Sony XBR-65X900B Series 4K Ultra HDTV Review

The Sony XBR65X900B  Series 4K Ultra HD TV delights the senses with exquisite aesthetics, superior picture quality, and a built-in gaming experience that doesn’t suck. Even the audio quality, so often an afterthought with modern LCD televisions, shows Sony expresses its engineering creativity by crafting a television that delivers reference quality imagery plus audio reproduction that rivals a premium soundbar.

Our full review, up next.

Style, setup, and sound

A sidelong glance at the 900B reveals a distinct wedge shaped profile that tapers toward a rounded top. Chromed sides and feet add a little sparkle without distraction, and the feet can be relocated from the outside edges, closer to center, for placement on surfaces that aren’t as wide as the TV itself. The unique profile of the X900B doesn’t negate wall mounting, and included spacers ensure adequate clearance with standard mounting hardware. This is a rather hefty TV. Our 64.5 inch tester tipped the scale at 103lbs with the stand attached.

The additional depth afforded by the TV’s chassis provides room for the most impressive looking and sounding speaker system I’ve seen in any television to date. There are three speakers on each side of the screen: an 18mm tweeter, 80mm magnetic fluid midrange, and 80mm subwoofer that’s ported out the rear. The speaker and sub diaphragms are a woven material that appears as tough as it is visually appealing. Total amplification is 65 watts and an optional wireless subwoofer is available for more boom. Even without it, the X900B’s speaker configuration will fill all but the largest rooms with detailed and distortion-free audio reproduction.

Other than the cutouts for the speakers, and a Skype-ready camera in the upper left corner, the X900B’s face is a seamless sheet of glass that won’t stop harsh reflections but it does further enhance its visual appeal, even when powered off.

Ports and networking

The selection of inputs on the rear includes four HDMI ports: one supporting Audio Return Channel (ARC), and two others that are MHL-enabled. Component and composite video inputs are present, as are three USB ports for attaching external devices. There’s also a headphone jack for those who appreciate a more private listening experience. The X900B’s networking options include a/b/g/n wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz) and Ethernet, and the TV supports the standard list of file formats for DLNA content streaming.

Display specs

The X900B’s edge-lit LCD panel features 3840×2160 pixel resolution. All of the TV’s HDMI ports were compatible with the screen’s native resolution up to 60Hz with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. We verified this with the DVDO AVLab TPG (read our review). The HDMI ports also accepted 4096×2160 video signals from the TPG at up to 24Hz, and 4K PC input at up to 60Hz. The latter being something we were unable to achieve with the Samsung HU8550. (Not a big deal as all 4K UHD sources to date have been 3840 x 2160-ed.)

The X900B series is available in three screen sizes: 79-inches, 65-inches, and 55-inches with the largest model featuring passive 3D technology while the other two are active 3D.

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Gaming goodness

The X900B is currently one of the few ways to enjoy Sony’s new PlayStation Now cloud gaming service. Pair a DualShock controller (not included) with the TV, log in, and enjoy a selection of rental-only titles anytime. PlayStation Now links to the PlayStation Network for high score comparisons with friends and archiving earned trophies.

I sampled the side-scrolling music rhythm game Retro/Grade and found the controls were completely lag free but with an occasional visual hitch. This may have been due to connection issues with the online gaming service. Music orientated games like this one also highlighted the TV’s solid audio capabilities. Overall, having PlayStation Now built into the TV proved easy to use and enjoyable.

For PlayStation gamers who enjoy split screen two player action, the X900B series supports SimulView with supported titles, delivering a unique full screen 2D view to each player when wearing the 3D glasses.

 

Lag measurement using the nifty Leo Bodnar LagTester revealed a reduction of video delay from 144ms (Cinema 1 preset) to a very acceptable 41ms with the TV’s Game Mode picture preset enabled.

Remote design

The X900B include two remote controls. One is a baton-style design with an uncrowded layout of clearly labeled buttons. The other is a compact touch pad remote that offered good navigation performance and quick access to content discovery and social features – the latter integrating Skype and Twitter into the TV viewing experience. Compared to LG and Samsung’s compact remote offerings, which feature Nintendo Wii-like cursor control, the Sony touch pad remote felt a bit slower and less ergonomic, but functional nonetheless.

[picture: Sony_X900_remote_580px.jpg]

[picture: Sony_X900_touchpad_580px.jpg]

Tuner time

I was pleased with the sensitivity of X900B’s over-the-air (OTA) tuner, which captured my local stations with ease and stability using a quality indoor antenna. The TV’s channel guide provided an expansive view with a grid style layout displaying seven channels at once and six hours of scheduled program information. A press of the remote’s display button provided a useful overlay of current channel details including a brief program synopsis, broadcast format, aspect ratio, and audio format.

Apps and media

The X900B features a solid library of apps to choose from, including Netflix’s slowly growing selection of 4K content. Sony’s Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited streaming services are prominently featured, as are related services like Crackle and Vevo. The TV’s USB/home network media player supported all the H.264 and MKV files I threw at it, including some that featured 4K at 60Hz video content.

Picture setup options

The X900B features a staggering number of video controls to tweak. Purists can ignore the majority of the TV’s ten picture presets (aka Scene Select) and go straight to Cinema 1 and Cinema 2 which are factory optimized for a 2.4 and 2.2 gamma setup respectively. Cinema 1 being the mode I selected for further calibration and testing.

I would have preferred that picture overscan controls not be placed in a separate menu, accessible only from the TV’s home screen, but these controls did prove effective at eliminating this video scourge for all HD formats including programs received via the OTA tuner.

