Samsung LNT2653H 26-Inch LCD HDTV Review

I've already learned one important lesson in my limited experience with HDTVs - it's not all about the picture.In the case of this unit, the picture quality was very comparable to the 23" Sony Bravia HDTV I had recently bought (slight pluses and minuses for both), but the Samsung is far more well thought-out and user-friendly.I'm really surprised at how big of a difference that makes, but it does.

This TV will change channels fairly quickly (about the speed of a non-HDTV), whereas the Sony Bravias (and I assume others) are painfully S-L-O-W.This was irritating enough when I was just using the relatively small number of over-the-air channels, with cable it can drive you absolutely crazy.

Also, the Samsung will sense what inputs are actually being used, so that it will only go to the ones that are hooked up to a VCR, DVD, etc. and not S-L-O-W-L-Y cycle through them all, as does the Bravia (where it's a real drag if you hit that button by mistake).

Another nice feature is that the LNT2653H has separate coax inputs for antenna and cable.If you, like me, want to use both, this makes life much easier.

There are actually a few other smaller items that are superior on the Samsung as well, but the real epiphany to me was that usability is so significant an issue in these HDTVs.Don't get me wrong, picture quality IS important too and this one looks to me as good as any, but you can't really judge that aspect very well in a showroom anyway.Once you get it home you have to actually use it - and the differences there are striking.

I'll also mention that, at the time of purchase, the price at Amazon was significantly better than at any other reputable dealer I could find.The unit came quickly and in good shape.

I'll give it 4 1/2 stars, because as good as it is, it's still not perfect.


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Product Description:
Offering an unparalleled sleek design and one of the best 720p LCD panels available, Samsung's 2007 model LNT2653H 26-inch flat-panel LCD HDTV is an updated successor the super popular 2006 model LNS2651D. Compared to the previous year's model this one offers an updated cosmetic design, a better contrast ratio at 5000:1, hidden speakers, side A/V inputs, and 2 HDMI connections.
The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs. The 3D Y/C digital comb filter constantly analyzes the three dimensions of picture height, picture width, and picture changes-over-time to dramatically reduce edge image artifacts while improving transition detail.
High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the speakers built into the TV. SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass through hidden side speakers. TruSurround XT audio adds three 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.
The SRS WOW feature 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.

Connections:

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) 2
R/F in 1
Component (Y/Pb/Pr) in 2
S-Video input 2(1 side/1 rear)
A/V input 2(1 side/1 rear)
PC input 1
Headphone jack 1

What's in the box: Samsung LNT2653H LCD TV, remote control, 2 AAA batteries, Power Cord, wall mount kit, cleaning cloth, owners manual, warranty card.

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Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ800U 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

This is just a heads up about pricing.

I placed my order for this television on 9/2/2008.

THE PRICE from AMAZON with FREE SHIPPING was $2,835.21.

Delivery time quoted, when I placed the order, was 1 to 2 months. UPDATE: Amazon delivered my TV on 9/30/2008 (in about a month) in perfect condition at the price I've quoted ($2,835.21).

Prices are changing day by day. In fact, the day after I placed my order, Amazon raised their price by$500.00. That is quite a price increase in one day! Over the course of the next TWO weeks the price went up to match the list price of $3700. So, in just two weeks time, there was a $900 increase in price! Finally prices are drifting lower again. Early in November, the price has dropped back down to the $2800 range.

THE BEST DEAL YET (11/18/2008). Not only has Amazon lowered its price to an all time low of $2689.00 BUT Amazon says that if you add the Panasonic BDK-35 Blu-ray player (CNET - top rated!) to your cart you will get an additional $300.00 off the combined purchase. Since this player costs $239.00 you will not only receive the player for free but also save an additional $61.00 off of the price of the TV.This deal is a no-brainer, while it lasts. This player is top-rated and, of course, plays standard DVDs too. UPDATE: Unfortunately Amazon withdrew this offer after only a week.

There were no reviews published when I purchased this set but its 50" sister - the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U - had received top reviews. In fact, the 50" version of this set is widely considered either the best HDTV ever made or second only to the much more expensive Pioneer Kuros.UPDATE: This HDTV was Awarded "Editors Choice" by CNET on 10/3/2008 (now only the 50" Pioneer Kuro Elite is rated higher). CNET even rated this Panasonic 58" a tiny bit better than Panasonic's 50" version due to slightly deeper blacks.

Don't pay too much for this set. This set is just starting to trickle into stores and only, late in September, did Amazon have this TV in stock. I can't see why any consumer would pay any more than I have ($2835.21) and I hope they will pay less.

