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1080p, Great Deals
1080p, Great Deals Great 1080p TVs for Less
Friday, February 27, 2015 at 12:27PM 
The cost of 4K ultra-high definintion (UHD) TVs continues to decline, but the best UHD bargains sacrifice picture quality to achieve a low price. Spending the same amount on a similar sized 1080p screen often translates into superior picture contrast - considered the most important, and eye-catching, display characteristic! Like 4K UHD televisions, 1080p TVs also feature the necessary picture controls to reduce video overscan for increased visual detail. After carefully considering the latest reviews, owner comments, and hands-on testing experience, here are some great 1080p televisions that you can buy right now without breaking the budget.
If you are looking for a very bright 1080p 120Hz LCD television with impressive out-of-the-box color and grayscale accuracy, the Samsung H6350 Series Smart TV is a great choice. Compared to the similar H6400 Series (read my review), the H6350 reduces costs by ditching 3D and the otherwise impressive Smart Remote Control. Samsung's superior video processing gives the H6350 effective film-mode detection for maximum detail and deinterlacing that's free of distracting jagged edges, and its well-contrasted picture looks great in bright or dark room environments. The H6350 also features a quad-core processor that delivers a pleasingly fast app experience and impressively quick start up times. The Samsung H6350 Series is a budget-friendly pick for terrific picture quality. Consider adding a good soundbar/soundstand for an even more impressive and capable home theater experience!
Perfect as a second TV for the bedroom or kitchen, the LG LB5600 series is a terrific value for a quality 1080p LED-backlit LCD. The 42 inch 42LB5600 features a modern slim bezel design that not only looks great but reduces its overall width to less than 38 inches! Weighing in a 21 pounds also makes it easy to setup and move. The LB5600 keeps things simple with no Internet apps and only basic file support (photos and music) via USB input. With only two HDMI ports, LB5600 owners may want to consider adding a decent HDMI switch for connecting multiple HD video sources with ease. The LB5600 series also includes screen sizes of 32-inches and 39-inches.
The Sharp LE551U AQUOS HD series is an affordable and stylish 1080p LCD television with good picture performance. The LE551U's direct-lit LED backlit screen is framed with a slim bezel that maximizes viewing enjoyment while reducing its overall footprint - its lightweight design also makes it easy to move. The LE551U has no apps or other 'smart' features, and its USB port has a relatively short list of supported multimedia file types (JPG, MP3, MPEG-2). Gamers will appreciate this TV's low lag, and it has two HDMI ports (one MHL-enabled). The LE551U is a quality mid-sized HDTV at a great price, and cordcutters (read our guide) can pair the TV's built-in over-the-air (OTA) tuner with an inexpensive indoor antenna for free local HD channel reception. The Sharp LE551U is available in screen sizes of 32 inches, 39 inches, and 48 inches.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Vizio made headlines this year by abandoning unpopular 3D technology in its top TV models while adding a full-array local-dimming LED backlight system for inky-dark black levels and improved picture contrast. The Vizio M-Series doubles the number of zones of local-dimming of the company's E Series TVs for more detailed backlight control with fewer related artifacts. The M-Series features a 1080p 120Hz screen that reveals the details of fast action video like sports programming while providing the necessary picture controls to enable the proper reproduction of video with a 24p film cadence. The M-Series has four HDMI ports, built-in 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, and a good selection of popular apps for streaming local and online AV content. Controlling it all is a two-sided remote with a backlit QWERTY keyboard.
The LG LB6300 Series is a terrific value for a 1080p 120Hz LCD television that features IPS panel technology (except for the 50" model) that helps minimize the loss of picture contrast and color saturation that occur when the screen is not viewed straight-on from the 'sweet spot'. The LB6300 skips 3D support in favor of an improved app experience through its beautiful looking webOS tabbed interface. Menu and app navigation are further enhanced with the included Magic Remote that controls an on-screen cursor with mouse-like precision, and its built-in microphone is optimized for the TV's speech recognition and voice control features. The LG LB6300 Series has three HDMI ports (one MHL-enabled), three USB ports for photo/audio playback, and universal remote control functionality for simplified home theater operation. The LG LB6300 series is available in screen sizes of 42-inches, 47-inches, 50-inches, 55-inches, 60-inches, and 65-inches.
The Samsung LED H5203 Series Smart TV features the most comprehensive suite of popular apps and good picture quality at an equally attractive price. The H5203's screen has 1080p resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and an edge-lit LED backlit system for ample brightness and efficiency. The TV's WiFi networking supports screen mirroring from many mobile devices making it easy to share content on its much larger display. The Samsung H5203 has two HDMI ports, one component video input, and two USB ports. Multimedia file support is especially good and includes compatibility with lossless formats like PNG, FLAC, and ALAC. Video codec support includes many container file types (MKV, MP4, MOV) and resolutions up to 1080p30.
The BenQ HT1075 Home Entertainment Projector is a good reminder that truly BIG screen 1080p video enjoyment doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. The new HT1075 produces a bright clear picture using single-chip DLP technology, and it features dual HDMI inputs (one MHL-enabled) and a built-in 10W speaker for quick and easy setup. An affordable screen can help any projector look its best, but the HT1075 can transform any relatively flat surface into an immersive viewing experience - perfect for movie night or console gaming sessions! Compared to the BenQ W1070 it replaces, the HT1075 is slightly brighter and it features a simplified menu system. However the BenQ W1070 delivers equally excellent HD imagery at a nicely discounted price. Always consult the Projection Calculator Pro for estimating room and screen size requirements before buying any front projector!
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