People have become so accustomed to associating LCD TVs, which for the record are selling like mad, to Samsung that it sometimes comes as a surprise to know that the company deals with plasma TVs as well! Not that plasma TVs have nothing to offer, but the recent success of the LCD has really overshadowed anything from the plasma format. The time of redemption, however, is upon us, as Samsung is ready with an ultra-new plasma, the Samsung PS50A556.

The design of the deck is rather sleek and is typical of Samsung glossy image. The deck comes with a ‘Full HD‘ 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution, which is real bonus considering its relatively low price, and also have an abundance of connectivity options including three v1.3 HDMIs, a PC port, as well as a USB 2.0 jack that gives you the leverage to playback JPEG photos.

The picture quality of the device is meanwhile optimised by the company’s proprietary DNIE+ processing, so that you can have a high quality image that is replete with fantastic colour combinations, sharpness, contrast and motion. The result is that you experience a commercial cinema like feel with the Samsung PS50A556, as frames are replete with natural hues. The feature is aided in its objective by a Movie Plus mode, which plays is part in improving motion handling.

Moreover, the Filterbright screen adorning the unit is specially crafted to drastically eliminate the majority of onscreen reflections. There are nevertheless issues concerning the operation of the deck, and the image is also a bit of a letdown considering that it is a 1080p screen.

The Samsung HT-X710T is an excellent home theatre-in-a-box that comes integrated with DVD playback, while delivering a stimulating audio output. The device importantly enough has a 2.1-channel system, which means you have two speakers at your disposal; one subwoofer and the other a ‘head unit’ amplifier and disc player.

The device have an avant-garde design and gives the impression of a space-age look as each component of the device is complemented by a similar “Touch of Colour” shading which is normally found on high-end Samsung TVs. Almost the entire of the exterior is covered in a shiny plastic, which has its own downside as it makes the deck prone to fingerprints. Thankfully though, you are provided with a cloth shammy to remove any prints.

The feature list of the device is pretty solid as well and has a built-in slot-loading DVD player capable of upscaling video to 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolutions via the HDMI output. The feature is rather helpful when it comes to upscaling video contents to 720p, but what is rather disappointing is that it becomes pretty irrelevant for anything above 720p. In clear terms the image quality is nowhere near as comprehensive and vivid as those delivered by Blu-ray players.

Connectivity of the unit is elementary, and consists of the bare minimum features that you will frequently need. Apart from the standard composite feature, you can get the services of component and HDMI video outputs; however there is no provision of an S-video. The real panel includes two audio-only inputs that effectively make up for the unit’s stereo connection and optical audio input connectivity. Users should also take delight by the fact that the Samsung HT-X710T comes adorned with a USB port and headphone jacks as well which adds to the flexibility and ease with which they can manipulate the device.

Anyone who wants gadgets that are aesthetically beautiful and come with a good array of accompanying features, need look no further than the Samsung LE40A856. The device boasts a thin profile and is equipped with a small bezel that is actually more compact than it appears. The most amazing part of the package is the manner in which Samsung has managed to fit the unit with everything that a modern TV has to offer.

The monitor of the device is just 85mm thick and you get o have four HDMI sockets, three on the back, while the fourth is given on the side. Then, the device incorporates a pair of Scart inputs, component, VGA and S-video in as well, apart from a USB socket that enhances the level of flexibility and convenience on your front.

The front of the unit is pretty clean without any signs of any visible buttons or connections, albeit unless you touch the surrounding area. The design and build quality of the Samsung LE-40A856 means that you can virtually put the deck at just about anywhere with the guarantee that it will elevate the style quotient of the room.

The device comes equipped with the intuitive InfoLive technology, a simple RSS-style reader that gives the T the discretion to effectively utilize its built-in Ethernet connection to go online so that you can collect important information from yahoo. Information may be something related to the stock market, weather and news updates, which though is limited in nature go a long way in giving you a fast first-hand information peek at what’s is hip and happening on the subject. Another selling point of the device is the much improved WiseLink Pro that will enable you to scroll through photos and MP3s stored on USB devices.

There are many amongst us who will gratefully welcome Samsung’s latest offering, the Samsung DVD-VR330 DVD recorder & HiFi VCR. This unique set will help customers give life to their VHS tapes, which otherwise would have died a natural death. With this unique DVD recorder/VCR combo, you can enjoy both the dying breed and modern DVD at the same time.

The device is well provided with standard accessories including remote, batteries for the remote, some rather short composite audio/video and RF “coax” cables, along with the customary user instruction manuals like warranty card, quick set-up guide. VHS playback of the device is bound to surprise you with its dual picture and sound quality, so is the compatibility demonstrated by the unit with the S-video and coaxial digital connections.

