Top Flat Screen TV Reviews

Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

Samsung adds a Touch of Color to a blazing-fast 4ms response time and rich connectivity features to redefine the role HDTVs play in the home with its forward-looking Series 6 (A650) and Series 7 (A750) LCD HDTVs. Utilizing the award-winning technologies found in all Samsung HDTVs, Series 6 and 7 HDTVs deliver unparalleled picture quality and enhanced connectivity and networking capabilities that create a true entertainment hub for any home. Series 7 takes networking and multimedia management to a whole new level. Consumers can easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Samsung's 550 Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1080p resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,000:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models). Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) means these HDTVs play well with all of your other electronics. Easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through the side-mounted USB 2.0, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

With its 2008 Panasonic Viera Plasmas, Panasonic brings an astonishing 1,000,000:1 contrast ration to the table. advanced pixel resolution and image-processing technology with the plasma TV's natural ability to beautifully reproduce fast moving images, so every detail is rendered with amazing clarity, and all the action is delivered with a high degree of fluidity.

What's New This Year?

Super Contrast--native contrast ratios on the PZ85, PZ800 and PX 850 series are 30,000:1, double last year's 15,000:1. Dynamic contrast ratios are up to 1,000,000:1.

new anti-reflective filter; lead-free "Tough Under Force" panel is resistant to impacts and scratches

Built-in SD card slot with Photo Viewer/Gallery Player software
x.v. Color and Deep Color (HDMI 1.3 features)
24p native reproduction

Game Mode auto-adjusts image quality suitable to games and includes anti-image retention

Viera Link is now compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems

At least 3 HDMI inputs on all models (4 on PZ800 and PZ850 series)
THX Certification on PZ800 and PZ850 series

Sony Bravia L-Series KDL-32L4000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

How about a Sony BRAVIA HDTV that has legendary Sony quality at a price just about anyone can afford? That's what the KDL-32L4000 HDTV represents. Two HDMI" connections mean this HDTV can connect to the latest HDMI"-enabled sources. Add to that two more component inputs, and a PC input, and you have five ways to get HD quality entertainment to your TV. With wide viewing angles and a fast panel response time, and a beautiful gloss black color with chrome accents, now everyone can enjoy video entertainment no matter where they're sitting and what they're watching.

32" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio)
* semigloss black finish with chrome accents
* built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)
* built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required)
* 1366 x 768 pixels
* 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080i) *

Sylvania LC195SL8 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

19" LCD TV with PC input. Great for dorms and video games.

The Sylvania LC195SL8 is a 19" 720p Resolution LCD HDTV. This flat-panel LCD television has a 19" screen, measured diagonally from corner to corner. This screen size is perfect for viewing from 3' to 5' away. A 1440 x 900 resolution means that this television has 900 rows of pixels vertically. The more pixels a TV has, the clearer the images it can produce.

HDTV Display with PC input
Digital Tuner
1440 x 900 resolution
V-Chip w Downloadable Rating

Samsung LN32A450 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

Enjoy the clarity of HD in a stunningly modern design with a unique bezel and frame to suit your decor. True 720p resolution offers amazing LCD image detail, complemented by a 10,000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio for vivid colors and bold blacks. Three HDMI inputs let you connect quickly and easily to your peripherals. Call up a variety of menu options and preferences via a smart user interface. Speaking of smart, the intelligently hidden speakers ensure a sleek, clean look that fits in almost any surroundings. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two speakers playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels Stereo broadcast reception, (MTS & SAP) with 181-channel capacity. Hidden bottom speakers with 10 Watts x 2 audio power SRS TruSurround XT - TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers V-Chip system allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French HDMI-CEC allows peripheral devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by TV remote control Auto wall mount compatible Channel coverage - VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69, and CATV 1-125 (up to 181 pre-selected channels) Antenna - CATV/VHF/UFH 75-ohm, F-type Connections - 3 HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface (2 rear, 1 side), 2 Rear Component (Y/Pb/Pr), Rear RF Input, Side S-video input, Composite AV (Rear, Side), Side Headphone, Rear PC D-sub, Rear optical sound out, Rear RS232, and Side HDMI-CEC Dimensions - Width 31.5 x Height 20.7 x Depth 3.7 / 31.5 x 22.7 x 9.9 with stand Weight - 24.0 pounds / 28.9 pounds with stand.

Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Enter the next generation of Pioneer KURO, where a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Awake your senses and discover there is more to this television than meets the eye. Deeper black levels that pave the way to breathtaking detail, added dimension and more vibrant color are just the beginning. Optimum Mode automatically analyzes and adjusts audio and video settings according to specific room light conditions and type of light and color. Program content is also monitored and finely adjusted so movies, sports and news are all faithfully reproduced. Smooth Film mode eliminates motion jitter in 3:2 Pulldown (60Hz), providing natural even playback of film content. Detachable bottom speaker with fully integrated digital amplifier for pristine clarity and accuracy of sound 4 Independent HDMI 1.3 inputs with HDMI-CEC control and the ability to accept 1080p 24/60Hz signal Room Light Sensor for automatic picture adjustment Standard 3 - 2 (60Hz) and Advanced PureCinema with 3 - 3 Pulldown (72Hz) for accurate playback of film content Fully Integrated ATSC and NTSC Tuner with Clear QAM Supported Formats - Video - WMV9, MPEG1, MPEG2-PS, MPEG2-TS, MPEG4 (SP/ASP), and MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) Audio - WMA9, MP3, Linear PCM (WAV), HE-AAC, and MPEG-4 AAC Photos - JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and BMP 4 Independent HDMI 1.3 (1 side, 3 rear) with PC support, 2 with analog audio, 1 Component, 3x Composite, 1 S-Video Antenna, USB (Mass Storage Class), LAN (10/100 Base-T --Ethernet), and PC input Optical Digital Audio (Dolby Digital/PCM), Audio LR, Subwoofer, SR, and Headphone output Dimensions - Width 48-17/32 x Height 28-15/32 x Depth 3-21/32 / 48-17/32 x 31-5/8 x 3-21/32 with speaker Weight - 74 pounds 1 ounces / 86 pounds with speaker and stand.

By Lisa Miskella

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Plasma TV Or LCD TV

Your old TV has just given it up and you need a new TV, but you are very confused on what to buy. Your question is Plasma TV or LCD TV and the sales people at the store are not giving you the information you need.

Plasma TVs were all the talk of the television industry just a few years ago but today they are being challenged by DLP and LCD TV's as well. Plasma televisions have come down in price over the last few years and the quality has only increased. Plasma TV's are today's most sought after and best viewing televisions on the market. They are thin and can be either placed on a wall or fit on its on component or piece of furniture, so a plasma TV stand is a vital component. Plasma TVs can suffer from burn-in produced by static images. After extended periods, stationary images "burn in" and produce an after-image ghost which remains permanently on the screen.

Flat-panel TVs create beautifully bright, crisp images using either LCD or plasma screen technology. Many models measure 4 inches deep or less, opening up a whole new range of TV placement options. Flat panel TVs are not the only ones to lose brightness over time; every TV set does, including the traditional CRTs. Flat screen televisions make for a great gift for Christmas, birthdays or any occasion. Yet, selecting the most appropriate TV can be challenging if the consumer doesn't know what he or she is looking for.

HDTV improves this dramatically for both. HDTV is short for high-definition television, which offers clarified, precise images with enriched colors and contrast. With superior resolution and sound, it quickly became the new standard for broadcasting.

Plasma TV screens can create a multitude of tints by varying the intensity of the light from these three sub pixels. When it?s time to display an image signal (RGB or video), a digitally controlled electric current flows through the flat screen, causing the plasma inside designated bubbles to give off ultraviolet rays. Plasma TVs have been steadily encroaching upon affordability in the last few years. Many new manufacturing plants have opened in China and Korea that produce the glass panel, which is the chief plasma display element. Plasma TVs offer large viewing areas (up to 50 inches) but are very thin. While they offer excellent picture quality, they are quite expensive and are fast becoming the popular choice for HDTV.

Brightness: LCD TVs are said to do slightly better in bright-light conditions. Black Levels: Plasma TVs generally produce very black blacks whereas an LCD TV will produce a very dark charcoal gray.

Consider buying Plasma TV for the purposes of viewing home videos like DVD or viewing HDTV channels.

