Archive | August, 2007

Samsung HLT5675S 56″ Slim 720p DLP HDTV Review

Samsung HLT5675S 56" Slim 720p DLP HDTV

Samsung’s 56" Widescreen DLPTV delivers an astounding HDTV experience.Samsung, the recognized leader in DLP technology,created the breakthrough Cinema Smooth light engine that produces razor-sharp pictures in720p. The natural, vivid colors of Samsung’s HL-T5675S are achieved through our advanced Brilliant Color technology with a faster colorwheel With its new slim depth and piano black cabinet, fitting this set into your design has never been easier.

The HLT generation of Samsung DLP HDTVs are capable of displaying future 3D games, movies, and other programming via 3D compatible glasses and hardware.

Cinema Smooth Light Engine
Samsung is the worldwide leader in creating light engines that harness DLP HDTV technology from Texas Instruments. Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine brings together the right optics, electronic circuitry and replaceable light source to create a brilliant picture that’s more lifelike and much closer to film. Now in its sixth year of evolution, Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine delivers crisp, 1080p High Definition resolution with high contrast and brightness, defined edges and sharp detail.

Next Generation DLP Chips from Texas Instruments
Samsung employs a Texas Instruments DLP chip that is comprised of millions of microscopic mirrors. The DLP chip is faster than any other HDTV technology, with the mirrors switching on & off 15,000 times a second to deliver a razor-sharp picture for fast moving images. When combined with Samsung’s new Cinema Smooth light engine, the result is a crisp, bright picture with deep, rich colors that’s closer to film.

SRS TruSurround Samsung HDTVs are equipped with the best that technology can offer in sound quality. Even when viewing regular broadcasts, Samsung’s two speaker surround sound makes you feel as if the theater has been brought to your living room.

Posted in HDTV, HDTV deals, Rear Projection TVsComments (1)

Samsung HLT5087S 50″ Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV Review

Samsung HLT5087S 50" Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV

Enjoy more picture and less frame with Samsung ’s HL-T5087S DLP HDTV. The piano black bezel is just 0.6" wide; the set’s slim depth lets it fit where others won’t. The energy-efficient 50" screen features a powerful, long-lasting LED light engine that turns on almost instantly. Full HD 1080p resolution and Samsung Cinema Smooth technology deliver a wide range of brilliant colors, with bright images and crisp definition. The blackest blacks, brightest whites and nuanced tones are yours with a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

The HLT generation of Samsung DLP HDTVs are capable of displaying future 3D games, movies, and other programming via 3D compatible glasses and hardware.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) for modern color realization
Samsung’s new LED light engine replaces the arc lamp & color wheel design of previous DLP HDTVs, and realizes beautiful color. LED will last the life of the TV. Samsung LED DLP TVs eliminate the need to replace the consumable lamps every few years, and thus have less impact on the environment and on one’s wallet. Samsung’s LED light engine makes possible an Ultra-Wide Color Gamut that exceeds the NTSC defined color space spec for richer color than you’ve seen before on TV. Samsung DLP HDTVs with an LED engine are more energy efficient than similar sized flat panel displays, and the lack of a moving color whell in the design means they perform with less noise than any previous DLP HDTV design.

Cinema Smooth Light Engine
Samsung is the worldwide leader in creating light engines that harness DLP HDTV technology from Texas Instruments. Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine brings together the right optics, electronic circuitry and replaceable light source to create a brilliant picture that’s more lifelike and much closer to film. Now in its sixth year of evolution, Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine delivers crisp, 1080p High Definition resolution with high contrast and brightness, defined edges and sharp detail.

Next Generation DLP Chips from Texas Instruments
Samsung employs a Texas Instruments DLP chip that is comprised of millions of microscopic mirrors. The DLP chip is faster than any other HDTV technology, with the mirrors switching on & off 15,000 times a second to deliver a razor-sharp picture for fast moving images. When combined with Samsung’s new Cinema Smooth light engine, the result is a crisp, bright picture with deep, rich colors that’s closer to film.