As a general guideline: I've found that a good discount for a Panasonic Plasma will be at least 25% off of the list price.

What is interesting is how carefully the other merchants listed on Amazon.com follow Amazon's lead on price. On the day I purchased this HDTV there were other merchants that were VERY close to Amazon's total price even after including any shipping charges (one was actually a few dollars less including shipping). Once Amazon raised its price, within 24 hours, all these other merchants raised their prices to match Amazon's new price. That trend has continued with these other sellers closely following Amazon's lead.

Amazon's white glove delivery service works extremely well. I was concerned about this and wondered how Amazon's delivery service would stack up against buying this set in person? Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The TV was delivered on time, it was unpacked, the stand was installed, and the TV was placed where I wanted it (the packaging was also removed). I knew how to connect the TV to all my other components but you certainly shouldn't expect the truckers to know how to do this for you!Still they waited 5 minutes for me to make all my connections and confirm the set was in perfect condition. Even if you don't know how to connect the set (prior to studying the manual) - just plugging it into a wall outlet (no other connections required) and turning it on displays a menu on the screen which confirms it was not damaged in transit.

KUDOS to AMAZON on its White Glove Service! Well Done and hassle free!!!

The picture quality exceeds my wildest expectations, assuming a few important changes are made to the set's default settings. With good high definition content the picture is absolutely stunning, better than what I recall was shown at my local movie theatre. High definition movies on HBO really do look better than when I saw them in the theatre. If there is a criticism to be found it is that the default settings are either too dim (THX mode) or too garish (custom mode). However it is easy to adjust the settings to produce a much better picture. I'd encourage everyone to use the settings listed in Greg Lavery's Amazon review (these were first published by CNET and then discussed/updated in the AVS forum). These settings are extremely important if you want the best possible picture and the improvements they yield are NOT subtle! However, having said that, this still may NOT be the best TV for a brightly lit room because it is not the brightest set available and the screen is somewhat reflective. For everyone else, you are purchasing one of the finest HDTVs ever made. The quality and naturalness of the picture is often jaw-dropping. It is hard to explain in words, exactly how good this set is--- even to those of you who have already purchased another HDTV. For example, I purchased a 26" Toshiba HDTV (2008 model) for my office. That HDTV looks pretty poor when compared to this Panasonic. It is almost impossible to overstate the quality of the picture that this set can produce.

Keep in mind this is one, very large, HDTV and it can easily dwarf everything else in a room.

One Final Comment: Know who you are buying from at Amazon. Just below the price if it says "ships from and sold by XXX company" you are NOT buying from Amazon but another company who pays a fee to Amazon to sell products on Amazon's website. While these other companies may be fine - I choose to purchase this HDTV directly from Amazon and NOT from one of these other merchants whose track record I could not as easily evaluate. The shipping policies of these other companies may also vary from Amazon's white glove delivery service.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ800U 58 Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Product Description:
The PZ800 series meets the THX certified display specifications, signifying the highest standards of performance and quality. The PZ800 plasma televisions feature an improved native contrast ratio of 30,000:1, game mode, VIERA link, a PC input, four HDMI connections and one sheet of glass design concept.

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Toshiba REGZA 32RV530U 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

Pros:
- Best part of this TV is the Over the Air (OTA) tuner to get free public broadcast TV stations. Used a paper-clip as the antenna and received over a dozen HD/digital stations with perfect reception in the Washington DC metro area without any dropouts. No cable for me, literally.
- Excellent picture, especially after playing around with all color options. The color can be adjusted to anyone's preference, because it has separate color adjustments for red, blue, green, yellow, magenta and cyan, as well as, preset adjustments.1080p display is great for graphics or if using it with a computer. I starred at a lot of 720p displays before ordering this one, for me, I can see better detail (especially background and graphics) with a 1080p display from 8' away.
- Comes on in 2.5 seconds. Try timing how long it takes to turn on any other manufacturer or previous model year TVs.Channel changes almost instantaneous about 1-2 sec, great for channel surfing. With OTA HD/digital stations this was a challenge for a lot of TVs.
- Sound quality is very good and loud if you need it. At 20% it's loud enough to fill a medium sized room.
- Low price.If you search enough you can get it at a lower price than last year's 720p models on clearance or refurbished.

Cons:
- Specs on this TV are not always accurate, different specs. on Toshiba's website vs. owner's manual vs. on the box. For example when I weight my 32RV530U it is 26.5 pounds, which is better for me.I wonder what other specs are off.
- Some fuzzyness with fast moving objects, maybe due to refresh rate (5-8ms)or 10 bit panel or 12 or 14 bit processor (listed in owner's manual.
Whatever the true specs are this TV looks great either way for TV watching or used as a computer monitor.


