Every year it seems there's a new catchy spec in the HDTV realm everybody likes to talk about. A few years back it was 1080p resolution. Then we heard about 120Hz, which is supposed to reduce motion blur in fast-moving images on LCD TVs. Well, this year, the latest and greatest spec is 240Hz, which is supposed to do what 120Hz does, but better.
Not too long ago, our video guru David Katzmaier gave his initial impressions on 240Hz in a post titled "Is 240Hz worth waiting for?" When he wrote that piece, he'd just seen his first 240Hz TV in action and wasn't sold on the new technology. Now that he's reviewed four 240Hz HDTVs and has a fifth review (the Samsung UN55B8000) in the works, he's still not sold, but he admits the verdict isn't totally clear-cut.
Part of the problem is that there's a difference between what your eye sees in everyday material you watch and objective testing done with test patterns. As Katzmaier notes in his post, "Standard LCD and plasma TVs refresh the screen 60 times per second, or 60Hz, which is plenty fast enough to eliminate flicker and create the illusion of motion from a series of still images. In fact, most sources sent to your display arrive at the nominal rate of 30 frames per second, and each frame is repeated once by the television to achieve 60 total fps."
For most people, including me and Mr. Katzmaier, it's very difficult to see the impact that "faster" LCD sets have on picture quality. We spent some time in our AV lab watching various source material from 120Hz TVs and 240Hz models and it's really hard to detect any difference (it's hard to detect any difference between 120Hz and 60Hz models, too). To be clear, I'm referring here to motion-blur reduction because of faster refresh rates, not to dejudder processing, which smooths out motion and makes film-based material shot at 24fps look more video-like. When dejudder is engaged, you can easily spot its impact on the picture. (It's also worth mentioning that the dejudder processing on the 240Hz TVs we tested so far wasn't any better--or worse--than than the dejudder on 120Hz TVs).
source: CNet.com
Samsung introduced what it says is the slimmest LED HDTV on the market at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, and it is now available locally.
The new line-up of LED HDTVs in Samsung's arsenal includes the 6000, 7000 and 8000 series TVs with ultra-high contrast ratios and a thickness of 29.2mm. The 6000 and 7000 series TVs feature a 40-inch (UN40B6000 and UN40B7000) and 46-inch (UN46B6000 and UN46B7000) screen respectively, while the 8000 series has a UN55B8000 55-inch screen.
Jean Victor, senior product manager for Samsung TVs in SA, says: “By incorporating LED technology in our TVs we have managed to make the thinnest TVs around and have increased the quality of picture and viewing with our motion blur, image judder and Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology. We can also now present images with contrast ratios, not in the thousands, but millions.”
The LED HDTVs are 100% recyclable, says Victor. “Our new TVs contain no lead or mercury heavy metals that are harmful to the environment and we do not use spray paint, which releases VOCs [volatile organic compounds] when heated, on the TVs either. The TVs can therefore be fully recycled for a greener environment,” he says.
Other features of the ultra-slim LED HDTVs include networking capabilities, such as WiFi connection. “You can now wirelessly connect your TV to your PC or media centre to share your movies or other multimedia content between the devices. The new TVs also incorporate basic Internet functionality, not to surf the Net, but to support widgets, and allow you to track up-to-the-minute newsfeeds like Twitter,” Victor adds.
The TVs include USB 2.0 support, a built-in library of flash memory, either 1GB in the 6000 and 7000 series, or 2GB in the 8000 series. The prices for the new TVs range from R15000 for the entry-level series to R54000 for the high-end 8000 series.
The new line-up of LED HDTVs in Samsung's arsenal includes the 6000, 7000 and 8000 series TVs with ultra-high contrast ratios and a thickness of 29.2mm. The 6000 and 7000 series TVs feature a 40-inch (UN40B6000 and UN40B7000) and 46-inch (UN46B6000 and UN46B7000) screen respectively, while the 8000 series has a UN55B8000 55-inch screen.
Jean Victor, senior product manager for Samsung TVs in SA, says: “By incorporating LED technology in our TVs we have managed to make the thinnest TVs around and have increased the quality of picture and viewing with our motion blur, image judder and Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology. We can also now present images with contrast ratios, not in the thousands, but millions.”
