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Samsung LN46B650 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:36:43 +0000

If you haven’t seen Samsung’s Touch of Color design, you haven’t seen an HDTV this beautiful. A hint of rich red in the bezel creates a sophisticated look. The Media 2.0 feature lets you access countless hours of content from Yahoo! and Flickr. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology renders the most lifelike action. And DLNA technology means you can harness your entire home network through your HDTV. Sit back and watch your favorite shows and movies in amazing high definition with the LN46B650 HDTV.

Features:
• 46-inch LCD HDTV with full HD 1080p resolution for the sharpest picture possible and red Touch of Color design
• Auto Motion Plus 120Hz for amazingly fluid motion, 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 4ms response time, Wide Color Enhancer 3 for more vivid colors
• Internet@TV online content service from Yahoo!, Flickr, YouTube via your broadband connection; side-mounted USB port for displaying JPEG/MPEG files and listening to MP3 audio
• Inputs: 4 HDMI-CEC, 2 component, 2 composite, 1 PC, 2 USB, 1 Ethernet, 1 optical digital audio output
• Includes removable stand; measures 44.3 x 30.8 x 10.9 inches with stand; 15-watt x 2 bottom mounted speakers with subwoofer

Review By Amazon

With the Samsung 46-inch LN46B650 HDTV, you’re investing in a high-quality LCD TV that offers top-of-the-line picture quality with 1080p high definition resolution. Enjoy the sharpest details and vivid color with a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for more realistic images and Samsung’s Wide Color Enhancer 3 technology for a more natural rendering of colors. It also incorporates a number of innovative features to reduce the motion blur and image judder, which traditionally plague LCD HDTVs when displaying fast movement. This B650 series HDTV combines an ultra-fast 4ms (millisecond) response time with Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology, which utilizes a 120Hz refresh rate helps ensure crisp, easy viewing of sports, video games and movies.

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Review By Salebestprice

The LN46B650 features Samsung’s new Internet@TV online content service. Developed with Yahoo!, Internet@TV uses either a wired or wireless Ethernet connection to access content onscreen from Yahoo!, Flickr, YouTube and more with the push of a button. The widget-based interface and scrollbar run along the bottom of the screen for easy browsing of the latest programs and content. This B650 model also includes a 2 GB flash memory with pre-loaded entertainment features that can be updated by downloading content from Samsung’s web site via the Ethernet connection.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

Many TVs these days come with a power-saver mode that’s designed to cut down the power consumption. Performance of this mode varies from model to model, with the effect sometimes being drastic and other times providing only a slight savings. The only downside is that the power-saver mode usually makes the TV less bright, but we’ve found that sometimes this has a beneficial effect on the image quality, especially with the room lights turned off, in which case it’s a win-win situation.

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Review By Crutchfield

This state-of-the-art HDTV gives you a wealth of multimedia entertainment options. A rear Ethernet port lets you use your broadband Internet connection to access Yahoo! Widgets, letting you enjoy content from services such as Yahoo! News, Flickr, and USA Today. Or, watch your favorite video clips by plugging a thumb drive into the USB port on the side of the TV. If you connect the optional wireless USB adapter, you can enjoy this set’s networking capabilities without running Ethernet cable.

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Review By Samsung

SAMSUNG LCD HDTVs deliver smooth motion and crisp picture quality that make every detail crystal clear. Your action-packed sports and movies have never looked this real. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ technology virtually eliminates any motion blur and creates smooth transitions between frames. What’s the secret? Auto Motion Plus calculates the image between frames and inserts it, creating a non-repetitive transition from one to the next. The result is a clearer picture you have to see to believe.

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LG 47LH40 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:18:41 +0000

The LH40 Series is a full 1080p LCD HDTV series featuring a TruMotion 120Hz panel and Intelligent Sensor technology along with LG’s Core technologies. The LH40 series also features LG’s Smart Energy Saving technology for higher energy conservation. Full HD performance, a robust feature set and energy savings make this series a standout.

Features/Specs

* 47″ LCD Screen
* Full 1080p HD native resolution
* Three (3) HDMI™ (V.1.3 with Deep Color)
* Intelligent Sensor
* 24p Real Cinema (5:5 Pulldown)
* ISFccc Ready
* LG SimpLink™
* USB 2.0 port
* Smart Energy Saving Plus
* LG Core Technologies
* Invisible speaker system
* Trumotion 120Hz mode
* S-ISP motion-blur technology

Review By Youreviewelectronics

This HDTV conserves energy and meets the Energy Star 3.0 standards. It makes use of different features like reduced back lighting, video mute and Intelligent Sensor to regulate energy. This HDTV can use optimum power at all times and thus help in its conservation. You don’t have to dim the brightness or contrast manually. The Intelligent Sensor will do this work for you.

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Review By Vanns

The advanced HD video performance offered by the 47LH40′s panel is only half of the story when it comes to the complete home-theater experience. “What’s the other half”, you might ask? Audio. LG’s 2009 line of HDTVs features a unique invisible speaker system that uses minute vibrations from speakers embedded into strategic areas behind the front cabinet to convert the entire front bezel into the speaker system. You get a clean, polished look coupled with an audio soundstage enhance by a wider sound field. Don’t just see the kiss, hear the music swell . . . Don’t just watch the car chase take a corner, hear the tires squeal.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The 47LH40 doesn’t have quite as striking a design as other LG models, but it has a clean look, with a gloss-black frame and rounded base. The Invisible Speaker System places actuators around the perimeter of the bezel to create a wider sweet spot. The audio setup menu offers five preset sound modes, plus basic treble, bass, and balance controls. SRS TruSurround XT is onboard, and you also get a volume leveler and Clear Voice II technology to improve dialogue reproduction.

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Review By Amazon

Unlike other sensors which can only sense brightness of ambient light, LG’s “Intelligent Sensor” uses 4,096 sensing steps to evaluate its surroundings. Using a sophisticated algorithm, the LG processes picture quality elements including brightness, contrast, color, sharpness and white balance. The result is a picture optimized for it’s surroundings, more pleasing to watch and which can also save up to 50% in power consumption.

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Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1 Hdtv Review

vwmadm — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:45:06 +0000

Packed with the latest technology, Sony’s 40″ KDL-V40XBR1 BRAVIA XBR LCD Flat Panel HDTV features the WEGA Engine system, which delivers superb picture quality from any video source minimizing signal deterioration. Other features such as WEGA GATE guide allow the user to easily navigate television functions: favorite channels, television channel lists and external input list of settings. The exciting PC Input function allows the user to connect a PC to the KDL-V40XBR1 for viewing PC activity in a 16:9 HD Resolution environment. And with Integrated HDTV capabilities, the user can enjoy digital programming with enhanced audio and video reproduction. Watch your living room come to life with Sony’s 40″ KDL-V40XBR1 LCD Flat Panel HDTV.

7th Generation Sony LCD Panel

The Sony BRAVIA XBR series uses the world’s first 7th generation Sony LCD panel for truly matchless image quality and performance. Specially crafted at the S-LCD plant, these panels are produced from the world’s biggest mother glass to efficiently create large, high quality panels. The 1 Mega Pixel S-PVA high definition display (1366 x 768) that is used offers an astounding 178 degree viewing angle, very fast response times (8 ms total rise and fall time) and a spectacular contrast ratio.
WCG-CCFL (Wide Color Gamut-Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light)

Sony brings decades of television expertise and experience to LCD with a revolutionary backlight – WCG-CCFL. New spectrum phosphors have been developed exclusively by Sony to deliver a very wide color gamut that exceeds the color gamut of ordinary CCFL backlights and produces true reds, vivid greens and vibrant blues. Images are reproduced with enhanced vibrancy and intensity resulting in an even greater sense of realism.
WEGA Engine

Because of the special demands HDTV places on signal quality a new generation of Sony’s exclusive WEGA Engine advanced picture quality system has evolved. Two innovative digital imaging processes have been added to improve overall picture quality. A High Contrast Image processor dynamically detects the histogram of each frame and instantly applies the ideal contrast level for crisper images. And the Natural High Density Picture image processor reduces noise elements by intelligently separating the noise from the video signal for a purer more detailed picture. Enjoy a stunning display of realistic images, amazing detail and sharpness, reduced noise and enhanced clarity with improved depth and contrast.
WEGA GATE User Guide

Explore and navigate your Sony “BRAVIA” television effortlessly with the WEGA GATE user guide. You can easily change your settings or access your favorite TV channels and external inputs. Simply touch the WEGA GATE button on the remote control to activate the comprehensive graphic menu. Your eyes remain on the screen instead of searching in the dark for tiny buttons on the remote control.
HDMI and PC Connectivity

Designed for maximum versatility, Sony’s BRAVIA XBR line is equipped with a comprehensive range of input interfaces. The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI technology supports enhanced or High Definition video, together with multi-channel digital audio to provide matchless image and sound reproduction. The PCD input (HD-15-pin) offers easy connection to your PC, allowing you to use your high resolution Grand WEGA XBR TV as a computer monitor
SRS TruSurround XT

Building on the success of TruSurround technology, TruSurround XT audio adds three new audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience. Dialog Clarity – brings movie dialog into “focus” during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper. TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself. And WOW widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

Review By Products.howstuffworks

The KDL-V40XBR1 can display content from a digital camera via a side-panel USB input, as well as more standard components such as a DVD player, VCR or DVR. In addition to the side USB and composite video inputs, the rear of this LCD TV is equipped with two RF inputs, two more composite video inputs, an S-video input, two component video inputs, an HDMI input, a set of PC audio and video inputs, a fixed/variable audio output and an optical digital audio output. The KDL-V40XBR1′s universal remote control has glow buttons and a slide panel to hide less frequently used buttons.

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Review By Lcdtvbuyingguide

Flexible is the best word I can use to express the overall satisfaction I felt for this Sony product’s picture performance. Certainly the black levels do not overwhelm and remain, as other best brand LCDs, a noticeable shade lighter than that of good plasma TVs. However, Sony has improved through better pixel technology the viewing angle of this TV, which I calculate as 80 degrees before degradation of color and contrast starts to occur. Long a weakness of LCD, off axis viewing is significantly improved over 2nd tier brands and compare evenly with Sharp’s Aquos line.

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Review By Pcmag

A USB port on the side of the V40XBR1 allows for easy on-screen access to pictures, music, and video files stored on flash media. The TV integrates a CableCard slot as well as analog and digital broadcast tuners. The assortment of A/V inputs include three component video connections (one conveniently located on the left side of the TV), a VGA input, and one HDMI input. The lone HDMI input is disappointing. An increasing number of HD cable and satellite set-top boxes offer HDMI output, and almost every upscaling DVD player delivers the resulting HD video signal over a digital connection. It’s difficult to recommend a modern TV at any price that fails to provide at least two digital video inputs.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

The remote isn’t backlit and doesn’t include individual input-selection buttons, but we found it comfortable enough to hold. Sony has replaced the usual menu controls with its Wega Gate interface. The remote has a Wega Gate button instead of the more familiar Menu, but otherwise the menu system is essentially the same as any other manufacturer’s: logical and intuitively laid out. The major exception is the control for CineMotion (Sony’s name for 2:3 pull-down), which resides in the Setup menu rather than the Picture menu.A native resolution of 1,366×768 gives the Sony KDL-V40XBR1 enough pixels to deliver all the detail of 720p HDTV.

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Review By Trustedreviews

Sony has built its reputation on stylish design and this Bravia continues that tradition. Finished in matt silver this TV looks great – the slim bezel surrounding the screen makes the 40in diagonal viewable area look even larger. Below the screen is a mesh hiding the integrated speakers, which produce surprisingly good results – I generally believe that a large screen needs to be coupled with a full surround sound system, but I’ve used this TV with just the integrated speakers for the past few weeks and the sound has adequately filled the room while watching TV and movies or playing games.

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Panasonic TC-P50S1 Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:54:23 +0000

When it comes to best image quality in a TV at an affordable range, Plasma screens deliver the best Contrast Ratio and Color depth. This Viera plasma includes the new NEO plasma display panel with improved blacks and native contrast of 40,000:1. Neo PDP combines advances for plasma in cell structure, process technology, and new drive technology. Neo PDP is eco-friendly. It’s engineered to save power and double the Luminance efficiency. It offers thinner screens than previous plasma flat panels. NEO technology screens are rated to have a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours. This is more than 30 years of viewing when watched for 8 hours a day, before the TV reaches half brightness. It also has 1080p Resolution with 600Hz sub-field drive and Gaming Mode. With all these advances, why settle for an average picture when the Viera plasma display offers so much more.

Did you know that some HDTVs deliver considerably less than 1080 lines of resolution, when Processing fast motion on screen? VIERA S1 Series Plasma HDTVs ensure full-time 1080 TV lines of resolution, even during fast moving scenes in sports and movies. VIERA Image Viewer provides a better way to share your Digital photos. Just pop your SD Memory card into the handy slot, and instantly display your digital photos for friends and family to enjoy. With VIERA Link, you can control your compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-Ray Disc player, Home-theater Sound system and HD camcorder, all with a single remote and helpful on-screen menus.

Features

* 50-inch plasma HDTV with full 1080p HD resolution and three HDMI inputs
* Neo PDP screen provides brighter panel, Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution, and Contrast Ratio of 40,000:1 Native (Infinite Black Panel)
* VIERA Image Viewer lets you share your digital photos with friends and family directly from SD cards
* VIERA Link lets you control your compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-ray Disc player, home theater sound system and HD camcorder, all with a single remote and helpful on-screen menus
* 600Hz Sub-field Drive produces crisp, focused images for sports, dramatic action, and all other fast-moving scenes

Review By Reviews.cnet

The new Panasonic design looks a lot like the old, albeit more rounded on the corners and the edges. The TC-PS1 series sports the hidden speakers that have become fashionable in HDTVs lately, with sound coming from underneath. Glossy black covers the entire frame, with a slim strip of silver shaped to mirror the gently curved bottom edge of the panel. Once we tore off the Energy Star sticker, the only other interruptions among all that black gloss were the Panasonic and Viera logos along with an indicator light and a big power button that nonetheless blended nicely into the frame. The company’s glossy black stand looks the same as last year, and still lacks swivel capability.

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Review By Crutchfield

Panasonic’s new NeoPDP plasma technology significantly improves both picture contrast and black levels. The latest version of Panasonic’s Real Black Drive System reduces the illumination level when plasma pixels shut off, yielding very deep black levels (to see an illustration, click on “more photos”). Note that the TC-P50S1′s impressive 40,000:1 contrast ratio spec is “native” contrast, which is a more accurate measure of real-world performance than the much higher “dynamic” contrast spec.

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Review By Hdtvsreview

Those two picture qualities are worth noting for. The TC-P50S1 has excellent deep black level that it makes a dark scene look real. Even the shadow formations have lesser noise compared to other plasma displays. The deep black helps colors stand out more to compensate for the lack of color accuracy of this model.

Externally, the TC-P50S1 looks sleek and elegant with its glossy black finish. The design is generally similar to the previous Panasonic’s plasma TVs except that the edges of this new series are more rounded. Connectivity ports are just enough – 3 HDMI ports, RF, 2 composite-video ports and S-video. There is also a slot for an SD card which allows pictures saved in the card to be viewed on the big screen.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The TC-P50S1 has a decent amount of picture adjustments but lacks some of the advanced options you’ll find in other displays. Picture settings include five picture modes, three color-temperature options (but no advanced white-balance controls to fine tune the color temperature), video and MPEG noise-reduction, and a C.A.T.S. feature that automatically adjusts the picture based on ambient light. This model does not have the 24p Direct In mode found in the higher-end models, which lets you dictate whether to output 24p film content at 60 Hz (which involves 3:2 pulldown) or 48 Hz (which involves 2:2 pulldown and produces less judder). The TC-P50S1 does have several features to prevent or counteract the effects of short-term image retention (a common plasma concern), including a pixel orbiter, a scrolling bar, and the option to use gray sidebars instead of black.

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Samsung LN-T5271F LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:49:42 +0000

The Samsung LN-T5271F is a 52″ LCD based television with a native resolution of 1080p. This set is part of the 71F series of televisions, part of Samsung’s 2007 lineup which include the 61F series, 65F series, 69F series, and 81F series. The 71Fs are positioned near the high end falling between the 81F and 69F series in price and features. Just like all of Samsung’s 2007 line of televisions this set uses the CCFL (Cold Cathod Flourescent Light) technology that the manufacturer claims produces a more accurate color output. With the 71F series, Samsung adds a glass cover over the front of the unit for increased color depth and a higher contrast ratio. The other notable upgrade is the inclusion of the 120Hz for fast motion video, sports and games.

Spec list

* Full HD 1080p pixel resolution
* 120Hz mode
* 10 bit processing
* 25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
* 8ms response time
* Inputs: 3 x HDMI, 2 x Component, 1 x VGA, 2 x Composite, 2 x S-Video, 2 x RF

Review By Amazon

For those who are ready for the clearest, brightest picture on the market today, Samsung presents the LN-T5271F. Full 1080p resolution is just the beginning: Samsung’s incredible Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology reduces motion blur for crisp, precise action. The color-saturated 40″ picture boasts a 25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, displaying rich blacks and capturing subtle nuances. A fast 8ms response time ensures smooth, lifelike motion. SRS TruSurround XT™ sound from hidden side speakers is enhanced by the premium audio sound of 2.2 channel dome speakers. Enjoy connectivity with all your other digital devices, with 3 HDMI ports and a full complement of inputs. And the handy HDMICEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote.

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Review By Digg

This expertise the construction rate from 60 to 120 per additional (120Hz LCD section) without repeating the same drawing to make more frames. Instead, the TV judiciously calculates the ‘internal` appearance between form A and border B and inserts it in between (Auto Motion Plus 120Hz processor), creation a fluid evolution from one scaffold to the next.

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Review By Digicach

Three High Definition Multimedia InterfaceTM (HDMI) connections make your TV a multimedia centerpiece. Connect HD digital devices like disc players, game consoles, and satellite dish components into the 2 rear connections and use the side-mounted input for cameras, camcorders, and laptops. HDMI is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on an HDTV.

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Review By Vanns

The elegant LNT5271F LCD combines high style and high definition in equal measure. With true 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, it creates a brilliantly sharp, detailed picture. And with its wide color gamut CCFL backlight, the LNT5271F delivers a 25,000:1 contrast ratio. Samsung’s ultra-fast switching technology and 8-millisecond response time decrease blurring, so even high-speed sports remain crisp and easy on the eyes. Plus, progressive scan technology eliminates the flicker that you see on traditional, interlaced scanning TVs. The LNT5271F’s 120Hz refresh rate means no motion blur. And it’s all wrapped up in a gorgeous frame.

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Review By Pcworld

All modern HDTVs are fixed-pixel displays. The number of pixels a display has determines its maximum resolution and thus the fineness of detail it can reproduce. Resolution is normally expressed as pixel width versus pixel height. This television’s resolution is 1920 by 1080, meaning it has 1920 pixel columns by 1080 pixel rows. Popular for midrange and high-end HDTVs of all types, especially those with large screens, this resolution matches the 1080i maximum resolution for broadcast HDTV and 1080p Blu-ray Disc formats. A key characteristic of all fixed-pixel displays is that incoming signals not at the set’s native resolution must be scaled to match that resolution.

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Sharp LC-52D64U LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:58:08 +0000

Once again, Sharp, a leader in LCD technology, establishes a new design standard for LCD TVs. The AQUOS LC-52D64U raises the bar by fitting large screen sizes into incredibly small footprints. By changing the layout of circuits inside the LCD panel and by reducing the number of parts, Sharp engineers developed the Slim-line design which reduces depth by 25%, allowing placement of the LC-52D64U in virtually any setting. The LC-52D64U utilizes Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View / Black TFT Panel with multi-pixel technology, providing 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio with Enhanced Picture Contrast Technology and 4ms response time. The LC-52D64U features built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners and includes 3 HDMI (version 1.3) inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, a PC input and 2 HD component video inputs. Side terminals are included for wall-mounting convenience as well as RS-232C input for control.

Features

Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) Resolution
for the sharpest picture possible.

10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 4ms1 Response Time
produces spectacular picture quality.

Three HDMI (version 1.3) and Dual Component Inputs
for the ultimate in terminal flexibility. All HD inputs are compatible with 1080p sources.

Wide Viewing Angles (176º H x 176º V)
Sharp’s AQUOS LCD TV viewing angles are so wide, you can view the TV clearly from practically anywhere in the room.

Enhanced Black Level
provides the deepest, most accurate blacks of any flat panel TV.

High Brightness (450 cd/m2)
AQUOS LCD Televisions are very bright. You can put them virtually anywhere – even near windows, doors or other light sources – and the picture is still vivid.

Built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuners
provide access to DTV and analog TV channels.

AQUOS engine with ASV Technology
provides high-performance video processing for the brightest, most vivid colors and images.

Review By Amazon

The D64 series is the thinnest line of AQUOS LCD TVs ever built. Its narrower frame means more picture in less space. It’s slim and elegant design saves space, while delivering a breathtaking picture and top-end features. Full HD 1080p resolution produces a crisp picture, and a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with 4ms response time (6ms on LC-32D64U and LC-37D64U) delivers amazingly accurate picture quality. High-efficiency backlight, high-performance speakers and built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners all hit the mark.All D64 models feature at least two HDMI inputs, a PC input, , RS-232C, component, and composite terminals. AQUOS LINK enables convenient control of your other devices using just your AQUOS TV remote. From the 32-inch Class up to a awesoome 65-inch Class, the AQUOS D64 is a beautiful choice.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

Sharp’s designers accomplished this feat by shaving another hard-won inch off the glossy black frame surrounding the LCD screen itself, leaving just about 1.5 inches of bezel between the top and sides of the screen and the edges of the panel. The area of frame under the screen spans more space and houses the logo, a series of indicator lights, and the silver-gray speakers, which are accented by a thin strip of classy, albeit vaguely smiley-faced, chrome that runs the width of the television.

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Review By Best-lcd-hdtv-reviews

The TV also possesses 2 HDMI inputs, composite, component terminals, PC input and RS 232 C. The Aquos enables easy control of the devices with the help of high standard remote. From 32 inches Class to fantastic 65 inches Class, the Sharp Aquos is simply a stunning option. The innovative technology for LCD panel and Advanced Super Views by Sharp offers pure blacks and brightest whites with a vast range of attractive colors. The panel also offers the great response time and contrast ratio to enjoy a true movie-like smoothness. The 10 bit panel also increases color capacity from over 16 million colors to over 1 billion colors.

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Review By Hometheatermag

The Sharp’s audio comes from a narrow perforated aluminum strip just below that. The sound (which I’ll not cover further in this review) is surprisingly good considering the space it comes from—hardly serious home theater quality, but perfectly listenable for casual use.There are onboard NTSC and ATSC tuners, but no CableCARD slot, a common omission in many new sets.

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Review By Hdtv-news

Let’s dive right into this wonderful piece of technology. As mentioned, the LC-52D64U’s color is rich and vibrant without being over saturated. On this set, skin tones are right on the money. Blacks and shadows are a real challenge for most LCD televisions. That is probably the trade off between LCD’s and Plasmas. However, since the Sharp AQUOS LC-52D64U is part of the new generation of LCD’s, this graying artifact is becoming less and less the case. In the LCD realm, the LC-52D64U, acquits itself quite well.

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Sharp Aquos LC-46D62U LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:36:05 +0000

This Sharp 1080p 46″ LCD HDTV sets a new standard for large-screen flat-panel TVs. With Full HD Spec 1080p resolution, dramatically enhanced black level and an elegant new design, it produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. This LCD TV utilizes the next generation of Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel with multi-pixel technology, providing a native 2000:1 Contrast Ratio and a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 10,000:1 with Enhanced Picture Contrast Technology, 4ms response time and wide viewing angles (176º H x 176º V). This LCD HDTV has built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuners and include 2 HDMI™ inputs, is compatible with 1080p signals, and has 2 HD component video inputs. This LCD HDTV features a sleek piano black cabinet with subtle, recessed bottom-mounted speakers, and the included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications.

Features

* Full HD Spec 1080p (1920 x 1080) Resolution for the sharpest picture possible
* Integrated ATSC / QAM / NTSC Tuner
* Table Stand Included
* High Brightness (450 cd/m2) AQUOS Liquid Crystal Televisions maintin vivid color saturation and contrast even near windows, doors or other light sources
* Dual HDMI Inputs for the ultimate in terminal flexibility. Both inputs are compatible with 1080p sources

Review By Amazon

Simply put, nothing competes to the AQUOS 1080p full high definition experience. You enjoy HDTV in its purest, most exhilarating form. True 16:9 widescreen provides a cinematic experience optimized for your natural line of sight. And AQUOS 1080p delivers twice the digital and double resolution of 720p HDTV.

Resolution describes the number of pixels on a digital television screen. More pixels give the picture more lifelike detail. Higher pixel density provides added clarity for digital TV, DVD, and HDTV. This fine resolution means you can view the large screen even from a close distance. For example, you can comfortably view a 45-inch screen from about 5.6-feet away.

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Review By Compusa

The HDTV has an amazing Enhanced Picture Contrast Technology that gives 10,000:1 contrast ratio – the best there is right now. This is the ratio of the contrast between the whitest and the darkest colors shown on the television. The larger the difference of the ratio, the finer and more vivid the colors are – further proof this machine will give you a deeply satisfying and color-rich home theater experience.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

The Sharp LC-46D62U turns in a whole new design direction for the company’s Aquos line of LCDs. Gone are the cookie-cutter silver-and titanium-frames; this 46-inch screen is wreathed entirely in glossy black, the fingerprint-friendly flat-panel flavor of the year. The bezel around the top and sides is of average thickness, while below the screen it widens and assumes a chrome-lined curve along the bottom edge, like a Mona Lisa’s smile. Below Sharp’s subtle grin, the cabinet turns gray and perforated, concealing the speakers, then ends above a pair of glossy black legs that flow into the matching base.

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Review By Crutchfield

This unit has two HDMI inputs for connecting components such as HDTV set-top boxes, DVDs, or other HDMI equipment. One of the two HDMI inputs can be used with an HDMI-DVI conversion cable, and has stereo analog audio input jacks. If you are connecting a DVI-equipped device, you must indicate the type of signal in the menu (HDMI or DVI) to activate the audio inputs. You can also use the HDMI inputs to hookup the TV to your PC.

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Sharp Aquos LC-65SE94U LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:57:40 +0000

The “Special Edition” AQUOS SE94U Series sets a new standard for large-screen flat-panel LCD TVs. With full HD 1080p resolution, dramatically enhanced black level and an elegant new “cornerstone” design with space-saving slim bezel design and thin profile, the SE94 Series produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. The LC-65SE94U utilizes the next generation of Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel, providing 27,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 4ms response time, as well as 120Hz frame rate conversion for the ultimate in fast-motion image processing.

In addition, the LC-65SE94U includes a groundbreaking AQUOS Net Feature for custom web content through an Ethernet jack. The LC-65SE94U is an HDTV with built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners and includes 3 HDMI™ inputs that are compatible with 1080p signals, and has x.v. Color and AQUOS Link™, a PC input, 2 HD 1080p component video inputs as well as RS-232C for control. The LC-65SE94U features a unique textured black cabinet with detachable, recessed bottom-mounted speakers, and the included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications.

* AQUOS Net
* Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) Resolution
* Next-generation 10-Bit ASV LCD Panel
* 120Hz Frame Rate Conversion
* Cornerstone Design
* Enhanced Black Level
* Five-wavelength Backlight System
* High Brightness (450 cd/m 2 )
* Built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuners
* AQUOS Link™ Function
* Five 1080p Compatible Inputs

Review By Vanns

The Special Edition AQUOS SE94U Series sets a new standard for large-screen flat-panel LCD TVs. First, the look is different — instead of a single-colored bezel, Sharp presents a dramatic, new “cornerstone” design. This television’s graceful, artistic form will enhance any room’s decor. Plus, with FULL HD 1080p resolution, enhanced black levels, and a fast response time, it also produces breathtaking picture quality.

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Review By Hometheaterstore

“AQUOS® SE94U” series carves a new landmark in picture representation in large screen flat-panel LCD TVs; fetching you considerably enhanced black level with all new “corner stone” design and Full HD resolution. Enjoy the amenities of Contemporary slim bezel design with thin profile that will surely complement your space saving approach.
Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel, grants 27,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio; 4 ms response time and 120Hz frame rate conversion to make it ultimate in fast-motion image processing. Moreover Deciding aspects and features of “LC-65SE94U” ensure a new high of home entertainment.

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Review By Hdtvexpert

Sharp’s remote control designs haven’t changed much in the past few years and are ergonomically friendly, except for a few key buttons that are too small. The keyboard layout is moderately busy — it would be hard to operate behind your back — and doesn’t provide direct input access without menu navigation.You can save up to four favorite channels into memory, tune channels up or down, or directly enter any analog or digital station from the keypad. The Input button is very small and located just below the keypad next to the Flashback button, so don’t be surprised if you hit the wrong key by mistake from time to time.

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Review By Coolgadgetszone

The LC-65SE94U is an HDTV with built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners and includes 3 HDMI inputs that are compatible with 1080p signals, and has x.v. Color and AQUOS Link, a PC input, 2 HD 1080p component video inputs as well as RS-232C for control. The LC-65SE94U features a unique textured black cabinet with detachable, recessed bottom-mounted speakers, and the included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications.

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Sony Bravia XBR KDL-52XBR4 1080p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:01:32 +0000

Over the years XBR has stood for the best consumer TV’s Sony has to offer and this year’s line up is no exception. The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporate all of Sony’s latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color). Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. And it’s only fitting that your XBR make a statement not only through breathtaking picture quality, but by taking your breath away with optional color bezels. Now your LCD TV can be as distinct as your own personal style,

Features

* 10-bit 16:9 Full HD 1080p Panel (1920×1080)
* Motionflow with FHD 120 Hz high frame rate capability
* BRAVIA Engine PRO & Live Color Creation system
* 1080p Inputs: HDMI (x3), YPbPr (x2), PC
* Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE)

Review By 2009hdtv

The XBR KDL-52XBR4 is a 1080p television with a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest resolution available for the sharpest, clearest picture. The KDL-52XBR uses the most recent HDMI 1.3 interface, which houses both audio and video signals in one connector and has the bandwidth to support the data needed for the high resolution. Sony’s Bravia Engine Pro Full Digital Video Processor upconverts all video signals to 1080p so you can watch all your old DVDs on this glorious display.

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Review By Amazon

Sony complements the high resolution with the latest technology in color reproduction. The KDL-52XBR is a 10-bit display with 10-bit processing. Most panels are only 8-bit. The added bit depth here means a larger color palette for more faithful color reproduction and smoother transitions from one color to the next. Additionally, the display also supports the new x.v.Color standard, which dramatically increases the available color space. The end result is a picture that is so detailed, colorful, and vibrant, you’d have a hard time distinguishing it from real life.

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Review By Schoolofhdtv

When you start watching your films and TV shows on your very own Bravia KDL-52XBR4 1080p, never have to worry about limited connectivity options. The Sony Bravia XBR lineup of HDTV’s all have the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) feature. Audio and video connections can now be accessed easily, as they are now combined into one. Forget about the hassles of cables or cords. Plus, you have options for S-video input, so you can use your Sony Bravia HDTV as a monitor for your computer. With the Blu-Ray compatibility feature, get to play all your Blu-Ray discs right onto your Sony Bravia HDTV.

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Review By Blurayguide

Watching HD content on the 52-Inch Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4 1080p LCD HDTV is simply amazing. Colors are true and stand out like no TV has ever done. Everything looks 3D and pops out like you’re looking through a window. Is this even possible without 3D glasses? Side by side with any LCD HDTV out there, the Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4 takes the cake. The only other LCD HDTV that comes close is the Samsung LNT5271F 52? 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV.

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Review By Universallcd

The KDL-52XBR4′s set of audio/video jacks is heavy on HD-compatible connections, including two component video and three digital HDMI inputs, all with the ability to accept 1080p video. High-def material is expanding rapidly, and you may already have an HD satellite receiver, video game console, camcorder, and more.

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Review By Crutchfield

Two key factors determining LCD picture quality are the LCD panel and the video processing circuitry. The KDL-52XBR4 is part of the first wave of HDTVs to employ an LCD screen with 10-bit resolution. A 10-bit panel can display 1024 levels of color gradation compared to only 256 steps for conventional 8-bit panels. And 10-bit video processing fully utilizes the panel’s exceptional color resolution to show even the subtlest shadings.

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Sharp LC-65D64U LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:35:24 +0000

AQUOS LC-65D64U raises the bar by fitting a large screen size into an incredibly small footprint. By changing the layout of circuits inside the LCD panel and by reducing the number of parts, Sharp engineers developed the Slim-line design which reduces depth by 25%, allowing placement of the LC-65D64U in virtually any setting. The LC-65D64U utilizes Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View / Black TFT Panel with multi-pixel technology, providing 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio with Enhanced Picture Contrast Technology and 4ms response time. The LC-65D64U features built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners and includes 3 HDMI™ (version 1.3) inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, X.V. Color, a PC input and 2 HD component video inputs. Side terminals are included for wall-mounting convenience as well as RS-232C input for control.

