LG and Samsung get the red out; new HDTVs sport crimson colors

With a host of fine-performing, piano-black HDTVs on the market, LG Electronics and Samsung are the latest manufacturers to introduce sets that try to stand out with stylistic flair. Both brands are launching new flat-panel models imbued with red color accents. Since some LCD sets from both brands have done well in our recent Ratings, available to subscribers , the new models promise to be more than just pretty faces, with performance to complement their stylish designs.

LG promotes “Scarlet” fever
LG’s new LG 60 Series—code-named “Scarlet”— features a super-slim profile and red-colored back and side panels. The TV line was launched with a splashy—and fake—ad campaign that promised a new TV series, named Scarlet, starring a young Hollywood ingénue and a big gala premiere, but was actually pitching a new series of TVs.

The new 60 Series sets will be offered in 32-, 37-, 42-, 47- and 52-inch screen sizes with 1080p resolution and 120Hz technology that doubles the TV's frame rate to reduce motion blur. They boast new “Intelligent Sensor” technology, which claims to automatically adjust the TV’s brightness, sharpness, color and tint to match the surrounding light in a room. The sets also have a new “invisible” speaker system—located inside and behind the TV’s bezel—and use LG’s Clear Voice technology, which boosts certain frequencies to help keep dialogue audible when background noise increases.

The 60 Series sets start shipping this month, at prices ranging from $1,700 to $3,800. Later this summer, new thinner (1.7-inch) 42- and 47-inch versions will be available, at a price to be disclosed closer to launch.

Samsung adds a Touch of Color
The new Samsungs use the Touch of Color (TOC) design announced at CES, which uses an injection molding process to infuse subtle red colorations into the material of the bezel itself. The effect is a reddish glow embedded into the semi-transparent piano-black finish of the bezel.

The TOC design is included in Samsung’s Series 6 (650) and Series 7 (750) LCDs, which feature 1080p resolution (except for the 17- 19- and 22-inch models), 120Hz technology (all models 40 inches and larger), and InfoLink networking, which provides RSS feeds of news, weather, sports and other content from USA Today directly to the TVs (no computer is required). The sets also include USB 2.0 with WiseLink, which provides access to, and management of, digital images and music stored on flash drives, camcorders or portable media players.

Both 6- and 7-series LCD TVs will work with a $35 wireless accessory, called Wireless LinkStick, designed to provide wireless access to the InfoLink RSS feature, supposedly obviating the need for an Ethernet connection.

Series 7 LCD TVs include several step-up features not found in 6-series models, including internal flash memory loaded with content, such as high-def artwork, cooking recipes and children’s game, and WiseLink Pro, which can play MPEG-4 and DiVX files as well as digital photos and MP3 music files. The 7-series TVs are also compliant with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DNLA) protocol.

Series 6 models are available in 19-, 22-, 31.5-, 39.9-, 45.9- and 52.2-inch screen sizes, with prices ranging from $480 to $3,200. The Series 7 sets, which launch this month, are available 39.9-, 45.9- and 52.2-inch screen sizes, at suggested retail prices of $2,600, $3,200 and $3,500, respectively.

The Touch of Color is also extended to Samsung’s Series 6 650 plasma line, which is offered in 50-, 58- and 63-inch screen sizes at prices ranging from $2,600 to $5,000. The 1080p sets include invisible speakers, WiseLink, Anynet+ (Samsung’s name for HDMI-CEC single-remote control of components) and 4 HDMI inputs.—James K. Willcox

Are you ready for green TV?

Flat-panel TVs, especially plasma TVs, consume a good deal of power—perhaps more than your fridge, as we found when we tested the power consumption of a range of TV types recently. But how much do you care about that?

We ask because some TV manufacturers, when they gather at events like the Consumer Electronics Show, say that energy consumption and other green considerations aren't yet a high-priority concern for a critical mass of consumers. And that, they say, makes them reluctant to compromise on attributes that are clear consumer priorities, like low prices and bright screens, in order to boost greenness.

Yet greener computers and monitors have entered the market. Why? In part because the federal government buys millions of those products every year and insists that 95 percent of them meet environmental standards set by EPEAT—the Electronics Product Environmental Assessment Tool. The standards stipulate that desktops, laptops, and monitors contain fewer toxins like lead and mercury, be Energy Star-qualified, and contain recyclable or reusable parts, among other criteria. Some of the greener models developed to meet EPEAT's stipulations are available to consumers, too; the program's website has a searchable list.

Currently, EPEAT standards are being considered for TVs. But since the Feds don't buy many TVs, the incentive to create the standards wouldn't be there the way it is for computers. Our advocacy colleagues at Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, believe it will be key to have other big purchasers and retailers engage in the development of the standards.

Of course, the biggest driver in all of this is you, the consumer. Are greener TVs on your radar? Would you trade off other attributes, like screen size or price, to get a greener set? Tell us what you think.

Rules on DTV converter coupons might ease, but expiration date stands

As the rollout of digital converter boxes for next year's conversion to all-digital TV continues, the federal government is considering loosening some eligibility requirements for subsidies on the boxes. But other beefs from consumers and consumer groups remain unaddressed.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the agency administering the distribution of $40 coupons to offset the typical $50 to $70 cost of the boxes, is considering allowing nursing home residents and consumers who use post-office boxes to apply for the coupons, as our colleagues at Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, are reporting on hearusnow.org.

But the agency isn't budging on the expiration of the coupons after 90 days. CU and other groups complain that this is a potentially bigger issue, because there are still relatively few converter boxes in stores, few have the analog pass-through feature some consumers want, and none are as yet priced at $40 or less, meaning consumers must bear some out-of-pocket cost.

