Plasmas Archive

  • Ask Engadget HD: HD projector or HDTV? 2010 edition

    Ask Engadget HD: HD projector or HDTV? 2010 edition

    Posted on June 10, 2010 | No Comments
    We checked the calendar and it seems to be about time we revisited one of our favorite questions -- projector or HDTV? Both have their strengths, and since we posed the question in '08, LCDs and plasmas have only gotten bigger and cheaper, while it seems there's 1080p projector currently available to fit every budget and situation, but this time we'll leave the question to our friend Andrew:
    "We're in the middle of remodeling, and I'm trying to decide between loading up our living room with the biggest flat-panel HDTV I can afford (65-inches+) or installing a screen and projector setup. There's not a lot of light coming into this particular room so it seems like a projector could be possible and provide more size than we'd ever get out of a LCD or plasma, but I need something that will work for the entire family gaming, watching TV or watching movies. Help!!"
    Some questions seem to have no wrong answer, but since even Lloyd Banks can't decide we're putting the question to you: Beamer, flat-panel or rear projection? At what point is the line where jumping from a mere television to a true theater setup make sense, and just how difficult might it be to install? Let us know how you'd choose in the comments below.

    Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

    Ask Engadget HD: HD projector or HDTV? 2010 edition originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Panasonic announces 46-, 42-inch plasma 3DTVs for Japan

    Panasonic announces 46-, 42-inch plasma 3DTVs for Japan

    Posted on June 9, 2010 | No Comments
    So far, Panasonic's well-reviewed (and naturally, 3D capable) 2010 V-series plasmas have been exclusively a 50-inch and above affair, but it's just announced 46- and 42-inch versions for Japan priced at ¥350,000 ($3,833) and ¥300,000 ($3,285), respectively. Due July 30, it's a fair bet they'll make their way over here in a similar time frame (and with predictably lower MSRPs) just like their larger brethren. Panasonic has reported brisk sales of its initial 3D televisions, but as production ramps up and supply expands, TVs like these are a better fit for many rooms -- and budgets -- so with 3D channels and gaming ready to appear, we'll be eyeing their reception by consumers especially closely.

    Panasonic announces 46-, 42-inch plasma 3DTVs for Japan originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • HDTV tests pit fantasy land specs against real world performance — guess what happens

    HDTV tests pit fantasy land specs against real world performance — guess what happens

    Posted on May 19, 2010 | No Comments
    Good luck keeping up with the ever changing specs on the latest HDTVs, but as the numbers get more impressive, are the displays actually improving in any noticeable way? Dr. Raymond Soneira , president of DisplayMate, goes about breaking down many of the more often misused and misleading technical buzzwords in an article on MaximumPC. If you're wondering how manufacturers have advanced contrast ratios from thousands, to millions, to unlimited over the space of just a few years, there's a breakdown of what "dynamic contrast ratio" actually measures and why it's worth ignoring -- unless you watch your TV when it's only displaying one color at a time. When it comes to colors colors, some of the most scathing words were pointed towards Sharp's Quattron quad-pixel technology, which "can only decrease picture quality and accuracy!"

    Whether you believe the good Dr., a glistening review or Cmdr. Sulu, the factual heat burned hottest during a test of motion blur compared on LCDs, LED LCDs, plasmas and even a pro CRT. While additional motion processing and upgraded internals on newer HDTVs can help in many other ways, viewers couldn't detect any blur caused by a display even on an old 60Hz set, despite newer and faster 120Hz, 240Hz and 600Hz (plasma) sets claiming their technology helped them eliminate it. You'll need a minute to read through for the full details but it's a good, and unfortunately necessary, reminder to keep your eyes on the display and not just the spec sheet (just make sure you're getting a proper look that represents the way you watch TV at home first.)

    HDTV tests pit fantasy land specs against real world performance -- guess what happens originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 19 May 2010 01:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Poll: Waiting for new HDTV technologies, or planning to buy more of the same?

    Poll: Waiting for new HDTV technologies, or planning to buy more of the same?

    Posted on May 9, 2010 | No Comments
    It's been exactly one year since we asked what display tech you were looking forward to purchasing next, and it's time to see if opinion have changed. 12 months later are you still optimistic OLED displays will ever be on sale in large screen sizes? Impressed by the progress of LCDs? Wowed by the 3D and 2D performance of the latest plasmas? Of course, there's still a few RPTVs kicking around, projectors have their place and there's other display tech on the horizon, so let us know what you're looking forward to in 2010 and beyond.

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    Poll: Waiting for new HDTV technologies, or planning to buy more of the same? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 09 May 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • VIZIO kicks plasma to the curb, will focus on LCD TVs

    VIZIO kicks plasma to the curb, will focus on LCD TVs

    Posted on February 11, 2009 | No Comments

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    We've certainly seen mixed reviews for VIZIO plasmas, but it seems that those very reviews will be the last of their breed. According to the New York Times, VIZIO co-founder Laynie Newsome has confirmed that its existing PDPs will be the last the company sells. Looking back, you'll notice that only LCDs were introduced by the outfit at CES, and while Pioneer may or may not completely abandon its TV initiatives, Americans can now definitively count on just three major players to provide for their plasma desires: LG, Samsung and Panasonic. Newsome stated that the decision was made for a number of reasons. First, PDP sets simply "don't show as well in big box stores," and VIZIO wanted to "devote all of its available shelf space to the technology that moves off the shelves fastest." We're a tad torn as to whether we should weep here, but regardless, a fond farewell is in order.

    VIZIO kicks plasma to the curb, will focus on LCD TVs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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