Flat Screen Review

Samsung HL-S6188W DLP HDTV

2007-03-07T13:44:00.000-08:00

In a rather interesting reversal of fortune, the Samsung and the Sony swapped positions compared with their rankings in last year’s RPTV Face Off. This was really due to one thing: defeatable DNIe.

Samsung’s “picture-enhancement” circuitry proved to be last year’s ultimate polarizing factor. Some of our judges liked it; most of them didn’t. Either way, it certainly didn’t make the image look natural. The problem was that you couldn’t disable the DNIe. This year’s model had no such affliction. In fact, in Movie mode, you can’t even enable the DNIe. Without this handicap, the display’s strengths got to shine through.

The Samsung’s most noticeable strength, interestingly, is its color. While every other display in this Face Off (in fact, most displays in general) had oversaturated color points, the HL-S6188W had nearly perfect color points. The result on the screen is an image that looks inherently realistic. This seemed to be the aspect of its performance that pushed it to the top of everyone’s rankings. In fact, every judge commented on the display’s natural look and realistic colors. As it won out over other TVs that had better contrast ratios and much better black levels, the importance of accurate color points seems to be clear.

The Samsung’s processing was very good with both 480i and 1080i material. There were almost no noticeable jagged edges on the Silicon Optix DVD’s flag scene. The Samsung picked up the 3:2 sequence quickly with Gladiator but not at all with the synthetic Silicon Optix test. Like most of the TVs, it couldn’t pick it up at all with 1080i, either. The scaling was pretty good, and most of the judges gave it compliments on its level of detail. The same was true with noise, as in there wasn’t a lot of it.

This set wasn’t without its problems, and one stands out over the others. This TV is way too bright. Don’t dismiss this, as it is a real issue. If you plan to watch this TV in a dark room, it will be extremely fatiguing. If, for example, a night scene transitions to a day scene, you will probably wince and squint your eyes. It’s that bright. With no way to adjust the light output in the user menu, I question the usability of this TV at night, as did several of the judges. It’s too bright. Several other TVs in this Face Off have an adjustable iris to drop the light output when desired. This TV needs a usermenu iris adjustment more than any display we’ve reviewed. Sure, everyone loves a bright display, but this one has gone over the edge. An adjustable iris would also address this TV’s other shortcoming, mediocre blacks.

Yet, the Samsung still won, despite its eye-watering light output. The scaling and deinterlacing (except for 1080i) are good. The colors are nearly perfect, and it tracks D6500 quite well. The contrast ratio is good, although the black level is merely OK. It’s one of the most realistic and natural RPTVs we’ve seen through here, and it’s our clear winner. Just don’t forget to bring some sunglasses.

[via:hometheatremag]

JVC HD-61FN97 D-ILA HDTV

2007-03-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

Narrowly squeaking past the Toshiba to secure the first-runnerup spot, the JVC was this year’s polarizing choice. It had one firstplace vote, two for second place, and a fourth- and a fifth-place vote, as well. It all depended on what each reviewer valued—or was bothered by—the most.

Older JVC RPTVs were known for having great processing—as well as pretty terrible black levels. Thankfully, this year’s models have an iris. You can adjust the iris for blistering light output, almost as much as the Samsung’s—or, even better, for the second best black level in the Face Off. All the while, the contrast ratio stays high, usually in the 5,000:1-to-6,000:1 range. This is an excellent implementation of an iris, allowing the JVC to have an extremely wide range of light-output options.

Color wasn’t the JVC’s strong suit. The Sony set was less accurate, but, interestingly, because all of the Sony’s colors were off uniformly, it wasn’t as objectionable. The JVC,on the other hand, had a very oversaturated green, while blue and red were less so. Because of this imbalance, several judges commented that, even though it didn’t seem as oversaturated, it seemed more off.

The remote, like all recent JVC remotes, has a lot of tiny, identical buttons. It’s hard to navigate, but at least it’s backlit. The menus, too, are the same as those found on previous models and really don’t complement this TV’s performance, price, or decade, for that matter. Oh, well; with any luck, you won’t have to use the menus often. The Theater Pro button on the remote puts the TV in a movie mode that drops the iris and color temperature down to theater-type levels.

Without the iris, there is no doubt that this TV wouldn’t have ranked this highly. ith the competition so strong, this addition was a smart move for JVC. The excellent contrast ratio, black level, and processing make for a strong display. The color accuracy isn’t great, but it’s not as bad as that of some. Overall, JVC did a lot of things right, and the HD-61FN97 is a very highly performing runner-up.

[via:hometheatremag]

Toshiba 62MX196 DLP HDTV

2007-03-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

In last year’s RPTV Face Off, the Toshiba and JVC TVs tied for second place. This year, the Toshiba missed out on that same tie by only one point. Other TVs in this Face Off excelled strongly in certain categories and not in others. The Toshiba, on the other hand, did well in most categories, except for one, that is.

The comments for the Toshiba generally remarked on its balance. The color accuracy, while not as good as some of the other displays’, was better than average. The Toshiba’s overall contrast ratio was the second lowest, but its ANSI contrast ratio was the second highest. The amount of detail was better than some but not as good as others. And there didn’t seem to be too much noise in the image with any of the sources we demoed.

Processing was fairly average. The 62MX196 picked up the 3:2 sequence with 480i on both the Gladiator clip and the Silicon Optix disc. The waving flag from Silicon Optix had some jagged edges,but it wasn’t too bad. While the 62MX196 deinterlaced 1080i/30 correctly, it wasn’t able to pick up the 3:2 sequence (like most of the displays here). As you’ll see in a moment, this was more of a pressing issue here.

While the value of this TV may seem high, you’ll need to add $300 to its price for a good calibration. Out of the box, the 62MX196 is wickedly cool, like every other Toshiba display we’ve reviewed recently. I understand why a manufacturer would want their TVs to be set to the coolest color temperature out of the box, but why not at least give us enthusiasts the ability to drop to normal levels if we want?

This is the only TV in this year’s Face Off that doesn’t accept 1080p on any input. Last year, such ability was a rarity, but now it is commonplace. This exclusion is notable and disappointing. Other TVs in Toshiba’s line accept 1080p, but not the 1080p RPTVs. Now that we have a real 1080p/60 source (PlayStation 3), this lack sullies an otherwise decent TV. Furthermore, the 62MX196 can’t pick up and process the 3:2 sequence from 1080i correctly.

So, on a performance level, the 62MX196 does a lot of things well but doesn’t excel in any one area. With the lack of a 1080p input, it wasn’t able to move any higher.

[via:hometheatremag]

Sony KDS-R60XBR2 SXRD HDTV

2007-02-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

At this point, you are surely asking yourself, didn’t this TV’s predecessor win this competition last year? Well, yes, it did. What a difference a year makes.

It isn’t that this XBR2 is worse than the XBR1. In fact, in most ways, it is better. It’s just that, in the intervening year, the competition has gotten that much stronger, while this Sony is, well, very similar to last year’s. In reality, the performance of this display, the two runners-up, and the winner are all very close. Each display does some things well and other things not so well.

Obviously, contrast ratio and black level are two of the things that the KDS-R60XBR2 does well. At 14,544:1, its contrast ratio is more than double that of the next closest competitor. This is thanks, in part, to the fact that the Sony has the most active auto iris. This handy device trac ks the incoming video signal and adjusts the builtin iris accordingly. So, with dark scenes, the iris closes up and makes the whole image darker. With bright scenes, it opens and makes the whole scene brighter. As you can imagine, this makes for some rather inflated contrast-ratio measurements. Even so, when you set the iris to stay at one setting, the contrast ratio is still in the ,000:1-to-6,000:1 range, which makes the Sony comparable to the JVC and the Samsung.

The Sony’s processing was pretty middle-of-the-road. It icked up the 3:2 sequence with the Gladiator clip but not with the Silicon Optix discs (neither 480i nor 1080i). The video processing was OK; the waving-flag scene from the same discs had only slightly jaggededges .

Last year, due to the other aspects of the XBR1’s performance, everyone was able to overlook its oversaturated colors. This year, however, the Sony wasn’t so lucky. With other TVs offering a similar onscreen contrast ratio, better processing, and more accurate color points, the Sony dropped down in the rankings. The inclusion of 1080p inputs and a little better performance make this TV a little better than last year’s model, but, with everyone gunning for you, you can’t make do with baby steps.

[via:hometheatremag]

Mitsubishi WD-65731 DLP HDTV

2007-02-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Much like the Olevia, there was one major thing and one slightly less major thing that conspired to drop the WD-65731 down in the rankings. These were black level and edge enhancement.

At 0.127 foot-lamberts, the Mitsubishi’s black level was more than 3.5 times as high as the second worst one. Not only is this a lot higher than the others in this test, but it is significantly higher than most of the other displays we’ve reviewed lately (even LCD flat panels). Unfortunately, the WD-65731 didn’t have a high enough light output to offset the high black level. Most RPTVs have terrible ANSI contrast ratios due to the amount of reflections that happen inside the cabinet (among other things). Mitsubishi had the best ANSI contrast in last year’s Face Off. This year’s model is slightly lower than that, but two other sets (the Toshiba and the Samsung) both made large strides in increasing their ANSI compared with last year’s models.

The other main negative is disappointing on several levels. More than the others, the WD-65731 had noticeable and non-defeatable edge enhancement. At first lance, this makes the Mitsubishi look detailed. On closer inspection, however, you can see thin white halos running along all of the edges. Displays use edge enhancement typically when, for some reason, they don’t have the resolution to look detailed on their own. Ironically (and sadly), the WD-65731 has that detail. It was one of only three displays (and the only DLP) that passed the onepixel-on/onepixel-off test both horizontally and vertically. So, the resolution is there, but the edge enhancement covers it up.

The Mitsubishi’s 3:2 pickup with 480i was about average, and, like most of the other TVs, the Mitsubishi didn’t pick it up with 1080i. Its video deinterlacing with 480i resulted in some jagged edges on the flag, but its 1080i deinterlacing was fine.

The color points, while not as accurate as the Samsung’s, were more accurate than those of all of the other sets here. The new remote is smaller and easier to use than the old one. It’s pretty basic, but the important bits are backlit. Decrease the black level and the edge enhancement, and you’d have an OK TV.

[via:hometheatremag]

Olevia 565H LCOS HDTV

2007-02-24T09:39:00.000-08:00

Olevia, a sub-brand of Syntax-Brillian, is a relative newcomer to the TV world. While most companies are content to race to zero on the low end of the market, Syntax-Brillian decided to step in and fight with the big dogs. This, and the fact that they proudly use high-end scalers in most of their displays, made them a no-brainer for this Face Off.

The 565H had a lot going for it, at first. There were multitudes of inputs, and, like only one other TV in the Face Off, the 565H accepts 1080p over all of the HD inputs including component). The remote is by far the most attractive of the bunch, and it’s backlit. It doesn’t have direct input access, but the source button instead pulls up a list of inputs to select from. Few of the judges were enamored of the TV’s aesthetics, and Adrienne commented that the front-panel controls were too obvious.

Like only one other TV in the Face Off (the JVC), the 565H correctly deinterlaces 1080i/30 and correctly detects the 3:2 sequence in 1080i material. This is no doubt due to the Pixelworks DNX chip. With 480i material, the Olevia also picked up the 3:2 sequence quickly, both with synthetic tests and real video material. With 480i sourced from video (like the waving flag from the Silicon Optix test DVD), the Olevia showed almost no jagged edges.

Across every selection, this TV was noticeably softer than the others. As it was soft with both SD and HD, it’s doubtful that it’s a scaling issue. The measurements backup this theory. Using our Leader LT-446 test generator, we only measured 990 lines of resolution with 1080i material. Using an advance copy of the Silicon Optix test HD DVD, the 565H could just barely resolve a one-pixel-on/one-pixel-off pattern vertically and not at all horizontally (as was the case with two other displays here). One pixel on/one pixel off is a portion of a larger pattern. This portion consists of thin alternating white and black lines that are one pixel wide, and it tests the absolute limit of a TV’s resolution.

Without the softness issue, the 565H probably would have moved up a few slots. After all, it seemed to decode images very well, and its contrast ratio and black level weren’t bad. (The average here was better than normal.) When we do this again next year, there will hopefully be a new Olevia model that keeps what this one does right and finds some of that lost detail. That would be very interesting.

[via:hometheatermag]

Pioneer PDP-70HD - Plasma Review

2007-01-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

The PDP-70HD series consists of three plasma TVs: the 42-inch PDP-4270HD, the 50-inch PDP-5070HD, and the 60-inch PDP-6070HD. The two larger sets share the same native resolution of 1,365x768, while the smaller PDP-4270HD has a native resolution of 1,024x768. While all the sets are considered true HDTVs, only the two larger sets can display every detail of 720p material. We've completed a full review of the PDP-5070HD, which performed excellently.

Since we haven't reviewed either the PDP-4270HD or the PDP-6070HD, we can't comment on their individual performance, but we believe the performance of the PDP-5070HD is a good indicator. In terms of connectivity, all three sets share similar features, with two HDMI inputs, three component-video inputs (two rear, one side), and an analog VGA-style PC input. All three sets also feature a built-in HDTV tuner and a CableCard slot, so you can receive both over-the-air HDTV and digital cable without an external set-top box.

[source:cnet.com]

Samsung HP-S5053

2006-08-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

Samsung has its fingers in all kinds of TV technology pies, and although it's better known as a purveyor of DLP- and LCD-based HDTVs, the company still sells a tremendous number of plasmas. The HP-S5053 is the company's entry-level 50-inch flat-panel plasma, and if recent trends are any indication, it may prove just as popular--if not more so--than its 42-inch brother, the Samsung HP-S4253. This 50-inch plasma is priced to compete with models such as the Panasonic TH-50PX60U, costs a few hundred bucks more than sets such as the LG 50PC3D and significantly more than the Vizio P50HDM, putting it into somewhat of a middle ground price-wise.

The Samsung HP-S5053's look can definitely turn heads when turned off, and its comprehensive collection of inputs will appeal to folks with lots of gear, but its image quality, despite delivering excellent black levels, isn't quite up to the state of the plasma art. That said, if you tend to watch your movies with the lights on or you sit far enough back to overlook a few artifacts, you'll probably have few complaints.

We liked many aspects of the Samsung HP-S5053's image quality, including its excellent black levels and accurate color decoding, but its tendency to introduce too much noise and false contouring into many scenes was difficult to overlook.

One of the most impressive characteristics of the HP-S5053's picture is the depth of black it can achieve. We saw evidence of this when watching The Bourne Supremacy HD-DVD from our Toshiba HA-A1. When Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) walks out onto his Goa rooftop at night, the shadows in the distance, the night sky, and the letterbox bars all looked as inky as we've seen on any plasma, and deeper than on any other kind of non-CRT-based television we've reviewed in a long time.

These artifacts are species of false contouring that also plagued Samsung's 42-inch model, and they were difficult to escape in scenes such as this. As with the 42-inch model, when we reduced the brightness control to lower the amount of noise, we started losing detail in shadows. Flat fields of near darkness, such as the wide shot of Bourne's house in the early dawn, also brought out crawling greenish motes of noise. As with all similar artifacts, the noise and false contouring became less visible when we moved farther back than our normal 8-foot seating distance; at 10 feet, for example, the motes were much more difficult to discern.

With test patterns, we noticed that gray areas fluctuated significantly from one step of brightness to another. We did calibrate the grayscale to bring it a bit closer overall to the standard, but that had little effect on the Samsung's comparatively poor grayscale tracking.

Details were fine for a plasma of this resolution, and when Marie looks through Bourne's papers and maps, we could easily read the writing and see the tiny type. As usual we recommend you feed this plasma the high-def resolution that's closest to its 1,366x768 native resolution: 720p. 1080i sources looked slightly softer, although the difference was again quite subtle. By the same token, it likes HDMI better than component-video, which evinced high-frequency interference in the most-detailed areas of test patterns, although yet again, it was difficult to spot in normal program material. As a side note, like a few HDTVs out there, the HP-S5063 can't handle 480i sources via its HDMI input, but that's not a big issue since HDMI is usually reserved for higher resolutions anyway. We also noted in the review of the 42-inch HP-S4253 that it was impossible to completely eliminate edge enhancement, but its 50-inch brother didn't suffer the same issue.

Standard-def performance was a bit problematic according to our test patterns, and in particular, composite-video appeared way below average, with strange vibrations and instabilities in lines that should be stationary. We recommend you use a progressive-scan or upconverting DVD player with this set to avoid this kind of instability. Details via component, S-Video, and composite video appeared softer than they should have, although the set did do a very good job of smoothing jagged lines and engaging 2:3 pull-down detection quickly. We looked at some noisy standard-def video and found that the HP-S5053 did an average job of quelling the snowy-looking motes. Unfortunately, engaging its noise-reduction circuit had very little effect for reducing the noise from any source.

Finally, we tried to assess Samsung's claim that the HP-S5053's glass panel reflects less room light than other plasmas, but it was difficult to do so without other plasmas onhand. Anecdotally, Samsung's screen did seem to reduce glare a little, although in our testing room we still noticed overhead lighting, for example, reflecting off its surface. Of course, glare is an issue with all plasmas and direct-view CRTs but doesn't plague flat-panel LCDs or microdisplays.

[via:cnet]

Samsung LN-R3228W - LCD TV

2006-07-01T02:33:00.000-07:00

Samsung issued a press release recently claiming to have sold 1 million 8-series models of LCD TVs, and it's not hard to see why these sets are so popular. Not only are they priced more aggressively than some name-brand LCD TVs, they look darn snazzy to boot. True, Samsung has left out such features as an HDTV tuner and a CableCard slot, but plenty of buyers see these options as unnecessary extras. They are available on some similarly-priced sets, however, like the Sharp LC-32D4U.

The first thing you'll notice about the Samsung 32-inch LN-R3228W is its distinctive all-black coloring. Unlike Sharp, which also has an extensive lineup of LCDs with a range of colors--but mostly silver--Samsung's LCDs are mostly two-tone silver and black. The LN-R3228W stands out with its black speakers and pedestal, although it's otherwise identical to the LN-R328W. The screen is edged with slick glossy black plastic, much like the Sharp LC-32D4U, but the Samsung's speakers are mounted on the bottom and shaped in a wide v formation. As a result, the LN-R3228W is narrower than many LCDs, measuring 31.4 by 25.6 by 9.8 inches. Including the stand, it weighs 39 pounds.

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Samsung's remote is in dire need of an update. The bland gray wand included with the LN-R3228W is easy enough to use, but it lacks a backlight and just doesn't fit with the slick style of the TV itself. We're also annoyed that the important Aspect button hides behind a sliding door and that the remote can't control other types of devices. We like the all-inclusive layout of the LN-R3228W's internal menu system, which covers input selection and has a friendly feel. Speaking of friendly, a strange chime sounds when you start up the TV; happily, you can silence it.

The Samsung LN-R3228W has all the standard TV features covered but, as noted, lacks an ATSC tuner as well as a CableCard slot. To watch high-def on this set, you'll need to connect an external HD receiver, such as a cable or satellite box--not a major issue since most people have cable or satellite anyway. Its features include a picture-in-picture mode, an option to freeze the image, and Samsung's Anynet function to control other Anynet-equipped Samsung gear. We also appreciated that all three aspect-ratio selections, including an adjustable zoom, are available with both HD and standard-def sources.

Connectivity isn't quite as good as that of some competing 32-inch panels, such as Dell's W3201C, but at least it includes a VGA-style computer input (1,360x768 maximum resolution). There's also an HDMI connection--one fewer than we'd like to see--as well as a pair of component-video inputs and two A/V inputs, one of them with S-Video. We would also like to see side-panel inputs on a set in this price range. One nice touch: The LN-R3228W automatically deactivates unconnected jacks, speeding the process of cycling through all the inputs.

