Added on 02/03/08

The good: Equally adept with movies and music; robust MDF cabinet; matches other speakers in Polk's Monitor Series. The bad: All that's missing is a direct input that bypasses the sub's internal crossover. The bottom line: Polk's baby subwoofer belts... See more

The good: Equally adept with movies and music; robust MDF cabinet; matches other speakers in Polk's Monitor Series. The bad: All that's missing is a direct input that bypasses the sub's internal crossover. The bottom line: Polk's baby subwoofer belts out tight home-theater bass and sounds sweet with music, too. Specs: Type of speaker: subwoofer; Dimensions (WxDxH): 14 in x 16.1 in x 14.4 in; Amplification type: Active See full specs >> See less

Highlights: $199.99 | In stock: Yes

Added on 01/21/08

Yamaha RX-V861: With plenty of power, useful surround sound processing options, HDMI switching, video upscaling, built-in XM Satellite Radio Tuner, and iPOD connectivity and control, the Yamaha RX-V861 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver is a full... See more

Yamaha RX-V861: With plenty of power, useful surround sound processing options, HDMI switching, video upscaling, built-in XM Satellite Radio Tuner, and iPOD connectivity and control, the Yamaha RX-V861 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver is a full featured home theater receiver that can hold its own in just about any home theater system. For additional details, check out my product profile of the Yamaha RX-V861 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver. See less

Added on 01/21/08

Following last year's DVD-1730, this new version adds 1080p upscaling to the 1730's already impressive feature list. Denon says it has upgraded the performance, but another interesting addition is a green ECO standby mode, which cuts the power... See more

Following last year's DVD-1730, this new version adds 1080p upscaling to the 1730's already impressive feature list. Denon says it has upgraded the performance, but another interesting addition is a green ECO standby mode, which cuts the power consumption down to 0.8W. Great news if you're keen to reduce your carbon footprint. The design has also been tweaked, giving the 1740 curved edges to complement the Japanese company's new receiver range, resulting in a gorgeous and impeccably-built deck. It's also quite chunky, but Denon has never made ultra-slim DVD players, preferring to use the fascia space for a large display panel and clearly visible controls. Our sample was black, but it's also available in silver. The key feature here is 1080p, 1080i and 720p upscaling, which makes this a perfect partner for a full HD or HD Ready TV. See less

Added on 01/21/08

By Ken C. Pohlmann • December 2007 The question I get asked the most often: "Which speakers should I buy?" My answer is frustratingly subjective: Buy whatever sounds best to you. The second most asked question is: "Which receiver should I buy?" My... See more

By Ken C. Pohlmann • December 2007 The question I get asked the most often: "Which speakers should I buy?" My answer is frustratingly subjective: Buy whatever sounds best to you. The second most asked question is: "Which receiver should I buy?" My answer is purely objective: It's all about bang for the buck. Research the field, list the features you need now and the features you think you'll need in the future, then find the best deal on the cheapest model that covers your list. Which brings us to Onkyo's TX-SR605 A/V receiver. I have tested numerous Onkyo receivers, and been impressed by their build quality and value. The company seems to have perfected the art of identifying the features that are important, and then creating economical designs around them. Thus I was not surprised when buzz started building for the TX-SR605. It follows that bang/buck business plan, offering 7.1-channel playback, HDMI 1.3a, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio decoding, and is XM and Sirius ready, all... See less

Added on 01/21/08

Yamaha RX-V861 7.1 Home Theater Receiver Introduction With technology changing so rapidly, especially in the areas of high-definition content and flat panel displays, the rest of the consumer electronics industry has been forced to play catch-up.... See more

Yamaha RX-V861 7.1 Home Theater Receiver Introduction With technology changing so rapidly, especially in the areas of high-definition content and flat panel displays, the rest of the consumer electronics industry has been forced to play catch-up. While many have stepped up, there are those who still seem painfully behind the curve. Well, the designers and engineers over at Yamaha haven’t fallen into that latter category with their new RX-V861 receiver. The RX-V861 represents the current state of the art, not only for Yamaha, but for receivers everywhere, with its seemingly endless array of features. The most important of these is its complete support of 1080p video through its HDMI inputs. When you consider that most receivers boasting the same claims as the RX-V861 cost upwards of two grand or more, the rather modest price of $999.95 for the RX-V861 makes it a relative steal in more ways than one, before even opening the box. However, like all things HDMI (and perhaps, more... See less