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Product Description:
Regza 1080p Full HD LCD

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Sony Bravia M-Series KDL-32M4000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

I have had this television set since May 9th and am very pleased with it.Even I was able to set it up.I don't have the expertise to evaluate the technicalities, but I recognize an outstanding picture when I see it.I thought I had a defective set for a three day period (faces were "sun-burned and most everything was pink), but the problem turned out to be a defective cable from my cable provider.The size of the set isn't overpowering in my small room.For watching baseball games and nature programs this set provides a picture that is superb.I can't imagine you doing any better than this set.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia M-Series KDL-32M4000 32 Inch 720p LCD HDTV

Product Description:
Want a small LCD TV that still brings a lot to the (kitchen) table?The KDL-32M4000 is Sony's answer. With three HD connections (including an HDMI , component, and PC input), a sleek design, and the picture quality you've come to expect from Sony, the KDL-M4000/S is designed give you the performance you do want without turning your bedroom or kitchen into a second home theater you can live without.

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Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

If you are anything like me when trying to decide on which flat screen TV to buy, let me just say that you will not go wrong by choosing this 46" Panasonic plasma TV.I spent several days and multiple trips to electronic stores before getting this one. I have had the TV for nearly a month now and here's what I think:

Pros:
1. Fantastic contrast ratio - sometimes can even get too dark for my liking! (level of contrast can be adjusted via menu options)
2. Very handy 15 pin PC connection (I use this very often to view online movies and documentaries)
3. Very good color rendering.False contouring is minimal and typically only with weaker/lower res. signals
4. Sound is awesome!There appears to be 3 channels/speakers at the bottom of the piece. You have the ability to have surround capability (I do not have a home theater sound system connected).
5. Pixelation during fast motion very minimal (typical for the plasma)
6. Very good inbuilt tuner.I use it to get the off-the-air HD channels, great quality
7. Very good form factor - looks that will please most
8. Wide sturdy base

There are a lot of other features that I have not used as yet but overall, I am really very pleased with what I have seen so far. Note that I have not tried a blu-ray disc with the TV but seeing the quality with the 1080-i quality NCAA games this month has been phenomenal.

Cons:
1. It is my belief that the anti-reflective screen not quite as good as compared to the anti-glare coating the 2007 models had.My experience is based on comparison of bright warehouse lighting reflecting from the 2007 screens and the bright living room I currently have place the 2008 model in.With the anti-reflective screen on the 2008 model, I can see a reflection of myself when the picture is dark or dull and background lighting is moderate. For e.g. even in the nights, when I have a small average intensity lamp burning, I can see a reflection of myself in the screen.

Hard to think of other cons.

I definitely do not regret the PC input option for the $90 extra it cost me! Will add more as the weeks go by but overall a fantastic choice.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ85U 46 Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Product Description:
PRODUCT FEATURES:46" class (46.0" diagonal) widescreen VIERA Plasma 1080p HDTV with increased native contrast ratioPC inputAnti-reflective filter, deep color technologyGame modeBuilt-in SD card slotGalleryPlayer ready to view3 HDMI inputsVIERA Link HDAVI control

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Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

UPDATE.A couple links dedicated to this set:
Owners forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000479
Break-in FAQ: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14472276#post14472276

Just a short review as there are so many already.

I spent approximately 3 years researching displays.No it didn't take me that long to figure things out, I was basically waiting for the technology to meet my expectations at a given price point.

After exhaustive research I narrowed things down to Plasma and then further down to either this set or the Samsung A550.The reason I picked the Panny over the Samsung, to be succinct:

- better black levels
- reliability (reportedly a bit more stable than the Samsung's, though they have gotten better)
- anti-reflective coating (the Panasonic has the Samsung thoroughly beat)
- IR (image retention) resistance, Panasonic is supposedly on the cutting edge for this

That said, I'll comment a bit on the Panasonic image specifically; it is stunning.First, the scaler (the hardware that handles different source material like standard definition broadcast, etc.) in this thing is top notch.I am truly impressed with what it has done with standard cable (and of course HD cable looks great).I was under the impression that few if any modern displays could handle SD well, frankly because I hadn't seen evidence of it.I was wrong, there have been a few times that I had to look hard to tell I was watching Standard Def (CNN puts out an especially clean broadcast in my area).Secondly, HD content; doubly stunning!I'm running both HD Cable and a PS3 Blu-ray.I figured I'd be buying many of my movies again in Blu-ray....wrong.Certainly true HD content has the edge but the upscaler combined with this set is jaw dropping, Pixar DVDs are quite amazing.

