Reviews of 1080p HDTV’s

When shopping for a new HDTV, screen resolution is one of the first features people look at and one of the main features that every TV manufacturer promotes. 1080p resolution has basically become the new standard in HDTV. 720p (still HD) was a very popular resolution in earlier HDTV’s but is quickly becoming outdated and you typically only find it in cheaper HDTV’s or very small HDTV’s.

You should keep in mind that the difference between 720p and 1080p resolution is basically impossible to detect in smaller screen sizes (approximatley 42″ and below) so if you are in the market for a small TV, you shouldn’t be too concerned about a 720p HDTV.

Also keep in mind that many HD signals aren’t even in 1080p yet. Most networks like CBS, ABC, NBC, etc. broadcast in 720p or 1080i so you aren’t missing much from broadcast TV. The primary sources for 1080p content come from Blu-ray players, PlayStation 3 and other services like Vudu, Roku and Netflix.

1080p HDTV’s are available in LCD TV, Plasma TV and LED TV.  Nearly all major manufacturers like Samsung, Vizio, Phillips Magnavox, Polaroid and others have a greater selection of 1080p HDTV’s.  In fact, they are available in most sizes including 32″, 37″, 42″ 47″, 50″, 52″ and higher.

Who Should Buy a 1080p HDTV?

If you’re in the market for a HDTV, you’ll likely end up with a 1080p TV by default. If you plan on watching Blu-ray discs or other content available in 1080p, we highly recommend going with this resolution.

However, if you’re looking for a smaller TV and you find a great deal on a 720p, don’t worry about buying an “inferior” TV. You won’t notice the difference between the two resolutions.

Which 1080p Brands Should You Buy?

There are pro’s and con’s of almost every brand. If you are more concerned about sticking to a tight budget and are not as concerned about the exterior appearance of quality of picture, you may be interested in brands like Element, Insignia, Envision and others.

However, we typically recommend stepping up to a moderate or high-end TV. There is some truth to the phrase “you get what you pay for” in HDTV’s. While it isn’t always the case, it tends to be true between budget brands and mid to high-end brands like Vizio, Sony, Panasonic and others.

If you’re in the market for a new HDTV, continue reading to find our 1080p HDTV reviews.

This post was originally seen on HDTV Universe - 1080p HDTV Reviews

Times have been tough for Polaroid, a company which made its name manufacturing film-based cameras for decades. The company has sought to survive by diversifying its product line to include digital cameras, consumer electronics, and even high definition television sets. This has worked for the company on accounts of its sterling reputation for consumer photography products, but some consumers remain unconvinced that a company which made its name on taking pictures can be seriously trusted as a company which simply displays pictures on a high definition screen. So, is Polaroid really a serious contender in the HDTV marketplace?

Polaroid TV Review Contents:

• Search for a specific Polaroid Model #
• Polaroid TV Expert Review
• Polaroid TV’s on Sale (Coming Soon)
• Most Recent Polaroid TV Reviews
• Consumer Polaroid TV Opinions & Reviews

Searching for a specific Polaroid TV review?

Polaroid Overall Brand Review

For photography, Polaroid is one of the oldest and most accessible brands for most consumers. And that’s for a good reason: at its peak, almost everyone had a Polaroid camera — and the appearance of those photos is still mimicked by many photo editing programs currently on the market for use with digital photographs. As the market for these cameras declined, however, the company found itself having to evolve its business or simply go out of business. And, in light of this, the company unveiled its high definition television and consumer electronics offerings.

Consumers have had mixed reviews of the Polaroid brand as it has entered the living room, with some enjoying the quality of the company’s television sets while others regard them as substandard, low-quality, and far less durable than other major electronics brands’ offerings.

Polaroid Product Quality

Unfortunately, Polaroid’s televisions have not flown off store shelves like the company’s cameras used to do. This is largely because of customer dissatisfaction with the quality of the company’s display panels, manufacturing materials, and overall durability. Indeed, in many customer surveys about Polaroid’s high definition television offerings, customers have called the company’s products “complete junk” and “not built to last.” That’s a harsh review from a buying public who, just a few years or decades ago, regarded the company as one of the great American brands.

It’s no secret why the company’s product quality has suffered: in the interest of making a maximum profit on these television sets, Polaroid has been turning out HDTVs with low-quality plastic, short-lived LCD displays, and overall longevity problems. The good news for the company is that these cheap sets are often sold at a premium — with prices on par with those charged by Panasonic and Sony — because of the high value of the Polaroid name. The bad news is that consumers are catching on as their television sets stop working, and Polaroid is in a compromising position.

Polaroid Pricing & Value

There is no worse value than a television set which costs a pretty penny and stops working after three months but, increasingly, that is what Polaroid seems to be selling its loyal customers. The company’s television sets are widely panned both online and at traditional retail stores where employees have started warning customers of the company’s issues with quality control. On top of this, Polaroid’s television sets are not sold at any kind of major discount. Instead, the company trades on brand currency to sell its television sets for top dollar while they continue to break down and require replacement. It’s the exact opposite of value, and it has posed real problems for the company.

