**First 1080P display added to the list with a $550 list price**
It was only May 29th 2009 when I added 22 new 2009 LG screens to the list. Now just a little over a week later there are 4 more models that will soon be released. The 50-60 inch screens are much more enjoyable for movie watching, but not every room in ones house can hold that large of display. It was only yesterday when I saying that it would be nice to have a screen smaller then 32 inches for a kitchen or office area. To my surprise when I went to the LG website I discovered that LG just released specs for a new 26 inch and 22 inch 1080P display with 2:2 pulldown 48HZ refresh rate. These sizes are ideal for connecting a BLU-RAY player or HD 1080P/24 Direct TV receiver to a kitchen or office location. For only $550 list price one can have a 22 inch 1080P with 2 HDMI version 1.3 inputs, Deep Color Support, 20,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, and the display is ISFccc Ready (it would be nice to know what the ANSI contrast is). If one has more room in the kitchen or office the 26 inch LG 26LU55 is a better model in terms of picture quality and features. The 26 inch model has 30,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, ISFccc Ready, 3 HDMI version 1.3 inputs, and Deep Color Support.
1080P displays keep getting cheaper and cheaper. I never thought in 2009 that a 1080P that displays 1080p/24 at 48HZ could be purchased for only $550 list price. Mail order price most likely will be under $500 for the LG 22LU55. In another year or two perhaps display manufactories will stop making 720P displays and only make 1080P's.
Also added to the list is LG's new 120HZ 5:5 pulldown 47 inch and 55 inch LH85 series. The LH85 series has a media box that uses an uncompressed wireless 1080p transmission to get rid of messy cables. Personally I prefer using HDMI cables and do not like wireless. If there is a lot of RF interference in one's home or office the transmission would be lost or digital artifacts would appear on the screen. In the ideal world if there is no RF interference at the 60GHZ frequency the picture and sound of the wireless transmission should be just as good of quality in theory as using HDMI cables.
Many of the LG displays now have passed Simplay Labs certification process for HDCP compatibility when connecting HDCP devices with a HDMI cable. A complete list of brands and models that have passed this important certification test can be found at the following link http://www.simplayhd.com/consumers/verified_products.aspx
48 HZ LG displays:
If the LG LCD product has only Real Cinema without TruMotion then the display is both a 60HZ and 48HZ LCD display. If Real Cinema is off in the menu and a 1080p/24 signal is received by the LG then the display adds 3:2 pulldown judder and converts the signal to 60HZ. If the Real Cinema feature is turned on in the display, according to the spec sheet and instruction manual the LG display will do a true 48HZ 2:2 pulldown when it receives a 1080p/24 signal.
Reference: 1. The 48HZ 2:2 pulldown feature is listed in the LG spec sheets under "24p Real Cinema"for all 48HZ models on the list. 2. On page 76 of the LG manual it mentions 48 fps when using the Real Cinema feature. Quote from LG manual "Makes video clips recorded in film look more natural by eliminating judder effect."
120 HZ and 240 HZ LG displays:
For all the new 2009 LG 240HZ and 120HZ LCD models when the TruMotion feature is turned off and Real Cinema is turned on the display will do a true 5:5 pulldown at 120HZ when a 1080p/24 signal is received. According to the LG spec sheets for every LG 240HZ display the 240HZ feature only works for normal TV viewing with 60HZ sources. The LG 240HZ spec sheets clearly lists 5:5 pulldown only for "24p Real Cinema". 5:5 pulldown always means 120HZ at multiplies of the original frame rate. In the past I have seen errors in LG spec sheets and manuals when it comes to the 1080p/24 feature and how it works. I am waiting for a professional review to make sure this is not another LG misprint. So according to all the 240HZ LG spec sheets the display is really only 120HZ 5:5 pulldown when a 1080p/24 signal is received.
Reference: 1. The 120HZ 5:5 pulldown feature is listed in the LG spec sheets under "24p Real Cinema"for all 240HZ and 120HZ models on the list. 2. On page 76 of the LG manual it mentions 120 fps when using the Real Cinema feature. Quote from LG manual "Makes video clips recorded in film look more natural by eliminating judder effect."
Warning about LG LCD burn in issue:
I was very surprised to hear that LG LCD screens have burn in issues just like plasma screens. In general the selling feature of LCD screens was that they did not have the burn in problems that plasma screens have. On page 8 of the LG manual it warns people to not display a fixed image on a LCD screen for 2 hours or more (Only 1 hour or more for LG plasmas). I am not aware of any other LCD manufactory that warns against LCD burn in issues. Click the following link to download manual (see page 8) http://www.lge.com/us/tv-audio-video/televisions/LG-lcd-tv-42LH40.jsp#
(Visible flicker at 48HZ when using 1080p/24 signals)
Just like all other reviews on the Panasonic G10 series when a 1080p/24 signal is received a visible flicker appears on the screen when using the 2:2 pulldown 48HZ film quality mode. I am hoping that someday all future Panasonic models would use either 3:3 pulldown 72HZ or 4:4 pulldown 96HZ (Or higher multiplies of 24fps). I am surprised Panasonic even offers the 48HZ setting since all the reviews mention the flicker issue.
Quote
" For 1080p/24 material, the 24p Direct In option lets you select either 24 fps (displayed at 48 fps) or 60 fps (with 3:2 pulldown added). For me, 48 fps wasn’t fast enough to eliminate visible flicker on some program material. Because of this, I used the 60-Hz setting for most of the review, even with 1080p/24 sources."
