4 comments about Samsung LN40A530 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV.

1. I've had this 1080p/20000:1/5ms/60Hz LCD for a week and my initial experience is extremely satisfactory. It performs as advertised for HDTV, DVD, & PC (haven't tried gaming yet). Works great in a brigth room. No pixelation in fast scenes. Easy access menus. Plenty of inputs for my needs. Looks great.
   
   After offers and coupons, my total price at a local B&M store was $1,356 including the LCD, a sleek Samsung 1080 up-conv. DVD player, a 4-year extended warranty and taxes. Can't complain!
   
   Minor cons: Below average sound. Remote control must be carefully aimed at the front of the TV, very narrow angle of operation.
   
   Bottom line: If a 40-inch screen size is enough for your viewing needs, this unit holds its own against any other top competitor brands in this category.



2. Had this TV for about 1 month now. Got at BJs, delivered for under $1200. Set up pretty simple. I used the THX Optimizer which is found on most Lucas DVDs such as any Star Wars. So far, Id say the picture is great. Normal cable is what it is, its ok. But I have HD programming and a PS3, which I use for Blue Ray disks. HD looks great! Ive seen so many posts on the net that say 1080 on a TV less that 42 in is not noticable...well, thats BS. I can see a huge difference and the HD and Blue rays look very nice. Also, with 5ms response time, I have no blurring or ghosting when I game, and I play a lot of fast race games.
   
   Pros - Great picture and easy to set up.
   
   Cons - Only one so far is the remote needs to be aimed right at the TV or it wont work.
   
   If a 40 In TV will fit your needs( I have a 800 SF apt, and this TV is a perfect fit), you cant go wront with this TV.



3. Samsung LN40A530 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
   
   What a bargain. I went shopping for a Sony and ended up with this great TV. Everything is there for your needs. I have no reason to connect my laptop, but it will do that if you want.
   
   The picture is stunning. I compared this to the more expensive models in both Samsung and Sony, and didn't notice much difference.
   
   The sound is exceptional, so I don't run it through my system except for some movies. There are three energy saving modes. I have mine set at medium at night. If you have the setting off, it's brilliantly blinding! You need to have additional lighting on.
   
   A great value, great picture (5 ms), and great sound. The manufactures website hasn't caught up with certain stats, so don't rely on everything you read on there site.
   
   
   
   Why spend more!



4. I have this tv hooked up to a samsung blu ray dvd play and an xbox 360. i was impressed and it seems like a nice tv, but after playing some grand theft auto 4 and watching ironman on the tv i can notice the ghosting problem. during high action or faster moving parts you notice i can lose clarity, although its not to the point where it well bother you. i notice when im watching for it, when im just sitting back watching a movie its not that big of a deal. i do like watch NHL and CFL games so i am considering returning this product and upgrading to one with 120Hz. im not sure what i well do because this is a good tv for the price. in stores the ones that have 120Hz are about $400. so this is not really a review, im just letting people know that you may notice a ghosting problem, but its still a good tv.

5 comments about Mitsubishi LT-46149 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Integrated Sound Projector.

1. Here is a mom's perspective on this TV. In audiofile land, they talk about a component's "WAF" -- "Wife Approval Factor". In other words, if a system looks crummy, it doesn't matter HOW great it is -- it is still not a joy to have in your home. While I'm pretty tolerant in terms of the whole WAF thing -- even I was reaching my limit with our GINORMOUS Projection TV. I kept PRAYING that the thing would die so we would have an excuse to replace it!
   
   We have had a HUGE (think sports bar HUGE) rear projection TVs since 1997. We splurged on the big screen TV when our first child was born figuring that we wouldn't get out much any more -- and we were right! We upgraded to a projection Toshiba HDTV a couple of years ago which we bought used on Craigslist and while the picture was ok, it didn't knock us over. The colors were washed out; the brightness was ... well, not very bright (difficult viewing during the day), and the screen showed handprints, nose prints (dogs and humans) and other dirt to where you could barely focus on the picture.
   
   The sides of the screen were beginning to reflect "burn-in" -- or something along those lines since the edges were significantly darker than the rest of the picture. So we decided the time had come to enter the modern age and go for an LCD panel display. We spent a lot of time going online to do research on the latest and greatest models and went to the Big Box stores to see side by side comparison of the various pictures.
   
   We ultimately selected the Mitsubishi LT-46149 (46" LCD). We selected this based on a few factors: the Mitsubishi image quality was far superior to virtually any other manufacturer. We were interested in the Integrated Sound Projector feature, which is new to this model. Also, the flexibility and extensability of peripherals and ease of setup was a plus.
   
   The TV set arrived last week via Amazon's "White Glove Service". Note -- if your system is any more complicated than the co-ax cable coming out from the wall, "WGS" doesn't help you very much -- they basically just hooked it up on the floor to the co-ax cable, turned it on to prove that it wasn't DOA and then left me to fend for myself! Fortunately, I was able to figure it out (as my screen name implies -- I'm the "wife" in the family and my husband usually handles all things technical but since he wasn't home, I REALLY wanted to try out my new toy and didn't want to have to wait -- my point is if *I* could figure out how to set it up properly, anyone can!).
   
   At first, we hooked it up using the native sound. There is sub-woofer support so we hooked up the subwoofer based on the manufacturer's recommendation. We quickly disconnected the sub-woofer because the TV was sending sound at too high a frequency to the sub-woofer. The Sub should be used to amplify the base. However, it was being treated like an "auxillary speaker" and you could actually here dialogue and normal sounds coming from the sub which kind of defeated the purpose of the ISP feature. Perhaps the frequency that sound is sent to the sub is configurable but we weren't able to figure that out (so that part failed the "ease of use" test).
   
   Overall, the sound quality in the ISP is decent -- much better than a typical TV. Because of the placement of the speakers, the soundstage is much wider than a TV which usually has your standard woofer and tweeter. As I indicated, the sub-woofer was a bit disapointing but we could live without it.
   