Overall, the Samsung LN-R3228W is a decent if not exceptional performer that offers more features than some budget panels but not as many as step-up models such as the Sharp LC-32D4U -- which costs about the same. Its principal appeal is its slick, compact shape and all-black styling. If you're looking in this size range and want an LCD with an attractive exterior, the Samsung LN-R3228W certainly qualifies. For picture quality and features, however, there are better choices available.

[via: cnet]

Philips 42PF9630A - LCD TV

2006-06-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

The tremendous popularity of flat-panel HDTVs shows no signs of slowing down, and it doesn't seem to matter whether they're plasmas or LCDs, as long as they're flat. Philips's 2005 lineup includes both technologies and doesn't do much to differentiate between them; the company's flagship 42-inch flat-panel LCD, model 42PF9830A, is a perfect example of plasma/LCD conflation. When turned off, it hauntingly resembles a similarly named 42-inch Philips plasma, the 42PF9630A, at least until you compare the price tags--the LCD is quite a bit more expensive. We've always preferred the best plasmas to the best LCDs for home-theater image quality, but HDTVs such as the 42PF9830A narrow the gap considerably. It has a higher resolution than any 42-inch plasma, and its other image-quality characteristics are also improved, although it lacks the crucial ability to provide custom picture settings for more than one source. That complaint aside, the Philips 42PF9830A is one of the best-performing LCDs we've reviewed.

As we mentioned at the outset, the 42-inch Philips 42PF9830A LCD surpasses the native resolution of its plasma competitors--it has 1,366x768 pixels, while 42-inch plasmas currently max out at 1,024x768. The result is that it provides somewhat more detail with HD and computer sources, although the difference is slight. All sources, including HDTV, DVD, standard TV, and computers are scaled to fit the pixels.

As is typical with all HDTVs, the Philips 42PF9830A has some useful features and a few that have detrimental effects on picture quality. It also suffers from one glaring omission: unlike just about every other HDTV on the market, the 42PF9830A lacks independent memory per input. This is very limiting in terms of calibrating and optimizing picture quality for a variety of video sources and is a problem that virtually every other manufacturer in the industry has fixed. There is no excuse for it, and as a result, we docked it a full point in Features.

The Philips 42PF9830A includes one unique feature not found on any other brand of TV: Ambilight, which employs a pair of rear-mounted fluorescent tubes to illuminate the wall behind the panel. You can control the color and intensity of the backlights, choose from a number of presets, and set the lights to a constant color or have them imitate the colors on the screen, turning green during a wide shot of the football field and blue during a shot of the blimp in the sky, for example. As Philips's most-expensive LCD TV this year, the 42PF9830A boasts Ambilight 2, which allows the colored lights on either side of the rear of the panel to react independently of one another. For example, if the picture is of Big Bird standing next to a firetruck, the one backlight will glow yellow and the other red.

While some viewers might enjoy the splash of colored light, we recommend leaving Ambilight turned off for critical viewing. That's because the colored backlight skews your perception of the true color emanating from the screen, an effect that's detrimental to accurate color reproduction from the video source. Another problem is that, with some settings, the intensity of the light changes with the content of the picture, which we found distracting. If the Movie setting, which looked to be the most neutral of all the Ambilight's colors, were set to a neutral 6,500K gray--or were at least close--Ambilight would be a very useful feature for reducing reduce eyestrain in a dark room. Unfortunately, the Movie setting measured between 2,500K and 3,500K, which is way too red.

Otherwise, the Philips's feature set befits a high-end HDTV. The TV includes an ASTC tuner and is Digital Cable Ready, and while it lacks the TV Guide EPG found on many other HDTVs, that's no big loss in our book since TV Guide can be unreliable with digital cable systems. Other conveniences include picture-in-picture with both split-screen and inset modes, numerous sound settings, and six aspect-ratio selections for standard-def sources. Finally, Philips includes a USB input and a memory card slot that accepts SD, CompactFlash, SmartMedia, and Memory Stick media. Using a card or a USB keychain drive, you can listen to MP3 audio and view digital photos via the TV.

Connection options on the Philips 42PF9830A are generous. Two HDMI inputs head up the digital connectivity, and while the panel lacks a dedicated PC input, you can connect a PC to either HDMI port at as much as 1,280x768 resolution. There are also two component-video inputs, one of which can be configured for RGBHV but overrides one of the A/V inputs with S-Video, and another that's independent but paired with only a coaxial digital audio input--as well as a second set of A/V inputs with S-Video. A CableCard slot is also on board. A coaxial digital audio output, a set of monitor A/V outputs with composite video only, and an RF input round out the rear jack panel. In addition, a headphone jack and a set of A/V inputs with S-Video are all located behind the left speaker on the side of the panel.

[via: cnet]

Sharp LC-32D4U - LCD TV

2006-06-29T23:10:00.000-07:00

Sharp essentially dominated the market in the early days of LCD TVs. Lately, though, it's found some serious competition both from up-and-coming brands such as Syntax and Westinghouse, which have created a vicious price war, and from other established brands such as Sony, which have pushed hard with ever-more-elaborate marketing campaigns. Sharp still has more LCD models than anybody else, however, and the models we've reviewed have consistently outperformed most other flat-panel LCDs. While Sharp's 32-inch LC-32D4U does have some image-quality issues, it's still among the better-performing LCDs on the market. For people want a better picture, as well as a good selection of cutting-edge features, the Sharp LC-32D4U is among the best choices on the market -- as long as you don't need to connect a PC.

With a native resolution of 1,366x768, the same as most LCD TVs in this size range, the Sharp LC-32D4U has more than enough pixels to display full 720p HDTV. All incoming signals, including HDTV, standard TV, and DVD, are scaled to fit the available pixels.

A built-in ATSC tuner serves up over-the-air digital and HDTV, while the QAM tuner and the CableCard slot can serve up digital and HD cable without the need for an external box--especially useful if you want to install the TV on its own, away from an entertainment center. Since the Sharp lacks a TV Guide or other EPG, you'll lose the programming info that comes along with a cable or satellite box. Of course if that's important to you, you can always add an external box from your favorite provider.

Convenience features are few. When was the last time you've seen an HDTV without picture-in-picture? One cool extra is Freeze, which captures the onscreen image and holds it until you press the Freeze button a second time--great for writing down the phone number to buy that oh-so-unique pearl necklace on QVC. Unfortunately, this feature is not available when using the HDMI input. The four aspect-ratio options available for standard-def sources include Side Bar, which properly displays 4:3 material, and Smart Stretch, which stretches sides more than the center so that 4:3 sources fill the screen. Impressively, four modes are also available for HD sources, including Zoom and Dot by Dot, which matches the incoming source pixel by pixel. Other features include horizontal and vertical positioning, picture flip, and input labeling.

The Sharp LC-32D4U's connectivity left us wanting more. There's one HDMI input, and although most other LCDs are also equipped with just one, some, such as Dell's W3201C, have a second. Most 32-inch LCDs do have a PC input, however, while the LC-32D4U does not. That's a major omission in our book.

We were pleased to see two component-video inputs; the slots can also accept composite video. A third composite/S-Video input is on tap, as well as one CableCard slot and three RF inputs for cable and antenna tuners. There's also an RS-232C terminal for integration with a home-theater control system. Outputs include one S-Video, one composite, one stereo RCA pair, and one optical digital audio out.

[via cnet]

Sony KDL-V40XBR1 - LCD TV

2006-06-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, Sony changed the name of its high-end LCD TVs from Wega to Bravia and launched a marketing campaign touting the line as "The world's first television designed for men and women." While it remains to be seen how the sleek, 40-inch Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1 scores with the ladies, it delivers a knockout in terms of LCD picture quality. No, it still can't outperform the best similarly sized plasmas on the market, and yes, like most Sonys, this 40-inch flat-panel LCD has a premium price tag and costs quite a bit more than competing plasmas. But if you have your heart set on an LCD or just really like the look of this Sony--or the name Bravia--it might be worth the price.

A native resolution of 1,366x768 gives the Sony KDL-V40XBR1 enough pixels to deliver all the detail of 720p HDTV. As usual, the panel scales all incoming signals, from VHS to HDTV, to fit the available pixels. A lone NTSC tuner serves up standard-definition TV, while a single ATSC tuner delivers over-the-air HDTV. The QAM tuner and the set's Digital Cable Ready compatibility let you watch digital and HD cable without an external cable box.

Picture-in-picture tops the list of convenience features, along with independent input memories. Options for changing aspect ratio include Normal (displays 4:3 sources properly), Full (displays 16:9 sources properly and stretches 4:3 sources evenly to fit screen width), Wide Zoom (slightly crops the top and the bottom and stretches 4:3 sources to fill screen width), and Zoom (crops the top and the bottom of 4:3 sources to fit screen width). They all work with standard- and high-def sources. The Freeze feature lets you snap a screenshot of the picture, which is useful for writing down phone numbers on American Idol so that we don't end up with another Kelly Clarkson.

You can't say the KDL-V40XBR1 lacks connectivity, but we were disappointed to see only one HDMI input--most HDTVs at this price point have two. The back panel also has two component-video, one S-Video, and two composite-video inputs, all with matching stereo audio ins. In addition, the set provides the CableCard slot, two RF inputs, and a PC-compatible RGB input (up to 1,360x768 input resolution) with an accompanying stereo minijack audio input. Outputs include one optical digital audio and one variable/fixed stereo audio RCA pair.

Located on the panel's left side for easy access is a third component-video input, a composite-video input with stereo audio, a stereo minijack headphone output, and a USB port. The USB port allows connection of a Sony camera so that you can view photos or video.

[via: cnet]

Samsung LN-S3251D - LCD TV

2006-06-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

The Samsung LN-S3251D is a much more attractive television than the company's LN-R328W set that we tested before it. The two models have similar features, with mostly comparable connections. However, the LN-S3251D received a better rating thanks to its very high image quality scores and slightly more adjustability to its cabinet.

In our image-quality tests, the $1799 (on 3/24/06) LN-S3251D easily topped other recently tested LCD TVs. The LN-R328W, which we included in this batch as our reference model, came in a distant second overall. The newer unit made a big impression with its very bright screen, which contributed to its large margin of victory in our bright-lights test. But it also scored substantially higher than the other sets we looked at in our high-definition, standard-definition, and DVD tests. When tested, The LN-S3251D earned PC World's top rating for color quality, with a score that was 10 points higher than that of its closest competitor. As for sound, its speakers have adequate clarity, but bass frequencies lacked presence.

The cosmetic difference between the two Samsungs is dramatic: The LN-S3251D has a beautiful, shiny-black cabinet, which swivels nicely on its base. The LN-R328W has a drab gray cabinet, and it doesn't allow any adjustments whatsoever. The LN-S3251D has a long, thin, attractive remote control--the buttons aren't illuminated, but they have white lettering that helps you see what you're pushing. You can even press a button to freeze a live image. Some of the buttons at the bottom--mostly for picture-in-picture--are too tiny, though.

The LN-S3251D has two HDMI inputs (the LN-R328W has only one), one set of component ports, and two S-Video inputs (one on the side, for showing camcorder footage). But it does not have a CableCard slot, so you'll have to use a set-top box for cable or satellite sources. The LN-S3251D will let you control an iPod (with an optional interface), but Samsung didn't provide an iPod connection kit, so we couldn't try out this feature.

One annoyance: You can use picture-in-picture to juxtapose one HDMI input and one analog input, but you cannot do that with two HDMI sources. Samsung says that it's a technical limitation, and that it does not foresee people alternating between two HDMI sources.

The menu system on the LN-S3251D is much more attractive and useful than that of its predecessor. You can adjust the opacity of the menus so you can see the picture you're trying to adjust (but unfortunately, you can't make them totally transparent, as you can on Dell's W3201C). A graphic equalizer function lets you fine-tune the audio. Also, tooltips in the menus explain what settings do.

Upshot: The Samsung LN-S3251D is slightly more expensive than the company's LN-328W, but the premium gets you better image quality, a second HDMI port, and some adjustability. It'd be even more appealing with a CableCard slot, though.

[via: pcworld]

Pioneer PDP-5060HD - Plasma TV

2006-06-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

The PDP-5060HD Purevision plasma TV from Pioneer delivers the company’s customarily accurate, pleasing image quality in a relatively affordable 50-inch package. With a 1,280-by-768 native resolution, the 5060HD improves the image quality of its predecessors, has a good selection of A/V features, and does a decent job of concealing the company’s cost-cutting measures.

The plasma’s Media Receiver is an external set-top box that incorporates the A/V inputs. Annoyingly, using the display’s two HDMI inputs disables the two component video inputs on the rear of the Media Receiver, leaving only the front-accessible component video input active, and vice versa.

I like that the panel’s brightness setting important for preserving dark details was practically perfect right out of the box. Color (saturation) and tint levels required only minor adjustments to bring the secondary colors to near-perfect fi delity, while the ANSI contrast ratio is the best I’ve seen from a plasma display to date. The HDTV does an excellent job of suppressing noise and retains image detail well. Its image quality appeared slightly soft to me, but that helped mask noise artifacts often associated with pixel-based displays.

Although I could have done without the tiresome component video/HDMI switching “feature,” the PDP-5060HD is a solid choice for home-theater enjoyment.

[via: pcmag]

Viewsonic N3760W - LCD TV

2006-06-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

The Viewsonic N3760W is a quirky 37-inch LCD TV that offers a detailed picture and good color quality. The TV’s video processor is adept at preserving image detail when converting interlaced video into the LCD’s native progressive resolution. A few jagged edge artifacts snuck by the processor, and video noise reduction could be better. But the N3760w’s ability to produce natural-looking color is apparent when you're viewing DVD videos, and I confirmed it in the labs with a color analyzer.

The N3760w has its share of quirks. The autoscan feature missed most of the local HD channels, and you can’t enter station information manually or tune subchannels directly. The TV’s “universal” remote isn’t: It provides VHS/DVD-like controls but offers no way to program them to work with other A/V components.

With a list price of $1,999, the N3760w is a less attractive option when compared with the similarly sized and priced HP Pavilion LC3700N. The Pavilion offers more high-quality A/V inputs, a better video processor, and a superior remote control.

[via: pcmag]

Panasonic TH-42PV500

2006-06-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

Panasonic’s TH-42PV500 aims to provide the perfect balance of features, specifications and picture quality, and very nearly gets it right, too. Its tech spec is right up there with the best, providing full HD-readiness in the shape of support for both 720p and 1080i via an HDCP enabled HDMI socket. All the other requisite inputs and outputs are present. In fact, the only one missing is DVI, which is no big loss.

In terms of features, the TH-42PV500 has quite a lot more to offer than the average plasma screen. There’s a built-in Freeview tuner for a start, with full electronic programme guide (EPG). The screen also has not one but two slots for removable media, an SD card slot and a PC card slot that will accept PCMCIA adapters for a wide range of storage media. Interestingly, the TH-42PV500 will not only play back digital photos and MPEG4 video stored on memory cards, it will also record video to them – up to nine hours at ‘normal’ quality on a 1Gb SD card.

However, we do have a few bones to pick with the TH-42PV500. Firstly, the set seems unnecessarily bulky next to many of the other sets on test, with a much bigger surround framing the screen, which incorporates a pair of built-in speakers. Also, the input sockets are all on the back of the set rather than on the underside, which makes it a pain for wall-mounters to plug in and unplug external components. Then, there’s the fact that you have to navigate through an on-screen menu to switch from one input to another, rather than selecting each one via a button on the remote.

What is really annoying about the TH-42PV500, however, is the fact that its picture quality is almost excellent. We say ‘almost’ because, while the set boasts an amazing palette of colours, fantastic detail and sharp images on both HD and SD sources, the set suffers from some contrast issues that seem at odds with the claimed 3000:1 ratio. Even with the brightness adjustment turned right down or the contrast turned right up, blacks still looked greyer than on ther sets.

[via: activehome]

Pioneer PDP-436XDE

2006-06-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

Pioneer was one of the earliest manufacturers of plasma displays and has almost 10 years of commercial expertise and investment in plasma technology under its belt, which means the company’s boffins have been able to concentrate all their technical know-how on getting plasma just right. It also means the PDP-436XDE has a lot to live up to.

As if to prove it’s not like other manufacturers from the offset, Pioneer has eschewed common trend and produced a 43-inch screen rather than the standard 42-inch size favoured by many of its rivals. Not that you can really tell this from a casual glance. In fact, with its minimal black frame, the PDP-436XDE seems a lot less imposing than many of the other sets on test. From a purely practical point of view, the PDP-436XDE’s subtleyet-smart stylings are much more likely to suit a wide range of living room environments than some of the less sophisticated designs of the competition.

As with many of the sets we tested, the PDP-436XDE features removable speakers that clip on either side of the screen itself. There’s no doubt that the TV is better off without these additions where possible but,as far as speakers go, they’re reasonably attractive and have less of a detrimental impact on the overall look of the set than in many of the other cases here.

The PDP-436XDE comes in two bits – the screen itself and a media receiver box, which houses both Freeview and analogue TV tuners as well as all the various inputs and outputs. This is largely to aid those who are planning to wallmount the screen, although not having to grapple around behind the TV itself will be a blessing for many others besides. Some users may balk at the idea of another box to stack on top of the various DVD players, AV receivers and games consoles gathering in the living room. Thankfully Pioneer provides a cheaper all-in-one version of the same display (the PDP-436SXE) without the separate media box for those who prefer it.

In terms of connectivity, the PDP-436XDE has got pretty much everything you’d ever need, including no less than two HDCP-enabled HDMI sockets, component and VGA along with all the usual Scart, composite and S-video inputs. There’s even an optical digital audio output for hooking Freeview up to an external sound system. A useful bonus is the PC card slot, which can be used to pop in a memory card (with an adapter) to display digital photos.

Where Pioneer’s plasma really shines, however, is in the sheer quality of the image. True HD material and upscaled DVD movies look sensational over HDMI or component connections. At 720p resolution particularly, the PDP-436XDE just blows the competition away. Blacks look black, lines are sharp and even if you stand with your nose pressed against the screen you won’t find any graininess or blocks. Colours are vibrant yet beautifully balanced and there isn’t the slightest reflection on the glass, thanks to the special way that Pioneer builds its screens. Even DVD movies via Scart and bog-standard-def television programmes look tremendous.

If we were to nit-pick, we might point out the barely noticeable jagged edges that can sometimes appear on diagonal lines if you haven’t set the screen up properly. Or the vaguely annoying grey bars that you get either side of the image in 4:3 viewing mode. It’s even possible that we’d take issue with the fact that the VGA socket is positioned on the front of the media receiver, which could look a little unsightly if you leave a cable plugged in permanently.

But, as you can probably tell, it’s quite difficult to find much to complain about, other than the fact that the PDP-436XDE also happens to be the most expensive screen on test. All we can say is that this is aninstance where the extra cash is worth it.

[via: activehome]

NEC 42XR4

2006-06-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

Plasma screens aren’t just used for home cinema. They also have a whole separate parallel existence in the world of big business, employed as large screen displays in company lobbies and in boardrooms where projectors and bulky CRT monitors aren’t practical. NEC manufactures plasma screens for both commercial and consumer use and the 42XR4 is a curious blend of the two.

