TV, Monitors & Projectors Reviews
Samsung 4K SUHD JS9500 TV Review
by Mikael Romo - February 15, 2016
Review
You're sitting in front of the set watching Animal Planet. The detail of nature has never seemed so vivid, the details and textures behind the screen are full of life. Your TV watching experience gives colors a brand new meaning. This isn't 1080p HD. It's not even just 4K...you're experiencing nano-crystal color.
The 65 inch 4K SUHD JS9500 is a member of Samsung's SUHD TV family. The 4K technology offers up to four times the screen resolutions as HD. As if 4K didn't set the bar high, this television is best known for its cutting-edge picture quality as supported by its nano-crystal technology, which increases the range and contrast of colors. With 4K and nano-crystal color, that means you're getting greater detail and refined color schemes, and with Precision Black Pro, dark shades are well contrasted against bright areas. And when you're watching HD content, UHD Upscaling upgrades what you're watching to 4K resolution.
For audio, Dolby Digital Plus and 5.1 sorrowing sound enhances the listening so that it's almost as good as the viewing. To be succinct, the JS9500 delivers one of the sharpest, most vibrant TV experiences out there. Whether you mount in on a wall or set it on a pedestal, the JS9500's curved screen can even accommodate viewers sitting at off angles and heightens the depth of the viewing experience.
Because of its hefty price tag, you're not just getting a TV with pretty colors--you're getting a smart TV as well. You'll be able to stream games through the PlayStation network, watch movies on Netflix, browse through YouTube, and share on social media. With its built-in camera, you'll find yourself taking video calls as well. You'll also control your experience using Samsung's Smart Control, which features voice-control and an on-screen cursor. With your Samsung smartphone, you can mirror the phone's screen onto the TV or synchronize with it to see the weather or schedule when you turn on the set.
All in all, if what you seek is the best TV image quality together with the latest technology and extensive features, you can’t go wrong with the Samsung JS9500.
Highlights
-
Beautifully Curved
-
Featuring Nano Crystal Color
-
Precision Black Pro heightens difference between dark shades and brightness
-
MultiZone Back Lighting lights up the whole screen
-
Browser capability
-
App capability
-
Gaming capability
-
3D capability
-
64.5" Screen size measured diagonally
-
Smart Remote Control
-
One pair of 3D Active Glasses (SSG-5150GB)
-
One Connect Box that declutters cables
-
Built-in camera
-
Inputs: 4 HDMI, 3 USB
-
Wi-Fi capability
-
1 year warranty for parts and labor
Pros
-
Ultimate picture quality
-
Great audio complements picture
-
Smart TV capability
-
Camera adds extra utility
-
Perfect for home theaters or console gaming
Score
9.3
Cons
-
Difficult to hang on walls
-
Screen curvature might not impress aesthetically
-
Smart TV capability falters if Wi-Fi fails
-
Perfect picture quality may only happens by watching in center
AAXA P700 HD LED Pico Projector Review
by Malcolm Black - January 27th, 2016
Review
You are a business professional who is constantly on-the-go. With non-stop presentations and meetings, you need a way to present your ideas to clients in a way that is both efficient and memorable. The P700 HD weighs in at 1.4 lbs. and is small enough to fit comfortably into your laptop bag, briefcase or purse. With 70 minutes of use on a single charge, ample connectivity options, and bright HD projection, the P700 allows you to stop spending precious time trying to find outlets and cables and more time showing off your ideas.
The P700 enables you to connect to your smartphone, tablet, laptop, camera, game console or DVD player. With micro-SD, USB, VGA, RCA and HDMI connectivity options, you can connect to almost any external device. The built-in multimedia player allows you to share videos and photos. Warm up is fast; the moment you turn it on, it is ready to go. Adjust the height, level and direction with the included tripod, and use the remote control to turn it on and off, adjust volume levels, play/stop/pause, as well as video fast-forward and rewind.
Most portable projectors’ levels of brightness are 300 Lumens or less, but the P700 allows for up to 650 Lumens of brightness when plugged in and 350 Lumens on battery power. The P700 delivers crisp and clear projections regardless of the level of room lighting. Moreover, in dark environments, the P700 can display a 150” image size when plugged into the wall charger and an 80” size when running on battery power—enabling you to present in larger conference rooms.