DVD playback can alone be a good reason why you buy this device as both the video and audio performance is on par with most of the stand-alone DVD players. There are a few minor issues concerning the DVD’s main menu, especially that of the button labelling on the remote. The peculiar thing here is that the button unlike in stand-alone players, doesn’t take you to the DVD menu, but rather to the device’s setup menu. The problem is nevertheless not that severe and may take time for you to adjust to it.

Moreover, you get to have high-quality composite video and S-video inputs as well, apart from RCA connections that deliver high-fidelity sound. Really the only thing missing is Blu-ray playback found in models like the Samsung BD-P1500; however, Blu-ray has been slow to catch on with consumers anyway. The recording capability of the device is fluent too, though the process takes a tad bit more time than expected. Further, the DVD-VR330 comes with a front-panel IEEE 1394 port hat can be used to dub home movies from a digital camcorder.

The latest offer from Panasonic, the Tau FX 29FX20CDS3 CRT TV, has an outstanding picture quality, a trait which alone makes it a keeper. The picture quality easily supersedes those meted out by its rivals. The temptation to buy the unit will start increasing the moment you discover that this excellent picture quality can be all yours at a very reasonable price, and is a great value for money.

Despite weighing a high 43 kg, the deck is designed in a rather aesthetic manner and should look good on your living room. The build quality is compact as well thereby ensuring longevity.

Even if you ignore the picture quality, the Tau FX 29FX20CDS3 has a number of other good virtues that are sufficient to entrap you. The set up and connectivity of the deck is rather simple and uncomplicated and have the basic minimum features that you will normally need including- Composite Video Input and Component Video Inputs. The depressing thing for customers is however that they will be handicapped to a certain extent since there are no USB or HDMI inputs, like with modern day Panasonic LCD TVs, such as the Panasonic TX-32LZD95F. Meanwhile, the availability of only a solitary Component Video Input option means that you are provided with the liberty to connect only one device via the Component Video cable.

The performance of the deck matches up to the likes of Sony and Samsung, when it comes to Picture Quality at least in the CRT world. Another versatile aspect of the deck is its stunning high-definition image reproduction, pictures that are crystal clear, vivid and with a great deal of detail. Similarly, the audio quality is also superb and you can also enjoy the experience of a comprehensive sound.

Moving away from the company’s trademark obsession with aesthetically beautiful ‘touch of colour’ LCD TVs, Samsung is all set to make a splash in the mid-range market with the launch of the 32-inch LE32A558. Apart from being decently priced, the unit has been equipped with a sufficient array of impressive features to give you a viable solution for a tight budget. Design wise the unit is no match to the company’s high-end models, and is rather subdued with only a basic black finish coating. The high point of the unit is the presence of three v1.3 HDMI inputs, a D-Sub PC jack, as well as a USB port that allows you to play JPEG and MP3 files straight into the TV.

Considering its price tag it is also a luxury to have a ‘Full HD’ resolution of 1,920×1,080 pixels, and a contrast ration that has been rumored to be around 15,000:1. The Samsung LE32A558’s specifications compare favourably with other models that belong to the higher echelons such as the A656 range. The LE32A558 in addition comes fitted with the provision of the contemporary Movie Plus and DNIe processing functionalities, which play a vital role in improving the picture quality. The latter feature lands fluidity to fast action sequences, and also boosts almost everything beginning from colors to sharpness.

The above features are only a tip of the iceberg, as you can enjoy quality entertainment facilitated by out of the box features like edge- enhancement processing, gamma adjustment, backlight adjustment, white-balance adjustment, skin-tone adjustment, noise reduction, and many more.

Image quality is naturally refined to almost high-definition levels by the host of features, and you will get mesmerized by the clarity and detail that accompany each particular frame. Colour combination looks natural and vibrant as well.

The unit on the down side has poor black levels, and its motion reproduction is also not at par with today’s expectations. You will also feel disillusioned with the unit’s color preset levels which are slow to respond, and are unimaginatively structured.

The two giants of the LCD format, Sony and Samsung are always having a go at one another since the time the format was launched. It is no different this time around with Sony coming up with its latest weapon in the form of the Bravia KDL-55XBR8. The battle between these two giants has always been about cutting-edge technologies, and at times top-of-the-line LED-backlit models which invariably turn out to be extremely expensive for mainstream consumers. Despite coming at a heavy price, the performance of these models has contributed to their popularity. The KDL-55XBR8 goes a step further in terms price, as it is one of the most expensive flat-panel HDTVs to ever hit the market.

Design wise the unit has a much wider cabinet measuring good 46-inches. The deck has been equipped with side-mounted speakers and consequently is unlike its less-expensive predecessor the KDS-52XBR6 which featured mounted speakers along the bottom.