The first thing to point out is that, technically speaking, the 42XR4 isn’t a television. Unlike all the other sets on test, NEC’s display doesn’t actually feature a TV tuner –digital or otherwise – and requires the separate purchase of either a Freeview, cable or satellite box in order to view TV broadcasts. This in itself isn’t too much of a problem, as Freeview can be added fairly cheaply. However, since the 42XR4 has no Scart sockets and comes with no adapters for any of its other connections, physically hooking the screen up to external devices canprove to be something of a pain. Conversely, the 42XR4 has high-def connections in spades. There are two HDMI sockets and two sets of component inputs, as well as a VGA port.

Usefully, each of these inputs has its own corresponding button on the remote control handset, which is a much better system than having to switch between devices via an on-screen menu as with some other sets. Apart from the input selection, the remote handset is strangely bereft of buttons, largely due to the 42XR4’s lack of tuner and Teletext functions. What buttons there are, however, have been positioned badly. It’ll take you quite a while toget used to the off-centre fourway cursor pad and enter/exit buttons.

None of this would really matter if the 42XR4 outshone the competition in terms of performance. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case in our tests. There isn’t anything especially bad about the picture quality, but no matter how much we experimented with the display settings we just weren’t particularly blown away by what we saw. Even over HDMI, hi-def footage and upscaled DVDs lacked lustre and we needed to turn down all sharpness and noise reduction settings to compensate for a certain amount of unusual artefacts. Sadly, detachable speakers and some advanced picture-in-picture options just don’t make up for it.

[via: activehome]

LG 42PX5D

2006-06-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

On paper, the LG 42PX5D looks like a winner. It’s reasonably cheap, it’s got that all-important HD-Ready logo splashed all over it, and it has an impressive selection of connections, features and specifications, including a digital (Freeview) tuner, a memory card slot, an HDMI input and a claimed contrast ratio of 5,000:1. It’s not a bad looking set either, with a simple black frame around the screen itself and slate grey speakers either side. The speakers aren’t detachable, however, and their side-mounted positioning does tend to give the set a slightly bulky appearance.

A multitude of sockets and ports invite you to connect all your AV devices to the 42PX5D. As well as HDMI input, the set features three input/output Scarts and VGA, composite, S-video and audio inputs. The CompactFlash, SD, MMC, xD and Memory stick card slots add an extra dimension to the display. You can’t record video to memory cards like you can with the Panasonic Viera, but you can browse through photo collections on-screen or listen to MP3 tracks stored on removable media.

The unit is supplied with a tabletop stand, but if you’re planning on wall-mounting the set, we recommend plugging in all your external devices first. The majority of the 42PX5D’s inputs are located on the rear of the unit, access to which is nigh on impossible once the set is hanging on a wall.

Positioning of the inputs, however, is a small quibble compared to the issues we have with the 42PX5D’s image quality. Contrast levels are high, as promised, especially with the set’s XD mode switched on. But even after extensive calibration we could not achieve a particularly satisfactory level of picture quality on Freeview . Tweaking the settings only seemed to swing the image from being washed out to being excessively noisy with little in the way of middle ground. More unsettling was the fact that our test DVD looked markedly better via plain old RGB Scart than it did through an HDMI connection at either native or upscaled resolutions. We couldn’t find any explanation for why this should be, but it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the 42PX5D’s high-definition performance.

[via: activehome]

Hitachi 42PD7200

2006-06-12T21:53:00.000-07:00

Hitachi and Fujitsu share a plasma manufacturing plant in Japan, so it’s no surprise to find a few similarities between their respective products. Like the Fujitsu P42HTA51, Hitachi’s latest 42-incher is based around
a 1024 x 1024-pixel ALiS plasma screen. And, like the Fujitsu screen, the 42PD7200 looks its best when it’s displaying a 1080i high-def image. With a 720p signal, we noticed a slight increase in video noise, presumably due to the additional image processing required to display a 720-line progressive signal on a 1024- line interlaced screen.

That’s not to say that the 42PD7200’s highdef performance is disappointing. The set’s contrast levels, for example, are excellent, particularly with high-definition material and upscaled DVD images over HDMI. We were less impressed with the set’s abilities over standard-def RGB Scart, as our test DVD showed some shimmering edges and a little noise in the image.

There are plenty of picture adjustment options in the settings menu to play with. As well as all the usual contrast, brightness and colour options, the 42PD7200 offers Black Enhancement and some advanced colour temperature adjustments. Several special noise reduction and sharpness options are also available, although we found that the set invariably worked better with these switched off.

The 42PD7200 isn’t short of input options, either. As well as three bi-directional (input and output) Scart sockets, the set features component, VGA and DVI inputs as well as HDMI. A bevy of composite, S-video and audio inputs are also available via a small side-mounted add-on. In terms of design, the 42PD7200 is plain yet handsome. It comes with detachable speakers and, as an interesting bonus, a motorised swivelling stand. Very useful is the fact that the 42PD7200 remembers your picture settings and preferences for each input separately. Equally practical is the fact that the remote provides separate buttons for eachinput, making it much easier to switch from, say, a satellite box to a DVD player.

It’s a shame that the 42PD7200 features an analogue-only tuner, but given the set’s relatively low price, adding a Freeview box to your setup if you don’t already have one probably wouldn’t break the bank

[via: activehome]

Fujitsu Plasmavision P42HTA51ES

2006-06-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

The chaps at Fujitsu are old hands at the plasma game – so much so that many other manufacturers have traditionally built their plasma TVs around Fujitsu technology. As such, you’d expect the company to produce some very high-quality plasma products of their own. And, as it happens, you’d be right.

The P42HTA51ES has quite a stark, straightforward look to it. The metallic grey frame is fairly anonymous but pleasantly modern-looking and has the benefit of adding little to the screen’s dimensions – particularly if you decide not to attach the speakers and use your own homecinema surround setup instead.

As it happens, the P42HTA51ES has little in the way of its own sound processing other than tweaking the treble and bass of straightforward stereo audio. And if you do choose to use the unit’s own speakers, you’ll only be adding to the physical labour required to set the display up. In fact, both the speakers and the tabletop stand require a certain amount of assembly before you actually get to switching the set on.

However, when you do finally get to sit back and power up the P42HTA51ES, you’re unlikely to be disappointed. The Fujitsu panel definitely provides one of the best pictures in our test.

The built-in analogue-only TV tuner might not show off the screen to its best abilities, but plug in a DVD player or even a Freeview box into a Scart socket and you’ll soon see the screen in a better light. With HD material over HDMI or composite inputs the picture looks simply stunning, although we noted that the screen seems happier with 1080i resolution material over 720p. This is perhaps because the P42HTA51ES is technically an interlaced display, while most other plasmas are progressive. Even the onscreen menus are pleasant to look at. It may seem like a small point, but the simple yet sharp graphics and nicely animatedmenus areacut above, whichmakes it easier to twiddle the multitude of settings. The menus also contain some useful features, such as adjusting screen position and size. Best of all is Picture Memory, which allows you to store up to eight sets of user-programmed picture adjustments and call them up at will.

[via: activehome]

Viewsonic N3260W - LCD TV

2006-03-14T00:36:00.000-08:00

Like Acer, Viewsonic is a name that people will associate with computer components rather than household entertainment devices. And, like the Acer AT3201W, the Viewsonic N3260W betrays its desktop roots in several ways.

First, the menus and set-up system are unnecessarily awkward. Despite having an analogue-only tuner, the automated setup took a comparatively long time to complete. And when it had finished, we had to go through the whole thing all over again because all the tuner settings were lost when we tried to turn the volume down before accepting the new changes.

Second, the Viewsonic’s picture wasn’t especially impressive. In our tests the set’s colours were overly garish, and we had to take the saturation right down for most sources. Analogue TV looked worst of all, but even true 1080i and 720p HD video via the component inputs showed a marked increase in colour bleeding over the other screens in the test. There was also excessive noise in the picture, particularly with the DVD we played through the set’s HDMI and RGB Scart inputs.

The N3260W was one of the worst sets to be affected by motion blur. This was specifically evident on the DVD through the HDMI and RGB inputs. It was even noticeable in the true HD footage we tested, although to a much lesser degree. Curiously, the manufacturer quoted us a relatively fast response time of 8 milliseconds, which would normally help to reduce the motion blur effect.

Either way, the unholy triumvirate of saturation, noise and motion blur conspire to produce by far the worst picture of all the screens in this group. And even with a lot of fiddling in the annoying and inadequate settings menus, we couldn’t get particularly satisfactory results from broadcast TV or any of the set’s inputs.

At less than £900, the N3260W might be cheap but we suggest spending another £100 or so to get yourself a set with a much better picture.

[via: activehome]

Toshiba 32WLT58 - LCD TV

2006-03-13T00:24:00.000-08:00

While many of the sets on test struggled to produce a decent picture on standard TV, the Toshiba 32WLT58 managed to address many of the usual blockiness and colour issues experienced when watching broadcast telly programmes on an LCD set. Generally speaking, the image was quite soft, but the picture actually tends to benefit from this.

Unfortunately, the Toshiba’s strong standard definition broadcast performance was balanced by a mildly disappointing image quality on the DVD and HD side of things. Although the colours were strong and detail was good, we noticed quite a bit of motion blur on a DVD played through the RGB and HDMI inputs, although it was slightly less noticeable with the true high-definition test footage via the component input. This could be down to a slow response time, as with the Sharp model.

When we asked Toshiba to provide us witha response time figure, however, it refused. A spokers person offered us only the slightly patronising explanation that ‘we don’t quote for response time as it often confuses
consumers’.

That aside, the 32WLT58 is well-equipped to handle almost anything you’d ever want to plug into it. It comes with two HDMI sockets, as well as a VGA port for a PC and the usual array of Scart, composite and
S-video inputs. Some of these can be found on the side panel of the unit, which makes it easy to hook up a camcorder or games console. The speakers are placed under the screen rather than either side. The speakers are quite small but pack a fairly good punch, particularly when the sound is set to SRSWOW 3D surround.

It’s a shame about the motion issues because the 32WLT58’s performance on SD broadcast material would have made it ideal for the here and now, when most of us will still be watching mainly standard definition sources.

As it is, it is rather difficult to justify at a price of just under £1,200.

[via: activehome]

Sony KDL-V32A12U - LCD TV

2006-03-12T00:12:00.000-08:00

When you switch on the Sony Bravia KDL-V32A12U – or, indeed, any of the sets in this test – for the first time, you’re likely to get quite a shock. This is because, for reasons best known to themselves, manufacturers
tend to ship LCD TVs with their picture settings set in what they call ‘Dynamic’ or ‘Vivid’ mode, which usually means garishly vibrant colours and extreme brightness and contrast. This is also why you shouldn’t judge the picture of a TV in a shop.

Thankfully, this Sony’s intuitive menu system makes it very easy to rectify the picture, sound and any other settings you feel like tweaking while you’re at it. Particularly useful are the gamma correction and backlight controls; two options that aren’t always present in other manufacturers’ menus. Usefully you can, like the Hitachi set, create separate custom picture settings for each input – perfect if, for example, you like a slightly brighter picture on your DVD movies, but prefer a bit more contrast on broadcast TV.

After a lot of tinkering, we got an excellent picture for all external inputs. HD video over the component input was second only to that of the Philips 32PF9830, and the picture from a standard DVD upscaled 1080i looked particularly effective. Played at standard definition via one of the set’s three RGB Scarts, the same DVD still looked good, with rich detail and a pleasant softness not always typical of LCD screens. We did start to notice a little motion blur creeping in here.

Broadcast TV is the set’s real weak spot. Both analogue and digital channels are available, but neither look
particularly inspiring, with a lot of shimmering edges and blockiness going on. To a certain extent this is to be expected, and overall the Bravia does pretty well for a sub-£1,400 set.

It’s a handsome TV with a dark grey trim that makes it far less intrusive than many of its rivals here, and has a
few handy additional features, such as Virtual Dolby Surround as well as a slot for a Top Up TV card.

[Via: activehome]

Sharp Aquos LC-32GD7E - LCD TV

2006-03-11T00:03:00.000-08:00

As we’ve said elsewhere, looks are largely a matter of taste. However, the Sharp Aquos LC- 32GD7E has an imposing appearance, which is perhaps something to do with its stark silver colour, straight edges and the extra height from a larger-than-average speaker underneath the screen.

When it comes to connectivity, the LC-32GD7E covers just about everything other than DVI, which isn’t really necessary when you have HDMI and component for highdef input as well as VGA for PCin. Extra sockets include digital coaxial audio in and output – i n c re a s i n g ly useful as more component s , such as DVD players, games consoles and satellite boxes, use digital connections as the best way to take advantage of soundtracks.

It’s particularly relevant in the case of the LC-32GD7E, because that large speaker under the screen can pump out sound in Virtual Dolby Surround. Curiously, only one of the two Scart sockets is RGB enabled, making the set slightly less suitable for those with several standard definition components, such as set-top boxes and DVD recorders, that need plugging into the set.

This is a bit of a shame, because the picture over the RGB connection is pretty good, with deep blacks and nice detail.With our HD test source material, the picture was also excellent, although the screen lost a lot of its lustre if we didn’t plonk ourselves directly in front of the set. Sharp claims that the viewing angle is 170 degrees, but at an angle, there is less contrast in the picture, whether viewing HD or SD source. We also noticed quite a bit of motion blur. This might have something to with the panel’s relatively slow response time (16 milliseconds). An LCD’s response time is usually measured as the time it takes a pixel to go from black to white to black again.

The LC-32GD7E has both digital and analogue tuners but its slightly disappointing performance makes it hard to recommend, especially when it’s the second most expensive set on test.

[via: activehome]

Panasonic TX-32LXD52 - LCD TV

2006-03-10T23:40:00.000-08:00

Panasonic has a very good reputation at the portable end of the market as well as in the ultra-large-screen department, so we were looking forward to seeing what the mid-sized TX- 32LXD52 could do.

It’s one of the nicest-looking sets, with a sleek, matt black surround and a small speaker panel mounted underneath the screen rather than at the sides. The speakers aren’t the best, however, perhaps due to their size and the fact that the TX- 32LXD52 doesn’t have any special surround-sound enhancement options. That said, they’re fine for listening to day-to-day TV programmes on either analogue or the set’s built-in Freeview digital channel selection. The slightly weak audio is unlikely to be a deciding factor for anyone looking to incorporate the 32- inch Viera into a home-cinema setup with separate speakers.

On the other hand, something that home-movie buffs will definitely be looking for is image quality. In this area the Panasonic set does well, but isn’t quite as convincing as some of its rivals.

In our tests, pure HD material looked stunning via the component video input, while a standard definition DVD looked great when its image was upscaled to 1080i or 720p and played through the set’s HDMI input. Via one of the TX-32LXD52’s two RGB Scarts, the DVD image started to weaken, with a slight but noticeable blur during moments of fast motion.

The picture wasn’t great on analogue or digital TV, but this is often the case with HD televisions. The TX-32LXD52’s image seemed a bit washed out generally, and tweaking the slim selection of picture settings didn’t entirely address this issue.

On the positive side, the TX- 32LXD52 was very quick and easy to set up. Digital channels benefit from an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) that is quick to load and simple to use as well as a Common Interface (CI) slot for inserting a Top Up TV card.

A handsome set with a price tag that puts it towards the cheaper end, the Panasonic TX-32LXD52 is a tempting option let down by a slightly unsatisfactory picture quality.

[via: activehome]

Samsung LE32R41BD - LCD TV

2006-03-09T23:53:00.000-08:00

With both analogue and digital (Freeview) TV tuners built in, plus a wide range of connectivity options, the Samsung LE32R 41BD is an attractive option, particularly when you can pick it up for less than a grand.

It’s a nice-looking set too, with a snazzy black surround and a V-shaped speaker below the screen. It’s a shame that the effect is spoiled by a flimsy stand. The one that came with our test unit wobbled about all over the place. Many manufacturers supply a device for securing your expensive LCD telly to a tabletop to prevent it falling over, but there was nothing like that here.

Setting up the Samsung set shouldn’t prove terribly complicated, although it was the only set that managed to assign the analogue channels to the wrong channel numbers.

Picture-wise, it isn’t bad at all with high-def material and DVDs. Via component video input, the screen showed up the detail and colour of highdefinition material particularly well. Standard DVD movies, both straight through the RGB Scart and upscaled to 720p or 1080i via the HDMI socket, were excellent. HDMI had the edge, of course. Colours were deeper, and motion smoother. It’s also interesting to note the inclusion of a VGA input, along within analogue audio input for connecting a PC to the screen.

When it came to SD broadcast TV, things weren’t so rosy. On both analogue and digital terrestrial signals the image looked smeared and pixelated, although this is often the case with LCD. The picture is very bright, which is useful for daytime viewing. But it’s tricky to find a decent balance between saturated colours and a washed - outlook. This isn’t helped by the fact that there’s only one custom picture setting, which means that you could find yourself trawling through onscreen menus to alter image settings whenever you change to a different input.

And when you switch between different sources – say from DVD to games console or satellite input – you’ll find that the set is also infuriatingly slow to respond.

[via:activehome]

Philips 32PF9830 - LCD TV

2006-03-09T23:27:00.000-08:00

The Philips 32PF9830’s stylings may not be to everyone’s taste, but the curved edges and glass trim are distinctive and modern-looking. It’s pretty big compared with some of our other candidates, partly due to
the fact that it has a set of fairly high-quality speakers built into it, as well as version 2 of a technology called Ambilight. The latter is described as an ‘ambient backlighting technology’, and something many will wrongly write off as a gimmick. Basically, a set of lamps on the rear of the unit project a soothing glow onto the wall behind it while in use. It’s genuinely easy on the eye and does help to make the image feel larger and more cinematic.

Even if you ignore Ambilight, the 32PF9830 is a cut above the rest for picture quality. With true 1080i HD video via the set’s component input, the picture is astonishingly detailed and accurate, without the slightest trace of motion blur or colour bleed. Our upscaled DVD also looked excellent via HDMI at both 720p and 1080i. Even a standard-definition DVD signal through an RGB Scart looked amazing. The much-vaunted Pixel Plus 2 image processing brings out a lot of detail, although some viewers may prefer the softer picture achieved with Pixel Plus switched off. The version here is actually Pixel Plus 2 HD, designed to enhance both standard and high-definition material.

There are plenty of options to tinker with in the settings, and you’ll need to experiment with these to get the best picture, especially with broadcast TV. If we were to nitpick, we could criticise the absence of a Freeview tuner, and the slightly awkward placement of its rear input sockets. There are, however, loads of useful extras, including a pair of USB ports, a multi-format memory card reader, and even a motorised rotating stand.

So it’s all good news, but the downside is that the Philips set is one of the most expensive in LCD panels around. You’ll be able to pick it up for less than the suggested retail price, but it’s still pricey.

All we can say is you get what you pay for, and the 32PF9830 runs away without Buy It! award.

[via: activehome]

LG 32LX2R - LCD TV

2006-03-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

Apparently LG likes to make up lots of technical terms such as ‘OptiGrade’, ‘PurePalette’ and ‘VistaBright’, and then slap
them on the front of their TV sets. By and large you can
ignore this kind of unnecessary techno-babble from LG or any
other manufacturer.

The 32LX2R has, nevertheless, got what it takes to make it in the world of HDTV. HDMI, component and DVI sockets all support highdefinition inputs, and the high resolution (1366 x 768 pixels) means that, like the other sets in this test, the 32LX2R can display both the 720p and 1080i HD standards. There’s no input for connecting a PC via VGA, but the folks at LG have included a VGA-to- DVI adapter.

Non-HD sources are well catered for as well, with composite and S-video inputs, as well as a pair of Scart sockets, one of which is RGB-enabled.

Predictably, the set’s picture quality is at its best when a true HD source is used – in this case some high-quality 1080i/720p demonstration material provided by one of the manufacturers for use in our tests. Played over the component input, colours looked rich and the image was very realistic. We did, however, notice a very small amount of unwanted video noise in the HD image, which we didn’t find with any of the other sets on test.