Added on 12/09/07

Date Published: 10/26/07 The eighth-generation plasma line from Pioneer is true to the name KURO, which means black in Japanese. Not only is the 42-inch PDP-4280HD framed in a shiny black bezel, which makes for one of the most attractive sets we've... See more

Date Published: 10/26/07 The eighth-generation plasma line from Pioneer is true to the name KURO, which means black in Japanese. Not only is the 42-inch PDP-4280HD framed in a shiny black bezel, which makes for one of the most attractive sets we've seen this year, but its picture produces some of the deepest black levels of any plasma or rear-projection set on the market. Detail in darker scenes is made possible with a new cell structure and a redesigned crystal emissive layer. A number of picture-enhancing technologies further improve your viewing experience regardless of the time of day. A light sensor allows the PDP-4280HD to adjust the brightness to make images more viewable in bright environments where glare can be an issue. An optimum video mode makes automated picture adjustments in varying light conditions, and it also fine-tunes the picture depending on the content being watched. The PDP-4280HD can also adjust for daytime and nighttime viewing. As with other KURO models,... See less

Added on 12/08/07

Kuro is Japanese for deep, black, and penetrating, and Pioneer's new plasma sets take that word to heart. The company's Project KURO has spawned eight new models ranging in size from 42" to 60" and priced between $2,700 and $7,500. Four of the sets... See more

Kuro is Japanese for deep, black, and penetrating, and Pioneer's new plasma sets take that word to heart. The company's Project KURO has spawned eight new models ranging in size from 42" to 60" and priced between $2,700 and $7,500. Four of the sets are Elite models and four are in the standard Pioneer line. Four of the designs are 1365x768 (Pioneer refers to them as XGA) and the others are full 1080p sets (1920x1080). According to Pioneer all of these new sets are radically different from last year's models. The panels are completely redesigned, the color filters are new, and there's a new ASIC said to improve the video processing and scaling, not only for high-definition but for standard definition programming as well. The 1365x768 KURO PDP-5080HD ($3,500) sits at the lower end of this new Pioneer plasma line, and at 50" takes dead aim at what is an extremely popular size for flat panel displays. Description The PDP-5080HD has four HDMI inputs—a reflection of current market realities.... See less

Added on 12/07/07

Samsung’s latest HDTV flat panel offering, the 40” LN-T4081F, significantly raises the LCD performance bar, providing the highest LCD panel motion resolution ever measured, accurate color and the best black levels and dynamic rated contrast ratio... See more

Samsung’s latest HDTV flat panel offering, the 40” LN-T4081F, significantly raises the LCD performance bar, providing the highest LCD panel motion resolution ever measured, accurate color and the best black levels and dynamic rated contrast ratio (would you believe 500,000:1) of any flat panel. The secret sauce? The 81 series are the first large screen LCDs that incorporate white LEDs (light emitting diodes) as a light source instead of fluorescent lamps (usually CCFL-Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps). The 81 series also features localized dimming (Samsung calls it “Smart Lighting”), providing another LCD first, which is the ability to turn the intensity of the light source either down or off in the areas where the image is dark or black. The LN-T4081F ($2999; review sample is a pilot production unit) represents the top of Samsung’s LCD HDTV line (the series also includes 46”, 52” and 57” sizes). In addition to its unique back lighting system, the 81 series has other high-end Samsung... See less

Added on 12/03/07

Here is a brief glossary of key terms you should know in order to understand the latest technologies used in high-definition television. What it does: The highest quality mode of high definition draws 1080 progressive lines onto your screen for every... See more

Here is a brief glossary of key terms you should know in order to understand the latest technologies used in high-definition television. What it does: The highest quality mode of high definition draws 1080 progressive lines onto your screen for every frame. You won't find 1080p content over the air or on cable or satellite, but it's the standard for Blu-ray and HD DVD. Why it's important: 1080p is the best picture you can get on a home screen. You may not own a Blu-ray or HD DVD player yet, but you won't want your television to seem out of date when you finally do buy one. Who has it: All seven of the LCD sets we reviewed for this article can display 1080p, as can the Panasonic TH-42PZ700U plasma. Just about every company making TVs today has some 1080p models, though most such models have relatively large screen sizes. 1080p is rare on 40- and 42-inch plasmas, and nonexistent on smaller sets of either type. What it does: HDMI provides uncompressed, digital bandwidth for both video and... See less

