Digital Research Technologies

As most of you that typed "Digital Research" in Google to get to this page probably know, Costco has a Limited Online Offer: $100 Coupon reflected in the price. Valid for orders placed November 6, 2007 through January 7, 2008 while supplies last.

Online price $599.99
Less coupon -$100.00
YOUR COST $499.99

The new Digital Research DLCD32 Widescreen 32-in Liquid Crystal (LCD) HDTV supports 720P and 1080i allowing you to enjoy High Definition content broadcast in either format. This product offers a super high 1366 x 768 native resolution, has an integrated ATSC tuner supporting HD off-air and clear QAM digital cable and unscrambled HD channels. The super fast 8ms action video response time ensures that you can enjoy fast moving games and videos with stunning clarity. Built-in speakers, a universal remote control, 3:2 pulldown, 3D-comb filter, and multiple video inputs including 2 HDMI ports will make the Digital Research DLCD32 the centerpiece of your family entertainment center.

Features:
Costco extends manufacture warranty to 2 years
Returns accepted within 90 days from date of purchase
Screen Size: 32"
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Resolution: 1366x768
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Brightness: 500 cd/m2
Response Time: 8 Gray to Gray
HDTV Compatibility: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
Tuner: NTSC/ATSC/QAM
Viewing Angle (HxV): 176 x 176
3D Comb Filter
Progressive Scan
Table Top Stand: Included
Surface Treatment: Anti-Glare
Vesa Compatibility: 400 x 200
Weight: 37 lbs
31.42" x 21.81" x 4.13" (w/ out stand), 31.42" x 23.27" x 8.89" (w/ stand)
Audio: Speakers : 8 watt x 2
MTS Digital Dolby (AC-3)
Inputs/ Outputs: HDMI Input x2
Component Video Input x2
S-Video Input x1
Composite Video Input x1
Composite Video output x1
PC Input x1
L/ R RCA Jacks x3
Coaxial Digital Out (SPDIF) x1
Now, the questions are: Who is Digital Research Technologies? What history do they have? Can we trust them? ChooseLCD will try to answer these questions here.
1. Poor website
2. Rare or no phone answering
3. No or little history
4. Could not locate them on the BBBonline (Better Business Bureau)
5. Cheaper price and lower quality than similar 32" TVs from competitors (Sharp, Toshiba, Samsung) as we have seen it displayed at MicroCenter on December 27th 2007.

About Digital Research Technologies Inc.
Digital Research Technologies is a division of I/OMagic that focuses on consumer electronics products such as LCD televisions and home theater speakers and players. In 2007, I/OMagic formed a strategic alliance with China’s Jiangxi Greatsource Display Tech Co. Ltd. (commonly known as “KHD”) to team up to bolster PC storage market share, co-develop and market next generation LCOS HDTVs and assemble other high definition TV platforms to sell into the North American and Chinese markets. The alliance offers significant potential for I/OMagic to market and co-develop cutting-edge products to sell throughout North America and China under the Digital Research Technologies® brand initially in North America and China and plans to eventually expand globally. The companies plan to establish a U.S.-based manufacturing and assembly plant to better serve the North American market.
Their website: www.dr-tech.com is quite poor and will not grow in you much confidence in the company or their products. The online live customer care link is inactive and everytime i tried to reach the company via the phone number listed on their Contact Us page I got noone answering (maybe because I was trying around Christmas time)
Digital Research Technologies address: 4 Marconi, Irvine, CA 92618. Business hours are from 8am - 5pm Pacific Standard Time. Offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Telephone Technical Support (877) 378-5378 (877-DRT-5-DRT)
Technical Support Fax (949) 707-4879
Customer Service (877) 378-5378 (877-DRT-5-DRT)
Returns and RMA Fax (949) 707-4879
Other Digital Research Technologies Inc. products: DLCD26, DLCD32, DLCD42, DLCD42P.
Download Digital Research Technologies Inc. products user guide here.

Conclusion*: Buy this unit if you don't expect much! Image is quite dark and contrast is almost zero. You are not making any bargain as you get exactly what you pay for. It could be an OK solution for your children's bedroom.

* Our opinion. We could be wrong. Always do your own research before buying any product. We are not licenced in making reviews. We are just electronics enthusiasts. Thank you for reading our blog and please feel free to comment. This post may be edited later on as we collect more info.

Vizio Now #1 in LCD TV and Overall Flat Panel TV Segment

We salute Vizio's success as top LCD seller in April - July, 2007!

Read the press release below.

Display Search: VIZIO Now # 1
Press Releases Aug 21, 2007 Sunday, August 19, 2007

North American TV Market Brand Rankings Shaken Up in Q2'07 According to DisplaySearch: Vizio Now #1 in LCD TV and Overall Flat Panel TV Segment, Samsung #1 in Projection TVs


AUSTIN, TEXAS, August 20, 200--DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in display market research and consulting, has released Q2'07 TV shipments and revenues by technology, brand, region, size and resolution for 56 different TV brands as part of its Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.

One of the biggest surprises was the shake-up in North America TV brand rankings in Q2'07. Vizio, which has only been in the TV market since mid-2003, became the #1 LCD TV brand for the first time, rising from #4 in Q1'07 to #1 in Q2'07, with more than 70% Q/Q and 400% Y/Y unit growth and overtaking Samsung as shown in Table 1. While Sharp remained #3, Funai jumped from #6 to #4, and Polaroid rose from #11 to #5 on new distribution at Wal-Mart.