Oddly, the HDMI input didn’t work at all, although a representative from LG told us that this was an incompatibility issue specific to the DVD player that we were using, and assured us that a firmware fix would be available by the time you read this. We were able to test our DVD player using an HDMI-to-DVI converter, however, and the picture was very good – lots of deep colours and no motion blur. The same couldn’t be said for performance of the same DVD over the RGB Scart connection, however.

Afew other niggles, including an analogue-only TV tuner and some strange grey bars instead of black bars when viewing in 4:3 mode, knock more points off the final score, which is a pity as the 32LX2R is an attractivelooking set at an equally attractive price.

[via: activehome]

Hitachi 32LD7200 - LCD TV

2006-03-07T23:05:00.000-08:00

Some of the biggest gripes people have had with LCD TVs in the past have been with motion blur and contrast issues. These are areas that Hitachi’s 32LD7200 seems to have little problem with. Black really looks black, rather than grey, and there’s very little evidence of smearing during moments of fast motion.

And, while many of the screens managed to achieve high standards in these regards, when it came to our high-def tests, the 32LD7200 looked pretty good with a s t a n d a r d definition DVD pumped through one of its RGB Scart sockets.

Hitachi’s set is also one of the best-connected HDTVs on test. Not only does it feature that all-important HDMI socket, but it also finds room for DVI, VGA and component inputs, meaning that there are several different ways to get high-def content onto the screen.

The set also comes with a bevy of SD connections, including composite and Svideo. Usefully, each input has its own button on the remote control. This makes it much easier for users with lots of devices plugged into the screen to get straight to the input they want, rather than having to cycle through loads of others or call up an on-screen menu first.

It’s also possible to create different custom picture settings for each of your inputs rather than just having one universal setting. This may seem like a minor point, but it will save a lot of faffing around when switching between, say, broadcast TV and a DVD movie, which will most likely require quite different brightness,
contrast and saturation levels for optimal image quality. If you watch films over thecomponent connection, for example, you can assign this input a separate set of picture levels to those for your satellite TV input via Scart.

Like Acer AT3201W, the 32LD7200 has detachable sidemounted speakers, which is quite handy if you already have a home cinema setup and want to reduce the already svelte proportions of theTVfurther. If
you do opt to use the speakers, however, you’ll have to put up with some loose wiring round the back of the set.

[via: activehome]

Acer AT3201W - LCD TV

2006-03-06T22:54:00.000-08:00

It may not be the first name to pop into your head when shopping for a TV, but Acer is, nonetheless, the first name – alphabetically speaking – in our HD group test.

Initially we were confused by the AT3201W, because it didn’t have the familiar ‘HD-ready’ logo on the set, the box or the accompanying literature. But the chaps at Acer have assured us that units should be shipping with the logo by the time you read this. The screen fits the bill in technical terms, with support for both the 720p and 1080i HD picture formats, and features component video and a digital high-def
connection that’s compatible with the HDCP copyright protection that many HD content providers will be using.

Curiously, however, the Acer is the only panel in the test to have a DVI-D connection rather than an HDMI socket. While both connections can transport a high-quality, high-definition picture digitally, only HDMI can also carry digital sound. So a separate, analogue cable would be required to connect high-def equipment to this set.

HDMI is clearly the de facto standard for the HD era and it’s a real shame Acer’s screen doesn’t feature it. There are, however, HDMI-to-DVI adapters available, and the AT 3201W would still be cheap if you added on the cost of one.

Worse, perhaps, is the picture quality. In our tests, we compared material from several
different HD and standard definition (SD) sources. While the AT3201W showed promise with true HD material, it was hard to address some issues, such as shimmering edges and motion blurring, by adjusting the picture
settings. But the Acer set isn’t entirely without merit. Detachable speakers are a bonus, for example, and its onscreen menus are easy to navigate. Its biggest selling point is perhaps its cost. With online prices starting at around £760, we might have been willing to overlook some of our quibbles with the AT3201W if it wasn’t for the awful racket that it makes. All LCD screens have small fans to keep them cool but, unless our review unit
was faulty, the AT3201W definitely gets the prize for having the noisiest fans on test.

[via: activehome]

BenQ DV3750 - LCD TV

2006-03-06T01:07:00.000-08:00

For thin and flat televisions, liquid crystal displays offer the most resolution at any given screen size. Unfortunately, when screen size tops 40 inches, LCD HDTVs increase exponentially in price. The 37-inch Westinghouse LVM-37w1 ($2,299 list) is one of the best values. Besides offering native 1080p resolution (1,920 by 1,080 pixels), it was the first LCD TV we had seen that would accept a 1080p signal from DVI or VGA inputs. Now BenQ has introduced a 37-inch 1080p LCD TV, the BenQ DV3750, for the same price, so we were interested to see how it would compare with the technically similar Westinghouse.

Setup was relatively simple. After removing the TV from the box, we attached the side-mounted speakers, plugged the power cord into the wall, and inserted the NTSC TV tuner module (a smallish box packaged with the speakers) into an expansion bay on the rear.

The comfortably rounded remote has clearly labeled buttons with ample spacing and tactile feedback but, unfortunately, no backlight or direct A/V input selection, and the keys don't glow. The display's factory-attached base doesn't tilt or swivel.

You'll find A/V inputs for a DVI (HDCP-compatible for content-protected sources) and VGA connection as well as a pair of component video connectors. We'd prefer to have an additional digital video input, but this is an acceptable configuration for an entry-level HD monitor. In addition to the standard A/V inputs in back of the TV, there's an input block conveniently located on the left edge.

We first evaluated the DV3750's handling of over-the-air HDTV, PC-based Microsoft Windows Media HD video, and DVD videos played on our reference Denon DVD-3910. Brightness was ample for a well-lit room (as it is with most LCD TVs), but the backlight controls lacked the adjustment granularity and range of those on the LVM-37w1. (On an LCD TV, an adjustable backlight is the ideal way to optimize light output for eye comfort without sacrificing light or dark picture detail.)

We also noticed significant visual differences between images from the component and DVI video inputs. Component video lost dark detail, though DVI was normal. When we tried to correct the component-video quality by adjusting the brightness and contrast, changing one setting even slightly would affect the other, causing a loss of bright or dark detail. In the end, the factory default settings provided the best compromise. Finally, we were disappointed that tint adjustments were disabled for component and DVI video input.

Although the TV offers native 1080p resolution, we couldn't get that when using PC sources. Even through the DVI and VGA connections, the maximum progressive resolution we could achieve was 1,360 by 768 pixels. If your source is a PC, the Westinghouse LVM-37w1 remains a better choice for full 1080p resolution support.

The HQV benchmark-test DVD is a challenging test for any video processor, but the engine in the DV3750 turned in the lowest score we've seen yet. The display did a poor job of suppressing jagged edges in interlaced video and lacks controls for reducing video noise. We suspect there was some slight noise reduction taking place, but the monitor doesn't indicate whether it's performing any. The 2:3 pulldown/engagement process used to convert video sources that are based on film (which runs at 24 frames per second) to the 30 fps of television displays was sluggish, sacrificing image detail and introducing artifacts into the resulting picture until the process properly engaged. After, the image was normal.

Our objective measurements using a Konica Minolta CA-210 color analyzer revealed excessively high color temperatures, which caused the picture to have a bluish tint. The display's lowest color-temperature preset (more red) was still above the standard used in film and video production. But contrast-ratio measurements calculated from 9 points on an ANSI checkerboard test pattern were an impressive 787:1. In addition, the DV3750 ranked as the most evenly illuminated LCD to enter our lab. Corner to corner, it bested the uniformity of products from LCD giants such as Sharp and LG on this critical measurement.

The calibration test patterns from our Sencore VP-403 signal generator revealed that the DV3750 performed best with DVI. Resolution tests using that input showed excellent definition with 720p signals but some degradation of fine detail with 1080i signals. Fine detail was lost at component-video resolution with common signal formats (480i to 1080i). Overscan (the amount the picture extends beyond the edges of the display's active area) was nonexistent at 720p and was an acceptable 1 percent with 1080i signals.

The BenQ DV3750 LCD monitor produces an exceptionally uniform picture, and image quality is good when using its DVI input. But we're troubled by the TV's handling of component-video input, which was poor, causing a loss of fine and dark details in the picture. When you add the painfully ineffective adjustment controls that make proper calibration all but impossible and the inability to accept a 1080p signal from a PC, the combination makes the DV3750 disappointing as an HD monitor.

[via: pcmag.com]

Vizio L32 - LCD TV

2006-03-04T01:19:00.000-08:00

Barely sneaking in under the $1,000 price point, the 32-inch Vizio L32 ($999.99 list) is one of the least expensive LCD TVs currently offering high-definition resolution in an attractive, stylish design. The L32's bright and even picture isn't without some minor flaws, but it represents a good value for a relatively inexpensive flat-panel TV.

The L32 comes with a good selection of A/V connections for an HD monitor at this price. Centered on the rear of the display are one HDMI input, two component video inputs, as well as a VGA input for use with PCs. S-Video and composite video inputs located on the right side of the TV are easily accessible from the front. Nonremovable speakers positioned below the display yielded decent sound quality with no noticeable distortions. The L32's on-display controls were concealed under the lower-right edge of the TV's dark-gray bezel (just above the speaker housing) yet were easy to access and operate. The L32's comfortably rounded, slightly hourglass-shaped remote was easy to operate with one hand. The remote isn't equipped with a backlight or glowing keys, but the buttons are clearly labeled, and direct input selection is available for most A/V connections.

The L32's 31.5-inch panel (measured diagonally) offers a native resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio). PC input was limited to 1,280 by 720 pixels when using the TV's HDMI input, and VGA input came closest to the native resolution with 1,360 by 768 pixels. In addition to supporting a slightly higher resolution, use of the VGA input eliminated overscan (extension of the picture beyond the active portion of the screen). But although the L32 showed minimal overscan with other inputs, it was not flawless: Compared with the L32, the Westinghouse LTV-32w1 exhibited no overscan with 720p video or PC connections when using component, DVI, or VGA inputs. We're nitpicking, but an HD display should fill the screen properly when given HD-resolution imagery and not extend it (even slightly) beyond the edges of the screen.

An unfortunate similarity that the L32 shares with the Westinghouse LTV-32w1 is poor component video when compared with digital video input. Our subjective examinations using DVD videos, Windows Media Video HD clips, and over-the-air HDTV revealed that the L32 was sacrificing dark detail and adding a slight green tinge to skin tones. Switching to the L32's HDMI input significantly reduced these issues. Attempting to correct these component video concerns revealed poorly designed on-screen menus. Although the menus are easy to navigate, they are poorly placed in the middle of the screen, making it difficult to visualize the effect that picture adjustments have on overall image quality. Not since the Optoma RD50A have we seen a TV that failed to minimize the selected adjustment to the bottom (or top) of the screen. We hope we never see such an obstructing menu layout again.

In the lab, the L32's "Vivid2" picture mode registered very good primary color accuracy but showed more variance that we like to see in grayscale tracking (color measurements of stepped levels from black to white.) During testing, we observed that skin tones in dark scenes looked too red, and the tracking measurement confirmed this observation.

We use the HQV Benchmark DVD to gauge a television's video-processing capabilities. This DVD contains a challenging array of synthetic and real-world video tests designed to evaluate how well a television handles common video-related tasks such as deinterlacing, noise reduction, and detail preservation. The L32 scored lowest among the 32-inch LCD TVs we have seen to date. The flag-waving video portion of the test revealed some jagged-edge artifacts, and noise reduction was practically nonexistent. In addition, the L32 was slow to engage 3:2 pulldown for film-based video (24 frames per second), producing visible moiré artifacts in the grandstands of the racetrack clip as well as loss of detail until it properly engaged. The panning shot of the bird statue in the Gladiator DVD (chapter 12) also highlighted this issue, since flickering edges and other artifacts detracted from the viewing experience. As with most consumer televisions, the L32 would benefit from being paired with a decent DVD player that performs proper pulldown to ensure the best picture quality.

The Vizio L32 offers high-definition resolution at an affordable price. Though we were disappointed by the TV's component video quality when compared with digital video input, this is an all-too-common trait among the value-priced HD monitors we have seen. For digital video enjoyment, the L32 is a strong performer with good color accuracy and picture detail. But if component video is equally important to you, the Proview RX-326 is a more consistent performer.

[via: pcmag.com]

Proview RX-326 - LCD TV

2006-03-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

The 32-inch Proview RX-326 ($949.99 list) is an LCD TV that offers high-definition resolution at an affordable price. It produced some of the most eye-pleasing imagery we've seen on a TV at this price, but our lab testing revealed some quirks that will disappoint video purists.

We found the RX-326's dark gray bezel and matching, ellipse-shaped table stand attractive in an understated way. The TV's side-mounted speakers are not removable, but provided decent sound quality with no signs of clipping at maximum volume. Its simulated surround-sound mode was quite effective at creating a sound field that seemed to emanate from all directions.

The A/V inputs on the RX-326 are grouped on a downward-facing, recessed panel on the rear of the display. The selection of connections includes an HDMI input, a component input, and a VGA connection for use with PCs. The lack of an over-the-air HD tuner technically makes the RX-326 an "HD Ready" TV, but a NTSC tuner is provided for standard definition analog reception. The LCD panel used in the RX-326 offers a native 1,366- by 768-pixel resolution. Though home theater PC users can drive the RX-326 using either the HDMI (using a DVI-to-HDMI cable) or the VGA input, only the VGA input eliminated overscan (extension of the edge of the picture beyond the active portion of the display) without requiring adjustments in the video card's driver control panel.

The RX-326's slender remote control has curved edges that make for comfortable single-hand operation. It lacks a backlight or glowing keys for use in dimly lit environments, but every button was clearly labeled, and the layout provided ample tactile feedback. The controls on the display are conveniently located on the top right edge of the TV. The RX-326's menu system provided resolution and signal information for selected inputs. We were disappointed, however, to find that using the component input disabled hue (tint) adjustments, and using HDMI input disabled all the picture controls except brightness and contrast.

Our subjective viewing examinations included the use of DVD videos, Windows Media Video HD movies, and standard and high-definition over-the-air TV. The RX-326 generated the most compliments among our viewers when compared side by side with LCD TVs of a similar price and size. We did notice some slight banding in scenes containing finely graduated light-to-dark transitions, such as the river flyby in the opening scene of The Magic of Flight (WMV HD) and the scene in The Fifth Element where Bruce Willis awakes in a dark room lit only by red light, but that artifact wasn't overly distracting and was almost unnoticeable at appropriate viewing distances.

LCD TVs in the RX-326's price range typically use an older LCD technology that isn't so adept at maintaining good color saturation when viewed at an angle. Though the image is usually visible even at extreme angles, it can appear washed out; viewing the RX-326 from more than 20 degrees off center in any direction made colors look noticeably faded. Other similarly priced LCD TVs we have seen typically start to fade around 30 degrees. The latest LCD panels, which are more expensive, can be viewed at 50 or 60 degrees before colors fade.

In the lab, the RX-326's warm-color-temperature preset produced colors that came closest to the standard used in film and video production. Unlike other LCD TVs, such as the Vizio L32 or the Westinghouse LTV-32w1, it didn't suffer from degraded color quality when using component video input. We measured the RX-326's contrast ratio at 595:1 (ANSI checkerboard test pattern), just above average among LCD TVs. Its average bright value was comparable to the best LCD TVs we have seen, but the more important average dark level was a bit brighter than we would have preferred, making black appear grayish in dimly lit environments. Unfortunately, the RX-326 lacks a backlight adjustment, which will optimize an LCD TV's light output to suit the conditions in the viewing environment.

We use the HQV Benchmark DVD to gauge a television's video-processing capabilities. This DVD contains a challenging array of synthetic and real-world video tests designed to evaluate how well a television handles common video-related tasks such as deinterlacing, noise reduction, and detail preservation. The RX-326 failed to engage 3:2 pulldown properly for film-based video (24 frames per second), producing visible moiré artifacts and losing detail. With film-based DVD videos such as Gladiator, we noticed significant flicker in scenes containing fine detail and motion. This issue can be resolved by pairing this LCD TV with an upconverting DVD player that performs proper 3:2 pulldown. The RX-326's adjustable noise-reduction function was a rare find for an LCD TV at this price, and though not perfect, it eliminated most noise without significant blurring or loss of detail.

The RX-326 offers HD resolution at an affordable price. The Vizio L32 has more input options and the Westinghouse LTV-32w1 offers more comprehensive image controls with all A/V inputs, but our eyes preferred the image quality and consistent A/V input performance of the RX-326 to those of other LCD TVs in this price category.

[via: pcmag.com]

Westinghouse LTV-32w1 - LCD TV

2006-03-01T01:28:00.000-08:00

The 32-inch Westinghouse LTV-32w1 ($900 street) LCD TV struck us with a sense of déjà vu, as it's cosmetically similar to the company's larger 37-inch LVM-37W1 television that we previously reviewed. The similarities carried over into our lab testing, as the LTV-32w1 has many of the strengths and weaknesses of its larger sibling. It delivers impressive high-definition image quality when fed a digital signal but falls short when receiving analog.

The LTV-32w1's LCD panel is bordered by an attractive silver and dark-gray bezel with matte finish. A somewhat distracting, bright blue LED on the front of the TV can be disabled via the setup menu. The TV's bottom-mounted speaker is nonremovable, but its location gives the LTV-32w1 the illusion of being larger than 32-inch widescreen TVs with side-mounted speakers. Subjectively, we felt the sound quality of the LTV-32w1's stereo speakers lacked the warmth produced by the speakers on the Proview RX-326, but this may very well have been due to the differences in speaker positioning. We noticed no distortion or other anomalies at high volume, and even in a large room, the LTV-32w1 was almost painfully loud at maximum volume.

The LTV-32w1 offers a native resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels. The selection of A/V connections includes a DVI input that is HDCP-enabled for use with protected sources such as cable or satellite TV set-top boxes. Two component video inputs are supplied, as well as a VGA connection for use with PCs. We were impressed that 720p video signals as well as PC input (DVI or VGA) exhibited no overscan (extension of the edges of the picture beyond the active portion of the display), and 1080i signals showed only a slight overscan. The lack of an over-the-air HD tuner places the LTV-32w1 in the "HD ready" category, but an integrated NTSC tuner is provided for standard-definition analog reception.

Most A/V connections are integrated into a block that protrudes 2 inches from the rear of the thin display. The face of the input block features VESA-compliant mounting holes with the inputs located along the left and right sides for easy access. However, this configuration doesn't allow a lot of finger room for making cable connections—especially on the VGA and DVI inputs closest to the back of the display. Spacing between individual inputs was adequate for the oversized interconnects common with premium A/V cables, though. An additional composite video input with stereo audio input jacks is located on the lower left side of the TV for easy access from the front of the display. While composite video output is available on most digital still cameras, it remains the "lowest order of life in video" and should be avoided if possible. The Vizio L32 has a similar set of side input jacks but includes a higher-quality S-Video connection as well for improved picture quality.

Westinghouse equipped the LTV-32w1 with a visually pleasing on-screen menu that offers adjustable transparency and positioning. The monitor's display modes, including picture-in-picture and picture-beside-picture, had surprisingly few source limitations. Image-scaling options functioned with standard and high-definition sources, but we were mildly disappointed that non-widescreen (4:3 aspect ratio) video being broadcast in HD couldn't be stretched to fill the entire display. (To be fair, we have yet to see a LCD TV in this category that has this functionality, but it would be nice.)

