HDTV Reviews

Rock is a brand that’s usually associated notebook computers, but recently the company has decided to branch out into the LCD TV arena, with this 32in unit being the first model to hit the streets.
The Rock is a far better HDTV than the ViewSonic. The design is pretty good if you ignore the speaker bar, but not only do the speakers spoil the look, the external loose wire connection makes this feel like a cheap TV.

I can’t fault Rock for the amount of connection options on offer – this really is a TV that has enough room to connect all your PC and AV equipment to, although I don’t quite understand why there are composite and S-Video outputs in evidence.

Unfortunately the picture quality is disappointing, with the washed out image robbing high definition footage of its rich, vivid and lifelike colours. And making matters worse the narrow viewing angle compounds this problem. Add to this the fact that the HDMI implementation isn’t quite right and it’s clear that Rock’s first foray into the HDTV market needs a little work. Read more

The Aria 40 inch LCD colour HDTV has been designed to provide you with a rich audio and visual experience, along with ease of use and convenient connections. This monitor enables you to watch broadcast or cable television channels, connect a VCR, VCD or DVD player to watch your favourite movies, or connect a computer to use the display as a monitor.
This HDTV seems to be the UK cheapest coming it at £1,115 and boasting a Samsung built panel.

The JVC LT-26DX7B is, unsurprisingly, a 26-inch HDTV from JVC’s “InteriArt” range. This smaller (26 inch) TV is available on the web for around £700 and will probably make its way onto many a shopper’s list of potentials, because it includes two HDMI inputs - something of a rarity on smaller screen sizes as well as PC input.

Looks-wise, it features the now-popular “piano black” plastic surrounding the viewing area, behind which there’s a subtle glittery pattern. I’m not the biggest fan of this gloss-black, because I simply don’t like the appearance, and tend to find the added reflections more trouble than they’re worth when you look at the TV outside the world of perfectly-produced promotional photos. No huge worries here though, because the appearance isn’t too jarring and the border is small.

JVC are facing some seriously stiff competition in the LCD TV business. At its cheapest, this TV can be hard for around £720 mark. That is certainly an impressive price for an HDTV, but for slightly less money it’s possible to pick up 26″ Read more

The JVC LT-37X987 & LT-32X987 are two LCD HDTVs featureing 120Hz Clear Motion Drive LCD TV. 120Hz is by far the fastest refresh rate for a TV you can find. Clear Motion Drive technology produces images at 120 frames per second (120Hz), double the typical rate, and inserts an interpolated image. The result is a significant reduction in blurring or ghost images.

Both sets offer 1366 x 768p native resolution and JVC’s fifth generation D.I.S.T. (Digital Image Scaling Technology) Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing, which seamlessly upscales any video source to display at 768p. Other features of both new JVC LCD TVs include ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuning, digital 3D Y/C comb filter with DTV cross color elimination, digital noise reduction, MPEG noise reduction, and a full complement of inputs and outputs - two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, two S-Video inputs, 15 pin D-Sub PC input, optical digital audio out and audio output. Read more

Sharp’s 32P70 is an affordable screen that concentrates on enhancing standard-definition performance from more traditional sources but does also support the newer future HDTV formats. It has a 960×540 resolution may appear comparatively low to other HDTV’s but it’s been chosen to perfectly fit PAL video signals used by terrestrial TV and typical DVD players. The LC-32P70E will accept HDTV signals but it will be slightly scalled down.
The subsequent downscaling of HDMI induced images leaves the picture looking soft and unfocussed against a fizzing background. Conversely, if you turn to Scart-connected sources or the integrated analogue and digital tuners, the picture improves dramatically
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The Samsung 32R74 striking, seamless design and ultra-slim dimensions give the screen an eye-catching elegance not usually afforded at this price. And with high-definition compatibility, an integrated digital tuner and Samsung’s advanced DNIe picture processing the feature count outnumbers its low-cost competitors.
There is of course the high quality HDMI port for the full quality digital signal as well as a VGA input for computer or media player connection

You may have to work you way through the vast amount of menu’s and tone down the exaggerated color settings to reach the best settings, but it’s well work the time as you can obtain a great picture.

Samsung’s 32R74 is an undeniable bargain that’s better looking with more features and superior performance than most screens at this price. Read more

Panasonic’s 32LXD60 has raised the bar yet again. It is more expensive than its rivals but design, features and performance carry fewer compromises. The future-proof specification offers high-definition compatibility, an integrated digital tuner and advanced connectivity by featuring two HDMI ports.

There’s also a pair of RGB-enabled Scarts and component inputs - but unfortinatly no PC input options. And a range of all-new picture processing technologies has been installed to improve already outstanding performance.

The 32LXD60 also enjoys some unusually deep black levels, ensuring that the rich colours have the perfect dark platform to shine out against. This additionally helps the picture look emphatically solid and three dimensional – especially as the Panny’s dark bits are natural and unforced enough to contain the sort of subtle shading details that stop them looking like mere empty black holes.
Panasonic’s 32LXD60 can claim a superior specification and unrivalled performance that more than justifies the price tag.
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LG’s 32LXR2 sleek design featuring a heavily glossed black frame, invisibly integrated speakers and attractive neon lighting isn’t embarrassed in the company of more expensive screens.

The screen is high-definition compatible with both commonly used 720p and 1080i formats used by Sky’s HDTV services or upscaling DVD players. And images are supported by LG’s XD Engine picture processing together with an impressive range of advanced picture and sound adjustments - including colour tone correction, an ambient light sensor and surround sound effects.
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Toshiba REGZAâ„¢ line of flat panel LCD HDTVs with screen sizes up to 47 inches, screen resolutions up to 1920X1080 pixels (1080p) and feature 12-bit digital video processing.

All models make use of Cinespeed LCD panel with a panelvery fast response time of less than 8 milliseconds, a 176-degree viewing angle, 16:9 widescreen format, as well as Toshiba’s PixelPure Hi-Bitâ„¢ 12-bit digital video processing. REGZA models also offer flexible input packs that include composite, S-Video, component, HDMI and PC inputs. REGZA LCDVDâ„¢ models feature a built-in DVD player as well as Toshiba’s THINCâ„¢ RJ-45 network capability to allow direct access to JPEG images or MP3 audio files stored within the owner’s home network. Read more

eCinema will be launching its new DCM40HDR 40-inch LCD by Q4 of this year. The new panel will be a true 1080p display and will be suitable for professional applications where only CRTs were used.

Key features of the DCM40HDR will be:

* Darkest black level output of any TFT in the market
* Can be used for professional color grading — previously done using only CRTs
* Can be used for professional critical picture evaluation — previously done using only CRTs
* Allows accurate viewing of intra-field motion on interlaced standards
* Video displayed at true frame rates for all standards
* Rugged shock mounted components for field operations

If eCinema’s displays perform well, this could mean higher quality LCD panels across the industry. The company says that its DCM series of LCD panels are reference-grade monitors suitable for critical viewing environments:

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