Olevia 26-42" Vesa 100x200 Wallmount - WM30D Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This Wall Mount works and hold's great. I used it for an Olevia 542I LCD Flat Panel and have had no problems. The instructions are not all that clear, but it is not hard to figure out how to install

Click Here to see more reviews about: Olevia 26-42" Vesa 100x200 Wallmount - WM30D

Item #: 11085B. The WM30D is a wall mount designed for Olevia's 26" LCD Television and larger sized LCD TV and will work on any model that is VESA 100 x 200 compliant. It is capable of mounting in newer homes, which may have wall studs 16"-24" wide from each other. This unit can support up to 200lbs reliably. Please make sure your wall is capable of supporting larger and heavier Televisions beforehand.
Product DescriptionOlevia WM30D - mounting kitProduct Type: Mounting kitMounting Components: Wall mountDimensions (WxDxH): 24 in x 3 in x 7.8 inWeight: 5.1 lbsRecommended Use: LCD TVFlat Panel Mount Interface: 100 x 200 mm Customers also search for: Discount Olevia WM30D - Mounting Kit (Wall Mount) For LCD TV - Mounting Interface: 100 x 200 Mm, Buy Olevia WM30D - Mounting Kit (Wall Mount) For LCD TV - Mounting Interface: 100 x 200 Mm Wholesale Olevia WM30D - Mounting Kit (Wall Mount) For LCD TV - Mounting Interface: 100 x 200 Mm, 0872303009147, WM30D, Television and VCR Mounting Hardware

Get 61% OFF

Click here for more information about Olevia 26-42" Vesa 100x200 Wallmount - WM30D

Sony KV-32HS420 32-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready CRT TV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have spent the last two years looking at HDTV capable TVs. The technology is changing and the prices are dropping so much that you could literally spend thousands of dollars today and several months later you might see a better TV with a newer technology for a much lower price than what you just paid. Beyond the fact that the newest equipment is becoming yesterday's technology every few months, you also have to practically be a digital video display scientist to understand all these latest technologies. If you don't believe me then go ahead and try asking some questions at your favorite electronics and TV store and you will understand what I mean. What is an HDMI interface ? How is it different from a DVI interface ? What is 3:2 reverse pull down ? Can I watch SDTV (standard definition or NTSC standard) on a wide-screen HDTV ? Your mind will spin and you will become more confused as the questions go on and on as you realize that buying a TV has become a full time job in itself. To complicate things even worse is that the television stations, cable TV providers, and satellite TV companies keep delaying or changing their minds about how they want to offer HDTV. Do you want to pay extra for HD digital cable or satellite or are you happy with the limited but free over the air HD broadcasts ? Do you need a DVR ( digital video recorder) for HD ? Does your DVR support MPEG4 compression ? Get ready to spend $500-$1000 on the latest HDTV DVR receiver for your cable or satellite company only to have it become obsolete in a year or two. I do not want to write a technical essay on the details of what all this stuff means because after two years of studying it myself I am just beginning understand all this HDTV video mumbo jumbo.
The fact is that I became tired of waiting for HDTV broadcasts to take over, for the prices to drop, and for the confusion to end. I wanted a TV to replace my eighteen year old 27" Sony Trinitron which still works but its picture image quality is beginning to show its age.There are problems with most of the big screen HDTV technologies out there. Plasma TVs don't last, LCDs have poor contrast and ghosting, DLPs have the rainbow effect, LCoS (or JVC's D-ILA) is good but its very new and still too expensive. I want a high quality wide screen HDTV but I could not justify investing $3000 or more on becoming a beta tester for the latest technology while all these companies attempt to bring an HDTV to the market at an acceptable price.
This Sony KV-32HS420 32" HD-Ready TV was the answer to my two year HDTV shopping dillema. You can buy one of these impressive TV's for under $1000 or even as low as the $800 plus range if you look hard and work your salesman for a deal. The image quality is great for standard definition, great for high definition, it will display HDTV wide-screen signals with an approximate size of 28" diagonal image width (with the more acceptably annoying black bars above and below the picture image), it has a variety of inputs including one standard only, three S-Video with standard, two component video, and the latest digital HDMI output. It even has audio video outputs for your amplifier. On the video side it has 3D Digital comb filtering, Sony's Digital Reality Creation processors, progressive scan and 3:2 reverse pull-down technologies. What all this means is that you are able to view your SDTV where 90% of the programming is in normal 4:3 aspect ratio but with Sony's state of the art digital image enhancement processing, HDTV (with an add on HDTV digital receiver) and DVDs in 16:9 wide-screen mode, with most of the inputs and outputs you need to hook up your favorite DVD player, VCR, video games, cable and satellite box, etc. The picture quality is excellent and depends on your source. I recommend you use at least an s-video or component video cable to transfer the SDTV (NTSC) signal to the TV. As you would for any newer HDTV you buy expect to spend at least $150 for higher quality cables (monster cable is a good brand) although they are worth it.
There are some negatives to this TV. It's a big, heavy, bulky, older tube technology that we are all familiar with. It takes two strong men to move the entire 165 lbs. but its balanced well and lifting it was actually much easier than I expected. On the positive note this state of the art tube technology with all the latest Sony enhancements make your image near or sometimes even better than the $3000 plasma, LCD, DLP, and other newer technology TVs at less than one third of the price. If you can put up with the negatives this is the best 32" SDTV 4:3 aspect ratio picture with HDTV capability for under $1000 that you have ever seen.
PROS: Excellent picture quality for both standard definition TV (SDTV or NTSC), DVD, and for high definition broadcasts (HDTV with a needed HDTV receiver). A variety of inputs and outputs including the newest and most flexible HD digital input called HDMI. Great for playing Sony PS2, XBox, and GameCube video games in higher definition modes. A great value for the money compared to other HDTV solutions. Save your extra money for when the very large big flat screen HDTVs drop in price, really improve in quality, and the widescreen HDTV channels are the norm.
CONS: Heavy, bulky, difficult to move, a big strong TV stand is needed, uses more power while in use than more expensive flat screen HDTVs. Smaller viewable picture than most larger wide-screen HDTVs. Displays wide-screen with the familiar black bars in a slightly smaller size than a 30" wide-screen HDTV. You must purchase a separate over the air HDTV receiver or get an extra HDTV compatible box from your cable or satellite company to view HDTV broadcasts. Compared to the excellent picture image quality the sound of the dual ten watt stereo speakers is of a very moderate quality.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Besides its size an weight issues there are a number of other lesser annoyances that you run into with while setting up this TV such as a limited preferences menu compared to Sony's XBR series of TVs and a curved front top surface prevents you from being able to place a center channel speaker or cable box on top of the TV. If you are used to a smaller screen size and you currently have a bad NTSC signal or poor image quality you will see more distortion from a bad image source and it will be enhanced on this or any other larger screen television. I have a standard definition Dish Satellite w/DVR box with a Monster Cable 3 brand of S-Video cable and the image quality is excellent. You will also want to spend a few hours reading the manual and adjusting your brightness, sharpness, color levels, digital reality creation settings, etc. Test out using the different DRC Progressive, DRC Cinemotion, and Clear Edge modes to your liking. If you are using a satellite or digital cable TV service in standard definition use very high quality video S-Video or for DVDs or HDTV sources use component video interconnects between the receiver and this TV. I recommend the Monster Video 3, Z-300, Professional M series or an equivalent very high quality brand. This Sony TV shows the smallest details from your source signal including any signal interference distortion or artifacts that you never noticed before on your TV of a lesser image quality. For example if you happen to see a trail of square block image artifacts around any object that moves it may actually be an effect from the original digital video signal decompression process in your source signal. Properly setting the DRC modes such as Clear Edge and Progressive modes and using high quality cable interconnects can minimize this undesired effect. Give yourself a few days to adjust to the larger image of this TV and for the tube electronics to warm up and adjust to your particular signal source. You will find that the stereo sound quality is not great but not terrible and ultimately you may want a better external sound system to go along with that clear and sharp Sony Trinitron picture. If you have already committed to going with HDTV wide-screen programming and you don't mind spending $1500 or more then I recommend Sony's wide screen HDTV XBR series and for the larger flat screen HDTV technologies take a look at the reasonably priced JVC D-ILA, Mitsubishi DLP, or the more expensive Sharp Aquos LCD.
The Bottom Line: Compared to the best of the expensive big wide screen HDTVs or the Sony XBR series of tube HDTVs I would give it Four Stars. But with all things considered I give it Five Stars since for under $1000 no other current television can come close to the combined SDTV and HDTV picture quality and the viewing flexibility in the normal 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio of this " Best of All Worlds " Sony 32" HDTV Ready television.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony KV-32HS420 32-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready CRT TV