In the lab: color quality

Compared to other 4K LCDs I’ve tested recently, including Samsung’s excellent HU8550 series, the X900B’s calibrated picture delivered superior color quality. Using SpectraCal’s CalMAN ColorChecker tool I recorded an average dE2000 (Delta E 2000 formula) of 0.99 (values under 3.0 being ideal) – this is the most accurate result I’ve seen to date. The previous best result that I recorded with ColorChecker was 1.68 with the LG EC9300 OLED TV (read our review). All the more remarkable about this result was that the X900B has no color management setup, and its picture optimization was performed using only a two-point white balance control. Some TVs feature a 10 or 20 point white balance setup, but that didn’t seem to be needed here.

precalibration, precolor,postcal, post color, color check. post cal saturation

Video processing

The classic 1080i HQV benchmark Blu-ray test discs quickly revealed that the X900B lagged behind its competition, showing jaggies along angled edges in the moving bar and violin strings tests – likely a sign of weak per-pixel edge processing. The benchmark’s film resolution loss test indicated that the TV was performing motion-adaptive processing, but that it was not maintaining a consistent lock on 24fps and 30fps sources. However, the TV’s processing did effectively eliminate flicker, and related loss of detail in a selection of interlaced movies that were examined.

The X900B’s Reality Creation (ahem) picture setting can be configured to enable an expanded color gamut for the handful of ‘mastered in 4K’ Blu-ray movies that are available. This setting also contains a ‘resolution’ enhancement option that appeared to do a better job than simply cranking up the sharpness control, but I advise you to skip the ‘detail enhancer’ option in the separate advanced menu as that degraded resolution test patterns.

Uniformity

Edge-lit TVs like the X900B have difficulty producing a uniformly bright picture. Solid dark backgrounds did reveal some slight uniformity issues, but nothing that was particularly obvious in general video viewing. The TV’s local dimming technology did a good job of minimizing halo artifacts and maintaining dark letterboxed bars.

Overall viewing angles and dark room performance exhibited less degradation and distraction than was the case with the Samsung HU8550.

Motion resolution

The X900B features selectable levels of black frame insertion (BFI) and motion interpolation through its Motionflow picture control. Increasing BFI reduces light output but improves the clarity of moving video objects. At its maximum setting (Impulse), the TV’s light output is reduced to levels suitable for rooms with little ambient illumination, but it delivered perfect clarity with 1080-line video benchmarks.

Brighter Motionflow presets like Clear and Clear Plus were able to reach about 950 lines of detail, making them suitable for content like sports programming. Unlike the Samsung HU8550, the X900B was unable to enhance the clarity of film-sourced (24fps) content without unnaturally smoothing the on screen action.

Viewing exams

With a superbly calibrated picture, the X900B is a delight to watch. The naturally-lit time lapse scenes featured in the Samsaru Blu-ray were well-contrasted, and its many colorful visuals highlighted the TV’s superb color accuracy.

Dark detail on this edge-lit display was also very good, as noted in my go to scenes from The Dark Knight and Mission Impossible 3. Regardless of a scene’s lighting, skin tones remained natural and gradients consistent. Also, broadcast and streamed content pleased (nearly) as much as 1080p Blu-rays.

The 3D performance of our this active model proved quite good, although we suspect passive 3D on a 4K screen would have provided increased picture brightness while delivering greater-than-full Blu-ray 3D resolution to each eye.

Viewing the 3D classic Hugo revealed a hint of image crosstalk that was particularly noticeable along the edges of the station inspector’s uniform and in some faces, but this mirrored observations with the Samsung HU8550’s performance in these particularly challenging instances.

Bottom line

The XBR65X900B ‘s unique design, impressive audio, and superior picture potential don’t come cheap. The 64.5 inch model that was detailed in this review sells for $3800 while the larger and smaller versions are $8000 and $2800 respectively.

As a product that delivers an audio and visual experience with 4K, HD, and streaming sources, I cannot think of another LCD television that has impressed my ears and eyes more than the Sony XBR-X900B series.

HD Guru awards the Sony XBR65X900B  4 out of 5 hearts. 

By  Robert Heron

Disclosure: Review sample was obtained as manufacturer’s loan.

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Review - Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U LCD HDTV

Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U LCD HDTV Review
David Colin, March 22, 2006
HDTV Solutions

Five years ago Sharp announced its AQUOS family of three LCD TVs ranging in size from 13" to 20" in diagonal. Today Sharp's AQUOS line includes 19 models ranging in size from 13 to 65 inches with resolutions from VGA (640 x 480) to full high definition (1920 x 1080).

According to DisplaySearch, an Austin, Texas-based market research firm, last quarter Sony, Philips/Magnavox, and Sharp help the top 3 positions for LCD TV market share with 14.6%, 14.2% and 13.6% respectively. LCDs are now the dominate technology in the 35" to 39" size, while plasma continues to dominate the larger size market.

Our subject for this review is the Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U, a 32-inch diagonal LCD HDTV with 1366 x 768 pixels of resolution and a retail price of $2,099.99. It is sold mostly through specialty retail stores with an average street price of about $1,600.

What's in the Box
The unit comes with a full-featured remote control, batteries, power cable, Operation Manual, a cable tie, and a cable clamp. As seems to be more common these days with new HDTVs, the unit ships without any audio or video cables. Apparently manufacturers assume that most consumers already have these cables or they're simply trying to keep the selling price down. We suspect the latter.

The Package
The AQUOS LC-32D6U, weighing in at 38.6 lbs. (17.5 kg), has a clean, stylish look with a bronze-toned front bezel around a black mask that borders the LCD to enhance the viewing experience. With its table stand the unit measures 10.5" x 25.7" x 31.8" (266 mm x 652 mm x 807 mm) Removing the stand for wall mounting reduces the depth of the unit to 6.1" (15.5 cm) and the height to 23.2" (589 mm). The speaker panel, which is removable, is attached to the bottom of the unit. If you have your own audio system you can remove it and further reduce the height another 3.8 inches (96 mm).

Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U
ConnectorsConnectivity
The Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U connector panel is a side panel on the back of the unit. The arrangement allows easy access and attachment of cables from the side. Cables come together behind a removable cable cover for a tidy exit out the back of the unit.