Our subjective viewing examinations included the use of DVD videos and Windows Media Video HD movies, as well as standard and high-definition over-the-air TV. The LTV-32w1's display defaults using component video input produced a cool image (whites appearing slightly bluish), and shadows and other dark detail appeared too dark, obscuring detail. (Don't try to watch a night scene in The Matrix with the display default on; you'll see nothing but shadows.) Switching the LTV-32w1 to its warmest color temperature preset yielded a more natural-looking picture, but it wasn't until we switched to DVI input that we felt the dark detail was where it should be. When viewing HDTV and standard-definition content, the LTV-32w1 looked best when receiving digital video input.

Inexpensive 32-inch LCD HDTV monitors like the LTV-32w1 use an older LCD technology that isn't as adept at maintaining good color saturation when viewed at an angle. At angles of 30 degrees or more, we noticed that the LTV-32w1's color saturation began to fade. Compared with the 32-inch Proview RX-326, the Westinghouse LTV-32w1 gave us about 10 degrees more of a viewing angle (from all sides) before the colors began to fade.

In the lab, we continue to be impressed by the ability of Westinghouse LCD TVs to produce very bright imagery and very dark black levels. The LTV-32w1 managed a record-shattering 833:1 ANSI contrast ratio (checkerboard test pattern) using its maximum backlight setting and 834:1 ANSI contrast ratio at its minimum backlight settings. An adjustable backlight control—one of the most important features any LCD TV can offer—is an ideal tool for optimizing the light output of a TV for the lighting conditions of the viewing environment without significantly altering color quality or image detail. Ideally, day and night viewing presets would be built into every TV, but an adjustable backlight at least supplies a single setting that can be used to make the TV as bright as possible for daytime viewing and dark enough at night to ensure that blacks appear inky dark rather than a dingy gray. In addition, we have yet to see another manufacturer match the range and granularity of the backlight controls found on Westinghouse LCD TVs.

Our image uniformity and color accuracy tests using the LTV-32w1's DVI input were above average, with consistent performance from black to peak white. By contrast, the similarly priced Vizio L32 produced imagery that appeared overly red in the darker portions of the picture, while proper color balance was achieved only at peak white (red, blue, and green at maximum luminance). Our Radiant Imaging colorimeter did detect a single stuck pixel centered near the top of the LCD, but we found it wasn't noticeable or in any way distracting at typical viewing distances.

We use the HQV Benchmark DVD to gauge a television's video-processing capabilities. This DVD contains a challenging array of synthetic and real-world video tests designed to evaluate how well a television handles common video-related tasks such as deinterlacing, noise reduction, and detail preservation. The LTV-32w1 managed to produce better results than other LCD TVs in this category, including the Proview RX-326 and the Vizio L32. The LTV-32w1's DCDi (Directional Correlational DeInterlacing) video processor from Faroudja helped suppress jagged-line artifacts in the test's video clips, and 3:2 pulldown detection (for film-based video) worked well. Noise reduction appeared poor, and the LTV-32w1 provided no adjustable settings to gauge its effectiveness.

The Westinghouse LTV-32w1 has the best contrast ratio we've measured to date, but we continue to be disappointed by Westinghouse's treatment of analog inputs. Driven digitally, the LTV-32w1 is one of the best-performing HD monitors in this category. Its component video inputs, however, make it more suitable for console gaming than for critical viewing of quality video.

[via: pcmag.com]

HP Pavilion MD6580n

2006-02-21T21:37:00.000-08:00

HP might be best known for its expertise with PCs and printers, but its first big-screen rear-projection TV is a home run. An extra-sharp picture with deep blacks and vivid color make the $5,000 set the best-performing DLP HDTV I’ve ever reviewed.

A lot can go wrong when a PC maker tries to elbow its way into the living room, but HP did its homework for its line of rear-projection HDTVs. It started with Texas Instruments’ latest DLP technology, which offers the highest resolution yet: 1080p. But resolution alone does not an impressive picture make, and this TV’s color accuracy, depth of black, and clean processing all contribute to its excellent images. There’s also a very clever illuminated front input bay that will forever eliminate trips to the rear of the TV. And this is the only HDTV in its class that can accept tomorrow’s ultra-high-rez 1080p sources via its all-digital HDMI inputs. With these kinds of chops, HP’s MD6580n is the rare rookie who’s also a contender for MVP.

Source: soundandvisionmag

Sony KDS-R50XBR1

2006-02-20T21:28:00.000-08:00

Sony scores with a slam-dunk on the first attempt to bring its high-end SXRD technology to the mainstream. This rear-projection HDTV’s 1080p-resolution picture, eye-catching design, and reasonable $4,000 price make it the set of choice in 50-inch screens — a size that’s just big enough for viewers to really dive into the excitement of HDTV.

The company took a jumble of tech jargon — three-chip, LCoS, discrete pixels, 1080p — and proved it’s more than just hype with a TV you know is special the moment you turn it on. SXRD is Sony’s unique spin on LCoS, a technology that had lagged behind DLP before Sony got into the game. The set’s SXRD light engine delivers exceptionally crisp, seamless pictures, and its powerful Auto Iris feature helps draw out deep blacks and solid shadow detail from the darkest movies. There’s also plenty to like here for sports fans — the superior contrast and natural color rendition can make a blustery afternoon game at Giants Stadium look just as real as if you were sitting at the 50-yard line.

Video connoisseurs will find a lot to like, too. In addition to a wide range of settings for tweaking the picture, the set offers a number of modes to help get rid of the grainy look that can plague standard-definition programs when they’re shown on a high-rez screen. There’s also the generous array of A/V connections. I could go on singing this Sony’s praises, but its Best Video Product award in a year packed with excellent, innovative TVs says it all.

Source: soundandvisionmag

NEC PX-42XR3A

2006-02-12T21:47:00.000-08:00

This is the panel for image geeks. In our side-by-side review of eight 42-inch plasma sets, NEC's PX-42XR3A placed second for overall picture quality (behind the Philips 42PF9966/37). But it blew away all competitors for HDTV display.

The NEC took top honors for showing detail and came in second for color quality. On an HDTV clip from a classic car show, for instance, it captured the rich, deep red of a sports car and crisply displayed the glossy chrome bars of the auto's front grille. Some of the other TVs we tested, including a close rival from Philips, showed a slight shimmering effect in the grille. Also unlike the Philips, the NEC experienced no problems with any HDTV formats sent through its digital video input. (Analog component input at 480 progressive looked quite crisp, too.)

But the NEC is just a monitor. Our review model, priced at $3500, lacks speakers. (NEC sells a pair of eight-watt units for an extra $350.) And the panel has no TV-tuning capabilities; you must team it with an over-the-air receiver or a cable or satellite box to enjoy its fine HDTV performance.

You don't get the best set of connection options, either. The PX-42XR3A lacks a connector for HDMI cables, having instead a single bulky DVI port for digital hookups. The next-best option is its two sets of component inputs.

The monitor's design is quite plain, as well. The screen has just a simple thin frame (available in silver or charcoal gray). A utilitarian pair of T-shaped stands costs $249, but this panel would certainly look better hung on a wall. A relative featherweight at only 65 pounds, it should provide less of a mounting challenge than most of its competitors.

The bare-bones design and quirky connectors hint at NEC's traditional role as a maker of displays for commercial and corporate use. That's also evident in the included documentation--a thin booklet that might suffice for IT professionals or video types--and in the on-screen display. The interface is a simple, text-based affair without snazzy icons or other fancy features, but the layout is clear and easy to navigate.

Plus, the menus offer a high level of controllability. For instance, the PX-42XR3A is the only one of the eight TVs we reviewed to include a gamma control, which lets you adjust the rate at which brightness ramps up from dark to light and is helpful for refining shadow detail at medium brightness levels. This set is also one of the few to permit fine-tuning of color levels, in this case allowing users to balance the levels of primary (red, green, blue) and secondary (cyan, magenta, yellow) colors.

Upshot: The PX-42XR3A may offer too few amenities to satisfy many consumers. But its great image quality and low price make it a fine choice for people who want to hook up their set to an external HDTV tuner.

Source: pcworld

Sony WEGA KDE-42XS955

2006-02-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

Its sound performance--from the pair of 25-watt integrated side speakers and the 50-watt removable rear-mounted subwoofer--was solid, with plenty of power, clean tones, and minimal distortion at high volume. Unfortunately, this TV's good quality traits end there.

Our judges especially noted its timid color and soft details. When calibrating the Sony, we chose its "Pro" image preset as the best match for our criteria. But muted color appeared to be a characteristic of that setting. So we also tried shifting to the "Standard" preset and pushing up the color level to better match the other TVs. But pushing the color much higher mainly served to reduce accuracy by introducing an orangey glow. (Like most of the eight TVs we reviewed, the KDE-42XS955 doesn't allow users to adjust individual red, green, and blue primary colors, so we couldn't fine-tune color biases.)

The silver-and-gray cabinet design is handsome. A card reader on the side of the panel allows you to view slide shows of digital pictures from your camera, assuming it uses Sony's Memory Stick flash media format. Unlike most other brands, Sony supports only its own format, not the more common CompactFlash and SD Card formats.

The TV allows you to save custom settings for each input and--huzzah!--you can save more than one for each input. This allows videophiles to calibrate for each source under various lighting conditions (such as daytime and nighttime). The KDE-42XS955 provides just three image modes (Pro, Standard, and Vivid), but they offer only starting points; you can change all of their parameters (such as color level and brightness), for up to three user-defined modes.

Upshot: Solid audio can't make up for this TV's poor color quality and detail rendering.

Source: pcworld

Fujitsu P42HHA40US

2006-02-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

The P42HHA40US earned high praise in one important category: It took second place (behind the NEC PX-42XR3A) for displaying high-definition TV. The high score came in part from its bright images and relatively good rendering of detail.

But its color performance was subpar, ranking near the bottom. Like other poor performers, such as the Sony KDE-42XS955, the Fujitsu was weakest in reds. What should have been a candy-apple-colored sports car in one HDTV segment was instead the hue of a tomato-cream sauce. And in high-def clips from a talk show and a sitcom, faces looked rather pale. Adjusting the overall color level, and even adjusting the primary colors individually (which this TV allows), failed to produce saturated red tones.

Making those or any other adjustments can be quite a chore because of the Fujitsu's incomprehensible menus. The TV has, for example, two different contrast controls, one called "Signal Contrast" and the other "Drive Contrast." Neither the on-screen menus nor the manual offers a clear description of how the two differ. (After contacting Fujitsu, we learned that "Signal Contrast" corresponds to the regular contrast control on other TVs--the one we needed for our calibration. We're still not positive what the other one does.)

Like the NEC PX-42XR3A, the Fujitsu is a plain monitor, without a television tuner or speakers (though a pair of 20-watt units sells for a reasonable $199). One notable bonus over the NEC is that the Fujitsu has an HDMI port, instead of a DVI connection. But that feature isn't worth an extra $2000--the difference between the two products' street prices.

Upshot: This panel has pretty good image quality; but uneven performance, awkward design, and a relatively high price keep it well out of the running.

Source: pcworld

Dell W4200HD

2006-02-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

A little perspective is very valuable. The Dell W4200HD took top honors when we first reviewed it in comparison with plasma TVs from two other companies (HP and ViewSonic) that are also better known for their PC products. The Dell won that match by offering the best picture, but we cautioned then that its color quality might not hold up as well against models from more-established TV makers.

And that's indeed what happened in our latest review of eight models: The W4200HD took last place for overall quality and for five of our seven subcategories (HDTV, DVD, bright-light viewing, color quality, and brightness and contrast). And its seventh-place showing for standard-definition content and fifth-place rank for detail were not great honors, either. Of the eight models we tested, it landed in sixth overall.

Most noticeable were the set's color failings. During calibration, we saw only unpleasant choices--settings that made the screen a bit too red or way too blue. We chose the former, as it measured closer to the industry-standard color temperature of 6500 Kelvin. (With HDMI input, which we use for all TVs supporting it, the Dell does not allow users to custom-configure the color by tweaking the red, green, and blue levels.)

But close wasn't close enough. The TV put way too much red in what should have been neutral shades; faces, for example, had an unnatural orange glow. However, the set didn't have enough oomph to reproduce saturated reds, as we should have seen in high-def footage from a classic car show or in Tobey Maguire's jersey in the Seabiscuit DVD. And programs received via the Dell's over-the-air tuner looked a bit washed out, as well. Our previous review commended the Dell's solid black levels, and we stand by that assessment, but that achievement was far overshadowed by the poor color performance.

The results were especially disappointing because the W4200HD seems like it should be a far better TV. The slim, silver-edged panel looks sharp, as does the wide black tabletop stand. Like the Pioneer PDP-4350PU, Dell's TV comes with detachable speakers, so you can eliminate clutter if you opt to go with a separate surround-sound system instead of the bundled speakers. Dell also includes stands for the speakers, providing a third audio setup option.

The remote control alone is worthy of a design award. Petite and glossy black with silver accents and buttons, it looks far more grown-up than the plastic lumps that come with most TVs. And despite having minimal buttons, it's handier than most competitors. The four-way directional pad, for example, provides volume adjustment (left and right) and channel selection (up and down); but when you enter the TV's nicely illustrated menus, it becomes a navigational control.

In addition, the TV is rich in connection options, including one each for HDMI and DVI, and a generous three component-input sets. It also accepts both analog (VGA) and digital (DVI) input from a computer (perfect for hooking up a high-end media center PC). Stereo plus composite and S-Video inputs tucked on the side of the panel offer convenience without being unsightly. The one notable omission, however, is a slot for a CableCard. The set's built-in ATSC tuner can receive digital broadcasts only from an antenna. For HDTV from cable or satellite services, a set-top box is required.

The unit's audio is adequate. The twin speakers, rated at 20 watts each, sounded a bit softer than those on some competing TVs, such as the LG 42PX4D and Pioneer PDP-4350PU. And its one surround-sound option, SRS True Surround XT, was not as enveloping as the audio on those other models. But the speakers are powerful enough to fill an average room, and they handled even heavy bass with minimal distortion at high volume.

Upshot: The W4200HD's stellar industrial design is not matched with commensurate performance.

Source: pcworld

Pioneer Pro-FHD1

2006-02-08T23:51:00.000-08:00

1080p native resolution promises to deliver every detail of 1080i, the highest-resolution HDTV format, but until now it was available in only DLP and LCoS rear-projection HDTVs and flat-panel LCD HDTVs. Now 1080p is coming to plasma. Pioneer will be among the first to put the pixel-rich panels in stores, and its first 1080p plasma is also the smallest announced at CES. (Panasonic also announced a 65-incher, and larger concept pieces were on display from Samsung and LG.)

The 50-inch Pioneer Elite Pro-FHD1 has more than double the number of pixels--1,920x1,080--found on previous 50-inch plasmas, which offer either 1,280x768 or 1,366x768 resolution. Pioneer mentioned a number of enhancements, but the most important is simply smaller pixels: the panel's pixels are 35 percent smaller than those of its predecessors.

Uniquely, the Pro-FHD1 will not be equipped with any sort of tuning capability--it's simply a monitor and doesn't have the external media center found on current models. Pioneer's rep explained that tuners were omitted from the first-generation version as a cost-cutting measure and also to reduce interference that may result from having RF circuitry inside the panel itself. Like most of the 1080p-capable displays we saw at the show and unlike most on the market now, the Pro-FHD1 will be able to accept 1080p formats via its HDMI inputs.

We saw a demo of the Pro-FHD1 in Pioneer's booth, where the panel was connected via HDMI to the company's Blu-ray player running a mixture of 1080p and 1080i native demo material. The 1080p images of Chicken Little looked stunningly detailed from a viewing distance of about three feet, and it certainly seemed to deliver on the promise of the higher resolution. We'll have an opportunity to evaluate the panel in-depth once Pioneer ships a working sample. The Pro-FHD1 will be available in June 2006 for $8,000, roughly twice as much as the company's current-generation 50-inch plasma.

Source: cnet

Maxent MX-50X3

2006-02-07T23:43:00.000-08:00

As with almost all 50-inch plasmas on the market, the Maxent MX-50X3 has a native resolution of 1,366x768--that's plenty of pixels to resolve all of the detail in 720p HDTV sources. All incoming resolutions, including HDTV, DVD, standard TV, and computers, are scaled to fit the available pixels.

Like some rival models, namely the V Vizio P50HDM and the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK, the Maxent MX-50X3 skips many of the convenience features found on most HDTVs. The set lacks a built-in ATSC tuner for off-air HDTV broadcast reception, a standard TV tuner, and a CableCard slot. In other words, to watch HDTV or standard TV on the Maxent, you'll need to connect either a cable or satellite box or a set-top off-air receiver. PIP (picture-in-picture) is just about the only convenience feature of note.

There are a few picture-enhancing and setup features worth mentioning but not many. Selectable color temperatures include Warm, Natural, and Cool, with Warm being relatively close to the broadcast-standard color temperature of 6,500K. Position and size controls are handy since they give you the ability to center the picture on the screen properly and further reduce the set's overscan. We also appreciated the Maxent MX-50X3's independent input memories.

Connection options are adequate if not overly generous. Unfortunately, there is only one HDMI input--we'd like to see at least two, as found on the rival Vizio mentioned above, so that you could hook up both a scalable DVD player and an HDTV set-top box, for example, to separate digital inputs. Analog inputs abound: we counted two component-video and two A/V inputs with S-Video and composite video. There is one 15-pin VGA input for computers (as high as 1,280x1,024 resolution), a pass-through VGA output, and an RS-232 control port for programming touch-panel remotes. On the audio side, you'll find a subwoofer output and a set of stereo audio outputs as well. Missing from the list is a set of easy-access front-panel A/V inputs.

Source: cnet

Dell W3201C

2006-01-21T23:07:00.000-08:00

If not for a couple of glaring faults, the Dell W3201C would be our favorite LCD television set. It comes in an attractive cabinet that swivels fluidly, as if its stand were mounted on a hydraulic post. And its speakers were so good, I had to double-check to make sure they came as standard equipment with the set.

The tall, thin speakers can mount on the sides of the set or on the included stands. The sound is powerful and very clear, with great separation that you can further improve by moving the speakers farther out to the sides. You can also choose from sound modes such as those for voice and movies--good for folks who have trouble discriminating among concurrent sounds. You'll even find a port for a powered subwoofer on the back panel of the set.

The W3201C was the only set in our current test group to include two HDMI ports, which are great for connecting both a cable set-top box and a DVD player, for example. It has dual tuners, too, but it doesn't have a CableCard slot, so you can use the digital tuner only for over-the-air digital broadcasts; you'll still need a set-top box to bring in cable or satellite broadcasts.

The remote control is pleasing, and its buttons feel substantial; when you press a button, you know it's going to work. But the buttons are extremely shiny, and glare from external lighting sources makes the labels hard to see. They light up when you push them, though.

Unfortunately, in image quality this set ended up last, trailing behind the other four tested sets in the group. Many screens looked too dark, with garish, oversaturated colors. Dell provides good color controls, however, so you could probably tune some of that out; the unit's on-screen controls are attractive, and you can vary their opacity so you can see what you're adjusting.

Upshot: The W3201C would be a runaway winner, if only its image quality were better and it had a CableCard slot.

Source: pcworld

JVC LT-32X776

2006-01-20T23:02:00.000-08:00

The JVC LT-32X776 has a couple of attributes that make it seem a little old-fashioned. Its large, opaque on-screen menus look as if they came from a CRT set made in 1989, and they obscure the picture you're trying to adjust. The large remote control, though functional, is about as bland as they come. The TV's panel swivels and tilts, but it doesn't tilt easily, and the unit wobbles a bit on its stand. The set's speakers don't detach; they rest in a thin panel below the screen.

