Consumer Electronics Show 2012

Many of the TV manufacturers were showing advanced technology, including OLED displays and 4K HDTVs (also referred to as QFHD (3840×2160) Quad high definition). Also presented was an 8K HDTV prototype, and wireless & cordless HDTVs. 2012 will be the year of the big TV, as Sharp, LG and Samsung were all showing giant LED HDTVs in the 70, 75, 80 and 84 inch sizes. Smart TVs were on display at many of the manufacturers as internet and device connected TVs are becoming more common. Giant touchscreen TVs that can be used for presentations were shown as well. 2012 models will be out in the March-April time frame. Meanwhile, 2011 models can be purchased at substantial discounts.

Sharp 80-inch LED TV

World's Largest 3D OLED TV

Panasonic Display at CES 2012

Samsung Super OLED TV

Sony HX850 Series with Monolithic Stand

Toshiba 4K TV hooked up to 4K Camcorder

So to wrap up this article, 2012 has seen some substantial improvements to the 2011 models, but the new technologies including OLED, 4K, and Crystal LED will be the buzzwords for 2012, as will be the advent of giant TVs. Keep in mind that the OLED and 4K TVs will be enormously expensive initially. SmartReview.com will display the 2012 models with reviews and commentary as they become available.

3D Ready TVs

What is a 3D Ready TV? The 3D TV is the same as a normal HDTV set except that it has a built in IR (Infrared) or bluetooth transmitter to transmit signals to special 3D glasses. The 3D Ready TV also has special programs to process 3D programming. These sets can also convert 2D (regular TV) into a simulated 3D. There is now 3D content on Comcast, DirectTV, Blu-ray discs, PS3 3D games, and more (Comcast has 3D on Demand). Sports have become a big area for 3D, and ESPN has launched ESPN 3D which has introduced 3D sports programming including world cup soccer, golf, NBA finals, and more. Blu-ray 3D Players have now appeared that can give you full HD in 3D. **3D Glasses are not required to view regular HD programming. So even if you are not going to initially buy accessories (glasses and 3D blu-ray players), you can still enjoy your 3D TV as a normal HDTV for high definition programming. We believe that in the future most TVs will be 3D ready. In 2011 all of the high end sets we have reviewed are 3D Ready. Smart-Review will feature these 3D sets as they become available.

• 3D Ready LED HDTVs – The most popular 3D TVs, are LED HDTVs. An LED HDTV is an LCD TV with an LED backlight instead of a traditional fluorescent backlight. LED backlights are brighter, improve contrast, and use less power than other HDTVs. Since the 3D glasses reduce some of the brightness of your view, 3D TVs increase the backlight to maximum. This is where LED TVs shine, as they are brighter than other backlight technologies. LED TVs are thinner and lighter HDTVs. Some are only 1.2 inches thin. LED 3D TVs come as small as 32-inch and as large as 65-inch. For 2011 almost all high end LED TVs now are 3D Ready.
  
  Smart Review’s Top 3D LED HDTVs:
  Samsung D8000 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model)
  Samsung D7000 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model)
  LG LW5600 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model)
  Sharp LE835U LED 3D TV Series (2011 model)
  Sony HX820 3D Series (2011 model)
  Panasonic DT30 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model) small screen sizes
  Sony EX720 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model)

  
  Related Article: 3D LED TV Roundup and Comparison

  

• 3D Ready Plasma Displays – 3D Plasma displays are very popular as well. They have higher contrast than LCDs (although that gap is closing), and can display regular HD and 3D with stunning clarity. Plasma sets also display fast action (sports, action movies) better. The disadvantages of plasma are that they take more electricity than LCDs, and can generate more heat.
  
  Smart Review’s Top 3D Plasma HDTVs:

  Panasonic GT30 3D THX Series (2011 model)
  
  Panasonic ST30 3D Series (2011 model)
  
  Samsung PND7000 3D Series (2011 model)
  
  Samsung PNC8000 3D Series (2010 Model)
  

  Related Article: 3D Plasma TV Roundup and Comparison

  

What types of 3D content are available 3D content comes in three forms (the following pictures taken from our reference Sony HX800 3D TV).

