60 Inch BRAVIA KDL-60NX800. Is this the coolest looking TV ever … I think so. Look at the awesome metal stand ( sold separately ). Sony has been getting some negative press. A lot of people think that the technology world has passed them by, and Sony has rested on their laurels. I think this is a hearty answer to those critics.

Here is what Sony Insider had to say:

Designed to create a remarkable sense of space, the BRAVIA NX800 HDTV features a stunning monolithic design and innovative six-degree tilt, so you can position your TV at lower levels for a more comfortable and enjoyable viewing experience. An Edge LED backlight and BRAVIA Engine 3 video processor delivers superior, life-like image with amazing contrast and color. Fast moving images will never look smoother either with incredible 240hz Motion Flow technology, which delivers an unbelievably smooth, crisp and fluid picture. Furthermore, break away from the norm with attractive features such as integrated BRAVIA Internet Video and widgets, built-in Wi-Fi, a USB input, LightSensor technology and Energy Saving Switch round out the feature set. There are three NX800 models available – 46? BRAVIA KDL-46NX800, 52? BRAVIA KDL-52NX800, and the mammoth 60? BRAVIA KDL-60NX800. Unfortunately, the metallic stand is sold separately and seems to be only available for the 46? and 52? NX800 models – we think they should have just included it in the package.

Featuring a stunning monolithic design with a unique six-degree tilt option, the Edge LED backlit BRAVIA NX700 Series HDTV creates a remarkable sense of space by allowing you to position the TV at lower levels for a more comfortable viewing experience. Motionflow 120Hz refresh rate technology delivers smooth motion detail in fast-paced scenes while BRAVIA Engine 3 video processor produces superior, life-like image with amazing contrast and color. Integrated BRAVIA Internet Video and Widgets, built-in Wi-Fi, a USB input and LightSensor technology round out the feature set. There are two NX700 models available – 40? BRAVIA KDL-40NX700 and the 46? BRAVIA KDL-46NX700. The metallic stand is sold separately and is available for both models.

Hat tip Sony Insider

85 Inch Panasonic Plasma TV, Coming Fall 2009. Panasonic has just announced an 85-inch Full HD Plasma TV at the InfoComm 09 event July 17th-19th 2009. This news is just in time for Father’s Day. I guess they can put it on Lay away for now. It features 1080p resolution, 16:9 Aspect Ration, contrast ratio of 40,000:1(max. upto 2,000,000:1) which Panasonic claims to be world’s highest and effective viewing area of 1,889 mm (W) x 1,062 mm (H).

No one knows how much this bad boy will cost. We all know it will be too expensive though, but how much fun would life be if we could have everything we wanted.

85-inch Full HD Plasma Display (left) and 42-inch Full HD Plasma Display (current model) Specifications*

Screen size (Diagonal)            85 inches ?i2,167 mm?j
Aspect ratio                      16:9
Effective Viewing Area (W x H)    1,889 x 1,062 mm
Number of Pixels (H x V)          1,920 x 1,080 pixels
Moving Picture Resolution(3)      1,080 lines
Contrast(4)                       40,000?F1
Dimensions (W x H x D)            2,015 x 1,195 x 99 mm
Weight Approx.                    130 kg

*Specifications may change at the time of shipment.
Hat Tip Japan Corp.

This is one of the best Plasma TV’s on the market today. Check out these reviews.

Sound and Videos Mag
HDTV looks just like its 42-inch sibling, which we reviewed in our May 2006 issue. Like the P42, it has a built-in tuner for pulling in over-the-air digital TV broadcasts, and there’s also Faroudja DCDi for deinterlacing duties. A relatively sturdy (for a 50-inch model) plastic stand comes with the TV, and you can order Vizio’s optional $90 stationary wall-mount, or a tilting version for only 10 bucks more — a good deal either way you slice it.

Inputs on the P50HDTV include not one but two HDMI jacks (the standard on new bigscreen HDTVs these days, but still surprising on a budget model), a VGA connection for hooking up a computer, and component-, composite-, and S-video jacks. There’s no CableCARD slot for tuning in encrypted premium-cable channels without a separate cable box, but you can receive both regular analog and unencrypted digital cable by plugging into the set’s antenna input.

Vizio’s remote control is sturdy and has a clean button layout. The buttons are small, however, and there’s no backlighting, making it hard to locate a specific control when the lights are dimmed. Picture-in-Picture, Freeze, and Zoom controls are grouped at the remote’s bottom, and directly above them is a set of five direct-input keys for switching sources quickly — a useful feature. The Wide button lets you toggle between the TV’s Normal (4:3), Full (16:9), Zoom, and Panoramic display modes, all of which can be selected for both standard and high-def signals (except Panoramic, which is available only for 480i programs).

