I’ll cut through the hype and say at the outset that a wireless video transmitter isn’t something everybody needs — if your set-top box or Blu-ray player is on a shelf next to the HDTV, running a short HDMI cable takes care of it. But there are specific situations when a wireless transmitter is the way to go — for example, you have a Blu-ray player in the bedroom and want to watch movies or streaming video from it on the bigger TV in the living room. Or you don’t want to run wiring from your home theater components at one end of the room across the floor to the front projector or HDTV at the other end.

Since the video transmitters on the market vary in price and functionality, as opposed to the technology which primarily features a 5 GHz signal for stability and distance, the decision you’ll need to make is whether the transmitter can do 1080p Full HD video and surround audio (should you have 3D-capabilities, you’ll also want it to be 3D compatible). But what about needing more than one device to be transmitting wirelessly?

Enter Belkin’s ScreenCast AV 4. Physically it’s just a transmitter box and a receiver box — but the “4” stands for the total of devices it can accept A/V signals from. So if you want the capabilities to switch between transmitting video from a Blu-ray player AND a game console and a set-top box (etc.) without having to pull out and insert cables every time, this is your new option.

The transmitter is about the size of two paperback books placed side-by-side, with the receiver even smaller. Both have a slightly raised antenna panel on the top and for cooling there’s slots on the bottom (a good suggestion is to always allow for air circulation around any electronic device, of which these two are no exception). The power button on both transmitter and receiver should be turned on and left on — no reason not to — and the addition of a USB port on their back for future updates is a nice touch.

Belkin touts the simplicity of using their ScreenCast, so I’ll give it a go. In the bedroom, I connect my Xbox 360’s HDMI cable (used for watching streaming movies and playing games) to input 1 on the transmitter’s back. I follow this with the output from my Dish Network satellite receiver, going into the transmitter’s input #2. The transmitter goes on the corner of the TV stand and I connect the power for it. You’ll notice that I’ve made no changes to the setup systems on either of the two devices — I’m expecting the A/V of each to make its way through the transmitter with the same results as if they were still plugged into the HDTV: being 1080p high-def resolution of the video and 5.1 surround audio.

The only real effort is to connect the included IR (infrared) cable to the transmitter’s IR socket. I line up one of the 4 bulb-tipped ends in front of each of the device’s IR panels (rather than just placing them in front to “strike” the panels, I secure each with a piece of cellophane tape). And since I can run 3D films on my PlayStation 3, and the ScreenCast includes that in its specs, I’ll connect this game console to input #3 — keeping in mind that its Bluetooth remote reception won’t work with one of the IR cables.

Setting up the receiver is similar to that of the transmitter — actually it’s even easier. I place it next to my front projector’s switcher in the living room, plug one end of a HDMI cable into the output socket and then swap the other end for the input on the amplifier that works as both a switcher for the projector as well as providing the audio through a 7:1 channel speaker setup. The transmitter’s power plug then goes into an AC outlet.

Now you might have noticed that I didn’t have to worry about there being line-of-sight between the transmitter and receiver. That’s because the wireless signal works through walls and can connect up to 100 feet away (I’m less than 90 feet in distance here). Also, I didn’t need to press the syncing buttons on the back of the transmitter/receiver because they’re already paired. And there’s no channel switching or other technical things to worry about.

There’s a manual “Source” button on the receiver for switching between the devices playing, but you’ll find using the credit card-sized remote, as I did, more useful for this. For controlling the devices from a distance, just aim its remote control at the receiver so that the IR signal can be transmitted back to the transmitter and outputted through the IR cable (the solid blue light on the receiver will flash when a remote’s signal is entered). The ScreenCast remote is pretty simple too: Up/Down arrows for cycling through the outputs, with an onscreen confirmation, and an “OK” button. The remote will be used with the receiver when it has first been turned on to cycle through a short setup.

So here we go. I turn on the amplifier and fire up the projector. As soon as the light hits full illumination (2 minutes), I press the StreamCast remote to bring up its menu. The only thing I want to do with it is select names for the inputs from the pre-formatted list so I don’t have to rely on memory as to which input is connected to what. Once done, I select the Xbox’s input and then aim the Xbox remote at the receiver, punch “On” and there in all its glory is Microsoft’s baby. I cycle through to the Netflix app and run through a few scenes of films and TV episodes I’m familiar with. Predictably, the image looks good and if there’s any lag in the transmission from the Xbox to what the projector’s outputting, I can’t see it.

Switching to the Dish receiver (first using the StreamCast remote and then the Dish remote), I play some movies from HBO and even though the TV signal is a compressed one, the video displayed on the projection screen is free of artifact and “noise” — it doesn’t look any better than what I’m used to, but it certainly doesn’t look any worse. I also go into some of the Dish’s static menus to check out whether the text is breaking up — it isn’t. So for all practical purposes, it’s like I have the Dish hooked up directly to the projector. And the audio is no less dynamic or multi-channel than it would be in the bedroom.

Now I don’t want you to think that I’m just sitting on the couch for all of this. During the transmission tests I’ve kept my wireless network on to see if that would interfere with the signal — some 6 hours of testing while streaming through he wireless network didn’t seem to faze the StreamCast any. Nor did turning on the microwave do anything either. Finally, I walked around the living room having a conversation on my cell phone and the cellular signal didn’t seem to have any impact on the StreamCast or vise versa. So okay, after an hour of walking, I did sit back down — sue me.

The last test was to switch to the PS3. I ran the 2D version of Iron Man and, as expected, it looked great on the projection screen. I then ejected the disc from the PS3 and replaced it with the 3D version and, other than the fact that the image was now in 3D and I had to put on 3D glasses, there was no difference in the image being presented. This was also the case when I ran a few other 3D discs that I had 2D versions of. The end result is that the StreamCast handled 3D transmissions with no more difficulty than it did 2D.