We've reviewed three coupon-eligible boxes without the analog pass-through feature and one, a Philco product, that has it. All did a decent job, but you might have to tinker with your setup to get optimal results.

For more helpful advice and links to other DTV resources on the Web, check out our Digital TV Transition information center on ConsumerReports.org.

HD DVD buyers get some relief

If you're one of the unfortunate souls who succumbed to the lure of a low-priced HD DVD player instead of a more expensive Blu-ray model, take heart: Several major consumer electronics retailers are offering refunds and credits that could help mitigate your pain over the demise of the HD DVD format.

Now that Circuit City's offer—full store credit for the return of a player—has expired, the best remaining deal we've seen is from Wal-Mart, which similarly offers to refund the full sales price of an HD DVD player to customers who purchased a player on or after November 1st, 2007. You need to have the sales receipt and return the player to the store, but you don't need the original packaging. But act soon, as the offer expires April 30th. A company spokesperson told me Wal-Mart is considering some other promotional high-def offers, but they'll probably be later this spring due to the current short supply of Blu-ray players on the market.

At both Amazon and Best Buy, you can get a $50 store credit, and don't even have to return the HD DVD player (you're essentially getting $50 for the trauma of backing the wrong format). At Amazon, those who purchased an HD DVD player directly from the online retailer (and not one of its third-party affiliates) prior to February 23, 2008 are receiving emails with a promotional code for a $50 credit good toward future Amazon purchases. The code is valid through April 9, 2009.

Best Buy's deal—a $50 store gift card— applies to those who purchased an HD DVD player (or an HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360) before Feb. 23, 2008. The retailer said it's proactively identifying those customers through its Rewards Program, extended service plan documentation and BestBuy.com purchases, and will mail gift cards automatically by May 1st. Others can call Best Buy (1-888-BestBuy), as long as you have a Best Buy receipt or credit-card information to serve as proof of purchase. The offer appears to be good through the end of the year.

If you're a two-time high-def loser—you not only bought an HD DVD player, but got it from a retailer who isn't participating in a return program—Best Buy still feels your pain. The company is accepting HD-DVD player trade-ins, regardless of where it was purchased, via Best Buy's online trade-in center. Though the offer isn't as generous as a full refund, at least it's something you could use toward the purchase of a Blu-ray player. To find out what you'd get for your HD DVD player, visit the Best Buy online trade-in site at https://www.bestbuytradein.com/bb/. And Best Buy customers can essentially double-dip, accepting the $50 gift card, and then trading the player in for additional store credit.

—James K. Willcox

Philco TB100HH9: A DTV set-top box with analog pass-through

With the clock marking the DTV transition ticking more loudly every day, we're starting to see more converter boxes showing up in stores. We recently posted First Look reviews of three boxes—the $50 Magnavox TB100MW9, the $60 Insignia NS-DXA1, and the $60 Zenith DTT900. Now we've just completed our preliminary tests on one of the first boxes with "analog pass-though" capability, the Philco TB100HH9.

Analog pass-through can be an important feature for households in areas served by so-called "low-power" broadcasters. Though all full-power stations are required to broadcast only digital signals as of February 17, 2009, the low-power broadcasters can continue analog broadcasts, at least for the time being. Since the converter box does not include an analog tuner, you will have to continue using your TV's built in analog tuner to pick up these stations. A converter box with analog pass through will not only put digital programs on the RF antenna output to the TV (channel 3 or 4), but will also pass along traditional analog antenna signals as well. For more information, check out "The DTV Transition: The low-down about analog pass-though."

DTV converter coupons: It's now or never

Use 'em or lose 'em. That's the bottom line with the $40 government coupons (seen at right) for buying digital converter boxes. Coupons expire 90 days after issue, and if you haven't used them by then, you're out of luck. You can't request a replacement.

That's a growing concern for consumers who rushed to request coupons earlier this year to ensure they didn't miss out on the program. They're anxious to buy a converter box before the coupon expires, but there are few models now in stores, and all cost more than $40, requiring shoppers to foot part of the bill. There will be $40 boxes this summer, but that's no help for those who need to redeem a coupon before then.

We just checked the websites for Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, and Wal-mart, and found that each had one or two boxes. Of the boxes listed, all but two cost $60; only Wal-mart had lower-priced models, for $50 and $53. With these four retailers, you can't buy the boxes online; they're available only in retail stores, or by phone from Radio Shack (877-773-8848) and Best Buy (877-229-3889).

The DTV transition: The low-down on analog pass-through

Most TV stations must stop broadcasting analog signals on February 17, 2009, but some stations don't have to switch completely to digital broadcasts. Low-power TV stations, TV translator stations, and so-called Class A stations can continue broadcasting analog TV signals well after the deadline. If you're in an area served by such a station, you'll want a DTV converter box that can handle both digital and analog signals. Of course, if you're not able to receive any digital stations, there's no rush to buy any converter box, and we anticipate there being a greater assortment of boxes with analog pass-through in the not-too-distant future.

Low-power TV was created in the early 1980s to provide locally oriented or specialized programming to smaller rural towns or small communities within urban areas. TV translator stations boost and re-broadcast the signals of full-power stations to communities that can't receive them either because they're too far away, or because mountains or uneven terrain inhibit reception. Class A stations are a class of low-power stations that are required to air a certain amount of locally produced programming each week.

