CES 2009 CES history

The CES was first held in 1967 in New York City. Back then there were 17,500 attendees and 200 exhibitors. The 2009 CES in Las Vegas is predicted to have 130,000 attendees and 2,700 exhibitors. Las Vegas has been the home to the CES since 1978, when it began hosting the winter half of the biannual show. Chicago held the summer half of the show until 1995, when the current single January show format in Las Vegas was established.

High definition TV, 1998

High definition TV, or HDTV, is rapidly replacing the standard picture quality that many of us are used to. HDTV offers more colours and a greater resolution than standard definition TV, and for a more in-depth explanation of this technology, read our high definition TV explained guide.

The term high definition has been used since the 1930s, but its meaning has changed over time. The HDTV that we know and love today describes a TV with a picture quality of a certain standard - and this standard was first launched to the public in the USA in 1998, the same year that it was showcased at the CES.

Which? has around 200 HDTVs on test, including LCD and plasma screen models.

DVDs, 1996

The arrival of DVDs was heralded at the 1996 Consumer Electronics Show. It took until 2003 before DVD rental figures outran VHS rental figures, and despite the arrival of Blu-ray, DVD still dominates video marketplace with its 97% share.

Blu-ray Disc DVDs offer high definition picture quality, and Blu-ray Disc DVD recorders will be available in the UK next year. Panasonic are releasing the DMW-BW500 Blu-ray Disc recorder in the UK next year. You can read our write up of the Panasonic DMW-BW500 in our DVD recorders report.

Which? also has over 20 DVD players on test as well as some useful advice on DVD formats.

Camcorders, 1981

Camcorders were first unveiled at the 1981 CES. These devices are pretty small these days but in the early '80s you needed a wheelbarrow to cart on around. Camcorder technology is also being revolutionised with the introduction of high definition.

Which? currently has over 60 camcorders on test with a further report featuring more than 25 high definition camcorders.

CD, Nintendo Entertainment System and VCR

There have been countless other noteworthy launches at the CES, including Nintendo's popular games console in 1985, the beloved CD in 1981, and the VCR, or video cassette recorder that was unveiled way back in 1970.

Much of this technology has now been superseded. MP3 players are outselling personal CD players and the Nintendo Wii epitomises the latest developments in gaming technology.

Recording from TV is now achievable on DVD recorders, however our recommended method involves the use of a Personal Video Recorder, or PVR. These machines offer far more versatility and are generally easier to use. We have around 20 PVRs on test and a great advice section that explains the best way to connect up your TV, PVR and home cinema kit.

To use this advice guide click here to access our TV connection wizard.

CES 2008 highlights

Last year Which? reported from the Las Vegas show and saw for the first time Sony's OLED TVs. We also marvelled at the mammoth 150 inch plasma TV from Panasonic, and were mesmerised by the Sony Rolly MP3 player, which danced in time to music before our very eyes.

OLED TVs are expensive but super thin and more energy efficient than LCD and plasma models - or so the industry says. Sony has released XEL-1, an 11 inch model in the US and Japan, and it will be available in the UK next year.

Visitors arriving at the show.

Other consumer electronic shows

The CES isn't the only show on the consumer electronics fan's calendar, but it's often regarded by many as the most important.

If you are a technophile then you might find our IFA technology show report from Berlin interesting.

To see more pics from our time at CES 2009, check out the Which? CES 2009 photo gallery on Flickr.

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