Who wouldn’t want to experience total viewing experience just like you would in a theater at the comforts of your own bed or couch? Most people are becoming less and less thrifty these days when it comes to entertainment. It seems like consumers nowadays value recreation and relaxation more than before. Even with the expensive price tags of electronics such as television sets, most people do not mind as they are after the quality of entertainment they are going to get.

One of the gadgets that will definitely provide this amazing experience is the Sharp AQUOS LC65E77UM. Having a price range of around $2,800 to $4,000, it’s not bad at all with the kind of picture quality and viewing pleasure that this 65-inch LCD TV produces.

Excellent Images, Smooth Films

The Sharp AQUOS LC65E77UM is full HD with 1920×1080p resolution on a 10-bit ASV LCD panel. This provides for deep black levels and high contrast ratio that produces brilliant colors that look real and natural. Even with bright surrounding light, you can still have crisp and clear images with its high brightness level at 450 cd/m2.

For some LCDs, viewing angle is quite an issue as the picture quality significantly degrades as you move to a different position. With the LC65E77UM, this is a non-issue with its 176×176 viewing angle which means that you can still enjoy watching regardless of where you are seated.

This Sharp model utilizes 120Hz Fine Motion video processing which allows you to view fast-moving objects clearly and without hiccups. This technology allows smooth delivery of motion pictures so that action-packed films, sports events, or action games will not appear blurry that renders them unrealistic.

Sufficient Connectivity

There will not be a home theater system without the connectivity ports amongst the equipment. And with the Sharp AQUOS LC65E77UM, the connectivity ports are very much sufficient. Just to name a few, this model includes four HDMI inputs, two high-definition component video ports that are 1080p compatible, two composite video and an S-video input. There are also multiple audio input and output ports available.

There are a few instances, however, that not all HDMI sources will work very well with this Sharp AQUOS TV. If all the HDMI sources are from the same company, there will be no issues. If using a different brand, though, it may take some settings adjustment and manual setup to make the devices communicate with one another. Nevertheless, this can be worked on with the help of a professional or the company’s customer service.

Overall, with the excellent picture quality and realistic action-packed films and TV shows, and considering its current market price, the Sharp AQUOS LC65E77UM is not a bad choice at all. And with its panel life, it may even last 32 years given 5 hours of TV watching per day.

We give LC65E77UM a rating of 4 out of 5.

It seems like Sony always has new HDTV products every quarter. People are not over the last released model yet and here comes a newer series. Sony can’t seem to run out of improvements and enhancements to add to their current line of HDTVs and the company is also now joining the trend of the so-called LED TVs. The new XBR10 series employs the edge-lit LED technology, hence called LED TV.

One of the two models in the XBR10 series is the Sony KDL-52XBR10 – a 52-inch TV. The other one is 46 inches. This is one of the thinnest LCD TVs of Sony and that is because of the edge-lit LED technology. And so as not to destroy the sleek and thin exterior, the company makes use of the wireless technology with the XBR10 series. The unit comes with the Bravia 1080 wireless transmission system, which is similar in appearance as a cable box, and is essentially a media box where all of the supposed connections to the TV are attached. The only wire that can be found at the back of the TV unit itself is the power cord.

In terms of picture quality, the Sony KDL-52XBR10 claims to have very dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. This model is also full HD at 1920×1080. However, compared to the previous XBR8 model of Sony, the XBR10 appears to be an underdog because of the RGB LED backlight, or the Triluminos, used in the XBR8 series. This technology produced extremely better color accuracy and saturation than the XBR10s. Nevertheless, the picture quality on the KDL-52XBR10 is still stunning and realistic.

This XBR10 model makes use of the 240Hz Motionflow technology for smooth video processing. It is also capable of playing 24p content through HDMI. To further enhance video quality, especially on fast-moving objects, a host of other features are built-in to the KDL-52XBR10 such as the Advanced Contrast Enhancer, MPEG Noise Reduction, CineMotion Reverse 3:2 pulldown, BRAVIA Engine 3, 3D Comb Filter, as well as Game Mode and Deep Color.

