Hitachi Tees up Super-Thin HDTVs

Available in sizes ranging from 32 to 42 inches, the 1.5 inch-thin LCD TVs will be coming to the U.S. next year, but from all indications, they'll be pretty pricey.

Gizmodo has the scoop on Hitachi's series of "Ultra Thin" LCDs, which should start arriving on store shelves by the first half of 2008. Hitachi says it managed to make the sets so thin thanks to EEFL (External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp) technology; I'm not quite sure what that means either, but the press release boasts that EEFL "affords greater power efficiency, better and more flexible color accuracy, and delivers a longer overall life span for the display." Sounds good to me. Hitachi is also promising viewing angles of 178 degrees for display—impressive for an LCD set, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Word is that the 32-inch Ultra Thin model comes with a resolution of 1024 by 768, while the 37- and 42-inch sets will boast full 1080p resolution. Hitachi has yet to cough up more specs or pricing details, but Gizmodo notes that the press release is peppered with references to the "luxury" line of sets, so expect a lofty sticker price.

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Hitachi Will Bring Ultra Thin TVs to the US [Gizmodo]