Panasonic VIERA TC-P46X3 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)The Panasonic Plasma TC-P46X3 is a great entry level Plasma HDTV. You will be extremely hard pressed to find anything close to the picture quality of this set for the money (the only real contender is the Samsung D450 series). Coming from LCD's, I was a bit nervous about moving to Plasma due to stories of burn-in. Overall, I am very happy with my decision to go with the Panasonic TC-P46X3.
Pros:
1. Great contrast ratio, nice deep blacks and rich colors. The screen is never too dark or too bright or washed out.
2. Great panel response time, little to no ghosting.
3. Price!
Cons:
1. Reflective screen (if you have a lot of light in the room while you're watching, it can be distracting as it reflects off of the darker areas of the picture).
2. Image retention (NOT burn-in) does occur, but disappears when you use the screen wipe white bar feature. I'm also still in the first few hundred hours of pixel life, so this may become less and less of an issue as the phosphors age.

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Panasonic PT-AX200U 720p 3LCD Home Theater Projector Review

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(More customer reviews)Didn't think buying a projector would take as long as it did. I've been researching projectors off and on for the past 2 and a half years and have enjoyed the process of testing a virtually endless onslaught of manufacturers and different image quality. Finally decided on a Panasonic PT-AX200U due to a special running through HTmarket.com that had a mail in rebate for an additional 1 year warranty on the purchase of a Panasonic projector. I bought my projector for $1299 and have had about a month to play with the projector.
Initial highlights - good projector for the money if you have a good source (HD DVD/Blu Ray/upconverting DVD player). Very easy setup with image adjustments. I was up and running in 5 minutes.
Friends and family are stunned at the size of the screen images capable with this projector (I'm running a 110 inch screen). Clearly capable of more than that.
Good image for old format DVDs IF you have a DVD upconverter to 720p/1080i/1080p. I initially ran a couple of DVDs, the Incredibles, Lord of the Rings, the Matrix, Blade, into through my Denon DVD 2900 (originally a $1000 DVD player) and was somewhat disappointed by the pixelation and some noticeable Screen Door Effect (SDE).
My brother came over the following weekend with his Sony Playstation 3 and we ran one of his videogames through the HDMI cable into the projector to see if we could tell a difference - whoa, noticeable difference in image detail and elimination of the pixelation and SDE.
Went out to Best Buy the following weekend to buy a cheap RCA dvd up converter for $30 and now run all my DVDs through it.
Would recommend this projector if pairing to a high gain screen - the bulb brightness, while bright for stock, definitely requires a high gain (+1.3) screen to maximize some of the darker image films (Blade/Matrix/Lord of the Rings/Aliens).


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Sony Bravia L-Series KDL-32L5000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my first HDTV. I bought it because my brother-in-law has the previous model, which is pretty much the same. He loves it for the bedroom because it's light and just all around a great TV.
Cable broadcasts in 720p/1080i. So unless you have the room and money for a larger screen, have a Blu-Ray DVD player or are a serious gamer, go with the 720P and save yourself some bread.
I'm very happy with the sound and picture. I do not have this hooked up to a home theater. There are plenty of inputs, so it should work well for your system. I tried my JVC HD camcorder and it was simple to connect and view.

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Sony Bravia L-Series HDTVs provide vivid 720p resolution and dynamic contrast ratios of 13,000:1 (the 26-inch model) and 13,000:1 (for 32-inch model), with several versatile sizes perfect for the budget-conscious consumer or anyone wanting an HDTV that works well in the bedroom, kitchen, or office. Bravia L-Series HDTVs have a wealth of HD connections, including three HDMI inputs. Each HDMI input transmits uncompressed digital video and multi-channel digital audio on a single cable, so you can expand your home theater system without a lot of messy wires. Also included is a PC input that lets you use your HDTV as a computer monitor. If you need to streamline your HD components further, the Bravia L-Series HDTVs feature Bravia Sync technology and are compatible with optional Bravia Link Modules such as the Bravia Wireless Link, which wirelessly streams HD video and audio from your A/V equipment to your HDTV from up to 65 feet away. You might expect that more features mean more power consumption, but Bravia L-Series HDTVs include a Dynamic Backlight Control which automatically controls overall image brightness to help the TV exceed ENERGY STAR 3.0 standards.

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Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P50X1 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)Purchased for our master bedroom, the Panasonic TC-P50X1 50" 720p has true brilliant color, impressive blacks, great resolution (looks like a 1080p to me and I am a picky engineer), surprisingly good sound and great looks. It sports the lowest price per square inch of screen area and beats LCDs hands down with its 600Hz refresh rate (absolutely no motion blur) and looks the same no matter where you are in the room. After considerable research, the TC-P50X1 was the clear choice due to its price, performance and appearance. A super buy.

