HDTV Reviews

VIZIO have announced price reductions on L37HDTV to $999.99 and L32HDTV to $799.99
The #1 selling L37 HDTV 37″ TV* is now at an unprecedented value. It offers 1366 x 768 native resolution, true 8 ms response time, “Zero Bright-pixel” defect guarantee, built-in HD ATSC off air, clear QAM digital cable and NTSC tuners, 3:2 pulldown, powered speakers and stand, a universal remote control, PIP and POP, component, VGA-type and HDMI video inputs and a laundry list of other state-of-the-art features for the newly reduced price of just $999.99. The VIZIO LCD L32HDTV offers the same features as the L37 with a 32″ widescreen LCD reduced price of just $799.

Daytek last week announced a 46” high definition LCD TV with 1080p HD input support named the Daytek DT4660.

The 46” DT4660 features a 1200: 1 Contrast Ratio, 500 cd/m2 Brightness LCD panel, Faroudja DCDi video processor and a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080.

The Daytek DT4660 comes with 2 digital HDMI ports, 2 Component, 2 S-Video, 4 Composite, 1 PC and associated audio ports. Added features include SRS WOW Surround Sound, Optical and Coaxial digital audio output, Closed Caption on Mute, PIP, PBP.

The DT4660 is avaliable now in store for a for $3,399.99.

Other than AQUOS LC-57D90U larger size, there is little to distinguish the LC-57D90U from its smaller Sharp brethren. Its bezel is the same burnt-gold finish (they call it titanium) that is nicely different from the black and silver found everywhere else in the flat-panel community. The remote, too, is the same as those found with other models. The menus are colorful and are pretty easy to follow, although it is often hard to distinguish between what is selected and what is unselected since the colors are so similar. There’s an average amount of adjustments, but I was hoping for a bit more from a premium panel. So, why is this panel so expensive? Well, it uses different glass than the rest of Sharp’s LCD line. It’s from their brand-new Kameyama factory in Japan. They claim a 4-millisecond response time (more on that later), a 1,500:1 contrast ratio (about twice what they claim on their other panels), a greater viewing angle (more on that later, too), and a bunch of other improvements. The proof, though, is in the pudding, or, in this case, the liquid crystal.

Feed the LC-57D90U a signal from a decent scaling DVD player via HDMI, though, and this LCD’s character changes rather significantly. The image is far more natural, with none of the scaling issues and noise that’s apparent with the analog input. If you get one of these, don’t bother inputting anything analog, as the digital input looks much better. In fact, had the whole set looked as good as it did with the digital inputs, its performance numbers below would undoubtedly have been a good 4 or 5 points higher. Read more

The HP SLC3760N 37-inch MediaSmart LCD HDTV is a 1366×768 flat panel display with a single HDMI inpub for your new HDMI devices and an enthernet network port. Which opens up a whole new world of convergence when you hook it up to your network and then it can stream video, photos, audio and Web from any computer in the house.

Named “Product of the Year” 2006 by Electronic House magazine — Plus you get stellar TV: high-definition clarity with an ultrawide viewing angle, plus 3-D surround sound. Let your show begin with the HP SLC3760N MediaSmart HDTV.
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The new Bravia XBR models feature 1920 X 1080 screen resolution, Bravia Engine Pro and three HDMI inputs with 1080p capability. The 46-inch KDL-46XBR2 and 40-inch KDL-40XBR2 feature a silver bezel with an elegant floating glass design.

These models also feature a built-in ATSC tuner, personal computer input, two HD component, one S-video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia KDL-46XBR2 and KDL-40XBR2 models will be available later this month for suggested selling prices of $5,499.99 and $4,499.99, respectively.

Rounding out the Bravia XBR line is the 32-inch KDL-V32XBR2 model featuring a 1366 X 768 screen resolution. It is equipped with Sony’s Bravia Engine and Live Color Creation. The set’s narrow, two-tone, black and silver bezel incorporates invisible bottom speakers with SRS-TruSurroundXT and BBE Digital Enhancement technology.

Other features include a built-in ATSC tuner, single HDMI and PC inputs, as well as two HD components, two S-video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia XBR KDL-V32XBR2 set ships in September and is expected to retail for $2,399.99.

Next up in the Bravia line is the Bravia V2500 Series which includes the 40-inch KDL-40V2500 and the 46-inch KDL-46V2500.

These 1920 X 1080 native HD resolution models are equipped with dual HDMI inputs with 1080p capability and the Bravia Engine and Live Color Creation technologies.

The black bezel, V2500 models feature a space-saving bottom speaker design that helps the sets fit easily into existing AV cabinets. Other features include a digital amplifier with SRS-TruSurround XT and BBE Digital Audio Enhancement technologies, a PC input, two HD components, two S-video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia V2500 KDL-46V2500 and KDL-40V2500 models will ship in late September. No pricing was announced by the company.

The budgetend Bravia S-Series LCD TV range will include the 40-inch KLV-40S200A, the 32-inch KLV-32S200A, the 26-inch KLV-26S200A and the 23-inch KLV-23S200A.

These models feature a 1366 X 768 pixels screen resolution and are equipped with bottom speakers a single HDMI input, personal computer input along with two component, two S-Video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia KLV-40S200A, KLV-32S200A, KLV-26S200A and KLV-23S200A models will be available in September at suggested selling prices of $2,999.99, $1,899.99, $1,499.99 and $1,299.99 respectively

Sony have just announced that they are adding nine new HDTV model to their LCD Bravia line up. From the budget end KLV-23S200A to their top of the line Bravia, the KDL-46XBR2.

The Sony Bravia range now features 6 new full HD 1080 models in the 40- and 46-inch screen sizes as well as seven 1366 X 768 pixels WXGA screen resolution models.

Sony have added models to the Bravia S-Series, Bravia V2500 Series, and the Bravia XBR Series.
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Sharp has launched four models in their 9 Series in either 32-inch or 37-inch screen sizes. The 32GA9E and 37GA9E are analogue-only models and have been awarded an EU Eco-label due to their low energy consumption and environmentally friendly design. While the 32GD9E and 37GD9E haven’t been awarded this label, they do come with integrated Freeview tuners.

All the models use Sharp’s latest TrueD anti-judder technology, which reduces noise while enhancing detail and contrast. This will make movement appear more smooth, according to Sharp. The technology apparently works particularly well with HD sources, so it’ll make a difference when watching action-oriented material such as Sky Sports HD.

The design has been given a subtle facelift, featuring a clear flat speaker system boosted by a 30W power output. And to make the most of its extra audio ability there are a few added frills including Cinematic Sound, Auto Volume and a Clear Voice setting that enhances dialogue.

Consumer Reports got its hands on the Sharp LC-37D90U 1080p 37-inch LCD TV ($2500), and the sensible publication liked it. A lot. True 1080p sets have been few and far between up until recently, and this 37-incher packs a lot of pixels into a relatively small space. The Consumer Reporters lauded its “gorgeous resolution,” calling it “among the best LCD sets we’ve ever tested.”and mention the Sharp LC-37D90U does a great job of up-rezzing 1080i video to 1080p.

On the downside, the Consumer Reports reviewers noticed a rather narrow viewing angle, and pointed out the “so-so” black level of the set, a commonplace drawback of LCD displays, but a problem they judged to be worse than other Sharp LCDs. Overall, they gave it a big thumbs-up, calling its picture quality “beautiful.