I am waiting for a review on the new LG Plasma's. So far I have not seen documentation to support that. In the past all LG plasmas did 60HZ refresh only. Also sometimes the LG spec sheets and manauls have incorrect information. Last year some LCD models had to be pulled from the list since the manuals and spec sheets were incorrect for sizes below 37 inches. This year LG spec sheets claim all 1080P LCD standalone screens are using multiplies of the original frame rate at either 2:2 pulldown or 5:5 pulldown witth 1080P/24 inputs. The 720P models are not included on the list, but the spec sheet for all 2009 720P LG models show they take a 1080p/24 signal and display the image on the screen at 720P with a 48HZ refresh rate.
I am hearing rumors that some Samsung plasma displays in the future might offer true 1080p/24 refresh rates with deeper blacks. If those rumors come true some Samsung plasmas maybe in late 2009 or 2010 might be added to the list.
The DreamVision Dream' E SXRD Front Projector will not be added to the list since it is 60HZ only
The DreamVision Dream'E, 3 chip SXRD Front Projector costs $5,295 and $9,595 with the anamorphic lens. Unfortunately it displays 1080p/24 material at 60HZ using a 3:2 pulldown process.
Quote
" The projector can accept 1080p/24, which it displays at 60 hertz, and you can tweak the alignment of the red and blue imaging panels horizontally and vertically to help minimize color-alignment errors."
DreamVision makes excellent quality SXRD Front Projectors. The high quality Dream Vision Dreambee 48HZ model and Dreambee 2 72HZ model are on the list for those that want to display 1080p/24 signals just like a film projector does.
10 new Toshiba 1080P 120HZ flat panels have been added to the list
According to the Toshiba spec sheets there are 10 new Toshiba LCD flat panels that offers true 5:5 pulldown mode. On the Toshiba 120HZ models when Film stabilization is set to standard mode the display will do a true 5:5 pulldown at 120HZ. This is an important feature for BLU-RAY owners and any other device that outputs 1080p/24 signals. When the 5:5 pulldown option is on while watching a BLU-RAY the image on the screen looks more like film instead of an artificial video look. The Toshiba 670U series and 650U series are true 120HZ displays with a backlight scanning system that simulates a 240HZ effect. Currently the review I read regarding the 650U series mentioned that the "240HZ effect" does not do much to improve the quality of picture and motion since it does not really change the frame rate of the display. Hopefully next year Toshiba will offer some models with "true 240HZ" that has 10:10 pulldown when 1080p/24 signals are received.
Another interesting note is all the Toshiba spec sheets have a footnote listed next to the "Cinema Mode 24fps" section that says "Viewing 24 frames per second requires content created in 480p / 24 frames/second." If one looks at that quote it sounds like one can only use a special Toshiba 480P upconvert DVD player with reverse 3:2 pulldown to get 5:5 pulldown to work. I know Toshiba lost the format war to BLU-RAY but it would have been nice to mention 1080p/24 signals can also be used for 5:5 pulldown mode. I have read a review on the Toshiba 650U series that confirms that 1080p/24 signals are converted to 1080P/120 when Film Stabilization is set to standard mode. Also the research I have done has provided me evidence that this Film Stabilization feature works just like last years models with Film Stabilization. A review link on the Toshiba 650U series will follow this posting.
The amazing thing is the Toshiba 40XV640U and 40XV645U has a list price of only $999.99. Also Toshiba has a new 55SV670U and 46SV670U LCD models that offer "Local Dimming" LED backlighting. The price of the 55 inch model is $2,999.99. The 46 inch model is only $2,399.99. Without the stand they are only 4.45 inches deep, which is an improvement over other brands. It is good to see LCD's with local dimming being made smaller in depth now. No reviews on this model yet, most likely will not be as good of picture quality as the Sony XBR8 models.
Click on links below to read Toshiba spec sheets
LCD with Local Dimming LED backlighting (flat panel)
Toshiba 47ZV650U 1080P 120HZ LCD flat screen review link
The list has been updated for the 650U series to include a link to this CNET review. According to the Toshiba spec sheet and the CNET review when a 1080p/24 BLU-RAY player is connected this display will do a true 5:5 pulldown when Film stabilization is set to standard mode. The Toshiba 650U series are true 120HZ displays with a backlight scanning system that simulates a 240HZ effect. Hopefully next year Toshiba will offer some models with "true 240HZ" that has 10:10 pulldown when 1080p/24 signals are received.
Quotes
"The other setting is called "Film Stabilization" and it has three choices: Off, Standard, and Smooth--all three deliver identical motion resolution numbers."
"On the Toshiba, Standard doesn't introduce dejudder; it simply allows the TV to preserve the proper cadence of 24-frame sources, namely Blu-rays with the player set to 1080p/24 output mode. In such a setup, the ZV650U series' Standard setting worked well to keep the cadence intact, removing the hitching motion seen on the Panasonic plasma, for example, as the camera flies over the deck of the Intrepid during "I Am Legend."
"Picture quality on the ZV650U was solid, albeit not up to the standards of the best flat-panel LCDs we've tested this year. The TV's main strength was color accuracy, thanks in part to those extensive adjustments, while black level performance was a major weakness. Toshiba's 240Hz effect didn't contribute significantly one way or the other to the TV's overall performance."
4 New 96HZ 1080P Panasonic Plasma screens have been added to the list
CNET review link for the TC-P50V10
Note: The CNET review is for the TC-P50V10 and TC-P54V10 which both have the exact same picture quality with the only difference being cost, dimensions, weight, and power consumption (Also the 54 inch stand does not swivel). According to CNET only the 50 inch and 54 inch models will use the one sheet of glass design, the larger screens of 58 and 65 inch should in theory have around the same picture quality but with a separate traditional bezel around the screen. The 58 inch and 65 inch are scheduled to be released in June and will be reviewed by CNET and other magazines sometime in the future.
