Digital Trends

AKAI

While AKAI was a prominent audio brand several years ago, it's a newcomer to the TV business. At CES, AKAI introduced their 2006 line of display products for a total of 24 HDTVs (eight plasmas, 10 LCDs, two rear projection CRT-based and four DLP-based rear projection TVs). Lastly, the company introduced six LCD TV/DVD combos in screen sizes ranging from 27-in. to 32-in. models (four HDTV and two monitor-only) models. The highlight of the AKAI 2006 line was two LED light-based DLP in 46-in. (PT46DL27L) and 52-in. (PT52DL27L) sizes. Both models will use the Texas Instrument xHD4 chip with DarkChip3 that offers a full 1920x1080p resolution, and no color wheel. Pricing was still not set at press time. http://www.akaiusa.com/

AKAI PT52DL27L

RCA

Even though RCA is a shadow of its former self (as the TV part of the company is now owned by TTE Corp.), the company plans to bring out several new HDTVs in 2006, with the bulk of the displays being flat-panel LCD HDTVs. However, the company is not forgetting its roots by offering two 27-in. CRT TruFlat SDTVs at prices starting at $300. An SDTV will receive and decode digital HD signals and convert them to standard definition. RCA will also offer a new 61-in. CRT-based rear projection HDTV and two new 50-in. HD DLPs at screen resolutions of 720p. RCA will also offer two 42-in. plasma HDTVs. One model, P42WHD500, features a wooden picture frame surrounding the screen. That's really neat! Rounding out RCA's HDTV line will be nine LCD HDTVs in screen sizes ranging from 26-in. through 37-in. and prices starting at $800. Five of the models will be LCD HDTV/DVD models. All flat-panel displays include HDMI inputs. http://www.rca.com/

RCA P42WHD500

Maxent

While Sampo is not in the consumer space these days, the company that had made its flat-panels, Maxent, is alive and well, and introduced several new display models at CES in screen sizes ranging from 26-in. to 50-in. Except for the 42-in. and 50-in. plasma TV models, all of the other displays are LCD TVs, with prices starting at $1,199 for an integrated 32-in. HDTV. A highlight of their plasma TV line is Maxent's new 42-in. HD-ThunderPanel that offers a screen resolution of 1024x768, brightness levels at 1200 cd/m2, contrast ratios greater than 3000:1, and a beefed up sound system with 15-watts times two and a 30-watt subwoofer. All speakers are bottom-mounted for ease of use in placing the display into cabinetry. http://www.maxentusa.com/

Maxent MX-42HPM20