Pioneer 9G Kuro Series

Pioneer's plasma televisions are regarded as some of the best sets around, and the 9th generation 2008 line improves upon the already praised black levels and video processing of the 8th generation, 2007 models. The Kuro line puts primary focus on creating the deepest black possible with the 9Gs seeing a 5 times increase in contrast ratio over the previous generation. Alongside the picture quality improvements Pioneer has added extra features such as the Home Media Gallery which displays digital media content stored on your home network.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Has the deepest black levels
•Media streaming supports many formats
•Thinner cabinet than previous years
•72Hz does a good job of smoothing film
•Reflective screen is best in class

Cons:

•Runs very warm
•Costs a pretty penny
•VGA input maximum resolution is 1280x1024

More information

Specs

* 1080p native resolution
* 72Hz 3:3 pull down
* 60Hz 2:3 pull down
* Improved video processing and upscaling
* New Optimum Mode
* Smooth Film mode
* New anti-reflective screen
* Home Media Gallery digital streaming
* Two 18 watt speakers
* Inputs: HDMI x 4, Component x 1, Composite x 3, S-Video x 1, USB, Ethernet, VGA

Optimum Mode - a new mode introduced in the 2008 the Kuro line, this mode analyzes both the ambient lighting in the room and the content of the picture to automatically adjust the picture settings. The idea is that you set the television to this mode and never have to readjust, instead of having separate modes depending on the movie, weather,

Home Media Gallery - when connected to your home network through the LAN port you can view pictures, videos and music on the TV without any external device.

Home Media Gallery Format support

Video: WMV9, MPEG1, MPEG2-PS, MPEG2-TS, ASP, H.264/AVC

Audio: WMA9, MP3, PCM, HE-AAC, MPEG-4 AAC

Image: JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP

Models

There are three classes of Pioneer 9G Kuro televisions that have minimal differences between them, outside of an increase in price and longer warranty period.

Regular 9G Kuro

* Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD - 50" screen | June 2008 | $4000
* Pioneer Kuro PDP-6020FD - 60" screen | June 2008 | $5500

Pioneer Elite Kuro

Adds more calibration/picture adjustment options and modes, and a 2 year warranty.

* Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD - 50" screen | $5000
* Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-151FD - 60" screen | $6500

Pioneer Elite Signature Series

* Pioneer Elite Signature Kuro PRO-101FD - 50" screen | October 2008
* Pioneer Elite Signature Kuro PRO-141FD - 60" screen | August 2008

Samsung 9 Series

The 9 Series is the flagship line of LCD televisions introduced by Samsung in 2008 and is the 2nd generation of LED backlit sets. Succeeding the often praised 81F series, Samsung has improved upon the LED system by introducing more lights, increasing contrast ratio, and retaining the premium features that make the 7 and 8 series notable. Samsung states the television has a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio which is achieved by the local dimming effect of the LED back-light.

More information

Specs

* 1080p native resolution
* 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
* Auto Motion Plus 120Hz
* 4ms response time
* Ultra Clear Panel
* Wide Color Enhancer 2
* DNIe Pro
* WiseLink Pro USB port for accessing digital media
* Ethernet port for RSS, news, weather and stocks and digital media
* Two 10 watt speakers
* 1GB internal flash memory
* Inputs: HDMI x 4, Component x 2, Composite x 1, S-Video x 1, VGA x 1, Ethernet x 1, USB x 1

LED Back-light - The LED back-light solution differs from traditional LCD back-lighting solutions in two distinct ways: local dimming, and energy consumption. While traditional displays use 1-5 lights for the entire panel, this LED system uses 276 lights across the panel. This is an improvement over the 81F series which featured less than 100 lights. Each of the lights can be controlled so dark areas of the scene will have the lights off, while the brighter areas will have the lights with more power; this is how the extremely high dynamic contrast ratio is achieved.

Series 7,8,9 specific features

DLNA Support - Stream video, image, and music content over your home network. The TV has support for a wide variety of CODECs including DivX and XVid, and can support hi-def resolutions.



USB Port - The USB port lets you connect storage devices such as portable hard drives, or thumb drives and access the content within. Details aren't currently available but most like the TV can read content stores on devices that act as a USB Mass Storage (UMS) device.