The LED HDTVs are 100% recyclable, says Victor. “Our new TVs contain no lead or mercury heavy metals that are harmful to the environment and we do not use spray paint, which releases VOCs [volatile organic compounds] when heated, on the TVs either. The TVs can therefore be fully recycled for a greener environment,” he says.
Other features of the ultra-slim LED HDTVs include networking capabilities, such as WiFi connection. “You can now wirelessly connect your TV to your PC or media centre to share your movies or other multimedia content between the devices. The new TVs also incorporate basic Internet functionality, not to surf the Net, but to support widgets, and allow you to track up-to-the-minute newsfeeds like Twitter,” Victor adds.
The TVs include USB 2.0 support, a built-in library of flash memory, either 1GB in the 6000 and 7000 series, or 2GB in the 8000 series. The prices for the new TVs range from R15000 for the entry-level series to R54000 for the high-end 8000 series.
Samsung Electronics has introduced a new series of LED TV, the Series 8, with sizes of 46 inches and 55 inches.
The Series 8 LED TVs feature 5,000,000:1 Mega Contrast and 240Hz technology.
The LED TVs use 40% less power than conventional LCDs, and they are free of lead, mercury and other VOCs compared to 2008 similar size class Samsung LCD TVs in standard mode, the vendor said.
Other features include Internet@TV that allows users to receive content via Yahoo!, Flickr, and other online TV Widgets. USB 2.0 Movie: Multi-Media Center makes it easy to watch movies, browse photos and listen to music on your TV, the company added.
The Series 8 LED TVs feature 5,000,000:1 Mega Contrast and 240Hz technology.
The LED TVs use 40% less power than conventional LCDs, and they are free of lead, mercury and other VOCs compared to 2008 similar size class Samsung LCD TVs in standard mode, the vendor said.
Other features include Internet@TV that allows users to receive content via Yahoo!, Flickr, and other online TV Widgets. USB 2.0 Movie: Multi-Media Center makes it easy to watch movies, browse photos and listen to music on your TV, the company added.
Samsung UN55B8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV
One of our favorite HDTVs of 2008 was the Samsung LN52A650, which has remained in our lab for more than a year as a comparison model representing LCD TVs that use a conventional backlight as opposed to LEDs. Now that 240Hz processing has arrived in force on the LCD landscape, we expect the Samsung LNB750 series to take up that mantle.
This set outperforms the company's edge-lit LED-based LCDs in most areas, including black-level performance and picture uniformity, and it produced a better picture than any other LCD we've tested, aside from last year's LED-backlit models that use local dimming. It's definitely not perfect, however, and the best plasma displays still equal or surpass this LCD in overall image quality. But for people seeking an LCD and willing to pay a premium for 240Hz and interactive extras, the Samsung LN52B750 should make the short list.
This set outperforms the company's edge-lit LED-based LCDs in most areas, including black-level performance and picture uniformity, and it produced a better picture than any other LCD we've tested, aside from last year's LED-backlit models that use local dimming. It's definitely not perfect, however, and the best plasma displays still equal or surpass this LCD in overall image quality. But for people seeking an LCD and willing to pay a premium for 240Hz and interactive extras, the Samsung LN52B750 should make the short list.
Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV with Charcoal Grey Touch of Color
Samsung Begins Producing Ultra-slim, Energy-efficient LCD Panels with Edge-lit LED Backlighting
Posted On 2:08 AM by NewsMan | | 0 comments
n response to rapidly expanding demand for slimmer televisions, Samsung Electronics LCD Business announced today that it has begun mass producing the industry’s first ultra-slim LCD panels suited for large size TVs.
Samsung’s edge-lit LED (light emitting diode) backlighting offers lighter weight and thinner designs, which is preferable for wall mounting over bulkier direct-lit LED LCDs. The LED-backlit panels also are mercury-free and consume less energy.
A 55-inch Samsung HDTV with edge-lit LED backlighting uses up to 40 percent less power than conventional LCD TVs.
Just 10.8 millimeters (mm) thick, the new Samsung panels are only a fourth the thickness of conventional LCD panels currently in mass production and come in 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch diagonal sizes.
