thx

LG's THX-certified 3D plasma performs well

When we reviewed LG's former flagship plasma in July, the PK950 series, we called it the best the company had ever produced and a worthy contender to Panasonic and Samsung. Its new boss at the top of LG's totem pole, the PX950, is basically the same TV plus 3D.

LG differentiates the PX from the 3D competition by endowing it with the first THX Display certification for 3D sources, and THX assured us that said certification process is no walk in the park. The end result, according to our subjective comparison, is very good 3D picture quality indeed, … Read more

LG PX950 plasma first TV to get THX's 3D badge

Editors' Note, November 18th, 2010 CNET is in the process of reviewing the LG PX950 series, but the review has been delayed due to a bug with the TV. Click here for details.

Yesterday LG announced the PX950 series of plasma TVs will be the first 3D TV on the market with THX's new 3D display certification.

The series will be available this month in LG's traditional two plasma sizes--50 and 60 inches--for $1,999 and $2,999, respectively. That's a premium cost of at least $200-to-$300 more than the company's non-3D equivalent plasma TVs, the well-reviewed PK950 series.

Like the PK950 and many of LG's higher-end plasma and LCD TVs, the PX950 is also has 2D THX certification, meaning it passed a series of what THX describes as rigorous tests for image quality and signal processing.

According to THX, the certification for 3D is the first of its kind and incorporates hundreds of new tests and thousands of data points. "A THX 3D Certified TV must be capable of delivering consistent stereoscopic images with accurate color and clean processing," said Rick Dean, a senior vice president at THX, in a news release.

In person, the PX950 demo LG showed us consisted of selections from the "Under the Sea" IMAX Blu-ray, which will be included in LG's current bundle along with two pairs of glasses. The 3D effect looked good and had minimal crosstalk--a prominent artifact common to all 3D TVs we've tested that appears as ghostly doubled images around onscreen objects. Of course, we're anxious to test it side-by-side in our lab to get a better idea of how it compares with other 3D TVs.… Read more

Onkyo updates its flagship THX HTIB with 3D

Onkyo has announced the latest version of its flagship home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) system, the HT-S9300THX. While most of the details are similar to last year's excellent HT-S9100THX, the company has added a few key upgrades, including 3D compatibility, a new graphical user interface, and HDMI pass-through functionality when the receiver is in standby mode. These are the key key features announced so far:

Key features of the Onkyo HT-S9300THX:

Four HDMI 1.4a inputs 3D pass-through capability (can pass 3D video signal to compatible TV from 3D video source) THX I/S Plus certified HDMI Thru functionality (passes HDMI signals … Read more

Amazon.com has the Onkyo HT-S9100THX Home Theater System for $962.84, after $136.16 savings.

Save $136.16 on the Onkyo HT-S9100THX Home Theater System from Amazon.com >> Regular price is $1099 >> Sale price is $962.84 >> Savings $136.16 (12.39%) >> Click here for deal

Panasonic adds Skype, Netflix to new 2010 plasma TVs

The big hype for Panasonic's plasma lineup revolves around the company's 3D-compatible TC-PVT25 series, but for shoppers satisfied to see their TV shows in the traditional number of dimensions, there's the TC-PG25 series and its doppelganger, the TC-PG20 series. According to Panasonic's media kit, the two sets are basically identical--the only differences are minor cosmetic touches and the ability of the G25 to control a networked camera--so we'll address them both here.

Panasonic's most visible improvement between those older "G" plasmas and the new ones is the inclusion of shiny new interactive services. Currently the company's VieraCast service offers Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Picasa, Bloomberg news, and weather; however, for 2010 it will also get Netflix streaming, the capability to place and receive video phone calls via Skype (more information; external speaker/camera required), and access to Pandora, Twitter, and Fox Sports news. The selection brings VieraCast into the same league as the extensive interactive offerings from LG and Sony. Unfortunately for owners of 2008 and 2009 VieraCast TVs, Netflix and Skype will not be added to their televisions.

… Read more

Panasonic makes 3D HD official with VT25 plasma TV series

Editors' Note April 26, 2010: This post has been updated to reflect new pricing/availability information. CNET has not yet reviewed any of the models in this series, however.

Sony, Samsung, LG, Toshiba and Vizio all announced 3D-compatible HDTVs at this year's CES, but Panasonic has made the most noise about the technology. The company began touting an extra dimension at last year's CES, and this year it has finally announced a shipping date for its first 3D plasma TV. Dubbed the VT25 series, the 50- and 54-inch models are expected to be released in May 2010 (price as yet undetermined). They should be be among the first 3D-capable flat-panel HDTVs available for sale in the U.S.

The set will include one pair of 3D glasses--every other 3D set announced at the show, save Sony's XBR-LX900 series, lacks included glasses. Also, like all other makers, Panasonic will employ an active LC shutter system. The right and left lens in the glasses alternately darkens and lightens, too quickly to perceive, while the TV synchronously displays the corresponding right- and left-eye-specific images. The result is a stereoscopic 3D effect that, in the case of the VT25 mated to full-resolution 3D content, preserves all 1,920x1,080 (1080p) pixels for each eye--hence Panasonic's term "Full HD 3D."

… Read more

LG's best plasma adds Wii-like remote control

The success of the Nintendo Wii game console is undeniable, and a large portion of its appeal has to do with its unique motion control interface, known as the WiiMote. Lke it or not, imitators are bound to arise, and LG is the first to step up with a motion control interface adapted to other devices--in this case, the company's most-expensive plasma TV.

LG calls it a "Magic Wand" remote and, according to the company, "This 'Magic' user interface brings together menus, component controls and even embedded games, which can be accessed using a simple remote … Read more

LG plasma claims improved black levels

It's pretty amazing that, given the relentless march of technology designed to improve picture quality, no HDTV has defeated the overall mark set by the Pioneer Kuro plasmas way back in 2008. The secret of the Kuro's success is deep black levels, and while Panasonic and Samsung have made big strides in this department with their plasmas, LG has lagged behind, as evinced by models like the PS80 series from 2009.

Now LG aims to close the gap with a new TrueBlack filter, and the least-expensive LG plasma to feature this enhancement is the PK750 series. According to … Read more

LG flagship TV's styling goes 'all picture'

LAS VEGAS--An HDTV should be all about the picture, and LG's best television announced at CES, the LX9500 series of LED-based LCDs, has the design to prove it. This striking, inch-thin panel is nearly all picture when seen from the front, with a bezel that measures just 8.5 millimeters (0.33 inch) from the edge of the picture to the edge of the frame. It's the thinnest bezel we've ever seen, and results in a very slick look.

Packed into that thin panel is the company's best feature set. The LX9500 is the only TV … Read more