Deftly balancing size, features, quality, style, and price, Sony's high-definition-ready KV-32HS420 32-inch FD (flat display) Trinitron WEGA television is a technical marvel. The set offers analog and digital high-definition inputs, great audio features, and a suite of picture-enhancing technologies. Whether you're watching VHS tapes, DVDs, or high-definition (480p, 720p, 1080i) broadcasts, your programs will look breathtakingly good.The set's standard 4:3 aspect ratio, Hi-Scan 1080i display, and picture-improvement circuitry let you view a mix of source signals at high resolutions, up to 1080i. DRC--Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction circuitry--upconverts standard interlaced (480i) video sources to 960i or progressive-scan 480p, while inputs as high-quality as 720p (720 lines, progressively scanned) are upsampled to full 1080i. Because DRC processes video signals in real time, it creates an image with 4 times the density of the original signal.Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p and 720p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The set's auto 16:9 enhanced mode detects anamorphically encoded widescreen program sources and offers full picture resolution on the video program, wasting none of its usable lines of resolution on the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.The KV-32HS420's high-voltage regulator maintains consistent image size, despite variations in brightness during scene changes and channel changes, while magnetic quadra-pole technology reduces "beam spot" distortion and improves corner-to-corner focus and picture sharpness.ClearEdge VM wideband velocity modulation improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's 3D digital comb filter compares each horizontal scanning line with the lines above and below it, as well as with the corresponding lines on previous and subsequent video frames. This results in higher horizontal resolution, higher vertical resolution, and reduced video noise.The KV-32HS420 also employs CineMotion Reverse 3-2 PullDown technology (often called 3:2 pulldown), a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movies in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.Finally, Dynamic Focus circuitry automatically adjusts the picture during each scanning line for consistent corner-to-corner sharpness.Two high-definition component-video inputs grant optimum connection with a DTV decoder and progressive-scan DVD player, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. The set's HDMI interface provides a digital connection with your DTV receiver. HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable.Choose between rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience. A rear AV output offers a switchable fixed- and variable-level analog audio output for hookup with a surround receiver or integrated amplifier.The set features stereo speakers (with 10 watts per channel) and BBE sound enhancement. You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection. If you don't have Dolby Pro Logic processing or a surround speaker system, the TV's SRS TruSurround will simulate surround sound through any 2 speakers.Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation. An optional accessory for the set is the Sony audio/video cabinet SU-32HX1.What's in the Box TV, remote control (RM-Y197), 2 AA batteries, a user's manual, warranty information.

Click here for more information about Sony KV-32HS420 32-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready CRT TV

Samsung HMX-H104 HD SSD Flash Memory Camcorder with 16 GB Memory and 10x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I now consider myself a collector of camcorders. Still, I demand excellent quality with point and shoot simplicity. My camcorder of choice up until now has been the Samsung SC HMX-20C for its brilliant video quality and amazing still photos, and the ability to take great photos while filming. I saw the HMX-H104 and thought it looks very similar. How is it different?
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Out of the box, the HMX-H104 is sleek and stylish with the trademark bullet shape of the Samsung camcorders. It's smaller and weighs less than its cousin, the SC HMX-20C. The first thing I notice is the case, which has a rubbery grip. I like the feel, I can get a good grip and it feels sturdy in my hands. The little door on the rear leading to all the ports feels like flimsy plastic, but even that is attractive to the eye.
The lens cover closes automatically. I touch it and it feels paper thin, opens easily when I push it. It will keep the dust out. I wonder if it will take a knocking, but I hesitate to challenge it. The SC HMX-20C's lens is also automatic and opens when I push it, but it feels a little sturdier. At least I won't have to remember to put the lens cap back on.
The record button is awkwardly placed. This is true of all the bullet-shaped Samsungs that I own (I have three). It is to the far right of the rear of the camcorder. That makes it difficult to grip the camcorder with the thumb while activating the record button. I'd prefer it more to the left, or better yet on the top of the camcorder. The swivel grip does help with the handling, but it is nowhere as comfortable to hold as a Sanyo Xacti, for instance.
Both camcorders have flash memory onboard or I can choose to use a memory card (both are compatible with SDHC and SC HMX-20C can use MMCPlus). HMX-H104 has double the capacity of its cousin: 16 GB versus 8 GB.
Both camcorders lack a full manual. It is included on a disc, which means I will never read it.
VIDEO
Flip the screen open on the HMX-H104 and it's on, unlike the SC HMX-20C where I need to press the power button. HMX-H104 responds lightening fast. Turning on from sleep mode is even faster.
Both camcorders sport anti-shake technology; but that technology still needs further development, since I have yet to find a camcorder where the image doesn't shake when handheld, especially when the image is zoomed. Tip: use a tripod when possible.
Video quality of both camcorders in broad daylight is comparable. They are both excellent. In lowlight conditions, I prefer the SC HMX-20C (less video noise), but the HMX-H104 is not far behind.
HMX-H104 has wide screen format, great for viewing on my wide screen TV.
PHOTO
Nothing beats SC HMX-20C, which has the best camera in a camcorder I've ever seen. HMX-H104 sometimes give me blurry photos -- very blurry, to the point that I couldn`t even recognize the object or subject in the photo. Okay, I think I didn't press the button just right. But I am using the automatic function and just pressing the photo button every time, not doing anything different and it's great, sometimes better than SC HMX-20C . . . and then it's not. I never know when it will be blurry. Most of the time, the photos look wonderful; but it's not nearly so hard with SC HMX-20C, where I've never had a blurry photo, ever.
Also, I find photos of my son under incandescent light looks better with the SC HMX-20C. It automatically adjusts color and white balance better so that his skin tone looks more natural.
The HMX-H104 has a flash, but it is not as hefty as the pop-up flash of the SC HMX-20C.
When taking photos while filming, I feel there is more of a lag time with HMX-H104. It's not as bad as some others, but SC HMX-20C is better, if only by a split second. That does make a difference when taking photos. When I press that button, that's the photo I want, not a second later.
INTELLI-STUDIO
This is a new one for me. Connect the camcorder to the computer via USB cable and video editing software automatically runs. No need to install software from a disc. Move the video to a folder, edit it right there, make your movie.
Personally, I will not use this feature much. The video editing is basic and will involve a lot of work, unless all I want to do is trim a little and add a title. I like video editing software that includes a wizard -- plug my video in and churn out a movie I can fine-tune to my liking.
SC HMX-20C does not have Intelli-Studio. In fact, I do not own any other camcorder which has this feature. Interesting, but not necessary in my book.
Where HMX-H104 is superior to SC HMX-20C:
* it is smaller: 4 ¾" versus 5"
* it weighs less: 13.7 ounces versus 17.5 ounces (with batteries included)
* it has a rubbery grip making it attractive with a no-slip comfortable to hold, although the matte finish of the SC HMX-20C is also attractive
* it turns on the minute the screen is flipped open versus needing to press the power button
* it has a sleep mode
* it has more internal memory: 16 GB versus 8 GB
* it has a faster boot up and access time
* it has built-in video editing software -- installs automatically to the computer when I plug in my camcorder
* it automatically turns off when its been on too long
* it records in wide screen formatWhere they both excel:
* they have touch screen controls
* nice sleek designs
* they record in full HD
* they have 10X optical zoom
* the grips swivel to adjust for comfort
* automatic lens cap, though they push open easily and the HMX-H104's lens cover is paper thin
* both come with remotes.
Where they both need improvement:
* the record buttons are awkwardly placed
* manuals are on a disc, thought the quick start guide of the SC HMX-20C is more thorough.
Where HMX-H104 is inferior:
* photos while not filming can be completely out of focus and blurry on occasion
* photos while filming have slightly more lag time
* videos are not as good under lowlight conditions
* SC HMX-20C has a heftier pop-up flash
* SC HMX-20C comes with a nice, soft pouch. HMX-H104 does not come with anything to hold it in.
SUMMARY
If you want a camcorder that's a brilliant camera with great video quality, get the SC HMX-20C. It doesn't get better than that.
If you want a slightly smaller camcorder with good video quality, large internal storage capacity, fast start-up, wide screen capability, an automatic camera function that is very good but occasionally acts up, go for HMX-H104. You won't be disappointed.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung HMX-H104 HD SSD Flash Memory Camcorder with 16 GB Memory and 10x Optical Zoom