There are so many positive things to say about the new Panasonic TC-P50V10 and TC-P54V10. I am going to start off with the negative to get that out of the way. The discontinued reference Pioneer Kuro has a better overall picture quality when compared to the new Panasonic V10 series according to the CNET review. One unique feature of the Pioneer is that it automatically displays 1080p/24 signals at 72HZ regardless of menu settings. It is awesome the new Panasonic does not have a flicker at 96HZ but for some reason Panasonic also decided to include the 48HZ mode that produces the unpopular flicker on the screen. It would have been better if Panasonic would have made the V10 display so that it automatically displays all 1080p/24 signals at 96HZ regardless of menu settings (ideal for the average consumer that does not know that the 96Hz mode is the best setting). The new Panasonic V10 allows one to select either 48HZ, 60HZ, or 96HZ as the refresh rate when a 1080p/24 signal is received. Of course some people might want to compare the Panasonic 48HZ flicker mode, 60HZ 3:2 pulldown judder mode, and 96HZ film quality mode with 1080p/24 source material. The best mode to use on the Panasonic is the 96HZ mode that maintains the quality of film when playing a 1080P/24 source. The Panasonic will display 60HZ material at 60HZ. According to CNET 60HZ sources are fixed at 60HZ. To my knowledge the Panasonic does not have a reverse 3:2 pulldown mode, and since the CNET review says the 60HZ sources are fixed that most likely is true. The advantage of the Pioneer Kuro is that when it received 60HZ film based programs that contained 3:2 pulldown from cable or satellite it would do a reverse 3:2 pulldown and display the image at 72HZ. On the Pioneer this worked for 480I, 480P, 720P, and 1080I film based programs.
It is my understanding that the new V10 series offers a true 4:4 pulldown mode at 96HZ. Will need to read further professional reviews to verify. For example the Panasonic TH-65VX100U review mentioned that the display was a 48HZ Plasma with "pseudo 96Hz" to minimize the flicker. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=1581568&postcount=692
Since it appears the V10 series offers true 4:4 pulldown at 96HZ that is even better then the Panasonic TH-65VX100U that is 48Hz with "pseudo 96HZ". It would be nice to know if the V10 series offers HDMI 1.2a or 1.3 and if it supports Deep Color. The Panasonic TH-65VX100U that costs $10,000 only has HDMI 1.2a and does not support Deep Color. Hopefully a future review from another professional magazine will mention if the V10 has Deep Color and HDMI 1.3. The Pioneer Kuro plasmas have HDMI 1.3 and up to 36 bit Deep Color support.
Positives of the review
Ok as mentioned before the reference Pioneer Kuro plasma is still better quality compared to the V10. Of course since Pioneer no longer makes plasma screens and the fact they are hard to find in stock makes that less of an issue. The good news is that the new Panasonic V10 most likely will outperform the Sony KDL-55XBR8. CNET claimed that the new Panasonic V10 outperformed any LCD-based display including all LED based models. What is disappointing is CNET did not do a direct comparison between the V10 and the Sony XBR8. As mentioned before in several other reviews Pioneer is the best and the Sony XBR8 is second best. Most likely now the new Panasonic V10 is second best and the Sony XBR8 is number 3 (Of course will need to wait for more professional reviews to be sure). If the Panasonic 54 inch V10 can out perform the Sony XBR8 that is amazing. The Sony KDL-55XBR8 list price use to be $7,000 until recently it was lowered to $5,499. The Panasonic TC-P54V10 list price is only $2,599.95. One could purchase two Panasonic TC-P54V10 screens for less then the price of one Sony 55 inch XBR8.
Panasonic offers one of the best pictures at an excellent value and now they have 96HZ film quality refresh rates at amazing low price. The great thing about Panasonic plasmas is that they have a awesome viewing angle. Sony XBR8 and all other existing LCD based screens have poor viewing angles when compared to plasma (LCD screens keep improving in viewing angles but they still have not matched the quality of plasmas when it comes to viewing angles). Since Pioneer plasma screens are no longer made and if I could not find a Pioneer Plasma I most likely would purchase a Panasonic V10, Z1, or higher-end Panasonic Pro model. Perhaps in a couple years Panasonic might be able match or beat the quality of the top of the line discontinued Pioneer PRO-141FD that lists for $7,000.
Here are some quotes from the CNET review
"The good: Superb black-level performance with excellent shadow detail; relatively accurate color in Custom mode after adjustment; great color saturation; properly handles 1080p/24 sources without flicker; uses less power than previous 1080p plasmas; VieraCast provides access to select Internet services; plenty of connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input."
"The bad: Expensive; less accurate primary and secondary colors in non-THX modes; somewhat limited picture controls; still less efficient than comparable LCDs."
"The bottom line: The high-end Panasonic TC-PV10 series of plasmas delivers the overall best picture quality of any flat-panel HDTV we've tested so far this year."
"In our review of Panasonic's G10 plasma we discussed how it competed for picture quality supremacy against Pioneer's now-discontinuedKuro PRO-111FD--still the best HDTV ever--and how ultimately it couldn't quite match the Kuro.The same basic story stays true for the TC-PV10 series, but it's even better than the G10. This Panasonic plasma has the same deep blacks that grace its less expensive little brother, and adds a couple of key improvements: better video processing to handle 1080p/24 sources, and more picture adjustments that allow it to transcend the limitations of THX mode. Its picture should satisfy all but the pickiest of videophiles, and it also outperforms any LCD-based display, LED or otherwise, we've ever tested."
