IFA consumer electronics show 2009 3DTV and LED TV at IFA 2009
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This article, IFA consumer electronics show 2009, was last updated on 05 September 2009 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
OLED, LED and 3DTV
As always, there's going to be a whole raft of TV activity at this year's IFA show, with OLED and LED TVs likely to be hogging most of the headlines, perhaps only overshadowed by any major 3DTV announcements.
The term 'LED TV' has become a key phrase in TV marketing, and many flat panel TVs are now beginning to wear this badge. An LED TV is an LCD TV that is lit by LEDs, either around the border of the TV, as in edge-lit LED TVs, or behind the panel, as in backlit LED TVs. Other LCD TVs are lit by lamps behind the screen.
LG LED and OLED TVs
LG used IFA 2009 to showcase its next-generation of TVs - its 15-inch OLED TV. Scheduled to launch in spring 2010 in the UK, it could cost in excess of £2,500 – although pricing hasn’t been announced.
Like other OLED TVs that we’ve seen, the picture quality is stunning. Upon its launch, it will become the largest OLED TV available to buy, trumping .
Samsung showed its 15-inch AMOLED TV at IFA 2009 consumer electronics show.
We’ve seen 27-inch OLED panels from Sony – including our exclusive video of the Sony 27-inch OLED TV prototype from CES 2009, and Samsung are also showcasing a 15-inch AMOLED model here at the show, but both of these TVs are only prototypes, with no concrete details about release dates. LG says that it is confident that it will be bringing 30-inch AMOLED TVs to market in 2012.
Bezel-less LG TVs
LG has showed its latest plasma, LCD and LED TVs at IFA 2009 – with LG removing the bezel surround commonly found on most flat panel TVs. LG reckons that the effect creates a pleasing aesthetic - and our hands-on first looks found the plasma, LCD and LED TVs to be attractive models.
LG says its latest TVs will launch in the UK in October 2009.
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Watch our exclusive video of the latest LG TVs from IFA 2009, above
LG SL9000 LED TV
The SL9000 line-up of LG LED TVs will launch in 42- and 47-inch variants.
The LEDs on these LG LED TVs are positioned around the side of the screen, allowing for a slim panel depth of just 29.3mm. Which? has found in labs tests that thin TVs often offer inferior sound quality, but LG told us that the whole borders of these TVs resonate and act as a more powerful speaker than the tiny speakers usually found on slimline sets – a claim we’ll be looking to test in our labs over the coming months.
LG SL8000 LCD TV
This LCD line up of LG LCD TVs feature 200Hz processing, which in theory leads to smoother moving images, especially when viewing fast-pace programmes such as sport and action movies. The LG SL8000 LCD TV comes in 32-, 37-, 42-, 47- and 55-inch varieties.
LG LH9000 Backlit LED TV
LG showed its backlit LED LH9000 TV, with LEDs dotted over the rear of the panel – although the result is a TV case that is physically deeper than edge-lit LED models, such as the LG SL9000 LED TV. Backlit LED TVs offer superior contrast ratio, as whole sections of the screen can appear in complete blackness, as the local LEDs are switched off.
Like the LG SL8000 LCD TV, this line up features a 200Hz processor for a quick frame refresh rate. It will launch in 42- and 47-inch versions.
LG LH9500 Backlit LED TV
LG revealed its first foray into wireless HD connectivity with its LG LH9500 backlit LED TV. This 55-inch LED TV will also feature four HDMI sockets, a single scart socket, and a USB port that will allow the playback of HD DivX files that have been downloaded from a PC or laptop and then transferred to a USB stick.
Sony 3DTV
Panasonic has a habit of showcasing super-large flat panel TVs at trade shows
Sony has declared that it will aim to bring 3DTVs to the market in 2010.
Howard Stringer, Sony chief executive, has stated that alongside the construction of 3D flat panel TVs, the company also plans to make the PS3, Sony Blu-ray players and Sony Vaio laptops all 3D compatible.
Sony Freesat TVs
Sony has also announced the launch of two Freesat TV ranges: the W5810 range and the W5800 range.
Until now, the only TVs with integrated Freesat tuners came from Panasonic and LG.
