If you’re like me, then you’ve probably stared at a couple of VIZIO HDTV sets at your local Costco storefront – wondering.. just how good (or bad) are these inexpensive panels anyhow? The one that I’ve been particularly interested in recently was the SV420XVT model which features a 120Hz refresh rate AND sells for only $999.99. Yes there are other 1080p 42 inch panels out there that go for less – but not necessarily one with 120Hz refresh rates. Well the folks at PC Magazine have published a review of the unit here on their website, and it doesn’t look too bad at all. Before I get into the verdict, here are the major specs to the Vizio SV420XVT:

• 42 inch panel
• Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner
• 5 ms response time
• 500cd/m2 brightness
• 6500:1 contrast ratio
• 178 degree viewing angle
• 4 HDMI inputs with HDCP
• 2 Component, 2 Composite, 1 S-Video, 1 RGB
• SRS TruSurroundXT – three built-in speakers

All that for $999.99 at your local Costco.. sooo what did PC Mag think?

Despite some occasional visual quirks, the Vizio SV420XVT delivers high-performance LCD technology at an amazing price.

Hmm.. maybe something to consider for the holidays?

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Vizio SV420XVT, PC Magazine, Review

VIZIO announced four new full HD 1080p LCD displays today – the VOJ370F and VOJ320F which are the first in a new decor-colored “JAVA” product series, and the VO32LF-32” LCD and VO37LF-37” LCD which offer full HD are competitive prices. The new Java series offer a unique design flare thanks to a colored bezel and stand treatment. Here’s what you need to know about the four new models:

37 inch – VO37LF

• 1920 x 1080
• 16.7 million colors
• 6500:1 extended contrast ratio
• Side access HD game port including HDMI and Component connectors
• SRS TruSurround XT
• 178 degree viewing angle
• Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
• 3 HDMI ports
• Measures 36.3″ W x 25″ H x 8.6″ D with stand
• MSRP of $849.99

32 inch – VO32LF

• 1920 x 1080
• 16.7 million colors
• 6.5 ms response time
• 480 cd/m2 brightness
• 6500:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• SRS TruSurround XT
• 3 HDMI inputs
• 178 degree viewing angle
• Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
• MSRP of $649.99

37 inch – VOJ370F

• 1920 x 1080
• 16.7 million colors
• 3 HDMI inputs
• Brown bezel design
• SRS TruSurround XT
• 178 degree viewing angle
• Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
• 6500:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 6.5 ms response time
• Measures 36.3″ W x 25″ H x 8.6″ D
• MSRP of $849.99

32 inch – VOJ320F

• 1920 x 1080
• 16.7 million colors
• 3 HDMI inputs
• SRS TruSurround XT
• 178 degree viewing angle
• Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
• Measures 31.6″ W x 22.4″ H x 8.6″ D
• MSRP $649.99

Technorati Tags: VIZIO, VOJ370F, VOJ320F, VO32LF, VO37LF, LCD TV, HDTV

DivX continues to make in-roads in the consumer electronics space as they’ve announced a new multi-year agreement with Samsung to include DivX video playback in a new line of Samsung television sets. These DivX-certified Samsung television sets will come out in early 2009 and will play back DivX encoded video files via USB slots or via an Ethernet connection certified by DLNA. Samsung already has a number of DivX certified devices including DVD players, mobile phones etc.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: DivX, Samsung, HDTV

LG Electronics introduces a new addition to their Scarlet series of LCD HDTV sets – the LG80. Featuring a 3.1 channel virtual surround sound system, LG hopes the LG80 will take integrated TV audio to a whole new level. While most television sets feature two built-in speakers, the LG80 comes with a total of four built-in speakers – left, right, center, and a sub - outputting a total of 50 watts of power. The left and right speakers are located along the sides of the TV set while the sub is located on the back. What’s particularly cool is the fact that the side speakers are typically hidden when the TV is turned off. Turn the set on though, and the speakers slide out.

Other specs for the LG80 include:

• 42 inch or 32 inch models
• 1920 x 1080
• 4ms response times
• 500cd brightness
• 178 degree viewing angle for both vertical and horizontal
• 50,000:1 for 42 inch or 30,000:1 for 32 inch contrast ratios
• Three A/V modes for movies, video games, or sports
• Glare reduction
• USB 2.0 connection allows you to connect a memory card reader to the TV to display an onscreen slideshow of JPEG pictures or playback digital video files
• 2 HDMI 1.3 ports
• Home Theater Effect
• SRS, TSXT, ClearVoice
• E-Con, SIMPLINK

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LG Electronics, LG80 Scarlet, LCD HDTV

Sharp showed off their new high end AQUOS LCD - the XS1 series - at Ceatec. Available in 65 inches and 52 inches, the AQUOS XS1 features the following specs:

• Contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1
• 450cd/m2 brightness
• Thickness of 2.8 cm at the thinnest point
• Digital/Analog TV tuner

To help keep things slim, Sharp moved the TV tuner and various connection options to an external device. Sharp also collaborated with Pioneer to develop the integrated speaker system which consists of a tweeter, two mid-range speakers, and a sub-woofer. The set also comes with a Bluetooth-enabled remote control with a touch-screen display.