3D Frame Sequential Method

3D Side By Side method

3D Over and Under method

3D Setting Screen on Comcast 3D on Demand

What is a 2D and 3D? 2D (2 dimensional) is regular high definition programming. (no glasses required). 3D (3 dimensional) gives depth to the picture and requires 3D programming and 3D glasses. 3D content is actually two separate pictures, slightly offset from one another. The 3D glasses bring these together into one image that has width, height, and depth.

Do I need 3D glasses to watch regular HD (2D) programming? No, 3D glasses are only required to view 3D content. Regular SD (Standard Definition) or HD (High Definition) programming are viewed just as they are on regular HDTVs without 3D glasses. There is a common misconception that a 3D TV is only for 3D content, but it is a regular HDTV with the addition of 3D.

Active Shutter 3D Glasses

Passive 3D TVs & Glasses – Passive 3D TVs do not have active shutter glasses. Their glasses do not require batteries and are lighter to wear. They separate the two images by a process called polarization (like polarized sunglasses). This is the same technology used in Movie Theaters for regular 3D movies (although IMAX uses active shutter technology for its 3D). The passive 3D glasses on these TVs are less expensive and provide a brighter picture. The disadvantage of passive 3D is that the picture resolution is lower than the active shutter TV & glasses combination. Off angle viewing is also better with active shutter. This is why most 3D TVs embrace the active shutter technology. But there is a place for passive 3D as the TVs and glasses are cheaper and the 3D picture is good. Both LG and Vizio are making passive 3D TVs in 2011. Toshiba has switch to passive in 2012.
Top Picks for Passive 3D TVs:
LG LW5600 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model)

Watching 3D video from your Camcorder Recently Panasonic, as well as Sony have introduced 3D camcorders. They record in the 3D side-by-side method (as mentioned above). To view the video, you can either plug in the camcorder’s HDMI cable to your 3D TV, or you may be able to upload the video to a Sony Playstation 3 and play it from that device. The current Panasonic camcorders (that take a 3D conversion lens) record at less than Full HD, while some of the dedicated 3D camcorders record at Full HD.

How do you watch 3D content on your TV? When you are going to watch 3D content, you will press the 3D button on your remote control. This will let your TV know to start transmitting to the glasses and set up the TV for 3D content. If you are watching content from Cable TV, you will need to set what type of 3D programming you will be viewing. (Go to your 3D settings menu). Programming will be either Side-by-Side or Over-and-Under. (See desciption above of these types of programming.) Once this is set, you are ready to go, just turn on your 3D glasses and enjoy. If you are playing 3D Blu-ray discs, you don’t need to set the 3D menu, as the menu usually is defaulted to this type of 3D content. Menu settings will vary from one manufacturer to another.

3D Comptatible Games

3D Blu-ray Disc Players – In order to view 3D Blu-ray discs, you will need to purchase a 3D Blu-ray player, or Sony PS3 (they support blu-ray 3D). Blu-ray discs will give you the best 3D picture of any other source of 3D programming. There are a small and growing number of 3D titles available. We believe this will greatly increase as more 3D TVs are installed in homes.

Smart-Review Top Picks: 3D Ready TVs

Consumer Electronics Show 2012

The Samsung D8000 LED 3D TV Series. New for 2011, Samsung’s top of the line LED and 3D second generation of 3D Ready TVs. This series comes fully loaded. This is the first Samsung TV with LED Micro Dimming Plus Backlight Technology, which is an improvement from last year’s precision dimming. Micro Dimming provides uniform backlighting with the highest contrast ratios 25,000,000:1 that we have reviewed. This set can also convert 2D TV to 3D. 3D programming content became available last year from ESPN 3D, Directv, 3D Blu-ray Disks and other sources. The reason for the advent of 3D TVs is the huge popularity in the movie theaters of 3D movies like AVATAR. 3D TVs use glasses that communicate with your TV to produce the 3D effect. Unlike many 3D TVs, the D8000 series includes 2 pairs of rechargeable 3D glasses. Also included is built in Wifi wireless. LED HDTVs use far less power and are thinner than regular LCD and Plasma TVs. This one is only 1.2 inches thick. The bezel is ultrathin, making the screen almost all picture. Also new for 2011 is a remote control with a keyboard on the bottom (for internet applications). The included Samsung Apps will give you internet connectivity to: (Netflix, Youtube, Facebook, Skype and more…). This TV is ideal for mounting on a wall, or you can use the included stand. Other features include 240hz anti-blur technology and the new Ultra Clear Panel which reduces reflections and increases the contrast ratio. The D8000 Series is available in 60-inch, 55-inch, 46-inch sizes.