Editor’s Rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Bottom Line: At a price point of $249, the StreamCast is a good choice for those who find wiring their components distasteful, difficult or impractical (a display in the basement needing the set-top box from upstairs comes to mind). Technophobes will find the StreamCast no more complicated to set up and use than that of a DVD or Blu-ray player — and yes you can connect other types of video creating devices to the StreamCast too, providing the PC or tablet or smartphone can output a HDMI-compatible signal to connect to one of the StreamCast’s inputs. Add the StreamCast’s dependability and its being able to connect to multiple HD devices, and you’ve got just so much icing added to one tasty cake.

Pros

• Multiple A/V inputs
• Option for additional transmitters/receivers
• Wall mount kit for receiver included

Cons

• Switching between inputs can take up to 20 seconds
• No paper-based manual
• Credit card-sized remote is easily lost

Nothing beats upgrading your home entertainment system then getting a new TV and today’s Deal of the Day can help you achieve that. Save $300 on the Samsung UN40D6300 40” 120Hz 1080p LED-Backlit Widescreen LCD HD TV at Newegg.com and pay only $649 (in-cart price) with free shipping (plus the Wi-Fi adapter is included while supplies last). Originally listed for $949, you’ll be saving tons on a TV that’s smart enough to deliver all your TV shows and movies the way you want and deserve.

Its Clear Motion Rate 240 delivers fast moving images with outstanding clarity, while its Ultra Clear Panel absorbs ambient light and virtually eliminates reflections so that you’re not distracted when viewing the TV. It also features a native resolution of 1920×1080 (1080p), 120Hz refresh rate and 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for the best viewing experience possible. The TV will also be a stylish addition to your living room or bedroom with its ultra slim bezel that shows off this advanced engineering with a sleek, sophisticated design.

With the 40-inch Samsung UN40D6300 LED TV, you also get Samsung Smart TV, which delivers a web-enabled portal to the best of the entire Internet, along with Samsung Apps and the ability to search content both online and on your TV. The feature also includes a Full Web Browser to navigate the Internet, a Search All feature so you can find videos via apps or other connected devices and a recommendation engine, which suggests movies you might like from your Video-On-Demand services. Samsung Smart TVs allow your digital experiences to converge on a brilliant HD screen.

Then there’s Samsung’s AllShare, which lets users sync up many of their DLNA-enabled digital devices so that they can access music, movies and photos right on your Samsung TV screen. With Samsung’s Anynet+, you can also condense all your remote controls into one control system for all your HDMI-connected compatible devices.

Today’s Deal of the Day comes to us from Circuit City and offers a Panasonic VIERA 60” 1080p Plasma HDTV (model number TC-P60S30) for only $999.99 with free shipping and the Coupon Code ROP53008. The 60-inch Plasma HD TV has a list price of $1,599.99, but Circuit City provides you with $500 of instant savings, plus the coupon code drops it even more, so you’re saving $599.01 with today’s Deal of the Day!

Panasonic’s VIERA Plasma HD TV features a 1920×1080 (1080p) native resolution that will have all your favorite TV shows and movies looking clear and crisp on the gigantic 60-inch screen. This Panasonic Plasma HDTV also brings its excellent screen refresh rate of 600Hz, providing you every detail with extreme clarity and smoothness that will enrich your viewing experience. Its 3x HDMI ports allows you to surf the Web with its Wi-Fi capabilities, so that you can get Internet video streaming via Netflix, Pandora, Amazon Video on Demand, and more. Take your home theater system to new heights and score on some huge savings with this humongous Plasma HDTV from Panasonic that’s an excellent Deal of the Day for those looking for a new TV upgrade.

Vizio is bringing the theater to your living room with its new XVT 3D CinemaWide TruLED Smart TV Models that includes the 50-inch XVT3D500CM, the 58-inch XVT3D580CM and the 71-inch. Each model features panoramic 21:9 aspect ratio HDTV, expanding the boundaries of conventional widescreen TVs to set a new standard in 
2560 x 1080 resolution.

Each model has the state-of-the-art passive 3D technology that’s actually used in theaters that coupled with its panoramic display provides movie buffs with the feeling of being at the movies in the comfort of their own home.

The smaller two models use Edge-lit LED backlighting, which exhibit a contrast ratio of 1,000,000 to 1, while the larger flagship model features full array “TruLED” backlighting, resulting in superior black levels and contrast, according to Vizio.

Built-in WiFi and Vizio Internet Apps (V.I.A.) are included in each model, allowing you to do more with your TV than just watch it. The V.I.A. experience makes top online content and services available at the touch of a button, including: Hulu Plus, Facebook, Flickr, Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Twitter, VUDU, and Yahoo! TV Widgets. All also have a premium Bluetooth universal remote control with an integrated QWERTY keyboard for control and navigation.

While many will anticipate the arrival of these new models, Vizio has yet to release price and a launch date on its XVT 3D CinemaWide TruLED Smart TVs.

Lenovo’s K91 TV is anything but an ordinary television. Instead, the 55-inch TV boasts Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as its OS and a Qualcomm’s 1.5GHz dual-core 8060 Snapdragon CPU processor. Another cool feature is that the TV can be controlled with your voice using natural language processing and recognition. But that’s not all!  It’s also capable of video interaction with facial recognition via its 5-megapixel webcam that’s placed in the TV’s bezel. Its remote control is just as high-tech and sports a touchpad, 5-way d-pad, and motion sensor.

Lenovo didn’t skimp on the display either, as they incorporated 3D FPR technology into a “flicker-free,” LED-backlit, full HD IPS panel with 240Hz refresh into the screen. Although it’s categorized as a TV, the new K91 TV boasts specs better found on a computer or smartphone like 8GB of storage with an extra 2GB on removable SD card, 802.11n Wi-Fi, access to the Android Market Place and Lenovo Store, and seamless integration with other Lenovo devices, which can be used as remote controls or additional displays. The K91 TV will definitely be a huge hit, but Lenovo hasn’t announced pricing or availability dates yet.