The main drawback of the P700 is the sound quality of its built-in speakers. While the sound is clear and distinct at lower levels, at higher volumes there is significant sound distortion. If you are in a room with more than a few people, you will need external speakers. Speaker quality aside, the P700 is a versatile projector that is compact and offers excellent connectivity options and power. While it is invaluable for professionals, you can use it as a decent home projector for watching movies or playing video games with your family making the Pico Projector a solid choice.
Highlights
-
Long operation life and quick on & off
-
Versatile multimedia support
-
Compatible with iPhone, Samsung Galaxy/Note, HTC and Nexus
-
Micro-SD, USB and HDMI compatible
-
70 Min. Lithium Ion battery
-
150” image size (low light settings)
-
650 Lumen Turbocharged Optics; 350 Lumen when using battery capacity
-
WXGA HD native resolution (1280x800)
-
Supported formats: MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, AVI, BMP, JPG, GIF and TXT
-
Dimensions: 6.9” X 3.9” X 1.6”
-
Included accessories: tripod, wall charger, AV cable, VGA adapter cable and remote
-
Built-in stereo 1-watt speakers
-
Weight: 1.37lbs.
-
Warranty: 1-year
-
Sound distortion at higher volume levels
-
For larger image size, you have to give it more and more space from projecting surface
-
When watching movies, the P700 stretches pixels to 1280×800, instead of 1280×702
-
70 minutes of use on a single charge
-
Lightweight: 1.37lbs.
-
650 Lumens (plugged in)/350 Lumens (on battery power)
-
HD resolution (1280x800)
-
Connects to almost any device
Pros
Cons
Score
9.7
LG OLED CURVED TV 55EC9300 Review
By Preston Bryan - October 3, 2015
Review
LG Electronics has taken a step into new technologies in the Smart TV market and creating a push to be the frontrunners in an increasingly affordable high-end home theater experience.
What makes this new technology so attractive? It has all the picture quality and improved resolution advantages of the (now-defunct) Plasma TV akin to LED TV’s with what is now a staple feature for the modern home-viewing era. The new technology is called the OLED TV which stand for “organic light-emitting diodes” meaning the most energy efficient TV by emitting flashing lights instead of heated light bulbs. The standout feature for this beautiful technology is that it has the deepest “blacks” ever seen on any electronic device coupled with the best HD resolution in 1080p that features True Color Generator, which accurately portrays colors as seen in real life.
Envision splashing an array of vivid color against the darkest canvas or seeing the very hair follicles of the people being featured in fluid, lifelike motion. The LG 55” OLED TV also features Cinema 3D for the most immersive 3D experience LG has ever offered,
Dolby Digital Sound that sounds great through home speaker systems for all you audiophiles, the moderately popular Curved Screen, and LG’s updated wireless internet browser that has a wide-variety of apps to select from including Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and all the popular streaming devices available with subscription.
You don’t even need to pay for cable these days. What more can you ask for other than the ability to bond with family and friends over the most immersive game of football you’ve ever witnessed in your own home? The LG 55” EC9300 OLED TV can do that and more.
Highlights
-
Perfect blacks with pixel perfection for the most realistic images and greatest depth
-
Full Web Browser featuring Smart TV apps including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon
-
Plug-in and Go Easy Setup
-
Magical Remote Control for accessing Menus and App Store
-
Natural Voice Recognition for giving immediate commands
-
Screen Share your activity on a smartphone or tablet to TV
-
Highest HD OLED Display Resolution at 1920 x 1080p
-
Triple XD Engine to produce lightning fast processing speed
-
Passive 3D technology to give the most immersive, cinematic experience available at home
Pros
-
Fantastic Picture
-
Great (Curved) Viewing Angle
-
Perfect Black Levels
-
Color Vibrancy
Cons
Score
9.0
-
Lacks a friendly User Guide
-
Magic Remote contorl takes a while to learn
-
Resolution is 1080p, not 4K
Highlights
-
World’s thinnest TV (.19 inches thick)
-
Voice search
-
Android TV
-
Google Apps and Play
-
Voice Command
-
One-Flick Entertainment
-
TV SideView
-
Photo Sharing Plus
-
Connectable to other devices
-
TV SideView
-
4K Ultra HD
-
Stream PS3®games directly to your TV
Sony’s new BRAVIA TV is the lovechild of state-of-the-art Sony technology and the friendly, intuitive interface of Android. BRAVIA is the thinnest television to date, at a staggering slim at .19 inches thick. Thinner than the company’s smartphones and now just as smart, all of the experiences and content you love on your smartphone and tablet are now bigger and better on BRAVIA’s 4K Ultra HD screen.
