While CES always holds a few important surprises-and this is being written in the weeks before the show-flat screen sets shown at industry shows throughout Asia as well as at dealer and press sneak previews give us a fair idea of the product and technology trends to expect in 2007. One thing is certain: Blu-ray and HD-DVD will be all over the International CES so the timing couldn't be better for flat screen makers to unveil "Full HD" models capable of 2.07 million pixels (1920 x 1080) of resolution, about twice the resolution of standard high-definition models, and producing the entire color range specified in the HDTV standard.

LG pulled the cover off of its 2007 flat screen line at a dealer show in November. The line-up includes eleven 1080p LCD models (in 37-inch, 47-inch, 52-inch and 57-inch screen sizes) and three 1080p plasma models (50-inch, 60-inch and 71-inch). The company's LY3D Series of LCD sets combine Full HD 1080p resolution with a notable new feature, TruMotion Drive, improving response time for clearer moving pictures. Response time is key in determining whether or not LCDs can clearly show full-motion video without distortion. Among plasma entries, LG's PY3D Series adds three HDMI inputs and USB2.0 for easy playback of music or photos.

Tabbed as a preview of its upcoming AVIAMO brand, Fujitsu has demo'ed three Full HD 1080p prototypes, including two plasma TVs-50-inch and 65-inch models-and a 37-inch LCD. All three sets offer a 1920 x 1080 resolution display and feature two HDMI digital connectors and a digital TV tuner with program guide. In addition to reproducing 1080p HD material, processors in these TVs can scale standard definition and HD sources in the 720p and 1080i format to the Full HD resolution. All three TVs have a black gloss frame and integrated stand, along with built in speakers.

Samsung Electronics chose the Flat Panel Display International show in Japan as the venue to unveil the first 70-inch Full-HD LCD TV. The company is expected to begin commercial production of its 70-inch panels as you are reading this. Samsung's new model can reproduce Full HD video images at 120Hz; most LCD panels (plasma, too) have a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning Samsung's big new LCD will be twice as fast, making it well-suited for sporting events and other fast-action program content. V

By Murray Slovick
January/February 2007