Handy Gadgets

A review of the Samsung LN46A750 LCD TV has been posted over at DevHardware.com. 'The design of the Samsung LN46A750 is sleek and modern. Its 46-inch screen is surrounded by a glossy black frame that is highlighted with a tinge of red. While some may not be too fond of the red around the frame, others will welcome it, as it does seem to give the television a sort of an “edge.” Of course, if you are very picky in terms of your interior decorating, the LN46A750’s red frame may not fit in well with your home, so this could detract from the television’s design,'

Continue reading "Samsung LN46A750 Review - Dev Hardware" »

Posted by Admin at 12:42 PM | Permalink

A review of the Panasonic TX-L32X15B HD Ready Freeview Widescreen LCD TV has been posted over at Pocket-Lint.com. 'Sat on its pedestal stand, the TX-L32X15B doesn’t exactly scream luxury. Its wide screen surround and rather drab design shows nothing has changed since last year’s Vieras, though the TX-L32X15B’s insides are definitely worth a second glance. Unlike on the TX-L32S10B, this Viera has Panasonic’s very latest picture processing technology inside. Called V-Real 4, it consists of an important invention as far as LCD TVs are concerned: 100Hz Intelligent Frame Creation. When an image - say, a car or a person - runs across the screen, or when the camera pans quickly, it often causes the LCD screen to judder.'

Continue reading "Panasonic TX-L32X15B Review - Pocket-Lint" »

Posted by Admin at 11:55 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Panasonic TC-P50S1 plasma TV. 'The new Panasonic design looks a lot like the old, albeit more rounded on the corners and the edges. The TC-PS1 series sports the hidden speakers that have become fashionable in HDTVs lately, with sound coming from underneath. Glossy black covers the entire frame, with a slim strip of silver shaped to mirror the gently curved bottom edge of the panel. Once we tore off the Energy Star sticker, the only other interruptions among all that black gloss were the Panasonic and Viera logos along with an indicator light and a big power button that nonetheless blended nicely into the frame. The company's glossy black stand looks the same as last year, and still lacks swivel capability.'

Continue reading "Panasonic TC-P50S1 Review - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 3:30 PM | Permalink

Digital Trends have published a review of the Sony Bravia KDL52XBR6 52" LCD TV. 'This 52-incher is a very heavy panel, weighing 79 pounds without the stand, and 94 with the pedestal. The 50-inch Pioneer Kuro we recently reviewed tipped the scales at 88 including the stand, and 74 for the panel. Supposedly, plasmas are heavier than LCDs, but it appears to be another plasma myth, like shorter lifespan and image burn-in. The Sony is also thicker—4.87 inches deep versus 3.65 for the Kuro. This really doesn’t mean much once you get the set into position, though, since most people will never go near it again other than to occasionally dust it off.'

Continue reading "Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR6 Review - Digital Trends" »

Posted by Admin at 11:31 PM | Permalink

The Register Hardware have published a review of the Western Digital WD TV HDD-to-HDTV adaptor. 'Setting up the WD TV is extremely straightforward. It’s a compact little black box measuring 12.5 x 10 x 4cm so it will sit neatly beside your TV. The WD TV doesn’t have any built-in storage at all, just two USB ports, which allow you to connect your hard drive or memory stick. You can use both USB ports at the same time, so you could have a permanent library of music and video files stored on a big fat hard drive connected to one port, while using the second port to plug in a friend’s memory stick to check out their holiday photos or home movies.'

Continue reading "Review: Western Digital WD TV HDD-to-HDTV Adaptor - Register Hardware" »

Posted by Admin at 12:32 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Panasonic Viera TX-26LXD80 26in LCD TV. 'If there's been one thing about Panasonic's latest TV range that I've consistently been underwhelmed by, it's their aesthetics. And sadly the 26LXD80 continues that theme, looking really quite drab in its bland black frame. A little arc of silver along the bottom edge helps alleviate the boredom a little, but it's not enough. Still, you don't have to be cute to be good at what you do (um, unless you're a model, I guess), so let's swiftly move on to something more practical: the 26LXD80's connections.'

Continue reading "Review: Panasonic Viera TX-26LXD80 26in LCD TV - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 11:29 PM | Permalink

The Register Hardware have published a review of the Philips Aurea II 42PFL9903H 42in LCD TV. 'The first Aurea, released in late 2007, had a frame design so uncompromising that it divided opinion. It was curious, with the light frame curving out at you with a matte finish to the coloured lights embedded into it. Take two is much better, with the light bezel now flat-fronted thanks to a sheet of Perspex that covers the entire front of the telly. Between the screen and the light frame is a narrow border, which on the first model was dark and noticeable, but here is much more neutral and understated. It’s a huge improvement, style-wise. The look is still going to be pretty divisive and it’s certainly worth easing yourself in gently with the frame intensity and brightness set low.'

Continue reading "Review: Philips Aurea II 42PFL9903H 42in LCD TV - Register Hardware" »

Posted by Admin at 11:49 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Sharp Aquos LC-46X8E 46in LCD TV. 'It’s a very attractive TV, that’s for sure. On one level it follows Sharp’s current penchant for a pretty slim, gloss black bezel offset by a silvery ‘wave’ along the bottom edge. Look a little closer, though, and the key points that make the 46X8E different from the B20 models slowly emerge. The desktop stand it ships with, for instance, is smaller than Sharp’s usual models, and the TV’s speaker inserts look a bit smarter. Probably because, as it turns out, they’re made of titanium. Ooh, fancy.'

