CES 2013: Whats New in HDTVs

SmartReview.com attended the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas (CES 2013) to bring back information on the latest products for 2013. Here is a short overview of what caught our attention at the show in regards to the latest HDTVs.

Many of the TV manufacturers were showing advanced technology, including OLED displays and 4K HDTVs (also referred to as QFHD (3840×2160) Quad high definition). 2013 will be the year of the big TV, as Sharp, LG and Samsung were all showing giant LED HDTVs in the 70, 75, 80, 84, and even 90-inch sizes. Smart TVs were on display at many of the manufacturers as internet and device connected TVs are becoming more common, including interfacing with Smartphones and tablets. Dual Core Processors are becoming more common in 2013 models to speed up Smart TV operations. Samsung introduced a new Plasma TV at CES 2013 with new technology, the F8500 Plasma Series that is in our opinion is the best plasma TV that Samsung has ever produced.

Our 2014 CES coverage will be coming shortly.

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Samsung TVs 2013: Samsung had a nice selection of cutting edge 4K (4x the resolution of HD) and OLED TVs. But they also produced what will be considered their best Plasma TV ever (discussed below). The 4K TVs were stunning (as usual),but the prices can be upwards of $20,000 and more, so we need to wait awhile before these become affordable. Also new for 2013 is the Quad Core Processor which trumps the Dual Core processors introduced last year. The Quad Core processor is only available on the F8500 Plasma Series, the F8000 LED Series, and the F7500 LED Series. Giant 75-inch LED TVs will be available as well.

All of Samsung’s 2013 LED TV line from the 6000 Series and higher have at least a Dual Core Processor, which was previously only available on high end TVs. In the past many of the Smart TVs were sluggish. A multi-core processor will greatly enhance the speed.

Samsung LED TVs 2013: At the high end is the top of the line Samsung F8000 LED Series which has a new Quad Core Processor for super fast Smart TV and voice control functions. The F8000 Series has added Precision Black Local Dimming, giving the F8000 Series the same fantastic picture that SmartReview saw on last year’s ES9000 75-inch TV at CES 2012. Samsung’s Smart TVs feature Smart Content, Smart Apps, Smart Interactions, and other unique ways to interact with your HDTV. This includes facial recognition, voice control, gestures, and motion control. Samsung has an app store to add to apps to your TV (hundreds to choose from). Most Smart TVs also have a full web browser, and a remote control with a touchpad for easy navigation.

Cost conscience consumers will look toward the Samsung F6300 LED Series which is Samsung’s best TV without 3D and the Samsung F6400 LED Series which is the lowest priced TV with 3D. The F6400 Series has also inherited the Micro-Dimming technology previously only seen on higher end sets. Both of these sets have received high praise from consumer reviews. Both of these models have been upgraded with Dual Core Processors for maximum speed and functionality.

Samsung’s Breakthrough Plasma TV for 2013: One of our highlights of the show, was the new top-of-the-line F8500 Plasma Series TVs. Samsung claims that this TV is as bright as an LED TV, but has 8x deeper blacks than an LED TV. We can affirm this, as it was an amazing picture that eclipsed anything else Samsung had to show except for OLED and 4K TVs. The secret is a new Super Contrast Panel paired up with a Real Black Pro Filter. It is one of a few TVs that has a Quad Core Processor for fast Smart TV functionality and speed. We were very impressed by the picture quality of this Plasma TV, the best we have seen from Samsung.

Also available for 2013 is the affordable: F5500 Plasma Series with 1080p resolution, dual core processor, 3D Ready, built-in WiFi, Smart TV.

Samsung 2013 TV lineup at CES 2013

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Panasonic Viera TVs 2013: Panasonic has revamped its product line, and we are seeing a move to larger LED TVs. Panasonic makes some of the best Plasma and LED TVs available, and has made some incremental improvements on these TVs for 2013. Both their LED and Plasma TVs will see significant energy savings for 2013 over the 2012 models. They had a display showing how many watts a 2012 model was using versus the newer 2013 model. The savings were dramatic. (Only 86 watts for this year’s new TC-L55ET60 55 inch model versus 126 watts from last year’s model). Panasonic’s largest TV for 2013 is 65 inches. New IPS panels used for their LED TVs let more light shine through (brighter picture) and are more energy efficient.

Panasonic Plasma 2013 Models: Panasonic for 2013 has completely re-invented their top of the line plasma TVs. They have introduced a new top of the line ZT Series, and dropped the GT line. For 2013, all 3D Plasmas now come with 2 pairs of active 3D glasses. Starting on the low end, you have the bargain priced S60 Series Plasma without 3D, but with internet movies. Moving up you then have a great value with the super popular ST60 Series Plasma with Full HD 3D with 3D Glasses, and a full Web Browser and Apps, and upgraded Panel and filter. The VT60 Series Plasma has everything the ST60 series has, plus it is THX 3D Certified, has a new Dual Core Processor, camera, upgraded plasma panel, and upgraded Infinite Black Ultra filter. Finally, the top of the line ZT60 Series has the same panel as the VT60, but with the Studio Master filter.

