Let the (OLED TV) battle commence

LG has launched a 55in (140cm) OLED TV – so the battle begins for the next-generation of high-quality screens.

OLED which means organic light-emitting diode is more energy efficient than LCD (liquid crystal display) and plasma-based alternatives.

LG's model will go on sale in South Korea first with other markets, including Europe, to follow later this year.

LG and Samsung announced they would be producing OLEDs last year, but its LG that is first to the shops.

OLED screens were first showcased at last January's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, but until now neither company had managed to get a product to market.

The 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) OLED television will sell for 11 million won (€7,800). Analysts said the technology was unlikely to become more affordable until at least 2015 - but that this latest release was more about cementing LG's position as a market leader.

OLED screens have been touted as the successor to the popular liquid crystal displays (LCD).

The technology allows for the display of darker and deeper blacks, and can be made thinner than competing display methods.

Smaller OLED screens are already part of our everyday lives. Samsung uses the technology in its smartphones, and Sony's PlayStation Vita handheld console also utilises the thin, light technology.

The prediction of many is OLED screens will allow for the development of a new generation of "bendy" gadgets, some of which we may even see this year.

 So what is 4K and do I need it?

Another technology, known as 4K, has also been given a lot of attention from manufacturers.

Dubbed "Ultra HD", 4K offers 8 million pixels per frame - four times the resolution of 1080p high-definition displays - making it particularly well suited for extra large screens. 110in (279cm) models.

Existing 4K TV sets are LCD-based. But according to some purists, OLED offers a richer quality display so might be the better option for 55in screens.

The CES show in Las Vegas will start shortly and this is where a lot of the big boys set out their stool for the year. Unfortunately Future Lifestyle are not attending this year (dam and blast!!....). But we will be bringing you the best bits and the things that we believe will make it into our lives in the coming years.

Installation Spotlight

Puerto Banus Style...

Woking alongside one of Marbella´s premier (Quay Property Group) and Banus´s Fendi interior designer (Interiorissimo) we created a one of a kind beach front apartment.
 




HD distribution to all of the screens in this three bedroom apartment. Mulitroom audio playing the clients MP3 collection or streaming internet radio stations from around the world. LED lighting keeps the electricity bill down as well as lighting the apartment beautifully. And the air conditioning not only regulates the temperature, but with air filters and sensors will keep a clean air circulating even when the client is not in the property.




Read more about the installation and see photos of the project in Puerto Banus Apartment or browser some of our other installations in the portfolio section of our website.

If you would like to know more or to book a free consultation contact the Future Lifestyle team at info@futurelifestyle.es or call +34 902 107 227

Up and running...

         

Well people we are finally up and running with our new website. There are still a few bugs to iron out (god bless Microsoft & IE) and translations to complete, but please drop by and have a look.

We have updated our portfolio page with some of our latest project, also made some of the articles and white papers we have created over the past year or so available online.

In the coming weeks we are going to be throwing a spotlight on some of our installations in the portfolio via our blog and Facebook page. This will present us the chance to give a little more insight into the background of the project and some of the problems we had to overcome.

Next stage

Now that the website has had a clear out and a lick of paint, we´re now going to do the same with our stores. So to make space we are going to be offering discounts on TV´s, DVD´s and even control systems throughout the month of October. This offer is for the components we have in our store room, so once it’s gone its gone.

To qualify for the clearance deals and to keep up to date with what´s happening with Future Lifestyle become a friend of our Facebook page by pressing the like button or become a follower of the blog.

Contact a member of the sales team on +34 902 107 227 or email sales@futurelifestyle.es to pick up a good deal on all sorts of home entertainment equipment.

What a Whopper!!!!

In the war of “my TV is bigger than yours” Sharp has been winning in the LED/LCD TV category. Producing screens of 80 and 90-inch , but now a favourite of Future Lifestyle, Samsung is making a stand with its new 75-inch ES9000 series TV (UN75ES9000), which was unveiled in New York recently.

The new Samsung UN75ES9000 has the thin bezel-less design that we like and incorporates LED Edge-Lighting, along with Micro-Dimming, 2D and 3D compatibility (four pairs of glasses included), and extensive Smart TV features (both internet streaming and DLNAcontent access), supported by a built-in dual core processor.

In addition the ES9000 also has a built-inSkype-compatible camera for video phone calling, as well as support for gesture and face recognition control (mmmm not so sold on as yet) and voice recognition.
Another innovative feature of the new screen is Sound Share which provides Wireless Bluetooth streaming from compatible portable devices.

In the States the 75-inch UN75ES9000 is priced at $9,999, and is expected to be available in August (US).

But the festure that really caught our eye is the new gesture-enabled Angry Birds App, taking the most adictvie game to a whole new level... worth 10K just so you can play a game... maybe..

To read the Official Samsung Announcement click here

Broader than broadway.....

In 2009 Philips released a flat screen with a unique 21:9 (2.40:1) aspect ratio. Its appeal to home cinema aficionados was immediate and obvious. Your favourite movies would no longer be displayed with black bars top and bottom – instead, every inch of the TV would be used to display your hi-def movies in all their glory.