Continue reading "Review: Sharp Aquos LC-46X8E 46in LCD TV - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 3:55 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the JVC LT-32DE9BJ 32in LCD TV. 'Probably the most significant strength of the TV’s pictures is their sharpness and detail. The DynaPix system really does a great job of making standard definition sources look crisp and surprisingly noiseless, while HD sources are stunningly full of texture and fine detail. In fact, during a run-through of test-room favourite Casino Royale on Blu-ray, detail levels during the early free running sequence are as high as I’ve ever seen them on a 32in TV.

Continue reading "JVC LT-32DE9BJ 32in LCD TV / PVR Review - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 10:06 PM | Permalink

A review of the Samsung HT-BD2 Blu-ray Home Cinema System has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'All of the processing and amplification takes place in the main unit, which pumps out a respectable 1,100W (RMS) or power, which works out at 135W per channel with 155W for the sub. The built-in disc drive obviously plays Blu-ray, but it also spins DVDs (upscaling them to 1080p if you want), finalised DVD-RW/-Rs and CDs, and you can also play MP3 and JPEG files from recordable CDs and DVDs. However, the unit is locked into Blu-ray Region B and DVD Region 2 and you can forget about DVD-Audio playback, which would have been a nice bonus feature for fans of hi-res music

Continue reading "Samsung HT-BD2 Blu-ray Home Cinema System - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 5:18 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Samsung HL61A750 61-inch rear-projection HDTV. 'Like most modern big-screen LCDs, the HL61A750 has a native resolution of 1080p, which works out to 1,920x1,080 pixels. While we often downplay the importance of 1080p resolution at smaller screen sizes, with a 61-inch screen you should be able to see the benefits of 1080p over 720p, albeit at a very close seating distance of 7 feet. Three picture modes are available, including Dynamic, Standard, and Movie. I chose Movie, as it produced the best results at the factory presets. The selectable color temperatures are Cool 1, Cool 2, Normal, Warm 1, and Warm 2; we selected Warm 2, as its by far the closest to the broadcast standard color temperature.'

Continue reading " Samsung HL61A750 HDTV Review - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 10:12 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have publsihed a review of the Philips Cineos 32PFL9603D/10 32in LCD TV. 'The black panel around the screen gets the ball rolling with its intensely reflective finish and tastefully rounded corners, all offset by an elegant silver trim. But where the set really stands out is with its distinctive translucent ‘cowl' that curves forward from the TV's rear to stand proud from the rest of the TV bezel by a centimetre or so. As well as looking attractive in its own right, this cowl serves two handy practical purposes as well. First, it helps push sound from the TV's ‘invisible' speakers down its sides towards your seating position. And second it adds a subtle extra dimension to the set's Ambilight Spectra 2 system.'

Continue reading "Review: Philips Cineos 32PFL9603D/10 32in LCD TV - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 10:05 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Dish Network DTVPal which is a digital to analog converter with built-in digital tuner. 'DTV converter boxes are fairly drab by nature, but the DTVPal is one of the better looking boxes we've seen. Its main attraction is its small footprint, coming in 1.3 inches high, 5.9 inches wide, and 4.2 inches deep. It has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the case sinks a bit in the middle, giving it a subtle wavelike appearance. There are no buttons on the front, which means you can only control the box using a remote. On the center of the unit is a single green light indicating that it's on, and the light turns off when the unit is off. The light is actually pretty bright, and unfortunately you can't disable it in the setup menu.'

Continue reading "Dish Network DTVPal Review - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 10:31 PM | Permalink

Digital Trends have published a review of the Vizio VO32L 32-inch LCD HDTV. ‘The VO32L is hardly a beauty and in fact looks kind of clunky. With its black body this set would look best plugged into the space of your A/V cabinet where the old 36-inch CRT gathered dust rather than as the centerpiece of your living room. The set measures 31.6 x 21.2 x 4.2 (WHD, in inches) and weighs 26 pounds without the supplied stand, 27.6 with. With the stand attached, the HDTV has a fairly utilitarian look—without the sweeping lines you’ll find on other models. Of course you can get rid of the stand and mount it to a wall, if you’d like with optional mounting hardware.

Continue reading "Vizio VO32L Review - Digital Trends" »

Posted by Admin at 1:25 PM | Permalink

Press Release

New Hybrid ExpressCard TV Tuner Gathers Clear QAM and H.264 Real-Time Recording Capabilities onto an Ultra-Slim Shell

MILPITAS, CA - May 19, 2008- AVerMedia® Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of digital multimedia and presentation technology announced today the release of the AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress, the compact ExpressCard TV tuner with the ability to receive HDTV (ATSC/Unencrypted "Clear" QAM Digital Cable TV), Analog TV or FM Radio on any Windows XP or Vista laptop. The slim-fit design easily inserts completely into the ExpressCard slot, leaving no protrusion of the unit outside of the laptop. The great functionalities and stylish appearance earned it a CES 2008 Innovations Design and Engineering Award Winner in the Video Accessories category.

Continue reading "AVerMedia® Launches CES Honored Hybrid ExpressCard TV Tuner" »

Posted by Admin at 10:29 PM | Permalink

Pocket-Lint have published a review of the Humax LGB-19DZT LCD TV 19-inch LCD TV with SRS speakers. ‘From a design point of view, this little TV is something of an ugly duckling: a conventional 19in (1440 x 900 pixels) LCD panel sitting on a bulbous speaker bar. The size of speakers is something of a necessity to deliver the SRS TruSurround XT sound, which is something you don’t normally find in smaller screens. Sticking with the speakers, you’ll find a display in the centre of them and things suddenly become apparent: this is actually a clever little bundle.’

