(Sept. 28, 2009) Samsung chose CEDIA to unveil the remainder of its 2009 HDTV line to its dealers. The showings included Samsung’s new 2009 LED backlit LCDs, the B8500 series (bottom photo) and a new 65″ CCFL (cold-cathode fluorescent) backlit LCD (top photo).

The 8500 series consists of two models, the 46″ LN46B8500 ($3599.99) and the 55″ LN55B8500 ($4499.99). These two LCDs (note: Samsung refers to them as LED TVs in the USA) are the 2009 replacement for the well received A950 LED backlit models. Features of the 8500s include:  true 240 Hz refresh, white LED local dimming backlights, 2ms …

Plasma HDTV sales surged 31% in unit volume and 35% in dollar volume over Q1 2009, while in the same period, large screen LCD HDTV flat panel volume sales were flat and revenues fell 7%—according to TV industry market research firm Quixel Research.

Quixel’s principal Tamaryn Pratt states in a press release, “Unit sales of 42″ 720p plasma were up 40% quarter-to-quarter as consumers were looking for value in uncertain economic times,” adding “It also helped that all the models offered were from top brands so consumers felt comfortable making a competitively priced purchase backed up by a well known

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(August 21, 2009) The HD GURU obtained Panasonic’s roadmap to large screen 3D HDTV. It includes 3D plasma HDTV displays and Blu-ray players planned to ship next year. In addition, Panasonic Japan, Twentieth Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment (James Cameron’s production company) announced today a partnership that will use the upcoming Fox 3D movie AVATAR as a vehicle to promote and launch 3D home video (PDF Link to press release).

Panasonic’s Executive Vice President Bob Perry provided the HD GURU with details about its 3D HDTVs and Blu-ray players.  He revealed there will be “multiple 3D compatible plasma models” available …

(August 29, 2009) Every year the new football season brings with it the start of the HDTV peak sales period.  2009 TV sales volume is around 2008 levels, but with a tilt towards smaller screen size consumer purchases, resulting in lower than anticipated revenues for major retailers and vendors.  Best Buy is fighting back this week by dramatically lowering the price of large screen HDTVs and packages, with savings up to 42%!

HD Guru received a copy of Best Buy’s 8/30/2009 Sunday circular. Use this advanced notice to plan a purchase at your local Best Buy or to negotiate with …

Sony announced yesterday, on the eve of the IFA 2009 electronics show in Germany,  it will be offering 3D HDTVs for sale in 2010! Sony plans to market a series of its Bravia LCD HDTVs as well as 3D capable Blu-ray products, 3D capable VAIO computers, digital cameras  and updated 3D capable version of its PlayStation3 (PS3D) gaming console.

The Sony announcement follows on the heels of Panasonic’s commitment to the sale of 3D plasma HDTVs and Blu-ray players in 2010 (Link). Sony accompanied its  press release with a 3D promotional video (Link) which includes mock …

(Sept. 5, 2009) The HD GURU® obtained advanced copies of this Sunday’s September 6, 2009 Best Buy (BB)  circular and J&R ads to find the best Labor Day specials on HDTVs. Last week, a number of televisions hit the lowest prices of the year at BB, due to a combination of new TV maker price reductions, dealer incentives and store wide discounts. This week brings additonal factory price drops, lower sale prices and two new combo deals at Best Buy. They are listed below.

HD GURU also checked J&R (www.jr.com) and found two outstanding Labor Day prices on Sony HDTVs …

(Sept. 14, 2009) The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association’s 2009  trade show concluded in Atlanta, Georgia yesterday. The low attendance was indicative of the soft economy, accompanied by fewer companies displaying than in 2008. Regardless of these factors, a number of new products were debuted to this important segment of the consumer electronics industry. We will cover the show with multiple parts. Today we highlight JVC.

JVC brought three significant products to Atlanta. The GD-463D10 is the first large screen 3D LCD monitor offered in the USA and is designed primarily for post production and other commercial use. Unlike …

(Sept. 20, 2009) Best Buy (BB), known primarily as a “brick and mortar” retailer, appears to be testing a new “online” HDTV pricing strategy. Prices of select Panasonic, Sony and LG HDTVs are as much as $200 less “online” than in BBs latest (Sept 20-Sept 26, 2009) weekly circular.

The HD Guru® visited a local Best Buy and verified that the in store price tags match the circular’s listed prices, and that they are, indeed, higher than the online ones. When asked about the pricing discrepancy, a blue shirted clerk replied that he was unaware of it, adding that he …

(July 29, 2009) Buy a high-ticket electronics item like an HDTV today and you can be sure the salesperson will try to sell you an extended warranty that’s supposed to protect your considerable investment well beyond the length of time offered by the manufacturer.

Adding a relatively inexpensive extended warranty seems like a no-brainer so many consumers do, yet because the HD Guru frequently receives emails from buyers complaining about difficulties getting the terms of these warranties honored, we decided to investigate.

Not surprisingly, we found that often what you hear on the sales floor, read in the literature and …

Value Priced LCD HDTV With 50 lux Home Light Level (Above)

 Same LCD HDTV With 500 lux Retail Store Light Level (Below)

(August 6, 2009) It may be difficult to believe, but just a decade ago cathode ray tube-based TVs (CRTs) were the biggest sellers. CRTs have excellent viewing angles, outstanding black levels and high contrast ratios. The technology’s Achilles heel (aside from sheer bulk) was a lack of brightness compared to today’s flat screen sets. However, for most indoor viewing environments, the light output was adequate.

Not surprisingly, store lighting in the TV departments of major retailers like Best …

Panasonic’s recently introduced V10 series, the next level up from its well received G10 plasma line (recently reviewed on this site), uses the same NEO PDP panel but adds significant features including three color modes (up from two), user-controlled gray scale setting, 96Hz refresh rate for 24Hz sources and a thinner profile. The set is now available in 50,” and 54″ diagonal screen sizes, with the 58″ and  65″ versions due sometime in August.

Both the TC-P54V10 reviewed here and the 50” model use an attractive one-sheet front anti-reflective glass, that extends from edge to edge covering the bezel to …