The Sony HX820 LED 3D Series. New for 2011. Sony’s top of the line LED TVs. For 2011, Sony upgraded the highly rated HX800 series. New for 2011 is built-in Wifi, Built-in 3D synch transmitter, Faster start-up, Gorilla Glass (strengthens the panel glass from damage), 480Hz Motionflow, added subwoofer speaker, OptiContrast Panel, X-Reality™ PRO Engine, and added Internet Widgets to complement the Internet Video. All of the HX820 series line of HDTVs include DLNA Technology, and are 3D Ready, are Internet Ready (Netflix, Youtube, and more). Sony uses a new backlighting technology using edge lit white LEDs with local dimming for the best contrast. You can use the two USB ports to show pictures and videos from your USB device. Sony has this listed as having Dynamic Infinite dynamic contrast for the blackest blacks. The HX820 is extremely energy efficient (Energy Star 5.0). The HX820 is a fully loaded TV with an exceptionally good picture for 3d, 2d and regular HD programming .
The Sony HX820 series is available in: 55-inch, 46-inch

The Samsung D7000 LED 3D TV Series. New for 2011, Samsung’s new line of LED and 3D second generation 3D Ready TVs. This series comes fully loaded (as does the D8000 series). This is the first Samsung TV with LED Micro Dimming Backlight Technology, which is an improvement from last year’s precision dimming. Micro Dimming provides uniform backlighting with the one of the highest contrast ratios 15,000,000:1 that we have reviewed. This set can also convert 2D TV to 3D. 3D programming content became available last year from ESPN 3D, Directv, 3D Blu-ray Disks and other sources. The reason for the advent of 3D TVs is the huge popularity in the movie theaters of 3D movies like AVATAR. 3D TVs use glasses that communicate with your TV to produce the 3D effect. Included is built in Wifi wireless. LED HDTVs use far less power and are thinner than regular LCD and Plasma TVs. This one is only 1.2 inches thick. The bezel is ultrathin, making the screen almost all picture. Also new for 2011 is a remote control with a keyboard on the bottom (for internet applications). The included Samsung Apps will give you internet connectivity to: (Netflix, Youtube, Facebook, Skype and more…). This TV is ideal for mounting on a wall, or you can use the included stand. Other features include 240hz anti-blur technology and the new Ultra Clear Panel which reduces reflections and increases the contrast ratio. The D7000 Series is available in 55-inch, 46-inch sizes.

The Panasonic S30 Plasma Series. New for 2011. The Latest S30 series has seen improvement over the highly rated S2 series that it replaces. The S30 is Panasonic’s lowest cost 1080p plasma TVs. The newer sets are lighter in weight, and use less energy. New for 2011 is the addition of EASY IPTV™. Simply press the VIERA Tools button on the remote control and you can directly access a variety of Internet services such as Netflix, Pandora, Facebook, and more. Also new is DLNA capability, to enjoy content from your PC and other home network devices on your HDTV. The S30 Series are Energy Star compliant. The S30 Series has an anti-relective screen, 100,000 hour panel life, and built in SD card reader (to view your pictures on the big screen). The lower priced S30 series has many of the features of the more expensive Panasonic ST30 series except that it lacks the THX Certification, the 3D Ready capability, and the Infinite Black 2 panel. The S30 series has received excellent owner reviews. The S30 Series is available in 42-inch, 46-inch, 50-inch, and 60-inch

