Review of the best TVs for home theater

Samsung UE-46H6203 46 "

In fact, we have a multimedia computer running on the basis of the HyperReal Engine processor. This is the smallest model in the review. Perhaps this is the last standard size that a tall man can independently remove from the box and install (but the instructions recommend doing this together).

Equipped with a 46" (the manufacturer is extremely correct and specifies: 45.9") display with a maximum resolution of FullHD — 1920x1080. Usually, the brand's TVs go on sale with settings aimed at attracting the attention of a potential buyer — high levels of brightness, contrast, and chroma. In the trading floor it is really fascinating, but at home it soon begins to ripple in the eyes and there is a desire to get a picture "as in life". This will not be difficult if you have minimal experience, qualifications and understanding of the physics of the process. But even if there are none, the Samsung UE-46H6203 has a Natural Mode — everything immediately falls into place with it.

The model has a very humane price tag and compared to the flagships, it is not so elegant. But at the same time, the equipment is at the level. There are analogue, DVB-C, T and T2 tuners on board, teletext and PiP support is provided. DLNA, Web TV, etc. are designed to work with "off-air" content. Switching allows you to work with almost all currently available video sources, and there are two HDMI inputs and one of them supports ARC (this is worth paying special attention to when buying, say, a soundbar, more about this is in the articles — "How to choose a soundbar and what it is needed for" and "Which soundbar to choose: TOP 5 models").

Via the USB interface, the device is able to read almost all video file formats encountered by conscientious consumers. The second USB port can be used to connect a mouse and keyboard (after all, we initially said that this model is a computer in its own way!).

On-board S/PDIF output provides the ability to improve the quality of sound reproduction. Two built-in speakers of 10 watts each support Dolby MS10, DTS Studio Sound and DTS Premium Audio 5.1 technologies (for external devices).

3D support is provided, which requires a pair of active glasses. The model also "knows" how to convert 2D to 3D on its own.

LG 50LB650V 50 "

A popular 50-inch TV. The model boasts an IPS matrix with a rear LED backlight, which can be deciphered as: the TV is easy, "without tricks", which means it naturally reproduces colours and provides a decent display of black — the eternal Achilles heel of LED technology based on creating an image "on the lumen".

3D video viewing is quite pleasant — LG uses the technology of polarizing image separation for the left and right eyes in its models ("Everything you need to know about 3D TVs"). This principle allows the use of so-called passive 3D glasses. Their advantage is in lightness, cheapness and the absence of any built—in electronics and batteries. The technology also eliminates the flickering effect sometimes observed when using active 3D glasses. It also made it possible to implement the DualPlay function for video games, when each of the players sees only his part of the game on the same screen. But to implement the latter, you will need special DualPlay glasses that are not included in the TV set.

Analogue signal reception is provided for viewing traditional terrestrial television broadcasting. Interestingly, according to the signed international agreements, analogue broadcasting should stop by the end of 2015, but regarding the implementation of this agreement, experts in the field have very reasonable doubts ... As for digital broadcasting, the model supports almost everything: DVB-S2 (satellite), DVB-C (cable), DVB-T2 (terrestrial) and, in addition, there is a module for the CI+ card.

The manufacturer himself positions the device also as "a powerful Smart TV hub — a lot of Internet services are pre-installed in the system, after registration on which the user gets [...] access to extensive video content, HD TV and karaoke." But it is worth considering that the principle of localization is very important for these services — with some "foreign" firmware, much of all this may not work.

Separately, it is worth noting the proprietary webOS operating system, which provides simplicity and logical management while maintaining the state of execution of closed functions — this is really convenient.

Philips 55PUS7809 55 "

It is believed that the "fifty—fifth" diagonal is the maximum size of a television screen for a city apartment. Perhaps this is the result of statistical research, or perhaps the whole point is that a box with such a TV barely fits in an elevator, and there are problems with it on a small-sized landing. But in fact removed from the box and mounted on a white wall Philips 55PUS7809 is able to become even bigger .

It's all about Ambilight's two-way background lighting. This branded "chip" cannot be called absolutely indisputable, but the effect of "Wow!" at the first acquaintance can be firmly counted on. Ambilight creates a background illumination patented by Philips Electronics. The system analyzes the image on the screen and controls the colour sources of scattered light along its perimeter, as if "continuing" the image beyond the screen, in this case — to the sides.

Immediately note that this function works effectively when there is something to highlight — it is desirable for such a TV to have a close location of the back wall with sufficient space on the sides. The optimal is a white wall without any textures or drawings. However, the effect is able to adjust to the colour of the wall, adjust to the game mode and change the brightness.

SmartTV functions provide the ability to view past TV programs and launch Internet applications, there is an Internet browser, as well as a client of popular services YouTube, Facebook, Skype, Twitter, etc. Passive 3D technology is supported with the ability to use the TV screen simultaneously for two players with special glasses.

And at the end of the review, we left the most interesting feature of the TV — the resolution of UHD (4K). Even if your video library has only a couple of short demo clips in native 4K, viewing Full HD content with upscaling to UHD is certainly impressive!

To this it is worth adding a built-in "omnivorous" USB player, a powerful multi—standard tuner, 4 HDMI inputs with ARC and much more — we have a truly universal TV in front of us.

