Posts Tagged ‘Watching Sports’
Samsung UN55B6000 55 Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV
Samsung UN55B6000 55 Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV
Marketing description is not available.
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Good but not great
I got this Samsung UN55B6000 to replace a dead Sony KDL52W3000 that was just shy of 20 months old.
For the price, it came down to this or the 52XBR9. I took the Samsung cause the picture looked sharper at the store and while still smarting from a Sony reliability issue.
Once set up at home, I started to reconsider my choice. While the dark levels are definitly darker, the glossy screen is a nuissance during low lit scenes.
The bezel design is such that the speakers have nowhere to go but behind the TV which relies purely on the condition and distance of the wall behind it. Compared to the Sony, the sound coming out of this TV sucked.
Samsung defaults their screen with 95% contrast level. So there’s not much room for increased contrasts if you ever need to. I believe this is how Samsung obtains their contrast advantage, raise it to max then cover it with a glossy screen.
The slim design also limits source input options. It comes with 4 HDMIs and only either a component or composite source. With the Sony I can connect all my sources redundantly so no need to boot up the power hungry receiver 100% of the time.
So if you hook up all your components into the TV via HDMI, the sound going into your A/V receiver depends on how well the TV can pass it through.
4 Stars Great TV if one can figure out how to use it.
My family and I just love this TV, particularly for watching sports. We looked at a lot of LCD and Plasmas but saw none that gave us the sense of depth this one does. It is like 3D. Moreover, our family room is also a sun room during the day but the picture is just as strong in the day time as it is when the room is dark. The viewing angle is comparatively wide. We see no appreciable drop off when it is viewed at an angle. It is large enough that my wife can view it from the adjacent kitchen with ease.
Learning how to use its features and to set it up is another matter and that is the one gripe I have with the TV. Samsung only provides a four page manual which tells the owner nothing. Instead it includes a flash drive which contains a manual for its use but it took me over three weeks to realize what the flash drive was for. The manual does not show the available ports or how things are to be connected to the TV. I finally figured it out by trial and error and got the flash drive connected. Finding out how to use it however, was again a lot of trial and error. Once I was able to read the pages, it was hard to read, mostly grey on black (I hate black-you can’t see where anything is on black). Figuring how to page the manual on the TV isn’t easy. Samsung provides numerous steps to take but the user has to leave the Manual screen to go through the steps and unless the user writes out all the steps, it is a tiresome process to follow the steps.
So I tried using the flash drive on my computer. Well the manual is in a strange format so it will not open normally. Windows searched for a driver that would allow viewing the manual and found one which I downloaded and installed The one I found that worked was from IrFanView but one must also download all the plugins before it will work. However, when I opened the Manual, it was unprintable except with a screen capture utility.
That was more trouble than it was worth and it then dawned on me to go to the Samsung Support Center and see if there was a Manual that could be downloaded. Voila, the Manual was available in both PDF and Word formats but because the Manual is in three languages, it is 273 pages long. Just print the first 75 pages.
What I found is that with no difficulty I could run picture shows directly from either my camera or from a card reader. They come out beautifully. If I tried to print pictures that big, they would be grainy as all get out. But the pictures show in full size on the big screen in terrific detail and color and they have depth.
But I wish the USB ports were either on the side or the front where they are easily accessible. I intend to wall mount the screen but if I do I won’t be able to get to the connections which are on the back. And even then it is difficult to insert USB cords because the recess is so narrow.
We love this TV however, because of the lack of a printed manual and the location of the USB ports, I can only give it 4 stars.
4 Stars Enjoying the Samsung UN55B6000 HDTV
Image Quality and Connectivity:
This Samsung UN55B6000 is excellent technology and priced to move. We’ve got it hooked up to a cable box (MOT DCT 6200) via the 1 component connection and the image is sharp and crispy and the colors are vivid and bright.
We have an older PC connected via the VGA connection and the 3.5mm mini audio connection. Internet browser windows come up real sharp in 1920×1280i resolution. Sidebar: I’m also using wi fi and wireless mouse and keyboard.
Hi-res images look fantastic. This TV was assembled with web-browsing and computing in mind (Net widget, USB, JPEG and mp3 friendly) and Samsung has nailed it.