Features
Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) Resolution
for the sharpest picture possible.
10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 4ms1 Response Time
produces spectacular picture quality.
Three HDMI (version 1.3) and Dual Component Inputs
for the ultimate in terminal flexibility. All HD inputs are compatible with 1080p sources and compatible with X.V. color for extended color gamut.
Wide Viewing Angles (176º H x 176º V)
Sharp’s AQUOS LCD TV viewing angles are so wide, you can view the TV clearly from practically anywhere in the room.
Enhanced Black Level
provides the deepest, most accurate blacks of any flat panel TV.
High Brightness (450 cd/m2)
AQUOS LCD Televisions are very bright. You can put them virtually anywhere – even near windows, doors or other light sources – and the picture is still vivid.
Built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuners
provide access to DTV and analog TV channels.
AQUOS engine with ASV Technology
provides high-performance video processing for the brightest, most vivid colors and images.

Review By Vanns

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Sharp’s LC52D85U features five HDMI connections. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format. Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components.

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Review By Pcmag

The LC-65D64U’s glossy black bezel measures 1.7 inches across along the top and is slightly wider along the sides. The D64 series is thinner (depth) and weighs less than the D62 series it replaces, although the LC-65D64U ‘s 110.3pound weight increases to a hefty 121.3 pounds when it is attached to its rectangular-shaped table stand. Like the D62 series, the D64s also feature a stylishly curved lower bezel that partially conceals a narrow (1.5-inch-wide) mesh-topped stereo speaker that is as long as the TV is wide. The set’s universal remote control is Sharp’s premium baton design that features a fully backlit keypad.

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Review By Toplcdhdtv

The Sharp Aquos LC65D64U fits a large screen size into an incredibly small footprint. allowing placement of the LC65D64U model in virtually any type of setting. This is a dream come true for the home entertainment enthusiast looking out to fill huge spare space in his or her residential “amusement center” with a piece of high-tech appliance that not only replicates the unique thrill one gets from the cinema but is also a conversation piece in its own right.

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Review By Youreviewelectronics

However, to get the picture right, it takes a lot of fiddling with the colors and settings. Also as there is no PIP, it’s a challenge to view HD broadcasts on the whole screen and you have to use “zoom” to fill the screen. After the TV is on for a short while, there have been reports of an odor emitting. The heat and fumes radiating off the 65?screen means you should have a minimum of 10 feet distance from this giant HDTV as highly recommended.

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Sony KDL-52W3000 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:12:18 +0000

The Sony KDL-52W3000 is a 52 inch high-def television with a 1080p native resolution display. The W3000 series of televisions is part of Sony’s 2007 line of HDTVs and is a step up from the S3000 series, and a step below the XBR4s. The biggest upgrade from the S3000 series is the change to a native 1080p resolution display, from the S3000′s 720p resolution. Sony includes additional features to justify the extra cost, including increased color depth of 10-bit, and support for higher quality video sources, namely x.v.Color and 1080p/24Hz. The x.v.Color support isn’t a significant factor to the television because there are very few sources that can deliver a proper signal. The 24p support may be important, however there are no display options that are a direct multiple of 24, therefore the television still has to perform a 3:2 pull down conversion which may cause artifacts.

Feature

* 52″ LCD panel at 1080p native resolution
* XMB interface
* Picture-in-Picture with freeze frame
* Inputs: 3 x HDMI, 3 x Component, 1 x VGA, 2 x Composite, 1 x S-Video, 1 x RF

Review By Howstuffworks

The KDL-52W3000 features 24p True Cinema, which will certainly appeal to movie buffs. This helps reduce judder in film-based material, notably 1080p/24 frame per second movies. Again, this is a feature most viewers might not even notice, but worth the step up if you’re a true videophile. To further enhance programming that isn’t in glorious high-definition, this set features Sony’s BRAVIA Engine EX digital video processing with Digital Reality Creation-Multifunction. It’s a mouthful, but basically is used to help up-convert standard definition signals so that even when you’re watching a regular DVD or digital cable TV, you get a great picture.

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Review By Testfreaks

Sony® created BRAVIA® Theatre Sync™ to go beyond basic digital audio and video transmission. Based on the HDMI-CEC function, BRAVIA® Theatre Sync™ will be included on select BRAVIA® Theatre home A/V systems and components. This useful function reduces the hassle and time consuming job of powering up, routing signals, etc. to the simple push of one button. 8 Want to play your DVD on your Sony® A/V system— Easy, just push PLAY on the BRAVIA® HDTV remote and everything is taken care of for you. Even when the system is off! Want to change from TV sound to digital surround sound through your Sony BRAVIA® Theatre A/V system— Just one push of the Theater Sound button on the remote and voila, surround sound through your system.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

The sets can also accept video signals at 24 frames per second, which some have claimed can reduce judder in film-based material. We haven’t seen evidence of that yet, and even those who do claim there is a difference say that it only occurs when the refresh rate is an even multiple of 24–like the step-up KDL-XBR4 models with 120Hz refresh rates. So it’s nice that it can accept 1080p/24 frames per second material, but don’t expect to see any performance gains.

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Review By Hdtvreviewlab

1080p, v1.3 HDMI, fantastic picture, all the latest technologies and it’s a Sony. Nothing much else to say but this TV is awesome. You won’t be disappointed. My buddy has a Pioneer 50? 1080p plasma that costs almost twice as much and this LCD blows it away in picture quality, life like color reproduction and doesn’t show any reflections like the plasma definately does. I also own a Mitsubishi 52? 1080p DLP and did not think the picture could get any better and I was wrong, way wrong. This TV has a phenomenal picture that I have yet to see on any other TV that I have looked at.

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Review By Amazon

BRAVIA HDTV’s performance has now advanced to the point that the color range can be defined by limitations in the original video source, rather than the TV. Thanks to the adoption of a newly approved international color standard called xvYCC (an option in the HDMI v1.3 spec and which Sony participated in creating), the color space has been greatly expanded. 1.8 times as many natural colors as existing HDTV signals will now be faithfully reproduced. x.v.Color is the name Sony has chosen to promote video products that include xvYCC capability. x.v.Color enabled products can now offer more accurate color reproduction and natural colors.

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Toshiba 52VX545U LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:39:27 +0000

Premium picture quality is within reach with the 52XV545U. PixelPure 4G digital video processing and ClearFrame 120Hz frame rate technology produce a cleaner picture that is great for high-speed action. Combined with the rich and vibrant colors supported by ColorBurst and the deep blacks that are made possible by DynaLight, this set is a powerhouse home theater addition. With Full HD, there’s no need to scale down a 1080 signal. With twice the pixel resolution of 720p HD models, Full HD creates the pinnacle in picture quality.

Deep Color SRT super resolution technology AutoView ColorBurst WCG CCFL 10-Bit LCD Panel TheaterWide Modes Color Temperature Control Game Mode Native Mode (Good for Gaming and Movies) ColorMaster 4 Item Universal Remote Control Auto Aspect Control Sleep Timer Channel Browser Channel Labeling Input Labeling Discrete IR Codes Mute / Half Mute Sound Quality Enhancement StableSound sound leveler Rear A/V/S Inputs (1 Rear / 1 Side), 2x ColorStream Component Video Inputs, HDMI v1.3 Digital Inputs (3 Rear / 1 Side), PC Input (15-Pin D-Sub), REGZA Link (HDMI-CEC), Dolby Digital Audio Out, Analog Audio Out (Fixed), and IR Pass-Through Dimensions – Width 49.29 x Height 31.13 x Depth 4.02 (1251x790x102mm) / 49.29 x 33.06 x 12.92 (1251x839x328mm) with stand Weight – 31.8 pounds (4.02kg) / 37.5 pounds (12.92kg) with stand.

Features:
• Super Narrow bezel
• 1080p HD
• 14-bit PixelPure Processing
• ClearFrame 120Hz
• Gaming Mode

Review By Technotalks

The 46-inch Samsung LN46A850, priced at $2,599.99, is the company’s thinnest HDTV till date. It has a width of a mere 1.9 inches. The HDTV brags of brilliantly accurate colors, black inky-dark videos, and excellently detailed display of standard- and high-definition sources. You also get to have the option of support for network streaming of multimedia content with this HDTV. It boasts of a glossy black frame and the frame of the screen is mere 1.9 inches wide along the sides. It is a mere 3 inches wide along its bottom. The LN46A850 sports a swivel-action, rectangular shaped glass stand.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

A key feature of the Toshiba 46XV545U is it’s SRT (Super Resolution Technology), which upconverts and enhances any non Full HD signal, such as 480p and 720p, from standard DVDs and normal TV channels, to produce a more detailed, and near HD picture quality. In a time where not all channels are in HD, and where many people have a vast collection of DVDs, this feature is very useful, allowing you to get the most out of your non-HD content.

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Review By Hometheatermag

Color-point adjustment is becoming more common, and Toshiba’s version is called ColorMaster. This lets you tweak the hue, saturation, and brightness of each primary (red, green, blue) and secondary (cyan, magenta, yellow) color, which effectively moves the color points as needed to provide an accurate color gamut. (See this issue’s “Gear Works” for more on the subject.) This is a potentially great feature, but you shouldn’t attempt to use it without the requisite tools and training.

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Review By Electronista

The XV545 HDTVs, available with 120Hz 42-, 46- and 52-inch panel sizes, mark the return of Toshiba’s Cinema-series of products, while the RV535 HDTVs are available with 60Hz 42-, 46- and 52-inch displays. Both also share the AutoView feature, which uses a sensor to automatically adjust brightness and sharpness levels depending on the level of ambient light in the viewing environment. Both lines sport four HDMI inputs that include the REGZA link (HDMI-CEC), allowing users to control all of their compatible Toshiba equipment with one remote.

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Sony KDL46XBR8 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:22:55 +0000

The Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR8 HDTV represents the next step forward in HDTV technology, with a TRILUMINOS RGB dynamic LED backlight that utilizes clusters of red, green, and blue LEDs to produce breathtaking images with enhanced color purity. This clustered arrangement also allows the XBR8 to display deep blacks alongside bright whites, creating images with startling depth and exceptional shadow detail.

Take the next step forward in HDTV technology with the KDL46XBR8 BRAVIA® XBR® LCD flat panel HDTV. In addition to full HD 1080p, the XBR-8 series TV features TRILUMINOS® RGB Dynamic LED backlight which produces breathtaking images with enhanced color purity that result in deep blacks and bright whites with startling depth and exceptional shadow detail. You’ll also see the difference with Motionflow™ 120Hz Pro technology which enhances motion and delivers a smoother and clearer picture. Your 1080p HD images will look more breathtaking than ever thanks to the BRAVIA Engine™ 2 Pro full digital video processor. The KDL46XBR8 has DMex functionality which lets you expand the capabilities of your HDTV by adding optional BRAVIA Link modules (sold separately), plus it comes with plenty of connectivity options to connect your video sources.

LED Backlighting: offering huge huge upgrades in picture quality, realism and detail with much deeper black levels and higher contrast ratios than conventional and more common LCD sets. Also has longer lifespan and lower power consumption because of the LED-LCD backlighting.

16:9 Full High Definition 1080p resolution: for the absolute true high definition effect out of your HDTV

MotionFlow 120Hz refresh rate: effectively doubles the frame rate of your HDTV resulting in much smoother and natural imaging by reducing judder and problematic action imaging defects.

10-Bit display panel with 10-Bit image processing: most current HDTVs you will see are in 8-bit, and the extra 2-bits actually adds dramatically more color possibilities, not just 30-40% like one might imagine…. an 8-bit panel has 16,777,216 colors possible, but a 10-bit panel has 1,073,741,824 colors possible or a 64 times more possibility.

24p TrueCinema Mode: Because of the 120Hz frame rate upgrade, the Sony XBR8 is capable to play films and bluray directly how it was supposed to be played, movies are filmed at 24 frames per second and because 120HZ is a direct multiple of that where the standard 60FPS is not, there is no need for guesswork or conversion like in other televisions… resulting in a more true, natural and better looking cinema experience.

More than enough inputs: With 4 HDMI1.4 ports, 2 components, composite and other connectors the Sony XBR8 series televisions can handle all your peripherals and hook-ups.

Review By Toplcdhdtv

The Sony KDL-46XBR8 LCD HDTV represents the next step forward in high definition technology, with a TRILUMINOS® RGB dynamic LED backlight that utilizes clusters of red, green, and blue LEDs to produce breathtaking images with enhanced color purity. Sony is undeniably one of the prominent manufacturers of television sets. Now the company is unloading its latest line of high-definition TVs, the Bravia XBR series. This impressive Sony Bravia XBR8 line is designed to provide viewers an exceptional home theater experience.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

Sony really has gone all out of the Bravia XBR8 series to make it the most modern and top of the range HDTV, which looks set to be one of the very best for 2008. The most notable feature of the Sony XBR8 series is the Triluminos RGB LED backlight, and it’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer Pro (ACE Pro) local dimming technology. By using LEDs as the backlight the contrast is improved, power consumption is reduced and local dimming of individual LED areas can enhanced the image further by dimming the brightness of the darker areas of the image.

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Review By Youreviewelectronics

With its 16:9 Full HD 1080p resolution panel and Sony’s latest BRAVIA Engine™ 2 PRO video processing options, the KDL-46XBR8 shows best-in-class bright-room viewing characteristics. The combination of high 120Hz frame rate and sequential Motionflow™ 120Hz PRO scanning technology have superior dejudder capabilities to reduce the image blur and judder and provide a natural and realistic television viewing experience irrespective of the incoming media.

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Review By Crutchfield

High-def video looks amazing, but realistically, most people will continue to watch some standard-definition programs for a while yet. And that’s when the KDL-46XBR8′s video processing takes center stage. BRAVIA Engine 2™ PRO is actually a collection of unique Sony technologies which work together to reduce noise, enhance detail, and optimize contrast on a scene-by-scene basis. Non-HD sources automatically get upconverted to 1080p.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The KDL-46XBR8 boasts an excellent assortment of picture adjustments, beginning with four picture modes for video content (vivid, standard, cinema, and custom) and four modes specifically for photo viewing. You get four color temperatures (cool, neutral, warm 1, and warm 2), noise reduction, an adjustable backlight, and a light sensor that can automatically tailor the TV’s light output to suit your viewing environment. The menu also includes white balance and gamma controls, as well as two color spaces. Compared with the basic Motionflow 120Hz menu that includes three setup options, Motionflow 120Hz Pro adds a fourth choice (Clear) that employs the sequential scanning of the LED backlights to reduce motion blur without adding frame interpolation.

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Review By Hemagazine

With real content and LED Dynamic Control enabled, the contrast ratio is going vary per shot, ranging from the minimum (the ANSI contrast ratio) to somewhere near but not exactly the full-on/full-off contrast ratio, depending on what is on screen.Compare this to a normal LCD whose contrast ratio remains roughly the same no matter what is on screen. LCDs with a backlight that adjusts as a whole don’t change the contrast ratio within a shot, only between different shots. Each shot has the same contrast ratio, the backlight just adjusts so each shot has a different black level, but actual overall contrast ratio stays the same.

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Vizio SV470XVT LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:35:24 +0000

VIZIO ‘XVT’ was designed from the ground up to set a new standard of Full High Definition technology. Starting with the remarkable refresh rate of 120Hz, the VIZIO SV470XVT FHDTV adds Full High Definition 1080p, 4x HDMI inputs, SRS TruSurround XT (TM) sound and Smooth Motion picture technology to deliver impeccable results. Add more than 2-Million pixels and dynamic 6,500:1 contrast ratio, your new VIZIO SV470XVT is the newest caliber of technology in the Full High Definition Television space.

Features
120Hz, Full HD 1920 x 1080 native Resolution LCD - 120Hz refresh rate coupled with 1920×1080 resolution provides only the smoothest-motion imagery. Enjoy DVD movies, gaming, or High Definition television with astounding clarity. Add 1080p processing power for Full High Definition viewing and the VIZIO SV470XVT is the new home theatre solution!

Elegant Design – The SV470XVT incorporates an all new chassis design with elegant slim piano-black bezel construction and brushed silver accents. I

SRS TruSurroundXT(TM) - Three built-in speakers provide the ultimate home theatre sound solution that will truly set it apart from the competition.

178 Degree Viewing Angle - Our LCD HDTV’s deliver a viewing angle of up to 178 degrees, resulting in crisp and clear pictures that are visible from any seat in the house.

Integrated Digital/QAM television tuner – enjoy high definition and regular television programs with or without paid high definition service.

Review By Tootechie

Vizio SV470XVT is the newest caliber of technology in the Full High Definition Television space now available in the Vizio’s ‘XVT’ series. The SV470XVT FHDTV includes a lots of remarkable features such as Full High Definition 1080p, refresh rate of 120Hz, 4x HDMI inputs, SRS TruSurround XT (TM) sound and Smooth Motion picture technology. The 47? LCD 1080p full HD also offers a 6,500:1 contrast ratio and more than 2-Million pixels along with 1920 x 1080 native Resolution to provide the smoothest-motion imagery.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The XVT Series marks the first appearance of 120Hz technology in Vizio LCD HDTVs. The line includes screen sizes of 42, 47, and 55 inches; given that these are Vizio displays, it should come as no surprise that all three models are more than competitively priced for 120Hz TVs at their respective screen sizes. The 47-inch, 1080p SV470XVT is priced at just $1,399.99. We have not performed a hands-on review of this product, but here is an overview of the TV’s features. Obviously, the marquee feature is a 120Hz frame rate, designed to reduce motion blur with faster-moving content; Vizio also incorporates what it calls Smooth Motion technology to reduce judder in film-based sources and produce smoother, cleaner motion.

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Review By Audioholics

The display is truly beautiful. It features a piano gloss black bezel that is just over an inch in height on the top and sides of the display. The bottom is adorned with the permanently-affixed speakers and a silver central accent area that is really an inactive center channel speaker. There is a wireless 5.1 surround system option that is talked about in the manual (but not to be found anywhere on the Vizio website). When activated with a valid 5.1 source signal, the bottom right of the center channel lights up with a red LED logo that spells out “5.1″. Nifty, and I would have liked to have seen this discrete center channel used even without the wireless surrounds.

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Review By Televisioninfo

The color gamut is the range of colors that a television is capable of displaying, ideally the color gamut will match the international standard for high definition tvs. The Vizio SV470XVT’s color gamut did have some minor problems, but was otherwise good. Below you can see the Vizio SV470XVT’s color gamut graphed against the standard, called ITU Recommendation .709. The Vizio SV470XVT’s color gamut is shown with a dotted line while the standard is shown with a solid line.

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Review By Reviews.washingtonpost

The Vizio SV470XVT’s remote is angular and we found it did not balance well in the hand. The buttons are large and clearly labeled. We did find that the infrared sensor on the TV itself was not very sensitive; generally you need to make sure you are pointing the remote directly at the infrared sensor to get a response. The Vizio SV470XVT’s on-screen menu interface was something we liked; it was simple and attractive, but still offered a reasonable selection of advanced options for tweaking the image quality. We were also happy with the audio quality from the Vizio SV470XVT’s built-in speakers; they produced decent sound at a good volume level.

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Sony KDL-40XBR7 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:41:22 +0000

Sony’s ultra-sleek XBR7 models are among the most stylish new HDTVs available. Sony bucks an industry trend by positioning the speakers out to the sides, rather than along the bottom, for more spacious sound that stays anchored to the on-screen action. The 40″ KDL-40XBR7 boasts full 1080p resolution, plus advanced video processing, to display high-def images with striking clarity and dimensionality.

Motionflow 120Hz processing ensures smooth, natural motion
Every LCD TV maker takes a different approach to 120Hz processing, but Sony’s Motionflow technology is one of the most sophisticated and effective. First, it actually reduces blur in the original source image captured by the camera, then it doubles the video frame rate by inserting 60 entirely new frames between the original 60 frames. The system analyzes the motion of specific on-screen objects as well as overall movement in each scene, adjusting the amount of enhancement to create seamlessly smooth, sharp pictures.

10-bit LCD panel and video processing for more accurate colors
Another key factor determining picture quality is the color resolution of the LCD panel and video processing circuitry. The KDL-40XBR7′s 10-bit LCD panel can display 1024 levels of gradation for each primary color — red, green, and blue — compared to only 256 steps for the 8-bit panels found in most TVs. And 10-bit video processing takes full advantage of the panel’s exceptional color resolution to show even the subtlest shadings.

Enjoy better-looking non-HD video, too
High-def video looks amazing, but realistically, we’ll probably still be watching some standard-definition programs for a while yet. And that’s when you’ll appreciate the KDL-40XBR7′s powerful video processing. BRAVIA Engine 2 EX is actually a collection of unique Sony technologies which work together to reduce noise, enhance detail, and optimize contrast on a scene-by-scene basis.

Versatile inputs keep you ready for the latest HD sources
The KDL-40XBR7′s “jack pack” includes four advanced HDMI connections that will ensure maximum picture quality as high-def formats evolve. Sony calls them 24p True Cinema capable, which means they can accept the 1080p/24 output from a Blu-ray player. Most movies are originally shot at 24p (24 frames per second), so this feature lets you see video in its most flawless form. One HDMI input is placed on the side of the TV so it’s easier to hook up an HD camcorder or video game console.

Features

New: TV Guide IPG

New: Enhanced (XMB) User Interface with Rich 3D Graphics

New: DLNA Compliant

New: Digital Media Port

16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution Panel (1920 x 1080p)

BRAVIA Engine EX fully digital video processor

Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit (ACE)

24p True Cinema capable (Learn more)

Emmy-award winning Xross Media Bar user interface

DMeX capable

BRAVIA Sync capable

S-Force Front Surround Voice Zoom

Robust Connectivity with 4 HDMI inputs, 2 HD Component inputs, and a PC Input (Learn more)

Piano Gloss Black with Onyx Speaker Grille

Remote: RM-YD023

Review By Ezinearticles

Take all of the great features of the XBR6 line and add BRAVIA Engine EX (40-inch) and BRAVIA Engine PRO (70-inch) fully digital video processors that produces breath-taking images from any resolution, an upgraded industrial design, and an RS-232C connection and you have the Sony BRAVIA XBR7 series.
To further enhance the aesthetic qualities of the KDL40XBR7 HDTV, optional speaker grilles are available in designer colors.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

The larger three sizes in the series, available in 40, 46 and 52-inch sizes, have the same MotionFlow dejudder processing and 120Hz refresh rate found on the KDL-46W4100, along with that model’s TV Guide onscreen EPG and graphically intense menu system. They also include a USB port for music and photo playback; for the latter the company includes an Ethernet port on the back (no word on whether it will allow firmware updates) that can communicate with DLNA-compliant networked PCs to display digital photos on the big screen.

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Review By Youreviewelectronics

Along with Full HD 1080p resolution the new KDL-40XBR7 has Sony’s BRAVIA Engine™ EX fully digital video processor to improve the color accuracy and reduce any kind of noise distortion. For smoother and judder-free picture quality, this LCD TV uses Motionflow™ 120Hz with double frame rate technology. This is not all, Sony BRAVIA XBR7-Series is embellished with two other features of which the Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) circuit adjusts contrast color dynamically to produce deeper blacks while preserving shadow details. The second feature, the Live Color Creation™ technology in combination with a special WCG-CCFL backlight refines the color even further and delivers a more real-life image quality.

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Review By Amazon

Movies and many prime time TV programs are shot at 24 frames per second. This means that TVs operating at any refresh rate that is not an even multiple of 24 will have to do some interpolation to present the content. TVs operating at at 30Hz or 60Hz traditionally solved this via a method called “2:3 pulldown”. The television repeats the first film frame over the first two fields of video, and the second film frame over the next three fields of video (1, 1, 2, 2, 2), and continues to do this with the 3rd and 4th frames, the 5th and 6th framer (1,1,2,2,2 – 3,3,4,4,4 – 5,5,6,6,6), and so on until 24 frames are displayed over 60 refresh cycles.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

In terms of connectivity and picture adjustments, the KDL-40XBR7 is as fully loaded as the top-shelf XBR8 models. The generous connection panel includes four HDMI, two component video, one PC, and one RF input to access the internal NTSC, ATSC, and Clear-QAM tuners. The HDMI inputs accept both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 signals, and one HDMI input is located on the side panel for easy access. The TV Guide on Screen program guide and picture-in-picture functionality are available.

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Review By Vanns

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Sony’s KDL40XBR7 features four HDMI connections. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format. Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components.

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Pioneer KURO PDP-4280HD Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:43:37 +0000

The Pioneer PDP-4280HD 42″ plasma TV with amaze you with its outstanding picture quality that features deep, intense blacks resulting in a brighter image and unmatched contrast. The ability to perform 3:3 pull down instead of the common 3:2, allows the PDP-4280HD to display much crisper imagery when viewing films native speed of 24 frames per second (fps), such as signals from DVDs. The resultant experience is so close to film, you’ll feel like you’re in the theater!

3:3 Pulldown
Pull down is a technique by which specific frequency signals, usually 60i fields, are brought down to 24 progressive frames. This rate of motion is highly sought after since almost all cinema is shot at 24 frames per second. Most displays perform a 3:2 pull down which results in uneven field reproduction. While this method helps create the desired effect, motion often appears to jitter unevenly. Pioneer has developed a 3:3 pull down technique by increasing the plasmas frequency rate from 60Hz to 72Hz. The increase makes it much easier for the monitor to display images at films native speed of 24 fps.

Advance Panel Technology
Pioneer plasma display comes equipped with panel enhancements such as a dielectric layer, pure color filter, and improved red and blue phosphors. These additions create extremely vibrant images with more accurate color reproduction.

Multiple Input Areas
The PDP-4280HD can receive inputs from either the rear or the side. This feature makes the display incredibly versatile and amounts to many connectivity options.

Features

High-Definition Resolution (1024 x 768) 42” Diagonal /

16:9 Wide-Screen Aspect Ratio

Deep, Intense Blacks for Unmatched Contrast

Home Gallery for Viewing Photos

TV Guide On Screen with DCR

4 Independent HDMI Inputs

Anti-glare / Reflective Filter

Subwoofer Output

New cell structure with improved crystal emissive layer redesigned for a more intense black with added detail

New filter with enhanced contrast in bright environments

New ASIC video processing and scaling for the ultimate in Standard?Definition and High-Definition video performance

Newly designed integrated speaker with digital amplifier for improved clarity and accuracy of sound

New Optimum Video Mode with optical light sensor for automated adjustment of picture in both varying light conditions and by program content such as movies, news, sports, etc.

New Smooth Film Motion Mode to eliminate motion jitter in 3:2 Pulldown (60Hz) providing natural even playback of content created from film

New 4 Independent HDMI 1.3 inputs with HDMI-CEC control and the ability to accept 1080p 24/60Hz signal

New Room Light Sensor (Off / On)

Advanced PureCinema with 3:3 Pulldown (72Hz) for accurate playback of film content

Fully integrated ATSC and Dual NTSC Tuners and built-in

CableCARD Slot

Home Gallery – offering a convenient way to view photos via

USB connection

V-Chip Parental Control

TV Guide On Screen Interactive Program Guide (ver. 9)

Remote Control – Glow in the dark / Preset Mode

Review By Reviews.digitaltrends

Prepare yourself for a world so wonderful, so different, so completely new — your senses will need to adapt in ways never before imagined. It’s a world built on uncompromising attention to detail in an extraordinary, beautiful new way. Where black levels are so black, they disappear into an infinite abyss. Where colors are so pure, they gush with their own emotions. Where emotions are built with feelings so deep…tears fall like lead, fear flows like wildfire and passions swell with the rising tide. It’s a world so intense, so rich, so real, it will change the way you look at TV forever.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

The 42-inch PDP-4280HD features a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, which the 50 and 60-inch 1,365 x 768 pixel resolution for higher details at larger sizes. These Kuro sets are Pioneer’s very latest plasma so you can expect the very latest technology, such a extreme deep black levels, ASIC Video Processing and Scaling for optimal SD and HD image quality, built in light sensor for optimal image brightness and contrast, and a huge selection of four HDMI inputs.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The PDP-4280HD offers a lot of useful image adjustments, including six picture modes and three color-temperature settings. Using a light sensor, the Optimum picture mode automatically adjusts the image to suit your viewing conditions. The menu includes some advanced picture controls, like adjustable gamma and multiple types of noise reduction; however, it lacks the ISF calibration options you’ll find in the higher-end Elite KURO models. An Orbiter feature is available to help prevent short-term image retention. There are five aspect-ratio options.

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Review By Products.howstuffworks

As with other KURO models, Pioneer proves that having the highest resolution isn’t necessarily the key to a great picture. With a native resolution of 1,024×768, the PDP-4280HD adjusts all incoming signals to fit the pixels, including standard-definition content. Optimization of both SD and HD programming is accomplished in part by the ASIC video processing and scaling. The PDP-4280HD has four PIP options and the standard 3:2 pulldown correction, and it also includes Pioneer’s advanced PureCinema 3:3 pulldown correction to achieve accurate playback of film.

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Review By Amazon

The PDP-4280HD has a large complement of inputs, including four independent HDMI 1.3 inputs (two with analog audio). Additionally, it has two component inputs, three composite inputs, and one S-Video input. There is a USB connection that can connect a storage drive for viewing of photos. A built-in CableCard slot enables the PDP-4280HD to work with cable services without an extra decoding box. An ATSC and two NTSC tuners are built in and fully integrated for use with picture-in-picture and picture-side-picture modes. The television has outputs for Dolby Digital/PCM, audio, subwoofer, SR+, and headphone. The TV Guide On-Screen programming guide is included as well.

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Review By Hdtv-news

Performance-wise, the PDP4280HD delivers the ultimate experience in entertainment. Optimum Video Mode with an optical light sensor gives automated adjustment of picture in both varying light conditions and by program content such as movies, news, and sports. A Room Light Sensor reads the amount of light in your room, so the PDP4280HD can adjust to suit the conditions. Fully integrated ATSC and Dual NTSC tuners with built-in CableCARD slot let you peruse your favorite channels without having to hook up an external tuner box.

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LG 47LBX LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:11:17 +0000

The 47LBX LCD flat panel HDTV from LG comes equipped with full HD 1080p and its three HDMI connections with SimpLink, USB host and multitude of other audio and video connections mean this LCD will keep you dazzled. The 47LBX also features TruMotion drive, Super IPS, and XD Engine#174 image processing for smoother, sharper, clearer images as well as the color gamut#32#151#32 and finally the Intelligent Eye technology that coordinates the light levels emitted by the 47LBX with those in your living room to maximize your viewing experience.

Features

1920 x 1080p Full HD Resolution

10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

TruMotion Drive (120Hz Panel)

TruColor (Wide Color Gamut)

ATSC/NTSC/QAM Clear Tuner

XD Engine

178º True Wide Viewing Angle

Super IPS Technology

SRS TruSurround XT

LG SimpLink

3 HDMI with HDCP

USB Media Host

Review By Hometheatermag

The 42-inch display size has become a battleground of sorts between liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma displays. Ironically, the older technology, LCD, is the relative newcomer here. Prices on both sides have dropped quickly. You can now buy an HDTV (qualified by both resolution and the integration of a tuner) for just a little more than the price of an EDTV just over a year ago. LG Electronics is one of the only companies with their feet on both sides of this issue (the other biggie being their across-the-Han rival, Samsung).

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Review By Pcworld

The remote control is mostly good, though it lacks a backlight. It has a comfortable grip, and the main buttons are well situated and easy to find. Special ‘Bright+’ and ‘Bright-’ buttons control the LCD’s backlight. Thanks to SimpLink–LG’s version of HDMI’s Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) channel–the remote can control other SimpLink devices without requiring special programming.

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Review By Pcmag

All HD-compatible video inputs on the 47LBX are located on the back of the TV and face outward for easy access. Included are three HDMI ports, two component video inputs, and a VGA input for PC use. A single RF input feeds the set’s QAM/ATSC (unencrypted digital cable/DTV) tuner, and a RS-232C port is ready for use with programmable home-theater control systems. A front-accessible panel located on the left side of the TV provides composite/S-Video inputs as well as a USB port for attaching portable storage devices containing MP3s and JPEG images for playback.

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Review By Avrev

The 47LBX has a healthy connection panel that includes three HDMI, two component video and one PC inputs, all of which accept 1080p. RS-232 and IR ports allow for integration into a more advanced control system, and there’s a USB port for MP3/JPEG playback. The onscreen menu sports a nice assortment of picture adjustments, including an adjustable backlight, direct access to advanced white-balance controls, low/high/off TruMotion options and the ability to enable LG’s XD processing, with contrast, color and noise settings. The Intelligent Eye mode automatically adjusts picture parameters based on your room’s lighting conditions.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The video menu doesn’t have as many advanced adjustments as some of LG’s newer, higher-end plasmas, like the 50PG60, but the major bases are covered. You get five picture modes and four color temperature options, including a user mode through which you can fine-tune the global red, green and blue settings to achieve a more accurate white balance. There is an option to enable LG’s XD processing, with contrast, color and noise settings. The menu also offers several features to prevent and counteract the effects of image retention, a common plasma concern. The five aspect ratio choices include a Set by Program mode that automatically determines the correct aspect ratio; however, there’s no mode for viewing 1080i/1080p sources with no overscan.

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Review By Hdtv-news

To make it a little bit more attractive, LG crafted the 47LBX with a lossy black bezel and an attached swivel stand that provides a generous 50 degrees of rotation-25 degrees of horizontal swivel in each direction. The 47LBX uses Super-IPS screen technology, which helps deliver impressive viewing angles that all but eliminate color saturation loss – even at extreme viewing angles.