"As Panasonic's nearly top-of-the-line plasma series, excepting the Z1, the V10 models offer a couple of extras. One is the ability to refresh the screen at 96Hz, which allows the TV to properly maintain the cadence of film when fed a 1080p/24 source--typically from a Blu-ray player (the refresh rate remains fixed at the standard 60Hz for non-1080p/24 sources). The V10 also has a 48Hz setting, but we recommend using 96Hz instead since the 48Hz option can introduce flicker."
"Video processing: The V10 was superb in this category. Our first order of business was to confirm that the 96Hz mode worked as advertised. It did. We tried our favorite test for proper 24-frame cadence, the flyover of the deck of the Intrepid from "I Am Legend," and the motion looked as film-like as we've come to expect from displays that handle 1080p/24 sources correctly--just the standard rapid-fire judder of film without the hitching motion associated with 2:3 pulldown. We saw similar success in camera moving across the airplanes and oil fields in Chapter 16 of "Baraka." For the record, we engaged the 60Hz setting and the hitching returned, and when we switched to 48Hz the flicker seen on the G10 and other so-equipped Panasonic plasmas was in full effect. Maybe it goes without saying, but for the full videophile experience we recommend using 96Hz mode with your Blu-ray player set to output 1080p/24."
"Performance
In all the Panasonic TC-PV10 series delivers the best picture quality of any flat-panel TV we've tested so far this year. Its deep black levels are it biggest strength, and its color reproduction was accurate enough, especially given the extra controls, to satisfy all but the strictest videophiles. Said videophiles will also appreciate the V10's ability to properly handle 1080p/24 sources."
"Black level: The V10 exhibited the best black level performance we've seen on any flat-panel HDTV aside from the G10 and the Pioneer."
"...blacks were basically the same on the G10 and visibly deeper on the Pioneer."
"Color accuracy:Overall color on the V10 was quite good, although by no means perfect. The color decoding of Custom mode over-accentuates red a bit, so we had to back the color control down quite a bit to compensate and prevent skin tones from looking too ruddy. As a result saturation wasn't quite as lush as on our reference Pioneer, but it was still as good or better than the other models, as evinced by the vibrant colors of the tribesmen in Chapter 7 for example."
"On big advantage the V10 showed over the LCDs in our comparison was its ability to reproduce a true color of black that wasn't too bluish. Its grayscale stayed true even in the darkest areas, even surpassing the G10 and the Pioneer in this regard."
Click on the following link to read the full CNET review
(June/July/August 2009 Sound and Vision magazine review)
(Visible flicker at 48HZ when using 1080p/24 signals)
Just like all other reviews on the Panasonic G10 series when a 1080p/24 signal is received a visible flicker appears on the screen when using the 2:2 pulldown 48HZ film quality mode. I am hoping that someday all future Panasonic models would use either 3:3 pulldown 72HZ or 4:4 pulldown 96HZ (Or higher multiplies of 24fps). I am surprised Panasonic even offers the 48HZ setting since all the reviews mention the flicker issue.
Quote from page 68 of Sound and Vision magazine June/July/August 2009 issue
"As with the Panasonic Z800-series TV that I tested last year (the TH-50PZ800U; review available online), the 46G10's image showed an objectionable degree of flicker when I engaged its 48-Hz display setting (a mode designed to reduce judder with Blu-ray Disc movies when the player's 1080p/24-format output is active). Plenty of other HDTVs can display Blu-ray content at multiplies of the formats native 1080p/24 frame rate with no problem, so it's too bad Panasonic didn't correct that issue this time out."
4 New Sony 1080P LCD Flat Panels have been added to the list
According to Sony's specs listed on the official Sony Style website the following 4 TV's all have 120HZ with motion flow (also sometimes called motion enhancer). According to all the reliable reviews when 120HZ motion flow is turned off a 1080p/24 signal will be displayed correctly using 5:5 pulldown on the Sony displays.
Displays just added to the list (click on model numbers to see spec sheet)
As mentioned before in prior posts I am aware of Sony's new KDL-52XBR7 display that has 240HZ refresh rate. Since this is the very first 240HZ LCD on the market I am waiting for a professional review or more details from Sony regarding how 1080p/24 signals are handled before adding it to the list. Hopefully the new display has 10:10 pulldown when 1080p/24 is received. I did have an opportunity of viewing the 240HZ Sony display for a few minutes running a 60HZ source and I was amazed at the smooth motion during fast moving action scenes, I have never seen LCD look so go with motion. When compared to the 120HZ XBR8 with LED backlighting I liked the colors better on the XBR8. The ideal future Sony LCD will be one that offers 240HZ or higher refresh rate with LED backlighting. Hopefully that is in the works this year since VIZIO plans on offering a 240HZ LCD with LED backlighting for under $2,000 around July 2009. Currently no VIZIO is on the list since it appears they all use 3:2 pulldown when a 1080p/24 signal is received.
What settings need to be turned off in order to properly display 1080p/24 on these sets? I know I need to turn off MotionFlow, but what about Cinemotion?
Here are the Cinemotion Details:
CineMotion
Automatically detects film-based content and applies an inverse 3-2 pull-down process and a motion estimation engine to improve film content and de-interlacing performance.
Off
Turns off CineMotion.
Auto 1
Applies an inverse 3-2 pull-down process along with motion estimation to obtain the smoothest picture quality and reduces artifacts of moving images. Select for standard use.
Auto 2
Applies only the inverse 3-2 pull-down process. Picture movement will be similar to the original film.
