Month: October 2014

The Vizio P2ui-B Series: A Budget 4K HDTV

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The Vizio P2ui-B series is one of the few budget 4K resolution TVs available, and it shows in some ways, such as the lackluster TV remote and design. However, the picture quality looks far from cheap. For gamers, it offers very low input lag, even compared to plasma screens. Its picture quality is also pretty good for a $2,000 4K TV. The included features are also decent, which include Smart TV suite, HDMI inputs, 4K streaming capabilities, and the usual connections (USB, Component, and Composite).

The TV offers a minimalistic design that is definitely not top of the line, but it also does not look as cheap as a $200 budget TV. This series is much thicker than many other HDTVs, due to the direct backlighting, which is a drawback to its design. The outside bezel is also thicker, and it is a dark, featureless gray. The remote that comes with this HDTV is mostly featureless. It does not offer backlighting, the keys are close together, and the keys around the cursor make using it difficult. It does offer a QWERTY keyboard that works quite well, which makes navigating the smart TV suite easy.

Pros:

  • 4K resolution at a cheap price
  • Deep black levels and good contrast
  • Color accuracy is good and video processing is okay
  • Very low input lag
  • Excellent features

Cons:

  • Video processing makes picture worse at times
  • Picture too sharp
  • Screen artifacts

Bottom Line:

This 4K TV is a good one, especially for those who are budget conscious. Many of the video processing issues will hopefully be addressed in a future software update.

For more information about TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

Vizio and Their Excellent TVs: The M1d-A2R

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The Vizio M1d-A2R and the TV remote for it seem to have little in common, which is odd for this TV brand. The TV itself is an exceptional value for just under $2,000 for a 55-inch screen. The brand was once considered a budget one, in line with TCL and other similar brands. This first TV in the M series is one of the models that are making strides towards a more high-end style. For the price, this Vizio HDTV offers an excellent picture and a nice set of features.

Prior to this model, most Vizio TVs looked cheap. This one does not at all. It has a barely-there bezel that resembles the bezel of a smartphone. The ends are brushed aluminum, rivaling many of LG’s HDTV designs. Even the Vizio logo is subtle at the bottom right corner of the TV. Its stand is simple, yet effective, and leaves the TV looking similar to a computer monitor. However, the remote that comes with the M1d-A2R is less than stunning. It looks promising, with it being a good size and having all the buttons in the right places, but its performance underwhelms. It has backlighting, but no dedicated button, so you have to press blindly for it to work. It is also sluggish, and it freezes.

Pros:

  • Great value
  • Excellent picture quality
  • Good shadow detail
  • Deep black levels
  • Great processing
  • Smart TV suite
  • Nice design

Cons:

  • Some apps are sluggish
  • Remote is not great
  • Has a slight red push
  • Screen is very reflective

Bottom Line:

This is a great TV to own. The design and the features included, with the generally low price tag, are a win.

For more information about this, and other TVs and their remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

A Review of the TCL LE58FHDE3010

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With the TCL LE58FHD, there is no need to spend time looking up remote control codes. The remote that comes with this budget TV might look cheap, but it fits well in the hand and works quite well. The 58″ TV works well, too, especially for a very low budget model. This TCL retails for just over $700, which is a bargain price for such a large screen. However, you do miss out on some features, and the picture can be what you expect for the low price and off-label brand. Regardless of the potential picture issues, if you need a big TV for a cheap price, this set is well worth it.

The design of this TV looks very similar to the E-Series from Vizio. It has a very thin bezel, of less than an inch, making it look much slimmer than models from previous years. It is a lot thicker than most other similar TVs, because it lacks the LED edge lighting, instead having a full backlit panel. The stand is black, like the rest of the TV — but it is glass-topped, which makes it almost look better than many high-end models. The remote isn’t too shabby, either, with a shiny finish and few buttons. It’s not crowded, and it feels good in the hand.

Pros:

  • Very cheap for a 58″ TV
  • Black levels are okay
  • Uniform picture
  • Picture packs somewhat of a punch
  • Sound quality is decent for a flat screen
  • Big TV
  • Looks nice
  • Has a nice remote

Cons:

  • Picture lacks detail
  • Inaccurate color
  • Input lag
  • No features
  • Bad video processing

Bottom line:

If you need a decent TV for little money, this TV is it. However, it doesn’t have many features, and playing anything other than movies on it will not have a great picture.

