Showing posts with label 50 inch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 50 inch. Show all posts

2/25/2012

Panasonic PT-53WX53 53-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready Projection TV Review

Panasonic PT-53WX53 53-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready Projection TV
Average Reviews:

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I really like the TV. I like the way the picture looks, considering that I spent $1500, and not $5000. I've had my TV a few days, so I can't tell you how it holds up over time (I'll be back). This review is a "tell you what you may want to know from day one" as much as it is a review. I hope I can help prevent you from damaging your projection TV by telling things not mentioned in the manual.
An earlier review (different website) gave the TV one star out of five because he said after eight months he had side bars permanently burned into his screen, and he felt the manual's "don't use 4:3 mode more than 15% of the time" wasn't enough information. Keeping this in mind, I never use 4:3 with gray side bars (I can live with the "Just" stretch.)
The manual says nothing about a break in period (it didn't say "this TV has new technology and doesn't need a "break-in" either). I've read several internet articles that recommend special treatment the first 100 hours--have the contrast turned down. This TV doesn't list "contrast" but I'm assuming "picture" is the same thing. One said 250 hours (most said one hundred). Everyone said turn down the contrast (or in our case, I think `picture'). One said to turn down other things (well, you need some brightness, or else no light gets to the screen and that can't be a good break-in either J. Several articles on projection TVs said "Wow, after the breakin the picture became really great!" My second day I thought it was looking better than the first. One site said "don't just turn on your TV for 100 hours and say `I'm done!'", that the turning the TV on and turning it off (so that the components warm up, then cool down, etc.) was a part of the conditioning.
As delivered, the TV setting was on "vivid" which has the highest picture. I turned that all the way down. I hooked a computer LCD monitor up to my DVD player through an S-video, and ran component cables (red, green, blue) from the DVD player into the TV so I could compare the pictures. The TV seemed to error on too much red (people skin color), so I changed color temperature to cool, and there was too much color, so I turned down the tint. This gave people a more natural looking skin color. This isn't a criticism of this particular model--one website named three TV brands and said they all give you a TV with the contrast (or picture) turned high and probably too much red. For comic relief, one guy mentioned that the stores put the most expensive TV's in a category on "vivid" so they look better than the less expensive TVs.
One site said that the large the projection TV, the more likelihood of problems like burn in . I'm paranoid about the TV logos in the lower right corner if the logo is solid white (I sent ABC an email pleading with them to change to something half transparent so the colors underneath come through.) News channels with a running ticker at the bottom of the screen-never!
Right now while I'm breaking the TV, I'm not playing any cartoons. My understanding of the break in is to run the circuitry without a heavy load on the lamps (like driving your new car 50 miles an hour on the highway). To me, the cartoons are very very colorful, equivalent to playing a normal movie on vivid. Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the break-in? I hope to find something about this on the internet.
Biggest complaint- I've already seen with two of my widescreen DVDs that they don't quite fill the screen from top to bottom (slight slivers of blackness at top and bottom) and none of the zoom modes will fix this. Those DVD's are now banned from the TV(I'll play them on my computer). One review site said the problem was that this TV only has four Zoom options, and other TVs have more. Maybe later I'll get a new DVD player that can send out a signal with various zooms and then I would just put the TV on standard aspect (no zooming) to accept it. Perhaps this is my biggest complaint against the TV, that the basic "zoom" can't make it zoom all the way in each direction. From reading the manual, I would have thought it would zoom completely.
TV gets 4 of 5 stars for excellent price to performance ratio. I wanted to give 5, but if all this stuff I found on the internet is true, then when I bought the TV, I could have read the manual, turned it on, and misused/abused it during the first few weeks of use. I don't know how much new lamps cost, or what I would pay for the labor. The guy with the problem of the burned in side bars said that one would cost $500 total (parts and labor).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic PT-53WX53 53-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready Projection TV

Panasonic's Projection TVs offer big entertainment for your family, right at home! With Hi-DefinitionTV (HDTV) Series you'll experience incredibly sharp picture quality, brilliant color and resonating sound all for which Panasonic is world-renowned. Each model includes standard features for amazingly clear and detailed images, impressive stereo sound and enhanced, vivid color quality - all at a viewing size that holds everyone captive!PRODUCT FEATURES:16: 9 Aspect Ratio;1080i HDTV/480p EDTV Compatible;Built-in Protective Screen Shield;Fine-Pitch Lenticular Screen (.52 mm);Centaur CRT;Digital HD Shortwing Lens System;10-Bit 60 MHz A/D Conversion Image Processing;Progressive Cinema Scan (3: 2 Pull-Down);Enhanced Progressive Scan Doubler;Motion-Adaptive 3D Y/C Comb Filter;AI (Artificial Intelligence) Picture;First-Surface Glass Mirror;Digital Convergence;9 Point Dynamic Convergence;HD VMScan for HDTV Signal;Wide Band Video Amplifier;DVI Input;3D Menu System;2 Sets of Component Video Inputs;Multi-Format Display P-I-P (MFD);Scalable Picture-In-Picture;BBE High-Definition Sound;15 Watts per Channel Stereo;Video Picture Memory;Video Input Skip;Lighted Home Theatre Remote.

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12/12/2011

LG 50PQ30 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

LG 50PQ30 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
Average Reviews:

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Pros: Rich, vibrant colors; full complement of inputs; extensive color calibration and menu system; inky plasma blacks
Cons: Ineffective anti-reflective coating; basic remote; jerky motion on panning
Summary: This year's bargain plasmas - the Samsung 50PNB450, Panasonic TC-P50X1, and the LG 50PQ30 here - can all be found for around the same price. Each set has its strengths and weaknesses, but in my opinion this LG set comes out the strongest of the pack to be the best big-screen value in 2009.
This set looks great. The swivel stand is a gentle oval in front but tapered in the back to allow you to push it close to a wall - thoughtful. All the inputs are well labeled and easy to find, and LG includes a full batch of cable ties and routes for your convenience - thoughtful. There's also a handy microfiber cloth to polish the shiny bezel - thoughtful. Out of the box, it's a great experience.
Once plugged in to an HD source (I have a Scientific Atlanta HD cable box, a XBox 360, and a Samsung BD-P1600 Blu Ray player), the colors in Standard mode are much better than on the Panasonic plasma I also own. LG generously included two "expert" modes which allow full tuning of each color channel as well as adjustments for greyscale, gamma, etc - this set easily bests the competition from Panasonic and Samsung, with the added bonus that 95% of viewers will plug it in, think it looks great, and never touch any of that stuff. There are energy saving modes which dim the set according to prevailing light conditions as well, and the set automatically turns off if there's no signal.
I will add that this set does not buzz, or at least buzzes much less than my Panasonic plasma. I can hear the Panasonic from my seating position of 10 feet away, but only if I rest my head on the LG do I hear anything. This feels like a better constructed all-around package than this year's Panasonics.
The speakers are nicely hidden underneath the set, and LG includes several sound enhancement modes, two of which - the ClearVoice and auto-volume - are actually useful. It's more than enough for late-night viewing when we let the receiver rest and relax.
There is very little sign of image retention on this set. The only time I've seen it is from the bright white and red menus of the Netflix interface via Samsung's blu-ray player. It went away after a quick white wash. The set has a pixel orbiter which should mean no worries whatsoever with regards to burn in as long as you don't leave a DVD menu up all day.
As for the reflections, I think it's a combination of a coating less effective than Panasonic's as well as this just being one humongous piece of glass. It's easy to live with as long as you make sure there are no lights or windows within the same line of sight of you and the set (the swivel base is very helpful in minimizing reflections as well).
Once the movies get rolling, it's clear you've made a good decision. The set's pixel grid and screen-door effect are, of course, visible within 3 feet, but once you sit back 5 or more feet it disappears and you're left with a sharp, lifelike, colorful window onto the world. It's a marvelous set, the best I've ever seen in my house and I've paid over $2000 (34" CRT HDTV) for TVs before. Blacks are black, whites are white, and everything else is right.
It's hard to go wrong at this price with any of this year's sets, but the LG is the most stylish and best-priced of the lot. Given its natural color, solid build quality, full feature set, and fantastic image quality, the set recommends itself. Buy with confidence.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG 50PQ30 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

THX display certification sets this series apart. 50" PDP HDTV, 1365 x 768 Resolution, 20,000:1 Contrast Ratio, 1,500:1 cd/m2 Brightness, ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM - 1 Tuner, SRS TruSurroundXT, 3 HDMI input. USB 2.0.

