Samsung's 3D HDTV: The PN58C8000

Samsung’s PN58C8000 is one of the top three 3-D ready HDTV models available in their 8000 series. This 58-inch ultra-thin HDTV is a work of art and performs wonderfully as well. The price tag might be a little higher than the other TVs available in the same size category, but the PN58C8000’s performance is worth the extra cash.

The 8000 series features Samsung’s Touch of Color Design, but instead of the red-accented finish found on Samsung’s LN55C650, the PN58C8000’s plastic bezel is a metallic-looking brushed titanium. The PN58C8000 is incredibly thin. It is nearly as slim as the ultra-thin LG Infinia 47LX9500. This sleek set from Samsung features a remote control sensor and 3D transmitter embedded in the bezel with five touch-sensitive buttons for power, channel, volume, input select, and menu. The HDTV also has two 10-watt speakers under the bottom bezel that emit pretty good sound.

The PN58C8000 has plenty of frequently used connection spots including: two USB ports, four HDMI ports, two audio outputs, a PC audio input, component and composite A/V ports, a wired network port, a coaxial TV cable/ antenna jack, and a PC (VGA) port.

The remote to this HDTV set is classy. It features a brushed metal face with chrome trim and has 47 touch-sensitive keys that are well illuminated and very responsive, including an important key that you will most likely use often that allows you to toggle between 2D and 3D.

Samsung features one of the best catalogs of TV Internet applications to date. Their streaming video sites include: Netflix, YouTube, Vudu, Hulu Plus, CinemaNow, Explore 3D, and DailyMotion. Other useful Internet apps available include: Twitter, Facebook, Picasa Web Albums, Pandora Radio, Napster, Accuweather, Google Maps, USA Today, and more.

The 8000 series utilizes Samsung’s Real Black Filter technology that allows the screen to produce very deep blacks and enhanced shadow detail. Basically, it helps to reduce the glare of natural or ambient light. This is a truly fantastic development.

The PN58C8000 does a great job displaying 3D images. It really comes through with producing a realistic 3D effect, and if you’re favorite movies aren’t available in 3D, the PN58C8000 features the ability to convert 2D content into a watered-down 3D version. One of the few downsides with this TV involves the 3D glasses. They simply are not attractive, not comfortable, and not included in the price of the set. They are $149.99 per pair. Samsung does offer a much more attractive pair for $199.99, but who knows if they are any more comfortable than the cheaper pair?

The Samsung PN58C8000 is listed for $3,000. Yes, this is a little bit more than the other 3D TVs available now, but the PN58C8000 really is a wonderful set. The HDTV is sleek, chic, and stylish. It features a touch-sensitive remote and 2D to 3D converting capabilities. This HDTV is a little pricey, but it is definitely worth it. So are you ready to make the leap to 3D?

Call Rentacomputer.com today at 800-736-8772 if you are in the market for a Nationwide Copier Rental.

Amazing New HDTV from LG

LG is now introducing their latest creation, the LG 47LE5500. With its razor-thin profile and lightly tinted bezel, it makes for a show-stopping centerpiece in your family room or home theater. The LG 47LE5500 also brings you sharp images, great color quality, and plenty of Web apps like Netflix and VUDU. This 47-inch HDTV uses LED backlighting with local dimming making it incredibly energy efficient.

The 47-inch panel on the 47LE5500 is inset into a 1.2-inch thick black cabinet. It's thinner then most of the TV’s recently released. Both the top and side bezels are 1.5 inches wide, and the bottom bezel is 2.5 inches wide. All four sides of the 47LE5500 have a beautiful black glossy finish and feature reddish accents. The screen itself is outstanding with its matte, non-reflective, anti-glare coating. The screen is set comfortably on a sturdy rectangular base that offers easy swivel maneuverability.

The 47LE5500 has 10-watt down-firing speakers mounted on the bottom of the cabinet. The speakers have excellent sound, and the volume can be turned up to full capacity without the slightest distortion. The downside to the sound system on this unit is that due to the slim cabinet design you don't get a whole lot of bass response.

The LG 47LE5500 sports seven touch sensitive buttons and a power switch positioned along the right side of the lower bezel. The buttons remain dark and unnoticed until you touch one of the buttons, at which point they all glow white and become easily visible.
As with many other LG products, the mean system is very straightforward and easy to use, and it offers a variety of basic and advanced settings. The 47LE5500 has five present video modes Vivid, Standard, Cinema, Sport, and Game. It also has two expert modes for advanced calibration purposes that allow you to change settings such as black level, gamma, skin color, color gamut, and individual color saturation levels.

