Sony shows off a TV with what appears to be the largest 4K (3840 x 2160) LCD panel from the company yet-- the 84-inch Brava KD-84X9005.

The unit seen at IFA 2012 is surprisingly slim considering its size, with speakers bars on each side and a stand (consisting of 2 metal bars) holding everything up.

Image rendering comes through Sony's "4K X-Reality PRO" image engine while a "10 Unit Live Speaker" system (a 3-way 10-speaker system with total output reaching 50W) takes care of audio. It also supports upscaling for greater-than-HD passive 3D.

Sony should also offer a variety of online services through the Sony Entertainment Network.

In other Sony-related news from IFA 2012, the company also announces the European debut of the HX95 HDTV. Known as the HX950 in Japan, it is a 2D/3D HDTV boasting "Intelligent Peak LED" backlighting, X-Reality PRO image processing and Sony Entertainment Network services.

Go Sony to Begin Global Launch of 4K LCD TVs

Go Sony HX95 Full LED TV

Ahead of its official debut at IFA 2012 LG announces the TV2792 Personal Smart TV-- a 27-inch passive 3D display complete with IPS technology and LG Smart TV functionality.

The TV combines a number of connectivity options with SmartShare, allowing users to display files from laptops, smartphones and external HDDs via Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) and Intel Wireless Display (WiDi). Further connectivity comes through DLNA, Wifi Direct, x3 USB and x2 HDMI ports.

Control comes via either mouse and keyboard or the motion and wheel controlled Magic Remote, providing easy access to VOD content and a variety of apps and online content.

Go LG TM2792 Personal Smart TV

While PCs remain 1st choice when it comes to viewing online content, other devices are rapidly gaining ground-- according to NPD DisplaySearch 18% of consumers in 14 regions access online content on TVs daily.

The 14 regions the DisplaySearch survey covers include the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Russia and Turkey.

The choice of viewing device hinges on one main factor-- convenience. Modern TVs not only provide a comfortable social setting and a bigger screen, but also have either built-in connectivity or online connections via peripheral devices (Blu-ray players, STBs, consoles).

The result? According to the analyst 25% survey participants view online content on TVs "several times a week."

Convenience is also the chief reason why online video in general is so popular, of course.

Survey participants not viewing online content via TV either simply have no interest (44%) or lack the necessary devices (30%). From these respondents, only around 30% would view online content on TV given the chance.

Go Consumers Viewing More Online Content on TVs (NPD DisplaySearch)

TCL Multimedia Technology reveals what it says is the "first large screen mobile entertainment smart cloud product"-- the Ice Screen, a 26-inch smart TV co-developed with Chinese ISP Tencent.

It has a 1366 x 768 display, runs on Android and allows users to browse the web, access videos, music and games through Sonos QQ online services.

Powering the package are a dual-core Cortex A9 1GHz processor, a Mali 400 GPU and 4GB of RAM. Connectivity comes through wifi, x2 USB ports, HDMI and a 3.5mm headphone jack, while control comes through either IR remote or Android smartphones.

A stand allows users to position Ice Screen either horizontally or vertically.

TCL should launch the TV in its home China on September 2012.

Go TCL Releases Ice Screen

Global flat-panel TV shipments return to growth in Q2 2012 according to IHS iSuppli, as combined WW LCD and plasma shipments reach 48.9 million units with 3.6% Q-o-Q growth.

Shipments reached 47.2m units in Q1 2012.

“After an unusually weak start to 2012, global television shipments showed some signs of life in the second quarter,” the analyst remarks. Due to tentative consumer spending, the typical post-holiday season decline was even sharper than usual.

However the Q2 growth signals a return to seasonal TV shipment patterns, and "likely signals further growth ahead in Q3."

Both Q2 2012 LCD TV and plasma segments are positive-- WW LCD shipments reach 3.4% Q-o-Q growth (following a Q1 2012 -29.3% Q-o-Q decline) while the declining plasma segment grows by 6.6% Q-o-Q (compared to the -39.5% Q-o-Q in Q1).

Samsung leads the global LCD TV vendor rankings, taking over 19.2% of unit shipments thanks to "shrewd marketing, global distribution and efficient production.” LG follows with 13.2% share, as the S. Korean TV makers continue undercutting the Japanese on pricing.

Go iSuppli WW Monthly TV Tracker

Will the humble Apple TV be reborn as a cable box? The Wall Street Journal reports Apple is "in talks" with major US cable operators to allow the streaming of live TV and content on the device.

The WSJ says Apple has not managed to reach a deal with a cable company yet-- maybe due to "the reluctance of operators to let Apple establish a foothold in the television business."

Apparently Apple also demands a 30% cut on transactions going through the box, similar to how it operates the iTunes business.

Trying for a deal with cable operators echoes the way Apple got into the mobile business, where it convinced service operators to pair their services with Apple hardware and software.

According to "two people briefed on the matter" Apple is also testing prototype HDTVs with embedded Apple TV technology-- leading to further speculation on the now legendary Apple HDTV (aka "iTV") set.

So far the Apple TV failed to capture the imaginations (and living rooms of the world). Back in 2010 the late Steve Jobs described the STB as a "hobby," a description CEO Tim Cook repeated in 2012. Cook still believes the STB "will lead [Apple] somewhere," even if sales remain low.

Go Apple's New Front in Battle for TV (WSJ.com)