Laser TV

Since its debut in late 2008, Mitsubishi’s Laservue laser television has been met with three universal comments: stunning, expensive and reclusive; the respective third keeping this a still relatively unknown technology.  Will laser display technology ever meet the demanding expectations of the TV mainstream?

Stunning is for the picture quality.  Gushing reviews followed the Laservue immediately after debuting at the 2008 CES.  Engadget called the colors sensational and the contrast extremely intense.  Powered by three lasers projecting a seamless array of pure color, the Laservue is capable of projecting hues and life-like colors normally viewed from your living room window.  When the laser engine is switched off, true black levels are achieved, creating an insane contrast ratio previously unseen in video displays.

Expensive is for the price.  Early proponents predicted a laser television would be far less expensive to produce than plasma and LCD, because of less “internal parts” and cheaper substrate materials.  As with most new emerging technologies, the Laservue primarily caters to the luxury end of the market.  Currently selling for $6,999 at commercial sites, some fans were left feeling jilted and betrayed as the entry prices were actually two the three times early predictions.  The whole economy thing didn’t help either.

Reclusive is for the availability.  Mitsubishi is the only tv manufacturer actively manufacturing laser displays and curious onlookers have to travel to a limited number of high-end retailers to view or review one in person.  The Laservue is also packaged in what is quickly becoming a display antiquity - a rear projection box.  Mitsubishi has been overly protective and stingy with information concerning the availability and details on the Laservue (including a recent manufacturing glitch), with apparently only one demo model making the review rounds.  (Ed. note: We have been trying for over a year to obtain one for a detailed review).

In a apparent viral-inspired video appearing on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, Frank DeMartin, Mitsubishi’s Vice-President of Marketing, explains why the LaserVue laser tv is the perfect technology to tout carbon neutrality. For the first 5,000 Twitter and Facebook followers to join its Carbon Neutral Campaign (CNC), Mitsubishi will purchase $5000 worth of Carbon Offsets from Bonneville Environmental Foundation.  In the video seen below, DeMartin explains laser technology can power a huge 65-inch high definition television screen using less than 100 watts of power.  Plasma and LCD models require four or even five times that amount of power, according to DeMartin.

Mitsubishi revealed through back channels today that its laser powered Laservue TV has resumed production.  After a lackluster debut in Q4 of 2008, several media outlets have reported on a halt in Mitsubishi’s production of the Laservue, from a still undisclosed manufacturing defect.

Mitsubishi’s 65-inch LaserVue is a rear-projection TV boasting a color range twice as broad as a typical HDTV, but consumes significantly less energy than a plasma or LCD. The Laservue is 3-D-ready and is available to purchase for around US $7,000 .  No plans for a European or Australian debut have been announced. A 73-inch set was scheduled for release last year, however, these plans have been delayed.  Undoubtedly, the downturn in the world economy has played a role in stifling the market for premium big screen TVs, but proponents of laser technology still tout the Laservue for its picture quality.

View Laser TV - The Next Step in Flat Screens, a video on integrating lasers in existing video technology.

Despite global economic woes, news continues to trickle in regarding the development of laser tv techology and 3D TV.  The following article from one year ago, recalls SpectronIQ’s foray into the laser tv market, and its plans to introduce a 72-inch model in 2009.  It remains to be seen if any new laser technology will be showcased at the 2009 CES running from January 8-11.  However, you will want to check out Mitsubishi’s booth at South 1/20333 as they will be showing off plenty of 3D TV and 3D gaming on Laservues.

CES: The Laser Cutting Edge

While the reviews for Mitsubishi’s 65-inch Laservue laser tv have been overwhelmingly positive, they have also been relatively sparse.  A 73-inch version was supposed to ship in late 2008, but obviously these plans have changed.  Hopefully more reviews will be forthcoming from this year’s CES.