Added on 12/03/07

Bottom Line: This well-equipped 1080p LCD set looks similar to its plasma sibling, the H-T4264. It has many inputs and is easy to set up. (Last Rated: September 12, 2007) Full Review • Test Report

Bottom Line: This well-equipped 1080p LCD set looks similar to its plasma sibling, the H-T4264. It has many inputs and is easy to set up. (Last Rated: September 12, 2007) Full Review • Test Report See less

Highlights: BEST BUY Samsung LN-T4061 Diagonal (inches): 40 Native Resolution (pixels): 1920-by-1080 CableCard Ready: No HD Formats: 720p, 1080i, 1080p Price When Reviewed: $1600 Check latest prices

Added on 12/03/07

* Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels * Auto Motion Plus 120Hz anti-blur * 3 HDMI inputs * 1 PC input * Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1 dynamic * Response Time: 6 ms * Picture-in-Picture * Swivel stand base * Requires HD source * 178°(H) x 178°(V) viewing angle... See more

* Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels * Auto Motion Plus 120Hz anti-blur * 3 HDMI inputs * 1 PC input * Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1 dynamic * Response Time: 6 ms * Picture-in-Picture * Swivel stand base * Requires HD source * 178°(H) x 178°(V) viewing angle * 10-bit processing * wide-range fluorescent backlight for extended color range * 1-tuner Picture-in-Picture * built-in side-mounted stereo speakers (10 watts x 2) * partially illuminated multibrand remote control * Anynet+ remote control networking system (HDMI-CEC) * picture settings memory for each video input * 2 composite video (1 rear, 1 side) * 2 S-video (1 rear, 1 side) * 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080p) * 3 HDMI v1.3 digital audio/video inputs (2 rear, 1 side) — accepts signals up to 1080p * PC input: analog RGB (D-Sub 15-pin) * 2 RF inputs (Antenna, Cable) * optical digital audio output for Dolby Digital * side USB port for digital photo/MP3 playback * detachable swivel stand (stand "footprint" is 23-3/4"W x... See less

Highlights: SALE PRICE: $2498.99

Added on 12/03/07

The good: Solid black-level performance for an LCD; relatively accurate color; 120Hz processing smooths judder in motion; fine screen uniformity for an LCD; extensive range of picture controls; comprehensive connectivity with three HDMI and one PC... See more

The good: Solid black-level performance for an LCD; relatively accurate color; 120Hz processing smooths judder in motion; fine screen uniformity for an LCD; extensive range of picture controls; comprehensive connectivity with three HDMI and one PC input; ultrasleek glossy black design. The bad: Expensive; smooth motion seems unnatural for film-based material and can introduce artifacts; black and near-black areas tend toward blue; shiny screen causes distracting reflections in normal room lighting. The bottom line: While a few issues hamper its judder-busting video processing, the 120Hz Samsung LN-T4671F is still one of the best-performing LCD HDTVs available. Specs: Product type: LCD TV; Diagonal size: 46 in; Resolution: 1920 x 1080 See full specs >> See less

Added on 12/02/07

Story link: Samsung LNT4071F LCD by Franz Bicar If you want elegance combined with high style and high definition in equal measure, then the Samsung LNT4071F LCD is just right for you. With true 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, it creates a brilliantly... See more

Story link: Samsung LNT4071F LCD by Franz Bicar If you want elegance combined with high style and high definition in equal measure, then the Samsung LNT4071F LCD is just right for you. With true 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, it creates a brilliantly sharp, detailed picture. And with its wide color gamut CCFL backlight, the LNT4071F delivers a 25,000:1 contrast ratio. Samsung’s ultra-fast switching technology and 8-millisecond response time decrease blurring, so even high-speed sports remain crisp and easy on the eyes. Plus, progressive scan technology eliminates the flicker that you see on traditional, interlaced scanning TVs. The LNT4071F’s 120Hz refresh rate means no motion blur. And it’s all wrapped up in a gorgeous frame. Samsung has added three HDMI inputs to the LNT4071F. HDMI is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all high definition formats. An all-digital, uncompressed... See less

Added on 12/02/07

We just love to see how much better HDTVs are every year. Half the fun is the when two technologies go head to head, -- especially when they don't require us to take sides just to enjoy out favorite movies -- and the only battle older than LCD vs... See more

