Plasma HDTV Prices
Figuring out the best price on HDTV
Archive for the 'HDTV news' Category
Top 10 LCD and plasma HDTVs compared
28 Sep 2007
PC World reviews 40″ and 42″ plasma and LCD TV sets:
We examined twelve of the latest 40- to 42-inch flat-panel TVs we could find to determine which ones give you the most for your money. Our test group consisted of five plasma sets (Hewlett-Packard’s PL4272N, Panasonic’s TH-42PZ700U, Pioneer’s PDP-4280HD, Samsung’s HP-T4264, and Vizio’s VP42) and seven LCD sets (HP’s LC4276N, LG’s 42LB5D, Philips’s 42PFL7432D/37, Samsung’s LN-T4061, Sony’s KDL-40V3000, Toshiba’s 42HL167, and Vizio’s GV42LF).
See the comparison chart here.
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Poor HDTV picture from DVD player
08 Aug 2007
What happens when you bought a brand new HDTV set, you plug it in, you sit down to watch a DVD, and the picture is far from perfect?
First of all, make sure you’ve gone into your Pioneer DVD player’s set-up menu to select “16:9″ for your TV Screen shape (the set-up menu option on the Pioneer player should be called something like “Initial settings… Video output… TV screen”). If you don’t do this, then your DVD player may still think your TV is the old 4:3 roughly square shape and widescreen DVDs will not play back in their correct aspect ratio.
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JVC LAUNCHES NEW 1080p FLAT PANEL LCD TVs
25 Jun 2007
JVC today expanded its LCD TV line-up with the addition of four new models that offer 1080p full HD resolution. All four models, in 37-, 42- and 47-inch screen sizes, incorporate an array of JVC technologies that combine to deliver sharp, natural images with even the most challenging program material.
JVC’s expanded LCD line includes two series – in the 688 series are the 37-inch LT-37X688 and the 42-inch LT-42X688, each offering a new black cabinet. The higher performance 788 series includes the 42-inch LT-42X788 and the 47-inch LT-47X788, featuring black cabinets with silver trim and an ultra-thin bezel. The 788 series sets also provide a higher contrast ratio, faster response time and wider viewing angle.
All four models feature full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 and JVC’s fifth generation D.I.S.T. (Digital Image Scaling Technology) engine that upconverts all signals to display at full 1080p. Dual HDMI v1.3 inputs allow connection of the latest generation of 1080p sources that offer 1080p outputs. Other features include nine aspect modes, four picture modes, a new universal remote with new convenience features, and a USB photo viewer.
To ensure the best possible picture, the new sets feature JVC’s Genessa chip, a 32-bit CPU processor that combines all image processing, noise reduction and color management technologies together onto a single chip for more efficient communication, and thus better performance. Genessa includes JVC’s Motion Adaptive Dynamic Gamma control, an algorithm that preserves tonal details and gradations in dark areas so that the image doesn’t appear muddy.
Genessa also includes Digital Video Noise Reduction that reduces the graininess for both analog and digital video sources, a Block Noise Suppressor that detects and eliminates “block noise”, a Mosquito Noise Suppressor that eliminates noise in low bit-rate signals without degrading the image, and a 3D Y/C comb filter with DTV Cross Color Eliminator that uses an advanced 10-bit 3D Y/C separation process to eliminate cross color and dot interference that is imbedded in older source material.
Standard definition signals are improved through new Natural Progressive IP conversion, improved scaler performance and a new PLL (phase lock loop) system that improves the performance of a composite signal.
In convenience features, the new sets offer nine video aspect modes, including a full native mode that shows the full picture with no overscan, four picture modes (standard, game, theater and dynamic) to optimize performance for different room situations and program material, and a USB photo viewer – a USB input for connection to a USB mass storage device, including JVC’s Everio hard drive camcorders. Images can be zoomed and rotated, viewed individually or played as a slide show.
