Resolution revolution: The US$100 HD TV

Japan's Pixela brings high-def to the masses as part of a government green scheme

By Mark Hiratsuka 11 December, 2009

Pixela’s Prodia offers low-cost, high-def viewing

When high-definition TV sets hit stores a few years ago they were luxury products for the wealthy elite. But the rules of technology state that things get cheap as they age and it was never going to be long before regular Joes and Jills could get their hands on one.

And the new Prodia HD TV from Japan’s Pixela is one for the seriously price-conscious among us, with sets available at a little over US$100, if you trade your old set in and make use of the Japanese government's Eco Points scheme.

Good, cheap things come in small packages

The Prodia PRD-LA103-16, to use its full and rather awkward moniker, may measure just 16 inches across the diagonal, but Pixela has managed to pack in a 1366x768, 16:9 widescreen display that just about qualifies as high definition.

Reviews already popping up in the Japanese media suggest the Prodia is a decent performer as a second set for the kitchen or bedroom, but it’s the price tag that’s really turning heads.

Pixela is encouraging buyers to use the government-backed Eco Points scheme that rewards buyers of environmentally friendly gadgets with generous discounts.

As the company points out, judicious use of the scheme and trading in any old, disused TV set at the time of purchase can knock the price down to just ¥10,000, which even in these times of high yen is about US$113.