Now a few comments about Plasma vs LCD:

No doubt LCD has it's place, some people simply want a very "punchy" and extremely bright display.This is especially useful for daytime/bright room viewing.However, the drawbacks are considerable:

- motion lag/bur: if you see it (and I do) it's VERY distracting
- black levels clearly not up to par, which greatly affects the overall picture quality

On the other hand Plasma pluses:

- no motion lag
- industry standard black levels
- extremely realistic/film like experience

A few words on Image Retention & Burn in:

These are not the same thing though the terms are often used interchangeably.Image Retention is the result of a static image (any image that doesn't change for extended periods; video game displays, station identification, etc) to remain on the screen even after you've changed images.This is a temporary problem and one that is easily erased by viewing full screen for short periods where all the pixel locations on the screen will get some activity.Frankly I've not seen even one instance on my set.Burn-in is the extreme, unfixable version of this, leaving a static image on the screen for many hours (all day) or always watching all your content letterboxed will certainly lead to burn in.It's easy to avoid.The Panasonic is especially immune to this and even has many safety features built in to prevent it (pixel shifting and auto off if a screen remains unchanged for an extended period).

Finally a few quick tips for new owners, gleaned mostly from the AVS forums and partly directly from Panasonic's own website:

- Keep the Picture (contrast) and Brightness levels under 50 for the first 100 hrs.This helps the phosphors become "tempered" and in turn not so easily susceptible to bun-in and image retention.As I said, I've yet to experience either.
- Watch everything in Just mode (full screen) for the first 100 hrs for the same reasons listed above
- After the first 100 hrs you can turn things up & start watching things in letterbox, here are some recommended levels:
Picture: +70
Brightness: +48
Color: +44
Tint: -3
Sharpness: 0
Color temp: Warm
Color mgmt: Off
x.v.Color: Off
C.A.T.S.: Off

One final note for those on the fence:Don't go by what you see in the stores, what is displayed in no way exemplifies what these sets (any brand really) are capable of.My picture is light years better than anything I ever saw at Best Buy (including this very set).Delivery from Amazon/CEVA was a breeze by the way, took one week from ordering to door.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42 Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Product Description:
PRODUCT FEATURES:42" class (41.6" diagonal) widescreen VIERA Plasma 1080p HDTV with increased native contrast ratioPC inputAnti-reflective filterDeep color technologyGame modeBuilt-in SD card slotGalleryPlayer ready to view3 HDMI inputsVIERA Link HDAVI control

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Toshiba REGZA 46XV540U 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV Review

Excellent TV!!! Have had it for a few months, and no issues. Crisp image with no blur. The 120HZ technology is a real breakthrough, as I have no issues watching the action / sci fi movies I love.
Easy remote and menu navigation, my wife and I had no trouble adjusting the settings to our preferences. Wife loves it too.
It has many inputs, so we have been able to connect all our devices to it. Love it!!!

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Product Description:
47", REGZA, 1080p HD LCD TV, High Gloss Balck Finish, New ThinLine Bezel, 14 Bit PixelPure Processor, Deep Dynamic Contrast Ratio, Clear Frame 120 Hz, New 5:5 Pull down, 10 Bit LCD Panel, ColorBurst 108% Wide Color Gamut CCFL, Deep Color, New Gaming Mode, Soundstrip Speaker System, 4 HDMI 1.3 Inputs with CE Link, Improved High Res Capability for PC Input, IR Pass Through

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Hitachi P50V701 50-Inch Full HD1080 Plasma HDTV with Power Swivel Stand Review

After a week of looking in the local stores and then browsing on-line, I still wasn't sure what to buy.It was easy to pick the size, the exact features and specs was a tougher process.I settled on a 50 inch, 720p I saw in a store and set it as the base model.For a lower price, I picked this Hitachi model that gave me the higher 1080p resolution.

Setup was fairly easy with the help of my wife.We used the stand instead of wall mounting.A little tricky to install the stand because you have to have the TV off the ground for the base to clear.Used a couple of blankets and the packaging foam and it was easy.No problems getting it up on the table for the two of us.Lots of room for wires and the imput panel is easy to read.With HDMI cables, you can eliminate quite a few wires.

The picture looks really good, especially after being a tube TV viewer all my life.Once I added HD TV programming, it was just amazing.I actually will watch programming I'm usually not interetsed in because of the HD quality.Standard definition viewing is much better as well, but the TV shines when using its full HD capabilities.