We just love to see how much better HDTVs are every year. Half the fun is the when two technologies go head to head, -- especially when they don't require us to take sides just to enjoy out favorite movies -- and the only battle older than LCD vs plasma in the world of HD, is 720p vs 1080i; and thanks to advancements in technology the battle changes fronts every year. This year, the big buzz in LCDs that's supposed to shake up plasma is 120Hz. With this latest addition to the LCD feature set, it makes the motion smoother and compatible with 24p. Samsung's latest LCD is on the list of LCDs sportin' this feature and we had a chance to put it through the paces.Lets start out by clearing something up, we love HDTVs but we're not certified by the Image Science Foundation and we don't own big money equipment to test them. So while we do our best to run TVs through the ringer, if you're looking for hard stats and figures, you're not looking in the right place. What you can expect is a review... See less

Added on 12/02/07

* Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels * Auto Motion Plus 120Hz anti-blur * 3 HDMI inputs * 1 PC input * Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1 dynamic * Response Time: 6 ms * Picture-in-Picture * Swivel stand base * Requires HD source * 178°(H) x 178°(V) viewing angle... See more

* Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels * Auto Motion Plus 120Hz anti-blur * 3 HDMI inputs * 1 PC input * Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1 dynamic * Response Time: 6 ms * Picture-in-Picture * Swivel stand base * Requires HD source * 178°(H) x 178°(V) viewing angle * 10-bit processing * wide-range fluorescent backlight for extended color range * 1-tuner Picture-in-Picture * built-in side-mounted stereo speakers (10 watts x 2) * partially illuminated multibrand remote control * Anynet+ remote control networking system (HDMI-CEC) * picture settings memory for each video input * 2 composite video (1 rear, 1 side) * 2 S-video (1 rear, 1 side) * 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080p) * 3 HDMI v1.3 digital audio/video inputs (2 rear, 1 side) — accepts signals up to 1080p * PC input: analog RGB (D-Sub 15-pin) * 2 RF inputs (Antenna, Cable) * optical digital audio output for Dolby Digital * side USB port for digital photo/MP3 playback * detachable swivel stand (stand "footprint" is 23-3/4"W x... See less

Highlights: SALE PRICE: $2498.99

Added on 12/02/07

OK, maybe you’ve seen Stereophile Magazine’s bi-annual recommendations list which includes the $69 SR60’s from Grado Labs, and are searching for more information? And, maybe you’re thinking that “Surely there must be another headphone or two less... See more

OK, maybe you’ve seen Stereophile Magazine’s bi-annual recommendations list which includes the $69 SR60’s from Grado Labs, and are searching for more information? And, maybe you’re thinking that “Surely there must be another headphone or two less than $350 deserving of Stereophile’s praise?” Well, as far as I can determine, Stereophile has never reviewed Grado’s SR80’s and continually say that they will soon review their SR125’s, but never have! (2003 Update: The SR125 was finally checked out by Stereophile and received a glowing review!) I have had access to all of the above mentioned headphones for over two years, (including the $350 Sennheisers), and perhaps I can give you a few insights into some great sounding headphones from that small audiophile company known as Grado Labs! Most of Grado’s headphones look virtually identical. They look like a throwback to the 1950’s, no spaceage looking designs here. Grado concentrates all of their efforts into sound quality and have built quite... See less

Added on 12/02/07

A pair of pretty Panasonic plasmas. I wish I could say I had some clever reason for reviewing two nearly identical plasmas. Perhaps there was, but it's lost to me now. A few months ago, Panasonic asked me if I wanted to review the TH-50PZ700U, so I... See more

A pair of pretty Panasonic plasmas. I wish I could say I had some clever reason for reviewing two nearly identical plasmas. Perhaps there was, but it's lost to me now. A few months ago, Panasonic asked me if I wanted to review the TH-50PZ700U, so I said sure. Then, a month or so later, they asked me if I wanted to review the TH-42PZ700U, so I said sure. It's not all magic here, folks. Sometimes this kind of excitement just happens. But then I got to thinking. This would be a great time to, yet again, be ignored about how you don't need 1080p in a 42-inch screen size. Not to sound biased against the little ones, but physics, physiology, and math all pretty well back me up on this. So what the hay (or "heck," if you prefer—God forbid I should say #@%%). Let's see what we can see. Aww, It's Wee There was a time when all of us would have marveled at a flat, 42-inch display. I guess I'm getting jaded, because it seems pretty small now, especially next to an otherwise identical-looking... See less

