NuVision to Plunge into 3D TV With High-End Models

NuVision will plunge into the 3D LCD TV market with a range of models including 72- and 55-inch Internet-capable sets featuring 480 Hz panels and direct LED backlights, said Chris Porter, vice president of engineering and product management.

The NVU72X10L ($14,999) will be the largest 3D-capable TV when it ships in December featuring 480 zones of local LED dimming. Unlike most sets with an LED edge-lit design, the 55-inch NVU55X10L ($8,999) and the larger model will use LED-based backlights. The TVs also will have dual-core 300 MHZ processors to handle 802.11 wireless and video processing, Porter said. The sets probably will also offer a “walled garden” video service that NuVision is developing with a partner, said Porter, who declined to identify the partner company. The high-end 55-inch model will ship in late Q1. Both models will have Internet capability from the start, and it will be added to other sets by firmware upgrade by year-end, company officials said.

The 72-inch TV will replace a 65-inch non-3D model, using a Sharp-sourced panel, that NuVision released last year. The company’s source for the 72-inch LCD couldn’t be determined, but Samsung is among NuVision’s major suppliers for sizes 40 inches and up, and LG Display handles 37 inches and under. The 55-inch will feature an 8-mm thick module, down from 12 mm, and the bezel widths will range from 19 mm on the top and sides to 27 mm on the bottom, where the 3D transmitter is located. That’s down from 39 and 47 mm bezels last year, company officials said.

The top-end models will lead a line of 3D TVs that also include 40- ($2,999), 46- ($5,499) and 55-inch ($6,999) 1080p LCD TV sets (CED March 31 p1) featuring an LED edge-lit design, STMicroelectronics’ Faroudja processing, 240 Hz panels and gaming, 3D and 2D modes, Porter said. The first of the models will arrive in October-November, he said. Also included in the line is a 55-inch ($8,499) LCD TV with two-way glass and 120 and 240 Hz configurations. The sets will be available with “black” or “silver” glass and bezels in a dozen different colors. The two-way glass adds about 5 mm to the set’s depth and comes with a $1,000 premium.

Rounding out the line will be 32-inch ($1,999) and 22-inch ($899) non-3D LCD TVs containing 120 Hz and 60 Hz panels, Porter said. The 22-inch will have 1080p resolution, he said. NuVision also will expand its front projector line, building on the P2 DLP-based front projector that shipped in May at $16,999, down from an original $20,000 price. The P2 contains 0.95-inch 1080p DLP chip and LED lighting in delivering 800 lumens and 100,000:1 contrast ratio. The delivery of the P3 ($40,000), with three 0.95-inch DLP chips and dual 300-watt UHP lamps, was postponed to Q1 from fall. The P1, which has a single 0.95-inch DLP and 250-watt lamp and was originally also set for this fall, also has been delayed, and new timing hasn’t been set, company officials said. Coretronics assembles front projectors for NuVision, which has a co-branding agreement with Coretronics subsidiary Vivitek.

NuVision also is increasing distribution, CEO David Hester said. NuVision has 520 dealers, up from 400 in March, including eight of Best Buy’s standalone Magnolia Design Centers. The design centers are what remains of Magnolia Hi-Fi, which had more than 20 stores when Best Buy acquired that firm for $88 million in 2001. NuVision also will have products available this fall through 49 of Best Buy’s Magnolia Home Theater store-within-a-store locations, Hester said. It also has NuVision showrooms installed at a half-dozen retailers including Sixth Avenue Electronics, Gramophone and Starpower, he said. NuVision also launched a website that directs customers to local dealers for demonstrations and sales.