The Panasonic DT30 3D LED Series. New for 2011. The new DT30 Series is Panasonic’s best LED 3D TVs. They are Panasonic’s smaller screen sizes, which complement their top of the line Plasma TVs. Panasonic has excellent 3D Plasma TVs and now Panasonic has implemented that 3D technology in a smaller screen size. It displays regular 2D and 3D content (with 3D glasses). The DT30 series includes 1 pair of 3D active shutter glasses. Contrast is an impressive 5,000,000 to 1 (dynamic contrast). These small screen TVs are fully loaded unlike many other smaller sets. Features include 240Hz, 1080p, 3D Ready, 2ms response, DLNA, 4 HDMI, 3 USB ports, PC input, Internet Ready, Included Wifi Adapter, and a built in SD/SDHC card reader (to view your pictures and videos on the big screen). AVCHD playback allows you to play back movies from your camcorder. The Viera Connect feature provides internet ready content including Netflix, Youtube, Amazon Video, Hulu Plus, Sports, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and more… The DT30 series has received excellent reviews. Available Sizes: 37-inch, 32-inch

The Sony EX720 LED 3D Series. New for 2011. Sony’s upgrade to the EX700/710 series now is 3D ready. For 2011, Sony has added the ability to watch 3D (with 3D active glasses). 3D programming content is now available from ESPN 3D, Directv, Comcast, 3D Blu-ray Disks and other sources. This line has been upgraded to the X-Reality Engine image processor, and bumped up from 120Hz to 240Hz anti blur technology an improvement from last year’s models. Other features include DLNA Technology (to stream media from your computer), and Internet Streaming & Widgets (Netflix, Youtube, News, Weather and more). Sony uses side lit LED backlighting technology which provides for better contrast and lower energy usage. You can use the USB port to show pictures and videos from your USB device. The EX720 is a fully loaded TV with a great picture for 3d, 2d and regular HD programming. It comes in wide range of sizes.
The Sony EX720 series is available in: 60-inch, 55-inch, 46-inch, 40-inch, 32-inch

The Panasonic ST30 Plasma Series. New for 2011. The new ST30 series is Panasonic’s second generation 3D Ready Plasma TV. The G30 Series uses a new NeoPDP Plasma panel which reduces reflections and creates sharper pictures with higher contrast in brighter environments. Fast switching phosphors improve the picture. Other features include a 100,000 hour panel life, a built in SD card reader (to view your pictures and videos on the big screen), and new Energy Star certification to reduce energy usage. AVCHD playback allows you to play back movies from your camcorder. Also included is Viera Connect which allows you to enjoy contents of the internet on your TV. You can enjoy videos, photos, weather, Netflix, youtube, facebook and other internet sites through a web interface built into the ST30 TVs. The ST30 Series is available in 42-inch, 46-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, 60-inch, and 65-inch

The LG Infinia LW5600 LED Series. New for 2011. LG’s latest low cost 120Hz Passive 3D line of LED TVs. For 2011 LG has switched from using active shutter glasses to passive shutter glasses. Passive shutter glasses are polarized and do not require batteries. These are the same type of glasses you use in the movie theater. LG includes 4 pairs of glasses with each TV. The advantage of passive over active is that it is cheaper. You do give up some 3D screen resolution versus active glasses. Improvements for 2011 include an increase in contrast to 8,000,000:1 dynamic contrast, Internet Ready, Netflix Ready and includes a wireless Wifi adapter (nothing extra to buy). Smart TV: allows you to access limitless internet content, thousands of movies, customizable apps, videos. Meets ENERGY STAR® guidelines. 4 HDMI, 2 USB 2.0 ports for digital photo/video/MP3 playback. DLNA certified. Available Sizes: 55-inch, and 47-inch

The Samsung PNC8000 Plasma 3D TV Series. New for 2010, Samsung has introduced its first 3D capable Plasma TVs. This set can also convert 2D TV to 3D. Later this year, 3D programming content will be available from ESPN 3D, Directv, 3D Blu-ray Disks and other sources. The reason for the advent of 3D is the huge popularity in the movie theaters of movies like AVATAR and other 3D movies. 3D TVs use glasses that communicate with your TV to produce the 3D effect (sold separately). The PNC8000 series produces an outstanding 7,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. This Plasma Series is Energy Star 4.0 compliant to use less energy than last year’s models. Also new for 2010 is additional Samsung Apps for internet connectivity (including Netflix, Youtube, Skype and more…). This is the top of the line Plasma TV for Samsung in 2010. The PNC8000 Series is available in 50-inch, 58-inch, and 63-inch screen sizes.

