TV makers are running dealer incentives on select models to stimulate sales for Father’s Day and graduation day. We checked out best deals and found models from LG, Panasonic and Samsung with some of the deepest discounts of the year. LG is the most aggressive with discounts up to 46% off on its large screen Smart 3D TVs.
We’ve included two 2011 closeout models from Panasonic with discounts of 44% off retail. The list begins after the break.
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In part one we provided price, availability and other marketing information about LG’s upcoming OLED HDTV. We now look into the technical attributes and specifications of this new flat panel television, including a number of exclusive photos and a hands-on view of this revolutionary HDTV.
During a interview with LG’s top marketing people we obtained previously undisclosed technical information revealed below.
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Monaco-This week, LG unveiled the production version of its revolutionary 55-Inch OLED to the HD Guru, European dealers and journalists against the backdrop of the final preparations for the weekend’s Grand Prix race. The prototype was first seen at the 2012 January Consumer Electronics Show
The 55EM9600′s screen is just 4 mm thick, and uses white organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to produce a very bright, highly saturated image. LG developed its ”Color Refiner” filter technology (using four color sub-pixels -Red, Green, Blue and White) to enhance image contrast and color.
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We love digital video recorders (DVRs). The ability to store HD programs and view them at will captured our imagination since the first TiVo and Replay TV were demoed at the 1999 Consumer Electronics Show. We prefer the TiVo user interface to any other DVRs we’ve sampled over the years (Replay, Cisco, Motorola, Moxi and DirecTV’s.)
After numerous delays DirecTV finally released the THR22 nationwide in January 2012. We’ve been using it for five months and really like it. For those of you not familiar with TiVo, they distinguish themselves from DirecTV’s DVR and cable DVR models in a number of ways. Besides its own guide and look and feel, this TiVo allows an unlimited number shows you can place in queue to record called “Season Pass” while DirecTV limits the user to just 50 different titles. While that may sound like enough, with the advent of many cable/satellite channel series such as those found on USA and HBO, we needed to constantly add and subtract series to remain at or below the 50 program limit , often resulting in missed episodes after a show returns from hiatus. This reason alone makes the TiVo a better choice for DVR users.
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The LC-80LE632U is one big HDTV. Made by Sharp, it’s the only TV brand that offers 80-Inch LED LCD consumer models. In addition to making its own giant LCD screens, Sharp is one of the four remaining TV makers that also assembles its TVs (LG, Samsung and Panasonic are the other three). All the other flat consumer HDTVs currently top out at 65-Inches. (Note: Panasonic offers very expensive commercial plasma monitors in 85 and 103-Inch screen sizes).
The LC-80LE632U is Sharp’s entry level model within its 80-inch LED LCD line-up. It sports a matte finished anti glare screen coating, Internet apps with streaming video, full array LED backlights, Wi-Fi and 120 Hz refresh rate. To keep the price low, Sharp omits 3D, and its Quattron four sub-pixel LCD panel (red, blue, green and yellow) in favor of the conventional and perfectly acceptable red, blue and green triad pattern LCD screen.
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Every TV has one: a button that zooms in on the picture, or changes the aspect ratio. Sometimes called View Mode, Format, Size, Zoom, or something similar, these modes have a variety of names, but all have the same purpose.
In reality most of the time there is only one “correct” mode, the other modes offering less resolution, possible artifacts, and in a few limited cases, a better picture.
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Most people never change their TV’s user settings. This is sad, as most TVs look their worst with the standard “out of the box” factory presets.
Our tips on picture optimization will go a long way to getting you a better TV picture for little or no cash outlay.
We’ll begin with the basics after the break.
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credit: istock photo
Online HDTV shopping can save you time, gas and money, provided you choose the right dealer. Picking the wrong dealer can be a disaster.
HD Guru investigated online HDTV complaints to uncover the awful tactics employed by bad online dealers. Before you buy a TV online read our are check list to avoid getting stuck with a defective unit the bad dealer wouldn’t take back and the manufacturer wouldn’t repair.
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