Menus are clear to read and navigate.Lots of different settings available.The power swivel stand works very well and we've decided that we're not going to bother with wall mounting because we like it better.It does come with a built in TV Guide function, but with satellite service it doesn't work and it's not necessary either.So, I haven't tried to set it.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this TV.I think it's a great deal for the price.In the brick and mortar stores, I couldn't find any comparable size and resolution TVs that came close to the price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hitachi P50V701 50 Inch Full HD1080 Plasma HDTV with Power Swivel Stand

Product Description:
The Hitachi P50V701 is a 50-inch plasma HDTV that has full 1080p resolution and uses Hitachi's new Reel60 film processing to achieve fluidity that matches the motion of movies.
Outstanding Picture Quality
As a full 1080p HDTV, the P50V701 provides a 1920 x 1080 resolution that is razor sharp with more than 2 million pixels. Picture quality is further enhanced, thanks to ClearWindow technology that reduces the visibility of a grid structure and maximizes brightness and clarity.


ClearWindow technology reduces the visibility of a pixel grid structure for a better picture. View product details.

Timed swtiching allows picture settings to automatically adjust for changing ambient light conditions. With the new PictureMaster HD V processor, all video inputs are scaled up to match the full 1080p resolution of the unit to ensure a detailed picture no matter the source. The processor also performs noise reduction and other picture enhancements for a better picture quality. 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.
Hitachi's exclusive Reel60 technology has the ability to interpolates frame in order to match up the motion of film in a movie screen for display on a television. The result is a more theater-like experience in your home.
Well Connected
The P50V701 has three HDMI SimplayHD inputs (two rear, one front), the highest quality connection available that has both high definition video and audio in one cable. It also has two component video inputs, one S-Video input, four A/V inputs, one RF/Antenna input, one CableCard interface, and an SD card input that allows you to view your photos on the screen. Outputs include one AV monitor output (fixed audio), one S-Video monitor output, and one optical digital audio output. You can connect the optical digital audio output with your home theater system to obtain surround sound when the built-in 20-watt speaker system isn't quite enough. The TV speaker can then be used as a center speaker.
The HDTV also has built-in ATSC/NTSC tuners, both of which are combined into one tuning memory for seamless selection of channels, regardless of format. The unit is also QAM-digital-cable compatible. TV Guide On-Screen is also built-in for an always available programming guide.
Day and Night Differences
The P50V701 allows for three custom settings that match the picture settings with accompanying ambient light conditions so that you get the optimal picture and contrast settings no matter the hour. Additionally, the anti-reflective screen has a unique black stripe screen filter that ensures a quality picture by blocking ambient room light for added brightness and deeper blacks. The television also features multiple screen saver and power saving modes for efficiency when not in use. A power swivel stand is included that rotates the screen up to 30 degrees in either direction so an optimal viewing experience is available for every seat in the room.
The P50V701 is backed by a 1-year parts and labor warranty.

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.

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.

SD Card Photo Viewer

Front panel input for viewing jpeg images from a SD card.

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.
What's in the Box
P50V701 plasma HDTV, remote control, two AA batteries, 6-foot AC power cord cable, power swivel table top stand, power swivel cable, two IR blaster cables, and wire clamp.


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SANUS SYSTEM VisionMount TV Wall Mounts VMPL250 ( Black ) Review

Liked the product. Could not figure out how to use the security lock feature, but did not bother to call anyone. Came with mounting hardware for every application.

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Product Description:
True audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts know that Audio/Video furniture and loudspeaker supports must not only be beautiful, in reality they must enhance the performance of the Audio/Video system. No company has paid more attention to the all-important technological details than Sanus Systems. This product is a low profile flat panel TV wall mount.

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Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S4100 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

This is a remarkable TV for the money, with a great picure and resolution up to 1080p (P for progressive scan -- 1080 lines of resolution with no interlace), and also support for 24 frames-per-second movie playback with Blu-ray high definition DVDs.

Setting up is straightfoward -- you set up the stand where you want it, lift the TV onto it, and tighten 4 screws. It can also be wall mounted. On the back are the large range of inputs: three HDMI, two component, one S-Video, two standard video (RCA jacks) and one VGA port. You can guarantee that whatever you have, you'll be able to connect it to this TV.

The best quality of output and convenience comes from HDMI connections (order some low cost HDMI cables from Amazon; my local stores wanted $50-$179!) A Blu-ray DVD player connected to the TV via HDMI delivers outstanding picture quality at 1080p, with amazing detail. It's so good, in fact, that I found myself noticing film grain more often -- you can practically count the grains!