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12/05/2011

Panasonic TC P50G15 - 49.9" plasma TV - widescreen - 1080p (FullHD) - HDTV Review

Panasonic TC P50G15 - 49.9 plasma TV - widescreen - 1080p (FullHD) - HDTV
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I purchased this TV almost a week ago and so far color me impressed. I have to admit, while in the stores I was not impressed by this TV at all. Most of the other sets appeared to have more color and vibrance to them. In the store this G15 appeared to be very dull in color and over contrasted. My brother who sells televisions to the RV industry had been touting the G10 as the second coming to High Definition TV. I have debated this with him many times as I have declared the Panasonic Plasmas as way too dark. HOWEVER, I took a leap of faith and took his advice and purchased the G15 anyway. And wow, upon hooking it up and turning the power on there was no doubt I made the right decision. The settings in the store do not in any way do the G15 justice. It was like a different tv in my living room. I fired up a Blu-Ray disc that had nothing but HD landscapes on it and it was simply stunning. I had viewed this disc on my old Sony LCD projection set and it pretty good on that, but this was something else. On the G15 the blacks are black, and the whites are white. Many LCD's I have seen the whites are really tan, and the blacks are more like charcoal. I have become almost obsessive about adjusting the settings on the color to be perfect and recently came up with a great configuration. Watching season one of LOST in Blu-Ray is unbelievable on this TV.
I have played games on this set as well, and let me tell you my X-Box 360 has never so good. To quote my wife, "I never realized how bad our old TV really was--until I saw this new one." It is that good. The Viera Cast feature is very cool, however I wish there were more you could do with it. I would expect more over time with firmware updates though. The Youtube feature is probably the most useful and fun to play with.
On the down side, there could have been more color settings in the adjustment menus. Also the THX feature was very disappointing as the screen is way too dark in this mode.
In conclusion, don't be fooled by showroom displays of this TV, its a different game in your living room. I would challenge anybody to find a better picture than the G15 right now.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic TC P50G15 - 49.9" plasma TV - widescreen - 1080p (FullHD) - HDTV

If you demand the best from your viewing experience, the new G10 Series of Plasma HDTVs was created just for you. They boast cinema-quality movie reproduction, clear, smooth sports and gaming action-even Web entertainment. All made possible by our Neo PDP technology, which delivers sharp, detailed images, deep blacks and remarkable brightness, and all with lower power consumption.

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11/13/2011

Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
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This is my first HD TV purchase ever, so I made sure to do my homework. I spent days researching brands, plasmas v. LCDs, 720p v. 1080p resolutions, and 42" v. 50" screens. Friends and family kept telling me, "Get a LCD. Get a 1080p."
The fact is after combing through review after review from consumers and professional critics alike, it became evident that Panasonic is leading the way with plasma technology, and the years-old issues with these TVs (burn-in, heat, glare) are all but resolved. In fact, plasmas offer smoother motion, deeper blacks and wider viewing angles than their LCD rivals.
Screen size and resolution, I found, go hand-in-hand. The rule of thumb: 50" or less in screen size is not worth the extra $ for 1080p. The increase in resolution only really becomes appreciable with screen sizes over 50". Too, one can only truly take advantage of 1080p with a Blu-ray DVD player. HD channels are sent at lower resolutions, though obviously much better than standard 480i.
Armed with this knowledge, I set out to find the best 50" plasma 720p I could find that fit within my budget. Sony and Pioneer were out. The next tier included Samsung, Toshiba, and Panasonic. The latter won hands down.
Whether I am watching DirectTV HD or my standard DVD player, the picture quality is nothing short of amazing. I love the anti-reflective coating on the screen; works beautifully in our well-lit room and does not mute the colors. It took a minute for my two year-old to get over Scooby-Doo outsizing him, but he's hooked now.
The one minor complaint I see in other reviews is bass distortion with the speakers. I do not use the "bass boost" function and have not noticed anything but clean sound. In fact, speech, music, and effects sound quite good and balanced. Most will use surround sound for movies anyway, I suspect. The only thing that peeves me is the digital audio out. It only supports 2 channel stereo to a receiver.
In closing, I believe this is the best value you will find for a top quality product in this category. Get one, and you won't just watch TV, you'll experience it.

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Panasonic VIERA 50" 720p Plasma HDTV

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11/10/2011

Panasonic TH-50PX75U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic TH-50PX75U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
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I've had this TV for 5 days now. I've spent the majority of those days cruising around the HD Tier of my local cable company. As far as the picture goes, it is simply beautiful. I've done a massive amount of tinkering with the settings. Not because I can't find the combination that I like, but because I just felt like playing around with it and comparing the different configurations. Do yourself a favor and make sure the first thing that you do is change the mode from "Vivid" to something else. "Vivid" is the factory default and most likely set that way to boost the attraction level for the showroom.
I started out by just using the calibration settings from http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com for the TH-50PX60U:
Picture Mode Standard
Picture +22
Brightness +8
Color -1
Tint -4
Sharpness -14
Color Temperature Warm
These gave the picture a warmer, more realistic feel right off the bat. Skin tones were much more realistic after calibrating to these settings. The TH-50PX75U is, for all intents and purposes, the same TV as the TH-50PX60U from last year with the former having a few more features.
I also decided to play around with the "Custom" mode and use the above settings as starting points. I decided to stick with the above settings for the time being as I find them most pleasing to the eye. Overall, the black levels look very good showing detail in the dark areas as well and the color is vivid. The picture looks very crisp and you get that "realism" factor that I have really only felt while researching plasmas and LCDs. Other technologies of HDTVs have not given me that "realism" feel.
I've found that it is possible to notice the differences between the various cable channels and the HD that they utilize. For instance, I was watching one of the NBA Conference Finals games on TNTHD and also flipping to a baseball game being broadcast on ESPNHD. TNTHD broadcasts in 1080i while ESPNHD broadcasts in 720p. I noticed that the ESPNHD baseball game was actually a tad more crisp and vibrant than the TNTHD basketball game broadcast. However, I also noticed that the basketball game looked more crisp whenever the main camera that is used to pan the floor during the action was not used and the action cut away to another camera. I was amazed that I could see the difference between the cameras being used within the same broadcast. That being said, the game action was still more crisp than anything that I have ever seen on my old tube, non-HD set. I think that I may have been able to assist this by tinkering with the settings a bit but it was far from an issue as it still looked great. Also, while I flipped back and forth between the baseball and basketball games I also happened upon a live concert which looked even better than either the baseball or basketball game. The detail was just stunning.
Also of note is the fact that you will notice that live events (sporting events, concerts) look much better in HD than a movie that is being broadcast in HD. The movies look very good and you won't be disappointed. I'm just trying to establish what to expect as a general rule.
I spent some time comparing the standard definition broadcasts versus the HD broadcast of the same events. For instance, I flipped back and forth between the basketball game being broadcast on TNT between their standard definition digital signal and their HD channel. If all you've ever known is non-HD TV you will not believe that you ever had to watch an event in standard definition when you do the flip-comparison. The amount of detail that I was missing with my old TV was just incredible.
I do not think that the standard definition channels are all that bad overall. Some better than others but for the most part it is slightly better than what I had been used to watching on my old TV. This, at least to me, is saying something being that this TV is 50" versus my old 27" non-HD TV. I was expecting the fuzziness of standard definition channels to be exaggerated because of being spread out over a much larger screen. I have also been using the "Just" aspect ratio when viewing standard definition channels which is like the "Full" aspect ratio except that it uses some sort of algorithm to make the center 1/3 of the picture appear without the appearance of being "stretched" and the outer 2/3 of the picture is stretched which seems to present a more normal presentation in lieu of being stretched. I am doing this simply as a precautionary measure during the first couple of hundred hours of viewing to guard against image retention (burn-in). I realize that the technology has come a long way in eliminating image retention but I would rather be cautious.
There is no PIP with this unit. However, this is not an issue for me as my HD/DVR cable box has the PIP feature which works just fine for what I will use it for.
I do not currently have a lot of peripherals and don't ever plan on having much more than I have now. I currently have my old DVD player (connected via component video), my XBox 360 (connected via component video) and my HD/DVR cable box (connected via HDMI). That leaves me with one more HDMI port and no more component video connections along with the composite and S-Video connections. I plan on getting an Upconverting DVD-Recorder that I will connect via the remaining HDMI connection thus freeing up one of my component video connections. Other than that I am looking into some sort of Home Theater In A Box (HTIB) that I will be connecting to the setup. I would have liked to have another HDMI connection for that purpose but I will manage.
The built-in speakers are more than adequate for now and I really don't have any complaints about them. Not overwhelming but they are fine until I can get a HTIB.
The pedestal stand that comes with the TV seems quite sturdy and was very simple to assemble and connect to the TV. Once on the stand the TV seems quite well balanced and it would take quite a shove for it to tip over. Panasonic also provides you with a couple of bands that you can use to screw into the TV itself and then to the stand that you place the TV on if you are not planning on wall-mounting the set to make it a little more stable. I prefer the stand/pedestal mounting personally.
The TV is in a fairly well-lit room during the day and even though this particular model does not have the glare reducing shield that the next level up model has, I have not experienced any issues with glare. This was a concern for me but I have been pleasantly surprised.
The black bezel/casing looks infinitely better to me than the TH-50PX60U's silver. It was a wise change by Panasonic for this year's model.
The remote is simple yet very functional. I like the larger buttons and everything is easy to find. The menu system is sufficient although I still find myself exiting out of a sub-menu when I didn't want to from time to time. This is probably more a result of getting familiar with the menu system than anything else.
Overall, I could not be happier with this HDTV thus far.