For more information on the good, bad, and the ugly on TVs and their remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

A Review of the Panasonic TC-LE60 Series LCD HDTV

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Over the past couple of years, Panasonic has been making strides with their HDTVs and included remotes. The TC-LE60 series is an example of a good value mid-range LED LCD HDTV with a cost of about $2,500 for a 60-inch model. It is one of the better LCD models to come from the company so well-known for plasma TVs. It offers a pretty decent picture at an aggressive price with a good set of features.

The design of this HDTV is very similar to that of other Panasonic TVs. It comes with a very thin black bezel with a glossy finish. Its stand is pretty generic, and it does not include the ability to swivel. However, the HDTV is still attractive. It will also easily fit in with most types of decor. It has a very thin profile for an HDTV. The remote is standard for Panasonic. The layout is very logical, but some of the buttons are either too big or too small, making it easy to hit the wrong buttons. Another downside is the lack of any backlighting in the remote.

Pros:

  • Affordable price
  • Very deep black levels for a LED LCD HDTV
  • Excellent bright room performance
  • Good video processing
  • True 120Hz processing
  • Minimalist styling
  • Excellent Smart TV content

Cons:

  • Very poor sound quality
  • Bad angle viewing
  • Poor picture uniformity

Bottom Line:

For a mid-range LED LCD HDTV, Panasonic offers a good price for this model when compared to the features and decent picture quality. This HDTV offers one of the best values available at this price point for LED LCD model.

For more information about Panasonic TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

A Review of the LG LA6200 Series

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For an expensive HDTV, the LG LA6200 Series disappoints with a poor picture and standard TV remote compared to the remotes shipped with their nicer TVs. Even though it has an almost $2,000 price tag, this LCD HDTV is considered a mid-range model. It offers many good features, but features alone do not make a TV worth buying, unless it can make you coffee or something cool like that.

This LG HDTV looks like an excellent piece of electronic luxury when it is turned off. Is has a modern style with a thin, aggressive silver bezel. The stand also has the same silver brushed finish, which looks so very sleek. The remote is standard, but, for $80 more, you could upgrade to a so-called smart remote. So, looks-wise, LG has it covered with the luxurious look of this HDTV. However, when it is turned on the problems start. It has a picture quality that leaves much to be desired.

Pros:

  • Beautiful exterior
  • Swivel stand
  • Excellent Smart TV suite
  • Accurate color
  • 3D ready with 4 sets of glasses
  • Adjustable picture settings

Cons:

  • Poor value for the money
  • Subpar picture quality
  • Black levels too light
  • Bad video processing
  • Poor 3D image

Bottom line:

If you want a beautiful HDTV for looks, this is it. However, if you want a TV that is a good value and that works well, look elsewhere. The picture quality is very subpar compared to the price. The picture quality lacks contrast and definition, which is not a good thing when you’re paying almost $2,000 for a TV.

For more information about LG TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

A Review of the Midrange Samsung UNF6400 Series

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The Samsung UNF6400 series LED LCD TV is a step up from the UNF6300 series. It offers very similar features and picture quality. However, a huge difference from the two is the TV remote control. For almost $1,000 more, at $3,299, you get Samsung’s Smart Touch Remote Control. This handy little clicker has a touch pad and voice search. It does have very few buttons, which means that you have to use an on-screen remote for many features. This makes it difficult to do simple things such as play, pause, or fast forward through Netflix.

The picture quality of this HDTV is almost the same as the 6300, but it offers more features. It also has the same design as the previous model. This might lead you to wonder why a new remote costs $1,000, but you really do get some extra features, such as Micro Dimming and active 3D technology. It comes with three sets of 3D glasses, and the technology is compatible with many 3rd-party brands. The Smart TV suite is one of the best features of the HDTV, which looks nice and is easy to navigate.

Pros:

  • Good mix of value and features
  • Accurate color
  • Good video processing
  • Great sound quality
  • Touch pad remote works well
  • Excellent Smart TV suite
  • Active 3D technology and 3 sets of glasses

Cons:

  • Black levels too light
  • Problems with color desaturation
  • Color uniformity issues
  • Cheap stand

Bottom Line:

This LED LCD TV offers a decent value, but the UNF6300 offers the better value at almost $1,000 less. Some of the new features of this HDTV make the picture quality worse, which is not a good thing.

