Buying a new HDTV is a BIG deal. With prices anywhere from a couple hundred dollars up into the tens of thousands, it’s important to do your research. It’s important to find an unbiased source. Although the electronics salesman at your local store is probably a great guy, you can often find some great HDTV deals online; you just need to know what to look for!
Here are a few things to look at when reading HDTV reviews:
Screen type: LCD TV, LED, Plasma TVs, or Projection?
Resolution: 720p or 1080p?
Built-in tuners?
Enough rear and side inputs?
Wide viewing angle?
High contrast ratio?
PC Compatible?
Reiability rating?
Good warranty?
Compatible with Blu-ray, cable or satellite TV?
There are TONS of manufacturer-specific features you’ll also want to evaluate. Keep all these things in mind when shopping and you’ll find a great quality HDTV at a fantastic price!
Up for Review: Westinghouse LD-3280 LED LCD TV. If you are looking for a basic HDTV for a very affordable cost, you should take a look at the Westinghouse models. You will get pretty good models once you make up your mind that you won’t look for anything extraordinary in them. But if you want 3D, Internet TV and the rest of the high-end features, then you have to look further than the Westinghouse sets. These sets are mainly meant for watching the normal TV programs as they have only the basic features. This can serve as a second set in the house if you have a nice high-end set for the living room. If you have a special interest in playing games on the gaming console and your wife insists on watching a video on YouTube on the main set in the living room, then you can have this set of you own to satisfy your passion.
This is only a 32-inch set which might be alright if you want to play games on it. It has 1080p resolution which is good since the games are all in 1080p on the gaming console. But since this is only a 32-inch set, the difference between full-HD and 720p might not be very perceptible. You might feel that you are unnecessarily paying more for this feature. However, the feeling of having full-HD on the TV can be very comforting. The contrast ratio is not very good at only 2000:1. You can’t expect good black levels which mean that all the dark images will merge and you won’t get the contours of the images to perfection. This can also be a great demerit under dim lights.
Westinghouse LD-3280 Features and Specifications Review:
The viewing angle is alright but could have been better. If you dedicate this set only for playing games, then you will be sitting in front of the TV and in the central position. This will help you to see the actual colors and image quality of the set. There is hardly any chance that there will be many people watching this TV and so the viewing angle of 176 degrees in both directions should not be much of a problem. Again, the sound output of 8W will suffice if you play games only. You will hardly need anything more than 8W for the games. But if you had to watch the normal TV programs which include movies and soaps, you would have to connect the separate home theater system.
The refresh rate of 60Hz is again quite basic and most of the popular brands in the market have left behind 60Hz and graduated to a minimum of 120 Hz. 60 Hz is not much of a problem while watching the normal slow-paced programs. But when it comes to the fast-moving sports or action flicks, you will find the images blurred, which might be quite irritating. This can also be a problem while paying the fast-paced games. The connectivity in the set is also basic with only 2 HDMI. Depending on the purpose of using this set, even 2 HDMI might be sufficient. Since you know just what this set offers, you should go for it if you think it will suit your requirements well.
Up for Review: Westinghouse LD-4070Z LED LCD TV. The Westinghouse models are hardly meant for the living room since they don’t have the high-end features. This 40-inch set neither has 3D nor Internet TV. However, it can be a very good basic model. It has the all the features which you would look for in a basic model like 1080p resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and a good viewing angle. You could easily buy this set to serve as a dedicated set for watching movies or playing games. Since it has full-HD resolution and a high refresh rate, it can easily produce great images in the Blu-ray player and gaming console.
The 40-inch display is a point in its favor. Even if you keep this set aside to watch movies, you will have quite a good screen size to watch the images. The same holds true for playing games. The large display size can make you more involved in the movies and games. You might also think of keeping this set in your kid’s room if your kids can be satisfied without 3D and Internet TV. They too can watch their favorite cartoon movies and play games on this TV, which will be their main priority. This set can also serve as a good tool in your office, if you want to want to show your colleagues some recordings from a Blu-ray player regarding work.