Now Philips has revisited the concept, but this time adding controllable LED backlighting, 3D playback and a couple more inches of screen size to boot. And what do we think... Wow!!

The Philips 58" Cinema 21

The Cinema 21:9 Platinum leave even the most 3D-skeptical boggle-eyed. But in a good way. Real-world contrast was measured at an exceptional 259,853:1, and only minor calibration was required to achieve class-leading picture performance – including 3D visuals that are pretty much free from crosstalk.

Impressive, too, is the Philips' audio and Smart TV features - in fact, it's only really the lack of a Freeview HD tuner that lets this set down.

At around €4,000 for a 58” it's not for nothing, but quality like this never comes cheap. Philips' Cinema 21:9 platinum is undoubtedly the most technologically advanced screen you can buy and challenges Samsung's UE55C9000 as the most desirable. It takes superb pictures, boasts solid audio and extensive features and wraps them in a gorgeous, uniquely-shaped frame.

Really, the only thing wrong with it is its lack of a Freeview HD tuner – but that doesn't stop it bagging full marks. It's not a question of should you buy one, it's just whether or not you can afford to.

To find out more about the latest in flat screen technology or to find out what size TV and type of screen would best suit your home, contact the Future Lifestyle team to book a free consultation.....

Mickey´s day´s are numbered.....

What is this? Mitsubishi have put a price on the head of the world´s favourite mouse?!
Mitsubishi's new projector range will include a 3D model, code named Diamond 3D. was previewed at IFA under the slogan 'an end to Mickey Mouse cinema'

This range is touted to provide quality home cinema whatever your budget. The flagship product is the 3D model with three SXRD panels, a contrast ratio of 120,000:1, brightness of 1000 lumens, motorised focus, zoom and lens-shift, and two HDMI 1.4 inputs.

Also in the range are the HC4000, a DLP all-rounder with DarkChip 3 technology and a contrast ratio of 3600:1; and the HC3200 DLP model which will sell for under €1,000 and features an output of 1,100 lumen.

We will let you know more as we find out the details, this is now when 3D home cinema will begin to come into its own........

Are you thinking of installing a new home cinema? Contact Future Lifestyle and let them help design and install your ideal cinematic experience.....

Internet TV is coming

Speaking at the pre-IFA press conference in Berlin, Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer announced the world's first true TV/internet combination, designed in cooperation with Google. He also emphasised Sony's progress with 3D in TVs, BD players and projectors.

Details are a bit sketchy, but Stringer called this 'an important strategic alliance to bring the first true internet TV to the market', and emphasised that the un-named product would allow full Internet browsing and TV viewing at the same time.

Using the Android operating system and Intel processing, the TV would need some form of internal storage to operate with web browsers, though the form this would take, whether HDD or solid-state memory, is not yet clear.

The set is due for launch as soon as Christmas in the US, with a UK availability date should be released soon.

Sony spokesmen could only say that the TV would 'not incorporate any groundbreaking screen technology', and that Google's search expertise would be used to make sure that internet searches would yield results appropriate to the TV platform - so for instance a search for 'Mad men' would show sites about the TV series, rather than just any sites associated with the key words.

The development of the 'Google TV' will apparently not affect Sony's commitment to the Bravia Internet platform which offers access to selected services from a range of content providers.

For more infromation or to keep up to date with all the latest home entertainment trends join the Future Lifestyle mailing list at www.futurelifestyle.es

2010 the year of Panasonic????

It has been a busy month for Panasonic, they have released details of its 3D plasma and Blu-ray  line-up for the UK as well as announcing its first range of LED backlight LCD TVs, along with updated Freesat and/or Freeview HD Viera TVs. 

All the new plasma models utilise the brand’s proprietary NeoPDP technology, for lower power consumption and improved image quality.

The headline news is that two Active Shutter 3D plasmas will be available this summer, the TX-P50VT20B and larger TX-P65VT20B. However, all of the brand's 2010 plasma panels employ a new filter and discharge gas, improved phosphor, plus a redesigned cell structure. This, it claims, improves contrast and provides smoother motion.

The sets also reach peak brightness quicker than their predecessors, while the new phosphor shortens afterglow time by about one third. This makes the screens well-suited for fast-moving action, such as sports coverage, as well as 3D. 

Says Panasonic: ‘Because the new NeoPDP technology boosts  emission speed and reduces afterglow, overlapping of right-eye and left-eye images is minimised, so there is no after-imaging. This system far surpasses previous 3D technologies.’

Infinite black

Native contrast on the new plasma screens peaks at 5,000,000 to 1. Interestingly, the company is debuting what it calls Infinite Black Pro technology on its high-end plasmas, for ‘exceptionally deep, rich black levels that draw the viewer into the picture.’ This follows the acquisition by Panasonic of a raft of patented technology from Pioneer, originally developed for that brand’s Kuro range.

Panasonic has also enlisted a number of ex-Pioneer engineers.

Later on this year Panasonic are also going to enter the LED market. So it looks as if Panasonic are out to try and dominate the flat screen market. Good luck to them.....