David Katzmaier,
Senior Editor
November 17, 2008
What makes for a media-rich HDTV? If it has an Ethernet port, is stuffed with Yoga videos, and/or delivers music, stock quotes, and even YouTube, we classify it as media-rich.
Here are four HDTVs that fit that category, including three which are DLNA-certified. Check out this blog post for details on what the certification is all about.The Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD, which happens to be our top HDTV overall this year, is also the best media-rich HDTV. It has a clean, sharp interface and is DLNA-certified to stream audio, pictures, and video from a networked PC. It also supports DivX, a video format that's officially unsupported by DLNA. If you don't want to spring for the Elite, the standard Pioneer PDP-5020FD includes essentially the same capabilities.
Runners up include televisions from Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony, all with their individual quirks. Sony's limitation is the most severe: it can only stream pictures and audio, perhaps to encourage buyers to pony up for the company's Internet Video Link. The Panasonic includes the potentially useful Viera Cast service, but it can't stream anything from a home network and so is limited to whatever content providers Panasonic decides to include--currently YouTube, Picasa, and some Bloomberg news and weather info. The Samsung can stream your media, grab news, stocks and weather information, and includes the aforementioned yoga videos, but we found using many of its capabilities to be a frustrating experience.
| Product name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,249.00 to $4,499.98 | $1,498.00 to $2,999.95 | $1,379.95 to $1,867.00 | Check Prices |
| CNET editors' rating |
|
|
|
|
| Average user rating | ||||
| Review date | September 30, 2008 | July 01, 2008 | June 26, 2008 | August 08, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | The Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD represents the pinnacle of flat-panel HDTV picture quality. | The Panasonic TH-50PZ850U's color accuracy issues prevent it from topping the high-end plasma TV heap, but excellent picture quality and unique interactive features maintain its appeal. | The excellent picture quality and unique interactive features of the Samsung LN46A750 flat-panel LCD TV aren't quite worth the higher price tag. | Sony's well-featured, smartly styled KDL-46Z4100 performs well enough, but its picture doesn't match that of the best LCD TVs. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | ||||
| Sound Effects | SRS WOW TruBass SRS Focus | Info unavailable | SRS TruSurround XT | S-FORCE Front Surround Sound |
| Input Video Formats | 480i 480p 720p 1080i 1080p | Info unavailable | 480i 480p 720p 1080i | 480i 480p 720p 1080i 1080p |
| Multi-channel Preview | Picture-in-picture (PIP) Picture-side-picture (PSP) | Info unavailable | Picture-in-picture (PIP) | Picture-in-picture (PIP) Picture-and-picture (PAP) |
| Analog TV Tuner | NTSC | Info unavailable | NTSC | NTSC |
| Weight | 88 lbs | Info unavailable | 64.8 lbs | 48.5 lbs |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Digital TV Tuner | ATSC | Info unavailable | ATSC | ATSC |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Sound Output Mode | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo |
| Speaker System | 2 speakers | Info unavailable | 2 speakers | 2 speakers |
| Radio | None | Info unavailable | None | None |
| TV Tuner | 1x analog 1x digital | Info unavailable | 1x analog 1x digital | 1x analog/digital combo |
| DVD | None | None | None | None |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 56.7 in x 3.7 in x 28.5 in - With stand and speakers | Info unavailable | 46.1 in x 11.8 in x 30.1 in - With stand | 42.5 in x 2.9 in x 27 in - Without stand |
| Battery | None | None | None | None |
| Remote Control | Remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared |
| VCR | None | None | Info unavailable | None |
| Technology | Plasma (PDP) | Plasma (PDP) | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix |
| Diagonal Size | 50 in - Widescreen | 50 in - Widescreen | 46 in - Widescreen | 46 in - Widescreen |
| Digital Television Certification | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV |
| Progressive Scan | Progressive scanning (line doubling) | Info unavailable | Progressive scanning (line doubling) | Progressive scanning (line doubling) |
| Additional Features | V-Chip Channel labeling Parental control Anti-glare filter Video noise reduction Anti-reflective filter Room light sensor (RLS) 3:2 pull down compensation 3:3 pull down compensation Color Transient Improvement (CTI) Digital MPEG Noise Reduction Circuit | Game mode 3:2 pull down compensation | Info unavailable | V-Chip Game mode X.v.Color Deep Color Photo TV HD On-screen menu Channel labeling Parental control Contrast enhancer Live Colour Creation 3:2 pull down compensation Digital MPEG Noise Reduction Circuit |
| Display Format | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) |
| PC Interface | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) |
| Video Interface | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite |
| Product Description | Pioneer PRO 111FD - 50 in Plasma TV | Panasonic TH 50PZ850U - 50 in Plasma TV | Samsung LN46A750 - 46 in LCD TV | Sony KDL-46Z4100/B - 46 in LCD TV |
| Product Type | Plasma TV with Built-in network media player | Plasma TV | LCD TV | LCD TV |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices |
|
|
|
|