The Samsung 650c LCD Series. New for 2010, the 650 “c” series replaces last year’s 650 “b” series. The “b” series were a top selling Samsung HDTV last year. All of the 650c series are 120HZ sets. For 2010, contrast has improved from 100,000 to 150,000:1 dynamic contrast, uses 30% less energy, and has more internet content (such as Netflix, Youtube, and Blockbuster). 4ms response time, and 4 HDMI connections. The 55-inch model also gets 15 watts per speaker (10 watts in the other sizes). 2 USB ports allow for digital photo/video/MP3 playback on the big screen. The Samsung 650c series is available in 55-inch, 46-inch, 40-inch sizes.

]]> http://www.smartreview.com/the-latest-hdtvs/feed 0 http://www.smartreview.com/lcd-or-plasma-tv http://www.smartreview.com/lcd-or-plasma-tv#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:55:19 +0000 SmartReview http://www.smartreview.com/?p=118 When considering purchasing a flat panel TV, the decision as to whether to buy an LCD, LED or Plasma HDTV is a common one. All of these types of technology can display High Definition in stunning detail. But there are differences. The top LED and Plasma sets are now 3D Ready TVs.

LED

Smart-Review’s Best “Top-Picks” in LED TVs are the:

Samsung D8000 LED 3D TV Series (240Hz 3D Micro Dimming Plus)

Sony HX820 LED 3D TV Series (480Hz 3D Edge/Local Dimming)

LG LW5600 LED 3D TV Series (120Hz 3D Edge/Local Dimming)

Sony EX720 LED 3D TV Series (240Hz 3D Edge Lit)

Samsung D7000 LED 3D TV Series (240Hz 3D Micro Dimming)

Panasonic DT30 3D Series (240Hz 3D Edge Lit) small screen sizes

Related Article: LED TV Roundup and Comparison

PLASMA

http://www.smartreview.com/tag/panasonic-gt30-3d-series

Smart-Review’s Best “Top-Picks” in Plasma are the:

Panasonic GT30 THX Series (3D Plasma 2011)

Panasonic S30 Series (1080p Plasma 2011)

Panasonic ST30 Series (3D Plasma 2011)

Samsung PND7000 Series (3D Plasma 2011)

Samsung PNC8000 Series (3D Plasma 2010)

Related Article: Plasma TV Roundup and Comparison

LCD

Smart-Review’s Best “Top-Picks” in LCD TVs are the:

Samsung 650C LCD Series (120Hz)

LG LD550 LCD Series (120Hz)

LG LD650 LCD Series (240Hz)

Picture Contrast – The higher the contrast, the bigger the difference between the brightest and darkest images. Whites look whiter and blacks look blacker. The higher the contrast ratio, the greater the ability to show subtle color details. There are two types of contrast. Native and Dynamic. Most manufacturers give the Dynamic contrast ratio, as this is a much higher number. the dynamic contrast ratio refers to the range between bright and dark over time. the native contrast ratio measures the brightest and darkest images a TV produces at the same time.

2011-2012 HDTV Buying Guide

High Definition Televisions have quickly replaced the older CRT monitors and Analog TV sets that have used the NTSC broadcast standard of the last 50+ years. The newer HD models are thinner, brighter, and display a stunning picture with many times the resolution of older sets. The newest sets are 3D Ready TVs. Below are some of the terminology used in describing HDTVs and the features they have.

HDTV Screen Resolution 720p or 1080p? Screen resolution is the maximum (in pixels) that a TV can display. Most HDTV’s today can display what is called 720p which is usually a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (1 million pixels). A new standard has emerged called 1080p with a much higher resolution of 1920 x 1080 ( 2 million pixels). Blu-ray, Playstation 3, and HD DVDs are able to display the full 1080p resolution. Cable TV and Satellite companies currently are showing high definition at the lower 720p standard, but in the future they eventually will be broadcasting at 1080p, but due to bandwidth issues it may be a while. 1080p TVs also have smaller pixels, so if you are sitting up close it may be worth it to get 1080p (this is regardless of the resolution of what you are watching). Today’s best sellers are 1080p as prices have come down.