Westinghouse LD-4070Z Features and Specifications Review:
You will be very thankful for the 1080p resolution in this 40-inch set. There is a particular charm associated with having a full-HD set, even if it means paying a little extra for it. Although having 1080presolution does not make much of a difference in the lower display units, yet you might get more clarity and sharpness in this set since it is a 40-inch set. The contrast ratio of 4000:1 is just normal and nothing extraordinary. You can’t expect the black levels to be very good with this contrast ratio. However, the pictures won’t be too dark either, unless you choose to watch the programs under dim lights.
The viewing angle of the TV is 178 degrees in both horizontal and vertical directions, which means that you can sit at an angle from the TV and yet be able to see clear images. This can be an advantage if many of your friends watch a movie together on the TV. The refresh rate of the set is quite good at 120 Hz. This is in fact, quite surprising since you would have expected this basic set to have only 60 Hz. However, this can prove to be very helpful while watching action flicks or playing games which are fast-moving and thrilling. The sound department of the TV is not one of its strong points and you can only expect normal sound. The 40-inch set only has an output sound of 6W which is only good enough in a very small room and with absolutely no noise. This set can only be a good investment for you if you are looking for a second set in the house for a low cost.
Up for Review: Westinghouse LD-3240 LED LCD TV. The video, audio and connectivity related features offered by the 32-inch LED TV set may not impress the prospective buyers. In comparison to the high-end 3D HDTV models available in the market, the model looks almost basic and tradition. It does not come with some of the impressive features like 1080p HD resolution, 3D technology support and wireless options to access internet.
The low and affordable pricing of the model makes the TV set suitable as a backup or second TV set for your home. You can purchase a high-end model with much bigger screen sixe for your main living room. But you will be required to possess a second TV set to watch normal programs like news, weather, talk shows and family dramas. As these programs are watched mostly to gather some fresh information, the basic video quality will not have a huge impact on your TV viewing experience.
But these features will not make the model popular among your kids. The 60 Hz refresh rate offered by the set will not match with the kids’ requirements to access their favorite sports and action channels and video games. Also, most of the latest movies and video games are being made in 1080p HD resolution and with 3D technology support. So the 720p resolution and lack of 3D technology support could not make the latest movies and video games enjoyable for them. These features will suit only the requirement of a second TV set for a modern household to watch informative content occasionally.
Westinghouse LD-3240 Features and Specifications Review:
720p Resolution
60 Hz Refresh Rate
Slim Design
100,000:1 Contrast Ratio
SRS TruSurround HD
176 Degrees Horizontal and Vertical Viewing Angle
2 HDMI, 1 Component and 1 PC Input Options
Westinghouse has added flexibility to the model by combining the 32-inch screen size with a slim design and 176 degrees viewing angle. These features allow you to accommodate the TV set in various parts of your house including the bedroom, kitchen and dining space. As you are not going top place the TVS et in your main living room, you can use the model in a more flexible manner. However, the manufacturer has tried to enhance the overall usability of the model by including the HDMI and PC input options.
A user has options to access his offline collection of movies, music, photos and video clips on the TV screen by using these connectivity options. You can use the terminal to connect the TV set with a DVD or Blu-ray player, camcorder, video game player and personal computer. But the normal video related features may not encourage you to use the TV set for accessing your offline digital library. The low price-tag of the 32-inch model along with the normal features make the model suitable to complement the high-end TV set placed inside your main living room.
Up for Review: Westinghouse LD-3260 LED LCD TV. The continuously increasing number of television channels requires modern families to possess more than one television set. You can consider the advanced 3D HDTV sets available in the market with bigger screen size and smart options to access internet. At the same time, you can also add an inexpensive TV set to your house to be used by your family members as a backup or second TV set.