Think you’ve missed all those holiday deals for TVs? Well think again because today’s Deal of the Day from Amazon offers a 32-inch 720p LCD HDTV from Sharp. Their LC-32SV29U HDTV model in Black is going for $249.99 when it’s originally listed for $349.99. That’s 29% or $100 off the OG price (and it’s eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping)!

Thanks to its sleek black appearance, the elegant LC-32SV29U LCD TV from Sharp easily meshes well with the décor of any family room, living room or den and provides the perfect viewing experience with its 16:9 aspect ratio, HDTV resolution of 1366 x 768, and breathtaking color purity. Features include: a high contrast ratio, high brightness, and wide viewing angles, making all your favorite shows and movies even more enjoyable.

There’s no need to add a separate digital tuner to enjoy high-quality local broadcasting using a digital signal since it comes with built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners. Also included are three 3 HDMI inputs (allowing you to make the HTDV the center of your entertainment hub by connecting your HDMI-enabled Blu-ray players, home theater receivers, and next-generation consoles such as Xbox 360 and Playstation3), including one on the side of the TV, and 1 HD Component Video input as well as a D-sub 15-pin input for PC compatibility. You can easily turn your TV into a PC monitor so you can browse the web, watch streaming content and more! The Sharp LC-32SV49U comes with a black cabinet, and the included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications.

Even though it’s the time for giving, many won’t be getting an HDTV in their stocking this Christmas. But with the beginning of the post game season of football looming on the horizon, it’s also the time of year that people start thinking about getting a new HDTV to watch all the big games on New Year’s Day. Here’s a few tips on what to look for when choosing an HDTV.

Summary:

• Know your lingo
• Size Matters
• 3D is optional
• Internet capability means cutting the cable
• Calibrate your HDTV

1. Definitions

First, it may be a good idea to go over nomenclature. When you head over to the local big box store to shop for a TV, you’re going to hear a lot of lingo. So understanding vocabulary is key to not getting lost. Here’s a few terms to learn:

• LCD – Liquid Crystal Display. The image is produced by passing light through pixels that are turned on/off like little shutters. The pixels also have red/green/blue filters to change the color when necessary. Most newer LCDs right now are either edge-lit or back-lit by LEDs, although many budget LCDs still use a series of from florescent tubes to emit their light.  This cannot be overstated as all LED TVs are LCDs, but not all LCDs are LEDs.  Budget LCD TVs may opt for displaying with florescent light rather than LEDs, which we will talk about next.
• LED – Light emitting diode.  Rather than using florescecnt backlite, the current trend in LCD design using LEDs as the light source.    This has several advantages since they are very stingy on power consumption and are also infinitely controllable thanks to a concept called “local dimming,” where each individual LED can be turned on, off, or even dimmed slightly.
• EdgeLit vs. BackLit - With LEDs, the TV can control the light and provide much better detail in color and shadows.  Edge lit LEDs are more popular and cost effective and consist of an array of LED lights on each side of the TV itself. But they can provide an uneven light on screen. This is where back-lit (or local) LEDs come in handy, as the light is coming directly behind the image, rather than being cast from the side.  This provides the best spread of light and better color and contrast.
• Contrast Ratio/Brightness – defined officially as “ratio of the luminance of the brightest color (white) to that of the darkest color (black),” Contrast ratio is essentially how “black” your blacks are.  This is really important for getting greater detail in shadow.  You’ll hear some pretty wild figures from salesmen as to how much a CR ratio should be, but unfortunately, there really isn’t a standard here.  Manufacturers are all over the map in how they measure and rate the contrast ratio, which can make it very difficult to compare from one set to another based on the specs.   And as stated above, edge lit LCDs will have lesser blacks than backlits will, even if the contrast ratio is higher.  So in the end, it depends on how good those blacks look to you personally.
• Resolution – We’ll get to size later, but in general, when trying to choose between 720p or 1080p, smaller 1080p TVs (under 40”) are simply a waste because you can’t really get the advantage of it. Additionally, the TV will also downscale the 1080p image from a Blu-ray disc which can cause some artifacting. So screens larger than 40” should go with 1080p. Smaller screens, like those that are also used for computer screens do just fine with 720p. But in the end, broadcast television looks the same with either.
• Interlaced – your TV signal comes interlaced, meaning that every other line is projected on a screen at any given time. Your eye sees it as an entire image because the frames move at 60 frames a second, but you’re really on seeing half the image with a 1080i TV. The standard for broadcast television is 1080i, meaning that 540 lines are procast with each frame. Older HDTVs were 1080i by design.
• Progressive – Nowadays, HDTV standards are progressive, meaning that they show the entire image, with every line of resolution, with each frame. TVs can come in 720p or 1080p, meaning 720 lines of resolution or 1080 lines of resolution. Naturally, the higher the number, the sharper and more colorful the image. Some stations broadcast in 720p, but not many, especially in cable or satellite, where the image is compressed.
• Hertz (hz) – Hertz is essentially the number of frames per second, or times the pixels turn on and off. The more Hz you have on you picture, the more sharp it becomes. But it also can reduce motion blur and make your image look more plastic … called the “soap opera effect.” Most TVs now are 120 to 240 hz.  Now your salesman will be pushing you towards 240hz.  But for most, that’s overkill.  Broadcast signals are usually sent at 60hz since that is the standard. This requires the TV to “interpolate” or add frames in between to the image and that’s what causes the effect. It’s great for sports and action films, but not so much on dramas, which cause the plastic look. But frame interpolation can be turned off which will cause the kind of motion blur that we are used to.  Blu-ray, however, does take advantage of 120hz, so if you watch a lot of movies on Blu-ray, that may be a good option.  And if the soap opera effect is off putting, most TVs have the option to turn off frame interpolation and bring back the motion blur you are used to.
• Plasma – Plasma uses a trapped gas that is charged by electricity to create incredible light to pass through. It usually produces far bolder colors and great blacks, which are marvelous for shadow scenes. The downside with Plasma is that they are usually poor in bright, ambient lit rooms and originally suffered from a “burn in effect” (which has been overcome in recent years). These drawbacks have allowed LCDs to pass them in popularity to the point that Plasma is becoming less and less a factor in HDTV as more manufacturers abandon it for more popular and cheaper LCD designs. Since LCD has greatly improved in quality (thanks to LED backlighting), the contrast ratio gap between plasma and LCD has greatly reduced to the point where paying more for Plasma’s benefits is largely wasted on the average viewer.

