Samsung TVs & HDTVs Best Reviews

 Am I the only one who thinks the pixel size on typical computer monitors is way too small? Fortunately, one can buy HDTVs and essentially choose their pixel size, which is what I did with this 26" Sony Bravia. With my PC, I can run it at 1360 x 768 pixels, and the Bravia is smart enough not to scale it ("1:1 pixel mapping" is what it’s called). In fact, no matter what resolution I send to the Bravia via my computer (600x800, 768x1024), the Bravia shows it unscaled, and this results in a smaller, centered image with black borders. This applies to both the VGA (PC) input and also the HDMI (via a DVI adapter) input.

Also note that I had previously tried using a 26" LG HDTV, but the LG had fuzzy/blurry text on both the HDMI and VGA inputs. Not so with the Sony — text is razor sharp. However, I do note that colored text (e.g., blue text on a white background) will sometimes have some artifacts around the edges — this may be due to the S-PVA panel design… I don’t know. I can live with it, though, especially since there is no problem with black text on a white background.

Comparing this to the other TVs in the stores, I noticed that the colors were "truer" on the Sony than other sets, presumably due to the wide color gamut backlight. I did notice however that the Panasonic set had a more pleasing degradation for off-axis viewing — with the Sony, just a slight change in left/right changed the amount of black detail. The Panasonic image seemed more consistent with slight viewing angle changes (however, the Panasonic didn’t appear to be designed for computer use at all).

As for the TV’s speakers, well, they seem a bit "tinny" — I’ll stick with my computer speakers.

Also, one nice feature is that when using the VGA input, the Bravia will automatically go into standby mode if no signal is fed into it, and power back up when a signal is detected. Unfortunately, this feature does not work when the computer is hooked up via the HDMI input, so one would have to manually turn the TV on or off if you use this input (although I can’t really discern any difference in picture quality between the HDMI and VGA inputs, which is good, because with the LG HDTV I tried, the VGA quality was far worse than HDMI).

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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Savor the rich colors and superb high definition picture quality of a digital LCD?and enjoy it at an incredible value. The KDL-26S3000 BRAVIA S-Series digital LCD television delivers improved color performance and several picture enhancements thanks to the BRAVIA Engine full digital processor. And the Xross Media Bar on-screen menu system makes is simple to quickly access setup functions and features. For the ultimate convenience, BRAVIA Theatre Sync allows you to control your specially-equipped Sony HDMI components with the touch of a button. Sit back and enjoy an unprecedented level of depth, color and clarity with this 32" Class (31.5" diagonal) BRAVIA S-Series digital LCD HDTV. Beautifully styled and built to the highest standards, this television adds class to any room while its picture makes watching your favorite movies and TV programs even more enjoyable. With the BRAVIA Engine full digital video processor, you immediately notice improved color and sharper details, no matter what you’re watching. For uncompressed, all-digital audio and video integration, this HDTV features HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and PC connectivity that lets you seamlessly hook up compatible PCs and components to the large display. An innovative light sensor also monitors ambient light in the room and automatically adjusts screen brightness, making it much more comfortable for viewing.

BRAVIA Engine Full Digital Video Processor
BRAVIA S-Series LCD televisions use Sony’s BRAVIA Engine full digital video processor for crisp and clear images. Several special picture enhancement technologies are integrated into the processor to create better gradations with more detail, enhance contrast, and dynamically improve color performance. > Digital Noise Reduction Circuits: Reduces block noise and mosquito noise by using pixel-level filtering to reproduce a clean and clear picture. And Motion Vector Noise Reduction reduces just the noise in the video signal for video further reducing unwanted noise and blur artifacts. Digital Contrast Enhancer circuit: Improves contrast by enhancing all areas from dark to bright in parallel with texture control providing a three dimensional picture. > Color Reality signal processing enables the expression of all the colors of life in vivid detail for dark and bright scenes. Details in dark areas of the picture are there, just like they are supposed to be.

Live Color Creation (featuring WCG-CCFL)
Live Color Creation is a special Sony function that achieves precise, wide color reproduction using a combination of advanced chroma signal processing algorithms. A special wide color gamut backlight (WCG-CCFL) is coupled with Sony’s Live Color Creation circuitry. The benefit is clear blues, natural greens and overall vibrant colors in all scenes.

Xross Media Bar (XMB) On-Screen Menu System
Xross Media Bar is Sony’s Emmy Award2 winning on-screen navigation that provides quick access to various set up functions and features. For instance selecting different types of media is made fun and easy by scrolling horizontally across icons until you find the type of media you are looking for. After selecting the media type, a list of its content appears as vertical thumbnails. Key set up menus and features work the same way. The main benefit of the XMB is that users can navigate through on-screen menus without taking their eyes off of their TV.

