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Plasma prices falling as they cede sizes to LCD

by Steven Kim posted Jul 19th 2009 at 11:36AM

LCD vs plasma
It's no secret that we're big on plasma picture quality around these parts, but with the average cost of a 50-inch set coming in $300 cheaper for plasma than LCD, there are some other reasons to consider the older technology as well. Among the myriad of plasma misconceptions, fear of burn-in is the gift that keeps on giving to LCDs, even as they move into the 40-inch regime largely vacated by plasmas. At the more pricey end of the spectrum, dynamic LED backlighting has narrowed the performance gap, but those LED backlit sets are still quite pricey. In the end, it's good to have choice -- and as much as we support plasma, we just can't agree with the zealots that claim "death" to either technology. The competition between LCD and plasma is exactly what has brought better performance and lower prices to everyone, so we're hoping this fight goes as many rounds as possible.

Sony HDTVs found most reliable in PC World study

by Darren Murph posted Dec 4th 2008 at 7:49AM


Yep, it's already that time of year again folks. That time when you begin to "see" your breath, the air has that "certain chill," shoppers go berserk and PC World readers toss in their votes for the most reliable HDTVs. The latest annual Reliability and Service survey received inputs not from independent researchers, but from 16,000 actual owners who can speak best for the quality of the wares they own. The happy winner was Sony, which notched above-average ratings in seven of nine measures, though LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Vizio didn't fare too bad, either. The biggest loser was Mitsubishi, which showed four below-average scores and a "higher-than-average incidence of severe problems." The four-page writeup can be viewed in full by clicking the read link, but our main question is this: are you in agreement with the findings?

Currys, Dixons to stop selling analog TVs in Europe

by Darren Murph posted Jan 23rd 2008 at 6:01PM


DSG International, the parent company to Currys, Dixons and PC World stores across Europe, has announced that it will no longer be stocking analog sets (sound familiar?). Granted, only 10-percent of the remaining TVs it sold were of the analog flavor, but it looks as if even those units will soon be gone. Reportedly, the chains are looking to further promote units with integrated digital Freeview tuners, and considering that some parts of Europe have already begun the analog-to-digital switchover, we suppose that follows logic precisely. Also of note, these same retailers will halt sales of DVD recorders with only analog tuners within, but on the real, we can't say we'll miss 'em.

[Image courtesy of Waltondale, thanks CMC]

So you want to test HDTVs, eh?

by Matt Burns posted Aug 4th 2006 at 6:26PM

So you want to know how the pros test all those HDTVs. Perhaps, you even want to go around to all of your buddies house to see who has the best HDTV. Well, PC World has cracked open the trap-door on their HDTV testing lab to show everyone how they do it. While this lab maybe deep in an underground lair, they keep it real down there with goal of testing under real world environments. So real that they even preform tests under two different light conditions because everyones household lamps are a bit different and that can make a big difference on how the colors appear. The very first thing they do is calibrate the set using AVIA: Guide to Home Theater along with Digital Video Essentials. (proving once again that you need to calibrate your HDTV and it doesn't have to be expensive) Only once this is done do they move onto the testing that involves a standard-series of high-def material that they present to each HDTV with areas that they know will give it trouble. (think torture test) The test then moves onto standard definition material, followed up by DVD scenes.

It's really not that hard and you can see the key to testing HDTVs, right? Consistency.

Toshiba HD-A1 grabs #14 on PC World's top 100 list

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 1st 2006 at 4:57PM


HD DVD may yet get totally steamrolled by Blu-ray later this year, or face years of struggle against its mortal enemy (that shares its Achilles heel in restrictive AACS DRM), but at least it has had one day in the sun.  The Toshiba HD-A1, the first HD DVD player on the market came in 14th on PC World's Top 100 list. With shortages, glitches and a dearth of content, quite frankly we're surprised to see it up so high. When all is said and done, it does get the 1080i HD picture to the screen that aficionados have been waiting for and at least right now it's all we've got. (Also congrats to our friends at Engadget for slotting one spot higher at #13.)




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