Sony has been known, as well, to be big on interactivity of their products. With the XBR10s, Sony still included the common features such as YouTube access, Amazon Video on Demand, Sony Pictures, Sports Illustrated, etc. What’s new with this series is the addition of Netflix. Widgets are still present to keep the user up-to-date with different things.

In terms of connectivity, the media box has sufficient amount of input and output ports. It has 4 HDMI ports, an RF connection, RS-232, analog and digital audio ports, composite video ports, and a USB 2.0 port.

With all these features and the introduction of wireless technology on an HDTV, the Sony KDL-52XBR10 is definitely a nice gadget to have in the living room. For those with big pockets the current best deal for this model is $4,799.

Pioneer has all the right to call its current line of Plasma TVs KURO because it is the Japanese term for black. And true enough, all the Kuro models of Pioneer have superior black levels. This is, perhaps, one of the best selling points of Pioneer plasma TVs. Ever since LCDs came into the picture, plasma TVs have been losing their charms due to issues such as image retention (aka burn-in) and power consumption. However, with the current releases of plasma TVs, including the Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-151FD, these issues are not really counted as issues anymore.

Top-Notch Picture Quality

Pioneer Kuro is indeed the best in its league. No other models are able to come close to what this Pioneer series can produce in terms of image quality. If there would be, maybe only one or two. In terms of black level, the company’s current line of plasma TVs has the lowest level of black at 0.00066 fl which translates to extremely deep black. The next lowest level is already at 0.004 fl, so you can just imagine the significant difference in the black levels. When watching movies with top and bottom black borders, these already blend with the bezel. And when the scene is totally black, it would seem like the unit has been turned off.

With the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-151FD, there are amazing picture settings that are built-in to the unit already such as the Pure mode. With this mode enabled, the colors are almost 98 to 99 percent accurate and the color saturation is excellent, giving the lifelike look of images on the screen. There is also an Advance mode under Film Mode where the refresh rate easily switches to 72Hz to allow for smoother video processing on a 24p input. This makes the film look more realistic.

Stylish Design

Just like the PRO-150FD, the 151FD still comes in a very stylish black exterior with minimalist design, except that there is already a small Pioneer logo on the lower left corner of the bezel. To match the elegant and expensive look, the remote control had a few enhancements. The clicker is backlit which is helpful when watching in a dark room.

The menu of this Pioneer model also now follows the Kuro theme and there are several adjustments and controls that hard-core TV enthusiasts will be glad to know about.

Old Plasma Issues

Going back to the issue that plagues most plasma TVs, burn-in and power consumption are almost non-issue at all with the Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-151FD. Image retention may still occur, but perhaps, only upon really careless use of the unit; because even after several hours of non-stop games and hundred hours of watching TV, no image retention had been apparent. When it comes to power consumption, plasma TVs these days are more expensive than similar-sized LCDs but only by a dollar or two a month. Hence, it’s not much of a concern considering the quality of entertainment you are getting.

Overall Judgment

The Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-151FD is truly the best. With its current selling price of about $6,000, this 60-inch plasma TV is definitely worth every penny, especially for those who want extreme entertainment experience.

The final score for PRO 151FD is 5 out of 5.

Some people are hesitant to upgrade to an HDTV because of the usual expensive price tag that goes with each unit. The truth is, there are actually a few exceptions to that, and one of them is the Toshiba 37RV525R 37 inches LCD TV with its current market price ranging from $500 to a little over $700. That is indeed a good price offering considering all the features that come with it.

Performance and Quality

The Toshiba 37RV525R is one of the Full HD LCD TVs offered by the company. This means that this 37-inch display features 1920×1080p resolution with over 2 million pixels. The predecessor of the 1080p, which is the 720p, only has half the number of pixels onscreen. In order to display images on the 720p, almost half of the actual video content from the source had to be discarded. This reduction results in diminished picture quality and less details compared to the output of the same video source on a full HD 1080p screen.