Online Support and Configuring the Cable Box:
Initially, the cable box was sending 720×480i to the TV. Fortunately I was able to find forums online with posts from a Samsung HD Tech and a cable co. employee that outlined the solution — turn off the cable box, hit the menu button (cable remote) and here you can select the higher (or different) resolution.
Additionally, the cable box required two power cycles for this (resolution) change to take effect but when it did I was viewing cable tv in 1920×1080i.
Using Samsung’s P.Size (Picture) Button:
When watching cable programming broadcast in HD, the 16:9 (aspect ratio) mode looks the best to me. For standard definition programming the Wide-Fit mode stretches the image a bit to fill the screen.
I’ve noticed some adjusting is required when flipping between channels, for example, sometimes CNN ticker text is below the screen and other times the Fox Sports Net FSN graphic is a bit above the screen. Perhaps this issue is addressed in the screen-fit mode, I’m not sure yet, I’ll have to mash a few more buttons. Overall, I give it 4.5 stars.
1 Star buyer beware
After only 3 weeks of owning this TV, the TV randomly shut off on its own while we were watching TV. Now the TV constantly just turns on and turns off (with no actual image being displayed on the screen). The only way to shut it off is to disconnect it from the main power source. Called Samsung and apparently it’s an issue with the power supply, and they have to send a technician to repair. Turns out, this is a common issue with Samsung. I am not amused that after spending 2500$ on a brand new TV, it will need repair after only owning it for 3 weeks.
Sony BRAVIA V Series KDL 52V5100 52 Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV Black
Sony BRAVIA V Series KDL 52V5100 52 Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV Black
Keep pace with fast-action movies, sports and game play. Equipped with Full HD 1080p and Motionflow 120Hz refresh rate technology, the KDL-52V5100 52-inch BRAVIA V series LCD flat panel HDTV provides a more fluid, natural and realistic viewing experience while enjoying fast-paced entertainment. Additionally, every scene will be sharp, vibrant and life-like thanks to BRAVIA Engine 2 fully digital video processor. Plus, a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio yields deep blacks in darker scenes. The V series also includes 7 HD inputs to ensure you get impressive image quality from all your HD components such as PlayStation 3, Blu-ray Disc player and your PC.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Quality Television Set
This is a quality television set. The picture looks crisp, football is what I use the tv for mostly..that and xbox 360. This tv is awesome for both of those things. Also, blu rays are fantastic on it….this tv is the total package pretty much.
5 Stars Great TV
I did a lot of research before purchasing this TV. It’s one of the best one out there for the price. The picture is great and has a lot of features. It’s 120 HZ which good for watching sports. The sound quality is JUST OKAY -I recommend attaching a sound system to the tv or (just a couple of mini BOSS speakers which u can get for less than $100.)
5 Stars great tv; great cost
amazon was great. terrific product at a very competitive price. also, easy delivery and installation
4 Stars It’s very good, but…
The TV is very good, delivery is professional, but no reply for my question email about delivery.
5 Stars Very good for a “Introduction To HD” TV
I’ve had this TV since the middle of June 2009(reaching the 6 month period). Before this TV, I’d never had an HDTV or a TV anywhere near this size either. I am pretty tech savvy but HDTVs were not my specialty. With that being stated, I will give you my experience with this particular HDTV.
Since the beginning of 2009, I’d been looking at TVs off and on with the help of “CNET”, just google it, and I’d heard that Sony had an impressive line of entry HDTVs. But I put off the thought of buying one until the middle of June. I was fumbling around on BestBuy’s website (sorry Amazon, at the time, I found a better price. BTW, its just a product review.) and in the “weekly specials” I found this TV on sale for $1499.99, down from its original price of $1999.99. It was the HDTV that I had favored the most from CNET’s reviews, so I made some calls around and none of the stores close had it. I managed to find a store about an hour away that had 2 left, 1 in stock and 1 on display. Drove an hour to check it out and loved it. I added the 3 or 4 year “bring it back no matter what” warranty and after taxes came out to just under $2250, which I paid on the spot in cash, I had not-so-great credit.