This LCD HDTV accommodates about any kind of connection you might need. Connectors include three video, one S-video, and two component video inputs and their associated audio connections. The S-video and one of the video inputs is also available as an output for playback or recording on other devices. The digital audio can be output in either PCM or Dolby Digital. In addition there are hookups for analog and digital cable for over-the-air reception and cable.

There is also the all important

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio, and interactive controls on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committe) HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio. First product releases using HDMI occurred in 2003." class=gloss>HDMI connector with associated audio jacks in the event you are connecting HDMI to It can also carry an analog signal and comes as DVI-I (integrated - analog and digital), DVI-D (digital only) and DVI-A (analog only). Dual link DVI connections add additional resolution capabilities. Digital cable lengths should not exceed 15 feet. Specifications on DVI are available at www.ddwg.org. Click for more details on DVI." class=gloss>DVI and need to feed audio with a separate set of cables. I say all important because HDMI is where the industry is headed. HDMI combines digital audio, digital video and device control information on a single cable. This substantially reduces the number of cables and connectors, while delivering digital HDTV with full support for HDCP, a feature that will be mandatory if we're ever to get real HD. Ah yes, HDMI also holds the promise for a single remote control to manage all your equipment, but this will take time.

Features
The Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U is rich with features that we have described below for the benefit of those of you who have been out of the television market for awhile. All HDTVs have some of these features and some have features not on this list. Dynamic Backlight Control - One of the nice features of the Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U is what Sharp calls OPC, a name they use for their dynamic backlight control. You might also see this feature referred to as a dynamic iris on other LCD HDTVs or disguised under some proprietary name, but fundamentally the principle is the same. Its primary function is to try and maintain a high Full On/Off contrast measures the ratio of the light output of an all white image (full on) and the light output of an all black (full off) image. 2) ANSI contrast is measured with a pattern of 16 alternating black and white rectangles. The average light output from the white rectangles is divided by the average light output of the black rectangles to determine the ANSI contrast ratio. When comparing the contrast ratio of video devices make sure you are comparing the same type of contrast. Full On/Off contrast will always be a larger number than ANSI contrast for the same video device." class=gloss>contrast ratio under any lighting condition. So when room lights come on or off or the sun enters the room, with OPC enabled, the backlight in the LCD will dim or brighten depending on the amount of light in the room. This is managed by a light sensor located on the front of the unit. When OPC is enabled there can be a slight reduction in the dynamic range of the display as the display attempts to maintain contrast and color saturation as room light changes. We had a chance to compare this feature with another LCD HDTV that was of comparable size but without dynamic backlight control, and the Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U with OPC enabled was the clear preference. CableCARD - For cable TV input the AQUOS LC-32D6U supports CableCARDTM, a thick credit card sized device that replaces your cable set-top box and achieves a more integrated look in your living room. These cards are purchased from your cable company. Timers - If you need something to send the kids to bed, the AQUOS LC-32D6U allows you to power off the unit after a preset time that can be any multiple of 30 minutes. If you have a propensity to fall asleep watching your television, you can set it up to automatically shutdown after 3-hours of operation. If you turn off your DVD player and forget to turn off the HDTV, the AQUOS LC-32D6U will automatically power off after 15 minutes without a signal thus saving you energy and extending the life of your LCD backlight. Audio Only - If you subscribe to the audio channels provided by the various cable and satellite services, the AQUOS LC-32D6U lets you listen to the audio while the video and backlight on your LCD HDTV are turned off, again saving energy and your backlight. 2:3 Pull-down - If you select
Video Frame
1
2
3
4
5

Video Field
a
b
a
b
a
b
a
b
a
b

Film Frame
1
2
3
4

' class=gloss>2:3 pull-down from the menu, the AQUOS LC-32D6U will automatically detect any film-based source and convert its 24 frames/second to 30 frames per second so it can be properly viewed. Color Temperature - For those of you that like to fine tune your viewing experience, Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U offers five color temperature settings that are predefined for various viewing material; however, you can also use them to suit your personal preference. High color temperatures are what make those bright HDTVs in the store jump out at you, but it's the low color temperatures that give you the life-like flesh tones you want to see in your movies. Programmable Inputs - The AQUOS LC-32D6U allows you to connect as many as five different input sources and, if you're like me, you can't remember "who's on first." To help you sort it out, Sharp allows you to assign a name to each source. For example, instead of Input 1 and Input 2 you could change the names to identify what is connected to the source such as DVD or XBOX or Cable TV. Presets - Hidden under the cover of the remote control is a feature Sharp calls AV mode. This essentially gives you access to six predefined settings (Standard, Movie, Game, User, Dynamic [Fixed], Dynamic) that you can use to optimize your viewing experience based on the content you're viewing and the ambient room light. The names of these settings give you some help on their intended use, but no matter; as you have a lot of control on color temperature which is important for getting an optimized image. You can assign any AV mode to any input you are viewing

If you're a videophile, you'll love this. Each AV mode has five different color temperatures. Once you select an AV mode for your viewing source, just click through the color temperature settings to find what you like. You won't find this in the Operation Manual, but below are the color temperatures in Kelvin that are assigned for every setting.

Picture Format - Because our video world is in transition, there are many aspect ratios and resolutions that we must deal with - everything from a 4:3 Casblanca to a 2.76:1 Ben-Hur plus everything in between. One size does not fit all and the only solution to the problem is compromise. At present we chop, crop, stretch, squeeze and distort to make things fit in a 16:9 HD display. This is never a perfect solution as we are either throwing away some video or making it up for nearly everything we watch. Sharp's solution is much like other vendors - pick the format that you find most pleasing:

1. "dot by dot" where the image is shown in its Maximum Resolution.' class=gloss>native resolution without any upconverting or downconverting. This is the cleanest image solution.
2. "smart stretch" where a 4:3 aspect ratio image is upconverted to fill the screen. Sharp does a good job with this, but when you upconvert a source you need to create new information and this always leads to some artifacts.
3. "side bar" where a 4:3 aspect ratio image is shown in 4:3 aspect ratio with black bars on either side.
4. "zoom" for viewing widescreen 2:35:1 anamorphic DVDs in full screen.
5. "stretch" for 1.78:1 DVDs

