Early Best Buy Black Friday Deals Feature $498.99 42-inch HDTVs

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This is how we like it. Best Buy just published on their homepage a deal on a 42-inch Panasonic Plasma HDTV for $498.99. To find a 42-inch HDTV for under $500 has not been easy so far. I could not not find one on Amazon for instance. We reported this week that Walmart is offering a 42-inch Sharp LCD HDTV for $498 tomorrow. Best Buy is apparently attacking this Walmart early Black Friday deal.

Best Buy offers the Panasonic TC-P42C1 42-inch Plasma HDTV for $498.99. I actually prefer this TV over the Walmart offer, which is a 42-inch Sharp LC42SB45UT for $498. Best Buy sells the TC-P42C1 online right now here - better hurry.
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Posted on Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:47:06 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

LG 55LH40 55-inch 120Hz LCD HDTV Has Bargain Price On Amazon

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If you look closely you can already find extremely good deals on Amazon.com today, before the whole Black Friday deal bonanza even begins.
I stumbled over the LG 55LH40 55-inch 120Hz LCD HDTV in the Electronics Movers and Shakers list on Amazon. It has improved its sales rank by over 3,000%. At first I though the $1,472 price tag (list: $2,199.95) is the reason for this rise, but it could be a much lower price actually.
Amazon has a See Price In Cart offer on the LG 55LH40 of only $1,198.94. I could not find this big LCD 120Hz LCD HDTV at even close to that price anywhere else (Compare Prices).
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Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Apple To Provide TV Through iTunes?

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I don't have access to cable TV, but I do have the Internet and an iTunes account. If I could pay $30 to get access to a wide variety of TV shows through iTunes, I'd be sorely tempted. Apple is apparently betting that there are a lot of people like me. According to AllThingsDigital Apple is pitching that very idea to several TV networks. And no, before you ask, this service has nothing to do with Apple TV.

There are over 65 million people with iTunes accounts. A potential audience of that size must look very good to the networks. While none of them have bought into the plan yet, it seems likely that Apple will be able to convince at least a few that its service has a future. The All Things Digital article states that Disney is one of the companies being courted.

Posted on Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:56:57 CST | by Robert Evans

Samsung UN55B7100 LED HDTV Review

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The 55-inch Samsung is the top LED TV in the Samsung 7 series. Compared to the UN55B7000 the UN55B7100 features 3,000,000:1 Mega Contrast. Besides that I could not find a difference besides the difference in the frame color.
Of course the Samsung UN55B7100 (MSRP $3,599.99) is not as advanced as the current ultimate LED HDTV from Samsung. The Samsung UN55B8500 (MSRP $4,499.99) has a 7,000,000:1 Mega Contrast and 240Hz instead of 120Hz.
To see if the Samsung UN55B7100 is still a great choice for an LED TV consult this review just posted by HardwareCanucks.
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Posted on Mon, 2 Nov 2009 03:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Cisco FlipShare TV Appears On FCC

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A new Flip branded device was uncovered in the FCC database by ZatzNotFunny. The Cisco FlipShare TV can transmit video recorded with Flip camcorders stored on a PC to a TV wirelessly.
I assume the FlipShare TV will work with other media formats as well. If not it would not really be an interesting device. On the other hand Flip camcorders come with the Flipshare software to organize videos. Read more

Posted on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Apple TV 3.0 Software Update With New UI Released

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Early yesterday Apple TV 3.0 was just a rumor, but then Apple unveiled the new major software update for the Apple TV.
Apple TV 3.0 featuring a redesigned main menu that supposedly makes navigating your favorite content simpler and faster, and makes enjoying the largest selection of on-demand HD movie rentals and purchases, HD TV shows, music and podcasts from the iTunes Store even better on your TV.
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Posted on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:26:18 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Samsung Says OLED To Compete With LCD In 40 to 50-inch TV Segment in 4-5 Years

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OLED TVs are still far from being widely available. Samsung's President Kim predicts though that OLED TVs will be able to compete with LCD technology in 40 and 50-inch sizes in 4-5 years.