As stated earlier, Polaroid is not necessarily competitive on price. It would be a competitive player if the quality of its sets mirrored those sold by Philips, Sony, or Panasonic, but the simply fact is that its sets are not even in the same league. It can be said, then, that Polaroid overcharges customers and delivers a subpar product.

Polaroid Customer Service

Perhaps because of its roots in consumer photography, the Polaroid customer service line is amazingly helpful for the many customers who have purchased a short-lived HDTV from the company. Representatives are able to guide customers through the basic functions of their television set, help with technical issues, and even arrange a repair or return of the et if it should malfunction.

The company also sells an extended warranty that boosts overall coverage to three years. That’s a sigh of relief for some customer whose sets have only lasted three months. Furthermore, Polaroid’s website is full of support tools, information, and guides, which will help new TV owners get acquainted with their new device.

Polaroid Overall Rating

Unfortunately, Polaroid has focused too much on charging top dollar for their television sets, rather than assuring top quality. This means that the company, while it remains a powerful in consumer electronics, is quickly losing the good graces of customer who buy its HDTV products. The short lifespan of many of its televisions simply does not match with the premium price tag attached to them, and that present a serious problem for the company.

Most Recent Polaroid TV Reviews

• Polaroid 4011-TLXB Review – 40-inch LCD HDTV

• Polaroid 3211-TLXB Review – 32 inch LCD HDTV

• Polaroid 4241-TLXB Review – 42-inch LCD HDTV

This post was originally seen on HDTV Universe - Polaroid TV Reviews

The Polaroid 4011-TLXB is a 40 inch HD LCD television that brings the joy of viewing effervescent, true-to-life images and with greater color spectrum visibility. The Polaroid Video Processor has a three-dimensional image enhancement filter to guarantee amazing video quality. This television accepts 480i/480p/720p/1080i signals and has a built-in ATSC tuner to display HD programming. This is one incredible TV with exciting features- worth your hard-earned money. Available at many leading online stores at a price around $760, Polaroid 4011-TLXB is anybody’s covet. Check out its standard specifications:

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Polaroid 4011-TLXB Review – Features & Specifications:

DISPLAY
Screen Size 40″ (102cm)
Diagonal Resolution 1366×768
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Contrast Ratio 1200:1
Brightness 500 cd/m2
Viewing Angle 178°
Response Time 8ms

COMPATIBILITY
Color System NTSC
ATSC Formats 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i

INPUTS
Component (HDTV) (2 sets) 3 RCAs Back Headphone Jack 1/8″ Mini-Jack Back HDMI (2 sets) HDMI Back Tuner Co-ax Back RGB 15-Pin Dsub Back S-Video 4-pin DIN Back Composite (2 sets) RCA Back

GENERAL
Bezel Color Black
Power Supply 100V – 240V
Power Consumption 300 Watts
Standby Power 5.0 Watts
Dimensions (W x H x D)(without stand or speakers) 98.8cm x 74.4cm x 23.9cm
Weight 31.3 kg

ADDITIONAL FEATURES
3:2 Pull Down Yes
Closed Captioning Yes

The high definition excellent picture quality of this HDTV brings to you splendid, true-to-life color with greater visibility of the color spectrum. Polaroid 4011-TLXB guarantees advanced crystal clarity picture images when it is connected an HD source. Moreover, its Dual HDMI inputs provide increased HD connectivity. You will also enjoy a widescreen picture and178 x 178 viewing angle. This ensures that nobody in the room has to squint while viewing from any angle!

HDTVUniverse.com gives the Polaroid 4011-TLXB 8/10 stars!

This post was originally seen on HDTV Universe - Polaroid 4011-TLXB Review – 40-inch LCD HDTV

If you are just starting with HDTV, and don’t want to spend much then the Polaroid 3211-TLXB 32″ LCD HDTV is a great option. At around $580, this LCD TV is quite inexpensive, as compared to others in this range. The flat LCD display, allows great viewing in brightly-lit rooms. This television has included stands and the ability to be mounted; you will also get display options to fit any design. Powered with many standard liquid crystal display features, the Polaroid 3211-TLXB is treat to watch, literally! Let’s take a look at its standard specs before moving further into its performance.

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Polaroid 3211-TLXB Review – Features & Specifications:

Width 31.7 in
Depth 8.4 in
Height 25 in
Weight 39.5 lbs

Display
Diagonal Size: 32 in – Widescreen
Technology: TFT active matrix
Resolution:1366 x 768
Display Format: 720p
Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Image Contrast Ratio: 1200:1
Brightness (cd/m2): 500 cd/m2
Progressive Scan: Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Widescreen Modes: Zoom, Normal, Wide, Full
Viewing Angle (horizontal): 170 degrees
Viewing Angle (Vertical): 170 degrees
Pixel Response Time: 8 ms
Comb Filter: 3D digital
V-Chip Control: Yes
Color Temperature Control: Yes
Additional Features: Parental control, 3:2 pull down compensation, Video noise reduction

Inputs and outputs
Component video inputs: 2
S-video inputs: 1
Composite inputs: 2
DVI (Digital Video Interface): 0
HDMI inputs: 2
RF inputs: 1
PC compatible: Yes
VGA/SVGA input: Yes