New with the launch of these LCD sets is a completely redesigned remote control. All four new sets come with an illuminated universal remote that includes five direct video input buttons, and can be programmed to operate many brands of set top boxes, DVD players, digital video recorders, VCRs and audio products. In addition, the remote features dual infrared transmitters so that the set receives the signal whether the remote is pointed at the TV or held vertically for a better view of the buttons.
All four sets offer a full complement of inputs – two HDMI v1.3 inputs, two component inputs, three composite inputs, three AV inputs, an S-Video input, and optical digital audio out, and a fixed audio out.
For HD program reception, all four sets include a built-in ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air digital terrestrial broadcasts and a Clear QAM tuner for receiving unscrambled digital cable signals.
The audio package in JVC’s new LCD TVs is comprised of a 10-watts-per-channel amplifier, JVC’s Advanced Hyper Surround for simulated surround sound and twin oblique cone speakers. Also included is JVC’s Smart Sound feature, which maintains a constant volume level as content changes (such as from program material to commercial).
Prices and availability:
Model Available Approximate Retail Price LT-37X688 June $1,599.95 LT-42X688 June $1,999.95 LT-42X788 July $2,099.95 LT-47X788 July $2,699.95
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HDTV antennas: pros and cons
28 Apr 2007
Associated Press talks about The Pros and Cons of HD Antennas. Pros include the facts that it’s free and you get better picture quality for over the air HDTV. Among the cons they list reception issues, and availability of local channels only.
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TV antennas back in fashion because of HDTV
28 Apr 2007
USA Today talks about new demand for HDTV antennas: HDTV perks up old-fashioned rabbit ears
Local TV channels, broadcast in HD over-the-air,
offer superior picture quality over the often-compressed signals sent
by cable and satellite TV companies.And the best part? Over-the-air HD is free.
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22 Nov 2006
Business Week: Consumer-electronics manufacturers are gearing up for the holidays by cutting prices on high-def TVs. Here’s a handy buyers’ guide:
Wide-screen, 50-inch plasma televisions from makers such as Toshiba and Hewlett-Packard can be purchased online for less than $2,000 this holiday season. In the days before Thanksgiving, Sony’s entry-level, 50-inch LCD was listed as low as $1,348, and Samsung’s 50-inch Digital Light Processor set was advertised for $1,135 over the Net. As recently as two years ago, 42-inch sets were selling for prices in the neighborhood of $4,000.
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21 Nov 2006
PC Magazine (if you can get through the rolling, flying, jumping ads): Now is the best time yet to buy an HDTV. Prices are affordable to mere mortals, and fierce competition among manufacturers—as well as a little prodding from Congress—has resulted in a wide selection of displays that deliver high-definition enjoyment in a variety of styles to suit any taste.
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16 Nov 2006
Panasonic, the market and technology leader in Plasma TV, is turning the dreams of many consumers into reality this holiday season thanks to technological advances, lower pricing and $200 installation rebates which are making its best selling line of Plasma HDTVs more attainable than ever during this peak buying period.
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, sales of flat panel TVs are expected to top $7.3 billion this year, up 85 percent from a year ago. Half of consumers surveyed said their next TV set will be a flat panel. A recent Opinion Research Corporation study of more than 1,000 adults found that nearly 75 percent of respondents feel buying a plasma HDTV is more affordable/feasible than one year ago. Only one percent said they currently own an HDTV.
The best selling Plasma TV brand in the United States this year, Panasonic continues to provide a superior quality picture and viewing experience for consumers looking to purchase a large flat panel TV. The latest Panasonic Plasma HDTV line includes 37″, 42″, 50″, 58″, 65″ and 103″ — the world’s largest Plasma TV. When compared to LCDs, Panasonic Plasmas demonstrate significant advantages, including better viewing angles and better reproduction of shades of black.
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10 Jul 2006
Matsushita to sell record 103-inch plasma TVs – Matsushita, the maker of Panasonic brand electronics, said on Monday it hoped to start selling the world’s largest plasma television by early next year. Measuring 2.4 metres by 1.4 meters and weighing 215 kg, the 103-inch panel is bigger than a double-sized mattress and almost as heavy as an upright piano.
