LcdHdtv
Latest
Sharp intros 52-inch PN-S525 / 65-inch PN-S655 pro LCDs
For times when traditional LCD HDTVs just can't cut it (digital signage applications come to mind), Sharp is dishing out a new pair of professional displays to handle the task(s). Up first is the 52-inch PN-S525, which boasts a Full HD panel, 1,800:1 contrast ratio, 6-millisecond response time, 176-degree viewing angles and a bevy of inputs including DVI-D, component, RS-232C, HDMI and Ethernet. The PN-S655 sports an expansive 65-inch screen and features DFE (Dual-Fine Engine) technology, a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 420 cd/m2 brightness and all of the inputs mentioned on its smaller brother. Lastly, the slightly tweaked PN-S525P ($10,795) and PN-S655P ($14,225) will be shipping this month with an integrated protective acrylic overlay for high traffic areas, while the S525P / S655 will sell for $4,550 / $6,459.
Toshiba's 1080p REGZA ZV series LCD HDTVs get priced and dated
Ready for some Resolution+ in your LCD HDTV? Yeah? Then get ready for Toshiba's REGZA ZV series, which is gearing up to take the UK by storm and completely change the way you see SD content. Okay, so maybe that's a touch overblown, but the upscaling sets are slated to launch in the UK on November 29th. The 42-inch 42ZV555D will sell for £899.99 ($1,419), while the 46-inch 46ZV555D will go for £1199.99 ($1,893), and both will make your collection of HD footage immensely envious.[Via Pocket-lint]
Silicon Mountain's Allio: 42-inch HDTV with built-in PC / Blu-ray player
Talk about putting all of your eggs in one basket. Silicon Mountain has evidently taken a note from Lumenlab with its incredibly multifaceted Allio. For starters, the 42-inch set arrives with a full-blown PC within, including an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive and Windows Vista Home Premium. You'll also find a smorgasbord of inputs, a number of USB ports, wired / wireless networking options and a 1080p panel; speaking of the TV itself, it features a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness and twin 12-watt speakers. On top of all that, the California-assembled unit even includes a slim-line Blu-ray player, theoretically beating both Sharp and Funai to the market with Blu-ray-infused HDTVs. As of now, six different configurations are available (including a 32-incher) starting at $1,599, and the company is planning on offering "low-cost" versions with Ubuntu in the near future. Head on past the break for the full release.
Sharp's AQUOS LC-46D85U LCD HDTV reviewed: average at best
Generally speaking, Sharp's AQUOS line is a pretty safe bet. That being said, its 46-inch LC-46D85U didn't fare too well under the scrutiny of CNET. Reviewers did point out that it displayed accurate color once calibration was complete, and they also admired the copious quantity of inputs and the "understated, no-nonsense styling." Still, the uneven backlight uniformity (which produced banding), light black levels and lack of dejudder video processing pretty much nullified the previously mentioned gains. In the end, the troubling quirks associated with the image quality all but eliminated it from consideration given its lofty price tag ($1,700+), which should be quite troubling to the ears at Sharp -- particularly with a heralded KURO LCD HDTV rolling stateside in under a year.
Philips 42PFL9903D Aurea II HDTV reviewed, dubbed pretty amazing
There's no denying that the £2,500 42PFL9903D Aurea II is pricey, but for those with the requisite coin, you're probably wondering if this here set is a sound investment. The critics over at TrustedReviews were able to get one of these freshly released stunners into their labs for testing, and to simplify things, we'll just say they were thoroughly impressed. Not only was the tweaked design swooned over, but the Aurea Light Frame effects were also adored and the overall image performance was equally impressive. Granted, the sheer quantity of your disposable income will determine whether or not the whiz-bang LED effects are worth the premium, but at least to these reviewers, it was.