HDMI and COMPONENT – Hooking up your high definition cable box, DVD player, PS3, or other high quality source requires the right connection. The best connection is HDMI, followed by Component. Both are high quality, with HDMI having an edge in picture quality. If you have many hookups to make, you would want to see more HDMI and Component jacks on the TV you purchase. For 1080p sets, you want to have HDMI as your connection of choice. So look for HDTVs with more HDMI and Component connections. Most have at least 3 HDMI and many are now coming with 4 or more HDMI connections.

Which screen size? – One of the first decisions you will have to make, is how big a screen will you need. HDTVs come in a variety of sizes. They come as small as 19 inches and up to 60+ inches. As a general rule, the smaller the room, the smaller the TV. A bedroom should do well with a 26-40 inch HDTV, although there is no set rule to this. A living room depending on the size should be in the range of 40 inches and higher. Those with larger living rooms may need a larger TV. Click on our HDTV Sizing Article for more information on HDTV sizes.

Which HDTV Screen Technology is best? – There are three types of display technologies that are in mainstream HDTV’s. Each display technology has its pluses and minuses. Below are all three technologies and a detailed description.

• LED HDTVs – The latest technology in HDTVs is referred to as LED. This actually is an LCD with an LED backlight instead of the traditional fluorescent backlights that are used on almost all HDTVs up to this point. LED backlights improve contrast, use less power, and allow super thin (1.2 inch thick) TVs. There are three types of LED TVs. One is Edge Lit, which illuminates from the edge like traditional backlights. The other is Full Array “Local Dimming” which means that the LEDs are behind the screen and can turn off or dim to give the greatest level of contrast, and the last type is Edge Lit with local dimming which is cheaper than full array tvs. LED TVs are more expensive than LCD TVs of the same size (however LED prices have fallen recently).
  
  Smart Review’s Top LED HDTVs:
  Samsung D8000 LED 3D TV Series (3D Ready LED TV),
  Sony HX820 LED 3D TV Series (3D Ready LED TV),
  Samsung D6000 LED TV Series (LED TV),
  LG LW5600 LED 3D TV Series (Passive 3D LED TV),
  Sony EX720 LED 3D TV Series (3D Ready LED TV),
  Samsung D7000 LED 3D TV Series (3D Ready LED TV),
  Samsung C8000 3D Series (3D Ready LED TV),
  Panasonic DT30 3D Series (3D Ready LED TV) small screen sizes

  
  Related Article: LED TV Roundup and Comparison

  

• Plasma Displays – Plasma displays are very popular as well. They have higher contrast than LCDs (although that gap is closing), and can display HDTV with stunning clarity. Plasma sets also display fast action (sports, action movies) better. The disadvantages of plasma are that they take more electricity than LCD and LED TVs (recent models use less electricity), and can generate more heat. Some have built in fans. Plasma screens used to be susceptible to screen burn-in (new models use newer phosphers, and compensate with various screen-saving methods). All of the mid/high end Plasma TVs are 3D Ready for 2011. Smart Review’s Plasma “Top Picks” are:

  Panasonic GT30 THX Series (3D Plasma)
  Panasonic S30 Series (1080p Plasma)
  Panasonic ST30 Series (3D Plasma)
  Samsung PNC8000 Series (3D Plasma)
  Samsung PND7000 Series (3D Plasma).
  
  
  Related Article: Plasma TV Roundup and Comparison



• LCD (liquid crystal display) – LCD TVs were once the most popular technology, however in 2011 LED backlit sets have taken over. LCD and LED both use LCD panels, but the backlight of an LCD uses fluorescent lighting, while the LED uses LED lighting. LCD TVs offer low power consumption and the ability to display the highest resolutions (1080p), LCDs are flat, many are wall mountable. The disadvantage of an LCD is that their ability to show contrast is less than some other technologies like plasma and LED backlit TVs. Today’s LCD HDTVs have greatly improved on contrast and refresh speed. The latest LCD technology is 240Hz. Most LCDs are silent with no moving parts or fans. LCD’s are brighter than Plasma HDTVs and so are better suited in well lit rooms during the day than plasmas. Smart Review’s Best LCD “Top-Picks” are the Samsung 650c Series, the LG LD550 Series, and the LG LD650 Series,



