20 Manufacturer Profiles

Dell | Fujitsu | Hitachi | HP | JVC | LG | Mitsubishi | NuVision | Panasonic | Philips | Pioneer | Runco | Samsung | Sharp | Sony | Syntax-Brillian | Toshiba | Vidikron | Vizio | Westinghouse Digital

Dell
www.dell.com
Known primarily for its computers,Dell markets the W4201C,a 42-inch 1024x768 plasma with 50,000-hour half-life—equivalent to 23 years at 6 hours/day of viewing. Other highlights include detachable 40-watt speakers with SRS TruSurround XT. Four sizes of widescreen high-definition LCD TVs, also with detachable speakers, round out the Dell lineup, all with 1366x768 resolution and excellent brightness and contrast. (Back to the top)

Fujitsu
www.fujitsu-general.com
Fujitsu leveraged its expertise with digital signage in developing some of the first high-resolution plasma display monitors for consumer use. One 42-inch Plasmavision model, available with either black or silver bezel, is in this survey. Features include 1024x768 resolution, 160-degree viewing angle, eight picture memory modes, ambient light sensor, HDMI input, CableCARD slot, advanced color management, and AVM-II digital video processor. Fujitsu offers a 3-year warranty on its flat panel products. (Back to the top)

Hitachi
www.hitachi.com
Hitachi flat panels are divided into three distinct lines. The valueoriented UltraVision line includes one 42-inch plasma with slim aluminum bezel, three HDMI inputs, and an ATSC/NTSC tuner. The step-up CineForm line includes both plasmas and LCDs that add TV Guide On Screen; more important, the LCDs feature a 120Hz screen refresh rate (double that of other LCDs) with dark-frame insertion for better black levels. The premium Director’s Series of plasmas and LCDs include all the features of the CineForm line in addition to all-black cabinetry, a new deep-black anti-reflective glass screen, and a two-year warranty. (Back to the top)

HP
www.hp.com
Poor black level and contrast ratio have long been weak points in LCD TVs, but HP’s new lineupp boasts an astounding 6000:1 contrast ratio thanks to what the company claims is a new industry standard in LCD black levels. HP makes three models of LCD TV, as well as a 42-inch plasma with contrast ratio specified at 10,000:1.

Another interesting model is the SLC3760N MediaSmart LCD TV. With a screen measuring 37 inches and a resolution of 1366x768, the MediaSmart provides an Ethernet port and 802.11a/b/g wireless networking for its integrated Media Center Extender, which can access media content from any Windows computer on your home network. (Back to the top)

JVC
www.jvc.com
JVC has three lines and many models of LCD televisions in 32-, 37-, and 40-inch sizes. The 1280x720 787 series features a black and silver color scheme; the 887 series is all black. The 1080p all-black FN series is targeted for the mass market, while the upscale FH series, with RS232 ports, is intended for custom installation. JVC also makes two models of plasma displays, one of them the 42-inch PD-42X776, with 1024x768 resolution and DIST 770p digital image scaling technology. (Back to the top)

LG
www.lge.com
Samsung’s Korean rival, LG is a dominant name in the flat-panel industry. Joint ventures with Philips and other companies insure that LG remains one of the most diversified manufacturers in the world. Some of LG’s several models of flat panels have inboard high-definition digital video recorders (HD DVRs) available at a premium, including two 42-inch LCDs and two 42-inch plasma panels. (Back to the top)

Mitsubishi
www.mitsubishi-tv.com
One of Japan’s old-line diversified industrial corporations, Mitsubishi made some of the world’s most respected television sets in the 1980s and ’90s. Current flat panels include two LCD TVs, the 32-inch LT-3280 and the 37-inch LT-3780, a 1920x1080 unit with Mitsubishi’s Plush1080p upconversion circuitry offering “four times the resolution of traditional line doublers.” Other advancements include SuperBright backlighting for uniform cornerto- corner brightness and Quick-Motion processing for image clarity during fast motion scenes. Mitsubishi’s PD-4235 is a 42-inch, 1024x768 plasma monitor with 12-bit color processing and other image-improving technology. (Back to the top)

NuVision
www.nuvision.com
NuVision’s 2006 products embody a single line of “premium performance” LCD flat panels, including 32-inch and 37-inch high-definition monitors. The company’s Deep Black products boast 10ms pixel-response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, wide viewing angle, 1366x768 resolution, and compatibility with both 720p and 1080i formats. NuVision claims its LCDs are bright enough to be used anywhere, with its NiDO (NuVision Intelligent Digital Optimization) circuitry providing image enhancement that yields startling clarity, according to the manufacturer. (Back to the top)

Panasonic
www.panasonic.com
A division of Japan’s Matsushita industrial conglomerate, Panasonic has applied its name over the years to everything from bicycles to vacuum cleaners. Panasonic’s Viera line of flat panels is subdivided into the 60 series and 600 series. The cosmetics, glass, and electronics technology are the same in both, but for $500 extra, the 600 series offers CableCARD compatibility, TV Guide On Screen, split-screen function, and better internal audio. (Back to the top)

Philips
www.philips.com
One of the world’s largest and most diversified electronics companies, Philips advocates its Ambilight technology as a way of reducing eyestrain when watching a direct-view video display. Ambilight just nowanalyzes incoming television signals and projects light onto the wall behind the set, automatically changing color and intensity to match onscreen content. While many home-theater experts agree that “bias lighting” can be beneficial, most disagree with altering its intensity and color, which should be a constant 6500K white at 10% of the set’s peak white level. Fortunately, Ambilight can be set to do just that. (Back to the top)

