Televisions – 10Rate

LG 55LM8600 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:25:36 +0000

LED HDTV

8/10

Though this is the #2 model in the LG lineup we felt safer recommending it due to spotty supply in the top model. It has the super attractive Cinema Screen design by LG which designates the super sharp .25” width screen frame of a metallic color (brushed silver). This gives the TV a window like effect with so little framing surrounding the screen. The picture performance will not disappoint either with an excellent screen filter and brightness showing through the from the LED edge lit backlighting. There are additional upgrade features such as the Resolution upscaler and 3D depth control.

Strengths

Magic Remote is practical, enjoyable, and easy to use

Home Dashboard feature is a customized option for Internet Apps and Social Networking

Excellent side viewing angles compared with previous models due to the new screen filter

Natural Rich colors

.25” frame with of bezel with Cinema Screen design gives the window effectively

4 pairs included passive 3D glasses

Value due to lower cost of passive 3D

Weaknesses

Floating included table top stand design is not for everyone

Passive 3D may not render as deep a picture with 3D

2D to 3D conversion is not a convincing feature

Prices

LG 60PM9700 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:19:09 +0000

Plasma HDTV

8.5/10

By Steve Holdgren

This large plasma TV from LG has great depth and black levels and a new matte screen filter to help reduce glare. The filter traps light in order to accomplish this. This Plasma is active 3D compatible but LG really specializes in passive 3D in all of their LED and LCD TV products. That said we have seen the very good colors and depth that this TV offers and it even won a Best of CES award at that show in January. The black brushed aluminum frame has a classy refined look though it does not have the Cinema Screen effect that LG is promoting in their top LED TV models.

Strengths

Black levels are great

Color looks very saturated and natural

Anti reflection screen filter technology works very well

Magic remote is both practical and fun to use

Weaknesses

LG does not specialize in Active 3D so we are skeptical about the glasses and quality of viewing in 3d

Sound Quality not a focul point

Prices

Panasonic TC-L55DT50 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:12:38 +0000

55” Edge Lit LED HDTV

8/10

By Steve Holdgren

This second to the top of the line from Panasonic has loads of new features in their largest ever size of LED HDTV technology. We’ve seen this model in action and it shines even though we expected less, since Panasonic is more known for their plasma panels. This TV has a super sharp looking black front metal frame of only .25” in width on the sides. It transmits full HD 1080p 3D to each eye from the IPS LED panel which is Panasonics best LED-LCD panel for 2012 (and early 2013). The screen on this TV is clear and not the matte anti glare screens we typically do not like.

Strengths

Has Web Smoother technology to help smooth Web based images

Has edge lit local dimming technology

3D Real Sound feature is effective at “centering” the sound eminating from the TV

Great looking set with .25” (metal and glass) frame design (in black)

Aside from small touchpad remote control has almost all the features of highest end at a better price

Weaknesses

CATS system flickers slighty when picture changes from very dark to light scene (may be turned off)

Backlighting is not true fully array local dimming LED (it’s edge lit instead)

^{Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve}

Prices

Sony KDL-46HX750 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:08:08 +0000

LED HDTV

7.5/10

By Steve Holdgren

This HDTV with LED full array backlighting is the 2nd level TV for Sony for 2012, at least until they announce a new entry in the fall. It is nearly the same in all regards as the HX850 model mentioned in this list, except that it has a HZ rate of 480Hz rather than the 960Hz listed for the HX850. Well, that is only partially true. There are less “zones” of backlighting from the LED lights in this TV and that is one of the reasons that the refresh rate is lower. Nevertheless, it has about everything Sony has to offer for 2012 and superb picture performance along with the cool two sided QWERTY keyboard remote control. Since this model is 46” in size there is no reason to have to spend more for the HX850.

Strengths

Full Array backlighting for better lighting control

Great Contrast and Color performance

Cool monolithic design and stand

Black depth is very good with the Gorilla Glass Screen

Weaknesses

Small learning curve for using the remote

Sound quality not as good as some

Prices

Sony KDL-55HX850 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:05:38 +0000

LED HDTV

8.5/10

By Steve Holdgren

This is actually Sony’s top of the line for early 2012 and will be in production until spring of 2013. It has the somewhat unique fully array local-dimming backlighting which is a good technology in our opinion because it localized the contrast and lighting conditions to provide better color and contrast while at the same time reducing glare on the screen. It requires the entire screen to have LED lighting behind it – hundreds in total. This HDTV has excellent 3D viewing quality as well through active shutter 3D glasses, very deep and convincing.