2. Size Matters

Now that we have definitions out of the way, we can turn out attention to the most important factor when buying an LCD TV … Size. Most people tend to buy HDTVs that are smaller than they really need. They do this in an attempt to save money. But the trade offs can really affect the viewing experience. As a rule of thumb is to get a screen large enough to fill a 30 degree viewing angle at the distance that you are sitting. Anything less will cause you to be pulled out of the program. Here’s a handy calcuation to determine the best size for your room:

• Minimum size= Viewing distance/3
• Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

Using this calculation, and the average viewing distance of about 10-12 feet, the proper HDTV size would be about 42-55 inches, or more depending on your budget.

3. To 3D or not 3D … that is the question

These days, most higher end TVs are 3D.   But more budget conscious designs are also offering 3D, making it just another feature. And many experts say that the best 2D TVs are 3D capable. However, there are some drawbacks with a 3DTV, chiefly being the lack of programming and having to buy glasses. Active or Passive? Active more expensive. And it pretty much puts the kabosh on viewing parties unless everyone has the same pair of glasses.  Another important consideration with 3D is that the best refresh rate for 3D is 120Hz minimum. This is because 3D splits the frames, one for the left eye, one for the right and as such, the resolution is halved for each frame.  To that end, if you had a 60hz 3DTV, the refresh rate to each eye would only be 30hz which would be terrible.  So manufacturers made the spec 120hz minimum to keep up with broadcast standards.  On the other side of the coin, though, we’re starting to see 240hz TVs and frankly, that’s a waste of money since there really is no broadcast signal at 240hz and the TV ends up doing way too much interpolating and again, making hte images look like a  soap opera.  But some prefer it because the look is essentially flicker free.

4. Wired or Wireless Connectivity?

HDTVs that are Internet capable are rapidly becoming a standard feature. In fact, most new HDTVs are now able to stream video directly from the Internet. And with over a third of all internet traffic being streaming video from services like Netflix, and with more people “cutting the cable” and getting free from payTV services, streaming is a solid option. So having an internet capable TV is beneficial. But not required, as many Blu-ray players are also internet capable, along with streaming boxes like AppleTV, Roku, and the Boxee box.

Wired considerations also lead to having a wireless connection that will hook into your Network wirelessly.  This is of great advantage because then you don’t have to string long ethernet cables from your router to your TV.  However, wireless does have the drawback of signal interference and slower speeds.  If you have your router on the other side of the house, or maybe in a room upstairs, you may need to get a repeater to pass the signal along for better streaming of video.

5. A little input

What inputs should one look for in a good LCDTV?  Well, at this stage, you want to keep things all digital. HDMI is the digital standard and every TV comes with it.  This also allows you to hook it into a current home theater, satellite box, and keep both audio and video signals completely digital.  The more HDMI connectors you have, the better, but 3 is the minimum since that would allow you to connect to to your cable or satellite box, video game console, and Blu-ray/DVD player.  Other inputs would be component-video (red, green and blue), SVideo or standard composite connections (red, white, and yellow) for older components.  But some are looking to use LCDTVs as computer monitors and for that you can use a DVI connector. But with DVI, you’ll also need an audio cable connector to handle your sound since DVI doesn’t carry the audio signal.  Another input option is Ethernet.  If you have a computer or networked attached storage to stream video and audio, an Ethernet connector will give you access to that network.

6. Sound choices

Should you rely on the speakers that are built into the TV or go with a home theater or sound bar? I haven’t found a TV that has a speaker setup that rivals a home theater system. If you can swing a system, which usually comes with at least 6 speakers and a subwoofer, and a Blu-ray player, I’d say go for it. But if you don’t have space in your room, then by all means look at a soundbar. But if you’re on a budget, then sometimes the reality is that the home theater system will have to wait. Just start saving up for it. As for which one to get? That’s another show.

7.  App obsessions

Many TVs have apps built into them.  Applications that can be used to stream video from Netflix, do video conferencing via Skype, and even enjoy photographs you’ve uploaded to flickr.  There are dozens of them.  Is this a key feature not to miss?  Not really.  If your TV has them, that’s great, but chances are, if they don’t have the app you want, your new Blu-ray player will.

8.  What’s on the horizon?

The future is bringing all kinds of innovations, including glasses free 3D, 4K resolution, Skype support and even holographic projection. But at this point, they are largely prototypical, limited in viewing area, and there isn’t much in the way of content to support 4K or laser based TVs. And they are quite expensive.  So for now, they are on the horizon and something to keep an eye on for your NEXT HDTV.  The only exception is Skype support as many models do offer this as an “app” built into the system.

9. Which ones to choose?

So, what are the best LCD TVs out there? Samsung and Panasonic are top sellers, as is SONY’s Bravia line. But don’t count out Vizio, who makes a great LCD for the money. Still, there are plenty of great TVs out there and it’s a good do your research. HomeTheaterMag.com is a great resource for reviews on HDTVs.  Also, keep in mind that Costco is a great source of LCD TVs, as they offer a 90-day warranty and 2-year warranty on all their sets.  Amazon is another great place to look as they don’t charge tax in many states, which can often ad upwards of 10% to the price tag.

