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Smart TVs

HDTV Expert - The RCA Brand Prospers
Smart TVs 4K Ultra HD

HDTV Expert - The RCA Brand Prospers

RCA, now a licensed brand managed by Technicolor and manufactured by ON Corporation of Korea, is entering the Ultra HD TV market in 2014 with 55-, 65-, and 84-inch sets featuring native 4K resolution of 3840x2160, LED backlights, and the Google TV platform providing access to over 100,000 on-demand titles. The more affordable HDTV tier, ranging from 28 to 65 inches, integrates smart features via a Roku Streaming Stick inserted into an MHL port. Buyers considering value-tier 4K sets will find RCA positioning itself competitively as UHD adoption accelerates, with the brand reporting sales growth exceeding 20% in the past year.

Ken Werner •
Columns
Streaming HD Smart TVs

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #610: Why are the networks upset with Aereo?

Aereo routes dedicated over-the-air antenna signals to Internet-connected devices, letting subscribers watch and record live OTA HD broadcasts outside the traditional cable or satellite ecosystem. Courts have so far upheld the service, yet networks remain hostile because retransmission fees - not ad revenue - are the core financial stake, and a DirecTV-style adoption of the same model could cost them significantly more. For cord-cutters already abandoning pay TV, Aereo offers a legal, measurable viewing path that could preserve advertiser reach and enable targeted ad insertion rather than simply eroding network audiences.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Smart TVs Streaming HD

Panasonic Announces Pricing & Availability For Its Inaugural Line Of Streaming Media Players

Panasonic's first streaming media player lineup includes two models: the DMP-MST60 ($99.99) with 3D capability, VIERA Connect smart TV platform, Miracast display mirroring (requiring Android 4.2 or higher), and 2D-to-3D conversion, and the DMP-MS10 ($79.99) with built-in Wi-Fi and IP VOD access to services including Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube. Both units support external HDD playback, giving users flexible local and cloud-based content options. Consumers seeking an affordable entry point into smart TV functionality without replacing their existing display have two distinct tiers to consider.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Smart TVs 4K Ultra HD

HDTV Expert - Samsung features Smart TV and Kate Upton - both impressive - at New York Line Show

Samsung's 85-inch 9000 Series UHD-TV, priced at $39,999 and built on a Gen 8 LCD panel line, delivers native 4Kx2K resolution with full-array local dimming across 720 processing cells for color, contrast, and detail. The set includes 2GB of app storage, a quad-core processor via the $299 Evolution+ upgrade module, and a full Smart Hub with voice control, gesture control, and facial recognition. Buyers considering this set should weigh its impressive 2K-to-4K upconversion and four-year hardware upgrade path against a price point that rivals entry-level luxury vehicles.

Ken Werner •
Columns
SmartStick Makes "Any" TV Smart
Streaming HD Smart TVs

SmartStick Makes "Any" TV Smart

The Favi Entertainment SmartStick is a $49.99 Android 4.0 HDMI dongle featuring an ARM Cortex-A9 at 1.0 GHz, 1GB DDR3 RAM, and 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, designed to add Netflix, YouTube, browsing, and email to existing displays. Testing revealed persistent Wi-Fi instability even on a 100Mbps fiber connection clocking 57Mbps at the router, a non-functional remote, and output limited to 720p and 1080p, excluding the estimated 124 million US TVs lacking HDMI or requiring 480i/1080i signals. Buyers should verify HDMI and resolution compatibility with their specific TV before purchasing, and confirm a flexible return policy given the erratic real-world performance documented here.

Rodolfo La Maestra •
Reviews
Smart TVs

HDTV Expert - The Revival of RCA Television - by Ken Werner

ON Corporation of Seongnam, Korea is manufacturing RCA-branded televisions under license from Technicolor, headlined by the LED55C55R120QS 55-inch smart TV running Android 4.0 at a projected MSRP of $999-$1049. The set features a 120Hz panel, 350-nit luminance, an M-Star system-on-chip integrating smart-TV functions, and the M-GO content platform co-developed by Technicolor and DreamWorks. Consumers considering value-tier large-screen TVs or the niche combination of Android tablets with built-in ATSC and Dyle mobile tuners will find RCA's repositioned lineup worth evaluating.

Pete Putman •
Columns
Streaming HD Smart TVs

Samsung and Verizon Release Current FiOS TV App; Now featuring 75 Channels for a New Level of Entertainment Anywhere in the Home

Verizon's FiOS TV app on Samsung's Smart Hub platform has expanded to 75 live channels and over 25,000 FlexView on-demand titles, accessible on compatible 2011 and 2012 Samsung Smart TVs and Smart Blu-ray players. The app requires no set-top box and supports parental PIN controls, closed captioning, and purchase authorization for on-demand rentals. FiOS TV subscribers who also hold a FiOS Internet subscription can stream channels including HBO, CNN, and Disney directly on their Samsung devices, eliminating the need for additional hardware in secondary rooms.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Streaming HD Smart TVs

Consumer Reports: Latest TV Sets Are Bigger, Better, Smarter, And Cheaper

Consumer Reports' ratings of 140-plus LCD and plasma TVs highlight strong performers from LG, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony, while flagging below-average picture and sound quality in budget sets from brands like Coby, Haier, and TCL. Key buying considerations include screen size relative to viewing distance (at least 40 inches for 6-to-8-foot seating), 1080p versus 720p resolution trade-offs, and plasma versus LED-backlit LCD performance. Smart TV features such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, built-in Wi-Fi, and app markets are now mainstream, making February and March the optimal window to buy top-rated 2012 models at reduced prices.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
LED TVs Smart TVs 4K Ultra HD