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The TH50PX75U gives you 50 spectacular inches (diagonal) of high definition television, and includes built-in ATSC, NTSC and QAM tuners and two HDMI connections. The 10th generation plasma panel delivers 1368 x 768 resolution, and up to 10,000:1 contrast ratios. There's even an SD memory card slot and JPEG photo viewer.

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11/09/2011

Mitsubishi WD-57733 57-Inch 1080p DLP HDTV Review

Mitsubishi WD-57733 57-Inch 1080p DLP HDTV
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I bought this TV off Amazon over the summer to replace a Sony KDS-60A2000 that I had sold due to a move. I wanted to get the KDS-60A2020 to replace it but I had some concern about the weight/width for getting it into the family room of my new residence.
The Mitsubishi TV solved most of those problems. The TV is only about 14" deep and weighs around 65 lbs. Not bad for a TV of this size (the Sony was about 20" thick and weighed about 95 lbs).
The TV has 3 HDMI ports (all of which are being used now, compared to the Sony's 2) and has dual digital tuners. It's useful if you want to get OTA HDTV and your regular cable as well.
Really the only flaws are some weird screen geometry (warping on the left-hand side of the screen) and occasional issues with HDCP and the HDMI. Supposedly the set is using HDMI 1.3 and I think this may be causing sets with the Playstation 3 which is also supposedly HDMI 1.3.
My other HDMI devices, an Xbox 360 and a HD cable box both work fine but sometimes the PS3 just loses the signal and I have to plug/unplug the cable from the back of the TV. I haven't had any issues with component or any other connections, just the PS3's HDMI. There's also a noticeable lag when changing resolutions via HDMI (I've noticed when changing from 480p/720p/1080i/1080p).
I'd also say that the remote is kind of cheap and not that great (although the multifunction abilities were able to interact 75% properly with my rather obscure audio system successfully drop down to 2 remote controls).
Those are not huge deal breakers for me and the cost for the size was great. Plus, as a DLP set I'm less worried about the green blob issue that I used to notice on my Sony set.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mitsubishi WD-57733 57-Inch 1080p DLP HDTV

The WD-57733 is a large 57-inch DLP (Digital Light Processing) rear-projection HDTV from Mitsubishi that incorporates the latest technologies for an accurate picture that is perfect for a large home theater system.
Giant Performance, Small Footprint Because the latest Texas Instruments 1080P DLP chip is inside, this television yields the full 1920 x 1080 high-definition resolution with progressive scan, the highest quality HDTV standard today. With a television this size, offering more than two million pixels is important to prevent visible pixelation.
The television can display any video signal that is connected to it. When a 1080p signal is the input, it passes through with no down conversion: The 1080p signal is maintained from beginning to end, giving the best picture quality. When a lower resolution is detected, whether it is 720p HD or a DVD, the signal is automatically scaled to display at 1080p, with minimal side effects and a very detailed picture.
The screen is big and the technologies are many, but the unit itself weighs only 62.4 pounds and is only 14 inches deep, which means it will fit into many decors.
More Color The WD-57733 incorporates a slew of new technologies that combine to give this television the most realistic color reproduction available on the market today. The new x.v.Color standard is supported, which dramatically increases the color space available, with 80 percent more color than standard HDTV.
The WD-57733 also supports Deep Color, a new standard that incorporates 10-bit color depth, versus the previous 8-bit color depth. With Deep Color, shaded images show less banding and greater contrast.
Coupled with this technology is Mitsubishi's exclusive 6-Color Light Engine, which uses six primary colors instead of the traditional three to create more colors. Mitsubishi's Color 4D Noise Reduction, PerfectColor, and PerfectTint yield a wider color palette and the ability to fine tune the set to your exact preferences. The end result is a brighter, smoother, and more realistic picture than ever before.
Connections Galore You don't need to worry about running out of connections with the WD-57733. It has three HDMI 1.3 inputs with Simplay HD certification, so you can connect your Blu-Ray player, HD DVD player, and still have an input left over. It also has three component video inputs (two rear, one front), a front USB connection so you can display up to five-megapixel photographs, and two A/V inputs with S-Video. It has a Dolby Digital/PCM output and an analog stereo output.
The WD-57733 is backed by a limited 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box WD-57733 57-inch DLP HDTV, remote control, two AA batteries, owner's guide, quick reference guide, quick connect guide, and product registration card.