Continue reading "Humax LGB-19DZT LCD TV Review – Pocket-Lint" »

Posted by Admin at 4:33 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Humax LP40-TDR1 LCD TV. ‘In terms of cost, you can get your hands on the LP40's still very rare, subscription-free built-in Freeview Playback system, plus its big old 40in LCD screen, for the extremely aggressive price of £690. That's less than many ‘vanilla' 32in LCD TVs. So are we looking at the bargain of the year, or what? If you're the sort of person who just likes to get a lot of sheer hardware for your buck, the LP40's design will have you on cloud 9. It really is a brute of a thing, featuring a much wider bezel than is common these days, and sticking out round the back a country mile versus the increasingly skinny efforts of most of today's ‘flat' TVs. People with dodgy backs should also note that it weighs a relative ton.’

Continue reading "Review: Humax LP40-TDR1 40in Freview Playback TV – Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 12:25 AM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Sharp LC-32D44U widescreen HDTV. 'We've always liked the looks of Sharp's Aquos-branded LCDs, and the LC-32D44U follows in the vein of handsome little sets. Its black gloss frame is medium-sized, with an angled speaker running along the bottom, rounded edges, and a matching stand (no swivel, unfortunately). A silver accent below the logo, which looks vaguely like a smiling lower lip, provides some relief from the black gloss. The LC-32D44U measures 30.6 inches wide by 22.6 inches tall by 9.1 inches deep including the stand, and weighs 29.8 pounds.

Continue reading "Sharp LC-32D44U Review - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 10:14 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the LG 50PG6000 50in Plasma TV. ‘An investigation of the 50PG6000's inner specifications uncovers a remarkably high claimed contrast ratio of 30,000:1 (delivered via a combination of the new Frameless Design and improvements to LG's image processing), a promisingly high brightness level of 1,500cd/m2, and a native resolution of 1,366 x 768. If you're feeling disappointed that the 50PG6000's resolution isn't full HD, now would seem a pertinent time to remind you that this TV costs less than £1100. For a 50in TV with an award-winning design, oodles of connections, and mostly impressive specifications, this really is one hell of a price. Especially since we're actually nowhere near done with the 50PG6000's interesting features yet.’

Continue reading "LG 50PG6000 50in Plasma TV Review – Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 10:22 PM | Permalink

PC Magazine have published a review of the Elgato HDHomeRun network-attached HDTV tuner. ‘The HDHomeRun is similar to other TV tuners on the market in that it has two coaxial inputs that connect to TV antennas or cable television. When reception is available, the device receives free over-the-air standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) broadcasts, plus unscrambled SD/HD cable television from a coaxial cable. What makes the HDHomeRun truly unique is that instead of connecting to your computer via USB or an internal PCI slot, it's the only tuner that connects to your network via Ethernet.

Continue reading "Elgato HDHomeRun Review – PC Mag" »

Posted by Admin at 11:29 AM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Philips 37PFL5522D 37in LCD TV. 'Aesthetically the 37PFL5522D is sort of okayish; just a relatively straightforward black rectangle with a small, slightly angled back speaker bar running along the bottom. But it at least feels quite solidly built, avoiding the overt plastickiness of many budget flat TVs. Turning to the TV's rear, we find a solid enough set of connections. Two HDMIs lead the way, with support from the de rigueur component video input, as well as a couple of SCARTs and the usual S-Video and composite video ‘fall backs' for anyone willing to put up with the inevitable reduction in image quality they introduce. The only disappointment is the fact that there's no D-Sub PC port, meaning you need to use one of the HDMIs for computer duties.'

Continue reading "Philips 37PFL5522D 37in LCD TV Review - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 10:25 PM | Permalink

A review of the LG 32LC46 32in LCD television has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'At under £400 it really does get down and dirty with 32in TVs from the budget-specialist likes of Goodmans and Bush. Yet there's really nothing in its on-paper specifications to suggest exactly how LG has managed to sell it for so little. For instance, its 32in screen comprises an HD Ready resolution of 1,366 x 768, and its claimed contrast ratio is a very respectable 5000:1. This latter figure reveals immediately that the TV employs a dynamic contrast system whereby the backlight can be dimmed automatically during dark scenes to deliver better black level response. This feature is by no means common in the sub-£500 32in flat TV market.'

Continue reading "LG 32LC46 32in LCD TV Review - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 9:19 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two (black/onyx) which consists of a soundbar that can be placed above or below a television or mounted on the wall, and a wireless subwoofer that can be placed anywhere in the room for a boost of dynamic bass. 'Boston claims that the TVee Model Two is a stereo speaker, but we found that it sounded as spacious as many "virtual" surround speaker systems we've tested here at CNET. Sound was projected a few feet out from the left and right ends of the speaker, and forward of it, as well. But the source is still 2-channel stereo, so don't expect any elaborate surround effects. Our DVDs' sound was detailed and the little subwoofer surprised us with its power.'

