12.1" LCD touchscreen * 4:3 screen aspect ratio * 800 x 600 pixels * Picture-in-Picture for video/Internet (inset) *
Sony's LF-X1 LocationFree TV puts the age of mobile lifestyles and high-speed network connectivity at your fingertips in the form of a portable, broadband Internet-enabled LCD television system that you can use virtually anywhere in the world. Weighing less than an average laptop PC, the wireless LF-X1 consists of a 12.1-inch LCD TV with a standard 4:3 aspect ratio, 800 x 600 native pixel resolution, and an accompanying base station. The base station houses most connection terminals, an NTSC broadcast tuner, and a wireless transmitter. The monitor runs on a supplied rechargeable lithium battery, while the battery charger works on universal power (AC 100 to 240V) for use in most countries.
 |
| The LocationFree TV is lightweight and easy to tote from place to place. |
Using Sony's first dual-band wireless system (2.4 and 5 GHz), the base station transmits video content to the touch-panel screen--there's no mouse required. The set delivers stable video and audio signals without interference from other 2.4 GHz devices such as microwave ovens and cordless phones. Internet and TV content arrives from the base station by way of secured device authentication and encryption technology, making the system perfect for Internet surfing in Wi-Fi hotspots and via Ethernet ports found in hotels, airports, and other locations.
The innovative system employs the IEEE 802.11a/g protocol for a wide selection of transmission channels, and it switches the channel automatically to minimize monitor interference across a range of up to 100 feet from the base station. The 802.11a/g standards support a higher bit rate than the conventional 802.11b standard, helping the set maintain stable, high-quality video images. The LocationFree TV also uses advanced Quality of Service (QoS) technology, which delivers extra bandwidth security for reliable audio-video transmissions, even in high-traffic wireless environments.
Faroudja's Directional Correlation Deinterlacing (DCDi) is a video algorithm designed to eliminate the jagged edges along diagonal image lines resulting from video interpolation. DCDi monitors transitions in image edges and fills in the gaps between frames.
The LF-X1 is a multitasking chameleon. It weighs around 5 pounds and includes angled-line correction circuitry for smoothing out jagged lines; motion-adaptive I/P conversion circuitry for improving fast-moving action scenes; and a digital-audio amplifier for crisp sound with minimal distortion. It also features picture-in-picture capability and an audio-video input for connecting to a camcorder, game console, DVD player, or other entertainment device.
 |
| The LocationFree TV autoselects the strongest wireless signal so you get the best transmission wherever you're watching. |
When the base station and the wireless monitor are each connected to the Internet through your existing ISP, you can easily and quickly access the Web, exchange e-mail, and shop online using the onscreen keyboard. The unit can also morph into a digital photo album, displaying custom slide shows from its built-in memory or from Memory Stick media, which plugs into a dedicated flash-memory port.
Filling the role of an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), the onscreen universal remote and onscreen keyboard heighten the LocationFree TV's uniqueness and versatility. Sony's GUI simplifies navigation of all aspects of the set. You can even use the screen itself as a remote to switch from channel to channel or from function to function. (A USB port facilitates hookup of an optional physical keyboard.)
The base station houses an Ethernet port for broadband compatibility and two video inputs (S-video and composite-video) for audio-video components and other peripherals. There's also IR blaster for added control and convenience and a USB port for connecting to an optional dial-up modem.
What's in the Box
The LocationFree TV, a base station, a quick-start guide, an IR blaster, a rechargeable battery pack, an instruction manual, and a stylus.
1 It actually works!!!
Well count me surprised - I really didn't expect this product to work as well as it does.
Here's my situation: I wanted a TV in the kitchen, but I didn't want to drill a hole through concrete flooring or snake an existing cable all the way around one room and then into the kitchen. Being in a "minimalist" high-tech loft, it would have looked really bad.
So, I went on a limb and bought this TV ...
I had read that someone said to change the wireless settings to "Automatic 5GHz" and that's what I did (to avoid using the overloaded 2.4GHz band - also used by cordless phones, microwaves etc.)
Result: I have the base station in the living room, and I get perfect reception in my kitchen about 20 feet away. I only lost the connection once, when I put the display behind the refridgerator (duh!) I also walked all over the 3 floor loft (1500 sf) with it and it works everywhere!
I realize some people are looking for even longer ranges (including outdoors), but I only need it to go a maximum of about 30 to 40 feet and it works fine for me.
Once you've had a wireless TV, you begin to think of new uses for it ... If guests stay in my spare room, I can just hand them the display for them to watch TV in bed. If I don't want to annoy my partner who is sleeping, I can go to the living room and take the display with me for a little late night viewing. If I feel like a little TV while having a snack, I can put it on my dining table and watch while I munch!
The system is so cool. Yes, it is not perfect, but it is still the best thing out there I have found so far.
It also has a built-in web browser and can talk out through your internet connection, surf the web, check email. It's touchscreen and comes with a little stylus.
Granted, the user interface is a bit computer-like, but I had no problems with it.
You can use a Sony remote (I have one) with the display to change the channels, volume etc. It will also relay IR signals back to the base station, which will use an IR blaster to relay back to your set-top box (very cool, but haven't used this yet).
It can even connect up to the internet and "phone home" to the base station (as long as it is also connected to the internet) and if you have a fast enough uplink (380 kbps) it can send the TV signal anywhere in the world. Pretty amazing (no, I haven't tried this).