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Sharp LC-52D85U LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:57:37 +0000

Sharp Aquos LC52D85U 52-Inch LCD HDTV produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. The LC52D85U utilizes Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel with Spectral Contrast Engine, providing high Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 4ms response time and wide viewing angles (176H x 176V). In addition, The LC52D85U includes 120HZ Fine Motion Enhanced for the ultimate in fast-motion image processing. The LC52D85U has built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuner and includes 5 HDMI inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, and 2 HD 1080p component video inputs. The LC52D85U features a sleek piano black cabinet with subtle recessed bottom-mounted speakers. The included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications.

The AQUOS D85U series in 52? Class (52-1/32? diagonal) sets a standard for large-screen flat-panel TVs. With Full HD 1080p resolution and an elegant design, it produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. The D85U series utilizes Sharp’s proprietary advanced super view TFT panel with spectral contrast engine, providing high dynamic contrast ratio, 4ms response time and wide viewing angles. The LC-52D85U is HDTV with built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners and includes 5 HDMI inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, and 2 HD 1080p component video inputs. The D85U series features a sleek cabinet with subtle recessed bottom-mounted speakers.

Specifications

52-Inch Full HD 1080p HDTV LCD-TV with 120Hz Fine Motion Enhanced

10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

5 HDMI inputs (v1.3 with Deep Color)

PC Input

RS-232C Input for control

Review By Vanns

With Fine Motion technology for 120Hz frame-rate conversion and a super-fast 4ms pixel-response time, the Sharp AQUOS Series LC-52D85U provides the ultimate medium for HD viewing. You never miss a detail. Additionally, Sharp’s next-generation 10-bit ASV/black TFT LCD panel with Spectral Contrast Engine delivers deep blacks and crisp picture quality. New angled bezel edges reflect your décor, seamlessly blending this 1080p HDTV into your home theater.

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Review By Pcworld

The Sharp delivers acceptable sound, but there was no real depth to its artificial surround sound, and no oomph to an organ blast. Loud sounds suffered from slight harshness.

Unfortunately, design deficiencies make Sharp’s remote and its menus difficult to use. The remote is freckled with tiny, difficult-to-press buttons. Though it has a backlight, this feature doesn’t provide much help in the dark. Press the Light button (which glows quite nicely), and only the elongated Volume and Channel buttons, plus four others, light up. Since the labels aren’t illuminated, it’s unclear which button is which.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

Connectivity is very good on the LC52D85U, with a total of seven 1080p HD inputs, including a very healthy offering of 5x HDMI 1.3 inputs, allowing plenty of connection options for a growing HD device collection. ReviewQuest gave the Sharp LC52D85U a 4 out of 5 rating, and said, the LC-52D85U does well on the most important criterion, image quality. At over $2250, the Sharp LC-52D85U provides the best picture for its price among the 50- and 52-inch sets.

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Sony Bravia XBR KDL-46XBR6 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:45:24 +0000

Enter the world of High Definition with the 46” KDL-46XBR6 Bravia XBR Series LCD Flat Panel HDTV from Sony. This HDTV features a full HD resolution of 1080p with an aspect ratio of 16:9 for a highly detailed media experience. Its Motionflow 120Hz technology helps reduce judder in film sources, HD content, broadcast movies and prime time programming delivering more fluid motion for an enhanced viewing experience. The integrated Bravia Engine fully digital processor reduces noise, enhances overall image detail and optimizes contrast and widens the color reproduction range for realistic images.

With BRAVIA Sync you can control CEC-enabled components connected via an HDMI input. This allows you to play Blu-Ray Disc or DVD movies, access home theater settings and even operate compatible Handycam camcorders with a convenient on-screen display. This TV’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit (ACE) dynamically improves contrast resulting in deep blacks in darker scenes without losing fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture. With a PC input connector you can use this TV as your computer monitor for great visual effects. All these features packed into a piano gloss black finish lends the BRAVIA KDL-46XBR6 HDTV a distinctive designer feel to perfectly fit into your lifestyle.

Includes RM-YD024 Remote Control, 2x AA Batteries, AC Power Cord, Operating Instructions, Quick Setup Guide, and Cable Clamper

16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution Panel (1920 x 1080) accepts any HDTV signal and renders it with optimum resolution

Motionflow 120Hz technology doubles the frame rate to help remove jitter in film sources, HD content, and Broadcast movies and primetime programming, creating smoother, more fluid motion that delivers a natural and realistic viewing experience

BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor uses a collection of unique Sony algorithms to significantly reduce noise, enhance overall image detail, and optimize contrast so every scene produces sharp, vibrant, life-like images

Advanced Contrast Enhancer Circuit (ACE) dynamically improves contrast, resulting in deep blacks in darker scenes without losing fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture

10-bit processor and 10-bit panel combine to create allow 64 times the levels of expression versus 8-Bit panels, resulting in smoother transitions from Color to color and faithful reproduction of subtle color changes

Live Color Creation technology with WCG-CCFL backlight uses advanced chroma signal processing to widen color fidelity

Dimensions: 42-7/8″ x 28-1/2″ x 4″ (1088.3×723.8x99mm) / 42-7/8″ x 30-1/8″ x 12-1/8″ (1088.3×764.7x307mm) with pedestal

Weight: 57.2 pounds (25.9 kg) / 66 pounds (29.9 kg) with pedestal

Review By Vanns

Get a big-picture thrill thanks to Bravia’s advanced LCD technology that rivals anything on the market. Motionflow technology brings exceptional clarity and resolution to movies and prime-time TV. x.v Color compatability gives you more colors than the human eye can even detect — meaning more natural and vivid colors. With 1080p resolution and enough input and output options for a terrific home theater setup, the XBR series offers you the premium television experience.

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Review By lectronicsme

Video performance is stellar, even in brightly lit rooms – there’s little glare or reflection seen on the screen. The ACE circuit and 50,000:1 contrast ration deliver surprising contrast in detailed scenes. And the 120Hz refresh rate ensures that even the fastest action scenes are smooth and flicker free. The 10-bit processor and 10-bit panel combine to allow the reproduction of billions of colors. And all of the already mentioned connectivity options make this the ideal foundation for a complete multimedia experience. The built-in audio provides adequate surround sound, but you’ll need a surround system with external speakers for a true home theater experience.

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Review By Amazon

Movies and many prime time TV programs are shot at 24 frames per second. This means that TVs operating at any refresh rate that is not an even multiple of 24 will have to do some interpolation to present the content. TVs operating at at 30Hz or 60Hz traditionally solved this via a method called “2:3 pulldown”. The television repeats the first film frame over the first two fields of video, and the second film frame over the next three fields of video (1, 1, 2, 2, 2), and continues to do this with the 3rd and 4th frames, the 5th and 6th framer (1,1,2,2,2 – 3,3,4,4,4 – 5,5,6,6,6), and so on until 24 frames are displayed over 60 refresh cycles. This discrepancy in the number of times frames are displayed can lead to a jerky motion in filmed material which some viewers notice for example, especially with scenes that pan.

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Review By Crutchfield

The KDL-46XBR6′s “jack pack” includes four advanced HDMI connections that will ensure maximum picture quality as high-def formats evolve. Sony calls them 24p True Cinema capable, which means they can accept the 1080p/24 output from a Blu-ray player. Most movies are originally shot at 24p (24 frames per second), so this feature lets you see video in its most flawless form. One HDMI input is placed on the side of the TV so it’s easier to hook up an HD camcorder or video game console.

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Hitachi P50T501 Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:01:22 +0000

The Hitachi P50T501 50″ HD Plasma TV incorporates breakthrough technology that is the result of extensive research and development and more than 1,300 patents for flat panel technologies. The P50T501 uses a method of energizing pixels on a panel, Hitachi has improved picture quality by increasing the resolution to match the dominant 1080 HDTV broadcast format in the vertical domain. The TV features a total of 1.3 million pixels utilizing a 1280×1080 pixel array.

Features

HD1080

Integrated ATSC / QAM / NTSC Tuner

Swivel Stand included

3 HDMI SimplayHD 1080p compatible inputs – 1 front

Anti-Reflective Screen with High Contrast

Review By Hometheaterreview

The P50T501 is a 50-inch plasma TV with a 1280 x 1080 resolution. As opposed to a true 1080p TV, this model uses a special panel technology called Alternate Lighting of Surfaces (ALiS) in which only alternate rows are illuminated at the same time. Consequently, the TV performs more like a 1080i panel. The connection panel includes three HDMI and two component video inputs, as well as a single RF input to access the internal ATSC, NTSC, and ClearQAM tuners. The HDMI inputs accept 1080p/60 but not 1080p/24, and one is located on the front panel for easy access. There’s no PC input, but an RS-232 port is available to integrate the TV into an advanced control system. An SD card reader on the front panel allows you to view JPEG photos.

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Review By Amazon

With the PictureMaster HD IV processor, all video inputs are scaled up to match the native resolution of the unit to ensure a detailed picture no matter the source. For a better picture, the processor also performs noise reduction and other picture enhancements, such as dynamic contrast and histogram processing, automatic 3:2 film enhancement, and the capability for 16-bit color. Users can select between four HD and six SD aspect modes, and three color temperature settings. The television can also be put in a split-screen mode so that two programs can be viewed simultaneously.

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Review By i4u.com

Hitachi also includes a trio of HDMI ports supporting 1080p. Two of the HDMI ports are on the rear of the TV and one is on the front panel. Two wideband component inputs, two S-video inputs, PC D-sub, coax connector and a pair of composite inputs rounds out the connectivity settings. An optical output is also included for digital audio out and an additional composite input set is located on the front panel. Hitachi even gave the P5S601 50” Ultravision plasma HDTV a motorized table top stand that swivels the screen automatically via the remote.

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Review By Soundandvisionmag

With a rounded black frame and slim, bottom-mounted speakers, the P50T501 has a look that’s at once eye-catching and understated. A flip-up panel located beneath the screen at the TV’s center hides a set of control buttons, along with a nicely decked-out A/V convenience input. In addition to standard composite-video and stereo audio jacks, you get both an HDMI connection for a high-def camcorder and an SD card slot for viewing digital photos. The included black stand appears fairly sturdy, but the TV tended to wobble a bit on it. On the plus side, you can swivel the stand around 45° in either direction.

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Review By Vanns

Thanks to its PictureMaster™ HD IV digital video processor, you have the ability to integrate the P50T501 into your existing video system regardless of the type of input or resolution format you are receiving. The PictureMaster processor matches its HD1080 panel by upgrading all incoming signals, thus optimizing the picture performance of that source material. In addition, the P50T501′s two component video inputs accommodate a broad range of high-end analog input sources, including cable and satellite receivers, DVD players, VCRs, and video games. The PictureMaster also includes MPEG noise reduction, dynamic contrast, dynamic histogram processing, automatic 3:2 film enhancement, four HD aspect modes, and six SD aspect modes.

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Review By Products.howstuffworks

The A550 line includes five color temperature presets, three modes of noise reduction and a film mode to engage the 2:3 pulldown to reduce judder when watching film content. The set featured special entertainment modes, but we were disappointed to find that these can’t be adjusted–and since there are adjustable picture modes that are independent per input, these extra modes seemed like an unnecessary addition. The PN58A550 features multiple aspect ratio modes, including four for HD sources with two that allow for subtle movement of the image, as well as four modes for standard definition content. We were generally pleased with the black levels on the set, though they weren’t quite not on par with the latest sets from Panasonic or Pioneer. However, we did find the color with the PN58A550 to be very vibrant and lifelike.

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Samsung LN55A950 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:05:24 +0000

The LN55A950 employs Samsung’s SmartLighting technology to deliver much richer blacks than most other LCD TVs. Unlike a conventional fluorescent backlight which needs to remain on at all times, the SmartLighting system positions an array of bright white LEDs behind the LCD panel. Different clusters of LEDs can be controlled independently, from full-on brightness to completely off. The ability to turn the light source off allows the SmartLighting system to deliver much deeper black levels than a conventional fluorescent backlight. SmartLighting also dramatically improves picture contrast, expanding the range of gray tones from absolute black to brilliant white. Images on the LN55A950 have tremendous punch and impact, along with colors that look more nuanced and natural.

Instant access to news and more
With just a push of a button you can access news, weather, sports and stock information. The InfoLink™ RSS feature gathers up-to-the-minute content from USA Today and displays it on your screen. Now you can always stay connected while watching TV anywhere in your home.

Pre-loaded Content Library
Enjoy pre-loaded high definition content, such as cooking recipes, fitness exercises, educational games for children and even a photo gallery.

ENERGY STAR compliant
By being ENERGY STAR compliant you are assured that your SAMSUNG model is helping the environment by using less energy while saving you money. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy promoting energy efficiency.

2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with LED backlight
Contrast and brightness levels achieve new heights in this LCD TV. Watch movies and shows come to life with enhanced details in very dark or bright scenes. And the LED backlight with local dimming lets you enjoy a sharper picture quality that’s sure to catch your eye.

Auto Motion Plus 120Hz
Your action-packed sports and movies have never looked this real. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ technology virtually eliminates any motion blur and creates smooth transitions between frames. What’s the secret? Auto Motion Plus calculates the image between frames and inserts it, creating a non-repetitive transition from one to the next. The result is a clearer picture you have to see to believe.

Ultra Clear Panel
With SAMSUNG’s Ultra Clear Panel™ colors are more vibrant than ever before. The brighter, clearer picture will definitely amaze you. Tired of annoying glare getting in the way of your movie-watching? Our ultra clear panel technology enhances contrast and reduces reflection so you can enjoy an overall outstanding viewing experience

Review By Soundandvisionmag

LCDs have always been good at delivering the kind of bright and punchy image that keeps them flying off the shelves in brightly lit Costcos. But their picture contrast and shadow detail have never been quite as impressive as the finest plasmas. Unlike a plasma, where each pixel generates its own light and can be turned on and off individually, most LCDs use a fluorescent backlight that’s constantly on, with the LCD crystals opening and closing sequentially to block the light. This system is less than perfect because each pixel lets a tiny bit of the light bleed through even when fully shuttered, resulting in a decreased overall black level.

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Review By Ultimateavmag

The 55-inch LN55A950 is the larger of two screen sizes offered in Samsung’s 2008 flagship 9 Series, the other being the 46-inch LN46A950. The 9 Series is the successor to last year’s 81 Series, which took bragging rights as the first mass-market LCD TVs to feature LED backlighting. (Sony first offered an LED-backlit model in its Qualia line all the way back in 2004, but with prices in the neighborhood of $15K for a 46-incher, it was more of a technological statement than a real product.)

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Review By Samsung

This SAMSUNG LCD TV is absolutely stunning with revolutionary Touch of Color™ design. And you can customize your TV watching with up-to-the-minute content from USA Today. Ready for action scenes that look more real than you ever imagined? Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ virtually eliminates any motion blur. Substance, style, and advanced high definition features you expect-the SAMSUNG LN55A950 delivers all of that and more.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

The Full HD 1080p LCD panel in the LN55A950 features Auto Motion Plus 120Hz which substantially eliminates any motion blur and judder, keeping the images sharp and clear. As well as featuring LED blackliting, the Samsung LN55A950 uses a 1080p ultra clear panel which further improves color and contrast, while reducing screen glare and reflections that can disrupt viewing.

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Review By Vanns

Here’s a little secret: television and film were not created equal. Film is shot at 24 frames per second. And just about every movie disc you can buy is encoded at that speed. But television programming runs at 30 frames per second, and most TVs conform to that standard. When you watch a DVD on your TV, fitting that 24-frame content onto a 30-frame screen isn’t a seamless process. You can’t divide 24 by 30 evenly so video engineers fill in the gaps by placing one frame on the screen three times and the next one after that two times, which can cause stutter and other visual artifacts.

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Review By Youreviewelectronics

The Samsung LN55A950 TV’s have a built-in flash drive with HD-quality WiseLink Pro which grants access to digital photos, music and videos. You can also access the internet for RSS feeds of news, weather and stocks from USA Today through the InfoLink included in this high-end TV. This LCD TV also supports an extensive content library, for stuff like fitness workouts, educational games for children as well as food recipes.

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Mitsubishi Diamond Series LT-46244 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:36:33 +0000

More color, for a more colorful image. Mitsubishi is taking Color to a new level with x.v.Color support and Mitsubishi’s Full Spectrum Color. x.v.Color is the new standard for HDTV and it enables 80% more color than standard HDTV! Mitsubishi’s Full Spectrum Color results in 25% more color than standard LCD. Reds and Yellows become more vivid and there are more available shades of Green, Cyan and Blue resulting in a more vivid and more realistic image. Additional color features such as Color 4D Noise Reduction and PerfectColor and PerfecTint allow for advanced color processing and adjustment. The result is breathtaking realism with vivid, yet natural Color Without Compromise.

The 46-inch 244 Diamond 1080p LCD Flat Panel HDTV features Mitsubishi’s Plush1080p processing for both unsurpassed detail in over two million pixels and for bright, vibrant images. Mitsubishi’s Smooth120Hz minimizes motion blur especially in fast moving scenes. With its ultra thin frame, high quality hidden speakers and its ultra-compact design, the 244 Series lets you get a larger screen in less space than ever before! Go ahead and get into the action, immerse yourself.

Features

1080p LCD Flat Panel Display

Full Spectrum Color

x.v.Color

Smooth120Hz

Color 4D Video Noise Reduction

Review By Hometheaterreview

This 46-inch LCD HDTV has a 1920 x 1080 resolution and an eight-millisecond response time. Part of Mitsubishi’s high-end Diamond Series, this TV features the company’s smooth 120Hz technology to reduce motion blur, a common LCD issue, and boasts a generous connection panel that includes four HDMI and three component video inputs, plus a CableCARD slot and dual RF inputs to access the ATSC, NTSC and ClearQAM tuners. The HDMI inputs accept 1080p/60 and 1080p/24. Both an HDMI and component input are located on the side panel for easy access. The TV lacks a PC input, but it does offer RS-232 and Mitsubishi’s NetCommand system, which allows for more intuitive control of analog and digital sources.

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Review By Associatedcontent

Some of the other features of this television include a USB 2.0 port that allows you to dynamically connect with all of your digital devices. Of course, this isn’t the only port that lets you connect various electronic devices to your television. You are given 2 S-video inputs as well as 4 HDMI inputs and 5 stereo inputs, which makes it extremely easy to connect more speakers to your already amazing sounding television.

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Review By Pcworld

The LT-46244 swivels on its stand, which comes in handy for watching it at odd angles and for accessing its rear inputs. You’ll want that access to be as easy as possible because several of the inputs face downward, making them unusually difficult to use (luckily, you get a good selection of easy-to-access side inputs as well). Other worthwhile features are a USB port for photo slide shows, and an energy-saving option that reduces power consumption when the TV is off (at the price of turning on slower).

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Review By Crutchfield

The LT-46244 has built-in tuners for receiving your local digital and analog over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required). You can use the set’s built-in digital cable TV tuner with or without a CableCARD. If your cable provider supports CableCARD, leasing one will let you watch all your channels, including scrambled programs, without a set-top box.

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Review By Universallcd

Larger screen, not larger spaces. The 52-inch 244 Diamond 1080p LCD Flat Panel HDTV features Mitsubishis Plush1080p processing for both unsurpassed detail in over two million pixels and for bright, vibrant images. Mitsubishis Smooth120Hz minimizes motion blur especially in fast moving scenes. With its ultra thin frame, high quality hidden speakers and its ultra-compact design, the 244 Series lets you get a larger screen in less space than ever before! Go ahead and get into the action, immerse yourself.

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Review By Computershopper

All DLP sets are now 1080p, but that’s hardly earth-shattering news at this point. More interesting is that they feature High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 1.3 inputs, x.v.Color, and—in the case of the Diamond line—120Hz refresh rates. The new HDMI standard more than doubles its bandwidth, which will allow for greater color bit depths and helps make possible x.v.Color’s extended color palette. Like 1080p support a couple of years ago, this feature doesn’t have much practical value today, since there isn’t much video material that makes use of x.v.Color yet. The HDTV community is also abuzz over 120Hz refresh rates, since they can help provide smoother reproduction of film-based sources than the current 60Hz refresh-rate standard.

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Samsung LN46A550 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:27:13 +0000

Experience the next generation of HD television in all its glory. Full 1080p HD resolution and 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ration offer amazing image detail and color clarity, all on a 46-inch screen. With 3 HDMI inputs, connecting to all your peripherals is a snap. Enjoy crystal-clear, lifelike HD sound, with SRS TruSurround XT. Hook up your MP3 player or digital camera via the Wiselink USB 2.0 connection; a versatile user interface lets you scroll through playlists and pictures. Its advanced HD entertainment, only from Samsung.

Features:
• Full HD 1080p Resolution
• Wide Color Enhancer
• 3 HDMI Inputs
• USB 2.0
• HDMI-CDC

Review By Amazon

Samsung’s 550 Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1080p resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,000:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models). Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) means these HDTVs play well with all of your other electronics. Easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through the side-mounted USB 2.0, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.

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Review By Products.howstuffworks

This full HD 1080p model features a native resolution of 1,920×1,080 and can thus fit every pixel of 1080i and 1080p content, including sources from Blu-ray (and HD-DVD if you happened to get a player before these were discontinued). We liked how this set can upconvert 720p source material, and we were very pleased overall with the picture with the Samsung LN46A550. HD content is, in a word, spectacular. The picture has very rich colors, and is generally free of any “jaggies” or other digital distractions. With a contrast ratio of 30,000:1, the black levels were quite good, and for the price the results were more than acceptable.

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Review By Pcworld

The LN46A550 is easy to use. The icon-based on-screen menus are clear and easy to read, and a brief note at the bottom of the screen explains what each item does. A separate Tools button on the remote control acts the same way that Windows’ right-click mouse button does, bringing up a handy selection of options appropriate for the current input. Another neat feature: When it turns on a connected device (such as a DVD player), the TV automatically switches the input to that source.

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Review By Vanns

If you are using a Blu-ray player, a receiver, or anything else that is capable of sending a high definition signal, don’t forget to purchase the right cables. Many people don’t realize what a significant difference the right cables make, and when they get their new high definition equipment home, they think the equipment itself is to blame when the picture or sound isn’t as good as it should be. This is because most components (Blu-ray, receivers, etc) don’t come with cables, so people often use whatever they have around the house, or buy cheap cables, thinking “it will do.” Another reason people don’t buy the right cables is because trying to figure out which cables you need can be daunting, and it’s hard to know where to start. Our sales representatives are there to explain all your options, so you can make the best purchase and get the most out of your HDTV.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

The LN46A550 offers all of the control over the picture found on more expensive Samsungs. It has three adjustable picture modes that are each independent per input. That’s great, but in addition there are three more picture presets, called “Entertainment Modes,” which cannot be adjusted and are accessible via a separate key on the remote and the Setup menu. This arrangement is unnecessarily confusing on a TV with so many settings anyway; we’d prefer to have all of the picture modes, both adjustable and nonadjustable, be accessible together from a single key on the remote and one area of the Picture menu.

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Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:22:53 +0000

Make the Samsung LN52A650 the centerpiece of your home theater and enjoy high-definition TV programs on its big, beautiful 52-inch screen. This HDTV’s high-contrast screen delivers a vibrant picture, and its “Full HD” 1080p resolution lets you see every bit of detail in every type of high-definition signal. Red accents along the top and bottom of the gloss black bezel give this model a one-of-a-kind look that stands out from the crowd of flat-panel sets.

120Hz refresh rate for blur-free motion
Most 1080p TVs will wow you with their detail on still or slow-moving images, but how about when the on-screen action picks up the pace? That’s when you’ll really appreciate the LN52A650′s advanced 120Hz video technology. Doubling the conventional LCD frame rate ensures smooth, smear-free motion, giving images a more solid, three-dimensional look. If your viewing includes fast-action sports or video games, put this TV on your short list.

A wealth of viewing options
For compatibility with the latest HD sources, this TV’s four HDMI inputs accept 1080p video — even 1080p/24, the purest format for film-based video. High-definition Blu-ray Disc™ players can output 1080p/24, for an exceptionally smooth, filmlike image. Cable TV subscribers can take advantage of the built-in “QAM” tuner to enjoy unscrambled digital cable channels without a set-top box taking up space in their component racks. An Ethernet port lets you use your broadband Internet connection to view news, weather, and stock market reports using Samsung’s InfoLink service.

New HDMI connections enhance remote control operation
Home theater fans love HDMI connections for their pristine picture clarity and single-cable simplicity. Here’s more good news — the LN52A650′s Anynet+ HDMI connections let you control other compatible HDMI-connected components using only the TV’s remote. That’s a huge plus if you keep your components out of sight in a cabinet or closet. You have total control without resorting to complicated remote booster systems.

Review By Hdtvlounge

Offering the highest HD format called Full HD / 1080p the 1920×1080 pixel LCD screen offers the native resolution for blu-ray and will show the best image quality for a screen this large. Along with 1080p, Auto Motion Plus 120Hz high frame rate keeps image sharpness and clarity during fast moving scenes, and scenes free from image judder, often seen during image panning. A high 178 degree viewing angle enables easy viewing from around the room, and the fast 4ms response time works well with the 120Hz technology for motion blur free viewing. A massively high contrast ratio of 50,000:1 ensures vivid and natural colors with deep black levels.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

Samsung’s LN52A650 dares to be different. In a world of me-too, glossy black flat-panel HDTVs, no few of which may bear the company’s own logo, this 52-inch LCD is dressed in red. Like many radical design choices, you’ll either love it or hate it, and we didn’t love it. But before you write off this red TV, we recommend you check it out in person–the product shots here and elsewhere on the Web just don’t capture the red tint of the frame properly. Aside from design, we found plenty to like about the higher-end LN52A650, and it produces arguably the best picture of any LCD TV we’ve tested so far, although it doesn’t quite beat the quality of the best plasma.

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Review By Amazon

Samsung adds a Touch of Color to a blazing-fast 4ms response time and rich connectivity features to redefine the role HDTVs play in the home with its forward-looking Series 6 (A650) and Series 7 (A750) LCD HDTVs. Utilizing the award-winning technologies found in all Samsung HDTVs, Series 6 and 7 HDTVs deliver unparalleled picture quality and enhanced connectivity and networking capabilities that create a true entertainment hub for any home. Series 7 takes networking and multimedia management to a whole new level. Consumers can easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

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Review By Samsung

Your action-packed sports and movies have never looked this real. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology virtually eliminates any motion blur and creates smooth transitions between frames. What’s the secret? Auto Motion Plus calculates the image between frames and inserts it, creating a non-repetitive transition from one to the next. The result is a clearer picture you have to see to believe.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

Samsung includes a lot of video and audio adjustments to fine-tune the TV’s performance. In addition to three picture modes, five color-temperature options and digital noise red uction, the LN52A650′s menu features white-balance, gamma and flesh tone controls, plus multiple color spaces with the ability to adjust six color points. The Auto Motion Plus 120Hz menu offers multiple settings, each of which affects the image quality differently. The Off mode simply repeats frames to create 120Hz, which many film purists prefer, while the Low through High modes perform varying degrees of frame interpolation to create smoother movem ent with film-based sources. The LN52A650 has six aspect ratios, including a Just Scan mode that displays 1080i/1080p sources with no overscan.

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Review By Vanns

Here’s a little secret: television and film were not created equal. Film is shot at 24 frames per second. And just about every movie disc you can buy is encoded at that speed. But television programming runs at 30 frames per second, and most TVs conform to that standard. When you watch a DVD on your TV, fitting that 24-frame content onto a 30-frame screen isn’t a seamless process. You can’t divide 24 by 30 evenly so video engineers fill in the gaps by placing one frame on the screen three times and the next one after that two times, which can cause stutter and other visual artifacts. Alternatively, 120Hz image processing shows 120 frames per second, showing each film frame five times and each TV frame four times, allowing TVs to reproduce unconverted, evenly extrapolated 24 fps movie and 30 fps television programming.

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Samsung LN46A950 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:09:51 +0000

The new second generation series from Samsung is the LN46A950 (46? LCD HDTV) model which continues to focus on advanced picture quality and powerful features in the current HDTV market.

The LED SmartLighting technology embedded in this LCD TV offers consumers the powerful combination of LED and 120Hz technologies, resulting in a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for a crisp, Full HD 1080p picture. Priced around $3,499.99 MSRP, this new LCD TV is high priced but loaded with advanced features.

Technical Details

45.9″ screen (measured diagonally)

widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio

Touch of Color high-gloss finish

built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)

built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required)

Review By Buyhdtvtelevision

The LN55A950 is Samsung’s top of the line LCD television and features a 1080p resolution with lots of features 55 inches of viewable image. The color accuracy of the A950 rivals that of plasma televisions and offers a picture quality that maybe the best of all LCD HDTVs on the market. The Series 9 model includes pre-loaded a high definition library of content, such as fitness instruction, recipes, children’s educational games and stories, and a photo gallery. Plus, you can download more content from Samsung’s online content library on to a USB memory device.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

The UltraClear full HD 1080p LCD panel has a very fast response time of just 4ms, and combined with Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology brings ultra sharp, clear and judder free images, even during high motion scenes. Both the LN46A950 and LN55A950 have extremely impressive contrast ratios bringing great colors and black levels due to the use of LED backlighting with local dimming, enabling the set to reduce, shut off or boost brightness of individual areas of the screen.

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Review By Hemagazine

Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 120 Hz feature, together with the LED Motion Plus function, seeks to eliminate motion blur, a traditional bugaboo of LCD sets. The set offers three levels of processing, and also provides a Demo mode that produces a split screen with one side processed, the other side not. Using test Blu-ray discs that feature slow lateral pans, I can clearly see marked improvement with the processed side, even from a normal viewing distance.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

Samsung’s menu system is sleeker than last year’s and blessed with big, highly legible text set against transparent backgrounds that occupy almost the whole screen. The 950 series adds a subtle blue accent along the top and bottom edges of selections that fades to black near the text. Getting around is easy; there’s helpful explanatory text along the bottom, and we dug the context-sensitive menu that would pop up occasionally to provide more options.

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Review By Reviews-lcd-tv

Along with a superior picture quality, the 9 series offers innovative ways to connect to services and other devices. Infolink is a service provided by Samsung that offers access to weather reporting, stock market information, and news. It can also be connected to a computer or digital device and used to play music or display pictures. Four HDMI inputs also make it easy to connect to a Blu-Ray player.

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Review By Lcdhdtv

This Samsung LCD HDTV is has so many features, it’s hard to know where to start. It provides a preloaded interactivity suite that includes games, recipes, high definition art with music accompaniment. It also features a childrens section with animated sing-a-longs, childrens games, and stories. From the Samsung website you can download more interactive features. You can also access streaming news, stock quotes, and local weather information at the touch of a button.

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Pioneer Elite PRO-1150 Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:43:46 +0000

Enter a world dedicated to the pursuit of pristine vision and flawless sound. Where everything you see is stunningly clear. Where everything you hear is unbelievably pure. Enter the world of Pioneer Elite(R). A world where images so lifelike, motion so fluid and detail so great are just par for the course. A world where streaming HD movies, music and digital photos from a networked PC to your TV are so effortless they become part of your everyday life, thanks to the Home Media Gallery feature. It’s a universe of things never before possible. Where the unimaginable becomes commonplace. It’s an experience so unbelievably different, so undeniably powerful and so completely extraordinary, it will change the way you look at TV forever.

Never before has so much passion, style and technology been packed into a slimmer, more beautiful space. Introducing the Elite KURO PRO-950HD plasma television. Designed with some of the most powerful technology available today, yet still breathtakingly elegant. The KURO PRO-950HD transports you to an entirely new world of home entertainment. Connect an array of components such as a Blu-ray Disc(R) player or A/V receiver to any of the available 4 HDMI(R) 1.3 inputs, and the PRO-950HD opens the door to a home entertainment experience unlike anything you have ever seen or felt before.

Brace yourself for a high-definition experience beyond anything that has ever existed before. But be warned, once you spend some time with this Elite plasma you won`t be able to take your mind or your eyes off of it. Because this new television uses an Optimum Video Mode to work behind the scenes, for more power and now more brains. So the KURO seamlessly adjusts the picture to visual perfection, accommodating varying room light conditions and program content such as movies, news, sports or video games for the best picture. Ultimately delivering one of the most surreal high-definition experiences available today.

Review By Soundandvisionmag

The Pioneer provides an unusually long list of display modes, most of which work with both standard and high-def signals. Along with a handful of stretch and zoom options, they include 4:3, for watching standard-shape pictures with gray bars on the sides; Full, for widescreen 16:9 DVDs and HDTV; and Dot-by-Dot, a special mode that functions only with native 1080i- or 1080p HDTV signals and lets you bypass the TV’s internal scaler. At first I didn’t see much difference between it and Full, but test patterns revealed a slightly sharper, cleaner picture in Dot-by-Dot.

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Review By Products.howstuffworks

This model features a smooth film-motion mode that makes viewing a cinematic delight, and numerous noise-reduction filters present a picture that is truly unsurpassed. The PRO-1150HD is also compatible with next-generation x.v.Color. While there isn’t much in the way of support for x.v.Color at this current date, we’d expect no less for the PRO-1150HD’s asking price. In addition, this will be a nice feature to have in the near future, especially as Sony is rolling out a Blu-ray Disc player with x.v.Color. As soon as someone starts producing x.v.Color movies, the PRO-1150HD will be all ready for show time.

