CEDIA 2009 Review: LCD Gets Greener, Along with a Facelift

[Richard]

The change in LCD display cabinet finishes along with the new LED lighting system was the game changing highlight of the show for me!

Regardless of manufacturer or backlighting technology, it appeared all LCDs displays received a facelift in the form of a new shiny glass-like screen throwing out the anti-glare screens of the past. It’s some form of Plexiglas along with an added optical coating to improve contrast and naturally it works quite well. Gone are the days of SSE (Silk Screen Effect) that we have been seeing on micro-display rear projection and LCD flat panels. My first newbie question upon my first arrival at a manufacturer’s booth was...

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[wjhunt]

What about those who tend to watch things like college sports which a lot of the time tend to come on during the day? If displays with mat surface go away (dlp, traditional lcd) leaving only glass screens with glare during daytime viewing...

[alice]

Would you be saying that when accesssing the new LCds using your known Isf video standards that they look very similar to Prime plasmas.

How is that glare going to affect Joe six pack who pays little attention to lighting control & watches in a sunny room?

Will remain with the Kuro.

[eliwhitney]

Hi wjhunt -

No HDTV should be viewed with high ambient lighting conditions - regardless of from which material / coating or none - that panel might be made.

Get faux blinds, lined draperies or whatever it takes to make a HDTV viewing room appropriate or move that set to wherever else in the house there might be "controlled" conditions!

eli

[wjhunt]

You must be kidding. "No HDTV should be viewed with high ambient lighting." Move the set to where there are controlled conditions. I wonder what percentage of the population has that option. I'm talking sports viewing or some other "non-critical" type viewing, I don't think most people care to sit in a cave to do it and would put up with SDE if necessary. However, I say it's not too much to ask for both, no SDE and no glare. It can happen and I'm sure it will. As a matter of fact, I see no SDE on my Sony KDS-R60XBR1.

[Roger Halstead]

I prefer to view HD in daylight, without shades drawn. For one the increased contrast is hard on your eyes according to my ophthalmologist. I dislike the darkened rooms that simulate the movie theater. They darken the theater so they can get by without having to run tremendous power to the projector.

Windows unshaded, but without direct sunshine.
One of the main reasons I purchased an LCD was the mat finish of the display. I'll be very sad to see that disappear. Of course anti-glare screens (sheets of plastic) are available.

[eliwhitney]

wjhunt ...

Absolutely, not "kidding" in the least!

Not exactly watching as in a cave, as you so succinctly / delicately put it, either ...

BUT - - - " IF " there has been FAR more funds expended in the HDTV set up . . . . Sound System, very large display set itself, Blu ray Player, etc., than in the entire furnishings of the room - - - then, that viewing room IS specifically dedicated to viewing "HD" in as close to an appropriate manner as reasonable ... not as if outside. {I, too, enjoy viewing a variety of tvs by Sony}

CRT viewing . . . w/ it's abilities to overcome any situation . . . IS long gone.

eli

[wjhunt]

Isn't that up to the person who put all of the funds into the setup? You state that as though it's a fact, that if a person put's X amount into a tv, surround, etc, then the room IS specifically dedicated to viewing HD in an appropriate manner. By the way, appropriate is in the eye of the beholder/investor. I really don't mean to be argumentative, but I see this in a lot on the forums I visit. It seems like kind of the old videophile/audiophile attitude of if you want to be in our club, you must do things a certain way. I only argue this because I've put a lot of money into my setup (rear projection, front projection, flat panel, etc), I'd say I'm more saavy than the average joe, but frequently have the tv on during mid afternoon on a Sunday with a ton of windows. I'd love to have a plasma in that room, but previously have stayed away specifically because of glare during the day.

[Roger Halstead]

I'd bet that the number who have a TV viewing room in reality, not just one they call that, is probably way less than 1%.

As I said earlier, I much prefer the ambient lighting which happens to be with the TV set into a "built in" entertainment center which is in the SE corner of the living room so it's always in shadow.
Perhaps I should call it subdued lighting, but nothing near that of a theater which I dislike. The last time I went to a theater I was disappointed with the quality of the image compared to what I now get at home.

I also prefer the bright image of the LCD to the old , "large", CRT we had in there. The CRT like the plasma reflected everything in the room.
I have a large CRT in the basement, shaded from the ceiling lights so I can watch it while working out. It takes the boredom out of an hour on the road bike mounted on the wind trainer. Unfortunately I can still see everything in the room. I'd like to put another 40" down there, but that would be a bit hard to justify.

[stevekaden]

And then there is all those who bring their TVs outside for tailgate parties. Not a big percentage, but amazing to see around college games. I suppose someone will have to invent a frosted film to put over the screen.