The one feature that you will captivate you the most is the LED backlighting feature, which signifies a significant milestone in the illustrious history of the company. The technology used in this Sony LCD TV makes use of the more sophisticated and result oriented LEDs, as opposed to standard fluorescents, and provides the illumination that powers the picture. Three colors of LEDs are used by Sony, viz. two green, one each red and blue. This is in stark contrast to Samsung who uses only white LEDs.

Other notable features of the Sony device include a 120Hz refresh rate, which effectively removes blurring in motion and works in coordination with the company’s dejudder video processing technology to comprehensively augment the picture quality. Then, there are four picture presets as well which can be adjusted independently per input. You should also love the fact that there is a pair of noise reduction settings, apart from three color temperature presets.

This one is a real giant by every means and will require a good deal of logistics just to move it around in your home. We are speaking about the latest flat-screen TV revealed by Samsung, the PN63A760 which measures a cool 63 inches diagonally, thereby giving stiff competition to the biggest plasmas from Panasonic, LG, and Pioneer. The massive size of the deck is equally complemented by a multitude of features, and gives you the impression that it will at least match the picture quality of the company’s medium sized models, if not exceed them. The bad thing here is that Samsung has lost the plot in this front as picture quality is hardly inspiring. The company in all likelihood has fallen prey to the latest big screen fascination.

Being a high-end TV, the PN63A760 quite naturally has more options than your regular set. The most impressive among them is the addition of the Smooth” picture mode which more or less has similar functionalities to that of a dejudder video processing feature found in 120 Hz LCD screens. Then there is a native resolution of 1,920×1,080, a customary feature with most LCD and Plasma models these days.

There are numerous interactive features as well, which include an Ethernet port that facilitates TVs to access the Internet to display news, stock ticker information, and local weather. The internet access facility is however, not as extensive as those that are found is the likes of Panasonic of TH-50PZ850U.

Then, there are three adjustable picture modes each of which is independent per input which is a real bonus. Although there is a downside to this Samsung plasma, as there are three more picture presets known as “Entertainment Modes,” that cannot be adjusted and are accessible via a separate key on the remote and the Setup menu.

If you are planning on buying a separate projector for your home and office, check out the SP-A400B for making a smart purchase. In fact, the dual-mode projector is ideal for home and office. With a brightness factor of 2000 ANSI, the device perfectly synchronises with the surrounding light conditions in the monitor mode. On the other hand, the 1000 ANSI goes well with the movie mode. You can enjoy the dual benefits while being assured of the image quality in both the modes.

Based on the Samsung’s BrilliantColour technology, the projector offers amazingly sharp and vibrant colours to ensure an excellent performance. This technology is based on 6 different colours: red, yellow, blue, green, cyan and magenta and offers 50% more brightness than the traditional LCDs. The Samsung SP-A400B also creates no issues with the colour replication, as it delivers accurately reproduced colours to provide you a film like quality. Let us also not forget to mention the various input terminals, such as the HDMI, PC input and the S-video ports. The versatile projector is easy to install with its adjustable lens that facilitates the vertical axis positioning.

All of the A400B’s features are wrapped in a sleek and stylish, high gloss black body, giving it the look of a fashion accessory.

Pioneer has unleashed a killer of a product in the form of the DV-575A! What makes it a real threat to its rivals is the stunning fact that, in spite of being available at a price that can be considered a steal, it has a profusion of quality features all in one go. You will be amazed to find that the unit dishes out DVD-Audio and SACD alongside vanilla DVD-Video and CD like a true master. Skeptics, especially those who are not used to surround sound, may try to downplay this achievement, but surround sound fanatics can satisfy their cravings for quality performance like never before.

Despite coming at about one-third the price of the DV-575A, the next best specified player, you will hardly find any remarkable compromise in its specifications. The Pioneer DV-575A still displays progressive scan outputs, a high-quality video 12-bit/108MHz digital/analogue converter, apart from having a very good 24-bit/192 kHz audio digital to analogue converter in every channel. Signals are processed using the contemporary Dolby, DTS components, and the unit is also apt at processing the native formats for DVD-Audio and SACD. The only memorable miss that can be used as a pretext to separate it from modern high-end players are the digital video and audio connections like HDMI and i.Link.

Nevertheless, the manufacturers have got a grasp of people’s preferences and have included a few tricks usually the exclusive domain of high-end players. A prime example thereof is the the DivX feature, increasingly regarded as the MP3 of cinema replay.

You will be satisfied by the audio performance delivered by the unit, though it is in no way outstanding. The pictures are also colourful enough with a good deal of contrast, whereas the sound is pleasingly crisp, detailed and clear.