Quick Shoot - This setting allegedly changes the response time of the LCD from 16 ms to 12 ms at the risk of some image artifacts. It is intended for fast action video; however, in a replay of some of the SuperBowl we could not detect any noticeable difference in performance. Closed Caption - The AQUOS LC-32D6U supports both Closed Caption and the new Digital Closed Caption that allows you to set the size, color, style and opacity of caption text. I find closed caption handy for foreign films, when the spouse is sleeping and I have to keep the volume low, or while watching Hamlet - "O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!" V-Chip and Security - Its primary purpose is to keep prying eyes from seeing things they shouldn't. A "Secret Number" is used to protect certain selections you make as well as V-Chip settings. V-Chip settings cover ratings for MPAA (Motion Picture Association Group), TV Parental Guidelines, and Canadian English and Canadian French ratings. Multi-channel Television Sound - Known as SAP.' class=gloss>MTS, Multi-channel Television Sound provides the ability to receive audio in mono or stereo, and the reception of bilingual Secondary Audio Programs (SAP) when available. Image Positioning - If you have ever owned an HDTV, you may have experienced the annoying problem of a picture format that you would like, if it wasn't chopping off the top of heads or the scrolling news bar at the bottom of your favorite news service. This problem comes about as a result of overscan, a process that crops the image to fit your HDTV display. Some displays let you reduce the overscan and thereby show more of the image. In the case of the LC-32D6U, rather than reducing the overscan, it allows you to shift the image in the display by up to ±10 pixels horizontally and ± 20 pixels vertically. This let's you fix one of the problems I described above, but in might well cause the other. But hey, it's better than no control at all. Favorite Channels - If you're using the receiver of the LC-32D6U, you can program your favorite channels into 4 different categories. Computer Control - For the geeks out there, Sharp allows you to control this HDTV from a computer using its RS-232C port. We did not experiment with this so all we can say is it is apparently intended for automated program play. It includes the ability to control volume and make adjustments and change settings of various controls. It strikes us as a useful security feature that could simulate someone being home when they're not. Remote Control - The remote control is backlit and gives complete control of all the features of the AQUOS LC-32D6U, and its programmability gives you four separate keys for activating and controlling up to four additional devices such as your cable or satellite receiver, DVD player, VCR or audio system.

Performance
We reset the Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U upon arrival and then went about calibrating it. We were pleased to find that the factory settings were nearly spot on with excellent dynamic range and color saturation. The dynamic backlight control performed admirably maintaining good contrast in a variety of room light.

HD broadcasts are stunning, but low resolution (NTSC) is still better on a standard definition television than the same image upconverted. This problem haunts all HDTVs in the market. Nirvana will be achieved when network programming moves completely to HD. The good news is the move is underway, so your investment in an HDTV now will pay dividends in the future.

The Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U has excellent image quality and its dynamic backlight control is a worthy feature for managing contrast in ambient light conditions. The extensive control over color temperature, gives the product an edge over many of the competitors in achieving personal viewing preferences.

As is characteristic of all LCD technology, the image will fade as you move to extreme viewing positions. Although the AQUOS LC-32D6U is rated with a 170° viewing angle both horizontally and vertically, you should be aware that as you approach these angles of view the color will shift and the image will begin to fade. So be mindful of your viewing angles when setting up any LCD HDTV.

According to Sharp, the display has 33-bit color processing. This means that with the right material it can produce up to 8.6 billion colors. This is over 500 times more colors than your old CRT television could render. Only 15% of the flat screens in the market today support a higher color processing than your old CRT television.

Conclusion
When shopping for an HDTV, your number one concern should be to get the best picture you can for the money. Pricing for LCD and plasma HDTVs is currently in flux due to more production capacity coming online and plenty of competition. It's a buyers' market.

The Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U is a product for the discriminating buyer. It has a nice complement of features and a picture that is among the best we have seen.

Follow these links for dealers and pricing:

Sharp AQUOS LC-32D6U (dealers on HDTV Solutions)

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11/23/14 - 09:17 AM PST | ©1999-2014 HDTVSolutions.com

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73″ Mitsubishi 3D TV for under $1200!

If you are in the market for the Biggest 3D TV available in the market, then you will not want to pass up this great 3D TV deal on the Mitsubishi WD-73638 73-Inch 1080p 3D-Ready DLP HDTV! Amazon is offering a huge discount on this TV, bringing the total price down to $1199.99!

73-inch DLP HDTV with intensely vivid 2D and fully immersive 3D viewingDelivers incredible picture performance at an exceptional value120Hz Sub-Frame Rate for a blur-free picture during fast action; stereo speakers (10w x 2)Inputs: 3 HDMI, 2 component, 2 composite, 1 USB, 1 optical digital audio outputMeasures 65.2 x 43.6 x 17.9 inches with stand; Energy Star 4.0 qualified

This is the lowest price you will probably ever find on a 72 inch 3D TV! DLP TVs are excellent TVs in general and provide great picture quality, black levels and exceptionally smooth pictures with ultra-fast response times. These features make them very attractive as a 3D TV. The primary drawback is that they tend to not be as bright as LCD/LED TVs so they aren’t ideal for a brightly lit environment. However, these are extremely good TVs to have in your home-theater set up where you can control the ambient light levels while watching TV.

We think that this is an AMAZING 3D TV deal and we would recommend jumping on this ASAP if you are in the market for a ginormous 3D TV. We have never seen such a low price for a very well reviewed and liked DLP 3D Ready TV set. The only caveat is that you will need to purchase the Mitsubishi 3D Starter kit to make use of the 3D features as glasses and 3D sync transmitter are not included with the TV. This 3D TV is very well reviewed across the board. Let us know if you have luck jumping on this deal. Happy shopping!

Best 3D TVs » 3D TV Deals » 73? Mitsubishi 3D TV for under $1200!