The vast majority of TV broadcasts are from full-power stations that will switch to digital, but nearly 7,000 low-power and translator stations provide free over-the-air TV programming to viewers. Although they will one day, too, have to make the switch to digital, currently there's no firm timetable for that transition. Therefore, if you're in a market currently being served by such a station, we recommend you get a DTV converter box with "analog pass-though" capability. These boxes allow analog TV signals to pass through the box without being converted to digital so the TV's analog tuner can receive and display them. We recently ran preliminary tests on one of the early pass-through models, the Philco TB100HH9. We'll be posting that review here shortly.

Flat-panel HDTV prices still falling, but not as much as last year

Prices on flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs will decline in 2008, but not as dramatically as they did last year, when prices dropped by more than one-third overall. Still, look at the glass as half-full--you’ll be getting lots more screen for the money. For the first time, you should find a good selection of LCD and plasma HDTVs with 40- to 42-inch screens for less than $1,000, and so-called “full HD” 1080p models in those sizes for $1,100 to $1,200.

In addition to better values, you’ll also find more TV sizes—including bigger LCD displays and smaller plasmas—and a new type of display, OLED, which could be the wave of the future.

Here’s what you can expect if you go shopping for a TV during the holiday season later this year.

LCD TVs
In midsized to larger LCD TVs, price cuts will range from 5 percent to 19 percent, according to industry experts at the recent DisplaySearch Flat-Panel TV Conference (click here to see the previous blog). You’ll save more on 19-inch 720p models, which will average about $258 by year’s end, 25 percent less than in December 2007. (All the DisplaySearch price forecasts listed here are for average selling prices at the end of this year compared to the end of last year.)

• a 32-inch 720p set will sell for $647, down 7 percent from December 2007
• a 37-inch 720p LCD TV will cost $782, down 5 percent
• a 40- or 42-inch 720p LCD TV will sell for $944, down 5 percent
• a 40- or 42-inch 1080p set will sell for $1,123, down 19 percent
• a 46- or 47-inch 1080p set will sell for $1,528, down 17 percent
• a 52-inch 1080p LCD TV will sell for $2,243, down 19 percent

Plasma TVs
DisplaySearch doesn’t expect anything close to the cuts we saw last year, when overall plasma prices dropped 35 to 40 percent from the prior December, and prices of 50-inch 1080p models were down an astounding 63 percent. This year, price cuts will range from about 17 to 27 percent, they predict.

• a 42-inch 720p set will sell for $803, down 20 percent from December 2007
• a 42-inch 1080p model—which were scarce last year—will sell for $1,200, down 20 percent
• a 50-inch 720p model will sell for $1,154, down 17 percent
• a 50-inch 1080p model will sell for $1,817, down 27 percent

Other trends
• New TV sizes —55-inch LCDs and 46-, 37-, and 32-inch plasmas—should start to make inroads in the U.S. DisplaySearch noted the growing success of smaller plasmas in other regions of the world, and said that some manufacturers could look to grow their business in the U.S. by offering those sizes here to compete with LCD.
• There will be an increased emphasis on 120Hz technology, which minimizes the motion blur that has plagued LCD displays, even though it can add 30 percent to the cost of a set.
• Expect a shakeout among some second- and third-tier LCD brands as margins tighten and first-tier brands go after market share.
• The use of LEDs will surge, both in TVs and in notebook PCs. In the latter category, they could represent 10 percent of the market by the end of the year and 20 percent in 2009.
• OLEDs will have a breakout year—120 percent growth is predicted—although the technology won’t have an impact on the mainstream TV market for several years. It will represent only 2 percent of the overall North American TV market in 2012.
• Wal-Mart and the warehouse clubs will continue to be more important retail outlets for TVs. These retailers are largely responsible for Vizio’s emergence as the Number 3 flat-panel TV brand, and sales at these outlets are proving to be less seasonal than at other retailers. Wal-Mart is now the Number Two TV retailer behind Best Buy.
• As average selling prices and margins decline, look for retailers to push larger, higher-resolution TVs, or “bundles” that could include everything from Blu-ray high-def DVD players to accessories and extended warranties. For example, in 2006 the average gross profit on a 42-inch 720p LCD TV was $246; at the end of last year, it was $94, a 62-percent drop.
• Look for a mix of big brands and up-and-comers in stores. Based on unit sales, Samsung is the leading TV brand in North America, with 13.3 percent of the market, trailed by Sony (8.8 percent), Vizio (8.3 percent), Funai (7.8 percent), and Sharp (7.2 percent). But the lead changes hands periodically. Vizio was the number one brand in the second quarter of 2007 based on unit sales, and Sony rose to become the top LCD TV brand for the first time in the fourth quarter.

Despite price advantages in some screen sizes and some technological edges, plasma TV market share will continue to slide as more U.S. consumers continue to opt for LCD TVs. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog that will address our take on the relative merits of the two technologies, and ask for you to let us know which type you'll be buying and why.—James K. Wilccox

A high-def box for your HD-ready TV

If you have an HD-ready TV hooked up to an antenna, you need to prepare for the February 2009 switch to all-digital broadcasting.

That's because HD-ready TVs have only an analog tuner, and analog broadcasts will be discontinued next year. To continue getting free television programming, you'll need to buy a digital converter box and connect it between the antenna and the TV. There are two types of boxes available.

You can use a basic converter box, which costs $40 to $70, but it will provide only standard-definition content. The government is offering a $40 coupon, which can be used only for a basic model. We've tested a few coupon-eligible boxes and found that they performed well overall. This is the way to go if you don’t care much about HD programming.

But since your TV has the ability to display HD, it might be worth spending more—closer to $200—for an HD-capable digital converter box. This will enable you to get free high-def programming from the major broadcast networks, and you don't have to wait till next year. HD broadcasts are already available in most areas, so you can start enjoying them right away.