   We ultimately wound up hooking the TV up to our stereo system and running the sound through the amplifiers and our stereo system. If you can do this, I would highly recommend it since there really is a significant improvement. Think of the difference as the difference between listening to a CD via a clock radio versus a full stereo. While the Clock Radio may be adequate -- for full enjoyment, you are going to want the full audio experience of a real stereo.
   
   Where this TV REALLY SHINES is the superior picture. The picture quality out of the box is outstanding. The colors are gorgeous. The picture is BRIGHT (so you can view it easily with all the lights turned on or in the middle of the day (we have four big windows in our family room so there is a lot of natural daylight). The images are crisp -- even on channels that are not broadcast in HD. The viewing angle is extremely wide -- you can be sitting directly to the side of the TV and still see it well enough to keep up with the on-screen activity.
   
   The picture is just as good regardless of input source. The DVDs look phenomenol (all the nuances to High School Musical 2 we have been missing all this time /* rolling eyes */ ). We also have a Netflix Roku box which provides streaming video on demand and the quality of the image is DVD quality.
   
   The great thing about this set is its flexibilty. If you need a barebones system and don't want to mess with home theater speakers, you won't be disappointed in the sound quality. However, if you want to use this as the cornerstone of a full system including DVD, Sound system, ROKU, Home video -- you have all the connections you need to make it work.
   
   Overall, I STRONGLY recommend this system. If you can't afford a full sound system now, buy this TV and you'll have a system you can enjoy straight out of the box. Then as you upgrade your sound system or DVD system, you have a TV that will be able to keep up with your technology and will not be obsolete in a year or two.
   
   The price that you get from Amazon (especially with the Free Delivery feature) is a great deal. The prices in the big box stores are much higher and you have to haul it home yourself and pay sales tax etc.
   
   While my husband was reluctant to replace the Projection tv, once he saw the quality of the picture, he could not quit gushing. As for the WAF (Wife Approval Factor), I feel like I am no longer living in a sports bar yet I have the "sports bar" viewing experience. Let the Hockey Season begin! (Go St. Louis Blues!!)



2. The name doesn't exactly set the blood rushing through your veins and your pulse pounding: Mitsubishi LT-46149 LCD Flat Panel HDTV.
   
   But from the moment you see the picture, even with an ordinary digital cable or DVD signal, you're going to flip. I certainly did - and the picture was only the beginning of the fun.
   
   If you're looking for a super-fast and concise review, here it is: superb video and beyond-belief sound.
   
   And a lot of bells and whistles that I'll get into. After a few minutes with the LT-46149, I was thinking of Blu-Ray and HD cable, both of which I had little interest in until shortly after turning this unit on.
   
   It was delivered via Amazon's White Glove service, which is a real convenience. They give you a delivery time window and then call when they are about 30 minutes away, a nice touch. The delivery service unboxes the unit - which is a marvelous thing, because the box is quite large. They mount the panel on its stand, make sure it works and will remove the box, if you like. Overall, it takes the pain out getting this unit into your home.
   
   Before I get into the really fun part, all the features of this unit and the user experience, I have to comment (profusely) on Mitsubishi TV's customer and support: it is absolutely outstanding. Even though it is based off-shore, the representatives speak flawless, almost unaccented English. They listen carefully. They ask questions. When they don't know something, they say so and get an answer. I don't know if they're working from a script or not, but they sure sound interested in you and your problem. You've probably guessed already that I encountered a problem (defective user - me) and had to call. Outfits like Dell could learn a great deal about treating customers well from Mitsubishi.
   
   The unit itself is stylish. A very thin bezel around the screen. Even though the screen is much larger, it seems that the unit isn't as wide as the 37" conventional TV it replaced. It's only a few inches thick from front to back.
   
   On the bottom of the screen is an unobtrusive bank of small speakers behind a grille - which you'll soon learn is a dynamite feature.
   
   1080p resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. There is 1080p upconversion.
   
   Setup is simple and fun: input sensing is good at recognizing what device you are attaching and letting you identify it by name (i.e., DVD, DVR, etc.)
   
   The picture is magnificent - and remember, I don't have Blu-Ray or HD. The grandkids were over, so I put the Pixar "Cars" DVD on and sat transfixed with them from beginning to end. The video is simply stunning.
   
   Mitsubishi boasts of a number of video related features, like their Smooth120Hz Film Motion which virtually eliminates judder (image vibration in fast action scenes). Film Mode corrects movies filmed at 24 frames per second. The "Deep Color" feature, Mitsubishi says, renders billions of colors - and I believe them. There's also a feature called "xvYCC (Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications), or "x.v. color"" which they claim expands the color range beyond what the eye can recognize. I'll have to take their word on that one.
   
   The LT-46149 (I love the way that name just rolls off my lips) has several other video related features. The three level brightness adjustment allows for viewing in bright, sunlit rooms to darkened rooms. "PerfectColor" gives you surprisingly fine control over color adjustments, though I haven't found a need for it except to experiment.
   
   The second huge feature of the LT-46149 is the Integrated Sound Projector (ISP). Remember those 16 speakers I mentioned? Well they can be aimed and balanced for a specific room size and acoustics. Mitsubishi says ISP delivers true 5.1 sound and that the sound is delayed at varying intervals to each of the 16 speakers.
   
   With a relatively inexpensive sub-woofer, the sound is truly fantastic. Makes you want to turn it up to the point where the neighbors complain and the spouse leaves, but does it ever sound great.
   
   Obviously I am very, very impressed - and will shortly have HD cable and a Blu-Ray player (probably as part of a Playstation 3 - this unit cries out to be used as a game display).
   
   The picture and Integrated Sound Projector are the big stories here. Fantastic is not too strong a term to apply from a person who hasn't paid much attention to LCD TVs before.
   
   There are lots of other features, like a plethora of inputs: 2 coax, 3 composite video, 2 component video, 4 HDMI, S-Video, USB (for flash drives and digital cameras), AVR audio output, sub-woofer (shared with the AVR) and digital audio out.
   
