Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-L32S1 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)Bottom line, this TV is currently ranked the 3rd best 32inch TV according to consumer reports, only behind the much more costly Samsungs, but ahead of the more costly Sonys. Tier one brand, great price, buy with confidence.
My TV situation: stood in the corner of formal living room, designed not to dominate room, used a few hours a day.
My TV viewing: general TV, casual films (no gaming or surround sound serious cinema).
My TV source: digital antenna/OTA/ATSC (no cable or sat) via Tivo HD, plus Netflix and Amazon video on demand.
I was shopping to replace my old 27inch CRT TV and a 32inch LCD is a perfect size for that. There is a bewildering choice out there. In a big box store I honestly could not tell the difference between the many manufacturers. Reading user reviews on line was ultimately a waste of time as someone always has a complaint or some unique need or set up.
I made my choice for this TV because of 1) the excellent professional reviews by consumer reports 2) brand quality reputation, 3) great amazon price, 4) clean case design 5) good number of inputs.
The picture by the way is excellent without modifications, bright, clear, viewing angle is not an issue.
Considerations: I technically probably didn't need a 1080p TV, 720p would have been fine as most TV signals are that, and I would not see the benefit at my viewing distance at 10+ ft, but this TV gives me flexibility to use with higher quality sources like HD downloads, gaming consoles or as a PC monitor in future. This 1080p model was also not much more expensive than a 720p model.
I wasn't sold on on the added cost for 120Hz for my needs: 120Hz does not seem to matter for TV signals, only 24fps movies, and if you're into serious cinema you're probably not looking at 32inch :-)
Sound on this TV, like most 32inch TVs, is from 2x10w speakers, and is absolutely fine for a living room and casual viewing, I have not had to go above 50/100 on the volume level.

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Panasonic's new VIERA S1 Series LCDs HDTVs feature impressive improvements in picture quality, and are just right for gaming and enjoying your favorite hi-def TV shows.

Motion Focus Technology Even fast-moving scenes are displayed sharply and clearly. With a 60Hz video signal input, 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 3 makes 120 frames/sec from 60 frames/sec. This increases the frame count to allow natural frame-to-frame transitions, for smooth motion images with high resolution. VIERA also uses motion focus technology that greatly enhances resolution.
Wide Viewing Angle The wide 178 viewing angle ensures clear images even when viewed from an angle. The backlight's wide transmission aperture enhances the contrast between light and dark, and improves motion-image response.
VIERA Image Viewer It's easy to view full-HD images with the SD card slot. Watch and show your photos right after you take them. Simply insert an SD card into VIERA to display photos on the large screen.
You can also choose from among 3 types of background music and 4 display effects. It's much more fun when you can view them on a large-screen HDTV with family and friends in 1920 x 1080-pixel high definition and a wide 16:9 aspect ratio.
Fine Black Panel Panel reflections have been reduced to half those of conventional panels, to sharpen images and reduce glare. This also helps to unify the panel design with that of the VIERA lineup.
VIERA Link VIERA Link allows interconnected operation of various AV devices using only the VIERA remote control, by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable.
VIERA Tools With the new VIERA Tools user interface, simply press a button on the remote control and icons such as the photos or movies from the menu screen appear. Now you can just select the one you want. This kind of easy operation means you have more fun and less hassle.
Game Mode In Game mode, quicker image response increases the enjoyment of video games when a game console is connected to the TV. What's more VIERA produces the dark images in video games more clearly. This mode works anti-image retention (wobbling) too.
Connections
SD Memory Card Slot (SDHC Compatible): 1 (JPEG playback)
HDMI Input: 3 (1 side)
Analog Audio Input (for HDMI): Yes
Composite Video Input: 2 (1 side)
S-Video Input: 1 (side)
Audio Input (for Video): 2 (1 side)
PC Input: 1
Component Video Inputs (Y, PB, PR): 1
Audio Input (for Component Video): 1
Digital Audio Output: 1 (5.1 ch)
Headphone Jack: 1

What's in the Box Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-L32S1 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Remote Control and Batteries, Cleaning Cloth, Pedestal, Operating Instructions, Quick Start Gude, Product Registration Card, Customer Care Plan Card
Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

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Element FLX-3711B - 37" LCD TV - widescreen - 720p - HDTV - black Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had this unit for 5 months now, and it's been wonderful! The picture is clean and crisp, the speakers are not what you might get with a Sony or others. But, it beats my Westinghouse 33' for sure!
So, if you connect it to your stereo for sound, you've saved a whole lot of money!