10. Setting them up

Once you get the TV home, you’ll need to calibrate your TV to fit your room’s lighting conditions. Every TV is set for a “dynamic mode,” at the factory to look great on the showroom floor. That’s because they don’t know which one will be chosen to demo the model. But that also doesn’t look that great when you get it home. You can spend hundreds having a professional calibrate your TV, or you can go the DIY route with a great DVD called Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics, by Joe Kane. This DVD has special test patterns and audio calibration signals that will help to optimize your HDTV for the special conditions of your viewing room, and it will do it in under a half hour. Well worth it’s $20 price tag. But you can get 80% there by drilling into your TVs setup menu and selecting “cinema” or “movie” mode rather than “dynamic.”

2.5 out of 5 stars

Everyone’s got to start somewhere. When getting new products, especially for the first time, most of us fail to do the proper research, and with good reason: we don’t have enough of a background to understand the product or service we’re researching. So it’s best to stick with bigger brands with safety options, like long warranty’s and the chance to return it for next to any reason. That’s partly why Costco is so popular.

With TVs though, trusting big brand names like Samsung or Sony often comes with a steep price. Television sets can range from overpriced to what were you thinking in no time. There is no better way to make your wife into a zealous rage than by attempting to explain how a 42” TV could possibly cost $2,000, when you’re supposed to be saving up with a baby on the way. I mean, really. Think of the children!

Perhaps with the Sceptre E420BV-F120 42” LED-HDTV, picking a big brand name isn’t the best bet.

The E420BV-F120 42” LED-HDTV – or F120 for short, because who in the hell came up with such an atrocious name – is a 42” 1080p LED backlit display. It’s not the fanciest, nor is it the biggest set you can find, but it has plenty of inputs. Because the one thing you don’t want to be left without is the proper input options for whatever you use around the media center.

The F120 has one of everything – cable/antenna, component, composite, S-video, VGA + audio, and even a USB, all on top of 5 HDMI inputs. This means you can hook up up-to 11 video sources into this TV at once, which is fabulous. It was for me during my testing, in which I had all of the following connected simultaneously: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Apple TV, Logitech Revue, an OnLive microconsole, a desktop computer, a capture card, and occasionally my laptop. Every bit of hardware I had spewed across my media center had its place.

Add on top of that a standard Auxiliary, RCA and SPDIF audio outputs, and any stereo headsets you have can keep that pleasure watching on the down low, so you don’t wake up the baby. Unfortunately the SPDIF is coaxial, which will send an analog surround signal to some surround speakers systems. A digital fiber cable would have been an infinitely better option. Lacking a digital audio-out is a real shame, especially with the tinny soundbar, which barely kept me on the edge of my seat when watching The Dark Knight or Inception, or playing Crysis 2. Even with my sophisticated sound system being forced to have dozens of wires just for audio, especially when HDMI is so prevalent, is beyond a nuisance.

Of course, if sound and video quality are the most important thing for you when it comes to a new television set, then the F120 may not be for you. Audio quality is lacking and, as mentioned, there’s no fiber out. Video quality is decent, but not great. After calibrating (and yes, you’d better take some time to calibrate this set before having a housewarming for the new TV), you’ll immediately notice light bleed from the backlight, pixilation in DVD playback and most upscaled video, and otherwise blue blacks. SD quality video isn’t a big deal if you have an HD cable box and generally stream in HD, but if you still haven’t made the move then this set is definitely not for you. For 720p and 1080p video, images are clear and sharp, though colors are dim and the dark blacks are uncomfortable.

A note on light bleed. Light bleed, as you can see in the image above, is when the backlight shines through the edges of the screen. This makes images too bright, which is especially harmful to darker images on the screen. Picture a film with plenty of low-light scenes, and imagine them brightened around the corners because of the TV. The F120 does exactly that, and as you can see in the light bleed pattern above, this is more than an annoyance. It’s a severe headache. It is hard to see the backlight bleeding through on brighter video and games, and the more color used also tends to help (black and white video suffers, for example), so if you play a lot of video games, the light bleed isn’t going to be a big deal. For movie and TV viewers, it is more prevalent, but once again depends on the content.

But let’s take a step back and get back to the baby. You’d really better be careful with the F120. Even with the circular base the TV doesn’t sit in place very well, especially with all of those cables you have plugged in on the bottom or left side of the TV. It wobbles back and forth, and I wasn’t too comfortable with how easy the display is to move. Wall mounted, the F120 is fine…otherwise, be wary of junior doing this.

As a new TV, especially a first TV for a high-tech house with plenty of HD devices, the Sceptre E420BV-F120 42” LED-HDTV is a good set to have. It’s got enough ports for almost anything, excluding outputting digital surround audio. For HD content, video quality is decent and certainly good enough for a starter TV or as a step-up from an SD set. But if you’re looking to replace your current HDTV, still watch a lot of SD content, don’t necessarily want to wall mount (and have a safety issue) and want a good soundbar, then the F120 is one TV you should pass on. However, I have no doubt new buyers will be happy with the F120 even with its light bleed and average video quality because of its simplicity, many available ports, ease of use, and low price.

The Sceptre E420BV-F120 42” LED HDTV is available for purchase from Amazon for $699.99.

Active Shutter 3D televisions can get very expensive, and it certainly holds true for the 65 inch Theater 3D Razor XVT3D650SV LED, which also happens to be VIZIO’s biggest screen. But the new Theater 3D technology allows for the use of polarized glasses, similar to those found in movie theaters for 3D projections, and teamed up with the 3D razor they accomplish the same effect as more expensive electronic glasses.

In fact, VIZIO’s press release claims that their Theater 3D technology gives brighter and flicker free images, and not prone to dimming, the way Active Shutter TVs are. The simpler display technology also means no need for recharging the glasses – of which four will come bundled with the set, and VIZIO is planning on offering others in multiple styles.