This Toshiba line also features the so-called CineSpeed technology which ensures timely motion resolution for smooth rendering of moving objects. An LCD TV with this technology has a response time of approximately 8 milliseconds, or even less. Though this may not be at par with higher end models, this response time is fast enough to produce high quality motion films that are clear and sharp, without the blurry images.

Another technology employed in the Toshiba 37RV525R is the DynaLight. This feature utilizes dynamic backlights that are automatically self-adjusting depending on the brightness level of the video frames and the image content itself. With this feature, the original panel contrast can possibly be increased by seven to ten times depending on the factors mentioned. This high level of contrast produces deep black levels, which renders vivid and sharp images.

The Toshiba 37RV525R is also ideal for gamers as it has a dedicated Gaming Mode specifically designed for use with game controllers. With this mode, some image processing circuits are bypassed to lessen the response time from the game controller. Compared to the traditional 60Hz TVs, there is a reduction of about 33 milliseconds in the response time. Even if some circuits were bypassed, images still remain clear and crisp.

Design and Connectivity

This 37-inch TV from Toshiba is just the right size for a couple, or even for a small family. It’s not too big to consume your entire living room, nor too small to enjoy and appreciate whatever you’re watching on the TV. There are also enough ports for connection to and from different devices – 3 HDMI inputs, 2 HD component video inputs, S-Video port, PC input and audio output ports.

Although the Toshiba 37RV525R does not have all the hyped HDTV features, its output and quality are already worth the price. This model is recommended for those who want to experience full HD on a medium-sized screen for a very reasonable price.

Projection Televisions started the HDTV market yet they are now being overshadowed by newer technologies – Plasma, LCD, and even LED-based LCDs. In fact, Mitsubishi is the only company left that is still able to release projection TVs these days. Samsung still had a projection TV released last year but did not have one this year anymore. This sudden decline can be attributed to the sudden decrease in demand for these types of HDTVs.

Late last year and this year, Mitsubishi still thrives on the Projection TV market and released several models. One of them, and the largest at that, is the Mitsubishi WD-82837 – an 82-inch rear-projection HDTV that is DLP-based (Digital Light Projection). This humongous TV showcases several new features which allow it to display awesome images still despite its size.

Fantastic Features, Remarkable Performance

There are some people who hesitate to buy huge TV screens like the WD-82837 because they have the impression that as the size of the display gets bigger, the images get distorted, particularly, pixelated. This is not always the case, though. And the main reason of the pixelation on huge screens is that the source device cannot match the resolution of the display, and the source definitely is not HD. If used properly and correctly, the Mitsubishi WD-82837 performs pretty well.

Some of the features that are included in this model are Smooth 120Hz video processing for smoother rendition of fast-moving objects, the Perfect Color Adjustment, Advanced Video Calibration, as well as enhanced user interface. In addition, there’s also the Perfect Tint which takes color adjustment and contrast to the next level, ISF advanced video control, and the NetCommand feature, which lets the user manipulated other attached devices through the on-screen menu.

The picture quality in this Mitsubishi WD-82837 is truly stunning. Despite the huge size, the images still come out richer compared to some plasma and LCD TVs. The color accuracy is almost perfect, and tie it up with the deep black levels of the display. Indeed, realistic images will be produced. Although the unit lacks dejudder processing, it is not really noticeable because of the sharpness and clarity of the scenes.

Few Drawbacks

The Mitsubishi WD-82837 is 3D-ready, however, before the 3D experience will happen, the user needs to spend a hefty amount of money firs and have professionals install and set up their thing. Nevertheless, the unit in itself is sufficient enough to satisfy most people’s HD cravings.

Another noticeable setback for this model is the volume of sound that comes out of its internal speakers. Sound quality, per se, is good, but needs to be amplified, especially when watching movies. Anyways, it is almost a given already to buy a home theater system together with an HDTV purchase.

Viewing angle is also a bit of an issue with the WD-82837. Moving horizontally is not a problem; it is the vertical alignment with the center that shows the problem. If the viewer’s eye level is higher or lower than the vertical center of the display, the picture quality significantly degrades. This could be fixed, perhaps, if the display can be swiveled vertically. However, TVs do not have that.

