Las Vegas, NV - Earlier than many industry watchers had expected, microdisplay-based rear-projection TVs (RPTVs) using light-emitting diodes as their light source are being shown here at CES. The LEDs are used instead of the conventional UHP lamps that have a lifetime of only a few thousand hours and cost hundreds of dollars to replace. The RPTVs were polished prototypes, came from four different manufacturers, and used two different microdisplay technologies.

Chris Chinnock
Sr. Analyst and Sr. Editor
of Insight Media

Ken Werner
Senior Analyst and Editor
of HDTV Retailer

Samsung showed a 56″ 1080p LED RPTV based on Texas Instruments’ DLP” technology. The unit has a color gamut of 120% (NTSC), compared to about 100% for UHP-lit DLP RPTVs. Samsung is specifying a 20,000-hour lifetime for the LEDs, compared to the 6000 claimed for the company’s UHP-based RPTVs. Samsung representatives did not know the unit’s luminance.

Shown in moderately subdued lighting, the set’s good-looking image with deep, pure greens and reds drew favorable comment. The projected premium price of $3999 did not seem to draw much comment, but it may look high in May, when Samsung expects the sets to reach market.

In fact, the price looked high a few minutes later when one of us came across the Akai booth. Akai was showing 46″ and 52″ prototypes that use an RPTV architecture similar to Samsung’s. Akai’s Erik Snyder was quick to point out that Akai uses the same TI chip and the same Lumileds LEDs as Samsung. He was also quick to point that the units were about to receive an Editor’s Choice award from Popular Mechanics.

Snyder claimed 500 nits luminance, 3000:1 contrast ratio, and a gamut of 140% (NTSC) for the 1080p units. Images certainly looked good, but the projected prices were jaw-dropping: $1799 for the 46-inch; $2499 for the 52-inch. You can’t get 1080p “Full HD” resolution and extended color gamut for anything near the price elsewhere.

Well, you can’t get it from Akai, either; at least not yet. Akai is ready to begin volume production, but the decision to go forward depends on finding customers, Snyder said.

HP was also showing an LED-lit, DLP-based RPTV, but Sanyo is using a 1080p 3LCD architecture. The unit looked very good in comparison with a UHP-lit version sitting next to it.

RPTVs have been doing very well in the North American market because, at the moment, no other display technology can deliver 1080p resolution and large screen size at anywhere near the price. In addition, certain flavors of microdisplay-based RPTV are producing some of the best TV images consumers can buy. But there have been a few limitations, including lamp life. LEDs eliminate that problem and add an extended color gamut. This is a technology that could give RPTV a substantial boost, if manufacturers can produce it in adequate volume and an attractive price point.