This TV supports 24 frames-per-second ("24p" in the jargon), which matches the screen refresh rate to that used in movies. The visible difference shows up in shots where the camera pans (moves parallel to the scene). With regular TV playback, panning makes the scene blurry and you can't see much detail because extra "interpolated" frames are inserted to match the TV frame rate. Panning shots in "Casino Royale" blu-ray DVD were clear at 24p, revealing some visual jokes I missed before (e.g. the Richard Branson cameo at airport security). For movies like The Bourne Ultimatum with lots of camera movement, 24p makes the whole movie clearer.

Screen contrast of the TV is also very good. Blacks appear black, color is not overdone (though there is a "vivid" setting if you want to boost saturation). Lower resolution sources at 480i look pretty good -- they are upscaled nicely by the TV. Connecting a Wii with the standard video cables worked fine and produced a good picture.

For HDTV sources, this TV does excellent noise reduction and yet still delivers crisp detail and good color. This is where other LCD TVs fall down, and Sony really has done a great job with the Bravia engine.

Sound from the internal speakers is very good indeed, with dialogue particularly clear. Home theater speakers are better, but then that's true for any TV.

I am very happy with my purchase -- the TV has a stellar set of features at a great price versus more expensive versions with more bells and whistles... which I don't need. It is not the cheapest LCD TV in the 40" size, but the picture quality and number of source inputs sets it apart.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S4100 40 Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Product Description:
Ready for full 1080p HDTV?Sony's KDL-40S4100 is your affordable solution, and comes fully-loaded with 24p compatability for smooth playback of filmed content, and a wide variety of HD inputs (3 HDMI™, 2 component inputs, and a PC input) so you can connect it to a Sony Playstation®, Blu-ray Disc™ player, and up to four more HD-enabled devices. Now you'll be able to watch all your favorite movies, sports, and games with the pristine picture and vibrant sound that you would expect from a Sony, at a price point that is as surprising as the quality.

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Toshiba REGZA 42RV535U 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

This is my first LCD TV and I'm very happy with it.Spent a lot of time over the last month checking out various 40-47" LCD TVs and finally decided on the Toshiba REGZA 42RV535U because of its quality and price (total $912).Due to my experience with both Toshiba and Samsung I favored these brands but there's no shortage of attractive LCDs to choose from many companies.Samsung costs more and offered no competitive model or price to this Toshiba.I found the Toshiba XD-E500 upconversion DVD player online for $76, which produces an excellent picture on the 42RV535U.Add the $13 I spent for 3 HDMI 6' cables (online too) and I'm watching HDTV for a grand total Of $1001!The non-HD TV channels look good too (I'm on Time Warner cable) and in my small living room the sound (cranked up) has proven to be more than adequate.I have checked up on the Sony HT-CT100 Sound Bar Home Theater and may add it later.I have no Blu-Ray plans for present - will take some convincing and much price dropping for me to participate.

My wife and I physically set up the TV on its stand and placed it in position.If you know what you're doing, the electronic part of the setup should be brief but I took longer fumbling a bit over the cable box/TV accommodations.But all went well finally.

Let me add perhaps the most important thing.Once set up, I restarted the Marvin Gaye at Montreux DVD that I had been using to hook up the XD-E500 and let it rip.What a reward for all the effort of buying this TV - my TV watching will never be the same.

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Product Description:
Regza 1080p Full HD LCD with SRT

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Samsung LN32A550 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

I've been wanting a new flat-panel TV for some time and, though I do make a lot of purchases on-line, I felt like I actually needed to look at a TV in person.My wife and I were looking at the TV's in Wal-mart when another customer pointed out that the better TVs had a higher contrast ratio and he thought that was the most important factor.Sure enough, the one we thought had the best picture was the one with the highest contrast ratio - it was 3200:1, the best 32-inch in the store.(I really wanted something with 1080p resolution, but they only had 720p in the 32" size TVs.We decided to get that one, since we had seen it and felt like we could enjoy it - but they didn't have one in stock...

I came home and began to research.It turns out that there are only a very few 1080p TVs in the 32" model, this being one of them.In looking at the contrast ratio I found that this one was rated at 15,000:1 - almost 5 times better than the best one at Walmart. (High contrast ratio seems to give you darker darks and whiter whites - lower contrast ratios have a milky looking gray where it's supposed to be black...)My research combined with what I saw in the store gave me the confidence to purchase a TV on-line.I settled on the Samsung LN32A550.

