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HDTV Reviews: Faster, brighter, thinner


Jun 11, 2009 04:30 AM
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Tom Katsiroubas
Special to the Star

HDTVs are making big strides, with improvements to picture quality, design and access to Internet content, but you'll pay a premium for some of the most coveted ones.

According to Jim Willcox, senior editor for Consumer Reports, LCD HDTVs continue to play catch-up with plasma HDTVs. "LCDs have been addressing their inherent weaknesses by trying to improve black levels and reduce motion blur. Plasmas are also improving with better energy efficiency and thinner designs."

Although you'd expect better deals during a recession, HDTV prices aren't coming down fast. "Manufacturers are managing things closely so they don't get into an oversupply."

LCDs ADD LED TECHNOLOGY

Leading the way are the new LED (Light Emitting Diode) HDTVs, which use multiple LED lights instead of the cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCL) used in conventional backlit LCDs.

The LED HD sets can selectively dim or shut lights off completely to increase picture contrast, producing deeper blacks and brighter whites with better colour performance.

They also reduce power consumption by 30 per cent over a conventional LCD set.

It's important to note that there are two types of LED TVs. Local dimming versions provide lighting across the entire back panel of the TV and the picture is considered to be superior. Edge-lit models provide lighting from the perimeter of the TV and give you a much slimmer design.

LED sets are not cheap. They will cost you close to double the price of a standard LCD of the same size. So consider things carefully before you buy.

REFRESH RATES PUMP UP

In order to reduce motion blur or image artifacts created when an image moves across the screen, LCD HDTVs have doubled their refresh rates, from last year's benchmark of 120Hz to 240Hz, while plasma sets boost their mind-boggling 480Hz to 600Hz. It's been argued that the difference is negligible to the eye.

THIN IS IN

Buying a new HDTV can be expensive so you might feel better if what you purchase looks good while it's turned off.

Tim Barnes, marketing lead at LG Canada, says LG has design centres all over the world to tweak the look of its sets for each geographic region.

"We're finding that there is a split in the household on what's important. Some want to be reassured of picture quality while others want to know it will look good in the living room."

Manufacturers are taking that to heart, building ultra-thin TVs that have high appeal, but also carry a premium price.

The LG 47LH70 LCD sports a thinner design, with a touch of red on the trim and the entire back side. It sells for $2,400.

INTERNET ACCESS, NETWORKING

Many HDTVs now have networking abilities to stream photos, videos and music from a networked computer or Internet content from sites such as YouTube and Flickr.

GETTING GREENER

You will find a growing number of power-saving features on this year's HDTVs.

Brightness levels of the backlight can be adjusted manually, and auto-brightness levels will adjust based on room lighting.

The TV can be set to shut off automatically if it loses a video signal or suspects inactivity. Other advancements such as LED technology help lower electrical bills and reduce carbon emissions.

WIRELESS HD STREAMING

Both LG and Panasonic will soon release wireless HDTVs, which eliminate the need for direct connections to content sources such as the cable box, satellite feed or Blu-ray player. Performance reviews on wireless HD have been very good, using the 60Gz radio frequency for reliable bandwidth. It's expected to be pricey.

The Panasonic TC-P54Z1 Plasma HDTV has wireless HD and is scheduled for release this month. Pricing is not available.

PANASONIC TC-P50V10 (Plasma HDTV)
Screen: 50 inches
Price: $2,999
Availability: Mid to late June

Panasonic's V10 Plasma series sports a slimmer 55-mm-thick screen with several picture improvements, full THX Display certification and eco-friendly options to reduce power consumption.

As one of the few manufacturers still making plasma HDTVs, Panasonic continues to invest and improve upon its line. According to Barry Murray, marketing director at Panasonic Canada, major improvements in picture quality were based on the three "C"s. "We improved our colour gamut for colour accuracy, contrast ratio for deeper blacks, and clarity to reduce motion blur."

The set is 34 kg (with pedestal), heavy enough that you shouldn't try moving it or mounting it on the wall by yourself.

During performance tests, the TC-P50V10 produced excellent deep black levels and accurate colours. It did well displaying dark movie scenes and the viewing angles were excellent, allowing you to sit off to the side with little loss in brightness and colour.