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Review By Hdtvsolutions

The connection panel on the back provides four HDMI 1.3 compatible inputs, (two have matching stereo Audio Ins), one Component (YPbPr) with matching stereo Audio Ins, one Composite (with Audio), one VGA (15 pin D-Sub for PC input) with a stereo Audio In mini-plug, an S-Video, an RS-232C Service port, an IR Repeater Out, and the Ethernet cable port.

In addition, an SPDIF (optical) digital Audio Out is provided alongside a Subwoofer Out and the terminals to connect wires from the stereo speakers.

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Review By Vanns

Why not enjoy the content stored on your home network on your beautiful plamsa television? With the PRO-1150HD’s Home Media Gallery, you can do just that. It’s basically IP network compatibility designed to DLNA guidelines, and it enables a link with a networked PC to share content, including movies (even HD movies), music, and photos. It supports playback of Microsoft PlaysForSure audio and video content downloaded from the Web and stored on personal computer, via an existing home network system. The system supports lots of formats. Supported video formats include: WMV9, MPEG1, MPEG2-PS, MPEG2-TS, MPEG-ASP. Audio formats are: LPCM, MP3, WMA, WMA9 PRO, AC3, AAC, and WAV. You can view photos in the following formats: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP and GIF

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Review By Hdtv-news

The PRO-1150HD is not a 1080p model, but for most people, they will never be able to tell the difference. So, it is a great choice for a home theater system. Furthermore, with its networking capabilities, the PRO-1150HD also could act as the display hub of a modern home entertainment system. All you need to do is plug it into your network through its Ethernet port. The integrated Home Media Gallery software will search for the available networks and through the on-screen menu, you can pick one to attach to.

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Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR5 HDTV LCD Review

vwmadm — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:34:57 +0000

Over the years XBR has stood for the best consumer TV’s Sony has to offer and this year’s line up is no exception. The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporate all of Sony’s latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color) and provide the best in picture performance. Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. Wrap all this performance in a timeless piano black finish with Sony’s unique floating glass frame and you have the pinnacle of Sony performance and design.

Features

10-bit 16:9 Full HD 1080p Panel (1920×1080)

Motionflow with FHD 120 Hz high frame rate capability

BRAVIA Engine PRO & Live Color Creation system

1080p Inputs: HDMI™ (x3), YPbPr (x2), PC

RS-232 Control capabilities

Review By Hometheaterreview

The KDL-46XBR5 hails from Sony’s highest-end 2007 line. This TV has a 46-inch screen size and a 1920 x 1080 resolution, and it’s distinguished from the step-down XBR4 model by its piano-black frame and clear acrylic border. The thorough input panel includes three HDMI, two component video, and one PC input, plus an RF input to access the internal NTSC, ATSC, and Clear-QAM tuners. The HDMI inputs accept both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24, and the inclusion of an RS-232 port lets you integrate the TV into an advanced control system.

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Review By Amazon

BRAVIA Engine PRO builds upon the BRAVIA Engine system’s outstanding video processing functions making it Sony’s most advanced video processing system. It is the culmination of our legendary picture quality expertise, featuring the latest generation of proprietary video processing technology: Digital Reality Creation – Multi Function (DRC-MFv2.5). This technology creates a high-density video signal that traditional interpolation video processing cannot achieve. This latest generation of DRC-MF features increased processing power and provides a sharp, crystal clear image with both 480i and 480p standard definition and all high definition sources (except 1080p). It also features “1080p Direct Creation” which minimizes loss in interlace-to-progressive (IP) conversion by performing Digital Reality Creation and IP Creation algorithms simultaneously.

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Review By Hometheaterstore

When it comes to high-definition TV the pinnacle of performance is achieved by using 1920 x 1080 display panels. And BRAVIA XBR televisions have them. Full HD 1920 x 1080 panel resolution with over 2 million pixels 5(more than twice that of 720p HDTV) is exactly what you need to reproduce the 1080p content that can be delivered by our cutting edge 1080p Blu-ray disc™ player. And working with BRAVIA Engine™ PRO everything from standard definition and high definition is upconverted to 1080p for a picture so real it’s like you’re actually there.

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Review By Vanns

This new feature is ideal for watching high speed chase scenes on your new KDL46XBR5. Motionflow bans blur and intensifies the chase scene by sharpening the images and colors. Motionflow detects the incoming video signal and applies the appropriate processing for optimum motion reproduction. Taking full advantage of film sourced 24fps encoded content available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, Motionflow eliminates the need for 3:2 pulldown and delivers smooth, judder free video, faithfully preserving the integrity of the original film. When 60fps content is detected, Motionflow doubles the amount of frames and uses real-time calculation to create a new level of natural motion reproduction. You’ll experience your favorite chase scene the way the movie producers intended it.

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Review By Onecall

Sony`s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) builds on our excellent on-contrast ratio performance of 2000:11. A Dynamic Contrast Ratio of up to18,000:12 is achieved by using real-time image processing to adjust the contrast along with optimizing backlight levels. But rather than focus on the numbers, Sony focuses on actual picture performance avoiding exaggerated blacks where detail can be lost. ACE translates to blacker blacks in darker scenes, as well as better shadow detail in other scenes for a difference that you can see.

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Review By Crutchfield

Sony’s Motionflow anti-blur technology provides a 120Hz refresh rate — twice that of standard LCD TVs. You’ll see strikingly smooth, smear-free motion when viewing movies or fast action sports. The other benefit of 120Hz comes into play when you connect a Blu-ray player with 24p output. 24 divides evenly into 120, so no video rate conversion is necessary. You’ll see movies at their original frame rate for the purest possible video.

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Review By Ultimateavmag

BRAVIA Theatre Sync enables communication and control of multiple components via HDMI. The other components must have Sony HDMI Control capability—which essentially means that this feature will be fully useful only through a system consisting entirely of new Sony components—apart from the speakers.
Sony’s Digital Media Extender feature, or DMeX, offers a digital connection for adding such new but not yet available features as Sony’s Bravia Internet Video Link, which is scheduled to offer, among other things, accessing of HDTV programming from the Internet. Once a DMeX accessory is installed it integrates seamlessly into the set’s menus.

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Samsung LE32A656 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:55:05 +0000

The 32-inch Samsung LE32A656 is an LCD HDTV with a full HD / 1080p resolution. This high resolution is still uncommon in HDTVs of this size. With a great looking design and impressive specifications, the Samsung LE32A656 not only looks great it performs great.

Receiving very high ratings and recommendations, the Samsung LE32A656 seems to be the one to beat in the 32-inch market.

Features

32-Inch LCD HDTV

Full HD / 1080p Resolution

Ultra Clear Panel

15,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

Movie Plus / Motion Plus

DNIe Pro

SRS Trusurround

CrystalDesign

4x HDMI, 2x Scart, PC VGA, Component

200W, <1W Standby

Review By Hdtvorg

The LE32A656 brings the latest developments of DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine), Samsung’s proprietary picture processing technology. ‘DNIe Pro’ with its Motion Optimizer, Contrast Enhancer, Detail enhancer and Colour Optimizer, works to improve these four main aspects of the LE32A656′s performance. DNIe technology in general has an impressive track record on previous LCD and Plasma offerings from the Korean electronics manufacturer.

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Review By Techradar

For starters, crucially it sports a full HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, immediately handing it an advantage when it comes to showing the UK’s 1080-line high-definition sources, as it can show them more ‘purely’, without any of the resizing necessary on 1,366 x 768 resolution screens.

It’s also nice to find both Samsung’s Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) processing and the latest version of the brand’s Movie Plus processing.

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Review By Hdtvtest

Samsung provides ample connectivity options on the LE32A656 HDTV. There are no less than four HDMI inputs (three of which can be found on the back), as well as two SCART terminals for backwards compatibility. One of these is RGB capable, whilst the other is capable of Composite video only and should be avoided. There’s the obligatory Component video input (only one, but this is becoming less of a problem), a VGA PC input, and on the side, a shared block of S-Video, Composite Video and Stereo Audio jacks, handy if you have a standard definition camcorder, for instance.

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Review By Trustedreviews

The LE32A6556′s picture is also striking during, for instance, the sun-drenched scenes in the Bahamas, thanks to both the sheer brightness of its pictures and the impressive vibrancy of its colours. What’s more, as with all the best LCD TVs this impressive colour saturation doesn’t come at the expense of tonal accuracy, as everything from the tricky skin tones on show in the various casino sequences to the rich blues of the Bahamian skies and stunning red of Vesper Lynd’s dress looks entirely credible rather than overcooked or ‘PC-like’.

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Review By Pocket-lint

Ditto the picture quality, which almost completely overcomes two of LCD technology’s main weaknesses. All LCD TVs are good with colour, but the LE32A656 uses its Digital Natural Image engine to create a super-wide colour palette that’s full of fine gradation and subtle shades. It backs up its quite brilliant colours by producing deep and inky blacks that are rare to find on a LCD TV. It helps bolster the colours no-end and creates a picture that’s both natural and has a lot of depth.

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Review By Samsung

100% pure digital connection synchronises audio and video signals, ensuring no data loss and pure viewing perfection. Equipped with 4HDMI inputs, the SAMSUNG LCD TV Series 6 is more than a sensational TV; it has the ability to be the centerpiece of your digital world. The addition of Anynet+ (HDMI CEC) allows you to control all connected AV devices from one remote control, giving you a more integrated entertainment experience.

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Samsung LN46A850 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:48:53 +0000

The LN46A850 is the thinnest LCD panel television with a new slim and trim frame and a depth of only 1.9 inches at its widest.The Samsung LN46A850 has an Ultra Clear Panel for improved contrast ratios and deep black levels. Samsung’s Wide Color Enhancer 2 technology maximizes the expanded color range for true to life colors. In comparison to other HDTV’s where images may appear weak without over-saturation, this Samsung model supports a 1920 x 1080p resolution power, for crisper and sharper images, detailed to perfection.

The Samsung LN46A850 comes with a side-mountable USB 2.0 port which is compatible with Digital Living Network Alliance for easy connection to and content sharing with other DLNA-CERTIFIED products, such as a computer.

Specifications

Touch of Color (TOC): Samsung’s unique manufacturing process accents the surrounding bezel with a stylish red tone

HD-Grade pixel resolution: High-resolution pixel density is combined with a builtin image scaler to handle inputs from a variety of digital and analog audio/video sources

Auto Motion Plus 120 Hz Advanced

50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio

WiseLink Pro: For playing MP3, mpeg, and displaying JPEG files through the USB 2.0 connection on selected Samsung TVs

Review By Samsung

SAMSUNG’s thinnest LCD TV with a built-in tuner is also beautiful with exclusive Touch of Color™ design. You can also stay updated even when you’re offline – our Infolink™ feature streams customizable content from the web right to your HDTV’s screen. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology practically eliminates any motion blur so your action-packed movies are more realistic, more thrilling, more exciting to watch. The SAMSUNG LN46A850 redefines your home entertainment experience.

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Review By Amazon

At only 1.9 inches thick, Samsung’s striking new 850 series offers all of the features of the 750 Series models in an incredibly thin, sleek package. The Series 8 1080p LCD HDTVs have all of the features you’d expect from a top-of-the-line Samsung – superb image, a blazing-fast 4ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate with Automotion plus image interpolation technology for smooth fast motion, and rich interconnectivity, all wrapped in the stylish “TOC” color-infused bezel. Enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

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Review By Vanns

Picture is only half of the high definition experience. Sound makes it complete. If you don’t have the full surround sound setup, you can still get a rich sound from the LN46A850 with its SRS TruSurround XT™. TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround-sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. Take full advantage of this virtual surround-sound experience with the LN46A850′s built-in dual 10W speakers and integrated woofer.

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Review By Onecall

With SAMSUNG’s Ultra Clear Panel™ colors are more vibrant than ever before. The brighter, clearer picture will definitely amaze you. Tired of annoying glare getting in the way of your movie-watching? Our ultra clear panel technology enhances contrast and reduces reflection so you can enjoy an overall outstanding viewing experience.

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Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-150FD Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:36:35 +0000

Discover a world where pristine vision and flawless sound are par for the course. Where every image is stunningly clear. Every sound crisp, clear and unbelievably pure. Discover the world of Pioneer Elite. Where images so lifelike, motion so fluid and detail so great come together in perfect synchronicity. A world where streaming HD movies, music and digital photos from a networked PC to your TV are so effortless they become part of your everyday life, thanks to the Home Media Gallery feature. It’s a universe of things never before possible. Where the unimaginable becomes commonplace. It’s an experience so unbelievably different, so undeniably powerful and so completely extraordinary, it will change the way you look at TV forever.

Experience high definition in the most detailed, purest form available today. With over 2 million pixels, the PRO-150FD displays a true 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p), the highest resolution available today. Spend some time with this glorious television, and you will quickly see that this brilliant flat-panel television has the brains to fine-tune multiple picture and video settings to ensure colors and resolution stay true, no matter the source. Enjoying a larger than life cinematic experience also requires amazing sound. Now you can experience a plasma display television that delivers an unrivaled audio experience through a digital amplifier for improved clarity and side speakers that amplify and deliver full surround sound effect.

This is more than the next step in high-definition. It’s a quantum leap. A revelation. A completely new world with optional ISFccc calibration – enabling you to experience the benefits of additional picture settings for day and night and to have the picture professionally customized, making it possible to perfectly adjust the picture settings for whatever environment this television lives in. Engineered for the ultimate experience in sight and sound, the PRO-150FD delivers resolution designed to exceed perfection, assuring you an HD experience that surpasses the standards of flawlessness – no matter what you watch

Review By Hometheaterreview

The $7,500 Elite KURO PRO-150FD is the largest and most expensive model in Pioneer’s highly touted 2007 KURO plasma line. Compared with the standard Pioneer-branded KURO displays, the Elite line features more advanced image adjustments and features. This 60-inch plasma HDTV has a 1920 x 1080 resolution and boasts a generous connection panel includes four HDMI, two component video, and one PC input, as well as a CableCARD slot and dual RF inputs to access the internal ATSC, NTSC, and Clear-QAM tuners.

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Review By Howstuffworks

With its Elite KURO PRO-150FD, Pioneer proves that quality can’t be measured by size alone. Many companies have attempted to raise the bar with the introduction of higher-end flat-panel HDTVs, and while there are sets with ridiculous 103-inch screens, quality depends on more than mere dimensions. Simply put, the 60-inch PRO-150FD plasma HDTV delivers one of the best pictures we’ve seen in the plasma category to date.

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Review By Hdtv-news

The set is equipped with different choices of connectivity options. Its connection panel is located at its backside near the center. This includes four HDMI ports, a VGA input for PC use, one component video input, a CableCARD slot, and two RF inputs for cable and antenna reception. A second component video input as well as a USB port is front-accessible along the left-hand side of the panel. A USB port and Ethernet jack on the back of the TV allow for local and networked access of multimedia files using the KURO PRO-150’s integrated Home Media Gallery feature.

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Review By Pcmag

An anti-reflective screen provides native 1080p resolution (1,920 by 1,080 pixels progressively scanned) and accepts 1080p video input only through its HDMI ports. Widescreen VGA resolution support topped out at 1,360 by 768 pixels. Image overscan with 1080i/p video signals could thankfully be disabled revealing every pixel, but 720p video sources were cropped 3 percent, slightly sacrificing detail and clarity. I found that standard definition overscan measured 7 percent, an acceptable result but still borderline excessive. The Elite’s 1080p video support includes 24-Hz and 60-Hz formats, plus the TV’s Advanced PureCinema feature enables a 72-Hz refresh rate that eliminates a shaking artifact known as judder when displaying video sourced from 24-frame-per-second material (most films and digital cinema).

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Review By Hdtvmagazine

The TV did a good job with the compressed HD signal from satellite so we expected some impressive pictures with the HD DVD player. The newly purchased HD-A3 was pressed into action with the four HD DVD movies that we had on hand. We were happy to see that the picture was even better with HD DVDs. Ara’s favorite movie is now Transformers and the scorpion scene is now his new HD reference scene. The only regret we had during the test was that we could not watch a HD DVD movie at 24 frames a second since out HD-A3 does not support it. The TV does, so if you have a next gen player with 24 frames a second support you will be able to watch movies at the same rate as in the cinema which will give you smoother playback.

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Review By Hometheatermag

PureCinema automatically detects film-based sources and offers three options. Standard feeds the panel the usual 1080p/60 signal, complete with 3:2 pulldown on a film-based source. Smooth is said to produce “smoother and more vivid moving images.” It does, but I didn’t find the improvement to be particularly dramatic. Advance converts film-based program material to a display rate of 72 frames per second by eliminating 3:2 pulldown. The Standard setting is available only with interlaced inputs, and you cannot select Smooth or Advanced with a 1080p/60 source.

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N2201w 22-inch Widescreen LCD HDTV/DVD Combo Review

vwmadm — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:33:34 +0000

Viewsonics N2201w 22″ widescreen LCD HDTV/DVD combo is the perfect HDTV for the kids’ room, a dorm room or other location where space is at a premium. Enjoy full-featured HD entertainment from this TV’s integrated ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner and DVD player. Watch your favorite DVDs, movies and HD TV shows in incredible detail supplied by the super-Hd 1680×1050 resolution. The integrated stereo speakers round out the experience with rich, stereo sound. Inputs include HDMI 1.3, component, composite and s-video to hook up all your entertainment devices and even your PC, allowing this TV to double as a PC monitor. The N2201w is just what you need to complement your lifestyle.

Experience widescreen HDTV
Enjoy a widescreen theater experience and high-definition picture quality with this display’s widescreen aspect ratio, true HDTV capability and wide viewing angles.

Delivers clearer, crisper, sharper images
Advanced image processing eliminates noise, increases contrast and detail, and optimizes color for rich, vibrant images.

Vivid graphics, clear text, stunning TV & PC monitor
Ultra-high brightness of 300 nits (typ), contrast ratio of 1000:1 (typ) and 1680×1050 resolution provide vibrant video and crisp data images for TV or PC viewing.

Versatile entertainment options
This HDTV provides the ultimate viewing experience with a built-in DVD player, integrated HDTV tuner and plug-and-play, high-end connectivity for HD set-top boxes, DVDs, game consoles and more.

OptiSync technology now features HDMI 1.3
Add versatility to your LCD HDTV with support for HDMI 1.3 with high-definition content protection (HDCP) and analog (VGA) signals, plus component, S-video, composite and TV/cable inputs.

Review By Pcmag

The 1,680-by-1,050 resolution panel, housed in a black cabinet with a shiny black bezel, is perched atop a wide oval base, which gives it a good measure of stability. Unfortunately, the stand is a tilt-only model that lets you angle the panel forward but not backward beyond the 90-degree point, and it doesn’t support height or swivel adjustments. If you do decide to tilt the screen, make sure you use both hands, as the mechanism is very stiff.

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Review By Crunchgear

The ViewSonic’s bright and vibrant picture, integrated DVD player, multiple hookup options, and relatively low price point make it a good choice for people looking to add a flat screen TV to the bedroom. Despite the integrated DVD player, the 22-inch N2201w is only about three inches thick and weighs about 20 pounds, so it’s easy to move around if needed. High-definition content looks really good, too, which is hopefully what you’ll mostly be watching on this TV. Standard definition stuff looks just fine as well – I tested this TV using Comcast digital cable, with nice results.

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Review By Coolest-gadgets

With living spaces these days getting smaller and smaller due to overpopulation in large cities, one has to learn to make do with the living space available in tiny apartments. The ViewSonic N2201w caters to this need, offering 1080i high definition digital video as well as outstanding image quality for a high end entertainment experience. After all, the digital revolution is well underway and analog TVs are going to go the way of the dodo in due time, so why not hop on the bandwagon now and experience tomorrow’s entertainment quality today? The N2201 is feature rich and won’t burn a whole in your pocket during procurement, ensuring you won’t have to get into an argument with the missus if you want to bring this puppy home.

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Review By Gadgets.softpedia

The 22-inch display, which features an anti-glare, anti-reflective coating, offers users a 1680×1050 pixels resolution (close to 1080i), a fairly OK response time, of around 5 ms, 1000:1 contrast ratio and wide viewing angles, of 160 degrees on both horizontal and vertical directions. The built-in light source has quite an acceptable estimated functioning life (around 50,000 hours), while the brightness level is pretty standard for this family of products, namely 300 cd/m2.

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LG 50PY3D Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:09:30 +0000

This 50” Class cutting edge Plasma HDTV features Full HD 1080p resolution which delivers in full 1920 x 1080p resolution for a more detailed picture. The versatile three 3 HDMI inputs allow you to accommodate cable, satellite, DVD, HDTV and other popular programming sources at once.

FULL HD RESOLUTION
Displays HDTV programs in full 1920 x 1080p resolution for a more detailed picture.

LG SIMPLINK
Allows for convenient control of other LG SimpLink products using the existing HDMI connection.

LG’S EXCLUSIVE XD ENGINE
Six distinct processes contribute to picture improvement. LG’s XD Engine® takes the low resolution of analog signals to near HD levels by improving brightness, contrast, detail and enhancing color as well as reducing signal noise. This total solution results in cinema-like high resolution images.

IMAGE STICKING MINIMIZATION
Provides protective measures to minimize damage as a result of stationary images.

Features

1920 x 1080p Full HD Resolution

3,000:1 Contrast Ratio

60,000 Hours to Half Brightness

ATSC/NTSC/QAM Clear Tuner

XD Engine

SRS TruSurround XT

LG SimpLink

3 HDMI with HDCP

Review By Howstuffworks

The 50PY3D delivers a very detailed 1,080p picture and adds several picture enhancement features, all at a price that won’t break the bank. LG’s XD Engine employs six processes to improve the picture, such as upscaling low-resolution analog signals by improving brightness, contrast, detail, and enhancing color. It also reduces signal noise. LG’s Black Stretcher acts as an enhancer for black levels. A high-contrast screen filter cuts glare, which is particularly annoying when watching TV in a well-lit room.

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Review By The-hdtv-review

With this LG plasma TV review there might be a need to give out the specifics like this LG HDTV plasma ‘s dimensions for example. The LG 50PC3D plasma TV measures 51.3 by 34.3 by 14 inches (WHD) including the stand, and the panel itself measures a nice 4.2 inches thick. There’s just something classy about this 50 LG plasma TV’s design of charcoal grey surrounding the big screen and silver near the edges.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The video menu doesn’t have as many advanced adjustments as some of LG’s newer, higher-end plasmas, like the 50PG60, but the major bases are covered. You get five picture modes and four color temperature options, including a user mode through which you can fine-tune the global red, green and blue settings to achieve a more accurate white balance. There is an option to enable LG’s XD processing, with contrast, color and noise settings. The menu also offers several features to prevent and counteract the effects of image retention, a common plasma concern.

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Review By Pcworld

A fairly well-organized on-screen display menu lets you adjust the TV’s many settings, which include individual red, green, and blue controls under the color temperature submenu. Color presets for Dynamic, Standard, and Mild adjust contrast, brightness, and vividness. I found Dynamic to be the most eye-catching setting, but colors were artificially saturated; the other two settings seemed more life-like. Two additional User modes let you program your own custom TV presets.

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Review By Pcmag

As with all HDTVs, the 50PY3D provides several picture presets that help you easily optimize picture quality for varying room environments. Color and luminance measurements using a Konica Minolta CS-200 chroma meter revealed that the 50PY3D’s “mild” picture preset came closest to matching standards used in broadcast TV and cinema production. I found its colors were slightly oversaturated, but uniformly so. The TV’s mild preset negatively affected standard-definition (SD) picture quality by softening the picture excessively.

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Toshiba 46XF550U LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:35:01 +0000

Toshiba’s high-performance 46XF550U employs the latest display technology to deliver vibrant, lifelike images. Most high-definition signals are broadcast in 1080i, and this set’s “Full HD” 1080p resolution allows it to show every bit of detail in every type of high-def signal — regardless if it’s from cable, satellite, or over the air. A slender black bezel enhances the 46XF550U’s slim flat-panel design.

Fast refresh rate eliminates motion blur
Superb picture clarity requires both high resolution and accurate motion handling. Toshiba has significantly improved their ClearFrame 120Hz anti-blur system to deliver on-screen motion that’s even smoother and clearer than before. This advanced new video processing does far more than simply double the frame rate. It includes a “5:5 pulldown” option that delivers an exceptionally filmlike picture when displaying 1080p/24 video from high-definition disc players.

A natural picture — no matter what you’re watching
The capable 46XF550U also gives you a great picture with standard definition video. It features Toshiba’s exclusive PixelPure processing that cleans up and improves the look of lower-resolution sources. And DynaLight technology creates deep black levels while maintaining image detail and contrast by monitoring the brightness of each frame, then adjusting the backlight intensity accordingly.

Versatile inputs that let you experience the best sources available
The generous array of audio/video connections includes two HD-capable component video jacks, plus three HDMI inputs for use with the growing number of HDMI-equipped components. The HDMI inputs can even accept 1080p signals, for pristine reproduction of 1080p sources. You can also connect a computer to the 46XF550U’s PC input for a large-sized view when working, gaming, or surfing the web.

Review By Pcworld

The 46XF550U has some nice extras. Turn on your DVD player (or any other connected source), and the set automatically switches to it. The TV swivels on its stand, too, supporting odd viewing angles and providing easier access to the rear inputs (which are harder to access than they ought to be because the inputs face downward). This model supports Toshiba’s Regza-Link version of HDMI’s Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) channel, which enables one device to control another.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The 46XF550U offers a solid amount of picture adjustments to fine-tune image quality. You get five picture modes and three color-temperature options, with the ability to adjust the amount of green and blue in these presets. However, the menu does not offer complete white-balance controls. A DynaLight mode automatically tailors the TV’s backlight to suit the source content’s brightness, while a Game mode improves response time with a gaming console. There’s also an eight-step gamma adjustment and Toshiba’s ColorMaster feature lets you adjust the hue, saturation and brightness of six colors.

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Review By Hometheatermag

Toshiba has a simple solution. Just remove the need for external sources by putting everything inside the TV. The new 32HLX95 features a built-in DVD player, a CableCARD slot, and ATSC and NTSC tuners that use the TV Guide On Screen program guide. Add in the pair of speakers mounted along the bottom panel to give the TV an even smaller footprint (or wallprint, as the case may be), and there’s no need to connect any extra boxes if you don’t want to.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

The specifications on the Toshiba 46XF355D are equally as impressive with a full 1080p HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels which can be mapped 1:1 without any over scanning for the very best quality, along with a very nice selection of inputs. There are two HDMI inputs on the back, and 1 HDMI input on the side of the 46XF355D, all HDMI 1.3 version, and can accept 24p frame rates. Component, PC VGA, Scart and s-video inputs are also featured.

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Review By Networkworld

The solid blue on-screen menus, which occupy a lot of space in the middle of the screen, are nothing to write home about. Options like ‘Theater Settings’ and ‘Auto Aspect Ratio’ go unexplained. When you press the remote’s Info button, the resulting information box appears lower on the screen than it should be, increasing its odds of blocking an important part of the picture.

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Mitsubishi LT-46149 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:50:08 +0000

The Mitsubishi LT-46149 stands out for its ability to deliver thrilling pictures and sounds from a sleek, slender flat-panel HDTV. A slim panel beneath the screen conceals a 16-speaker array, which delivers surround sound effects for TV shows, movies and video games — without the need for rear speakers. Dolby Digital processing and amplification for the speaker system are built in. For true full-range sound, simply connect the TV’s subwoofer output to a powered sub.

Sound Projector technology works with your room to immerse you in sound
The LT-46149 is the first TV to employ Sound Projector technology. The multi-speaker array combines with advanced signal processing to precisely beam sounds off your walls, placing rear-channel information behind and to the sides of viewers. Front-channel sounds are delayed slightly so that everything arrives at your ears at the right time, producing a wraparound soundstage. This system can’t match the performance of a component surround system, but it’s a major upgrade over conventional TV speakers.

A built-in CableCARD-ready tuner can further simplify installation
The LT-46149′s built-in CableCARD-ready tuner enables an especially uncluttered hookup for cable TV subscribers. Simply lease a CableCARD from your service provider and you can watch all your channels — including scrambled programs — without using a cable box. The subscription-free TV Guide Daily® on-screen guide provides an informative color-coded grid that lists over-the-air and cable programs in your area for the next 24 hours.

Smooth120Hz ensures blur-free images for sports, movies, and video games
Smooth, smear-free motion has been a challenge for LCD TVs, especially when viewing fast-action material like sports and video games. Mitsubishi’s Smooth120Hz anti-blur technology doubles the traditional LCD display rate for clearer, more natural motion. To maintain the smooth, cinematic look of film-based content, Film Motion “anti-judder” processing eliminates the stuttery motion often seen during slow camera pans.

Plenty of high-def inputs, and the smarts to control your other components
The LT-46149′s future-ready “jack pack” emphasizes high-def signals, with four 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs for connecting the latest Blu-ray players, HD DVRs, and video game consoles. This TV also features Mitsubishi’s NetCommand® control system, which lets you operate almost any brand of cable or satellite TV set-top box, plus other components, using only the TV’s remote.

Review By Vanns

Be prepared to think about your HDTV’s audio in a whole new way. Many “other” HDTVs usually feature a built-in 2-way, 2-channel speaker system so that you can at least hear the audio that accompanies your video picture. Mitsubishi’s LT46149, on the other hand, gives you the opportunity to experience your HDTV’s audio thanks to a 16-speaker, 5.1-channel built-in audio speaker. Mounted along the bottom edge of the LT46149′s bezel, the integrated soundbar delivers an encompassing 5-channel surround sound effect by employing 16 individual 2W drivers. The advanced design and directivity patterns of this speaker arrangement let you experience a surround sound home theater effect without additional obtrusive speakers and cables.

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Review By Soundandvisionmag

The iSP has 16 small drivers spanning the TV’s width. To generate a surround effect, an advanced algorithm takes the five individual channels of the audio signal and focuses each into a narrow steerable beam by manipulating its phase across the driver array. By reflecting each beam of sound off the walls of the room in a controlled manner, the iSP can deliver a pretty credible surround effect. On the downside, the tiny drivers don’t offer much in the way of bass, although the TV’s variable subwoofer pre-out makes it simple to add a sub.

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Review By Hdtv-news

Light-hold devices like DLP, LCD, and plasma HDTVs all have some degree of motion blurring in fast-moving images or videos. The LT 46149 LCD from Mitsubishi was designed with Smooth 120HZ technology, this LCD panel displays more fluid and natural fast-moving images using a super-fast 120Hz panel response time. Additionally, an UltraThin Frame design minimizes the size of the bezel so that your LT 46149 becomes a window onto the world of HD

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The sound bar, dubbed an integrated sound projector by Mitsubishi, is attached to the TV’s bottom panel and receives its audio signals directly via the same inputs used for video. HDMI is the only option for inputting digital audio signals, as the TV lacks coaxial or optical digital audio inputs (there is an optical digital audio output to send audio to an external sound system). The goal of a five-channel-in-one sound bar is to present a complete multichannel soundfield and create a sense of surround envelopment through a single cabinet. Mitsubishi’s philosophy is similar to that of Yamaha, employing lots of tiny drivers (16 in all) aimed at various points in the room. A sense of surround envelopment is created by bouncing sound waves off of room boundaries.

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Review By Youreviewelectronics

The requirement for a cable box is completely done away with by the built-in CableCARD-ready tuner. Inserting a cable card is sufficient to watch all channels which means you can have one less box cluttering up your room. A TV Guide Daily on-screen guide provides an insight into all the current TV programs. LT46149 employs Smooth 120 Hz Film Motion with anti-blur technology to provide judder-free, smooth and natural images, especially in fast-moving and action oriented scenes.

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Review By Ecoustics

The picture quality of the DirecTV feed is noticeably better on the Mitsu. It isn’t often that you watch a cartoon and ooh and ahh over the way it looks, but the first show we watched was the Flapjack cartoon, and everyone in the family agreed the picture was MUCH crisper. Even the non-HD channels have seen an improvement. We gave the old LG system to my parents, and had to caution them that the quality of the picture they were seeing in our living room (Red Sox game on HD) was NOT what they would see after they hooked up the LG. I didn’t want them to think their new TV was broken in some way when it didn’t look as good.

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JVC LT-42P789 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:00:55 +0000

Photos can also be displayed as a slide show along with music. During music playback, song title and artist name are displayed on the TV screen. During video playback, low resolution files, such as Internet videos, can be displayed in a small screen mode. Higher resolution video can be shown in nine aspect modes at full screen. There’s also the option to play music files while the TV displays television programming. In addition, the iPod will charge while docked whether the TV’s power is on or off.Besides the iPod dock and playback features, JVC’s P-Series LCD TVs are full featured high definition displays with a cabinet design that conveys the sets’ focus on both audio and video performance.

Each features a universal remote with direct input access, a on-screen menu system, a side-mounted USB photo viewer, and ATSC / QAM tuning.Connections include three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one S-video input, SPDIF input and an analog audio output for sending sound from an iPod or the TV through a home theater system.The sound package delivers 10 watts per channel to a pair of JVC’s exclusive oblique cone speakers. And JVC’s Omni Surround package with equalizer offers four listening modes – movie, music, news (for news or talk show programming) and mono (for simulated stereo from mono programming).

