Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Review
Form and Function: A Guide to the New Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
If you’re looking for a large, aesthetically pleasing, high-performance plasma TV, look no further than the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV. This product has earned consistently great ratings from users, and was voted the “best plasma HDTV” by Consumer Reports. It has also earned top marks on Amazon.com, and is listed as “Certified and Recommended” by Sound and Vision Magazine.
In addition to its stellar user and industry reviews, this is also one sexy TV. The narrow, side-set speakers blend right in, and hidden compartments stash your controls and inputs. When you add this to the shiny black surround, you get a sleek, streamlined look that will fit seamlessly with any décor. It comes with a pedestal, but can also, of course, be wall-mounted for a more space-effective display. Read more
Sharp LC42D64U Review
Sharp Aquos LC42D64U 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
The Aquos line, Sharp’s flagship line in HDTVs, continues to churn out an occasional gem, though uneventful ones are more frequent. The Aquos LC42D64U is one such gem released by Sharp for 2007, and it’s an LCD TV that is perfect for those wanting to experience HDTV at a price lower than those of the more popular brands.
Design
The D64 series is designated by Sharp as the “slim line” and it shows in the stylishly thin design of the LC42D64U – ultra-thin bezel surrounding the screen and the relatively shallow depth at 3.75 inches, which is an inch or so thinner compared to other Sharp models. The thin glossy black bezels give the impression of wider screen acreage, with the lower portion holding the logo, control buttons, and the speakers which are camouflaged by a chrome strip. Read more
Samsung Unveils Thinnest HDTV Yet
Forget about Ultra Slim. Samsung’s newest 40-inch prototype model measures only roughly 3.99mm thick, becoming the first Needle Slim LCD HDTV and the thinnest one to date.
The model surpasses the pencil-thin LG released earlier this year, which is measured at 5.9mm thick, and the 5-kilogram 7mm JVC model introduced at the 2009 CES.
Just a year ago, Samsung held the same title with a 40-inch model measuring 7.9mm thick and a 52-inch model only 9.9mm thick.
The thinness of the record-breaking Samsung model is made possible by its edge-lit LED-based technology, a technology which uses fewer LEDs that are strategically positioned at the top and bottom of the panel instead of covering it entirely, which then project the light to a light guide plate in the center that reflects it accordingly towards the screen. This technology also allows HDTVs to be lighter and even more energy efficient, putting edge-lit HDTVs at the top of the heap until OLED HDTVs are produced in full swing.
In spite of its Needle Slim frame, though, the new Samsung model still delivers high performance with a 5000:1 contrast ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate like most Samsung LCD HDTVs.
Only five years ago, the thinnest HDTV was measured at 6.85 inches thick, developed by RCA.
Ultra HDTV On Its Way
High Definition television (HDTV) is a popular topic these days, but all that could change in eight to fifteen years, when Ultra HDTV (UHDTV) or Super Hi-Vision makes its way to the homes of consumers all over the world.
According to market research firm In-Stat, UHDTV is estimated to be available in 2017 or even earlier. It is expected to be popular first in Japan, where the broadcasting firm NHK is playing a large role in its development, while 5 percent of households in Europe are projected to have it in 2021, which will increase to more than 28 percent in 2025.
Ultra HDTV is characterized as having four to 16 times the video quality of HDTV and Blu-Ray with the capability of creating a resolution of 3840x 2160 or 7680×4320. Even the audio quality is much better, with 22.2 audio channels that will guarantee that viewers will not only get glued to their screens but immersed in the overhauled viewing experience.
If you think HDTV has changed television, you can only imagine what UHDTV can do. Indeed, watching television will never be the same again.
There are still some health concerns, though, such as the probability of nausea in close quarters, especially when watching fast-moving scenes on a 60-inch set or larger – something which the makers of UHDTV hope to resolve before 2015.
What is HDTV Television?
Many people describe HDTV as the future of television or the ultimate viewing experience. However, what really is HDTV television? Before considering buying one, take some time to learn some basic facts about HDTVs.
What is HDTV television?
HDTV is defined as High Definition Television. More importantly, it is a television with better picture quality, which is due to the fact that HDTVs have a higher screen resolution and a better aspect ratio. HDTVs also have superior audio, since they use Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, making them truly better than standard televisions, and even Digital televisions or DTVs.
HDTV Buying Guide – How to Get the Best HDTV
HDTVs have superior video and audio quality compared to standard televisions, which is why it’s easy to decide on buying one for your home. Choosing the best HDTV to buy is a different matter, though. To help make the decision easier, here are some factors you can consider.
Picture quality – It is normal to see people staring at HDTV screens in an appliance store. While some are merely watching the show, others are scrutinizing the richness of the colors and the sharpness of the details, which is what you should do so you can judge the picture quality. You can even bring your own Blu-Ray disc, which currently has the best video, or try the different picture modes.
The Benefits of HD Televisions
Do you want to experience watching in a movie theatre even if you’re just at home? If so, you’ll want to buy an HDTV or High Definition television. After all, HD televisions offer a lot of benefits that are sure to change the way you watch TV forever.
For one, HD televisions have a higher screen resolution. In fact, HDTVs are up to ten times better than regular TVs when it comes to screen resolution, displaying up to more than two million pixels per image. Because these pixels are crammed together, you get sharper images with impeccable detail, which translates to superior picture quality.