Sony KDL-60W605 60 "

A large LCD TV with edge illumination, which allowed minimizing the thickness of the device As a result, it is easier to place such a panel in the wall version.

The large size of the 60-inch screen does not allow the entire structure to rest on the axis of one stand. The design of the support in this case is logical and witty. On the one hand, the load is distributed to two points in the lower part of the housing, on the other — in the wall version, the support works as a mounting bracket — nothing in the kit remains without use. But the desktop version of the installation for this device requires not a small pedestal, but an oblong furniture design — such specialized products are already mass-produced, pre-adapted to cable wiring and even provide the installation of home theater components, including acoustic elements.

The TV has a fairly high screen refresh rate in its class — 400 Hz and, thanks to advanced proprietary technologies, can form a clear image in native FullHD resolution.

Sony KDL-60W605 is well equipped with receivers. The system includes five tuners for almost all broadcasting options. Two USB ports can work for recording TV programs — this allows you to organize a delayed playback system or, for example, implement the function of watching a TV programme from the moment before the one at which the viewing began — just like a time machine!

The device is equipped with advanced Smart TV functionality with access to a wide range of branded resources. In addition to wired, a built-in wireless connection is available, the Wi-Fi module can be used not only to connect to the network, but also to work with Miracast technology and connect to other devices according to the Direct standard.

The built-in speaker system has a power of 2X10W. Perhaps this is not so much for a model of this size, but do not forget that such a diagonal involves the use of additional acoustics. By the way, the brand offers an optional subwoofer to the TV — in this case, the sound of the Sony KDL-60W605 becomes quite fundamental.

Sharp LC-70LE747 70 "

This is a really big TV — 70-inches. More recently, at international exhibitions, such a panel was placed on a separate pedestal: flagship! And now a lot of exhibits of this size are an indicator of the status of the brand.

The matrix with edge LED illumination (edge LED), like all the other main components of the device, is manufactured in factories and according to the brand's technology, and is not ordered "on the side". In addition to the LED backlight, it has a Crystal-Clear coating that effectively reduces glare by scattering incident light. The X-Gen LCD matrix is manufactured using a special technology called UltraViolet-induced Multidomain Vertical Alignment.

Production includes careful control of pixel alignment parameters using ultraviolet radiation. This makes it possible to create a high-precision liquid crystal panel, which in its parameters is much superior to "ordinary" matrices. The system with the updated pixel structure provides a number of advantages: very good detail in the shadows and light areas of the image, deep black colour without loss of detail in the shadows. At a refresh rate of 100 Hz, the Sharp LC-70LE747 screen leaves excellent impressions of both colour reproduction and the combination of brightness, contrast and clarity, which does not disappear even in fast-paced scenes with panning passing with decent uniformity.

The model has built-in digital HD tuners DVB-T/T2, DVB-C, DVB-S/S2. The media player plays files from a home network (DLNA) or external media (USB), while the built-in "USB Timeshift plus" function makes it easy to programme and store recordings.

As for 3D, both direct playback with depth adjustment and 2D–3D conversion are supported. Active 3D glasses can be purchased separately — Sharp AN3DG40 .

Naturally, the device has rich switching capabilities — 4 HDMI inputs with ARC support, as well as a full set of analogue-class video inputs. All this makes it possible to build an advanced home entertainment centre based on the Sharp LC-70LE747, but do not forget that the house itself should be appropriate — it is worth taking the placement and installation of the device seriously.

And as a competitive participant in our top home theater TVs, we suggest paying attention to the LG 50PB5600. The only representative of plasma technology in the review. If in LCD technology the image forms a light source placed behind a panel of pixels, each of which is a colour filter with a change in transparency, in a plasma TV each pixel is an independent light source.

What does it give? For example, perfect contrast — to display a completely black colour, the pixel simply turns off. That is, the "Achilles heel" of LCD matrices is the problem with black gradations — plasma simply does not have. In this sense, the analogue of "plasma" is OLED, but this technology, according to many experts, is still a bit damp, when plasma has been worked out much more thoroughly. For example, its problem area — high energy consumption — has almost been overcome, and the LG 50PB5600, which got into our review, consumes only 10% more electricity than the LED LCD analogue. And one more fact: a blind comparative test of LCD and Plasma conducted not so long ago showed the unconditional superiority of the latter. But LCD matrices are much more technologically advanced. Last year, the main "monitor" of plasma technology (Panasonic) finally abandoned it.

LG 50PB5600 is certainly a decent model, thanks to the image quality alone. Its additional improvement is the proprietary Sub-Field Driving technology, implemented at a screen refresh rate of 600 Hz. Due to the specific properties of the plasma display, the model is perfect for building a high—quality home theater when watching a movie takes place in conditions of complete or partial dimming — so the plasma panel shows everything it is capable of. However, this does not mean that the image loses in some way in normal lighting conditions.

The device has a built—in USB player with sufficient omnivore — in this sense, it allows you to do without an external playback source. The switching and functionality of the device once again indicate its orientation towards the home theater: just one HDMI connection, minimization of functions such as terrestrial television and Smart TV — this should be paid close attention when buying. But using the LG 50PB5600 for its intended purpose can give an excellent result.