VIZIO also included their range of Internet Apps, and SRS TruSurround integrated speakers to round out the features of this $3,499 120HZ edge lit LED LCD. That’s right, $3,499 starting sometime later this month, and it will be available at Sam’s Club and Costco, as well as online.

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Not sure how we missed this one last month, but Equinux is offering a device that streams terrestrial TV (DVB-T/DTT) to your iPad (or iPhone) called Tizi.  A small, pocket sized black box with an antenna grabs and decodes the TV signal, and then sends the information over your WiFi network to the iPad running the accompanying iPad/iPhone app.  Pretty simple, right?

We’re hearing that the box has a 3.5 hour battery life and weighs just 2.5oz.  It recharges via USB.  Inside the black box is a high-performance ARM 9 RISC-Processor to decode the digital television signal.  The antenna, which inevitably gets broken on all portable devices, is made from a malleable metal alloy to avoid creases and also improves reception.

The Tizi is compatible with all iOS 4 devices (3rd and 4th Gen iPod Touches).  Unfortunately, it’s not yet available in the US.

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LG just poured onto the world another slimly build monitor, so slim and wispy in fact that the term poured does not seem out of place. I suspect they have fairies or goblins hidden away in some factory magically pouring these things out of thin air and into Ultra Slim displays.

The Ultra Slim E2290V Full HD LED-backlit Panel has a 21.5 Full HD display and is non-reflective, which, if it was, the fairies and goblins would be punished for severely.
It also has 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2ms response time, 250cd/m² brightness, 2ms response time and 170/160 degree viewing angles.
It is LG’s claim that the E2290V is so unbelievably slim that it has outslimmed any other monitor that ever existed, making it the slimmest monitor in the whole world.

How slim is that? 7.2mm slim. And it costs €329. Buy it, or hope for the elves to use their superior magic to conjure an even slimmer device, but know that chances of that are slim.

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For about 8 months I’ve been devoid of cable TV in my household. It’s expensive and really not satisfying. So I’ve turned to sites like Netflix and Hulu to get 90% of my entertainment – I’m not gonna tell you about the other 10%. But there is a problem: I can’t easily watch the local news, sports and a few other select programs only found by way of the Goliaths Time Warner or Comcast.
That is until Sezmi came knocking at my door. The company is billing it as an “all-in-one TV service” that provides access to local and cable TV, podcasts, movies, web videos and videos on demand. Content is delivered through your Internet connection and the wirelesss HDTV standard to a setup box, which has a 1400 hour DVR. So channels such as CNN, Abc, MTV, Bravo and others are delivered to the box over the air, while Youtube and video on demand is by way of the Net.

Sezmi says that their HD tuner box is “the most effective indoor TV reception system on the market”. It’s a small box that can supposedly fit onto a shelf and connects to the set top box over Ethernet. The antenna automatically adapts to changing signal conditions to optimize your HDTV signal and ensure you have a hassle-free, high-quality TV signal.
Currently Sezmi is available in 36 metro areas (map here) nationwide and from what we understand continues to add more every day. There are two levels: the Sezmi Select and Sezmi Select Plus. Sezmi Select ($4.99/month) provides access to local channels, video on demand and web videos. Sezmi Select Plus ($19.99/month) adds access to premium cable channels such as Comedy Central, Discovery, TNT, VH1, USA, TBS and more. If you wanna know what channels are available in your area go here.

Sounds pretty good compared to your cable bill, right? There is one catch though, aside from a limited amount of channels. The box costs $149.99. Currently Amazon and Best Buy have it for sale, but we’d expect other retailers, such as RadioShack and Frys to begin offering it.
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Bose, the high end audio company, is making a partial switch from elite headphones to premium video systems. The Bose Video Wave, costing a very self conscious $5,349, is made up of four pieces.  A 46 inch LCD TV with 1080p resolution, a console that takes care of ALL your connectivity needs, the necessary iPod dock and a remote control.

But the selling point of the Video Wave isn’t the video itself, although it is adequate, even good. This being Bose, it’s the audio that impresses, and if you buy this system you likely won’t be needing any extra speakers – the TV itself takes care of the audio brilliantly, in surround sound. Inside the unit there are 16 speakers and six subwoofers, with enough oomph to set your living room ablaze with high quality sound. A technology called PhaseGuide gives sound a directional quality, it seems to come not from the speakers, but from whatever part of the room the speakers are pointing to.

The remote is simplicity itself, with only a few buttons and a touchpad in the center. But it’s a sort of universal remote, the interface on the touchpad changes depending on what you’re pointing it at, and it adapts to whatever you have connected to the console, whether it is a TiVo or an iPod.

Finally, the console provides five high-definition connections, meaning five devices can be connected at once, and it uses Radio Frequency to communicate with the remote instead of line-of-sight infrared, meaning it can be hidden away without losing its functionality. A Video Mute option turns off everything but the audio, turning the Video Wave into an audio system, but remember, this is a $5,349 audio system.

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Well, forget the PlayStation 3 as the big name in 3D gaming. In a somewhat unexpected announcement, Panasonic has teamed up with Ubisoft to bring their games to 3D capable HDTVs, no console required. They’re in the early stages of development, and there’s no word yet on what sort of controller they’ll use or what sets will feature the games, but the company expects Shaun White Snowboarding and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon to be the first titles. This could be either a great or a terrible idea, depending on how the games look and play.

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Why does Europe get the coolest TVs and we don’t? Phillips new 58-inch Cinema 21:9 Platinum HDTV is no exception. This stunning set boasts 3D support with two pairs of included glasses, LED backlighting, local dimming, and a brushed matte finish. Its 21:9 aspect ratio, while unusual for television, is something true cinephiles will love. Can you image a 3D Blu-ray on this thing? It’ll be available in Europe for €4,000 and the UK for £3,500 later this month, so get importing, folks.

