myHDTVchoice.com » David Katzmaier

Review of Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85 37-inch 1080p LCD

alan — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:59:12 +0000

CNET recently reviewed the Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85 37-inch 1080p LCD and gave it a 6.6 out of 10 (or 3 out of 5 stars) rating. The 37-inch screen size is something new for Panasonic, who was previously known for its plasmas, whose smallest and most popular size was 42 inches.

Reviewer David Katzmaier liked the reproduction of deep blacks in the set, but liked the shadow detail even more. The set delivers good off-angle viewing, and has excellent screen uniformity. It comes with a good range of inputs, including 3 HDMI inuts, two component inputs, and one SD card slot.

Katzmaier didn’t like the inaccurate grayscale that produces a reddish tine to picture. The inability to adjust color temperature is almost inexcusable. The set also lacks a PC input.

Overall, the Panasonic Viear TV-37LX85 is well-priced for its performance, making it a solid value.

Link:

Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85 37-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV at Amazon.com

CNET reviews the Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85

CNET Reviews Panasonic TH-50VX100U 50-inch 1080p Plasma

alan — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:37:55 +0000

CNET’s David Katzmaier recently reviewed the Panasonic TH-50VX100U 50-inch Plasma and gave it a rating of 8.4 out of 10 (or 4 out of 5 stars). This set is an HDTV monitor marketed by Panasonic’s professional division. It lacks a tuner, speakers, and other extras found on most consumer HDTVs. CNET noted that it was “one of the best-performing televisions we’ve ever reviewed, delivering a picture that approaches that of the current picture quality champion, Pioneer’s Kuro Elite.”

The list price for the TH-50VX100U is $4,995. There is also a 65-inch version of the set, the TH-65VX100U, that goes for $9,995.

CNET found the black levels of the set to be superb, producing excellent shadow detail. They also liked that it handles 1080p/24 sources proerly, and that it has an external scalar mode that can disable all video processing. The set also offers a large range of picture adjustments.

The didn’t like the expensive price tag, inaccurate reproduction of colors, and the scarcity of inputs, with only one component input and no standard def input.

Links:

Official Panasonic page for the Panasonic TH-50VX100U

CNET Review of the Panasonic TG-50VX100U

The Best HDTV Review Websites

alan — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:00:50 +0000

When you’re going to drop some big bucks on an HDTV, you want to know what you’re getting into. And if you’re like me, you’re going to thoroughly research your purchase before you plunk down the money. A quick Google search will show that it can be hard to find good HDTV reviews. Below is a list of some websites and other resources that provide reviews and other information for HDTVs.

CNET.com

CNET is one of the best places to look for HDTV reviews. Its main strength is the sheer number of professional HDTV reviews. Their reviews are thorough, covering almost every important feature measurable for an HDTV. Its site is searchable and has numerous tools for listing and and sorting HDTVs by review rating, price, size, LCD, Plasma, manufacturer, and other categories.

Some drawbacks are that its database is so large, it can be somewhat daunting to sift through the data. The reviews can be filled with technical jargon that can be hard for the average consumer to understand.

One tip for using CNET is to scan the most recent reviews first. Viewing reviews of the newest HDTVs will give you an idea of what the latest bells and whistles for HDTVs are. To view CNET’s lastest HDTV reviews listed by review date, click here.

Link:

CNET HDTV Reviews

AVS Forums

Another great HDTV resource is the AVS Forum. The AVS stands for Audio Visual Science, and the forums cover just about everything home-theater related. The great thing about the forum is that it’s filled with firsthand accounts from HDTV owners, including reviews of their sets. A thread on a popular HDTV can literally have thousands of posts.

What I like most about AVS Forum is that it’s the best place to get answers for unique or unusual questions you have about a particular set. You can use the built-in search feature or post your question on the board to get answers.

However, the forum can be filled with biased reviews, as people who have just dropped a lot of money on their HDTV tend to exaggerate the quality of their set. It can be tough to get a neutral, comparative point of view from reviewers.

Still, AVS Forum is an active mass of information and opinions from real consumers on the world of HDTV and home theater gathered together in one spot.

Link:

AVS Forum

Consumer Reports

Cosumer Reports is a great resource of professional HDTV reviews, but unfortunately, their information is not free. To access their site, it costs $5.95 for one month, $26.00 for a year, or $19.00 for subscribers of the magazine. Consumer Reports does a good job of describing HDTVs in easy-to-understand terms and comparing different sets to one another. They also point out HDTVs that are good values, that is, sets that give you the most for the buck.