"There is a rising demand for light weight large TVs that can be mounted on the wall like a painting, with LED backlighting as a higher quality alternative to the more common CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) technology," said W. K. Chang, president of Samsung Electronics LCD Division. “Samsung is leading the push for ultra-slim LED LCD TVs in a continued demonstration of its leadership in LCD technology,” he added.
While a direct-lit LED backlight will project light forward across the full expanse of the display from the front, edge-lit LEDs emit light from a row of LEDs on the top and bottom of every panel, using less power. The edge-lit technology gathers the light towards the center of the display and bends it, reflecting it forward through a light-guide plate that precisely focuses the light for outstanding picture quality.
Samsung said it has now resolved technical issues affecting development of a marketable edge-lit LED LCD display, including inadequate brightness across the entire screen, and overheating of the outside frames and light-guide plate.
Source: Earthtimes.org
Just like the Aquos LC-52D65U LCD HDTV that earned PC Mag's GreenTech award, Sharp has recently announced a new series of LCD HDTVs with reduced energy consumption.
Sharp calls the new line AQUOS A, comprising of large LCD HDTVs beyond the 40-inch measurement. The first three models in the series are the LC-40AE6 40-inch TV, LC-46AE6 46-inch TV, and LC-52AE6 52-inch TV.
According to Sharp, the models consume 120kWh, 145 kWh and 175kWh per year respectively. In comparison, an ordinary non-energy efficient 32-inch LCD TV can consume up to 310 kWh per year.
Sharp is bold enough to claim that the consumption figures associated with the AQUOS A models propel the series to the top when it comes to energy efficiency in LCD TVs. The high-definition TVs will have a contrast ratio of 15,000:1 and a 120Hz refresh rate.
They seem interesting enough, but you'd have to be in Japan to get your paws on one for now. The 40-inch model will sell for $2,100 while the 46-inch one will go for $2,600 and the 52-inch model will carry a $4,000 price tag.
Product: Sharp Aquos LC-52D65U
Source: PcMag.com
Why spend $60 a pop taking the family to the cineplex when you can turn your home into a kick-ass theater? Granted, the couch may not seem like such a cheap alternative when you add up amenities like HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and cable service. But believe it or not, there is such a thing as a thrifty home theater. Here's how to build it.
Use a projector to get a big picture without a big HDTV: Where sports, movies, console games, and Lost are concerned, bigger is always better. Alas, LCD and Plasma TVs currently top out at around 65 inches (you call that big?) and sell for at least US$4000. So what would you say to a screen that's nearly five times larger but only half the price?
I'm talking about an HD projector like the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 Projector, which can create a 1080p image up to 300 inches diagonally (assuming you have a 25-foot wall available). It works with all the usual sources--cable, Xbox, Blu-ray player, and so on--and costs around $2000. Sure, you need a reasonably dark room to enjoy it, but you'll definitely score bragging rights with the neighbors--and save money in the process. Estimated savings: $2000.
Get a big HDTV for a small(er) price: Overall, HDTV prices haven't dropped much in the past six months. All the more reason to shop online for the best possible deal on the model you want. I priced a 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100 at a brick-and-mortar Best Buy and came away with sticker shock: Literally one penny short of $2000, not including sales tax. But Amazon had the same set for just $1594, shipping included. And at PC Connection, the price was $100 less than Amazon's: $1494, again with free shipping.
I also priced the Samsung LN46A650, another 46-inch LCD, and although the price difference in this case wasn't nearly as steep ($1545 at Best Buy, $1487 at Amazon), the latter's freedom from sales tax again made this a no-brainer. It's worth paying extra only if you insist on having a storefront at your disposal in case something goes wrong. (Of course, with big-box storefronts like Circuit City closing up shop, even that isn't a sure thing.) Estimated savings: As much as $500 on a 46-inch LCD.
Cut your costs on overpriced cables: Welcome to the scam of the century. Browse the aisles of your local electronics store and you'll likely find a Nyko HDMI Cable for PlayStation 3 selling for $60, a NexxTech Ultimate HDMI to HDMI Cable for $70, and/or a Monster Cable 700hd High Speed HDMI Cable for a whopping $95. And they're not even jewel-encrusted!