Continue reading "Review: Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 3:14 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Samsung PS-63P76FD 63in Plasma TV. 'As a TV with clearly vast home cinema potential, it's pleasing to find the 63P76FD carrying three HDMIs, as we wouldn't be surprised if the sort of person likely to buy this TV used all of them: one with a Sky HD box, one with an HD DVD/Blu-ray player, and one with an Xbox 360 Elite or PS3 games console. These HDMIs are no ordinary HDMIs either, since they're built to the v1.3 standard allowing compatibility with the Deep Colour system for producing a richer, wider colour palette from HD discs encoded with the Deep Colour data. Which would be great if any such discs actually existed…'

Continue reading "Samsung PS-63P76FD 63in Plasma TV Review - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 2:33 PM | Permalink

A review of the Philips 32PFL9632D 32in LCD TV has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'Before getting into whether or not all of Philips' processing efforts deliver the picture quality goods, we really need to briefly cover the 32PFL9632D's connections, for they're prodigious. Three HDMIs get the ball rolling, with other highlights including a component video feed, a PC jack, and a USB port able to playback a variety of multimedia formats, such as MP3s, .alb slideshows, JPEGs, plus MPEG1 and MPEG2 files. Other key specs you should know about are a native resolution of 1,366 x 768, and a seriously high - by LCD standards - claimed contrast ratio of 8000:1.'

Continue reading "Philips 32PFL9632D 32in LCD TV Review - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 8:17 PM | Permalink

A review of the Sony Bravia KLV-46X350A (46-inch LCD) TV has been posted over at CNET Asia. 'The KLV-46X350A is a near-clone of the original X series. You will still get a floating glass design synonymous with the flagship Bravia as well as other fine touches. For example, there is the illuminated Sony logo, shiny aluminum rims and interchangeable bezel. The latter now comes in six contrasting hues to better match your home deco. On top of the usual selection of black, blue, red, white and silver, you will also have a choice of gold. Other cosmetic variations are a stain-resistant brushed metal finish and a slightly wider form factor primarily due to a pair of side speakers.

Continue reading " Review: Sony Bravia KLV-46X350A LCD TV - CNET Asia" »

Posted by Admin at 11:02 PM | Permalink

A review of the Mitsubishi WD-65734 Rear Projection HDTV has been posted over at CNET. ‘We appreciate that Mitsubishi decided to make the exterior of the WD-65734 as understated as possible. Refreshingly, the set lacks the glossy black cabinet found on so many other HDTVs this year, and instead sports no-nonsense, dark-gray trim. The bezel around the screen is quite thin at just three-fourths of an inch along the top and sides, while below there's a wider section with the Mitsubishi logo. The speakers are hidden in narrow vents below the bezel, and below that you'll find a slightly wider, downward-angled pane into which is set a flip-down door that hides inputs and controls. The whole set measures 58.2 by 39.5 by 15.3 inches and weighs 76 pounds. Its depth is about average for the breed.’

Continue reading "Review: Mitsubishi WD-65734 Rear Projection HDTV - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 3:56 PM | Permalink

Pocket Lint have published a review of the Rock Meivo Media Centre TV PC. ‘The 22-inch screen is very impressive, as we'd expect from someone as successful with portable display technology as Rock. It comes with Vista Home Premium preloaded, along with a wireless mouse and keyboard and remote control to access and control the Media Center functionality. Setup and control of the Meivo is about typical of any Vista PC, so the main shout for Rock with this new entry is clearly the home cinema oriented features that it has integrated seamlessly into a unit with such a small footprint.’

Continue reading "Rock Meivo LCD TV Review – Pocket Lint" »

Posted by Admin at 9:41 AM | Permalink

A review of the LG 42LF66 42in LCD TV has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'With fellow Korean outfit Samsung setting the TV bar right now when it comes to balancing keen pricing with high performance levels, LG could really do with stepping up its game to keep the local rivalry strong. Especially as the continuation of such a competitive situation can only spell good news for us bargain-hunting AV punters. So let's keep everything crossed for LG's latest big-screen LCD TV, the 42in 42LF66. First impressions suggest that our hopes are going to be lived up to. The set's design, for instance, is a class act, partly because of the sheer glossiness of the bezel's finish, and partly because of the unusual slenderness of the chassis.'

Continue reading "Review: LG 42LF66 42in LCD TV - Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 8:57 PM | Permalink

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ700B 42in Plasma TV. ‘Connection wise, Panasonic has pushed the boat out with this TV. Kicking things off are three HDMI 1.3 ports – not only will you be able to hook up more high definition kit than with most other 42in TVs, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of high bit depth, Deep Colour content once discs appear that support this feature of course. There’s also a component video input for analogue HD sources like an Xbox 360, as well as D-SUB port for hooking up a PC. You also get three Scart sockets (two RGB), analogue audio in for the component video and D-SUB connections and analogue audio out. There’s also optical digital audio out, allowing you to pass through the digital audio from the HDMI inputs to a suitable external amp or processor.’

Continue reading "Review: Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ700B 42in Plasma TV – Trusted Reviews" »

Posted by Admin at 11:16 AM | Permalink

A preview of the LG 60PY3RF Plasma TV has been posted over at CNET Asia. ‘If you are looking for something of a substantial size, you have obviously found the right match. This mammoth offers a generous 60-inch screen size that delivers a near-theatrical effect second to projectors. To top it off, a future-proof 1,920 x 1,080-pixel native resolution ensures pixel-to-pixel crisp visuals when paired with HD sources such as Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Easy on the eye, the chassis is dressed in all-round glossy black and measures an ultra-slim 98.5mm depth.’.

Continue reading "Preview: LG 60PY3RF Plasma TV – CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 2:20 PM | Permalink

The Panasonic TH-42PZ700U Plasma HDTV is a fully HD 1080p high-definition monitor. ‘The Panasonic TH-42PZ700U is one of the most expensive 42-inch plasmas on the market, but it's also the best-performing flat panel of its size we've ever tested. The high price can be blamed squarely on its native resolution--it's the first and only 42-inch 1080p plasma--but the picture quality has little to do with all those pixels. Instead, we noted its deep black levels and realistic shadow detail along with a commendably clean image. Of course, we could complain about other aspects of its performance, namely its color accuracy, but that's not enough to spoil an excellent picture. If you have the cash to burn but don't have the space to go bigger, the Panasonic TH-42PZ700U fits the bill perfectly.’