Panasonic 2013 TV lineup at CES 2013

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LG TVs 2013: LG was displaying their latest prototype OLED and 4K HDTVs, including an 84-Inch 4K TV, the world’s largest Ultra HD TV. These were very impressive, but will be immensely expensive ($12,000 for a 55-inch OLED) when they are available. LG uses passive 3D technology on all of its TVs, using inexpensive polarized glasses that require no batteries. This is the same type used in Movie Theaters.

New LG 2013 Models: LG’s popular Cinema Screen TVs have been revamped with new features. All of the models now have 12 watt speakers vs. 10 watts in 2012. All models now have a Dual Core Processor which was previous only available on the high end TVs. This will greatly speed up Smart TV apps, navigation, and functions. All Cinema screen TVs have a magic remote, which can control the TV in a number of ways, including gestures (moving your hand), and voice control. Built-in WiFi is also standard on all Smart TVs.

LG 2013 LED TVs Lineup: SmartReview now has reviews on several of the LG Cinema Screen Series Smart LED 3D TVs, including the LA7400 240Hz LED Series with edge/local dimming (replaces the LM7600 Series), and the LA6900 120Hz LED Series with edge/local dimming (Replaces the LM6700 Series). The new 2013 LA6200 120Hz LED Series are the lowest priced 3D TVs (the magic remote is optional on this model). This model replaces the LM6200 Series. (All of these models are 3D ready and include 4 pairs of 3D glasses).

The top of the line LA8600 240Hz LED Series has LED Plus edge local dimming, Full Smart TV operations with magic remote, 3D glasses, and a 240Hz refresh rate.

LG 2013 TV lineup at CES 2013

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Sony TVs 2013: Sony in 2013 is going all in with 4K Ultra Definition TVs. They have committed to the technology by introducing the X900 Series, as well as introducing a 4K media player with several 4K movies already loaded. Rumor has it that the Playstation 4 will also be able to play 4K content. We think this is the right move, as 4K is the future of TV, with much higher resolution than possible with current 1080p TVs.

Sony’s LED TV Lineup 2013: Sony has introduced the W900 Series as the highest end 1080p TV, then the W802 Series, the W650 Series, and the R550 Series.

Sony’s 4K TV Lineup 2013: Sony is introducing its first 4K TVs for sale this year. The lineup includes an 84-inch XBR-84X900, the 65-inch XBR-65X900A, and the 55-inch XBR-55X900A. This is a game changer for the industry, as 4K TVs start to be introduced. The 4K TV can display with 4x the number of pixels (8 megapixels) versus (2 megapixels) on a standard 1080p HDTV. Even 1080p content will look better when upconverted onto these sets, as we saw at CES 2013. And they will be ready for native 4K content as it becomes available. The detail on these TVs is amazing. The prices are very high for the 84-inch, but the 65 and 55-inch models are coming in at prices as low as $4,999.00 which is still expensive, but a substantial drop from last year. This is the future of TV.

Sony 2013 TV lineup and technology at CES 2013

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Sharp Aquos TVs 2013: For CES 2013 Sharp displayed its line of HDTVs, with more LED backlit and 3D models. Sharp is going big with the introduction of giant 70, 80-inch, and even 90-inch TVs. Sharp is now concentrating only on large screen TVs (60 inches and larger). The trend to bigger and bigger HDTVs has been apparent over the last few years in the industry. All of the Sharp Smart TV line for 2013 now incorporates a Dual Core Processor which will speed up the Smart TV functions and Apps. Sharp also showed off an 8K TV (16 times the resolution of HD) and 4K TVs. A new technology called ICC by Sharp will upconvert 720p and 1080p content to its 4K TVs to look better than on a regular 1080p TV. Sharp’s Ultra HD 4K TVs are scheduled for sale by Sharp in the second half of 2013.

Sharp LED TVs 2013: At the top of the range is the LE857 240Hz 3D Quattron Series, then comes the LE757 240Hz 3D Quattron Series, and finally The new LE650U 120Hz Series which are Sharp’s lowest priced large screen Smart TVs without 3D. All of these are available in 60-inch, 70-inch, and 80-inch sizes.

Sharp 2013 TV lineup and technology at CES 2013

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2013 HDTV Technology Summary: So to wrap up this article, 2013 has seen some incremental improvements to the 2012 models, but the new technologies including OLED, 4K Ultra HD, will be the buzzwords for 2013, as will be the advent of giant sized TVs. Keep in mind that the OLED and 4K TVs will be enormously expensive initially. SmartReview.com will display the 2013 models with reviews and commentary as they become available. There are some breakthroughs in technology coming soon that will allow 4K broadcasts and streaming video to occur. One is that Google is starting to install gigbit cable systems in the country, that will have a large pipe of data to allow this to become a reality. The other emerging technology is a new video compression called H.265 which will replace the mpeg 4 H.264 and compress video down to less than half the current size, allowing a lot of higher resolution video to hit cable and the airwaves. We believe that 4K TVs will be common in homes in a couple of years, just as 1080p sets are now.

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