messages were remarkably similar. Each trumpeted the growing popularity of HDTV, each strove to distinguish its chosen technology from the others, and each showed impressive products at prices significantly lower than the previous generation's.

Zenith is clearly positioning itself as the plasma company. It offers four models of plasma monitor, ranging from a 4 X 3 legacy model up to a 60" 16 X 9 model that includes Faroudja de-interlacing for only $20,000. Yes, we're serious about that "only"—last year that would have purchased only a 50" model. Zenith also showed five direct-view LCD monitors, ranging from a cute little 10" screen that flips the image if you turn the monitor upside down (say, for mounting under a cabinet) to an impressive 30" model. But it was the firm's 60" LCD rear-projection HDTV set that drew covetous looks from all over. The picture was crystal clear. Zenith has also established a new price point for integrated HDTVs with a 32" direct-view model for under $1500.

Sharp has carved out a niche for itself as the LCD company, with five models ranging from $1400 to $8000. Two models included PCMCIA card slots, compatible with most removable media cards used for digital photography. The company also introduced both 50" ($13,999.95) and 43" ($10,999.95) plasma display sets in 16 X 9 format. These sets are said to have a contrast ratio of 830:1. Sharp also displayed its SharpVision DLP projector with a DVHS source, just to remind everyone just how, um, sharp its picture is.

Samsung has hitched its wagon to DLP technology, forging a strong partnership with Texas Instruments. The company displayed two DLP-technology-based HDTV monitors—a 43" and a 50" model—for under $4500. Both are true digital displays, employing the DVI interface, and both operate at 1280x720.

Faroudja demonstrated its new all-inclusive Faroudja Digital Projector Package (FDPPackage), which employs the company's Native Rate Series Video Processor, which combines a full-featured Faroudja processor with an internal high-performance DVD transport, Digital Video Interface (DVI) outputs, and a high-end digital audio stage. The Video Processor drives an optimized and aligned 1365 X 1024 D-ILA projector outfitted with a custom anamorphoric lens and a custom “Hush Box” for soundproofing. The Faroudja Digital Projector Package is available from Faroudja dealers at a suggested retail price of $41,000 (with the NRS-DCS processor, which includes DVD player) or $36,000 (with the NRS processor, which doesn't incorporate DVD). The FDPP threw a thoroughly impressive image, rich in color, with few, if any, motion artifacts. It lived up to its billing as "good as a CRT."

Linn nearly brought the house down with its display piece, an Aston Martin Vanquish, which sports an OEM system sourced by the Scottish firm. Seems the show's set-up man wasn't familiar with racing clutches and spun the wheels maneuvering the car into position—the V12 nearly stood up on its rear wheels and took off. Lucky thing its brakes are heavy duty, too. Even more impressive, in a quieter way, was Linn's Classik high fidelity and sound system, which looked and sounded stunning.