3/31/2011

Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P58S1 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, Black Review

Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P58S1 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, Black
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I bought this TV from Amazon. That was a decision arrived at only after a long and meticulous research about plasma vs LCD-LED. I also did a comparison between Panasonic S1 and V10 models. I used extensive reviews of postings by owners at the AVS forums. I already owned a Panasonic 50" plasma, a Samsung LCD 52" so I have a pretty good idea of what I want and need.
First and foremost I want a TV which is reliable and free of defects. So in comparing Samsung and Panasonic plasmas, I have to say that the reports of buzzing noise from Samsung sets turned me off. About 34% of those onwers polled a avs forums reported the problem. Although this was based on only a few hundred people and thhe sample was not random and statistically meaningless, it does indicate a potential problem. So I ruled out the Samsung plasma.
The difference in price between the S1 and V10 Panasonic is substantial for me. You can see for yourself at Amazon depending on the size you prefer. In addition, the S1 has the same glass panel as the V10 being a 2009 model. What the S1 does not have is Viera Internet connection and more picture control in the menu. The V10 is also thinner and is reported by reviewers and owners to have a better picture.
Most people already have Pandora, Netflix, youtube etc... internet connection through their BD players or Tivo. So internet is really something I do not want nor need. I figure that with Service Menu (SM) adjustements, called offsets of the various parameters posted by professional calibrators, the S1 picture can be tweaked to about 95-98% of the V10 at a substantial savings.
I ruled out LCD-LED because of the size limitation.
So how did I make out.
1. Delivery was made by Pilot, two persons who helped setup the set and plug in the power to see if everything is working. I was very grateful and gave them a significant tip.
2. I used the breakin slided and turned down the contrast and brightness settings during the first 120 hours. Then I adjusted the SM offsets and the result is a picture a bright as my Samsung LCD and with far better black and color. No green or red push.
3. I have no use for Viera Cast available from my BD player. So S1 was the right choice for me.
4. I have windows facing the TV so there is reflection and glare.
5. The TV is 20% heavier than the Samsung for the same size, but it is really well built. No buzz. No dead pixels.
I am pretty content with my choice of the S1. the V10 is a better set but I did not regret my purchase.

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58-Inch Plasma, 1080p, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

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Toshiba 37E200U 37-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss) Review

Toshiba 37E200U 37-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss)
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I guess I'll break the ice and be the first to review this TV.
I searched for a decent 37" TV at a reasonable price and looked at several different brands. I almost bought a Vizio because of the price, but then I found this Toshiba for less than 600$. Here is what I can say about it so far:
This TV has a very good picture especially on the Directv hi-def channels. It has some interesting features that I have not yet used such as:
the ability to play picture files (like a giant digital photo frame, and
the ability to play MUSIC files, like a giant Mp3 player.
When I press the "mute" (to mute the sound)button, it will mute half way, then another press of the button mutes the sound completely.
It has a computer terminal for connecting a PC.
It has 4 HDMI inputs.
The reason I gave this TV 4 stars is the viewing angles--like most LCDs, you need to sit almost directly in front of the screen. If you try and watch it too far off to one side, the colors get a bit washed out.
For an auxillary TV, this one fits the bill. My home theatre TV is a 50" plasma, and that TV blows this one away. But if you just want a fairly large TV for everyday watching and not the whole "home theatre" experience, you will be pleased with this unit. I think Toshiba is a decent brand and most of the reviews on other Toshiba models have been pretty good.

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Enjoy a stunning picture bursting with color and clarity with the 37-inch Toshiba 37E200U LCD HDTV (37.6-inch diagonal screen size), featuring a 1080p Full HD resolution that provides twice the pixel resolution of 720p HD models. It provides a number of convenient home entertainment options and key picture quality features, including DynaLight dynamic backlight control for deeper black levels and four HDMI digital inputs for simple high quality connection to cable/satellite boxes, DVD players and more. Plus, the HDMI ports feature fast InstaPort switching for quick changes from one source to another.
With the Gaming Mode function, you'll experience reduced game control delay and improved reaction time--perfect for PC gaming--and the Photo Frame capability with Auto Slide Show enables you to display slideshows of your favorite images when not watching TV programming.
Boasting a slimming tapered bezel and attractive front panel gradation, the new Horizon design creates a more modern, elegant appearance that also adds a subtle luminance to the logo to further its stylish appeal. Other features include MP3 playback via the integrated USB port, a PC input, and a removable stand.

Key Features
1080p HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels)
60Hz screen refresh rate
CineSpeed LCD panel with a fast response speed necessary for cleaner high-action home theater images. A wide viewing angle ensures that you'll have the best seat in the house.
DynaLight Backlight Control utilizes advanced image processing to monitor the brightness of each video frame, and adjust the backlight intensity accordingly. This precision creates seamless transitions with deep blacks for increased detail and depth analysis.
Photo Frame capability allows this HDTV to act as both a TV and a digital photo frame. You can showcase your favorite memories as a clear, crisp slide show on the high-resolution television screen--all controlled with just the TV remote.
Gaming Mode takes the gaming experience to a new level by reducing game control delay, thus giving the player improved reaction time and a more realistic playing experience. This is great when used with popular gaming consoles, or with PC games using the TVs PC Input.
Built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital tuning allows for tuning of standard cable channels as well as off-air digital broadcasts, in addition to digital "cable-in-the-clear" broadcasts.
Native Mode restores the size of the picture by the 3-5 percent that is generally lost during the normal over-scanning that occurs on traditional sets.
Cinema Mode 24 fps (3:2 Pulldown): This HDTV performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal, too--a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. To adapt 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video, frames in the original movie must be duplicated; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this duplication by removing the redundant information to display a frame-accurate picture.
Color Temperature Control enables you to adjust white balance to achieve the best television picture possible in any viewing environment, or simply adjust the picture to suit your personal tastes. The "Warm" setting delivers a redder image that is ideal for display in a dimly lit room, while "Medium" and "Cool" provide a progressively bluer image for the best picture as room light levels are increased.
Three TheaterWide modes are ideal for displaying HDTV signals as well as enhanced for widescreen television DVDs.

TheaterWide 1: Letterboxed image is digitally expanded 33 percent horizontally and vertically. Useful for reproducing Academy Standard (1.85:1) formatted software.
TheaterWide 2: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 42 percent vertically. Particularly of use when viewing narrow letterboxed images originally filmed in Panavision or CinemaScope.
TheaterWide 3: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 24 percent vertically. Can be utilized when displaying letterboxed images that incorporate narrow bands at the top and bottom of the picture.