Link:

ConsumerReports.org

CNET Reviews Vizio VP505XVT 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

alan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:38:10 +0000

Vizio previously made inroads into the world of HDTVs as a bargain brand, but their most recent HDTVs are starting to impress reviewers with their quality as well as their price.

CNET recently took a look at the new Vizio 50-inch VP505XVT 1080p plasma HDTV ($1499 msrp) and was extremely impressed, rating it a 7.7 out of 10, the highest rating yet for a Vizio television. Reviewer David Katzmaier had this to say:

Simply put, the Vizio VP505XVT is one of the better-performing plasma TVs we’ve tested this year from any manufacturer. It delivered deep black levels, relatively accurate color, and solid video processing, thanks in part to HQV.

That’s a pretty strong statement for a bargain HDTV.

Katzmaier liked the Vizio’s cheap price, deep black levels, realistic shadow detail, accurate grascale, extensive picture controls, and 4 HDMI inputs. They didn’t like the fact they noted some false contouring and an inaccurate green primary color reproduction. But overall, they found the set to be “Vizio’s best effort yet” and find it stands toe-to-toe with similar-sized but much more expensive models from other brands. Playback Magazine also reviewed the VP505XVT recently and was likewise impressed.

The Vizio’s $1499 price tag is the suggested manufacturer’s price and is likely to drop quickly in the near future. Be on the lookout for the Vizio VP505XVT on the shelves of Costco soon.

CNET reviews the Vizio VP505XVT

Official Vizio VP505XVT website

Playback Magazine review

Sharp Aquos LC-52D65U Reviewed

alan — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:08:26 +0000

If energy consumption is a primary factor in your choice of an HDTV, the 52-inch Sharp Aquos LC-52D65 LCD ($1500) should be of some interest. CNET recently reviewed the set and gave it a 6.9 out of 10.

They liked the Sharp’s cheap price, energy efficiency, good color reproduction (after calibration), 5 HDMI inputs, and its smooth and subtle styling. They didn’t like the set’s poor black levels, average off-angle viewing, and “below average” standard-def picture.

The Sharp Aquos LC-52D65U complies with Energy Star’s new version 3.0 energy efficiency standard, which, for the first time ever, measures power consumption when devices are turned on.

Specs for the Sharp Aquos LC-52D65U:

52-inch LCD
1080p
60hz
5 HDMI inputs
2 component inputs
2 composite inputs
1 VGA input
63.9 lbs (Ed. That’s very light for an LCD this size)
2,000:1 image contrast ratio
10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
450 cd/m2 brightness
1-year warranty

Link:

CNET’s review of the Sharp Aquos LC-52D65U

Best LCD HDTV: CNET Reviews the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8

alan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:53:35 +0000

The 55-inch Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 ($6,999) couldn’t knock off current overall HDTV champion, the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD plasma, but as far as LCDs go, the Sony rules the roost, or at least according to CNET’s latest review.

They gave the Sony, which has the new LED backlight technology, an 8.7 out of 10 (the Pioneer has a 9.1), stating that the set has deepest blacks of any LCD they’ve tested, very accurate color reproduction and grayscale, superior dejudder capabilities, and comprehensive inputs (4 HDMI and one PC).

They only cons are that it’s “mind-boggingly expensive” and that it showed some blooming in areas of high contrast. They also didn’t like the unremovable speakers that jut out from the side.

Specs for the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8:

55-inch screen
120Hz
LED backlight
72.8 lb
Gloss piano black
3000:1 image contrast ratio
1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
178-degree viewing angle
Ambient light sensor
1080/24p, 1080/60p

Check out CNET’s video review of below:

Helpful Links for the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8:

CNET’s review.
Sony’s official page for the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8.

CNET’s Review of the Vizio VO47L

alan — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:04:33 +0000

CNET’s HD guru David Katzmaier has published a thorough review of the Vizio VO47L, giving it a score of 6.2 out of 10. Positives for the television include a bargain price, good color reproduction, 4 HDMI inputs, good screen uniformity, good-looking all-black bezel and speakers, and a comfortable remote control. The cons are poor black levels, the need to adjust the color settings out of the box, and only two aspect ratios for viewing HD content.

“[The VO47L's] image quality stands solidly in the middle of the road, with those lighter black levels and subpar off-angle viewing characteristics seen on many other budget LCDs, but balanced by good color accuracy, at least after adjustment. You can still find numerous larger, 50-inch plasmas available for around the same price, but if you must have LCD and want a big screen for smaller money, the VO47LF deserves strong consideration.”

