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The projector market is about to have a new competitor with the IN80 from InFocus.  It is able to process 1080p images, and project them on the wall at a 4 meter diagonal. 

Other features include a Texas Instruments DLP DarkChip system with BrilliantColor, as well as Integrated Pixelworks DNX 10-bit video processing.  It also has a 2,500:1 native contrast ratio, and 1,300 ANSI lumens of brightness.  It also comes with HDMI inputs. 

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Sharp has released three new budget-friendly flat-panel LCD TV’s featuring full HD 1080p (1980 x 1080). Released under Sharp’s SB series, these new LCD TV’s are the 52-inch LC-52SB55U, the 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 42-inch LC-42SB45U.

Encased in a glossy piano-black bezel, all three LCD’s feature Sharp’s Spectral Contrast Engine, have a pixel response time of 6ms (except for the LCD-42SB45U with 6.5ms), built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners and array of inputs which include four HDMITM for the LC-52SB55U, two for the LC-46SB45U and three for the LC-42SB45U. In addition, these LCD’s also come with two HD component terminals, a dedicated PC input and OPC Power Save Function which adjusts luminance to adapt to room brightness and lighting conditions.

The Sharp LC-52SB55U, LC-46SB54U and LC-42SB45U are available now and retailing for $2,299.99, $1,699.99 and $1,399.99 respectively.

Read [Business Wire] Product [Sharp]

DISH Network will be first to bring you* 1080p resolution HD content through broadcast means.  Say goodbye to the 720 garbage you’ve been forced to watch and bask in the 1080p you should have had all along.  Available tomorrow is “I am Legend” video on demand will be in full 1080p.

The asterisk after “you” above means you may not actually be “you”.  According to Electronista:

The upgrade in resolution isn’t available for all subscribers but will be a no-charge addition for anyone who owns an HD DVR capable of playing MPEG-4 video. A software upgrade will be pushed out at the same time as the 1080p service that enables playing the video format, though no mention is made of supporting the HD resolution for recording regular TV shows.

No word on how smooth the image will be or if it’s compression means we’ll be seeing chopped action.  Either way, it is a step in the right direction.

Read [Electronista]

Sony is releasing a slew of new models and updates to their popular Bravia line of LCD TV’s this year. Along with updates to their 1080p capable W and V series, Sony is also introducing a new Z series that features four HDMI ports, a new slim design and a 120hz processor that became so popular in LCDs this past year. The 120hz processor, which was only available in Sony’s XBR line last year, will be available in the W and Z series this year. The V, W and Z series are available in 40-inch, 46-inch and 52-inch.

Sony’s poor track record of playing well with other companies equipment seems to be improving with the addition of iPod compatible USB interfaces on most LCD models. Sony hopes that this additional USB port might entice users into their Digital Media expander (DMeX) allowing streaming web content from Sony’s content partners CBS, Yahoo! or Conde’Net.

Sets under 40-inches received a reset as well. New 32-inch and 37-inch XBR models are in the works as are 26-inch, 32-inch and 37-inch N series LCDs. The N series has a 3.1 audio system built into it with it’s subwoofer built into it’s stand.

This is the first year that Sony hasn’t offered rear projection televisions in decades. This new Bravia line probably has more riding on it than ever. It will be interesting to find out if the popular Bravia line has enough juice to pick up the slack.

Read [Sony]

Vizio is extending their popular “Evolution” range of LCD HDTV’s with three new models, the VO42LF 42-inch, the VO47LF 47-inch and the VO52LF 52-inch which are all full 1080p and have a impressive four HDMI inputs each.

“Key to the Evolution series of products is VIZIO’s understanding that HDMI affords consumers the ultimate in HDTV connectivity. As a result, each product within the Evolution VO series of products will include a 6’ HDMI cable and Deluxe Size Cleaning Cloth.”

At the same time they are improving the look of the whole range with a “bold and elegant contemporary flat black design” which is a move away from the piano black bezel construction that they are known for.

The Price and availability of the Evolution range is:

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LG is about to give their CES 2008 Press conference here at the Venetian in Las Vegas.  Gadgetell’s live blog will keep you up to date, so you don’t need to trek through the desert like our team.  Last night LG showed off its latest phones like the Voyager and Venus.  We expect to see more touch screen and hope the to see some of LGs MP3 players make it stateside.

The lights dim and here we go (as always, hit CTRL R or F5 to refresh):

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Check out the gallery: CES 2008 Press Conference: LG

Engadget has charted 1080p high definition footage in a viewing distance to screen size form. This is helpful if you are setting up your living room for the optimal media room environment.

Simply locate your viewing distance on the right hand side and screen size on the bottom, connect the two lines and bam, your optimal screen resolution.

This is not for everyone, but as 1080p televisions become more popular down the line this chart will become increasingly relevant. I’m yet to purchase a high-definition TV, but this link is bookmarked awaiting my purchase down the line.

View [Engadget]

Toshiba has expanded its lineup of HD DVD players from two to three with the newly announced HD-A20. The new model sits between the already available second-generation players, the $500 HD-A2 and the $1,000 HD-XA2. In fact, except for the addition of 1080p output via HDMI and some minor cosmetic changes, the features of the A20 seem to be nearly identical to the A2, which we’ve already reviewed in-depth. Moreover, unlike the stepped-up HD-XA2, the A20 will not feature the latest HDMI 1.3 technology. The Toshiba HD-A20 will retail for $600 when it ships in spring 2007.

While the inclusion of 1080p support makes the A20 well worth the extra $100 as opposed to the 1080i-only HD-A2, the bigger question for prospective HD DVD buyers and for Toshiba is whether the nascent market for HD DVD-only players will have any traction in light of LG’s Blu-ray/HD DVD combo player.

Via [Crave]

Samsung swings all three ways in terms of display technologies by offering plasmas in addition to LCDs and DLPs. The HP-T5894W – 58” Wireless 1080p Plasma HDTV connects without wires but rather 802.11n through the wireless A/V center. The N standard can transmit video at 150Mbps transfer speed with a range of 300 feet. The display is 1920 x 1080 (1080p) resolution, with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and FilterBright2 Technology. There is a NTSC / ATSC digital cable ready tuner built-in, 3 HDMI 1.3 inputs, a 9-in-2 memory card slot, USB 2.0 input and RS232 input for navigation of pictures and MP3s on screen. Finally this ultimate set is auto wall-mount ready and has a neck type swivel stand. It will be available in September 2007 for a nice chunk of change, $5,699.

There are also two models without wireless, the HP-T5884 is 58” and available in September 2007 for $5,199 and the HP-T5084 (pictured) is 50” and available in May 2007 for $4,199.

Finally a manufacturer is releasing a more affordable Blu-ray player (especially after we saw a $599 1080p player from Toshiba earlier today).

The Samsung BD-P1200 – 2nd Generation Blu-ray Player will be available March 2007 for around $799. It supports BD/CD/DVD format playback, 1920x1080 (full 1080p) playback, has a Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) image processor, up-converts standard DVDs to 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolutions , supports 192KHz LPCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, MPEG 2, DTS and MP3 audio formats for complete entertainment versatility, supports HDMI 1.3 with CEC for home theater control, and has menu functions that allows users to adjust the font and color of subtitles, menus and backgrounds.