AVrev Forum
One of the most impressive, important TVs I have seen to date.

The picture is better than it should be. Great customer service (needed with all of the HDMI issues that AREN’T Vizio’s problem but are yours) etc..

They REALLY benefit from a professional calibration. A Digital Video Essentials disc helps. An ISF calibration by a professional is better.

The question is: should you save the money buying a Vizio and buy a Blu-ray and HD DVD player instead. I say – that ain’t a 1/2 bad idea!!!!

PCMAG
LCD TVs outsell all other flat-panel HDTV sets by a huge margin, but the image quality from the new Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD ($4,000 list) plasma may just give the competition a run for its money. The 50-inch set delivers the best picture contrast of any HDTV currently available, and its range of color reproduction and consistent color accuracy are a perfect match for today’s highest-quality HD video material. It also incorporates some of the most comprehensive multimedia file support that I’ve ever seen in any HDTV, and given that it’s also Pioneer’s least expensive 1080p plasma, it’s a shoo-in for our Editors’ Choice award.

CNET

The good: Produces the deepest shade of black of any big-screen display we’ve tested; accurate color decoding; dejudder processing option; 72Hz mode for 1080p/24 sources works well; superb antireflective screen; streams photo, music, and video files over home network; fine connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input.

The bad: Expensive; inaccurate primary colors; lacks advanced picture controls; frame causes minor reflections.

The bottom line: Best-in-class black levels and excellent all-around performance places the Pioneer PDP-5020FD near the top of the picture quality heap, but it will cost you.

Specifications: Product type: Plasma TV ; Diagonal size: 50 in ; Resolution: 1920 x 1080 ;

TrustedReviews reviews the Philips 50PF9631D 50? Plasma HDTV (rating: 8/10) and writes;

“Finally putting the 50PF9631D to work on a few of our favourite sources, we have to admit we felt a touch disappointed with the way its pictures turn out. The main over-riding problem is that there are sometimes quite considerable amounts of noise in the picture…Ultimately the 50PF9631D’s picture flaws suggest that Philips’ core plasma panel technology is perhaps not quite as up to partnering Pixel Plus technology as the company’s LCD technology. But the overall image quality is still solid, and a huge feature count makes sure the set looks fair value at under £2000.”

NewsFactorMag reviews the Philips 50PF9631D 50? Plasma HDTV (rating: 4/5 and writes;

“We were very pleased with the overall display quality from the 1,366 x 768 Pixel Resolution. Plasma is known for high-contrast images with stunning color reproduction, and this model keeps that reputation intact. Audio from this Philips model was very solid. Two built-in 12-watt speakers have digital signal processing, dynamic bass enhancement, and the virtual Dolby Digital sound system. An Auto Volume Leveler and graphic equalizer contribute to a very pleasing audio experience. “

CNET reviews the Samsung HP-T5064 (Rating: 8/10) and writes;

“The good: Produces deep blacks with excellent shadow detail; accurate primary colors; numerous picture controls; great range of burn-in protection modes; extensive connectivity featuring three HDMI and one PC input. The bad: Glare-reducing screen could be more effective; color decoding desaturates green; some false contouring. The bottom line: The picture quality of the Samsung HP-T5064 places it among the top tier of 50-inch plasma HDTVs.”

Amazon’s customer (Steve) reviews the Samsung HP-T5064 (Rating: 5/5) and write;

“I shopped endlessly for an HDTV at all of the retail stores, and I was pretty much set on Samsung for quality and price. I finally decided on the 50 inch 5064 and I am so glad I did. It looks beautiful, just mesmerizing. My signal is from Verizon FIOS for the HD with an HD-DVR through HDMI connections..”

Amazon’s customer (Joshua) reviews the Samsung HP-T5064 (Rating: 5/5) and write;

“The two main differences between this unit (5064) and the other model (5054) is that this one has a slightly stronger anti-glare shield and can view photos off of a USB stick. If you have a 360, you won’t likely use this functionality anyway. The stronger anti-glare shield is great if you are putting this in a bright room with lots of windows, but if there is not going to be glare on the tv, go with the 54 series because the glass is clearer due to less heavy glare shield. I will say that the glare shield is really great – my old rear projection Sony reflected every light in the room, this plasma doesn’t reflect anything even with every light in the room on. “

PRESS RELEASE

Samsung HPT5064 50? Plasma HDTV

SAMSUNG’s Plasma Tvs Feature High Quality Video Resolution And A New Auto Wall Mount System That Allows Users To Control The Angle Of Their Tv With Their Remote

LAS VEGAS – January 8, 2006 – Samsung Electronicsunveiled its new 50-inch (HPT5064) and 42-inch (HPT4264) plasma HDTVs which provide improved picture technology and advanced features for users to enjoy the ultimate home theater centerpiece for broadcast and cinema viewing.