   After a couple of weeks, I am still enthralled with the LT-46149. I keep trying different DVDs of material from different eras just to see how the unit handles them. Last night, for example, I watched "Victory At Sea", a famous TV documentary series from the 1950s, compiled entirely from black and white film from the 1940s. The 1080p up conversion really does work, even with mediocre input like this. Amazing.
   
   I live, breathe and eat technology. It is how I make my living. I am not the most easily impressed guy around. The Mitsubishi LT-46149 is very cool - in fact, awesome - technology.
   
   Jerry



3. Really, my wife and I were in no hurry to upgrade to HDTV. Yeah, most of our friends had taken the plunge months or years ago, but we reasoned that our two old picture-tube TV's were still plugging along, so why bother? Then our bedroom TV went belly-up, and we installed a small, basic LCD TV to replace it. We found ourselves watching TV more and more in the bedroom. By golly, there really was something to that high-definition stuff. What really prompted us, though, was our recent installation of indoor plumbing. Suddenly, we felt inspired to modernize our lives.
   
   Just kidding about the indoor plumbing. Actually, we'd been talking about getting a high-def TV for a good while. I felt a little bewildered by the choices in HDTV: LCD, plasma, rear-projection, front-projection, or picture-tube. (Picture-tube TV's aren't going away just yet, as new models are available in HDTV.) Of all the HDTV options, LCD and plasma have dominated in sales.
   
   LCD and plasma both have their pros and cons. LCD TV's tend to be brighter than plasma models, with less-reflective screens, so they usually offer better viewing in brightly-lit rooms. They tend to be lighter, and they use less power. They also aren't prone to burn-in from static images such as video games or computer displays. That's an important consideration for us since our son plays video games.
   
   I've leaned toward getting an LCD TV for a good while, but with earlier models, the cons gave me pause. Just a couple of years ago, when I first began cruising the big-box stores, plasma TV's definitely had the edge in "wow factor." They were better at displaying dark colors and contrast, and unlike the "old" 720p LCD's, I noticed no blurring of motion with action scenes or sporting events. Plasma TV's looked better at an angle than did LCD's, and they usually cost less than an LCD of the same screen size.
   
   For us, however, the real deal-breaker with plasma TV's was the fact that they were decidedly inferior to LCD's in a brightly-lit room. Our living room is very bright during the morning hours, so that weighed heavily.
   
   Enter the Mitsubishi LT-46149. The idea of a top-quality LCD HDTV with an integrated sound system really beckoned us, because we have a small, odd-shaped living room. Never mind the fact that we wanted to avoid exposed wire, and we weren't happy with the idea of snaking wires through walls or floors. The real problem was that, given our living room, a surround sound arrangement of separated speakers was just impractical. Thus, for years, we've settled for a basic stereo set up with our old analog TV.
   
   The LT-461149 has good sound right out of the box, with it's included 16-speaker array. Add a modestly priced subwoofer, and it really does approach the quality of a top-notch array of separated speakers. We have a friend who lives nearby with a cost-is-no-object surround system at his house, with an ideally-shaped living room and hardwood floors. The room looks as if it was designed with an audio buff in mind. Does our Mitsubishi TV with the integrated sound system match up to our friend's? Well, no. But it certainly approaches the quality of sound he enjoys, and the experience is close enough that I'm glad that I didn't choose his route. I suspect lots of folks moving into HDTV would feel the same.
   
   As for the viewing experience, I've found it superb. The limitations of LCD TV's had already been largely whittled down with the the progression from 720p to 1080p, and to my admittedly non tech-geek eye, the LT-46149 looks to be at the top of today's LCD HDTV's. The color accuracy looks spot-on, the contrast seems right up there with plasma TV's, and there seemed to be scarcely any loss of viewing quality when changing viewing angles. I saw no blurring during action scenes, whereas it's evident on our bedroom LCD TV. Also, the cost difference between a plasma HDTV and an LCD HDTV has narrowed considerably since I first starting comparing them.
   
   As other reviewers have mentioned, the LT-46149 offers a wonderful display, even with non-HD sources. My eight year-old son was awe-struck the first time he played a Wii game on the new HDTV. Then, we borrowed a friend's Blu-Ray player. Sheesh, the results were dang near stunning.
   
   The LT-46149 has satisfied our desires for a home theater system, and then some. If you're looking for a top-notch home theater experience, and you can't or don't want to run wires to speakers arranged around your room, it's a great choice.



4. I have used this Mitsubishi LT-46149 1080p LCD HDTV set for three weeks, and am more impressed with it the more I use it.
   
   Without doubt the greatest strength of this set is the exceptional quality of the picture right out of the box. It's bright, clear, noise free and extremely well lit in both HDTV and standard definition presentations. This is not a TV that videophiles will be able to spend hours playing around with to get the ultimate cinema like picture with fine gradations of contrast and ultimate color accuracy. Unlike my Samsung, it does not provide advanced video controls for elements such as gamma (middle grayscale), black level, dynamic contrast, RGB tweaking, edge definition et cetera. If I am willing to spend a little time customizing the picture for every different DVD I rented or own, I believe that I can usually get a slightly more impressive picture with the Samsung. On the other hand, the Mitsubishi will give me about 95% of the quality without having to do a single adjustment. I would say it's something like the difference between a Porsche with an automatic transmission and one with a six speed manual. Purists will eschew the automatic, but for 99% of the population the automatic transmission will get them to well above the legal speed limit with a lot less fuss.
   
   Another high point is the exceptional quality of the sound system. The "Projector Sound System" of 16 speakers blows away the Samsung in both clarity and fidelity, but it really needs the subwoofer to demonstrate its truly exceptional quality. I like to watch opera on DVD, so initially I set it up so that the sound would play through my high end, vacuum tube audiophile stereo set rather than the Mitsubishi sound system. I soon found that I was getting a more realistic effect using the Mitsubishi's TV's own sound system with the subwoofer. This is because the Mitsubishi "Projector Sound" uses a sophisticated audio matrix system to synthesize convincing surround sound effects that can be customized to the room, a feature lacking in my admittedly very good audiophile two speaker stereo system.
   
