Digital Trends

Introduction

The Home Entertainment Show was held again in New York City at the Hilton from April 28^th through May 1^st.  It's comprised of dealers and manufacturers alike, showing off their wares in hotel rooms and suites.  This is one of the few consumer electronics shows open to the public, and its goal is to reflect the current state of home entertainment products including high definition TV, high-resolution video, and multi-channel surround sound.  Unlike other CE shows, HES, which is sponsored by Primedia, features numerous esoteric audio companies along with mainstream brands like HP, Polk, RCA, Runco, Samsung, and Yamaha.  Surprisingly, several new 1080p HDTVs were introduced this year in addition to some really slick (if expensive) audiophile-like products.  In fact, there were more than 250 brands on four floors of the Hilton.  Also, there were several technology seminars presided over by various CE journalists, covering different aspects of Home Theater, Big Screen Technologies, Convergence, and Analog Audio.  This reporter's coverage primarily focuses on new TV/Video and Audio products, and only scratches the surface.

Televisions

Hewlett Packard

HP, who has long been an imaging company with its extensive line of printers and digital cameras, has entered the TV arena with the introduction of a line of ten HP Pavilion HDTVs; these are comprised of flat-panels (LCD and Plasma) and innovative and impressive DLP (Digital Light Processing) HDTVs, all CableCARD ready.  According to HP, "All of the TVs include new HP Visual Fidelity technologies, which provide enhanced image quality and brilliant color by, depending on the model, gauging a room's ambient lighting and doubling pixel resolution among other innovations ... and ... HP's logo says ‘invent' and that's exactly what we've done with our new line of televisions."   All of the new HP display products will be available in late summer at retail.  Unfortunately, at press time, pricing was not available.

HP has introduced their first line of four Pavilion MicroDisplay rear-projection DLP HDTVs; these include two models (MD 5020n and MD5820n) featuring 720p screen resolution, and two models (MD 5880n and MD6580n) featuring 1080p screen resolutions.  The displays are equipped with HP Visual Fidelity technologies that reportedly ensure top picture performance from virtually any video source.  All models have a seemingly unique lighted front-connection panel (instead of the traditional rear jack pack), designed with a special slot under the TV so that audio and video cables can easily be connected from the front and then hidden from view. 

HP TV on Zappa Stand

The 720p MicroDisplay line is comprised of a 50-in. (MD 5880n) and 58-in. (MD6580n) models, which are CableCARD ready; this means that they include an integrated ATSC tuner with a front slot for an optional CableCARD module.  Both models have a 1500:1 contrast ratio and a brightness level of 600 nits (50-in.) or 480 nits (58-in.).  Housed in a black cabinet with bottom silver trim, both models offer unique optional bases with cable management.  Unlike its competition, both sets include an 85-watt 2.1 audio system featuring SRS TruSurround XT.

The 1080p MicroDisplay line is comprised of a 58-in. (MD5880n) and a 65-in. (MD6580n) model, which include integrated CableCARD.  Housed in sleek black cabinetry and optional striking base module, both models offer a whooping 8500:1 contrast ratio, and brightness levels of 600 nits (58-in.) or 480 nits (65-in.) respectively.  To enhance the sets visually, HP has added "Dynamic Black" and a 7-segment color wheel, combined to enhance DLP performance and reportedly deliver sharp, seamless pictures, increased contrast, and rich blacks.  Like its 720p siblings, the 80 Series includes an 85-watt 2.1 audio system with SRS TruSurround XT, and HD interfaces such as HDMI and component video.