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50" Plasma, 720p, 3 HDMI, Native contrast ratio 30,000:1, Dynamic contrast infinite black 2,000,000:1, Game Mode, Anti Reflective Filter, 600 Hz Subfield Drive

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Samsung PN42B450 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)Great quality at this price point, way above my expectations!
My goal was to get an HDTV for no more than $1000.
This is how I convinced that Plasma 42" 720 p is the right choice for me .I've done quite bit of click shopping at online stores- amazon, eBay, newegg, abt.
1. Size: I don't need a TV bigger than 50". I live in a Condo. This is for my living room. Watch distance is ~8 feet.
2. Output: For

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High definition 720p plasma has never looked so good. Thanks to its E-Panel technology, Samsung's PN50B450 is able to deliver stunningly smooth video reproduction. First, 600Hz Subfield Motion improves the continuity between frames, creating seamless, lifelike motion. Second, an incredibly fast 0.001ms pixel-response time minimizes blurring in fast-action sports and movies. Further, FilterBright technology reduces panel glare for improved performance in rooms with ambient lighting. Finally, a Game Mode speeds up processing and sharpens detail for an optimal gaming experience.

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HDMI 2M (6 Feet) Super High Resolution Cable by Abacus24-7 Review

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(More customer reviews)these cables work really great, i can't get over how cheap these were. so don't go out to best buy and circuit city and spend 50.00 dollars or more when these cables work great.

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Toshiba HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Pros:
Fantastic picture
Great price
1080i/ 720p output great for 720p HDTV's
Fast startup time
Slim design of the unit
Adequate remote
Some reviews of other Toshiba HD players have stated that you can't pause the movie, and come back to it later but I have not found this to be the case. As long as you leave the unit on, you can pause the movie as long as you want and resume it when you want to.
Plays DVD+R discs with no problem even though this is not a stated feature.
Cons:
no 1080p output- not an issue for me since I have a 720p TV.
Haven't come across any.

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The Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD Player allows everyone into the HD DVD game with a very affordable price tag. Don't let the price fool you, however; it offers many features and an excellent build quality.
A Refined, Slimmer Look The HD-A3's refined design--with rounded edges, a slim chassis, and a high-gloss black face plate, standing less than two-and-a-half inches tall--looks sleek and elegant in your home theater system without taking up too much real estate.
Outstanding PerformanceAll of Toshiba's HD DVD players support the enhanced features of the HD DVD format, including picture-in-picture video, audio commentary, and Web-enabled network capabilities. With an Ethernet port, the HD-A3 can connect to the Internet for firmware updates to keep the player up to date on new features, and to support the growing number of HD DVD titles with interactive online features and bonus content.
The HD-A3 features an HDMI interface that carries both a video and an audio signal in one cable for the highest quality and convenience. The A3 outputs video at 720p and 1080i for a detailed and sharp image. The HD-A3 has progressive scan capability, which means it eliminates the scan-lines of interlaced video and produces a clean image with no motion distortion and artifacts.
Sparkling Surround Sound The HD-A3's built-in circuitry processes the multi-channel decoding of Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, and DTS-HD (core only).
Plays a Variety of Formats The HD-A3 is backward-compatible with your DVD collection: It can play and upconvert DVDs to the HD resolution that is being output. It can also play DVD-R/W, DVD-R, DVD-VR, CD, CD-R, and CD-RW formats, so you don't need extra players taking up space.
The HD-A3 is backed by a limited 1-year warranty.
What's in the Box HD-A3 HD DVD player, remote control, and power cable.