   Another feature that I absolutely love is the 480i "Stretch Plus" format that my Samsung unfortunately does not have. It's exceptional for watching non-letterbox programming in the most realistic possible manner on widescreen. I use Stretch Plus for watching all of my favorite non-letterbox DVDs, such as The Wire, which was shot in 4:3 format (non-letterbox) instead of the more common 16:9 widescreen that is becoming more popular today. Normally, you can watch these older TV shows in 4:3 format, which keeps the picture undistorted but that leaves large black areas on either side of the picture, or you can watch them in wide format, which has the unfortunate effect of squashing and stretching faces and bodies etc. to fit the screen. Mitsubishi has done an incredibly clever thing with "Stretch Plus," by keeping the aspect ratio more or less undistorted in the middle of the screen where most of the action happens, and subtly stretching out the corners where you don't notice the distortion most of the time. It's a lot harder to describe than to watch, but let me tell you that if you own a large number of non-letterbox DVDs, this makes them a lot more fun to watch.
   
   More than anything else, I am impressed with the robust engineering and design of this set. Instead of adding a lot of bells and whistles than 99% of the population will never use, Mitsubishi has put its money into an exceptional sound system and excellent out-of-the-box video picture that will please anyone looking for a top quality HDTV set. I am very happy with this set and would recommend it to anyone except the dyed in the wool videophile who wants to have every possible tweak possible to the picture. For everyone else, this would be a superb choice.



5. I didn't used to watch much TV. Ever. Until today.
   
   Sitting inside of the Mitsubishi, fueled by the base coming out of the accompanying sub-woofer, and watching The Fifty Best Amazing Catch, I think I see a new recreational habit developing.
   
   The LT-46149 sports a handsome black-and-silver presentation that blends well with a variety of room decors. The picture is remarkably crisp, all that you'd expect in a high-end television and perhaps a little more.
   
   It's the sound that stands out. Sixteen speakers aim to give you true surround sound without all the clutter. It works. If you want an authentic room theatre, you'll want to spend the money for that. But if you want exceptional near-surround sound quality without the expense or in a room that's not big enough or experiences more foot traffic than a purpose-built home theatre, this television will pull it off for you.
   
   An extremely convenient function lets you tweak the out-of-the-box 'sound projector' function to fit your exact room measurements and layout. It all happens right from the remote control.
   
   You'll definitely want to invest in the HDMI cable, which is not included. Without that modest extra investment, you're wasting the machine's capacity. I also recommend you pair this television with a subwoofer. The difference it makes is astonishing and it elevates the television's sixteen-speaker potency onto a whole new platform.
   
   With the LT-46149's superb visual qualities and its cutting edge soundworks, Mitsubishi has placed a new kind of small-to-medium-room television viewing within reach of the sub-room-theatre crowd, of which this reviewer is a card-carrying member.
   
   I think I'll stay home tonight.

3 comments about Viewsonic N2635W 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV.

1. ViewSonic's high-performance N2635w 26" widescreen LCD TV flips you in high-definition. slow video response, low brightness. Build a complete high-definition home theater by connecting a DVD pl and contrast ratio deliver crystal-clear slow action flicks , gaming console, HD set top box and more with the multiple video and audio connections. HDMI with HDCP ensures long-term compatibility with emerging technology. Advanced Clearpicture Electronics enhance contrast, define details and boost color for amazingly lifelike images. Built-in 20-watt Dolby Digital sound completes the experience. For a total multimedia experience that your neighbors will envy, choose the ViewSonic N2635w.



2. WARNING! If you want to be forced to watch stretched (distorted) image, (with a few exceptions of some HD digital channels), this ViewSonic model is the right TV set for you!
   The two tuners on this HDTV receive both digital (w/ or w/o HD), and analog channels. When tuning to the analog and to some of the digital non-HD channels, the originally broadcasted 4x3 images are stretched to fully cover the wide screen size of 16x9 ratio of this HDTV set. This "linear image distortion" causes people to look fat and the overall image very unpleasant to watch.
   After going through the manual, I could not find any setting selection to correct this problem. (Some LCD HDTVs have setting options like "STRETCH", ZOOM, SIDE BARS, etc., but not this one).
   I called ViewSonic customer service, and, after being on hold for 15 minutes, I was told that "this is normal" and "there are no settings to correct this problem", and then the call was somehow disconnected (did they hang up on me? I don't know!).
   NOTE: Not all of the TVs are like this one. I have one LCD HDTV that automatically switches between the 3x4 and the 16x9 ratios, according to the broadcasted image and the settings performed through the TV setup menu. The only time this problem cannot be corrected is when some (abnormal) TV stations intentionally broadcast an originally distorted image in HD, which may occur in 1 or 2 stations within 100.
   Be aware of this problem before you fall in a trap and buy LCD HDTVs like this ViewSonic N2635W!



3. This isn't a bad TV. I paid $380 for it brand new. The TV does take a bit longer than normal to change channels, but the video (head-on) is very crisp. Of course, from side angle, it is not the greatest, but I have it in the basement (game table, workout gym, lounge area) and it is on a swivel arm, so I can swing it around based on activity I am working on.
   
   Contrary to other reviews, I've had no complaints so far. Then again, I've only had it 2 weeks, but its a beautiful TV, great picture using cable, decent size 26" screen, the audio I've connected to my basement wall-mounted speakers...I'm VERY pleased!

2 comments about PT-LB60NTU LCD Mobile Proj XGA 400:1 3200 Lumens Wireless 5.70LBS.

1. the product is very good, but the wireless speed is not good for videos, but for power point its perfect



2. I work with a small team, and the intention of this purchase was so we could share our screens wirelessly and enhance collaboration. This projector has been an enormous disappointment from how it was billed.
   
   Before purchasing I first emailed Panasonic to see if it was Vista compatible. Absolutely they said. So I ordered. You know how you know when sales guys are lying? Their lips move. Something I'd forgotten in my excitement to get a good wireless projector.
   