Brought it home and set it up and it was a beauty. It took about 30-45 minutes for the TV to recognize (it did something to find all the available cable channels) the channels and our first DVD experience was through our Xbox 360 and it was the Dane Cook’s HBO comedy special. The show wasn’t that greatest thing I’d ever seen BUT the freaking picture was. BTW, the HD cable, Xbox 360, and our Wii look superb on it as well. (Now if I can just get my hands on some Blu-Ray material.)
***PROBLEMS***
I guess every rose has its thorns (haha, cheesy), well this one has (2) of them, and they aren’t really thorns.
1st – MOTION FLOW: To my knowledge(I could be wrong), the MotionFlow feature is the HDTV’s way of enabling the 120Hz refresh rate, which is AWESOME, BUT you can’t just quickly toggle between the 3 options they have for the MotionFlow,(Off, Standard, Full) I mean, you can preview them on the MotionFlow screen, but no quick adjustment feature/button. You have to go into the picture settings every time and slowly make your way to the advanced settings at the bottom of the screen.
2nd – When you have the MotionFlow on “Full” there are still parts during whatever you’re watching that don’t continuously show in that “smooth frame experience”. I’m thinking that the 240Hz HDTVs are probably more dedicated to the continuous MotionFlow. It’s nothing to cry about.
Other than that, the TV is great. The sound is great, it ranges from 0 to 100 and at 60 its good enough for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’d go with a home theater system, but for now its nice. The remote is easy to understand and navigate. I would recommend it to anyone else who was in the same shoes that I was in. To say the least…(haha since I wrote a bibles worth of information) I am satisfied.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Toshiba REGZA 55ZV650U 55 Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with ClearScan 240 Black
Toshiba REGZA 55ZV650U 55 Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with ClearScan 240 Black
The ZV650 Series takes LCD TV to the next level of picture quality, design, and features. ClearScan 240 raises the bar for picture clarity with fast motion video, the Deep Lagoon design creates a new level of design elegance, and the long list of new features and next-gen connectivity are more than you could ever expect. If you love watching Sports or Action Movies, ClearScan 240 will put a smile on your face. REGZA LCD TV with ClearScan 240 will make you feel like part of the action. ClearScan 240 combines 120 frames per second with a new advanced Backlight Scanning System to create a 240 Hz Effect. REGZA LCD TV with ClearScan 240 creates such a new level of picture clarity with motion video that you won’t know whether to stay glued to your seat, or to jump from it. You may watch TV at night in a dark room, but sometimes you may keep the lights on and have a bright room, or watch the game on Sunday afternoon with even brighter sunlight coming through the windows. Extra room light can lower the contrast on some TVs, but with CrystalCoat, you don’t have to worry. CrystalCoat stops ambient room light reflections from washing out the picture, creating 30%+ better contrast in bright rooms. Now you can enjoy the deep high contrast REGZA picture in all room light conditions. If you have ever been bothered by loud TV commercials or inconsistent volume when changing channels, Dolby Volume technology is the solution. Advanced algorithms monitor the audio during programs, when commercials start, and when changing channels. Louder programming is brought down, while lower programming is brought up. This ensures a consistent volume level with full dynamic range at all times. You can now watch your movies or videos, view your digital pictures, or even listen to your digital music, by just connecting a USB hard drive or flash drive to the USB Port on the TV. If your digital camera uses an SD memory
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Toshiba REGZA 55ZV650U
Researched for a while, and was leaning towards a Samsung LCD until I came across this Toshiba. Just seemed like a better value to me given the size and feature set. Great picture, blacks seem fine to me despite some other commentary that I’ve read from others. I’m very happy with this purchase.
5 Stars Excellent TV – but
THis is an excellent TV. Picture quality is amazing and there is excellent connectivity ports on the back and side.
The viewing angle is amazing also – as good as a plasma. Can be viewed from all angling in our living room with no problems.
The only complaint is that occasionally the sound get weird – after watching for a while (2 hours or more) sometimes the sound gets distorted. When you turn it off and back on again it is fixed.
I not sure what is causing this but it may be that I have surround sound and I’m not using it?
Anyways – this happens very rarely and it is a very minor problem and may be something with my hookup.