Samsung HMX-H104 High Definition Digital Camcorder Flash Memory, Memory Card - 16:9 - 2.70

Get 68% OFF

Click here for more information about Samsung HMX-H104 HD SSD Flash Memory Camcorder with 16 GB Memory and 10x Optical Zoom

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Raspberry) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Check out my sample footage video on Youtube. On Youtube search "djeror zi8 low light"
In my previous review of the Kodak Zi8 I was pretty frustrated at the fact that whenever I used the built in microphone the recorded videos had an annoying high pitch whine that made the audio from my videos almost unusable. Kodak recognized that this was an issue and created a firmware update that fixed the problem. It also fixed a few other things like the previous issue of the image getting darker as you zoomed in. They seem to have fixed all of the major problems with this firmware fix.I do tech product reviews so I need the following things:
- External mic input - most of my videos are shot wearing a lapel mic
- Macro mode - I have to get close to little tiny screens
- SDHC memory - I go to all day trade shows, I need 10+ hours of video
- Power options - I need to be able to shoot while AC power is plugged in or use a large external battery.
- Under $200 - I'm poor.
Because of these requirements no other camcorder can fit my needs. One cool thing about this camera is that it is much more upgradable than the other pocket cameras on the market.Con:
-The built in microphone is OK now that they fixed the whining noise, but it's still not amazing.
Work-around:
- Don't use the internal mic... I use an Audio Technica lapel mic for 1 person interviews.Audio Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone For events I ordered a Sony stereo mic to use instead of the built in mic. Sony ECM-DS70P Electret Condenser Stereo Microphone . Although I wish that Kodak made the internal mic better, for the most part I am kind of excited that the Sony stereo mic will give me much better sound than any of the standard internal mics that any of the pocket cams have.Con:
-Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) sucks a lot of juice. Also the Zi8 uses a proprietary battery rather than cheap swappable AA's. Battery life when shooting non-stop is 1hr 16min in 720p 60fps with EIS on. If you turn off EIS you get about 1hr 41min at 720p 60fps.
Work-around:
- Use the USB to power cable that comes with the camera in conjunction with an external battery source. This is a must if you are going to be recording for more than an hour with EIS, cause that's about what the internal battery will give you. Tekkeon TekCharge Rechargeable Li-Poly Battery You can just stick this battery pack in your pocket and connect the charging cable to the Zi8. This will allow you to record for a super long amount of time. I haven't tested to see what my total record time with the battery pack will be but it should be around 5X the standard recording time. (about 6 hours with EIS on, almost 9 with it off) This gives you the best battery life of almost any camcorder. Sure it's an extra cost, but when you're at an all day trade show you don't have to worry about running out of juice.Con:
- Image stabilization can't rescue video you shoot while moving around. Any camera motion makes video awful.
Work-round:
- Accept the fact you should probably be using a mini tripod with this camera or at least stand still. Also, although it takes a bunch of time to process if you have the new iMovie the image stabilization processing you can do is light years beyond what the EIS in the Kodak Zi8 can do. One more important note. Make sure you buy high speed SDHC memory cards for this thing. If your SD card is not fast enough the camera will record for like 2 seconds and then stop with an error. It took me a while to figure out why the camera kept stopping recording when in HD mode but worked fine in SD mode. It was because of my old SD card. You need to make sure your SD card has a write speed of at least 9MB/s if you want to record in 1080p. These high speed cards cost more, but you need them for any camcorder that is going to record HD video to them, it's not just the Zi8. I think most Class 6 high speed SDHC cards should work.
If you want to get the most out of this camera plan on spending an extra $100 - $150 in order to buy upgrade items. Personally I've come to the conclusion that the extra expenses were worth it. It all depends on what you plan on using the camera for. For a typical mom purse cam this would not be my recommendation, I would say go with a Flip Ultra HD. But for someone with particular needs like mine this camera may be the only one that fits the bill.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Raspberry)

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera Raspberry

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Raspberry)

Sony HDR-CX150 16GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this camera on Monday, had fun with it for two days, and then returned it. Although I can't afford it, I then closed my eyes and ordered the HDR-CX550V. I basically went from the bottom of the Sony consumer class to the top in one fell swoop.
Things I liked about the CX150:
* FABULOUS quality in adequate light. The video in 24 Mbps mode is stunning. Search YouTube for examples. Every hair on my cat, dust particles in sunlight, it all shows up with beautiful resolution. It's amazing. Almost Blu-Ray quality. You won't find any consumer-class camcorder with better quality.
* 25x zoom , when used with a tripod, lets you get really close
* "macro" works without any special settings. Just put the lens an inch away and it will focus. Resolves fingerprints.
* Amazingly tiny. With no hard drive or tape drive, the unit is frighteningly small. You can put it and all the cables + charger in a camera case designed for a DSLR + telephoto
* PMB software works, has good basic editing. Used it to grab frames from movies - almost don't need the "still" function if 1990x1080 res is good enough.
* It will take a 32GB memory stick, even though the feature list says they only support 16.
* The touch screen is responsive
* "touch the object" spot focus, spot white balance is cool
* Give it the NP-FV70 battery and it will record for hours and hours
Things I either did not like or features missing (by "missing" I realize that you have to pay more). Don't mistake the length of my 'cons' list as hating the little guy - it's a good camera for what it is designed to be.
* A bit pricey. I think it is worth about $450.00, not the $549.00 list
* No wide-angle. I wish Sony had made the lens go from slightly wide-angle to about 15x, instead of from normal to 25x.
* No external mic input
* No hot shoe - not even the Sony proprietary one
* Zoom motor noise is very audible in quiet settings - don't expect to use this camera to record acoustic orchestral music in concert halls
* The "smooth slow-mo 240 fps" is NOT HD 1080i60 quality. Might be OK at 720, but I found it disappointingly blurry. I'd love to see it have the same capability as the Casio EX-FX1 (not holding breath)
* Not enough buttons - too much reliance on the touch screen. I prefer buttons to scrolling through menus. Sony could fix this by providing more than 6 "my menu" choices.
* Auto focus works good most of the time, but when it gets confused it is horrible. Combine that with no quick focus wheel and it is a recipe for loosing shots
* Picture mode is not available in 24 Mbps HD mode.
* The electronic stabilization does not work. I've grown used to optical stabilization in my DSC-H50 and there is no going back.
* Short of using something like the Black Rapid Straps Fasten-R2 screwed into the tripod shoe, there is no way to attach a neck strap. I almost dropped it several times.
* The plastic housing is sensitive to noise - any little touch while recording will show up as sound in the video.
* No windscreen for the mics. Combine that with no external mic capability and you won't be able to hear anything in windy conditions.
* No remote
* No "night shot" infrared
* Low light performance is what you would expect from a small lens size. All the electronics in the world can't fully compensate for glass area.
Summary: if you want a fairly cheap, tiny camera for shooting GREAT quality vids of vacations, the kids and the pets, this is an excellent choice. Want to do more, and you will need to pay more for a better unit. Just want to help other people avoid my experience of being a bit disappointed and having to trade up.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony HDR-CX150 16GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black)