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Enjoy crystal clear high definition viewing with the 37-inch Element FLX3711B Widescreen LCD HDTV! The FLX3711B features a wide 37-inch TFT LCD display with a 1366 x 768 resolution, 500 cd/m2 brightness and an 800:1 contrast ratio! Play games and watch fast action movies in clear detail with no blurs or ghosting thanks to its fast 8 ms response time! Access both digital and analog TV stations with the integrated ATSC/NTSC TV tuners and enjoy rich audio with two built-in 15-watt speakers! With an HDMI port, component, composite, S-Video, coaxial and optical ports, this Element FLX3711B offers a fast and easy connection to a Blu-ray DVD player, stereo receiver, digital camera, game console, computer and other compatible devices! Order today! By law, California shipments of this product are subject to an $16.00 Electronic Waste Recycling Fee

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Panasonic TC-P46C2 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)My wife and I were really planning on buying a 42" 1080p Samsung "LED TV" (i.e., an LED backlit LCD TV) when we came across this TV on sale for roughly 60% the price of the Samsung 42" LED TV. So I spent the best part of an evening researching LED versus Plasma, 1080p versus 720p and also the Samsung brand versus Panasonic. Details of my findings are in the Appendix at the bottom of this review.
With the required research behind me, we concluded that we couldn't go wrong with either choice. The Panasonic won because not only would it would save us a bundle, but we would also get a 46" TV instead of a 42", which would be perfect for our living room HD cable setup. We decided, therefore, to postpone our purchase of a 42" 1080p LED TV for our bedroom to the near future when the prices for LED TVs would drop even further.
Although the C2 series is the most basic of Panasonic's 720P Plasma lineup, the build quality is very nice and refined. It took less than 30 minutes to set up the TV and connect it to our HD cable box and digital receiver.
The only initial calibration we made was to set the picture mode to "Cinema". Quite honestly, we were stunned at the quality picture when we first tuned to a HD channel - which was an English detective drama on PBS. The color reproduction, clarity, and fine details were way above our expectations, easily on par with the best LED TVs we saw in the showroom . With its 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, this TV is able to produce an awesome level of gradual black levels, with no dithering artifacts to speak of.
This TV has a moving picture resolution of 720p. We watched the Hawaii Five-O remake premiere with disbelief. With its 600Hz refresh rate, there were very smooth image transitions in the action sequences, making for a very film like experience with none of the "digititis" with fast moving images that I was used to seeing on some LCD TVs.
Being the most basic in the current Panasonic Plasma lineup, this TV has a basic set of features - which is actually a good thing because the menu system uncomplicated and intuitive. Some of the menu features can be accessed through dedicated buttons on the remote. For example there is a button to toggle between aspect ratios - which is handy when you need to watch old non-anamorphic DVDs.
This TV also has "anti-image retention" features to prevent logos from being seared onto the surface of the Plasma display. For the first 100 hours or so, it is a good idea to watch 4:3 aspect ratio programs in "zoom" mode, to prevent retention of the black bars on the side, and to switch channels frequently to prevent "logo burn" from particular channels. Once the TV has crossed the "break in" period, you can resume normal watching.
