Mitsubishi goes ultrathin with 40-mm LCD TV prototype

When you're an industrial giant like Mitsubishi, it pays to cover your bets. In addition to the recently-announced MZW-, MXW- and MX-series LCD TVs, it is also showing off an unnamed 40-mm thick LCD TV prototype. As we've seen in the war of supermodel svelte TVs, getting down to these levels requires that the tuner is moved to an external box (those chunky boxes in the pic). The elegance of the panel just can't be spoiled by ugly cables, so just like we've seen with the Hitachi Wooo LCD TVs, the signal will get the wireless treatment. A production model of this TV is slated for a fall release, in a size over 40-inches. That's right around the corner, so we've got a feeling more details will be flowing soon. Meanwhile, hit that link for more pics.

[Image courtesy TechOn]

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 21st 2008 1:44PM]

Is it just me, or is the benefit of having a TV this thin entirely lost on needing to have an external box for the tuner?

On the other hand, this would make it much easier to have the TV hanging on the wall, entirely alone, with less need to custom-route cables through the wall. All you'd need to do is get a power outlet moved to the appropriate hight, and then hide the tuner box and other components in a nice entertainment center. In other words, this would be great for a certain subset of installs, and either not matter, or be a hindrance for the majority of installs.

[AJerman Posted Aug 21st 2008 4:02PM]

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head in the first part of your second paragraph. I'd be surprised if the majority of people still just flop their TVs on a TV stand. Everyone I know who has bought an LCD recently has hung it, and has all of their equipment in an adjacent cabinet or shelf or whatever. This allows you to have a lighter TV, and thus, a smaller mount (since that's what REALLY takes up the space on a wall mount TV install).

Either way, regardless, even if lots of people wanted to just stick their TV on a table, there are plenty of TVs for them to choose from. Even if this TV only hit a niche market, I think it's concept will be plenty successful. I know I'd buy one.