Specs

1080p native resolution

13,000:1 contrast ratio

6.5ms response time

500 cd/m2 brightness

10-bit image processor

USB port

ATSC/QAM tuners

Inputs: HDMI x 3, Component x 2, Composite x 2, S-Video x 1

Outputs: Composite x 1, Optical Audio x 1, Headphone x 1

Review By Hdtv-news

A 3D Y/C digital comb filter with cross color eliminator detects and reduces embedded dot and color interference from digital broadcast and component signals for crystal clear images. Natural progressive technology is an I/P scaling technology that smooths images.
Natural progressive works by ensuring total focus in areas that normally blur, such as where fast movement and where skewed lines exist, so images are always smooth. Natrual cinema (3:2 pull down) technology is an edge smoothing circuit that samples and compensates for the jagged edges commonly found in video that was converted from film. This filter is especially helpful with DVDs.

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Review By Hometheaterreview

The TeleDock onscreen navigation interface provides only general playback and shuffle options for music and video; its menu structure does not mimic that of the iPod itself, and you can’t search for specific songs, artists, playlists, or videos. If you’d prefer to navigate content directly via the iPod, JVC does provide an option to do so; this direct method offers more complete access to your song and video libraries and allows you to view photo slideshows, but you have to physically walk over to the TV to navigate the menus.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

There are two main HD resolutions in use today by HD broadcasters and other sources: 1080i and 720p. One is not necessarily better than the other; 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that should deliver a smoother image that stays sharper during motion. Another format is also becoming better known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce, however, and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts. The term 1080p today appears mostly in reference to the displays’ native resolution, not the source.

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Sony Bravia V Series KDL 40V4100 LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:26:51 +0000

This is HD done the Sony way. The 40″ KDL-40V4100 flat panel HDTV brings 1080p picture quality home with amazing, Sony-exclusive features like the XMB (Xross Media Bar) with 3D graphics, DMex capability so you can add functionality to your TV, and picture quality technologies like ACE (Advanced Contrast Enhancer) and BRAVIA Engine 2 that make images come alive. Add to that a sophisticated, piano black design and 24p capability for getting the most out of Blu-ray Disc and DVD movies, and you have a television that exceeds your expectations. There are also four HDMI inputs and three other HD-capable connections, so there is ample room for expansion.

16:9 Full HD 1080p

16:9 Full HD 1080p resolution panel (1920 x 1080) accepts any HDTV signal and renders them with optimum resolution.

Motionflow 60Hz technology

Motionflow 60Hz technology allows you to enjoy movies and prime-time TV (film-based content) with a clarity and resolution in motion that will spoil you. Sony’s Motionflow motion-compensation algorithm identifies film content and removes “judder”. That means you’ll get a clearer picture during sweeping pans with reduced visible jerking or stuttering.

DMeX functionality

DMeX functionality lets you expand your HDTV’s capabilities by connecting optional BRAVIA Link Modules, such as the DMX-NV1 BRAVIA Internet Video Link module (sold separately).

Enhanced Xross Media Bar (XMB)

Enhanced Xross Media Bar (XMB) makes it simple and intuitive to navigate the television’s menus, controls, and user settings.

TV Guide Interactive Program Guide

TV Guide Interactive Program Guide is integrated into Sony’s exclusive Xross Media Bar user interface to deliver continually updated program.

BRAVIA Sync capability

BRAVIA Sync capability combines the one-touch access and control functionality of BRAVIA Theatre Sync with the ability to control CEC-enabled Sony Handycam camcorders using the TV’s remote and an on-screen display.

HDMI and PC connectivity

HDMI and PC connectivity transmit both uncompressed digital video and multi-channel digital audio on the same cable for maximum versatility. (4) HDMI inputs deliver up to 1080/60p input capable video content. Additionally, a PC input1(HD-15 pin) offers up to a 1920 x 1080p connection to your PC so you can use your HDTV as a computer monitor.

BRAVIA Engine

BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor significantly reduces noise, enhances overall image detail, and optimizes contrast.

Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE)

Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit (ACE) dynamically controls the backlight improving contrast and resulting in deep blacks in dark without losing fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture.

24p True Cinema mode

24p True Cinema mode enables you to enjoy films at their intended 24 fps (frames per second) when viewed using a 24p capable output device, such as a Blu-ray Disc™ player.

S-Force Front Surround enhancement

S-Force Front Surround enhancement function generates realistic, virtual three-dimensional “surround sound” from the two speakers in the TV.

Favorites function

Favorites function features rich graphics capability that makes it easy and fun to quickly access video content.

Voice Zoom

Voice Zoom extracts the “center” sound (where the human voice is positioned) so you can control the volume of commentators.

VESA compatible hole spacing

VESA compatible hole spacing uses an industry-standard mounting hole pattern that can be used with VESA-compliant mounting brackets.

Review By Onecall

Experience the next generation of HD television in all its glory. Full 1080p HD resolution and 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ration offer amazing image detail and color clarity, all on a 46-inch screen. With 3 HDMI inputs, connecting to all your peripherals is a snap. Enjoy crystal-clear, lifelike HD sound, with SRS TruSurround XT™. Hook up your MP3 player or digital camera via the Wiselink(R) USB 2.0 connection; a versatile user interface lets you scroll through playlists and pictures. It`s advanced HD entertainment, only from Samsung.

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Review By Vanns

As a leader in products with HDMI connectivity, Sony has created BRAVIA® Theatre Sync™ technology to go beyond simple audio and video transmission. When you combine your new KDL40V4100 with a select number of other BRAVIA audio and video products, control functions will also be transmitted via the HDMI cable. With “One Touch Play”, operations that took several steps are reduced to one. Press the PLAY button on the remote, watch the audio and/or the video component(s) turn on then the BRAVIA KDL40V4100 television will turn on and switch to the correct video input…Simple…Easy…BRAVIA Theatre Sync.

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Review By Amazon

Movies and many prime time TV programs are shot at 24 frames per second. This means that TVs operating at any refresh rate that is not an even multiple of 24 will have to do some interpolation to present the content. TVs operating at at 30Hz or 60Hz traditionally solved this via a method called “2:3 pulldown”. The television repeats the first film frame over the first two fields of video, and the second film frame over the next three fields of video (1, 1, 2, 2, 2), and continues to do this with the 3rd and 4th frames, the 5th and 6th framer (1,1,2,2,2 – 3,3,4,4,4 – 5,5,6,6,6), and so on until 24 frames are displayed over 60 refresh cycles. This discrepancy in the number of times frames are displayed can lead to a jerky motion in filmed material which some viewers notice for example, especially with scenes that pan.

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Review By Crutchfield

High-definition video sources look stunning on the KDL-40V4100, but most people still watch at least some non-HD material. That’s why it’s important to choose a TV with excellent video processing. Sony’s latest BRAVIA Engine 2™ circuitry cleans up lower-res signals by analyzing and processing each scene to enhance picture contrast, reduce noise, and optimize color.

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Review By Sonybraviareviews

A couple of things learned through experience: 1. A flat-panel set does not “play” as large as the old tube models. If you formerly required a 27? convection tube screen, you’ll need 32?-40? to enjoy a similar viewing experience with an LCD flat screen. 2. When watching HDTV telecasts (still only a small percentage of channels), it’s quite likely you’ll notice little to no difference from standard definition if the screen is less than 40?. So if you’re planning on purchase of a 36? or smaller screen, skip the extras. 720p is more than adequate, and most of the other frills can be regarded as needless extra expense.

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JVC LT-42P789 LCD HDTV with TeleDock iPod Station Review

vwmadm — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:25:46 +0000

TV playback of iPod video content is more convenient than ever with the JVC LCD TVs with a built-in iPod dock. Including three full HD 1080p sets, the LT-42P789 features JVC’s TeleDock, a flip-down iPod dock at the base of the set, providing a direct connection for playback through the TV.When an iPod is docked, a menu appears on the TV screen for selecting music, music shuffle or video playback. iPod can be controlled from the TV’s remote, which includes a circular keypad with a control scheme that mimics the iPod’s control wheel. Photos can also be displayed as a slide show along with music. During music playback, song title and artist name are displayed on the TV screen. During video playback, low resolution files, such as Internet videos, can be displayed in a small screen mode. Higher resolution video can be shown in nine aspect modes at full screen. There’s also the option to play music files while the TV displays television programming.

In addition, the iPod will charge while docked whether the TV’s power is on or off.Besides the iPod dock and playback features, JVC’s P-Series LCD TVs are full featured high definition displays with a cabinet design that conveys the sets’ focus on both audio and video performance. Each features a universal remote with direct input access, a on-screen menu system, a side-mounted USB photo viewer, and ATSC / QAM tuning.Connections include three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one S-video input, SPDIF input and an analog audio output for sending sound from an iPod or the TV through a home theater system.The sound package delivers 10 watts per channel to a pair of JVC’s exclusive oblique cone speakers. And JVC’s Omni Surround package with equalizer offers four listening modes – movie, music, news (for news or talk show programming) and mono (for simulated stereo from mono programming).

Features

Special iPod Mini Mode

No hassle HD with built-in ATSC tuner and Clear QAM

USB Photo Viewer

New Color Temperature Control: Cool/Natural/ Warm

New unified remote with direct video input buttons

13 Selectable Aspect Modes

New Bitmap Menus

Smart Picture

Review By Hometheaterreview

The LT-42P789 is part of JVC’s TeleDock line of LCDs, which includes four models (32, 42, 47, and 52 inches) that feature an integrated iPod dock. Through the TeleDock, which is discreetly nestled between the two speakers that run along the TV’s bottom panel, you can watch videos, view photos, and listen to music – including all copy-protected content purchased through the iTunes Store – and control playback using the JVC remote. The 42-inch LT-42P789 has a 1080p resolution, uses a traditional fluorescent backlight (as opposed to LED backlighting), and does not offer a 120Hz frame rate to reduce motion blur or judder in film-based sources.

Read Full Review Here

Review By onecall

Another key reason behind JVC`s superior imagery is our gamma control is far better than that which typically goes into an LCD TV. This circuit actively detects areas of darker data, even in motion, and preserves the tonal details and gradations with those areas so that they remain rich with detail and never appear muddied.

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Review By Hdtv-news

A 3D Y/C digital comb filter with cross color eliminator detects and reduces embedded dot and color interference from digital broadcast and component signals for crystal clear images. Natural progressive technology is an I/P scaling technology that smooths images.
Natural progressive works by ensuring total focus in areas that normally blur, such as where fast movement and where skewed lines exist, so images are always smooth. Natrual cinema (3:2 pull down) technology is an edge smoothing circuit that samples and compensates for the jagged edges commonly found in video that was converted from film. This filter is especially helpful with DVDs.

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Review By Beachaudio

The P Series is a line of 1080p LCD televisions from JVC releases in 2008 and is one of the first line of HDTVs to have a built-in iPod dock. Specification-wise the P Series is similar to the lower priced X Series though the difference in prices isn’t significant. Similar to the X Series and other JVC LCD TVs, the P Series use JVC’s proprietary GENESSA chip technology for all the image processing and upconverting. The step-up line over the P Series are the super slim SL models that JVC markets as the “world’s thinnest”.

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Pioneer Kuro PDP-LX5090 Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:57:59 +0000

But not just any black. Perfect black.

And in the television world, black is everything. Black encompasses the entire spectrum of colour. The deepest black levels produce the purest colours and the sharpest details.

Achieving the blackest blacks imaginable and building a screen that produces the absolute best picture quality in the world was the inspiration and driving force behind our newest flat screen TV.

KURO lets you see literally every shade between black and white; the most vivid and flawless colours.The PDP-LX5090, one of our latest KURO TVs, is just 93mm thin and has an integrated digital terrestrial tuner.

In short, KURO is a television that will let you see and hear like never before

Features

• Diagonal Screen Size: 50-inch / 127 cm
• Screen Technology: Plasma
• ‘HD ready 1080p:’ Yes
• HD Digital Film Direct 24: Yes
• Resolution (horizontal x vertical): 1,920 x 1,080
• TV Tuner: Integrated Digital DVB-T and Analogue
• CI Slot: Yes
• Speakers: Optional high grade side and under-mounted speakers available
• Input Terminals: 3 x HDMI, 1 x Component, 1 x RCA AV, 3 x Euro-SCART, 1 x CI slot, 1 x PC input, 1 x USB port
• Output Terminals: 1 x Optical, 1 x RCA Audio, 1 x Headphone, 1 x Subwoofer Out
• Optimum Mode: Yes
• Home Gallery: Yes
• Multiscreen Options (PiP/PaP): Yes
• Electronic Program Guide: Yes
• Dimensions: (W x H x D) 1.233 x 723 x 93 mm
• Weight: 33,5 kg
• Power Consumption: 420 W / 0,3 W

Review By Hdtvtest

Just like previous Kuros, the Pioneer PDP-LX5090 plasma HDTV sports a clutter-free glossy black bezel which is adorned only by Pioneer’s logo along the bottom border, and some red/ blue (the intensity of which can be adjusted in the user menu) LED indicators at the bottom left corner. As is the case with all plasma televisions we’ve reviewed thus far, the reflective screen on the Pioneer PDP-LX5090 takes on a dark grey appearance in a bright room, strengthening the case for stringent ambient lighting control to prevent the potentially inky blacks from being excessively “diluted” by stray light.

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Review By Reghardware

The LX5090 may not be as advanced as that, but it still shows substantial improvement over last year’s already strikingly good model. Pioneer knows its stuff – this is the ninth generation of plasma from the company – the native resolution’s a full 1920 x 1080 – and a leap forward in picture quality.

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Review By Trustedreviews

In looking at other features of the LX6090, we have no choice but to concentrate first on the technological advances Pioneer has made during the time that’s elapsed between last year’s 8th plasma generation and the latest models. For it’s only in doing that that we can really convey a sense of the sort of technological stuff that goes into making Pioneer KURO TVs so different.

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Review By t3.com

The black levels, always a strong point on Pioneer plasmas, are better than ever. Watch a murky movie like Hostel 2 or Sunshine in a totally dark room and you can barely see any light escape from the black parts of the picture. No other plasma we’ve seen can match that bottomless depth, and LCD TVs are totally incapable of getting even close.

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Review By Stuff.tv

We know it isn’t easy to deliver an off-air picture this size, but the ‘LX5090 makes a solid stab, being largely free of noise and capable of colourful, detailed pictures. Those speakers shine too; having demonstrated organisation and body with films, they sound clear and balanced with TV broadcasts.

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Review By Pocket-lint

Connections-wise you should be well catered for. The KURO boasts three HDMI, three SCART, and a Component connection, plus VGA for a PC hook-up, as well as PC audio input, should you need it (as well as the aerial and common interface). On the side of the screen you’ll find additional connections AV as well as USB, for photo viewing, for example. As some of these inputs are shared, you have to switch over to the HDMI connections in the menu when you set-up your screen.

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Review By Hdtv-news

As an HDTV television, the PDP-LX5090 displays images brilliantly, specially with a Blu-Ray player. Not only does the splendid black level on the Pioneer PDP-LX5090 plasma television shower the viewers with an exquisite sense of depth and dimensionality, it also served as a pristine canvas which allowed wonderful rich colours inside a movie to pop off the screen.

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Review By johnlewis

1080p is the purest form of high definition that a television can display. This leads to a smoother, more film-like image, which will satisfy sports and movie lovers alike. With a 1080p signal, the information that makes up an image is displayed “progressively” or all at once, rather than in an “interlaced” fashion. Television stand needs to be purchased separately.

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Sony Bravia KDL-26M4000/R HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:04:01 +0000

Sony’s KDL-26M4000/R HDTV brings with it BRAVIA Theatre Sync (HDMI-CEC) for easy, one-touch management of compatible Sony products, ACE contrast enhancement for better shadow detail, and BRAVIA Engine 2TM for crystal clear picture quality. And with two HDMI inputs, an additional two component inputs, as well as a PC input you now have up to five different ways to make sure you see HD-level picture quality on the screen. Surrounding all this technology is the sleek, sophisticated design that has been a hallmark of the M-series and Sony televisions.

Features

• 26″ BRAVIA LCD Flat Panel
The LCD flat panel technology reduces glare for high-quality viewing. Several special picture enhancement technologies are integrated into the processor to create better gradations and details, enhance contrast, dynamically improve color, and reduce image flicker.

• HD 1366 x 768 Pixel Resolution
Has a high pixel count that provides fine detail for outstanding HDTV as well for video reproduction from your computer.

• PC and TV Display
Can be used as a multifunction display. It is suitable for use both as a TV with HD connectivity or as a display for a personal computer.

• HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
Enhances audio and video performance of the LCD TV, using one cable and one plug to simplify connections.

• Light Sensor
The integrated Light Sensor will adjust the screen’s brightness based on the surrounding light for a comfortable viewing experience.

Review By Onecall

Sony’s KDL-26M4000/R HDTV brings with it BRAVIA® Theatre Sync (HDMI-CEC) for easy, one-touch management of compatible Sony products, ACE contrast enhancement for better shadow detail, and BRAVIA Engine 2™ for crystal clear picture quality. And with two HDMI inputs, an additional two component inputs, as well as a PC input you now have up to five different ways to make sure you see HD-level picture quality on the screen. Surrounding all this technology is the sleek, sophisticated design that has been a hallmark of the M-series and Sony televisions.

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Review By Sonystyle

Part of the cinematic drama in film-making comes from details found in shadows and dark areas of the picture. Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) uses real-time image processing to dynamically adjust backlight levels for improved contrast without masking details the filmmaker intended you to see. ACE delivers deep blacks in darker scenes, as well as fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture for a difference you can truly see.

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Review By Pcmag

The 26-inch screen has a resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels (768p), with a max input resolution of 720p/1080i with HDMI or component video inputs. Using component video input, the TV’s preset for “full” picture size over-enlarges the original picture by 6 percent, which results in a slightly softer, less-detailed image compared with a TV that can display the entire video frame, like the LG 32LG30. The LG30 series is also compatible with 1080p24 and 1080p60 input, formats found on many Blu-ray disc players, including the Sony BDP-S350.

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Samsung HL61A650 Slim DLP HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:10:27 +0000

The Samsung HL61A650 offers the sharpest and clearest images available in an HDTV. Despite its impressive 61″ display the HL61A650 is surprisingly thin at only 15.4″ deep. TruSurround XT powered by 20W provides realistic surround sound without any rear speakers.

The HL61A650′s DLP chip is faster than any other HDTV technology, with millions of mirrors switching on and off 15,000 times a second to deliver ultra-sharp picture for fast moving images. When combined with Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine, the result is a crisp, bright picture with deep, rich colors that is closer to film. A high contrast ratio provides blacker blacks, sharper whites and vibrant colors. The 61″ panel’s precise, sharp picture and fast process speeds make this screen ideal for sports, fast action shows and movies, and gaming.

The Wiselink USB port turns this TV into a 61″ picture frame when you plug in your USB flash drive or listen to your favorite MP3 files. Three HDMI inputs allow you to connect your HD components enjoy a pure-digital one-cable connection.

Features

• Cinema Smooth 1080p Light Engine
The Cinema Smooth 1080p Light Engine creates an image with no visible pixel structure, accurate shading and better low-light detail.

• DLP Chip by Texas Instruments
The DLP chip is faster than any HDTV technology, with the mirrors switching on & off 15,000 times a second to deliver ultra-sharp picture for fast moving images. When combined with Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine, the result is a crisp, bright picture with deep, rich colors that’s closer to film.

• Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe)
DNIe enhances contrast and detail, and optimizes motion and color. This provides the truest colors and highest contrast, while eliminating digital artificialities.

• Color It Your Way
You can get the pink tones, the green of the grass and the blue of the sky just the way you like, without affecting the other colors on the screen. The three major colors can be adjusted to perfectly fit your taste.

• Game Mode
Game Mode enhances dark areas, sharpens the picture, speeds up the image processing response time and enhances the sounds of your games. Picture and sound quality are optimized for the special needs of gaming systems at the touch of a button.

• Thin Bezel
The thin design allows the screen to fit where others can’t.

• Wiselink
Plug in a USB thumb drive and enjoy your JPEGs on the 61″ display or listen to your favorite MP3 files.

Review By Hdtv-news

Samsung’s 3D-enabled HDTVs, which play at 120 frames per second, deliver two separate streams of 3D video; one to the left eye, the other to the right. This syncs up with active glasses, which alternate images between the two eyes at a speed of 120th of a second, so you enjoy 3D video without any distracting flicker.

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Review By Vanns

Samsung delivers brilliant full 1080p HD in an energy-efficient design with the Series 6 HL61A650. A 61-inch DLP screen is housed in a sleek “piano key black” cabinet, with a slim depth that fits where others won’t. Samsung Cinema Smooth™ 120Hz light engine offers smooth, film-like images. Select game mode for advanced gaming action. Amazing 3D capabilities let you enjoy HD Bluray, 3D movies, and games to the fullest. Maximize picture and audio performance and minimize wires and cables by connecting your HD cables to satellite video components with the 3 HDMI™ inputs. And the Wiselink USB 2.0 input lets you connect your digital camera or MP3 player, for quick access to pictures and playlists from your remote control.

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Review By Reviews.cnet

There are two main HD resolutions in use today by HD broadcasters and other sources: 1080i and 720p. One is not necessarily better than the other; 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that should deliver a smoother image that stays sharper during motion. Another format is also becoming better known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce, however, and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts. The term 1080p today appears mostly in reference to the displays’ native resolution, not the source.

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Review By Crutchfield

Like all Samsung “A650″ DLP sets, this model employs the latest generation DLP™ (Digital Light Processing) chip to deliver a vibrant, high-contrast picture. DLP is one of the fastest HDTV display technologies — the image chip’s microscopic mirrors switch on and off 15,000 times per second to create razor-sharp images with smooth, smear-free motion. DLP is a great choice for gamers, sports fans, and action movie aficionados. The HL61A650′s 1080p screen resolution lets you enjoy all of the fine detail in every HD source you watch.

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LG 32LG30 32″ 720p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:28:31 +0000

The LG30 series is the entry level line of 720p LCD televisions by LG for Spring 2008. These sets, similar to entry level offerings by other manufacturers are intended for people that want to get into the HDTV market without breaking the bank. Since HDTVs are relatively mature technology the 2008 models start with features considered high end just a few years prior. Multiple HDMI inputs, improved contrast ratio, and “hidden” speaker system are some of the upgrades made for 2008. A minor upgrade above the LG30 series is the LG50 series which jumps to a native 1080p resolution.

Features

* LCD HDTV features Clear Voice technology which enhances dialogue sound quality with swivel stand and energy Star rated
* 720p HD resolution 1366 x 768p with 2 x HDMI v 1.3 digital inputs
* Invisible speaker system for richer more balanced sound & a polished look
* LG Simplink allows for convenient control of other LG products using HDMI connection
* 12,000:1 Dynamic contrast ratio

Review By Reviews.cnet

The 32LG30 cuts a slick-looking figure by small-screen HDTV standards, with its glossy black finish, slightly curved bottom edge with an angled panel, and skinny pedestal atop a rounded, swiveling stand. The power indicator is a large, yet dim, LED on the far right that can be disabled if it’s not your thing, and the speakers are hidden underneath the panel. All told, the set measures 31.5 inches wide by 23.7 inches tall by 8.9 inches deep and weighs 29.5 pounds; without the stand it shrinks to 31.5 inches wide by 21.4 inches tall by 3.1 inches deep and weighs 26.2 pounds.

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Review By Pcmag

Enabling a TV’s film detection feature should improve picture detail and reduce unwanted artifacts when displaying video material originally recorded at 24 fps, as many feature movies and prime-time TV shows are. The 32LG30′s ability to process video and film-based 1080i material correctly was good, though on my tests, the HD HQV Benchmark suite revealed that the TV wasn’t as effective at minimizing jagged-edge artifacts as the Sharp LC-32D44U or the Toshiba 32CV510U, both of which aced this challenging test.

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Review By Devhardware

The 32LG30 also has two 20 watt speakers, hidden from plain view, that surround the television’s panel. This design helps to create a natural surround sound effect. The 32LG30 even has a Clear Voice feature that claims to enhance human voices during dialog to make them clearer and easier to understand during scenes in which there is heavy background music or noise. This is a definite plus for those like me who at times have to turn subtitles on while watching a DVD because it is hard to make out what the actors are saying because of heavy bass or noise in the background.

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Review By Vanns

Like choosing different sound effects on your stereo like opera hall, bar, or concert, your 32LG30 gives you image options that enhance whatever you’re watching. AV Mode optimizes the picture into Cinema Mode, Sports Mode, and Game Mode. And Expert Mode has been certificated by the ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) picture quality calibration institution, making it possible to finely tune the picture at a professional level. The result is a dynamic HDTV that is adaptable to many different modes and settings.

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Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD Review

vwmadm — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:55:50 +0000

The Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD High-Definition is a 60inch (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Flat Panel Television. It’s the largest model in Pioneer’s line and later this year, Pioneer will introduce Elite sets and Signature Series (monitor) models with more extensive picture adjustments and other features.

The Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD black levels are so black, they disappear into an infinite abyss. Colors are so pure, they gush with their own emotions. It has an elegant and flawless slimmer body profile that make is so appealing.

With an all-new Optimum Mode, the KURO lets you enjoy entertainment as it was meant to be. No need to toggle through or change settings for each type of programming. Built in intelligence seamlessly monitors content and room light, and then automatically adjusts both audio and video settings for an immaculate picture and pristine sound. Together they become something remarkable and unlike any other experience. Sports come alive, news casts are crisp and clear and movies take on a life all their own.

Features:

* High-Definition 1080p Resolution (1920x1080p)
* 5x Deeper Black for Unmatched Contrast*
* Home Media Gallery Network Connectivity
* 4 Independent HDMI 1.3 Inputs

Review By Onecall

With an all-new Optimum Mode, the KURO lets you enjoy entertainment as it was meant to be. No need to toggle through or change settings for each type of programming. Built in intelligence seamlessly monitors content and room light, and then automatically adjusts both audio and video settings for an immaculate picture and pristine sound. Together they become something remarkable and unlike any other experience. Sports come alive, news casts are crisp and clear and movies take on a life all their own.

Read Full Review Here

Review By Hdtvreviewlab

The improvements in this HDTV are obviously in the electronics, rather than aesthetics, as this ninth generation plasma in the Kuro line basically looks much like its predecessors – simple minimalist frame with glossy finish, removable speakers and non-swiveling stand – a very clean look which is probably preferred by those who dislike being distracted from their TV viewing. Pioneer reconfigured the menu system and the remote but it seems the changes made it difficult to access some menus – such as the Picture menu which now takes about four button pushes. Along with the smaller and closely-spaced buttons, we didn’t find the changes adding value to this product.

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Review By Hometheatermag

Set to Standard mode, the PDP-6020FD meets Energy Star 3.0 standards. Because of that, the Standard mode includes some automatic image manipulation, but it’s not visually perceptible. Pioneer also drastically reduced its power draw in standby mode. Its power went down from 26 watts in last year’s models to less than 0.3 watts in the new models.

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Review By Vanns

Four independent High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 1.3 inputs with HDMI-CEC control and the ability to accept 1080p 24/60Hz signals assure that the best video signal is always sent from the source (HDTV signal, DVD player) to the PDP6020FD’s display. HDMI does this by allowing uncompressed video and multi-channel audio data to be input directly to the display device through a single cable. There’s also a USB input and a PC input to use your PDP6020FD as a computer monitor, an optical digital audio output, and even a subwoofer output.

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Review By Hdtvlounge

The Pioneer PDP-6020FD is the first HDTV to feature a 72Hz frame rate (3x 24p) which runs at a higher rate, and is perfect for viewing blu-ray movies with out jerky motion. Best-in-class black levels and excellent all-around performance the Pioneer PDP-5020FD at the top of the picture quality heap. HomeTheaterMag says “The Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD excels in far more than just blacks. But I can’t overstate the importance of rich blacks, particularly if you are a movie fan.”

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Vizio VO47LF LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:35:17 +0000

Peer into the High Definition clarity of another technology innovation from VIZIO, the new 47″ VIZIO VO47L FHDTV. The new VIZIO VO47L boasts 1080P Full High-Definition Television performance, automatic color equalization, fast signal response times with reduced pixel noise. A newly developed 47″ chassis supports the elegance of the Full High Defintion television experience, with enhanced level of input performance including 4-HDMI inputs, (HDMI Cable Included) and oversize cleaning.

Technical Details

Vizio VO47LF 47-Inch LCD Flat Panel HDTV li3 Year Extended Warranty Service Plan – Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy 4×6 in. Borderless 50 Sheets

Flat Panel Screen Wall Mount – DVD Lens Cleaner liHDMI-HDMI High Performance Cable – 4 Pack of ‘AA’ Batteries

Microfider Shammy Cloth for Flat Panel LDC/ Plasma Screens – LCD Screen Cleaning Kit

Review By hdtv-news

The VO47LF is a monster, along with the black, non-swivel stand, at 77.5 pounds. The dual textured bezel creates a frame within a frame around the screen – similar to a double matte around a photo. The TV is furnished in a glossy piano black color with its outer frame in a cross-hatched matte black. The effect is understated and elegant, but almost subverted by the shiny gold “1080P FULL HD” label ingrained into the lower right corner of the bezel.

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Review By youreviewelectronics

The connection panel on the back contains 4 HDMI inputs for the strongVizio TV/strong.nbsp; You can also run audio out of the TV with the help of an SPDIF (optical) digital audio out and a stereo pair of RCA analog audio outs. Surfing from analog to digital channels is easier through tuner settings. What’s more, as the tuner system is also clear QAM compatible, you can attach your cable TV signal directly into the RF connector and tune in unscrambled cable stations.

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Review By sacada2

The good news is that fiddling with the input plugs of various devices and color set-ups are no longer necessary. The bad news is that switching between your DVD player, cable connection, and VCR still requires regular input changes. A button on the VO47LF’s remote control allows you to chose which appliance you want to use from a list-even the inactive sources-and must be bypassed every time. The Vizio remote has buttons can let you access different input types despite having indirect button commands.

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Review By pcworld

One design flaw is that all of the VO47LF’s inputs are on the back, facing downward, which makes them hard to access. After getting everything plugged in and turning on the TV, you can bring up the small on-screen menu with its hard-to-read blue-on-blue text. As you make necessary adjustments, you’ll encounter little annoyances such as a slider bar for setting the tint that doesn’t show the colors you’re going between.

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Review By products.howstuffworks

The set’s twin built-in 10 watt speakers offer reasonable audio clarity, but they failed to come close to delivering the punch you’d expect with HDTV content. Considering the price of this model, you should have a few dollars left over to buy a dedicated home theater surround sound system.

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Review By reviews.cnet

As with many LCDs, the Vizio’s performance falls off if you move off-angle from the sweet spot, at a rate that’s more noticeable than many other LCDs we’ve seen. The darker areas of the image wash out, and from extreme angles a characteristic reddish tinge sets in. On the flipside we were impressed by the uniformity of the VO47LF’s picture across the screen, which remained solid except for the extreme upper-left corner, which looked a bit brighter than the rest in the darkest scenes.

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Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ850U Review

vwmadm — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:44:02 +0000

The Panasonic VIERA HDTV PZ850 Series introduces an exciting new feature called VIERA Cast. VIERA Cast is a web menu that’s built into the television, letting you enjoy great online entertainment like YouTube videos and your digital photos on Picasa Web Albums, all with just a click of a button – - no PCs or external boxes are required. You can also get instant weather updates as well as the latest financial information from Bloomberg Television. Best of all, the VIERA Cast menu will self-update as soon as great new online content becomes available. Share the online entertainment fun with friends and family on a large screen HDTV!

Enjoy Theater-like images Without Having to go to a Movie Theater
With the VIERA PZ850 Series, you’ll get everything you need for a top-notch movie experience at home. Superb motion-picture resolution, super deep contrast ratios, and Digital Cinema Color Technology all combine to provide an incredible viewing experience.
Smart Networking with Other AV Devices
Panasonic’s VIERA Link makes it easy for you to control all of your compatible HD AV devices with just your HDMI cables and a single remote. Total AV system control with just a click of a button!
Share HD Videos on the Big Screen
The VIERA PZ850 Series provides the easy solution for enjoying HD (1920 X 1080) home movies recorded on your camcorder’s SD card. Simply remove the SD card from the camcorder, insert into the PZ850′s built-in SD card slot¹and begin watching your videos with vivid colors and superb motion-image expression — no extra cables or connections required.
HD Photo Viewer
The VIERA PZ850 and its built-in HD Photo viewer provides the ultimate digital photo viewing experience. Simply insert an SD card to display photos on the large screen. Photos are much more fun when you can view them on a large HDTV screen with family and friends in full-HD (1920 x 1080).

Review By hdtvlounge

The Panasonic PZ850 Series isn’t just an ordinary Plasma series, it’s one of the first to be “web-enabled” aka Viera Cast, which provides access to some of the most popular website on the Internet today such as YouTube, Bloomberg and Google Picasa web album. This new flagship line should also be a hit with the videophile, with great specifications and featuring enhanced contrast ratios, faster response times (reducing motion blur) and deeper blacks.