Capture stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video and 3.0 Megapixel images with the ultra-compact HDR-CX150, which features an "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance, 16GB of embedded flash memory, and a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 25x optical zoom lens to help bring you closer to the action.

Click here for more information about Sony HDR-CX150 16GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black)

Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD Camcorder (Pink) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD Camcorder (Pink)
I really did not expect the high quality for inside usage this cute little pink camcorder is getting. The competion rated it so poorly they half way spooked me. But the color, price and the fact that I could install an additional memory card was a no brainer. It is a perfect little camcorder (with still pix capabilities) to carry with you always. It fits into a pocket or the smallest purse. A great gift for the high school graduate in June.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD Camcorder (Pink)

Become an instant celebrity or paparazzo with the Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera. Just hit record to capture the action, adventure and all the juicy details in stunning HD quality video. Make your cinematic debut on any HDTV. Or just pop the USB in the nearest PC and you are ready to share the fun on YouTube. Edit, add music and personalize your flick and easily share with your adoring fans. There is no such thing as "you should've been there" with the Zi6 pocket video camera. Catch life as it happens.

Get 47% OFF

Click here for more information about Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD Camcorder (Pink)

Samsung HMX-H100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder with10x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I actually bought this camera from another store that had a huge sale and saved a ton of money even with a 2 year warranty. I'm actually a college student majoring in visual communications. This camera easily transfers data from the camcorder or just using the SDHC cards directly inserted to any PC. The editing software is basic and not thrilling by any means. If your an average individual looking to slice and dice footage this camcorder is perfect for you. The files are saved as compressed .MP4s. If your looking for another level of editing such as myself using Premiere Pro or Final Cut, you must convert the files. Easiest way to achieve this is taking the .MP4s and upload them into Quick Time Pro 7 (can be downloaded for Macs or PCs). From Quick Time you have to save the files as .MOVs. If you do not do this loading the files in an editing program you will only be able to get the audio. As well Quick Time is 30 bucks and no need for expensive converting programs out there. As far as the audio is concerned it is excellent as the picture is. Wind can give you some trouble even with the wind screen, but what condensed internal mic doesn't? Comes with a nice touch screen and limited push buttons. Menu use is very easy and self explanatory. Fast hand movements do get a bit choppy if your recording in HD from the refresh rate. 8GB SDHC cards will give you approximately 61 minutes of record time on the highest settings. Charge time is very fast and on a full charge you will get about 75 minutes of straight recording time. You can also get some great Transcend SDHC cards for very cheap as well there is a very nice package deal for extra batteries and clothes. Like in the other reviews the only difference between this camcorder and the others in the HMX product line is the size of internal memory. So it's up to you if its worth getting a higher series that only carries more internal memory. That is about all I can think of discussing this camcorder. This is a great consumer camcorder and totally worth the 500+ you will be dishing out.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung HMX-H100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder with10x Optical Zoom

Baby's first steps? Daughter's graduation? Important life events deserve to be filmed and watched in beautiful high definition. The HMX-HM100 boasts 1920x1080 resolution which means youâ?TMll see every amazing detail in brilliant color. It also comes with 10x optical zoom so you can get close to the action and optical image stabilizer for blur-free video.

Click here for more information about Samsung HMX-H100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder with10x Optical Zoom

Panasonic DMP-BD605K Blu-Ray Disc Player, Black (Factory Refurbished) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Panasonic has always been known to build solid machines-broadcast vcrs (back in the day) that never stopped, cordless phones that survived being dropped, and every sort of electronic device in between. I've always been a fan of how well-built Panasonic stuff is. They are, after all, the makers of the only shock-proof laptop (the Toughbook).
For image quality, I always preferred Sony, and for sound I always preferred Yamaha or Denon. But similar Panasonic stuff always looked and sounded "pretty good". Especially since you could drop it.
That's all changed. Now Panasonic continues to make well-built stuff, and they have the best new Plasmas on the market. After having 3 Sony DVD players die in 7 years, I decided to go with the Panasonic Blu-Ray player, mostly so I could use my TV remote with no hassle.
I have not been disappointed. This player starts up fast, the image quality is simply stunning. I had no problem download firmware. DVD up-conversion looks good too. This player had no problem with moderately scratched DVD's. I haven't seen a scratched BD yet, but I can only image BDs will not work as well scratched, but time will tell.
Honestly, BD Live doesn't interest me, if I want an interactive experience, there are website and youtube. I mean flipping through content with a remote control just isn't the same as using a mouse.
I had no problem getting my player to work with my network. Since the cable modem is hooked up to, well cable, it only made sense to place it near the cable box, so therefore my router was already near the TV. I had no problem receiving a DHCP address from my Airport router.
For the limited content you get from Viera cast, it does work well. I haven't tried watching amazon.com unbox yet, but when I do I will edit this review. There are numerous reviews on VieraCast, this review is about a piece of hardware.
For most people the decision is going to be between Panasonic, Samsung and LG. Panasonic has always skimped features for rugged quality, and this is no exception. VieraCast does not do NetFlix streaming yet, but my 5 year old pc hooked up to my Plasma has no problem.
If you really want some of the advanced streaming features of the LG or Samsung, you probably can't go wrong. But if you have kids or careless adults banging on the disc tray all day, get the Panasonic. It feels very well built.
I highly recommend this player, as it performs its advertised functions faithfully.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic DMP-BD605K Blu-Ray Disc Player, Black (Factory Refurbished)

Enjoy great web entertainment on your HDTV! Panasonic DMP-BD605K is compatible with the VIERA CAST function, you can access YouTube, Picasa, and other Internet sites from the special VIERA CAST screen. YouTube lets you watch the newest video clips, and Picasa lets you view web-based photos. You can also check weather and stock information on other sites.