Continue reading "Panasonic TH-42PZ700U Plasma TV Review at CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 8:46 PM | Permalink

CNET have published a review of the Samsung 50" widescreen HP-T5064 plasma HDTV. ‘The HP-T5064 doesn't have the same kind of sculpted, aggressively high-tech look as Samsung's LN-T65F series of LCDs. Instead the squared-off corners and flat planes of its glossy black frame create a more traditional, albeit perfectly handsome, appearance. The swath of frame below the screen opens up into a long horizontal slit at its bottom edge, from which the sound of the otherwise hidden speakers emerges. Samsung does include the same kind of swivel stand found on its LCDs, which allows the panel to move up to 20 degrees in either direction. Including stand, the HP-T5064 measures 48.5 inches wide by 33.3 inches tall by 13 inches deep and weighs 97 pounds; without the stand, the panel comes in at about 48.5 inches tall by 31 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep and 91.4 pounds.’

Continue reading "Samsung HP-T5064 - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 3:37 PM | Permalink

PC Magazine have published a review of the value-priced AOC Envision L32W461 high-definition television. 'The main A/V connection on the L32W461 is located at the rear of the display, facing downward near the lower edge. The TV's HD-compatible video inputs include one HDMI connection, two component-video inputs, and a VGA input for PC use. A side-accessible input block provides composite and S-Video input with RCA-style stereo audio connections, as well as a mini-jack port for use with earphones. I feel that the L32W461 could really use a second or third HDMI input, but its relatively low price makes its limited selection of digital inputs a little easier to accept. The set's native resolution is 1,366 by 768 pixels progressively scanned (768p), and it produced crisp-looking imagery when fed the common PC resolution of 1,360-by-768 via VGA input. The same resolution fed from a PC via HDMI, however, produced a slightly underscanned image.'

Continue reading "AOC Envision L32W461 - PC Mag" »

Posted by Admin at 2:19 AM | Permalink

CNET Asia have posted a preview of the new Sony KS-60R200A (60-inch rear projection SXRD) TV. ‘From afar and facing the KS-60R200A head on, it's extremely difficult to differentiate this RPTV apart from its sleek flat-panel counterparts aside from the generous 60-inch screen. Sporting an equally stylish front that's on par with most Bravias, many consumers would have easily passed the set off as just another LCD or plasma model. But two factors are sure giveaways of its rear-projection roots. For starters, there is the affordable S$7,999 (US$5,089.97) price tag that's unheard of in the supersized flat TV segment. If this is not enough to arouse your suspicions, a quick peep at its sides is all it takes to dismiss the perceived "slim" illusion.

Continue reading "Preview: Sony KS-60R200A (60-inch rear projection SXRD) – CNET Asia" »

Posted by Admin at 11:26 PM | Permalink

Pocket Lint have publised a review of the 32-inch Regza C-series HDTV from Toshiba. 'The new Regza C-series from Toshiba, available in 32-inch and 37-inch and 42-inch sizes, aims to bring more weight to LCD's case as the current flatscreen technology of choice. The 32-inch screen we have on test is a nice enough looking unit, with a swivel stand, twin HDMI and a range of typical inputs. You'll also find a built-in digital TV tuner with Freeview, which is particularly impressive in its clarity and sharpness, outperforming a digital satellite signal which in itself is still pretty good.'

Continue reading "Review: Toshiba Regza C-series 32-inch Television - Pocket Lint" »

Posted by Admin at 5:56 PM | Permalink

A review of the pricey but feature-rich Panasonic TH-58PX600U diagonal plasma HDTV has been posted on ZDNet. 'The smart-looking Panasonic TH-58PX600U is basically a 58-inch diagonal pane of glass surrounded by a black frame that's edged by silver. The silver strips of cabinet to the right and the left of the frame actually house ultrathin speakers, and the silver along the bottom conceals a pair of flip-up doors. One reveals an SD card slot and the other a set of control buttons and an A/V input. Panasonic's matching silver stand comes included in the price of the set.The entire television including stand measures a formidable 57.3x38.9x16.6 inches (WHD) and weighs a hefty 174.2 pounds. Detached from the stand, the Panasonic TH-58PX600U's panel measures 57.3x36.2x5.7 inches and will put 136.7 pounds of stress on your wall studs. Panasonic sells compatible wall mounts, including the tilting EZLCDP-02 mount.'

Continue reading "Panasonic TH-58PX600U - ZDNET" »

Posted by Admin at 6:35 PM | Permalink

CNET have reviewed the Velocity Micro's CineMagix Grand Theater entertainment system which allows the user to store music for instant access, record TV shows digitally and in HD, create photo slideshows, and access the web from a television set. 'The CineMagix Grand Theater represents Velocity Micro's first foray into the realm of the all-out home theater PC. Blu-Ray, CableCard, Windows Vista Home Premium, quad-core CPUs--they're all here. You can also scale it back to more modest specs, starting at $2,195.

Continue reading " CineMagix Grand Theater - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 3:53 PM | Permalink

Proton has introduced two LCD televisions from its new premium line of flat-panel displays which are to be displayed at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. ‘The P47D5 and P42D5 are exceptionally high quality 47- and 42-inch, high-definition, widescreen, flat-panel TVs. They boast brilliantly clear, progressively scanned 1080p HD resolution, built-in digital and analog tuners, and HDMI inputs. The movie-style widescreen aspect ratio is augmented by conventional 4:3, 16:9 Zoom, and Panoramic display modes. Dual-picture functions — Picture-in-Picture and Picture-on-Picture — provide alternative ways to watch TV. The P47D5, in addition, features a high contrast ratio of 1200:1, a brightness level of 500 nits, and a pair of built-in 5-watt speakers.’