The TV arrived in good working order and I had it set up and running within 30 minutes.(The biggest problem was unhooking and moving the old one!) The picture is everything I could have imagined it would be - far better than anything I saw in the store.The crystal clear picture and crisp, well defined images make this simply the best picture I have ever seen on a TV.I saw a bit of a NASCAR race on this unit and the motion was unbelievably smooth - no after images at all.

I debated a bit on giving this unit a five-star rating.I felt like the picture quality so outrated the sound that I had to bump it up a bit.But if sound is an issue you may want to consider this to be a "four-star" unit.While the TV has a built in equalizer function (with some presets based on your listening preferences) I found the sound, even in the best adjustment leaves a lot to be desired.It has a tinny sound much like you would expect from an old transitor radio.I would suggest investing in a good pair of external speakers to enhance this unit.(If you already have a home theatre set-up sound is not an issue anyway...)

So far I'm glad I made this purchase.If Samsung can improve the speakers on this TV they will have the perfect TV!

*****
UPDATE:

OK....Now that I've owned this thing a few months I'll tell you how it's going:

First, it was pointed out to me in a post that the contrast ratio on 27- and 32-inch TV's was 15,000:1 instead of 30,000:1 as I incorrectly surmissed from the somewhat unclear (to me) product update.I have edited the initial review to reflect the correct information.I'm sorry for any confusion it may have caused.(If you want the higher ratio and have the room, you could consider going with a larger screen size.15,000: is still a pretty amazing ratio though...)

Overall I am happy to report that I am just as satisfied today as I was the day I first turned it on.I did purchase a set of Creative GigaWorks T40 Premium 2.0 Speakers (available at Amazon.com) for around $125 - and this dramatically improved my viewing experience.(I'm sure the best option would be to use a home theatre set-up - but this unit is in my bedroom...)

I still recommend this TV - just don't expect too much out of the sound - without a little help.


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Product Description:
32" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black 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) * 1920 x 1080 pixels *

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Toshiba 32AV502U 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

The Toshiba 32AV502U seems to be a good value for a 720p LCD.It was easy to set up on the stand; the hook-up to my cable, TIVO unit, and playstation was easy; the initial set up for all the available channels was pretty easy and fast; and the picture is great.The only negatives are that the remote control & remote control buttons are too small, the ability of the set to switch between various functions seems a little slow (in other words moving from one menu screen to the next), and the process of switching back and forth between inputs is especially slow and tedious.Maybe as I learn more about the functions I can figure out a faster way to accomplish this but I haven't found anything in the manual yet or by playing with the various buttons.

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Product Description:
720p HD LCD TV

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Panasonic PT-50LC13 50-Inch TheaterWide HDTV-Ready Projection LCD TV Review

