JVC Launches 1080P LCD Flat Panels with 2nd Generation 120Hz Processing
By Chris Boylan
In addition to new
1080p projectors on display at CEDIA Expo this year, JVC demonstrated a new line of LCD flat panels featuring their second generation of 120 Hz video processing "Clear Motion Drive II (CMD II)." This processing reduces or eliminates the motion smear associated with standard 60 Hz LCD flat panels, thereby narrowing the performance gap with high-end plasma flat panels. To further enhance performance, the new line uses 10-bit LCD panels for more accurate color reproduction and more natural grey scaling than previous models.
To reduce blurring of moving images, JVC's CMD II uses a frame doubling driver (120Hz) and motion interpolation. A JVC proprietary algorithm detects the movement in images and increases the frame rate to 120Hz to create an interpolated image that is displayed as two frames - the original plus the newly interpolated frame - in the same time it takes a conventional (60Hz) set to display a single frame. This delivers moving images without blurring or flickering, and without sacrificing image brightness.
As opposed to some competing frame-doubling technologies, which only process images horizontally, JVC's Clear Motion Drive II operates multi-directionally, detecting image changes in all directions, enhancing motion reproduction left, right, up, down and diagonally.
JVC's LT-42X898 will be available later this month at select JVC retailers nationwide.
Specifications of the new HDTVs include Full HD 1920x1080 panel resolution, a rated contrast ratio of 2000:1, 4.5msec panel response rate, 500cd/m2 brightness, and a 178-degree viewing angle. All three sets in the new line include three HDMI v1.3 inputs, one RS-232 interface, one PC input, one "Smart Video" input, two component inputs, one S-Video input, three composite/AV inputs, one optical digital audio output and one fixed audio output.
In a side-by-side demo against competitive 120Hz sets (from Toshiba, Sony and Sharp), the JVC's picture did look pretty impressive, with noticeably less image lag (important for gamers), as well as fewer motion artifacts.
The new line includes the 37-inch LT-37X898 ($2100), the 42-inch LT-42X898 ($2600) and the 47-inch LT-47X898 ($3300). The models are expected to be available later this month through a select group of high-end JVC retailers.
