REPORT

Weightlessness – When frames are put on the side lines!

Author: Christoph Schön
10/21/2011

Translation: Siobhán Hayes

LCD televisions are very popular and are grabbing increasingly more consumer attention through new features such as Smart TV or 3D with or without glasses. For a number of years now, numerous LCD televisions with innovative ideas have been presented at trade fairs. The screen diagonal, image brilliance, response time and quality of the 3D effect are frequently in focus. But what about the design of the modern goggle-boxes? Should the LCD appear powerful or should it be as simple as possible?

The frame is crucial in determining this aspect of the monitor. People are creatures of habit and we have been used to frames since the year dot. We present the current slim frames and give our readers a taste of some up-and-coming innovations.

Which manufacturers are currently offering a minimalist frame design?

Here, we would have to name the LED TV series models D8090, D7090 and D6500 from Samsung for a start. These models stand out because of their extremely slim frames. The South Korean manufacturer speaks of an optical impression of "weightlessness".

The price for models in the D6500 series has already been eaten at by the ravages of time; the TVs are considerably less expensive than those in the newer ranges. The width of the frame is twelve millimetres for these models and the palette is varied in terms of screen size, with 32 inch (UE32D6500), 37 inch (UE37D6500), 40 inch(UE40D6500), 46 inch (UE46D6500) and 60 inch (UE60D6500) sizes on offer.

The frames in the current D8090 series measure just five millimetres. With this series, Samsung has leaped ahead to pole position; these are the slimmest models available on the market. The TVs in this series are offered in three sizes: 40 inch (UE40D8090), 46 inch (UE46D8090) and 55 inch (UE55D8090).

The Samsung UE55D8090 (55 inch) stands out clearly from the competition because of its elegance and slender dimensions. (Picture: Samsung)

Loewe, too, is setting new standards with its Compose series and combines concentrated technology with a slender, futuristic design. The modern series ranges from 32 to 55 inches . Loewe gets off to a successful start with the 32 Compose Full-HD LCD with E-LED backlight. The circle is completed with the 55 Compose Full-HD-LCD with E-LED backlight. Those wishing for 3D television on top can have this on all models in the Compose series for a relatively low additional fee.

Loewe fits perfectly into the living room with its minimalist, slim design. (Picture: Loewe)

What will the next trends be?

According to Toshiba's Product Manager Frank Escholz, the trend is not only moving towards slimmer frames, but also towards LCD models with what is known as Floating Front. "Floating Front means an almost frameless TV front. The WL768G series from 2010 was a typical series of this kind ", Mr. Escholz explains.

"This year, we are concentrating mainly on the implementation of the design using "real" material, which means that we do not use any plastic frames in the top ranges, but instead real aluminium – for example, in the WL863G series with a slender frame made of sandblasted, black anodised aluminium and in the YL875G series with a silver brushed aluminium frame ", Mr. Herr Escholz tells us.

The already somewhat older Toshiba 55WL863G (55 inch) is a prime example of a frameless TV front. Toshiba will launch the 55zl2g (55 inch) on the market towards the end of the year at a recommended retail price of 7,999 Euro. This model performs convincingly in terms of technology, but also has a slim frame.

As well as the comparative slender build, the Toshiba 55zl2g (55 inch), which will soon be available, impresses consumers with Quad Full HD resolution and 3D without glasses thanks to its special lens technology. (Picture: Toshiba)

New models from Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi, which the maker intends to use to create a 3D cinema atmosphere thanks to back projection technology, are also eagerly awaited. The new technology means that the televisions are considerably deeper. The Mitsubishi WD-92840 has a frame measuring nine millimetres at the top and at both sides, with only the lower section of the frame standing out because of the 16 speaker front.

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