Mitsubish Digital Electronics America has announced a slew of new DLP and LCD high-definition televisions—seven new models in each category—and announced a nama for its new laser-powered television technology: LaserVue.
“Because Mitsubishi has focused on large-format televisions for more than two decades, we have a unique understanding of our customers wants, needs and expectations from their HDTVs,” said Mitsubishi Digital Electronics VP of marketing Frank DeMartin, in a statement. “Our new 2008 HDTVs are a direct result of listening to our customers, and we have delivered multi-dimensional products that will take their viewing experience to a new level.”
The new DLP models will range from 60 inches to a whopping 73 inches in size, and all feature 1080p resolution, a new thin-frame design with a blue light accent, improved brightness, and the company says they’re 3D-ready. The new units also integrated Mitsubishi’s proprietary 6-Color Processor and offer 120 Hz refresh rates to smooth fast scenes. The new DLP models should be available in April with prices ranging from $1,799 for the 60-inch WD-60735 to $4,699 for the 73-inch Diamond WD-73835.
On the LCD front, Mitsubishi has announced seven new 1080p models ranging from 40 to 52 inches. All the new LCDs feature a frame less than one inch thick (10 percent thinner than previous models), and the panels all feature 120 Hz refresh, Mitsubishi’s 6-Color Processor, x.v.Color, and Deep Color capabilities. Mitsubishi has also partnered with GalleryPlayer so users can use their LCD HDTVs to display artwork and photographs from National Geographic, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other sources: just download the GalleryPlayer software, put it on a USB drive, and install it on the Mitsubishi TV. Pricing on the new LCD displays will range from $2,499 for the 40inch LT-40148 to $4,499 for the 52-inch Diamond LT-52246; they should be available in May.
Mitsubishi has also announced a name for laser technology it used to power the new television technology it demonstrated at the beginning of the year at CES. Now dubbed “LaserVue,” Mitsubishi claims the technology produces twice the color range of current HDTVs, along with a tremendous depth of field and purity of display, while using about half the power of a typical LCD TV (and one third the power of a plasma display). Mitsubishi also says LaserVue is capable of delivering a true 3D image. The company expects LaserVue-powered displays to go on sale in the third quarter of 2008; the company did not reveal any pricing information.