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Review By infosyncworld

The Panasonic Viera PZ850 series features a Pro Setting Menu, aimed at videophiles that can benefit from access to professional calibration software. The Viera PZ850 series also boast an enhanced native resolution contrast ratio of 30,000:1, a dynamic ratio of 1,000,000:1, 24p native reproduction, Digital Cinema Color Re-Mastering (for more accurate color reproduction when for instance playing movies), and Studio Reference Mode (reproduction of subtle colors).

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Review By crutchfield

The TH-46PZ850U uses Panasonic’s most advanced 1080p plasma panel technology. It can reproduce 5,120 shades of gray — 25% more than last year’s models — for naturally seamless colors. Picture contrast is outstanding too, with notably deep black levels. This TV’s 24p Cinematic Playback mode optimizes 1080p video from a Blu-ray player — it doubles the original playback frame rate to 48 frames per second, just like most theater projectors do. You’ll see a remarkably smooth, cinematic picture.

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Review By reviews.digitaltrends

The TV also gets a built-in SD card slot to make viewing digital photos as easy as popping them out of your camera and into the TV, in all their 1920 x 1080 HD glory. And if your own shots aren’t exactly masterpieces, the TV’s GalleryPlayer compatibility lets you to buy professional shots on the Web to turn your TV into a replica museum piece.

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Review By switched

One of the key features of the line is the new VIERACast IPTV system. Essentially, it’s a portal that lets you access specific Internet entertainment right from your television, and it currently features four different content providers: YouTube (videos), Picasa (pictures), the Weather Channel (weather) and Bloomberg (market information). Once you plug an Ethernet cord into the back of the TV, you’ll be able to browse and search YouTube with the TV’s remote, and the system will allow you to log in to your YouTube account in order to access favorites, personal videos and other options. You’ll also be able to access your pictures if you store them on Picasa.

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Hitachi UT42X902 42-inch LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:37:43 +0000

Only Hitachi delivers the remarkably slim UltraThin 1.5" flat screen LCD. Unlike conventional HDTVs with an average 4" thickness, Hitachi UltraThin 1.5" has a sleek, lightweight 1.5" large screen panel design.

The 42" Director’s Series Flat Panel HDTV is part of Hitachi’s ultimate UltraThin HDTV Series, featuring a stylish 360 degree high gloss finish with a dramatic Black Sapphire Crystal Frame. An innovative fanless, computer-inspired ventilation system allows the display panel to attain this remarkable thinness, while the PictureMaster HD VI Processor ensures that the innovative slim design doesn’t sacrifice Hitachi high performance.

The advanced 42" Director’s Series display panel features Full HD1080P resolution (1920 x 1080P), the highest resolution picture in HDTV, and the picture is enhanced by 120Hz Panel Speed with Motion Interpolation, a video processing technology that upgrades all television broadcast signals to 120 frames per second for the clearest, sharpest LCD picture ever. Reel120 Film de-Judder, a Hitachi exclusive film processing technology, creates new frames to perfectly match the motion of movies, reducing blur and judder in film-converted-to-video.

The 42" Director’s Series UltraThin HDTV delivers rich dramatic design and a flawless picture to every room and comes backed with an extended in-home warranty of two years, an exclusive Director’s Series benefit.

Summary Features and Specs:

Incredibly Thin 1.5" High Design Display Panel
Black Sapphire Crystal Frame
360 Degree High Gloss Finish
Fanless Ventilation System
Full HD1080P (1920 x 1080 Resolution)
120Hz Panel Speed with Motion Interpolation
Reel120™ Film De-Judder
PictureMaster™ HD VI Processor
1 HDMI Input and 1 RGB Input
Custom Install Friendly (RS232C Control & Discrete IR codes)
Optional Audio Video Center with additional inputs and Tuner
2 Year Warranty

Review By products.howstuffworks

The UT42X902 features a native resolution of 1,920×1,080 and can thus handle every pixel from 1080i and 1080p source material, and can downscale 720p sources with ease. However, the connectivity options are a bit lacking to get said 1080p content. This set does support the HDMI 1.3 (x.v.Color) technology, but surprisingly this set features a mere single HDMI input. No doubt this is to keep the set as sleek with a minimalist design as possible, but this is a major shortcoming for the set.

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Review By reviews.cnet

Turn down the LCD’s backlight Many LCDs give you the ability to control the intensity of the backlight in the TV. By turning down the backlight, you’ll lower power consumption, but also make the television less bright. While retail stores love to turn the backlights up all the way for their displays, we find that we get the best image quality when we turn down the backlight significantly.

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Review By hdtvlounge

On the smaller end of the Hitachi X series, we have the 32-inch UT32X812, and UT32X802. The former features the 120Hz Reel120 technology, while the latter does not. Both have a 1366×768 resolution and 2 year warranty. The unrivaled thinness also comes with a great 360 degrees design that is appealing all around. All come with an optional audio video center.

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Sony XEL-1 11-Inch OLED HDTV Review

vwmadm — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:29:00 +0000

Sony XEL-1 11" OLED Flat Panel HDTV finally has a screen technology that brings out the definitive Color and detail worthy of high-definition. OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diodes. It’s a technology that makes the TV screen seem like it’s alive. The 11" Flat Panel of the Sony XEL-1 is about 3mm thin – the thickness of about 3 stacked credit cards. There’s no backlight to wash out the colors. Micro-size LED are compressed to the dots at the Pixel level, delivering brightness and Color depth never possible to be reproduced on any screen, including plasma. The OLED display panel uses extremely low power levels since the light-emitting structure of the panel eliminates the need for a separate light source. As a result, OLED panels can be up to 40 percent more efficient per panel inch compared with a conventional 20-inch LCD panel. Additionally, since OLED displays create their own light, any mercury associated with traditional backlighting is eliminated. Fully compatible with BRAVIA Internet Video Link service, the XEL-1 has 2 HDMI inputs and a MemoryStick slot for optimal image display of TV, Video, and Still. XEL-1 sets new horizons for HDTV and video.

Features

Next-generation OLED HDTV technology
Full HD Color spectrum and super deep black-levels
Incredibly Slim 3mm Thin Panel
Lower power consumption than other TV technologies
1,000,000:1 Contrast Ratio

Review By soundandvisionmag

The catch phrase "flat TV" has been circulating for years, mainly to describe the many flat-panel plasma and LCD sets that have swamped the market. But with an average cabinet depth of 3 to 5 inches, can those TVs really be called flat? To find a truly flat display, you need to check out OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode).

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Review By sonystyle

Sony’s OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TV, the XEL-1, is truly the next big thing in television technology. It boasts a 3 millimeter thin panel and offers unparalleled picture quality with amazing contrast, outstanding brightness, exceptional color reproduction, and a rapid response time. It delivers astounding performance in all the key picture quality categories. OLED technology can completely turn off pixels when reproducing black, resulting in more outstanding dark scene detail and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. OLED also creates unmatched color expression and detail and enables rapid response times for smooth and natural reproduction of fast moving images like those found in sports and action movies.

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Review By gadgets-reviews

To give clearer preview of OLED’s features, should be said that the main design advantage is the organic diode itself. Unlike LCDs with same specialized inorganic diode, it can produce a greater amount of light directed at color pixels. Actually every pixel it the matrix produces its own light blast due to its organic nature. Organic diodes used in Sony OLED technology are semiconductors placed in microscopic caves. They produce light by making electronic holes and electrons circulate between cathode and anode. Distinctive feature here is that electronic holes are more mobile in the organic material that in inorganic one. Such a way every OLED display doesn’t require backlight and polarizer.

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Review By amazon

How is color created? : OLED has more control over color expression because it only expresses pure colors when an electric Current stimulates the relevant Pixels. The OLED primary color matrix is arranged in red, green, and blue Pixels, which are mounted directly to a printed circuit board. Each individual OLED element is housed in a special "micro-cavity" structure designed to greatly reduce ambient light interference that also works to improve overall color Contrast.

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Review By oled-display

The glass substrates of the OLED panel each measured 0.7mm in thickness and 1.4mm in total. The bezels were 0.6mm thick per piece and 1.2mm in total. They were 2.6mm thick all together. A gap of 0.4mm was provided supposedly in consideration of the flexibility of the FPCs.

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Review By reviews.cnet

The XEL-1 has a fine selection of picture-affecting features, including three picture modes that can be independently adjusted per input; four color temperature presets; two flavors of noise reduction, and a few fancily named extras (Back Corrector, Clear White, Live Color) that should be turned off for best picture quality. There’s also a four-step Gamma control (we found that "Off" provided the smoothest, most linear rise from black to white), a Color Space setting (which belongs in Normal for more-accurate colors), and Sony’s CineMotion processing, which enables 2:3 pulldown detection.

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Samsung LN46A630 HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:32:51 +0000

With this SAMSUNG 46” HDTV images are brilliant, detailed, simply amazing. Movies and TV shows have never been this realistic. 1080p resolution delivers stunning clarity and a 35,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio gives you contrast and brightness levels that take your home entertainment to the next level. Plus, SAMSUNG’s wide color enhancer brings out the most beautiful, bold colors you’ve ever seen.

Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ reduces motion blur so you can appreciate the detail even in fast-moving scenes
Wide Color Enhancer produces natural, realistic colors by optimizing each color’s hue
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp enhances the color display on the LCD, providing richer, more lifelike hues
Progressive scan produces a picture with finer detail and less flicker for a more filmlike picture quality

Wide 178-degree viewing angles make virtually every seat in the room the best in the house
Fast 4 ms response time eliminates motion trails for fast-moving images with crisp edges
Picture-in-picture display lets you view TV programs simultaneously, so you can keep an eye on the game while you watch your favorite TV show
SRS TruSurround XT creates virtual surround sound, allowing you to enjoy an immersive listening experience through any 2-speaker playback system, including internal TV speakers and headphones
3 HDMI inputs offer the best quality audio and video transmission and single-cable component hookup; HDMI-CEC technology lets you control compatible peripheral devices with a single remote control
V-chip lets you block programming you deem unsuitable for your children

Review By reviews.digitaltrends

Samsung’s "Touch-of-Color" design ethic might not be for everyone, but the company should be applauded for breaking away from the gloss black bezels that it (and seemingly every company in the biz) have been addicted to for years, and trying something new. The effect is so subtle that it might actually be mistaken for the old gloss black approach in dim rooms, but with a little ambient lighting, the bezel’s translucency and reddish amber color show up around the edges, giving it a pleasant sort of glow. It strikes a nice balance between styling that’s too plain or completely over the top, and though we’re not interior designers, we think it fits in nicely in any room, especially those with more contemporary styling.

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Review By pcmall

Imagine what it would be like to watch your favorite movies and TV programs in bold, brilliant color, with images that come to life. With this Samsung LCD TV you can have it all. Exclusive Touch of Color design adds remarkable beauty and with 1920 x 1080p resolution, picture quality has never been sharper. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz keeps action-packed sports and movies real with smooth transitions. Experience the latest in high definition with the Samsung LN46A630 LCD TV.

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Review By amazon

Samsung 630 model HDTVs offer an ecxellent value in a full-featured 1080p LCD HDTV, offering a substantial price savings compared to their sister 650 series, with only a moderately lower dynamic contrast ratio (40:000:1 compared to 50,000:1 on the 650 series) and one less HDMI port (three, as compared to four on the 650s). But the 630s offer the same blazing-fast 4ms response time and rich connectivity features as the 650s, Series 7, and Series 8 LCD HDTVs, as well as the same stylish "TOC" color-infused bezel. Enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

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Sony Bravia XBR KDL-52XBR4 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:00:56 +0000

XBR series televisions represent the very best Sony has to offer in high definition viewing. The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporates all of Sony’s latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color). Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. And it’s only fitting that your XBR make a statement not only through breathtaking picture quality, but by taking your breath away with optional color bezels. Now your LCD TV can be as distinct as your own personal style.

Features

• 1080p Resolution: Enjoy the full benefit of your Playstation 3 or Blu-ray Disc player in full 1080p resolution.

• HDMI x 4: Enjoy one-cable digital connections with all of your HD components.

• 24p True Cinema: Enjoy HD content in its original frame rate at 24p just like in the movie theater.

• DmEx (Digital Media Expander): Utilize Sony’s DmEx interface to add modules such as the Sony Internet Video Link.

• Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE): This 32" display has rich blacks and shadows with Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE).

• S-Force: Enjoy virtual surround with only two speakers with Sony’s S-Force front speakers.

Review By amazon

The XBR KDL-52XBR4 is a 1080p television with a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest resolution available for the sharpest, clearest picture. The KDL-52XBR uses the most recent HDMI 1.3 interface, which houses both audio and video signals in one connector and has the bandwidth to support the data needed for the high resolution. Sony’s Bravia Engine Pro Full Digital Video Processor upconverts all video signals to 1080p so you can watch all your old DVDs on this glorious display.

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Review By sonystyle

Over the years XBR has stood for the best consumer TV’s Sony has to offer and this year’s line up is no exception. The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporate all of Sony’s latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color). Additional features like Motionflow™ 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. And it’s only fitting that your XBR make a statement not only through breathtaking picture quality, but by taking your breath away with optional color bezels. Now your LCD TV can be as distinct as your own personal style.

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Review By pcworld

The on-screen display (OSD) menu will be familiar to anyone who owns a PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Portable game console. You use smoothly sliding animated icons to navigate myriad options for adjusting the TV’s settings. The White Balance section of the OSD lets you control the color temperature of the TV–RGB gain for bright scenes and RGB bias (black level) for darker scenes–at a granular level. If you don’t have the time or tools to perform advanced calibration, Sony’s preset for color temperature options (Cool, Neutral, and Warm) and for brightness (such as Cinema and Vivid), are good settings for everyday viewing.

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Review By pcmag

The KDL-52XBR4 forgoes the typical glossy black frame of many flat-panel televisions in favor of a "floating bezel" design. This unique effect is created by a thin border of clear acrylic around the perimeter of the TV’s matte-finish, perforated bezel that conceals a solid-sounding stereo speaker system (two 11-watt speakers). The bottom edge of the acrylic trim sports an attractively illuminated Sony logo (illumination can be disabled via a menu option). On-display controls are tucked just out of sight on the lower right-hand side of the TV’s frame.

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Review By ultimateavmag

The KDL-52XBR4 offers a number of video-processing "enhancements," such as Digital Reality Creation (DRC), Live Color Creation, and Advanced Contrast Enhancer. However, I normally find that these degrade the picture rather than improve it, so I leave them turned off.

Also of dubious value, at least with movies and TV shows, is x.v.Color, Sony’s name for the xvYCC expanded color space facilitated by HDMI 1.3. Because no movies or TV shows are produced using the expanded color space, it’s better to display them using the standard space on the TV. The only exception is when viewing home video that was shot on one of Sony’s high-def camcorders that implement x.v.Color.

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Hitachi P50X901 Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:43:43 +0000

No matter where in the room you sit, you are going to see your favorite movies the way they were designed by the director — nothing lost, nothing compromised. Meet Hitachi’s Director’s Series® P50X901 plasma panel. Since the advent of television there has been a mismatch between the motion of film to the way it plays back on television. Hitachi’s revolutionary new Reel60™ film processing is a new technology that perfectly matches the 60Hz frame rate of film (Other TVs use 120Hz technology). And, the all new PictureMaster™ HD V video processor upgrades all incoming signal to Full HD1080, ensuring outstanding picture quality regardless of input type or resolution format. Plus, in case you rearrange the living room, the motorized swivel stand rotates the screen up to 30 degrees to the left or right.

Features

Full HD1080
2.07 million pixel array perfectly matches the 1080i HDTV resolution standard (1920 x 1080 panel resolution).

PictureMaster™ HD V
Proprietary digital video processor optimizes picture performance of all incoming source material.

Reel60™
Exclusive film processing technology creates ‘interpolated’ frames that perfectly matches the motion of movies.

3 HDMI SimplayHD™ 1080p Compatible Inputs
Multiple high-end digital interfaces for optimal connectivity of home theater components.

ClearWindow™ Plasma Technology
Smoother image reproduction with higher brightness output and less visible grid structure.

Power Swivel Stand
Motorized power swivel stand that rotates the screen up to 30 degrees to the left or right in order to optimize the home entertainment experience.

Day/Dynamic/Night Memory by Input with Timer
Three customized settings for each input that match the picture settings to the ambient light conditions of the viewing environment.

AV Net
Learning AV NET combines infrared-based control of an entire home theater system with intelligent on-screen “soft keys” which can be easily programmed with AV Net’s sophisticated learning ability, making operation of a home theater with Hitachi’s Simple Remote convenient even with multiple and diverse components.

Adjustable Color Decoder
Precisely adjust color settings for the ultimate in natural image reproduction.

SD™ Card Photo Viewer
Front panel input for viewing jpeg

Review By pcmag

Hitachi‘s P50X901 plasma HDTV comes with an impressively complete selection of audio and video controls, but this stylishly modern flat-panel television has some major picture-quality issues. Its 50-inch, 1,920-by-1,080-pixel screen updates every other horizontal line per cycle, effectively making it an interlaced display. In addition, relatively high black levels result in poor average picture contrast. With an ever-increasing selection of true 1080p sets offering better contrast with fewer artifacts associated with interlacing, I find it hard to recommend the set for serious video aficionados.

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Review By my411family

Action sequences such as sports looks clean and without motion artifacts on this set. Standard definition source material is also fine but looses some sharpness and color saturation. As far as black level in the image is concerned you can take full benefit of it if the monitor is connected with 3rd generation Toshiba HD DVD players and which can transmit 1080P picture at 24 frames per second through HDMI 1.3 port and the same cable with a bandwidth of 10.2 gigabytes. If the HD DVD disc is coded in VC-1 codec it will give Cinema quality picture. Some HD DVD discs e.g. Transformers which are coded in AVC MPEG4 gives graphic looks where it shows animation type of picture on robots close-ups. HD DVDs of King Kong and Phantom of the Opera looks great on this set. They have a film-like look. Action packed HD DVD of M-I-III looks great.

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Review By hometheaterstore

The Hitachi P50X901 includes the revolutionary new film processing known as Reel60™. Since the advent of television there has been a mismatch between the motion of film in a movie theater to the way it played back on television. Hitachi exclusive Reel60™ film processing perfectly matches the motion of movies.

The all new PictureMaster™ HD V video processor found in the P50X901 not only provides the best film playback possible but also upgrades all incoming signal to match the Full HD1080 panel and ensures outstanding picture quality regardless of input type or resolution format.

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Review By reviews.digitaltrends

With Full HD1080 products this HDTV is a perfect pixel-for-pixel match to the dominant high definition signal in the marketplace today. The P50X901 50" Plasma utilizes the Full HD1080 resolution standard (1920 x 1080) and has extremely sharp detail with over 2.1 million individual picture elements. Hitachi patented ClearWindow technology incorporates a high aperture pixel structure with less grid structure for an extraordinarily lifelike picture.

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Review By hdtv-news

In addition, the P50X901’s two component video inputs accommodate a broad range of high-end analog input sources, including cable and satellite receivers, DVD players, VCRs, and video games.The PictureMaster also includes MPEG noise reduction, dynamic contrast, dynamic histogram processing, automatic 3:2 film enhancement, four HD aspect modes, and six SD aspect modes.

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Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-52V4100 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:32:21 +0000

Ready for HD done the Sony way— Sony’s KDL-52V4100 brings 1080p picture quality home with amazing, Sony-exclusive features like the XMB (Xross Media Bar) with 3D graphics, DMeX capability so you can add functionality to your TV, and picture quality technologies like ACE (Advanced Contrast Enhancer) and BRAVIA Engine 2. Full HD 1080p means the V4100 connections accept 1080p signals and the Display will render that signal in Full HD 1080p. Take full advantage of Blu-Ray Disc players and PlayStation® 3 systems that can deliver 1080p content.

The latest version of Sony’s respected BRAVIA Engine fully Digital Video processor uses a collection of unique SONY algorithms to significantly reduce noise and produce sharp, vibrant, life-like images. With Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), which uses Real-time image Processing to dynamically adjust backlight levels for improved Contrast without masking details the filmmaker intended you to see. ACE delivers deep blacks in darker scenes, as well as fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture for a difference you can truly see. Add to that a sophisticated, piano black design, 24p capability so you can get the most out of the movies you watch on Blu-ray and DVD, 4 HDMI inputs along with three other HD-capable connections, and what you have is a television that can bring dreams to life.

Features

Screen Size: 52” (diagonal)

16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution (1920 x 1080p) LCD Panel

3D Comb Filter

Advanced Contrast Enhancer Circuit (ACE)

BRAVIA Engine fully Digital video processor

24p True Cinema capable

DMeX capable

New TV Guide IPG

Enhanced (XMB) User Interface with Rich 3D Graphics

BRAVIA Sync capable

S-Force Front Surround

Voice Zoom

Dolby Digital

V-Chip Parental Control

VESA hole spacing compatible

Piano Gloss Black color

1-Year Limited Warranty

Input Ports: 4 x HDMI (1 Side/3 Rear), RF Connection, 3 x Composite Video (1 Side/2 Rear), S-Video, 2 x Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Input, PC in (D-Sub) + Audio In (Stereo Mini), 6 x Analog Audio Input (1 Side/5 Rear), Audio Out, Optical Digital Out, Headphone out

Approximate Unit Dimensions: 34.4″ (H) x 49.8″ (W) x 13.8″ (D) with Pedestal

Approximate Unit Weight: 84 poundsReview By onecall

Sony’s KDL-52V4100 brings 1080p picture quality home with amazing, Sony-exclusive features like the XMB (Xross Media Bar(R)) with 3D graphics, DMex capability so you can add functionality to your TV, and picture quality technologies like ACE (Advanced Contrast Enhancer) and BRAVIA Engine 2(TM). Add to that a sophisticated, piano black design, 24p capability so you can get the most out of the movies you watch on Blu-ray and DVD, 4 HDMI inputs along with three other HD-capable connections, and what you have is a television that can bring dreams to life.

Read Full Review Here

Review By sonystyle

Motionflow 60Hz technology allows you to enjoy movies and prime-time TV (film-based content) with a clarity and resolution in motion that will spoil you. Sony’s Motionflow motion-compensation algorithm identifies film content and removes “judder”. That means you’ll get a clearer picture during sweeping pans with reduced visible jerking or stuttering.

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Review By crutchfield

The Sony KDL-52V4100 has full 1080p resolution, and on a screen this large, you need 1080p to see the extraordinary clarity and detail in high-def sources. Compared to last year’s Sony “V-series” TVs, this one provides more inputs for connecting the latest HD gear, plus a better picture with non-HD programs, and more practical features to make day-to-day operation easier and more convenient.

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Review By amazon

Movies and many prime time TV programs are shot at 24 frames per second. This means that TVs operating at any refresh rate that is not an even multiple of 24 will have to do some interpolation to present the content. TVs operating at at 30Hz or 60Hz traditionally solved this via a method called “2:3 pulldown”. The television repeats the first film frame over the first two fields of video, and the second film frame over the next three fields of video (1, 1, 2, 2, 2), and continues to do this with the 3rd and 4th frames, the 5th and 6th framer (1,1,2,2,2 – 3,3,4,4,4 – 5,5,6,6,6), and so on until 24 frames are displayed over 60 refresh cycles. This discrepancy in the number of times frames are displayed can lead to a jerky motion in filmed material which some viewers notice for example, especially with scenes that pan.

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Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:27:18 +0000

This flat-panel plasma HDTV features a Secure Digital card slot with a GalleryPlayer feature so you can view slideshows of your favorite digital photos on the big screen. Simulated surround sound from dual 10W speakers helps create an immersive listening environment.

Features

Built-in HDTV tuner
Add HD-capable antenna to receive over-the-air high-definition broadcasts, where available. Optional set-top box required for high-definition cable or satellite programming.
42″ screen size
Measured diagonally from corner to corner ensures everyone will have a good view.
1024 x 768 pixel resolution
Provides stunning image clarity while watching your favorite shows, movies and sporting events.
16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
Delivers a cinema-style entertainment experience.

High 15,000:1 contrast ratio (1,000,000:1 dynamic)
Offers more shades between white and black for accurate color representation, even during scenes where both bright and dark images are present.
3D Y/C digital comb filter
Delivers state-of-the-art detail and color enhancement.
Secure Digital media card reader with GalleryPlayer
Lets you view digital photos on the TV screen from Secure Digital media cards (not included).
20W full-range 2-speaker system with simulated surround sound
Delivers an enhanced surround sound experience.
Ultraslim design
Measures 3-7/10″ deep. Ideal for wall mounting with optional mounting kit (not included).
Progressive scanning
Maximizes the picture quality of progressive-scan DVD players, set-top boxes and digital video recorders.
3 HDMI inputs
Provide an uncompressed all-digital audio/video link for the highest quality connection and support copy-protected HD broadcast content.
Inputs
Include 3 HDMI, 6 audio, 2 composite video, 2 S-video, 1 RF and 2 component video.
Outputs
Include 1 composite video, 1 analog audio and 1 digital audio.
VIERA Link included
Makes it easy for you to control all of your compatible HD A/V devices with just your HDMI cables and a single remote.
V-Chip parental controls
Give you the option of blocking undesirable material from children.
ENERGY STAR qualified
Assures a high standard of energy efficiency.
Additional features
Include sleep timer, channel labeling, game mode and trilingual (English, French and Spanish) on-screen menus.

Review By onecall

With an incredible depth of crisp, clear, real-life colors created by a wide range of black gradations, VIERA flat panel HDTVs truly usher in a new VISUAL ERA. Improved resolution delivers theater-quality reproduction, and sporting events such as the Olympics, plus season premieres and other programming are displayed in exciting, vivid color—no matter how lively the movement in the action. Outstanding picture quality, connectivity and service. That’s VIERA.

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Review By amazon

The Panasonic’s Real Black system (a pre-discharge suppression system) and improved panel production processes combine to reproduce outstanding blacks with superb contrast. Each image is richly expressive, from bright scense, like scorching desert landscapes, to dark cave scenes. Compare the image produced by conventional HDTV on the left to the Real Black image produced on the right

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Review By reviews.cnet

As high-definition TVs continue to evolve with evermore-enticing technologies and doodads, the majority of buyers are still looking for the best bang for the buck. Panasonic’s plasmas are usually at or near the top of the heap in that category, and the 42-inch TH-42PX80U is a great example. This set doesn’t sport 1080p resolution or scads of picture controls, and while we would have wanted a bit more in the way of adjustability, we definitely didn’t miss the extra pixels. This plasma gives the best black levels we’ve tested for the price, and while its color and noise reduction could use improvement, Panasonic’s least-expensive 2008 plasma is still an all-around superb value.

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Review By panasonic

With VIERA Link^™, you can control your compatible Panasonic DVD recorder, Blu-ray Disc^® player, home theater sound system and HD camcorder all with a single remote. HDMI cables make set-up quick and easy; VIERA Link even automatically sets your DVD recorder via an Auto Preset Download function.

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Sony KDL-32XBR6 LCD Flat Panel HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:54:27 +0000

If you’re looking for standout picture quality in a smaller screen, consider the 32-inch Sony KDL-32XBR6. It offers full 1080p screen resolution, plenty of inputs for connecting the latest HD gear, and conveniences that make day-to-day operation easy and fun, like Sony’s clean and quick user interface. This interface even includes TV Guide On Screen®, a free electronic program guide that lets you easily browse and sort through TV listings.

BRAVIA video processing improves low-quality signals
High-definition video sources look crystal-clear on the KDL-32XBR6, but most people still watch at least some non-HD material. That’s why it’s important to choose a TV with excellent video processing. Sony’s latest BRAVIA Engine 2™ circuitry cleans up lower-res signals by analyzing and processing each scene to enhance picture contrast, reduce noise, and optimize color.

Another quality that often separates top-notch TVs from no-name models is picture contrast. Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer continuously monitors the video signal and adjusts the TV’s backlight levels to improve contrast without masking details in darker areas of the picture.

So many viewing options
The KDL-32XBR6 has built-in tuners for your local digital and analog over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required). Plus, a “QAM” cable TV tuner lets cable subscribers watch unscrambled channels without a set-top box — including HD channels in many areas.

The versatile set of audio/video connections includes six HD-capable inputs: four HDMI and two component video. And a proprietary rear-panel port offers a digital connection path for optional modules like Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video Link. This module can stream Internet video from select content providers directly to your TV via a broadband connection — without the need for a PC.

Features

16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution (1920x1080p) LCD Panel
DMex compatible; allows seamless feature upgrades
Bravia Sync (Enhanced HDMI-CEC)
Enhanced XMB with 3D graphics incl. TV Guide
HDMI x4, HD Component x2, PC Input

Review By sonystyle

Enjoy XBR® performance and design in a small screen TV with this beautifully polished LCD flat panel HDTV. Experience unique features like an enhanced Xross Media Bar® with 3D graphics and integrated TV Guide program information, DMex functionality that allows you to add capabilities to your TV, and BRAVIA Engine 2™ for an even better picture. Add to that the sophisticated design you’ve come to expect from the XBR® line and 1080p capability, and you’ll see how you get big-screen features in a small package.

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Review By reviews.cnet

The larger three sizes in the series, available in 40, 46 and 52-inch sizes, have the same MotionFlow dejudder processing and 120Hz refresh rate found on the KDL-46W4100, along with that model’s TV Guide onscreen EPG and graphically intense menu system. They also include a USB port for music and photo playback; for the latter the company includes an Ethernet port on the back (no word on whether it will allow firmware updates) that can communicate with DLNA-compliant networked PCs to display digital photos on the big screen.

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Review By reviews.digitaltrends

The supplied remote is nicely designed but it’s a TV-only unit—to a degree. Hopefully your cable or satellite box has the ability to learn the codes so you don’t have deal with a multitude of remotes. On the remote are large numeric keys, big toggles for volume and channel along with a four-way controller with center set button for making menu adjustments. There are also a series of controls grouped under a Bravia Sync logo. If you have a Sony Blu-ray player or Playstation 3 connected by HDMI—or another compatible device–the TV remote adjusts the major controls. It didn’t work with a Panasonic Blu-ray player, unfortunately. A nice touch is the large Theater key that immediately switches your settings to cinema mode for a more realistic movie experience. Why they didn’t just label it Cinema is one of life’s mysteries…

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Review By amazon

Developed in consultation with the Sony Pictures Entertainment movie studio, most 2008 Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTVs feature our optimized Theater Mode. Selecting the THEATER mode on the BRAVIA HDTV remote automatically adjusts a number of key elements that have an important impact on reproducing movies better. Skin tones and lighting are seen as natural without over-enhancing color and contrast. The picture is fine-tuned for a dark viewing environment just like the cinema and optimized for LCD display technology. Even the right amount of film grain is included. All of this helps preserve the mood and detail so you enjoy the cinema experience that you go to the theater to see, right in the comfort of your home.

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Review By vanns

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity,Sony’s KDL32XBR6 features four HDMI connections. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format.

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Viewsonic 42-inch N4261W LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:12:02 +0000

The Viewsonic N4261W is a 42-inch, liquid crystal display television. Compared to other liquid crystal display TVs on the market, it is midpriced at around $1,540.

This TV is an LCD display, which is generally the best kind of flat-panel screen for viewing in brightly-lit rooms. With built-in HDTV compatibility, this TV set can display images that are significantly sharper and more realistic than regular television, as long as the source is high definition. (It can easily render standard-resolution digital TV broadcasts and also depict the full resolution of widescreen DVD video.) 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.

Experience widescreen HDTV
Enjoy a widescreen theater experience and high-definition picture quality with this display’s widescreen aspect ratio, true HDTV capability, and wide viewing angles.
Advanced image processing delivers clearer, crisper, sharper images
Advanced image processing eliminates noise, increases contrast and detail and optimizes color for rich, vibrant images. High–definition images look amazing and even standard television images are unbelievably smooth and sharp.
Vivid graphics, clear text, stunning TV
Ultra-high brightness of 500 nits (typ), high contrast ratio of 1500:1 (typ), and 1920×1080 optimum resolution provide vibrant video and liflike images.
Expand your options with two HDMI inputs
Enjoy the ultimate viewing experience with integrated HDTV tuner and plug-and-play, high-end connectivity of two HDMI inputs for HD set-top boxes, standard and HD-DVDs, game consoles, Blu-Ray™ discs, camcorders and more.
OptiSync® technology now features HDMI
Add versatility to your LCD TV with support for HDMI with high-definition content protection (HDCP) and analog (VGA) signals, plus component, S-video, composite, and TV/cable input.
Powerful high-fidelity audio
It’s all accompanied by an ultra-high fidelity 20-watt SRS TruSurround XT sound that completes the entertainment experience.

Review By i4u.com

The Viewsonic 42-inch N4261W LCD HDTV uses a 42-inch TFT active matrix LCD panel with a 1920 x 1080 screen resolution. The contrast ratio is 1500:1 and viewing angles are 176-degrees vertically and horizontally. Brightness is listed at 500 nits and the aspect ratio is 16:9.

Inputs include a pair of HDMI ports, TV/cable, composite, component, and S-Video jacks. Audio options include a 3.5mm mini stereo in/out and RCA left/right audio in. the HDMI ports support HDCP protected content as well. The built-in speakers are 2 x 10 watt units with TruSurround XT sound.