SRS TruSurround Samsung HDTVs are equipped with the best that technology can offer in sound quality. Even when viewing regular broadcasts, Samsung’s two speaker surround sound makes you feel as if the theater has been brought to your living room.

Posted in HDTV, Rear Projection TVsComments (1)

Pioneer PDP-4270HD PureVision 42″ Plasma HDTV Review

Pioneer PDP-4270HD PureVision 42" Plasma HDTV

The 42-inch Pioneer PDP-4270HD plasma television delivers large, lifelike images right out of the box, thanks to the built-in ATSC (digital) tuner that can pick up over-air high-def channels with an optional antenna. You can also hook up an HDMI-capable cable or satellite set-top box and enjoy the highest standard of high-definition audio and video–with only a single cord connection. Nicely compact, it features a bottom mounted speaker design that makes it easy to fit into a home theater cabinet with a smaller footprint.

Pioneer’s exclusive Crystal Emissive Layer is sandwiched between the plasma glass and the individual light cells. This advanced layer helps conduct energy more efficiently so that each cell can be charged and discharged three times faster than before. Pioneer’s Advanced Continuous Emission IV (ACE IV) works in conjunction with the Crystal Emissive Layer in the glass to reduce the visual steps between levels of color, making color transitions smoother than ever before. It also offers both vertical and horizontal ribs that help keep the light focused and concentrated, and prevent it from bleeding into neighboring cells. This cell structure means a brighter, sharper, and more accurate image that consistently reminds you of the reasons you bought a plasma TV in the first place.

The PDP-4270HD features a 1024 x 768-pixel resolution (meaning that 1080p signals via the HDMI connection will be downscaled) and a wide 160-degree viewing angle. This Pioneer PureVision plasma TV uses Pure Drive II, 10-bit all-digital processing that maintains a digital path throughout signal processing. This streamlined Pure Drive process provides an optimal picture with virtually no video noise or loss of quality. Other video processing features include Dynamic Range Expansion (DRE) to further reduce video noise, Advanced Pure Cinema 3:3 pull-down for smooth, natural reproduction of film content, and color temperature adjustment.

This set includes the TV Guide On-Screen interactive program guide, split screen and picture-in-picture (PIP) capability, AV memory selection presets (standard, dynamic, movie, game, and user configurable), aspect ratio control, and V-Chip parental controls. The Home Gallery feature enables you to view photos using the integrated USB mass storage connection.

High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the speakers built into the sides of the TV. SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass. It produces 10 watts of power per channel (for 20 watts total). This set offers the following connection options:

  • Composite AV (RCA): 4 in (1 side), 1 out
  • S-Video: 2 rear (1 rear with Audio)
  • Component Video: 3 in (1 side)
  • HDMI: 2 in
  • RF: 2 in
  • PC VGA: 1
  • Digital audio output: 1 optical
  • Subwoofer output: 1

Tech Talk
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV–all over a single cable. It provides up to a 5 GB per second bandwidth for transmitting pure digital video and audio signals with no degradation in the transfer. It can carry up to eight discrete audio channels, making it compatible with 7.1-channel surround sound systems. Signals are encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to prevent recording. HDMI is fully backward-compatible with most DVI connections .

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

TruSurround XT audio adds three new audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

  • Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into ÒfocusÓ during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
  • TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
  • The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

What’s in the Box
Plasma TV, tabletop stand, remote control (with batteries), cleaning cloth, printed operating instructions

Product Description
The Pioneer PDP-4270HD 42-Inch High-Definition PureVision Plasma Television offers the most advanced panel technology, video processing features and convenience options for recreating the home theater experience. The redesigned deep encased cell structure improves brightness, image accuracy and panel efficiency. Enhanced contrast, deeper blacks and brighter colors improve your high-definition viewing, turning your living room into the hottest new theater in town.

