HDTV News

The Sony Bravia BX450 and BX330 series are the 2012 entry level series for 2012.

While these models might not be sitting pretty, high up the ladder of new Sony Bravia 2012 models, as they are still Sony HDTVs you know they will offer a very high standard, but at a competitive price.

Sony didn’t go into as much detail with their BX series, which, like the flagship HX line, is split into two, the BX450, and BX330 series. Although the BX330 series isn’t much of a series as it only includes one model, the 32-inch Sony KDL-32BX330.

For 2012 Sony dramatically cut down their Bravia line up into just 10 models over three different lines.

Sitting on the top are the Bravia HX850 and HX750, and at the middle is the Sony EX640 series, which we will be focusing on here.

The mid-range lines are regularly the most popular as they often are on par with last years flagship models, offer great image quality, and are only missing one or two features from the flagship line which most people wouldn’t miss, all at a more competitive price.

Sony’s flagship LED HDTV product line for 2012 is the Sony Bravia HX Series. This series is split into two, the Sony HX850, and the HX750. Each sub-series has 55-inch and 46-inch models.

The Sony XH models are all “Smart HDTVs” and have features such as built in WiFi, app support with multitasking, access to the Sony Entertainment Network and Skype support for video calling from your HDTV. They don’t have the required webcam / mic built in, so if you do wish to use skype, you will be to purchase the optional Sony CMU-BR100 camera and microphone.

Sony hasn’t just been concentrating on these “Smart” features and has also been working hard on clean new stylish designs, improving their image quality and X-Reality chips. Sony say that their latest X-reality chips further improve image quality in both 2D and 3D modes. 2D to 3D conversion has also been improved.

Panasonic must have been very very busy last year, as they look set to flood the HDTV market with a whole slew of very impressive new HDTVs for 2012.

Where competitors such as Sony have condensed their lineup in to just three (well, five) different lines. Panasonic have gone in the complete opposite direction announcing eight new LCD produce lines, and that’s to go along with their six plasma product lines!

But choice and diversity is good for customers right? We certainly like to think so. Although it might make your choice of buying a HDTV that little bit more confusing. But we’re here to help, and below you will find our run down on the 2012 Panasonic LCD HDTV line up.

Along with their announcement of just ten new LCD HDTVs ranging from their top of the line Bravia HX dynamic LED edge lit 3D HDTV, to their Bravia BX CCFL backlit series, Sony have also introduced three new blu-ray players for 2012, the Sony BDP-S390, BDP-S790, and BDP-S590.

It’s not just Smart TV’s this year, it’s also about Smart Blu-ray players.

Last year Sony announced and released nearly 30 new HDTVs, and I swear there were even more the year before, too many to keep track of, and probably too many for even the official Sony stores to stock every model.

This year Sony has made our job, and your researching job a whole lot easier by condensing their whole Sony Bravia 2012 HDTV lineup in to just three new lines. Well, really five as their top and middle ranges are split in to two lines. But overall there are just ten new models for 2012.

Sony’s new entry level series is the Bravia BX (which is split in to the BX330 and BX450), the “step-up” EX series, and then their flagship Bravia HX. The HX series is also split into two, the Bravia HX750 and HX850.

“Smart TVs” have been very popular product at this years CES. With pretty much all the major HDTV manufacturers adding some kind of Smart technology to their highend TV range.

Samsung probably has the most noticeable Smart TV feature with their dual core powered Smart TV range. A major feature in their smart HDTVs is the “Smart Interaction” feature. Basically this uses both a web cam and microphones for both gesture and voice control of the HDTV.

Sounds great right? But until now we have had to take Samsung’s word on just how “Smart” this technology is. As this is a very visual feature we really need to see it to see just how well it works.

Along with their very impressive OLED HDTV, Samsung are grabbing a lot of attention with their Smart TVs. Along with their flagship LED HDTV (the ES8000), there is also the Samsung E8000 (E, rather than ES) plasma Smart HDTV series.

Samsung didn’t spill quiet as information on their flagship plasma range as they did with their LED sets, but will bring you all we currently know.

The Samsung E8000 Smart TV measures just 1.5-inches thick, and makes use of Samsung’s new Plasma +1 ulta-slim bezel. This reduces the gap between screen content and the bezel, making for a smaller TV with less wasted space and a clean finish. The bezel is titan black metal color, and has a crystal like border.

Samsung might have initially grabbed peoples attention with their upcoming OLED HDTV. But a lot of that attention has now shifted to the more immediate release, their new top of the line flagship LED Smart HDTV, the Samsung ES8000 series.

Samsung are calling their new ES8000 LED HDTV “more than just a pretty face”. While the ES8000 range is certainly a great looking TV, its beauty extends past its gorgeous design as the ES8000 is a Smart TV, and a very smart one at that.

The ES8000 range is a “future proof” TV according to Samsung. The TV can continue to evolve as it features a simple slot at the back of the TV which allows to TV to be upgraded via the system on a chip technology.

Panasonic is staying true and confident to the Plasma HDTV market and have recently announced 17 new Viera Plasma HDTV across six product lines in their Panasonic 2012 Plasma HDTV lineup.

Sitting right at the top of these six series is the flagship Panasonic VT50 series which consists of the very large 65-inch Panasonic TC-P65VT50, and the Panasonic TC-P55VT50.

Both the TC-P65VT50 and the TC-P55VT50 are 3D TVs with a full HD 1080p resolution, which what Panasonic claim to have a “revolutionary level of picture quality”. Making use of their new Infinite Black Ultra Panel / NeoPlasma Black 2500 technology, the deep blacks are deeper thanks to a new pre-discharge technology.