   So as soon as it arrived, I pop the wireless driver CD (called "3.0ME") into my Vista box, and promptly get the following popup "????os???"OK. When you click OK, the driver install cancels. Mmm, you can almost taste the compatibility can't you?
   
   So I called Panasonic, where I got a very terse directive to go to the download site - to download "4.5 ME". Just as I was about to download I noticed it said that it was compatible with the 100NT, and the 51NT, but the 60NTU was not mentioned. I pointed this out to the brusque Panasonic techie who told me "look just download it, OK" and he hung up. So I did.
   
   Well after much fiddling it really wasn't working. So I uninstalled it, only to find that now the wireless on my laptop didn't work ie I couldn't access the web. So I called back Panasonic help, where I was told, "look your laptop working is nothing that I can help with" which I sort of appreciate, but I was trying to point out it was working perfectly until 4.5ME was installed. "Hey, I've got an idea" I said "How about I reinstall 4.5ME and see if that fixes whatever it messed with when it uninstalled itself out of the registry" . Great, he said. And so I did, and now - amazingly - the internet was working. But the wireless projector connection still was not.
   
   But the tech guy kept working with me - although he seemed to be referencing another product entirely which was frustrating for both of us. Finally he said "so you are using 4.5...I'm really not familiar with that, how about you install 3.0 then I can help you troubleshoot". I'm sorry, but when the tech help isn't familiar with the latest driver posted to the website something seems terribly wrong. "Its the latest driver" I pointed out "Yes but its not compatible with your projector" he said "Thats what I said the first time around to your colleague" I explained. It was all quite maddening.
   
   I then explained that actually I had tried to install 3.0 but the disc install failed. "Ahh" he said "You need the 3.0 download from the website". Well this was looking promising. So I downloaded and installed to find out...yup it was all in Japanese. No clue which buttons to click as they were all in Hiragana...Wow! This is compatibility??? Fortunately he knew which buttons to click, and he instructed me and off I went and STILL the machine wouldn't fire up using the wireless network. A picture would pop up for just a moment, but then close down. "It's a bug with Vista" he said. Well that may well be, but that's not how Panasonic sold this thing.
   
   So he told me what I needed to do was download another document that talked about how to wirelessly connect with Vista by manually setting up the IP addresses on the Network Drivers. "Well could you stick around and just talk me through this?" I asked. "Nope, I've never done it before, but the instructions look pretty easy" he said and then hung up. I stared mournfully at the dead telephone and began the lonely download.
   
   Well the good news is it does work. If you manually set the addresses which is a huge pain in the ass, denies you accessing the web on your wireless network, and can only deal with up to four users, and requires a whole set of undo steps on the back end to make the wireless work "properly" afterwards. Compatibility this isn't, this is jerry rigging.
   
   The picture is wonderful. But the wireless network set up is laughable for Vista, and for Panasonic to claim that this projector has compatibility is a near crime. Back it goes. What a waste of time money and effort. I hope this review helps someone avoid this aggravation.

5 comments about LG 47LC7DF 47-inch 1080p LCD HDTV.

1. I've had this TV for a couple weeks now, so although I cannot comment on the reliability of this TV, I can comment on its performance.
   
   When I was shopping for an HDTV, this was the least expensive HDTV that I could find in the 45"-49" size that would accept 1080p over VGA and component inputs (not common) in addition to HDMI. This included plasma TVs.
   
   Overall, the TV is very good in the $1500 price range. It has very good off-angle viewing for an LCD (something LCDs aren't good at). The black levels are average for an LCD, which most people won't have a problem with. With sports, I find that the TV does a very good job with fast motion. The only time I notice blurring or pixelation is when a logo/graphic moves across the screen (Fox does this periodically during football games when doing instant replays).
   
   I have not watched any HD-DVD or Blu-Ray movies yet, so I can't comment on how 1080p looks, but the picture quality with TV programming (720p or 1080i) is excellent. When watching standard def TV (480i), I find that the TV does a good job with scaling.
   
   For all you "green" people, you will like the fact that this TV is Energy Star compliant.
   
   Other comments:
   
   Remote/controls - The remote allows you to choose which input to display. This may not sound like much, but some TVs force you to go through each input in order if you want to change it. With this TV, you simply press the Input button, then use the arrow buttons to highlight which input to select. There is also a set of buttons (on/off, volume, channel, etc.) on the right-hand side of the TV. They aren't very noticeable, so they won't detract from the design of the TV, but are handy if you need them.
   
   Speakers - I find that the built-in speakers are average. If you need to turn up the volume (above 60), I find that the speakers don't get enough power, so you get some vibrating noise. This isn't a big deal if you plan on using a receiver and external speakers.
   
   Stand - The stand that comes mounted on the TV is very basic. It doesn't allow you to swivel, so turning the TV involves turning the stand as well.
   
   Color settings - The TV comes with four preset video settings, plus two custom ones that you can set. The default setting (Dynamic) is set too high and makes all programs look horrible (washed out and jaggy). I recommend using the following settings (which I found on AVSForum):
   
   Contrast 85
   Brightness 40
   Color 60
   Tint 0
   Sharpness 37
   Backlight 17
   Black level high (only available if using HDMI)
   
   cinime 3.2 mode - off
   aspect 16.9
   xd - manual
   xd contrast - off
   xd color - off
   xd noise - on
   color temp - user (all are set on 0)
   
   With these settings, the picture looks significantly better across all types of programming. I would recommend people use these settings as a starting point, then make their own adjustments. The default setting is too far off to watch any TV or movies (regardless of the source resolution).
   
   Another nice feature is each input has its own distinct video setting. That means that the video settings for the Component 1 input can be set differently from the HDMI 1 input. This is nice because you may find that you like different settings depending on your video source. For example, I like using the Dynamic for my Xbox 360, but for cable, I use the above settings.
   
   Documentation - The TV comes with a printed booklet, which is more like a "quick start guide". It also comes with a CD which contains the PDF versions of the owner's manual. Despite it being 113 pages long, it doesn't do a very good job describing the different settings that you can change. It simply lists the different options.
   