1GB of Internal Memory - It's unknown whether or not you will be able to overwrite the content stored on this internal memory. Samsung reports that it will come preloaded with "premium" content such as HD art, recipes and children's stories.

"Touch of Color" - in a break away from the traditional black or really black choices that most televisions offer Samsung is introducing a little bit of color to these sets. During the manufacturing process the bevel has some color applied to it, with auburn being the initial option and more colors expected over time.

Series 6,7,8, 9 features

Ethernet port - the included ethernet port will allow you to access RSS feeds and other real time content to display sports information, news, stocks and weather. It's currently unknown whether other forms of content such as full Internet access will be available in the future.

4 HDMI ports - the lower level series feature 3 HDMI ports, with the high-end models adding an extra HDMI port for more expandability. All HDMI ports are version 1.3.

Common to all 2008 Samsungs

Anti-glare screen - first introduced in the Samsung's 71F series of television released in 2007, Samsung claims they have improved the glossy anti-glare screen to reduce glare and reduce reflections.

Models

* LN46A950 - 46" screen | $3199
* LN55A950 - 55" screen | $4199

Panasonic Viera 800 Series

The 800U series is at the high end of Panasonic's 2008 plasmas, which is their 11th generation of plasma offerings. Positioned above the 85U series and below the 850s, the 800s offer premium features such as the one-sheet glass design and THX certification, but lack some of the more professional level calibration settings of the 850Us. The 800U series is the first line of plasma to achieve THX certification, with the LG PG60 Series subsequently released as the second.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Best-in-class image quality
•THX mode works as advertised
•Good connectivity with four HDMI inputs
•Ghosting effect isn't that bad for a plasma
•Excellent contrast performance
•More shades of color gradation than many competitors
•A good blend of glass finish without being too reflective
•Less grainyness than previous generations
•Runs much cooler than previous generations

Cons:

•High priced
•24p mode can introduce flicker
•The bezel/frame could be more attractive

More information

Specs

* 1080p native resolution
* 30,000:1 static contrast ratio, 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
* 24p film mode
* Game mode
* THX certified with a THX configuration built-in
* VIERA link
* Inputs: 4xHDMI 1.3, 1xVGA, Component, Composite, S-Video

800U features

One-sheet glass - The one-sheet glass design is similar to the Sony XBR4's, and Pioneer Elite and Kuro televisions where a single pane of glass covers the entire front of the television, including the bezel. This design reduces/eliminates the "halo" effect that can occur around lettering and logos with traditional 3-pane designs.

THX Certification - Panasonic pays the THX company to run their televisions through a set of tests to get a stamp of approval (THX tests). Not being THX certified doesn't mean a television won't pass the tests, the company just didn't choose to pay THX to test them. Alongside the stamp of approval is the addition of a THX Movie Mode. This a display setting that is pre-calibrated for "optimal" movie watching as the gamma, luminence and other features are pre-set.

800U, and 850U features

PC-input - usually a staple among HDTVs, in Panasonic's 2008 offerings only the higher end televisions retain a dedicated input for computers.

24p support - the high-end sets from Panasonic are the only lines that perform a true direct multiple of 24p content. When receiving a 24p source from something like a Blu-Ray disc the output displays at 48Hz with each from showing for 2 refresh cycles. What this means, is that movie content is smoother and more true to the original source.

Common to all 2008 Panasonic Plasmas

Anti-reflective screen - created by Fujitsu these screens reduce the amount of ambient reflection that can appear in a brightly lit room.

100,000 hour half life - Panasonic rates the panel to last 100,000 hours, which is about 30 years of regular usage, or 11 years of non-stop, before the brightness of the display is halved.