Posted in HDTV, HDTV deals, Plasma TelevisionsComments (0)

Samsung HPT5064 50″ Plasma HDTV Review

Samsung HPT5064 50" Plasma HDTV

Offering a rich feature set and exceptional quality for its price, Samsung HPT5064 50-inch 720p plasma TV uses the company’s latest DNIe enhancement circuitry to deliver outstanding brightness, contrast, and image clarity. Use it for home theater and use it for your PC–it’s perfect for both. In addition to a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, it also features an integrated ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates (the set will still require a set-top tuner for receiving non-terrestrial HD broadcasts from channels like HBO or Discovery). Other noteworthy features include a 60,000 hour panel life, Samsung’s unique auto pixel-shifting technology to prevent burn-in, a gaming mode, cinema progressive film mode, and 3 HDMI connections. This model is also compatible with an Auto wall-mount Samsung will release this year that is controllable in 3-dimensions via the HTDV’s own remote control.

Samsung currently offers two 50-inch 720p plasma models; this one and the lower priced HPT5054. this model is set apart from the HPT 4254 by its cosmetic design and by the inclusion of a USB 2.0 connection for playing photo files or MP3s. Both models offer the same high level of digital image processing, 15,000:1 contrast ratio, and HDMI connectivity. 

The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs. Thanks to the new 13-bit processing capability of DNIe, the HP-S4253 can produce over 549 billion colors (compared to the one billion colors that TVs with 10-bit processing can produce.

Single-tuner Picture in Picture
This HDTV has a picture-in-picture feature, but it only has a single tuner which does not allow POP to function n the same mode. For example, you can’t watch one TV channel in the main screen and another channel in the PIP screen. You can watch a tv channel in one screen and view contnet from your computer or a DVD in another. This tends to be the functional limitation of PIP in most HDTVs currently available.

Connections:

  • HDMI connections: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
  • S-Video Inputs: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
  • Component Video A/V Input: 2 (rear)
  • USB 2.0 Connection: (1 side)
  • PC (RGB) input: 1 (rear)
  • Composite video input: 1 (side)
  • Headphone Jack: 1 (side)
  • RF input: 2 (rear)

What’s in the box Plasma HDTV, Remote control, 2 AAA batteries, Power cord, Owner’s Instructions/Quick Setup Guide, Warranty Card, Registration Card, Safety Guide Manual, Cloth-Clean.

Product Description
Experience the true feel of being in the theater right in your home. Samsung’s Plasma TV technology features a high-contrast ratio that produces dramatic lights and darks, and every nuance in between. With billions of colors, images are bright, sharp, and clear. Designed for action-packed viewing, motion is crisp and exciting.

Rich surround sound completes this extraordinary entertainment experience. There are no bad seats when you’re watching the 50" widescreen HP-T5064 plasma HDTV. Even in a brightly-lit room, patented Ultra FilterBright keeps the pictures looking detailed and deeper at every angle.

Samsung’s powerful anti-burn-in technology assures a long screen life. The 15,000:1 contrast ratio lets you see every nuance, even in nighttime action. Advanced plasma picture technology delivers sharper screen text, while eliminating noise. Dynamic SRS TruSurround XT produces theater-quality sound. Connect your digital devices through three HDMI ports, one on the side, and a full complement of audio and video inputs, including USB 2.0.

