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Editor's HDTV Pick

HP 47 inch MediaSmart 1080p LCD HDTV "Out of the box" digital media platform. Enjoy videos, pictures and music from home network + digital media delivered over your broadband Internet connection + 3 x HDMI

Sony’s W Series W4100 models (KDL-40W4100, KDL-46W4100 and KDL-52W4100) are third tier members of the 1080p line of LCD flat panel HDTVs introduced at the start of 2008. Full HD, 1080p, resolution provides advantages like being able to sit closer to the screen and avoiding the necessity of downconverting from a full HD video signal source such as a Blu-ray Disc to the native resolution of the display. The avoiding downconverting advantage will gain importance as full HD Blu-ray Discs become more common.

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Sony’s V4100 series were introduced as part of Sony’s new 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) line of LCD HDTVs introduced at the start of 2008. Sony BRAVIA V series is one step up in features from the recently reviewed, entry level 1080p Full HD BRAVIA S series. The displays contrast ratio is the same, impressive 25:000:1 and 8ms response time as the S series.

The V series models have the same base specification as the S series with the following additions.
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Sony’s S4100 models the 40 inch KDL-40S4100 and 46 inch KDL-46S4100 are the entry level models to the new 1080p line of LCD flat panel HDTVs introduced for 2008. One of the advantages of moving to a 1080p (1920 x 1080) native resolution is downconvert from a full HD video signal source such as a Blu-ray Disc to the native resolution of the display. It’s something that will be appreciated as full HD Blu-ray Discs become more common.

The Sony BRAVIA S series have an impressive 2,500:1 contrast ratio for better picture quality. (read more..)

Sony’s BRAVIA 720p LCD HDTV L4000 models, KDL-37L4000 and KDL-32L4000, share most features with the recently reviewed Sony BRAVIA M3000 models but have a more modest range of convenience features and the absence of the SRS TruSurround XT surround sound virtualization technology. They’re a budget conscious model retaining the core BRAVIA technology.

The dynamic contrast ratio is up from 1000:1 to 2000:1 however, as they are the typically higher dynamic ratio figures it makes it seem more dramatic. The appearance of the different models is different but the overall dimensions for the same diagonal screen size are about the same.
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The Panasonic PZ850U VIERA 1080p Full HD plasma models (TH-58PZ850U, TH-46PZ850U, TH-50PZ850U and TH-65PZ850U) are the top of the 2008 range of Panasonic plasma HDTV models. The PZ850 models are referred as the Web Enabled models as they come with VIERA CAST which provides broadband Internet access to some of the most popular content sites on the Internet – YouTube, Google’s Picasa Web Album, Weather Channel and Bloomberg. The PZ850 series also offers extensive picture adjustment features. However, it should be noted that the Panasonic PZ850U models do not have the THX Display certification of the PZ800U models.

The PZ850 models same base specification (see below) as the recently reviewed, entry level PX80U models with the following additions and differences.
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The Olevia 747i and 742i are Full HD, 1080p LCD HDTVs and are the premium models in Olevia’s LCD HDTV range. The brand Olevia is still reasonably new to the HDTV market but, has become quickly well regarded. Syntax-Brillian Corporation, the parent company of the Olevia brand, made a fairly unusual and bold move when they established their assembly plant in the continental US. However, the display panels are supplied by LG Philips.

Olevia specify the 747i and 742i as having a 1600:1 dynamic contrast ratio which will be higher than the unpublished static figure. In any case it will be lower than for plasma panels. The response time is good at 8ms but, there are faster LCD offerings on the market. If you plan to watch a lot of sport or other fast action content it would pay to watch the models before you buy (as is always the case). Interestingly, these LCDs are very heavy (128lbs for the 747i); most probably due to the thick glass sheet covering the display panel. Wall mounting will take some effort and will require a sturdy bracket and wall. The viewing angle range is listed as +/- 178 degrees which is excellent but, off axis dimming and possible color change with wider viewing angles are something the individual needs to be test.
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High Definition TV (HDTV) technologies have improved dramatically over recent years. Overall, display panels are larger, images are brighter, contrast ratios have soared, viewing angles are wider and pictures are more lifelike thanks wider color gamut light sources becoming available. Flat-panels have become even thinner, as have rear projection TVs, some of which are now wall mountable as well. The consistently good news for the consumers has been the steadily falling HDTV prices. With recent improvements it has become much more difficult to make a bad HDTV choice.