Philips' LED-backlit 42PFL9803H on sale in UK for 2,299
If the flashy 42PFL9903D Aurea II is a bit too rich for your blood, Philips is offering you one other option before you bolt to some other brand. The LED-backlit 42PFL9803H, which was spotted (and lookin' good, might we add) at IFA earlier this year, is finally on sale across the pond. An outlay of £2,299 ($3,649) nets you a 42-inch 1080p panel with a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and a 128-region local dimming system. Furthermore, you'll get four HDMI 1.3 ports, an Ethernet jack for streaming in media over a network and at least a small amount of bragging rights.[Via TrustedReviews]
Philips intros 42PFL9903D Aurea II LCD HDTV
Late in August, we got wind of an elusive Aurea II HDTV that was in development from Philips. Now, we're looking at the official result of that labor. The 42-inch Philips Aurea II (or 42PFL9903D, if you'd prefer) packs a 1080p panel, the latest version of the Perfect Pixel HD engine, a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and a wicked fast two-millisecond response time. Reportedly, the main differences between this set and the original Aurea is a thinner frame, more curvaceous corners and an ever-so-slightly updated design. For those with the cash to blow, it'll be available for a stiff £2,499 ($3,967) this month.
Vizio's 42-inch SV420XVT LCD HDTV gets reviewed
Even with the big boys lowering prices this year to cope with bulging inventories and a flagging economy, Vizio sets are still apt to be one of your cheapest options. That said, if you've been cautiously eying the 42-inch SV420XVT, this here review should certainly provide a little guidance. Reviewers were pleased (and somewhat surprised) to see that Vizio included everything an HDTV virgin would need to get it up and running in ten minutes (or three hours, we guess): a remote, power cord, the set itself, cleaning cloth, safety strap and an HDMI cable. Furthermore, they found the out-of-the-box picture settings to be remarkably solid, but things began to turn slightly south when checking out the image quality. Black levels weren't awesome and the image sharpness "left very little to be desired," but again, you're not realistically expecting KURO-like qualities out of an $1,100 set. Overall, the 1080p HDTV was still impressive enough to net an 8.3 out of 10 rating, and so long as you're not anticipating world-beating performance, you'll likely be quite stoked for the price.
Pioneer's 37-inch KRL-37V KURO LCD reviewed: other LCDs should be scared
Anyone remotely familiar with the KURO brand knows that with it comes the expectation of awesomeness (and a large price tag), and the question on everyone's mind has been: will the KURO LCD line live up to the name? According to TrustedReview's critique of the 37-inch KRL-37V, the answer is a resounding "yes." The reviewers put together five long-winded pages detailing the ins and outs of this here set, but in general, they found that it produced better pictures than most other LCDs on the market today, and that's saying something. Sure, it wasn't without its flaws -- there were occurrences where odd color tones popped up in SD footage, black levels weren't astonishing and the viewing angles weren't the greatest -- but the colors in HD were simply terrific. 'Tis a shame we North Americans will have to wait until sometime next year before we can even have a look for ourselves, but those in Europe may want to give this one some serious attention.[Via HDTV Lounge]
Sharp's 52-inch LC-52SB55U LCD HDTV reviewed: a solid value
It's no AQUOS, but then again, no member of the fresh SB series pretends to be. Sharp's largest player in its new "entry-level" family was taken for a spin over at PC Mag, and all in all, they came away quite impressed. The 52-inch LC-52SB55U ditches that 120Hz technology (that we're not too fond of anyway) and sticks with the tried and true 60Hz refresh rate -- all while still offering up a 1080p panel, 1.8-inch bezel and a fixed 2- x 10-inch stereo speaker bar. Critics were immediately impressed with the unit's array of inputs, and overall, the image quality was impressive enough to satisfy the market it's aiming at. The set can be had online for under $1,700 as of right now, and while we'd personally have a tough time biting before Black Friday, those who need an HDTV this very moment probably won't be disappointed.
