Toshiba Unveils 3D LED LCD TV Models

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 9/15/2010

Irvine, Calif. - In time for next week's CEDIA Expo, Toshiba will present a range of new TV and digital A/V products slated for the second half, including the company's first 3D TV offerings in the elite Cinema series.

Toshiba's just launched Cinema Series WX800 3D LED LCD TVs will be shown at CEDIA.

Scott Ramirez, Toshiba product marketing and development for TV and digital A/V products VP, said the company has changed its previously announced plans to introduce its high-end Cell TV for 3D this year, in favor of a lower-priced, somewhat lesser-featured direction. Through its CEVO initiative, Toshiba will use elements of Cell technology in lower-priced future products slated for next year and beyond, he added.

"We are now announcing our new WX800 Cinema series," Ramiez told TWICE. "As we move into 2011, you will see a strong expansion of the use of 3D. Our offering will include unique Toshiba 3D enhancement technologies."

Other new products announced Wednesday include the VX700 Cinema-series 1080p LED LCD TVs featuring most of the features of the 3D WX800 models, minus the 3D capability; the UL605 edge-lit LED LCD TV series featuring a 1.4-inch panel depth, and new design-focused frame; the SL400 720p edge-lit LCD TV series; and  a BDX3000 3D Blu-ray Disc player.

The 2010 Cinema-series models are highlighted by the WX800 series carrying the company's first two 3D TVs for the U.S. market.

Shipping in September in 46-inch ($2,600 suggested retail) and 55-inch ($3,300) screen sizes, the WX800 models include LED edge lighting, 1080p resolution, ClearFrame 240Hz motion processing, a single panel of glass and flush-front floating bezel design, and an ultra-thin (less than 1.2 inches) profile.

The LED edge lighting features an ultra-high-contrast (7 million:1) picture, with minimal motion blurring using ClearFrame 240Hz technology. Both sets include built-in Wi-Fi connectivity to wirelessly access the built-in Toshiba Net TV system with Yahoo! Widgets, featuring access to Vudu movies, Pandora music, YouTube videos, news from The New York Times and others.

Other widgets also include Blockbuster OnDemand, CBS TV shows, content from Showtime, access to eBay auctions, Facebook, Twitter and others.

To support the sets with 3D content, Toshiba introduced the BDX3000 3D Blu-ray Disc player (shipping in September at a $300 suggested retail) featuring full 1080p/24 fps output; DVD with up-conversion to near-HD 1080p quality; built-in Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g/n) with instant access to Toshiba's Net TV partner services; Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential support; 7.1-channel analog outputs; a USB port; and SD/SDHC card slot to play AVCHD video, JPEG photos and MP3/WMA audio files.

Toshiba said it is currently working on bundling promotions offering two pairs of active-shutter glasses with the purchase of a WX800 set and the BDX3000 Blu-ray players. Exact details will be announced later.

The VX700 Cinema series, which is available now, is similar to the WX800 in many respects, except it omits 3D capability. Features include LED edge lighting, a 5 million:1 dynamic contrast ratio, ClearFrame 120Hz technology, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity to access Net TV widgets.

Screen sizes include 46 inches ($2,300) and 55 inches ($3,000).

Stepping down, the UL605 LED LCD TV series was designed to build upon the current UX600 series, by adding extra features and a thin panel profile measuring just 1.4 inches.

Included in the sets are ClearFrame 120Hz technology and the ability to access the Net TV system for streaming content with the addition of a Wi-Fi adapter of wired broadband Ethernet connection.

Models are available now in 40-inch ($1,599), 46-inch ($1,899) and 55-inch ($2,699) screen sizes.

In time to meet value-conscious holiday shoppers' demands, Toshiba introduced the SL400 720p edge-lit LED LCD TV series. Models feature dual HDMI-CEC outputs and a USB port for sharing photos and music.

Screen sizes for the SL400 models include 32 inches ($699), 26 inches ($499), 22 inches ($399) and 19 inches. All are available now.