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Sharp LC-40LE700UN LCD HDTV Review

Sharp AQUOS LC-40LE700UN Review

Lightness. The Sharp AQUOS LC-40LE700UN embodies this characteristic in three remarkable ways.

First, this 40" HDTV weighs less than 27 pounds (without its stand). A couple of years ago, 40" TVs often were two to three times heavier.

Second, this LED backlit model is light on the environment. Not only does it consume a paltry 75W of electricity, but also LEDs are a mercury-free light source.

Finally, this 1080p, 120Hz AQUOS's Full Array LED backlight produces a light, bright picture. And even though the system does not employ local dimming, the blacks are surprisingly deep and satisfying.

(Editor's Note: Sharp also manufactures three other sizes of the LE700 series, the 52" LC-52LE700UN, the 46" LC-46LE700UN and the 32" LC-32LE700UN. The 46" and 52" models include a special dejudder feature for film content. And the 32" TV does not offer AQUOS Net nor a USB port. Other than that, all the TVs have similar specifications and this review of the LC-40LE700UN can apply.)

Performance: 4.0 The picture quality is very good from this LED backlit LC-40LE700UN. I especially liked its wider than usual viewing angle. The audio output from the integrated 10W speakers is fine for everyday use. Features: 4.5 This Sharp supplies most of the bells and whistles that you expect from a late 2009 model. Its lineup of Internet partners does not include streaming content from the likes of YouTube or Netflix, but does offer some other content, like photo galleries, not always available on other TVs. Ease of Use: 4.5 A hidden factor when considering ease of use is the weight of the TV. This 40" AQUOS is the lightest one that I have had the pleasure to move around. I wouldn't consider any 40" TV portable, but at 31 pounds, you could easily tote it from room to room. Value: 4.0 Sharp lists the LC-40E700UN at $1499, but I just surfed the Internet and found it at a number of retailers for around $1150, and in some cases, a lot less. These days, 40" TVs are a sweet spot in the market and you can find real deals on traditional CCFL backlit LCDs. But this Sharp does offer state-of-the-art LED technology which not only translates into higher performance but also one of the most power conscious TVs available. Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We have given only a precious few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.

After lugging around some mighty massive TVs lately, we were faked out by this 40" feather. We had braced our backs for a power lift and after the first tug, we realized that pulling this AQUOS out of the box was easy breezy.

At 26.5 pounds (without the stand), I've hung framed artwork that is heavier than this LC-40LE700UN. HDTVs are not at the paper thin, light-as-air stage yet, but I can see it on the horizon. Even the 52" model of this LE700 series tips the scale at only 51 pounds.

The one and a half inch piano black bezel is standard issue. The only distinguishing mark is the inverted V (under the Sharp logo) that glows blue when the AQUOS is on.

All the controls and connections are on the right side of the TV. On the edge closest to the front are the operational buttons. Stepped back a bit but still facing the side is the convenience panel that contains one

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio, and interactive controls on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committe) HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio. First product releases using HDMI occurred in 2003." class=gloss>HDMI input, one Composite Video In with stereo Audio Ins, and a USB port for uploading JPEG photos and MP3 songs.

Next to this panel on the back, a larger panel includes three more HDMI inputs, two Component video (YPbPr) Ins (with matching stereo Audio Ins), one more Composite Video In, one VGA PC input with an Audio In (stereo minijack), and an RS-232C port for custom installations.

For sending audio to external speakers or a receiver, an SPDIF (optical) digital Audio Out is provided next to analog L/R Stereo Outs (with fixed volume).

The one RF antenna connector links to integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners. Since the tuner system is Clear QAM compatible, you can attach your cable TV signal directly into the RF connector and tune in unscrambled cable stations. The ATSC tuner is the one that you need to capture digital signals broadcast over-the-air.

The Ethernet port allows you to connect the LC-40E700UN directly to the Internet. Sharp provides its own unique interface called AQUOS Net, which does not have the usual streaming content partners like YouTube and Netflix.

Sharp's partners include NBC with headlines and stories from NBC Sports and MSNBC. AQUOS Net also features a comics widget, a games (Sudoku and Blackjack) category, local traffic updates and two image galleries.

If you are a multi-tasker, you can split the screen and watch Dave while you are checking up on sports scores.

I would prefer to have at least one streaming movie source like Blockbuster or Amazon or Netflix. And almost all these Internet interfaces on a TV are somewhat unwieldy simply because they lack the mobility of a mouse. But the movement to meld the Internet and your HDTV marches inexorably onward.

The collection of images supplied in the AQUOS Network would make a good backdrop during parties. Of course, if you fancy yourself as a budding photographer, you can upload your favorite JPEGs on a USB Flash drive.

The Sharp photo menu limits you to three slideshow playback speeds, 10, 30 or 60 seconds. No transition options are available. Slides simply cut from one to the next. You can pick from various picture modes, but most of the controls in the Picture menu are not available.

You can also listen to MP3 songs on the USB drive either separately or as accompaniment to the slideshow.

The TV does not include Picture-in-Picture functionality.

The black wedge of a remote control is partially backlit. I'm not so sure what is special about the Power Saving, Freeze, Menu and Mute buttons, but when you push the Light button, they are the only ones, along with the Volume rocker, that illuminate.

Some of the stenciled titles are difficult to read and I wish the A/V Mode button was not sequestered behind the flip down door at the bottom end of the remote.

Before we move on, let me discuss again this new technology called LED backlighting. The LC-40E700UN is an LCD TV and like all LCDs, the panel is backlit. Traditionally, CCFLs (cold cathode fluorescent lights) have been used as the backlight source.

In the last year, manufacturers have begun replacing CCFLs with LEDs (light emitting diodes), though the great majority of new LCD TVs still use CCFLs.

Designers of LED TVs are placing these little light sources in one of two different locations. Right now, the more common method is to position the LEDs around the outer edge of the LCD, often called side light or edge-lit.

