plasma

LAS VEGAS--When it comes to black levels, perhaps the most important ingredient in picture quality, LG's plasma TVs certainly have some improving to do.

The flagship LG PZ950 series we reviewed last year trailed plasma heavyweights Panasonic and Samsung badly in this department, with grayish blacks that prevented it from scoring well in our evaluations. For 2012 an LG company rep tells CNET that the new models, thanks to upgraded phosphors and other improvements, boast black levels up to 40 percent deeper than last year's. If that's true, maybe LG with its historically excellent color accuracy will … Read more

We discuss our personal tech hits and misses of 2011; what we loved, hated and was overrated. Also, Scott and Ty weigh in on what will most likely be going on at CES 2012; the who, the what, and the why.

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Updated November 2012!

In this television technology trifecta, which comes out on top? The subject of countless debates and diatribes, the better question is: which works best? Or more precisely, which works best for you?

When you cut through the hype and the fanboys, each tech has different benefits and costs. So to help you figure out which TV is right for your house, let's take a look at each one.… Read more

With all of the brouhaha over tablets, smartphones, and thin PCs, it's easy to overlook the fact that quite a few noteworthy things happened in the venerable TV category this year.

It's my job to keep track of such things, so, yeah, I'm biased, but when considering a year-end article to write, it really wasn't difficult to come up with 10 TVs that actually deserve the title "important." The models below, arranged in no particular order, might qualify because of picture quality, bang for the buck, 3D technology, slick design, or even sheer size, but each one interests me in its own way and potentially sets a trend for 2012 and beyond.

Disagree with any of my picks or want to nominate a more-important-to-you model? Let me know in comments.

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The onslaught of marketing this time of year is unsurprising, but no less unpleasant. Advertising of products can be a useful tool, informing the public of the latest and greatest.

Where it becomes offensive is when it includes blatant lies, misleading truths, or perpetrates a myth.

Don't be fooled by these deceptive practices, in this (admittedly first) edition of Myths, Marketing, and Misdirection, the HDTV edition.… Read more

Most people don't like watching TV in the dark. The problem is, flat-panel TVs tend to reflect light in the room. Even if you have a matte-screen LCD, light bouncing off the screen is going to diminish picture quality in one way or another.

This how-to guide has some obvious and some not-so-obvious tricks and tips to help you make sure that no matter what lighting you have in your room, you're still getting the best picture quality.… Read more

Don't listen to the hype. Ignore the commercials. Leer skeptically at the salesman. There is no such thing as an LED TV, and "LED" doesn't mean it's any better than other TVs.

LED is just a type of LCD, with strengths and weaknesses that make it better in some ways, worse in others, and rarely worth its price premium over other technologies. … Read more

Lots of great choices for new AV gear this year, but it's also easy to get suckered into getting more than you need.

Check out these tips and tricks to save yourself some big money this holiday season.… Read more

I keep hearing that more and more people are watching movies and TV shows on their iPads or other tablets. That's amazing; every single one of these folks probably owns a large flat-screen display, but the "convenience" of watching a tablet in bed or on the train is a better fit. It's a lifestyle issue, where size really does matter.

Sure, they haven't completely stopped watching their 50-inch displays just yet, but give it another five years and I guarantee some of them won't be replacing their old sets when they break. The people … Read more