One model to consider is Samsung's DTB-H260F converter box. At $170, the Samsung isn't cheap, and it's not eligible for the coupon program. But it will get you free HD, with great picture quality. In our tests, picture quality for both 720p and 1080i HD signals we pulled in via a rooftop antenna was excellent, rivaling if not surpassing what we've seen with the typical cable feed.

The converter box should give you access to just as many stations as an HDTV with a built-in tuner, assuming of course that you have a good antenna in either case. When we fed the DTB-H260F progressively weaker signals, it did a good job with weak signals, comparable to several late-model 42-inch flat-panel HDTVs we tested. A signal-strength meter, accessible via the remote, helps you adjust the antenna to the optimal position.

Other nice features include an onscreen guide that shows programs and start times, and lets you scroll among digital channels.

—Nick Mandle and Chris Andrade

 

Converter boxes: More info for making the jump to digital TV

Have you gotten your $40 coupons yet? If so, you might be tempted to rush out to your local electronics retailer or online store and buy a digital TV converter box now—before your government-sponsored discount coupons expire in 90 days.

Before you shop, check out our "First Look" at three low-cost set-top boxes we've mentioned previously. From our review of the Magnavox TB100MW9 ($50), Insignia NS-DXA1 ($60), and Zenith DTT900 ($60), there's good news and some not-so-good news you'll want to consider.

Flat-Panel TVs in 2008: Fewer LCD brands, lesser price drops

If you've been putting off buying a flat-panel LCD TV with the hope of getting one for a dramatically lower price this year, it looks like you're out of luck. During the DisplaySearch Flat-Panel TV conference I'm attending in La Jolla, Calif., this week, panelists said they expect price declines in 2008 to be moderate, and some LCD models may actually be a bit more expensive.

There may also be fewer LCD brands to choose from, several panelists warned. Less familiar brands may be pushed off shelves as some better-known brands, including Sony and Vizio, continue to market models specifically for mass-market market retailers such as Wal-Mart.

In plasmas, the other major flat-panel technology, panelists predicted more and deeper price drops than for LCDs, though nothing to rival the declines of the past few years. In both plasma and LCDs, price drops will be greater for 1080p (so-called "full HD") models than for those with 720p resolution.

Both technologies will continue a growing overlap in screen sizes. In addition to a growing number of sub-40-inch plasmas, some 55-inch LCD models are expected. Ross Young, president of DisplaySearch, predicts we'll also see 46-inch plasmas emerge to compete with 46- and 47-inch LCD TVs.

Pioneer to stop making plasma TVs

Pioneer, one of the leading plasma TV manufacturers, confirmed recent rumors by releasing a statement acknowledging it would stop making its own plasma TV panels, and instead source them from other panel suppliers, most likely Panasonic (Matsushita).

Pioneer joins a growing list of companies that have exited the plasma manufacturing business. Many of them—including Sony, Mitsubishi, and Fujitsu—no longer sell plasma sets. Pioneer, however, will continue selling plasmas under its own label. It's not clear, though, how much of its touted Kuro plasma technology will make its way into the new sets, something the company said it was exploring. Many Pioneer models have been among the top performers in Consumer Reports' Ratings of plasma TVs.

The company will also start selling LCD TVs for the first time as a result of a previously announced deal with Sharp Electronics, which will supply the sets as part of an investment in Pioneer.

In the statement, Pioneer described its decision as a cost-cutting move that will allow the company to be more competitive in the plasma business and focus its internal resources on other product categories, such as home audio and video (including Blu-ray players) as well as mobile electronics, including in-dash car navigation systems.

"This move will allow us to transform our business model for displays from vertically integrated, capital-intensive operations to a leaner business model geared to making value-added product proposals," Pioneer said in a press release. Going forward, the company will source the components, then assemble the sets and sell them, and will continue R&D on technology to improve performance.

Exclusive: First tests of digital TV converter boxes

With the digital TV transition less than a year away, digital-to-analog converters have started showing up in retail stores. These set-top boxes convert digital transmissions pulled in by an antenna into analog signals that can be accepted by an older tube TV and other sets that don’t have a built-in digital tuner.

We tested three of the first digital-to-analog converters to hit the market: the Magnavox TB100MW9 ($50 at Wal-mart), Insignia NS-DXA1 ($60 at Best Buy) and Zenith DTT900 ($60 at Circuit City). If you buy any of these boxes, you can use the $40 coupon offered by the government, reducing your out-of-pocket cost to $10 or $20. (The Magnavox is pictured above. You can click on it for a closer look.)

[Feb. 14, 2008 UPDATE: We've further reviewed these digital TV converter boxes and have posted more information about them in our report, "Digital TV converter boxes: First Look," on ConsumerReports.org. —Ed.]

These converters did what they're supposed to—they provided access to free, off-air digital TV programs when we connected them to a rooftop antenna at our Yonkers, NY, lab. In addition, we tested to see how well each box performed when we lowered signal strength to marginal levels. All three boxes did an equally good job with weak signals, comparable to several late-model 42-inch flat-panel HDTVs we tested for comparison. (One important note: While the boxes can pull in both HD and standard-def digital channels, they'll convert HD programs to standard-definition analog.)

Picture quality from all three converter boxes was decent and should be fine on a relatively small-screen set. It's likely to be better than analog broadcasts you're watching on that same TV now. It won't match what you can get with a good digital TV, but the difference in quality isn't that great that you should buy a new TV unless you're ready to change for other reasons.