Pioneer's 32-inch KRL-32V KURO LCD HDTV gets unboxed
Peeks and glimpses are alright, but we all know those are just the crumbs leading up to the feast. CNET's UK branch was able to grab hold of what appears to be a retail Pioneer KRL-32V KURO LCD, and of course, they paused every few seconds during the presumably mayhem-filled unboxing process in order to snap a few photos and let us all in on the fun. Early impressions were overly positive, with the lucky unboxers noting that Freeview picture quality was "impressive," and that this here set proves that Pioneer definitely "has something to bring to the LCD party." Hit the read link to get yourself all kinds of jealous on the inside.[Thanks, John]
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best outdoor HDTV?
Granted, it's not the most fitting time to ask this question in the majority of North America, but they always say the best sales are in the off-season. Have a look at Jonathon's request regarding outdoor sets:"We just put in a new deck and pool this summer, and now I'm looking for HDTV options for the outdoors. Ideally, I'd like a set that could withstand the rain and elements so I'm not stuck hauling it in and out each time we want to use it. Obviously, I'm trying to spend the least amount possible while still getting a good product, but I've had zero experience with those rugged, waterproof HDTVs. Anyone out there who could help?" We know a few of you have splurged on a set to sit by the pool, so let's hear it! Are you happy with your Runco / Pantel / etc.? Had any problems with it standing up to the elements? Chime in below.Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
DisplaySearch director takes a stab at Black Friday HDTV prices
It's impossible to know just how accurate Paul Gagnon, DisplaySearch's director of North American TV market research, will be with his latest predictions, but we figured it prudent to pass along these figures if for nothing more than to look back and see just how right / wrong they were. With Black Friday 2008 hastily approaching, Mr. Gagnon has put out his assumptions of where prices will head on that fateful day. He reckons that a 19-inch LCD will be selling for just under two bills, while a 32-inch LCD HDTV will go for $399 to $499. For those seeking a big screen, we're hearing $799 to $999 for a 40-inch 1080p set, $599 to $699 for a 42-inch HD plasma (for realz?) and $899 to $999 for a 50-inch HD plasma. Mark 'em down folks, and make sure you're not utterly shocked if these end up being off by a buck or two (or more).[Via Home Theater Mag, image courtesy of TeamSugar]
Global TV pricing sinks 22% year-over-year in September
Those price drops you've been noticing are more than a figment of your imagination. In fact, they're very, very real. According to hot-off-the-press research from DisplaySearch, global TV internet pricing for TVs declined 22% on average this September compared to a year ago. More specifically, plasma prices sank (on average) 27%, while CRT stickers actually rose 4%. When looking at the all-important LCD TV category, we're told that prices in Europe declined the most at 30%, while China, North America and Japan were down 20 percent, 16 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Also of note, it was the big screen sets plummeting the most, as 52-inch LCD TVs sank nearly 30% year-over-year while 20-inch LCD TVs dropped just 4%. Oh, and we'd totally expect to see things head further south exactly one month from today -- at least in America.[Via CNET, image courtesy of DayLife]
LCD maker Chi Mei Optoelectronics suffers $125 million loss in Q3
Chi Mei Optoelectronics, one of the world's leading manufacturers of TFT-LCDs, is licking its wounds after announcing a staggering $125 million loss in Q3 of this year. Of course, it's not like this was difficult to see coming -- after all, those plummeting LCD prices that we consumers love so dearly have to be detested somewhere along the supply chain. At any rate, CMO's profit suffered a " three-fold decline compared to that in the same period last year," and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight for the free fall of LCD panel prices. President Ho Jau-yang asserted that the company would "review and modify its operational orientation" while "safeguarding liquidity" as it rode out the storm. We could be badly off, but we'd say the real beatings are yet to come.[Image courtesy of GigaComputers]
Sony's sexy BRAVIA KDL-55XBR8 gets reviewed: amazing, but expensive
Sony's XBR6 recently pulled down some pretty high marks, but those with a little extra coin may be looking at the higher-end XBR8. CNET recently got ahold of the 55-inch KDL-55XBR8, and aside from reproducing the deepest black levels of any LCD TV they had tested, boasting best-in-class bright-room viewing and sporting a whole plethora of ports, it was just, um, alright. In other words, the beautifully designed set was an absolute marvel to look at, but the "mind-boggling" price tag and less-than-stellar off-angle performance will probably keep all but the most loaded of prospective customers at bay. The bottom line? It came "mighty close" to being the best HDTV reviewers had ever (ever!) tested, but we'll be really interested in seeing how the similarly priced LaserVue HDTV stacks up.