(this option is not available with model KDL-40SL150)
What settings need to be turned off in order to properly display 1080p/24 on these sets? I know I need to turn off MotionFlow, but what about Cinemotion?
Here are the Cinemotion Details:
CineMotion
Automatically detects film-based content and applies an inverse 3-2 pull-down process and a motion estimation engine to improve film content and de-interlacing performance.
Off
Turns off CineMotion.
Auto 1
Applies an inverse 3-2 pull-down process along with motion estimation to obtain the smoothest picture quality and reduces artifacts of moving images. Select for standard use.
Auto 2
Applies only the inverse 3-2 pull-down process. Picture movement will be similar to the original film.
(this option is not available with model KDL-40SL150)
?
When Motionflow is on interpolation of new frames are created to give a smooth video look with motion artifacts once and a while. Some people like a smooth video type of look. Many people including myself prefer the repeating frame method for a more film quality look. When watching BLU-RAY movies that are encoded at 1080p/24 the only menu setting that matters for 24p is the MotionFlow setting. When Motionflow is turned off and a 1080p/24 signal is received all 120HZ Sony's will do a true 5:5 pulldown.
Now my understanding when it comes to Cinemotion is that both Auto 1 and Auto 2 will try and detect film based material that contains 3:2 pulldown. If Cinemotion detects 3:2 pulldown from DVD, cable, or satellite it will do a reverse 3:2 pulldown to eliminate the 3:2 pulldown judder. I believe that Auto 1 will interpolate new frames and Auto 2 will use the 5:5 pulldown repeat frame method (That is my theory, not 100% sure).
So the best setting when watching BLU-RAY's would be to have Motionflow off. When watching DVD, cable, and satellite movies that are film based Cinemotion Auto 2 in theory should be on.
Samsung UN55B7000 120HZ LCD HDTV June 2009 Home Theater magazine review link
The link on the list has been updated to take one directly to the page in the June 2009 Home Theater review were it talks about the 5:5 pulldown process for the B7000 series.
The Samsung B7000 series LCD with LED backlighting displays will properly display 1080p/24 signals at 120HZ using the 5:5 pulldown method when Auto Motion Plus is turned off. Another positive about the Samsung is it detects 3:2 pulldown in film based sources like 480I, 480P, 720P, 1080I, and even 1080P at 60HZ. The Samsung B7000 series will then do a reverse 3:2 pulldown if it detects it in the source material. So when watching film based sources on DVD, cable, and satellite the Samsung will upconvert the signal to 1080P at 120HZ using the 5:5 pulldown method. Of course BLU-RAY source material encoded at 1080p/24 is better quality then anything else available to the consumer. The entire 3:2 pulldown process is bypassed completely with BLU-RAY 1080p/24 encoded discs when connected to a proper display.
The Samsung UN55B7000 does not have as good of picture quality as the discontinued Pioneer Kuro. Also LCD with Local Dimming LED backlighting displays like the Sony KDL-55XBR8 and Samsung LN-55A950 have a better picture quality compared to the Samsung UN55B7000. The Samsung B7000 series is a LCD with Edge-Lit LED backlighting and is considered a medium quality display that is better then any other standard LCD display when it comes to picture quality (black levels and shadow details are better then any other standard LCD display tested so far according to the review). Only Local Dimming LCD models outperform the Samsung B7000 series. At a $3,800 list price the LCD Edge-Lit LED backlighting Samsung UN55B7000 is cheaper then many Local Dimming LCD models on the market.
Quality issues with the new Samsung?
HD displays use to have better quality control. For example the Pioneer Elite Signature series were hand checked to make sure all the inputs worked and to make sure there was not any major problems before the display left the factory. Today with the goal of most manufactories trying to make things cheaper, products are no longer hand checked by humans before they leave the factory.
What is disturbing is according to the Home Theater review written by Thomas J. Norton the Samsung UN55B7000 sample he received only worked for a few days before the picture quality went bad. That bad sample was returned to Samsung but then the second Samsung had problems with the HDMI audio not working correctly. After two bad samples sent to Home Theater magazine they did not request a third sample from Samsung. Home Theater magazine was mainly only interested in the video performance and decided to keep the second sample with the HDMI audio problem. According to the Home Theater magazine review these problems were most likely limited to early production samples and the final Samsungs released to the consumer will not have these issues. The LCD with Edge-Lit LED backlighting displays are new technology and only time will tell how reliable this technology is.
Quote
"So what’s with this LED edge-lighting thing? Apart from the cost (LED backlighting requires a lot of LEDs), one significant problem with behind-the-screen backlighting is that it limits how thin the set can be. The super-thin set manufacturers think the public wants a new approach. If the backlighting can be placed along the edges of the screen and directed where it’s needed, thin can be in. This is hard to do with CCFLs, but LEDs are ideally suited to this approach."
Some positive quotes from the review
"The Samsung UN55B7000 is a 120-hertz set, which means it operates at a refresh rate of 120 Hz. If the source is film based and transferred at 1080p/24, the Samsung repeats each frame four times to bring the source up to 120 Hz—for 5:5 pulldown. According to Samsung, if the set receives a film-based source other than 1080p/24—say, 1080p/60 with 3:2 pulldown—it recognizes this, converts it to 24 Hz (by eliminating the 3:2 pulldown), and again repeats frames to reach the display’s 120-Hz refresh rate. If the source is not film based, the display repeats frames as needed for a 120-Hz refresh.
Like all 120-Hz sets I know of, the Samsung offers frame interpolation to reduce motion lag. Samsung’s name for this feature is Auto Motion Plus 120Hz. When it’s switched on, the set interpolates the added frames rather than simply repeating them.