Click here for more information about Panasonic DMP-BD605K Blu-Ray Disc Player, Black (Factory Refurbished)

Toshiba 40RV525R 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I uploaded a video of the Toshiba 40RV525R displaying some TV, Blu-Ray, and video game. (Just a small reference... obviously not going to be exactly how you see it in real life from a recorded video camera; on top of that, an internet video/low resolution/etc...)
This was my first real HDTV (supporting 1080p). Anyone can get super excited over their first HDTV and rate it a 5 star immediately (going from a standard definition to HDTV is definitely a major upgrade to anyone). However, if you're very PICKY like me, you'll be *somewhat* disappointed with the video quality.
If you're like me and have been drooling over the image quality from several of the high-end HDTV models (you know, the ones that cost over $1500-$2000+), on display in retail stores -- and then expecting to get the same quality out of this (okay, it was wishful thinking but you never always know just from prices...), well you'll be disappointed.
When I see those TV, I'd be blown away like I'm seeing directly through a window instead of a TV screen. Naively, I was hoping for that same effect. Don't get me wrong, it's not horrible that I would want to return this TV, but "you get what you pay for". (well, technically, it's still a little better than what you pay for... did that make any sense?) Just keep that in mind. For the price, though, I can't really complain so I'm keeping it.
You just won't get that super super sharpness with this. You need to be a couple feet away; up close, for the very picky eyes, you will easily notice the grainy/fuzzy-like-paintbrush/interpolated effect (I hate this...), muddled together than every object being 100% sharp to the minute detail.
The potential of the Blu-Ray image quality is definitely not there. Animation like Wall-E / Final Fantasy Spirits Within Blu-ray looks pretty good, but I'm just not that impressed when watching Dark Knight/Iron Man/Transformers/Black Hawk Down/The Matrix -- even tested it with Planet Earth and Baraka...to list a few. The graininess is just really obvious in all of them. Although, again, I am very picky in image quality.
The D-Sub connection for the PC is really worthless and waste of potential on the monitor; it only supports 1360x768 max. To get full 1920x1080 resolution from a PC, you first need a video card that has a DVI-out and supporting that resolution (or if it has an HDMI out then great).
Second, you need a HDMI male-to-DVI male cable to connect the TV to the PC's video card. I'm quite impressed with how PC games on this TV look at 1080; it easily beats from how games look on PS3. Definitely makes a great Media PC monitor.
Some other thoughts:
* I'm using the regular "rabbit ears" antenna and 1080i shows/channels still look pretty good with it.
* DVDs won't look as sharp like on a standard definition. However, again, if you're far away enough it can look okay. The contrast/blacks are definitely better/more feeling of depth in the picture. *updated thoughts at very below*
* The speakers aren't as bad as I thought. There is some surround sound. The bass is weak, but most built-in speakers are.
* When I first turned it on, 40" seemed really big to me. But after a couple weeks, it's not as big as I thought. It's good enough for a small room, but for a main TV in a large living room, you'll soon definitely want to have something larger. The screen does reflect a little bit.
* I think it's nice that it has 3 HDMI ports, which is more than enough for me. (PS3, PC thru HDMI)
* I really can't tell the difference having the benefit of "game mode" on when I play games.
* I usually turn the auto contrast mode off because it's apparent when it changes its brightness than being subtle. It's pretty annoying.
Pros:
- Good entry level HDTV at an affordable price (I can't believe I paid close to this amount for a small 19" PC monitor just a few years ago... ugh technology)
- Black finish/stand Toshiba logo glows (it can also be turned off through the menu)
- Games look good. (PS3/PC at 1920)
- Excellent for a Media PC monitor (using HDMI)
Cons:
- Doesn't look that great up close. It's not really sharp. It seems to interpolate/very grainy smudgy/"paintbrush"-like effect. (for us really picky-eye buyers)
- D-Sub is essentially worthless at 1360x768 resolution (use DVI-HDMI to connect to your PC!)
Considering this isn't Toshiba's higher REGZA model and the price, it's definitely a good entry level HDTV. Definitely far from a perfect 5 star, but if you're on a budget and not overly picky like me, you should be happy with this.
I recommend getting a HDMI cable too (don't be spending over ten dollars on it!)
Update: I was using the PS3 to playback DVD (it's supposed to upscale). However, I've recently tried playing a DVD back on a Philips DVP5982 (it has 1080p upscaling function also via HDMI) and it did A LOT better job upscaling than the PS3. The difference was quite noticeable. Of course Blu-ray video still has more detail, but the DVD looked almost as good! (depending on the DVD, the compression is still apparent, but properly upscaling that resolution really makes the difference) So I take my comment back about DVD looking not as sharp. Your mileage will definitely vary depending on what player you use, so if you have a better Blu-Ray player than the PS3 (what I used to playback Blu-Ray movies), you may get slightly better results than what I see.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba 40RV525R 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV


The RV525 series combines a 1080p Full HD CineSpeed LCD Display with DynaLight dynamic backlight control and a High-Res PC Input for true home theater picture quality, and enhanced PC Gaming.

DynaLight Dynamic Back-Light Control
Built-In ATSC/NTSC/QAM Digital Tuning
Cinespeed LCD Panel
10 Bit Video Processor
60 Hz Video Scan Rate
Cinema Mode 24 fps (3:2 Pulldown)
Color Temperature Control
TheaterWide Modes
Native Mode
Thin-Line Speaker System
QSound 3D Surround Sound
Mute/Half Mute
Sleep Timer
4-Item Universal Remote*
Auto Aspect Control
Gaming Mode
Channel Browser
Channel Labeling
Input Labeling
Logo Light On/Off
HDMI-CEC
HDMI Inputs (3)
ColorStream HD Component Video Inputs (2)
Front A/V / Rear A/V / Rear S-Video: 1/1/1
High Res PC Input (S-XGA, 15 pin, D-sub)
Analog Audio Out (Variable)
Dolby Digital Optical Output
Weights and Dimensions
Dimensions:39.2 x 25.0 x 3.7(WxHxD)
Weight With Stand:39.3lbs.
Dimensions With Stand:39.2 x 26.9 x 10.9(WxHxD)
Weight With Packaging:50lbs.
Dimensions With Packaging:49.1 x 30.0 x 8.7(WxHxD)