   Packaging - LG does an excellent job packaging this TV. It's in a normal rectangular cardboard box (like most HDTVs). The difference, however, is that you can take the sides and top off when unpacking the TV... kind of like taking the cover off a dessert tray. This makes removing the TV from the box a one-person job. Although relatively light (about 83 lbs with the stand; 70 lbs without), I still recommend having another person when lifting the TV.
   
   Connections - 1080p is supported over VGA, HDMI and component. The main connections are located on the back of the TV, which you then can route the cables downward. There are also a set of inputs on the left-hand side of the TV (USB - for photos or MP3s, S-video, composite).
   
   Firmware - Many TVs offer the ability to upgrade the firmware simply by downloading the update from the manufacturer's website onto a USB memory stick. Unfortunately, I have no idea if this TV offers the same functionality. The manual doesn't state anything, and I wasn't able to find any information on LG's website. My guess is that it doesn't support this, but I have not verified this with LG.
   
   Tuner - This TV has a built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner, so if you want to, you can simply connect an external antenna (e.g. "rabbit ears") to get over-the-air (OTA) digital signals (including HD). I tested this functionality, and it comes in very well. The downside with OTA signals is that if the signal isn't strong enough, you will notice pixelation or freezing. This is normal with digital programming, because with digital... you're either receiving the signal or not.
   
   Here's a link to LG's website for more info on the TV. You can find the specs for this TV and the owner's manual here.
   
   [...]



2. Overall, this TV is great; offering 3 HDMI ports, a RGB VHS port, 2 component video ports, etc., it's clearly not lacking.
   
   I'll only delve into what I *don't* like about this TV.
   
   1) Aside from a component and S-VHS port on the side of the TV, everything's on the back. If you are using the TV on a table, this wouldn't be a problem. But if you want to wall-mount, if say your buddy brings over his XBOX360, unless it is one that supports HDMI (and you have an HDMI cable into say your DVD player), you'd have to unmount the TV, hook up an HDMI cable, re-mount the TV. Is it the end of the world? No, but it is a definite pain. Especially considering there are other TV's which have the hook-ups on the side (likely for this very reason).
   
   2) In certain cases (very dark scenes), the TV has almost a 'milky' looking background. It's hard to describe, and I likely wouldn't have even noticed it, until I saw a review on another forum complaining about this. Is it an actual defect? I don't know -- I haven't contacted LG (yet), as it rarely exhibits itself, but when it does, it is annoying.
   
   3) As noted above, it has 3 HDMI ports. UNFORTUNATELY, if you want to use a Harmony remote, you can only program it to 'directly' connect to HDMI1 or HDMI2, NOT HDMI3. I've attempted to work-around this, but have had only limited success. (I could alternatively program the remote to navigate input selection differently, but that would result in increased time to switch to a port.)
   
   Those are really the only two *bad* things I have to say about this TV. Otherwise, it's great. Note that I'm not an expert by any means, and clearly the source used to feed it can also have a direct impact (I use a PS3 for Blu-Ray, HD-A2 for HD-DVD, a NAD T-534 for SD-DVD, and Comcast HD Digital Cable).



3. A word of caution to those considering to buy this television (which I do recommend, it is a great TV at a great price), the wall mount suggested by amazon.com (Peerless ST650P Tilting Wall Mount for 32" to 50" Flat Panel Displays) IS NOT COMPATIBLE with this particular TV.



4. If you are considering this TV, it means you are probably looking for the best bang for the buck. I shopped months before making my decision and, although my original choice was not available, this LG has been GREAT. These are the high points:
   
   Great Price
   Great system options with all of the possible connections
   It has a backlight control (for the wierdos who need "pure blacks")
   1080p looks great on it (I use Comcast Cable and Sony PS3 Blue Ray)
   Speakers work good
   It offers a better viewing angle than most other LCD sets I shopped
   So far (6 months), I have had no problems
   
   I can tell you that once you get 1080p, you will only look for accesories with HDMI connections. I currently use all 3 and 1 one of my component connections. I have a Wii connected by components, and my cable box, PS3, and home theater are connected with the 3 HDMIs. I chose to use the stand instead of wall mounting because a stand makes it much easier to get to the wires in the back, but I don't think it would make a difference unless you have more than 3 HDMI devices.
   
   I chose LCD over Plasma because I was worried about burn in from all of the sports and video games I enjoy. By the way, ESPNHD and PS3 looks awesome on this TV. I will say that non-HD programs don't look so good on the set, but who wants to watch non-HD stuff on a 1080p set anyway? I would definitely buy this set again knowing what I now know about it.



5. While 1080p for this price is a decent value, there are significant drawbacks in picture quality. The black levels are not as good as more expensive brands or plasmas, which impacts movies and cable the most. The backlight is REALLY strong and gets really flashy/painful when bright scenes are suddenly displayed, like commercials. DVDs and Blurays look good but not great due to the black levels; I found the XD engine helpful for movies but it also distorts the overall picture in my opinion. Games look great on this tv; the notorious motion blur on LCDs is still present but not very noticeable/distracting. Overall this is a solid purchase but probably not the best, be sure to shop around for other brands/deals before settling on this one.

3 comments about LG 42LG30 42-Inch 720p LCD HDTV.

1. Good value and product shipped quickly.
   
   Picture quality is mediocre for non-HD programs.



2. This is the 2nd LG monitor/TV I own and see absolutely no reason not to buy LG again. Picture is excellent, even with non HD programming. Of course the quality of your non-HD programming depends on the feed... so thats really negligible.
   
   If you're looking for an excellent mid-range priced HDTV then this is the one to get.



3. Upon further review,I really like this LCD.Plenty of inputs and 3HDMI'S,so don't be confused.There's not a lot of feedback as of yet on the 42lg30.I've used calibration settings for the 42lg50(AVS FORUM)with great results,and a little personal tweaking.Not to upset 6500kelvin.
   
   As with most LCD's there is some backlight bleeding on darker scenes and off angle veiwing is a bit washed out on my set.Prompting me to return the first set.Both sets were about the same PQ-wise (great)HD cable and Philips 5982 upconversion dvd player.Let me tell U this is not your everyday 720p LCD.WELL....GO GET IT!!!!