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Toshiba 32CV100U 32-Inch 720p LCD/DVD Combo TV (Black Gloss) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was wary of getting a Toshiba for a TV, since it seems they're not a high seller. But I wasn't pleasantly surprised with the features on this TV. If my math is correct, you're essentially paying an extra $100 for the convenience of having the DVD player built in to the TV, which is not a bad deal if need that.
To sum it up, this is a good LCD high-def TV with some surprisingly nice added features. I noticed that whiter flesh tones appeared a little too red and couldn't seem to correct this with the color adjustments, but that was the only downside.
We bought this TV for our kids' play room and wanted the convenience of the built-in player, so as to eliminate all the cords dangling from the TV.
Details....
DVD - it's important to remember this is a DVD player, and NOT Blu-ray. However, if you're like us, you already have a large DVD collection for your kids, so it's not really a waste.
I was surprised at the quality of the DVD player, which seemed to upscale nicely. (DVD's are formatted for older, standard definition televisions, so the image has to be converted to HD, which has more pixels (dots) to display.)
Blu-ray: I did not test out any features for playing back blu-ray discs, so if you really care about this you should read the manual of maybe other reviews. What I've learned so far on another HDTV is that you'll want control over "judder", which allows you to choose a setting that makes scenes with motion clearer. I'm not sure this Toshiba has those settings, so you may be stuck with what you get. Check the manual.
Power-up and Getting Started: this TV does seem to take a bit longer to power up, I think because it has to check the DVD player first, which slows things down. The getting started guide was great and easy to follow.
I did have one bug - I'm using broadcast HD. That's right, television stations are now broadcasting HD signals for free. Of course, it's not at all close to the number of cable channels, but who cares - it's free! And it's HD.
So you have to tell the TV at setup time what system you're running - and for some reason I couldn't really pick the Antenna setting. However, after the first setup, I simply followed the instructions for re-scanning channels for antenna, and it all worked fine.
Antenna usage - this TV has some great antenna features - it will show you signal strength for each channel. Very nice.
Picture Quality - very good. Again, the only problem I noticed was flesh tones turned out too pink or too red on some channels. I played with all of the color settings but couldn't quite get it right. Movies seemed to be fine.
I did not watch any Blu-ray movies on this, since I had no blu-ray device connected, but DVD movies and broadcast channels looked great. 32 inches is actually a small size for HD TV's, and you'll notice this for a lot of channels, since they still broadcast in the old standard.
KQED here in the Bay Area looks fantastic on this thing (they broadcast often in 1080i, which is very good).
Audio - the sound is good, but not great. Still, you'll be able to understand dialog in movies, so I think it's good enough. In most TV's now, it seems, they don't put the speakers pointing out towards the user, they point down, which is simply never going to sound as good as direct sound.
Other - the TV is small and light and mounted easily to a TV mount I bought off of Amazon. There are a few standard sizes used in standard mounts, and the screws fit right in.
All in all, Toshiba did a very good job with this TV.

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Attractively designed and offering 720p high-definition viewing, the feature-packed, affordable 32-inch Toshiba 32CV100U LCD HDTV (31.5-inch diagonal screen size) is an all-in-one entertainment package that's great for any room in your house thanks to its integrated, side-loading standard DVD player.
Perfect for use as your main television, the CV100U Series features Toshiba's DynaLight dynamic backlight control for deeper black levels, and two HDMI digital inputs for simple high quality connection to cable/satellite boxes, DVD players and more. It's also a great choice for kids and family rooms with the CV100U's Gaming Mode, which offers reduced game control delay and improved reaction time. And the Photo Frame capability with Auto Slide Show is especially useful in bedrooms, dens, and kitchens.
Boasting a slimming tapered bezel and attractive front panel gradation, the new Horizon design creates a more modern, elegant appearance that also matches Toshiba's black glossy Horizon-designed laptops. Other features include MP3 playback via the integrated USB port, a PC input, and a removable stand.

Key Features
720p HD resolution (1366 x 768 pixels)
60Hz screen refresh rate
CineSpeed LCD panel with a fast response speed necessary for cleaner high-action home theater images. A wide viewing angle ensures that you'll have the best seat in the house.
Integrated slot-loading DVD player on the side (compatible with standard DVD discs as well as content burned onto DVD-R/RW, Audio CD, CD-R/RW, and VCD media--including both MP3 and WMA digital audio files)
DVD playback controls include digital picture zoom, fast scan, slow motion, and multi-camera angle selection.
DynaLight Backlight Control utilizes advanced image processing to monitor the brightness of each video frame, and adjust the backlight intensity accordingly. This precision creates seamless transitions with deep blacks for increased detail and depth analysis.
Photo Frame capability allows this HDTV to act as both a TV and a digital photo frame. You can showcase your favorite memories as a clear, crisp slide show on the high-resolution television screen--all controlled with just the TV remote.
Gaming Mode takes the gaming experience to a new level by reducing game control delay, thus giving the player improved reaction time and a more realistic playing experience. This is great when used with popular gaming consoles, or with PC games using the TVs PC Input.
Built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM digital tuning allows for tuning of standard cable channels as well as off-air digital broadcasts, in addition to digital "cable-in-the-clear" broadcasts.
Native Mode restores the size of the picture by the 3-5 percent that is generally lost during the normal over-scanning that occurs on traditional sets.
Cinema Mode 24 fps (3:2 Pulldown): This HDTV performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal, too--a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. To adapt 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video, frames in the original movie must be duplicated; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this duplication by removing the redundant information to display a frame-accurate picture.
Color Temperature Control enables you to adjust white balance to achieve the best television picture possible in any viewing environment, or simply adjust the picture to suit your personal tastes. The "Warm" setting delivers a redder image that is ideal for display in a dimly lit room, while "Medium" and "Cool" provide a progressively bluer image for the best picture as room light levels are increased.
Three TheaterWide modes are ideal for displaying HDTV signals as well as enhanced for widescreen television DVDs.

TheaterWide 1: Letterboxed image is digitally expanded 33 percent horizontally and vertically. Useful for reproducing Academy Standard (1.85:1) formatted software.
TheaterWide 2: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 42 percent vertically. Particularly of use when viewing narrow letterboxed images originally filmed in Panavision or CinemaScope.
TheaterWide 3: Letterboxed image is expanded 33 percent horizontally and 24 percent vertically. Can be utilized when displaying letterboxed images that incorporate narrow bands at the top and bottom of the picture.


MP3 audio and JPEG image playback via USB port on the side.
REGZA-LINK (HDMI-CEC) allows peripheral AV devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by the remote control.
Bottom-mounted invisible speakers integrated into stylish Horizon bezel design (20 Watts total power; 10W + 10W).
Channel Browser allows you to easily scan through the last 32 channels you have viewed, with screen images for the last five channels displayed, by channel, by favorites, and by input, at the touch of a button.
Channel Labeling allows you to put station call letters on the screen along with the station numbers, so you always know what channel you're watching
Input labeling enables you to name the individual inputs to denote usage, such as "DVD Player" (instead of having them display as just "HDMI 1" and "HDMI 2").
Removable stand for wall mounting (100mm x 100mm VESA mounting pattern)
Tri-lingual onscreen menu (English, French, Spanish)
Energy Star qualified
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor


Toshiba 2010 REGZA HDTV Comparison
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Panasonic TC-P50C2 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had this TV almost a week and like it more everyday.
Bought it from Best Buy for $680 with free delivery and set up.
When the delivery guys set it up, thye told me that in order to get
the picture that I saw in the showroom, that I had to switch out
my Direct TV receiver and dish to HD. Called Direct TV and had the HD
dish and receiver installed. Boy, what a difference. I can't get
over how great the picture is, and you can't beat the price. I played
BB against HHGregg, and they both fell over each other trying to get the sale.
It listed for $800 at both places, but I got it for $680. I've read about
buzzing noise complaints, but I have not had this problem. This is the 2010
version of this model. I'm a happy camper.

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Offering excellent picture performance, Panasonic's 50-inch VIERA TC-P50C2 Plasma HDTV features a 720p high-definition resolution and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity. This and other models in the C2 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you'll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours--more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day--before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA C2 series Plasma HDTV.

Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic C2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

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Panasonic VIERA TC-P42X3 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Disclaimer: This is all personal opinion.
There was Beta vs VHS...
There is Mac vs Windows...
And there is Plasma vs LCD/LED...
Like Beta and Mac, Plasma is the higher quality technology. Like VHS and Windows, LCD/LED is the user-friendly norm. To each his/her own.
I prefer Plasma.
PROS:
Less pixelation, faster refresh rate, less action-blur, 30 yrs life at 8 hours a day viewing, "image burn-in" almost nonexistent in newer models (would require MAJOR user-negligence, and it's a temporary effect anyway), on the average the sound quality is better/resonance, a more durable screen surface (better for people with pets who throw toys around and children who might push at the screen---ask your local dealer to knock his knuckles against a plasma screen and an LCD one, he won't knock on the LCD screen!), and unlike Macs though..."plasmas" are also the better technology BUT at the cheaper price. Life usually isn't that kind! The better product for the better price:-) Take advantage of it!
NEUTRALS:
Some might see the "higher quality but cheaper price" is a precursor to a technology that is being phased out of service (like the Beta tapes, or even Toshiba's HD-DVDs that eventually lost to Sony's Blu-Ray). That's understandable! But keep in mind, to my knowledge there are no LCD tv's beyond 65" as the technology can't support it. Those "enormo-screens" like Jerry Jones' "Everything is Bigger in Texas" boob tubes are Plasmas! Plasmas aren't going away...
CONS:
Glare. Period. It IS an issue! The only issue. Personally, I think LCDs show their fair share of washed-out, hazy-glare at various angles anyway, but they still reign supreme in high light. Being a former glass-screen, tube-tv viewer...I don't find it any worse, but the "glare is there" so to speak. Can be "mirror-like" in the very worst cases. Blinds can solve the problem and setting the tv at a height of 4' or higher in room makes most sitting-angles, couches/tablechairs fine from window light. Still, it IS an issue.
"Plasma tvs run at a hot temperature and drain more energy." That's kind of out-dated. And the energy-draw is probably like $2 more a month. (Interesting sidenote...when choosing between the Panasonic and the Samsung, noticed the Samsung plasma screen felt rather warm whereas the Panasonic felt room temp.)
CLOSING STATEMENT: Panasonic is/has been Plasma-industry leader since day 1...they've always focused on plasmas unlike Samsung, LG etc (not saying they're bad). Despite selling HDTV's a few years ago at a major chain, I just got my first HDTV a few weeks ago! Couldn't afford one until now. Always kept my eye on the Panasonic plasmas though and the Panasonic TC-P42X3 was worth the wait. I sit (using the old walking-foot count) ~12' away from my tv in an apartment living room w/ 2 larger windows. I'll take the better picture with some "glare-issues" in the morning then the lower quality picture with "little glare" issues anyday!
ANY HDtv is better than the old CRTs (even though I loved them--"pixelation"?!? Who ever heard of "pixelation"?!!!), but I must confess this is a really good tv. I debated b/w a 1080p 32" LCD and a 42" 720p Pan plasma. Wanted great picture. Was afraid I was sitting too close to a 42" at 12'. Not so. An old worker-associate steered me back in the right direction that was my gut instinct to begin with...a 42" Panasonic Viera Plasma! Alvin at hhGregg, Dayton Ohio (sorry Amazon)! His commission was a pittance but his advice priceless.
Hope this review helped...

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(March 2011)
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Samsung PN50C490 50-Inch 720p Plasma 3D HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had been wanting to make the leap to 3D ever since I heard 3D would become available to the public for home use on HDTVs. Having priced a few out I just did not feel it was worth the jump quite yet. Then I came across this TV on Amazon. I did a lot of research finding reviews and reading impressions from various HD forums. Finally I went to Best Buy to try this out for myself and was quite impressed.
So after much debate I picked one up with one pair of glasses since it's just me. Got a deal for $969 and that is with tax. Prior to I owned a 47inch 1080p Vizio which I've had for 3 years and was a great set for the price point as well. I can say without a shadow of doubt that even without the 3D feature the picture quality of this TV for Bluray blows away my old 1080p Vizio. Not sure how that is possible since this set is at a lower resolution but there is no fooling my eyes and what I am saying is true. The colors are vivid and the blacks are REAL black. The Vizio which was an LCD always had a white glare from back light issues of the bulbs.
Video games look fantastic. My only issue with the set is two things. My PC did look better on the Vizio because it offered a much brighter picture and on the Samsung it's not as bright. Not a deal killer but this should be noted. The other issue is with 3D games only such as Avatar, Pacific Drift 3D and MLB the show the resolution is also meh in 3D mode compared to non 3D games which look banging.
I have yet to try out a 3D movie but ordered Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and Monster House on Amazon and will edit this review to include impressions of those two true 3D movies.
The 2D-3D conversion looks fantastic on Blurays and broadcast TV so that's a win for this set.
It's like this, if you REALLY want a 3D set as I did and do not want to spend an arm and a leg as what other sets cost this is your best bet as the technology evolves and improves. If anything you will be getting a fantastic HDTV set for a fraction of what some of the other higher end sets cost and will tide you over until the technology reaches a point of 3D sans glasses which is what I am waiting for. Honestly there is very little difference between this 720p and 1080p models.
Great value for what you get.EDIT Review day 2:
Just wanted to say that I am just in love with this TV.
One example I wanted to share is I recently got the Alien movies on Bluray and had been waiting to watch them until I had this TV in place so I could try out the 2D-3D conversion. Well I can tell you that I am on the 2nd movie Aliens and have the this feature turned on with a depth of 10 so it's peaked out and my god it looks amazing. It's almost as if the movie was filmed in 3D but I realize a lot of that has to do with the way Cameron shot the film so kudos to him for being a visionary back in 1986 because it just rocks. Especially any of the scenes in space the level of depth really brings you in when this feature is turned on. Amazing.
Still waiting on my delivery of the Blurays that are True 3D and will post impressions as soon as I get them.Edit Review day 4:
Just finished watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Without a doubt this TV delivers the real deal with 3D as if you are in the theater. The movie looked great in 3D. Was sharp and the 3D truly pops. I am still blown away however at the 2D-3D conversion for other Bluray movies. I also for the fun of it popped in Star Wars on DVD and yes it works great with that as well.
I just cannot praise enough about how awesome this TV is for the price point and have zero regrets about picking one up.
Edit Review 1 week later:
The TV continues to blow me away with each movie I watch in the 2D-3D conversion. The glasses were the only issue with this set. I got the free pair that came with it. What was happening was that the glasses would lose sync during scenes with high action or a lot of light. What fixed it was taking a small piece of opaque tape and placing it over the sensor on the glasses. Ever since the picture has been perfect. A small irritation that has an easy quick fix but felt I should point it out to any other owners of this set or anyone planning on getting one on how to avoid/fix the issue.


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Panasonic VIERA TC-P50X3 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my 2nd Panasonic plasma display and the quality of the picture is absolutely great. This TV gets 4 stars because the display has a glossy finish and not a matte finish. This matters in any room that has windows or lamps. You'll see the reflection of these light sources on the TV screen. Honestly I have no idea why anyone would want a glossy screen over a matte screen.
This is a 720p resolution TV, which is why the price seems low for a 50 inch TV. 1080p sounds great but in reality most folks are not watching _true_ 1080p content. Even with a lot of bluray content, the original content was a lower resolution (often DVD 480p) and it was simply rescanned into 1080p for the bluray disk. If you really want a 1080p TV, go for it of course. There is some true 1080p content out there and it looks great if you have a 1080p TV.


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(March 2011)
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ViewSonic PJD6531w WXGA Wide DLP Projector -120Hz/3D Ready, 3000 Lumens, 3200:1 DCR, HDMI Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my first projector, so I cannot really give too technical of a review. However, here are the things I've noticed in the short time I've had it so far...
Like others have said, it's bright. I can use it in the middle of the day with blinds open and see perfectly fine. From what I understand, the image will gradually get dimmer the more hours it has, but for now it's superb.
It's very easy to use. I've never operated one before and was able to use it right out of the box. Plugged it in, connected my ps3 or laptop, and turn it on. It automatically detects everything without issue.
The image can get quite large. So far I've been using it to generate an image about 8 ft wide with a good picture. The projector is 14ft away from the wall. Definitely much larger than any LCD or Plasma!
I purchased this projector for a short term relocation. I didn't want to have to ship a TV and figured if I bought a projector I could take it home with me in a few months. It's easily portable, and this one comes with a case (unlike some others. I also looked at getting the Optoma hd66 which is in the same price range, and I don't believe it came with a case and the viewsonic had a few more features).
I haven't used 3D yet since 3D glasses are still quite expensive, but one day I hope to try it.
If the lamp lasts 4000-6000 hours, I will be perfectly satisfied. That should give me several years of usage, and at that point it'll be time to upgrade anyways (technology flies these days)! Or, I could replace the lamp, although I still haven't found any bulbs online yet. I use ECO mode as well, and the difference in ECO mode and standard is hardly noticeable. ECO mode is plenty bright enough.
UPDATE: Be sure to check the contrast settings if you don't see a proper picture. The contrast setting automatically switched to 0 for HDMI input somehow and I almost returned it thinking the jack had become defective (only saw blank screen). I'm not sure why it changed, but be sure to check if the image seems off even if you didn't change anything yourself.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ViewSonic PJD6531w WXGA Wide DLP Projector -120Hz/3D Ready, 3000 Lumens, 3200:1 DCR, HDMI

The PJD6531w is an advanced 120Hz/3D ready DLP projector which includes BrilliantColor technology to produce more vibrant colors, while the high brightness and contrast ratios make this projector shine in virtually any lighting situation. The PJD6531w delivers 3000 lumens with a 1280 x 800 WXGA native wide resolution. This projector is designed for table-top use or can be mounted on the ceiling for classrooms and meeting rooms. The top load lamp and filter-less design provides for easy maintenance and low total cost of ownership. RJ-45 connectivity enables remote network control, while the extensive input options and integrated 10W speakers provide for amazing multimedia performance and effective presentations or classroom lessons.

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Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U 50-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my first HD TV purchase ever, so I made sure to do my homework. I spent days researching brands, plasmas v. LCDs, 720p v. 1080p resolutions, and 42" v. 50" screens. Friends and family kept telling me, "Get a LCD. Get a 1080p."
The fact is after combing through review after review from consumers and professional critics alike, it became evident that Panasonic is leading the way with plasma technology, and the years-old issues with these TVs (burn-in, heat, glare) are all but resolved. In fact, plasmas offer smoother motion, deeper blacks and wider viewing angles than their LCD rivals.
Screen size and resolution, I found, go hand-in-hand. The rule of thumb: 50" or less in screen size is not worth the extra $$ for 1080p. The increase in resolution only really becomes appreciable with screen sizes over 50". Too, one can only truly take advantage of 1080p with a Blu-ray DVD player. HD channels are sent at lower resolutions, though obviously much better than standard 480i.
Armed with this knowledge, I set out to find the best 50" plasma 720p I could find that fit within my budget. Sony and Pioneer were out. The next tier included Samsung, Toshiba, and Panasonic. The latter won hands down.
Whether I am watching DirectTV HD or my standard DVD player, the picture quality is nothing short of amazing. I love the anti-reflective coating on the screen; works beautifully in our well-lit room and does not mute the colors. It took a minute for my two year-old to get over Scooby-Doo outsizing him, but he's hooked now.
The one minor complaint I see in other reviews is bass distortion with the speakers. I do not use the "bass boost" function and have not noticed anything but clean sound. In fact, speech, music, and effects sound quite good and balanced. Most will use surround sound for movies anyway, I suspect. The only thing that peeves me is the digital audio out. It only supports 2 channel stereo to a receiver.
In closing, I believe this is the best value you will find for a top quality product in this category. Get one, and you won't just watch TV, you'll experience it.


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Panasonic VIERA 50" 720p Plasma HDTV

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FaceVsion TouchCam N1 HD VideoCam Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We bought this camera in order to record interviews rather than the 2-way Skype application it was designed for. Some other cameras have slightly better image quality, but the beam-forming dual microphones are better than any other solution we tested. The camera really "reaches out" to pick up even faint speech--even in the presence of other noise in the room. We also liked the wide angle of view which allows us to get the camera in close and still see what the subject is doing on the table top. We did not try the camera with Skype. Only improvement we would have liked to see is a 1/4" tripod screw hole on the base. It is well-engineered and looks and behaves like a professional piece of gear. That said, we were replacing a camcorder/external microphone solution which cost about $800 so money was not an issue for us. If you just want to do 2-way videophone, there may be cheaper solutions for you.

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Optoma GT700 3D Game Time Projector, Great for Wii, PlayStation, and Xbox Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First impression
With out-of-box (factory) settings and connected to my macbook via HDMI cable watching an Avatar trailer the sound of "WOW" was echoing in our room.
Previously
Earlier today, I had returned a new Optoma pico projector (PK301) to Bestbuy after days and nights of viewing in diverse lighting conditions, PK301 just didn't work well due to too weak brightness (

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The GT700 provides the ultimate widescreen experience for gamers, sports enthusiasts, and movie buffs. Designed for quick connection to computers, game consoles, blu-ray players, and television tuners, the GT700 accommodates on-the-go entertainment and can also impress as the centerpiece of your home theater. Optimized for flexibility, this GameTime projector displays a large image from a short distance, features a powerful 10-watt speaker system, and includes a custom-designed backpack for storage and easy transport. Whether your passion is sports, gaming, the internet, or movies, Optoma transforms your free time into GameTime.