Added on 12/02/07

San Jose (CA) - Samsung released new LED-backlit LCD displays, which are expected to increase the contrast ratio of LCD TVs by a factor of 20. According to the manufacturer, the new panels enable a jump in the dynamic contrast ratio from a typical... See more

San Jose (CA) - Samsung released new LED-backlit LCD displays, which are expected to increase the contrast ratio of LCD TVs by a factor of 20. According to the manufacturer, the new panels enable a jump in the dynamic contrast ratio from a typical 5000:1 and 25,000:1 in today’s LCD TV panels into a range between 100,000:1 and 500,000:1. The displays are available 40”, 46”, 52” and 57” diagonal screen sizes and promise the “clearest images on the market today” in what Samsung calls “premium LCD TVs”. The panels are using a new LED technology described as local dimming: “Hundreds of wafer-thin diodes about the width of the eye’s pupil are electronically turned off and on in exacting sequences that respond to movement on the screen, areas only a fraction of what was previously possible with the most prevalent form of TV backlighting - long, thin fluorescent lamps. In black areas of the picture, the diodes can be completely shut off in order to generate total blackness,” Samsung explained.... See less

Highlights: HT-SR800 Home Theater System $449.99 | DAV-IS10 Home Theater $555.95 | SC-PT950 Home Theater System $449.99 | HT-SP908 Home Theater $789.99 | Bravia DAV-HDX265 Home Theater... $299.95 | See More Products...

Added on 11/28/07

Discuss this article Email this to a friend Way back in the height of that summer we never really had, we found a rare ray of sunshine in the shape of Panasonic's TH-42PZ700: the UK's very first 42in plasma TV to sport a full HD resolution. Boy, was... See more

Discuss this article Email this to a friend Way back in the height of that summer we never really had, we found a rare ray of sunshine in the shape of Panasonic's TH-42PZ700: the UK's very first 42in plasma TV to sport a full HD resolution. Boy, was it good. So if you don't mind we'll ditch our usually hard-bitten, cynical persona for a moment and merrily admit to being excited as hell by the arrival of the 42PZ70: another Panasonic 42in full HD plasma TV that appears to promise essentially the same picture quality thrills but at a substantially lower price. Surely there can be nothing not to like here, right? Before we do anything else, it's probably best to lay out clearly the things you have to sacrifice in stepping down from the all-singing, all-dancing 42PZ700 to the 42PZ70. Arguably the most significant difference is that the 42PZ70 only has two HDMIs vs the 42PZ700's three. Also, the 42PZ70 has a less powerful audio system and lacks an SD card slot for direct playback of digital... See less

Highlights: as reviewed £1,021.00 (Inc VAT)

Added on 11/28/07

Panasonic's long history of impressive plasma TVs is instantly reflected in the terrific picture quality found on this mid-range 42in model. Black level response is particularly outstanding, but images also look engagingly sharp, natural and... See more

Panasonic's long history of impressive plasma TVs is instantly reflected in the terrific picture quality found on this mid-range 42in model. Black level response is particularly outstanding, but images also look engagingly sharp, natural and cinematic thanks to the set's impressive 'V-Real' image processing. It also has more connections and better sound than the cheaper 42PX70 that ranks higher up in this top 10. But in our opinion this isn't quite enough to justify its price hike. [Read full Panasonic TH-42PX700 review] Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * three HDMI inputs * 38kg (weight) See less

Highlights: 6. Fujitsu P42XHA58EB, £1,900

Added on 11/28/07

Panasonic is one of the few remaining plasma champions; more fool the competition if sets like this are anything to go by. Decked out in elegant gloss black, this full HD digital television is a hymn to all that is good about gas. Never a company for... See more

Panasonic is one of the few remaining plasma champions; more fool the competition if sets like this are anything to go by. Decked out in elegant gloss black, this full HD digital television is a hymn to all that is good about gas. Never a company for showboating gadgetry, Panasonic lets its panels and processing do the talking, and those of you expecting motorised swivelling or ambient lighting, might find yourself a little disappointed by the relatively sparse bell-and-whistle count. What it does have, though, are plenty of the regular, everyday tools that you can never have enough of, such as a trio of HDMI inputs, an SD card reader and an optical digital output for sending signals from the Freeview tuner to external amplification. The chief bonus is the pixel count, though, with the set specifying the full 1,080, which means owners of this set won't have to worry about high-definition compatibility for the foreseeable future. See less