For an extra $10, the Insignia and Zenith boxes provided a slightly better image than the Magnavox and some added features that make them more convenient to use. The Zenith and Insignia performed closely overall, but the Insignia had a few quirks in picture quality when we used the composite-video output, so we would opt for the Zenith.

If you're in the market for a converter box, stay tuned for our full test report on these three models, which we expect to post next week on ConsumerReports.org.

—Eileen McCooey

How to use a converter box & antenna to get DTV

Digital TV offers potentially better picture quality and more channels than analog over-the-air broadcasts, but getting digital signals might not be as easy as plugging a converter box between your antenna and TV. Here's why.

Most analog stations are in the VHF band, channels 2-13, while digital signals are transmitted mainly over the UHF band, 14 and higher. (However, digital stations in some areas may move to the VHF band next February, when analog channels vacate their station frequencies.) The UHF band is more directional than VHF and more sensitive to obstacles (such as trees, tall buildings, and mountains) that lie between your antenna and the broadcast tower. So getting good UHF reception can be more difficult than pulling in VHF, affecting your ability to get digital broadcasts.

The all-or-nothing nature of digital broadcasts also comes into play. With analog stations, a weak signal can still yield a watchable picture—it might be snowy or have ghosts, but you'll get a continuous picture and uninterrupted sound.

If you're getting marginal reception of digital signals, both the picture and sound might freeze or break up to the point that it's not watchable. If you're really on the fringes—either too far from a tower or with too many obstacles in the way—you'll see a black screen that says "Weak or no signal."

You don't have to wait until next year to get an idea right now as to what kind of reception you can expect after the transition. Here's what you can do right now:

Is your Blu-ray player obsolete?

Even though the Blu-ray format has emerged as the de facto standard for high-definition DVD, you might want to hold off on buying a player. We think prices could drop later in the year, but that's not the only reason to wait. Technologically, the Blu-ray format is still maturing.

As a result, many early adopters are finding, to their dismay, that the players they purchased—likely at premium prices—lack features that will be included in newer, lower-priced models.

One thing that HD DVD got right was that it mandated a minimum set of features, including interactivity and online access, which had to be included in every player sold. Blu-ray, by contrast, has continually updated the features on its players. Currently, Blu-ray is on its third player "profile," which describes the specific features included in the player.

The first players—so-called Profile 1.0 models—will play Blu-ray movies (plus DVDs and, generally, CDs), period. An updated profile—dubbed Profile 1.1—added picture-in-picture capability that lets you view a Blu-ray movie while calling up additional content, such as a director's commentary, in a smaller window on the screen.

The latest profile—Profile 2.0, or BD Live—adds an Ethernet port for Internet access capability, enabling you to get the latest movie trailers or interactive games from the web. Unfortunately, earlier players can't be upgraded to the latest profile. The one exception we know of is the latest version of Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, which can be updated via a firmware upgrade to conform to the BD Live specifications. The first standalone Profile 2.0 players are expected to arrive shortly.

In our opinion, that's a compelling reason to continue waiting. While many of us may be happy simply playing movies, why settle for less than a fully featured model, especially since it will likely carry a cheaper price? But it's up to you to make sure that you're getting a player that has all the Blu-ray functionality currently being offered—something the Blu-ray format has unnecessarily complicated.

—James K. Willcox

High-Def DVDs: Is it time to get Blu-ray?

Ever since the high-def DVD format war began, we've advised would-be buyers to wait until a clear winner emerged. Now that Toshiba has pulled the plug on HD DVD, those of us who've been patiently waiting on the sidelines wonder whether it's now time to buy a Blu-ray player. Unfortunately, we still think the answer is no.

The biggest reason is cost. The cheapest Blu-ray players now sell for about $300, and most go for $350 to $500. By contrast, prices for HD DVD players sometimes slipped below $100. That means the cost for entering the high-def DVD world just tripled for consumers. Conventional wisdom suggests that with HD DVD out of the picture, Blu-ray manufacturers have less incentive to cut prices. That may not be true. Here's why we believe that Blu-ray prices could drop, maybe considerably, later this year.

For one thing, the day Toshiba pulled the plug on HD DVD, all the companies that had banded together to promote the Blu-ray format resumed their usual roles as fierce competitors vying for market share in a burgeoning business. Their message is no longer "Buy Blu-ray," but "Buy Panasonic," "Buy Samsung" and "Buy Sony." That type of competition fuels price cuts.

In addition, we expect to see the first wave of made-in-Taiwan models from new, lower-priced brands hit retail shelves in the U.S. this fall. To compete with established brands, these secondary and tertiary labels will have to price their models lower. That in turn could exert pricing pressure on major-brand models, particularly those targeting mass-market and discount retail channels.

Toshiba pulls plug on HD DVD

Following in the wake of rumors this past weekend that Toshiba was ready to throw in the towel in its almost single-handed campaign to promote HD DVD as the high-definition successor to the DVD, the company this morning confirmed it is pulling the plug on its HD DVD business.

As a result, Blu-ray will become the de facto high-definition DVD format, a move that will now end the high-def stalemate that many believe has delayed mainstream consumer acceptance of a DVD successor.

In a statement released early this morning, Toshiba says it expects to be completely out of the standalone HD DVD player business by the end of March 2008, and will stop volume production of PC drives and recorders while it assesses the market for computer-based products, such as notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives.

It's not yet clear what options early adopters of the HD DVD format will have. As of this morning, there were no announcements from the two major studios exclusively supporting the HD DVD format, Paramount and Universal, about their plans, but it's unlikely they will continue supporting a dying format for much longer. It's possible that one or more of the Blu-ray player manufacturers could offer HD DVD player owners an exchange program or some other kind of promotional offer to bring them into the Blu-ray camp.