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11/02/2011

Samsung HLP5063W 50-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready DLP Television Review

Samsung HLP5063W 50-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready DLP Television
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Here's a feedback which I left for HLP 4663 model TV also. HLNs are older than HLP and the feedback below compares HLP/HLN/HLM. It does not has the nunmber of input/output (composite/component etc) since that can easily be found on the product description page.
This reviews pretty much applies to all the DLP level TVs from Samsung. I researched for around more than couple of months before finally buying this one.
Samsung initially started with HLM/HLN series DLP models which were using HD2 chip from Texas Instruments and the contrast ratio was 1000:1. This performed very well in reviews, quality and black level as compared to Sony LCD rear projection.
The next series is the latest on which is HLP xx63 series where xx is the size in diagonal (HLP 4663, HLP 5063). The improvements in this are 7 segment color wheel instead of 6-segment, which gives better color. This also uses 3rd generation chip HD3 which has contrast ratio of 1500:1. The bulb are also better in this one since there were some problems in the earlier version of the TV. This is a great TV, light weight as compared to some other and plasmas.
The next series which is out only in 2 models is HLP 5085 and HLP5685. These are also 7-segment color wheel but they have HD2+ chip. This is 4th generation chip and is better than HD3. Its contrast ratio is 2500:1 which should mean better black levels. These are the ones with pedestal which looks cool in the picture but is kinda bulky looking in the store. I'm not sure why this model is not out in 46 inches, may be it doesn't make difference in smaller sizes.
Next, 5th generation chip is going to be xHD3 and should give around 4500:1 contrast ratio.
Overall, DLPs are better since they have better contrast than plasmas and weigh less. They also don't have a burn-in issue like plasmas. HLP series is the best one till now and Samsung is the oldest player in this.
Other manufacturers are also catching up, so this should drive the price down further. good for consumers.
Hope this helps and good luck shopping.
--------
Some more feedback on the picture and input modes after two weeks into the purchase:
The contrast ratio of HLN/HLP series are good provided you are watching the TV at the same height. If you watch from slightly above/below or left/right, then you'll see it slightly less bright. Just like a laptop screen behaves, maye slightly better.
It has following picture modes:
- 4:3 standard definition (SD) cable programming. puts black bars on the side of the picture if you watch it in this mode.
- wide mode (16:9). if you watch SD tv on this mode, it'll stretch the picture
- panorama mode. stretches only the outside portion of the picture making center of the picture in the correct proporting (aspect ratio) but the sides bit distorted
- zoom1/zoom2: they just soom in from the center with different stretching methods.
Component inputs (in SD and HD) aspect ratios only have normal and wide options. Normal being a little pinched, while wide is normal.
-----
Some more feedback after 5 weeks of purchase.
I started seeing some problems with the lamp. The manual says that when the bulb/lamp needs replacement, all the three lights on the front switch will start blinking. Atleast couple of times a day, the following was happening:
- when I switch on the TV, the lamp will try to bring the picture while the audio was there
- after couple of seconds tv will go to standby mode
- it'll turn on again after couple of seconds and try to bring up the picture
- and go again the loop to standby mode
something this happens 3-4 times and the pictures comes and sometime it just gives up and the tv turns off.
I'm glad that I bought the warranty after couple of weeks from Circuit city itself, otherwise lamps are not covered in one year Sammy warranty.
... to be continued ...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung HLP5063W 50-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready DLP Television

Samsung's HL-P5063W displays 50 inches of inviting widescreen viewing, elegantly framed in an ultra-light, thin-bezel cabinet. Weighing under 78 pounds and standing less than 15 inches deep, the high-definition-ready HL-P5063W offers more screen and less bulk. But it offers more than just quantity of screen: it's also engineered for quality.The secret to this DLP (Digital Light Processing) projection set's quality is its Emmy-winning technology from Texas Instruments. Samsung has combined its proprietary Cinema Smooth Gen 3 HD light engine and advanced optic enhancements with a single, postage-stamp-sized Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) capable of generating high-definition video images with film-like resolution, deep blacks, and robust colors. Samsung's Cinema Smooth light engine enhances brightness while ensuring an incredible 1,500:1 contrast ratio.Texas Instruments' DMD panel is immune to the factors that can cause other displays to deteriorate with use, imparting a longer life expectancy than that of cathode ray tube (CRT) sets, plasma display panels, and liquid crystal display systems (LCD, LCoS, HTPS).A host of advanced digital interfaces and video inputs make non-issues of connectivity challenges and future proofing. Hang it, mount it, rest it on a stand, or move it just about anywhere, anytime. The screen's surface is nearly 100 percent reflective, and its lightning-quick switching speeds make it twice as fast as earlier designs and nearly 1,000 times faster than competing micro-display technologies.The HL-P5063W's automatic digital-format conversion system converts any input (whether DTV, analog TV, or XGA computer sources at 1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i) to a progressive, 16:9 widescreen image with a 1,280 x 720 pixel count. A 3D Y/C digital comb filter dramatically reduces image-edge artifacts while improving transition detail, and the set's HD ultra-fine-pitch (.155 mm) screen further clarifies images, especially when you're viewing high-resolution sources like DVD and HDTV.Samsung's Cinema Smooth Film Mode 3:2 Pull Down correction circuitry addresses digital distortion in 480i (interlaced) video signals generated from 24 frames-per-second film.Finally, Samsung DNIe video enhancer (Digital Natural Image engine) works with all analog NTSC and wideband video signals for improvements in contrast, white level, and picture detail, incorporating digital noise reduction to improve lower-quality sources.The set offers digital-video inputs in 2 formats. A DVI-HDTV interface with HDCP copy protection permits all-digital rendering of video without the losses associated with an analog interface, and an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) jack channels both digital audio and video to simplify connections with newer DTV set-top boxes and DVD players by reducing hookups to just a single cable and plug.Other inputs include dual HDTV component-video inputs (480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i) for high-definition satellite receivers, HDTV tuners, and HD cable boxes with component video outputs (Y, Pb, Pr); 3 each composite- and S-video inputs; and 2 RF coaxial inputs for antennas or older VCRs or cable boxes. An audio/video output permits hookup with an external device such as a surround-sound receiver.A 15-watts-per-channel (x2) audio system with a pair of 2-way speakers comes with built-in SRS TruSurround XT, which simulates compelling surround sound through any stereo playback system, including headphones and the TV's speakers.Last but far from least, onboard 2-tuner PIP with side-by-side split-screen viewimng grants convenient simultaneous viewing of 2 TV programs, while a supplied universal remote control permits control of the TV, a DVD player, a VCR, and a tuner/surround receiver.What's in the Box TV, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty information.