Plasma TV's also do not have as long of a life span than a LCD TV. A plasma TV has a life span of generally about 30,000 hours, while an LCD TV doubles that with about 60,000 hours.

Plasma screens are high voltage devices that create light in three colors (red, green, and blue) in varying shades at each pixel to create an image on the screen. LCD screens filter or block light in three primary colors at each pixel in order to create an image. Plasma sets also encounter some image quality problems stemming from the nature of their pixels. Because plasma pixels need an electrical discharge in order to emit light, a pixel must be lit or unlit, but has no intermediate state. Plasma televisions come in conventional PC display sizes and also in sizes up to 63 inches for home theater and high definition television.

LCD screens: Liquid is suspended between two transparent panels. Within the liquid are crystals that, when activated by voltage, re-position themselves so that they either allow the light to pass through the panel and or block the light. Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) panels - work by trapping a liquid crystal solution between two sheets of polarized glass. When an electric current is passed through the liquid crystals, they change the polarization of the light passing through them in response to the electric voltage ? as a result of which, more or less light is able to pass through the polarized glass on the face of the display.

LCD TVs in increasing quantities, Sony is building a logistics center adjacent to the production site at ?Nitra Technology Center?. With addition of the logistics center due to start operating this autumn, Sony is positioning ?Nitra Technology Center? LCD TVs produce sharper pictures with high quality colors while plasma TVs can give more realistic colors. Both have their technical glitches, of course: plasmas can suffer from a burn-in effect while LCDs suffer from stuck pixels.

Currently, a 42-inch plasma display sells for approximately $2500, with cheaper ? and smaller ? versions available. LCD, or liquid crystal display, TVs have only recently taken off, and are currently more expensive than plasma. Currently in the plasma vs. LCD TV battle, plasma wins on the price because of their head start on producing the larger models. Currently, Plasma TVs have the advantage of offering larger screen sizes. Commonly available Plasma TV screen sizes include 32-inch, 42-inch, 50-inch and 63-inch models.

Panasonic has a series out right now that uses DLP and a new plasma lamp. It gives the quality of picture of high-end LED units but at a fraction of the cost and nearly the same lamp life. Panasonic's professional plasma monitors have great picture quality considering their price, but the trade offs -- including the lack of a tuner -- might be too much for some. Samsung plasma TVs fall short of these TVs when it comes to blacks, but overall picture quality and relative value make it one of the best choices for many buyers.

Sharp does a couple smart things to enhance the black levels on its 37G4U display. First, they include a first-rate anti-glare/darkness-enhancing coating on the LCD screen to counter excessive light emissions, which tend to dull blacks on the screen. Sharp produces one of the largest available LCD displays at 45 inches, while Samsung has a 46 inch, Sony and NEC currently produce units measuring 40" diagonally.

LCD TVs continued their strong growth, gaining 56% to a record of 28.5 million units during the quarter. For the entire year, Display search estimated that about 79.3 million LCD TVs were shipped, translating into a 40% of the total market of 200 million TVs.

As you can see when trying to decide on a Plasma TV or LCD TV there are good and bad qualities to each. But now you have a little more knowledge about Plasma TV or LCD TV's that you can go back to the TV store and ask the sales people better questions.
By Stanley Morse

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LCD TV Monitors

LCD monitors have an edge over other monitors as they have better resolution and sleek design. LCD monitors are sleekly built, so they occupy less space on the table. LCD TV monitors are a combination of monitors used for computers and a normal television. LCD TV monitors work on the principle of blocking unwanted colors from the white spectrum. Some LCD TV monitors can also produce good quality images when viewed at an angle as obtuse as 170 degrees.

LCD TV monitors also have non glare screens. LCD TV monitors are available in general sizes of 19', 20', 21', and 23' and upward. Smaller LCD TV monitors are also available in sizes of 14' and 17'. LCD TV monitors provide good image qualities irrespective of their sizes. Also some LCD monitors cannot run high density games, which require HD compatibility. Some LCD monitors also produce a ghosting effect. However constant improvements are being made in LCD TV monitors to make these anomalies redundant.

In order to make LCD TV monitors sleeker, companies make their buttons small.

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