In the statement, Toshiba said that after undertaking a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD, it "decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders." The move, the company says, is the result of "recent major changes in the market," most likely the decisions by Warner Bros., to stop issuing movies in the HD DVD format and Wal-Mart to stop carrying HD DVD products.

Toshiba says it will continue to provide "full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products." The company also reaffirmed its commitment to standard-definition DVD, and said it would continue to "maintain collaborative relations with the companies who joined with Toshiba in working to build up the HD DVD market, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation...  as well as leaders in the IT industry, including Microsoft, Intel, and HP."

—James K. Willcox

The DTV transition: Get the gear you might need soon

This Sunday, it will be exactly one year until TV broadcasts go all-digital, and the action is starting to pick up. Uncle Sam, electronics manufacturers and retailers, and consumers are gearing up for the day analog TV broadcasts cease—Feb. 17, 2009. Here are the latest developments:

Coupons going fast; don't miss out. On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the government will mail the first batch of coupons to consumers who requested help paying for a digital converter box. These boxes will enable analog TVs to accept digital signals pulled in by an antenna. Each household can request one or two $40 coupons. The coupons, which look like plastic gift cards (see the sample image on the right), expire 90 days after they're issued.

[April 7, 2008 UPDATE: Concerned about the expiration date on your converter coupons? Check out our latest post, DTV converter coupons: It's now or never, which also features a link to "share your story" with HearUsNow.org, the consumer advocacy arm of Consumers Union, our parent company. —Ed.]

As of Feb. 14, the government had received applications for nearly 5 million coupons—almost one-fourth of the 22,250,000 coupons available to any household. When those are gone, another 11,250,000 million will be offered, but only to households that depend solely on an antenna for TV signals. If you subscribe to cable or satellite service for some TVs but have other sets that use an antenna, apply before the unrestricted coupons are gone. Visit www.dtv2009.gov to apply online or to get a form that can be mailed or faxed (you'll need Adobe Acrobat software), or call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

Converters arriving in stores. The first digital converter boxes are arriving in stores now. Independent retailers and major chains including Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart will sell the boxes, which cost about $40 to $70, and have agreed to accept coupons.

DTV transition: How's it going?

With the end of analog TV broadcasts now a year away—February 17, 2009, to be precise—debate is intensifying on the readiness of viewers and broadcasters for the upcoming transition to all-digital TV.

Two polls released in recent weeks suggest that a majority of consumers are aware of the TV transition. A poll from Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, reported 64 percent awareness, where one from the National Association of Broadcasters, the industry group that represents television stations, cited 78 percent awareness.

But being aware of the transition doesn't necessarily mean you understand its implications. The CU study found rampant misunderstanding among consumers about what the transition means for them—misunderstandings that CU fears could result in some households buying equipment they don't need. In an appearance this week before the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Chris Murray, Senior Counsel for Consumers Union, warned that "along with the technical complexities of the transition are strong incentives by a variety of market players for 'digital upsell' to consumers," which could result in pressure to buy everything from more expensive cable service to a new HDTV set. "For vulnerable populations—such as the elderly or low-income households—the potential for being misled, intentionally or unintentionally, is significant," Murray said.

Meantime, another study by Centris, a market research firm, asserts that many households that now get their analog TV programming via set-top rabbit-ear antennas may have to upgrade to costly roof antennas in order to receive that same programming via digital signals. The study has prompted a whirlwind of commentary, including comments from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin.

We'll continue to offer news and advice on the transition on this blog and on ConsumerReports.org. In the coming days, for example, we'll be posting updates on the availability of analog-to-digital converter boxes and of the coupons the federal government is issuing to offset their cost. We'll also publish the results of tests on one of the first boxes to hit the market.

—Paul Reynolds

Rear-Projection HDTVs: More innovation, fewer choices?

There's a deepening paradox about rear-projection TVs (RPTVs), those video giants with screens that run upwards of 70 inches in size. On the one hand, based on our Ratings of RPTVs (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers), sets have continued to get better. And as we learned at the Consumer Electronics Show this month, there's still quite a bit of innovation in the category. Mitsubishi and Samsung have been experimenting with alternative backlighting sources for these sets—Samsung already with a growing number of LED-based sets (such as the HL-T6187S rear-projection TV set seen at right), and Mitsubishi poised to launch the first laser-lit rear-projection sets later this year. In addition, both companies have been offering fairly impressive 3D demos when their sets are used with optional 3D glasses and stereoscopic content.

But those pluses aren't enough for most consumers, who can now get a thinner plasma or LCD set of comparable size to an RPTV set at a comparable price. As a result, RPTV sales continue to dwindle; Toshiba, for one, now estimates the total rear-projection market at a paltry 650,000 units, out of an overall digital TV market of more than 23 million sets.

Little wonder, then, that the number of manufacturers making rear-projection sets continues to decline. Sony and Toshiba recently defected from the rear-projection TV market, and, based on what we saw at CES this month, there's a strong likelihood that by this summer, there will only be two major rear-projection players left: Samsung and Mitsubishi. Neither JVC nor Panasonic, traditionally strong RPTV players, showed new rear-projection models at the show and a JVC executive this week confirmed that no new sets are on the horizon this year. That leads us to believe these companies will announce their exits from the RPTV market sometime in the coming months.

The slimming of the market means that both LCoS (the technology used by JVC, which markets it as D-ILA) and rear-projection LCD (the format used by Panasonic) would essentially disappear from the market. That would leave DLP as the only remaining rear-projection technology. (LCD and LCoS continue to remain important technologies in the front-projector TV market, however.)