Pioneer
www.pioneerelectronics.com
Pioneer makes high-definition plasma TVs and monitors in three sizes and two lines. The basic Pioneer line includes video enhancement using what they call a First Surface Pure Color Filter; it also includes inboard stereo speakers in the bottom of the bezel and a USB port for photo viewing. The “calibration-ready” upscale Pioneer Elite line adds Ethernet connectivity, detachable side speakers, and stylish high-gloss black finish. (Back to the top)

Runco
www.runco.com
A pioneer of the high-quality home-cinema industry, Runco offers two high-definition 42-inch CinemaWall plasma display monitors. The CW-42HD is distinguished by its Vivix video processing circuitry and its ability to perform flawlessly at altitudes up to 9000 feet. The company also offers two smaller high-definition Crystal Series LCD units. (Back to the top)

Samsung
www.samsung.com
One of the world’s top flat-panel makers, Samsung is strong in both plasma and LCD, offering many models in many sizes. The company’s 92-series LCD units feature slim bezel designs, 5000:1 contrast ratio, and cold cathode fluorescent backlights for exceptional color. Models in the 95, 96, and 97 series offer 1920x1080 resolution. Two lines of plasma displays include the 53 series, with FilterBright anti-glare tech-nology and SRS TruSurround XT audio processing; 73-series sets include CableCARD slots and inboard 15-watt stereo amps and speakers. (Back to the top)

Sharp
www.sharpusa.com
Sharp leaped ahead of the rest of the industry several years ago with its excellent Aquos line of LCD televisions and monitors. The SH20U series boasts 1366x768 resolution, 800:1 contrast ratio, 12ms response time, and 150-degree viewing angles. Other highlights include NTSC/ATSC QAM tuners as well as HDMI and HD component inputs. New Aquos models have extremely fast pixelresponse time (as low as 4ms) and include both 720p and 1080p units. (Back to the top)

Sony
www.sony.com
Sony’s Trinitron CRT televisions were long the industry standard, but the company was late to the flat-panel game. The company’s Bravia LCDs come in three basic lines and many sizes. The S2000 series include five sizes with1366x769 resolution and Bravia Engine digital video processor. The V2500 series offers 1920x1080 screens, Bravia Engine, and a Live Color Creation system with advanced backlight technology. The XBR series includes two 1920x1080 models with many cutting-edge features plus an elegant floatingglass design. XBR2 models offer changeable bezels in six colors. (Back to the top)

Syntax-Brillian
www.olevia.com
Made by Syntax-Brillian and sold through online outlets as well as at Target stores and Staples office-supply locations, Olevia LCD HDTVs come in two lines: the basic Olevia 5 series, and the Olevia 7 series, incorporating Silicon Optix’s HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) processing technology. The 7 series includes Syntax-Brillian’s Director’s Image technology, said to produce accurate images through calibrated 6500K color temperature, correct gamma, optimized gray scales, and adjustable black levels. Olevia purchasers can keep their TVs at optimum performance with firmware updates downloaded from Syntax-Brillian’s Web site into an Olevia set's USB port. (Back to the top)

Toshiba
www.toshiba.com
One of Japan’s oldest electronic manufacturers, Toshiba makes one 42-inch plasma HDTV with ATSC tuner, dual HDMI ports, and 8000:1 contrast ratio. Its three lines of LCD displays include the Custom series HD monitors with 8ms responsetime CineSpeed LCD panels. The REGZA lineup combines CineSpeed technology with Toshiba’s PixelPure 12-bit digital video processing. The Cinema series REGZA models feature high-gloss black finish, SoundStrip speaker technology, and Toshiba’s new ColorMaster color-management system providing hue, saturation, and brightness control of six individual colors. (Back to the top)

Vidikron
www.vidikron.com
Runco’s Vidikron division makes two PlasmaVision displays and a pair of DView LCD sets, measuring 32 and 37 inches. Vidikron products are noted for versatility, good styling, good value, and ISF-calibration capability. (Back to the top)

Vizio
www.viziotv.com
From seemingly out of nowhere, Vizio has rocketed to No. 7 in flatpanel sales in just three years. Costa Mesa-based company offers three 1366x768 LCDs under 42 inches and one 42-inch 1024x768 plasma, all with two HDMI inputs and Faroudja video processing. TVs 32 inches and above are covered under Vizio’s Zero Bright Pixel guarantee, with the company promising to replace the entire set should one pixel go bad. Vizio’s glamour brand Gallevia offers the same high performance but nicer cosmetics. Vizio products are very high value. (Back to the top)

Westinghouse Digital
www.westinghousedigital.com
This American brand has revived its presence in the consumer market with three lines of flat-panel televisions and monitors. Westinghouse LCD TVs feature 720p native resolution and ATSC/QAM tuners. Combo units in 32- and 40-inch sizes include integrated slot-loading DVD players. Monitors in 37- and 42-inch sizes offer 1080p resolution and six HD video inputs (HDMI, DVI, VGA/RGB, analog component). All except the component inputs will accept 1080p, but Westinghouse monitors scale 720p and 1080i inputs to 1080p, according to the company’s Web site. (Back to the top)

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