Investors Business Daily reports that Mitsubishi is likely to make a Laser TV launch announcement at next month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Mitsubishi and Samsung are expected to launch the much-anticipated 'Laser HDTV' next year.

Mitsubishi is developing laser-based DLP rear-projection sets, and plans a private demonstration of this technology at next month's CES conference.

Laser developers are promoting their products as the ultimate evolution of lighting technology.

"LEDs and lamps won't be able to sustain the costs of televisions as products get larger and larger," said Greg Niven, executive vice president of marketing at Novalux, a company developing laser lighting. "With laser lighting the bill of materials (BOM) is reduced anywhere from US$50 to US$200 while offering lower power consumption, thinner panels and brighter, better color," Niven said at FID 2007.

Niven added that laser-based rear-projection sets are close to commercialization and anticipated the first product introductions in 2008. He also pointed out that front projectors for digital cinema, signage and highly integrated pocket projectors are also potential applications for laser sources and even speculated that in the future, LCD TVs could use laser backlighting.