DMe Compatibility
DMex compatibility allows the connection and operation of a whole new category of products that is being developed by Sony (sold separately). The first of these products is the optional BRAVIA Internet Video Link module.

BRAVIA Theatre Sync
BRAVIA Theatre Sync reduces the hassle and time consuming job of powering up, changing the signal routing, and adjusting other functions to the simple push of one button. All you need to do is to connect BRAVIA Theatre Sync capable products to each other via one HDMI cable. The rest is easy. For instance, the One Push Play function activates by touching the play button on the remote and BRAVIA Theatre Sync takes over from there. The BRAVIA Home Theatre System and TV turn on. The DVD input on the BRAVIA Theatre system and TV activates. The TV mutes. And finally the DVD plays. There are two other BRAVIA Theatre Sync functions - One-Push Theatre Settings, which provides optimal picture and sound settings for movies and One-Push System Shut Down for turning off the entire home entertainment system.

BRAVIA Internet Video Link
The first DMex product to be introduced to the market is the DMX-NV1 BRAVIA Internet Video Link module (sold separately). BIVL, as it is affectionately called, can stream available Internet video from select content providers directly to your TV with a broadband connection3 without the need for a PC.

S-Force Front Surround
S-Force Front Surround is a virtual surround sound experience made possible using just two front speakers in select BRAVIA models. To accomplish this, Sony spent several years studying how our ears work. By understanding exactly how we recognize the origin, direction, volume and timing differences in sound right and left ear, Sony was able to create complex audio processing that delivers dynamic virtual surround sound without the need to bounce sound off walls and back to the listener.

HDMI and PC Connectivity
Designed for maximum versatility, Sony’s BRAVIA S-Series Digital LCD TV line is equipped with a comprehensive range of input interfaces. The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI technology supports enhanced or High Definition video, together with multi-channel digital audio to provide matchless image and sound reproduction. The HDMI and PC inputs (HD-15-pin) offer easy connection to your PC, allowing you to use your high resolution BRAVIA S-Series Digital TV as a computer monitor.

Light Sensor-2
Intelligently adjusts the screen brightness to match the ambient light in a room, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience. In a dim room for example the screen automatically reduces brightness making it much more comfortable for viewing.
Freeze Function
Sony’s Freeze Function is a useful function that allows you to temporarily freeze the picture in a separate screen while the programming continues to display. This comes in handy when you want to copy a recipe, phone number, etc. that flashes too quickly across your screen. Simply touch the "Freeze" button on the remote control and copy the details down at your convenience.

Product Description
The S Series is the latest offering from the Sony BRAVIA line of high-performance and sleek styling LCD TVs. This 26" LCD panel features the latest in Sony’s unique S-PVA technology, which delivers vivid and accurate colors along with wide viewing angles and a blazing 8ms response time. Other features such as PC input allow the user to connect a PC for viewing content in a 16:9 high resolution environment. And with integrated HDTV capabilities, you can enjoy digital programming with enhanced audio and video reproduction. While the KDL-26S2000 is valued priced, it also offers an elegant flat panel design to place anywhere in your home. CineMotion technology using the reverse 3-2 pull down technology, the Cinemotion feature provides smoother picture movement when playing back movies or other video sources from film sources Favorite Channels with the WEGA GATE function, allows you to navigate a list of up to 16 favorite channels VESA compliant mounting holes Inputs and Outputs - HDMI Connection(s) - 1 Rear (with L/R RCA audio connections) / PC Input(s) - 1 Rear (with D-sub 15 and L/R stereo mini plug connection) / Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr ) Input(s) - 2 (2 rear) / S-Video Input(s) - 2 (1 side/1 rear) rear with Auto S-Video Input Detection / Composite Video Input(s) - 3 (1 side/2 rear) / RF Connection Input(s) - 1 Rear / Audio In - 5 (1 side/4 rear) / Audio Out (Variable/Fixed) - 1 Rear / Digital Audio Output(s) - 1 Rear / Headphone Output(s) - 1 Side Wide Screen Mode allows you to watch 4 - 3 normal broadcasts in 16 - 9 widescreen Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) ? 25 29/32 x 20 5/16 x 8 5/8 (658 x 516 x 219 mm) including pedestal; 25 29/32 x 18 1/2 x 3 23/32 (658 x 470 x 94 mm) including pedestal / Unit Weight 28.7 lbs. (13 kg) including pedestal; 25.25 lbs. (11 kg) without pedestal