Philips releases new LED Pro HDTVs

Philips has added two new models in its LED TV series, the 40PFL9704 and the 46PFL9704. These TVs come with Philips’ next generation LED backlight technology which promise a better contrast ratio, faster refresh rate and more power efficient than the standard LCD TVs. They will be launched in December for the U.K.'s market.

(source: http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2009/11/philips_releases_new_led_pro_hdtvs.html)

Sharp's New LED AQUOS LX Series Unveiled

According to http://www.sharp.co.jp/, their latest LED AQUOS series featuring LED backlit is scheduled to be released soon. The new LED AQUOS line-up includes 60”, 52”, 46” and 40” models offering a stunning 2000000:1 contrast ratio while providing up to 30% decrease in power consumption.

(pic taken from http://www.sharp.co.jp/corporate/news/090929-a.html)

LED-based LCD TVs

If compared with conventional LCD TVs, the LED-based LCD TVs turns off the back lights completely for dark scenes to deliver a near-perfect reproduction of black while leaving LEDs in other areas at optimum illumination. The result is reproduction of solid black rivals to those plasma TVs although it's still suffered from its narrow viewing angles which plasma TVs don't. But it would definitely consume less energy if compared with the plasma, you may need to consider the energy saving factor into account especially when most people  are talking about green products nowadays. 

There are only few big names produce LED-based LCD TVs at the moment, e.g. Sharp's XS1A series, Sony's KDL series, Philips's 42PFL9803H and Samsung's 8000, 7000 & 6000 series in which the Samsung 6000 series being the cheapest amongst them. LED-based LCD TV may be the perfect display for your htpc for time being but they have one thing in common i.e. they're all heavily over-priced.