Hitachi Launches Ultra Thin HDTVs

With screens spanning up to 42 inches and just 1.5 inches deep, Hitachi's Ultra Thin LCD sets are intended to blend into any setting.

When it comes to TVs, big is always in. But then again, so is thin. Hitachi will attempt to capitalize on both desirable dimensions with its new line of Ultra Thin HDTVs, which will be just 1.5 inches thick.

Since a few extra inches of depth here and there won’t realistically prevent anyone from hanging a TV on a wall, Hitachi is marketing the LCD sets as a sort of high-end luxury item, for those who value a compact form factor and sleek bezel as much as picture quality. The company’s research shows that consumers are increasingly buying flat-screen displays for kitchens, bathrooms, offices and bedrooms, where they want them to be more discreet than in a living or family room.

The sets will come in 32-, 37- and 42-inch sizes, with only the larger two offering full 1920 x 1080 resolution. The 32-inch set gets 1366 x 768 resolution, but will also beat the other two sets out the door by appearing in the first quarter of 2008. The larger sets will arrive later, in the second quarter. Hitachi has not yet announced pricing.