Hisense had a bit of early news for the 2013 International CES crowd. The compandebuted its line of Ultra High-Definition Televisions (UHDTV), as well as a new series of high-definition televisions with Google TV, a glasses-free 3D TV and a prototype transparent 3D television.
The Flagship Has Landed
A number of Smart TV and connectivity options bring value to the UHDTV models. The sets are WiFi-enabled, with active-shutter 3D technology on 120Hz panels. The picture is enhanced with local dimming and what Hisense calls a "mega dynamic contrast ratio."
The XT900 line includes a USB-mounted detachable camera that allows for Skype and other forms of video conferencing and video-based applications. With the camera, the set has built-in gesture control and facial recognition functionality. The ergonomic remote also has a microphone, which allows users to change the channel and perform other functions using voice commands.
Ranging for HDTV
A step down from the XT900 is the XT880 3D Smart TV line. This series features WiFi and a detachable camera. It will be available in 50-, 58- and 65-inch sizes, all of which will support a 1080p picture, with "natural motion" enhancement for smoother images.
The XT780 line comes in 55- and 65-inch sizes. This is Hisense's Google TV model, which will come with a Google TV Smart remote with a QWERTY keyboard on one side and a D-Pad and touchpad on the other for navigating apps and the web.
In the Market for Ultra HD
Hisense had ambitious goals. The company's Chief Scientist Dr. Weiping Huang restated an old Confucius proverb that says when you turn 40, you should already know your destiny. "Hisense turned 40 a few years ago, and we already know our destiny," he said.
While the brand isn't well known in the U.S. just yet, the company is hoping to soon see a 5-percent growth in market share here. While those ambitions may sound small, it is within reach and will give Hisense a foothold on the market.
In 2012, Hisense shipped 10 million TV panels worldwide. The company is currently the number one flat-panel TV provider in China, and is number five in the global flat-panel market. The company also garnered $13 billion in sales for the 2012 fiscal year.
Appliance Talk
Hisense doesn't just want to be in front of you in the living room, but also throughout the house. The company isn't just a consumer electronics manufacturer, but a consumer products company. Hisense makes appliances including refrigerators, washing machines, humidifiers, and cell phones. The company wants all of those devices and appliances to be friendly and "talk" to one another. The company's refrigerators have barcode scanners that can help manage what's in the fridge, as well as provide health information. Those same refrigerators also operate as media players, for streaming web radio or other music files.
Laundry also wants in on the action. In the future, a Hisense washing machine might send a message to the TV to let you know that the clothes are still damp or need a little extra time to dry. When the TV talks back, though, then it's time to worry.
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