I would recommend this TV – excellent TV.
5 Stars You can’t beat the price and performance…
This TV is everything I was looking for and more. You can’t get a better TV for the price; you can hardly get a better TV by paying more. I have a good friend who paid twice as much for a Samsung LED TV, his picture quality does not match the Toshiba.
The TV was delivered to my living room by a delivery company in town. I have to move every couple of years for my work so I was pleased to see the quality of the box the TV came in. It has latches down one side and around the entire bottom portion of the box.
It comes mounted on the stand and ready to sit on a piece of furniture. I didn’t wall mount so I am not sure how difficult mounting would be.
The TV looks gorgeous without it even being turned on. Toshiba did a great job on the design.
As I mentioned, the picture quality is amazing. I am a sports fan and haven’t seen a picture this nice until now. The Toshiba ClearScan 240 handles the speed of the games. All of the HD Discovery and Science channels are breathtaking. I have the TV sitting with 3 large windows to one side. I was concerned about how the light would affect the picture during the day. The TV is bright enough to overpower the light from the windows. It has an ambient light sensor and automatically adjusts the picture. It also has a special coating to prevent reflections of ambient light.
The features of this TV are amazing. Check them out at regza.com for yourself. I also considered Samsung and Sony. I found this TV to have better specs and features than the other brands. The price of the Toshiba makes it a no brainer.
5 Stars toshiba 55″ Regza tv
We replaced our 55″ Toshiba rear projector tv with this 55″ Toshiba HDTV and it’s everything that we had hoped for. The picture is beautiful, the sound is great and we just couldn’t ask for a better tv. I also feel that purchasing through Amazon gave us great confidence that the product would be as expected! The price was great and the delivery company was amazing!
1 Star Problem I got with Toshiba TV
I had a similar experience as PS “PS” had. My 52″ Regza got thick black vertical band after 14 months and became useless. Repair cost quoted exceeded a new unit price. I personally will stay away from Toshiba TV. A local service technician told me it is a common problem with Toshiba LCD panel. It is a shame because I loved my Regza so much and I would have recommended it for everybody if it did not fail so soon.
By the way, GE extended warranty only paid small fraction of replacement cost. It did not help much.
Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL 32XBR9 32 Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV
Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL 32XBR9 32 Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV
Experience the beauty of Full HD 1080p with the 32″ Class XBR9 HDTV. Perfect for your bedroom, office or kitchen, this flat panel has a 40,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, which produces deep blacks in darker scenes. Motionflow 120Hz refresh rate technology delivers crisp, clear images while gaming or watching sports and fast-action movies. Additionally, you can connect your camera or USB-enabled MP3 player and view photos or listen to your favorite MP3s. The 32″ Class XBR9 incorporates advanced power saving features and comes with 7 HD inputs (4 HDMI, 2 component and 1 PC) so you can take full advantage of all your HD components. USB – connect your camera, USB-enabled MP3 player, or USB storage device directly to your HDTV’s USB input to view photos on the big screen or listen to your MP3’s BRAVIA Link compatibility expands your HDTV’s capabilities by letting you connect optional BRAVIA Link modules, including the BRAVIA DVD Link, BRAVIA Wireless Link, and BRAVIA Input Link (not included) BRAVIA Sync capability combines the one-touch access and control functionality of BRAVIA Theatre Sync with the ability to control CEC-enabled Sony Handycam(R) camcorders and Cyber-shot(R) digital still cameras using the TV’s remote and an on-screen display 24p True Cinema mode provides a direct connection to 24p video sources, avoiding conversions and allowing you to enjoy films at their intended 24 fps (frames per second) cinematic picture quality In the box – Remote Control Batteries (Type AA x2) AC Power Cord 4 Screws Operating Instructions Quick Setup Guide Warranty Card (limited 1-year parts & labor, Manufacturer) Table Top Stand (separate, pre-assembled) Tuner (Terrestrial) – ATSC Tuner, NTSC Tuner VESA Hole Pitch – 200X200 M6/12-16MM Speakers – 20W (10W X 2) Unit Dimensions – 31 1/2 x 23 x 9 in (798 x 584 x 227mm), 31 1/2 x 21 1/4 x 3 5/8 in (798 x 537 x 89mm) without pedestal
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars very good with caveats
TV has some brightness issues which Sony resolved by way of call-in customer support. Now works great. Beautiful and very satisfied!