Table 1 Q1'07 - Q2'07 North American LCD TV Unit Share and Growth
Q1'07
Q2'07
Y/Y Growth

Vizio
9.1%
12.1%
433%

Samsung
13.7%
10.7%
90%

Sharp
12.1%
9.1%
53%

In addition, due to Vizio's #4 position in plasma TVs in Q2'07, up from #5, the company was #1 in the North American flat panel TV (LCD + Plasma) market on a unit basis with an 11.9% to 11.3% advantage over Samsung, as shown in Table 2. Moreover, Samsung overtook Sony in microdisplay rear projection (MD-RPTVs), as shown in Table 3, after trailing Sony for the past 10 consecutive quarters as both Sony's 3LCD and SXRD product lines experienced Y/Y and Q/Q declines.

Table 2 Q1'07 - Q2'07 North American Flat Panel TV Unit Share and Growth


Q1'07
Q2'07
Y/Y Growth

Vizio
8.8%
11.9%
340%

Samsung
14.4%
11.3%
67%

Sharp
9.9%
7.9%
53%

Philips
8.0%
7.2%
-19%

Table 3 Q1'07 - Q2'07 North American MD-RPTV Unit Share and Growth

Q1'07
Q2'07
Y/Y Growth

Samsung
26.7%
37.7%
-4%

Sony
34.1%
26.6%
-53%

Toshiba
10.2%
17.3%
-8%

Mitsubishi
16.0%
10.7%
-22%

Hitachi
2.6%
2.8%
-24%

According to DisplaySearch founder and president Ross Young, "Vizio's rise from the #15 flat panel TV brand in Q2'05 to #1 in Q2'07 is quite remarkable given the intense competition in this market. Its warehouse club channel focus and lack of channel conflicts enabled the company achieve disruptive price points: Shipments surged and fueled the rapid rise of the warehouse club channel in the US TV market. In addition, Vizio's successful expansion outside of the club channel to Circuit City, Sears and Wal-Mart, while maintaining its attractive price points, further boosted its growth and enabled the company to earn the #1 ranking in the North American flat panel TV market."

Another big story in the North American TV market was the 5% Y/Y unit decline and flat revenue results. Only LCD TVs enjoyed unit and revenue growth, but it was not sufficient to offset weakness in all other technologies. There was also weakness in the 50"+ category, which was down 24% Q/Q and 7% Y/Y, as consumers become more seasonal in their big screen TV purchases, trade larger sizes for smaller sizes, thinner form factors and higher resolutions and wait for 50"+ flat panel TV prices to fall. While 50"+ declined, 40-49" surged with shipments up 8% Q/Q and 49% Y/Y. 1080p units in this category jumped 32% Q/Q and 139% Y/Y, and the flat panel TV share at 40-49" surged from 85% in Q2'06 to 98% in Q2'07. At 50"+, the flat panel TV share exceeded 50% for the first time at 58%, up from 32% one year ago, on weakness in 3LCD, LCOS and CRT RPTVs.

While units and revenues were disappointing, the flat panel TV unit share surged to 77%, up from 44% a year ago. The HDTV unit share of TVs shipped in Q2'07 reached 79% in Q2'07, up from 47% in Q2'06.

While Samsung didn't earn the #1 position in LCD TVs, it was #1 overall in North America on a unit as shown in Table 4 as well as on a revenue basis due to its #2 position in LCD and plasma TVs and #1 position in MD RPTVs. Due to weakness in CRTs, only Vizio and Sharp enjoyed Y/Y unit and revenue growth.

Table 4 Q1'07 - Q2'07 North American TV Unit Share and Growth


Q1'07
Q2'07
Y/Y Growth

Samsung
12.9%
11.3%
-6%

Funai
9.8%
9.4%
-33%

Vizio
5.7%
9.2%
340%

Toshiba
6.7%
7.0%
-27%

Sharp
7.0%
6.5%
26%

Other
57.9%
56.6%
-10%

For more information on the dynamic HDTV market, as well as HD content, register for DisplaySearch's 5th Annual HDTV Conference on October 10-11, which will feature speakers from leading TV brands, DVD brands, retailers, movie studios, HD gaming manufacturers, HD broadcasters, HD content distributors, audio manufacturers and semiconductor manufacturers. More information can be found at www.displaysearch.com/hdtv2007.

DisplaySearch's TV market intelligence including panel and TV shipments, TV shipments by region by brand by size, rolling 16-quarter forecasts, TV cost/price forecasts and design wins can be found in its Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report. For more information on this report, please contact Arie Braun at (512) 687-1505 or arie@displaysearch.com.

About DisplaySearch
DisplaySearch, an NPD Group company, has a core team of 46 employees located in Europe, North America and Asia who produce a valued suite of FPD-related market forecasts, technology assessments, surveys, studies and analyses. The company also organizes influential events worldwide. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, DisplaySearch has regional operations in Chicago, Houston, Kyoto, London, San Diego, San Jose, Seoul, Shenzhen, Taipei and Tokyo, and the company is on the web at www.displaysearch.com.

About The NPD Group Inc.
The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,600 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, visit www.npd.com.

Company Contact:
Arie Braun
DisplaySearch
512-687-1505 (ph)
512-459-3127 (fax)
E-mail: arie@displaysearch.com

Media Contact:
Stacey Voorhees
925-336-9592
E-mail: stacey@savvypublicrelations.net

I recommand the 42" series which range from $900 to $1399. See some images below and we promise to come back with more details and even reviews.