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LG’s LEX8 is a perfect showcase of the benefits of LED technology — I mean, just look at the thing. It’s just .88cm thick, has a 1.25cm bezel (the thinnest ever), and the requisite 1080p resolution with a 400 Hz motion rate. LG says that its Nano Lighting technology delivers a clearer, smoother picture than its competitors. Sadly, there’s no word yet on a US release, but they’ll be showing it off at this year’s IFA festival in Berlin. When it does arrive, expect it to cost way more than you can afford.

LEX8 DELIVERS THE ULTIMATE IN PICTURE QUALITY USING NANO LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY

LG’s First Ever TV with Nano Technology, LEX8 Delivers Stunning Picture Quality with Alluring INFINIA Design

SEOUL, Aug. 29, 2010 – At this year’s IFA in Berlin, LG Electronics (LG) will unveil the LEX8, the next generation of flat panel televisions feature NANO Lighting Technology which will redefine the meaning of “clarity” in FULL LED TVs.

The LEX8 NANO FULL LED TV pushes the boundaries of viewing pleasure with its NANO Lighting Technology, which produces LG’s brightest, clearest and smoothest picture yet. An extremely thin film printed with minuscule dots positioned in front of a full array of LEDs disperses light more evenly and effectively across the screen, creating pictures that are clearer, enticingly smoother and more refined. What’s more, an Anti-Reflection Panel on the LEX8 screen minimizes reflection from an external light source – including sunlight — ensuring the picture always stays crystal clear.

The LEX8 boasts improved localized dimming in both 2D and 3D with its Micro Pixel Control. By manipulating individual LED blocks, Micro Pixel Control adds even greater range and life to colors, from the deepest, darkest blacks to the most natural colors. The LEX8 is further enhanced by LG’s TruMotion 400Hz, which delivers super-fast processing rate for moving images making them virtually blur-free. The overall effect is a picture so smooth, sharp and realistic, it’s as if the action is playing out right in viewers’ living rooms.

“In creating our first television using nano technology, LG is continuing to set new standards in TV technology and demonstrating once again that we’re pushing the envelope of home entertainment,” said Simon Kang, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. “Just as difficult as it is to watch standard TV after experiencing high definition, people will resist going back to regular LED LCD TVs after viewing the LEX8.”

As LG’s picture continues to evolve, so does its innovative INFINIA Design. Thanks to NANO Lighting Technology and FULL LED Panel, the LEX8 is still only 0.88cm thick with a bezel just 1.25cm wide, indisputably the slimmest and narrowest of any FULL LED TV in the world. With a bezel this narrow, the LEX8 leaves nothing in the way of viewing, while its elegant, understated INFINIA Design allows the LEX8 to complement any interior. Combining the ultimate picture quality with an alluring design, the LEX8 delivers perfect visual harmony.

And the LEX8 delivers LG’s best 3D images yet. By ensuring a uniform distribution of light from the LED backlight panels, the LEX8 illuminates the screen more effectively, for 3D pictures of unprecedented clarity and brightness.

The LEX8 also comes with a raft of functions and features that provide unparalleled connectivity. NetCast™ opens the door to a world of online content, including web albums and video calling. In addition, the LEX8 can connect easily with any DLNA-capable storage device or computer, allowing users to delve seamlessly into their multimedia libraries. Making the LEX8 an even more user–friendly experience, the Magic Motion Remote Control lets viewers change TV settings and play games by pointing the remote at the screen and manipulating a cursor. With only power switch, volume control and single, all-purpose button, the Magic Motion Remote Control is the epitome of simplicity.

Using NANO Lighting Technology, LG has taken its industry-leading FULL LED picture and made it even more exhilarating. Whether in 2D or 3D, NANO FULL LED TV raises the bar for television viewing with pictures that are as engrossing as they are strikingly realistic. With the exceptional picture of LG’s LEX8, viewers can now see FULL LED in a whole new light.

LEX8 Main Features:

 NANO FULL LED TV

 NANO Lighting Technology

 Micro Pixel Control

 Infinite Contrast Ratio

 INFINIA Design: 0.88cm Depth, 1.25cm Bezel

 TruMotion 400Hz

 3D TV (Dynamic 3D)

 Picture Wizard II

 NetCastTM (Broadband TV)

 DLNA Ready

 Magic Motion Remote Control

 USB 2.0 (DivX HD, MP3, JPEG, etc.)

 Invisible Speakers (7W+7W)

 Infinite Sound

 Clear Voice II

Samsung isn’t fooling around when it comes to immersive 3D — they just unveiled the UN65C8000, a 65-inch LED television that’s the largest home 3D screen ever. Specs include a 240Hz refresh, built-in Wi-Fi for apps like Hulu and ESPN, two pairs of 3D glasses, a dynamic 8,000,000:1 contrast ratio, Precision Dimming, and a How To Train Your Dragon 3D Blu-ray. That size doesn’t come without a hefty price — the UN65C8000 will set you back $6,000, with a release date currently unknown.

SAMSUNG EXPANDS BLU-RAY 3D CONTENT AND INTRODUCES WORLD’S LARGEST 3D LED TV FOR THE HOME

New 3D TVs across a range of price points allow everyone to experience immersive 3D at home

RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ, August 11, 2010 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market
leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced new 3D
content exclusive to Samsung. This fall, Samsung will make available 3D Blu-ray versions of
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) global 3D blockbuster How to Train Your
Dragon, IMAX’s original productions Into the Deep and Galapagos, and Giant Screen Films
Mummies: Secrets of the Pharoahs. Samsung also announced four new 3D LED and Plasma
TVs, further adding to the world’s broadest lineup of 3D home entertainment products. The
expanded 3D TV portfolio features Samsung’s proprietary technologies and innovative design
and larger screen sizes to deliver more immersive 3D experiences.