The Mitsubishi WD-82837 is really one of the best performers among the huge HDTV arena. Despite the few issues mentioned, the features and performance still outweigh these shortcomings. In addition, this giant model is more efficient and definitely less expensive than other LCDs or plasmas with almost the same size. The current price of this 82-inch Mitsubishi TV ranges from $3,700 to $5,000.

Mitsubishi WD-82837 receives the highest rating 5 out of 5.

When buying HDTV, one consideration is the size of the room where the unit will be placed. For an average-sized living room, anywhere from 32 to 46 inches would probably be a good size of an LCD. But how about the Sony Bravia KDL-70XBR7? Where in the world will it fit in an average house? Sure, it would be definitely great to watch your favorite movie on a 70-inch LCD, but unless you have a mini- theater at home, it will be more practical to settle for something smaller.

The Sony KDL-70XBR7 definitely has great built-in features. However, this model will most likely be appealing only to hard-core entertainment enthusiasts who have the money and space to afford this giant telly. Buying this 70-inch XBR7 will cost your pocket around $20,000 which may not be a reasonable amount for most average consumers. However, once you start seeing the images in this big screen, you can’t help but just be awed.

First of all, this gigantic baby has Full HD capability, which means that it is able to produce images at 1080p resolution. Images and scenes look so realistic that it somehow sends the feeling that you are included in the scene, seeing it live, and not just merely watching on a television. Another reason why images seem to pop out and have life is the extremely deep black levels of this 70-inch XBR7, thanks to its 10-bit LCD panel with Advanced Contrast Enhancer and Live Color Creation circuit.

From its predecessor, which is the XBR6 series, Sony further enhanced the features by incorporating the Bravia Engine 2 Pro digital video processing. The Sony Bravia KDL-70XBR7 has 120MHz Motion Flow technology that renders fast moving objects and action scenes smoothly.

In terms of its design, Sony still did a good job. The huge screen is surrounded by piano black bezel with glossy finish and glass details. On each side, you will find the speaker grilles that are just right in size; otherwise, they might ruin the overall design of the 70XBR7.

Connectivity for the Sony KDL-70XBR7 is not a problem as it has just enough built-in ports. The unit includes 4 HDMI 1.3 ports, PC input, component inputs, Ethernet port and an RS-232, which is a step-up from the XBR6 models. It also has Bravia Sync capabilities, as well as DMe.

Having an excellent picture quality on a gargantuan TV screen is indeed something that is truly desired, but, may not match what most people are only willing to pay. Nevertheless, this huge Sony TV will undoubtedly be in the wishlist of many as this is the luxury that not many can pay for. If you think you need so much quality and screen estate go to Amazon where there are just two models left for a price of $19,999 with free shipping included.

When LCD TVs first came out in the market, people can’t help but just be awed by the vibrant colors and sharpness of the images, yet think twice of buying because of the expensive price tag that comes with these units. Now, these TVs still kept on evolving and improving in terms of their features but with the price, somehow, unchanged. There are even some new models that came out with all the basic features an LCD TV should have, yet with incredibly affordable price. The Panasonic TC-L32C12 is one of them.

When it first came out, it was one of the cheapest 32-inch LCD TV in the market with a price no more than $500. Now, one can even take home a Panasonic TC-L32C12 for less than $400. Even with this low price, the unit is still full of the features an HDTV would normally have.

With the Panasonic TC-L32C12, clear and sharp images are guaranteed. Both analog and digital TV channels look brilliant in this unit. Even without the use of a cable box, channels can be detected quickly straight out of the box. Compared to the old tube sets, this LCD unit has the capability of detecting more channels, including the HD ones.

The Panasonic TC-L32C12 comes with 720p native resolution. Although the trend now is the 1080p resolution for bigger and higher-end LCDs, it is not really necessary for this relatively smaller screen size. Images still come out real and crisp like it would on a bigger screen with 1080p resolution. Those who are savvy enough with picture quality adjustments will be glad to know that there is enough freedom given to the user to change picture settings.