• Digital Light Processing (DLP) – DLP was invented by Texas Instruments. It uses many microscopic mirrors which can turn on and off thousands of times per second. This technology offers incredible color reproduction, and excellent contrast. Disadvantages are that most sets require a minimum of 12-14″ depth for the rear projection unit. Older DLP and projection TV’s use a replaceable lamp, so down the road these will need to be replaced. The latest DLP TVs now use an LED light engine which replaces the bulb and color wheel. The LED engine should last the life of the TV. The LED engine also should eliminate the rainbow effect that was a detraction of DLP sets. The LED’s provide a separate light source for each pixel, which gives the new LED-DLP displays a contrast and brightness that rivals Plasma. However, unlike Plasma technology, this system has no chance of burning in.

WiFi/Internet Ready TVs – Many of today’s TVs are internet and WiFi Ready. What this means is that they can connect to the internet wirelessly through your home WiFi network, or an ethernet cable from your cable modem. Content varies on different models and brands of TVs. Some of the more common content available is Netflix, Youtube, Facebook. Some sets have their own internet browser to access any website you put into its browser. We are seeing some provide remote controls with keyboards on them for easier input.

Viewing Angle – Some HDTV’s displays have a more limited viewing angle than others. They lose contrast and become hard to read at some viewing angles and they have more contrast and are easier to read at others. Generally the higher the viewing angle, the better. This is especially important when a group of people are watching an HDTV at the same time. Modern High Definition TVs have much better viewing angles, and it is not as big an issue as it was in the past.

Contrast Ratio – This is the difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the darkest black. Higher is better. The higher the contrast ratio, the greater the ability to show subtle color details, and better resulting picture. Details in dark scenes will benefit from a higher contrast ratio. Many manufacturers give what is called Dynamic contrast which is a higher number than the contrast ratio. So be careful not to confuse this when comparing. LCD panels regular Native contrast ratios hover around 1200-3500:1 for LCDs, and up to 40,000:1 for Plasmas. Dynamic contrast for LCDs can run as high as 150,000 and more. LED TVs and Plasma TVs have contrast ratios 1,000,000:1 and more. As noted one must consider both static (Native) and dynamic contrast ratios.

Response Time – For LCD TV’s. Response time is in simplistic terms how fast the screen can “paint” the screen. It is measured in milliseconds or (ms). Lower numbers are better. A lower response time is best for fast paced games, video, fast moving movies and sports. Today’s HDTV’s have much faster response times than in the past and this issue is also becoming less important since most models today are quite fast.

3D Ready TVs

The current top-picks in 3D TVs are the:

Samsung D8000 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model),
Sony HX820 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model),
Panasonic GT30 Plasma THX 3D TV Series (2011 model),
LG LW5600 LED Passive 3D TV Series (2011 model),
Sony EX720 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model),
Samsung D7000 LED 3D TV Series (2011 model),
Panasonic ST30 Plasma 3D TV Series (2011 model),
Samsung PND7000 Plasma 3D TV Series (2011 model),
Panasonic DT30 3D Series (2011 model) small screen sizes
Samsung PNC8000 Plasma 3D TV Series(2010 model)

Related Article: Best LED 3D TV Roundup and Comparison

Related Article: Best Plasma 3D TV Roundup and Comparison

Related Article: Smart-Review 3D TV Buying Guide 2011

120Hz LCDs – Introduced in Mid 2007, a new type of LCD HDTV technology has come out on select HDTVs. 120Hz refers to the frame rate of an HDTV. Currently sets are 60hz. The double frame rate 120Hz sets will make fast action less prone to blurring. This is important for action movies, and sports. Plasma HDTVs do not need this technology as they handle fast action without the need for 120Hz. Smart-Review will feature these sets as they become available. Top Rated 120Hz HDTVs.

240Hz LCD/LED – Introduced in late 2008, this technology quadruples the normal framerate of a 60Hz HDTV, to 240Hz. Like the 120Hz, these sets will make fast action even less prone to blurring. For 2009 there are many new models utilizing this new technology in their HDTVs. Top-Rated 240Hz HDTVs.