This big-screened Android device comes preloaded with Google apps, such as YouTube, Google Play, Google Movies, and Google Music to watch and play whatever you like with a click of a button or tap of your finger, not through a touchscreen, but through BRAVIA’s One-Flick touch operated remote.This controller has buttons for power and volume, but is predominately a touch-sensitive area to swipe your finger to control the television. This allows for easy toggling and is helpful playing a game from Google Play or operating an app. One-Flick is also equipped with a Voice Command option to ask BRAVIA to search Google for anything, just like your smartphone. With Google Cast, you can cast photos, videos, and movies directly from your Android device or laptop onto BRAVIA’s 55”, 65”, or 75” screen to share with friends and family.
Another way to control BRAVIA is directly from your smartphone or tablet. With the TV SideView app, your device becomes the remote control; perfect for anyone that frequently misplaces his or her remote.
The Android TV is easier to navigate and is more responsive than Sony’s previous interface. Android TV, identical to Google’s Nexus Player, allows BRAVIA to boot quickly and even lets you open more than one application at a time, meaning you can check Facebook or the weather while watching Netflix.
The future of entertainment is Sony’s innovation, taking the intelligence of our smartphones beyond their capacity.
Pros
-
3,840 x 2,160 resolution
-
Vivid, lifelike details
-
.19 inches thick
-
Smooth onscreen movement
Cons
9.5
Score
-
4K TV sources currently rare and regular resolution channels don’t display well
-
Lack of customization options
-
Possible iOS compatibility issues
Sony BRAVIA 4K Ultra HD TV
Review
by Sarah Gruenewald - September 12, 2015
Highlights
-
Discover ultimate viewing with a stunning curved screen
-
Experience incredible picture quality from any angle
-
Enjoy comfortable and convenient adjustable design
-
Maximise your multitasking with an ultra-wide screen
-
Give comfort to your eyes with Flicker Free
-
Comfortable viewing experience with optimal curvature
-
21:9 ultra wide aspect
-
Ultra WQHD resolution (3440x1440)
-
Multi tasking capability with PIP/PBP
-
USB 3.0 Super Charging
Pros
-
Comfortable viewing experience with optimal curvature
-
21:9 ultra wide screen
-
Ultra WQHD resolution (3440x1440)
-
Multi tasking capability with PIP/PBP
-
USB 3.0 Super Charging
Cons
9.0
Score
-
Curved TVs are more expensive than flat ones (20-30%)
-
Impression of the curve on the picture is elusive
-
The curve creates slight geometric distortions
Samsung SE790C Curved Ultra WQHD LED Monitor
Review
By Zion Moonstone - June 14, 2015
Samsung Electronics introduces its newest and most advanced curved monitor, model SE790C, delivering an enhanced immersive viewing experience for multi-media entertainment and multi-tasking. Alongside an optimised curved design, ultra-wide quad high definition (ULTRA-WQHD) resolution and a superior contrast ratio, the new 34-inch curved monitor SE790C offers better productivity and entertainment functionality within a stylish ergonomic design.
The innovative 3000R (curvature radius of 3,000mm) design of the SE790C provides a noticeably different viewing experience from traditional flat screen monitors. Unlike flat screen monitors, where the viewing distance differs from the centre of the screen to the edges, the screen edges of the SE790C more closely match the natural curve of a viewer’s eyes. As a result, the SE790C creates a distortion-free viewing experience with less eye strain and more comfort for the viewer.
An edge-to-edge curve also enables panoramic-like viewing, creating a wider and fuller field of view, and a more immersive visual experience. The monitor’s optimal curved design creates a high 3D-like effect ratio that makes the screen seem larger than a flat screen of the same size. This 3D-like effect increases when depth becomes larger or the viewing distance becomes closer. To ensure multi-media content can be enjoyed with the finest picture quality, clarity and intensity it deserves, the Samsung SE790C features a 21:9 aspect ratio and ULTRA-WQHD resolution of 3,440 by 1,440 pixels to deliver stunning picture quality.