Continue reading "Proton's P47D5 And P42D5 High-Definition LCD Televisions" »

Posted by Admin at 8:22 AM | Permalink

The VX37L 37-inch LCD features integrated HDTV capabilities, 1366 x 768 HD pixel resolution and a viewing angle of up to 178 degrees. ‘The array of conveniences, atypically complete for an inexpensive HDTV, begins with a versatile picture-in-picture function, allowing you to view two inputs or channels simultaneously. You can also conjure two same-sized images side-by-side or go with the standard smaller inset image. Naturally, the VX37L includes an HDTV tuner that can grab over-the-air high-def and digital channels. A viewer can also cycle through three aspect-ratio modes with HD sources and select a fourth, panorama, with standard-def sources.

Continue reading "Vizio VX37L HDTV – CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 1:10 PM | Permalink

Portable TV's have come of age and no longer do you have to lug around with the bulky portables from familiar vendors which, while devoid of features to manipulate "modern" media formats, usually carried a hefty price tag especially for the color versions. The HANNSmobi Portable TV from Hannspree is an affordable portable DVD player featuring an integrated TV tuner. The device which retails for $299 would fit comfortably in any travel luggage unlike its predecessors.

Continue reading "HANNSmobi Portable DVD Television" »

Posted by Admin at 10:29 PM | Permalink

A review of the Westinghouse W4207 LCD TV has been posted over at CNET. ‘The elusive $1,000 barrier is about to be broken once again, and this time by the Westinghouse W4207, the least expensive 42-inch flat-panel LCD we've ever reviewed. This monitor lacks a tuner, so you'll need to connect a cable or satellite box to watch TV, but otherwise there's nothing missing. Decent picture quality, plenty of inputs, and understated style mark the W4207 as tough competition for the former champions of the LCD price space: Vizio's GV42L HDTV and L42 HDTV models. We gave those sets higher overall scores, but that's only because they include HDTV tuners. If you don't plan to connect an antenna, the Westinghouse W4207 is the best big-screen LCD bargain around, at least for now.’

Continue reading "Review: Westinghouse W4207 LCD TV - CNET" »

Posted by Admin at 11:08 PM | Permalink

CNET has reviewed the 46-inch Vizio GV46L HDTV. 'If you've roamed the cavernous halls of discount retailer Costco recently, you may have seen flat-panel HDTVs with the Vizio brand name and wondered whether their prices were too good to be true. Vizio televisions routinely cost a few hundred dollars less than the competition, and lately we've lauded their cost-to-performance ratios, although we have liked some better than others.

Continue reading "Vizio GV46L High Definition Television Reviewed" »

Posted by Admin at 11:31 PM | Permalink

A review of the somewhat "pricey" Samsung HL-S5679W HDTV has been posted over at CNET. 'Earlier this year, we called Samsung's HL-S5687W "the best 1080p big-screen we've reviewed so far" in terms of value, and that's still the case. For the vast majority of big-screen seekers, that television represents an excellent combination of performance and budget-mindedness. But some viewers out there don't see its picture quality in quite the same way. Instead, to paraphrase The Sixth Sense, they see rainbows.

Continue reading "Samsung HL-S5679W High Definition TV Reviewed" »

Posted by Admin at 2:39 PM | Permalink

CNET has reviewed the "pricey" Sony KDL-46XBR2 HDTV. 'The design of the Sony KDL-46XBR2 is unique in the world of flat-panel TVs. A silver frame or bezel surrounds the screen and houses the left and right speakers. A glass frame extends around the larger silver frame, then a thin silver edge borders the circumference of the glass, making for an extremely elegant look. A large and distracting Sony logo lights up whenever you turn the set on, which is about the only thing we don't like about the design. Happily, the light can be disabled.

Continue reading "Sony KDL-46XBR2 Flat Panel TV Review" »

Posted by Admin at 4:31 PM | Permalink

David Katzmaier reviews the Panasonic PT-61DLX76 HDT V over at CNET. 'Panasonic is a major HDTV player, but its big-screen cards have mostly been of the flat-panel variety as opposed to rear-projection. The PT-DLX76 series, which includes a 56-inch model as well as the 61-inch PT-61DLX76 ($3,299 MSRP) reviewed here, changes all that. It's the company's first foray into the lucrative 1080p microdisplay category--you know, the kind of HDTV you'd buy if you want a huge screen with the highest-available resolution but can't afford Panasonic's 65-inch 1080p plasma.

Continue reading "Panasonic PT-61DLX76 HDTV Review" »

Posted by Admin at 2:20 PM | Permalink

The AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 allows users to watch and record live TV with the Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. With the available dual tuner drivers, two cards can be installed so users can watch live TV on one channel and record another, or record two different shows simultaneously. Previously recorded shows can also be viewed as two others are being recorded at the same time. The PVR functions in MCE 2005 allow for live TV viewing, rewind, time shifting and instant playback. The FM radio features include 9 station pre-sets, live radio listening, or pause, rewind, replay. The AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 supports full band air and cable TV with other features including a fully resizable TV window, closed captioning for NTSC signals and parental control channel lockout.