I have not tried Blu-Ray yet on this TV, but it does a pretty decent of upscaling DVD movies from 480p to 720p through component video, though not perfect. But playing DVDs through upscaling DVD players, like the Panasonic DMR-EZ48VP-K 1080p Upconverting VHS DVD Recorder with Built In Tuner, through HDMI is another story. From a normal viewing distance of 8 to 10 feet, DVD movies look almost like HD. I watched the DVD of the movie Downfall and it was hard to convince me that I was not watching full HD.
The sound quality on this TV is pretty good and more than adequate for most program content.
As for hum, it's present only when I stick my head right next to the back panel where a very low volume buzz can be heard. But from more than a few feet away this TV produces no audible hum!
Cons:
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I can think only of a couple of downsides to this TV. The first is that the C2 model has no anti-reflective coating like the higher models in Panasonic's Plasma lineup. But, to be quite honest, the reflections were not noticeable or bothersome until we turned on some bright lights in the side in the direct line of reflection. Having said that, the front plate glass in all Plasmas are reflective and it is therefore best to set them up in an environment where you have control over light sources.
The second issue is that this TV has only a single digital optical audio output, which limits you to using a digital receiver for external sound.
Conclusion:
-----------
This TV represents the best bang for buck for any TV out there. Although this is an entry-level Panasonic plasma, Panasonic has not skimped on build quality and the thing that absolutely matters most - picture quality! This TV packs the latest display technology of Panasonic, at a fraction of the price you would have paid just a couple of years ago. Sure, it does not have ethernet or in-built streaming video. But if your really want streaming Netflix or iTunes movies, why not spend just an additional $99 and buy an Apple TV - MC572LL/A NEWEST MODEL?
This TV is definitely in the "best buy" category and I have no hesitation in giving it a rating of five stars. Thank you, Panasonic!
Appendix:
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LED versus Plasma:
Both LED and Plasma TV's have excellent picture quality, colors and black levels as well a rated lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours. LED TVs are thinner, lighter, "greener" in power consumption, have less reflective screen surfaces, can be viewed in bright daylight conditions and do not require a "break in" period for the first 100 hours of use. Plasma TVs, on the other hand, have excellent color accuracy and refresh rates that are hard to match, and they support wide viewing angles. Plasma TVs now come with 600Hz refresh rates, while most LED TVs still are in the 120Hz level. That, in itself is worth the price of admission for videophiles and video enthusiasts, given that the higher refresh rates have the effect of making the viewing experience pleasing, more film-like and easier on the eyes.
1080p versus 720p:
1080p versus 720p is not much of an issue if most of your viewing is HD broadcast, satellite or cable, which is pretty much 720p for the most part. But if you are serious about Blu-Ray, then 1080p is preferable since the difference becomes noticeable for larger TVs and at close viewing distances. But in most situations it is hard for people to tell the difference between the two formats even with a 46" panel.
Samsung's reputation versus Panasonic's:
Recent TV ratings from Consumer Reports indicate that Samsung has top ratings in the LED TV technology. But Panasonic Vieras still occupy the top spot in Plasma! (Samsung Plasma TVs are reputed to have an annoying audible hum or buzz from the rear of the panel, which the Panasonic Plasmas do not have).
Update: 02 October 2010:
I made changes to the white balance for the Cinema/Warm picture mode using settings described in AVS Forum, based on reference settings from member "D-Nice". The picture now is really natural and awesome. I had to get into the Service Menu for this. Please see the link in the Comments section of this review for more details.

