HDTVs Get Bigger, Better

CES is always known for its gigantic television displays—and this year didn't disappoint. Companies want bragging rights—"we're the biggest and baddest"—as well as to showcase their latest technologies and stand out among the hundreds of TVs at the massive tradeshow. Without doubt LG won the crown with its 84-inch 3D Ultra TV (84LM9600). The demo I experienced in Las Vegas was spectacular. The 3D effects were top notch—and this was using LG's passive Cinema 3D system rather than active-shutter glasses. No price was given but the set should arrive later this year and be "five figures," according to a spokesperson.

The television is part of new display technology wave called "4K" which is used in movie theaters across the country. Currently the best consumer sets are "2K"—1920 x 1080 pixels, often referred to as 1080p. Sets like the LG are 4K x 2K (3840 x 2160 pixels) for a total of 8.29MP, four times better than today's models. Now before you put a 4K HDTV on your shopping list, realize there's very little to watch at this quality level. Current consumer editions are front projectors for huge home theaters that cost $8,000-$20,000. Clearly this is for the earliest of adopters but CE breakthroughs always cost a fortune initially then gradually drift down to more affordable levels. Still 4K is years away.

LG also had another winner on display as did Samsung. Both showed 55-inch OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) models that have outstanding images and are incredibly thin (we're talking less than a half-inch). Think of the best HDTV picture you've ever seen then triple the quality—that's what OLED technology delivers. Again pricing wasn't announced but it's sure to be steep. Keep an eye out for the LG 55EM9600 even if it's just to enjoy the view.

I've been to CES conventions when 150-inch HDTVs were hyped beyond belief. LG's 84-inch was about the biggest I saw but Sharp wasn't too far behind as it introduced several 80-inch models. The LC-80LE844U (due April, $6,499) is a beautiful 3D HDTV featuring Sharp's Quattron technology which produces a very vivid picture (I like it). Sharp introduced over 20 new 60-plus TVs at CES so get ready for an onslaught of big screen models this year. Prices for the 80s are still steep but 60s start at $2,699.

For the past few years, CES was awash in 3D HDTVs. They're still here but that technology is taking more of a backseat as manufacturers push larger screen sizes and Internet connectivity. In fact, web-connected televisions were everywhere. Google basically rebooted its initial Internet TV software (Google TV) at CES, announcing a raft of improvements as well as more manufacturing partners. Initially Sony was the only major HDTV supplier offering Google TV and now LG, Samsung and Vizio will join it. I found the demos in Las Vegas to be better than the original but I'm still happy using my iPad as a surfing companion while watching television. The best use for an Internet connected television is video on demand and that's still the case.

CES is a platform for new television technologies—whether they're ready for prime time or not. One that's clearly not ready was a Toshiba glasses-free 3D HDTV. This is the Holy Grail as everyone wants to watch 3D without glasses. You can with the Toshiba if you stand in just the right spot (dead center of the screen) and tilt your head just right so two concentric circles onscreen are in focus. I'm not kidding about this; I did all those machinations and it still was a poor excuse for 3D. Hats off to them for trying but like widespread 4K HDTV, big-screen glasses-free 3D is many years in the future (five-to-10, according to experts I queried).