MP3 audio and JPEG image playback via USB port on the side.
REGZA-LINK (HDMI-CEC) allows peripheral AV devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by the remote control.
InstaPort fast HDMI switching between A/V components: Typically, when you switch HDMI inputs, there can be a five or six second delay. With InstaPort, as soon as you select an HDMI source, it will connect in a fraction of the time.
Bottom-mounted invisible speakers integrated into stylish Horizon bezel design (20 Watts total power; 10W + 10W).
Channel Browser allows you to easily scan through the last 32 channels you have viewed, with screen images for the last five channels displayed, by channel, by favorites, and by input, at the touch of a button.
Channel Labeling allows you to put station call letters on the screen along with the station numbers, so you always know what channel you're watching
Input labeling enables you to name the individual inputs to denote usage, such as "DVD Player" (instead of having them display as just "HDMI 1" and "HDMI 2").
Removable stand for wall mounting (200mm x 200mm VESA mounting pattern)
Tri-lingual onscreen menu (English, French, Spanish)
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor

Toshiba 2010 REGZA HDTV Comparison
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3/30/2011

Samsung PN58C550 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Black) Review

Samsung PN58C550 58-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Black)
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Set up my unit on 5/21 which I bought from a brick/mortar store (sorry Amazon!), after researching the hell out of it. My equipment includes a WDTV Media Player (HDMI w/optical out), Nintendo Wii (analog), HD HTPC on the make, and Denon AVR-590(two optical audio inputs and three HDMI inputs).
PROS:
- NO BUZZING! YEAH!!
- Great picture out of the box - will be fine-tuning things later, but early indications are very positive. Several units had more features but PQ suffered. With so many blu-ray players and HTPCs that stream Netflix/Pandora, don't get lured in by feature-laden units that fail to deliver great PQ.
- Media Play - plug in any USB or HD into the unit to watch video, listen to music, and view pictures.
- Input panel is easy to access - swivel base is a real plus.
- The manual states that it can connect to a home network and "can access the Internet through your LAN connection" - this one might be interesting if I could get a third party wireless USB stick to work. So far, no success - I'll report back on this one.
CONS
- No memory card access - will attempt access with a card reader.
- Cannot tell unit to show subtitles only when muted - 7 different versions available, but none of them allow you to read subtitles when it's muted.
- Lack of widgets - I really wanted the web widgets, but wouldn't sacrifice PQ. With the new HD HPTC almost finished and running WMC 7, it will interesting to see if WMC will be enough.
- Sound effects and music sound great through Denon, yet dialogue is sometimes difficult to understand - I suspect that is due to my inability to read the language known as Denon and to configure it accordingly. Audio is being passed through the Denon with a single HMDI connection to the back of the Samsung.
Manufacturers like Sony and Samsung make way too many units. Once you choose a manufacturer or a set of features you cannot live without, eliminate as many inferior units as possible. Then, find where your top 3 prospects are sold and get full demos on each including use of the remote. This was the only way I was able to determine that the 550 would work.

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Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN58C550, with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio makes sure every frame is saturated with dense, rich color. Samsung is also ENERGY STAR compliant so you are assured that your 58 -inch plasma HDTV is helping the environment by using less enery while saving you money.

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3/29/2011

Samsung PN50C450 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black) Review

Samsung PN50C450 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)
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Samsung PN50C450
I picked up my PN50C450 on Friday March 19th from BestBuy after months of research. In general I don't make purchases from BestBuy. I did the "purchase online / pick up in store" option and was very satisfied (I avoid sales people whenever possible :>). Sorry for the long review but it took me 4-5 months of research to pull the trigger on this TV. Here are my impressions.
Setup
Instructions on the box for removing the TV were clear. After a quick look at the assembly instructions (and sending my kids upstairs to play for 20 minutes) I screwed on the mounting bracket to the base. Just as I read on other reviews these screws did NOT go in easy. Samsung needs to address this as it doesn't instill confidence in the product when the first step in assembly has a minor glitch. Had a bit of a time getting the TV to lineup with the bracket (my issue not the TV). Put in the last 4 screws in the back and those went in much easier. Took a step back and looked at it, "dude that thing is huge" (large smile on my face)
Power On
Now the moment of truth......IS IT GOING TO BUZZ? I powered it on and........not a sound to be heard... totally silent! For a second I thought maybe I didn't power it on but the little "musical tone" went off indicating that it was on. This was my #1 concern with all the things I read about buzzing. Maybe I got lucky, maybe I just can't hear a buzz or maybe it's not as much as an issue as everyone keeps saying? Sure, I stuck my head behind the TV over the next few days and really tried to listen for a buzzing sound. I found if I got on a stool and put my ear really close to the top of the TV (careful it gets hot) I could hear the sound of "electricity" same as my old CRT TV. IN SHORT NO BUZZING.
Connecting Stuff
HDMI: After some research about the whole HDMI controversy (Monster vs cheap cable) Cnet put everything in perspective for me, "it's digital, just get the cheapest cable you can find". Believe it or not BigLots had a gold plated 6' HDMI cable for $12.00 (BestBuy's least expensive was $29.99). So I picked up one HDMI cable, 4 cans of diced tomatoes, yellow mustard and a 6 pack of root beer (God Bless America).
I connected the HDMI to my U-verse box and immediately went to the first HD channel I could find. I then switch to the corresponding SD channel and flipped back and forth several times. It's a big difference between SD and HD (although my kids and my wife didn't seem to care, but they have not yet given into HD madness).
I then connected my Wii with the standard cables it came with. The picture was obviously not HD but that was to be expected with the Wii. PQ was fine for gaming. The new Super Mario Brothers is way more fun (4 player mode) when you have so much digital real-estate to play on. I'm going to pick up a set of component cables just as a few people at AVS forum recommended . Overall the PQ was fine for gaming.
I don't have a Blu-Ray player yet so I did a test with my DVD player. Movies looked good after fussing with the screen size settings. I know Blu-ray DVD up scaling will be a significant improvement.
I also need to pick up an antenna so I can get OTA HD channels. From what I've read the OTA signal is not compressed (like my U-verse signal) so I'm excited to see what kind of results I can get.
TV Viewing and Settings
Right out of the box in "Standard Mode" the picture looked kind of dark and the colors were kind of flat. I then scrolled through to "Movie" mode. That was much better but still the colors were not super impressive. Then I switch to "Dynamic".....who the heck came up with this setting? Very bright and colors looked like a carnival. Unfortunately "dynamic" is the mode for choice for my kids when they play the Wii. I guess that would be the only time you would need this setting?
In order to get the best picture I took the advice of many of you and tweaked the movie mode settings. Thank you [...] users for posting the custom settings. They worked great!! I think I still need to bump down the skin tone setting one more notch but I'm very happy with the way it looks.
There is a lot of talk about Black Lines, Screen Doors, Dither etc..... I don't seem to have any of these issues (maybe ignorance is bliss?). I do get a little pixilation on HD channels sometimes but I think that has more to do with my HD signal being compressed (thanks AT&T).
Glare: I have the TV in a corner of our room that has a window flanking the left of the TV and a sliding glass door facing from the other room. Sure you get some glare in the middle of the day but if you just draw the curtains (and I'm not talking about black-out shades, just normal curtains) its fine. At certain angles at night I can see a lamp or kitchen light reflecting on the screen. I've found that most lights have these things called switches which allow you to turn them on/off. That seems to solve the problem :>)
Image Burn/retention: This was another major concern I had prior to purchasing plasma in general. I've come to the conclusion that as long as you don't spend 5 hours straight playing COD4 with the brightness up to 100, image burn is not an issue. I'd say our family is average when it comes to TV use. We've played the Wii and watched movies/TV and over the last week I have never seen any indication of image burn (and trust me I've been looking for it). And NO I didn't run any break in DVD's either.
Sound: With the way people complain about the sound I thought it was going to be like listening to the TV via a tin can and string. Do the speakers compare to a separate surround sound system running from a receiver....NO. Are you going to hear chest thumping bass when you watch a movie...NO. Relax people, the sound on the TV is just fine. All of my u-verse TV viewing is done exclusively via the TV speakers right now. I watched a concert the other night and I thought it sounded great. The Wii and DVD are currently running through my receiver and 5 speakers and yes it sounds better through that. But that is to be expected.
General PQ: The real test was last Sunday night when Discovery showed their LIFE series. The whole family sat down to watch our new Plasma. It was ideal viewing with a pitch black room (it felt just like a movie theater) I actually heard one of my kids gasp because it looked so real. My youngest wasn't too happy with all the HD close ups of bugs and kept his hands over his eyes because it looked too real. I personally couldn't believe how clear the picture was. I'm finding out that not all HD channels are the same. Some have great HD and some are so/so. That's more of the fault of u-verse and the compression they use on their HD channels. But after watching that I was sold!!!! I know that Blu-ray is going to be even better than this experience. 720P: When I was in BestBuy this TV was right next to a 1080P TV and you could see a little bit more details when you were 2-3' away. But at 8-9' (my TV viewing) I couldn't see the difference. NON ISSUE FOR ME. But how are the Blacks you ask?: wouldn't you know that the blacks look......well.....black (not grey). Very happy.
Gripes: I use my u-verse remote to watch TV. I only use the Samsung remote to switch inputs or change the screen setting. The Samsung remote is about as responsive as molasses in January. I'm not sure where they put the stupid sensor for the TV but it must be under the base. Switching from SD to HD shows and visa/versa and dealing with the different screen formats is a pain. HD looks great in 16:9 but then the SD shows are not full screen so you have to flip "fit to screen" to fix that. All of this screen gymnastics is getting old. I wish there was a setting to say, "hello TV...just fill the screen for me to give me the best possible picture".Swivel would be nice as it takes 2 people to "swivel" the TV manually. Since I don't have the component cables for my Wii I have to swap the DVD and Wii between the 1 in-put that supports them. I wish it had 1 more set of composite connections on the side. For now that's about it.
Conclusion: So far I love this TV. The only issue now is competing for screen time between the Kids/wife. I'm glad I got the 50" as I know I would not have been happy with the 42". For the price I don't think you can go wrong with this TV.
Update 6/10/10: I've had the TV for almost 3 months now and I am still enjoying it very much. For the most part I think it's "broken in" now. I did have to tweak some of my initial setting from when I got it. I did purchase a component cable for my Wii and it looks much better with the new cable. I really didn't have any issues with IR. Once in a while when my kids would go on a Wii binge you could see some IR but running the scrolling feature for a few min took care of that quick. I don't have a blu-ray player yet but the HD quality for AT&T U-verse is pretty good. Still no buzzing (never had an issue with mine). I did hook up a usb flash drive to it to view some pictures I put on it. Wow! it does a great job displaying pictures.
I'll report back when I get a Blu-ray player (maybe fathers day???).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung PN50C450 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV (Black)