3 comments about VT700 LCD Proj XGA 3000 Lumens Dual Computer Input with 5WATT Speaker.

1. Super bright at 3000 lumens. Fairly short-throw so you can be about 8-10 feet back from a typical screen. If you have used a projector with wimpy laptop sound, you will be impressed with the substantial output and decent quality sound on this unit. Multiple video/audio inputs with switching from the remote is a nice touch also. Well worth the extra $$!



2. Three things stand out for me on why I first chose and why I am enjoying this projector. (1)3000 lumens at this price is pretty good. (2)A more powerful speaker which allows for presentations in a sizable audience without having to attach speakers - but if you want other speakers, there is a convenient minipin port. (3)A convenient volume control for that speaker on top - my last one was imbedded in the menu. Add to these the wide range of ports in and out (DVI!) and you can see that this is a power users machine at a modest price point.



3. Here at work we have about 6-7 projectors for use in meeting rooms. This is the nicest one in my opinion. It is very quiet, has a bright display and crisp characters when displaying text. It also has a nice long power cord which is great for meeting rooms. Nice case, too.

2 comments about Mitsubishi WD-73835 - 73" Diamond rear projection TV ( DLP ) - 120Hz - widescreen - 1080p (FullHD) - HDTV - high-gloss black pearl with blue light accent.

1. Just bought the WD-73835 from OneCall. Got best price and free shipping as noted on the Amazon site. This is an incredible television. I upgraded from my prior set an HP 6580N DLP and the difference in size (25% larger than a 65" set), sharpness, color and brightness is remarkable. The colors are a little off out-of-the-box so the set is best tuned either with an ISF Calibration or for an experienced user with one of the varous tv tuning DVDs that are available.
   
   You will NOT regret this purchase and OneCall's service is outstanding as well!



2. I purchased this TV and had it delivered in time for the Olympics. My cable company actually seems to have broadcast NBC's HD channels with out over compressing them and the pictures are awesome. Please note that this is my first 1080p TV so I may be a bit too easy to impress. I have a Panasonic TH-42PX60U 42-Inch Plasma HDTV as well but they are not even in the same class.
   
   I have a PS3 as well that I use as a Blu-Ray player. This is why I will never have to go to the movie theater again. The movies are stunning. Sitting at 9 feet (3 meters) from the set all your field of vision is filled without having to move your head.
   
   Out of the box this TV was easy to use and operate. I do, however, recommend reading the manual as there are several features that you may not know exist if you do not.
   
   In choosing this TV I had trouble finding reviews. This is because Mitsubishi seems to release a new model every year or less. I recommend looking at some of the prior models reviews. Here are a few I used (if the links still work):
   * Mitsubishi Diamond Series WD-73833 - 73" rear projection TV ( DLP ) - 120Hz - widescreen - 1080p (FullHD) - HDTV
   * Mitsubishi WD-73735 73-Inch 1080p DLP HDTV
   * Mitsubishi WD-73734 73-Inch 1080p DLP HDTV

2 comments about LG 60PG60 60-Inch 1080p Plasma Frameless Edge HDTV.

1. I was originally considering a Panny 800u, but that's not due out til early fall and after reading about the CES award LG took and its stunning design elements, I decided to include it on my list.
   
   My final decision came yesterday when a local sales manager called me to let me know he had gotten is 60PG60 shipment and was hanging his display unit. I asked him what he thought and he said, "OMG...you gotta come see this. I'm hanging it next to the Panny 750u for comparison"
   
   So, I headed on over and his explanation was well founded. With an identical source, the LG was far crisper, brighter, and had deeper blacks. Still not as bright as the Sammy 650 LCD nearby, but that Sammy was more $$, only 50", had far less features, and less dark blacks.
   
   I said... "Wrap it up!"
   
   Purchase Experience
   I purchased my 60-PG60 at Brandsmart; if you are located in Georgia or Florida, I highly recommend them.
   I opted for the 5 year warranty, which was deeply discounted as well.
   
   Set Up and Use
   This sucker is heavy; part of that weight is a very nice and sturdy stand that allows 20 degree movement in either direction; I am using the stand.
   Beneath the stand are several rubber feat that make it darn near impossible to slide into place, so be sure you have someone to help you position it.
   Out of the box, the color settings were fine for me, but I might opt for one of those calibration disks since the LG includes two custom expert settings. I'll need some advice on that from you guys.
   The THX mode is kind of a mixed bag, it looks cool on some movies but not so good on others. Specifically, it looked great on Blu-ray "Night in the Museum," but kind of crappy on DVD The Matrix. I'm not sure if its been calibrated for HD or if the dark greenish nature of The Matrix made it a poor fit for this setting. The standard setting looked great.
   The invisible speakers worked fine, but I find myself listening to things at a setting around 50 rather than about 15 on my Samsung, which means just about nothing, but I figured I'd include it for reference. UPDATE: The sound is definitely interesting. After a couple days use in a live environment, I've found myself really using a range of volume from about 25 to 75. My initial, and a bit stupid, reaction was, "Why do I have to turn it up so much to be able to hear well?" The reality is two fold. First, at the low volume range all was quiet, 2am everyone asleep kind of thing. At the 75 end, dishwasher going, kids yelling upstairs, a vacuum running, and a teenager mucking around with iMovie within earshot. Every other set I've owned get's very loud and somewhat distorted after about 40% of its max volume. I've taken the PG60 all the way up to 75 (or 75% of max) without any distortion. It has evidently been designed to use the full range of its volume capabilities. The main downside I see is that you will likely be adjusting this set's volume more frequently than others due to environment and it would be nice to have some presets to save a bit of time as the volume increments or decrements. A minor quibble since it really doesn't take much time.
   
   Aesthetics
   Obviously this is personal, so take it with a grain of salt, but I think the PG60 is one of the nicest looking sets ever.
   It reminds me a lot of my iMac in that the glass is flush with a recessed matte. Unlike the 700/750 Panny, there are no doors to fold down and, for whatever reason, I just don't like fold down doors.
   Everything is black except for the pivot point on the stand which a sort of brushed aluminum, thus creating even more iMac comparison.
   