Today OLED only thrives in small screen devices like mobile phones. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony Licenses VIZIO Digital TV Patents

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Sony and Vizio have been fighting in court over patent disputes for a while now. Today Vizio has announced that Sony has licensed its patent portfolio for use. Vizio claims it is continuing to expand its patent portfolio.

"We are pleased with the result of our patent licensing efforts. It further demonstrates the technical strength and value of VIZIO's patent portfolio," said Rob Brinkman, VIZIO V.P. of Operations and Administration. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Samsung UN55B8500 LED HDTV Is The New Ultimate LED TV

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In May we highlighted the top of the line Samsung LED HDTV. Back then the Samsung UN55B8000 was the ultimate LED TV from Samsung. Now a new model in the Samsung 8 Series LED TVs is the top dog: The Samsung UN55B8500.
The Samsung 55-inch UN55B8500 (46-inch UN46B8500 is also available) offers a higher Dynamic contrast ratio of 7,000,000:1 compared to the 5,000,000:1 the UN55B8000 series offers.
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Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Apple TV 3.0 Coming Soon

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Since Apple TV 2.0 launched it hasn't gotten much attention. According to AppleInsider, however, that's all about to change. The iTunes Store Terms and Conditions list has been updated in order to prepare for the launch of Apple TV 3.0. As far as we know, 3.0 will just be a software update, primarily designed to allow viewing of iTunes LP and iTunes Extras content.

The iTunes LP format is basically a normal album with added tracks, photos, videos, and other extra content. LPs were designed for the purpose of making full album sales more attractive to consumers. iTunes Extras is the same service, only for movies. It delivers bonus content for films purchased through iTunes.

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:24:35 CDT | by Robert Evans

Samsung UN55B8000 LED HDTV Review

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We reported about the top of the line Samsung LED HDTV UN55B8000 already a couple of times. Now there is also the new Samsung UN55B8500 which is actually the new Ultimate LED TV, featuring a higher contrast ratio of 7,000,000:1.
Last week we looked at the huge discounts that are already offered on the Samsung UN55B8000 LED HDTV. Tweaknews has tested the 55-inch Samsung LED HDTV UN55B8000 and published this in-depth review.

Quote from the review: "After over a month and a half of daily use, the Samsung UN55B8000 can be summed up as a mixed bag of great and not so great characteristics. The first thing to mention and the distinguishing feature is the 1.2 inch depth profile. There is no consumer grade TV this side of perhaps an OLED display that at the time of this review is as thin as this model. Read more

Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:04:42 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Samsung PN50B550 Plasma Full HDTV Review

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The 50-inch Samsung PN50B550 Plasma Full HDTV was introduced this year and it is definitely going to be a hot TV to watch for as a Black Friday deal. Currently the Samsung PN50B550 is already on sale on Amazon.com for close to $1,000. There is a chance that you'll find this 50-inch Samsung Plasma HDTV for under $1,000 during the Black Friday and Thanksgiving sales.

Bcchardware has just published this review of the Samsung PN50B550.
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Posted on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:42:38 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Black Friday: Sears HDTV Deals Leaked

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Black Friday is coming up faster than you'd think, and with it will come a host of amazing new deals. While retailers are trying to keep a lid on most of their specials, a few leaks always spring up. For instant, BlackFday.com (via Gizmodo) has managed to get their hands on a leaked list of Sears HDTV deals.

Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:33:03 CDT | by Robert Evans

Samsung Launches New Line of HDTV monitors

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Samsung has unveiled its new line of HD monitors that include the 933HD+ and the 2333HD LCD monitors. The screens sell for $249.99 and $329.99 respectively. The 933HS is a 19-inch LCD and the 2333HD is a 23-inch unit.

