Larger-than-life TVs in your living room

The Consumer Electronics Show is where electronics companies unveil the latest technology trends taking over the consumer tech market in the upcoming year.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), happening now through Friday, Jan. 11 in Las Vegas, NV, is where electronics companies like LG and Sony are unveiling the latest technology trends taking over the consumer technology market in the upcoming year.

Each year, several trends set an overtone to what consumers may see in homes around the world over the next year—be it super-sized televisions, automated thermometers, or even robot vacuums.

For the living room, homeowners will continue to see the bar raised for the term “high-definition.”  What was once called “4K” a year ago is now being simplified to “Ultra HDTV,” mainly as manufacturers are heavily promoting the technology as a mainstream standard in the living room for 2013.

Ultra HDTV, or UHDTV, rings in at a whopping 3840 × 2160 pixels, and quadruples the traditional 1080p television sets on market today.

Manufacturers like LG and Sony are planning to launch these sets over the next year—potentially ending up in your living room come next holiday shopping season.

When it comes to previous-year television trends, CES is proving that 3D is a slow-and-dying breed.  Whether it was with overpriced, ugly, 3D glasses that consumers had to purchase separately, or glasses-free 3D televisions that caused headaches, the fad seems to be fizzling out among television manufacturers this year.

Accessory makers are also starting to create UHDTV-compatible add-ons for television sets, which means Canadians will be able to take full advantage of the awe-inspiring and crisp resolution.

As for pricing, manufacturers are leaving that part out.  Analysts are predicting a relatively steep price-point for these units in 2013, so UHDTVs will continue to be for those looking to splurge on a TV that they will not see the full capability for a few years yet.

Rad or fad?  Do you think one of these larger-than-life TVs will be in your living room anytime soon?  Sound off in the comments below.