This process offers several operating modes. The Custom mode provides an interesting option. It has separate, adjustable controls for Judder (for film-based material) and Blur (for video sources). You can set these so that film-based sources are processed only for blur. This leaves the motion characteristics of film intact while still smoothing motion on video material. It also helps alleviate my main issue with frame interpolation: making filmed material look like video. Nevertheless, I did not use Auto Motion Plus 120Hz in this review."
"Samsung refers to the 7000 Series (and many of its other new sets) as LED HDTVs, but the LED designation only refers to the type of backlighting used. Technically, the sets are still LCD designs."
"The UN55B7000 is the largest set in the 7000 Series. At a thin 1.2 inches thick, it’s the slimmest HDTV we’ve reviewed to date."
"..., the UN55B7000’s black level and shadow detail were superior to those from any other LCD I’ve tested, apart from local-dimming designs."
"The Samsung handled most of my standard tests for rich, deep blacks and shadow detail exceptionally well. In my experience, the darkest scenes in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (chapters 2 and 12), Stargate: Continuum (the opening titles sequence and chapters 3 and 21), and Madagascar (chapter 6) have only been handled better by local-dimming sets, the best Pioneer KURO plasmas, and a few projectors."
Some negative quotes from the review
"I had two samples of the Samsung. The first worked fine for a few days, but its picture soon turned an odd, bluish color that was accompanied by severe, noise-like artifacts. It was obviously defective. Samsung sent me a second sample, but that one’s HDMI audio didn’t work consistently. I didn’t request a third set; the second one’s video performance, my main concern here, was fine."
"When the set’s audio was working, its quality was adequate but below average for a flat-panel display. If you use an external sound system, this won’t matter. However, be sure that your system has lip sync (audio delay)—good advice with any new digital display. Most video processing delays the image long enough to produce a small but annoying audio/video disconnect. This isn’t usually an issue with the set’s own sound because the design provides a fixed delay to compensate for it. However, subsequent experience indicates that these two problems were limited to early production samples that will be history by the time this review hits the streets."
"The UN55B7000’s edge lighting doesn’t provide completely uniform illumination, but this was only noticeable with a totally black, full-screen image in a completely dark room. In that situation, the edges and corners of the screen, while still respectably dark, were noticeably lighter than the center. I never noticed uneven screen illumination on normal program material."
"The Samsung’s performance is so striking overall that its single weakness is all the more obvious. As you move off center, the picture begins to degrade. It’s fine for two people on a couch or for three who are either very friendly or not too fussy. But if you move much more than 25 or 30 degrees off center, the black level begins to rise dramatically, which destroys the contrast ratio and bleaches out the set’s gorgeous on-axis color. One word of shopper’s caution: This issue will always be less visible with the super-bright picture settings used in a showroom."
Conclusions "If the last paragraph comes across as a bit of a downer, I must say that the Samsung has a lot of company here. Off-axis image deterioration is an issue with most LCDs, and it’s probably the last serious weakness of LCD designs now that their black levels (in the best sets) have improved dramatically.
However, the Samsung does not have a lot of company when it comes to its combination of outstanding and accurate color, deep blacks, fine shadow detail, precise resolution, and exceptional video processing. If you’re looking for a first-rate LCD set but can’t quite stretch your budget to cover a local-dimming design (a local-dimming Samsung of the same size goes for $5,000, a Sony for $7,000), this set deserves a very close look."
The complete Home Theater review on the Samsung UN55B7000 can be read at the following link:
Samsung UN55B7000 120HZ LCD HDTV June 2009 Ultimate AV mag review link
This review link is almost identical to the Home Theater review link posted above since it was created by the same author. The review is slightly different with some added introduction information.
Quote
"The Samsung UN55B7000 is a 120-hertz set, which means it operates at a refresh rate of 120 Hz. If the source is film based and transferred at 1080p/24, the Samsung repeats each frame four times to bring the source up to 120 Hz—for 5:5 pulldown. According to Samsung, if the set receives a film-based source other than 1080p/24—say, 1080p/60 with 3:2 pulldown—it recognizes this, converts it to 24 Hz (by eliminating the 3:2 pulldown), and again repeats frames to reach the display’s 120-Hz refresh rate."
The Sharp XV-Z15000 DLP Front Projector will not be added to the list
The Sharp XV-Z15000 1080P DLP Front Projector will not be added to the list since it displays 1080p/24 signals at 60HZ using a 3:2 pulldown method instead of the film quality multiplies of the original frame rate method.
Quote
"The shortcomings I’ve described—like its sometimes obvious auto iris operation, inaccurate (and non-correctable) color gamut, and the fact that it doesn’t display 1080p/24 sources in their native frame rate or a direct multiple of that—won’t please all possible buyers." http://hometheatermag.com/frontprojectors/sharp_xv-z15000_dlp_projector/index1.html
The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB 1080P LCD Front Projector
(added to the Front Projector list)
The new Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 6500 UB will properly display 1080p/24 signals from a BLU-RAY player at 96HZ when the 4:4 pulldown mode is turned on. The new Epson overall does not have as good as picture quality when compared to a JVC LCOS Front Projector but for only a $2,999 list price the Epson is a bargain.
A few selected quotes from the July 2009 Home Theater magazine review link
"A 4:4 Pulldown control gives you the option of repeating frames to eliminate the need for 3:2 pulldown. When it’s engaged, each real frame of a 1080p/24 source repeats three times for a displayed refresh rate of 96 hertz. When 4:4 is turned off, the projector’s refresh rate is 120 Hz for all sources. A 120-Hz refresh rate makes another feature possible: Frame Interpolation. This mode has three active levels, Low Normal, High, and Off. It inserts an interpolated frame between each real frame. The Epson will not interpolate a 1080p/24 source unless you first have the player convert it to 1080i or 1080p/60."
