TV Reviews

The Samsung PN-58A550 plasma screen is considerably cheaper than the PN-58A650 but has fewer features and less functionality. The PN-58A550 is ideal for those who do not want to spend the money to have all the extras and increased functionality and it is also a very large display of 58 inches, ideal if you don't want to spend all your money on a plasma TV.

The PN-58A550 has all the features that most people want and with a 1080x1980 resolution and a 58" screen, it is hard to beat for the price. The set also has a 180 degrees angle for viewing which means that you can see every image clearly from anywhere in the room in front of the TV.

The PN-58A550 comes with five presets for color temperature, three different modes for noise reduction and a mode to start the 2:3 pull-down, which reduces any juddering while watching a film. There are also a number of aspect ratio modes which include four modes for viewing HD content and a further four modes for optimizing standard definition films.

Connectivity for the PN-58A550 is perfectly adequate with three HDMI 1.3 inputs. There are also two component inputs in addition to this and a PC RGB input which has a maximum resolution of 1920x1080. There is also a PC input in the rear of the plasma panel and a single S-Video input on one side of the unit.

Also included are the standard second composite input and a headphone socket. To top it all off, the set also features a USB port in the side of the set, which will enable you to look at photos or listen to MP3s straight from the memory stick.

The set also includes the useful bonus of having a pair of fifteen watt speakers located on the bottom of the unit. These speakers support the SRS Tru-Surround XT standard allowing the set to emulate a true multi-channel surround system. However, though you will probably want to combine the set with a proper dedicated 5.1 or 7.1 speaker surround system, the quality of the built in speakers is particularly good compared to those generally found in other systems.

In addition to all of these features mentioned, the PN-58A550 also has 3D support, which enables you to take advantage of the latest 3D technology in certain movies and video game.

Considering the quality / price ratio of this unit, it is definitely worth considering. With a 58" screen, you can have one of the largest types of plasma screens available, breathing a new lease of life into your DVD and video games as well as providing full compatibility with the very latest HD and 3D technology.

If you want a TV that offers an affordable transition to the world of HDTV, the Toshiba 19AV501U is worth investigating.

The 19 in the Toshiba 19AV501U name stands for 19 inches. Not a huge screen, but good enough to sample what HDTV has to offer, and good enough to work as a bedroom set.

It comes with built-in speakers as well as a first-rate digital tuner. With a depth of only three inches, it's perfect for wall mounting.

The Toshiba 19AV501U features SoundStrip speaker technology. This gives the TV and nice booming sound to it, although many buyers will choose to connect it to their home audio system for an even richer sound.

Thanks to the unit's ATSC / NTSC / QAM digital tuner, viewers can watch either cable TV or standard HDTV broadcasts. DVD movies in the 16:9 aspect ratio also play nicely on the screen.

In almost every important way, the Toshiba 19AV501U is a great looking television. It features a ten-bit video processor. Also, outstanding backlight control monitors how bright each video frame is and adjusts the backlighting accordingly.

And as is Toshiba's hallmark, this outstanding unit is a breeze to operate. It comes with a 4-item, full-function remote. The TV itself has an unbelievably large number of outputs and inputs, giving the buyer lots of hook-up options. For a compact model, there's lots you can do with this new Toshiba.

Sony is one of the marquee brands in televisions for good reason. Their innovative designs and technological advancements have driven Sony in the HDTV industry. With the unveiling of their new model, the Bravia KLV-40ZX1M, Sony has elevated its already stellar track record of producing high quality TVs.

In the past, LCD displays have paled in comparison to their plasma counterparts. However, with the advent of new "edge-lit" LCDs, plasma TVs have just found a strong new rival. This new technology dramatically enhances the contrast ratio providing for sharper and brighter colors and increased clarity. Additionally, the Bravia KLV also allows LCDs to be thinner then ever. Measuring just 1.1 inches in depth, the KLV is the apex of style and function.

There is one drawback to the new KLV; their black level performance is still relatively poorer than plasmas. This causes a grey scale imbalance making the colors appear uneven and to be dull in unfocused areas of the screen. Still, the KLV comes with advanced picture controls allowing users to easily fine tune the picture for any room and measure of ambient light.

Ranging in price from anywhere between $3,000 and $4,000, the KLV is competitively priced, although definitely on the top end. Then again, the KLV is more energy efficient than other models running at just 120hz compared to other models that run at 240hz.

The Sony Bravia KLV-40ZX1M is certainly a top end television with great picture quality and clarity. Although plasma TVs may have a slight edge in contrast ratio and black level performance, the Bravia KLV outweighs plasmas in terms of features, style and overall performance.