Funai aims to bring LCD HDTV / Blu-ray combo units to North America
By Darren Murph 
posted Aug 13th 2008 4:36PM
posted Aug 13th 2008 4:36PM
When Westinghouse launched its 40-inch LCD HDTV / DVD combo unit earlier this year, we really began to think of just how nice it'd be to broaden Blu-ray's appeal by shoving a drive into a new set for those looking for simplicity. Enter Funai -- the company currently responsible for the lowest priced standalone BD deck on the market -- which is reportedly aiming to loose an LCD HDTV with built-in Blu-ray player on the North American market next summer. The company typically brands its wares with names like Sylvania, Symphonic and Emerson, so we wouldn't expect the highest-end stuff here. That said, we're glad to see someone taking this very necessary step, even though you won't catch us recommending 'em to anyone but the technologically challenged. [Warning: read link requires subscription][Via CrunchGear]
I bet you will see this as an Insignia-branded unit at Best Buy.
Don't forget they also "brands its wares" as Magnavox also.
Could see it roll into Sam's Club as a Magnavox or Sylvania, but judging by past HDTVs with built in DVD players you'll get better video quality with a stand alone Blu-ray player.
I hope the Blu-ray-equipped TVhas a 4:3 ratio like the one pictured. That'd be hilarious.