Click here for more information about Toshiba 40RV525R 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Sony HDR-CX110 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Blue) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was looking to replace my JVC Everio, that had a 60GB hard drive in it. I loved the convenience of the hard drive, since that replaced an older unit I had that used the small tape cartridges. But the prices for the HD capable units are more than I was willing to pay for a camcorder, so looked at the units that just used memory sticks.
I have the Sony DSC-TX1 digital camera and was blown away by its optical quality, and it even took 720p movies which were just insanely clearer than my 1 year old JVC camcorder. That was when I realized I needed to lose the JVC. Almost all the movies I do are of my son, now 6 years old, so the better the quality the happier I would be. Too many artifacts with the low definition JVC, panning was just ugly ugly ugly, and while it had a great response in low light, the picture quality was just not what I wanted considering how good everything else with my TV and still camera.
I was initially going to get the 100 version of this, since it was so insanely cheap for a 1080 capable camcorder, but the bad low light capability put me off, since most of what I record is in my house. And the very low numbers for optical zoom also concerned me. But amazon conveniently puts little links under the initial product listing if there's a new version, so I saw the 110 and the price was good. I did some digging on Sony's site, somewhat confused that the cheap little 100 had 16GB built in but the higher end had none, but when I saw the rest of the specs in comparison, I felt it was a very good unit to give a test run with. My local brick and mortars didn't have it in stock, so I ordered it from Amazon and got the Saturday delivery early on Saturday, plenty of time to charge it up and try it out.
I left all settings at default except for the quality setting. That was easy to find, and the touchscreen on this unit makes it very easy to operate. As with my sony still camera, it has a "user" screen too where you can pin the six most used functions to save you from having to navigate into submenus. I love this feature, as it made my touchscreen still camera so simple and quick to use.
So I did four test movies, all of the same thing (my 6 year old playing with a huge Geotrax set), at all four of the options for 1080p resolution. The camera is smaller than I had expected, very light and fits well in the hand. The only real buttons to deal with in normal operation are the zoom and the start/stop recording, which are placed well despite the small size of the unit. If you want to grab a still as well, which you can do while recording, that button is on top right behind the zoom, so it's easy to get at. So use is great, no problems.
As I said, touch screen menu is great, so changing settings as I went was a piece of cake.
Started with the highest 24Mbps, then the next down (I think it was 17Mbps), then the "default" one they start you out at, 9Mbps, then the lowest. When I was done, I pulled the card out (nice, quick access on the bottom with a great, sturdy, hinged door). Went into my macbook pro just fine, and i started playback.
I have a 13" macbook pro, the aluminum unibody, that I got about four months ago. So new core2 duo processor, nvidia 9400 graphics... And it could not play the highest or second highest quality movies raw... Which told me that they were going to be great on my windows 7 media center. The third and fourth files played, but since the laptop is not a 1080 screen, it didn't look that good. So I went ahead and pulled the memory card out of the laptop, put it in my Dell Zino that runs my beautiful 46" Samsung HDTV, and played them all.
One thing I hadn't realized is that when it creates the files, it creates them in a native bluray playback format, the folder structure and all. So that should make it easy for people who will want to burn to Bluray.
Anyway, on the media center, i played the highest quality one first. And my jaw dropped, and I nearly had to go buy some adult diapers. WOW. That was all I could say or think. WOW. It was just outstanding, WAY better than I had expected. And it's not like I'm so unfamiliar with HD that even bad HD was impressive to me - my first HDTV was purchased back in 1999, a huge 60" Mitsubishi diamond line TV. So I've been using HD for over 10 years now. And this just knocked my socks off.
I had nearly no artifacting or blurring or anything with the movement of the camera as I've come to expect from camcorders. Even the blurring was minimal. And the shots of things were just crystal clear. I had a 1080p version of the movie BOLT running on the TV as he played with his geotrax, so I zoomed in so that filled the viewfinder, and recorded some of the movie. During playback at that scene, I couldn't even tell it wasn't the original playing back, that it was a recording of the TV from earlier, it was that clear.
I was indoors, in Wisconsin on a winter day with snow falling, so there was no direct sunlight, just all clouds. Only one window's curtains open, and no lights turned on inside. And the clarity and lighting was excellent. Every bit I could hope for.
So I tried the next down quality, and it blew me away. As did the third and then the lowest quality. All looked stunning. When I got down to the lowest, I could see some difference between it and the highest, but for what I was, and will be, shooting (my son), I think I'll end up using the default third lowest setting because it was still jaw droppingly good on my HDTV.
I got the 16GB card since the 32GB card was still in the three digit price range, and i have a habit of transferring the files to my computer as soon as I'm done shooting anyway. And at the third quality setting, the default 9Mbps one, a 25 minute clip used just 1.9GB, so I should get about 3 1/2 hours on this card at this rate, so I'll not have to worry about running out of media for my normal use.
The display is crisp and clear, widescreen format, and not cluttered when recording. Response to touch was very good, only once when selecting something from a bottom of a menu did I have to touch it twice, since the first didn't register. Didn't take any pressure to get it to see my pressing.
The still picture while shooting video worked easily enough, but they're not great quality, so it won't replace your digital camera if you have a good one. But it may give you a decent still shot of something you would have missed otherwise...
All in all, this is waaaayyyyy better than I had expected, and more than I had even hoped for. 100% satisfied with the unit.
I can't attest to battery usage yet, since I have only had it for five hours, and only ran about 40 or 45 minutes of recording through it so far. In a few days I'll pop back in here and edit this with the results I've seen with regards to the battery life, since this is evidently the first review of this model.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony HDR-CX110 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Blue)

Capture stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video and 3.0 Megapixel images with the ultra-compact HDR-CX110, which features an "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance and a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 25x optical zoom lens to help bring you closer to the action.

Get 12% OFF

Click here for more information about Sony HDR-CX110 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Blue)

Olevia 542i 42-Inch LCD HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I keep on hearing just how good HDTV looks, and I've seen in-store displays and not been impressed, of course. I also haven't been impressed with most of the HDTVs I've seen in people's houses with all the glare and stuff ruining the picture. So, I waited a LONG time before getting an HDTV for two reasons. First, I had a price point the TV had to get down to before I would buy. Secondly, the TV had to be an LCD (need to wallmount above fireplace; need to connect to HTPC, so no plasma with the rectangular pixels). Therefore, after a HECK of a lot of research and reading review after review, I chose the Olevia 542i for a great many reasons.
Reasons included very high ratings, very few complaints, extremely low price, Phillips S-IPS LCD panel, excellent SD scaler, lots of picture modes/zoom/adjustments/etc, built with PC use in mind, firmware updateable (haven't updated yet, but I could), etc. Ok, so I get the TV when it's at its cheapest price ever (mwahaha!), which was a full Benjamin below what I was willing to pay for it (the extra money paid for the Peerless Onemount wallmount for it). After I unpack the TV, I quickly scoot it over and use a VGA cable to connect it to my main PC just to test it out with World of Warcraft. I was completely blown away. It was a 42" LCD computer monitor at 1360x768, so clear you couldn't see pixels unless you were within two feet of it (with my glasses on)!
Anyway, I tested it with a bunch of different sources and everything just amazed me. It looks WAY WAY better, even with standard-def s-video and component video sources, than my Sony WEGA 27" CRT TV. I didn't expect that at all. The scaler in this Olevia (and the 37" 5-series model) is just incredible. Noise reduction is extremely impressive also, better than my Sony WEGA CRT by far, as regular Dish Network content is full of noise (low-bitrate mpeg-2; I will get an mpeg-4 Dish HD receiver soon).
Well, I rarely post reviews of items and mostly just read tons of reviews, but I had to post a review for this TV, especially since I didn't see any reviews for it on Amazon. I posted a bunch of pictures I took with my camera at 2048x1536 resolution, but Amazon scaled them down so they don't really do the TV justice. Still, you can get an idea of how awesome this TV is by looking at the pics.
I can honestly say that this is the best-looking display of any kind I have ever seen for any price. It is truly a bargain and can easily compete with any 1080i LCD its size at twice the price. Oh, also, HD content puts even the best-looking DVDs playing through the best-quality DVD player to shame, and this TV shows every detail beautifully in HD. The only downside is the black-level detail, but it is less and less noticeable with higher quality sources (I don't even notice a loss of any black-level detail in HD).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Olevia 542i 42-Inch LCD HDTV

42" LCD HDTV HDTV-compatible 16:9 aspect ratio 1600:1 contrast ratio 1366 x 768 resolution750 brightness & 178ultra-wide viewing angles8 ms response time & real-time graphics 1080i/720p/480p/480i compatible 2 x 15w srs surround sound stereo speakersvideo inputs 1 atsc/ntsc combo tuner input hdmi 2 component vga-1360 x 768@60 hz s-video & composite vertical speaker position rs-232 control

Click here for more information about Olevia 542i 42-Inch LCD HDTV

VIZIO VT470M 47-Inch Full HD 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this TV to move up from a 37". I wanted 1080p capability and 120hz which I hoped would help with motion blur. Taking it out of the box I noticed it was much lighter than my older TV, good I suppose. The 'Java' finish is nice but not terribly noticeable, I was hoping it would stand out more for as much as they talked it up. The next thing I noticed was how incredibly chintzy the stand was. My old Olevia had a stand that was made out of solid tubular steel and weighs about 20-lbs. The Vizio stand is made out of the cheapest thinest steel China can make, and is a pain to attach as well. If the TV weren't so light, I wouldn't trust it, the stand just does not feel sturdy.
Set-up was incredibly easy, just plug and play, the on screen menu is as intuitive as it gets and I was playing around with the settings in no time. The problem, however, is that allot of those settings and extra features just aren't all the great. First there is the SRS TruSurround HD which accomplishes nothing other than making everything sound really echoed and weird, strike one. Then the SRS TruVolume, which is supposed to level out the volume levels in TV commercials and action movies, I have had it on and off a bunch of times, I really can't tell the difference, strike two. Lastly the Smooth Motion feature, which I don't really understand, it comes factory set to medium, but can easy be turned off, which you will be doing quickly if you buy this set. Essential what it does is increase the frame rate of whatever you're viewing, it works just fine but I can't understand exactly why anyone would want to use it. Seems like a pointless feature, but at least it does what it claims, strike two and a half?
Now to the screen itself. Fortunately this is the redeeming value of the set, value being the key word. I really doubt you could get a better quality screen for twice as much money. The blacks are black, the colors are vibrant. The refresh rate is fast, movement is crisp. It really is a beautiful picture. The image on the screen will be as sharp and clear as whatever video source you put in. If your interested in this product as a high-def monitor, you will not be disappointed. As a high-feature TV however, it falls just a bit short. Three stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: VIZIO VT470M 47-Inch Full HD 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV

This 47-inch LCD Television is feature rich with full 1080p High Definition resolution and 120Hz Smooth Motion technology for beautifully bright and clear images, and includes a built-in multi-media feature enabling you to enjoy music and photos directly from your HDTV. Plus, the fashion forward design and dramatic java brown finish complements any room's decor.