The second method, (often termed direct), and the one that Sharp employs with the LC-40E700UN is to place an array of LEDs behind the LCD panel. Sharp describes their system as "a full array of LEDs evenly dispersed behind the diffuser, resulting in more uniform colors and brightness across the entire screen."

One of the advantages of a direct LED backlight is that it allows for a technique called local dimming, which I really like. To be clear, not all direct LED backlit TVs enable local dimming. And this AQUOS does not use local dimming. With that said, the display still produces highly respectable blacks.

The EPA is now publishing a list of ENERGY STAR qualified TVs. (You can find it here.) The Sharp AQUOS LC-40E700UN is on the list.

The EPA states that this Sharp's On Mode Power is 75W and Standby Power Consumption is .5W. Based on the formula that the TV is on five hours a day and in Standby for the other 19, the Estimated Annual Energy Use is 140 kWh/year.

You need to check your electric bill to see how much you are paying for a kWh. The rate that I have been using in previous reviews is 10.4 cents. Doing the multiplication, at that rate, the yearly energy cost is $14.56.

Since manufacturers are not attaching those yellow ENERGY STAR tags that you find on air conditioners and refrigerators, you will have to study the ENERGY STAR list to see how the LC-40E700UN compares to other 40" TVs.

Though, Sharp states that "this series offers the industry's lowest power consumption of any LCD TV currently available on the market." At 75W, I can believe that claim. Of course, I also assume that other manufacturers are gunning for the lowest power consumption title and the competition only bodes well for Mother Earth.

To calibrate the TV, we use two discs, the Blu-ray version of the Digital Video Essentials DVD called HD Basics and the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray DVD. We are playing the DVDs on the OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray player connected to the HDTV with an HDMI cable.

We use the test patterns to adjust black level, white level, and color bias. The player is set to output a 1080p signal, which is the Maximum Resolution.' class=gloss>native resolution of the LC-40E700UN.

Before I begin, Sharp offers a fascinating service that I didn't try. Basically, AQUOS advisors can connect remotely to your TV through AQUOS Net and assist in tweaking the picture settings.

If you just don't want to get your hands dirty under the hood or you simply need a little hand holding, you may wish to consider this interactive tool, known as AQUOS Advantage Live.

If you are a DIYer, then read on. I usually start by picking a picture mode. The choices are commonly found in the Picture Menu. On this AQUOS, picture modes are called AV Modes and the button to change them is found under the flip down door on the remote.

Sharp provides eight options: Standard, Movie, Game, PC, User, Auto, Dynamic (Fixed) and Dynamic. I always suggest to cycle through them as you are watching a typical program and see if one pleases your eye. If so, good for you. You can go out and play.

If you are still with me, I picked User and then entered the Picture Menu and looked for the Color Temperature control, which I found in the Advanced Picture Setting sub-menu.

From the five choices, Low (warm), Mid-Low, Middle, Mid-High and High (cool), I opted for Mid-Low. Color Temp is a personal decision. If you are really discerning, you can fine tune white balance with individual Gain controls for Red, Blue and Green.

Before I head back to the basic settings, I like to try to begin with as clean as slate as possible, therefore I turn off features like Active Contrast and Gamma Adjustment. I'll revisit them after I have finished my initial setup.

Returning to the first page of the Picture Menu, the first choice that you have to make is called OPC, (Optical Picture Control). When turned On, OPC senses the light in your room and automatically adjusts the brightness of the TV's backlight.

If the ambient light in your room changes radically while you watch TV, then you might want to turn On OPC. Our testing facility is light controlled, therefore I switched OPC Off, which allowed me to adjust the Backlight setting.

I left Backlight at its mid setting of 0. According to the test patterns, I also left Brightness at 0.

Contrast was a bit trickier. Some patterns seemed to indicate that Contrast should be lowered to 15, out of a scale from 0 to 40. But with real content, the picture didn't look great. I decided to ignore those test patterns and push Contrast back up towards its default. I finally felt comfortable with Contrast (Picture) at 25.

The Color (Saturation) and Tint (Hue) sliders ran from -30 to +30. I settled on Color at -3 and Tint at +2.

The Sharpness scale ranged from -10 to +10. Anything above 0 exhibited fringing. I left Sharpness at 0.

The Color Bar test pattern looked like it could use a little extra tweaking and I delved into the C.M.S. (Color Management System) in the Advanced Picture Setting sub-menu. The C.M.S. allows you to adjust Hue, Saturation and Value individually for Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. I did some minor fiddling with R, C, M and Y.

I also experimented with other Advanced settings. Fine Motion Enhanced deals with the 120Hz feature on the LC-40LE700UN. Basically, this TV displays 120 frames per second. Normally, video content is 60Hz or 60 frames per second.

To achieve 120 frames, the video processor in this AQUOS either duplicates each of the original frames or interpolates a new frame in between the originals. Interpolation theoretically smooths fast action scenes and makes them less blurry, hence Fine Motion Enhanced. When Off, the display just duplicates frames. When On, new frames are interpolated to reach 120Hz.

Sharp provides a separate setting for 24p movie content, called Film Mode, but it is not active for 480p, 720p or 1080p signals.

As for the other two main Advanced Settings, I left Active Contrast at Off and set Gamma Adjustment to -1. Once again, test them out in your environment and see what you prefer.

Once I adjusted Contrast appropriately, I was very pleased with the picture quality of the LC-40E700UN. LCD TVs with LED backlights, like this AQUOS, are fairly new on the scene, but they are already earning my respect.

One of the shortcomings of traditional CCFL backlit LCDs is that their viewing angle is fairly narrow. If you sit too far left or right or up or down from the center of the screen, the image has a tendency to wash out. This Sharp, with its full array of LED backlights, produces a much wider viewing angle, which is essential if you have a big group of friends over to watch the World Series.

Also, the display is plenty bright, which in this case does not come at the cost of deep blacks. Now, if we are talking about truly deep, deep blacks, plasma TVs are still the kings followed closely by LED backlit LCDs with local dimming. But the LC-40E700UN, which does not feature local dimming, does just fine in the black arena.