This Panasonic model belongs to the VIERA series of the company. Hence, there is VIERA Link HDMI software included in the set. With the Viera Link, HDMI devices, regardless whether they are Panasonic or not, that are hooked up with this TC-L32C12 can also be controlled with the TV’s remote. No need to do any programming, the remote will just simply work.

With the TC-L32C12, an SD card slot is also included which allows users to view stored pictures and videos on an HD screen. Shots taken at 7MP settings and above look awesome when displayed on this 32-inch TV.

Although some would say that the Panasonic TC-L32C12 is quite small for an LCD TV, it is still a best buy for those buying their very first HDTV or those who are looking to replace the 20” tube for a small living room. With its unquestionably low price, solid picture quality, and all the great features involved, this TV is definitely worth taking home, considering the current price of $369.99 offered by Amazon.

As a result TC-L32C12 gets 4 out of 5 score.

Most of the HDTVs from Sony are known to be expensive due to the extravagant features included in each model. But not the KDL-L5000 series. The series comes in four sizes – 22-, 26-, 32-, and the 37-inch models. All of them belong to the entry level models of Sony and do not have all the hanky-panky features of their higher-end cousins.

The Sony KDL-26L5000, in particular, is one of the smaller LCD TVs in the market today. Despite being an entry-level model, and inexpensive at that, this model does not fall short in its features. All of the must-have features of a basic LCD TV are incorporated in this little baby. Hence, it is a good buy for those who are looking for their first LCD TV and just want to try out the feel of having one.

The Looks

Unlike the more expensive Sony TVs, the KDL-26L5000 does not have the sleek exterior with thin bezel and overall elegant look. It is much chunkier with its thick frames and somewhat tapered edges. This model also comes with a stand that does not swivel. Nevertheless, the unit still looks robust and more enticing than other brands of the same specs.

The KDL-26L5000’s remote is smaller than other models’ yet more useful. There is a central key that is very much identifiable and an easy access key for the aspect ratio control. The menu screen is much simpler as well, just like its looks. It does not employ the popularized cross media bar by the Sony PS3s. It is also nice of Sony to add brief descriptions for each of the menu options, making this more user-friendly, indeed.

Features and Performance

Since the Sony KDL-26L5000 is an entry-level LCD TV, people should not expect features normally found in bigger and more expensive HDTVs. First off, this KDL-L5000 model only has 720p resolution, unlike the common HDTV trend now which is 1080p. But since the screen size is relatively small, just 26 inches, a higher resolution is not really necessary. Though it would be good to have the 1080p resolution, 720p will also do just fine with this model.

Despite the unremarkable design and some low-end features, the KDL-26L5000’s picture quality is something to be proud of. The black levels and color accuracy of this Sony series is comparable to other higher-end models. On bright backgrounds, colors are brilliant and very much realistic. Dark scenes are also as good with the deep black that this model produces.

Another feature that is not found in this KDL-26L5000 is the 120Hz video processing. Hence, fast-moving scenes should be expected to be somewhat blurry. But this should not impair the overall evaluation of this Sony model considering the solid picture quality that it produces, as well as the competitive price. For an entry-level TV, the Sony KDL-26L5000 is one of the best indeed.

Sony continues to be one of the top brands in terms of entertainment gadgets. Early this year, Sony announced the release of its new Z-series in its Bravia line of HDTVs. The new Sony KDL Z5100 series has three screen sizes – 40”, 46” and 52” displays. All three have identical features and also have similar performance, so we’ll just take a look at the 52-inch model of this series.

Exemplary Performance

This huge 52-inch display boasts of its Full HD panel with 1920×1080 (1080p) resolution. Viewing Blu-Ray discs and other HD sources prove to be an amazing experience. With its 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the Sony KDL-52Z5100 is able to produce excellent black levels with even lighting all throughout the screen. Primary and secondary colors are almost perfectly accurate with just the right color saturation.

The Sony KDL-52Z5100 also has the Motionflow 240Hz technology which takes video processing to the next level. Fast-moving scenes are virtually blur-free and sharp with the help of this technology. This is mostly evident when watching sports events, action films or when playing intensive games on the TV. However, for regular TV viewing, the effects of 240Hz are not really noticeable.