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Offering excellent picture performance, Panasonic's 46-inch VIERA TC-P46C2 Plasma HDTV features a 720p high-definition resolution and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity. This and other models in the C2 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you'll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours--more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day--before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA C2 series Plasma HDTV.

Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic C2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

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Sony BRAVIA VE5-Series KDL-46VE5 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz Eco-friendly LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent TV.
Picture Quality:
The picture quality of this set is superb. In the setup menu, I set the picture to "vivid" mode and the HD quality is simply life-like. The color and contrast are excellent. It also uses something that Sony calls MotionFlow which helps to smooth out the image when you are watching fast-action pictures.
Backlight Technology:
It is an LCD set, but uses a hot cathode fluorescent lamp for its backlighting. This technology allows it to be much more energy efficient and close to par with the energy usage of LED backlit LCD TVs. Most LCDs use cold cathode fluorescent lamps. The 40" model uses a maximum of 140 watts, the 46" uses a max of 160 watts, and the 52" uses a max of 180 watts.Eco-Friendly:
It has a sensor called a presence sensor that does two things. First it senses the ambient (room) light and if the room gets darker, it will automatically dim the picture of the TV. This works well if you are watching TV in the bedroom at night and you want less light output. The second thing that the sensor does is senses the room for motion and body heat. If you leave the room for a preset amount of time (5 min, 30 min, ...) and the TV doesn't sense anyone around, it will turn off the picture. If you walk back in the room, it senses you and turns the screen back on. The sound stays on for another 30 minutes or so, then the whole set will go into stand-by mode if it does not sense you. Both of these features can be turned off via the setup menu and help to conserve energy.
Features (just a few of them):
The TV is loaded with features. It will automatically sense if you have something connected to an input (for example HDMI2). This is great when you want to hit the input button on the remote because it will not select items that aren't currently sending out a signal. This means you don't have to scroll through 10 items if you only have two components connected to the TV. In the setup menu, you can set each input for always on, always off, or auto. I used the always on setting for the PC input because the cable I used to connect the PC did not send a power signal so the TV did not sense it. By setting it to always on, the PC input will always be available when I scan through the inputs.
It also has a lot of inputs. There are 4 HDMI inputs. If you have a DVI port on your PC, then you can connect it through HDMI port 1 which also has an analog audio input. There is one dedicated composite (with S-video) and one dedicated component input, but there is another switchable composite/component input that you can use if you have two composites and one component, or vice versa. There is a PC input to connect via VGA connection. The audio outputs are one optical digital out and one analog out.
Dislikes:
1. All of the Inputs and Output are on the left side (when looking at the front of the TV) of the TV. This is unfortunate for me since my A/V cabinet is on the right side of the TV. It is a minor inconvenience, but something that I did not think about until I got the set home. I would say about half of the inputs are one the left side and the other half are on the back, next to the side inputs.
2. The presence sensor is right where I have my center audio speaker. I will have to raise up the TV to still have that speaker front and center.Overall, this is not a cheap TV, but I think this is a case where you get what you pay for. It is a really great set.


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Introducing the Sony BRAVIA VE5 HDTV, a revolutionary TV that combines energy-saving features with quality picture performance. Minimize excess power use with a high-efficiency backlight that uses over 50% less power in Home Mode than Energy Star 3.0 requirements. Plus enjoy Full HD 1080p picture quality and smooth motion with Motionflow 120Hz technology.

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Premier Mounts PSD-TTS/B Universal Tabletop Stand (Black base) Review

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(More customer reviews)This stand is well made and looks great. However the arms the attach to the tv only fit certain TVs. If the bolt holes are more then 30" apart then you need a different Arm Size that is available by a different part Number. This should be more clearly defined on the literature. Other then that no complaints.

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The stylish Universal Tabletop Stand fits most 32"-50" Plasma/LCD displays

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Olevia 537H 37-Inch LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the Olevia 537h LCD flat panel TV for my mother, as she entered an assisted living community. I wanted her to have the best picture quality. She loves baseball, and has fairly good eyesight.
I had spent some time looking at the Olevia 537h, but had only seen it showing a poor quality documentary. Still, I could see that the picture was excellent. When I installed my unit (which by the way was delivered sooner than expected, and in perfect condition), and first played a DVD, I was more than satisfied with the results (the Platinum edition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was almost too good. You could see the artists' every brush stroke). The DVD player was one which Up-converted to HD 1080i quality, and the Olevia was up to the task. The picture was sharp, and the color was pure.
As has been stated, the on-screen display menu system Syntax is so proud of takes some getting used to, and I had to print out the manual from disc to have a reference in front of me. Some things are still not clear (manual-wise, that is) I almost have it fully programmed, but will probably have to find a simpler remote for my mother's use. I'm using it with an HD antenna, but will probably have to arrange for cable input, as some local stations just don't come in well. This I know is not the fault of the unit.
Overall it is a gem. The picture looks great in even bright room light. No glare from the screen. The colors are pure. And the price from Amazon is the best I had found.

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The Olevia 5 Series LCD HDTVs, engineered to provide exceptional video and audio, will impresseven the toughest critics. Powered by MTKs state-of-the-art MDDI video processor technology,the Olevia 5 Series HDTVs display exceptionally crisp, rich and vibrant images with unsurpassedclarity for viewing high definition digital programs as well as standard analog TV channels. Withhigh contrast ratios and fast response times, rapid-action viewing such as sporting events oradventure films is displayed with super clarity and truly come alive. With a super-wide 178-degreeviewing angle, images look spectacular wherever you are seated. These LCD HDTVs are perfectfor home or office viewing and can double as a computer display with support for TV resolutionsup to 1080i, and PC resolutions up to 1360 x 768 through HDMI and VGA. To further enhance yourexperience, Olevias surround sound audio processor creates an awesome listening environmentwhile watching TV, movies or playing games. RS-232 control enables you to connect your OleviaHDTV to a home entertainment system. Once you see the new Olevia, you will agree that you have neverseen HDTV like this.