"Since the Frame Interpolation mode functions only at a 120-Hz refresh rate, you can’t select both 4:4 Pulldown and Frame Interpolation together. While I did use 4:4 for most of my viewing, I did not use the Frame Interpolation mode (apart from checking it out). I’m not a fan of the feature, which is now common in 120-Hz and higher rate flat-panel displays but is rare in projectors. It smoothes out motion, but it makes film-based material look like video in the process."
" The PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB is one step down in the Epson lineup from the top-of-the-line PowerLite Pro Cinema 7500 UB. The latter is $1,200 more expensive. However, apart from some added features (an anamorphic aspect ratio option and ISFccc Day and Night modes), a black case, a year longer on its warranty, and a spare lamp ($300 if bought separately), it does not appear to add anything that would enhance its basic performance relative to the 6500 UB. The 6500 UB is clearly the bargain buy."
" The Epson’s performance is truly remarkable for the price. It’s not as bright as the more expensive JVC projectors, which, together with their somewhat better blacks, have a bit more life and pop. But this isn’t a night-and-day difference. No projector we’ve yet tested—and few displays of any other type—can exceed the Epson’s color quality and accuracy. Although that isn’t true out of the box, the 6500 UB provides the tools to help a calibrator get it right."
Click on link below to read the entire Home Theater review
New State of the art THX certified JVC Front Projector is the best of the best that beats highend CRT projectors in almost all areas accept black levels.
The JVC DLA-RS20U LCOS ceiling mounted Front Projector is the new reference quality projector that all other projectors will be compared to this year.
(All quotes taken from July/August Widescreen Review magazine)
There is an excellent in depth review on pages 18-27 in the July/August Widescreen review magazine on the JVC DLA-RS20U Front Projector. This projector is the best Front Projector available for the consumer market. Widescreen Review made the projector its reference projector since it produces the sharpest image that beats any high-end CRT projector. The black levels are very good on the JVC DLA-RS20U and almost as deep as a CRT projector (CRT is still better in black levels). The JVC has higher brightness compared to the best CRT projector. At $7,495 this JVC projector is being called an incredible value projector that out performs all other projectors tested that cost several times more. When CRT projectors were still made they use to cost $30,000-$100,000+. In retail stores this JVC DLA-RS20U projector can be found for $7,495, mail order prices can be found for around $5,025.
Like all other JVC Front Projectors the DLA-RS20U will properly display 1080p/24 signals at 96HZ. 60HZ signals are refreshed at 120HZ.
A few select quotes from the Widescreen Review Magazine (July/August 2009, issue 141) Review located on pages 18-27
"24 Hz Input"
"Judder (irregular stuttering motion) is created when 3-2 pulldown is used to convert 24-frame-per-second film to 60-field-per-second interlaced video, or 3-2 frame repetition is used to create 60-frame-per-second progressive video from film sources. Many people become conditioned to ignore the stuttering motion after years of watching movies on broadcast television. However, some people are greatly disturbed by this temporal artifact, and even those accustomed to the judder of broadcast movies are usually quick to appreciate the smoother motion provided by displaying film sources at an integer multiple of the original 24-frames-per-second film rate. Fortunately, movies are stored on HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs with their original 24-frame-per-second film rate, and all current players output 1080p24 native video. Some standalone video processors can also deinterlace and upconvert DVD movies to produce 1080p24 signals without 3-2 frame repetition judder. The RS20 accepts the 1080p/24 signals through its HDMI inputs and displays them at an integer multiple of the 24Hz frame rate.I believe this is so important to reproducing the look of film that I wouldn't consider purchasing a front projector or a video processor without those capabilities."
"I was particularly anxious to watch DVD movies using the RS20 color-management system with my SMPTE C calibration. I used an external video processor to upconvert the DVD film format to 1080p/24 to take advantage of the projector's ability to display 24p video without 3-2 frame repetition judder. The resulting film-like motion, coupled with the extraordinary contrast ratio of the RS20 and its nearly perfect color accuracy, produced some of the most out-standing DVD images I have seen."
"Once again, all of my viewing was done using 24p video to eliminate 3-2 frame repetition judder. But this time, 1080p/24 was the native format of the high-definition film transfers, so no external video processor was required."
"The motion of the Formula One cars racing through the streets of Monte Carlo was fluid and natural, thanks to the 1080p/24 format, and the image depth was very impressive because of the projector's higher gamma."
"The JVC DLA-RS2U 1080p D-ILA video projector not only elevates the contrast ratio standard set by its predecessor, the DLA-RS2U, to new heights, it simultaneously produces significantly more light output for larger screens."
"The RS20 is also THX certified and includes a pre-calibrated THX Movie mode."
"Each of the projectors three D-ILA panels have the same 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution as the 1080i and 1080p high-definition video formats."
"The three-panel design eliminates the need for a color wheel and the potential rainbow color separation artifacts of single-chip DLP projectors."
"The RS20 produces a sharper image... ...than the finest CRT projector..."
"The contrast ratio was an extraordinary 39,960:1."
"This is bar far the best contrast performance I've seen from a non-CRT projector, without using a dynamic iris, and the RS20 still managed to produce excellent brightness."
"The new RS20 lens is a significant improvement compared to the RS2 lens."
"The RS20's higher contrast ratio, and subsequently lower black level with the same peak brightness, produced a more modest, but nevertheless, significant improvement compared to the already superb performance of the RS2."