However, the set has a nice selection of input and output ports, including an HDMI port, as well as two FireWire ports for importing from a DV camcorder or exporting to a digital-VHS deck. It also has a CableCard slot and two internal tuners so you can forgo the set-top box to receive digital broadcasts. It has a neat twin-screen picture-in-picture mode, but you can't swap screens if you're viewing something that's coming in through the HDMI port. Also, if you accidentally hit the channel-up button instead of the volume-up button while viewing a DVD, it switches the input, and you'll need to take a minimum of 15 seconds to switch the input back to DVD.

In our image-quality judging, the LT-32X776 scored near the average on all of our tests. High-definition and standard-definition programming looked a tad dull, but our judges gave it high marks for DVD playback; of the test group, only the Samsung LN-R328W scored higher on that test. Compared with some of the other sets in our test group, the LT-32X776 does not have extensive color adjustments.

Upshot: This set has a nice selection of features, but it would benefit from a little style update.

Source: pcworld

Sharp Aquos LC-32D6U

2006-01-19T22:59:00.000-08:00

Look at the back panel of the Sharp Aquos LC-32D6U, and you could mistake it for the back of HP's LC3200N--that's because Sharp makes many of the components of the HP model, including the glass. The on-screen menus look identical too, except that the LC3200N adds six-color adjustments for hue, saturation, and image value. The LC3200N also has more ports than the Aquos, though the Aquos has plenty of them. However, unlike HP, Sharp says you can't connect a cable set-top box to its set's HDMI port; you have to use the unit's component inputs instead.

By a very narrow margin, the Aquos earned the top mark among our current test group for display of high-definition programming. It also received the best marks of the group for standard-definition programming by a pretty healthy margin; but as on all HD sets we've tested, SD content still looked grainy, with garish colors. It also did well when displaying a DVD movie, but our judges liked the DVD image quality of the Samsung LN-R328W even more--as a result, the Aquos came in second overall in image quality. We noted, though, that Sharp's alternate picture modes (such as movie mode or dynamic mode) greatly improved its image quality.

Sharp touts a "Quick Shoot" mode in which the panel's pixel response time is less than 12ms, but I couldn't see a difference in the content we use to test TVs. I saw only a hint of ghosting--about the same amount as with the other LCD TVs we've tested recently. Our judges noted too that the color shifted slightly depending on the angle of view; again, that was common to all of the sets in the test group.

The Aquos comes in a bronze-tone cabinet with a speaker panel that attaches below the screen. The speakers project a pretty good virtual surround-sound mode, but the audio quality is just average. Though the screen tilts and swivels, you need to put in lots of effort to tilt the screen exactly where you want it, and the feet on the stand included with our test unit wobbled so much that we had to put magazines under the feet to stabilize it. The long, thin remote control has tiny buttons that require a very firm push to actuate.

Upshot: The Aquos has a fine picture, but for $100 less HP's similar unit offers even greater control over image quality, as well as more ports.

Source: pcworld

HP LC3200N

2006-01-18T22:54:00.000-08:00

Usually you buy a television to look at the screen, but the back panel of the HP LC3200N is pretty impressive too, as it has an incredible number of ports to which you can connect other equipment; it even has FireWire ports for showing footage from a digital video camcorder or exporting to a digital-VHS deck. The one addition we'd like to see is a second HDMI port

You'll find a large selection of on-screen color controls, as well. Though this panel is made by Sharp and is very similar to the Sharp Aquos LC-32D6U, the HP set adds six-color hue, saturation, and image-value adjustments. (We couldn't take full advantage of those controls in our image-quality tests, however, because we use standard settings and a set calibration routine.) The HP set trailed the Aquos unit in overall image quality, though it came very close in high-definition programming and in DVD playback. As with the Aquos, switching to this set's alternate picture modes (most of which are customizable) gave us a more attractive image.

The LC3200N's screen, which is surrounded by a shiny black bezel, sits on a humongous silver base that makes the set very stable but isn't elegant. The speakers can mount on the sides of the screen, making the panel look even wider than it is. The TV has a Dolby Virtual surround-sound mode that's somewhat effective, but the speakers' audio quality is merely adequate. The long, thin remote control has cheap-feeling buttons, though they are backlit.

Upshot: The LC3200N didn't win our image-quality tests, but it does have a wide array of ports to connect racks full of equipment, and its extensive image adjustments should help you get the picture you want.

Source: pcworld

Samsung LN-R328W

2006-01-17T22:47:00.000-08:00

Compared with the other televisions tested in the same group, the Samsung LN-R328W is a basic, no-frills set. Since it lacks a CableCard slot and has only a single analog tuner, you'll have to use your cable box to receive digital signals. Its stand isn't adjustable; if you don't like the angle, you'll have to move the entire set. Thankfully, it weighs only 39 pounds, so it isn't terribly difficult to move, but other sets are much easier to adjust.

However, despite having only basic color adjustments, the LN-R328W won our image-quality judging pretty handily. Though it ran neck and neck with the HP LC3200N and the Sharp Aquos LC-32D6U in displaying high-definition and standard-definition programming, it ran away with the DVD tests, showing bright pictures with colors that were by far the most accurate of our test group.

Should you want to further tweak its color output, you can take advantage of a very useful side-by-side color control utility that lets you see what your settings look like before and after you make changes. No other set we've tested has had this feature, and it's a fantastic aid to getting good color quality.

The set has picture-in-picture capability, but with only a single internal tuner, the second picture must come from an external source, so it isn't that useful. Besides, the set switches among PIP sources very slowly.

Large speakers are integrated into a V-shaped plane below the screen; you can't remove them. Though the set has automatic volume leveling, I still noticed large variations in volume. The speakers sound just okay, but you can choose from a few sound modes, such as music, movie, speech, and custom; while speech mode works well to cut out some of the background noise so you can hear voices better, the movies mode gives you a fuller sound.

Upshot: Even though its features are pretty basic, this set's price isn't much less than the cost of competing models. But many people might choose this unit for its image quality, with ample justification.

source: pcworld

Mitsubishi LT-3050

2005-12-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

Mitsubishi's LT-3050 captured first place in our April 2005 wide-screen LCD TV roundup on the strength of superior image-quality scores and a solid set of features: If price is no object, this set--the most expensive one we looked at--is the way to go.

A few of the LCD TVs in our roundup did a good job of rendering programs shot in broad daylight but struggled with shaded or dimly lit scenes; the Mitsubishi, however, excelled in displaying all types of lighting.

Though it lacks preset picture modes (such as movie, sports, and video game) the LT-3050 provides individual settings for both primary (red, green, and blue) and secondary (yellow, magenta, and cyan) colors, permitting precise calibration. Like most of the other models we saw, the LT-3050 remembers color and other image settings for each input type--digital, component video, and so on. You also get six picture format sizes: standard, expand, zoom, stretch, narrow, and wide.

This 30-inch set is the only model here with a height-adjustable stand (you can raise or lower it by up to 2 inches) and the only one with a small subwoofer integrated with a stereo sound system that has 13 watts total--fine for a small space, but in a larger area we'd prefer more power. On-screen menus and universal remote functions are relatively simple to use, and the comprehensive manual includes an index and a troubleshooting section.

Upshot: Excellent adjustability and top-notch picture quality put the LT-3050 at the top of its class.

Source: pcworld

Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK

2005-12-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

The Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK is the best value for plasma shoppers who value image quality foremost. It offers more picture adjustments than its consumer brethren, the TH-50PX50U and the TH-50PX500U, which helps increase its overall performance for those who take the time to properly set it up. If you'd rather not worry about purchasing a stand or extra inputs, then it might not be for you, but if all you want is a spectacular picture with no frills and maximum customization options, the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK is the class of the 50-inch plasma pack.

Like most 50-inch plasmas, the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK has a native resolution of 1,366x768, which allows it to display every detail of 720p HDTV material. All sources, including standard TV, DVD, computer, and high-def, are scaled to fit the pixels.

The TH-50PHD8UK is missing a tuner and speakers, so you'll have to connect an external tuner, such as a cable or satellite box or even the tuner in a VCR, to watch television and an external audio system or the optional speakers to hear anything. It also skips all of the tuner features, such as favorite-channel lists, electronic program guides, and the like.

The Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK does offer a few conveniences, such as a versatile picture-in-picture function that includes inset, side-by-side, and picture-outside-picture (POP) options. This is one of the most flexible PIPs available, with the ability to show pretty much any two inputs, including PC and HDTV sources, simultaneously. On the other hand, we were disappointed to find that, while the plasma could switch between four aspect-ratio mode choices with standard-def sources, it couldn't change aspects with HDTV sources.

We really liked the TH-50PHD8UK's range of picture-enhancing options. Each of the three picture presets are fully adjustable and independent for each input, effectively offering three independent input memories for each source. The panel incorporates 2:3 pull-down detection in its video processing and offers three color-temperature presets. Advanced options, uncommon in most consumer displays but very welcome to picture tweakers, include custom color-temperature controls in the user menu, adjustable gamma, and even horizontal and vertical position and size controls for all inputs, not just for PC.

The Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK presents numerous screensavers for preventing and removing image retention, a.k.a. burn-in, including a scrolling white bar on a timer, an inverse color setting, and a mode that shifts the entire image slightly over time. And while any 50-inch plasma is a power hog (this particular beast is rated at 440 watts maximum consumption), we did like the several power-saving modes, including a peak brightness limiter and standby-mode power saving.

The sparse selection of video inputs is the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK's Achilles' heel. It can connect to a total of four sources and ships from the factory with three inputs: a fixed, VGA-style PC RGB input; a removable board with composite- and S-Video ports (only one is usable at a time); and a second board that can accommodate RGBHV or component-video sources. Note that you'll need inexpensive BNC-to-RCA adapters to connect standard RCA cables. The VGA input can handle PC resolutions up to the full 1,366x768 at 60Hz. Unlike the company's consumer panels, the professional series can accept PAL and SECAM TV signals through its video inputs.

In short, the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK is the best-performing plasma we've reviewed. Its image quality starts with its depth of black, which contributes to more powerful color saturation and extra "pop" in demanding home-theater viewing situations. Watching dark DVDs such as the excellent Batman Begins really showed off its strengths. The night sky above Gotham and the letterbox bars above and below the picture area looked suitably inky. We saw plenty of detail in shadows, such as the subtle bat logo and the fine stitching of Batman's suit.

We did see evidence of an inability to hold a consistent level of black, however, which contributed to some loss in shadow detail. With our setup, we noticed this loss mainly in scenes with roughly equal amounts of dark and light material. One good example occurred when Batman leapt out the window, covered in bright flames; some of the bricks in the buildings in the foreground were swallowed in shadow.

The Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK's color accuracy is excellent, characterized by color decoding with no red push, which allowed us to keep the color control set properly without sacrificing the fidelity of skin tones. The set's primary colors were off somewhat however: it evinced a slightly orangish red and yellowish green, compared to the standard for HD. Its color temperature before calibration in the warm setting was average with brighter grays tending toward the blue end of the spectrum, but after calibration, the grayscale was close to perfect. Another of the TH-50PHD8UK's strengths is a smooth, accurate gamma, which resulted in flat, neutral grays at all brightness levels.

Compared to most other plasmas we've reviewed, the Panasonic reproduced difficult, often noisy areas relatively cleanly. The fog and mist in the background, as Batman races through the alley after being set on fire, looked smooth and free of major false contouring or video noise. Like all plasmas, the TH-50PHD8UK does reproduce some video noise in near-black areas, which appears as minute greenish or reddish specks, but it was essentially invisible from normal seating distances of, say, seven feet or more.

Naturally, HDTV looked even better than DVD. We watched a few HD basketball games on TNT, and the images' crispness and detail were superb, from the sheen of sweat on players' heads as they stood at the foul line to the intricacies of the wood grain in the floors. Graphics and text in particular were rock-solid, and colors had punch and vibrancy. The panel resolved component-video and DVI sources equally well according to our HD signal generator, and no sign of edge-enhancement was visible after we'd reduced sharpness to minimum.

Source: cnet.com

Hitachi 50VS810

2005-11-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of years, manufacturers have been striving to make their TVs look wider, flatter, and slimmer--in short, more like plasmas. The all-picture style is alive and well with the Hitachi 50VS810, which looks, from the front at least, almost exactly the same as the company's plasma sets. Go around to the side, however, and you'll see it's not exactly ready for wall mounting. While we loved its classy look and boatloads of features, its image quality, while very good, doesn't quite match that of competing microdisplays. That said, its excellent out-of-the-box settings will definitely appeal to people who don't want to spring for professional calibration, especially those who see rainbows with DLP sets.

The Hitachi 50VS810 offers similar performance to that of the 50V500 from last year, although the new reflective screen does hamper image fidelity when the lights are on. The VS810's main strengths are excellent out-of the-box settings (its precalibration picture is much more accurate than that of the Sony KDF-50WE655, for example) and plenty of control over the picture. Its weaknesses, especially compared to competing DLP-based sets such as the Samsung HL-P5085W, are lighter blacks and the screen-door effect. DLP technology, in particular, has improved since last year, so we gave the VS810 a lower performance mark than we did its predecessor.

When sitting closer than about eight feet to the 50VS810, we noticed signs of a screen-door effect--the result of being able to discern the spaces between pixels. For example, when the crew was exploring the planet's surface, what looked like a very faint grid appeared over the flashlight-lit background behind Captain Dallas. We didn't notice the grid from further back, and neither the JVC HD-52Z525 nor the Samsung evinced this effect.

A couple of other differences emerged when we compared the Hitachi to the JVC and the Samsung. The 50VS810 displayed less color uniformity across the screen. For example, we saw very faint discolorations in shots of cloudy skies. And while the Hitachi's geometry and convergence were excellent, with straighter lines than the other sets' and none of the fringing that marred the JVC's picture--we noticed that the entire image shrank and expanded as the picture content changed from light to dark and back. Bright areas left curious afterimages; for example, the cloudy ball from the THX intro left a reddish spot against the black background after it exploded.

HDTV looked excellent overall, with great detail and color saturation. When we watched the montage of images from the Digital Video Essentials DVD via 720p, we enjoyed superb color in the garish clothes of some frolicking kids and could see every link in a chain on a ferry across New York Harbor. With both HDMI and component video, our Accupel signal generator indicated that the set resolved more detail than the Samsung at 720p and 1080i and about as much as the JVC.

Source: cnet

Samsung LT-P326W

2005-11-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

Samsung is among the leaders in flat-panel computer monitors, and it's making a big push to topple Sharp in the flat-panel LCD TV market, too. The LT-P326W is a significant threat to Sharp's industry-leading LC-32GD4U, and although its image quality isn't quite as good, it offers a wider connectivity suite and slicker styling. If price is your first concern, you'll probably be happier with a no-name 32-inch set such as the Olevia LT32HV or the Kreisen KR-320T. This Samsung strikes a happy price medium between those sets and the Sharp, although we do wish it cost a couple hundred dollars less.

This 32-inch Samsung produces good-quality images for a flat-panel LCD, but it's not up to the level of Sharp's sets yet. Out of the box, the Movie preset and Warm color-temperature setting resulted in a fairly accurate home-theater picture. We calibrated the set and achieved a more accurate picture, naturally, but we couldn't compensate for the greenish darker areas completely. The rest of the grayscale was reasonably consistent.

The Samsung was able to get slightly darker overall than the Philips 32PF9996 we compared it to, with inkier letterbox bars and deeper shadows. But its shadow detail wasn't quite as good as that of the Philips. As Peter climbs the stairs to his run-down apartment, we could make out the lapels of his jacket on the Philips; on the Samsung, they were lost in shadow. Naturally, the Sony tube delivered superior shadow detail and black levels compared to either LCD.

As expected, HDTV via our DirecTV feed had even better detail and looked more saturated. We watched a little of Sunrise Earth on Discovery HD and noticed immediately that the Samsung did a good job of keeping video noise to a minimum. In one shot of a foggy morning in the Grand Tetons, the Dell W3000 and the Philips 32-inch LCD both introduced significantly more snowy interference in the trees.

The Samsung delivered very good resolution in 1080i mode compared to the Philips; conversely, its 720p picture via component video looked a bit softer. As with most such sets, the Samsung delivered a slightly sharper picture via its digital inputs than via component video. Strangely, however, the DVI input looked even sharper with high-def than did the HDMI input, while the difference between component and HDMI wasn't as great. As a result, we'd recommend using the DVI input for high-def.

Source: cnet

Panasonic 42PF9966 / 37

2005-11-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

Rich colors, bright images, and good detail helped the 42PF9966/37 earn the second-highest overall score in our jury tests of eight plasma TVs. We awarded it top marks for color quality and its ability to display both standard definition TV and DVDs.

Despite its high display performance, however, this Philips has a few quirks. For starters, it's fussy about input formats. Using both 1080i and 480p input over HDMI, the TV struggled to display so-called multiburst patterns--diagnostic screens from the Avia Pro DVD kit that are designed for testing TVs. The multibursts feature six swaths of parallel vertical lines that become progressively finer from the left to the right of the screen. Most TVs could resolve all the groups, or at least all but the far-right group, which sometimes blurred out. But on this TV, image quality started breaking down at the first group on some screens, and the far-right swath often looked like a swarm of mosquitoes. And in one of our HD test clips from a classic car show, we saw an artificial shimmering effect in the chrome bars of a sports car. Overall, though, our jury noticed no significant problems with the HDTV and DVD content in our test suite.

The TV did display a multiburst perfectly in the 720p format. Unlike any other TVs we reviewed, the Philips displays this format with its native 720 lines. Other TVs "upscale" the content by inserting additional pixels to fill the screen to the edges. But on the Philips, 720p images appear with a black border on the top and the bottom, as well as on both sides (in order to maintain the aspect ratio).

The audio system, with twin 15-watt speaker units, sounded clean, though not as full as on the rival LG 42PX4D. We especially liked the five-band equalizer, which allows more meaningful adjustments than the simple bass and treble controls on most TVs. In addition, the 42PF9966/37 provides four preset audio modes.

The Philips model's most unusual feature is its Ambilight system, which illuminates the wall behind the TV. The Ambilight throws "bias lighting" behind the set; videophiles recommend bias lighting as a method for reducing eyestrain in a dark room. Without it, so goes the theory, the iris must expand and contract rapidly in reaction to the changing brightness level of the video.

Some eye experts discount the eyestrain theory, saying that the eye can easily adjust to brightness fluctuations without experiencing strain. But regardless of the science, we found the Ambilight experience pleasant. A dark room seemed less confining with the mild glow around the set, and glancing away from and then back to the screen had a less jarring effect. In addition to providing several fixed shades, Ambilight can adjust its color and brightness to match the material on screen. Users who don't enjoy the Ambilight feature can disable it.

The list of remaining amenities is scant. The 42PF9966/37 has an integrated NTSC tuner for standard-definition analog broadcasts, but it lacks an ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air or cable-based digital signals. You'll need a separate receiver for digital cable or for HDTV. The unit has only one HDMI input, too, so you won't get top quality for more than one video source; you have to use the two analog component sets for other devices. You can custom calibrate for each video input, but for only one set of lighting conditions, as the other five video modes are not user adjustable. However, the set does have a sensor that it can use to adjust the screen to match the ambient room light.

Upshot: The 42PF9966/37 offers very high overall picture quality at a relatively low price. But it would be more appealing with an HD tuner and an extra digital video input.

