What We’ll Soon Be Watching – Big and Thin Screens

Editor’s note: Emily Price of the WRAL Newschannel and a published technology blogger is covering the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas for WRAL.com and WRAL Local Tech Wire. Watch for her reports.

LAS VEGAS — Every year at CES, we see a new, even bigger television. This year, we've seen the televisions not only get bigger, but also thinner.

Hitachi is showing off its new 1.5-inch thick plasma screen televisions, while Sony is showing off OLED televisions that come in under 3 millimeters thick.

Panasonic Presents Life Wall

Panasonic, in addition to showing off a 150-inch screen, unveiled its concept for a Life Wall that could transform a all in your home into a television and even more.

Think Second life meets real life. The Life Wall would allow you to turn one wall of your home into a personalized digital environment.

You can customize the wallpaper on your wall, rearrange pictures and watch wall sized versions of movies and television shows. The Life Wall is customizable for each member of your household, so everyone could create his or her perfect environment.

No word yet on an expected release date or price tag, but it's something you can anticipate seeing from Panasonic in the coming years.

Hitachi Shows Off 1.5-inch Plasmas

Hitachi was showing off its new 1.5-inch plasma screen HDTV's at CES. The televisions features Hitachi's new PictureMaster HD VI Processor with Reel120 technology, low power consumption and IPS-Pro display technology that enables you to view the picture as clearly as possible regardless of your viewing angle.

Sony Announces OLED Television Availability

Sony has announced that it will bringing the first Organic Light Emitting Diode television (OLED) to the US. The XEL-1 is around 3 millimeters thin and offers viewers exceptional video contrast and quality. “The launch of an OLED TV is one of the most important industry landmarks,” said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Home Products Division.

“Not only does the technology change the form factor of television, it delivers flawless picture quality that will soon become the standard against which all TVs are measured,” Waynick said.

The WEL-1 is available now at Sony Style stores for $2,500