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10/18/2011

LG 50PK950 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

LG 50PK950 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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As for most people who looked at the LG PK950, I was also torn between the Panasonic G25/G20 vs LG PK950/PK990. All reviews were in favor of the G25 for better blacks and picture quality. The PK950 had better aesthetic design, response times and less phosphor trails for gaming. In the end chose PK950 for flicker-free viewing. The protective glass was also a factor since my daughter broke our LCD TV with a marvelously aimed Wii controller and our 2 year old son used to doodle directly on said LCD screen.
PICTURE QUALITY: I went to Frys in Sunnyvale, CA where they had both side-by-side. Since the demo mode on both TVs were set to vivid, the G25 had a bit higher contrast(brighter) so I switch both to Cinema(54" G25)/THX Cinema(60" PK950) mode . This made it easier to compare picture quality (if remote not available, access picture menu from left side of TVs). The G25 seems to have better accuracy on colors but was a little dull. The PK950 had more pop color wise but was a tad reddish. The G25 had more details on the shadows but wasn't sure if it really had better black levels or if the brightness was just set higher(better shadow detail). So I switched the PK950 from THX Cinema mode to THX Bright mode. The PK950 now had similar levels of shadow detail and now was able to do a better evaluation. Both TVs had similar picture quality with these settings except that the PK950 was a bit reddish (not so bad and I was able to get calibration to get it fixed) but seems to have a better response time to fast motion scenes. Black levels were the same as far as I can tell. According to a [...] review, both the G25 and PK950 had the same black levels. For 3 non-consecutive days, I evaluated both TVs for 2-3hrs at a time and was at first going for the G25 for better color accuracy. What swayed me towards the PK950 was the G25 flickering while watching some DiscoveryHD channel scenes which wasn't exhibited in the PK950. I just couldn't get used to it. I went to some forums like [...] and confirmed that it wasn't just me seeing it. Having owned the PK950 for 3 days, I can say that I'm very happy with the black levels and the picture quality and now calibrated using the settings in the [...] pk950 review ([...]). I had to use the PC and some XBOX360 1080p games with black icons /scenes to properly evaluate the black level and I can confidently say the black levels are way better than most LCDs and other plasmas. G25 most likely has better blacks but potentially may have the floating black problems but maybe not. The PK950 also came without any dead pixels and had no visible problems with color accuracy including reddish tint using [...] calibration. The PK750 and PK950 also have an undefeatable sharpening/image processing (except if you label HDMI as PC and viewing 1080p content), but I don't even notice it so if you're not aware of it then the better. A firmware update is suppose to be in the works (see [...])
REFLECTIONS: If reflections are a concern as with all plasmas, I watch with all windows and 2 glass sliding doors open without shutters during day time. There are reflections from the glass doors. My viewing distance was from 10-12ft radius around the living room with the content viewable from all angles including retained black levels to 25-30ft away from the dining room. There are no reflections from the dining room where the sliding glass doors are situated but see some reflections in the living room from the glass doors. I guess I'm used to some reflections on glass panels like on a MacBook Pro so I don't mind much. Depending on angles where you sit like sitting from an angle behind the source of the reflection, removes some to all. I do think the TruBlack filter helps a bit but they need more work for daytime viewing. Nighttime is a different story. Even with all lights turned I don't see any reflections. Friends and family who came over 2 nights ago during a party at night (all lights on) thought we had a new slim LED LCD TV. When I told them it was a Plasma, they commented how there weren't any reflections at all and impressed with inherent brightness and color accuracy. No comments made on black levels and I forgot to ask. Overall, if you can control ambient lighting during daytime, you won't have anything to worry about with the PK950. At Frys, the G25 handled the reflections better.
IMAGE RETENTION: The PK950 still has image retention while playing some XBOX 360 games with static images (HUDs/icons) for 2+ hours but temporary. It's not something to worry about because they quickly disappear and that was when I wasn't using the "Orbiter" screen saver. Plasmas tend to get better with image retention after some break-in (100+ hours???). With Orbiter in place, haven't seen any image retention for now. By the way, the Panasonic 50" G25 (not the 54") in Frys Sunnyvale, CA has a permanent image retention on the upper right of the TV. Watch when you have a white background on the Panny 50" G25. This is why I didn't even consider image retention on the LG PK950 as a problem since all plasmas are susceptible even Panasonic's it seems.
GAMING: I played some XBOX 360 games on the PK950 including Super Street Fighter 4 and Modern Warfare 2 and I can say the input lag is hardly noticeable. I can still pull off Street Fighter moves without any timing adjustments. Online gaming had a more profound effect on my timings even on an LCD HDTV. The good news is that phosphor trails is hardly there in the PK950 compared to other plasmas ([...]). Modern Warfare 2 displayed a bit during a dark scene with some white 3D objects displaying some phosphor trails during a fast pan in any direction but hardly noticeable. Response times while playing Modern Warfare 2 is fast and you don't get that artificial motion processing you get with LCDs (my opinion). The Game picture mode seems to be the perfect AV mode for playing. THX Cinema and THX Cinema Bright dulls most colors but the deep blacks are retained in the Game AV mode anyway especially with black icons/HUDs. The [...] calibration seems to be ok for gaming as well.
WIDGETS: Only YouTube was compatible with the magic remote. Yahoo TV Widgets, Netflix, Vudu, and Twitter needs the regular remote for typing letters, numbers, and characters. It is a chore using the regular remote and prefer the magic remote like on the Wii to use the onscreen UI keyboard. The Yahoo TV Widgets is a bit slow and needs some improvements like caching maybe to lessen load times or that PK950 just doesn't have enough oomph. I'm used to the regular remote navigation with the ROKU Netflix box so it's not really a surprise how slow going it can be, but wished LG allowed third party keyboard/mouse to be supported. Waiting for Skype app since the LG AN-VC100 Video Call Camera is now available. LG hope you're reading this, keyboard/mouse support please for Skype chat and app usability. Haven't used Flicker and Picasa much. I wish Yahoo TV Widgets have more than 15 apps and had an IM widget. PK950 also come with free games and a Calendar. LG please add the ability to sync Outlook and Google Mail calendar with notifications...it'd the be one of the most used apps on the PK950 if implemented. You can't use THX Cinema, Expert isf, and other AV modes while using widgets but can still use regular Cinema, Sport, Standard, Vivid, etc and can change some color settings including brightness and contrast.
WIRED and WIRELESS: I tried both WIRED and the free WIRELESS dongle connections and didn't have any problems to setup. I only have a G router but was able to stream Netflix and Vudu in convincing full HD.
INPUT CONNECTIONS: PK950 can detect new connections like USB, Ethernet, HDMI, and Component or if the device connected to the input is turned on. It doesn't automatically switch and a confirmation box first asks the user whether to continue or not. PK950 is not 3D ready as far as I can tell.
MEDIA: LG has the best UI of all TVs I've seen in my opinion. It's easy to navigate through the menus. This is also true with their DLNA/USB media feature and the UI leaves you with a good experience even it is sometimes slow. Pictures, music, and videos in different encodings loaded without any problems. Even some big encoded HD videos that don't play properly in iPhones, Android, WM play just fine. Unlike widgets, you can change to THX Cinema AV mode, Expert isf mode, etc...
OVERALL: I recommend the 50PK950 to anyone shopping for a Plasma TV. My experience so far is great and have no regrets choosing the LG PK950 over the Panasonic G25.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG 50PK950 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

The ultimate in LG plasma displays is now available with the InfiniaTM PK950. Truly a marvel in plasma display design, it offers groundbreaking design elements, smart innovations like the anti-glare TruBlack Filter, THX certification and the wonders of broadband TV. Imagine anything you might want in a plasma display and it's been made a reality with the PK950.

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10/12/2011

Samsung HLT5087SAX 50-Inch Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV Review

Samsung HLT5087SAX 50-Inch Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV
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Like some others who have reviewed this set it represented the most expensive tv I have ever purchased. The 50inch version was the biggest I could fit in my tv room. Since Samsung has not yet released this model to brick and mortar stores I bought from Amazon. Initially all went well with Amazon confirming a receipt date about a week out. Then things went sour. Amazon handed the order off to Electronics Expo. Electronics Expo handed delivery off to EagleGL shipping. Eagle picked up the set at the Electronics Expo company in New Jersey on the 14th of May and took it to Philadelphia on the 15th. That day they claim they called my home to arrange delivery. No call came in as documented by my answering machine. BUT Eagle never made any attempt to contact me again. Instead they left the set in their warehouse for a week. As the original shipping time span was running out I contacted Amazon to get a better idea of when to expect the set but they didn't want to handle any questions. Instead they threw everything back to Electonics Expo. As far as Amazon was concerned I was not their customer - this was an issue with a third party vendor. Amazon would not help. It was up to me to contact the third party vendor for relief.
Doing some digging I found a phone number for Electronics Expo and called them. The person I spoke with said they had just changed shippers since their former shipper broke too many sets in delivery. Fortunately he gave me a phone number for Eagle. After several more days waiting I called Eagle, that's when I discovered the set was still in the warehouse and Eagle was happy to leave it that way.
Arrangements were finally made to have the set shipped the additional 30 miles to my home. I contacted Electronic Expo to let them know what I had discovered and arranged. The person I spoke with stated this was unacceptable bahaviour on the part of the shipper and that he would discuss this with his manager. I have yet to hear anything more from them.
I again contacted Amazon to let them know that the combination of Electronics Expo and EagleGl were destroying the reputation of Amazon as a trusted on-line vendor. Amazon again treated me as a stranger who was not their customer. Again they said that this was a problem for Electronics Expo. I doubt I'll ever buy anything this expensive from Amazon again. I also caution all others who are thinking of buying this set to check the supplier as shown on the Amazon item description page. If the vendor shows as Electronics Expo you'd be better off going directly to the vendors site and dealing directly. Don't get caught in the middle between Amazon and their third party vendors. Better yet, Samsung has stated that they will be selling these sets in bricks and mortar stores in June. Waiting a few more days will eliminate the need for any on-line transactions.
As for the set, it is fantastic. That's why I gave this review a 5. This set is more than state of the art. Picture clarity is so good you can put your nose on the screen (not recommended) and not see any pixels. It looks like film! Sound is good but connect this to a surround sound amp and you you'll have theater quality sound from DVDs and from television shows. Set up is relatively quick given the huge number of customizing controls this set offers.
So I highly recommend this set. Just be very careful about who you buy it from.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung HLT5087SAX 50-Inch Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV

Enjoy more picture and less frame with Samsung 's HL-T5087S DLP HDTV. The piano black bezel is just 0.6" wide; the set's slim depth lets it fit where others won't. The energy-efficient 50" screen features a powerful, long-lasting LED light engine that turns on almost instantly. Full HD 1080p resolution and Samsung Cinema Smooth technology deliver a wide range of brilliant colors, with bright images and crisp definition. The blackest blacks, brightest whites and nuanced tones are yours with a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
The HLT generation of Samsung DLP HDTVs are capable of displaying future 3D games, movies, and other programming via 3D compatible glasses and hardware.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) for modern color realization Samsung's new LED light engine replaces the arc lamp & color wheel design of previous DLP HDTVs, and realizes beautiful color. LED will last the life of the TV. Samsung LED DLP TVs eliminate the need to replace the consumable lamps every few years, and thus have less impact on the environment and on one’s wallet. Samsung's LED light engine makes possible an Ultra-Wide Color Gamut that exceeds the NTSC defined color space spec for richer color than you've seen before on TV. Samsung DLP HDTVs with an LED engine are more energy efficient than similar sized flat panel displays, and the lack of a moving color whell in the design means they perform with less noise than any previous DLP HDTV design.
Cinema Smooth Light Engine Samsung is the worldwide leader in creating light engines that harness DLP HDTV technology from Texas Instruments. Samsung’s CinemaSmooth light engine brings together the right optics, electronic circuitry and replaceable light source to create a brilliant picture that’s morelifelike and much closer to film. Now in its sixth year of evolution, Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine delivers crisp, 1080p HighDefinition resolution with high contrast and brightness, defined edges and sharp detail.
Next Generation DLP Chips from Texas Instruments Samsung employs a Texas Instruments DLP chip that is comprised of millions of microscopicmirrors. The DLP chip is faster than any other HDTV technology, with the mirrors switchingon & off 15,000 times a second to deliver a razor-sharp picture for fast moving images.When combined with Samsung’s new Cinema Smooth light engine, the result is a crisp,bright picture with deep, rich colors that’s closer to film.
SRS TruSurround Samsung HDTVs are equipped with the best that technology can offer in sound quality. Even when viewing regular broadcasts, Samsung's two speaker surround sound makes you feel as if the theater has been brought to your living room.

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10/01/2011

Heavy Duty Swivel Wall Mount for 42"-58" Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp, Ingsignia, Vizio Review

Heavy Duty Swivel Wall Mount for 42-58 Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp, Ingsignia, Vizio
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Great piece of AV gear...heavy duty was what I needed...this mount fit my needs perfectly. Spent a little more but well worth it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Heavy Duty Swivel Wall Mount for 42"-58" Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp, Ingsignia, Vizio

This Solidmounts UADD-850 Dual Arm Articulating Swing-Arm TV wall mount is great news for owners of flat-panel TVs. Heavy Duty: It's designed to safely and securely support large displays 42" to 58". This mount is easy to install and use, and combines full swivel and tilt capabilities to optimize viewing for any Plasma/LCD display. Its rugged simplicity provides a balance of solid construction with ease of use. The Universal Adapter design allows installation of virtually any 37" to 58" Plasma/LCD in just minutes!. This wall-mount supports Displays up to 150 lbs. This mount combines smart engineering with outstanding fit and finish. Extends 32" which is virtually unheard of.

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8/08/2011

Samsung HPT5054 50-Inch Plasma HDTV Review

Samsung HPT5054 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
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The samsung 5054 is great to look at and the picture is excellent at 720p. You would be hard pressed to discern a difference over the 1080p HDTV's. But, the HDMI input suffers from random audio drop off. Samsung offers no explanation, other than to blame the Cable box or the HDMI cables. You are watching a program and suddenly, no audio. You must turn the TV off and the sound does come back. Samsung says to bypass the HDMI and use the component inputs.Sort of like saying, just use the low speed on the wipers since the high speed does not work. Anyway, if HDMI is important to you, do not buy this TV. If you do not mind using low tech and cumbersome component cables, it will serve you fine.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung HPT5054 50-Inch Plasma HDTV

Offering a rich feature set and exceptional quality for its price, Samsung HPT4254 50-inch 720p plasma TV uses the company'slatest DNIe enhancement circuitry to deliver outstanding brightness, contrast, and image clarity. Use it for home theater and use it for your PC--it's perfect for both. In addition to a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, it also features an integrated ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates (the set will still require a set-top tuner for receiving non-terrestrial HD broadcasts from channels like HBO or Discovery).Other noteworthy features include a 60,000 hour panel life, Samsung's unique auto pixel-shifting technology to prevent burn-in, a gaming mode, cinema progressive film mode, and 3 HDMI connections. This model is also compatible with an Auto wall-mount Samsung will release this year that is controllable in 3-dimensions via the HTDV's own remote control.
While the HP-T5054 Samsung's entry level 50-inch 720p plasma for 2007, it differs from the step-up HP-T5064 only in the cosmetic design, and the lack of a USB2.0 connection. Both models offer the same high level of digital image processing, 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and HDMI connectivity. If you want a USB connction for playing photo files or MP3s, check out the HPT4264.
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. Thanks to the new 13-bit processing capability of DNIe, the HP-S4253 can produce over 549 billion colors (compared to the one billion colors that TVs with 10-bit processing can produce.
Single-tuner Picture in Picture This HDTV has a picture-in-picture feature, but it only has a single tuner which does not allow POP to function n the same mode. For example, you can't watch one TV channel in the main screen and another channel in the PIP screen. You can watch a tv channel in one screen and view contnet from your computer or a DVD in another. This tends to be the functional limitationof PIP in most HDTVs currently available.
Connections:
HDMI connections: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
S-Video Inputs: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
Component Video A/V Input: 2 (rear)
PC (RGB) input: 1 (rear)
Composite video input: 1 (side)
Headphone Jack: 1 (side)
RF input: 2 (rear)

What's in the box Plasma HDTV, Remote control, 2 AAA batteries, Power cord, Owner's Instructions/Quick Setup Guide, Warranty Card, Registration Card, Safety Guide Manual, Cloth-Clean.

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8/03/2011

Samsung HL56A650 56-Inch 1080p Slim DLP HDTV Review

Samsung HL56A650 56-Inch 1080p Slim DLP HDTV
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I've had this HDTV for a week and am completely satisfied with it. The picture quality is top notch and the set is easy to operate. There are plenty of inputs for other components and I use many of them already. Over the air 1080i HDTV from the major networks and PBS is amazing, it's hard to believe broadcasts of this quality are free. Standard DVDs played in our upconverting Sony DVP-NS77H upconverting player are very good, of course not Blu-ray/1080p quality but way better than they looked on our old SDTV.
The screen is bright and the colors are nearly perfect. My wife and I still can't believe how good this TV is. When you see rear projection sets in the store they don't look that impressive, especially next to a 58" plasma flat panel but once you get it home you won't be sorry. I can't imagine paying $4500 for a plasma this size when you get so much for under $1400.
The geometric distortion problems of last year are greatly improved with the stronger and deeper cabinet. Not much wrong with this model at all. Of course take a look at the HLxxA750 LED models as well. They're a bit more expensive but the LED light engine will save you money down the road. I liked the PQ of the A650 slightly better and figured the cheaper price would offset the cost of a lamp replacement a few years from now.
I bet you'll love this Samsung!