For more information about Samsung TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

About the Samsung UNF6300 Series

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The Samsung UNF6300 series is another mid-range set that offers a decent mixture of features and solid picture quality, but lacks an advanced TV remote. Overall, this LED LCD TV has much to offer with a price that is slightly over $2,000 for a 55-inch model. The series ranges from 32 inches, all the way to 60 inches. Aside from great TVs such as the Panasonic E60 or Vizio M series, this TV offers almost as good of a value, which is a lot to say for a non-plasma set.

This LED LCD TV offers a unique look that makes it look pricier than it is. It has a thin, black bezel with transparent edging. The edges of the bezel are rounded, leaving a sleek outline of the HDTV. It has a spider stand, dressed in a light gray color. The stand looks nice, but feels cheap– to the extent that you might feel safer mounting the TV to the wall. The very standard remote is cluttered with many buttons. However, it does offer easy access to many features, including cable box control and Smart TV features.

Pros:

  • Smart TV suite
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • 120 Hz refresh rate
  • Great picture quality
  • Accurate color
  • Excellent quality video processing
  • IR blaster remote
  • Cable box control
  • Modern design
  • Good sound quality

Cons:

  • Light black levels
  • Flimsy stand
  • Dark areas look bluish

Bottom Line:

This LED LCD TV presents a great value for the price. Its picture quality is better than many other similar and higher priced HDTVs.

For more information about Samsung TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

About LG PH6700 Series

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LG’s PH6700 series is a high-tech midrange plasma HDTV with a rather strange TV remote control. Overall, the HDTV offers a decent value. It has a large screen for the price and some extra features that make the $1,000 price worth it. However, for a plasma HDTV, the picture quality is not on par with other similar TVs. This can present a problem, but, for the low price, it is not a huge issue. Still, the large feature set does make up for this.

The TV features a very thin bezel and a sunken-in appearance, like that of a picture frame. The finish is a black brushed plastic, but it looks cheap versus premium, like their other TVs. The stand is also not much to look at, but the fact that it swivels makes up for this. However, the remote is where the most changes were made. It is a small wand, but it really looks like a large lollipop. It is a “smart” remote, which means that it has pointing and scrolling capabilities, along with an on-screen remote. This may or may not irritate users as they try to access the menu, which requires the on-screen remote.

Pros:

  • Smart TV suite
  • Active 3D technology
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • De-judder processing
  • Great shadow detail
  • Great color performance
  • Excellent audio
  • Motion remote is fun to use
  • Cable box control
  • Voice control remote
  • Excellent picture settings

Cons:

  • Poor black levels
  • Poor bright room performance
  • No 3D glasses

Bottom line:

This is an excellent larger-screen TV. If you need a mid-range HDTV, this is a good option as long as you don’t plan to use it in a bright room or one where the sun shines in at all times.

For more information about LG TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

The Small, but Decent Sony KDL-400A

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The Sony KDL-400A is a small 32-inch TV with an equally compact TV remote. The TV is very affordable, at under $300, compared to most of what Sony offers. Though it’s not a huge TV, it is perfect for a small game room or for a child’s bedroom. It offers a decent picture quality for a low-priced TV, although it is not the best out there. However, it has the best sound compared to TVs of a similar price range. It has an LED LCD screen, but it lacks features, such as Smart TV.

This KDL might cost little, but the set itself does not look cheap. Its base and bezel have a mirror-like finish. The bezel is very thin, similar to many of the higher end HDTVs. The compact remote doesn’t have too many buttons, and the buttons it does have are all highly usable. It even has a dedicated set of buttons for the built-in media player.

Pros:

  • Solid black levels
  • Low price, decent value
  • Good color saturation
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Sleek and modern design
  • Decent remote
  • Great shadow detail
  • Includes a USB port

Cons:

  • No Smart TV features
  • TV menu does not look good
  • No 3D technology
  • No de-judder processing
  • 120Hz processing looks more like 60Hz

Bottom Line:

This small TV is excellent for a spare room or for a child’s room. It is not a TV to use for playing video games, but those who just want an extra TV for watching movies will enjoy it. It is not the best value out there, but it is one of the best TVs for under $300 that you will find in this size.

For more information about Sony TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.