Get a true cinematic experience without going to the cinema with a Samsung plasma HDTV. This Samsung PN50C450, with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio makes sure every frame is saturated with dense, rich color. Samsung is also ENERGY STAR compliant so you are assured that your 50 -inch plasma HDTV is helping the environment by using less enery while saving you money.

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TCL L32HDF11TA 32-Inch 720p 60 Hz LCD HDTV with 2-Year Warranty, Black Review

TCL L32HDF11TA 32-Inch 720p 60 Hz LCD HDTV with 2-Year Warranty, Black
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First, let me clarify that the TV is, in fact, native 1080p. No question about it.
Second, the panel on this TV is made by Samsung, and the quality is excellent.
Third, TCL's website has a find service center location search and it is quite extensive ..
Based on the two year warrantee, what I am seeing with my TV and Amazons excellent delivery, I'm giving this set a Best Buy rating ..
UPDATE 11/16/2010 .. this set is just plain excellent .. and Amazon service is top of the line .. my set developed a thin blue vertical line, I contacted Amazon, they picked up the set the next day and delivered a new set at the same time .. hard to beat that ..
Update 11/17/2010 .. it's a bit tiresome getting messages from folks who 1) don't have the TV and want to slam it in a public review 2)Know little to nothing about TV's .. I had an electronic repair business for 10 years and I've worked on a lot of TV's .. so I know what I'm talking about .. any TV by any maker is not 100% perfect 100% of the time .. I stand by the fact that this is a great set .. hey, if you don't want to buy it, go get something from the local 'Mart or what not .. or get nothing at all .. matters not to me .. I think you'll be missing out on a great deal, however ..
UPDATE 12/08/2010 .. Thanks to Original Aspect Ratio .... you might try this on any remote and see if it works .. what have you got to lose .. ?? .. keep in mind that this TV has been branded as RCA in the past ..
I have a Logitech Harmony remote. When I select "RCA L32HD41" the tv works 100% as far as I can tell.

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Experience HD picture quality, incredible contrast and a sharp, vibrant, life-like picture with the TCL F11 Series HDTV. This LCD TV offers ample HD connections.

