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If you thought flat panel TVs were hot to begin with, then get ready for these. Just a few years ago 4-inch thick plasma TVs with gunmetal bezels were the height of fashion. Now those models look like has-beens on mid-day talk shows. Today’s top TVs are not only sporting impressive new picture technology (HDMI 1.3 inputs, 120Hz processing, 1080p/24 resolution) but they’re also adding style in ways never before attempted this side of the Milan runway. For this article we rounded up a few of the most impressive new LCD TVs we could find to see what the best manufacturers have to spice up your home entertainment. All the TVs here boast 1080p resolution and the ability to accept 24Hz signals from capable Blu-ray players.
Thin
Yes, thin is still in. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas in January, as in most fashion shows, the thin models in the skimpy outfits get all the attention. This year the major TV makers have gone anorexic on us. Hitachi (profiled here) came out with the first of the super-thin TVs, but Sony (especially with its groundbreaking OLED TV), LG, Sharp, Samsung and Panasonic all have or will be offering models thinner than many laptop computers. And thin isn’t restricted to LCD. Both Hitachi and Panasonic have shown super-thin (around an inch) plasma TVs as well. Even the comparatively boxy rear projection DLP TVs are getting thinner, helped by new LED light engines (which also use less electricity and last longer than traditional lamps), have slimmed down to around 10-inches deep in some cases. The bezels themselves are also slimming down, most notably on Toshiba’s UNB line which sports bezels less than an inch thick, creating that “all screen” look.
Color
TV makers all seem to read from the same page (or copy from the same leaders) when it comes to color. The first generation of flat panel TVs sported modern gray metallic bezels, then black took over with glossy black signifying a manufacturer’s premium line. For the most part, glossy black still rules (and looks good in most rooms anyway) but finally a couple of companies have decided that we can handle a little bit of color with our electronics. Samsung and LG are leading this trend, but expect more to follow.
Speakers, What Speakers?
As much as we at E-Gear want people to get the ultimate home entertainment experience via a full surround sound system, many consumers simply don’t want the bother or the bulk of an A/V receiver and 5.1 speakers interfering with their home décor. Manufacturers have gone out of their way to hide the speakers on TVs using creative grills, screens and sound reflectors. You’ll be hard pressed to find the speakers on some TVs, but you’ll surely hear them.
Hitachi UT37X902 37-inch HDTV monitor
$2,999
www.hitachi.com
Style
This is the first of the super-thin TVs this year—only 1.5-inches thick. That’s less than three adult fingers side by side. One of the tricks they use to accomplish this feat is twisting all the inputs on an angle, making plugging in the HDMI cable a bit of a challenge, but it also means nothing unsightly is sticking out the back either. The thin bezel is an oil slick gloss black with a titanium coating and the speakers are invisible. I also like the high gloss finish on the screen itself (like the glass surface of a plasma TV), but it does increase glare in some light.
Picture
The 120Hz processing (increases incoming video signals to 120 frames per second to reduce judder) combined with a proprietary REEL120 processing worked splendidly on side panning images. An in-plane-switching panel made for very strong contrast without the blocky images sometimes seen on earlier generation LCDs. Strong colors make the picture really pop, and blacks overall looked good, but some shadow detail was lost compared to the best TVs we’ve seen.
Features
First thing to note, is that this is not technically an HDTV; it’s an HDTV monitor. That means there’s no TV tuner inside. Considering only a small percentage of TV viewers actually use built-in tuners, the absence of a tuner is really no loss. In its quest to make the TV thin, Hitachi skimped on the inputs. You get 1 HDMI and 1 15-pin RGB. If you want to hook up anything else you’ll need an external switcher or A/V receiver. A nicely configured back-lit remote makes for easy control. RS232 input is included for control systems.
Samsung LN52A750 52-inch HDTV
$3,999
www.samsung.com
Style
This TV comes from Samsung’s new Touch of Color line, which includes a specially infused reddish tint inside a translucent edge of the bezel. It’s difficult to see in the photo; the effect is subtle, but really cool—if you like red. The bezel is as thin as others, but in this case, Samsung wants you to look at it.
Picture
Impressive. This TV exhibited one of the best pictures we’ve ever seen on an LCD TV. Shadow detail was deep, while colors proved bright and accurate. The 120Hz processing, like in the Hitachi, did an excellent job of removing LCD judder. The glossy glass-like screen, similar to the Hitachi, helps with the contrast, but also increases glare. It didn’t bother us, but might be a problem in a bright room.
Features
What doesn’t this TV do? Via a USB port you can play pictures, videos and music through your TV or let the TV grab media files from your PC (either via an Ethernet cable to your router or a Wi-Fi adaptor). A library of built-in content in the TV includes a picture gallery, recipes, games and even exercise tips. Finally, the TV’s InfoLink feature allows you to connect to the Web for more content in an RSS-type manner, including news from USA Today, weather and traffic updates.
LG “Scarlet” 47LG60 HDTV
$2,599
www.lgusa.com
Style
While not as slim as the Hitachi, this LG is quite svelte at 2.7 inches deep. It’s also the boldest design we’ve seen in a TV. The lower bezel includes a round accent hole, that lights up red when the TV’s off. The entire back of the TV is also red, for a 360 design effect that gets attention when viewed from any angle. The swivel base sports a mirror finish with more of the red accent. As cool as the TV is, the remote is a bit bland.
Picture
This TV can be infinitely tweaked thanks to the deep picture menu options, especially if you plan on getting it professionally calibrated. Detail was excellent, and the matte-finish screen didn’t produce any glare, though the contrast was not quite as punchy as either the Samsung or Hitachi. Strong colors, especially during our PlayStation 3 sessions, helped this TV stand out. 120Hz processing insured smoother images.
Features
A USB port permits playing music, video and picture files from a flash drive. Four HDMI inputs (including one on the side—perfect for HD camcorders). A Quick Menu button on the remote takes you to the most frequently used options, but you can go to the Expert Menu if you dare.
Westinghouse TX-42F430S HDTV
$1,199
www.westinghousedigital.com
Style
The 42-inch model in the TX line wears a matte black finish, but its 52-inch cousin sports a glossy look. Metallic accents add a touch of taste. This TV is less of a fashion showoff than the others here, but it’s handsome and blends well into any room.
Picture
Easy to configure—the Movie preset dialed in the picture very well, but the TV also includes a healthy menu of custom picture options for the calibrator. Some jagged edges turned up on video test patterns but were hardly apparent during movie scenes. Above average contrast makes this affordable TV worth a closer look.
Features
Inputs abound on this TV including 4 HDMI, 2 component and 1 VGA port. Ten-step adjustable backlight.
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