Computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard, which began tinkering in the DTV set market about a year ago using a technology it called "Wobulation," is about to bring out 10 new DTV models, some of which it reports reach the HD level of quality. HP had already introduced four DTV set models to the market in 2004, following fellow computer competitor Dell in offering DTV flat-screen products.
Chipmaker Texas Instruments had maxed out with its 1,280 x 720 DLP array--somewhat short of "the highest-quality HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels"--HP said in a statement. HP created Wobulation--a technique designed to take advantage of the fact that TI's new DLP mirrors can oscillate every 1/120 of a second--to create a series of overlapping pixels that the human eye "melds" together. The results, according to HP, are two visible pixels for each physical mirror and a 1,920 x 1,080 picture.
The HD sets will include features that link the TV monitors to PCs, primarily to extend computer content into the TV set. Starting at $2,500, the 10 new HP models (four of which employ the Wobulation technology) will hit shelves in time for the year-end holiday shopping season, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Sept. 13 that HP will cut nearly 1,000 jobs in the U.K. over the next 12 months--part of nearly 6,000 job losses company-wide. However, HP's overall production levels in Britain reportedly will not be affected, with the cuts coming mainly in human resources, IT and finance.