Having researched a lot of HDTVs including DLP, Plasma etc., the Panasonic PT-50LC13 represents the best out of the lot out there!
Both from a quality and price perspective, it represents a great buy - purchased mine from Circuit City for $3000 and was delivered the next day (would NOT recommend buying from an online retailer even if it is $300 - $500 cheaper, since LCD TVs can have some bad pixels sometimes - this is a lot easier to exchange at your local supplier vs. dealing direct with Panasonic! Most online retailers - you canNOT do the exchange with them and have to deal with the manufacturer).
The TV itself is quite stunning to look at - a lot better than the Sony WEGA LCD which looks quite terrible at the base and the sony does not have RGB input either. It is a whole lot cheaper than a 50" plasma tv and does not suffer from the same problems as a plasma tv does.
Very easy to handle (compared to a regular CRT or projection or even a Plasma).
The depth is only 16 inches and tapers off sharply at the top. Does not suffer from a convergence problem like most projection TVs do.
Does not suffer from the Plasma TV burn - most Plasma TVs will last only 20,000 hrs and need to watch out for burn-in if you have constant bars at the side or at the top.
LCD TVs do not suffer from this.
Plasma TV - cannot be fixed if they have the burn-in.
LCD PTVs on the other hand can have a lamp burnout - but the good news is that the lamp can be replaced for around $300. The lamp usually lasts around 10,000 hours.
We sit around 6 feet away and the picture is quite stunning on HDTV.
Note however, if you just connect plain analog or even digital cable, you will be sorely disappointed - with the signal, not the TV :-).
DVDs look good - had to purchase a progressive scan DVD player just to make the pictures look good! Progressive scan DVD at 480p look great. However if the DVD is of poor quality, then the errors are magnified on the 50" screen!
The TV does 1080i and 720p very well on the DVI connector.
The RGB inputs work great - was even able to get my Dell Latitude laptop connected and working (most of the older laptops cannot connect with RGB to a LCD monitor).
THe BBE sound is nice as well - provides a much better surround sound experience. However, the auto volume correction does NOT work with BBE. Overall, having external speakers definitely makes the experience a lot better.
LCD TVs like Plasma TVs have a fan to cool the inside - but I did not hear the fan with normal and very low volume output. Only when the TV is off, I can hear the fan operating silently for some time before it switches off completely (after the lamp is cooled).
Pros:
- Looks extremely sleek - better than Sony wega LCDs!
- Lot cheaper than a 50" plasma and performs better over a longer period
- 2 sets of RGB inputs - one at side and one at back - this is great for laptop or computer connectivity. Imagine connecting the laptop to it and surfing from the couch with a wireless keyboard
- DVI / HDCP Input - for those who understand what this means, connecting the cable box via this connector provides the best possible connectivity (better than composite, better than RGB). Works great on Time Warner / Brighthouse HDTV cable box with DVI output.
- TV Comes with DVI cable
- Lots of composite and component inputs and digital audio out as well
- Remote looks and performs well (silver finish just like the TV) and is able to control the cable box as well if needed. We use the cable remote to control the TV instead.
Remote menus very easy to understand and operate.
- Offers quick aspect scaling from Normal 4:3 -> Full (extends the normal 4:3 screen to 16:9) -> Just (extends only the extreme sides so that people in the middle do not look abnormally fat!) -> Zoom (uniformly zooms out - but can lose the ticker at the bottom!). This aspect scaling works on the component, composite and the coax inputs.
Cons:
- Does not come with composite cables - but ask your cable provider - they usually provide one.
- Standard Cable (even just plain digital) looks just so-so. The size of the TV and the high resolution of the LCD display magnifies any deficiencies in the signal.
- DVI input does not seem to have closed captions - do not know if the problem is with the signal or with the TV
- BBE surround sound does NOT have auto volume correction
- takes around 30 sec - 1 min to startup after a cold start
- Lacks a built-in HD Tuner - but then most plasma TVs do not have it either and is a lot cheaper because of its absence!
- Cannot scale aspect on the Digital Input (DVI/HDCP) - I think this is a restriction on the signal as it is already 16:9 720p signal.
- Need to set the TV to Cinema mode otherwise the cable inputs on standard or digital look terrible! Make sure you do this, otherwise you will NOT have a good viewing experience! Wish Cinema mode is the default.

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Product Description:
The slim-body PT-50LC13 liquid-crystal projection TV offers a perfectly flat, 50-inch display in a widescreen (16:9) dimension that's perfect for viewing DVDs in their native aspect ratios. The high-definition-ready set is equipped with a total of 13 different inputs, including four component-video inputs, a DVI digital video input for a direct digital connection with a DTV set-top box, and two PC inputs (capable of VGA, SVGA, or compressed XGA resolution). A handy PCMCIA/SD Memory Card slot lets you hook up your computer for viewing a digital photo slide show.
The set offers a native resolution of 1,280 x 720 alongside high, 400 cd/m2 brightness ensures vivid, exacting images from DVD players and other devices. What's more, Panasonic's Progressive Scan Doubler will upconvert standard interlaced (nonprogressive) broadcast and auxiliary signals to flicker-free, 480p resolution.
The PT-50LCL13 is considerably less bulky than most rear-projection televisions and consumes less energy. Further, LCD displays don't suffer from misconvergence or flicker, like their CRT counterparts. The Panasonic multimedia display incorporates thin-film transistor (TFT) technology, also known as active matrix, to improve color reproduction, eliminate ghosting, and boost response speed. TFT technology also helps achieve an extraordinary brightness level of 700 to 800 cd/m2.
Two-tuner picture-in-picture with split-screen display lets you view two programs at once by dividing the screen in half down the middle. Each program is shown at full height, with one program on the left side and the other on the right. Eight-bit PIP image processing provides 256 levels of gray from black to white in the inset picture for finer image detail.
Movie sources get their due with Panasonic's 3:2 pulldown feature, Progressive Cinema Scan. This enhancement compensates for motion artifacts that sometimes result from the telecine process that's used to convert film's 24-frames-per-second to an NTSC-friendly 60 frames per second. Other picture-enhancing features include horizontal and vertical edge correction and a motion-adaptive 3D Y/C digital comb filter, which eliminates "hanging dots" and color rainbow effects in closely spaced patterns.
What's in the Box
TV, remote control, remote batteries, and user's manual.

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