September 27th, 2009
Westinghouse releases 120Hz 42-inch LCD HDTV for $750
Not so long ago, it was a premium feature for top-of-the-line LCDs, but seemingly within a matter of months TVs with 120Hz refresh rates have hit mainstream prices. Now it looks like the technology to compensate for image blurring in fast-moving action will reach bargain sets this holiday season.
Westinghouse has just announced the availability of the TX-42F970Z, a 42-inch 1080p HDTV with the aforementioned 120Hz spec and a $750 estimated price tag. After the TV’s inevitable discounting by retailers, you’ll be able to get 1080p and 120Hz refresh rates on a set for under $700. That doesn’t mean the TX-42F970Z is necessarily a great set, but it does suggest all but the cheapest LCDs will have 120Hz as a standard spec come next year.
The result, of course, is that a growing number of TV makers will start extolling the virtues of 240Hz sets, even though it’s debatable if the doubling of the refresh rate from 120Hz can even be discerned by most viewers. And once they’ll milked 240Hz for all its worth as a premium features, the companies will start touting 480Hz to well-heeled HDTV shoppers.
Sean Portnoy spent several years as an editor at Computer Shopper magazine, most recently serving as online executive editor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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