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Bask in the super-realistic details and high-quality 1080p resolution of this SAMSUNG DLP HDTV. Only Cinema SmoothTM technology delivers a wide range of brilliant colors and sharp definition you have to see to believe. Plus, make action-packed images much faster, smoother, and flicker-free with the 3D-ready HL56A650 DLP® TV. Wonder how this 56" screen will fit in your living room? Display this work of art anywhere - the slim depth fits where others won't.

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6/02/2011

Samsung PN50B560 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Samsung PN50B560 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Average Reviews:

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I already knew I wanted Plasma over LCD. So I spent weeks reading reviews and comparing specs of everything from Panasonic G15/G10 & S1 to Samsungs B650, B560, and B550. I came to the conclusion that Samsung has better color accuracy and Panasonic has better black levels. However, Panasonic also has better customer service and a lower percentage of TV's with issues. There has been numerous reports of the Samsung 2009 B series Plasma's having a "buzzing" issue. While they scared me a little, I decided that the TV for me was the Samsung PN50B560.
If you are comparing Samsungs, the B560 has the Crystal Full HD Engine with Cinema Smooth, while the B550 does not. The B650 also has Crystal Full HD Engine with Cinema Smooth, but an with an added feature, an ethernet port for using widgets, like weather, sports, stocks, etc... Something I've read is very slow and not very impressive. The 650 also has the red touch of color bezel. The 550 and 560 both have charcoal blended in, which I preferred.
I am pleased with the colors and black levels of this TV. I also have a Panasonic 50PX80U and I can't tell much of a difference. Physically, the TV is also very attractive, much nicer than Panasonic, and the swivel stand is also nice to have.
Defending the common CONS:
Buzz: My TV does not buzz
Speakers: They sound fine, my Panasonic sounds slightly better. But speakers in flat panel TV's are not going to be impressive, I think people just expect to much out of them.
Glare: Yes, there will be some glare, its a Plasma. However, compared to other Plasma's I looked at in the store, it's not a big difference. I didn't make it a factor.
In summary, if you are on a budget, I recommend the Samsung B560 or B550. If you can spare an extra few hundred more, go with a Panasonic G15 or G10. When it comes down to it, you'll be happy with any of these choices, unless you are a videophile, you'll never notice the difference.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50B560 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Samsung’s new PN50B560 plasma flat panel HDTV redefines our commitment to design, performance, and cost of ownership. Its 50 inches of 1080p Full HD picture performance makes it the perfect living room centerpiece. The attractive Touch of ColorTM design adds a subtle clear-to-charcoal gray accent to the set’s bezel. Enjoy brilliant, film-like images in Full HD resolution. Samsung’s breakthrough mega dynamic contrast ratio offers a more accurate color tonal range, deeper blacks and shadow details. The new E-Panel technology featuring our innovative FilterBrightTMtechnology reduces glare in brighter rooms and our advanced Crystal Full HD Engine expands the picture viewing experience with less power consumption. Add 4 advanced HDMI inputs that feature Samsung’s Anynet+ (CEC standard) technology making system control of compatible A/V devices like a Blu-ray player or HTIB system a one-touch operation. Experience Full 1080p performance on Samsung’s new B560 series plasma HDTVs that are easy on the environment and easy on the wallet.

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5/23/2011

Panasonic TC-P50C2 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic TC-P50C2 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
Average Reviews:

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I've had this TV almost a week and like it more everyday.
Bought it from Best Buy for $680 with free delivery and set up.
When the delivery guys set it up, thye told me that in order to get
the picture that I saw in the showroom, that I had to switch out
my Direct TV receiver and dish to HD. Called Direct TV and had the HD
dish and receiver installed. Boy, what a difference. I can't get
over how great the picture is, and you can't beat the price. I played
BB against HHGregg, and they both fell over each other trying to get the sale.
It listed for $800 at both places, but I got it for $680. I've read about
buzzing noise complaints, but I have not had this problem. This is the 2010
version of this model. I'm a happy camper.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic TC-P50C2 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

Offering excellent picture performance, Panasonic's 50-inch VIERA TC-P50C2 Plasma HDTV features a 720p high-definition resolution and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity. This and other models in the C2 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you'll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours--more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day--before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA C2 series Plasma HDTV.

Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic C2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

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5/13/2011

LG 50PJ350 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

LG 50PJ350 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
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I've only had this a few days so there's a lot I've yet to adjust to, but I wanted to write up some quick notes for anyone interested in this set.
- Well, it's October 2010 and I've had it for a few months so am offering some updates.
#1 Overall, I like it a lot. I use it for my standard def ancient Replay DVR, Wii, PS3 and computer.
- Still like it a lot. The Replay DVR is history, replaced by a newer EyeTV that records HiDef over air channels. The standard def picture is growing more and more quaint. Where I have the option I'll watch the better HiDef picture. I use it via my computer almost exclusively with a browser window open and a TV window playing.
- Video game picture quality is ridiculously awesome. No pixel blur that I can detect. When I had my Sony DLP set I would get headaches playing certain 1st person shooters, that hasn't happened with this tv.
#2 The remote is a lot better than I'd hoped for. It could be heftier with a better balance, but LG has taken pains not to put more on it than you need.
- I take it back. The arrow buttons (">", "

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG 50PJ350 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

If you think plasma means a bulky frame or power inefficiency, take a second look at the 50-inch LG 50PJ350 720p Plasma HDTV, which features a TruSlim Frame that helps trim away distraction without compromising screen size. Other features include 600Hz Sub Field Driving for elimination of motion blur, a mega contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1, stereo speakers with 20 watts of power and Dolby Digital decoding, three HDMI ports, and the capability to play MP3 audio files and JPEG photo slideshows from a USB drive.

Key Features
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4/21/2011

Samsung PN50C430 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black) Review

Samsung PN50C430 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
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Samsung and Panny's are 1a & 1b when it comes to plasmas. You really can't go wrong either way, they both offer exceptional value in their 720p sets. And obviously if you are checking this TV out value and price are a big deal to you (me too!). So why did did I go with this set over a Panny? It just happened to be cheaper at the time of purchase, I would have went either way.
I could go into the big 720p vs 1080p debate and take up a whole page. I am sure you've read many reviews already making the case for each. But the truth is, you wouldn't be looking at this TV if price didn't matter. I am not calling you poor!! You just have some reason why you don't want to pony up for 1080p, that's cool, me too. The PN50C430 does exactly what it was meant to, a great picture for a great price. As for burn in/image retention, just don't leave something static on there for hours and you'll be fine. If you get image retention just watch some TV and it will go away. Don't use the scrolling or white features, it's better to exercise the pixels with TV to get rid of image retention.
Ok first the PN50C430 vs. the PN50C450 model. These are basically the same TV. The 450 model has 1 more HDMI port and Touch of Color (a little red/maroon stripe of color on the bezel of the TV). That's it. I went with the 430 because I didn't like the red TOC. I wish it would have had that extra HDMI port, but there are solutions for that. I also own the 2008 PN50A450 model. It has a nice silver stripe on the bezel which looks better than both of the 2010 models. Anyway, now with the quick pro's and con's summary.
Pro's:
Great picture for cheap! HD looks very good.
Good colors and tones, realistic
Nice looking (would like to have the silver stripe though!)
Much thinner than the 2008 model
More power efficient than the 2008 model
Lighter than the 2008 model (+/- 20 lbs!)
Good warranty
Basic menus but enough to customize picture nicely
Not a surround system by any means but decent sound for a flat panelCon's:
No swivel stand, the 2008 model has it and it's great :(
Remote, it's cheap but serviceable. You could always buy a better one though.
Hookups, it's manageable but it should have had 2 more HDMI ports and it doesn't have VGA
Buzzing, but it's not really noticeable unless right up next to the TV or with no sound on
SD picture is ok, it's crisp enough but a little dark even with AVS Forum recommended settings

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50C430 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)

Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN50C430, with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio makes sure every frame is saturated with dense, rich color. Samsung is also ENERGY STAR compliant so you are assured that your 50 -inch plasma HDTV is helping the environment by using less enery while saving you money.