Product: Samsung LN46A650 | Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100
Source: PCWorld.idg.com.au
The cabinet depth of some large-screen LCD televisions is less than half of what was possible only two years ago. And if the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show floor was any indication, manufacturers are looking to halve the depths of upcoming premium panels yet again. At a mere 1.9 inches, the 46-inch Samsung LN46A850 is the company's thinnest HDTV yet (the next thinnest is our Editors' Choice Samsung LN52A750, which has a cabinet depth of 4.2 inches). What's more, the LN46A850's colors are brilliantly accurate, its video black inky-dark, and its reproduction of standard- and high-definition sources admirably detailed. And the LN46A850 is loaded with useful extras, including support for network streaming of multimedia content. All in all, it's a tempting—and competitively priced—slim-cabinet television.
The glossy black frame surrounding the LN46A850's screen is enhanced with a subtle reddish-amber "Touch of Color" along the outer edges. (The similar A860 series features a bluish accent.) Compared with those found Samsung's A750 series, the screen's frame has been narrowed by about a third; it measures not quite 2 inches wide along the sides and top and 3 inches wide along the bottom. The LN46A850's swivel-action table stand is constructed from a rectangular-shaped sheet of tempered glass that nicely complements the TV's frame.
Buzz up!on Yahoo!
A good, stylish TV deserves a quality remote control, and the LN46A850 includes two. The main remote is identical in design to the updated, fully backlit one included with the A950 series. Then there's a new, palm-size "Mini Remote," which has channel, volume, and power controls in a simplified arrangement that makes it great for guests or children.
The selection of A/V ports on the A850 includes four HDMI (one on the side), two component video inputs, VGA, and an RF input for antenna use. Unlike many HDTVs, the A850 has a digital audio output that functions with any connected source. But multichannel audio output is available only when you are using the TV's integrated DTV tuner—all other sources are limited to stereo output only.
Product: LN46A850, LN52A750
Source: PCMag.com
The idea of using LEDs to light an LCD TV isn't a new one, but in its new ultrathin HDTV, the 40B7000, Samsung has used the technology to make something truly special. The 40B7000 isn't technically backlit--it actually uses an LED edge light, which means the diodes are mounted in the side of the TV rather than behind the panel. There's some slightly complicated technology involved in getting the light distributed evenly around the screen, but you'd never notice.Using an edge light means the TV can be whisker-thin. The Samsung 40B7000 really is incredible to look at. What's more, it's very light, and that means the wall mount can simply be a piece of thin cable and a couple of decent screws. Oddly, the mount alone is quite pricey, but there are bound to be special bundles that include it for free.
It's worth pointing out that in the US, this LED range is known as Luxia. That name won't be coming to the UK and Asia--instead it will just be known as Samsung's LED TV. We have to say that we prefer the simple LED brand to yet another ghastly pseudo-Latin sub-brand.
Such a thin TV must have some compromises, but the only things we can find are some slightly flimsy breakout connectors for the composite and component-video inputs. Not a major problem at all, although some may not like it this way.
One of the most exciting features of this TV is the Internet widget system. However, we have spoken to Samsung and understand that such services are hugely country-dependent. To date, there is no firm indication that the widgets will be available for the Asia models. But the good news is the Korean company will be launching the B6000- and B8000-series, together with the B7000, in selected Asian countries. The pricing and availability for these panels are currently pending finalization.
We have to say that the Samsung 40B7000 has really impressed us so far. Everything about it is slick. The TV itself feels rock-solid, looks epic and has pretty much every extra function you're likely to need for a long time.
Source: Cnet.com
Sony Intros New Bravia HDTVs and Wireless-ready Blu-ray Players
Posted On 11:17 AM by NewsMan | | 0 comments
Sony is bolstering its networkable Bravia HDTV line with two new models, plus introducing new Blu-ray players with Wi-Fi and S-AIR wireless audio support.
Sony is bolstering its home entertainment lineup with a number of new component releases, including new networkable Bravia HDTVs and new Blu-ray players that come with wireless technology for tapping into BD Live content.
"The demands of today's home theater go beyond pristine picture quality and our new Blu-ray Disc product line offers a breadth of technologies that deliver an amazing entertainment experience," said Sony Electronic home products marketing VP Chris Fawcett, in a statement. "Consumers don't want a living room cluttered with wires and the new Blu-ray Disc product lineup breaks down the wired barriers of the past."
