More information is starting to be released related to the new 9 Series TVs from Samsung. The new LCD TV product line (not pictured) is expected to replace current A950 LCDs, and use a B9000 designation. As mentioned in the LCD TV Buyers Guide, the key product technology is rumored is reported to be LED backlighting with local dimming, as opposed to edge lighting. The benefit to local dimming is that it provides better contrast, by removing light entirely from black sections of an image.

It is expected that the Samsung B9000 LCD TVs will be marketed under Samsung’s Touch of Color line, and communicate via wireless connections to an external media box, helping to keep the LCD television thickness down. The Samsung TVs are expected to be internet ready with Medi@2.0 support that allows access to services such as YouTube and Yahoo Widgets, as well as streaming media from a USB device or PCs connected wirelessly through DLNA. European versions of the TVs are said to have DVB-T and DVB-C tuners. The Samsung 9 Series should roll out with just two screen sizes, 46 and 55 inches. Release is expected sometime in the summer or fall; no prices have been released, but anticipate premium pricing compared to the current market prices of 46 and 55 inch LCD TV models.

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Popularity: 25% [?]

Sharp reported that its financial results were impacted by declining sales of LCD TVs and panels. Sharp expects savings to come by accelerating opening schedule of its 10^th-generation LCD panel plant. The Gen 10 plant will focus on production of 57- and 65-inch panels.

Samsung has made it clear that it’s biggest focus of the year is on LCD TVs with LED back-lighting technology. New high end, ultra-slim, edge-lit LED TVs with 240Hz frame-rate technology should position Samsung at the top of market in 2009. Samsung also seems committed to developing the LED TV technology this year in new products that will have different marketing strategies than LCD or plasma.

Popularity: 16% [?]

If you are going to help customers find the best LCD TV for the home via a buyers guide, lets start near the top. Sharp is the brand used by commercial video specialists when they put on large conventions and tradeshows. Insiders confirm that the electronics inside this LCD TV are top notch. They have to be since the name Sharp is on the front. The Sharp AQUOS SE94U Series has been described by hardware critics as setting the standard for large-screen flat-panel LCD TVs. The model has full HD 1080p resolution, dramatically enhanced black level and a modern thin profile and space-saving slim bezel design. There are no complaints about the picture. The Sharp 65 inch TV scores well in the reviews across the internet.  Buzzillions, CNET, Wired, PCWorld all rate it highly.

Sharp LC65SE94U 65 AQUOS 1080p LCD HDTV – $ 4999.98
Retail Price: 5999.98
You Save: $1,000.00

The LC-65SE94U utilizes the next generation of Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel, providing 27,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 4ms response time, as well as 120Hz frame rate conversion for the ultimate in fast-motion image processing. This model does not feature the “bleeding edge” features such as 240Hz, and LED backlighting.

Sharp Aquos Prices: When the Sharp Aquos 65 HDTV first came on the market, the price tag was near $10,000. The current price seems to have stabilized between $4000 and $5000. This is still much higher that the mainstream 46 inch LCD TVS. For that extra 19 inch diagonal screen size, a buyer would be paying 3X more for the Sharp.   



Sharp AQUOS LC-65SE94U 65 LCD TV – 65 – Active Matrix TFT – ATSC, NTSC – 16:9 – 1920 x 1080 – HDTV – 1080p

It could be worth the wait for newer models with 240Hz frequency given the price tag.

Popularity: 58% [?]