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Buy cheap Samsung PN50C430 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black) now.

3/27/2011

Samsung PN50C6500 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Black) Review

Samsung PN50C6500 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Black)
Average Reviews:

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I purchased this TV after many months of research to replace a 7 year old 17" LCD TV for my bedroom. I have an extensive movie collection and I had nowhere else I could watch my blu-rays except for the TV in my Dad's man cave. I got sick of my Dad kicking me out all the time, so I decided to invest in a television that will last at least a few years. I chose this model because I wanted a plasma for the size/price ratio, and the superior picture quality. I also considered the Panasonic G20/25, LG PK950, and the Samsung C7000. Panasonic's response to their rising black levels, plus the floating blacks really crossed that off my list quickly. I was pretty much set on the PK950, but when I researched the price it happened to be on sale. Well, when I was ready to purchase the price jumped up $200 and did not decrease in the few weeks I waited. So, I jumped on a good price on this model. I saw the C7000 in store and was not all that impressed by the black level, but I had read that C6500 was supposed to be a bit better because it is not 3D. Since I plan on purchasing an additional television in a few years, I decided to wait on a 3D model until more content becomes available/affordable.
Delivery: I ordered my TV from Amazon on Saturday, June 26th and scheduled delivery during checkout for Tuesday, July 6th. My TV shipped on the 27th, so I was hoping it might arrive early since it was only coming from about 5 hours away. Since I never received a call, I expected the TV to come during the window I scheduled. My scheduled time came and went, and nothing. Frustrated, I called Pilot, the delivery service. The customer representative told me my package was still at its origin and was not scheduled to arrive in my state until the next day! So, basically I was told Pilot held my package for a week. I was not happy, but I was told I should be called the next day to schedule delivery. Well, the next day I still had not received a call. Finally at 6 o'clock I called Pilot again. This representative was considerably nicer, and connected me to the courier responsible for the delivery. Turns out they lost my paperwork, but the woman I talked to was very nice and apologetic and said my package would arrive the next day and I would be called an hour in advance. The next morning I was getting everything ready hoping my package would actually arrive when I received a call from a local courier, not Pilot, saying they did not read the note to call an hour ahead and were actually outside my house asking if they could deliver the TV then. Two men came in, assembled the TV on its stand, placed it where I wanted it and plugged it in before asking for a signature. A great experience once they arrived, but don't think your scheduled delivery time is absolute. If you haven't heard anything the day before your appointment, make sure you call the carrier before you take any time off of work.
Aesthetically, the c6500 is a beautiful set. Nice and slim, with an all black flat border and a bit of clear plastic that extends over the side. The base is black and matches the television. It is almost as impressive off as it is on.
Buzz: I walked out of my bedroom when the delivery guys left, and when I walked back in I heard a strange buzzing sound. My house was completely silent so it was definitely noticeable, and when I heard it I realized it was the infamous Samsung buzz. The first few days it was a little distracting, but I got over it very quickly. Now I only notice it when I am dead center and the volume is either low or I am at a silent part of a movie. Not a deal breaker for me, but I can see why it would be to some people.
Image Retention: My 7 year old LCD has big image retention issues, oddly enough. With that TV, the whole image would stay on the screen for quite a while before it would go away, colors and all. With the Samsung, it's more of a shadow of the image. Menus and text are the most susceptible if they appear for longer than twenty seconds. I do not think this is a problem as it fades so quickly, and there is a scrolling pattern that can be activated to clear off anything that is particularly persistent.
Reflections: This TV does fairly well with reflections. I have a window opposite the TV with a blind in it that does not fit, so light comes through around the frame. It stills shows up on the screen, but I can easily ignore it and it does not detract from the image. If you've had a CRT or any TV with a glass front, you should know what to expect. If you have large windows opposite the screen, you may want to consider a matte screen LCD.
Picture Quality: I have watched a variety of content on this TV and overall I am very pleased. I admit I am very picky and critical when it comes to a good picture. The color accuracy is very good. When I watch blu-rays I am amazed at just how crisp the picture is. The TV in my Dad's man cave is a rear projection Mitsubishi. Even with blu-rays, I don't feel the picture is as fluid and uniform as my Samsung. The colors definitely pop, although they do not pop as much as my Dad's Mitsubishi and definitely not as much as my Uncle's Pioneer Kuro. I don't think most people would notice, but you might if you are accustomed to LCDs. Don't get me wrong, it still pops, just not as much as what I'm used to. As for the black level, it's not as deep as I had hoped. The Mitsubishi without a doubt has deeper blacks and it's something I notice whenever there are black bars. If the screen is filled however I do not notice it as much. This is just me being extremely critical and most people would not notice. Since this is a bedroom TV, I do not have a cable box. Only the channels that come through my coaxial cable straight to the TV. SD is what it is, though I will say this TV does a decent job at it. Surprise to me, this model picks up OTA HD channels. Quality greatly depends on the content, but I am impressed. I considered it a huge compliment when my sister took over my TV and my room to watch the All Star baseball game on Fox HD. For her to do that, someone who does not care about picture quality at all, the picture HAS to be good. Even though the blacks are not as deep, I still feel the picture is superior to most televisions out there.
Internet: I bought this model because it has the internet apps and connectivity. Ignore the Samsung chart on Amazon's information page, it is inaccurate and this television definitely has the apps. I wanted to be able to stream movies, and upgrade firmware without complications. I have an older Samsung blu-ray player that has no usb or wifi, and can only be updated through a CD or LAN which is on a different floor of the house. It is an absolute pain so I did not want that issue with my television. My router is in my bedroom so I could have easily run an ethernet cable, but in preparation for moving in the future I wanted to be wireless. Instead of spending $60 on the Samsung dongle, I bought a Rosewill adapter that has the same chipset for $27 shipped. Much cheaper and works perfect. I tried Amazon's VOD because of the credit I was given for registering. I watched Kill Bill and the HD was good but not blu-ray quality. And when I paused, the pause menu overlapped with the black bars so it stayed for quite a while since nothing else showed up on that part of the screen. A little annoying, but nothing the scrolling bars couldn't fix. I love having access to so many movies instantly so I am definitely going to invest in a Netflix account since they seem to have the most content. There is also Vudu, which gives you one free rental, Blockbuster, and some Best Buy movie channel. I don't have much use for the Facebook or Twitter apps, so I cannot comment on those. Pandora is missing which I know is a favorite of many.
Other: After just an hour of use, this TV starts to get very hot. My Dad has walked into my room several times when my door has been closed and asked why was it so hot, when I have to respond that it's because of my TV. In a small closed off room, like my bedroom, it can get a little stuffy. Larger open rooms should provide enough circulation to minimize the problem. Fortunately we have central air, but if we didn't I don't know if I could sit in my bedroom with this on. And for those interested, there is a Samsung app for the IPhone/IPod Touch to turn it into a remote for all internet connected 2010 televisions. I found it a bit annoying and unnecessary, but some of you may enjoy it.
Overall I think this is a great television that demands some serious bragging rights. After spending about eight months researching and wondering if I will make the right choice, I am very happy I bought the C6500. HOWEVER, for anyone who is really keen on investing in 3D technology, I suggest either the C7000/8000 series, or the recently released C680 Plasma. It appears to be exactly the same as the C6500 but with 3D and it even has the same MSRP. If 3D is not an issue, buy the 6500 series. You will not regret it, especially at this price!
Update: Pandora has been added as an app for all those who are interested.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50C6500 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Black)

Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN50C6500, with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio makes sure every frame is saturated with dense, rich color. Samsung is also ENERGY STAR compliant so you are assured that your 50 -inch plasma HDTV is helping the environment by using less enery while saving you money.

Buy Now

Buy cheap Samsung PN50C6500 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Black) now.