The score Katzmaier assigns the VO47L, 6.2, seems surprisingly low, as the Vizio GV47LF, 47-inch Vizio LCD the VO47L replaced (and is essentially the same as), is rated at 6.6. Perhaps the low score is an indication of the scales tipping in favor of plasma televisions, which, on average, offer a must better viewing experience than LCDs. Just browsing through CNET’s scores shows lower scores on average for most LCDs compared with plasmas. The main justification for the VO47L’s low score seems to be poor black levels, which have tended to be a strength for plasma technology.

Katzmaier’s mention of the VO47L’s better than average screen uniformity comes as a surprise, as Vizios (and most LCDs, in fact) are notorius for a clouding effect on dark screens. The VO47L’s good screen uniformity should come as a big plus for those thinking about buying the television, as it’s a rare attribute for bargain televisions. However, Katzmaier does mention noticing one corner of the screen is brighter than the rest. I’ve had a similar experience with my Vizio GV47LF, but it’s interesting to note that my screen uniformity has improved over time.

Link to review.

Also checkout our collection of VO47L customer reviews.

Best HDTV Deal For 2007 Black Friday is the 46″ Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD

alan — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:26:36 +0000

The best deal for this year’s Black Friday may be the 46″ Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD (Model: LC-46D64U) for $1,300 (a $500 savings according to Gizmodo’s Ultimate Black Friday Deal Guide). It can be found at Circuit City. CNET.com reviewed its 52-inch brother and gave it a good review. (BlackFriday.info’s Circuit City deals.)

720p plasmas have always been a smart bargain. So, the second best deal might be the 42″ Panasonic TH-42PX75U for $900 at Best Buy. CNET hasn’t reviewed this set, but they did review its close cousin, the TH-42PX77U, which got a great review. Panasonic plasmas review very well in general.

CNET Reviews the GV52L

alan — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:49:04 +0000

A clear sign Vizio has become a huge player in HDTVs is that virtually every TV they release gets a CNET review. The GV52L is no exception, as it gets a thorough review from HD guru David Katzmaier. Check out the excellent review.

He gives the television an average rating and points out that plasmas in similar price range deliver better picture quality (but not 1080p). As always, these reviews should be taken in context, as David reviews $6,000 HDTVs alongside consumer sets like Vizios. A helpful quote from Katzmaier comes from his review of a 50-inch Vizio plasma:

“As you can see by reading user opinions on CNET, most people who buy an HDTV, any HDTV, are thrilled with their purchase. They cite numerous reasons, but one of the most common, at least for buyers of Vizio TVs and other bargain brands, is value”

As you always get what you pay for. But sometimes you can make your dollar go a little farther, and HDTV sets like Vizio and Westinghouse are a good way to do that.

New CNET Review for Vizio VP50HDTV ($1,500)

alan — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 07:49:44 +0000

CNET just reviewed the Vizio VP50HDTV, a 50-inch 720p plasma. It did not score as high as the GV47LF, so I see little reason to consider the 50 incher other than those extra three inches. It’s interesting to note 3 inches is a surprisingly noticeable size difference when compared with a 47 inch. Check it out next time when you’re in a Best Buy or Costco.

I recommend checking out the first paragraph of David Katzmaier’s review of the Vizio VP50HDTV. He answers a question that I’ve had for a long time. For people who purchase bargain HDTVs, are they generally happy with the purchase? Yes, they are. That is a very satisfying answer for someone looking to invest in one of these TVs.

myHDTVchoice.com » David Katzmaier

Review of Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85 37-inch 1080p LCD

Link:

CNET Reviews Panasonic TH-50VX100U 50-inch 1080p Plasma

Links:

The Best HDTV Review Websites

CNET.com

Link:

AVS Forums

Link:

Consumer Reports

Link:

CNET Reviews Vizio VP505XVT 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Links

CNET reviews the Vizio VP505XVT Official Vizio VP505XVT website Playback Magazine review

Sharp Aquos LC-52D65U Reviewed

Link:

Best LCD HDTV: CNET Reviews the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8

Helpful Links for the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8:

CNET’s Review of the Vizio VO47L

Best HDTV Deal For 2007 Black Friday is the 46″ Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD

CNET Reviews the GV52L

New CNET Review for Vizio VP50HDTV ($1,500)

CNET reviews the Vizio VP505XVT

Official Vizio VP505XVT website

Playback Magazine review