Strengths

Super fast processing from 960Hz simulated refresh rate

X-reality Pro engine does a great job upconverting signals

Monolithic design and stand are pretty cool

Colors look great as does black levels from the Gorillas Glass screen

Weaknesses

Costly

Side Viewing angle from extreme angles could be better

Prices

Panasonic TC-P65VT50 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:02:12 +0000

Plasma 3D HDTV

9.5/10

By Steve Holdgren

This massive plasma is Panasonic’s top of the line for 2012 though they also have some nice large LED-LCD TVs as well. This TV has the newest Infinite Black Ultra screen and a cute little secondary touch pad remote control that comes with the TV for easy toggling between the Panasonic Internet Premium features and Apps. It also has very good brightness for a plasma TV and some of the best contrast due to super deep black levels. Black levels are so deep that you may not be able to tell the difference between a black image in the screen and the black surrounding background.

Strengths

New 3D Sound feature makes sound seem like its coming from the center of the screen

Very deep blacks

Perfect off center viewing quality

Realistic Color from plasma phosphors

Super Contrast

Good Price to Value for a 65” screen size

Weaknesses

Needs calibration into the Advanced menu settings to get the best color

2D to 3D Conversion

3D Glasses expensive

Prices

Samsung PN60E8000 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:58:54 +0000

Plasma 3D HDTV

9/10

By Steve Holdgren

This top of the line Plasma TV from Samsung has all their best features for 2012 and early 2013 such as the new black drive filter that really shows some amazingly saturated deep black tones. This helps overall contrast to bring you a more 3-dimensional image, more realism and combined with an excellent cinematic experience. The 3D viewing cant be beat either. There is a built in web browser, built in wifi, and a new dual core processor that allows users and viewers to multitask on a split screen with the TV or movie programming on one side and the Internet Apps or social networking on the other.

Strengths

Cool new social networking feature, split screen from dual core processor

Smart Interaction facial recognition through built in bezel

Great cinematic picture quality especially in darkly lit rooms

Built in Web Browser, Wifi, and two sided remote control

Some of the best color of any television

Deep Dark black levels

Price/Value for size

Weaknesses

May not be bright enough for room with lots of incoming sunlight or lots of lamp light

Runs a little hot

Uses more energy than comparable LED Televisions

Prices

Sharp LC-60LE847U Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:54:52 +0000

LED HDTV

8/10

By Steve Holdgren

In case this huge 60” LED backlit TV is not large enough for you, it also comes in a 70” screen size. It has the unique full array local dimming we are so fond of in these LED backlight TVs. The LED spread across the back of the entire LCD panel puts these LED TV on a level playing field with plasma TVs and helps overcome many weaknesses typical to edge lit LED HDTVs such as poor side angle viewing and screen uniformity around the edges of the screen. Other than that you get Sharp’s Quattron 4 color pixel technology which gives better yellow and gold tones to enhance overall picture quality.

Strengths

Full Array local dimming backlighting for better contrast in specific areas of images

Fast processing from the X-Gen panel

Nice looking brushed alluminum charcoal black bezel

Value is pretty strong for size

Weaknesses

Some motion artifacts in picture

3D Viewing quality not as good as some

Prices

Samsung UN60ES7500 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:51:34 +0000

LED-Backlit HDTV

8.5/10

By Steve Holdgren

This 60” mammoth HDTV has much the same features as the ES8000 model listed above except that 60” size is unique to the ES7500 line. One other significant difference is that it has a lesser quality setup in the Micro Dimming local dimming area with ‘Plus” rather than “Ultimate”. What this means for you, the consumer is less zones in which the LED edge lit lighting controls the TV. This leads to a bit less contrast and detail control in each area. Other than that you still get the very best newest feature in the Smart Interaction Smart TV which allows for facial recognition, voice command control and hand control all enabled by a front facing camera on top of the HDTV.

Strengths

Powerful strong LED edge lighting for a great picture in bright rooms

Complete set of Internet Smart TV options with tons of Apps

Smart Interaction Smart TV feature allows you to yell at your TV (and get results) and recognizes your face

3D Viewing is active and unsurpassed

3D Glasses are super comfortable

Contrast Ratio is off the charts

Weaknesses

Backlight – turning it up too high results in less uniform backlighting

No remote control key for controlling the backlight

Prices

Samsung UN55ES8000 Review

10rateadmin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:45:27 +0000

LED-Backlit HDTV

8.5/10

By Steve Holdgren

Samsung’s top of the line model does not leave a lot to be desired, except possibly true full-array local dimming backlighting which technology Samsung still has not adopted. Instead, this flat screen TV is edge lit with LED lighting. It has a local dimming feature through the edge lit LEDs called Micro Dimming Ultimate which works to light various areas of the screen individually and provide better contrast and black levels to various parts of the picture by doing so. It also has one of the most unique features on the market called Smart Interaction Smart TV which allows for facial recognition, voice command control and hand control all enabled by a front facing camera on top of the HDTV.

Strengths

Smart Interaction Smart TV feature is cool

Micro Dimming Ultimate local dimming

Great looking “window” frame effect with a barely noticeable .3” width (all you see if the picture)

Powerful LED lighting leading to great contrast

Weaknesses

Local dimming is not true full array giving less control and overall picture performance than that technology

Lighting can become less uniform if backlight is turned up too high