For consumers, the decline of RPTV will mean fewer model to choose from if a projection set does make sense for your needs. (See our buying advice on rear-projection TVs to determine if an RTPV is right for you.) It might also provide good deals on really big sets, as Samsung and Mitsubishi duke it out for the remaining RPTV buyers. We'll continue to monitor the rear-projection business, including testing the likes of those laser-lit Mitsubishis later in the year. But it appears that the handwriting is already on the wall: it's only a matter of time before RPTVs follow in the path of CRT sets and become a historical footnote in the evolution of TV displays.

—James K. Willcox

Super Bowl: Getting a big screen for the big game

There's still time to get a new high-definition TV delivered and set up before Super Bowl Sunday, but the countdown clock is ticking.

Best Buy and Circuit City, two of the biggest players in the TV business, promise they'll have your new set up and running by kickoff as long as you seal the deal by Jan. 26 or Jan. 30, respectively. Online giant Amazon.com has a cut-off date of Jan. 26. P.C. Richard & Sons, a regional chain in the Northeast, takes the prize for last-minute specials, giving procrastinators up to noon on game day to buy a set in a New York or New Jersey store. That's the big picture—with all these deals, there are restrictions and caveats, as spelled out below.

Sears doesn't specifically guarantee delivery by Feb. 3, but a random check of various models on the company's web site showed that we could have some TVs delivered before game day, depending on zip code. That doesn't include setup; you'd have to call Sears to see when you could get an appointment in your area.

Of course, if you're willing and able to haul your big-screen set home from the store and set it up yourself, you have more time and more options. You can order a set online and pick it up at a local store with Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears, and Wal-mart, or you can head over to a nearby Target or a Costco warehouse for a cash-and-carry transaction.

Don't forget that you'll need high-def TV service in place to enjoy the game in all its big-screen splendor. For cable, satellite, or phone-company fiber-optic service, that means a high-def receiver and service package. If you don't already have such a setup, call your provider ASAP to get the ball rolling. Depending on the company, you can pick up the equipment at a local outlet or have it shipped or delivered. For free off-air broadcasts, all you need is a UHF/VHF antenna hooked up to your new TV (all new sets have the required digital tuner). That's assuming you're in a location where you can pull in signals, without tall buildings, trees, or mountains obstructing transmission.

Then there's the actual setup—putting all the plugs in all the right places. If you've paid for installation, which might run you $100 to $150 for a basic setup, the retailer's crew will hook everything up and make sure you have a high-def picture coming in. Doing it yourself isn't that hard, though. You plug the incoming cable into the HD receiver, then use an HDMI cable, or component-video and audio cables, to connect the receiver to the TV. Tune in an HD channel, and you should be good to go. You should also check the TV's settings to make sure you're getting a full-screen picture with optimal image quality.

One final tip: Hang onto your receipts and check prices for a month or two after your purchase. Many retailers offer a 30-day or 60-day price guarantee, and you can collect the difference if your set is sold at a lower price either at the store itself or at a competitor during that period.

Check out Consumer Reports' Guide to Super Bowl Sunday for more HDTV shopping advice, including access to our Ratings of HDTVs and for tips on throwing a great Super Bowl party.

Now, it's on to the players.

Toshiba Cuts Prices on All its HD DVD Players

Marketing ploy, or last-ditch effort to stem the tide toward Blu-ray?

Toshiba has cut prices on its three HD DVD players to $150 for its entry-level model to $300 for the top-of-the-line unit. The company says it reduced everyday prices because of success with promotional pricing over the holidays.

However, the timing of the cuts—just two weeks after Warner Bros. announced that it would support Blu-ray exclusively—could just as easily be taken as a last-ditch effort to keep HD DVD alive. Price cuts could boost the installed base of HD DVD players enough to keep the two studios still exclusively backing the format, Paramount/DreamWorks and Universal, in its camp.

The new HD DVD pricing is already in effect. The entry-level 1080i model, the HD-A3 (click on image above for a closer look.), is now $150, and the step-up 1080p model, the HD-A30, is now $200. The flagship HD-A35 player is now priced at $300. Toshiba is still running its free software promotion, which gives HD DVD buyers a choice of five free HD DVD titles from a list of 15 movies. To help bolster education and satisfaction with HD DVD players, Toshiba recently launched an "HD DVD Concierge" program, which provides a toll-free number where customers can receive answers to general questions or help using a player.

Given the uncertain future of the HD DVD format, it's hard to recommend purchasing an HD DVD player, even at the lower price. However, if you need to replace a standard-def DVD (and weren't really considering a high-def model), an HD DVD player could be an option if you can find one at close to the same price. These players will play—and upconvert—standard DVDs, and a decent library of high-def movies in this format is still available. And if HD DVD loses the format war, there may be some great deals on HD DVD movies as retailers clean out their inventories.

—James K. Willcox

Sony XEL-1: Our first impressions of OLED TV

The first OLED TV to hit the stores is stunning but expensive

[Jan. 18, 2008 UPDATE: We've produced a video report that highlights the features of the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV. If you have Flash software installed, you can view the video here (clicking the link launches a new browser window) or in the video player embedded below. —Ed.]

Remember the first time you saw a plasma TV, the first television without a big caboose behind the screen? You were probably wondering, "Where’s the rest of the set?" You might have the same reaction when you see the new Sony XEL-1. (Click on the image at right for a closer look.)