Sharp AQUOS DX series: world's first LCD HDTV with built-in Blu-ray
Tough luck, Mitsubishi and Funai. Big talk is all fine and dandy, but in our world, it's the results that count. Say hello to Sharp's AQUOS DX family, the world's first range of LCD HDTVs to boast internal Blu-ray players. Slated to hit in 26- (LC-26DX1), 32- (LC-32DX1), 37- (LC-37DX1), 42- (LC-42DX1), 46- (LC-46DX1) and 52-inch (LC-52DX1) sizes, the whole lot will come equipped with an integrated HDTV tuner, bottom-mounted speaker and the ability to handle BD flicks sans an external deck. Of note, only the 37-inch through 52-inch sets offer Full HD 1080p resolutions (1,920 x 1,080), as the other two get stuck with "just" 1,366 x 768. Best of all, those in Japan will barely have to wait a month to see these in shops, as the entire crew is destined to ship in late November (in black and white motifs) for around ¥200,000 ($1,963) to ¥500,000 ($4,909) depending on size. As for the rest of the globe? Put on your patience caps.[Via Impress]
lg80.jpg.cf.jpg)
LG's Scarlet LG80 1080p LCD HDTV packs 3.1 sound system
The highly controversial (okay, maybe not so much) Scarlet series from LG is being expanded today with the introduction of the LG80. The natural step-up from the LG60 and LG70 features an undisclosed screen size (though we assume it'll range from 42- to 65-inches) with a Full HD (1080p) resolution, 30,000:1 contrast ratio, three AV modes (for movies / video games / sports) and a USB 2.0 port for piping in photos or digital video files. You'll also find a pair of HDMI 1.3 sockets, but the real kicker is the sound system. When powered on, two side speakers extend from the rear of the unit while working alongside the stationary center speaker and "subwoofer" to create a 3.1 system with 50-watts of output. Sure, it's not a 3,000-watt, 7.1-channel master rig, but it's probably decent enough for an inbuilt setup. Look for this one to ship everywhere save for the US and Europe starting later this year.[Via Pocket-lint]
Sony's 52-inch BRAVIA KDL-52XBR6 gets reviewed
Sony's XBR6 series won over hearts long before they even went up for pre-order, but now that they've begun to filter out, you're probably wondering if the image quality is as stunning as the overall design. The lucky souls over at CNET were able to feast their retinas on this 52-incher for awhile, and when time came to pen the review, they had only a few negative things to say. The only knocks were the high price, intermittent color accuracy issues and below-average screen uniformity, but those downfalls were (generally) overshadowed by the accurate color temperature / decoding, bountiful array of ports and energy efficiency. Moreover, this HDTV produced the "deepest black levels of any non-LED LCD TV" it had ever tested, which is sure to thrill those who like it dark. Unfortunately, the bloated sticker ($3,699) and image quality niggles kept it from snagging a perfect review, but 4 out of 5 ain't bad.
HANNspree launches 28-inch HT09 1080p LCD HDTV
1080p on a 28-inch panel, huh? HANNspree is evidently hoping you'll find that proposal quite attractive, as its HT09 offers up just that along with two 5-watt speakers, a 3-millisecond response time, 500 cd/m2 brightness, 800:1 contrast ratio and 160-degree viewing angles. Furthermore, you'll find a pair of HDMI ports (not to mention component, composite and VGA) and a handy remote, all for £279.99 ($491). It's available now in the UK.[Via Stuff]