Another thing to note about the Z series is its compliance to the Energy Star requirements. In fact, the TVs in this series even exceed the Energy Star 3.0 must-haves by 15%. To save more power, features such as Light Sensor technology and Dynamic Backlight Control are built-in to this display to control the backlight intensity based on room lighting and image brightness on the screen.

Unique-to-Sony Features

Together with the Motionflow 240Hz technology, Sony Bravia TVs also has the Bravia Engine 3 which is a fully digital video processor that further enhances image output. This results in more realistic images that are sharp, crisp and vibrant with full details.

With the Sony KDL-52Z5100, Bravia Internet Video is also included. With the use of an Ethernet broadband connection, video content can be accessed and downloaded from different sources such as Sony Pictures, Sony Music, You Tube, Amazon On Demand, Sports Illustrated, etc. Bravia Widgets is also available which allows users to get daily weather reports, news, sports updates, and a lot more.

The well-loved user interface of Sony PS3 and PSP is now found in the Sony KDL-52Z5100 with the integration of the Xross Media Bar. This enhances interactivity and user experience of the Z-series Sony TVs.

At a reasonable enough price, especially when bought from online stores such as Amazon, the Sony KDL-52Z5100 is very well recommended for an outstanding viewing experience that exceeds most people’s expectations.

Panasonic continues to thrive in the HDTV market and, this year, released its economical plasma TVs – the Viera TC-PS1 series. The Panasonic Viera TC-P65S1 is the largest in the series with 65-inch screen size. Since it has been known that plasma displays consume gigantic amounts of power, Panasonic wanted to be different and, hence, created plasma TVs that are more economical and energy efficient. The company called their energy efficient models “Neo PDP”. The S1 series is the least expensive among these new set of display panels.

On the Outside

The first thing that will be noticed with the Panasonic Viera TC-P65S1 is its overall glossy black finish. Had the brand stickers and illuminating lights been removed, this plasma is an all-black gloss all around, including the stand. Even the quite large power button blended well with the sleek design. The speakers on this plasma model are hidden, which is now becoming a trend in HDTVs, which makes the sounds seem like coming from somewhere underneath.

Other than the plasma unit itself, the remote is also worth looking at. Although there’s not much difference from last year’s clicker, it’s definitely not better. A button trio is found on the remote – the Viera Link, Viera Tools, and SD card – which are most likely not to be accessed by many users. The Menu button, which should have been given more emphasis, is just secondary to these three buttons. Nonetheless, the remote somehow still stands out when it comes to distinction of the buttons – they are color-, shape- and size-differentiated, although not illuminated.

Diverse Features

Being able to save more power and having 1080p resolution are among the top features of the Panasonic Viera TC-P65S1. Also, Panasonic has ways to prevent burn-in, which is a common weakness of plasma TVs. A pixel orbiter, which can either be automatic or set by the user to occur periodically, swings the picture around the display.

In terms of connectivity, the Viera TC-P65S1 has ample amount of ports: three HDMI inputs, two component-video inputs, RF, an optical digital audio output, an AV input with composite and S-video, and SD card slot. The SD card slot allows play back of saved photos on the huge display.

No Non-Sense Performance

The most notable performance aspect of the Panasonic Viera TC-P65S1 is its deep black levels. It is nearly as close as the considered best in the market in terms of black levels. With this, the S1 is able to provide excellent shadow detail that makes images more realistic.

Color accuracy, on the other hand, is not as satisfactory. The primary colors are less than accurate and, sadly, cannot be adjusted due to the limitations of the picture controls of this series. For average consumers in which having a plasma TV is all that matters, this issue may come unnoticed. But for the keen-eyed, picky viewers, the color imperfection will probably be a disappointment. However, there are other picture modes, which can be adjusted, that may suit the viewers’ preferences.

The Panasonic Viera TC-P65S1 excels in being economical and practical with its energy-efficient design and its relatively low price. For those who are looking at having a basic plasma TV to start with, this model will definitely suit your budget.