Added on 11/28/07

It tells how a plasma TV helps to bring Chris and Viera together. Superb images, simple operation, and easy networking. This informative digest tallies up the VIERA advantages. Three video clips present inside information on Panasonic's remarkable... See more

It tells how a plasma TV helps to bring Chris and Viera together. Superb images, simple operation, and easy networking. This informative digest tallies up the VIERA advantages. Three video clips present inside information on Panasonic's remarkable LCD images. These heartwarming stories portray the kind of bonds that SD cards help to create between people. Operation couldn't be much easier than this. This VIERA LINK presentation shows you why. The more you link, the more fun you have with VIERA. Stroll through these networking products to see how. Real-life descriptions of how people are using and enjoying VIERA. See less

Added on 11/28/07

Peak television shopping season is November through January. Finding the set that best suits your needs from among the more than 300 available models can be a daunting task. The information below should help make it less so. Screen Size Use the HD... See more

Peak television shopping season is November through January. Finding the set that best suits your needs from among the more than 300 available models can be a daunting task. The information below should help make it less so. Screen Size Use the HD Guru’s™ viewing distance chart to ascertain the optimum viewing distance (based on screen resolution) for a given screen size for 1080i/p and 720p: hdguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/hdtv_distance_chart.pdf If you choose an optimal screen size for your viewing distance based on a 720p display and end up choosing a 1080 set instead, expect only a slight perceived improvement in detail. Check and Confirm Viewing Angle All HDTVs look good when viewed straight on. Image quality will suffer on many sets when viewed off axis, either vertically or horizontally. Look for darker images, lower contrast (creating a murky picture with blacks becoming gray, and on some LCD displays, a purplish tint). What you’ll see at home therefore will depend upon... See less

Added on 11/28/07

Sharp has been in the LCD flat panel television game as long as anyone. If someone mentions LCD televisions, the first word that pops into your head might well be "Sharp," Followed closely by "AQUOS." Sharp's latest sets are in the 64U series, coming... See more

Sharp has been in the LCD flat panel television game as long as anyone. If someone mentions LCD televisions, the first word that pops into your head might well be "Sharp," Followed closely by "AQUOS." Sharp's latest sets are in the 64U series, coming in three sizes: 42, 46, 52 and 65-inches. The LC-52D64U ($3,499), like the others, has as its main selling point an ultra thin depth of just 3.75" (without stand). But there's more to the story here than a Slim-Fast diet. Description The Sharp's audio comes from a narrow perforated aluminum strip just below that. The sound (which I'll not cover further in this review) is surprisingly good considering the space it comes from—hardly serious home theater quality, but perfectly listenable for casual use. There are onboard NTSC and ATSC tuners, but no CableCARD slot, a common omission in many new sets. Inputs 5 and 6 include HDMI, and Input 6 also has separate L/R analog audio connections should they be needed—using the HDMI connection with a... See less

Added on 11/28/07

By Rob Sabin • November 2007 If LCD TVs are the hot item these days, so-called "thin-bezel" LCDs must be on fire. Several manufacturers are out this season touting new super-thin frames around their screens for a kind of floating-in-space effect. Why... See more

By Rob Sabin • November 2007 If LCD TVs are the hot item these days, so-called "thin-bezel" LCDs must be on fire. Several manufacturers are out this season touting new super-thin frames around their screens for a kind of floating-in-space effect. Why we should care is beyond me; I doubt that anyone would knowingly buy a TV with a picture inferior to that of its like-priced competition simply because its bezel is an inch thinner. But since certain kinds of shoppers don't seek out expert advice from Sound & Vision before plunking down their plastic (shame on them!), little things can make the difference between a sale or a walk-by. That said, Sharp's new 64 Series LCDs do not sport the thinnest bezel on the market, a bragging right that currently falls to another manufacturer's hyper-anorexic panels. But these redesigned models in Sharp's bread-and-butter midprice line do boast notable cosmetic improvements over last year's versions, including both a thinner bezel and a reduction in the... See less