Complemented by a wide viewing angle, the monitor’s best-in-class static contrast ratio of 3,000:1 and 300 cd/m2 typical brightness result in dynamic lighting and shading for lifelike pictures with deeper blacks, vivid colours and sharper detail.The extra-wide viewing angle of 178 degrees horizontally and vertically optimises the viewing experience from any position and minimises picture distortion.
An array of features take multi-tasking, gaming and movie watching to the next level. The SE790C comes equipped with Picture-by-Picture (PbP) and Picture-in-Picture (PiP) 2.0 functions for enhanced work efficiency. PbP allows users to easily connect two devices, such as a desktop, laptop, gaming device (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) or Set-Top Box (STB), and view both simultaneously on the monitor without compromising screen real-estate. PiP 2.0 enables multi-tasking without the need to downscale content. The monitor also is equipped with four USB 3.0 super-charging ports to eliminate the need for a docking station and maintain 24/7 connectivity for all your devices.
The SE790C also offers a variety of entertainment-enhancing capabilities, including a unique game mode, high-quality stereo sound and fast response time. Constructed from sophisticated metallic materials, the SE790C is designed with a clean and understated look that ensures nothing distracts viewers from the curved screen. The elegantly curved T-shaped, height-adjustable stand (HAS) and clean back with hidden VESA bracket support work together to enhance the monitor’s sophisticated and ergonomic design to maximise productivity and comfort.
Highlights
-
WQHD resolution and accurate colors out of the box: Superb clarity with 2560 x 1440 resolution and over 3.6 million pixels. Features a color gamut of more than 99-percent sRGB.
-
Excellent comfort and usability: Full adjustability including swivel, tilt, height adjustability and pivot which lets you easily switch to portrait mode.
-
Eco-friendly design: Compliant with the latest environmental standards and made using environmentally conscious materials.
-
Excellent performance
-
Huge array of customization options
-
Great ergonomic support
-
USB 3.0
Pros
9.5
Score
Cons
-
Price
-
Corners fade dark
-
Small viewing angles
-
Backlight bleeding
Dell U2713HM Monitor
Review
By Zion Moonstone - April 21, 2015
Cinema-like clarity shines on the expansive 27" DellTM UltraSharp U2713HM monitor. Comfort settings and connectivity options help keep you productive.
2560x1440 WQHD resolution: Over 3.6 million pixels provide amazing clarity on a spacious 27" LED-backlit display. Easily adjust screen brightness to suit your environment.
Accurate color right out of the box: Carefully color calibrated at the factory, the DellTM UltraSharpTM U2713HM monitor features more than 99-percent sRGB color space for impressive color from the moment you set it up.
Wide-angle viewing: Uncompromised color consistency across an ultra-wide viewing angle of 178°/178° gives you broad viewing flexibility and lets you collaborate easily.
Full adjustability: Work comfortably and view images from a variety of positions with swivel and tilt. Easily switch to portrait mode with pivot. Set your DellTM UltraSharpTM U2713HM monitor to the optimum height with a height-adjustability range of 115mm. Latest connectivity options: Seamlessly connect your monitor to your desktop, laptop and peripherals such as digital cameras and Blu-ray or DVD players. Digital and analog connections include four USB 3.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2, DVI (HDCP) and HDMI.
Stay productive with Dell Display Manager: This one-stop software tool lets you quickly access applications such as Auto Mode, Easy Arrange and PowerNap. Use Auto Mode to adjust or auto-assign preset modes to specific applications. Use Easy Arrange to neatly tile your applications, arranging them in your preferred layout.
Meets latest environmental standards: The DellTM UltraSharpTM U2713HM monitor meets EPEAT® Gold and TCO Certified Displays standards, is ENERGY STAR® qualified and CECP compliant. Made with responsible materials: This monitor is made with arsenic-free glass, a mercury-free panel, uses 25-percent post-consumer recycled plastics in its chassis and BFR/PVC-free laminates in its circuit boards. The DellTM UltraSharpTM U2713HM monitor also ships with environmentally responsible packaging.
Helps save resources: Enable PowerNap mode to reduce power consumption by dimming the monitor to minimum brightness or by putting it into sleep mode.
TechNEWS
TechTV