LAS VEGAS, 5 JANUARY 2009 - JVC is joining the race to thinner flat-panel TV and will unveil at this week's International Consumer Electronics Show a prototype 32-inch television that's just 7-millimeters thick.
The TV set is one of the thinnest yet developed and, like a similar prototype that Samsung Electronics will show in Las Vegas this week, benefits from the use of an LED backlight. The backlight sits behind the LCD panel and generates the light that shines through it to allow the image to be seen. Most LCD panels use thicker backlights that make use of fluorescent lights but LEDs are fast finding favor with TV makers for their thinness and better overall light.
The compact design has led to other benefits too, said JVC in a statement.
The prototype TV weighs 5 kilograms. JVC doesn't currently offer a comparable 32-inch set but models from Toshiba and Sharp weigh 13.5kgs and 15.5kgs respectively.
It can also be made using 10 percent fewer LCD module parts and 50 percent less material resources. The switch to an LED backlight from fluorescent lighting eliminates mercury.
The set will be unveiled at CES but it won't be on the show floor. JVC will display it at a private venue.