Panasonic's Viera Cast feature allows you to access free Web-based content such as YouTube, Picasa Web albums, weather and stock tickers. This feature excelled when watching YouTube videos. Navigation was intuitive and videos showed well even in full screen. Surprisingly, there is no option to stream photos, movies and pictures off a networked computer.

Other than that, it's hard to find a fault with the Panasonic TC-P50V10. Its excellent picture and YouTube integration is sure to please.

NOTABLE SPECIFICATIONS:
Panel type: Plasma
Thickness: 55 mm
Resolution: Up to 1080P
Refresh rate: 600Hz (sub-field drive)
Internet/network enabled: Yes (only Internet content)
CEC: Yes (Viera Link)

SAMSUNG UN46B7000 (LED HDTV)
Screen: 46 inches
Price: $3,799

Arguably the most stunning HDTV on the market, the Samsung UN46B7000 takes advantage of its edge-lit LED technology to fit into a 29.9-mm-thick panel. It's also packed with features to allow you to get the most out of your TV.

At a weight of 17.7 kg, the set is almost light enough to safely unpack by yourself. Although it might be a lightweight, it performed as a heavyweight would, producing excellent black levels and accurate colours.

During performance testing, the set did exceptionally well and only a few picture adjustments were needed to enhance black levels. On very dark movie scenes, there were some "blooming" effects (inconsistency in dark areas on the screen), but these were not as noticeable as you might expect from an edge-lit LED TV.

The enhanced 120Hz motion resolution provided smooth flowing images. Off-angle viewing was average. The screen is shiny for an LCD and has a bit of glare in a bright room. There are many adjustment controls to fine-tune the picture, but you'll need to be careful setting them or find a calibration guide or expert to help you.

With an Internet link, this TV will give you access to lots of Internet content. This includes a free Yahoo service called to view news and weather, Flickr for photo-sharing, downloadable games, children's stories and recipes. You can connect to a networked computer to view photos, listen to music and watch videos.

Overall, it's hard to knock the Samsung UN46B7000 when you consider the complete package of design, performance and access to online content.

NOTABLE SPECIFICATIONS:
Panel type: LCD
Backlight type: Edge-lit LED
Thickness: 29.9 mm
Resolution: Up to 1080P
Refresh rate: Enhanced 120Hz (standard, smooth, clear)
Internet/network enabled: Yes (includes Yahoo
CEC: Yes (Anynet+)

SONY BRAVIA XBR8 (LED HDTV)
Screen: 46 inches
Price: $3,999

The Bravia XBR8 represents Sony's top-of-the-line HDTV. Using local dimming RGB LED technology, or as Sony calls it Triluminos, it can produce a picture that would make even a hardcore plasma HDTV loyalist's head turn.

Weighing in at 38 kg and at 144 mm thick, it could be confused with an older plasma HDTV instead of the new ultra-thin LED HDTV lightweights.

In testing, the XBR8 did not disappoint. It produced beautiful colours and excellent contrast and very deep blacks.

Putting it through performance tests, the set did suffer from "blooming" effects, where some of the dark areas were lighter when they were supposed to be consistently dark. Generally the blacks were excellent. The viewing angles were decent. When using the advanced 120Hz motion resolution features, the set produced noticeable smoothing of moving images.

When it came to colour accuracy, the XBR8 excelled, producing some of the best skin tones seen on an LCD HDTV. Patrick Lapointe, director of marketing for Sony Canada, says the Triluminos technology is the key. "Using the three fundamental colours of red, green and blue, we can create a blended colour into a richer light."

The XBR8 doesn't provide access to Internet content, but it does allow you to access a networked computer to view your pictures. This function worked very well, but it would have been nice if it could also play movie and music files.

While the XBR8 lacks the sexiness of a thin design and access to Web content, the picture quality is one of the best produced by an LCD HDTV.

NOTABLE SPECIFICATIONS:
Panel type: LCD
Backlight type: LED with Local Dimming
Thickness: 144 mm
Resolution: Up to 1080P
Refresh rate: Enhanced 120Hz (standard, smooth, clear)
Internet/network enabled: Limited to pictures from a networked PC
CEC: Yes (Bravia Sync)

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REAL Thanks to VM
for sharing useful & valuable information about HDTV