Yes, it is only 800 x 600 (which is still better than standard def TV) and doesn't do HDTV, but it is only 12".
There are no component inputs, which might be considered a downside for some ... but then, it is more about convenience than producing some incredible high-def picture. It has cable, composite and s-video inputs (plus RCA audio inputs).
If you search the web you can find the Operating Manual as a .PDF. I did this - there's lots of information in it and you can get an idea whether it is right for you.
It really is a preview of things to come. In 5 years or so, everything in your house will be wireless. This just does it today.
Very, very cool and it works fabulously for me. I'm a very happy customer with this product.
2 Its IR Blaster does not work with many devices
I brought this hope we can use it like our other TV, except without wires. Without wire, it allows me to watch TV in about half of our house, upstairs and downstairs, range from base station about 60ft (to be fair, there are always walls in between).
The picture quality is okay to good.
The biggest problem I have is the IR-Blaster fucntion that I had hoped work, but not. To use this device watch program through its AUX1 and AUX2 inputs, you will need to be able to operate the device remotely. Before I purchased it, I read someone praise its IR-blaster function that can relay the IR signals. But the sad truth is: it only relay the IR signals, if that device is on its list. Our devices are not on its list, so we have no way to change channels, or turn on/off devices connected to this. I contacted Sony support for this. They told me "sorry, if your device is not on the list, we can not help you". That is a strange logic: if the device already on the list, who needs their help?!?!
I recommend them to implement the function similar to Terk Universal Remote Extender that can simply capture the IR signal from the remote side and play back to the devices near the base station. Their support person has no interest to hear it or tell anyone in Sony.
Bottom line: if you simply want to use the base TV tuner to watch TV, it is okay. If you have a lot of AV devices want to connect to this, please make sure it works (Sony did not publish the list before you buy :-< so you may have to contact support for that list). If you want to take this TV go 100ft away from base station, you have to make sure there is no walls in between.
But it is good for a room in your house where has no TV cable. If you have any issue to resolve or want to have a feature to add (they could update the firmware in it, but they don't), good luck! and let me know where to download new firmware.
3 The 7 Inch One Is MUCH MUCH Better.
Hi, i purchased this one but wasnt happy with it, i also purchased the 7 inch one sony has, it was 1000 times much better, its like a whole different thing.
This one's battery doesnt last much, and its pretty heavy.
The 7 inch one's patter last alot longer & it comes with 2 batteries. ( 12 inch one comes with just 1 ugly battery )
7 inch one can be watched in the bed before fall a sleep, the 12 inch one would be impossible to watch in the bed, because not only is it heavy it also takes alot of place.
7 inch one sounds to small but trust me, you dont need a huge screen when you're watching tv in your hands.
I loved the 7 Inch one much better than this, infact i re-sold the 12 inch one on ebay and purchased another 7 inch one, one for my parents and 1 for me.
So as the conclusion goes... my point is.. DO NOT PURCHASE THE 12 INCH ONE, ITS HIGHLY LIKELY YOU WONT BE SATISFIED WITH IT. BUT GET THE 7 INCH ONE, ITS ONE THE BEST TV'S I HAVE EVER SEEN.
I think sony used 2 totally different groups of people when they designed the 7 inch and the 12 inch one, because the 7 inch one is nothing like the 12 inch one. & its way way way way MUCH MUCH MUCH wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than the 12 inch one.
I hope this helps you decide if you were thinking about deciding. :)
4 Very cool
Nice screen, nice size, user friendly. In-home functions are fairly plug and play and I found set up to be pretty straight-forward. Capture button should be someplace else...too easy to confuse with the index button and the pointer is easy to dislodge but overall very well designed.
If you want to use the NetAV function, here are four key tips that will save you hours of set-up hassle. I'm not sure these apply universally (I have Comcast and Linksys WCG200 gateway/router) but they applied for me:
1. You CAN NOT connect NetAV to your external IP address from inside your own network. It does not work. So try it from external network.
2. You CAN try (and test) NetAV inside your home network by putting the internal IP address of the monitor in as the IP address (192.168...).
3. The Location Free base station has a Dynamic DNS updater included which can be set up to keep your IP address updated.
4. If you set up port forwarding, you don't need DMZ.
5 OK for in-home use, BAD for out-of-home use
As an in-home wireless flat-panel TV, it's a great product.
As an out-of-home "location-free" TV, it fails miserably.
The product promises to "set you free to live beyond the living room" which it does to some degree, but definitely not with the ease and simplicity I would hope for. It's very pricey, and has very limited capabilities.
For almost $1500, I think it is an absurd value proposition. If I want a mobile solution, I could buy a media center laptop, and get much more functionality and a much better GUI. If I want flat panel TVs in my home, I could buy THREE 15" displays and put them around my home.
Fundamentally, even if it was much, much cheaper, I still think it's a bizarre approach to solving the problem of portable TV access. Am I really supposed to carry this with me on business trips? It's actually heavier than my laptop, with half the resolution, and none of the functionality.
With regards to enabling remote access to content, my recommendation right now is to wait. As I've stated in previous articles, I don't think the various "portable media center" or "media to go" solutions are good ideas either, and there isn't much else on the market just yet.
The bottom line: Save your $1500 for now, and wait for some more intuitive and natural solutions to getting your TV, location-free.
This review originally came from LIVEdigitally (http://www.livedigitally.com/lftv1.html)
