NuVision NVU46FX10LS LED 3DTV (TPV 100)

NuVision adds 3D to its custom line of LCD flat panels, which can be had in just about any color or finish type a customer desires

CONNECTIVITY

In addition to the NuControl port, there are four HDMI inputs and a single HD component video input, which should be more than enough for most. There’s also a composite video input as well as a composite video output, both with stereo audio jacks, and a headphone jack. The set is also equipped with an RGB PC input and a companion 3.5mm stereo audio input, and there are both types of digital audio outputs, coaxial and optical (most HDTVs usually come with just an optical output, which can be a major hassle in the field if there are to be long cable runs to and from the set).

There’s also a service port for firmware upgrades, as well as a USB port that’s intended for topping up rechargeable 3D glasses, which NuVision plans to offer soon (our review sample came with NuVision’s battery-powered 3D glasses—two pairs ship with each set).

USER INTERFACE

On Screen Display
Refreshingly simple and well thought out, the OSD allows for timing adjustment of the on-screen controls, which greatly aids during setup and calibration, and can be reset to a shorter time-out of fifteen seconds for ordinary operation.

Advanced controls, such as gain and offset, which are needed for calibration, as well as the RS-232C unit identifier code, are pass code protected to prevent inadvertent user adjustment or accidental reset to the set’s factory defaults. The pass code itself isn’t a secret at all (it’s 726 and is clearly stated in the user manual), but that extra layer of protection will surely be helpful in a home with adventuresome teenagers that can’t resist the urge to mess around with critical settings.

Remote Control
With anodized black metal accents, the remote is quite well laid out, and features gentle blue backlighting. The remote itself is a one-size-fits-all affair that ships with other NuVision models that may not have exactly the same feature set as this one. Case in point—while there are dedicated buttons for the various inputs, there are only three for the HDMI inputs. To access the fourth HDMI input requires calling up the input sub-menu and toggling down.

NuVision points out that since many of these sets will be externally controlled anyway, and as the external controller can directly access any input via the NuControl port, it shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, they also point out that the set will also most likely be connected to an A/V receiver or processor that will serve as the system’s A/V switcher and video upconverter, requiring only a single HDMI cable run to the TV, a scenario becoming much more common these days.

The remote also features dedicated buttons to change the screen aspect ratio and there’s a DAY/NIGHT function button that toggles between the three available backlighting modes (the AUTO setting is an auto dimming affair).

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS

Blessedly free of the plethora of so-called picture “enhancement” controls that come with major brand premium models these days, the NuVision nonetheless allows for custom adjustments, with four color temperature memories per input for example. The default out-of-the-box settings have the set delivering a fine-looking picture, although the backlight setting is on the high side, and should be trimmed back to increase contrast and reduce eyestrain (there’s also that DAY/NIGHT button which accomplishes the same thing).

• Color: 50
• Tint: 50
• Sharpness: 20
• Backlight: 30
• Color Temperature: Warm
• Gamma: 2.2
• HD size (pixel-to-pixel): Accessed by pressing ENTER + 3 on the remote)
• DNR: Off
• MPEG NR: Off
• FFM: Off
• FX10: Off

PERFORMANCE

3D Blu-ray Evaluation: Black Eyed Peas

Detail
The conversion from 3D frame sequential format to 3D side-by-side format theoretically halves the horizontal resolution of the content, but you wouldn’t know it from this 3D concert video clip, which looked very good and pleasingly crisp.

Color
As mentioned earlier, the NuVision’s out-of-the-box default color picture settings are very good indeed, avoiding the excessive color over-saturation that one typically finds. The result here is a picture that has just the right amount of color excitement, and not too much as is usually the case.

Blacks
Trimming back the backlighting from the default level greatly improves the blacks, as at the higher setting the blacks tend to be somewhat washed out, especially when viewing in a room with moderate lighting. Or, use the DAY/NIGHT button, which can accomplish the same thing.