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16 Jun 2006
LCDTV.com: Flat Screen TV Comparison: Plasma vs LCD
Flat screen TV is one of the most popular and exciting TV technologies today. At only a few inches thick, flat screen TVs offer unparalleled flexibility and convenience. Older conventional TV’s, in fairness to them, did offer crisp and vibrant images. However, these TV’s, which operate through a cathode ray tube (CRT), suffered from one major drawback, they were bulky. As screen size increased, so did the bulk and weight. However, the TV of old has reached its twilight years. New television technologies have enabled TV manufacturers to create TVs with wider screen size yet still only a few inches thick. Thus, flat screen TVs usher home entertainment into the 21st century.
New plasmas from Pioneer Electronics
15 Jun 2006
Two new high-definition commercial plasmas introduced at InfoComm today by Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. utilize PureDrive(TM) Pro circuitry along with other proprietary technologies to deliver exceptional picture quality for commercial applications. PureDrive(TM) Pro, developed exclusively for professional displays, is one of the industry’s most powerful signal processing engines to maintain the purest digital signal possible for minimal data loss from any signal type. The 60″ PDP-607CMX and 50″ PDP-507CMX stand apart from ordinary displays in their ability to deliver sharper, more focused images with improved efficiency using proprietary technologies like PureDrive(TM) Pro, developed by Pioneer during the past eight years.
Price drops on Visio plasma and LCD screens
06 Jun 2006
V, Incorporated, maker of the multiple award-winning VIZIO line of high definition TV’s, announces new pricing that any family member would love. Just in time for Father’s Day, VIZIO offers three of its top-selling high definition TV’s at breakthrough price points. The stunning VIZIO 50″ Plasma – the P50HDM – will break the $2,000 barrier by being offered for the unheard of price of just $1,999.99. Joining the P50HDM is the P42HDTV – VIZIO’s 42″ Plasma HDTV – offered at the exceptional every-day price of just $1,499.99. Rounding out the promotion is the L32HDTV, VIZIO’s 32″ LCD, at an incredible value of $899.99.
According to Ross Young, founder and President of TV market research firm DisplaySearch, “Vizio was the world’s fastest growing plasma TV brand in Q1’06 and is now #7 in the world despite primarily selling only to the U.S. warehouse club channel. Its remarkable growth speaks to its breakthrough pricing and the growing importance of the warehouse club channel.”
“Our P50HDM was just given PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice award and represents 10% of the 50″ U.S. plasma market” stated Jeff Schindler, VIZIO Vice President, Marketing and Business Operations. “The VIZIO 32″ HDTV with a no-bright-pixel guarantee is Costco and Sam’s Club’s top selling TV. This proves that our high end performance and quality at the best price is the winning combination for consumers,” concluded Schindler.
VIZIO 50″ Plasma
The VIZIO P50HDM employs 1366 x 768 native resolution, 1,000 cd/m2 brightness and Faroudja DCDi motion-adaptive de-interlacing to deliver vibrant, rich images in 231 billion different colors. The P50HDM’s video processor features Single Scan Technology for a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, reduced solarization and false contouring – along with improved sharpness, non-linear chroma enhancement, closed color suppression, non-linear scaling and adaptive contrast/color controls. Its array of video connections includes two dedicated HDMI inputs, a VGA-type PC input and two component video inputs. It also comes with built-in speakers, stand and universal IR remote and is protected with one-year in-home warranty.
The VIZIO 42″ Plasma HDTV
The VIZIO P42HDTV takes on the attractive piano-black styling and built-in silver speakers of the P50HDM plasma TV. The 1024 x 768 native resolution widescreen boasts the latest-generation glass with Single Scan Technology for a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, high 1200 cd/m2 brightness and 30 bit, 231 billion colors. Its advanced video processor produces reduced solarization and false contouring while offering sharpness improvement, non-linear chroma enhancement, closed color suppression, non-linear scaling, and adaptive contrast and color controls. The 42″ VIZIO features dual tuners, including ATSC off air, clear QAM digital cable and NTSC tuners. It offers PIP/POP, 3:2 pulldown, 3D-comb filter and motion-adaptive de-interlacer. Video connections include two component, HDMI and VGA-type PC (up to 1280 x 1024) inputs along with multiple video settings. It comes with easy-to-setup guide, a universal IR remote control, and a one-year in-home service warranty.
