Archive for category HDTV Reviews

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

Feb 10

Posted by alan in 1080p, 50-inch HDTVs, CNET, David Katzmaier, HDTV Reviews, Panasonic, Plasma | No Comments

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

CNET Reviews Vizio VOJ370 37-Inch 1080p LCD

Feb 9

Posted by alan in 1080p, 37-inch HDTVs, Bargain HDTVs, Full High Definition, HDTV Reviews, LCD, Vizio | No Comments

CNET reviewed the Vizio VOJ37OF 37-inch 1080p LCD, giving it a rating of 7.0 out of 10 (or 3.5 stars out of 5). The VOJ370F has Vizio’s new Java styling, which is advertised as a brown theme, but in reality is more of a dark chocolate tone that looks black in soft lighting. The set does have some gold trim along the bottom edge.

CNET found the strengths of the set to to be strong, accurate color reproduction, and good grayscale. They also liked the number and variety of inputs, including 3 HDMI connections and one PC input.

They didn’t like the below-average off-angle viewing performance and the VOJ370F’s “tendency to dip into bluish green in near-black and black areas.” They also noted that the styling of the set may not be for everyone, so you should check it out in the store before buying.

Specifications

37-inch LCD
1080p
44.2 lbs w/ stand
16. million colors
500 cd/m2 brightness
1300:1 contrast ratio
3 HDMI inputs
2 component inputs
2 composite inputs
1 S-video input
1 computer RGB audio
1 analog audio output
1 5.1 SPDIF optical audio output

Helpful Links

CNET review of the Vizio VOJ370 37-inch 1080p LCD

Offiicial Vizio VOJ370 page at Vizio.com

CNET Reviews Vizio VP505XVT 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Nov 24

Posted by alan in CNET, Costco, David Katzmaier, HDTV, HDTV Reviews, Vizio | 1 Comment

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

Oct 25

Posted by alan in 1080p, CNET, David Katzmaier, HDTV, HDTV Reviews, Sharp | No Comments

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

Oct 19

Posted by alan in 1080p, 120hz, Blooming, CNET, David Katzmaier, Full High Definition, HDTV Reviews, LCD, LED Backlight, Sony | 1 Comment

Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 LCD HDTV 1080p with LED Backlight

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).

55-inch Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 from the side

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

Sony RM-YD024 Remote for the Sony Bravia

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.

Tags: Sony Bravia

Collection of Vizio SV470XVT and SV420XVT Reviews

Oct 11

Posted by alan in 1080p, 120hz, AVS Forums, Bargain HDTVs, Costco, Full High Definition, HDTV, HDTV Reviews, LCD, Sam's Club, Sears, Vizio | 2 Comments

This is a collection of reviews I’ve put together from the AVS Forums thread on the Vizio SV470XVT and SV420XVT. This is for your convenience so you don’t have to cull through dozens of pages of price questions, technical queries, and troubleshooting. (Note: The 47 inch and 42 inch models are exactly the same except for screen size.) The original thread can be found here.

Reviews:

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: SV42o47XVT, SV47OXVT

The HD Guru Reviews the 50-inch Pioneer 1080p Kuro Elite

Jul 10

Posted by alan in Full High Definition, HD Guru, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HDTV Reviews, High Definition, Pioneer, Plasma | 1 Comment

If you’re looking for the best HD picture out there, you might be interested in Pioneer’s latest challenge for king of the HD hill, the Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-111FD ($3,500). Gary Merson, aka the HD Guru, has given the set a thorough technical review.

Gary compared the 2008 Pioneer Kuro Elite with another “best HDTV evar”, the Panasonic TH-PZ850U. According to Gary, the Pioneer Kuro Elite has the darkest blacks he’s seen yet, too dark to even measure with his instrumentation. Does that sound ridiculous to you? Overall, Gary says the 2008 Kuro pretty much wipes up the floor with the Panasonic. Check out his review over at HDGuru.com.

Link:

The HD Guru reviews the 2008 Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-11FD 1080p plasma.