Like most other LG TV’s, the 47LE5500’s remote control is well designed and easy to use. It features 49 buttons that are backlit and incredibly responsive. The only button that is somewhat fussy at times is the rocker switch. Dedicated NetCast, Widget, and Energy Saving buttons make it easy to toggle between Web services or switch into one of four power usage modes.

The 47LE5500 is equipped with a nice selection of connections. Conveniently located on the left side of the cabinet are two USB ports, a set of audio inputs, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. Then on the back of the unit there are three additional HDMI jacks, a port for connecting to an optional wireless media hub, a PC (VGA) input, digital audio-in and out connectors, two sets of component A/V ports, a set of composite A/V ports, and a coaxial TV connector.

Also on the 47LE5500, you have access to a nice variety of Web Apps such as Yahoo widgets. Widgets include weather, sports, news, and finance channels along with games. Social networking apps like Twitter and Flickr are also available. It also has NetCast which offers Netflix, VUDU, and YouTube video streaming as well as Picasa Web Albums.

Overall, LG's 47LE5500 delivers good color and HD quality. Its 1.5-inch thick cabinet is quite pleasing, and its power-saving capability is a definite plus for energy-conscious consumers. Although its current listing price is a bit high at $2,100, the good new is that smart online shopping can help you knock of a good few hundred buck off the listing price!

If you're looking to buy a new TV but aren't exactly sure what to look for check out our guide to buying your next TV.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

Budget LED HDTVs from Sceptre

Sceptre is a TV producing company that has been around since 1984. Since their start they have been producing new and advanced display technology. They have recently announced two new low-priced LED HDTVs. These are some of the most affordable Tvs currently available.

Sceptre is now offering a 19-inch and a 24-inch model, both with built-in DVD players. Each of the models are 0.69 inches at their thinnest point and 1.89 inches at their thickest point. Both are also Energy Star 3.0 compliant.

Each of the display screens feature 1920 x 1080 resolution, 2 HDMI ports, a 16:9 widescreen display, and 5ms response time. These TVs can be found at Sears, Target, and NewEgg starting in July for $269 and $399.

If you’re wondering what you should look for in a TV, check out our guide to buying your next TV and choosing between Plasma, LCD, and LED.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

So You Need a New TV?

Buying a new TV is a lot harder than it used to be. There are so many types and brands to choose from and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. For the most part, new TVs aren't cheap, so before you go out and spend a small fortune on one for your home, there are a few things to take into consideration.

There are three types of TVs to choose from: LCD, LED, and Plasma. Each one has its small differences from the other, but it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your home and your family.

Plasmas

Plasma TVs are flat-panel TVs that once ruled the TV market. They are heavy, which means wall mounting needs to be more secure and they're also very fragile. You'll most likely want to have it installed professionally. If your wall doesn't have easily located studs, you'll need reinforcements. But of course, you can always place it on a TV stand or other type of furniture.

Plasmas rule the TV market when it comes to contrast ratio (making your whites white and your darks dark) and are great for watching moving images. If you're a movie-watcher, you won't see a lag in the big chase scene. Also, you can see your plasma well from various angles, which is great for living room set-ups where chairs and sofas are positioned around the TV.

On the downside, if glare bothers you, plasmas do reflect light, but you can purchase anti-glare screens for your TV. Image retention and burn-in can also be a problem with your plasma. Also, if you live in an altitude over 6,500 feet, your plasma could experience a buzz.

LCD

LCD TVs are also flat-panel TVs and they aren't quite as heavy as plasmas. Contrast quality isn't as great as the plasma, but it's close. LCDs are great for viewing still images. Many computer monitors use LCD technology for this reason. They're also catching up to plasmas when it comes to color. The highest quality plasma will have the most rich color, but a high quality LCD is a much better option than an average or low-quality plasma.

If you're worried about using energy and being "green," then an LCD might be for you. They use half the power of a plasma. Plasmas use neon gas the requires more energy to light up. On the downside, LCDs are known for having stuck pixels, which appear on your screen as tiny pinpoints of light. Sometimes, a manufacturer will replace your set if this happens early on in the TVs life, bu tnot always.

LED

LED TVs are a newer technology. While the competition between LCD and plasma has lowered prices, LEDs are still relatively expensive. They are lighter an thinner than plasmas and LCDs and the quality is outstanding. Instead of fluorescent bulbs, LEDs use backlighting, which makes your blacks darker and your color more saturated. They also use less power than their plasma and LCD counterparts.

