CES 2009

There is no way a picture can show how a set like this looks, so I don't have one. But a prototype Hitachi flat panel was claiming a peak (I assume) contrast ratio that's beyond hype. In fact, it's hard to accurately measure (peak) contrast levels even one tenth this high.

No further information was provided, such as the technology used (LCD or plasma) or whether or not this display will ever be a real product. But it did look impressive. The demo was on the open show floor, but was nevertheless as well set up as such conditions will allow. The set was in a small, black-draped area with no light shining on or near the screen. The image did appear to fade to an impressively rich black level in scene changes, though because of the setup conditions it's impossible to say whether or not this set might challenge what I saw in the totally enclosed and blacked-out demo room that Pioneer used.