Both screens have the features of TV sets with integrated digital tuners, connectivity for cable and satellite boxes and two HDMI connections depending on the model. Both screens have similar specs including 10000:1 contrast ratio and 16:9 widescreen formats. Response time for both screens is 5ms. Read more

Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Black Friday TV Deals Are The Toughest Nut To Crack

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Possibly the most anticipated Black Friday deals are TV deals. The problem is that it's tough to find a real deal and actually get your hands on it.
Retailers like to lead with TV sales and offer them as doorbusters and early bird specials. Often the number of available TVs at the Black Friday price is very limited.
Additionally prices are already fluctuating heavily on TVs weeks before Black Friday. The biggest savings are likely on lower end TVs or on lesser known brands. It really helps to decide beforehand which TV you actually want to get this Holidays to be able to find the best deal. Read more

Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Samsung 3.9mm LED TV Panel Is World's Thinnest

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Samsung unveiled a 3.9mm ultra-thin LED LCD TV panel. Samsung calls this 40-inch ultra-thin LED panel "Needle Slim".
Well, a needle is still way thinner unless Samsung means a knitting needle. Anyway, this ultra-thin LED has full HD resolution, 120Hz and 5,000:1 contrast ratio. Read more

Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Gift Tip 10: Brite-View BV-2500 Wireless HDTV Kit

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The Brite-view BV-2500 wireless HDTV Kit is comprised of a transmitter (BV-2500T) and a receiver (BV-2500R). The transmitter and receiver in this kit allow you to wirelessly transmit uncompressed high-definition video from any HD video device to your HDTV anywhere in your home. This unique feature of the Brite-view BV-2500 wireless HDTV kit eliminates the need for messy audio/video cable connections and offers a maximum range of 70 feet. You can connect your Blu-ray player, set-top box, game console, DVR and AV receiver into the Air HD (BV-2500) HD transmitter, and have the HDTV equipped with a matching BV-2500 receiver. This allows you to have all of your AV sources in a separate room from the actual display.
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Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:46:19 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Apple TV Ads Put Finger In Windows 7 Upgrade Wound

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Apple published three new Get a Mac commercials in time for the Windows 7 launch. All three new ads target the potential upgrade pain Windows user could have going to Windows 7.
The new Get A Mac ads are actually not funny, but highlight the situation Windows XP users are in. Upgrading to Windows 7 means complete new installation, there is no in place upgrade path like in Vista.
Additionally Windows 7 is a big leap for XP users in terms of User interface. If you have tasted the Mac experience like I have, XP users get tempted to switch entirely to Apple instead of upgrading to Windows 7. Read more

Posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:50:42 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Western Digital WD TV Live HD Media Player Video Review

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Tweaktown published a review of the Western Digital WD TV Live HD Media Player Video.
Quote from the review: "Today we present you with a video review of the Western Digital WD TV Live HD media player. It is the third media player to be released by the American hard drive company in the past year and from all accounts and our testing; they’ve hit the nail on the head with its third version! Read more

Posted on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

The Ultimate LED TV Samsung UN55B8000 Is Already Heavily Discounted

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The 55 inch Samsung UN55B8000 is the top of the line LED TV Samsung is offering this year. The 240Hz LED backlit LCD HDTV is only 1.2-inch thin and packed with features including Internet@TV.
The MSRP of the UN55B8000 is actually $3,899.99. When we first featured the Samsung UN55B8000 back in May the best price was $3,599.99. Today you can buy this 55-inch LED HDTV for $2,899 on Amazon.com.
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Posted on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Samsung and Amazon Team Up for On Demand Video for HDTVs

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Samsung and Amazon video have announced that they have teamed up to offer streaming video to select Samsung HDTV sets. The offering will be made available to some TV owners as a downloadable widget offering access to 50,000 movie titles from leading movie studios and networks.

The widget is available today for owners of Samsung LCD and Plasma TVs Series 650 and above. Owners of Samsung LED HDTVs Series 7000 and higher can also get the widget using Internet@TV. The widget allows users to search, browse, and rent movies from Amazon and users can even purchase the movies if they want. Read more

Posted on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun