Showing posts with label Buying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buying. Show all posts

Sunday, November 20, 2011

XVT553SV Review - An Internet TV Worth Buying

Vizio XVT553SV Review

Nowadays there are lots of televisions which jostle for shelf space in stores and also for your attention. But how many of them can give you HD video, Surround audio and full internet capabilities? Perhaps not more than a handful, and that is why the Vizio XVT553SV LCD HDTV is a worth owning. The following review will tell you that this is no ordinary 55 inch TV!

At the heart of the picture engine of the XVT553SV is a patented TruLED technology which renders HD video to perfection. Nowadays you can opt for HD channels on your cable, and so, having this type of a TV can come in really handy. What if all content becomes HD soon?

But what really sets it apart from other big screen LCD HD TV's is its ability to access the internet via a powerful Wi-Fi 802.11n dual band. Plus you have the inbuilt Vizio Internet Apps to make your browsing experience even more enjoyable.

Not only can you watch movies and TV shows online, you can also indulge in social networking as you do on your PC or laptop. Wondering how you will type those messages? Well, the Bluetooth QWERTY keyboard-cum-universal remote is there to help you out! Your idea of TV remotes will change forever after using this one and this XVT553SV review is simply not enough to portray its versatility!

Best quality pictures are the hallmark of this TV and the Smart Dimming feature plays an important role here. The high 240GHz refresh rate and full 1080p HD support also helps render life-like images without lag. SRS has provided the entire audio set-up in this TV and with features like TruSurround and TruVolume, it's a 'complete package.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Buying an LCD TV - 3 Factors to Consider

lcd tv's are fast becoming a popular choice for most consumers. You can easily see a lot of houses hosting an these televisions in their living rooms with pride. Some are being mounted on walls and on tables. The thin feature of lcd tv makes it very easy to be placed almost anywhere in the house. If you're thinking of getting one, this articles explains some important points to consider when buying a Television...

First, there are several factors that need to be considered if you want to buy an lcd tv. Though they may all look alike due to the fact that all are flat screened with similar shapes atimes; yet, they all still differ from each other.

It is important to take note of some of the important specifications of a television before buying one. You need to check the Native Pixel Resolution (NRP), the scaling, Motion Response Time (MRT), brightness, viewing angle, and the contrast ratio.

In case you don't know what a Native Pixel Resolution means, it's the number of pixels on the surface of the screen. A Good lcd tv always has a high pixel resolution. You can have clearer view of whatever movie you are watching if the pixel resolution of your Television is higher. LCD TVs which are 20 inches and above have higher pixel resolution which is at least 1366x768 NPR. Any pixel resolution which is lower than this is not so pleasant to watch and isn't worth buying.

Another important factor to consider before buying a television is Scaling. Scaling refers to the matching of the incoming signal to the TV's NPR. Resolution signals always being adjusted to fit on to the TV screen. If this is too high, then it can be down scaled, if on the other hand it's too low, then it should be up scaled.

Another important factor to consider is the motion response time (MRT). It refers to the ability of an LCD TV to show motions on the screen. It has been a known that one of the downsides of an LCD TV is it could be weak in displaying objects that are fast moving. For instance fast paced programs like NASCAR race, F1, and action movies to name but a few. The good news however, is that more recent models are without this problem, so look out for more recent models to buy.

It's very important to ask the dealer about its MRT. MRT is usually measured in milliseconds. The higher the MRT, the better view you can get in watching your favourite movies and sports. Contrast ratio and brightness are also important factors to consider before you buy an LCD TV. Avoid TVs that will cause you eye problems. Always check and try to adjust the contrast and brightness of the potential model in the shop before paying at the counter.

Lastly, the viewing angle is also vital. Viewing angle refers to clarity of the images that you see on the LCD screen while watching on its sides. Some Televisions are only good to watch if you are watching directly at the centre viewing spot. But if you start watching on the sides you'll observe that the images are not very clear. They'll look blurred and unidentifiable.

In summary, before you buy an LCD TV, consider the Native Pixel Resolution. Remember the scaling and the MRT. In fact ask the dealer about the TV's MRT.A good LCD TV makes the images clear for the viewers even if being watched from the sides of the screen. It should bring fun and entertainment for you when you need it.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

10 Steps to Buying Your New LCD TV!

So you're thinking about buying a new lcd tv? Great, but it's really important to spend your hard earned cash on a TV that's perfect for you, your home and your wallet! So, we've put together a short 'Top 10 Tips' guide to help you make the most out of your new lcd tv.

This is a great time of year to be thinking about electronic big-ticket items and high definition lcd tvs are hot products that we're all looking to buy at the moment. Here's what you should remember...

1. Be sure you know the price market...LCD and plasma sets are both lower in cost than ever before right now. Once you've got a price range in mind, stick to it. That way you'll never regret spending too much afterwards!

2. For the most reliable quality in picture, sound, and performance, the big name brands are usually the better choice to stick to, but some of the smaller companies are beginning to challenge their dominance. Many of the models like JVC and Sony are known for quality, while LG is quickly becoming a quality player in the LCD TV world.

3. A good idea is to look for clearance models and older sets that are being priced to move. The year's newest models are all going to command top dollar price and you can save a lot of money by taking one of last year's perfectly fine models home with you instead. Models that are only just out of season drop massively in price, however they often have exactly the same features as the latest model in the range!

4. You can get more reductions off your television by asking if they have floor or demonstration models available. As they're already out of the box, its normally a nice way to save cash, but be sure there are no faults or damage to the unit, and insist on the regular warranty too. Check the LCD out at the store and look at the screen from different angles.

5. Take advantage of savings that can be had online. Stores like Amazon can offer incredible savings as they don't have the overheads that physical stores do. Also Amazon have regular sales and discounts to suit the season, so there's always a bargain to be had! Finally Amazon have a huge reputation for being reliable and having great customer service, So why not find a model you like in store, then see if you can save on its price with Amazon?

6. As a general rule of thumb, go for image quality over screen size. Its actually possible to get a television with an LCD screen that is too big for your room! You don't want to find yourself dwarfed by a screen that hurts your eyes to watch. You should be able to sit 10 feet away comfortably and still have a great viewing experience.

7. 1080p LCD TV or a 1920 x 1080 set will offer some of the most bang for your buck, with great picture quality and outstanding definition. Always go for great picture quality as a priority and don't forget to match the television size and features to its planned use, for instance a portable for the bedroom or a large screen for video gaming.

8. Check the reliability rating on any LCD flat screen TV before you purchase it. You can do this by looking at the online sites which show expert and consumer ratings as well as checking the reviews of each model before you commit to purchasing anything.

9. Most of these LCD TV models will come with extended warranties for additional fees, but the reliability of these is good enough to make this strictly optional. Your home insurance policy may cover any accidental damage, so you should decide if an extended warranty is for you.

10. The last and final tip may seem a bit obvious but its something many of us neglect to do! Its really important that you follow the manufacturers guide and take car of your LCD TV set as laid out in the manual, this will not only help extend the lifecycle of your new LCD model, but will also help the warranty remain water tight should the unthinkable happen and your set break down. Follow the care instructions and you should enjoy years of fantastic viewing out of your new model.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Things to Look For When Buying an LCD TV

Technology is both a boon and a bane if only because it has made the problem of choice so much more difficult for the consumer! For example if technology is so user friendly why are there so many brands of televisions flooding the market so much so that choosing the right one becomes the customers' problem. The same is true of the lcd tv.

What is LCD? - LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. As the name indicates, the visual images in this kind of television are crystal clear and set it apart from the ordinary television. There are certain broadly defined features that are common to most of the branded lcd tvs.

Picture clarity - Generally speaking they should be broad and flat with screen width ranging from 32 to 52inches and a high resolution for the images to be bright and crystal clear. Some TVs have 1366x768 pixels and a display format of 720p which ensures exceptional clarity of the pictures. The kind of wide screen modes available are conventional, auto wide, and zoom. One can opt for the most suitable depending on the type of room it will occupy.

Acoustics - The sound system varies in each. Most LCDs have two speakers with a stereo effect and a power output of 6 watts, 3 watts for each speaker and the surround mode adds to the effect of an immediate and a very near impact. For example there maybe a lion roaring on the screen but it may seem as if it were in the same room with us! There are others with 10watts too. Depending on the size of the room one can choose the right kind. A very large room can accommodate acoustics of a more sophisticated kind but smaller rooms do not require this.

Other features - They include infrared remote control, digital TV tuner, teletext, contrast auto tracking system, 3D digital comb filter and digital electronic programming guide. There may be a provision to connect the TV to a PC in order to access the pictures and videos stored on the PC. Interestingly as in a PC there is a provision for child lock or parent control wherein certain objectionable channels may be blocked. Some TVs have ambient light sensor and a noise reduction circuit. There are of course the headphones with a socket connection for blocking out the sound for the other viewers who do not wish to be disturbed by the audio. There is any number of channels to be viewed from BBC three, BBC four, BBC News 24, Sky News and even digital radio channels.

For those who spend all their waking hours in front of the TV there is even a sleep timer to set off the television automatically! The better the television, the more functions and features it promises.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Advantages of Buying an LCD TV

What does lcd tv mean and how does it function? LCD stands for liquid crystal display. Behind the screen are a number of pixels followed by a fluorescent light. When this light falls on the pixels, an electric current is generated, creating light variations, which make up the vividly colored images that we see. Generally, the twisted nematic liquid crystal is used which has a naturally twisted crystalline structure.

The screen size of an lcd tv varies between 13-46 inches and it is about 2 inches deep in thickness. They are very light and so extremely easy to install. This indicates that they require very little space and come with a very sleek look. In fact, they can very well be compared to the fragile beauty of a woman!

Next is the consideration of the 'burn-in' factor. lcd tvs are not susceptible to 'ghosting' which results due to premature dying out of the pixels. The uniquely twisted crystals do not allow 'burn-in' or 'ghosting' to happen.

There has been a marked improvement in the refresh rate or response time of LCD TVs. Previously, the images tended to lag behind and stay on screen for a period of time that was much more than necessary. Recent technological advances have put all that behind. Usually, the response time varies with the size and quality of the LCD TVs.

The contrast ratio in the more advanced LCD TVs is 1000:1. The contrast ratio is measured by the ratio between the brightest white to the darkest black. The scenario has improved here too. Research is on to push the ratio well past the 1000:1 mark.

Sixty-thousands hours is the average life span of an LCD TV. So at an average viewing of 8 hours a day, an LCD TV should last for about 20 years. The life span of an LCD TV is dependent on the back-light. Since it uses a liquid crystal, there is nothing else which can wear out other than the back-light. Technology has found a way around this problem by creating replaceable back-lights as well.

Power consumption, which is perhaps a very important aspect, has a definite advantage in case of LCD TVs. LCD TVs utilize fluorescent back-lighting and so power consumption is low and steady.

LCD TVs are unaffected by changes in air pressure. This makes it a favorite among air travelers. The performance is consistent and the picture flawless, regardless of the altitude of the airplane.

There is much talk about mercury being used for the fluorescent lighting. But, the manufacturers will vouch-safe for the fact that a nominal amount of mercury is used. This mercury does not come in contact with the viewer and so is entirely harmless.

Some manufacturers are trying to incorporate picture-in-picture feature in their monitors. This feature enables a viewer to see one program on the full TV screen while a few other programs can run in small windows in it. The viewer gets the added advantage to watch a particular program, while waiting for the intermittent advertisements to end in another window.

Experiments are on to extend color reproductions in LCD TVs. The idea is to use two back-lights with slightly differing intensities of colors in consecutive frames. This will enable the viewer to experience a better and a more vivid picture using a more precise color variation.

An LCD TV is a whole new experience, the flavor of which can be savored only by purchasing one. The advantages are manifold and the experience is just exotic. Indulging in one is a worthy bargain.