The audio performance from the integrated pair of 10W speakers is about what I foresaw, which is adequate for everyday TV viewing. I appreciate that this is a 40" TV and it should not be expected to provide room filling, home theater sound, but I was surprised that the volume was not very robust. Even cranked to the max, you will not disturb a light sleeper in the next room.

The Sharp AQUOS LC-40E700UN heralds a new era of LED backlit LCDs that produce a big bright image while being lightweight and eco-friendly.

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Pioneer PRO-940HD 42" Plasma HDTV

Pioneer Elite 42" PRO-940HD Plasma HDTV Review
Dick De Jong
October 29, 2006
HDTV Solutions

Breath taking. Watching the Pioneer Elite PRO-940HD 42" plasma HDTV often elicited that transcendent state of wonderment. At that moment of witnessing an image so startling in its clarity or fidelity, your breath isn't really snatched from your lungs; you simply forget to exhale. So forgive me if I seem a little breathless in this review. To my eyes and respiratory system, this Pioneer plasma inspires plenty of panting.

And once you recover from marveling at the quality of HD images this 42" TV produces, the real kick in the pants is that the PRO-940HD's resolution is 1024 x 768. For those more-is-better videophiles out there who won't even consider anything less than 1080p, this Pioneer Elite proves that size isn't everything.

In addition to components like integrated NTSC/ATSC tuners (with CableCARD Interface), dual

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio, and interactive controls on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committe) HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio. First product releases using HDMI occurred in 2003." class=gloss>HDMI inputs (capable of accepting 1080p/24Hz signal), and USB and Ethernet connectors; the unit contains video processing and panel technologies exclusive to the Elite brand. Interestingly, Pioneer does not list contrast ratios or brightness ratings; but from my viewing, I have rarely seen better contrast handling. Of course, with all these high-end features and performance comes a corresponding price tag of $3500. Did I mention what a joy it is to watch this TV?.

Out of the Box
The term "box" is inadequate to represent the mobile McMansion in which this plasma rolled up to our door. Give this red and silver case a windshield and headlights and it could be confused for a MINI Cooper. Pop open the outside sheath and you discover the monitor is ensconced in its personal padded and velvet lined case. You have a feeling that you are unwrapping a Fabergé egg. (Of course, such a regal container is not the common method of packing and shipping this unit.)

Once extracted from its cocoon you realize that this butterfly is flying free from its stand. Attaching the stand is a little like the baffling job of putting together the kids swing set on Christmas Eve - some assembly required. Though with only four bolts to screw in, the task proved easier than it first appeared. The unit with stand weighs about 70 pounds. With the handgrips molded into the back of the chassis, two people can maneuver the TV around fairly easily.

Pioneer PRO-940HD 42" Plasma HDTV

The jet black bezel and matching stand present an elegant package. Since the control panel buttons are indented on the right side behind the screen, the facade is almost completely unadorned except for the silver Elite logo in the center and Power indicator lights on the bottom left.

I like the look of the glass on plasmas though some people feel that it is too shiny when the TV is turned off. Pioneer has implemented a Surface PRO Color Filter on their Elites that enhances color and contrast while reducing the light reflection on screen, which results in a more muted appearance to the switched off monitor.

Of course, if you or your significant other are adverse to the sight of a 41" wide (4.5" deep without the 11" wide stand) black, unblinking, right-angled Cyclops hulking in your room, Pioneer does include a Home Media Gallery feature that can turn your TV into a canvas for your favorite photos. (For more suggestions on how to integrate your HDTV into your home, see our HD Design column.)

If I hadn't made it clear already, this Elite, at almost every step along the way, offers what you would expect in an HDTV - then adds its own flair. For example, if you look at the back of the unit, the standard AV connectors are included, in duplicate: HDMI, Component, Composite, and S-Video. Then for good measure (and easier access), extra sets of Component and Composite inputs are mounted on the left side of the monitor.

Pioneer PRO-940HD AV Connectors

The HDMI inputs along with a CableCARD slot, an Ethernet port, an RS-232C input, a 15-pin D-Sub PC input, and antenna terminals, are all positioned facing up in a hard-to-reach and even harder-to-see location. Thankfully, the abundance of AV connections face outward, making them much more accessible. I also applaud Pioneer for the added touch of including speed clamps and plastic ties to assist in controlling cable clutter.

Pioneer PRO-940HD HDMI and other Connectors

For those connecting DVD players or set top boxes that have It can also carry an analog signal and comes as DVI-I (integrated - analog and digital), DVI-D (digital only) and DVI-A (analog only). Dual link DVI connections add additional resolution capabilities. Digital cable lengths should not exceed 15 feet. Specifications on DVI are available at www.ddwg.org. Click for more details on DVI." class=gloss>DVI Outs (and therefore have to transmit audio to the TV through the stereo Outs to the analog audio Ins on the TV), the PRO-940HD offers separate analog audio inputs for the two HDMI inputs. Often manufacturers will only provide one set of audio Ins that is either shared by the HDMIs or one of them goes without.

Even though Pioneer has beefed up their pair of integrated (non-detachable) 13W speakers with "SRS(WOW) technology, which includes SRS Surround, TruBass and Focus for superior audio quality," I assume most of you will bypass the TV and route your audio through a more stalwart sound system. If the TV is hooked up to an external antenna, you can export the audio from the TV through either a digital optical or an analog stereo output. There's even a Subwoofer output.

The NTSC/ATSC tuner is truly integrated to the extent that you hook up your antenna and the tuner scans the digital and analog signals together and builds a comprehensive list of both digital and analog channels. And following the two-is-better-than-one theme, the PRO-940HD provides dual tuners. In addition, the TV Guide On Screen interactive program guide is included.

Of course, this Pioneer has the V chip and companion parental controls. And for those multitaskers, you can split the screen or play with PIP (picture in picture).

And the list of features marches on. Perhaps the most noteworthy is the Home Media Gallery, which is a built-in program that allows you to hook into your home network either through the TV's Ethernet port or USB connector.