This 11-inch widescreen television is wafer-thin, just 1/8th of an inch deep, a fraction of the depth of even the slimmest LCD or plasma sets. (Click on the image below, left,for a closer look at the XEL-1's thinness.) The XEL-1 uses a new panel technology called OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), which offers stunning picture quality. The catch is the steep price: $2,500 for this small screen, which is half the size of some computer displays.

If the slim, stylish display panel, which comes mounted to a sleek-looking stand, isn’t enough to get your attention, its picture quality surely will. This TV gets high marks on all fronts, with picture quality that is simply amazing. It displays the deepest blacks we've seen, better than even the best plasma or CRT sets we've tested. At the same time, images are bright, with high contrast, yielding a picture that looks great in both a bright or darkened room. On dark scenes containing black areas, no light is visible from this panel, even when viewed in a dark room. Colors look accurate and are richly saturated.

While the display's native resolution maxes out at 960x540 (about one-quarter the resolution of 1080p HD, but better than DVD resolution), we saw very impressive detail from typical HD programming. That's because the screen is so small that there are still enough pixels per square inch to render satisfying detail. DVDs also looked terrific. This TV can accept image format resolutions from 480i up to 1080p. The less-than-HD resolution will not leave you wanting for detail in this screen size, and if you have a high-quality HD video source, this little TV will deliver.

In addition, it has a virtually unlimited viewing angle, so there's no problem with off-center viewing, as there is with most LCD sets. Sound is also quite good, better than you might expect given the small size of the set.

It's not perfect, though. The $2,500 price tag is extremely steep, considering the tiny screen size. But prices for OLED screens should drop over time as they did for LCD and plasma TVs, which were far more costly a few years back than they are today.

Also, given its smallish 11-inch screen, this TV is not suitable as a primary set; it's best used for very up-close viewing, say on a kitchen counter while you're preparing dinner or on a desk as you're working (though you need to take care not to scratch the specially coated screen). Models with larger screens are in the works; at CES, Sony showed a prototype of a 27-inch model, and Samsung had a 31-inch prototype, but didn’t have information about when they might be available, or for how much.

The lack of analog inputs could also be an issue. Although this TV has two HDMI inputs and an antenna jack (and NTSC, QAM and ATSC tuners that will allow it to receive free over-the-air analog and digital broadcasts, plus analog and digital cable signals), it has no component-video, S-video or composite-video inputs, which you'll still find on many DVD players and cable and satellite receivers). That could limit the use of the TV with some older components.

We'll be taking a closer look at the XEL-1 over the next few days and we'll report what we find on ConsumerReports.org soon. Bookmark this post or the Electronics section of the ConsumerReports.org website to find the link to our upcoming free online video report on the XEL-1 OLED TV.

But if you're in the market for a top-performing, small widescreen TV, be sure to put this Sony at the top of your list—provided, of course, that money is no object. With its steep price of $2,500, this little 11-incher costs more than many of our top-rated big-screen plasma and LCD sets. All things considered, if Sony's new OLED TV is any example of what this new technology can deliver, we can't wait to see more.

—Claudio Ciacci, Senior Project Leader

[Jan. 14, 2008 UPDATE: We neglected to mention that the Sony XEL-1 also has a QAM (digital cable TV) tuner built-in and that this report was prepared by Claudio Ciacci, one of Consumer Reports' experts in TV technology and testing. —Ed.]

OLED Explained
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Organic Light-Emitting Diode, or OLED, is a very thin display technology that combines some of the best elements of plasma and LCD TVs. Like LCD, OLED is very thin—much thinner than even the slimmest LCDs. And like plasma, OLED is an emissive technology—its organic materials give off light—so no bulky backlight is required. The brightness of the light depends on the amount of current supplied to it. When the light is off, these screens can display absolute black, better than any other current TV technology. They are also extremely bright, with a wider range of colors than current flat-panel sets. And OLED sets have an incredibly fast response time, so motion blur is not a problem, as it can be with LCD sets. They're also more energy efficient than current TV technologies.

However, there are also some disadvantages. One is that OLED's organic materials can have a limited lifetime, shorter than that of other display technologies. Another is that the screens can be vulnerable to damage. But perhaps the biggest drawback is that they're currently very expensive to manufacture, particularly in larger screen sizes. At present, there are no larger-sized screens commercially available, and the price of even an 11-inch model is higher than many 50-inch flat-panel TVs.

CES 2008: Green gains, but only so far…

This year's Consumer Electronics Show proclaimed itself the world's first carbon-neutral trade event, proudly detailing how it required suppliers of everything from displays to disposable plates to choose environmentally benign options. This was also the greenest CES ever in terms of what participants were shown and invited to discuss.

But a greenfest it wasn't. At best, environmental issues rose from the near-invisibility of past shows to a scattered presence on the show floor, with the occasional green or brown sign carrying a corporate pledge or strategy. The conference program featured a day of modestly attended panel discussions on environmental issues, in the farthest reaches of the Las Vegas Convention Center's cavernous South Hall. A few other green-themed sessions dotted the calendar.

I attended as many of those events as I could and chatted afterwards with some of the panelists, who included manufacturers, mostly from big companies such as HP, Sony, and Panasonic, and regulators but not environmentalists (organizers say they tried without success to get environmental groups to participate).

Here are some of the promising developments I heard:

Energy Star designations will improve and expand. As we'll report more fully in a few weeks, when our annual TV feature-content posts to ConsumerReports.org, a flat-panel TV can easily consume $50 or more of power a year, possibly as much or more than your fridge. Many plasmas and LCD sets now bear Energy Star labels, but the current requirements reflect only power consumption in the stan