New LCD panel sizes are growing in popularity (and in shipments) NPD DisplaySearch reports-- 28-, 29-, 39-, 43-, 48-, 50-, 58-, and 60-inch panels account for 12% of global Q3 2012 shipments.

This is up from 8% for Q2 and 5% during Q1 2012.

The analyst predicts share for such TV sizes will "stabilise" during Q4 2012 before growing to over 15% by H1 2013, at least as based on panel maker shipment plans.

“Improvements in glass efficiency and process technology helped expedite panel makers’ adoption of these new sizes,” DisplaySearch says. However the ability of TV vendors to differentiate product offerings (through larger TVs with economical price points) is the real growth factor behind different-sized displays.

“At the same time, these new sizes have also helped to leverage the existing LCD TV panel supply and provide additional expansion opportunities for panel manufacturers," DisplaySearch continues.

The new panel sizes were first introduced in Taiwan by the likes of Chimei Innolux and AUO, before adoption by Chinese producers LG Display and ChinaStar.

The most widely adopted "new" sizes are 50- and 39-inch, although 29-inch also appears to be gaining in popularity.

Go New LCD TV Panel Sizes Gaining Ground (NPD DisplaySearch)

The Loewe take on smart TVs now ships in a bigger size-- the 55-inch Loewe Connect ID joins the previously available 32-, 40- and 46-inch models.

The Connect ID has a slim 200Hz 3D display, and ships with ethernet input, built-in wifi connectivity and optional integrated 500GB HDD recorder.

The MediaHome hub handles smart TV functions such as internet access, content streaming and control via Assist Media iPad app.

Making the Connect ID rather unique is a variety of customisation options-- 12 colour combinations and 30 different finishes, creating what Loewe claims is a total of 2160 different colour designs.

Go Loewe Connect ID

OmniMount will introduce a new mount category at CES 2013-- the ActionMount PLAY interactive mounts, ideal for customers demanding expanded viewing angles and positions from their TVs.

The mount series includes single- and double-jointed arm mounts providing omni-directional display movement (lift, lower, expand, retract, rotate, pan) through only a light touch, the company claims.

So called "Ergotron Constant Force" technology counter-balances TV weight.

Meanwhile the LIFT series uses the same CF technology but in a lower profile design, with up to 45cm of vertical lift/lower and 10 degrees of lift with a 5cm profile.

Go OmniMount Interactive Mounts

Seven major TV vendors face hefty fines reaching €1.47 billion in total from the European Commission (EC) for participation in either one or both of what are described as two global TV price fixing cartels.

To think the word "cartel" usually brings to mind the violent Mexican meth dealers seen in AMC's Breaking Bad, not dealers in a nearly extinct TV technology...

According to the EC, between 1996 and 2006 two vendor groups "fixed prices, shared markets, allocated customers and restricted output" of cathode-ray tubes worldwide. One group handled colour TVs, the other PC monitors.

The fines follow a lengthy investigation brought about by a 2007 EU raid, after Taiwan's Chunghwa Picture Tubes ratted out the so called cartels. For its troubles, Chunghwa gets full immunity from the fines.

It is something of an end for a dying TV format-- Mitsubishi stops production of rear projection TVs, the last major TV maker to do exactly that.

First reported by CEPro in a (later confirmed) leaked Mitsubishi Electrical Visual Solutions America (MEVSA) memo, the news does not affect us Europeans too much. After all, Mitsubishi does sell the enormous TVs over here, despite favourable opinions from reviewers elsewhere.

The format is not too popular in EMEA-- according to DisplaySearch, Q3 2012 RPTV shipments total exactly nine units. Yes, nine.

Interestingly enough a 2007 IDC forecast predicted global RPTV shipments would have "all but eroded away" by 2011. According to the analyst the format reached its peak in 2004, with shipments reaching 3.5 million units before sliding down to minimal numbers.

Sharp just started shipping its new 90" HDTV, the LC-90LE745U -- the world’s largest LED TV. Specs include four HDMI 1.4 inputs, a VGA port, a component video port and a built in ATSC tuner. It's capable of 3D imaging, offers a refresh rate of 240Hz and has built-in Wi-Fi. The native 1920x1080p LCD has a full-array backlit LED with a specified contrast ratio of 8,000,000:1 and offers a 176-degree viewing angle.

Marketed as part of the AQUOS product line, it's a SmartTV with apps that include Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, HuluPlus and VUDU. It lists in USA for $10,999.

Go Sharp’s LC-90LE745U -- World’s Largest LED TV