All rights reserved. Wired Magazine 2008

It’s getting close to the end of the year, so brace yourself for those best-of-the-year lists. Time recently listed the Laservue as the second best gadget of 2008, with the Optima PICO micro-projector coming in first.  The development of laser technology is also timely for pocket projectors, as laser engines are compact, very bright and energy efficient.

Wired Magazine listed the Laservue as the 5th “Top Product Which Helped us Forget 2008.”

Until we get our hands on a demo LaserVue (Mitsubishi says demand is strong and they only have 2 demo sets to pass around until Q2 2009) we must rely on others for reviews.  The thetechlounge guys are at it again, and this time they came armed with a few Blu-ray discs to compare Mitsubishi’s LaserVue L65-A90 with a similarly priced Pioneer Kuro PRO-151FD 60 inch Plasma.

“At the end of the day, I think this tech is going to make a significant impact on future generations of DLP sets. The advantages run across the board, and the only real limiting factor at this point is price.  It’ll bring you Grade-A, bona fide HD satisfaction. Once the price inevitably drops, it’s going to be even more attractive.”

Read the tech-laden and very positve HD Guru review of the LaserVue.

Laser TV has finally arrived, in San Antonio, Texas at least.  A kind reader tipped us off to an very early review from thetechlounge guys at the Laservue World Premier from Bjorn’s.

“Our experience with Mitsubishi’s newest tech was great, but we’re reserving judgment until we do some in-depth testing with some different source material and in a more suitable viewing environment to get a better idea of real-world performance.”

Mitsubishi has been publicly criticized for the lack of details on the availability of its forthcoming LaserVue laser tv, but perhaps we are on the verge of a media blitz. The official website has been renamed to laservuetv.com and the following 30-second spot has surfaced.

Stay tuned as always.

Each of our 3D Ready large-screen DLP HDTV’s feature a slim design, lightweight construction, and energy efficient operation,” said Frank DeMartin, Vice President of Marketing for Mitsubishi. “The first 3D content will be PC video games, followed by movies, then later sporting events and television sitcoms or other broadcasts.”

DeMartin says 3D content is already gaining in popularity and points to the recent theatrical success of movies such as Beowulf, The Hannah Montana 3D Concert, and this summer’s 3D Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Another exciting introduction is Mitsubishi’s LaserVue TV.

“LaserVue will raise the bar for large screen television by delivering twice the color at half the power of today’s HDTVs while at the same time providing an unparalleled 3D viewing experience. Mitsubishi has effectively engineered laser beams to function as the ultimate light engine for this premium large screen television product. Making laser TV a reality represents another history-making milestone in a long legacy of industry firsts for Mitsubishi.”

Look for the 65″ Laser TV - Model L65-A90 to begin shipping to retailers in North America by the end of September (3Q).  Details on when it actually goes on sale are not yet known, but speculation is that it might be not be available to buy until after Thanksgiving.

Note:  Mitsubishi’s answer to my question for clarification on shipping and availability was “I wish I had more information to provide at this point but please stay tuned.  Mitsubishi will be releasing more information within the next 60 days.”

Read more from RTO Online

QPC Lasers Inc, the manufacturer of lasers for consumer, industrial, defense and medical markets, revealed that the customer involved in its initial $12m laser TV development deal is Taiwan-based Asia Optical Co Inc (AOCI), a manufacturer of optical consumer electronics equipment and components.

“Less than eight months later [after agreeing the contract], we have delivered our lasers to spec and Asia Optical has already demonstrated a very large and impressive first image,” says co-founder and CEO Dr Jeffrey Ungar.

Mitsubishi is scheduled to release its laser-lit LaserVue TV this fall in the United States.  While the fanfare hasn’t been spectacular, the Asian electronic market may prove to be the testing ground for laser based display systems.  Australia based optoelectronic manufacturer Arasor and electronics firm ZTE of China have also secured the strategic support of the China Development Bank to provide large scale financing for their joint venture to produce six million laser engines for use in Asian displays, in a deal worth up to US $300 million.

Read the full Semiconductor Today article.