Tuners
Digital TV Tuner: ATSC
Stereo Reception System: MTS
Secondary Audio Program (SAP): Yes

Video Features
HDTV Ready: Yes
Input Video Formats: 480p, 480i, 1080i, 720p
Electronic Program Guide: Digital EPG
Parental Channel Lock: Yes
Closed Caption Capability: Yes

Audio System
Sound Output Mode: Stereo
Audio Controls: Treble, Bass, Balance, Equalizer
Speakers Included: 2 speakers
Output Power / Total: 40 Watt
Speaker(s): 2 x Right/left channel speaker – Built-in – 20 Watt

Convenience
Remote: Universal
Pedestals stand: Yes
Fixed Wall mount: not included

General features
Cabinet color: Black
VESA compliant: Yes

Check out this model if you want to enjoy sharp pictures from an ultra-thin TV! Due to its HDTV compatibility, the image display is significantly sharp and realistic in comparison to regular televisions. The 3:2 pull down feature of this TV is useful for transferring motion pictures to digital format – it reduces artifacts that can occur during the process.

Ideal for DVD movies recorded in the 16:9 formats, as well as high definition programming. Other than its rear connector location-which is a minus, this TV has great features for the money. However, if you are a HDTV perfectionist, the one and only aspect that might not impress you fully is that it has only rear connection location. But then, its sharp image quality makes up enhancing your viewing experience to the next level.
HDTVUniverse.com gives the Polaroid 3211-TLXB 8/10 stars!

This post was originally seen on HDTV Universe - Polaroid 3211-TLXB Review – 32 inch LCD HDTV

Vizio increases its offerings with a top of the line 1080p Full HD flat panel. The VU42LF (also listed as VU42LFHDTV and vu42LFHDTV10a) is a very attractively priced LCD TV. You will have an extremely hard time finding a 1080p LCD TV any cheaper. Typically, you expect the cheapest TV to be the worst but this definitely isn’t the case. You can’t quite expect the Vizio VU42LFHDTV to match up with a 1080p Pioneer or Panasonic but Vizio is definitely a respectable, middle of the line HDTV manufacturer. The VU42LF didn’t skimp on looks either with a black bezel and bottom mounted silver speakers. It’s definitely a great looking TV whether mounted on the wall or by using the included TV stand.

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Vizio VU42LF HDTV Features and Specifications:

• Resolution: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
• Colors: 16 Million
• Contrast Ratio: 1800:1
• Built-in Tuners: NTSC/ATSC/QAM
• Response Time: 8ms
• Viewing Angle: 178 degrees
• Brightness: 500 cd/m2
• RF Input: 1
• HDMI Inputs: 2
• Component Inputs: 2
• Composite Inputs: 2
• S-Video Input: 1
• Picture-in-picture: Yes
• PC Compatible: Yes

Vizio maintains its reputation as one of the greatest value buys in the HDTV flat panel market today. The Vizio VU42LFHDTV10A upholds that reputation with one of the best low-priced 1080p televisions available. The flat panel market can really be split into two different categories: high end (Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony, etc.) and the cheaper options (Vizio, Westinghouse, Polaroid). So far, Vizio continues to outmatch its level of competitors with impressive screen quality and features at an amazing price.

HDTVUniverse.com gives the VU42LF HDTV 8/10 stars!

Check out Vizio LCD’s and get the best price at one of these online retailers:

Amazon.com | Circuit City | Buy.com | Wal-Mart

This post was originally seen on HDTV Universe - Vizio VU42LF HDTV Review – 42-inch LCD HDTV

The Polaroid 4241-TLXB is a reasonably priced, large LCD HDTV that can be found at major retailers like Circuit City. Polaroid has been manufacturing televisions for a few years now and catches many people’s attention because of their very competitive pricing. The Polaroid 4241TLXB is packed with features, most impressively is the 1080p resolution which is the best possible resolution you can buy. 1080p resolution isn’t common with HD cable programming yet but if you’re using HD gaming or video players like PlayStation 3, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD, you’ll get the full effect.

Polaroid 4241-TLXB Features and Specifications:

• Resolution: 1080p (1920×1080)
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
• Built-in Tuners: NTSC/ATSC
• Contrast Ratio: 800:1
• Component Inputs: 2
• S-Video Inputs: 1
• Composite Inputs: 2
• HDMI Inputs: 2
• DVI Inputs: 0
• PC Compatible: Yes

The Polaroid 4241-TLXB is one of the cheapest LCD HDTV’s available in this size range. It has great features like 1080p and simulated surround sound but the contrast ratio of 800:1 is very unappealing. LCD TV’s typically have a lower contrast ratio but this may be a little too low. If you’re not an audio/video junkie and are just looking for a sleek looking flat panel to put in your living room or hang on the wall, the 4241-TLXB is a very attractively priced option. If you’re looking for a superior picture, you may want to invest some more money into a better set or get a smaller size of a better brand.

YouReviewElectronics.com rates the Polaroid 4241-TLXB 6/10!

This post was originally seen on HDTV Universe - Polaroid 4241-TLXB Review – 42-inch LCD HDTV