Continue reading "HTPC News.com: AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 Review" »

Posted by Admin at 9:55 PM | Permalink

CNET reviews a Sharp High Definition Television which, though priced under the $2000 range, may just be beyond the mass market for the time being. 'The Sharp LC-37D40U improves on its predecessor, the LC-37D7U, with both a lower list price and a newer, better-spec'd LCD panel, but the most obvious difference between the two is skin-deep. Like many TV makers in 2006, Sharp dropped the silver coloring, surrounding the screen of the LC-37D40U with a thick frame of glossy black. Beyond the frame on all sides is a charcoal-gray cabinet that houses the bottom-mounted speakers and matches the nonswiveling stand. The overall look is rounded off and attractive, although the set doesn't have as snazzy an appearance as that of Samsung's LN-S4051D, for example.'

Continue reading "Sharp LC-37D40U HDTV" »

Posted by Admin at 1:51 AM | Permalink

The Philips RC9800i touch screen remote control enables almost effortless access and control of information and digital content from multiple types of devices in the home. 'Sleek and understated, with carbon and silver coloring, the Philips PC9800i is one of the more attractive tablet-style remotes you'll see. You can either leave it sitting on a table or pick it up to tap out your commands using your thumbs or the tips of your index fingers. Measuring 4.01 by 5.90 by 1.02 inches (HWD) and weighing 7.49 ounces, the RC9800i feels lighter in hand than it looks at first glance, but its construction seems sturdy, and the finish appears as though it would hold up well over time. A nonremovable, rechargeable battery is built into the remote, which Philips says will give you about 3 hours of continuous use and two weeks of standby time, a figure that's in line with our testing results.'

Continue reading "Philips RC9800i Universal Remote Control" »

Posted by Admin at 3:06 AM | Permalink

If there is one thing you can say about Samsung products it is they are definitely made for the masses. Of course this comment is no ways implies any negative connotation towards Samsung electronics since the company's products are of a very high quality but you can always be sure their prices would normally fall well below those of the more "classier" name brands. 'The first thing you'll notice about the Samsung 32-inch LN-R3228W is its distinctive all-black coloring. Unlike Sharp, which also has an extensive lineup of LCDs with a range of colors--but mostly silver--Samsung's LCDs are mostly two-tone silver and black. The LN-R3228W stands out with its black speakers and pedestal, although it's otherwise identical to the LN-R328W. The screen is edged with slick glossy black plastic, much like the Sharp LC-32D4U, but the Samsung's speakers are mounted on the bottom and shaped in a wide v formation. As a result, the LN-R3228W is narrower than many LCDs, measuring 31.4 by 25.6 by 9.8 inches. Including the stand, it weighs 39 pounds.

Continue reading "Samsung LN-R3228W 32" HDTV-Ready LCD TV" »

Posted by Admin at 1:39 PM | Permalink

The days of purchasing quality TV sets at below $1000 may be gone at least for the forseeable future, especially if you wish to experience the latest in technological innovation. You can expect to part with upwards of $3000 for sets such as the Samsung HPR4252 but then you would be assured of top-of-the-line viewing for a good few years as the networks upgrade to deliver continuous HDTV programming.'The Samsung HP-R4252 has a clean, two-tone design with a large black border around the screen and a silver finish on the bottom portion of the chassis where the nondetachable stereo speakers are housed. We liked the look, although we could have done without the big blue LED ring on the front and the geeky, 1980s-video-game-sounding start-up chime, neither of which can be disabled. The table stand, which can be removed for wall-mounting, is also finished in silver; when it's attached, the display measures 41.7 by 30.7 by 13.4 inches (HWD) and weighs 98 pounds.

Continue reading "Samsung HPR4252 42 Inch HDTV Plasma" »

Posted by Admin at 2:59 PM | Permalink

Rear-Projection Televisions (RPTVs) deliver the best in TV performance but at premium prices. The JVC HD-61FH96 costs over $3000 and while RPTV television programming may not be flowing through the tubes in abundance, you would still benefit from overall better TV viewing until the upgraded shows become available. 'If you want the Holy Grail of HDTV, you're going to look for a 1080p model that can deliver the highest high-definition resolution available today. Currently there are less than two dozen big-screen rear-projection television (RPTV) sets on the market that claim to attain this level of resolution.'

Continue reading "JVC HD-61FH96 Rear-Projection Television (RPTV)" »

Posted by Admin at 4:16 AM | Permalink

Though not as massive as the 60-inch and while bigger than the usual 50-inch plasma HDTVs on the market, the Hitachi 55HDT52 aspires to carve a niche for itself in the 55-inch category. ' At 55 inches, Hitachi's 55HDT52 plasma has a somewhat unusual screen size. The plasma HDTV market abounds with 50-inch models that cost as little as $2,500, whereas truly massive 60-inch and larger plasmas still cost around $7,500 and up. The 55HDT52 ($5,800 list) splits the difference in size and price. Aside from screen size, this plasma exhibits many of the same characteristics as its little brother, the 42-inch Hitachi 42HDT52, scoring high marks for its extremely attractive design and excellent feature package but falling a bit short of the competition in image quality, especially when displaying darker material.'

Continue reading "CNET Review: Hitachi 55HDT52 5-IN HDTV Plasma" »

Posted by Admin at 2:13 PM | Permalink

CNET editors assign a favorable rating to this LCD television from HP. 'The computer giant clad its LCD television in black gloss, which does lend an element of class. Unfortunately, the border edging the screen reflected too much ambient light, detracting from the onscreen image. A quartet of status lights along the bottom, a set of technology logos, a flashy HP logo, and a discreet Pavilion label interrupt the black gloss. HP includes a substantial silver stand that pivots about 10 degrees to either side, as well as a pair of detachable speakers. The television measures 23 by 42 by 12 inches (HWD) with stand and speakers and 19.5 by 32 by 4.3 inches without.'