Displaying Photos in the Home Media Gallery

Even if you are not ready to string a Cat 5 cable across your living room floor, if you own one of those nifty USB portable flash drives, you can load it up with your favorite family photos and plug it into the USB port on the side of the TV. The Home Media Gallery software will read the drive and display your snazzy snapshots in luxurious color on your big screen Elite. You also can create a slideshow that will change images at an interval you set.

As you may imagine with a TV with this many options, the remote control can become a bit overpopulated with buttons. Pioneer designers squash pushbutton proliferation by only putting the essentials on the remote. And they are spread out over more real estate than is normal.

PRO-940HD Remote Flip Out Section

Also, many of the controls for external components like set top boxes are secluded behind a flip-out door at the bottom. The backlight casts this eerie red glow, which makes the stenciled lettering easier to read while at the same time setting a great Halloween mood.

Setup
This is the first TV I have reviewed that I felt didn't need any adjustment. I almost hesitated to play with the Picture controls because it looked so good right out of the box. And when I did pull out the Digital Video Essentials DVD and went through the normal calibration routine, I made a minor tweak to the brightness and that was that.

I was glad I stepped through the process because it made me appreciate all the fine-tuning controls that were available. Not only are there the normal basic picture adjustments for Contrast, Brightness, Color and Tint; but click on the Pro Adjust selection and you are greeted with a variety of advanced picture controls that could calm the twitchiest of tweakers.

Tools like CTI (Color Transient Improvement), Intelligent Color, and Dynamic Range Expander may frighten the meek. Indeed, if you feel you are over your head, follow your gut and stay away. For those adventurous adjusters out there, Pioneer does an adequate job of giving on-screen guides to controls and the manual is well written.

To begin, you might want to scroll through the different AV Selections of presets, Standard, Dynamic, Movie, Game and Pure. Notice the difference in the pictures and then examine how the individual settings have changed. For example, Movie desaturates the image by dropping the Color setting to -5, softens the image a bit by lowering Sharpness to -8, and adds a little warmth by pushing the Color Temp to Low.

Play around. If you find yourself floundering in the deep end, you can always hit the Reset button to return the settings back to the shallow waters of the default. The reason I suggest you futz with a perfectly good image is so you can see how responsive the PRO-940HD is to these adjustments. And you also might discover that you actually prefer a slightly cooler or warmer image or one that is not so razor sharp.

Now, if you really wish to tweak your Testarossa of a television, the Pioneer Elites can be professionally ISF calibrated to your most demanding standards for both day and night viewing.

Performance
What can I say without resorting to hyperbole? This HDTV rocks.

Whether revealing the nasty nooks and creaky crannies of Count Olaf's gothic house in Lemony Snicket or illuminating Rembrandt's mastery of light and shadow in the Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp, the PRO-940HD excelled with flying colors. The black and white rendition of the Philadelphia Story was luscious. Notwithstanding the genius of Antonio Gaudi, the 1984 Japanese documentary on the Spaniard's architecture was mesmerizing.

In fact, I found that I was spellbound quite often when watching programs on this TV. It might be a little detail like how the light reflects off the rich red metallic finish of Joe Satriani's Ibanez JS series guitar. Whatever it may be, a sense of the sublime is incited. And you think, this is the way high definition should look. But I wax poetic.

Usually, if I need a pail of cold water thrown on my HD reverie, I simply turn on an SD channel. And even with this Elite, watching standard definition - I'm ready to dub it "substandard def" - is a slap in the face. Though the PRO-940HD handles SD programs about as well as any of the HDTVs I have seen.

I did run into two situations while viewing HD content. First, on an occasional program, I would see noticeable judder in camera pans. Since this wasn't a consistent problem, I would tend to blame the source material and not the TV. Also, some programs would veer too much towards the vivid for my tastes. I seem to be especially sensitive to ruddy skin tones. I found that the default for the Picture control named Color Space is set to 1, which the manual describes as, "Optimized for vivid, vibrant color reproduction." Switching to 2, (Standard color reproduction), reined in the red to my satisfaction.

Finally, I hooked up a Dell laptop to the TV through the 15-pin D-Sub input. (There is a separate mini plug connection for the audio.) In the manual, the computer compatibility chart lists resolutions from 640 x 480 to 1360 x 768; but it does not recommend one. The Picture controls are limited to Contrast, Brightness, Red, Green, and Blue. In the Options menu, you can opt for an Automatic Setup that adjusts Horizontal and Vertical Positioning. Or you can manually adjust them as well as Clock and Phase.

The PC images are sharp and clean, but I don't think that my poor peepers would want me to do word processing on this monitor for an extended period of time. But because of this 42" beauty's color rendition, I could Photoshop all day to my eyes' content.

Conclusion
The Pioneer PRO-940HD provides top-notch HD performance and a bevy of features. This HDTV is a videophile's dream and does Pioneer's Elite brand proud. It serves as a great reference monitor. I'll be sorry to see it go.

Star Ratings
First, realize, that ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now.

Second, I have yet to give a 5 Star rating, which I am reserving for truly outstanding accomplishment. And as you can see below, the Pioneer PRO-940HD has achieved that standard of excellence.

Performance: 5
Is this Elite HDTV perfect? No. But its color fidelity and contrast handling does definitely elevate PRO-940HD above the crowd.

Features: 5
With dual HDMI inputs and twin tuners only serving as the appetizers to a smorgasbord of features, the biggest problem is overeating. But all the bells and whistles are just noise if the HDTV doesn't perform. The PRO-940HD delivers.

Ease of Use: 4.5
All the features can be daunting. But you can plug and play and have a great viewing experience without ever learning about adjustments with acronyms like MPEG NR or I-P Mode.

Value: 4
I'm a tough grader on Value, and $3500 is on the high end of the scale for 42" plasmas, especially with a resolution of 1024 x 768. But this Pioneer provides a lot of bang for its big bucks. For me, on Value, 4 is a high mark.

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