Control all your CEC-compliant digital devices through the one HPT5064 remote. And it’s Energy Star Compliant, so you’ll use less energy. NTSC / ATSC tuner with Clear-QAM Game mode Silhouette editor (False Contour Reduction) 18 bit color processing Consumer Electronic Control (HDMI-CEC) compliant Audio - 10-watts per channel (2 channels) built-in audio amplifier with SRS TruSurround XT Connections - Rear A/V - 3 HDMI ? High Definition Multimedia Interface (2 rear/1 side); 2 component connections; S-Video and composite connections; PC input // Side A/V connections - HDMI?High Definition Multimedia Interface; USB 2.0; S-Video and composite connections; Headphone jack Monitor - 48.5 x 31.1 x 4.1; Monitor with stand - 48.5 x 33.4 x 12.4; Net weight - 97.0 lbs

Posted in HDTV, HDTV deals, Plasma TelevisionsComments (0)

Hitachi P42H401 42″ HD1080 Plasma HDTV Review

Hitachi P42H401 42" HD1080 Plasma HDTV

Movie buffs, sports fans and those waiting for a large screen high-definition television set with high-end performance that won’t break a budget will find Hitachi’s 42-inch model offers unrivaled clarity and seamless picture performance using exclusive technologies. This model features an all new black industrial design with subtle titanium gray trim, emphasizing the picture and de-emphasizing the frame. The model uses discrete speaker venting below the screen to ensure high quality audio, yet maintain the widescreen appearance for a clean, modern look that compliments any living room.

The set also includes Hitachi’s fourth generation 1080p PictureMaster IV video processor that analyzes and optimizes the picture with dynamic histogram processing, 16-bit clarity and, new for 2007, MPEG noise reduction–all of which means that the viewer will see a clean and vivid picture. All 2007 flat panel models include three 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs with SimplayHD certification so that consumers can have confidence that they will be able to display the latest digital content with state of the art reliability.

New for 2007, Hitachi includes three picture setting memories and three timers for each input for the ultimate in performance and picture tuning flexibility. Since every set top tuner and disc player is different, and lighting conditions vary from morning to daytime to nighttime, Hitachi offers three discrete picture settings memories for each input. The presets will allow the image to be customized according to source and room lighting conditions and can be customized to change automatically. The picture memories are designated as "day," "day dynamic" and "night."

Hitachi’s 42-inch plasma model features HD1080 technology–an excellent match for today’s broadcasting standards. The resulting denser pixel structure allows for fine details to be displayed clearly.

Product Description
HDTV Compatible / NTSC and ATSC TV Tuners / 4 HD Aspect Modes / 6 SD Aspect Modes / 3 HDMI Connectors / 20 Watt Speaker System / 1-Year In Home Warranty

Posted in HDTV, HDTV deals, Plasma TelevisionsComments (1)

Samsung HLT6187S 61″ Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV Review

Samsung HLT6187S 61" Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV
Enjoy more picture and less frame with Samsung’s HL-T6187S DLP HDTV. The piano black bezel is just 0.6" wide; the set’s slim depth lets it fit where others won’t. The energy-efficient 61" screen features a powerful, long-lasting LED light engine that turns on almost instantly. Full HD 1080p resolution and Samsung Cinema Smooth technology deliver a wide range of brilliant colors, with bright images and crisp definition. The blackest blacks, brightest whites and nuanced tones are yours with a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Hidden speakers deliver clear, robust SRS TruSurround XT sound.

LED (Light Emitting Diode) for modern color realization

Samsung’s new LED light engine replaces the arc lamp & color wheel design of previous DLP HDTVs, and realizes beautiful color. LED will last the life of the TV. Samsung LED DLP TVs eliminate the need to replace the consumable lamps every few years, and thus have less impact on the environment and on one’s wallet. Samsung’s LED light engine makes possible an Ultra-Wide Color Gamut that exceeds the NTSC defined color space spec for richer color than you’ve seen before on TV. Samsung DLP HDTVs with an LED engine are more energy efficient than similar sized flat panel displays, and the lack of a moving color whell in the design means they perform with less noise than any previous DLP HDTV design.

Cinema Smooth Light Engine
Samsung is the worldwide leader in creating light engines that harness DLP HDTV technology from Texas Instruments. Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine brings together the right optics, electronic circuitry and replaceable light source to create a brilliant picture that’s more lifelike and much closer to film. Now in its sixth year of evolution, Samsung’s Cinema Smooth light engine delivers crisp, 1080p High Definition resolution with high contrast and brightness, defined edges and sharp detail.