These guys have been on the market for only about two years, and are technically just LCD TVs with the LED lighting inside. They are sure to become more popular in the future as more competition enters the market, driving down prices.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

Panasonic's New TC-L37X1

Panasonic’s new 37-inch TC-L37X1 LCD HDTV might have a convenient iPod docking station for simple browsing and playing of your iPod through the TV’s remote control, but the average contrast and mediocre picture size setting that for go image detailing are certainly a draw back.

The iPod dock is certainly a feature that drew me in to look closer at this TV. It is a separate module that connects to the TV through a mini USB port located at the back of the set. When you dock your iPod, the TV immediately launches to shortcuts to select stored music and video files. All of this is easily controlled through the TV’s remote control.

The TC-L37X1 also features several HD-compatible video inputs. It has three HDMI inputs, one component video port, and a VGA port that will support the screen’s 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution. The TV also includes an SD card slot that can be easily used for display a digital photo slideshow.

This HDTV has a 12,000:1 contrast ratio and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The biggest problem that has been discovered with this TV is it’s dark-room contrast. It features a fairly bright black level at .17 candela per square meter (cd/m²). Most great HDTV’s produce .03 cd/m² or less of a black level. In normal daylight though, the screen produces a bright picture that provides a very good picture contrast.

The TC-L37X1 itself has a slick, clean design. It features a glossy black bezel, rounded corners and smooth edges, and concealed bottom-firing speakers. The remote has large, easy to see buttons, and it’s design allows for a firm grip.

The Panasonic TC-L37X1 has its ups and its downs. Its up to you whether or not you think its worth it’s price tag of $799.95. It does feature the iPod dock and has a variety of HD-compatible video inputs, but the dark-room contrast issues certainly are something to take into consideration when shopping around for a new HDTV.

New TV with SD Card Slot

The British LCD TV company, Cello Electronics, has announced their new television that has the capability to record anything from TV onto an SD card. This new development makes the transfer of recordings to a computer or another device with an SD card slot a piece of cake.

With its two TV tuners, two SD slots, and split screen functionality, the TV is able to record two different channels at the same time. It also features a built-in DVD player. The TV is available in three different sizes: 22-inch, 26-inch, and 32-inch. It also features a 16:9 display with 1440 x 900 resolution.

The TV will be available in July and pricing is confirmed at £399 ($661) for the 26-inch and £469 ($777) for the 32-inch. These new SD card developments are very useful and make media transfer so much easier. Cello Electronic's new TVs will only be produced for the European market but the knowledge of the possiblities of these new developments is the important part. It will be interesting to observe if other TV's follow in Cello Electronic's footsteps and begin developing more TV's with easy media transfer capabilities.

The New Samsung PN50B850 Plasma Screen

The new Samsung PN50B850 1080 p plasma is certainly what we can call a true “flat screen” TV. This beautiful creation is currently the thinnest big-screen television available on the market. It measures only 1.2-inches thick and still is able to offer a multitude of fascinating features.

The PN50B850 sits atop a metallic swivel base and features a glossy black bezel with transparent outside edges making for a clean, chic appearance. There are also no annoying indicator lights, the Samsung logo found on the lower bezel does not illuminate, and the touch-sensitive controls for the TV can easily be found on the right hand side. The control for the PN50B850 is amber-backlit and features clearly labeled buttons, tactile feedback, and quick-acting performance.

The number of integrated input connections has multiplied for the PN50B850. It contains a variety of ports including: four HDMI, VGA, component video, RF input, Ethernet jack, and two USB ports. The set also includes cable guides and wire holders to hide the many different cables and connections you will be hooking up through your TV.

The PN50B850 is easily synchronized to an active broadband connection in your home. This enables simplified firmware updates and quick access to the TV’s Content Library. Having a broadband connection set up also allows for customizable applications powered through Yahoo Widget Gallery. This includes news and weather updates and access to sites including Flickr and Twitter. The multimedia player featured on the set supports a variety of files such as MP3, JPEG, DivX, MKV, MP4, MPEG-2, and several others. There is also a Wi-Fi-enabled mobile device that allows for the viewing of text messages, call information, and saved media files on the TV screen.

The Samsung PN50B850 is 50-inches of pure plasma bliss. With its 1920 x 1080 resolution, EnergyStar compliance, and variety of luxurious features, what more could you really ask for? It has a starting price of $2,299.00, which is a pretty good deal for the fantastic package that Samsung is delivering. Considering all the facts, I would say if this plasma screen is in your budget, it is one to certainly check out further.