Flat panel TV technologies at a crucial crossroads

Television will dominate the upcoming 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this month, as LCD-TV OEMs showcase their latest and greatest products, while providers of other display technologies try to prove that they can remain relevant amid the liquid-crystal deluge.
Television display technologies such as microdisplay Rear Projection (RPTV) are entering a crucial time when they must either do or die. One slip in deadlines could send the RPTV segment spinning into an unrecoverable decline in market share.
For Plasma Display Panel (PDP) televisions, the main challenge is continuing to weather the onslaught of LCD-TVs in the 40-inch and larger market. The longer PDP-TV can hold out, the longer OEMs will continue to make money selling such sets, assuring their continued support for the technology.

ENVISION PERIPHERALS RAISES THE BAR ONCE AGAIN

Envision Peripherals Inc. (EPI), home to AOC and Envision branded flat-panel displays, today announced the expansion of its line of advanced technology LCD-HDTVs with the addition of the 19-inch, wide screen Envision L19W461 and 15-inch L15X661. Both units deliver full-featured performance and state-of-the-art technology in screen sizes designed for dorm rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and other compact environments where space is at a premium. Featuring advanced display technology to produce the most brilliant picture quality available from any High-Definition or standard program source, the handsomely styled units each is equipped with bottom-mounted speakers that deliver crystal clear sound to complement the brilliant picture quality. Priced at $399 and $299 MSRP, respectively, the Envision L19W461 and L15X661 each features multiple built-in tuners (ATSC/Clear-QAM/NTSC) for reception of digital and analog OTA (over-the-air) transmissions and digital cable transmissions.

How High Definition Television Works: HD 101

For most of the last 50 years, it was much simpler to purchase a television and enjoy the available programming. In fact, in the early days of television all you had to was plug the set in (and pull up the rabbit ears) and enjoy yourself. Anyone could do it. Today there are so many industry acronyms and abbreviations to wade through: SDTV, EDTV, HDTV, 480i, 480p, 525p, 720p, 1080i, native display, aspect ratio, letterbox, analog, digital, progressive scan, interlaced, non-interlaced, composite video, component video, and DVI. Then there are different display devices like plasma, LCD, DLP, LCOS! And what, you may wonder, is the difference between a television and a monitor? It's enough to make your head spin.
But even if you purchase the right product but don't have the right signal, you may not be getting true high definition.

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Samsung Helps to Propel Consumers into the High Definition Era

Singapore, 19 January 2007 -- Samsung announced its strategic partnerships with Discovery Networks Asia and National Geographic Channel Asia to deliver High Definition (HD) experiences to the region. Through this milestone initiative, Samsung aims to leverage on its technological and product leadership in HDTV to introduce consumers to the marvels of HD. Our passion is to enhance consumers’ lifestyles. Samsung’s comprehensive suite of HD offerings has been waiting for this exciting moment to demonstrate to consumers the real benefits of HD. We found the two perfect content partners in Discovery Channel and National Geographic Channel to realize consumers’ imagination of the HD experience," said Mr. David Henry, Regional General Manager, Corporate Marketing, Samsung Asia Pte Ltd.

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