HDTV Reviews

Westinghouse LTV-32w3 HDis a bargin priced 32-inch HDTV ($800 list) is among the least-expensive high-definition LCD TVs we have seen to date. Equally impressive are the LTV-32w3 selection of video inputs and its ease of use.

I have yet to see a Westinghouse display that requires assembly, and the LTV-32w3 HD continues this trend with its factory-attached table stand and two integrated stereo speakers (10 watts each) set below the screen. The charcoal-gray bezel and matching stand are matte-finished to minimize reflections, and thin silver-colored trim outlines the TV, creating a well-contrasted border. The 34-pound HDTV (with its stand) measures 24.2 by 32.3 by 8.1 inches (HWD), and the display panel itself is 4.4 inches deep.

The LTV-32w3 has a great selection of HD-compatible A/V inputs, which includes two sets of component-video inputs, one HDMI port, a DVI-D connector, and a VGA input for PC use.
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The Toshiba C2000 REGZA LCD is the more basic line of the REGZA series, compared to the Z2000, and the H2000. The C2000 line are still very nice sets, and are going to save you some money over the more advanced models if you don’t mind not having all the latest top notch features.
The C2000 feature a 1,366×768 resolution, and is available in a variety of sizes, the 42-inch 42C2000, the 37-inch 37C2000, 32-inch 32C2000, 26-inch 26C2000 and the 23-inch 23C2000.
The C2000 REGZA has very similar connections as the H2000, with two HDMI inputs, a single D4 input, two s-video, three composite, and an optical output. Unlike the H2000, the C2000 does not feature Toshiba’s iNet programing guide information software.

The Toshiba H2000 REGZA series does not have the same high resolution as the Z2000 but still has a respectable 1366 x 768 resolution. The H2000 LCDs are available in 42-inch 42H2000, 37-inch 37H2000, and 32-inch 32H2000.
The H2000 REGZA line feature two HDMI inputs, a single D4 input, two s-video, three composite, and an optical output. These sets can get their programming guide information via the Internet from Toshiba’s iNet system. There is also a 300GB Hard drive loaded into the H2000 line internally, and can record up to 30 hours.

The H2000 range should be out late October.

The Toshiba Z2000 line is 1080p and does not disappoint. The 47-inch (47Z2000), 42-inch(42Z2000), and the 37-inch (37Z2000) have a native resolution of 1920 x 1080, while the smaller 32-inch(32Z2000) Z2000 has a resolution of 1366 x 768. The Z2000 has some interesting differences regarding connection over most other HDTV’s out there. The Z2000 REGZA is equipped with three DMI ports, two D4 inputs, two S-Video, four composites, two IEEE 1394, three RF inputs and three Ethernet ports, yes three!
The Z2000 line has had a new electronic programming guide installed which looks great, and can also play files from a PC or from the new RAID-5 equipped media server, via the Ethernet connections.

NuVision is proud to announce that it will feature its 2006 line of critically acclaimed 23-, 26-, 32-, and 37-inch Deep Blackâ„¢ LCD televisions at the 2006 CEDIA Expo, held in Denver from September 14-17 at the Colorado Convention Center, booth 2200 (Ballroom level). The 2006 line of NuVision’s acclaimed LCD televisions feature several improvements over its previous generation models and are all either currently shipping or scheduled to ship by September.

In addition to the new 2006 models, NuVision will also preview two new larger screen 1080p LCD monitors at CEDIA that are planned for shipment in Q4 2006.
The 42-inch model and the 47-inch model are monitors that will feature new cabinet designs with bottom mounted detachable speakers.

“In NuVision’s relatively short lifetime, we have already garnered tremendous industry accolades as well as media reviews that credited us with the highest rating of any LCD television on the market,” explained Scott Deley, NuVision CEO. “Our 2006 generation builds upon our previous models, and all NuVision models feature a simple-to-use remote control that features discrete input and picture formatting selection rather than the usual industry practice of forcing the consumer to go through a menu system for these commonly used features.”
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The Samsung LE40R73BD is the 40-inch LCD from the R73 subsection of the great R7 range from Samsung.

