Samsung smart TVs get a change in software through a multi-year partnership with Yahoo-- the Yahoo Broadcast Interactivity platform finds a home in the 2012 Samsung smart TV lineup.

SoundPrint automatic content recognition (ACR) technology powers the Yahoo TV platform, and will be integrated in the Samsung SyncPlus platform.

The Yahoo technology allows for interactive content during programming, with features such as trivia, program statistics and games. It also allows the use of smartphones or tablets as surrogate remotes for the viewing and sharing of additional interactive content.

So far the updated features will be available to Samsung TVs in the US as a firmware update, but neither company mention availability in EMEA regions as yet.

Go Yahoo and Samsung Form Multi-Year Partnership to Deliver Interactive TV

Sanus launches the BFV53 Audio Video Stand-- a high performance stand with a unique design ideal for multiple components and flat-panel TVs up to 56-inch in size.

The open design allows for maximum airflow to equipment while providing easy access to the back of components and generous cable management holes.

Construction is in thick smoked tempered glass on powder coated heavy gauge steel with adjustable feet.

The BFV53 is compatible with the ELM701 flat-panel TV anti-tip strap and the FMS for a pillar-mounted solution.

Go Sanus BFV53 Audio Video Stand

According to TrendForce WitsView global medium- and large-size LCD TV demand will remain soft in 2012, with shipments reaching 206 million units with "small" 2.7% Y-o-Y growth.

Growth should be more positive in 2013-- the analyst predicts shipments will reach 215m units with 4.4% Y-o-Y growth.

The Korean vendors (Samsung and LG) dominate the 2013 market with 33% share, while Japanese (Sony, Sharp, Toshiba et al) share declines further to 21-22%.

The analyst also predicts LED LCD TV penetration will "surge"-- from around 70.3% in 2012 to 85-90% in 2013, as customers set to replace their 32-inch LCD TVs to larger, cheaper 40-inch models. Vendors are also introducing new size categories, such as 58-inch.

3DTV penetration in 2013 should rach around 25-26%, up from 19.9% in 2012, while direct LED penetration should grow from 10.5% to 18-20% in 2013.

When it comes to Smart TVs, WitsView says the device category remains "limited" in both software content and operator support, meaning sales will remain low-- unless Apple launches the much anticipated iTV/Apple TV. The integration of 4K resolutions and PC-style functionality might also boost Smart TV sales, but only if the industry resolves its technology- and interest-based conflicts.

Go TrendForce: A Surge of Replacement for LCD TV in 2013?

Sharp is not the only company making use of indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) technology-- AU Optronics reveals a 64-inch IGZO panel with 4K (3840x2160) resolution.

AUO also claims the thinner, lighter panel offers higher light transmittance, meaning lower power consumptions than the 84-inch giants making up most of the 4K TV segment.

IGZO technology is an oxide semiconductor with a cocktail of indium (In), gallium (Ga) and zinc (Zn). Each pixel in an LCD screen is controlled by its own transistor and IGZO creates several favorable characteristics over the amorphous silicon used in today's LCD panels.

The company also has other, smaller TV offerings-- the 55-inch 4K panel with Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) technology and the 1080p 50-inch FIM (Fully Integrated Module) with a super-slim 3.5mm bezel.

Go AUO Reveals 65-inch 4K IGZO TV Panel Technology

LG Display met with Wall Street this month to discuss their Q3 2012 results. Panel shipments rose by 7% and  ASP rose as the premium product proportion increase. LG Display recorded their highest quarterly revenue (up 10% quarter-on-quarter). Operating profit margin was 3%, while EBITDA margin was 19%.

So, all on all, a good quarter. The TV segment represent 47% of  LG Display revenue, followed by monitors at 16%, notebook at 13%, tablet at 15% and mobile applications at 9%.

The tablet segment rose this year by 5 percentage points to 15%, due to a new model launch by various customers combined with existing tablet product volume increase.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) decides on a name for so-called "4K" TVs-- "Ultra High-Definition" (or "Ultra HD") a name letting consumers (and retailers!) know exactly what TVs they are buying.

The CEA 4K Working Group also lists the minimum specifications required for the Ultra HD standard. These include 3840 x 2160 resolution, 8 million active pixels and at least 16:9 aspect ratio.

Products carrying Ultra HD labelling will also have at least one digital input capable of carrying native 4K video without the need for up-converting.

"This new terminology and the recommended attributes will help consumers navigate the marketplace to find the TV that best meets their needs," CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro remarks.

In theory from now on vendors will use "Ultra HD" as an umbrella term for 4K offerings-- even if Sony recently announced it will market its products as "4K UHD." Either way expect the CEA to push the new format name from CES 2013 onwards.

Go CE Industry Announces Ultra High-Definition