"It produces extraordinary black levels with higher-than-CRT brightness..."
"While the best DLP projectors have a slight advantage in sharpness and a higher m-ANSI contrast ratio, the far superior full-filed contrast ratio of the RS20 and its subsequently higher useable gamma results in better image depth for most scenes."
"Of course, the 3-panel D-ILA system is completely free of sequential color artifacts (rainbows), which can still be a problem with some single-chip DLP projectors."
"The best high-definition film transfers look more like film than they do on any other lamp-based projector I've seen."
"Final Thoughts"
"The JVC DLA-RS20U merits more than my usual end-of-review summary. The holy grail of home theater is to combine the best qualities of the finest CRT projectors with the advantages of modern lamp-based projectors. The RS20 comes closer to that goal than any projector before it. As I watched many more films than I can discuss here, I consistently found myself thinking that the movie had never looked better - including DVDs that I had watched many times on CRT projectors."
"The extraordinary native contrast ratio of this projector, and its recent JVC brethren, is perhaps the most important technical achievement thus far in the era of lamp-based front projection. It produces extraordinary black levels with higher-than-CRT brightness, which in turn permits higher gamma levels, to render superb image depth without sacrificing shadow contrast. The RS20 has no lamp-based equal in dark-to-moderately-bright scenes, and thanks to its ability to effectively utilize a higher gamma, it holds its own in bright scenes."
"The RS20 is not yet that mythical "perfect projector" we dream about. There are some motion improvements that need to be made, and I highly recommend an external video processor to up convert DVD movies to 1080p/24. It would also be fascinating to see if a really high-end lens could further improve image sharpness, although that would probably double the price of the projector. But as is, the RS20 produces a sharper image with better high-resolution definition than the finest CRT projector, and yet it never looks edgy or digitally processed like some fixed-pixel projectors. It will reveal (and some-times be unjustly blamed for) film transfer flaws or video compression artifacts, but when properly calibrated it won't exaggerate film grain or add noise that isn't in the source. The best high-definition film transfers look more like film then they do on any other lamp-based projector I've seen. The new Color Management System provided the missing colorimetric accuracy that makes the JVC DLA-RS20U ($7,495) not only an incredible value, but also my reference projector.
I am waiting for a review on the new LG Plasma's. So far I have not seen documentation to support that. In the past all LG plasmas did 60HZ refresh only. Also sometimes the LG spec sheets and manauls have incorrect information. Last year some LCD models had to be pulled from the list since the manuals and spec sheets were incorrect for sizes below 37 inches. This year LG spec sheets claim all 1080P LCD standalone screens are using multiplies of the original frame rate at either 2:2 pulldown or 5:5 pulldown witth 1080P/24 inputs. The 720P models are not included on the list, but the spec sheet for all 2009 720P LG models show they take a 1080p/24 signal and display the image on the screen at 720P with a 48HZ refresh rate.
I am hearing rumors that some Samsung plasma displays in the future might offer true 1080p/24 refresh rates with deeper blacks. If those rumors come true some Samsung plasmas maybe in late 2009 or 2010 might be added to the list.
Any review yet on the 60PS60 that confirms either way 1080p/24?
LG spec sheets for other displays like LCD are marked as 5:5 pulldown for 120HZ models and/or mention the real cinema feature.
All the LG Plasma's and Samsung Plasma's every made so far to my knowledge use a 3:2 pulldown process and refresh all images at 60HZ. The 600HZ sub field drive is a marketing buzz word to attract consumers away from 120HZ and 240HZ LCD screens. The average consumer when they see higher Hz numbers automatically think the display is better. A higher hertz number is better when comparing a 60HZ LCD to a 120HZ or 240HZ LCD in the area of motion blur and true 24p pulldown methods. When comparing a 48HZ, 60HZ, or 72HZ plasma to current in production 240HZ LCD's, most plasma's will outperform the LCD when fast moving source material is played. 60HZ only Plasma's will not provide the full benefit of 1080p/24 signals from BLU-RAY, Direct TV 1080p/24 On Demand, and other 1080p/24 sources. Multiplies of the original frame rate is a important BLU-RAY feature for those that want a more natural film quality look without 3:2 pulldown judder. Of course other picture quality issues are more important then having true 24p refresh rates. Off angle viewing, deep blacks, shadow detail, and resolution are more important issues when comparing TV's then the 1080p/24 feature. There have been some 60HZ plasma displays that have outperformed 120HZ LCD screens in over all picture quality when the room is dark.
I still recommend displays that have the multiplies of the original frame method for those that watch a lot of BLU-RAY's. The camera pans with fast motion are more natural and film like when 24p is repeated at 48HZ, 72HZ, 96HZ, 120HZ, 240HZ, and higher (Interpolation being turned off).
The very first 1080P flat panel on the market that supported 72HZ refresh for 1080p/24 signals was the 50 inch Pioneer PRO-FHD1 back in 2006. Pioneer was ahead of its time compared to the competition. All Pioneer 1080P plasmas made correctly displayed 1080p/24 signals. Pioneer the performance leader in plasma stopped production of all plasmas in the USA in April 2009. Also Hitachi this year left the Plasma business in the USA. Hitachi had 3 48HZ models to choose from. Unfortunately LG and Samsung do not have any plasma displays yet that display 1080p/24 signals at multiplies of the original frame rate. The good news is Panasonic just recently started offering Plasma displays with 96HZ refresh rates. The Panasonic TC-P65V10 is a 65 inch plasma that properly displays 1080p/24 signals when 96HZ is turned on in the menu.
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