Flat Panel or Rear Projection

Before choosing which particular display technology will suit best, the choice between a flat panel or rear projection needs to be made. Some differences between them which may help you make your choice are;

• Rear projection HDTVs generally give you a larger screen / higher resolution for the money paid. Because larger RPTVs are more market/price competitive you will need to look at a flat panel (LCD) for smaller sizes.
• Flat panels have the advantage of a brighter image display making them better for higher ambient light viewing areas.
• Flat panels have a much better viewing angle (up to +/- 178 degrees horizonal) than RPTVs. RPTVs are poor when it comes to the vertical viewing angle range.
• Flat panel TVs have no requirement for lamp replacement with expected lifetimes of 60,000 to 100,000 hours exceeding the likely lifetime of a set.
• RPTVs require projection lamp (reasonably expensive) replacement (simple task) during their lifetime. Lamp life for RPTVs is longer than for front projectors at about 6,000 to 8,000 hours. If however, you buy one of the new LED backlit RPTVs the problem disappears.
• The vast majority of flat panel HDTVs can be wall mounted. The form factors of RPTVs have reduced significantly in recent years and while you can now get Slim RPTVs (eg. 18 inches or less deep) which can be wall mounted, you will not find the same range of models available.
• A small percentage of people are susceptible to seeing color rainbows when viewing single display chip / color wheel DLP RPTVs however, the likelihood has been significantly reduced from earlier models. A viewing test is the only way to confirm if there will be a problem or not. Once again, purchasing an LED backlit or three microdisplay chip model can make this problem go away.

The Panasonic PZ800U VIERA 1080p Full HD plasma models (TH-50PZ800U, TH-46PZ800U and TH-42PZ800U) have the same specification and the recently reviewed PX80U models with the following upgrades to bring them further up-market;

Video Specification Upgrades

• Higher 1080p vs 720p resolution.
• Native contrast ratio is higher at 30,000:1 vs 15,000:1 making it better than excellent.
• Higher Shades of Gradation at 5,120 vs 4,096 lessens the likelihood of any tidemark like, false contouring when the transition between color shades is too abrupt.
• 24p Cinematic Playback is a special mode for showing 24fps movies at the speed they were shot for smoother motion. See the testing notes in the Resources section below.
• THX Mode
  THX mode could be an easily overlooked addition but, it is a significant one. It means that these Panasonic models have undergone THX Certification which means they must meet a wide array of benchmark standards including contrast, color, de-interlacing and black levels to name only some. All THX Certified Displays feature THX Mode which optimizes the viewing experience by providing a single button calibrated video setting adjusting the display’s gamma, luminance, color temperature and other settings some of which may not even be accessible through on-screen menus.

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The Panasonic PZ85U VIERA models 1080p Full HD plasma (TH-50PZ80U, TH-46PZ80U and TH-42PZ80U) have the same specification and the recently reviewed Panasonic VIERA PX80U models except for the following differences;

• 1080p vs 720p
• Contrast ratio is higher at 30,000:1 vs 15,000:1
• PC Input Mini D-sub 15-pin x 1 (rear)
• Audio Input (for PC)

Resources

Other 2008 Panasonic plasma models to consider….

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The Samsung Series 5 (PN-A550) plasma HDTVs, the 50 inch PN50A550 and 58 inch PN58A550, are a step up in resolution from the recently reviewed 720p Series 4 plasmas to Full HD (1080p). But, while the specifications by Samsung read the same otherwise, it’s not just a choice between whether you need a 720p or 1080p resolution.

Samsung have noted one difference being the Series 5 (PN-A550) plasmas employment of a single scan system; matching what LG has previously introduced in their plasma displays. A single scan system uses a single driving board/integrated chip to drive the whole plasma display panel rather than the more common twin or multiple driver arrangement. Single scan is way to gain quicker refresh rates for high resolutions.
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