The LE40R73BD has an impressive 5000:1 contrast ratio, 1366×768 resolution, a very snappy 8ms response time, and 178°/178° viewing angle. The LE40R73BD features DNIeâ„¢ (Digital Natural Image engine), Samsung LCD TVs revolutionary technology, offers digital perfection in the form of crystal clear images in which even the smallest details are captured. Images appear as close to real life as they can possibly be.

Among the numerous features, the LE40R73BD has the screen size control, the teletext and Picture-in-Picture-function. There is also a very complete connectivity including a HDMi-input and a PC-input.

The Philips 32PF7521D kick off nicely with twin HDMIs, but these receive handsome support from component video and PC jacks, a digital audio output, and the usual SCART/S-Video/composite video standards. What makes us particularly happy about all this is that unlike many previous Philips LCD TVs, you’re not expected to input digital video, component and PC signals through the same, single connector. Hallelujah.

The 32PF7521D has a digital audio output as the set has a built-in digital tuner, so the digital audio output is there to permit the export of Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks should the Freeview service start broadcasting them.

The 32PF7521D isn’t without its good points. For one thing, Pixel Plus’ talent for making standard definition pictures look massively sharper and more detailed than they would normally is clearly apparent. HD sources also look very sharp, suggesting that the HD ‘downscaling/upscaling’ process we described earlier isn’t causing quite as much nastiness as we might have feared.
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The new Toshiba REGZA WLT68 series is available in three sizes – 32 (32WLT68), 37, 42inch - the new WLT68 series continues the fine tradition of the WLT66’s 100Hz image processing but makes headlines as the first sets to feature three HDMI inputs.

Having three HDMI inputs is leading the way other HDTV manufacturers should go, with the increasing number of HDMI devices out there having just on input on the TV is just not enough.

All three sizes of the REGZA WLT68 series have 1366 x 768 native resolutions so 1080i will be supported and have 500 cd/m2 brightness ratios. The smaller two have a contrast ratio of (1000:1) and the larger 42inch has a ratio of (800:1).

All REGZA WLT68 models include integrated digital tuners, three HDMI ports, Component, S-Video and PC inputs along with two SCART ports.

The ViewSonic VX2235wm is 22-inch widescreen LCD monitor with a fast 5ms response time, and anto-glair

The VX2235wm has been designed primarily for gaming and home cinema use, the VX2235wm can also be used for photo and video editing. The display has a 1680 x 1050 pixel resolution with a fast response time of just 5 milliseconds and frame rate of up to 500fps, through ClearMotiv technology.

Another feature of the VX2235wm is OptiColour technology, which will optimise the colour setting depending on the displayed object. Users can select from seven preset modes – standard, text, cinema, game, photo, scenery and vivid – and adjust settings depending on their needs. With duel input (DVI + VGA), the VX2235wm also supports a variety of analogue and digital video formats.

The VX2235wm also features built-in speakers and HDTV 720P support.

To look at the Relisys RLT26AG20 is very sleek looking – I really like the way it looks. It has a small stand and is also wall mountable.

The first thing I noticed with the Relisys RLT26AG20 was that the colours were no where near as vibrant, as a CRT and the blacks were pretty poor – this difference was startling. This is a common complaint of cheap LCDs. With a contrast ratio of 550:1, this is not surprising at all, as this is a pretty poor ratio. Ideally, you want around the 1000:1 mark.

Connectivity on the RLT26AG20 is excellent. It features HDMI, S-Video, Composite, Component, 2 x SCART and D-Sub.

The panel used is this TV is substandard. Contrast is poor, especially when viewed at an angle, and colours are patchy. It’s true that the more you watch it, the less you start to notice this issue, but that’s just a case of getting used to something that you shouldn’t have to. Realistically, when you are spending £469.94 on a television, you expect the image quality to be superior to your old unit, and on this Relisys it isn’t.
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