5 Stars Beautiful and High Quality
I love this TV. I’m sure I would feel differently had I not updated the firmware before I even tried to use it, but since I did — I LOVE THIS TV! I am going to try to put the link for the update at the bottom of this review, but Amazon may have a policy to delete links in reviews. If this happens, then go to [...] and follow the links for this model. You’ll eventually find the update. Download it to a jump drive and plug it into the service port (the only one that’ll take USB) with the TV off, then turn the TV on and things will take care of themselves.
[...]
UPDATE
Okay, so Amazon did delete everything. That’s okay — you know Sony has a website.
5 Stars Finally Got it…Love it!
So I finally got this TV for a multi reason based using. I just replaced my G5 with a Mac Pro and got a PS3 slim for the bed room as well while the older PS3 is hooked up to our 60″ Sony SXRD. I needed a larger monitor for my Mac Pro, but also wanted a TV for the room and we were originally going to go with the 24″ Cinema display from Apple. Amazing unit but is only for the computer and that is it. With that said, I turned to Sony.
The XBR9 does a great job with blacks and colors so when my Mac is running and im in Final Cut or iPhoto, the picture quality is great (I went DVI to HDMI) and when I switch the input over to the PS3 (HDMI), everything continues to look fantastic. So Games/Blu-ray and TV are great.
Again, I have to stress though like other reviewers, the XBR9 does not look as good as the XBR8 because its lower in the series! I mean look at the price difference for the love of god. So please, dont think that somehow Sony has gone back in their mindset. Just 2 different series.
5 Stars sony lcd tv
Great product, I really love hd. Spend the extra money for top of the line you won’t be disapointed. Works perfect with my over the air antenna, if not better than direct tv. Save 30% from retail. Shipping was to my door, open box and plug in for free, beat that. I will trade with them again.
5 Stars Great LCD TV!
I recently upgraded from my old CRT TV and have been completely satisfied with my purchase. We did compare LCD TVs in a showroom and the Sony Bravia clearly had the best picture. It had sharp detail and the best blacks of all the brands. The only weakness is the sound because of the small speakers but there is an output so I can use my stereo system and it sounds great. If you have home theatre system that will work as well.
Toshiba REGZA 42ZV650U 42 Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with ClearScan 240 Black
Toshiba REGZA 42ZV650U 42 Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with ClearScan 240 Black
The ZV650 Series takes LCD TV to the next level of picture quality, design, and features. ClearScan 240 raises the bar for picture clarity with fast motion video, the Deep Lagoon design creates a new level of design elegance, and the long list of new features and next-gen connectivity are more than you could ever expect. If you love watching Sports or Action Movies, ClearScan 240 will put a smile on your face. REGZA LCD TV with ClearScan 240 will make you feel like part of the action. ClearScan 240 combines 120 frames per second with a new advanced Backlight Scanning System to create a 240 Hz Effect. REGZA LCD TV with ClearScan 240 creates such a new level of picture clarity with motion video that you won’t know whether to stay glued to your seat, or to jump from it. You may watch TV at night in a dark room, but sometimes you may keep the lights on and have a bright room, or watch the game on Sunday afternoon with even brighter sunlight coming through the windows. Extra room light can lower the contrast on some TVs, but with CrystalCoat, you don’t have to worry. CrystalCoat stops ambient room light reflections from washing out the picture, creating 30%+ better contrast in bright rooms. Now you can enjoy the deep high contrast REGZA picture in all room light conditions. If you have ever been bothered by loud TV commercials or inconsistent volume when changing channels, Dolby Volume technology is the solution. Advanced algorithms monitor the audio during programs, when commercials start, and when changing channels. Louder programming is brought down, while lower programming is brought up. This ensures a consistent volume level with full dynamic range at all times. You can now watch your movies or videos, view your digital pictures, or even listen to your digital music, by just connecting a USB hard drive or flash drive to the USB Port on the TV. If your digital camera uses an SD memory
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Black Border !