Continue reading "CNET Review: HP LC3200N Flat Panel TV" »

Posted by Admin at 2:56 AM | Permalink

Just in case you may be somewhat concerned about the terms used in reference to digital television, here is a brief explanation from Technology Review of the acronyms used to differentiate the sets. 'The digital TVs that will eventually replace today's analog system bring a whole new language, leaving consumers who are eyeing or buying new sets scratching their heads.Digital television, or DTV, offers astonishing, super-sharp, widescreen pictures and better-quality audio, closer to a theatrical experience. The images are sharper than analog versions because there are more pixels or dots making up the picture.'

Continue reading "Technology Review: A Quick Guide To Digital TV Terms" »

Posted by Admin at 8:44 PM | Permalink

For sure you could purchase a different model above or below the asking price of around $300 -$420 for the NEC/Mitsubishi 19” flat screen monitor but a perusal of CNET's preview of this item reveals favorable comments on the features /specifications of this item. If you detest peering at small screens this monitor could well provide some satisfaction. 'In contrast with the less expensive, less adjustable 19-inch Acer AL1951B, the NEC MultiSync LCD1970VX illustrates the importance of subtleties such as design and ease of use. The 19-inch LCD1970VX performs about as well as the Acer but has a more user-friendly control panel and better ergonomic flexibility. And at $439.99, it costs only $60 more. Unless you're trying to save every dollar, the NEC LCD1970VX is a better overall choice.'

Continue reading "Adequate Flat Screen Monitor: NEC/Mitsubishi 19” MultiSync® LCD1970VX-BK" »

Posted by Admin at 2:51 PM | Permalink

It is generally noted that laptop sales are surpassing those of the destop PC but there will always be be the pros and cons for the use of both type of devices. While notebooks are coming with larger screen sizes, the norm is generally one of a "compact" view from a relatively small screen. With the PC you can purchase any measure of flatscreen monitor to suit your viewing needs. The specifications for such monitors are improving and competition ensures you can purchase a reasonably sized monitor for a decent price.'With above-average image quality and a competitive price, the Dell 1905FP is well worth the money. The 19-inch LCD retains the basic look and flexible design of its predecessors--though the stand feels a bit sturdier--and it offers the same height adjustment range of about five inches. It also smoothly tilts, swivels, and rotates from Portrait to Landscape mode. You can lock the monitor at its lowest height position and remove the panel from the pillar by pressing a release button, which makes this display easy to transport and store.'

Continue reading "Cheap Flat Screen Monitors: Dell UltraSharp 1905FP" »

Posted by Admin at 11:34 PM | Permalink

Plasma screen televisions don't come cheap so be prepared to shell out over $3,000 if you desire to view the high quality output of one of these devices. Pioneer has long been recognized as one of the leading brands in electronic equipment so even before perusing reviews you would expect the plasma screen products from this manufacturer to be of an extremely high quality. . 'The Pioneer PDP-4360HD has a sleek, high-tech look. A glossy black frame surrounds the screen, and the table stand is finished in silver, though that detail is barely noticeable in a darkened room. Black side-mounted speakers flank the screen. The panel itself measures about 42 by 25 by 4 inches and weighs 57 pounds.'

Continue reading "Pioneer PDP-4360HD 43" PureVision Widescreen Plasma HDTV" »

Posted by Admin at 5:43 PM | Permalink

Samsung appear to have scored big with the reviewers especially with its big screen televisions at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. CNET picked the HL-S5679W for its "Best of CES" award in the HDTV Category. 'The Samsung HL-S5679W's LED light source engine offers a host of benefits, including significantly improved longevity, increased color gamut reproduction, quicker turn-on time, and greater environmental friendliness. The high-powered LED light source replaces the current UHP bulb. The LED light sourced single chip DLP light engine does not require a color wheel and provides improved longevity. Red, green and blue LEDs sequentially fire to produce smooth, stable color. The new light engine provides a longer lamp life (up to 20,000 hours) and a shorter turn-on time (approximately 7 seconds). The engine is also mercury-free making it more environmentally friendly.'

Continue reading "Samsung 56 Inch HDTV HL-S5679W" »

Posted by Admin at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

CNET's David Carnoy gives an insight into the Sony slider TV unveiled at the CES 2006 show/exhibition. 'You've heard of the slider phone. Now there's the slider TV. That's the idea behind the TAV-32FL2, a concept product that Sony is showing in its booth. While you're watching TV or a DVD, you leave the 32-inch Bravia LCD TV in the up position. But when you're just playing a CD, you can slide the speaker up to cover the screen. Though Sony reps were calling it a concept product, they did claim that the TAV-32FL2 would hit stores before the end of the year, although pricing was unavailable. They also said the product features virtual surround and that Sony will potentially sell different-colored speaker grilles to match your room's decor. This one is clearly targeted toward bedrooms or extrasmall living rooms.'

Continue reading "Gadget Television for the Future: Sony's Slider TV" »

Posted by Admin at 12:13 AM | Permalink

If you dont mind logging around with one too many pieces of electronic gadgetry, the personal television should not pose much of a problem. For an asking price of around $70, you can have your favorite television news and entertainment programs delivered to you irrespective of where you might be.

Continue reading "Citizen ST555 2.2 in Flat Screen LCD TV" »

Posted by Admin at 12:45 AM | Permalink