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3/28/2011

Panasonic TC-P46C2 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic TC-P46C2 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV
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My wife and I were really planning on buying a 42" 1080p Samsung "LED TV" (i.e., an LED backlit LCD TV) when we came across this TV on sale for roughly 60% the price of the Samsung 42" LED TV. So I spent the best part of an evening researching LED versus Plasma, 1080p versus 720p and also the Samsung brand versus Panasonic. Details of my findings are in the Appendix at the bottom of this review.
With the required research behind me, we concluded that we couldn't go wrong with either choice. The Panasonic won because not only would it would save us a bundle, but we would also get a 46" TV instead of a 42", which would be perfect for our living room HD cable setup. We decided, therefore, to postpone our purchase of a 42" 1080p LED TV for our bedroom to the near future when the prices for LED TVs would drop even further.
Although the C2 series is the most basic of Panasonic's 720P Plasma lineup, the build quality is very nice and refined. It took less than 30 minutes to set up the TV and connect it to our HD cable box and digital receiver.
The only initial calibration we made was to set the picture mode to "Cinema". Quite honestly, we were stunned at the quality picture when we first tuned to a HD channel - which was an English detective drama on PBS. The color reproduction, clarity, and fine details were way above our expectations, easily on par with the best LED TVs we saw in the showroom . With its 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, this TV is able to produce an awesome level of gradual black levels, with no dithering artifacts to speak of.
This TV has a moving picture resolution of 720p. We watched the Hawaii Five-O remake premiere with disbelief. With its 600Hz refresh rate, there were very smooth image transitions in the action sequences, making for a very film like experience with none of the "digititis" with fast moving images that I was used to seeing on some LCD TVs.
Being the most basic in the current Panasonic Plasma lineup, this TV has a basic set of features - which is actually a good thing because the menu system uncomplicated and intuitive. Some of the menu features can be accessed through dedicated buttons on the remote. For example there is a button to toggle between aspect ratios - which is handy when you need to watch old non-anamorphic DVDs.
This TV also has "anti-image retention" features to prevent logos from being seared onto the surface of the Plasma display. For the first 100 hours or so, it is a good idea to watch 4:3 aspect ratio programs in "zoom" mode, to prevent retention of the black bars on the side, and to switch channels frequently to prevent "logo burn" from particular channels. Once the TV has crossed the "break in" period, you can resume normal watching.
I have not tried Blu-Ray yet on this TV, but it does a pretty decent of upscaling DVD movies from 480p to 720p through component video, though not perfect. But playing DVDs through upscaling DVD players, like the Panasonic DMR-EZ48VP-K 1080p Upconverting VHS DVD Recorder with Built In Tuner, through HDMI is another story. From a normal viewing distance of 8 to 10 feet, DVD movies look almost like HD. I watched the DVD of the movie Downfall and it was hard to convince me that I was not watching full HD.
The sound quality on this TV is pretty good and more than adequate for most program content.
As for hum, it's present only when I stick my head right next to the back panel where a very low volume buzz can be heard. But from more than a few feet away this TV produces no audible hum!
Cons:
-----
I can think only of a couple of downsides to this TV. The first is that the C2 model has no anti-reflective coating like the higher models in Panasonic's Plasma lineup. But, to be quite honest, the reflections were not noticeable or bothersome until we turned on some bright lights in the side in the direct line of reflection. Having said that, the front plate glass in all Plasmas are reflective and it is therefore best to set them up in an environment where you have control over light sources.
The second issue is that this TV has only a single digital optical audio output, which limits you to using a digital receiver for external sound.
Conclusion:
-----------
This TV represents the best bang for buck for any TV out there. Although this is an entry-level Panasonic plasma, Panasonic has not skimped on build quality and the thing that absolutely matters most - picture quality! This TV packs the latest display technology of Panasonic, at a fraction of the price you would have paid just a couple of years ago. Sure, it does not have ethernet or in-built streaming video. But if your really want streaming Netflix or iTunes movies, why not spend just an additional $99 and buy an Apple TV - MC572LL/A NEWEST MODEL?
This TV is definitely in the "best buy" category and I have no hesitation in giving it a rating of five stars. Thank you, Panasonic!
Appendix:
---------
LED versus Plasma:
Both LED and Plasma TV's have excellent picture quality, colors and black levels as well a rated lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours. LED TVs are thinner, lighter, "greener" in power consumption, have less reflective screen surfaces, can be viewed in bright daylight conditions and do not require a "break in" period for the first 100 hours of use. Plasma TVs, on the other hand, have excellent color accuracy and refresh rates that are hard to match, and they support wide viewing angles. Plasma TVs now come with 600Hz refresh rates, while most LED TVs still are in the 120Hz level. That, in itself is worth the price of admission for videophiles and video enthusiasts, given that the higher refresh rates have the effect of making the viewing experience pleasing, more film-like and easier on the eyes.
1080p versus 720p:
1080p versus 720p is not much of an issue if most of your viewing is HD broadcast, satellite or cable, which is pretty much 720p for the most part. But if you are serious about Blu-Ray, then 1080p is preferable since the difference becomes noticeable for larger TVs and at close viewing distances. But in most situations it is hard for people to tell the difference between the two formats even with a 46" panel.
Samsung's reputation versus Panasonic's:
Recent TV ratings from Consumer Reports indicate that Samsung has top ratings in the LED TV technology. But Panasonic Vieras still occupy the top spot in Plasma! (Samsung Plasma TVs are reputed to have an annoying audible hum or buzz from the rear of the panel, which the Panasonic Plasmas do not have).
Update: 02 October 2010:
I made changes to the white balance for the Cinema/Warm picture mode using settings described in AVS Forum, based on reference settings from member "D-Nice". The picture now is really natural and awesome. I had to get into the Service Menu for this. Please see the link in the Comments section of this review for more details.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic TC-P46C2 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

Offering excellent picture performance, Panasonic's 46-inch VIERA TC-P46C2 Plasma HDTV features a 720p high-definition resolution and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity. This and other models in the C2 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you'll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours--more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day--before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA C2 series Plasma HDTV.

Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic C2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

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3/27/2011

Samsung UN55C8000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV Review

Samsung UN55C8000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV
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First off I want to be clear about the kind of review this is intended to be. I am not a profession TV rater. I am not a videophile. I am a regular Joe and I am reviewing this for the regular Joe who is thinking about spending more than usual on a good quality television. During the next few months, I'm sure you can find a more professional review from the usual places... But for now, this is my impressions.
CORNER LIGHT: After reading many reviews on last years B8000 and this year's C7000, I was worried about the light that emits from the corners. I've seen displays of last year's B8000 and this year's C7000 and have VERY easily seen what people are talking about. I took a big gamble in purchasing this TV before I read if people were having issues with this C8000. So let me say... After watching this TV for about 5 hours per day for 3 days... I have NOT seen the light coming from the edges as seen on other sets. And believe me I've been looking. I tried to find it watching the HD feed on Time Warner Cable, Blu-ray's from the PS3, Blu-Ray's from the Samsung 3D Blu-Ray player, watching at night, during the day... Nothing. I just do not see it!
LOOKS: This TV looks just amazing. It has a VERY dark black screen. It looks as beautiful turned off as it does on. I was nervous about the brush metal look, but it actually looks very nice and compliments the new chromed four-legged stand.
PICTURE: The picture clarity looks incredible. It's as if I'm discovering HD for the first time. This set replaces a Samsung DLP set, so of course this is a vast improvement. Having said that, I have a newer plasma in the bedroom and this set looks much better than that. As with all new LED sets with 240 Hz, there is a bit of the Spanish Soap Opera/Home Video look to it. Some people really like this, some people don't. I really like it. For those of you that don't, you can always turn this feature down or off. To me this makes the picture look very clear and it makes it stand out from the other sets.
3D: Along with this TV I purchased the Samsung 3D Bluray player so I can get the 3D startup kit for free. Turning the 3D feature on and connecting the glasses was easy. The intro to Monsters v. Aliens was very cool. The opening scene in outer space looked incredible. The ball tied to a paddle part was funny and kinda made me jump a little. I haven't spent too much time with 3D but I did notice that there were some scenes in the movie that had a double image while wearing the glasses. It doesn't happen a lot, but it is noticeable. You can see this right away during the church scene at the beginning of the movie. It was a little annoying. I'm hoping that this is the kind of stuff that gets ironed out with a firmwear update, or as more content is released, they learn to fix it.
OnlineTV: This is also a very new area for me. I never understood the need for me to want apps on my TV... But its actually kina cool. I've tried a few apps but my favorite by far is the Pandora app. I'm a big fan of Pandora and this app I actually like better on my TV than online or the iPhone. The only thing I hate is that Samsung did not have Wifi built in. I think pricing this set at the $3000+ mark should be enough to include it with the set and not require me to drop another $80 for the USB adapter. I just hardwired it, but that's another wire I don't like dealing with.
USB: I wanted to mention that this set allows you to connect a USB external hard drive and play music, photo's and movies directly from the HDD. I have a Western Digital 320GB Passport filled with movies and music, and I was able to navigate the files structure in the drive using the remote quite easily. And it played all the files formats I threw at it. Pros:
No corner light!!!
Very dark screen.
Very clear picture
Pandora Samsung App
3D was surprisingly fun
USB external HDD capable
and... NO CORNER LIGHT!
Cons:
Slight double images on 3D.
Wifi requires an $80 USB adaptor.
Overall I am very satisfied with the UN55C8000. Even with the few CONS, this set to this average Joe is a definite 5 star! As I spend more time with the set, I'll be sure to update this review if I find something worth mentioning.
Please feel free to ask me questions and I'll try my best to answer them. I know how nerve wrecking buying a big ticket item such as this is... So I would be glad to help as much as I can.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung UN55C8000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV

Samsung LED HDTVs combine breakthrough picture quality and advanced connectivity options that will keep you entertained 24/7. This UN55C8000 LED HDTV also makes it easy to be green, and will save you some green, by being ENERGY STAR compliant.

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Panasonic SC-HTB500 2.1-Channel SoundBar Speaker System with Wireless Kelton Subwoofer (Black) Review

Panasonic SC-HTB500 2.1-Channel SoundBar Speaker System with Wireless Kelton Subwoofer (Black)
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I recently took advantage of the Amazon Gold Box Deal and bought the Panasonic TCP42G25 and got this sound bar for free. This was exactly what I needed to replace a poor quality Olevia LCD TV in my bedroom. I have a fully decked out audio/video room already so all I wanted was something decent for the bedroom. After some tweaking and rewiring, I was able to integrate this with the new Panasonic Plasma, an old Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BD35, and a low end Dish Network VIP211. The big puzzle was a bug in the Dish receiver that caused it to fail to deliver Dolby 5.1 over the HDMI cable. I took advantage of the second HDMI input on the soundbar with an optical input to solve this problem. Bottom line, no new wires, no new A/V receiver and fantastic sound from a very simple setup. It is very easy to do a "side-by-side" comparison because Panasonic's VieraLink will return the sound back to the TV if you turn the soundbar off. What a difference! I am only giving the unit 4 stars because of the lack of some, in my opinion, basic functions being absent. Why would Panasonic not put simple bass and treble controls on a unit that retails for $349? Other than that, I am really enjoying the new setup.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic SC-HTB500 2.1-Channel SoundBar Speaker System with Wireless Kelton Subwoofer (Black)

Wireless Kelton Subwoofer. The included Wireless Kelton Subwoofer provides flexible and easy installation with no wires to connect. Clear-mode DialogClear TV Sound Reproduction With clear-mode dialog, the voice will sound more from the center of the TV display. With more precise linking between the picture and the sound, the dialog voices and vocals in movies and music can be enjoyed with clearer sound. Advanced Bamboo Cone SpeakerClear, Beautiful Vocals. With the new bamboo cone speakers the sound becomes more responsive. Vocals are purer and clearer, and the dialog is crisper and easier to understand than ever before.

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3/26/2011

Panasonic TY-EW3D10U 3D Active Shutter Eyewear for Panasonic 3D HTDVs, Black and Silver Review

Panasonic TY-EW3D10U 3D Active Shutter Eyewear for Panasonic 3D HTDVs, Black and Silver
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After considerable research I focused in on the shutter-based 3D glasses solution. The result was extremely satisfying, matching the other reviews and reports from similar customers. The fixed polarized solutions fail with any head tilt or angle of viewing outside the sweet spot. These glasses were in perfect condition, functioned as advertised, and are demonstrating a longer than expected battery life. The supplier was prompt, careful in shipping and offered an excellent price. The glasses were part of a combined purchase with the Panasonic TC-P65VT25 65 inch 3D Viera Plasma TV and the Panasonic DMP-BDT350 3D Blu-ray player. All the purchases work together as expected and have met all expectations.

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Panasonic 3D Active Shutter Eyewear (TY-EW3D10U)

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3/25/2011

Samsung LN46C630 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black) Review

Samsung LN46C630 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black)
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The picture on this TV was stunning right out of the box. After a few minor adjustments it was as close to perfect as I could imagine. It came with the SQ01 panel and it would be hard to differentiate the color depth and quality from some of the plasma sets I looked at. The TV is in a very bright room and the matte screen cuts out glare with no picture degradation. The viewing angle is very good, though we are never more than 25 to 30 degrees off center. The picture is very stable from channel to channel with no change in the back lighting that I can see, and the standard definition picture is almost HD quality when using the 16:9 picture format. It has separate settings for processing speed and anti-judder for motion blur when using the Custom view mode, unlike the majority of sets that combine both settings into one. I watch a lot of sports and really don't notice motion blur at 60hz so its certainly not an issue at 120hz. I'm not a gamer, so for my viewing habits I see no need to spend more for a 240hz option. The sound is very good for normal TV viewing. It can be connected to a home network and I have also hooked it up to my laptop using the VGA connection to watch Netflix and even that produces an acceptable SD picture. There are multiple picture settings you can use to suit just about any programming source, including watching at 120hz without the "soap opera" effect that some people find so annoying. There are 4 HDMI and 2 USB connections, plus one for headphones. There is no S video so you may need cables to hook up older external equipment. UVerse is the programming source.
One thing about settings. The first evening the picture suddenly got much darker and even though I would reset the brightness, it would get dark again once I left the menu. I spoke with Samsung and they had no idea why this was happening. It turns out this set automatically adjusts the picture to your room brightness in the Standard viewing mode, which is the factory default. You can change this in the Eco portion of the picture menu to never go below a certain brightness level or you can turn it off completely. This is not an issue when using any other viewing mode.
The last time I bought a LCD I continued to look around in case I found something better. That will not be the case this time as I am completely satisfied. Pilot shipping through Amazon was great. They delivered on time, set up the TV and swivel stand, and had everything working in 5-10 minutes.
Added note on Warranty: If you purchase an item with your Amazon Visa, or pretty much any credit card from a major bank, it extends the manufacturer's warranty 100% over the original duration (one year to two, etc.) at no cost. Amazon verified this but check with your bank if you use a non-Amazon card.

