JVC today unveiled the world’s thinnest LCD TVs with built-in tuners. The ultra thin Hitachi LCD TVs, which also are just 1.5 inch deep have an external tuner.

The new JVC line of super-slim Full HD TVs also weigh less and consume less power than conventional LCD TVs.
JVC’s new slim LCD TVs feature a cabinet that across most of its width measures a mere 1.5 inches (39mm) deep, with a maximum depth of just 2.9-inches (74mm) at the panel’s center.

The slim design was made possible through the use of a new JVC-developed slim panel backlight unit and power supply substrate, or chassis. The new slim LCD panel backlight unit is 40 percent smaller in depth and bezel width compared to a conventional LCD backlight, measuring just 0.79 inches (20mm) deep and 0.51 inches (13mm) wide. In addition, the unit weighs only 26.4 lbs (12kg) and consumes a mere 145W.

Efforts to reduce the depth of an LCD panel backlight result in uneven hot spots appearing on the LCD screen surfaces because CCFL light sources are brought closer to the liquid crystal panel (see diagram 2). To overcome this problem, either light-diffusing plates are applied or more CCFL tubes are used. But the former approach can result in lower brightness, while the latter approach can be costly and increases power consumption.

The new super-slim design will be available in two screen sizes in the U.S., the 42-inch LT-42SL89 and the 46-inch LT-46SL89. Both offer 1920 x 1080p resolution. The new JVC super-slim LT-42SL89 and LT-46SL89 will be available in early summer. Prices will be announced at that time.

CES 2008 will start officially on January 7th, but the first event is already on Saturday. We are in Las Vegas and will be covering the CES 2008 first hand.
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