Source: pcworld

Sony WEGA KDE-42XS955

2005-11-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY

2005-11-19T07:07:00.000-08:00

We've been fans of Panasonic's "industrial" plasmas since they were first introduced, and we're not the only ones. These bare-bones, all-picture plasmas consistently top the most-popular lists of online plasma retailers because they don't make you pay for stuff you (as an enthusiast) won't use: namely speakers, a tuner, a gaggle of inputs, and a fancy remote. The TH-42PHD7UY, Panasonic's latest 42-inch high-resolution industrial plasma panel, has a picture that's head and shoulders above its "consumer" 42-inch cousins, such as the TH-42PX25U/P, and demonstrably better than virtually all of its competition in the 42-inch size category. We say "high-resolution" because despite having more pixels than the otherwise-identical EDTV TH-42PWD7UY, this plasma doesn't have enough resolution to display every pixel of true HDTV (then again, no other 42-incher does). If you can get over the lack of inputs and add-ons, the TH-42PHD7UY is hands down the best value in high-resolution 42-inch flat-panel TVs.

Source: cnet

Sharp LC-37D7U

2005-11-19T06:56:00.000-08:00

Like its smaller cousin, this 37-incher boasts a full-fledged feature set, a slick design, and solid performance, including nice deep blacks (for an LCD) and clean video processing. All of that helps make the latest Aquos a tempting target for high-end LCD shoppers, but bargain-hunters and people who prize home-theater image quality will likely opt for plasma at this screen size.

Though it takes away from the wide-screen feel, this Sharp's bottom-mounted speaker enclosure will help the panel fit into a narrower entertainment center opening (it measures about 37 inches wide). The company also sells an identical version with side-mounted speakers, model LC-37D5U, for those who prefer the wider look.

At about 4 inches on each side of the screen, the two-tone silver-and-black bezel can't be called small, but it is tasteful, nonetheless. Unlike some panels with their absurd backlit logos, the LC-37D7U's understated facade is broken only by two small indicator lights in the lower-right corner. The power, input, channel up/down, and volume up/down buttons are located on top of the panel, tucked into its 4-inch depth. The unit rotates on the included stand but does not tilt, and of course numerous wall-mount options are available.

The large remote, which is very similar to last year's model, is backlit and comfortable to hold. Unfortunately, some or the buttons hide underneath a flip-up panel, and while many were easy to reach, a few, such as the illumination key, were a bit more awkward. A side-mounted button would've been great for illumination.

The LC-37D7U's native resolution of 1,366x768 is enough to display full 720p HDTV but not every pixel of 1080i; for that you'll need a set with 1080p native resolution, such as the Westinghouse LVM-37W1. The Sharp scales all incoming pictures to fit the available pixels. Both standard and ATSC tuners are on hand to serve up over-the-air analog and high-definition TV. Since this set is Digital Cable Ready with a CableCard slot, you don't necessarily need a cable box to watch digital and HD cable, provided you can pry a CableCard from your cable company's hands.

New for this year, Sharp includes the TV Guide electronic program guide, ostensibly so you don't lose out on the programming information ordinarily served up by your cable box. In our experience, and from reports of CNET readers throughout the country, the TV Guide feature seems to function erratically with some digital cable systems, failing to download program information in some cases. We can't say with any certainty whether it will work in your area.

Worthwhile features include independent input memories, color-temperature controls, and a full suite of color controls, which Sharp refers to as the Color Management System (CMS). Though somewhat effective, CMS is pretty complicated, even for advanced users. Aspect-ratio options number four: Side Bar (displays 4:3 sources properly), S. Stretch (for 4:3 sources; stretches the sides more than the center to fill the screen), Zoom (crops the top and bottom to fill the screen width), and Stretch (stretches program material evenly to fill the screen). Unfortunately, with high-def sources, you can't change aspect ratio at all.

Inputs are extensive and include two high-bandwidth component, one S-Video, two composite, three coaxial (one cable and two antenna), one HDMI, one RGB PC, and a pair of FireWire terminals that can be used to connect compatible D-VHS, Blu-ray, and hard drive recorders. There's also an A/V output with S-Video, along with one optical digital audio output.

The set's out-of-the-box image was definitely superior to that of most LCDs on the market. With A/V mode set to Movie and the color-temperature control set to low, the color temperature came very close to ideal on darker material and somewhat redder in bright areas. This left whites with a slight reddish-yellow cast that was noticeable in all program material but lent a decidedly filmlike look compared to the usual extremely blue cast found in so many TVs. We were unable to conduct a proper calibration prior to press time, but we were able to adjust some of the user controls to improve the image. For example, the color decoder evinced a red push that we were able to tame using the aforementioned CMS. And the primary colors, though slightly orangey in the reds, were also brought nicely into line with the user menu controls.

There's a reason we've been saying "for an LCD." Since this 37-inch flat-panel LCD is the same size as competing plasma sets such as the Panasonic TH-37PX50U yet costs a good deal more, it's difficult to recommend for home-theater applications. Although we haven't yet reviewed the Panasonic, the company's track record and that of plasma in general would indicate that, despite the Sharp's strengths, plasma is still superior to LCD in image quality. If you're going to be viewing in a brightly lit room, however, then the LC-37D7U is the superior choice.

Source: cnet

Differences between “digital cable,” “digital satellite” and “HDTV”

2005-11-13T22:55:00.000-08:00

Just because a program arrives through a digital cable or digital satellite doesn’t mean it is in high-definition. Much of today’s programming – even that received from a digital satellite, digital cable or even a digital channel broadcast over-the-air – is delivered in SDTV. You’ll get a better picture than you get with the analog broadcasts TV has used for years, because a digital picture will be free from the “ghosts” and “snow” that can plague analog transmissions. At a minimum, over-the-air SDTV offers a picture 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high, totaling 307,200 pixels – about 50 percent more than today’s analog TV. A standard definition picture will be good, but not nearly as sharp and crisp as high-definition, which can go up to two million pixels.

Source: cea

The Truth About Plasma TV

2005-11-02T01:05:00.000-08:00

Below is the myths that has been travelling on the internet. With this informations, hopefully it will make purcase deciding easier.

1. After a short time, Plasma displays burn out.
Plasma TVs actually have a very long life. Today's, plasma displays deliver 30,000 hours of use until they fall to a level of half brightness. This means that if you watch the set for five hours per day, it would take over 16 years to reach half the brightness that the display was first capable of.

2. Every couple of years, plasma have to be recharged.
There’s no truth to this at all. Once the glass plasma panel is manufactured it cannot be re-opened and the plasma gas stays put for the life of the set.

3. All plasma are HDTV.
To reproduce full HDTV sharpness most 50 - 63-inch models have enough room to fit the number of pixels required. In the past, most 42-inch screens were not HDTV capable, but many of this year’s 42 - 43-inch screens (and even some smaller models from Philips and Sony) have HDTV resolution. Be sure to ask whether a plasma display is HDTV capable, rather than HDTV compatible. Make sure that the display has at least a 720 x 1200, or 1024 x 1024 resolution if you want HDTV.

4. Plasma TVs are great for watching sports.
Yes, and no. Most high-end plasma TVs will produce a pretty good picture with sports images. But, if you’re a sports fan, you’ll want a plasma display that can handle high-speed motion without producing artifacts like jittering, smearing, or images that lose focus. Fujitsu’s Plasmavision displays are the best in this category thanks to their AVM (Advanced Video Motion) circuitry.

5. Cheap plasma models look just as good as the expensive models.
"You Get What You Pay For..." is appropriate here. I have yet to see a bargain-brand plasma display come anywhere near the picture quality of the major plasma brands. For one thing, those cheap plasmas are not HDTV capable, and they don’t have the circuitry necessary to deliver an artifact-free picture.

6. Buy a plasma display over the Internet and save a bunch of money.
There could be nothing further from the truth! Yes, you may initially save some money, but it may come back and bite you in the bottom some day.

Pretty much every major plasma manufacturer highly discourages sales over the Internet. Only a handful of dealers are allowed to sell plasmas on their Internet sites, and they are usually close to MSRP. Nevertheless, disreputable Internet dealers still sell them on their Internet sites. What you don’t know is that these sets will not come with a manufacturer's warranty no matter what the website may say. If you need service, the manufacturer will check your set’s serial number, and then you’ll be on your own. Many unauthorized Internet dealers will try to sell you a 3rd party warranty to make up for the manufacturer’s warranty, but it won’t be the same, and many "fly-by-night" warranty companies go out of business on a regular basis.

Philips 50PF9830A

2005-10-30T23:54:00.000-08:00

When watching movies and HDTV, bigger screens are better, the 50-inch Philips 50PF9830A makes it tempting to step up in size. But if the lure of extra inches isn’t enough, this set’s ultra-stylish looks are bound to grab you. The glossy black-bordered screen is flanked by silver speakers, and the TV comes with a swiveling glass stand. Aside from a big Philips logo, the front panel is super clean — control buttons, inputs, and a set of flash-media slots and USB ports are stowed away on the sides.

The Philips has a built-in HDTV tuner and an up-to-date suite of video connections, including two HDMI inputs. But its most notable extra is Ambilight 2 backlighting. This feature, unique to Philips TVs, throws colored light against the wall behind the TV that shifts in hue and intensity to match the changing image onscreen (it can also be set to beam a steady white backlight).

The set’s slim remote control feels substantial and has a clean layout. Along with providing cool features like one-touch access to digital snaps on a flash-memory card, it lets you cycle through video sources and select from seven display modes. But you can watch HDTV programs only in the 16:9 Widescreen mode or in Automatic, which zooms in on 4:3 pictures to fill the screen.

Another feature that Philips touts is Pixel Plus 2 HD processing. I’d recommend Pixel Plus to clear up murky-looking analog channels on cable TV, but it made high-quality sources like DVD look grainy and over-enhanced, so I used the Standard mode. Like most TVs, the Philips offers a number of picture presets. Unfortunately, you can modify the settings for only one of them, and your changes apply globally to all of the inputs — a big handicap.

The Constantine DVD was perfect for gauging the Philips TV’s video performance. In the opening sequence, where a scavenger discovers a knife with supernatural powers, the Philips displayed punchy contrast and a natural range of colors that captured the subtle tones of the sunbaked reddish-brown desert landscape. Brightly colored objects, like the guy’s red jacket, looked less intense than on the other sets but were still reasonably vivid. In a shot where the scavenger reaches down into a hole, the dark opening showed off the set’s ability to achieve deep, dark blacks. But the shadows crossing his face had limited detail, which made the picture look flat overall.

The Philips did a great job drawing out fine detail in the high-def picture. In close-up shots of would-be assailant Sawyer confronting the vendor at his truck, I could clearly see the moisture welling up at the corner of his eyes as he started to lose his resolve. The colors were clean, and the tone of Sawyer’s face looked entirely natural. Darker scenes took their toll on the TV’s picture, however. In a subsequent bar scene, shadowy segments of the picture had a patchy, solarized quality, with light gray “islands” swirling against the slightly darker background.

Crisp HDTV pictures, stylish looks, and a bunch of cool features like Ambilight 2 backlighting and a swiveling stand make the Philips 50PF9830A an appealing option for your flat-TV needs. The set’s overall image quality falls a solid notch below the other two models tested here, however, and the lone Personal picture preset for all of its video inputs was disappointing. But you can’t argue with the price, which is among the cheapest I’ve seen for a 50-inch plasma set.

Source: soundandvisionmag

Sanyo PDP 42WV1AS

2005-10-30T23:11:00.000-08:00

The Sanyo PDP 42WV1AS is a 42-inch, flat television. Compared to other flat TVs on the market, it is relatively inexpensive. In general, a liquid plasma display can recreate more realistic black-levels than an LCD display can.

It has a 4000:1 contrast ratio, which is somewhat higher than some similarly priced TVs. The 3:2 pulldown feature of this set reduces artifacts that can occur when motion pictures are transferred to a digital format such as DVD.

In view of its relatively inexpensive price, this TV has good features for the money. For example, when it comes to viewable screen size, the average price of flat televisions with similar viewable size is quite a bit more.

Since this TV supports progressive scan video, you probably will want to have a progressive scan DVD player connected to it. This will produce a relatively more "flicker-free" picture, compared to what is produced with conventional DVD players and TVs.

Source: cnet

HDTV and Analog TV

2005-10-30T22:35:00.000-08:00

What is HDTV and why is it so important?
HDTV is an entirely new system that will ultimately replace today’s existing analog "NTSC" television system. The term "HDTV" refers to a television system that can transmit, receive and display high-quality digital images.

Once the DTV standard was set in 1996, the Federal government subsequently mandated a nationwide transition for the nation’s 1,600-plus television stations to move from analog to digital transmission. In order to facilitate this, the FCC allocated an additional channel to all broadcast TV stations. This second channel is dedicated for digital broadcasts and upon completion of the transition (the year 2006 or 85 percent household penetration, whichever occurs later), the original analog channel must be returned to the government. The FCC will eventually auction the analog channel spectrum.

What makes HDTV better than today’s television?
HDTV offers incredibly detailed, life-like picture quality with up to five times the sharpness of today’s television along with digital surround sound capability and a widescreen format.

Is my current TV obsolete?
No, analog televisions will continue to receive analog broadcasts at least through 2006, and probably longer. After that, consumers will be able to connect an inexpensive receiver to their existing TV to decode TV broadcast signals, just not in high-definition. Of course, current televisions will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video game consoles and other devices for many years.

What can I watch in HDTV?
The great news for consumers is that Hollywood is creating more and more digital programming at the highest levels of resolution and sound quality.

source: cea

Panasonic TH-42PWD7UY

2005-10-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Panasonic's 42-inch EDTV plasma, the TH-42PWD7UY, is part of the company's industrial line of flat-panel TVs, which means that it lacks the usual consumer features such as speakers and a built-in tuner. Think of it as the do-it-yourself plasma. The TH-42PWD7UY's native resolution of 852x480 makes it an EDTV, which means it can display HDTV sources but not in their full detail. If you're looking for a higher-resolution set, Panasonic offers several other industrial models, including the 42-inch TH-42PHD7UY, the 50-inch TH-50PHD7UY, and the 65-inch TH-65PHD7UY. The 37-inch, EDTV-resolution TH-37PWD7UY is also part of the lineup.

This is one of the least-expensive 42-inch plasmas on the market. In addition, although we haven't reviewed this particular model yet, previous Panasonic EDTVs have had excellent picture quality (see the TH-42PD25U/P, for example). While the TH-42PWD7UY lacks a varied input collection, it does have slots for extra input cards, such as HDMI, which can be purchased at Panasonic's Web site. With these extra input cards, the TH-42PWD7UY can be customized to your home-theater setup while remaining relatively inexpensive for a plasma TV. And although the design is minimalist, the all-picture look works well for those who want to use their own speaker systems. Optional matching speakers are also available.

This set is missing many features that come standard on other TVs. That's not a huge issue if you plan to integrate it into a system that already has a tuner (such as a cable or satellite box) or speakers (such as any home-theater audio system), but it might be if you want your set ready to go right out of the box. Also, the included remote is basic, so you'd probably want to get a good universal remote to control your A/V components.

Although we have not reviewed the TH-42PWD7UY yet, we have really liked Panasonic's previous EDTVs, as well as the company's recent industrial models, such as the excellent TH-42PHD7UY. However, if you'd rather avoid the hassle of installing your own connectivity cards and using separate components, you might want to consider more consumer-friendly models. We expect those comfortable with setting up their own home theaters to give the TH-42PWD7UY a serious look.

Source: cnet

Sony KLV-32M1

2005-10-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

The Sony KLV-32M1 is a 32-inch, flat television. Compared to other flat TVs on the market, it is midpriced at around $2,455. This product has an LCD display, which is generally the best kind of flat-panel screen for viewing in brightly-lit rooms.

It has two tuners, which is somewhat more favorable than some similarly priced TVs. (Having two tuners comes in handy when you want to view two broadcasts at once, using PIP.) This unit can display images that are sharper and more realistic than standard definition television when hooked up to a high definition signal. The 3:2 pulldown feature of this set reduces artifacts that can occur when motion pictures are transferred to a digital format such as DVD.

A flat TV, suited for home entertainment. In general, a wide aspect TV such as this one is ideal for DVD movies recorded in the popular 16:9 format, as well as high definition programming.

Be sure to shop for an HDTV receiver if you want to watch digital programming. Since this TV supports progressive scan video, you probably will want to have a progressive scan DVD player connected to it. This will produce a relatively more "flicker-free" picture, compared to what is produced with conventional DVD players and TVs.

Source: cnet

Samsung's LN-R328W

2005-10-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Released in April 2005, is one of the newer generations LCD's from Samsung. Powered by a fair amount of cool electronics and algorithms, this particular set was a tough one for us to review -- because of all the acronyms and buzzwords thrown at us.

Some of the new technologies we saw in this series from Samsung, include:

"My Color Control": This is setting expands the traditional "3" color controls on TVs ( Red, Green and Blue) into six. You can now control six colors to get a much better picture -- Red, Pink, Blue, Green, Yellow and White.

Like all new Samsung sets, this set features DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine) which essentially enhances, motion color, contrast and detail.

Key technical specifications of this set include:

HD-Grade 1366(H) x 768(V) Pixel Resolution
3,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
500 cd/m² Brightness
Samsung DNIe™
170°(H)/170°(V) Viewing Angle
Fast 12ms Response time
3D Y/C Digital Comb Filter
HDMI, 2 Component Video, S-Video, PC Inputs

The price point is average to slighly above for a new generation set released in '2005, but we do feel it represents good value for a consumer.

Source: dvlib

Pioneer PDP-4350HD

2005-10-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

The PDP-4350HD displayed DVDs with finesse, coming in a close second to the Philips 42PF9966/37. It also took second to the Philips for displaying recorded standard-definition TV, though it trailed by a substantial margin. For high-definition content, however, the Pioneer placed a disappointing sixth, in large part because it ranked near the bottom of our group of eight tested sets in its ability to display detail--the hallmark quality of HD.

Like the last Pioneer plasma we reviewed, the 50-inch PDP-5040HD, this set deeply saturates reds and greens. The effect was nice when it displayed candy-apple-red autos in HD footage from a classic car show or the deliberately pumped-up colors in the dramatic final race scene of the Seabiscuit DVD. But it often made people appear a bit flushed and vegetation somewhat artificial.

One notable visual feature is the set's PureCinema technology for smoothly displaying film content, which is shot at 24 frames per second. To fit this material into a standard digital TV refresh rate of 60 frames per second, video processors must display one film frame three times in a row, the following frame twice in a row, and the next frame three times again--a syncopated pattern that makes all films look a bit jumpy on TV. But Pioneer sets with PureCinema can refresh 72 times per second in order to show all frames an equal number of times (since 72 is a multiple of 24). Though the result is subtle, films do appear somewhat steadier and smoother when PureCinema is turned on. (Note: For this to work, the DVD player must be set to an interlaced format, either 480i or 1080i.)

The set's audio performance was delightful. The two 13-watt speakers put out clean sound, even at maximum volume and with SRS surround sound and bass enhancement enabled. We could hear subtle undertones clearly, such as the sound of car engines in Kill Bill Vol. 1 under the twang of Al Hirt's "Green Hornet," or the faint, ominous string tones that well up in parts of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

The PDP-4350HD has a slick design. A glossy black frame (which catches some distracting glare) is the only adornment on the elegant panel. The price includes a pewter-toned stand that allows 2 degrees of tilt and 10 degrees of left or right swivel. At a rather light 59.1 pounds, the screen should be easy to wall-mount. The included speakers are detachable, so the TV can have a streamlined look if you opt to pair it with a separate surround-sound audio system.

But however you set up the panel, you must reckon with its media receiver, a tethered box about the size of an audio amplifier that houses all its inputs and much of its circuitry. The receiver provides more convenient access to the TV's ports--especially for wall-mounted installations (it also requires that fewer cables be pulled through the wall or otherwise hidden). But it adds another component that needs a home, and you can't locate it too far from the panel.