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Make the move to the smoothest LCD action ever. Samsung's LN46C630 LCD HDTV offers incredible color and rich clarity, all on a 46-inch screen. Add the power of Samsung's Wide Color Enhancer, for a picture that optimizes a given color's hue, resulting in more natural rendering of colors and lifelike action. Samsung HDTVs are also ENERGY STAR compliant, helping the environment by using less energy while saving you money.

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Panasonic TC-P50U2 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic TC-P50U2 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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Just picked up my second Panasonic plasma and couldn't be happier. This TV has great picture and just enough bells and whistles for my needs: 3 HDMI inputs and an SD card reader for viewing photos. This TV does not have anti-reflective glare (not needed in a dark home theater room), USB ports (who cares), LAN connection (I already have streaming Netflix through Roku and Wii), 3D capable (I personally don't want that, you may), or a fourth HDMI input (don't need it, you may). The picture is identical to any other model in the series, just significantly less expensive because it omits the aforementioned features. So just decide what inputs you need and pay for the model that provides just that and nothing extra. I have had my 42 inch for three years and it is perfect and I expect the same quality and reliability out of this one too!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic TC-P50U2 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Building on its award-winning 2009 Plasma line, Panasonic's 50-inch VIERA TC-P50U2 Plasma HDTV features a full HD 1080p resolution, 900 TV lines of moving picture resolution, and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity. This and other models in the U2 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you'll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours--more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day--before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA U2 series Plasma HDTV.

VIERA Image Viewer: View full-HD images with the integrated SD card slot, enabling you to view JPEG photos captured from your digital camera or camcorder on the big screen. Navigate your images via an easy-to-use thumbnail display.


Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic U2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

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3/24/2011

Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-L26X1 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-L26X1 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV
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We replaced an 18 year old 27" CRT set with this one and it's a beauty. I am a TV news cameraman with thirty years in the business so I look at a lot of high end monitors at work.
When I went to the store I didn't expect to get a great set in this size and frankly 720P didn't excite me much either.
After looking at top tier sets from Sony, LG, Samsung, Toshiba and Mitsubishi I ended up on the Panasonic.
I was shocked at how good all the upper tier sets looked but the Panasonic seemed to have a little better detail down in the blacks and seemed to track highly detailed scenes with less digital noise than the others, but it was close accross the board.
The off air ATSC tuner is excellent and the set has all the inputs you could reasonably need. I do not intend to plug in an iPod so that wasn't a factor in my choice.
My DVD player is older and does not pass audio through the HDMI output so I connected it to the set via the component outs and I feel no need at all to upgrade to a BlueRay player. At this size this is a wonderful combination.
My general feeling is that if you watch a lot of HDTV that is live or tape such as sports then Panasonic flat screens just seem to pull a little more quality out of the signal. For movies it is more of a level playing field.
This is pretty subjective but it's how I see it.
It's amazing how far your money goes in this stuff anymore.

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26" LCD,720p, PC input, 2 HDMI, Contrast ratio 8,000:1, Game Mode, iPod Entertainment Kit

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3/23/2011

Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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In my quest for a new MB/R TV, I had been researching LCD vs. Plasma, features, pricing, ratings and reviews for more months than I truly care to even mention. I caught a late October in-store special at HHGregg, which not only offered the lowest price I had seen anywhere on this TV, but also a free Panny Blu-ray player. That made the deal both irresistible and unbeatable, at just under seven Ben Franklins for everything. These newer Panasonic Viera plasmas with the fast 600 Hz Neo PDP panels are brighter, more power efficient, have an ultra wide viewing angle, suffer no image retention, run much cooler and are only just slightly heavier than an LCD TV of the same size. The more natural looking plasma picture quality, along with the full-time 1080p zero motion blur, is seriously, as good as your gonna get. Period!! They are an absolute steal in this price range, compared to any fast LCD or LED models. This combined with the legendary Panasonic build quality and reliability made it a no-brainer. The top-of-the-heap ratings from Consumer Reports magazine along with stellar customer reviews, absolutely sealed the deal for me, hands down. Simply put, I just couldn't justify spending 2x-3x the coin for a 240 Hz LCD TV or an even pricier LED TV for about the same (or less) picture quality. You'd have to be a complete fool to spend so much more and get absolutely nothing for it. So I beg anyone to truly compare and understand the specs and features on TVs, (or anything you're buying) and DO IT BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING!!
As for the TV itself, the initial assembly was easy. The stand was very solid and stable, using a total of six stainless steel bolts for fastening to the TV to the stand. The rear panel is also made out of metal - not plastic, which would likely make for more sturdy wall mounting, if that's your choice. The remote also felt solid and worked well. Both the TV and Blu-ray easily programmed with my universal remote, making it even more convenient. The initial TV set-up menus were also easy to navigate and the Viera link automatically recognized and configured the Viera Blu-ray player flawlessly. Watching my local news and the recent World Series with free digital HD broadcast using only rabbit ear antennas in 720p looked awesome. The VZ FiOS TV HD channels looked incredible at 1080i and the Blu-ray movies were nothing short of absolutely breath-taking in 1080p - totally impressive!! The sound on the TV is also well above average for a flat panel, especially after you tweak the bass, treble and surround settings to your taste.
The Panasonic build quality is just what you'd expect: solid with a high gloss, piano black finish. They even include a soft polishing cloth to help preserve the TV's beautiful finish. I am absolutely impressed with the TV and can highly recommend it as an outstanding choice to anyone considering a fine addition for their home entertainment enjoyment. And no matter where you buy, don't be scammed by any in-store, shameless sales-hole trying to hose you with extended warranties or worse yet, overpriced "Monster-profit" HDMI cables. The truth is that you can get a quality 6-9 ft. HDMI cable online at many of the major online sites with no tax and free shipping for about the price of a sandwich! Trust me, there is NO difference; try it yourself and see. Save your hard-earned money for some of your favorite movie titles on Blu-ray. You will absolutely love this TV!! Just be sure and have at least one HD source - like an HD cable/sat. box or a Blu-ray player to enjoy it to it's fullest. I hope my honest review seriously helps anyone out there looking for a great HDTV at a more down-to-earth price. Enjoy life. ((Bob-O!))

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42" Plasma, 1080p, NEO PDP Panel which is brighter, Full-time 1080p TV lines of moving picture resolution, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 40,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

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VideoSecu Low Profile TV Wall Mount for Most 32" - 55" Plasma, LCD, LED, HDTV Flat Panel TV, Universal Wall Mounts Bracket ---Compatible with Sony Bravia, Samsung,LG, Haier, Panasonic, Vizio, Sharp AQUOS, Westinghouse, Pioneer, ProScan, RCA, Toshiba MF602B WA8 Review

VideoSecu Low Profile TV Wall Mount for Most 32 - 55 Plasma, LCD, LED, HDTV Flat Panel TV, Universal Wall Mounts Bracket ---Compatible with Sony Bravia, Samsung,LG, Haier, Panasonic, Vizio, Sharp AQUOS, Westinghouse, Pioneer, ProScan, RCA, Toshiba MF602B WA8
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I searched for a Flat Screen TV Wall Mount at my local stores and the lowest price I could find was $90 before tax. This seemed way overpriced for such a simple device, so after a little search on Amazon, I found this product. The product is sturdily constructed and it securely holds my 52" TV. While there is no tilt feature, I don't need one and so I am fine with it. In addition, the mount comes with an extra little bonus - a built-in level to ensure an even installation.
I am happy with this product and I recommend it to anyone who wants a low-priced, sturdy mount.