Added on 11/28/07

By Rob Sabin • November 2007 If LCD TVs are the hot item these days, so-called "thin-bezel" LCDs must be on fire. Several manufacturers are out this season touting new super-thin frames around their screens for a kind of floating-in-space effect. Why... See more

By Rob Sabin • November 2007 If LCD TVs are the hot item these days, so-called "thin-bezel" LCDs must be on fire. Several manufacturers are out this season touting new super-thin frames around their screens for a kind of floating-in-space effect. Why we should care is beyond me; I doubt that anyone would knowingly buy a TV with a picture inferior to that of its like-priced competition simply because its bezel is an inch thinner. But since certain kinds of shoppers don't seek out expert advice from Sound & Vision before plunking down their plastic (shame on them!), little things can make the difference between a sale or a walk-by. That said, Sharp's new 64 Series LCDs do not sport the thinnest bezel on the market, a bragging right that currently falls to another manufacturer's hyper-anorexic panels. But these redesigned models in Sharp's bread-and-butter midprice line do boast notable cosmetic improvements over last year's versions, including both a thinner bezel and a reduction in the... See less

Added on 11/28/07

Product Features Full-HD 1080p image resolution produces an image that contains up six times the visual information that traditional standard definition can. Combined with LG's exclusive and powerful XD Engine, industry-leading response time and high... See more

Product Features Full-HD 1080p image resolution produces an image that contains up six times the visual information that traditional standard definition can. Combined with LG's exclusive and powerful XD Engine, industry-leading response time and high dynamic contrast ratio, you’ll witness a picture that is robust with colour, detail and definition. The audio features are just as impressive. Two built-in 10 Watt speakers use SRS TruSurround XT technology which mimics the overall effects of a surround sound system. You can also connect your audio/video receiver to the digital or analog audio ports for a genuine, unrivalled surround sound experience that adds depth and dimension to your overall high definition viewing experience. The highest technical specifications don't mean anything without connectivity options, and this LG LCD has them all. Two high definition component and three HDMI inputs allow you to connect and relish in the full potential of high definition devices, while... See less

Highlights: On Sale: $1,699.99

Added on 11/28/07

See all products in the LG LB5D series Reviewed by: David Katzmaier Reviewed on 5/17/07 Release date: 4/1/07 Like its cross-peninsula rival Samsung, LG dips its toes in both the plasma and the LCD flat-panel pool. We've had some issues with a couple... See more

See all products in the LG LB5D series Reviewed by: David Katzmaier Reviewed on 5/17/07 Release date: 4/1/07 Like its cross-peninsula rival Samsung, LG dips its toes in both the plasma and the LCD flat-panel pool. We've had some issues with a couple of previous LG HDTVs we've reviewed, including the DVR-equipped 42LB1DR LCD, which had poorer-than-expected image quality. The DVR-free, 47-inch 47LB5D improves upon those efforts, to be sure, and offers a solid feature set and classy styling. Design Although it's all done up in glossy black, like so many other 2007 HDTVs, the LG 47LB5D manages to distinguish itself with a more-sophisticated overall look. The edges of the frame bordering the screen are angled in slightly, there's a subtle strip of gray across the middle, and the speaker bar below the screen is raked back and somehow glossy itself, despite its thousands of tiny holes. The matching glossy-black stand has its own gray accent in an arc around the post, which we initially... See less

Added on 11/27/07

By Al Griffin • January 2008 There's been significant buzz on the LCD HDTV front lately, much of it surrounding models with 120-Hz scanning, a feature designed to combat picture lag in fast-motion images. But the arrival of panels that do away with... See more

By Al Griffin • January 2008 There's been significant buzz on the LCD HDTV front lately, much of it surrounding models with 120-Hz scanning, a feature designed to combat picture lag in fast-motion images. But the arrival of panels that do away with the standard CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent light) backlight in favor of LED lamp arrays is another development that tech-savvy shoppers have been anticipating. Both Samsung and Sony rolled out mega-size versions of such sets in 2007 — and, at $30,000-plus, with mega-size price tags to match. But Samsung's new LN-T4681F 46-inch model, priced at $3,999, represents a more real-world implementation. The LED backlight allows Samsung's 81 Series LCDs (also available with 40-, 52-, and 57-inch screens) to pack a number of notable features. First and foremost is LED SmartLighting, also known as "local dimming." When active, this feature divides the TV's LED array into zones that can be turned off in areas where dark shadows are being displayed. By... See less