lcd

Foxconn looks to U.S. to open manufacturing plants, report says

Far-fetched? Um, yeah. But Foxconn reportedly is thinking of expanding its operation to the U.S.

Famous as the company that makes iPhones for Apple, China's Foxconn is now evaluating a few U.S. cities, including Detroit and Los Angeles, to determine whether they would be good places to set up shop, Digitimes is reporting today, citing so-called "market watchers."

It should be noted that it's not clear who these market watchers are or why they would have knowledge of Foxconn's plans. Beyond that, the company has been able to establish itself as a leading … Read more

Get a 50-inch Insignia HDTV for $499.99

Best Buy is having a fairly decent sale on Insignia TVs today, with just about every model in the lineup discounted by $30-100.

The top pick, IMHO: the Insignia NS-50L240A13 50-inch LCD HDTV for $499.99 shipped (plus sales tax in most states). That's one of the best prices I've ever seen on a TV of this size.

It is, to be fair, an entry-level model, with a non-LED LCD and 60Hz refresh rate. Of course, until a couple years ago, most HDTVs had the same specs.

The NS-50L240A13 features three HDMI inputs, along with the usual assortment … Read more

Samsung says it's still supplying LCD panels to Apple

Samsung refuted claims that its display business plans to end its LCD panel supply agreement with Apple, saying the report from a Korean publication was incorrect.

The Korea Times, citing an unnamed senior Samsung source, said Samsung was taking the step by the end of this year because it "believes its American partner is no longer a cash-generator due to the iPhone maker's stiffer supply-chain management structure."

However, a Samsung spokesman told CNET that the Korea Times post was 100 percent false regarding the comments about dropping Apple as a panel customer.

"Samsung Display has never … Read more

Samsung kicking Apple to curb for LCD panels, report says

Updated at 6:30 p.m. PT with Samsung denial.

Samsung's display business plans to end its LCD panel supply agreement with Apple as of 2013, the Korea Times is reporting.

The publication, citing an unnamed senior Samsung source, said Samsung is taking the step because it "believes its American partner is no longer a cash-generator due to the iPhone maker's stiffer supply-chain management structure." Basically, Samsung isn't making as much from Apple's display purchases as it did in the past.

Samsung expects to replace the lost Apple business with orders from Samsung's … Read more

Now showing: The future of tablet and car displays

After seeing these prototypes, you might think next-generation LCD technology looks brighter and clearer than ever.

Japan Display today revealed two exciting prototype LCD screens from the labs of the mega joint venture -- consisting of Sony, Toshiba, and Hitachi's manufacturing talents -- that could one day change the way we look at car and tablet displays. … Read more

What is refresh rate?

With 120Hz, 240Hz, and even 600Hz, refresh rate gets a lot of attention in the marketing of new HDTVs.

What it is and how it works is interesting, but why it exists is even more so. And it can have a profound effect on the picture quality of your HDTV.

Curious?

… Read more

1080i and 1080p are the same resolution

There still seems to be some confusion about the difference between 1080i and 1080p. Both are 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution. Both have 2,073,600 pixels. From one perspective, 1080i is actually greater than Blu-ray. And, you can't even get a full 1080p/60 source other than a PC, camcorder, or some still cameras that shoot video.

True, 1080i and 1080p aren't the same thing, but they are the same resolution. Let the argument commence... … Read more

In 2013, we'll be singing about 5-inch smartphone screens

If one thing seems certain, next year should play out as the year when most high-end smartphones feature a 5-inch screen.

Japan Display revealed yesterday that the mega joint venture -- consisting of Sony, Toshiba, and Hitachi's manufacturing prowess -- started mass production of a 5-inch 1,080-pixel LCD screen bound for future smartphones. … Read more

TV buying guide

Shopping for a new television can be an overwhelming experience. Confusion plagues even the most careful shoppers, and TV manufacturers, retailers, salespeople and numerous Internet sources can create more uncertainty as they push extra features, new technologies, and add-ons in the incessant pursuit of profit.

I hope that this guide, which I created in 2002 and have updated every year since, will help you cut through the confusion with unbiased information so that you can select a new television. It won't answer every question, and when you read it, it won't tell you "the perfect TV for … Read more