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Panasonic TC-P46C2 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My wife and I were really planning on buying a 42" 1080p Samsung "LED TV" (i.e., an LED backlit LCD TV) when we came across this TV on sale for roughly 60% the price of the Samsung 42" LED TV. So I spent the best part of an evening researching LED versus Plasma, 1080p versus 720p and also the Samsung brand versus Panasonic. Details of my findings are in the Appendix at the bottom of this review.
With the required research behind me, we concluded that we couldn't go wrong with either choice. The Panasonic won because not only would it would save us a bundle, but we would also get a 46" TV instead of a 42", which would be perfect for our living room HD cable setup. We decided, therefore, to postpone our purchase of a 42" 1080p LED TV for our bedroom to the near future when the prices for LED TVs would drop even further.
Although the C2 series is the most basic of Panasonic's 720P Plasma lineup, the build quality is very nice and refined. It took less than 30 minutes to set up the TV and connect it to our HD cable box and digital receiver.
The only initial calibration we made was to set the picture mode to "Cinema". Quite honestly, we were stunned at the quality picture when we first tuned to a HD channel - which was an English detective drama on PBS. The color reproduction, clarity, and fine details were way above our expectations, easily on par with the best LED TVs we saw in the showroom . With its 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, this TV is able to produce an awesome level of gradual black levels, with no dithering artifacts to speak of.
This TV has a moving picture resolution of 720p. We watched the Hawaii Five-O remake premiere with disbelief. With its 600Hz refresh rate, there were very smooth image transitions in the action sequences, making for a very film like experience with none of the "digititis" with fast moving images that I was used to seeing on some LCD TVs.
Being the most basic in the current Panasonic Plasma lineup, this TV has a basic set of features - which is actually a good thing because the menu system uncomplicated and intuitive. Some of the menu features can be accessed through dedicated buttons on the remote. For example there is a button to toggle between aspect ratios - which is handy when you need to watch old non-anamorphic DVDs.
This TV also has "anti-image retention" features to prevent logos from being seared onto the surface of the Plasma display. For the first 100 hours or so, it is a good idea to watch 4:3 aspect ratio programs in "zoom" mode, to prevent retention of the black bars on the side, and to switch channels frequently to prevent "logo burn" from particular channels. Once the TV has crossed the "break in" period, you can resume normal watching.
I have not tried Blu-Ray yet on this TV, but it does a pretty decent of upscaling DVD movies from 480p to 720p through component video, though not perfect. But playing DVDs through upscaling DVD players, like the Panasonic DMR-EZ48VP-K 1080p Upconverting VHS DVD Recorder with Built In Tuner, through HDMI is another story. From a normal viewing distance of 8 to 10 feet, DVD movies look almost like HD. I watched the DVD of the movie Downfall and it was hard to convince me that I was not watching full HD.
The sound quality on this TV is pretty good and more than adequate for most program content.
As for hum, it's present only when I stick my head right next to the back panel where a very low volume buzz can be heard. But from more than a few feet away this TV produces no audible hum!
Cons:
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I can think only of a couple of downsides to this TV. The first is that the C2 model has no anti-reflective coating like the higher models in Panasonic's Plasma lineup. But, to be quite honest, the reflections were not noticeable or bothersome until we turned on some bright lights in the side in the direct line of reflection. Having said that, the front plate glass in all Plasmas are reflective and it is therefore best to set them up in an environment where you have control over light sources.
The second issue is that this TV has only a single digital optical audio output, which limits you to using a digital receiver for external sound.
Conclusion:
-----------
This TV represents the best bang for buck for any TV out there. Although this is an entry-level Panasonic plasma, Panasonic has not skimped on build quality and the thing that absolutely matters most - picture quality! This TV packs the latest display technology of Panasonic, at a fraction of the price you would have paid just a couple of years ago. Sure, it does not have ethernet or in-built streaming video. But if your really want streaming Netflix or iTunes movies, why not spend just an additional $99 and buy an Apple TV - MC572LL/A NEWEST MODEL?
This TV is definitely in the "best buy" category and I have no hesitation in giving it a rating of five stars. Thank you, Panasonic!
Appendix:
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LED versus Plasma:
Both LED and Plasma TV's have excellent picture quality, colors and black levels as well a rated lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours. LED TVs are thinner, lighter, "greener" in power consumption, have less reflective screen surfaces, can be viewed in bright daylight conditions and do not require a "break in" period for the first 100 hours of use. Plasma TVs, on the other hand, have excellent color accuracy and refresh rates that are hard to match, and they support wide viewing angles. Plasma TVs now come with 600Hz refresh rates, while most LED TVs still are in the 120Hz level. That, in itself is worth the price of admission for videophiles and video enthusiasts, given that the higher refresh rates have the effect of making the viewing experience pleasing, more film-like and easier on the eyes.
1080p versus 720p:
1080p versus 720p is not much of an issue if most of your viewing is HD broadcast, satellite or cable, which is pretty much 720p for the most part. But if you are serious about Blu-Ray, then 1080p is preferable since the difference becomes noticeable for larger TVs and at close viewing distances. But in most situations it is hard for people to tell the difference between the two formats even with a 46" panel.
Samsung's reputation versus Panasonic's:
Recent TV ratings from Consumer Reports indicate that Samsung has top ratings in the LED TV technology. But Panasonic Vieras still occupy the top spot in Plasma! (Samsung Plasma TVs are reputed to have an annoying audible hum or buzz from the rear of the panel, which the Panasonic Plasmas do not have).
Update: 02 October 2010:
I made changes to the white balance for the Cinema/Warm picture mode using settings described in AVS Forum, based on reference settings from member "D-Nice". The picture now is really natural and awesome. I had to get into the Service Menu for this. Please see the link in the Comments section of this review for more details.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic TC-P46C2 46-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV

Offering excellent picture performance, Panasonic's 46-inch VIERA TC-P46C2 Plasma HDTV features a 720p high-definition resolution and 600Hz Sub-field Drive for superb motion clarity. This and other models in the C2 line offer Panasonic's VIERA Image Viewer feature, which enables you to play slideshows of JPEG images stored on SD memory cards, as well as the VIERA Link feature for controlling a variety of compatible components--from Blu-ray Disc players to digital cameras--through a single remote.
Adhering to Panasonic's commitment to the environment, this VIERA model--as well as all 2010 models--features improved power consumption and meets the new, more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements. And you'll get a long Plasma panel life of up to 100,000 hours--more than 30 years of viewing when watched 8 hours a day--before the brightness of the panel decreases to half.

Key Features Panasonic's VIERA C2 series Plasma HDTV.

Key Specifications


What's in the Box Panasonic C2 series Plasma HDTV, removable stand, remote control (with batteries), operating instructions

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

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