One definitely positive aspect of the receiver is its plentiful connection options, including two HDMI inputs, three component input sets, and four each of S-Video and composite video jacks. It also accepts analog computer signals via a VGA input, plus digital video camcorder output through its two FireWire ports. Additionally the PDP-4350HD has an NTSC tuner, plus an ATSC tuner for high-def reception either from an antenna or from a cable service providing a CableCard decoder. The Pioneer can relay surround-sound audio from these TV broadcasts to an external audio system via its optical digital audio port.

Upshot: While the swanky PDP-4350HD is a fair performer overall and a good screen for DVDs, we've seen better image quality from Pioneer.

Source: pcworld

LG Electronics 42PX4D

2005-10-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for an all-in-one entertainment system, consider the 42PX4D. This 42-inch TV offers bright images, a powerful sound system, and near-universal hookup options for sources and peripherals. Our judges ranked it number one overall in a side-by-side review of eight 42-inch plasmas.

The luminous screen gave this unit the top score in our overall assessment of brightness and contrast, as well as in our bright-light torture test. (In the latter test we used a combination of 5000-Kelvin and 6500-Kelvin sources intended to simulate daylight conditions--in such strong ambient light, screen images can appear washed out.) It also took third place overall with DVD movies and standard-definition TV programs. And unlike some of its competitors, the LG handled many different source formats with finesse in our informal tests, including 1080 interlaced, 720 progressive, and 480 progressive through its HDMI inputs, plus 480 progressive through its component input.

But images appeared a bit noisy, and the 42PX4D came in a depressing next-to-last for its ability to display detail; consequently, it ranked only fifth out of the eight tested models for HDTV quality. At least some of the problem seems to be in its display of dark tones. In a high-def TV documentary about the Napa Valley wine country, for example, we saw speckles in what should have been a solid-blue sky. To investigate further, we watched the opening scene of Mystic River: a fade up from black over a grim Boston skyline. Much of the DVD has less-than-perfect image quality, making the sequence trying for any TV, but it looked especially splotchy on the LG.

The integrated 15-watt speakers produced strong, relatively clear audio with music from the DVD Kill Bill Vol. 1. They nicely filled the room with the brassy twang of Al Hirt's jazz piece "Green Hornet" and handled, with minimal distortion, the rumbling bass in Tomoyasu Hotei's instrumental "Battle Without Honor or Humanity," even at high volume.

The on-screen menus are handsome and well arranged, and they offer a plethora of options, including seven image modes (such as Daylight, Night Time, and Movie) and six audio modes (such as News, Music, and Theater). Each of these lists includes one user-definable mode, customizable for each input source; for example, you can optimize settings for your DVD player and your television source. But even better would be at least two user-configurable video modes, which would allow calibration for both daytime and nighttime viewing. One big disappointment: LG does not provide access for a professional calibrator to make low-level adjustments in the TV's service menu. For instance, with the basic user controls we achieved a color temperature that hovered between 6725 and 7175 Kelvin (slightly bluish). A pro could probably get the TV even closer to the ideal value of 6500 K and also improve overall color accuracy. But without access to the TV's service menus, such refinements aren't possible.

Another problem is that the menus are enormous and block out much of the screen you are trying to adjust. They shrink once you home in on a particular control, such as brightness or sharpness. But instead of dropping the control's slider to the bottom of the screen, as some TVs do, the LG sticks it near the middle, obstructing your view.

In contrast, we have only praise for the connection options. The 42PX4D includes two HDMI inputs, allowing it to receive digital video and audio from two sources (such as a cable box and a DVD player). It also has two sets of component inputs, and it can receive either analog or digital input from a computer (the latter via a DVI-to-HDMI adapter cable, which LG doesn't include). This provides the option of using a Media Center PC with the set. Two FireWire ports allow you to attach a digital camcorder. Also included is a CableCard slot, which lets many cable TV subscribers forgo a bulky set-top box. The 42PX4D can send the audio from cable TV programs to a surround-sound home theater system via its optical audio port, as well. And finally, the TV can display digital pictures stored on any of nine memory card formats.

Upshot: More than just a TV, the 42PX4D is a powerful, integrated entertainment system that excels in many respects, especially image brightness and sound quality. But its difficulty in providing crisp detail--especially in dark tones--is a notable weakness.

Source: pcworld

Philips 42PF9966/37

2005-10-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Rich colors, bright images, and good detail helped the 42PF9966/37 earn the second-highest overall score in our jury tests of eight plasma TVs. We awarded it top marks for color quality and its ability to display both standard definition TV and DVDs.

Despite its high display performance, however, this Philips has a few quirks. For starters, it's fussy about input formats. Using both 1080i and 480p input over HDMI, the TV struggled to display so-called multiburst patterns. The multibursts feature six swaths of parallel vertical lines that become progressively finer from the left to the right of the screen. Most TVs could resolve all the groups, or at least all but the far-right group, which sometimes blurred out. But on this TV, image quality started breaking down at the first group on some screens, and the far-right swath often looked like a swarm of mosquitoes. And in one of our HD test clips from a classic car show, we saw an artificial shimmering effect in the chrome bars of a sports car. Overall, though, our jury noticed no significant problems with the HDTV and DVD content in our test suite.

The TV did display a multiburst perfectly in the 720p format. Unlike any other TVs we reviewed, the Philips displays this format with its native 720 lines. Other TVs "upscale" the content by inserting additional pixels to fill the screen to the edges. But on the Philips, 720p images appear with a black border on the top and the bottom, as well as on both sides (in order to maintain the aspect ratio).

The audio system, with twin 15-watt speaker units, sounded clean, though not as full as on the rival LG 42PX4D. We especially liked the five-band equalizer, which allows more meaningful adjustments than the simple bass and treble controls on most TVs. In addition, the 42PF9966/37 provides four preset audio modes.

The Philips model's most unusual feature is its Ambilight system, which illuminates the wall behind the TV. The Ambilight throws "bias lighting" behind the set; videophiles recommend bias lighting as a method for reducing eyestrain in a dark room. Without it, so goes the theory, the iris must expand and contract rapidly in reaction to the changing brightness level of the video.

Some eye experts discount the eyestrain theory, saying that the eye can easily adjust to brightness fluctuations without experiencing strain. But regardless of the science, we found the Ambilight experience pleasant. A dark room seemed less confining with the mild glow around the set, and glancing away from and then back to the screen had a less jarring effect. In addition to providing several fixed shades, Ambilight can adjust its color and brightness to match the material on screen. Users who don't enjoy the Ambilight feature can disable it.

The list of remaining amenities is scant. The 42PF9966/37 has an integrated NTSC tuner for standard-definition analog broadcasts, but it lacks an ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air or cable-based digital signals. You'll need a separate receiver for digital cable or for HDTV. The unit has only one HDMI input, too, so you won't get top quality for more than one video source; you have to use the two analog component sets for other devices. You can custom calibrate for each video input, but for only one set of lighting conditions, as the other five video modes are not user adjustable. However, the set does have a sensor that it can use to adjust the screen to match the ambient room light.

Upshot: The 42PF9966/37 offers very high overall picture quality at a relatively low price. But it would be more appealing with an HD tuner and an extra digital video input.

Source: pcworld

Sony KDL-VXBR1 series

2005-10-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Sony's higher-end Bravia LCDs include the three letters XBR in their model numbers, which for Sony denotes its more-expensive televisions. The three televisions in this series share most of the features of their less-expensive brothers but offer slicker styling with concealed speakers, an ATSC tuner, and a Digital Cable Ready CableCard slot. They also add two more component-video inputs as well as a Memory Stick slot and a USB port for displaying digital photos. The 26-inch KDL-V26XBR1, the 32-inch KDL-V32XBR1, and the 40-inch KDL-V40XBR1 are available now.

1,366 x 768 native resolution
ATSC HDTV tuner
Digital Cable Ready
HDMI input
Three component-video inputs
PC input

Samsung SyncMaster 930MP

2005-10-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

It costs a bit more than the average 19-inch LCD monitor, but the SyncMaster 930MP makes it worthwhile, with a plethora of features and a wide array of connection options.

Excellent viewing-angle performance. Good image quality. Built-in TV and FM radio tuners.

Stand lacks height adjustment and does not swivel. Does not include DVI cable.

1280 x 1024 pixels native resolution
Two components-video inputs
PC input: analog VGA and DVI-D
Built-in TV tuner

Source: pcmag

Sharp Aquos LC-45GX6U

2005-10-20T02:46:00.000-07:00

The 45-inch Sharp Aquos LC-45GX6U offers impressive clarity with high-quality HDTV and highlights the flaws of lesser sources. The few quirks we encountered didn't deter us from declaring the LC-45GX6U the best of the big 1080p LCD TVs available today.

Detailed imagery with high-quality sources. Responsive universal remote control. Comprehensive and quick menu system. Integrated analog and digital television tuners.

Lacks support for 1080p input via DVI/HDMI. Different levels of gray are different colors (grayscale/color tracking problems). Optional PC card adapter required for accessing multimedia files on flash memory cards. Poor detection of film-based DVD movies (3:2 pulldown)

1920 x 1080 pixels native resolution
Two component-video inputs
HDMI input
PC input dual-mode (DVI-I)
ATSC HDTV tuner

Source: pcmag

Panasonic TH-PX50U

2005-10-20T02:20:00.000-07:00

Panasonic is cutting prices this year on its high-resolution plasmas, and the least-expensive high-resolution models in the 2005 consumer line belong to the TH-PX50U series. All models in the TH-PX50U series have relatively high native resolutions--1,024x768 for the 37- and 42-inchers, and 1,366x768 for the 50-incher--which result in better detail with high-def sources compared to EDTVs. They all have a built-in ATSC tuner as well as a Digital Cable Ready CableCard slot, so no external hardware is necessary to receive over-the-air and cable HD programming. The connectivity of these sets is highlighted by an HDMI port, a digital audio output, and two component-video inputs. Unlike some previous Panasonic plasmas, these can accept a 720p signal via their HDMI and component-video inputs.

1,366x768 or 1,024x768 native resolution
ATSC HDTV tuner
Digital Cable Ready
One HDMI port
Two component-video inputs

Source: cnet

Samsung HP-R4262

2005-10-20T01:57:00.000-07:00

Although the 62 at the end of the model name would seem to indicate it's a step up to the HP-R52 series, this single model is actually Samsung's entry-level high-resolution plasma. It has a native resolution of 1,024x768, which means it should be able to display every detail of DVDs and deliver more detail with 720p and 1080i sources, although it still needs to scale them to fit the available pixels. It also features a built-in ATSC tuner, which means you'll be able to watch over-the-air HDTV without any extra hardware. Note that it does not include the CableCard slot of the step-up HP-R52 series, but this might not be that big of a drawback, as the current generation of CableCard cannot handle video on-demand or electronic program guide services. Its connectivity is highlighted by an HDMI input, a PC input, two component-video inputs, and both optical and coaxial digital audio outputs. While it's commonplace for HDTVs for have one or the other digital audio output, the option of having both is useful if you're short on digital inputs.

1,024x768 native resolution
ATSC HDTV tuner
Two component-video inputs
PC input
HDMI input
Optical and coaxial digital audio outputs

Source: cnet

Samsung SP-R4232

2005-10-19T22:42:00.000-07:00

The SP-R4232 is Samsung's 20005 EDTV plasma offering and the least expensive model in the company's lineup. It has a native resolution of 852x480, which means that it should be able to display every detail of a DVD, but won't show as much detail with HDTV or computer sources as step-up models. The SP-R4232 also comes equipped with both a built-in ATSC tuner and a CableCard slot, which means you can watch over-the-air HDTV and digital cable without external hardware. Its connectivity is highlighted by an HDMI port, a PC input, two component-video inputs, and both optical and coaxial digital audio outputs. While it's commonplace for newer TVs to have a digital audio output, having the option of either coaxial or optical might by useful for some home-theater setups.

852x480 native resolution
ATSC HDTV tuner
Digital Cable Ready
One HDMI port
Two component-video inputs
PC input
Optical and coaxial digital audio outputs

Source : cnet

Site Map - Flat Screen Review

2005-10-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Flat Screen Review

Review by Brand

Informations

Plasma TV Versus LCD TV

2005-10-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

1. What's the difference?
Plasma and LCD panels may look similar, but the flat screen and thin profile is where the similarities end. Plasma screens, uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells charged by precise electrical voltages to create a picture. LCD screens (liquid crystal display) are in layman's terms sandwiches made up of liquid crystal pushed in the space between two glass plates. Images are created by varying the amount electrical charge applied to the crystals.

2. Picture quality
It's not what's happening behind the screen that's important - it's how the screen performs as a television that matters the most. In that regard, both plasma and LCD sets produce excellent pictures, although many home entertainment specialists will tell you they're not quite up to the standard of the bulky old CRT televisions yet (although they're quickly catching up).

Those same home entertainment specialists will tell you that for basic home theatre-like usage, plasma screens have a slight edge over LCDs. This is because plasma screens can display blacks more accurately than LCDs can, which means better contrast and detail in dark-coloured television or movie scenes. The nature of LCD technology, where a backlight shines through the LCD layer, means it's hard for it to achieve true blacks because there's always some light leakage from between pixels. This is steadily improving with every new generation of LCD, however.

3. What advantages does plasma have over LCD?
Apart from better contrast due to its ability to show deeper blacks, plasma screens typically have better viewing angles than LCD. Viewing angles are how far you can sit on either side of a screen before the picture's quality is affected. You tend to see some brightness and colour shift when you're on too far of an angle with LCDs, while a plasma's picture remains fairly solid. Plasmas can also produce a brighter colour, once again due to light leakage on an LCD affecting its colour saturation.

Plasma pundits will also tell you that some LCD screens have a tendency to blur images, particularly during fast moving scenes in movies or in sports. While that was true for older generation LCD screens, newer models have improved significantly - so much so that the differences in performance between LCDs and plasmas in this regard is almost negligible.

Perhaps the biggest advantage plasmas have now over their LCD cousins is price, particularly in the large screen end of the market. Plasmas can come in much larger sizes than LCDs at a cheaper price.

4. What advantages does LCD have over plasma?
LCDs tend to have higher native resolution than plasmas of the same size, which means more pixels on a screen resulting in a sharper image. This makes LCDs an ideal choice for any true high definition television you plan to watch.

LCDs consume less power than plasma screens, with some estimates ranging that power saving at up to 30 per cent less than plasma. LCDs are also generally lighter than similar sized plasmas, making it easier to move around or wall mount.

LCD pundits also point to the fact that LCDs have a longer lifespan than plasma screens. This was true of earlier plasma models, which would lose half of their brightness after more than 20,000 hours of viewing. Later plasma generations have bumped that up to anything between 30,000 and 60,000 hours. LCDs, on the other hand, are guaranteed for 60,000 hours.

You might have also heard that plasmas suffer from screen burn in, an affliction not as commonly associated with LCDs. Screen burn in occurs when an image is left too long on a screen, resulting in a ghost of that image burned in permanently. Newer plasmas are less susceptible to this thanks to improved technology and other features such built-in screen savers.

5. Better value: plasma or LCD?
If you're in the market for a big screen television, then we'd suggest plasma as a safe bet. Plasmas give you more bang for your buck at the big end of town, and while LCDs can give you better resolution, the price difference is currently too wide. However, if money's not an issue and you want the sharpest image in town, then a large LCD is for you. At the smaller end of things (15" to 36" TVs), LCD is the only way to go if you want something slim and tasteful.

Source: cnet

Links

2005-10-19T03:36:00.000-07:00

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Plasma TV Review
Plasma Tv Reviews, Plasma Tv News, Plasma Tv specifications , Plasma TV Tips and Tutorial to Choose the Best Plasma Tv.

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Doggie Land - Dogs Directory
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Home Theater Projector
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Flat Screen Installation Tips

2005-10-19T01:54:00.000-07:00

Flat Screen Do's & Don'ts

The plasma is heavy. At least two people are required to carry this equipment.
When lifting the TV Floor Stand, please don't lift it by holding its two vertical tubes as these tubes simply insert into the base of the stand and are not permanently attached to it.
Please be sure to place the plasma floor stand on an even floor – uneven ground will cause the plasma to become dangerously unstable with the potential of tipping over.
Do not mount a TV on plasterboard UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Plasterboard is not strong enough for a plasma TV. For plasterboard mounting use a smaller LCD TV.
Ensure the plasma TV screen is insured for accidental damage.
Ensure your wall is either brick or concrete. Concrete is ideal, as the mounts will will work well in this situation. Using brick can make the bolts which hold the TV move after installation. It can still work fine but is something you must be aware of.
Decide where to put your TV cables. Using white tubing for your TV cables is ideal.

Set-Up

Setup the plasma floor stand on an even surface.
With the help of another person, lift the plasma and the mounting bracket (already attached to the plasma TV) and place it on the plasma floor stand by aligning the 4 buttons on the mounting bracket with the 4 slots of the plasma floor stand. Lower the safety latch on the mounting bracket to secure the plasma, making sure latch is completely engaged. Plug in the power cord and the video source and you are ready to enjoy your show.

Important:
Make sure the plasma is not tilted to the side or up/down. Plasma needs to be at an upright position at all times.

Flat Screen Review - Sony

2005-10-19T01:18:00.000-07:00

Sony KDL V32A12U
Sony KDS-R50XBR1
Sony WEGA KDE-42xs955
Sony KLV-32M1
Sony KDL-VXBR1 series

Flat Screen Review - Sharp

2005-10-19T01:16:00.001-07:00

Sharp Aquos LC-32GD7E
Sharp Aquos LC-32D6U
Sharp LC-37D7U
Sharp Aquos LC-45GX6U

Flat Screen Review - Samsung

2005-10-19T01:16:00.000-07:00

Samsung LE32R41BD
Samsung LN-R328W
Samsung LT-P326W
Samsung's LN-R328W
Samsung SyncMaster 930MP
Samsung HP-R4262
Samsung SP-R4232

Flat Screen Review - Pioneer

2005-10-19T01:15:00.000-07:00

Pioneer PDP-4350HD

Flat Screen Review - Philips

2005-10-19T01:13:00.000-07:00

Philips 32PF9830
Philips 42PF9966 /37
Philips 50PF9830A

Flat Screen Review - Panasonic

2005-10-19T01:10:00.000-07:00

Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK
Panasonic 42pf9966 / 37
Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY
Panasonic TH-PX50U
Panasonic TH-42PWD7UY

Flat Screen Review - LG Electronics

2005-10-19T01:04:00.000-07:00

LG 32LX2R
LG 42PX4D

Audio-Video Technical Terms

2005-10-19T00:35:00.000-07:00

High Definition Multimedia Interface
HDMI is a new standard digital connection between A/V devices, such as a set-top box, DVD player or A/V receiver, and a digital television. HDMI offers exceptional video and audio quality with a single quick-disconnect connector. It supports multi-channel digital audio transmissions and component video color spacing for true rendering of HD video.

SRS TruSurround XT
High-quality surround sound can be experienced with just the speakers built into your TV. SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3-D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.

Dual Acoustic Chamber System
The interior hidden speaker system with DACS (Dual Acoustic Chamber System) simulates dual separate chambers for each speaker to maximize low-range-sound performance and enhance sound clarity.

Brightness Sensor
A built-in brightness sensor automatically detects the ambient light and adjusts the TV brightness accordingly for perfect pictures in any viewing conditions.

Picture-in-Picture (PIP)
Watch two program sources at once Picture-in-Picture. Compatible with TV, DVD, and PC connections.