Models

* TH-58PZ800U - 58" screen | MSRP $3600 | May 2008
* TH-50PZ800U - 50" screen | MSRP $3200 | May 2008
* TH-46PZ800U - 46" screen | MSRP $2800 | May 2008
* TH-42PZ800U - 40" screen | MSRP $2300 | May 2008

Panasonic Viera PX80 Series

The PX80 Series of televisions are Panasonic's entry-line of plasmas and feature a native 720p resolution. An entry level line means there is a sacrifice in features compared to the more advanced lines, with the benefit being a significantly lower price. One of the big changes from the 2007 to 2008 models is the replacement of the anti-glare screen to an anti-reflective screen across the entire lineup. Panel life has also been extended from 60,000 hours to 100,000 hours. The step-up line over the PX80 Series is the PZ80 Series which contains many of the same features, but has a native 1080p resolution.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Great dollar/performance ratio
•Deep blacks
•Decently attractive design
•Long panel life
•Low power consumption

Cons:

•Poor noise reduction capabilities
•Reds are oversaturated and needs to be compensated for

More information

Specs

•720p native resolution
•15,000:1 static contrast ratio, 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
•Game mode
•VIERA link
•Inputs: 3xHDMI 1.3, Component, Composite, S-Video

Clarification on 24p handling - Unlike the higher end PZ800U and PZ850U series, both the PZ80U and PZ85U series perform a 3:2 pulldown on 24p content. What this means is that the 24 frames per second signal is converted into a 60Hz display, with one frame showing for 3 refreshes, and the next frame showing for 2 refreshes. The higher end models display each from for 2 refreshes which makes for smoother motion especially during pans and zooms.

Common to all 2008 Panasonic Plasmas

Anti-reflective screen - created by Fujitsu these screens reduce the amount of ambient reflection that can appear in a brightly lit room.

100,000 hour half life - Panasonic rates the panel to last 100,000 hours, which is about 30 years of regular usage, or 11 years of non-stop, before the brightness of the display is halved.

Models

TH-42PX80U - 42" screen. Spring 2008.
TH-50PX80U - 50" screen. Spring 2008.

Hitachi 1.5 Series - TV

The 1.5 Series from Hitachi combine form and function to offer a 1080p LCD tv in a cabinet that is only 1.5 inches deep. Intended for "luxury living" with the corresponding premium price tag, Hitachi markets this line of sets for affluent homes that want the TV itself to be an aesthetically addition to the room. Hitachi claims these sets are the "world's thinnest" in contrast to JVC which makes the same claim. Both are correct in their own way, as this Hitachi set lacks integrated tuners, and is more technically called a monitor, while the JVCs contain the television tuners.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Ridiculously thin
•Wide viewing angle
•Sleek design

Cons:

•Very expensive
•No tuners
•Limited video/audio input options

More information

Specs

•1080p native resolution
•120Hz
•15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
•450-500cd/m2 brightness
•IPS-Alpha panels
•Two 6-Watt speakers
•Inputs: HDMI x 1, VGA x 1

Due to the slim nature of the design the TV's inputs are limited to only 1 HDMI and 1 VGA. When used in conjunction with a receiver this may be sufficient, but for those that wish to connect more devices directly to the television, an external "Audio/Visual" center can be purchased for $299.

IPS-Alpha Panels - Hitachi uses the same panel technology as Sharp which allows for greater viewing angles without a loss in color and contrast ratio. Hitachi claims that the TV will retain a 100:1 contrast ratio at an angle of 178 degrees. IPS gains the greater viewing angle at the expense of color vibrancy found in the panels used by Samsung and Sony.

Models

The 1.5s are available in two distinct lines, the Director's Series, which is more expensive than the companion Ultra Vision series, as the Director's Series comes with a two year warranty as opposed to one, and most likely improved specifications but exact details are unknown at this point.

Director's Series

UT32X802 | 32" screen | $1,999 | March 2008 | 720p | No 120Hz
UT32X812 | 32" screen | $2,299 | August 2008 | 720p
UT37X902 | 37" screen | $2,999 | April 2008
UT42X902 | 42" screen | $3,699 | May 2008
UT47X902 | 47" screen | $4,699 | September 2008

UltraVision -- V Series

UT32A302 | 32" screen | $1,799 | August 2008 | 720p | No 120Hz
UT32V502 | 32" screen | $2,099 | August 2008
UT37V702 | 37" screen | $2,799 | July 2008
UT42V702 | 42" screen | $3,499 | July 2008
UT47V702 | 47" screen | $4,499 | September 2008