   Issues
   The included manual is woeful. There is a better one available online, but it pretty much sucks too. I really wish manufacturers would create one manual per model and explain each feature...oh well.
   The remote is a bit crappy too, mainly because it does not allow rapid access to some features by way of advanced buttons hidden behind a secondary door or some such. This is little more than a nuisance for me because I use a Harmony and can program many of those features directly from Logitech's site, however if the LG will be your primary remote, you might be a bit disappointed. For example, by remote alone, there is no way to go directly to a specific aspect ratio without cycling through them. One caveat, Logitech does not yet have the PG60s in their Harmony database so you'll need to go with last years 60" flagship. It works fine, but you lose access to new features like Just Scan until they get it updated, which should be soon. [UPDATE: Logitech's databases have now include the 60PG60 and you can directly access nearly all functions...yay!]
   
   Someone had asked me to baseline this unit against others...here it is:
   
   Here are my personal baselines for your 1-10 scale:
   
   1) Insignia NS-PDP42
   5) Samsung PN58A550
   7) Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ750U
   9) LG 60PG60
   10) Pioneer Kuro PRO-150FD
   
   My ratings do take into account aesthetics, features, and picture quality. The Pioneer's amazing inky blacks and uncompromising build quality/component selection pegs it as the best of the best IMHO. That said, my eyes are not as good as the instruments used by Elite engineers and my wallet is not as fat as those who might purchase that unit.
   
   Picture quality aside, I think the LGs aesthetics and feature set surpasses that of the Kuro. Sacrilege, I know, but there you have it.
   
   The Panny's glare reduction is a bit better than the LGs, but its feature set and picture quality are inferior. The new 850u might be a better comparison, but I haven't seen one in the wild. That said, pricing on the 850u looks to be significantly higher than for the PG60 in that I paid for the 60" what some major folks are charging for the 50" Panny.
   
   Finally, I may be repeating myself a bit, but I cannot overstate the Aesthetics of this set. It really is "iMac-ish" in its form factor. I really like the frameless design and invisible speakers. That is completely subjective and personal though...



2. I was shopping for big screen plasma and watched this in BestBuy. It is very impressive, slick, modern, tv with very nice picture and sound. I am not tv guru so I can't say how cool is it from professional point of view but hidef program on it looks stunning and I ordered one!
   I read about movement artifacts on plasmas and was concerned but I couldn't find any on this set. The picture is silky smooth.

5 comments about BenQ W500 720p Home Entertainment Projector , White.

1. The BenQ w500 home theater projector truly lived up to my expectations of how movies and HD television should be experienced. Upscaled DVDs look incredible and although LCD technology can't quite reach the black levels of DLP, it by no means detracts from my enjoyment of this projector. My home theater seating is approximately 11 feet away from 108" diagonal screen with the only notable "screen door effect" (visible pixels) showing up with some text, although I think that may also be the result of mpeg compression artifacts. Besides the outstanding value this proector offers in upfront cost, the replacement bulbs are considerably less expensive than competing projectors in this segment. As with all home theater projectors you do need to control the room lighting for the best viewing experience, but I would not hesitate to highly suggest the BenQ w500 make your short list when in the market for a home theater projector.



2. bought the projector, find out it shuts down for no reason for random amounts of time. Tried to swap it for a working one, but Tiger Direct would only let me return it and buy a new one- and oh by the way it costs 10% more now! I'm not happy to be penalized for having bought a defective machine. Pursuing this with BenQ now.



3. Pros:
   1. Great Contrast.
   2. One of the least expensive projectors with lens shift.
   
   Cons:
   1. Not the brightest projector out there.
   2. Only has a 2000 hour bulb.
   
   Consider the Mitsubishi HC1500 or the Panasonic PT-AX200 instead and be sure to read my reviews on them too.
   
   Hope this helps get your RealHomeTheaters off the ground!



4. I thought about a projector for a long time and finally decided upon this one based on it's lens-shifting capabilities (I was also looking at the Mitsubishi 1500). I have a low ceiling and thought that the Misubishi's fixed lens might be difficult to use properly. This is my first projector and I've logged ~50 hours so far between games, movies, and general computer usage. It has far exceeded all my expectations.
   
   Setup was simple. I took it out of the box, plugged it in, shut the lights off, and turned it on. I then was able to focus, zoom, and shift as appropriate with ease. I'm currently running this with an image just shy of 120" on a wood textured gray wall which I thought would be terrible for projecting on and it looks excellent. I can't wait to mount it permanently and get a screen which I would bet will enhance the experience that much more. I'll probably update later with pictures and further thoughts.
   
   The only con I can think of currently is that it only has 1 HDMI port. But I knew that going in and there's all sorts of methods to work around that. After reading the few reviews on Amazon I kind of think they are written by people who are reviewing this based on its specs, without actually having seen or used the projector.
   
   In short this projector has done nothing but impress me from the first minute and I can only hope that it will continue to do so. All my friends and relatives who have seen it so far are in awe, and several are now considering purchasing a projector. This is an excellent entry-level high def projector with a ton of features for a great price.
   
   If you're like me and you have been looking at this projector for a while and have been hesitant, do yourself a favor and buy it. It's doing everything I had hoped it would do and more.



5. I do not know what the low rating people voted this projector so low for! Just because of one miserable problem they consider the whole company is at fault. BenQ is known for their awesome customer service. Back to this projector though, it's outstanding. Tweak everything to your liking with it's awesome menu especially for colors. With HDMI and 2 Components and a D-SUB what more is there to ask? HQV does an outstanding effect on SD content (DVD, most computer medias, tv channels) and above and beyond on HD format. Economy mode makes it decently quiet. Add in a 5.1 home theater system and everything is great. This is an excellent 720p projector and not to mention the bulb price isn't more than half of the known 720p projector such as Mitsubishi HC1500 or Panasonic PX200AU.