Archive for category LCD

Review of Samsung LN46A650 46-inch 120Hz LCD

CNET recently took a look at the Samsung LN46A650 (edit: the 52-inch version, which has the same hardware inside), a 46-inch 120Hz 1080p LCD. They gave the set their coveted Editors’ Choice award and assigned a rating of 8.0 out of 10 (or 4 out of 5 stars).

They liked the set’s excellent black levels, highly accurate color reproduction, and the 120Hz dejudder processing. They also like the set’s novel ability to display weather, news, and stock market info on-screen, and that it is relatively energy effecient compared to similar LCDs.

They didn’t like the expensive price tag and the red-tinged frame around the front panel. They also noted that screen relfects light when there’s bright lighting in the room. They also discovered artificats when dejudder modes were used.


Links

CNET review of the Samsung LN46A650.

Samsung’s Official Site for the LN46A650

Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 46-inch 120Hz LCD Now Available

The Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 has arrived a little early and is now available for order on Sony’s official website. The price is $1,899.99.

The KDL-46V5100 is a 120Hz 1080p LCD that weighs in at a slim 56.2 lb. It has 4 HDMI inputs, 2 composite inputs, 2 component inputs, 5 analog audio inputs, and 1 optical audio out.

It also comes with Sony’s unimpressive Motionflow technology, integrated speakers, and HD tuner.

Link

Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 at Sony.com.

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

Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85

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.

Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85 Remote Control

Link:

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

CNET reviews the Panasonic Viera TC-37LZ85

CNET Reviews Vizio VOJ370 37-Inch 1080p LCD

Vizio VOJ370F

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.

VOJ370 LCD in a Box

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 VO32LF

Vizio VO32LF 1080p LCD

CNET recently took a look at the Vizio VO32LF, a 32-inch 1080p LCD. They assigned it an overall score of 7.0 out of 10 (or 3.5 out of 5 stars).

One of the stronger aspects of the VO32LF was accurate color reproduction, which has always been a standout aspect of Vizio LCDs. CNET called the color reproduction the “best we’ve seen in its class.” They also liked the set’s accurate grayscale, complete set of picture controls, and generous amount of connections, including three HDMI and one PC input. They also found black levels to be acceptable, stating the set’s “black was fine for a smaller display.”

Vizio VO32LF Remote Control

The set had some problems with screen uniformity and off-angle viewing, but CNET said these problems “don’t spoil an otherwise solid picture.” Comparing the VO32LF’s black levels to similar 32-inch Sony and Panasonic LCDs, they found the Vizio’s blacks to be a bit brighter, but pointed out “the differences were relatively minor.”

CNET also pointed out that having a 1080p picture doesn’t matter much with a set this size. Practically all new HDTVs are shipping with 1080p these days regardless of size, but consumers shouldn’t weigh 1080p too heavily in their decision-making process.

Specifications of the Vizio VO32LF

32-inch screen
1080p
16.7 million colors
1300:1 contrast ratio
480cd/m2 brightness
4 HDMI inputs
1 VGA input
2 component inputs
1 composite input
1 S-Video input
1 TOSLINK output

Helpful Links:

CNET’s review of the Vizio V032LF

Official Vizio VO32LF page at Vizio.com

Vizio 50-inch VP505XVT 1080p Plasma HDTV Reviewed

Vizio 50-inch VP505XVT 1080p LCD HDTV

The new Vizio 50-inch VP505XVT 1080p plasma HDTV ($1,499 msrp) is a sweet deal in terms of quality and screen size at a low price. PlayBack Magazine reviewed the Vizio VP505XVT and gave it some very high marks, including 10 out of 10 on their value scale. They summed up their review with this:

A true bargain, the Vizio sets the standard for affordable plasma excellence. With its high quality picture and equally good video
processing, this 50-inch set puts to shame other set out there that cost two to three times its highly affordable price.

They tested the set with the Blu-ray version of Seven Days in Tibet and found the color reproduction to be “full of expressive color” and “rich, but not overly saturated.” They also liked the set’s black levels and found shadow detail in dimly lit interior scenes to be “easily discernable,” an area where most bargain LCDs perform poorly.

Vizio XP505XVT specifications:

  • 1080p
  • 4 HDMI inputs
  • 30,000:1 typical contrast ratio
  • 1.073 billion colors
  • 114.7 lb (with stand)

The Vizio VP505XVT is currently only available on Vizio’s website, where shipping costs ruin the bargain price, but hopefully it will be on the shelves of Costco soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up as one of 2009′s bestsellers.

Link:

Official Vizio VP505XVT website

Dell Home’s 2008 Black Friday Deals

XBOX 360 Arcade Holiday Bundle at Dell

Dell Home (link) will have some HDTV-related deals for Black Friday. The most impressive is an XBOX 360 Arcade with 7 games, including Rock Band 2, for just $199. Wow. Check out all of Dell’s HDTV-related Black Friday deals below:

Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Player

Sony BDP-S350 Blu-Ray Disc Player $249.99. This is a great player, but K-mart has same model for $180 on Thanksgiving Day. (Link.)

Sony DAV-HDX275 BRAVIA Theater System

Sony HDX275 Home Theater System $229.99. 5-disc DVD/CD changer. 1000 watts. iPod dock. DVD upscaling to 1080p. HDMI interface.

Sharp LC-42SB45U LCD HDTV 1080p

Sharp LC42SB45U 42″ 1080p LCD HDTV $779.00. This is Sharp’s bargain line of LCDs. Not a bad price. Sears will have a 46-inch Sharp Acqous 1080p LCD for $900. (Link.)

Rock Band 2

XBOX 360 Arcade With 7 Games Including Rock Band 2 $199.00. The Arcade bundle includes 6 packaged games like Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket, Pac-Man Championship Edition, Uno, and Superstars Tennis. The real value is the addition of Rock Band 2, which is $60 on its own. Doesn’t come with instruments, however.

Via BlackFriday.info

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

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.

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Collection of Vizio SV470XVT and SV420XVT Reviews

Vizio SV470XVT 1080p LCD HDTV
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 »

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Bargain: AOC 42-inch 1080p LCD for $799 at Costco

AOC L42H861 HDTV available at Costco

Costco has the AOC L42H861 42-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for sale at $799 (original price: $1,000) while supplies last. PC World has a review of the AOC L42H761, which is essentially the same television. The Costco version, the L42H861, has a much better looking television stand (very Sumsung-ish). Prices are getting pretty low for large LCDs, it will be interesting to see what kind of deals there will be on Black Friday 2008.



Helpful Links:

PC World’s review of the AOC L42H761.

Engadget HD post about the AOC L42H861.

Official AOC website.