The VIZIO 32″ LCD HDTV
The “super-value” VIZIO L32HDTV LCD offers high definition 1366 x 768 native resolution with fast 8 ms response time plus dual tuners including ATSC off air, clear QAM digital cable and NTSC. It comes with built-in speakers and a universal IR remote control while offering PIP/POP, 3:2 pulldown, 3D-comb filter and motion-adaptive de-interlacer. The component, VGA-type PC and HDMI video inputs along with multiple video settings ensure that it will be in high demand by the entire family. The 32″ LCD also comes with an easy-to-setup guide and a one-year in-home service warranty.
New Plasma TVs from Hitachi
30 May 2006
The UltraVision 42″ 42HDS69 and 55-inch 55HDS69 plasmas feature the new PictureMaster HD III processor. The 42HDS69 has 1024-by-1080 resolution and the 55HDS69 offers 1365-by-768 resolution. Both feature three HDMI and three component-video inputs, as well as a six-speaker, 36-watt audio system. The UltraVision CineForm 42-inch 42HDT79 and 55-inch 55HDT79 include all of the features of the HDS69 series, and adds the TV Guide On Screen interactive programming guide, adjustable color decoder, two IR outputs, an IR pass through, and a USB photo input.
The UltraVision CineForm Director’s Series 42-inch 42HDX99 and 55-inch 55HDX99 plasma models have the advanced technologies found in the HDT79 and HDS69 models, and add Custom Color Temperature, as well as a special “Film Quality Image” factory setup. These Director’s Series models feature the Learning AV NET V with Simple Remote, which concentrates the total home theater control into a small hand-held 12-button remote, and Firewire with full AV control capabilities. The 42HDS69 ($2,499 list) and 55HDS69 ($4,299 list) are shipping this month. The 42HDT79 ($2,999 list) and 55HDT79 ($4,799 list) are set to ship in July. The 42HDX99 ($3,499 list) and 55HDX99 ($5,299 list) will both be available in August.
All Hitachi Plasma televisions
27 May 2006
Thomson Proposes HDTV Over USB – Thomson’s Jensen electronics unit showed off a prototype for attaching an HDTV over-the-air receiver to a laptop via a USB cable.
LCD TV prices expected to drop
27 May 2006
PCWorld is quoting market research company saying the LCD prices are expected to drop further.
Consumers globally have been snapping up flat display TVs for the past few years. Last year in Japan, LCD TVs overtook the bulky old CRT TVs for the first time by the narrow margin of 47.8 percent to 46.5 percent. Flat displays are popular in Japan because most people live in apartments, so space is a premium. The smaller a company can shrink a gadget, the more likely a Japanese user will buy it.
Tvia TrueView 5600 ships
16 May 2006
Tvia, Inc. today announces that four new manufacturers are now shipping Tvia’s LCD-TV and Plasma (PDP) system designs with the TrueView 5600 chipset for LCD and PDP (Plasma) TV models. Tvia’s TrueView line of digital display processors is used by the world’s leading broadcast and consumer electronics companies. These four manufacturers are some of the leading developers and manufacturers of advanced flat panel displays in China for major global markets, including EU, China, South America and the USA.
All four manufactures have chosen Tvia’s LCD and Plasma TV reference designs with TrueView 5600 for their new 32″ LCD-TV or 42″ Plasma TV which are manufactured under contract for major brand names in the consumer TV markets. Each manufacturer needed to provide complete TVs that could be produced quickly in order to win the contracts with named TV brands. Tvia guaranteed that by using their turnkey Tvia LCD and Plasma TV reference designs, with the TrueView 5600 digital display chip, all four manufactures could get to mass production within 45 days or less.
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