1080P Full HD Full 1080P High Definition resolution gives you over 2 million pixels, making the clarity and detail of your picture razor sharp.
120Hz Refresh Rate A 120Hz refresh rate limits motion judder, creating smooth transitions between frames, for crisp, clear images.
ECO HD ECO HD exceeds the current Energy Star Guidelines by 15% below Energy Star 3.0, saving you money on your utility bills while limiting the impact on our planet.
Built-In Speakers Four built-in 10-Watt speakers provide room-filling sound.
SRS Audio Technologies SRS TruVolume evens out dynamics to limit volume inconsistencies between programming. SRS TruSurround HD delivers immersive virtual high-definition surround sound out of the unit's two speakers.
176-Degree Horizontal Viewing Angle The VT470M features a viewing angle of up to 176 degrees, resulting in a crisp and clear picture that is easily visible from just about anywhere in the room.
USB Multimedia Features Plug portable hard drives, flash thumb drives or other USB devices into the VT470M and enjoy MP3 audio and JPEG photo files.
With MP3s, you'll get repeat and shuffle playback modes along with standard controls. When in Music Mode, the screen goes darker to conserve energy. As for your JPEGs, you can browse through them or enjoy a slide show, complete with background music.
The VT470M also features a Pause Live TV feature. This feature allows the viewer to pause the program being watched and then to resume watching it at the point the TV was paused, up to 29 minutes (uses a high speed USB 2.0 device with a minimum of 1Gb of memory plugged into the USB port).
VT470M Inputs
HDMI with HDCP: 4 (1 side)
RF Connector for Internal Tuner: 1
Component YPbPr plus Stereo Audio: 2
Computer RGB: 1
Composite Video: 1 (side)
USB Port: 1

VT470M Outputs
SPDIF Digital Optical: 1
Headphones: 1 (side)

One-Year Warranty VIZIO provides a one-year warranty on its products for extra peace of mind in your purchase.
What's in the Box VIZIO VT470M, Detachable Stand Base, 4 Thumbscrews (to attach Stand), VIZIO Remote Control VR4, Power Cord, Screen Cleaning Cloth, User Manual, Quick Setup Guide, Registration Card, 2 AA Batteries for the Remote Control

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about VIZIO VT470M 47-Inch Full HD 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV

LG 47SL80 47-Inch Seamless 240 Hz 1080p LCD HDTV, Glass/Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have never written a review for anything, but a review for this TV is a must. It's picture quality is amazing from cable to BluRay to DVD. It has brought my old DD's to life with the motionflow 240hz technology. If you know anything about this, it looks as if you are on the set when they are filming and gives a depth to each scene. Just watched the Se7en on it (non-Blu-Ray) and caught things I missed on the set due to this TV's clarity and depth. I thought it would only bring my Blu-Ray's to life, but even movies like The Natural plain DVD were killer and made Robert Redford seem timeless like it was recently shot even though the movie was shot nearly 30 years ago.
I purchased this set from a local Fry's for 999.00 and based on thorough research and comparisons, it was a steal. Even watching the high end Sony's etc, they were giving the same picture quality at almost twice the price.
I can't speak for the lip sync issues, as I have it running to an old surround sound system and not showing any problems.
Bottom line, LG is making a rival 240hz slick design flat panel that exceeds other high end brands at a fraction of the cost.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG 47SL80 47-Inch Seamless 240 Hz 1080p LCD HDTV, Glass/Black

47-Inch Seamless LCD HDTV, 1920 x 1080 Resolution, 150,000:1 Contrast Ratio, ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM - 1 Tuner, SRS TruSurround XT, 4 HDMI input

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about LG 47SL80 47-Inch Seamless 240 Hz 1080p LCD HDTV, Glass/Black

Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-40V2500 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After reading reviews of various LCD HDTVs, my main concern was how well the set would display standard definition content, which still constitutes the majority of what is available on cable. Reviews of Sonys seemed to indicate they did a better job of displaying 480i signals, and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by how good standard def looks on this set...comparable or better than the tube set it's replacing. Digital channels look great, too, and of course the high def channels are fantastic. DVDs from a progressive scan player also look great.
A few points to consider when shopping for a set like this:
1. Don't get one that's too big for the viewing distance. Use 3 times the diagonal size as a guide. I sit about 10 feet away from the screen, so the 40 inch set is ideal. There is a big difference watching this TV from 4 ft. away vs. 10 ft. Sit too close (or with too big a screen) and you'll see all the grain and imperfections in a 480i signal, and even the pixel shimmer on a high def signal. Sit farther away, and the image looks much, much better.
2. Standard def in 4:3 looks better that way than trying to zoom it out to fill the wide screen. By doing so, you introduce distortion to the picture and also enlarge the 480i signal, which reduces the quality. This set has a black border, so watching a 4:3 image with the black bars on the right and left is not distracting.
3. Not all high def content is provided in 16:9 format, and the quality of the signal may vary. Some high def stations look better than others.
4. This set has backlight control that allows you to turn down the backlight brightness. This helps to improve black levels quite a bit.
5. Don't spend $80-$100 on an HDMI cable. I ordered one from Amazon for around $15 bucks and it works just fine. Digital signals are not as subject to noise and interference like an analog signal, so no need for an overpriced cable.
This TV is pretty easy to set up. The menus are fairly easy to navigate. You can tailor your settings for each input. You can have up to 8 different inputs, and the TV allows you to label each one and also to skip any that are unused. The remote is basic and doesn't allow you to control any other devices, but on the plus side, is simple to operate.
The delivery service by EGL (Eagle) was fine, and their delivery estimate was accurate. They contacted me by phone when the TV arrived to schedule a time for delivery. They arrived on time, unpacked the set, placed it on the stand, and removed the packaging. The delivery guy also helped me move my other set. The one minor problem I had was with the tracking number. Apparently, the number had been used previously a couple of years ago, so the tracking on the Amazon site was incorrect. I had to go to EGL's web site and enter it as a reference number in their tracking query in order for my order to show up.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-40V2500 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Sony KDL-40V2500 40" V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV

Click here for more information about Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-40V2500 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Toshiba 26AV502R 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Note: I purchased this 26" LCD TV one week ago. As I am waiting for the cable company to upgrade my service, this set is simply receiving a standard cable signal without benefit of a converter box or High Def signal. Many LCD owners consider the signal source a major factor in image quality -- so I want to be clear on this point at the outset. Also, my DVD player is more than 5 years old and does not upconvert.
PROS:
Easy to install base pedestal. Four screws (provided) and a phillips head screwdriver are all that's needed. Instructions were clear and straight forward. Hooking up the coax cable took only a minute.
Superb remote control. Layout is intelligent and intuitive -- a pleasure to use. Glows in the dark (bright!) Sleep timer button is well placed on the upper corner and easy to access without even looking. Easily one the best designed remotes on the market and a pleasure to use.
Picture and sound set-up controls are very easy to understand. Owners manual instruction very clear and straightforward.
Sound is excellent. Very good quality and volume. Treble, Bass, and Balance controls are easy to use if you choose. For it's size and likely application -- a bedroom or a small den -- the sound is really quite good. This set has forward facing speakers -- not down firing as many LCD sets have.
Picture is fair to good. Live TV broadcasts such as news programs and talk shows appear brighter and with better, cleaner colors than movies -- especially films with dark scenes. DVD programs appear much better. (Please note again the standard coax cable signal source I am presently receiving)
2 HDMI inputs and multiple others. More than enough for most applications.
CONS:
Picture not as sharp as I would like, especially broadcast TV as opposed to DVD (standard DVD). Also, I am noticing scenes go from dark to light and back for no apparent reason. This could be due to a setting which may be improperly set .. but I've tried it both ways but see the same effect.
One other frustrating scenario for example: multiple camera shows. For example, a news program where you have an anchor in the studio and a reporter in the field. The anchor looks pretty good but the field reporter might look a bit green or orange. Other sets even this out, the Toshiba does not.
Conclusion:
For the money, this is probably the best value on a 26" LCD TV on the market today. Prices under $[...] are out there. If you are an "average" TV viewer, you may find this set to be just the ticket for your bedroom. But, if you have a critical eye, you may find the tuner or signal processing unit on this set a bit under par compared to Sony and Samsung -- perhaps more sophisticated technology, but which also carry price tags of $[...] and more higher.
Once I get a better cable signal, I may amend this review. Indeed, I will decide whether I am keeping the Toshiba or spending the extra money for the Samsung 26". So please "stay tuned".
UPDATE: Yesterday I installed a Panamax PM8-HT 8-Outlet Power Line Conditioner and Surge Protector. The image quality of this TV increased markedly! Panamax PM8-HT 8-Outlet Power Line Conditioner and Surge Protector

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba 26AV502R 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

Toshiba 26AV502U 26" LCD TV 26AV502R LCD Flat Panel TVs

Click here for more information about Toshiba 26AV502R 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First things first, I ordered this TV directly from Amazon and within a few days the price dropped and Amazon refunded the difference. Awesome! Amazon's White Glove delivery service delivered as promised and was OK to deal with; no issues at all. So for those of you wondering whether it is better to spend a few hundred bucks to order this set from a brick and mortar store; keep your money in your pocket and order from Amazon.
As for the TV, I am not a video expert type, but I do research big ticket items thoroughly before buying. This set and the previous generations received great reviews. However, I was torn between plasma and LCD. Being a big sports fan (lots of fast moving action on the screen) I had been leaning towards plasma. But the reviews of this set and the benefits of LCD over plasma (lighter, uses less energy, no risk of burn in and better for well lit rooms) made me make the plunge.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied. This is my first HDTV and I am using Directv HD service and the picture is outstanding. It is sharp, bright and overall beautiful. The only issue I have, which I was worried about with the LCDs, is that I do notice some pixelation when scenes move very fast (Thus 4 instead of 5 stars). However, it is not distracting but I do notice it.
The speakers are not as bad as some of the reviews would indicate. You just need to set the equalizer to the right settings. I have a home theatre set up so this is not a big issue, but to some it is so I thought I would comment on them.
The set looks great, is easy to set up and I am very, very, very happy with my purchase. Especially at this price. With my extra money I was able to buy a nice stand for the Samsung.
I hope this helps.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

The SAMSUNG LN46A550 has full 1080p HD resolution and an astounding 30,000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio for the sharpest, most realistic picture quality ever, all on a 46-inch screen. Samsung's innovative DNIe technology delivers a crisp, lifelike picture that is closer to film. (Both analog/digital) SRS TruSurround XT - produces virtual surround sound with the left and right speakers Amplifier watts per channel - 10 Watts x 2 Built-in digital tuner - ATSC / Clear QAM Picture-in-Picture mode Wide color enhancer optimizes a color's hue resulting in more natural colors Bottom speakers Sound leveler Hook up your MP3 player or digital camera via the Wiselink USB 2.0 connection HDMI-CEC allows peripheral devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by TV remote control Auto wall mount compatible 3-dimensional operation via TV's control; no external IR receiver required Stereo broadcast reception (MTS & SAP) with 181-channel capacity. TV dimensions without stand weight - 51.4 lbs TV dimensions with stand - 44.4 x 30.2 x 11.0; TV dimensions with stand weight - 60.8lbs Black finish

Click here for more information about Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Samsung LNS4041D 40-Inch LCD HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been looking at HDTV's a lot lately and finally came to the conclusion that I wanted an lcd. I thought that would make things a lot easier but there are so many choices. I started with a Westinginghouse 40" with a built-in dvd player. I didn't think it was too bad so I tried it out for about 25 days through my retailer's 30 day return policy. As I got down to the final days, I began doing some more research and found that the Samsung's were rated fairly high for performance. Wow, what a difference! With the Westinghouse I figured that I was going to have to settle for a so-so analog off-air picture on any lcd but boy, was I wrong. The Samsung LN-S4041D is a fantastic set and I would highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind paying a little more for a whole lot more! I really struggled with spending that kind of money until I tried the Samsung out and now I am more than satisfied! Great set!



Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LNS4041D 40-Inch LCD HDTV

If you're just entering the HD arena and don't want to break the bank on your first flat-screen television, the entry-level 40-inch Samsung LNS4041D LCD TV is a great fit for your budget and it offers many of the same video processing features as its higher end 51- and 52-Series siblings. It features an integrated HDTV tuner, 10-bit video processor, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio for smooth, vibrant pictures. It also includes dual HDMI inputs for simultaneous signal transfer of audio and video from digital devices and PC connectivity. The dual purpose pedestal stand can also be used as an articulating wall mount when it\'s folded back. Additionally, the stand can be removed for wall-mounting via optional VESA compatible hardware (such as Samsung wall mounting kit WMTL4001).
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. The 3D Y/C digital comb filter constantly analyzes the three dimensions of picture height, picture width, and picture changes-over-time to dramatically reduce edge image artifacts while improving transition detail.
The LNS4041D features a stunning 3000:1 contrast ratio, 500 cd/m2 brightness rating (for brighter whites, deeper blacks, and every shade in between), a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution (for a widescreen 16:9 screen aspect ratio), 170-degree viewing angle, and a super-fast 8ms (millisecond) response time, which minimizes blurring of moving images and is especially helpful for sports and action movies. Other convenience features include:
Picture-in-picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources.
Built-in image scaler to handle inputs from a variety of digital and analog audio/video sources.
Parental Control (V-Chip) helps parents monitor what their children watch on TV by establishing rating limits.
Auto volume leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.
Multi-lingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.

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) and offers the following connection options:
Composite (RCA audio/video): 2 inputs (1 on the side)
S-Video: 2 inputs (1 on the side)
Component (Y/Pb/Pr): 1 input
HDMI: 2 inputs
PC: 1 D-Sub15 input
RF: 2 inputs
Sound monitor output: 1
Digital optical audio ouput: 1
Headphone: 1
RS232 port: 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. HDMI supports standard, enhanced or high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It supports all ATSC formats--standard (SDTV), enhanced (EDTV), and high (HDTV).
TruSurround XT audio adds three new audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.
Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus 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.
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.
What's in the Box 40-inch LCD TV, tabletop stand, remote control (with batteries), AV cable, AC power adapter, printed operating instructions
Warranty 1 year parts and labor (90 days parts and labor for commercial use)

Click here for more information about Samsung LNS4041D 40-Inch LCD HDTV