The 32-inch model launched by Westinghouse suits all the requirements of an additional TV set to occasionally watch normal and informative programs like news, weather, talk shows and family dramas. You will find the features of LD-3260 almost normal, when your compare the same with other advanced sets available in the market. It does not come with an increased 1080p HD resolution, 240 Hz refresh rate and the 3D technology support. But the 32-inch screen size, normal features and lower price-tag allow you to use the model as a backup set for your main TV set.
You cannot consider the model for your kids’ room. They will definitely demand a more advanced model that allows them to access their favorite sports and action channels and video games with a higher resolution. Also, the 60 Hz refresh rate is too low to completely remove motion blur, while you are watching the faster moving sports and action scenes. However, these features will not have an adverse impact on watching the normal programs like news and weather.
Westinghouse LD-3260 Features and Specifications Review:
1366 x 768 Native Resolution
60 Hz Refresh Rate
100,000:1 Contrast Ratio
SRS Surround Sound
2 HDMI, 1 Component and 1 PC Input Options
As you will like to watch these programs only to gather latest and updated information, the video quality and resolution will not have any impact on using the TV set occasionally. The manufacturer has tried to improve the overall functionalities of the TV set by including a set of connectivity options. You can use the HDMI and PC terminal to access your offline collection of music, movies, photos and video clips stored on compatible devices and discs. The HDMI ports can be used to connect the TV set with devices like camcorder, Blu-ray payer and video game players.
However, a user may not be encouraged to explore the connectivity features offered by the LD-3260 due to the almost basic video quality and resolution. You can only enjoy the normal television programs and shows without any type of disturbances. So you can consider putting the model inside your kitchen, dining space and bedroom for using at regular intervals. The basic features and a lower price tag also make the model suitable to complement your primary 3D HDTV set on a budget. You will not miss some of those advanced features, when you are not placing the 32-inch LED TV set inside your main living room.
Westinghouse LD-5580Z Review: 55” inch LED LCD HDTV
Up for Review: Westinghouse LD-5580Z LED LCD TV. Westinghouse has launched the 55-inch LED TV model by targeting the increasing demand for inexpensive HD TVs. The model offers much better video quality and resolution, but does not come with some of the latest features like 3D technology support and internet access options. You can consider the model to access a wide variety of traditional and advanced digital content at an improved 1080p HD resolution.
In addition to the video and audio related feature, the TV set sports a thin and light model. A user also gets the options to accommodate the model easily in a small sized apartment. Further, most of the latest movies, television programs and video games are being made in 1080p HD resolution. So your family members can watch the content in an exact manner on a TV set offering the same resolution. Also, the HD resolution will also be effective in improving the quality of the traditional content developed in a much lower resolution.
Your family members will also like the motion blur free scenes provided by the model with an increased 120 Hz refresh rate. The rate seems much lower in comparison to the refresh rate offered by other advanced models available in the market. But the subfield motion rate is high enough to remove motion blur while watching the fast moving sports and action scenes. The refresh rate will also complement the kids’ requirement to watch their sports and action related content and video games. However, they may not like the very much like the TV set as it does not allow them to enjoy their favorite 3D movies and video games.
Westinghouse LD-5580Z Features and Specifications Review:
1920 x 1080 Native Resolution
120 Hz Refresh Rate
2.2 Inches Thick
170 Degrees Horizontal and 176 Degrees Vertical Viewing Angle
3 HDMI terminals, 1 USB Port and 1 PC Input Option
The manufacturer has added more flexibility to the model by including the angular viewing options. With the horizontal and vertical viewing angles and slim design, you have options to place the TV set in any part of your house. As your family members can watch the scenes in an exact manner even while not sitting directly in front of the TV screen, you can consider placing the TV set in places other than the main living room. Unlike other 55-inch LED TV sets available in the market, the LD-5580Z does not come with any wired or wireless networking options to access internet.
But the HDMI, USB and PC input options attached with the model allows users to access their offline collection of digital content stored on compatible digital devices and discs. You can connect a Blu-ray player to the TV set to access the movies, music, and photos stored on the CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Similarly, you also have option to access the digital content stored on your digital camera, camcorder, video game player and PC by connecting these devices with the TV set.
