CES 2009

The big video story at this year’s show is super slim flat panels designs. None of them will be available immediately, but they should start trickling in later in the year. Panasonic showed three samples of its design, including one that angled out to show just how skinny it is.

Samsung prototype of a 3840x2160, or 4K LCD, was so crowded I had to grab an image around the crowd as best I could. No plans to offer it as a product, however, at least not in the near future.

Samsung’s new model 450 plasma is said to be the first flat panel display that’s 3D-ready. The 3D image was very good, though I’m still not sure I’d want to watch many movies this way. But I suspect 3D has a big future in video games.

New readers won’t recognize the shell-shaped speaker on the right. It’s B&W’s Nautilus, a design that dates back years. It always was more of a tech statement piece than a readily available product, but you can still get it on special order. I think I heard $40,000/pair or so.

LG’s signage more clearly explained their demos than that of most other manufacturers. The 75 series, with local dimming for improved blacks, was very impressive. It won’t be available until sometime in the second half of 2008. LG also had some of the best-looking demo material.

I’ve always said that shots of Antarctica at noon, in summer, made the best program material to demonstrate a flat panel LCD display. LG must be reading <I>UAV</I>.

As always, there are manufacturers trying to make a splash in the huge US television market. We wish them luck.