I have had this TV for a few weeks now. It is the first LCD-TV that I bought. I am very happy with it. I connected it to one of my PC which I am using it right now to write this review as a PC-monitor. The resolution is great. I added a Blu-Ray internal drive for less than $60 (player software included) to this PC and have been watching Blu-Ray movie with this set up. The pictures were stunning clear and beautiful on many of the movies.
In the beginning… there is a black border around the picture. For a while I did not know what to do. I notice that there are a few selections for the picture size: full, theater wide 1-3, 4:3 and native. Native gives the best resolution but with the black border while theater wide would cut off the picture but use all the screen. My PC equip with an ATI graphic adapter and the following was what I did to resolve the black border issue. If you have a different graphic adapter, there may be a similar solution.
Open Catalyst Control Center(CCC)
Go to desktops & displays
Right click on the small monitor icon on the bottom left corner
Choose configure.
Note: CCC showed that this TOSHIBA REGZA 42ZV650U reported a maximum refresh rate of 75Hz, which is the best that I seen on a LCD flat panel. There are many setting here, but do not apply any setting that your monitor do not support.
Select HDTV Support tab, and check the box that show the Correct Display Format that your LCD support. Click on apply after everything is set.
Other information: Vista 64, Catalyst Version 9.8, ATI Radeon HD 3870, DVI-HDMI cable, and this TOSHIBA REGZA 42ZV650U.
5 Stars Very nice
This is a great tv. It was a snap to connect. My mom liked it, so she bought one too.
1 Star Regza is a defective line
I’ve had 2 of these broken within 16 months and 1 at my parents house. This leads me to believe that there is a major quality problem with Toshiba or at the very least the Regza line. The repair is 4 times more expensive than a new unit and Toshiba referred me to a repair shop that does not accept any credit/debit cards only CASH and, as I found out later, is on BBB’s “red list”. Surely, I was charged hundreds of dollars for “diagnostics” and the TV was returned to me in its original condition(broken). Toshiba took no actions and continues to send its customers to the same service center(I checked). Just be careful with your money.
4 Stars Great TV
I ended up buying this tv at Best Buy (they matched the price that Amazon provided) 2 months ago. The image quality is great!
I am a bit confused, I thought that the Xbox 360 was not able to produce 1080p resolution (I have the white one with component connections), but the tv says otherwise?
The only other issue was with the sound(why it only rates 4 stars from me). When I first bought the TV I was using its speakers. After an hour of playing a Blu-ray movie the sound would sometimes start freaking out on me. I would start hearing echoes and robotic type noises that got progressively worse. When I would turn the TV off the Blu-Ray player would also turn off so i would have to wait 3-5min before resuming my movie. After rebooting, everything was fine. Once I hooked up the surround sound system I have never had any problems.
Once reading the manuel, I learned that the Toshiba logo can also be turned off, it got annoying sometimes during films.
Beware surround sound users, some receivers downgrade the image quality. You will also need to buy another HDMI cable (Blu-Ray player to receiver, then the other cable from the receiver to the tv) and make sure they will support 240hz!
5 Stars Great value – awesome features for less than a grand
I swore based on many online and magazine ratings to only purchase either a Sony or Samsung LCD TV (same manufacturing anyways). I never really considered the Toshiba Regza line until I saw it on display at an architectural exhibit. The colors and detail were absolutely stunning. Despite what CNET described as not that good, the darks were actually really visible and even more so because Toshiba added a more detailed color tweaking menu for the videophiles out there. The menu is VERY simple to understand – and my particular favorite navigation part is the ability to switch inputs so quickly using the left/right toggle buttons.
The sound quality is amazing. There are many built in options here as well. Dolby sound, surround, etc. The speakers are so well hidden and yet sound great.
Other features I love are all the HDMI inputs, an SD Card slot (we can watch slide shows from people’s cameras), and the USB port (WOW you can watch DIVX movies, listen to MP3s etc from an external drive!!!)
I haven’t really given the Clearscan 240 feature a chance yet because I’m waiting for the football games on sunday, but I’m very happy so far with the 120Hz smooth performance. Again, excellent value for all the features you get.