480Hz LCD/LED – Some of the latest high end sets have 480Hz technology which increases the framerate by 8 times the normal framerate of a 60Hz HDTV. Like the 120Hz and 240Hz, these sets will make fast action even less prone to blurring. Top-Rated 480Hz HDTVs.

HDTV Firmware – Most of the newer HDTVs now are upgradeable with a firmware (software) upgrade. Usually they can be upgraded using a USB port on the TV, and some using wireless Wifi (this is how the PS3 upgrades itself). Firmware upgrades serve many purposes, including expanding features (such as more internet applications), and fixing bugs. Some TVs that end up being the highest rated may have some poor ratings initially that come from a bug that is later fixed with firmware upgrades. You can usually find these upgrades at the Manufacturer’s web site.

ATSC Tuner – Most of the newer HDTVs now include a digital HD tuner called ATSC. An ATSC digital tuner is required to receive and decode over-the-air digital television signals. Sets do not require this tuner if you are only receiving your high definition feed from a cable company or from satellite, as they will provide you with a high definition decoder box instead. This gives you the option to receive “free” over the air HD local broadcasts.

ATSC/QAM Tuner – Some newer HDTVs have not only ATSC, but also a QAM tuner. An integrated QAM tuner allows the free reception of unscrambled digital programming sent “in the clear” by cable providers (without a box), usually local broadcast stations. This varies by cable company. Most other stations however are scrambled.

Cable Card – Some sets allow you to put a Cable Card in a slot. This card is provided by your cable tv company and allows you to descramble the channels without a cable box. Some people would rather not rent the box provided by the cable company. However, you may lose the TV schedule and on demand features when you use this feature instead of the provided box.

Brand Name or 2nd Tier Brand? – When purchasing an HDTV you will see familiar top level brands such as Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Toshiba, Pioneer, etc. Then you will see 2nd tier brands that sell at substantial discounts to the top brands. We recommend only top tier brands for several reasons. One is that many of these 2nd tier brands offer poor servicing should something go wrong. Some charge you the freight to either ship the TV to them or back after repair. One brand we saw offers no parts after the one year warranty is up, so in effect it is a throwaway TV. Higher end TVs have better video processors for upconverting and reducing digital noise. For these reasons we believe that top tier brands are the best way to go even though there is a higher initial cost.

Once you decide how big a tv you need, you can consult our size roundup pages which compare the same size HDTVs by size, price, reviews, and features. Click on the size below that fits your needs.



]]> http://www.smartreview.com/hdtv-how-large-a-screen-do-you-need/feed 0 http://www.smartreview.com/hdtv-getting-the-best-sound-quality http://www.smartreview.com/hdtv-getting-the-best-sound-quality#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:50:40 +0000 SmartReview http://www.smartreview.com/?p=519 TV Sound Quality: Today’s Flat Panel TVs bear little resemblance to the old analog sets of the past. They are thinner, and their frames (also know as bezels) are smaller as well. Old sets had lots of room for big speakers. Not so with the modern sets. Engineers have done a good job of innovating smaller and smaller speakers into these small spaces, but sound quality is not what it could be. Thats why many people opt to add external speakers, receivers, and surround sound systems.

Sound Bars: To get better sound, you have several options. A simple solution for small rooms is to get what is called a sound bar. This is a long horizontal bar with speakers that can provide virtual surround sound, and is easily connected to your HDTV. This will provide much better sound than the built-in speakers, and they usually have a design that complements the styling of your TV. They are relatively inexpensive as well. Some are wireless which makes speaker placement even easier.

Related Article: Best HDTV Sound Bar Speakers – Comparison and Reviews

Home Theater: If you opt for a home theater system, this will consist of a Receiver (which decodes the sound from the TV) and speakers. This system may also include a DVD or Blu-ray player.

Surround Sound: If you get a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround system, this will have five speakers and a subwoofer. The center channel should be placed just on or under your TV, with the left and right channels on either side of the screen. The last two speakers should go on each side of your seating area, at ear level. The subwoofer is usually placed with the center channel speaker, but can be placed elsewhere if preferred. For a Dolby 7.1 setup, you get two more speakers, which are placed placed behind you.

	Sound Bars
	Sound Bars
	Sound Bars
	Home Theater Systems
	Home Theater Systems