Sounds sweet right? Most definitely but it’ll cost ya! The 65 inch model will go for $12,500 while the 52 inch model will go for $9500. Both models will be hitting Japanese stores on October 15th.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sharp AQUOS XS1, LCD HDTV

NEC Display Solutions of America announced their largest professional LCD display yesterday in the form of the MultiSync LCD8205. The LCD8205 supports either portrait or landscape orientation and can even be tiled together for a video wall consisting of four displays high and four displays wide resulting in a whopping 328 inch diagonal viewing area. Other features of the MultiSync LCD8205 include the following:

• 600 cd/m2 brightness
• 5000:1 contrast ratio
• 178 degree viewing angle
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Optional protective panel
• Five picture modes for quick user optimization of viewer experience
• 8ms response time
• Thermal protection and internal heat sensors
• DVI, HDMI, composite, S-Video, RCA, RS-232 inputs

The MultiSync LCD8205 will be available in December for a price of $54,999.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: NEC, MultiSync LCD8205

Sony announced on Thursday that Amazon’s Video On Demand service is now available to Sony BRAVIA television sets via the optional Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link. To get yourself up and running with the service, simply register the Internet Video Link with your Amazon.com account and then you’ll be able to rent or purchase content either on your TV set or on the Amazon.com website. Titles ordered are then automatically added to your Amazon Video On Demand library.

Sony also announced that Dailymotion’s SD and HD content will be available to users of the BRAVIA Internet Video Link. If you have a Sony BRAVIA TV, you can purchase the optional BRAVIA Internet Video Link for around $300 dollars.

[Check it out]

[Check it out at Amazon's website]

Technorati Tags: Amazon.com, Video On Demand, Sony, BRAVIA Internet Video Link

Samsung announced two new series of professional LCD displays for the custom installation market yesterday - the MX-series and the CX-series. Here’s what you need to know about the new displays.

MX Series:

• Displays are ready to accept signals from set-top boxes or satellite tuners for HDTV viewing
• Quick Access Menu
• Auto video detection
• Direct input selection
• Advanced black-level extension
• 450 nits brightness with ambient light sensors
• Two 10 watt built-in speakers
• 1366 x 768 resolution
• 700cd/m brightness
• 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 8ms response time
• 178 degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles
• Multi Display Control software
• RS232 interface
• VGA, DVI, CVBS, and HDMI inputs

The MXn line includes built-in Windows XP OS, 1.8GHz processor, 512MB RAM, and 1GB FDM storage.

CX Series:

• Built-in HDTV tuner
• Horizontal and vertical mounting support
• anti-burn in and anti-image-retention circuits
• 1366 x 768 resolution for 400CX and 400CXn
• 1920 x 1080 resolution for 460CX and 460CXn
• 3000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 8ms response time
• Built-in 10 watt speakers
• Advanced cooling technologies
• heavy duty power supply

CXn line includes built-in PC with WAN connectivity and MagicInfo capabilities.

Technorati Tags: Samsung, MX, CX, LCD display

On the computing front, Sony announced three new all-in-one PC/LCD systems last week - the VAIO JS, LV, and RT desktop models. These all-in-one systems are great for people who need the capabilities of an HDTV, a Blu-ray player, and of course, a desktop PC system, yet are constrained with real-estate space. Of course you can totally enjoy these systems even if you have all the space in the world. Here’s what you need to know about the three systems (Above are pictures of the Sony RT systems).

The VAIO JS features the following:

• 20.1 inch LCD display
• XBRITE-ECO LCD Technology
• Optional Blu-ray Disc ROM optical drive
• Integrated microphone and webcam with face-tracking technology
• Windows Vista Home Premium OS
• Available in black, silver, and pink with starting prices at around $1000

The VAIO LV features the following:

• Floating mirror design
• 24 inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display
• XBRITE-FullHD LCD technology
• Most models feature slot-in Blu-ray disc optical drive
• Up to 1 TB of storage
• Built-in DVR capabilities
• 1080p capable HDMI  input
• wireless LAN
• integrated power supply
• wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad, mouse, and remote control included
• Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate
• Prices start at around $1600

The VAIO RT (pictured above) features the following:

• 25.5 inch LCD display  with XBRITE-FullHD LCD technology
• Blu-ray optical drive
• Built-in digital TV tuners
• HDMI input and output
• Intel Core 2 Quad processor
• Up to 8GB of RAM
• Up to 1TB of HDD
• eSATA port
• CompactFlash slot
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Wireless keyboard with integrated touchpad and mouse are included
• Built-in power supply
• Prices start at around $3300

The new all-in-one PC/LCD systems will be available in the middle of October.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, VAIO JS, LV, RT

Now if you’re looking to get a new super-slim HDTV set, you might want to consider waiting for the new Sony 40 inch 1080p KLV-40ZX1M display which measures a mere 9.9mm deep - about the depth of a Blu-ray jewel case. The set (which also weighs a scant 26 lbs) features an edge-lit wide color gamut LED backlight, Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz technology, the Sony BRAVIA Engine 2, a single HDMI input, and compatibility with Sony’s BRAVIA Wireless Link. Optional accessories for the KLV-40ZX1M include a flat-matching speaker four with four full-range speakers and two tweeters, and a wall-hugging bracket. You can expect the Sony KLV-40ZX1M this December.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, KLV-40ZX1M, LCD HDTV