Click Here to see more reviews about: VideoSecu Low Profile TV Wall Mount for Most 32" - 55" Plasma, LCD, LED, HDTV Flat Panel TV, Universal Wall Mounts Bracket ---Compatible with Sony Bravia, Samsung,LG, Haier, Panasonic, Vizio, Sharp AQUOS, Westinghouse, Pioneer, ProScan, RCA, Toshiba MF602B WA8

This Mount is VideoSecu Wall Bracket for LCD Plasma. Please report to Amazon if you did not see VideoSecu logo on box. This Flat Wall Mount supports most 32" to 55" flat panel screen and plasma TVs up to 165 lb weight, please do check TV VESA and weight before placing order. If you are not sure about your TV VESA, please contact us to check. The slim wall plate keeps the screen close to the wall for a very discreet installation that is perfect for boardrooms, digital signage, or home theaters.

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3/22/2011

Toshiba 32E200U 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss) Review

Toshiba 32E200U 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss)
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I bought mine from Buydig when they had it for $399.99 with a coupon code and free shipping last month. I am using it as a computer monitor and as a secondary TV at home. Instead of writing in paragraph, I will just enumerate the things I wanted to say...
As a Computer Monitor:
1. It has a native mode, but it will leave about an inch of space/border, from the side and 1/2 inch on the top and bottom. The quality is super crisp! Just like a CRT (with 1080p PC mode on)!
2. Natural mode will stretch it out and leave about a 1/4 inch on each side. and it's still pretty crisp.
3. There is an option in this tv called 1080p PC mode, which makes the letters very crisp and clear. You will need to enable it to make the letters not look distorted or fuzzy.
4. To get to the 1080p computer mode, go to menu > picture settings > noise reduction > turn on 1080p PC mode.
5. by default, it is extremely bright as a computer monitor, so lessen the back light.
6. NO DEAD PIXELS!!!!!
7. Using the 15-pin computer plug, max resolution possible is 1360x 768, and instead of native mode, it has a dot by dot mode (which is essentially native mode.)dot by dot mode will leave a hefty border on the tv which is about 3 inch on the top and bottom and about 5 inches per side. Although the text is as clear as it any CRTs out there, losing about 40% of your monitor's real estate isn't that great. Also in PC ode, you can't change the picture settings.
8. I have been able to use audio over HDMI using an ATI card (4670)
9. To avoid screen tearing when playing PC games, make sure v-sync is turned on your PC.
As a TV:
1. switching through channels is painless, not like some other brands that I've tried, this takes less than a second to load to the other channel. There is a slight delay when switching through HDMI and cable or HDMI to another HDMI which is only about a second.
2. very crisp picture and superb colors. The black levels are one of the best I've seen. and this is coming from a former plasma TV user.
3. The sound is pretty decent. Don't expect heavy bass. no tv has that. that's what home theatre set ups are for.
4. The remote is solid, not fancy. no problems picking up the signal.
5. has a usb port that can play music and pictures.
6. NO DEAD PIXELS!!!!!!
7. I have my Dynalight function off so I can't comment on it.
Power consumption (using a P3 Watt meter)
off
>1 W (about .3 W for me)
on Sports mode (torch mode)
~95 W
on Standard
~59 W
on movie mode
~55 W
on PC mode (using the 15 pin VGA)
~54 W
on preference (it seems to be on Sports mode by default)
~95 W
As I've said, it is very bright to use as a computer monitor so what I did was I went on movie mode and customized it by putting contrast and brightness @ 50 and put the backlight @ 0 (yes I put it @ ZERO!) if it's too dark for you put it around backlight 10.
With backlight at zero, the Power Consumption is @ 36 W. Backlight @ 10 is about 43 W.
The unit on standard mode, is a little warm to the touch when you feel the back panel but it doesn't heat up the room at all.
I haven't tested it on input lag but from what I can see, it's pretty good. Game mode helps a lot.
EDIT!!!
being an ATI user, never had the chance to test this TV with an NVidia card. It seems with Nvidia, native mode works perfectly, with all the TV's screen real estate being used. on other modes though, the NVidia chip was actually a little big since the display also had the overscan. It seems ATI chips natively shrink their TV output.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba 32E200U 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV (Black Gloss)

Enjoy a stunning picture bursting with color and clarity with the 32-inch Toshiba 32E200U LCD HDTV (31.5-inch diagonal screen size), featuring a 1080p Full HD resolution that provides twice the pixel resolution of 720p HD models. It provides a number of convenient home entertainment options and key picture quality features, including DynaLight dynamic backlight control for deeper black levels and four HDMI digital inputs for simple high quality connection to cable/satellite boxes, DVD players and more. Plus, the HDMI ports feature fast InstaPort switching for quick changes from one source to another.
With the Gaming Mode function, you'll experience reduced game control delay and improved reaction time--perfect for PC gaming--and the Photo Frame capability with Auto Slide Show enables you to display slideshows of your favorite images when not watching TV programming.
Boasting a slimming tapered bezel and attractive front panel gradation, the new Horizon design creates a more modern, elegant appearance that also adds a subtle luminance to the logo to further its stylish appeal. Other features include MP3 playback via the integrated USB port, a PC input, and a removable stand.

Key Features
1080p HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels)
60Hz screen refresh rate
CineSpeed LCD panel with a fast response speed necessary for cleaner high-action home theater images. A wide viewing angle ensures that you'll have the best seat in the house.
DynaLight Backlight Control utilizes advanced image processing to monitor the brightness of each video frame, and adjust the backlight intensity accordingly. This precision creates seamless transitions with deep blacks for increased detail and depth analysis.
Photo Frame capability allows this HDTV to act as both a TV and a digital photo frame. You can showcase your favorite memories as a clear, crisp slide show on the high-resolution television screen--all controlled with just the TV remote.
Gaming Mode takes the gaming experience to a new level by reducing game control delay, thus giving the player improved reaction time and a more realistic playing experience. This is great when used with popular gaming consoles, or with PC games using the TVs PC Input.
Built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital tuning allows for tuning of standard cable channels as well as off-air digital broadcasts, in addition to digital "cable-in-the-clear" broadcasts.
Native Mode restores the size of the picture by the 3-5 percent that is generally lost during the normal over-scanning that occurs on traditional sets.
Cinema Mode 24 fps (3:2 Pulldown): This HDTV performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal, too--a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. To adapt 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video, frames in the original movie must be duplicated; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this duplication by removing the redundant information to display a frame-accurate picture.
Color Temperature Control enables you to adjust white balance to achieve the best television picture possible in any viewing environment, or simply adjust the picture to suit your personal tastes. The "Warm" setting delivers a redder image that is ideal for display in a dimly lit room, while "Medium" and "Cool" provide a progressively bluer image for the best picture as room light levels are increased.
Three TheaterWide modes are ideal for displaying HDTV signals as well as enhanced for widescreen television DVDs.