The Sony Bravia W5810 features an integrated Freesat tuner
The Freesat service currently provides non-subscription access to over 140 TV and radio channels, including HD channels from the BBC and ITV. Until the launch of the HD Freeview service, which is scheduled to be rolling out across Britain at the end of this year, Freesat is the only way to watch HD TV without a subscription to either Sky or Virgin.
Sony Bravia W5810
The W5810 is available in 32-, 37-, 40-, 46-, and 52-inch screen sizes. The line-up boasts full HD 1920x1080 resolution as well as the Sony Applicast function, which provides users with basic access to the internet.
It has a 100Hz refresh rate, four HDMI sockets, and two scart inputs.
Sony Bravia Z5800
The Z5800 series features the same connectivity and resolution, but comes in 40-, 46- and 52-inch flavours.
It features Sony's 200Hz Motionflow technology and an energy-saving mode.
For more information, check out our high definition TV explained guide, and our advice piece on Freeview and Freesat.
3D Blu-ray discs
And if the prospect of signing up to a Sky subscription to watch 3DTV in the future doesn't appeal, then the Blu-ray Disc Association's IFA announcement may be music to your ears. The BDA has stated that it is working on the creation of a 3D standard that will allow for the creation of high definition 3D Blu-ray discs.
As the number of 3D films being shown at cinemas increases, it is likely that film-lovers are going to be keen on recreating the 3D experience in their homes.
Panasonic 85-inch plasma TV
We've seen giant screens from Panasonic before, and this year's IFA show is no exception.
Panasonic has unveiled a colossal 85-inch Neo plasma TV. The TH-85P12U weighs in at around 120kg and has an £30,000 price tag. This isn't a model that we'll be getting into our lab though, as it's been created for commercial use rather than the everyday consumer.
Samsung Ultra high-definition LED TV
An 82-inch ultra high-definition LED TV was revealed by Samsung at the IFA 2009 show.
Samsung claims that the 3840x2160 screen resolution will deliver a higher-resolution than full-HD screens. However it’s worth noting that broadcasters are yet to start showing TV programmes at resolutions this size.
It says that the 82-inch LED TV isn’t going to hit shelves soon, but just gives an idea of the direction that such manufacturers think the market will head.
Samsung 8 series LED TVs
Samsung's 7 series of LED TVs have wowed our expert viewing panel in the Which? labs, so we're very keen to see how the 8 series fares in our full tests.
Samsung has said that the 8 series LED TVs feature a 200Hz processor for smoother motion playback. They look terrific at the IFA show.
Samsung has 40-, and 46-inch Series 8 LED TV models on show and looking behind the screen we found four HDMI sockets hidden away, ensuring plenty of connectivity.
The LED TV technology also seems to be rapidly bringing down the energy consumption of the sets we test. Couple this with the incredible picture quality that we’ve seen, and Samsung LED TVs should have a rich future - see our exclusive video of the Samsung series 8 LED TVs below.
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We’ll be testing these in labs as soon as possible.
Read our in-depth lab-based reviews of more than 200 LCD and plasma TVs and see also our report on buying a tv.
At present, Sony's XEL-1 is the only OLED TV available to buy
Sony OLED TV on hold
Sony OLED TV
Meanwhile, Sony has confirmed that it will be putting OLED TV production on hold during the difficult economic climate. As things stand, only Sony has an OLED TV that is available to buy, and while we haven't yet full tested the model in our labs, an overview of its features and our initial impressions, based on our time viewing the XEL-1, can be found among our 200+ TV reviews.
Panasonic 3DTV
The world seems to have an unquenchable thirst for 3D at the moment. Sky has made an announcement that it will begin to broadcast 3D content in 2010, while Channel 4 has stated that it will be offering a week-long selection of 3D TV this autumn.
Panasonic will be demonstrating 3D television: a concept the company expects will revolutionise the way we watch TV
The two broadcasting organisations are going to be offering very different services, with Sky's solution of a dedicated channel requiring a 3DTV, and Channel 4's approach requiring only the special 3D specs that will be available from Sainsbury's.
Panasonic, however, has declared that its slogan for this year's IFA will be 'Revolutionary Technology', and that the full HD 3D cinema experience will be the highlight.