Next Generation DLP Chips from Texas Instruments
Samsung employs a Texas Instruments DLP chip that is comprised of millions of microscopic mirrors. The DLP chip is faster than any other HDTV technology, with the mirrors switching on & off 15,000 times a second to deliver a razor-sharp picture for fast moving images. When combined with Samsung’s new Cinema Smooth light engine, the result is a crisp, bright picture with deep, rich colors that’s closer to film.

SRS TruSurround Samsung HDTVs are equipped with the best that technology can offer in sound quality. Even when viewing regular broadcasts, Samsung’s two speaker surround sound makes you feel as if the theater has been brought to your living room.

Posted in HDTV, HDTV deals, Rear Projection TVsComments (0)

300 Blu-Ray review

300 [Blu-ray]

Frank Miller adaptations are on a roll. First we got "Sin City," and now we have the story of three hundred Spartans who repelled a massive invasion.

And the adaptation of "300" is a stunning one — literally stunning, since it bombards the viewer with larger-than-life characters, smashing visuals and tight direction. It goes a bit too fast for its own good, but it’s a truly epic film that takes the historical war movie to another level — all the more so because it actually happened.

As the introduction tells us, the Spartans were the ultimate warrior people. Babies were inspected for weakness or faults, and killed if they had any; as they were growing up, they were taught and toughened by a savage regimen. Their only true hope was to "die beautifully" for their land.

A Persian messenger arrives, telling King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) that the god-king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) wants the Spartans to bow to him. Leonidas’ response: shove the Persians into a pit. But before he can go to war, he must consult the corrupt priesthood of Ephors and their beautiful Oracle. She predicts that Sparta will fall and the gods forbid war at the approach of the Carneaian festival — courtesy of a hefty bribe from a Spartan traitor.

So Leonidas takes out three hundred of his best men, along with their nervy Arcadian allies, and begin trouncing the Persians. But they are being sabotaged, both by a hunchbacked outcast and by a treacherous councilor, whom Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) is battling. And so at Thermopylae, Leonidas prepares for a final battle against the monstrous Persian Army — knowing that their story of freedom will live on.

This is not a "sensitive" movie where you have any appreciation for the bad guys — it’s a glorification of three hundred soldiers who died for their land and freedom. It just wouldn’t work otherwise. It doesn’t blindly adore the Spartans — we see their darker side in their "weed out the weak" policy — but it does appreciate them. They respect and care about each other, and Leonidas is as kind as he can be even to Ephialtes, the traitor.

And it’s done in a manner appropriate to its comic book origins — grimy, bloody and epic, but with a stylized look that is almost like CGI. The battles are shockingly good, and full of fantasy-ish creations like the monstrous creatures or the silver-masked Immortals. Even a wall of corpses. But we also get some beautiful visuals as well — roiling seas, sunlit battlefields, Spartan cities, and the drugged Oracle in her white veil.

While the script gets a bit over-the-top at times, it’s hard not to be moved by dialogue that can be darkly funny ("It’s just an eye. The gods saw fit to grace me with a spare") or stirring ("He did not wish tribute, nor song, or monuments or poems of war and valor. His wish was simple: "Remember us." That was his hope, should any free soul come across that place, in all the countless centuries yet to be").

Butler and Headey are simply great as Leonidas and Gorgo — they’re both strong, passionate and fearless, and they both do a great job in their separate storylines. But the movie is filled with good performances — David Wenham as the narrator, Dominic West as a disgusting traitor, Santoro as the decadent, arrogant god-king, and many others.

"300" is a unique, stirring, stunning movie that pushes the action-movie envelope, and gives a thrilling edge to a real-life story of overwhelming power. A brilliant movie.

Posted in Blu-Ray, HDTV, HDTV dealsComments (0)