Samsung’s latest line-up of 3D-capable HDTVs and new Blu-ray 3D films underscore its
ongoing commitment to give consumers compelling content and superior products that together
deliver an outstanding 3D home entertainment experience in the home.

“With 3D, people can explore the wonder of an immersive entertainment experience in the
comfort of their homes,” said John Revie, senior vice president of Home Entertainment,
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “As the HDTV market leader for four straight years, we are
proud to lead the way into the next dimension of premium entertainment and will continue to
collaborate with industry leaders like DreamWorks Animation, IMAX and Giant Screen Films to
deliver richer content to the home.”

Rich Cinematic Content Now Available for the Home
The availability of unique, high-quality 3D content is key to providing consumers a total 3D
entertainment experience for the home. To that end, Samsung’s ongoing strategic alliance
with DreamWorks Animation represents the best in 3D technology and animation, and gives
Samsung TV owners exclusive opportunities to access 3D Blu-ray versions of this rich cinematic
content. How to Train Your Dragon is among the top ten movies of 2010 and joins Monsters vs.
Aliens as the second DreamWorks Animation title available exclusively to Samsung TV owners
in 3D Blu-ray.

The IMAX documentaries take audiences on a spectacular three-dimensional exploration of two
unique environments and bring the beauty of these locations right into the living room. Into the
captures unique marine life and magnificent undersea worlds. The audience will become sea
dwellers, discovering a living breathing kaleidoscope through the magical prism of IMAX 3D
technology.

Galapagos is part adventure, part scientific expedition and part fantastic voyage. Viewers are
taken on an immersive cinematic experience as they “accompany” the scientists as they delve
into the largely unknown waters surrounding the volcanic archipelago to explore the natural
wonders of a realm that is truly a living natural science laboratory.

Finally, with Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs, a film made by Giant Screen Films, viewers
will travel back in time and experience the grandeur of Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs
and explore the mysteries and science enshrouding the ancient royal mummies and their
subsequent modern day discoveries. The film is narrated by Christopher Lee of Lord of the
Rings fame.

Expanded Range of Full HD 3D LED TVs Delivers Premium 3D Experience
With its sleek 65-inch screen, the new Samsung UN65C8000 is the largest Full HD 3D LED
TV available for the home today. Featuring Samsung’s built-in 3D processor, Real 240Hz
refresh rate technology, dynamic 8,000,000:1 contrast ratio and proprietary Precision Dimming
technology, the award-winning LED 8000 series delivers unsurpassed picture quality and an
immersive 3D experience in an ultra-slim design. The LED 8000 is WiFi-ready and supports
Skype via Samsung Apps. This means that the TV becomes a huge video screen and brings an
almost life-like quality to video calls. Keeping in touch with friends and family around the world is
now an activity the whole family can participate in, right from the living room. Viewers can also
access a full range of apps – such as Hulu Plus and ESPN Next Level – via Samsung Apps at
their convenience.

New 3D Plasma HDTVs Make It Easy to Bring the Wonder of 3D Home
Samsung has expanded its 2010 Plasma HDTV line-up with the introduction of three new 3D-
enabled plasma TVs that deliver outstanding immersive 3D experience and premium picture
quality at an affordable price.

The Plasma 680 Series offers an immersive 3D experience, and underscores Samsung’s
commitment to performance, design and value. The Samsung Plasma 680 Series features
Full HD 1080p resolution and 600Hz Subfield Motion to deliver crisp, lifelike images, and
clear motion, while the Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio creates deep blacks and brilliant colors.
Available in 50- or 58-inch screen sizes, the Plasma 680 Series also allows users to share
media files stored on PCs or other DLNA-compliant devices on the big-screen via AllShare. The
attractive Touch of Color design adds a subtle black-to-dark blue accent to the set’s bezel and
exceeds the more stringent ENERGY STAR 4.0 standards.
Offering great value and features, the 3D-capable Plasma 490 Series is smartly wrapped in an
attractive piano key black cabinet with a dark blue Touch of Color design. Delivering premium
picture quality with its Clear Image Panel technology and 600Hz Subfield Motion technologies,
the Plasma C490 showcases a high-performance picture quality at a great value.

So you got yourself one of those fancy new Sony 3D HDTVs, but the set only came with a couple pairs of glasses at most, if they came with any at all. Well, Sony’s got you covered now, since they’re selling the active shutter glasses separately at the Sony Store and other online retailers for $149.99. They even come in smaller, children’s-sized versions with fancy colors (for the same price). That’s on top of the IR transmitter ($50), and the 3D Blu-ray player that’s either a Sony brand or the PlayStation 3. But such is the cost of being on the cutting edge of technology.

For the uber geek not afraid to show his love of superheroes, RTC is now offering a whole line of superhero HDTVs. The company is offering sets ranging from 22-inches to 55-inches, (40-inch and 46-inch LEDs seem to be a highlight),  with these characters: Iron Man, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, and Thor. All but the 22-inch model are full 1080p resolution, and there’s an eight second superhero screensaver that displays every time you turn the TV on (I’m hoping there’s a option to turn that off if you want). Personally, I’d spring for the Wolverine one. PR after the jump.

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This week, the Society for Information Display (SID) conference is meeting in Seattle to show off a variety of new TV technology. LG’s at the forefront, revealing a 84-inch 3D set that has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 – that’s four times as many pixels as 1080p. Technically, no content is out yet that can take full advantage of that resolution — but hey, no harm in being future-proof.

In addition to the 84-incher, the company is also showing a 47-inch panel that features 3D without the need for glasses. IPS (In-plane switching) televisions will also be highly publicized, as well as a 9.7-inch smartbook product with a super crisp display. There’s no word yet on when any of these products will actually be for sale, but more info should be announced soon.

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