12th
#CES #CES2012 — Back to Basics
After three excruciating years watching TV manufacturers chase, develop and hype 3D sets, makers are getting back to the fundamentals of television: quality images, rich sound, screen size variety and stylish enclosures.
3D TVs are still here at CES, for sure, but the importance of this particular feature is receding into the background. Sony is showing a glasses-free 3D line that is both credible and not headache inducing. Still, not everyone needs to pay a premium for this feature.
LG and Samsung both showed off OLED sets of the non-3D variety with eye popping brilliance and unfathomable thin cases measured in single-digit millimeters. Thin cases equals low weight, and that saves costs in production and shipping, not to mention moving it around the house.
Sony stresses how their platform from end-to-end helps users play, watch, listen and share their favorite content—including users own-created pics an video. Sony continues to chase a digital lifestyle theme. For consumers committed to a Sony-only lifestyle, it makes sense, albeit with a cost premium for some components.
Samsung’s trying another run at SmartTVs and a look into their future: a 4K ultra high definition set that is, purportedly, ready to go to production as soon as there is a market prepared to buy it.
Sony is getting serious with 4K, too, having shown a 4K unit here five years ago. A first-ever 4K front projector for home use, which is nothing but cinematically incredible. Really a must see. Sony is showing the complete production solution from camera rig, post-production, content management and distribution.
Canon, long known for its prowess on lenses, shows an array of purpose-built devices from the point-and-shoot to the professional line that is cohesive and demonstrates their world-class optics an understanding of light and motion. Of course, the talent of the user plays a certain role.