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Sharp Aquos LC37D40U 37-Inch LCD HDTV with Integrated ATSC Tuner Review

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(More customer reviews)The LC-37D40U is a brand-new model. One of the local retailers had it on sale, and I was able to compare it against other LCD and plasma sets before buying. The picture compared favorably to a Sony 40 inch LCD, as well as to various 42 inch plasmas.
The set weighs about 53 pounds with table stand, and consumes 186 watts according to the back panel. Both factored into my purchasing decision, as I didn't want a massive set that consumed a lot of power and threw off a lot of heat. In my mind, less heat implies higher reliability, another plus over plasma.
I do not have cable or satellite; Input comes directly from a roof antenna into the TV's coax connector. Picture quality on most analog channels is good to very good. Quality of most HD channels is stunning. Picture clarity, color and brilliance still astonishes me every time I turn on the set.
I was surprised at how many broadcast HD sources are available now in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to getting 4 PBS stations, I now get many more PBS HD digital subchannels, in particular 4 or 5 from KQED. This alone is a powerful reason to move from an analog-only TV.
I highly recommend this product. It is as good or better than other 37 inch LCD TVs, and sufficiently close in quality to plasma sets to make them irrelevant for me.
The case is black, which I much prefer to silver. My only quibble is the face of the frame around the display which is high-gloss black. I find the reflections from this annoying, and wish they had given it a matte finish.
The specifications are somewhat in dispute; some sources say 1200:1 contrast ratio and 6 ms response time. What matters to me is the appearance of the image. I do not see a distracting level of motion artifacts when watching basketball or NASCAR. Contrast and black levels are excellent to my eye. Also, the picture is in no way lacking in brightness.

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Sharp's LC-37D40U high-definition LCD HDTV proves you don't have to sacrifice style for technology. This gorgeous 37-inch set features a strikingly shiny piano black cabinet that will become an elegant centerpiece to any room. It also features the latest Sharp screen and video processing innovations, as well as an integrated HDTV tuner, a space-saving design with bottom-mounted speakers, included stand, pure digital audio/video connectivity with two HDMI inputs, and a rapid-fire response time of 6 ms (milliseconds)--perfect for watching fast-action sports and movies.
This set features Sharp's Multi-Pixel technology, which divides each pixel in to two sections to deliver more natural and accurate color reproduction when viewing the screen from any angle. It will improve extreme-angle viewing by approximately 60 percent. It also offers Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD panel technology, which uses an enhanced color filter that permits more light throughput. This increases the contrast ratio by 150 percent to 1200:1 for pure whites, deep blacks, and a higher range of colors. Sharp's Quick Shoot video circuitry provides an ultra-fast pixel response time of 6 ms, which helps to ensure excellent detail and smooth motion during high-speed scene transitions. The screen also offers a low-reflection coating to reduce the effect of sunlight and interior lighting to provide vivid large-screen pictures wherever you install your LCD television.
The built-in ATSC tuner pulls HD signals right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. The screen delivers a true 1366 x 768-pixel HDTV resolution, and it also features a wide 176-degree viewing angle and 450 cd/m2 (candela per square meter) brightness rating--perfect for viewing colorful details in even direct sunlight.
You'll enjoy enveloping audio from the set's built-in 20-watt bottom-mounted stereo speakers (10 watts per channel), which can also produce virtual Dolby surround sound. It provides the following connection options:
Composite AV (RCA): 3 in
S-Video: 1 in
Component Video: 2 in
HDMI: 2 in
RF: 1 in
Total analog audio in: 4
Analog audio out: 1
Digital optical: 1 out

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).
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 LCD TV, remote control (with batteries), stand, AC cord, cable clamp, printed operating instructions

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