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Toshiba has announced the U.S. release of a new line of TVs based on the Cell processor that first appeared in the Sony PlayStation 3. The specifics differ somewhat from the Cell TV shown at CEATEC last October, but the gist is the same: more extras and options than any TV we’ve ever seen.
(Credit:Toshiba)
Toshiba claims the processor operates up to 10 times faster than an Intel Core 2 Duo chip found in desktop PCs, and the television itself shares lots of characteristics with a high-powered computer. The Cell TV has a built-in 1TB hard drive and 802.11n built-in wireless, enabling it to serve stored media files like video, music, and pictures to other devices on a home network, as well as display and play them back itself. The TV can also stream content from PCs in the home via DLNA.
There’s also an integrated BD player that not only obviates the need to connect an external BD unit, but can rip unprotected files from BD and DVD discs (like home videos) to the hard drive.
Toshiba is touting a full suite of interactive services, and “target content partners” include the US-centric Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, and Pandora. Select content can also be “downloaded to the HDD for purchase.” And the company is building in video phone capabilities, too, allowing home video teleconferencing. It’s not the Skype service offered by LG and Panasonic , but it should operate in a similar way.
But what about actual TV performance? The ZX900 is an LED-based LCD TV with local dimming, and it features a new system dubbed KIRA2 which is twice as bright as current OS models and includes 512 dimmable zones.
In addition, the ZX900 is 3D compatible. It can accept numerous 3D input formats, including MPEG4-AVC, RealD, and more, and according to Toshiba the Cell processor also enables the set to convert any 2D content to 3D. We’re particularly curious how this upconversion looks, but we’ll have to wait until we get our hands on a review sample to find out.
The company also mentions a bunch of other benefits enabled by the processor, including standard-def and high-def processing that “ensures precise image accuracy by sampling multiple frames and restoring the native presampling signal curve” (don’t ask us what that means).
Other features include video noise reduction said to improve the look of low-resolution Internet video sources, and an augmented AutoView system that incorporates an ambient light sensor to automatically set brightness, contrast, gamma, sharpness, color saturation, and color temperature. We’re wary of any video processing that makes high-quality images look different from the original, but perhaps the new processing can improve low-quality sources.
Speaking of extra video processing, the ZX900 also has a 480Hz (NTSC) refresh rate. It combines the scanning backlight used by previous Toshiba models and the motion-estimation motion compensation process used by Samsung and Sony. Either way, we really doubt this higher refresh rate will have much of a discernible impact on picture quality.
It’s also worth mentioning that the ZX900 has a separate media box that allows you to connect source components, such as a cable or satellite box, wirelessly. The component plugs into the box and the box communicates with the TV. Oh yeah, and it also includes a sound bar.
Toshiba didn’t price the Cell TV, but it was released in Japan in December 2008 for ¥1 million (AU$12,730). There’s no word on Australian availability or features as yet, but we’re hopeful we’ll see something this year.
Toshiba ZX900 series features:
- Fast Cell TV processor
- Full array LED backlight with local dimming
- 3D compatible
- 2D to 3D conversion system
- 480Hz refresh rate
- Built-in 1TB hard disk
- Built-in Blu-ray player
- 802.11 Wi-Fi capability
- Video phone capability
- Interactive capability with possible content partners including Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and Pandora
- Wireless transmission between TV and base station
- Detachable sound bar
- RF remote control
We asked Toshiba to elaborate on specific models and were told that the Cell TV series would be available in two distinct series, dubbed Genesis and Illusion, and that Genesis will carry the ZX900 model number. Toshiba will get back to us with model numbers for the three screen sizes in the Illusion series, so we’ll update those when we get them. Aside from cosmetics and screen size, the two series will have identical features.
Toshiba ZX900 Genesis series includes the 65-inch 65ZX900 and the 55-inch 55ZX900, while the Illusion series (model number TBD) features 62-inch, 55-inch and 46-inch models.
Via CNET US