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Review By provantage

ViewSonic’s high-performance N4261w 42″ widescreen LCD TV brings you images so stunning you’ll never go back to standard TV again. Compatibility with 1080p video signals and the extremely high 1920×1080 panel resolution complement the already sharp digital images for the maximum image quality. Advanced image processing, fast 8ms video response and wide viewing angles deliver blur-free images from virtually anywhere in the room. Connect HD set top boxes, DVD players, game consoles and more through the dual HDMI inputs and other video inputs.

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Review By buy.com

Image quality on the Viewsonic 42-inch N4261W LCD HDTV is very good. Colors are natural and vivid. The screen is bright enough for watching in a brightly lit room. Skin tones are realistic, the N4261W has good black levels, and black to gray transitions are good as well. The speakers on the Viewsonic 42-inch N4261W LCD HDTV sound good, but are weak on bass for my tastes with explosions that sound flat. I use a surround sound system on both my TVs, which most of us probably do these days so sound quality of the on-board speakers may or may not be a big issue for you.

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LG 42PX5D Widescreen Plasma TV With HD Ready Review

vwmadm — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:55:38 +0000

LG’s built-in HD tuner enables high definition digital signals to be received and converted inside the TV, so there’s no loss of signal quality.

And with no external set-top box required, you can now enjoy the many benefits of digital television without the additional cost and clutter of an external set-top box, making this TV beautiful to look at and easy to use.

Features

Screen size (inches/cms): 42″/107cmV
Screen Type: 16:9
Sound: Nicam
Built in digital terrestrial tuner: Yes
Pixel resolution: 1024×768
Contrast ratio: 5000:1
Brightness: 1000cd/m2
Auto set up: Yes
Digital comb filter: Yes
Picture in picture: Yes
Speakers included: Yes
Digital sound processor: Yes
Audio power output: 2 x 15 Watts
Number of scart sockets: 3
S-video connection: Yes
Component video connection: Yes
AV inputs: Yes
HD Ready: Yes
Fastext: Yes
Pedestal Stand: Supplied

Review By smarthouse

In a recent 42 inch plasma TV roundup, we found ourselves impressed by LG’s entry-level 42PX4D. So we’re only too happy to find atop our test bench this month the latest model higher up in LG’s current range, the 42PX5D, which promises full high definition readiness.

The 42PX5D is every bit as sumptuous-looking as the older model, with its wide chassis positively imperious in its glossy black finish.

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Review By reviews.cnet

With the imminent arrival of high definition, LG intends to popularise the HD Ready plasma market by introducing a range of impressively specified screens at entry-level prices.

Models from the new PX5 series are equipped with a high-resolution panel and digital connectivity capable of displaying high-definition content from broadcast signals (i.e. Sky’s forthcoming HD service) or a compatible DVD player. Both digital Freeview and standard analogue tuners have also been integrated into the stylish, glossed design. And memory card sharks will also be able to view digital photos and play MP3 music through the large 42-inch screen.

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Review By plasmatvreviews

The brightness of this model plasma TV is 1000 cd/m2 and the colour depth is 107.0 million. The contrast ratio comes to 5000:1, which is the ratio of the brightest white and the darkest black. LG 42PX5D HD Ready Plasma TV features Picture-in-Picture and progressive scan. The resolution of 1024×768 produces brighter and sharper pictures. Higher the resolution, clearer will be the pictures.

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Review By techradar

Connectivity includes HDMI and component video inputs, so it’s good to go for HD. Other connectors are in plentiful supply too, and include a D-Sub PC input, three Scarts (though only one, annoyingly, is RGB-capable), memory card slots for direct playback of digital photos or MP3s, and even a slot for adding a Conditional Access Module. As usual, this latter jack provides external evidence of the 42PX5D’s built-in terrestrial digital TV tuner.

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Review By trustedreviews

The 42PX5D is also a bit of a fussy eater in that it doesn’t particularly like a standard definition diet; SD pictures look noticeably more prone to colour and noise problems than HD ones. Finally, if your room is generally quite bright, you’ll probably find the TV’s glossy screen rather reflective, especially while watching dark scenes.

The 42PX5D’s sound offers little reason for complaint. For starters the sound is propelled over a prodigiously wide area, but never loses cohesion. The set’s speakers splurge out healthy quantities of bass too – but not so much that it overwhelms dialogue, even during full-tilt action scenes.

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Samsung LN-52A550 52-inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:06:49 +0000

Why settle for anything less than top-of-the-line picture quality? With the SAMSUNG LN52A550 high-definition TV you get the total package: a 52” wide screen with 1080p HD resolution, crystal-clear sound, and advanced features like wide color enhancer that are guaranteed to give you the full high-definition experience.

Features

Ultimate Picture Quality – Full HD (1080p) contains 1.5 times more scanning lines than conventional HDTVs. Basically, more pixels means more details and a better picture.
30,000:1 Contrast Ratio – Watch movies and shows come to life with enhanced details in very dark or very bright scenes.
Wide Color Enhancer – Imagine a wider range of colors than you ever though possible. Now stop imagining. It’s on your new HDTV.
Wiselink® USB Connection – Hook up your MP3 player or digital camera to your TV with the USB 2.0 connection, then scroll through playlists or pictures with the simple user interface.
Fast 5ms Response Time – With its lightning-fast response time, this TV almost reacts before you can even hit a button.
Amazing Audio – 20 Watts Total Output Power (10W x 2) with SRS TruSurround XT™
Inputs – HDMI™ (3), Component (2), Composite (2), S-Video, PC, A/V
Outputs – Headphone Jack

Review By amazon

Samsung’s 550 Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1080p resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,000:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models). Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) means these HDTVs play well with all of your other electronics. Easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through the side-mounted USB 2.0, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.

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Review By ecoustics

This was definitely a struggle for me. Do I buy a 46″ 6 series to get Auto-Motion or a 52″ 5 series? I’ve seen fast moving action scenes in both sports and movies and you can at times pick up some jutter (especially when the background is also moving). If you are really picky, consider getting Auto-Motion (which you can set to off, low, etc), but for most people the 5 series with out Auto-Motion is fine. I don’t really notice anything most of the time unless I am really looking for it.

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Review By onecall

Full HD (1080p) contains 1.5 times more scanning lines than conventional HD TVs. That means more pixels, more details and a better picture. A resolution that is approximately twice as much as conventional HD TVs, creates the most perfect picture imaginable. wide color enhancer Whereas blue and green shaded areas of the picture are washed out on conventional screens, wide color enhancer lets you experience more brilliant colors. Simply imagine a wider range of colors than you ever thought possible

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Review By products.howstuffworks

As with other models in the A550 line, the LN52A550 is a full HD 1080p set with a native resolution of 1,920×1,080. Every pixel of 1080i and 1080p source material can thus be displayed. The set upconverts 720p HD and standard definition content accordingly. Generally, the larger the screen size the worse standard definition sources can look, but this year’s line really does a fine job with the conversion. Additionally, multiple aspect ratios will allow you to stretch or zoom as you see fit.

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Review By hdtvtutors

Console games from PS3, and both original and XBOX 360 look incredibly detailed and painfully better then my old POS television, it would be a major bummer and intolerable to play another next gen system game, or watch a normal DVD again on a non-HD, small screen after I have now experienced what a difference a large high quality LCD TV can make. Blu-Ray really is incredible now that I can actually take advantage of my PS3’s blue-ray capabilities, I had never watched a HD-DVD or BR movie before, but I surely didn’t expect it to be this crisp, clear and detailed… Like I said watching a normal DVD movie probably will never be the same now that I have witnessed 1080p on the LN52A550 Samsung 52 inch TV.

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Sony Bravia KDL-40W4100 Review

vwmadm — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:05:02 +0000

The Sony KDL-40W4100 40″ BRAVIA V-Series LCD TV has a slim, stylish display that brings advanced video technology to your fingertips. Use it as a TV or a computer display that also enhances your room’s decor with its sleek design. Bring a KDL-40W4100 home today; it’s an HDTV Ready TV that delivers 1080p high-definition picture and impressive stereo sound. Motionflow 120Hz Technology brings your fast-action content to life by doubling the frame rate from 60 to 120fps with Sony’s Blur Reduction algorithm. Find the right program or fine tune your KDL-40W4100 with XMB (Xross Media Bar), an operation guide with on-screen menu for an easy-to-manage viewing experience. In addition to 3D comb filter and image panel driver, the KDL-40W4100 has three distinct imaging circuits including one-chip video processor to enhance video quality, reduce video noise and image blur. Moreover, you get motion adaptive I/P converter, CineMotion 3:2 reverse pull-down and Closed caption to enhance your video enjoyment. The SRS TruSurround audio system provides the effect of surround sound with only two speakers.

Features

• 1080p Resolution: Enjoy the full benefit of your Playstation 3 or Blu-ray Disc player in full 1080p resolution.

• Motionflow 120Hz Technology: The Motionflow 120Hz technology from Sony doubles the frame rate from 60fps to 120fps to create seamless, smooth imagery.

• HDMI x 4: Enjoy one-cable digital connections with all of your HD components.

• 24p True Cinema: Enjoy HD content in its original frame rate at 24p just like in the movie theater.

• DmEx (Digital Media Expander): Utilize Sony’s DmEx interface to add modules such as the Sony Internet Video Link.

• Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE): This 40″ display has rich blacks and shadows with Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE).

• S-Force: Enjoy virtual surround with only two speakers with Sony’s S-Force front speakers.

Review By hdtvlounge

The Sony Bravia KDL-40W4100 has a full HD / 1080p LCD screen offering the highest HD native format along with 24p support which is perfect for blu-ray movie and MotionFlow 120Hz mode. This 120Hz high frame rate mode intelligently adds in extra frames to keep the action flowing smoothly without annoying image judder, while keeping the images perfectly sharp without motion blur. LCD TVs have suppered with loosing resolution and motion blur during fast moving scenes, but the MotionFlow 120Hz technology in the Sony KDL40W4100 eliminates this problem, resulting in great viewing.

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Review By reviews.cnet

Sony’s styling flair this time around is supplied by a horizontal window in the midst of the frame, right below the standard glossy-black rectangle and above a strip of silver (perhaps a harbinger of silver’s triumphant return to TV design?). You’ll get a great view of your wallpaper and the silver pedestal stand. Overall we liked the looks of the KDL-46W4100, and it’s refreshing to see an alternative to the standard glossy black rectangles that doesn’t involve buying red drapes (we’re looking at you, Samsung and LG).

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Review By vanns

As a leader in products with HDMI connectivity, Sony has created BRAVIA® Theatre Sync™ technology to go beyond simple audio and video transmission. When you combine your new KDL40W4100 with a select number of other BRAVIA audio and video products, control functions will also be transmitted via the HDMI cable. With “One Touch Play”, operations that took several steps are reduced to one. Press the PLAY button on the remote, watch the audio and/or the video component(s) turn on then the BRAVIA KDL40W4100 television will turn on and switch to the correct video input…Simple…Easy…BRAVIA Theatre Sync.

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Review By amazon

Full HD 1080p means our connections accept 1080p signals and the display will render that signal in Full HD 1080p. The flexibility of native 1920 x 1080 displays allows any high definition content to be viewed without the need to downconvert images to the native resolution of the display. Take full advantage of Blu-ray Disc players and PlayStation 3 systems that can deliver 1080p content.

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Review By crutchfield

The KDL-40W4100′s “jack pack” includes four advanced HDMI connections that will ensure maximum picture quality as high-def formats evolve. Sony calls them 24p True Cinema capable, which means they can accept the 1080p/24 output from a Blu-ray player. Most movies are originally shot at 24p (24 frames per second), so this feature lets you see video in its most flawless form. One HDMI input is placed on the side of the TV so it’s easier to hook up an HD camcorder or video game console.

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Starting Price $1,373.50

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Sony Bravia 32" KDL32M4000 720p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:04:05 +0000

Get ready for HD experience done in Sony way by Sony Bravia 32" KDL32M4000 720p LCD HDTV. Its fashionable display brings advanced video technology to your fingertips and enhances your room’s decor with its sleek design and stylish bezel. You can even watch TV while using your computer with the PC-PIP feature.

This TV incorporates Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) which uses real-time image processing to dynamically adjust backlight levels for improved contrast without masking details. BRAVIA Theatre Sync is based on the industry standard HDMI -CEC function and allows your HDMI cable to do more than just transmit pure digital audio and video signals by allowing one-touch control of compatible A/V components. BRAVIA Sync Technology allows the access and control multiple tasks and system operations with one button ease.

Highlights

Features BRAVIA Engine^™ Full Digital Video Processor for crisp, clear and sharp image
Incorporates Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) that uses real-time image processing to dynamically adjust backlight levels for improved contrast
Enhances audio and video performance of the LCD TV, using one cable and one plug to simplify connections
Suitable for use both as a TV with HD connectivity or as a display for a personal computer
Integrates Light Sensor will adjust the screen’s brightness based on the surrounding light for a comfortable viewing experience

Review By onecall

The simple and elegant KDL-32M4000 HDTV brings with it BRAVIA(R) Theatre Sync (HDMI-CEC) for easy, one-touch management of compatible Sony products, ACE contrast enhancement for better shadow detail, and BRAVIA Engine 2(TM) for crystal clear picture quality. And with two HDMI inputs, an additional two component inputs, as well as a PC input you now have up to five different ways to make sure you see HD-level picture quality on the screen. Surrounding all this technology is the sleek, sophisticated design that has been a hallmark of the M-series and Sony televisions.

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Review By vanns

Video performance is a function of more than resolution: video processing is a key element, and when it comes to processing, the BRAVIA KDL32M4000 uses nothing less than an engine. Sony’s BRAVIA® Engine™ technology consists of a fully digital video processor that employs a collection of unique algorithms to significantly reduce video "noise" and produce sharp, vibrant, lifelike images through which a 720p-resolution panel reaches its full potential.

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Review By crutchfield

The Sony KDL-32M4000 brings crisp, glare-free viewing to any bedroom, office, dorm room or den. This no-frills HDTV emphasizes solid performance and rugged reliability. You get built-in tuners for your local digital and analog over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required). Plus, a "QAM" cable TV tuner lets cable subscribers watch unscrambled channels without a set-top box — including HD channels in many areas.

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Sharp Aquos LC37D64U 37-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:44:33 +0000

The Aquos D64U Series fits a large screen size into incredibly small footprints. The depth of the D64U series is reduced by 30% by changing the layout of the circuits inside the LCD panel. Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel is utilized to provide 10,000:1 dynamic-contrast Ratio with Enhanced Picture Contrast Technology and 4ms response time. Place …[More] the TV practically anywhere in the room with a 176 degrees wide viewing angle. Enhanced Black Level provides the deepest, most accurate black of any flat panel TV. Aquos engine with ASV technology provides high performance Video Processing for the brightest, most vivid colors and images.

Features

Features a 37-inch TFT panel with a resolution of 1080p for vivid and vibrant graphics
10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 6 ms response time produces spectacular picture quality
Provides a wide viewing angle of 176° for both horizontal and vertical angles
450 cd/m² brightness provides brilliant images
Built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC Tuners provide access to DTV and analog TV channels
Offers 2 HDMI and 2 HD component inputs for enhanced terminal flexibility

Review By macmall

The D64 series is the thinnest line of AQUOS LCD TVs ever built. Its narrower frame means more picture in less space. It’s slim and elegant design saves space, while delivering a breathtaking picture and top-end features. Full HD 1080p resolution produces a crisp picture, and a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with 4ms response time (6ms on LC-32D64U and LC-37D64U) delivers amazingly accurate picture quality. High-efficiency backlight, high-performance speakers and built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners all hit the mark.All D64 models feature at least two HDMI inputs, a PC input, , RS-232C, component, and composite terminals. AQUOS LINK enables convenient control of your other devices using just your AQUOS TV remote. From the 32-inch Class up to a awesoome 65-inch Class, the AQUOS D64 is a beautiful choice.

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Review By amazon

Sharp’s innovative LCD panel technology, Advanced Super View panels provide pure whites, deep blacks and a vivid range of color. The panel provides a dynamic contrast ratio up to 27,000:1 and LCD TV industry leading 4ms response time for true film-like smoothness. A 10-bit panel increases the color capability from more than 16 million colors to more than one billion colors. This means richer color and a more accurate, more brilliant depiction of the world on screen

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Review By onecall

To achieve the exceptionally thin depth, Sharp engineers redesigned the circuitry inside the LCD panel and reduced the overall number of components, resulting in a cabinet that`s 25 percent slimmer than previous AQUOS models. In addition, the advanced design trims the weight of the displays by as much as 20 percent. Thanks to the thinner bezel and recessed stealth speakers, consumers are able to appreciate a larger picture without giving up more wall or cabinet space.

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Starting price $872.82

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Samsung HL67A750, HL61A750 LED Powered DLP 1080p HDTV Review

vwmadm — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:31:43 +0000

The Samsung HL61A750 offers the sharpest and clearest images available in an HDTV. Despite its impressive 61″ display this rear projection HDTV is surprisingly thin at only 14.4″ deep. The HL61A750′s DLP chip is faster than any other HDTV technology, with millions of mirrors switching on and off 15,000 times a second to deliver ultra-sharp picture for fast moving images. When combined with Samsung’s Cinema Pure light engine, the result is a crisp, bright picture with deep, rich colors that is closer to film.

Experience a picture with almost the same high quality as the movies you watch on the big screen. CinemaPure Color Engine creates brilliant, realistic images and displays color that’s 40% brighter than traditional HDTVs. The Samsung HL61A750 also has a huge 61″ screen that surprisingly doesn’t take up much room. Immerse yourself in an incredible 1080p high definition experience and enjoy movies and sports to the fullest with this Samsung DLP TV.

Features

1080p HD Resolution
LED Light Source, No Lamp Required
3D Gaming Ready
1 Tuner PIP
3 HDMI Inputs, HDMI-CEC

Technical Details

Brand Name: Samsung
Model: HL-61A750
Display Technology: Projection
Display Size: 61.0 inches
Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9
is_hdtv_compatible: Y Unknown modifier
speakers_included_description: 2 speakers Unknown modifier
Height: 37.8 inches
Width: 54.7 inches
Depth: 14.4 inches
Weight: 70.1 pounds

Review By onecall

SAMSUNG is the leader in creating light engines that harness DLP HDTV technology from Texas Instruments. CinemaPure(TM) Color Engine creates a brilliant picture that`s more lifelike and much closer to film quality. It displays 40% brighter than traditional HDTVs with a crisp, 1080p high definition resolution. You can rely on SAMSUNG DLP HDTVs to deliver high contrast, defined edges and sharp details.

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Review By reviews.cnet

Samsung’s HL61A750 is the company’s top-of-the-line 61-inch model. It has a really solid feature package, with lots of options focused on optimizing the picture, and generous connectivity to accommodate all your video sources without any issues. Most importantly–at least to this reviewer–it is an excellent performer, with deep blacks and accurate color temperature after just a few tweaks in the user menu. Rear-pros may be a dying breed, but if you’re looking to get 61 inches for less than $2,000 (street price), the Samsung HL61A750 is an excellent performer and handily beats the comparable Mitsubishi WD-65735

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Review By bigpicturebigsound

Based on the impressive performance we saw on the first-generation HL-T5087S a few months ago, we really can’t blame Samsung for undertaking a new series of their LED-powered DLP HDTVs. By their design, DLP-based televisions–TVs incorporating Texas Instruments’ “Digital Light Processing” technology–are projection-based. They utilize a light source in conjunction with hundreds of thousands of microscopic synchronized mirrors on one or more chips to create the picture on screen.

Read Full Review Here

Review By presentationtek

A lighting control available with hundreds of light sources composing LED backlighting allows the dynamic contrast ratio to be improved by local dimming. This is something not possible with a single rod shape CCFL backlight. By individually controlling the light output of each LED light source darker image areas can be dimmed locally and bright areas lit to the maximum. A useful result of this local dimming control is a reduction in power consumption.

Read Full Review Here

Review By crutchfield

Instead of using a lamp and spinning color wheel like most DLP sets, the HL61A750 features a series of rapid-flashing Light Emitting Diodes that produce the red, green and blue primary colors, as well as the TV’s illumination. For the few people who occasionally see “rainbows” — distracting flashes of color — when watching conventional DLP TVs, Samsung’s LED-based light engine usually solves the issue. This system delivers high-contrast images with an ultra-wide color range, and 40% higher brightness than last year’s models. Other LED benefits include cooler, quieter operation, lower energy consumption, and much quicker start-up.

Read Full Review Here

Review By hdtv-news

Under average viewing conditions, 60,000 hours works out to over 13 years. The image brightness and color will not diminish either. A built-in light sensor with beam current feedback ensures stable light output over the life of the TV. This spares you the inconvenience and expense of having to replace costly lamps. And since the light source is LED-based, virtually no warm-up time is needed. The picture appears within seconds and with full brighness.

Read Full Review Here

Starting price $ 1,702.13

Compare price at ciao

Hitachi unveiled its 50-Inch Ultra-Thin TV

vwmadm — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:47:40 +0000

During the CEDIA 2008, Hitachi showcased several new ultra-thin Plasma HDTVs that we introduced a few months ago.
There’s 4 different sizes: 32-Inch, 37-inch, 42-Inch and 47-Inch. All of these Full HD PDP are now available.
Hitachi also unveiled a 50-Inch TVs, but unfortunately we donâ€™t have further information. What we can say is this entire lineup is thin of 38mm.

For more information visit akihabaranews

HDTV Shootout: 40 to 45 Inch Television Comparison

vwmadm — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:57:21 +0000

For the budget conscious TV shopper, there are a lot of great values in the 40 to 45 inch HDTV category for 2008. And for many media rooms, a 40, 42 or 45 inch TV is the perfect size for optimal viewing.

These mid-size HTDVs offer all the features of 46 inch or larger screens and generally less visible motion blur or other image flaws than the larger size models. Prices will run from as low as $1,000 to as much as $4,000 for a fully loaded top-of-the-line Plasma model in the 40 to 45 inch category.

Youâ€™ll find great prices and lots of choices this holiday season or wait until January and you may find an even better deal on these HDTV models! Read on and learn which models offer the best picture quality, features and overall value in our 40 inch to 45 inch HDTV Shootout.

Plasma or LCD?

First thing is to decide whether you need the better image quality of Plasma or not. With the manufacturers all offering improved LCD technology this year, a mid-size LCD HDTV may be the way to go for best value and service life.

On the other hand, with production of 40 to 45 inch plasma models in full swing now, you can also find great values in the Plasma category. Truly in this category you canâ€™t go wrong with either Plasma or LCD. Go to a retailer and ask to view the types of movies and TV shows you like to watch on each model youâ€™re considering.

Try to sit the same distance from the screen as you will at home when viewing demo TVs in the showrooms. If you canâ€™t see a huge difference between your favorite LCD and Plasma models then you might not want to spend the extra money on Plasma.

Why a 40 to 45 Inch Screen?

The most obvious answer is price; youâ€™ll get more TV for your money in the mid-size range, but there are other reasons to consider going with a 40 to 45 inch television. For one thing, if you arenâ€™t a true couch potato then the extra cost of a larger TV might not make sense.

Also, if you already have a media room with a 50 inch or larger HDTV and need something for your second home, bedroom, game room, etc. then a mid-size TV is a good choice.

Lastly, if the viewing distance will be less than about 10 feet, a bigger TV might not even make sense. For more information, please refer to our article on Getting The Right TV Screen Size for your room.

What Features Do I Need in a 40 to 45 Inch TV?

Features abound in the mid-size HDTV category. HDMI, USB and other ports and connectors are standard faire. Look at the location of connectors and formats you commonly use. If you have a Sony digital camera, a Sony HDTV with memory stick reader is handy. Built in memory card and SD readers are common on many models as well.

Consider your home theater needs as well; if you donâ€™t need full surround sound you should listen to the models youâ€™re considering closely; the base and range of speakers and onboard digital surround sound varies greatly between the models we have reviewed.

If you have or are planning to install a complete home theater system you may not need anything more than basic speakers built into your TV.

Which Plasma 40 to 45 Inch LCD Should I Get?

Panasonic and Sony both offer great Plasma screen TVs in 40 to 45 inch screen sizes. Hitachi, LG, Samsung and Pioneer also offer great models.

Perhaps in no other HDTV category can you find great prices on Plasma technology in 2008. Read our full reviews on Plasma screen HDTVs between 40 and 45 inches for ratings and detailed product reviews:

Editorâ€™s Choice: Panasonic TH-46PZ85U
Editorâ€™s Choice: Samsung PS42C96HD Plasma TV
Hitachi 42PD5200 Plasma TV
LG 42PC1RR Plasma TV
Panasonic TH42PX60 Plasma TV
Pioneer PDP4270XA Plasma TV

Which LCD 40 to 45 Inch LCD Should I Get?

Sony and Samsung both offer great values in the 40 inch LCD HDTV category. LG, Toshiba and HP also offer models. In fact, all the major TV brands offer choices in the mid-size screen sizes reviewed here.

Read our full reviews on the following models for more detailed product information and owner ratings:

Editorâ€™s Choice: Sony KDL40W3000 40 Inch LCD TV
Editorâ€™s Choice: Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review
Samsung LN-T4061F 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review
LG 42LB5D LCD TV 42-inch 1080p LCD Flat Panel HDTV
Toshiba REGZA 40â€³ Super Narrow Bezel 1080p LCD HDTV
HP LC4276N 42-inch High-Definition 1080p LCD TV

Conclusion

If you are looking for great value in an HDTV that feels â€œlarge screenâ€ without spending a fortune the 40 to 45 inch size is hard to beat; you get the screen size that actually best fits most TV viewing spaces optimally. People who buy a 46 inch or larger screen that sits less than ten or twelve feet from their couch or favorite arm chair may be disappointed vs. those who opt for a mid-size model.

With so many great models available in the category, finding an HDTV with 40, 42 or 45 inch screen size is easy enough, whether you want the color and motion image quality of Plasma or find the newer technology in LCD models suitable to your viewing needs.

HDTV Shootout: 46 to 50 Inch Television Comparison

vwmadm — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:01:27 +0000

Iâ€™m sure those of you reading this in 2010 or 2011 will have a good laugh, but in the world of 2008 HDTVs, the 46 inch category has become super popular, with prices nearing what they were 2 or 3 years ago for 42 inch models.

And with the latest innovations in LCD Television technology, picture quality continues to improve even as prices continually drop, giving consumers in 2008 great value for their new TV-buying experience.

Plasma or LCD?

This remains a debate that is almost as popular as asking â€œIf you leave a TV on in the middle of a forest with a SlingBox connected, will anybody bother to watch it?â€ To some, the matter of Plasmaâ€™s superior color and motion picture quality make it the puristâ€™s only choice.

Only you can decide whatâ€™s best for your budget and viewing needs, but with the latest technological advancements, LCD continues to close the gap while offering longer service life and lower prices than Plasma.

Why a 46 to 50 Inch Screen?

Another question is what size screen to go with, and most people find a 46-inch or 50-inch HDTV is optimal in the standard-size living or family room, dedicated media room or other primary television-viewing area in the home. This is your family TV; the one you watch NFL games, the X Games and all your favorite movies on, so you want a generous screen size.

While you could opt for a 50, 55 or 61 inch TV, youâ€™ll find great value in the 46 inch category this holiday season. The time has never been better (donâ€™t laugh too hard you people reading in 2108!) to buy a 46 inch HDTV. With full 1080p, contrast ratios in the 20,000:1 or better range and features galore, smart shoppers can find a great deal on either a Plasma or LCD 46â€ television at a variety of price points this year.

Which Plasma 46 Inch or 50 Inch LCD Should I Get?

Panasonic TH-46PZ85U
NEC Plasma Sync 42XR4 HD Plasma TV
Pioneer PDP 5000EX Plasma TV
Panasonic Viera TH46PZ81B Plasma TV

Which LCD 46 Inch or 50 Inch LCD Should I Get?

Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL-46XBR4
Samsung LE46F86BD 46 Inch LCD TV
Samsung LN46A550 46 Inch LCD TV

Conclusion

Sure, you 2011 readers are rolling in laughter, but for those of us shopping for a new HDTV in 2008 the answer is clear; you have lots of great choices in the 46 to 50 inch screen size category this year!
For the best value we suggest you look at the LCD models; if you can live with the picture youâ€™ll get more Bang for Your Buck. Look to Samsung and Sony for some of the best LCD models.

If you drive a German car and canâ€™t live without Plasma, Sony, NEC, Panasonic and Pioneer have some great options for you!

Panasonic Viera TH46PZ81B Plasma TV

vwmadm — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:55:20 +0000

Dynamic moving picture resolution is realised by astute frame creation that in its turn reproduces flicker-free images that reduces eye-stress due to long time TV viewing. This aspect, supported by a 50Hz video signal input effectuates quality picture resolution in swift-motion scenes as in sports and fast action movies.

Another stunner of a supporting device of this television called Real Black Drive System that is a novice in the sector, actively enhances its contrast features.

On the whole, this television explicitly expresses any sort of images ranging from the brightest to the darker ones. For more information visit plasmatvreviews

Panasonic Viera TH46PZ81B 46â€ Plasma TV is another full HD model from the house of Panasonic coming under the Viera Series. This plasma television has already acquired a covetous status in the UK market for its enhanced networking capabilities, dynamic image resolution and the added advantage of built-in Freesat reception. Dynamic moving picture resolution is realised by astute frame creation that in its turn reproduces flicker-free images that reduces eye-stress due to long time TV viewing. This aspect, supported by a 50Hz video signal input effectuates quality picture resolution in swift-motion scenes as in sports and fast action movies. Another stunner of a supporting device of this television called Real Black Drive System that is a novice in the sector, actively enhances its contrast features. On the whole, this television explicitly expresses any sort of images ranging from the brightest to the darker ones.

The screen size of this plasma television refers to 46 inches, diagonally. The image aspect ratio of this modelâ€™s screen is 16:9 that makes this television being called a widescreen television. The display panel of this model is G11 Progressive Plasma panel of Full-HD features, which is refined further by the inclusion of a natural filter. The screen resolution amounts to 1920 x 1080 pixels and the response time allowed is a mere 1ms. Contrast ratio of this television refers to a dynamic 30000:1 level. The screen of this television is quite augmented in every aspect that a built-in Freesat advantage comes as another shot in the arm for the user.This digital satellite service of the recent times realises high definition television programmes for free.

Panasonic Viera TH46PZ81B Widescreen Plasma TV offers a couple sound modes such as Specch and Music. V-Audio feature is availed in this system. Audio output in this television refers to 20 Watts in total, the denomination of which is, 10W x 2. A coup[le of full range speakers of 160 x 42 mm is embedded on the left and right sides of the device. In the connectivity part, three HDMI inputs stands tall, followed by composite video and S-Video iniputs. A PC input is also availed here along with a number of various audio inputs.

Other Significant Features

Dimensions: 1158 x 747 x 110 mm
Weight: 35 kg
Power Saving Mode
Child Lock
Off Timer

From Plasma TV Reviews UK

Sony KDL40W3000 Review

vwmadm — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:25:16 +0000

Introduced late in 2007, the Sony KDL40W3000 has been nominated as one of TVsReview.comâ€™s Top Value Televisions for 2008.

If you are looking for the superior image sharpness Full HD 1080p, with incredibly vivid color and loads of features, all at an affordable HDTV price then look no further than the W3000 series from Sony.

Once you get past the fact that itâ€™s not Plasma, youâ€™ll realize that the Sony KDL40W3000 LCD TV is all you really need in a 40-inch HDTV.

Shop around a little before the holidays and you can find great deals on this baby since it is sort of a last yearâ€™s model at this point.

Editorâ€™s Product Summary

Merits: Great image quality and color, full 1080p HDTV with all the extras, under $1,500. May be the best image quality of any 40 inch LCD available in 2008!

Demerits: Well, it is still an LCD, not Plasma, and itâ€™s only a 40 inch screen size, so you have to decide if itâ€™s big enough or you want to opt for the larger 46 inch Sony Bravia.

Bottom Line: Sony has hit another home run with the W3000 series. This could be just the HDTV for you this Holiday Season; look for special discount prices as this product nears end of life.

Product Specs: Full HD 1080p, BRAVIA Engineâ„¢ EX, 10-bit display panel and processing, x.v.Colorâ„¢ capability, Deep Color (HDMI v1.3 option), 1080/24p input capable, PhotoTV HD, brushed metal frame design

Great Design and Sony Bravia Engine EX Image Enhancement

The KDL40W3000 offers a smart brushed metal frame, which surrounds the 40-inch 1080p (1920Ã—1080p) 10-bit LCD screen, offering the very highest HD format at a fast 8ms response time for clear motion blur free images.

A Live Color Creation back light with x.v.Color provides even more detailed colors, along with a very high dynamic contrast ratio of 16:000:1 for great black levels and color variations. For film lovers the very latest 24p format is supported allowing playback of films at 24fps at 1080p, the exact fps at the film was originally recorded in.

Feature-Packed Sony 40 Inch Widescreen LCD

The Sony Bravia KDL 40W3000 is a 40 inch Liquid Crystal Display or LCD television model. This widescreen Bravia W series TV has a full HD with 1080 pixel picture resolution. Here are some of the highlights of this model:

Featured on the Sony KDL40W3000 is the Bravia Engine EX which enhances image quality, with noise reduction, contrast enhancement and by quadrupling the number of pixels in a standard format source.
Color is superb, with black levels as good as any non-LED powered LCD TV out there this year; this could be the best picture youâ€™ll see on any LCD television this year!
You have plenty of inputs with a selection of 3x HDMI 1.3 inputs, 2x component, 2x scart, and the usual standard inputs.