Samsung’s new PDP offerings come equipped with the company’s exclusive “Ultra FilterBright” technology which features an enhanced panel and filter to minimize image glare and maximize contrast. The HPT5064 and HPT4264 models feature a contrast ratio (of 10,000:1) for deep black reproduction that results in clearer, crisp and more finely detailed images even in bright viewing environments.

With 16 bit color processing, improvements in contrast result in a wide array of color expressions. The company has also applied Silhouette Editor, which helps eliminate false contours and dither noise in the fast moving scenes, resulting in a refined face tone and shape. These features help produce rich color tones and create a more realistic picture for users to see.

Samsung has also adopted a new auto wall mount system for the new line of plasmas which allows users to control the angle of their TV view with the touch of a button on their TV remote control.

This controls the tilt of the display from 15- to 20-degrees in multiple directions, while also having a safety sensor preventing it from touching the wall or anything that may interfere with the display while in motion. Samsung’s auto wall mount system will be available in March 2007 at an MSRP of $999 (U.S. Market).

In addition, the HPT5064 and HPT4264 TVs deliver advanced digital connectivity with Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), Wise LinkTM (USB2.0), and 3HDMI terminals (1 side). Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) enables a single remote control unit to operate a BD player, home theater system and other A/V products that are also CEC compliant.

The WISELINK (USB 2.0) connection allows users to connect their digital camcorder, digital camera or mp3 players so they can play multimedia files in a variety of viewing and playing modes. Three HDMI terminals provide users with multiple digital interfaces, providing them with added convenience of easily connecting a,Blu-ray player, HTiB, or other home theater equipment to their TV so users can enjoy clear HD quality video and images.

+ REVIEWS

TrustedReviews has reviewed the LG 42PC1D – 42inch Plasma TV (rating: 8/10) and writes;
“If you’ve managed to squirrel away £1,000 for your next TV, you were probably thinking the best you’d be able to get with it would be a decent 32in LCD TV. Happily, LG has other ideas. For while most previous sub-£1k 42in TVs the market has seen have been more or less pants, LG’s 42PC1D looks great, performs decently, and offers features and connections galore. Looks like those lovely Koreans have rewritten the TV pricing rule book again…”

AVReview has the comparison of the LG 42PC1D – 42inch Plasma TV and and other 42? Plasma & LCD TV;
“TIt’s great to see, too, that the 42PC1D is largely immune to plasma’s common issues with fizzing noise over moving objects, and colour striping. But perhaps inevitably for £1500, we’re not talking perfection. The biggest problem is that high definition pictures look slightly softer and fuzzier than we know they can. But the set’s aggressive nature also tends to highlight such noise in a source as MPEG blocking from a digital broadcast or grain in HD stuff. The 42PC1D’s sound is, like its pictures, mostly good, but flawed. The good stuff concerns the impressive volumes achieved while keeping hold of surprising amounts of soundstage detail. The flaw is that there’s not quite enough bass to make action scenes entirely believable.”

CNET has reviewed the LG 42PC1D – 42inch Plasma TV (rating: 7.6/10) and writes;
“When it comes to the crunch of providing a good picture, this TV outperforms some costlier rivals. Feed it some hi-def video and you get a superb image, bursting with detail and colour and conspicuous by its low noise levels. Fast motion, such as you see with the frenetic swordplay and magic of Oblivion on the Xbox 360, doesn’t draw out any nasty judder or artefacts — and there’s plenty visible even in the darkest of dungeons, thanks to the TV’s fine black levels…Sound quality is decent, but nothing to write home about. Despite the inclusion of a SRS TXT virtual surround mode, we didn’t really notice any all-enveloping effects popping up behind us. “

T3has reviewed the LG 42PC1D – 42inch Plasma TV and writes;
“The picture quality is good: Hi-Def clips are bright, crisp and noise-free, Quake 4 zips along without motion judder and a test run of night-riding, Tom Cruise hitman flick Collateral demonstrates the LG’s mastery of black reproduction. It’s not quite as impressive all-round as the Panasonic TH-42PX60, which has a truly awe-inspiring contrast range, and the remote could be a little sleeker too. On the plus side, you get plenty of connections, including two HDMI inputs. It all adds up to a superb Hi-Def television for the price. “