TheaterWide 1: Letterboxed image is digitally expanded 33 percent horizontally and vertically. Useful for reproducing Academy Standard (1.85:1) formatted software.
TheaterWide 2: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 42 percent vertically. Particularly of use when viewing narrow letterboxed images originally filmed in Panavision or CinemaScope.
TheaterWide 3: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 24 percent vertically. Can be utilized when displaying letterboxed images that incorporate narrow bands at the top and bottom of the picture.


MP3 audio and JPEG image playback via USB port on the side.
REGZA-LINK (HDMI-CEC) allows peripheral AV devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by the remote control.
InstaPort fast HDMI switching between A/V components: Typically, when you switch HDMI inputs, there can be a five or six second delay. With InstaPort, as soon as you select an HDMI source, it will connect in a fraction of the time.
Bottom-mounted invisible speakers integrated into stylish Horizon bezel design (20 Watts total power; 10W + 10W).
Channel Browser allows you to easily scan through the last 32 channels you have viewed, with screen images for the last five channels displayed, by channel, by favorites, and by input, at the touch of a button.
Channel Labeling allows you to put station call letters on the screen along with the station numbers, so you always know what channel you're watching
Input labeling enables you to name the individual inputs to denote usage, such as "DVD Player" (instead of having them display as just "HDMI 1" and "HDMI 2").
Removable stand for wall mounting (200mm x 200mm VESA mounting pattern)
Tri-lingual onscreen menu (English, French, Spanish)
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor

Toshiba 2010 REGZA HDTV Comparison
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3/21/2011

Panasonic TC-P65V10 65-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV Review

Panasonic TC-P65V10 65-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
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Pros: 65" is a great size for my living room, and the picture quality allows you to feel that you're there. A seated newscaster looks the same size as if they were on the other side of a window. The custom pro pic adjustments make any source look great!
Cons: As with all plasmas, the light reflection can be annoying. It is certainly watchable in the daytime with the shades open, but a bit distracting. The THX mode default is "HD Size 2" 100% scan, which introduces some edge noise with some sources (cable)
Summary: I've been waiting for months for the 65 inch V10 to become available. Almost pre-ordered it online several times, but was leary of ordering before it was in stock. Happened into Best Buy on Fri Aug 21 and saw the 58" on display. Asked about the 65" and found out the store had just received one that day and intended to set it up for display the next day. After a short negotiation I had secured this first set for $3899 ($100 off MSRP) and had it delivered free on the following Tuesday. First thing I did after setting it up was to switch the picture setting from Vivid to THX and the picture was amazing. Flipped through a few channels and watched some dark scenes from shows on my DVR that I had been saving just for this purpose. The clarity in low light scenes better than I had imagined. I have played with the custom pro picture settings some, but haven't spent enough time to get it looking better than THX yet. I have enjoyed the Viera Cast features, especially the weather and YouTube. I was watching a movie on cable and started wondering what other movies had the same director. I paused the show, switched to YouTube and looked up the director's name and watched a few clips of him taling about the movie I was watching and a few others he had directed, then went back and watched the rest of the movie. It was nice to be able to do this without having to pull out my laptop. I was also impressed with the picture quality from YouTube, even when I put it on full screen (I don't think most YT videos are prepared to be displayed at 65", but it still looked pretty clear!) I haven't rented a movie from the Amazon download service yet, but I'll have to try it. I can't believe that the picture will equal BluRay though- which reminds me... For some reason it was nearly three days of watching this set before I remembered that I hadn't see a BluRay disk on it. I had been too caught up playing with the settings and Viera Cast and setting up my Harmony report (which is a little tricky to get set up for Viera Cast because I wanted the direction pad to control the DRV when watching cable and to control the TV when using VC, but I figured it out.) Anyway, I finally got around to putting in a BluRay disc and the picture went to a whole other level - like nothing I'd seen before. Going back to Comcast compressed 1080i HD signal after BluRay was like looking through a mist. Now I can't rent BR movies fast enough. I almost want to stop watching my favorite shows on TV and wait for the season to come out on BluRay.
Well, if you're still reading- I love this TV -I want to stop writing now, go close the shades and start watching.

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Panasonic TC-P65V10 65-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

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Panasonic TY-EW3D2MU 3D Active Shutter Eyewear for Panasonic 3D HDTVs - Medium Review

Panasonic TY-EW3D2MU 3D Active Shutter Eyewear for Panasonic 3D HDTVs - Medium
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First, I will preface this review by saying that I have only used these glasses for a total of appx. 30 minutes, and so I may modify my rating next week to 4 stars, but I highly doubt that (I plan to watch about 5 3D Blu-Rays from start to finish using my new glasses while on vacation!).
A few things, the weekend before these arrived, I was at home and I went to watch Ice Age 3 3D and as I pulled out my 3D Panasonic Gen 1 glasses the first 2 of 3 pairs were dead!!!!! No 'auto off' feature, and I have no idea if I forgot to turn them off or more likely bumped the power switch while folding them up etc. and putting them into their protective boxes! Thankfully my 3rd pair still had a working battery.
So, improvement #1 - when these new Gen 2 Glasses are 'on' there is a steady blinking pulse from the LED. Improvement #2 - the power is no longer a button to be pressed but a 'switch'.
Next, once they arrived, since I did have one pair of the Gen 1's that still had a working battery I decided to watch appx. 20-30 minutes of Ice Age 3 3D with the old glasses first just to refresh my memory of all the things I 'disliked' about the old glasses - don't fit snug, light seeps in from the sides, none of the nose pieces fit properly, to easy to accidentally turn on when putting away or whatnot. Most especially though, they feel like they are going to fall off my face and when I lay sideways on the couch if I rest my head against a pillow it 'pushes' them off so I have to sit in awkward positions to watch my 3D content.
The new glasses were a god send- they fit perfectly (I used my snowboarding helmet size and measured my head to be certain I was a size medium), they are snug without pinching or hurting anywhere. I felt like I could power them off, walk in the kitchen, get a drink, come back, power them back on and pick up where I left off!
More importantly I can now lay or sit in any position I want without worry that my glasses will be falling off my face! Also, the sides no longer have those huge gaps in them!!
Icing on the cake, as mentioned above - on/off 'switch', flashing LED for on/off status, AND a USB charging cable (why all of this was not done in the Gen 1 glasses I have no idea, but after spending around $3,000+ on my 3D setup it was WELL worth the extra money for me to grab a set of these glasses).
I'll update my review after I spend more time with them but I couldn't figure out why there were no reviews when these have been out since October so I took a chance and ordered them and wanted to help if there were others still on the fence about getting these.
Be sure to get the right size though as the nose piece is not interchangeable (which I actually prefer).
Happy (3D) Viewing!!!

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