The BDP-S560 features integrated 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity to attaching to a home network and accessing BD Live content without the hassle of running a wired Ethernet network—and, of course, firmware updates to keep the device up to date. The S560 supports Sony's Wi-Fi Protected Setup for easy connections to wireless routers, and the player can connect to other DNLA-compliant devices throughout a network to share photos. The S560 offers HDMI output, Ethernet (just in case), a front-panel USB port for connecting cameras and camcorders, high-definition upscaling for standard definition content, Sony's Precision Drive technology for stabilizing the disc during playback, and support for 7.1 surround sound—including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. The BDP-S360 is basically the same beast as the S560, minus the Wi-Fi. Expect to see both players in May for $350 and $300, respectively.
Sony has also launched two Blu-ray home theather systems—the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W—that offer BD Live support and 7.1 surround support. The BDV-E500W includqes S-AIR support, meaning the system can support wireless speakers up to 164 feet away, or up to 10 S-AIR audio station devices (available separately) throughout a home. Both systems also include Sony's Digital Media Port for supporting iPods, Walkmans, and other devices—expect to see them in June for $600 and $800, respectively.
Sony has also added networkable Bravia HDTVs to its lineup, the 52-inch Bravia KDL-52W5100, the 46-inch Bravia KDL-46W5100, and 40-inch Bravia KDL-40W5100. The units each feature Ethernet connectivity for tapping into Sony Bravia Internet Video content via an existing in-home broadband connection, and the units also feature Bravia Internet Widget, based on the Yahoo Widget Engine, to enable users to tap into news and content, as wellas services like Flickr. Each set features Sony's Bravia Engine 3, 120 Hz refresh, plus 4 HDMI inputs and PC, component, and S-video inputs. Sony says the new networkable Bravias HDTVs will be available this spring, but hasn't announced a firm date or pricing information.
Source: Digitaltrends.com
Sony is bolstering its home entertainment lineup with a number of new component releases, including new networkable Bravia HDTVs and new Blu-ray players that come with wireless technology for tapping into BD Live content.
"The demands of today's home theater go beyond pristine picture quality and our new Blu-ray Disc product line offers a breadth of technologies that deliver an amazing entertainment experience," said Sony Electronic home products marketing VP Chris Fawcett, in a statement. "Consumers don't want a living room cluttered with wires and the new Blu-ray Disc product lineup breaks down the wired barriers of the past."
The BDP-S560 features integrated 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity to attaching to a home network and accessing BD Live content without the hassle of running a wired Ethernet network—and, of course, firmware updates to keep the device up to date. The S560 supports Sony's Wi-Fi Protected Setup for easy connections to wireless routers, and the player can connect to other DNLA-compliant devices throughout a network to share photos. The S560 offers HDMI output, Ethernet (just in case), a front-panel USB port for connecting cameras and camcorders, high-definition upscaling for standard definition content, Sony's Precision Drive technology for stabilizing the disc during playback, and support for 7.1 surround sound—including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. The BDP-S360 is basically the same beast as the S560, minus the Wi-Fi. Expect to see both players in May for $350 and $300, respectively.
Sony has also launched two Blu-ray home theather systems—the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W—that offer BD Live support and 7.1 surround support. The BDV-E500W includqes S-AIR support, meaning the system can support wireless speakers up to 164 feet away, or up to 10 S-AIR audio station devices (available separately) throughout a home. Both systems also include Sony's Digital Media Port for supporting iPods, Walkmans, and other devices—expect to see them in June for $600 and $800, respectively.
Sony has also added networkable Bravia HDTVs to its lineup, the 52-inch Bravia KDL-52W5100, the 46-inch Bravia KDL-46W5100, and 40-inch Bravia KDL-40W5100. The units each feature Ethernet connectivity for tapping into Sony Bravia Internet Video content via an existing in-home broadband connection, and the units also feature Bravia Internet Widget, based on the Yahoo Widget Engine, to enable users to tap into news and content, as wellas services like Flickr. Each set features Sony's Bravia Engine 3, 120 Hz refresh, plus 4 HDMI inputs and PC, component, and S-video inputs. Sony says the new networkable Bravias HDTVs will be available this spring, but hasn't announced a firm date or pricing information.
Source: Digitaltrends.com