Sony Bravia KDL-55HX923
One thing this LED giant has in abundance is style. Corner-to-corner glass, reclining casually on a soundbar-stand, it’s probably the only telly in this group which can be parked in a regular room and not feel oversized.
All mods cons are provided. The Sony Entertainment Network boasts pretty much every streaming service you’ll ever want, including Sony’s own Movies Unlimited VOD channel, while media playback from USB is accomplished.
Unfortunately, the screen comes a cropper on picture performance. While black levels are deep, colours excellent and motion clarity high, careful scrutiny reveals a weird line on the left and right hand edges of the screen. Sony calls this a “visible un-uniformity.” It’s a crying shame, because once spotted you can’t help but look for it. Even bright vivid 3D can’t save the day after that.
Reg Rating 80%
Price £2769
More info Sony
Toshiba Regza 55WL863
Toshiba’s first screen to utilise the Cevo engine multi-processor represents a significant step away from the pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap aisles. Much of Cevo’s silicon muscle is turned over to image processing, both for 3D and ‘net delivered streaming content, and its contributions are easy to appreciate. Full HD Active Shutter 3D is bright and extraordinarily sharp.
There’s some crosstalk double imaging evident, but it seems churlish to carp. Rather irritatingly, there are no 3D goggles included in the box. The set’s Jacob Jensen design is understated but classy and build quality is excellent. The TV sports both Freeview HD and DVB-C2 satellite tuners, as well as has integrated Wi-Fi. Regular 2D hi-def shines.
Not that you’ll be in too much of a hurry to visit Toshiba’s on-line portal Places, as it’s largely uninhabited. Still, with both BBC iPlayer and YouTube available from the main menu, you’ll not really notice. As far as big tellies goes, this Tosh offers plenty in terms of price and performance. ®
Reg Rating 85%
Price £1800
More info Toshiba
Ten... Monster tellies
COMMENTS
what size?
whats the point in this when you dont even bother listing the screen size. out of all 10 only 1 mentioned size.. pointless, uesless and uniformative.. and yes how about putting them in real world environment... big sofa, pizza and 4 guys playing MW3 on em.
TV?
What serious home cinema type uses a TV?
Home cinema is a front projection screen more then 80" or so, seating at 1.2x screen width, and with real surround sound, not that shit where the speakers come in the same box as the amplifier. Oh, and a pitch black room. Most theaters now seem to have 50 exit signs of street-light level brightness, but that sure as hell isn't in the specs. Neither is moonlight coming in your window! For christ's sake, people, it's just not the same when you see a reflection of your buddy opening the fridge, just as the joker is asking, "Why so serious?"! People, have some self-respect!
A television for a home theater?! I mean, really, when was the last time you went to the movies and they had a light transmitting display? You want to watch a movie, fine... a tv will work. If you want to watch it like the director intended, you need front projection, big-ass sound, a totally isolated, dedicated environment, and the first two calibrated to perfection. This does -not- mean setting 'cinema 1' and calling it a day. It's wrong. Throw that shit out, get a colorimeter, and learn to do it yourself.
See, that's "home theater enthusiast" - someone who wants to watch movies -right-. Having a kick-ass TV is just watching movies a bit less wrong.
It's not like non-home-theater people are stupid for not doing all that stuff, it's just that something set up in your living room with a TV just ain't home theater, any more than putting your netbook on the coffee table is good television.
@Nobody cares about Philips
Once you've owned an Ambilight television, you'll never want to own another set without it.
I've got the original Aurea by Philips, and while I don't dispute the better picture quality of more recent televisions from Philips and other manufacturers, the overall effect cannot be beaten (except by the Aurea II, of course).
Size matters
I agree, ok I can work it out but if you are doing a review on big tellys then size should be in there as part of the review...
Size matters to Paris Hilton
corner?
what serious home cinema type has the TV in a corner?
TV should be straight facing you on a wall, especially with a 5.1/7.1 setup
