LATEST ADDITIONS

Samsung demonstrated its new LED-based LCD flat panels with "Local Dimming." LEDs have the ability to turn diodes completely off in some areas of the screen when needed, current LCDs can't accomplish as their backlights never really turn off. The result is superior blacks and contrast, which is quite evident here, as the conventional LCD on the left is clearly lower in contrast with this low light level material than the LED model on the right.

Luke Rawls of Meridian was showing their new MVP6080 processor in this side-by-side comparison. The MVP6080 works as a scaler but also has some truly advanced motion compensation. The result is a complete elimination of the judder inherent in film based source material. Some of the slow pans taken from movies looked so jerky on the unprocessed side compared to the totally smooth look of the processed side that I wondered how I was ever able to ignore it so well before. The MVP6080 inputs HDMI 480i and 1080i and outputs at the display device’s native resolution but at 48 hz (compatible with most projectors) or 72 hz (compatible with only a few products—CRT projectors and Pioneer plasmas in particular). Perfectly smooth motion is possible because it calculates and makes new frames to fill the gaps as 24 fps (film) is converted to 72. The product is available in April at a cost of $27,000. And you thought Faroudja’s used to be expensive!

Optoma had an impressive demo using their new HD81 1080p DLP projector fitted with an anamorphic lens and beautifully filling a huge 171 inch (diagonal) 1.3 gain Stewart screen. The HD81 is based on the TI Dark Chip 3, boasts a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and an impressive 1400 Lumen light output. The accompanying processor is the HD-3000, which features Gennum VXP technology and a host of high-end features. The projector and processor sell for $6000. The special lens (not required) adds $4000 more.

The first item on the menu at Sharp's box luncheon/press conference may have been a deli sandwich, but the first item on Sharp's menu was a new, 108", 1920x1080 LCD display. Our TV is bigger than Your TV hits a new high! No price was announced. As I glanced into the room following the press conference I saw a dozen workmen standing around, either figuring out how to pack it and move it (presumably for transport to the convention center) or how to pick up the NFL playoffs.