Toshiba Unveils 2013 TV Line-Up And PCS At Consumer Electronics Show

Toshiba's 2013 CES lineup centers on its L9300 Series 4K UltraHD LED TVs, powered by the CEVO 4K Quad+Dual Core Processor and available in 58-, 65-, and 84-inch class sizes, delivering four times the resolution of 1080p with built-in UltraHD upscaling and 2D-to-3D conversion. Premium LED models across the L7350, L7300, and L4300 Series add Cloud TV functionality with Intel WiDi and Miracast wireless display support. Consumers evaluating a connected home upgrade will find a broad range of screen sizes and price points, complemented by new Ultrabook convertibles and All-in-One PCs scheduled to ship from February 2013.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Brace Yourself: Sharp® Unveils Bigger, More Beautiful AQUOS® LED TV Lineup at CES 2013
LED TVs Smart TVs

Brace Yourself: Sharp® Unveils Bigger, More Beautiful AQUOS® LED TV Lineup at CES 2013

Sharp's 2013 AQUOS LED TV lineup, announced at CES, spans nearly twenty models in 60", 70", and 80" screen classes, headlined by the 90" world's largest LED TV at 141 pounds and under 5 inches deep. The new 8-Series introduces Quattron four-subpixel color technology delivering over one billion colors alongside a Super Bright panel rated 50 percent higher in brightness, while all three series include a dual-core smart TV platform with built-in Wi-Fi and HTML5 browsing. Buyers gain a broad range of large-screen options with active 3D, Bluetooth glasses, and Yamaha-powered 35W audio across multiple price tiers.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
3DTV Plasma TVs Smart TVs

Panasonic Unveils Enhanced 2013 Smart VIERA Plasma HDTV Lineup

Panasonic's 2013 Smart VIERA Plasma HDTV lineup spans 16 models from 42-inch to 65-inch class, with flagship ZT60 and VT60 series featuring a Dual Core Hexa Processing Engine, 3000 Focused-field Drive producing 1080 lines of image resolution, and a Studio Master Panel rated for up to 100,000 hours of panel longevity. The ZT60 achieves DCI 98% Color Space via a newly developed pure red phosphor and eliminates the air gap between front glass and plasma panel to reduce crosstalk and double images. Buyers evaluating premium plasma sets will find THX-certified 2D and 3D modes, ISFccc calibration support, built-in Wireless LAN, DLNA, Bluetooth, and the new Swipe and Share 2.0 feature for seamless Android and iOS content transfer across the full ZT60, VT60, and ST60 tiers.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Smart TVs LED TVs LCD TVs

Panasonic Unveils Stunning Design Innovations And Cutting-Edge Features On VIERA® 2013 LED/LCD Models

Panasonic's 2013 VIERA LED/LCD lineup spans seven series from the flagship WT60 to the entry-level B6, with the top-tier models featuring 4200 BLS backlight scanning technology, IPS panels with 178-degree wide viewing angles, and 1080p resolution across most configurations. The WT60 and DT60 series add a Dual Core Hexa Processing Engine, three HDMI ports, and Voice Interaction via a Touch Pad Controller, while all Smart VIERA models support Swipe and Share 2.0 for seamless Android and iOS content transfer. New high-efficiency LED panels reduce power consumption by up to 15 percent and carry Energy Star 6.0 certification, making the lineup a practical upgrade for both picture quality and energy savings.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
Smart TVs

Haier Introduces New Television Capabilities through Roku Streaming at CES 2013

Haier unveiled its 2013 television lineup at CES, featuring Roku Ready HDTVs compatible with the Roku Streaming Stick, which connects via the MHL port and streams content over household Wi-Fi. Select models include a 2.1 channel built-in audio solution, and the Encore+ series bundles the Roku Streaming Stick directly with the set. For consumers, this means out-of-the-box access to streaming movies, music, and games without additional hardware purchases or complex setup.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
VIZIO Reveals Expanded 2013 HDTV Collection Adding Ultra HD and Enhanced Smart TVs to Already Award-Winning All-LED HDTV Line-Up
4K Ultra HD Smart TVs

VIZIO Reveals Expanded 2013 HDTV Collection Adding Ultra HD and Enhanced Smart TVs to Already Award-Winning All-LED HDTV Line-Up

VIZIO unveiled its 2013 HDTV lineup at CES, anchored by the M-Series Razor LED Smart TVs featuring 240Hz refresh rates, ultra-slim bezels, and sizes ranging from 32 to 80 inches priced from $399.99 to $4,499.99. The flagship XVT-Series introduces VIZIO's first Ultra HD (4K2K) sets at 55, 65, and 70 inches, delivering four times the resolution of Full HD 1080p with Theater 3D. Buyers across all tiers gain access to VIZIO Internet Apps, Wi-Fi Direct remotes, and advanced local dimming, making high-end display technology more accessible at mainstream price points.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins
3DTV Smart TVs Market Trends & Analysis

Consumers Seek, Embrace Built-In Features in HDTVs, CEA Study Finds

A CEA study on advanced HDTV features reveals that over one in five U.S. adults owns a smart app-enabled HDTV, with 90 percent actively using built-in apps and 61 percent streaming video content directly through their televisions. On the 3D front, unit sales of 3DTVs are projected to reach 5.6 million in 2012, representing 18 percent of total TV sales, and 42 percent of 3DTV owners watch five or more hours of 3D content weekly. For buyers planning a new HDTV purchase, built-in Wi-Fi and Internet browsing rank just below audio and video quality as top purchase factors.

Shane Sturgeon •
Bulletins