CES 2012 Transparent Organic TV from Haier Vacuum tube sound
Samsung used the CES to break new ground in the home audio market, launching digital system products which embrace old skool valve technology. These vacuum tube sound hybrids used valves which glow bright red at the pre- amp stage, before allowing a standard digital amp loose on the audio signal. The upshot, says the brand, is a warmer, more refined sound quality. The flagship model in Samsung’s vacuum tube sound line is the HA- E750, a Dual Docking audio system compatible both with iOS devices and Samsung’s own Galaxy phones. Given the crowds that flocked the unit, the brand could well have a hit on its hands.
meter, electric vehicles, a solar power generation systems as well as digital consumer products.
Super large screens Elsewhere, Sharp identified an understandable niche in the market. It’s ramping up production of 60- to 85-inch models for its 100th anniversary year, following the successful introduction of a 70-inch screen into the US market during 2010. Sharp US president John Herrington says that while there was healthy
skepticism at the time, that set became a stateside top seller. Herrington revealed that the brand is planning a US marketing campaign designed to challenge the idea that consumers need to sit further away from a super-large set. “We have done trials with consumers who overwhelmingly agree that a 70-inch Full HD TV watched at just 10 feet is a fantastic viewing experience.” Due later this year is the LC-80LE844U, the world’s first 80-inch 3D LED TV. It will use Quad Pixel Plus II picture processing technology for the smoothest possible image. In the UK, the Sharp says it will stress the benefits of a large screen for sports, rather than movies, in line with its sponsorship of the UEFA European Cup. All Sharp’s oversized screens will come from the brand’s 10th generation panel
making facility in Japan, the most advanced panel fabrication facility in the world.
4K crackers
LG, Sharp, Sony and Panasonic all had prototype 4K resolution screens at CES. But while other brands went big, Panasonic surprised everyone by unveiling the world’s smallest 4K IPS panel. The 20inch display is just 3.5mm thin but
has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and a pitch of 216ppi (regular Full HD panels offer 69ppi). Any doubts that you need a really large panel to appreciate the benefits of 4K resolution were quashed by this little wonder. The screen delivered astounding clarity, with even tiny text visible. The brand said it intends to sell it through its B2B division.
16 The Independent Electrical Retailer February 2012
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