New Crystal Design Full HD TV from Samsung

vwmadm — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:22:06 +0000

Samsungâ€™s new Series 8 Full HD LCD TVs bring design and superior media solutions to new heights.

For the Series 8 TVs (40, 46, and 52 inches), Samsung incorporates its stunning new crystal design that has been so well received by consumers in 2008. The key upgrade is a startling 50% reduction in thickness, producing a slim and narrow bezel measuring just 44.4mm.

Together with a new and distinctive inlaid red pattern, the result is an artful frame with an optimal blend of minimalism, elegance and craftsmanship that speaks of the highest technological elements inside.

Yoon Boo-keun, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronicsâ€™ Visual Display Division,

expressed confidence that Series 8 TVs will do well in the market. â€œThe new series 8 TVs offer an even more sophisticated crystal design with an inlaid pattern as well as genuine stylishness, made possible by a slim design and bezel,â€ Mr. Yoon said.

For more information visit akihabaranews

Pioneer Kuro PDP-LX6090 Plasma TV

vwmadm — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:51:59 +0000

Pioneer Kuro PDP-LX6090 HD Ready Plasma TV is indeed a stunner of a device with an exceptionally large screen that supports anything good from HD DVD to Blu-ray to games to Freeview with dynamic precision.

This model is a bit slimmer than some of the smaller models of Pioneer that simply looks bulky. Moreover, anyone who knows something in this sector also knows that Pioneer is often called â€˜The King of Blackâ€™ just for its conception of sublime darks in its displays. This aspect of it, is promptly complimented by an amazing contrast ratio.

No wonder, there are enough admirers left for this model, even though it comes under an exorbitant price tag. For more information visit plasmatvreviews

Toshiba’s Regza ZF HDTVs Do Their Own Cell-Processor Upscaling

vwmadm — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:03:47 +0000

Toshiba’s new Regza ZF HDTVs don’t need no stinkin’ player to upscale your DVDs to HD resolution: they do it themselves, with a cell-processor based system. It’s the first TV to do so, and according to its European executive vice president, Toshiba’s future “does not involve Blu-ray disc” but will use this sort of tech to deliver high-res imagery. The upscaling system uses some pretty advanced image-processing techniques, creating interpolated pixels to give the final image near-HD quality. The sets will also have Active Vision M100 100Hz HD picture processing, 178-degree viewing angle, 30,000:1 contrast ratio and 10-bit processing. The ZF TVs will be in 40- and 46-inch sizes, the 40-inch out now with pricing of around $2,390, the 46-pricing and availability is not announced yet.

From gizmodo

Samsung LN-T4061F 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:01:11 +0000

Samsung does it again, bringing us 1080p, great color range with 10,000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, SRS TruSurround, 3 HDMI ports, USB 2.0 and loads of other features in this best ever 40-inch HTDV.

The LN-T4061F LCD delivers in every way, including the price (around $1,200 street price). In 2008, Samsung continues to show that LCD is nearly as good as Plasma but at much better price points for consumers who want the look of a Plasma but donâ€™t want to pop for the higher costs!

Editorâ€™s Product Summary

Merits: Flat-panel LCD HDTV offers accurate color and adjustability, deep black levels, a clean, crisp image, a nice remote control and superb styling. Good audio with TruSurround bottom speakers.

Demerits: Shadow detail could be better and, as with most LCD products image detail falls off as viewing angle increases.

Bottom Line: Although not quite the best of its breed, the Samsung LN-T4661F delivers very good picture quality with plenty of style and functionality.

Product Specs: HDTV type: LCD TV; Diagonal Image: 46 inches; Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 10000:1, HDMI-CEC single remote capability, SRS TruSurround XTâ„¢ system, full-bodied sound comes from two bottom speakers.

TV / Video
- HD-grade 1920(H) x 1080(V) pixel resolution
- Widescreen aspect ratio
- 10000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- Wide color enhancer
- Built-in digital tuner (ATSC/Clear QAM)
- Fast 8ms response time
- Picture-in-Picture
- Swivel stand
Audio
- Watts per channel: 10W x 2
- SRS TruSurround XTâ„¢
- Bottom speakers
- Sound leveler
Connections
- 3 HDMI â€” High Definition Multimedia Interface Version 1.3 (2 rear/1 side)
- 2 Component video inputs
- 2 S-video inputs (1 side/1 rear)
- Side and Rear A/V inputs
- PC input
- USB 2.0
- RF antenna input
- HDMI – CEC
- Headphone jack

TV/Video

Wider Viewing Angles
Left side, right side or upside-down, whatever your LCD TV’s location, you can see any display clearly due to the 178Â° wide-viewing angle. Horizontally and vertically, your LCD TV will always be well placed to enjoy the entertainment no matter what your angle of view is.
CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp)
The NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) has established the color standards all TVs in America try to meet. Typical LCD TVs only meet about 72% of this standard. Certain Samsung LCD HDTVs use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp backlights to give you 92% coverage of the NTSC standard, ensuring truer, more breathlessly vivid colors.
8ms Response Time
The ultra-fast eight-millisecond response time means smooth, crisp fast-action video.
10000:1 Dynamic Contrast
Samsung’s PVA screen enables brighter whites, deeper blacks and every shade in between. It’s higher contrast ratio provides an abundant palette of perfect colors.

Audio

SRS TruSurround XT
Samsung LCD TVs are equipped with the best that technology can offer in sound quality. Even when viewing regular broadcasts, our 2 speaker surround sound makes you feel as if the theater has been brought to your living room.
Hidden Bottom Speakers
Besides pleasing your senses with high quality audio, you will save space with our hidden bottom speakers.

Other

HDMI Connectivity
Dual connectivity allows users to experience the latest in pure digital quality. With two HDMI connections, you can connect your DVD player and digital cable/satellite to experience the best picture possible.
Side AV Inputs
Connect your LCD TV to the peripherals that add to your convenience.
PC Compatible
A Samsung LCD TV can function as a high-resolution PC monitor and a high-end TV without any sacrifice in picture quality. Outperforming PC monitors in brightness, response time, resolution, and of course, screen size, Samsung lets you adapt to the expanding multimedia revolution.
VESA Compatible
With the VESA compatibility feature, Samsung has provided hole mounts on the back of the LCD TVs that are based on the VESA standards. This way you can setup your TV on the wall the way you want it to look.
Swivel Stand
This new swivel stand feature provides a +/- 15 degree swivel to allow you to move your screen depending on where you want to watch your television. This convenient feature makes it easy to move the screen without lifting or moving your television.

For speakers that deliver quality, check out the best home theater speakers systems at The Speaker Company.

Mitsubishi unveils MZW / MX / MXW series of LCD HDTVs

vwmadm — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:07:30 +0000

Barely a month after Mitsubishi launched its iSP 149 series of LCD HDTVs, the company is trotting out three new lineups over in Japan. The higher-end MZW series includes the 46-inch LCD-46MZW200 (¥400,000; $3,643) and 40-inch LCD-40MZW200 (¥300,000; $2,732), both of which pack a 1080p 10-bit Diamond panel, 120Hz technology and an October 21st release date. For those with tighter spaces (and smaller budgets), the MX / MXW series spans from 19- (¥100,000; $910) to 42-inches (¥280,000; $2,550), with the most expensive sets offering a Full HD display and the lesser ones topping out at 1,366 x 768. Oh, and it looks as if Funai won’t be the only one delivering a Blu-ray / LCD combo, as Mitsu’s already working up a concept. Peruse the links below for all the machine translated nitty-gritty.

From engadget

Sony Bravia KDL-46Z4100

vwmadm — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:35:17 +0000

When you think about slim LCD HDTVs, think BRAVIA Z-Series. Slim black or silver bezels and thin profiles accent the elegant yet functional design, with performance that’s all Sony. 10-bit processing and 10-bit displays, x.v.Color technology and Deep Color render a wide color gamut and smooth color transitions. Motionflow 120Hz and 24p True Cinema provide smoother picture performance with unprocessed 24p film reproduction. Z-Series HDTVs include Sony’s innovative DMex technology which offers an expandable platform that “future-proofs” Sony HDTVs, ensuring they connect seamlessly not only with current Sony camcorders, computers, and digital cameras, but also to devices that haven’t even been invented yet. HDMI-CEC compatibility means you can control everything from one remote. They are even DLNA compliant, offer Sonyâ€™s unique PhotoTV HD, and include swivel stands.

Key Features

New: TV Guide IPG (Learn more)
New: Enhanced (XMB) User Interface with Rich 3D Graphics (Learn more)
New: DLNA Compliant (Learn more)
Slim black or silver bezel
16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution Panel (1920 x 1080p) (Learn more)
BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor (Learn more)
Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit (ACE) (Learn more)
24p True Cinema capable (Learn more)
DMeX capable (Learn more)
BRAVIA Sync capable (Learn more)
S-Force Front Surround Voice Zoom (Learn more)
Robust Connectivity with 4 HDMI inputs, 2 HD Component inputs, and a PC Input (Learn more)
Remote: RM-YD023

Step-Up Features

XBR6: live color creation featuring WCG-CCFL backlight, x.v.color, optimized theater mode, floating glass panel
XBR7: 70-inch (diagonally) screen size, RS-232C Control
XBR8: New: TRILUMINOS RGB LED backlight, New: Advanced Contrast Enhancer PRO (ACE PRO) local dimming technology, New: BRAVIA Engine 2 PRO with 1080p HD Video Processor

Review By home-theater-systems

The Sony KDL-40Z4100 High Definition LCD TV and its big brother the KDL-46Z4100 are beautifully stylish TVs with slim, sleek bezels and feature a thin overall depth. The brand new LCD models from Sony perform as well as they look. The models are being touted as complete entertainment solutions. Features include a Digital Media Port, Internet Video Link and DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatibility. They’re coming soon and among 17 new Sony LCD HDTV models unveiled at CES 2008.

Read Full Review Here

Review By reviews.cnet

The remote control included with the Z series is also different from other models, although, ergonomically we liked it less than the simpler wand that comes with the W models. Yes, the Z remote is bigger, backlit with blue lighting, and festooned with more buttons, but most of the controls are for other gear (the Z remote is universal, unlike the W remote) and the extra controls that actually pertain to the TV aren’t arranged as well. It’s also difficult to differentiate between the buttons that ring the main cursor control, and the larger size makes the stretch for the volume and channel controls a bit much. It’s still not a bad remote; it’s just not up to Sony’s usual standards.

Read Full Review Here

Review By sonystyle

The latest version of Sonyâ€™s respected BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor uses a collection of unique SONY algorithms to significantly reduce noise and produce sharp, vibrant, life-like images… Dynamic Noise Reduction: Intelligently identifies and dramatically reduces noise in the signal according to the motion and brightness of each scene for clearer, crisper images. Detail Enhancement: Improved image enhancement algorithms render greater overall detail. Contrast Enhancement: Works with the Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit to optimize the contrast for every scene to create better depth and reality. BRAVIA Engine technology optimizes the color, contrast, detail and clarity of every scene for the exceptional performance that BRAVIA HDTVs are known for.

Read Full Review Here

Review By pcmag

The KDL-46Z4100 was able to produce a clean and detailed picture with 1080i/p HD video sources except for when the video was originally recorded at 24p (many prime-time TV shows, feature films, and Blu-ray movies). In this case, the set would quickly and correctly detect such videos as originating from 24p material, but it would almost as quickly lose its “lock,” resulting in loss of fine detail. Further testing revealed that the TV’s Video/Photo Optimizer picture setting could be adjusted to correct this issue. A Sony representative confirmed my findings and provided a firmware update that appears to fix this problem; the update was not publicly available at the time of this article, however, and Sony was unable to confirm whether current owners would be able to download it from Sony’s online support site.

Read Full Review Here

Price Range: $1,999.00 – $2,799.99 at pricegrabber

SAMSUNG Delivers 2nd Generation LED-Backlit LCD HDTV With New Series 9 LED LCD HDTV

vwmadm — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:19:22 +0000

Samsung Electronics America Inc., a worldwide leader in innovation and HDTV technology, unveils the successor to the company’s award-winning 81 Series LED LCD HDTV, with the launch of the new Series 9 LED LCD HDTV. The 2008 flagship Series 9, Samsung’s 2nd generation LCD HDTV to use LED SmartLighting™ technology, offers consumers the powerful combination of LED and 120Hz technologies, resulting in a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for a crisp, full HD 1080p picture. The Series 9 is also distinguished by Samsung’s new addition to the art-inspired ToC™ (Touch of Color™) design – an elegantly patterned bezel with charcoal gray accent. Beyond delivering a superior picture performance with craftsman-like design, the Series 9 gives consumers the freedom to easily access and manage nearly all forms of digital content via the TV through innovative features such as InfoLink™ and WiseLink™ Pro.
"Combining Samsung’s LED SmartLighting and Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technologies in one high-performance LCD HDTV, the Series 9 LCD represents Samsung’s continued focus on advancing the very highest picture quality available to consumers in the current HDTV market," said Jonas Tanenbaum, Vice President of LCD Television Marketing at Samsung Electronics America.

For more infor mation visit http://www.samsung.com

The Pantel Weatherproof HD LCD TV

vwmadm — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:29:07 +0000

Introducing the most innovative and useful advancement in television technology, the Pantel OUTDOOR TELEVISION. Now you can enjoy entertainment with fewer boundaries!

Imagine relaxing outside, getting some much needed sun, while watching your favorite movie or television show in High Definition.

Football will never be the same again. Instead of missing plays, while you are outside barbequing for your guests, now you can watch the game outside with them. Bring the game to you!

Picture your teenagers and you taking a late night dip in the pool while watching Jaws in High Definition. That would be an experience they would talk about for years.

Family entertainment has now reached a whole new level with even fewer boundaries than ever before!

Isn’t this what life is all about? The memories, and the time we share with the people that mean the most to us. We believe so. Bring the memories outside and breathe in the fresh air.

The Pantel Outdoor Weatherproof TV is great for both residential and commercial use!

The Pantel Outdoor Weatherproof TV is perfect for:

Patios and backyards
Amusment Parks
Concert Venues
Race Tracks and Stadiums
Restaurants and Bars
Outdoor Exhibitions

Outdoor commercial entertainment used to be a very concerning and expensive project due to threat of unpredictable weather. Pantel televisions provide a solution to the weather problem … they’re weatherproof. Have you seen a high definition TV outdoors that was not under a canopy or covering of some type? Now businesses can break free from the hassle, excessive expense and constant concerns.

Picture advertising your company at an outdoor event, or having marketing broadcasted throughout the company grounds. Golf Courses, Outside Malls, Amusement Parks, and Outdoor Bars could market their company, products and entertainment items while increasing their image and prestige to their customer. Take your marketing outside and see for yourself how many more consumers you will reach.

The Pantel Weatherproof HD LCD TV combined with the Pantel Waterproof remote (shown above) gives you the freedom to open the doors and go outside, no matter how the weather is.

Do not miss another beautiful day or another memory with your family!

Make a lasting first impression on your customers that will keep them talking about you and your company!

Create the prestige that you have always wanted!

Market your products, services or establishments to more customers with Pantel TV and watch your profits grow!

Unlock the Great Outdoors with the Pantel Weatherproof TV!

From http://www.panteltv.com

Samsung LED-backlit 9 Series LCD HDTVs

vwmadm — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:42:34 +0000

What’s in a numberâ€¦7â€¦8â€¦no, I like 9 better! So lets talk about Samsung’s 9 Series LCD HDTVs. These second-generation LED-backlit sets feature 1080p Ultra Clear panels, Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology, 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios, Touch of Color design and InfoLink (RSS access) and WiseLink Pro.

To be out in two models, 46-inch LN46A950 and 55-inch LN55A950; both feature 4-millisecond response times, down-firing speakers with a built-in subbie, an integrated NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuner, four HDMI-CEC ports, a PC input, Ethernet socket and a pair of component jacks.

Expect the9 Series LCD HDTVs of Samsung next month for $3,199.99 (46″) and $4,199.99 (55″).

Other Series 9 LED LCD Features

Ultra Clear Panel technology eliminates ambient light for increased picture quality in bright environments
InfoLink allows you to read RSS feeds from the couch
USB 2.0 connectivity for displaying photos and movies from external devices
Four HDMI inputs including one easily accessible side input
Internal flash memory preloaded with content like hi-resolution artwork, cooking recipes and games

The Series 9 LED LCD will be available this August in 46-inch (US$3,199.99) and 55-inch ($4,199.99) models.

From www.newlaunches.com

Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:27:53 +0000

Samsung’s 550 Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1080p resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,000:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models).

Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) means these HDTVs play well with all of your other electronics.

Easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through the side-mounted USB 2.0, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.

Key Features

* New â€” 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio: up from 15,000:1 on 2007 models (15,000 on 32-inch and 37-inch models) (Learn more)
* New â€” Fast 5ms response time: down from 8ms on 2007 models thanks to a new high-speed liquid crystal
* Full 1080p HD (Learn more)

* 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (Learn more)
* 3 HDMI 1.3 ports: Simplay compliant (Learn more)
* USB 2.0 port: connect devices directly to your HDTVâ€“view JPEG photos or MPEG movies or easily listen to your MP3 player through your HDTVâ€™s audio system or your home theater system
* DNIe Digital Natural Image Engine improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, and white balance (Learn more)
* Hidden speakers with SRS TruSurround XT audio (Learn more)
* Wide Color Enhancer technology and Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) offer a wider color range (Learn more)
* Picture-in-Picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources
* V-Chip system allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content.
* Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.
* Variable sleep timer to turn the TV off in varying time intervals.
* Auto wall mount compatible: 3-dimensional operation via TVâ€™s remote control; no external IR receiver required.
* Swivel stand included
* 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty (90 days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support

Step Up Features

* Series 6: 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, AutoMotion Plus 120Hz image interpolation for smoother motion, 4ms response time, Transparent and Opaque Color (TOC) bezel, Clear Panel, Ethernet port with Infolink free RSS feeds, 4 HDMI 1.3 ports, Sports and Game modes, Compatible with Samsungâ€™s Home Digital Media Adapter for playback and navigation of Internet and stored PC multimedia
* Series 7: Internal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, childrenâ€™s entertainment, HD artwork and more, Integrated woofer for an enhanced audio experience, DLNA-Compatible: for better interoperability with electronics, computers and mobile devices from many different manufacturers

To make the Series 6 a true entertainment hub for any home, Samsung has incorporated advanced HD connectivity and networking capabilities that expand the HDTVâ€™s functionality. A wide variety of multimedia devices can be connected to the set through any one of the four Simplay compliant HDMI 1.3 inputs (including one on the side), and the handy HDMI-CEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote.

Connect HD digital devices like disc players, game consoles, and satellite dish components into the 2 rear connections and use the side-mounted input for cameras, camcorders, and laptops. HDMI is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on an HDTV.

Once connected, users can easily access device menus and manage and display content through the newly redesigned Wheel Key Remote control and the HDTVâ€™s sophisticated content management interface.

All Connections

* 3 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) version 1.3: (2 rear/1 side)
* Component video: 2 rear (Y, Pb, Pr)
* Composite inputs: 1 rear (shared with component) / 1 side
* S-Video: 1 side
* PC input: 1 rear
* WiselinkÂ® (USB 2.0)
* RF antenna inputs
* Headphone jack: side

From The HDTV Experience

Pioneer unveils new Kuro HD LCD flat screen TVs

vwmadm — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:15:58 +0000

Pioneer has unveiled three Kuro-branded HD LCD TVs – the 32-inch KRL-32V, 37-inch KRL-37V and 46-inch KRL-46V.
All of the new models feature an upscale design and come with a high-contrast front filter, three HDMI ports and 100Hz processing.
Design wise – the new launches boast a brushed titanium finish, under-mounted speakers and thin profile with a slim bezel.
The KRL-32V and KRL-37V rest upon a matte removable black swivel stand that provides a 15-degree swivel.
Both models can be operated by a hidden set of buttons on top, or using an aluminium preset remote control.
Pioneer adds that the trio deliver “HD ready 1080p”, 100Hz processing and a front filter that “enhances contrast, colour definition and sharpens the picture”.
It adds: “An automatic backlight adjustment function results in enhanced black levels and deep, accurate colours, while an additional ambient light sensor optimises on screen images according to the brightness of the room”.
The series boasts a viewing angle of 176 degrees from top to bottom and from left to right.
The 32-inch KRL-32V and 37-inch KRL-37V LCD TVs will be available in August while the 46-inch version will start shipping later this year.
No prices as yet.

From www.pocket-lint.co.uk

Pioneer unveils new Kuro HD LCD flat screen TVs

vwmadm — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:13:13 +0000

From www.pocket-lint.co.uk

Pioneer unveils new Kuro HD LCD flat screen TVs

vwmadm — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:05:28 +0000

From www.pocket-lint.co.uk

Pioneer unveils new Kuro HD LCD flat screen TVs

vwmadm — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:00:23 +0000

From www.pocket-lint.co.uk

56" Quad Full HD Monitor D56QX1

vwmadm — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:33:46 +0000

Introducing the top-of-the-line 56â€ D56QX1 from Westinghouse Digital. This 56â€ LCD display features a stunning 3840 x 2160 QFHD (Quad Full HD) resolution of 8.3 million pixels (versus 2.1 million pixels for 1080P) and an ultra-wide viewing angel. Its high 1200:1 contrast ratio, 500 nits brightness, and fast 6.5 ms response time ensure crisp, beautiful images of stunning clarity. The versatile 56â€ is compatible with a wide variety of dual-link DVI video cards including ATI and Nvidia. This display gets the job done whether needed for mission critical imagery, intricate design projects or Hollywood productions – this 56â€ Quad Full HD performs.

For more information visit www.westinghousedigital.com

Philips goes the Green way with Eco TV 7000 Series

vwmadm — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:02:58 +0000

Philips USA on Tuesday refreshed its home theater lineup with a set of new HDTVs as well as a Blu-ray movie reader to match. Every new screen is now considered part of the Eco TV line, Philips says; exploiting the Dutch company’s experience in lighting, each unit has an ambient light sensor that automatically dims the brightness in darker scenes. The technology not only saves power by keeping the display in check but also improves visual quality by giving a set’s best possible black levels at any given point.

The 7003 series acts as the flagship with a new, rounded design the HDTV maker says is less imposing than typically squared-off models; it also allows the company to tuck the speakers away from view while still producing better low-end response. All of the sets also sport 120Hz panels that reduce motion artifacts as well as Philips’ new Perfect Pixel HD image processing engine.

For more information visit www.electronista.com

Sony USA Introduced Two New 1920×1080 LCD Displays

vwmadm — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:44:55 +0000

Sony introduced two new LCD full HD displays in 1920×1080 resolution for professional use. Our new models are available in 42″ (FWD-S42H1) and 47″ (FWD-S47H1). They are dedicated for use in stadiums, arenas, event halls, movie theatersâ€¦
The Sonyâ€™s display are compatible with their – digital signage player, the VSP-NS7 and feature DVI HDCP IN, RGB/component in/out, S-video in, and composite video in/out.

For more information visit www.akihabaranews.com

Vizio VO32L LCD HDTV Review

vwmadm — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:53:02 +0000

The VO32L is hardly a beauty and in fact looks kind of clunky. With its black body this set would look best plugged into the space of your A/V cabinet where the old 36-inch CRT gathered dust rather than as the centerpiece of your living room. The set measures 31.6 x 21.2 x 4.2 (WHD, in inches) and weighs 26 pounds without the supplied stand, 27.6 with. With the stand attached, the HDTV has a fairly utilitarian lookâ€”without the sweeping lines youâ€™ll find on other models. Of course you can get rid of the stand and mount it to a wall, if youâ€™d like with optional mounting hardware.
This is a very basic-looking HDTV with more of a PC monitor vibe than television. In fact, the rear connections are just like those on your monitor as you plug them up into frame rather than at a typical 90-degree angle. You can even use this as a monitor since it has an RGB PC input with a max resolution of 1368×768 via VGA and HDMI. The connection issue is just a minor hassle since typically youâ€™ll only be doing this once at the outset.

Read full review at http://i4u.digitaltrends.com

Sony Announces Cutting-Edge HDTVs

vwmadm — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:27:27 +0000

If you think you’ve seen it all in terms of cutting edge HDTVs, think again. Sony dropped a bomb last night, announcing three new LCD TV series additions to its current BRAVIA HDTV lineup: the XBR6, XBR7, and XBR8. The company also unveiled the HT-IS100 Theatre Micro System home theater unit, which uses super-tiny satellites for discrete deployment around the house. Other interesting news includes Sony’s plans to upgrade its BRAVIA Internet Video Link service to provide content from YouTube directly to its TV sets. We were lucky to get a sneak peak of all this gear at an event here in New York City. Take a look at our slideshow to get the virtual experience.

First, Sony’s top-of-the-line XBR8 models will be available in 46- and 55-inch panel sizes, with a full 1080p resolution. The XBR8 boasts LED backlighting using Sony’s TRILUMINOS three-color technology capable of local dimming. Sony claims that the result will be a greatly improved color range along with much higher contrast. In fact, at last night’s press event, Sony set up the XBR8 TV and a high-end plasma set from a competing brand for side-by-side comparison. Though plasmas are widely touted for having superior contrast, the company reps were happy to point out how the XBR8 provided a much darker image with richer colors.

From www.pcmag.com

LG 47LG60

vwmadm — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:02:08 +0000

Part of LG’s new “Scarlet” series of televisions, the 47LG60 LCD HDTV ($3,499.95 list) offers a blend of colorful modern style along with the finest picture quality I’ve seen from an LCD TV. The set’s high-speed LCD technology proved adept at minimizing detail-destroying motion blur while maintaining good color quality at even the widest viewing angles. Videophiles will also appreciate the excellent HD video processor, as well as the best set of picture controls I’ve seen. Of course the TV isn’t the least expensive 47-inch LCD TV around.

Read the LG 47LG60 full review,visit www.pcmag.com

Inject some colour into your home with the Sony Bravia TVs

vwmadm — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:43:45 +0000

As part of their ‘draw the line’ concept for brightening up kitchens and the home in general, Sony’s new Bravia HDTVs come in a rainbow of pretty colours. I personally think one would make a nice colourful addition to any home.

If you like the TVs, but are not feeling the fruity colours, you could always be boring and opt for plain ole’ black, blue or white. The Bravia TVs feature a 2008 Bravia Engine 2 video processor and 1080p24 input capability (24p True Cinema). They also have three HDMI terminals as standard.

If you find your mouth wide open and watering as you cast your gaze over these pretty goggle boxes, let me tell you (before you get too excited), that the 20-inch KLV-20S400A will only be available in Asia in June.

From shinyshiny

Samsung LN32A450 32-inch 720p LCD HDTV

vwmadm — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:15:29 +0000

Enjoy the clarity of HD in a stunningly modern design with a unique bezel and frame to suit your decor. True 720p resolution offers amazing LCD image detail, complemented by a 10,000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio for vivid colors and bold blacks. Three HDMI inputs let you connect quickly and easily to your peripherals. Call up a variety of menu options and preferences via a smart user interface. Speaking of smart, the intelligently hidden speakers ensure a sleek, clean look that fits in almost any surroundings.

TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two speakers playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels Stereo broadcast reception, (MTS & SAP) with 181-channel capacity. Hidden bottom speakers with 10 Watts x 2 audio power SRS TruSurround XT – TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers.V-Chip system allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French HDMI-CEC allows peripheral devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by TV remote control Auto wall mount compatible Channel coverage – VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69, and CATV 1-125 (up to 181 pre-selected channels) Antenna – CATV/VHF/UFH 75-ohm, F-type Connections – 3 HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface (2 rear, 1 side), 2 Rear Component (Y/Pb/Pr), Rear RF Input, Side S-video input, Composite AV (Rear, Side), Side Headphone, Rear PC D-sub, Rear optical sound out, Rear RS232, and Side HDMI-CEC Dimensions – Width 31.5 x Height 20.7 x Depth 3.7 / 31.5 x 22.7 x 9.9 with stand Weight – 24.0 pounds / 28.9 pounds with stand

Features

720p HD Resolution
Wide Color Enhancer
3 HDMI Inputs
6ms response time

Technical Details

Brand Name: Samsung
Model: LN-32A450
Display Size: 32 inches
Display Technology: TFT active matrix
Weight: 28 pounds
is_hdtv_compatible: Y Unknown modifier
Width: 31.4 inches
Height: 22.7 inches
Depth: 9.9 inches
Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Speakers included: 2 speakers Unknown modifier

Largest mobile HDTV now used as a video billboard

vwmadm — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:53:15 +0000

Simply having a big screen for yourself isn’t such a great idea now is it? That’s why Big Moving Pictures’ fleet of rolling mobile LED screen displays constitutes a new advertising medium. The company is mounting massive (40 x 22 ft) HDTV LED displays on trucks so it can engage the audience at major outdoor events (such as air shows and auto racing) in a new way. Big Moving Pictures Inc. (BMP), and Strongbase have announced the signing of a unique agreement to create the largest mobile LED screen displays ever produced. BMP will target air shows and auto races (NHRA and Indy) initially, but we can see big opportunities for developing the ‘rolling television network’ into a valuable niche advertising medium with high engagement, and large numbers of a high value audience. BMP will transport its MEGASCREENS to the largest events in the United States and Canada, and there’s obviously application for the technology in every country. Weighing 66,000 pounds and hydraulically operated, the MEGASCREENS are trailer-mounted for maximum portability and rapid deployment into a given situation.

Typical time from arriving onsite to displaying video will be under one hour, done by a single technician or truck driver. Image area sizing will be 39.4′W x 22′H in a true 16:9 aspect ratio for direct usage of 720P HDTV signals. LED element pitch is 15mm, brightness range up to 10,000NITS. HD video transmission to the screens will be accomplished by laser-based, digital microwave or fiber optic cabling systems. Its not everyday that we see such a huge screen in our backyard or in the stadium for that matter.

From newlaunches

ViewSonic N4785p

vwmadm — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:12:53 +0000

An HDTV’s default picture settings almost never have anything to do with accurate and faithful image reproduction and typically have everything to do with grabbing a shopper’s attention among the crowded shelves of an electronics superstore. Those default picture presets are useful for providing the brightest picture possible when room lighting is uncontrollable, but critical HDTV viewing in a darkened environment, where the eye is most sensitive, requires a custom configuration or a picture preset that delivers an image closest to what the director envisioned in the edit room. The 47-inch ViewSonic N4785p ($1,999 list) is a 1080p LCD HDTV that offers an uncontrollably bright picture and few ways to improve upon its unrealistic and often disappointing image quality.

More info at pcmag.com

Samsung LN-T4081F LED Backlight LCD 40" HDTV

vwmadm — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:12:36 +0000

Combining multiple cutting-edge technologies, Samsung’s “81-Series” HDTVs have leapfrogged the competition to deliver a thrilling new level of LCD picture quality. These models replace the conventional bar-style fluorescent backlight with hundreds of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). This LED backlighting system is the key to the LN-T4081F’s stunning picture.

LED backlighting extends LCD color range
Standard fluorescent LCD backlights can only reproduce about 72% of the broadcast TV color range. The colors that are lost are the deeper shades, especially reds and greens. Samsung’s LED backlight reproduces 92% of that color range. From the deep red of a “Stop” sign to the lush green of stadium grass, every scene looks more real.

LED SmartLightingâ„¢ enhances contrast and black level performance
Samsung’s SmartLighting technology is a whole new approach to LCD screen illumination (click on the “Photos + Video” tab above to see an illustration). On typical LCD TVs, the backlight illuminates the entire screen equally at all times, no matter what is happening in the video image. The LN-T4081F’s LED array is divided into a grid of independently controllable sections, to accurately display both dark and bright areas of an image. By taking advantage of the brightness and speed of LEDs, Samsung achieves a maximum contrast ratio of 500,000:1.

A wealth of high-def options
The LN-T4081F has tuners for pulling in analog and digital over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required). Cable TV subscribers can use the built-in “QAM” tuner to watch unscrambled cable channels without a set-top box. With three HDMI inputs and two component video, it’s easy to add multiple high-definition video sources like an HD satellite tuner or video game console. The set’s HDMI inputs accept 1080p signals like those available from many of the latest Blu-ray and HD DVD high-def disc players.

Price Range : $2,199.00 – $2,299.00 at Shopping,com

Toshiba REGZA ZH500 full HD LCD TV’s with 300GB hard drive

vwmadm — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:08:07 +0000

Toshiba Japan has expanded its REGZA line up with the ZH500 and ZV500 series. The highend ZH500 offers 56 and 46 inch models with full HD display at 120 Hz, 4x HDMI (1080/60p, 24p) inputs, 3x Ethernet (with DLNA support), 2x USB, Bluetooth, Firewire, SD slot and a DVR to record your favorite shows on the 300GB hard drive. The ZV500 has two model 42 and 37 inchers offering full HD and same features ZH500 except for the onboard hard drive. However more disk space can be added over the Ethernet via an I-O Data REGZA drive wrapped in DTCP-IP DRM. The ZV500′s has a newly developed speaker system which reduces distortion and other disturbances thanks to the use of Bamboo fiber. Pricing starts at $3500 and goes all the way to $6000.

Source newlaunches