Entries in Reviews (27)
Review: JVC DM65USR UHD TV
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 4:27PM 
JVC exited the TV business a few years ago to focus on crafting world-class video projectors, but its TV branding lives on through a company called Amtran that continues to develop new products. The 65-inch JVC DM65USR Diamond Series 4K Ultra HD TV is an attractively priced balance of features and design, but its picture potential was diminished by a few annoying quirks.
Setup and calibration
The DM65USR's thin matte-finished bezel frames a screen that can pump out the light (up to 400 nits). Its 32-zone full-array local dimming LED backlight system also made for impressively dark black bars of letterboxed movies when viewed in a dimly lit room, however, a similarly sized Vizio P-Series UHD (ultra-high definition) television features twice the number of zones for increased dimming granularity.
White balance controls included 2-point and 10-point adjustments. The 2-point controls proved highly interactive and prone to increasing gamma errors, and I found it best to skip its use altogether in favor of the 10-point setup that produced an admirable HD grayscale response.
Fine-tuning the TV's grayscale also improved its color performance with all significant errors limited to fully saturated levels. Unfortunately, these carefully calibrated grayscale and color results had to be manually copied to each input, and the calibrated preset (Movie) was unavailable with 2160p input like that from the Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player (read review). Also, minor brightness control adjustments drastically shifted the hue of dark gray levels making it a 'set and forget' affair.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Calibration details
By popular request, I've added the white balance setup results I obtained for the JVC DM65USR in the chart below. Keep in mind that calibration settings are often TV specific - two TVs of the exact same model and screen size will often produce different calibration setup values. However, it's easy enough to try the setup below and if the results are unsatisfactory, reset the TV back to factory defaults.
Video processing
The DM65USR otherwise decent video processing of HD and UHD video sources was marred by a glitch that re-enabled motion interpolation after the setting had been disabled. Toggling the setting would re-disable it only to have it eventually re-enable...annoying for people who detest the smoothing effect applied to movies and TV shows recorded at 24 frames per second.
Samsung JS9500 4K UHD TV Review
Vizio 5.1 Sound Bar System Review
Gamers will find the TV a good option as video lag reduced from 113ms to 46.5ms (less than 3 video frames at 60Hz) when using the Game picture preset.
Apps
As an Internet-enabled 4K UHD TV, the DM65USR is a bit surprising in that it lacks any UHD streaming options like Amazon Instant Video or Netflix. The TV features DLNA-style multimedia streaming and picture/music playback apps for files on USB-connected storage devices. An included 1080p Roku Streaming Stick provides plenty of additional, albeit non-UHD, app options.
A capable built-in web browser was further enhanced by a slick combo keyboard/touchpad remote.
Bottom line
The DM65USR has picture potential to be a terrific 4K UHD TV option, but it needs a software update to cure it of a few nagging glitches.
Read my complete review of the JVC DM65USR Diamond Series 4K Ultra HD TV at HD Guru.
Review: Epson Home Cinema 3500
Friday, January 30, 2015 at 4:01PM 
Note: the Epson 3500 has since been replace by the equally capable Video projectors are perfect for creating a wall-filling picture that is easily resized to best fit the available space. Projection in a dark room is the best case scenario as there is little interference with the creation of an immersive and detailed viewing experience. Projection in spaces with ambient light reaching the screen surface require much more light output to look good, and the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3500 came through with impressively bright imagery and useful audio/video (AV) extras that added to an already strong value.
Size, style, and setup
The Home Cinema's curvy white-colored chassis measures 16.1" x 12.6" x 6.4" (WxDxH) and weighs in at 15 pounds. The projector's slightly offset lens configuration provides space for a front facing exhaust that's ideal for placement close to a wall at the back of the room or on a table in front of the viewer. A removable cover on the top of the projector provides easy access to the lamp module even if inverted for ceiling mounting, and a side intake vent simplifies air filter maintenance.
Display tech
The Epson 3500 features 3LCD technology that incorporates a 3-chip light engine for superior color brightness compared to single-chip DLP projectors. Three-chip projectors process and display primary colors (red, green, and blue) simultaneously whereas a single-chip design quickly flashes each primary color in sequence. The projector's 0.61 inch 1080p LCD panels refresh at 240Hz in 2D mode doubling to 480Hz during 3D playback. Two pairs of rechargeable RF 3D glasses are included in the box.
Light cannon
As a home theater projector, the Epson 3500's primary benefit is its brightness. It's the brightest projector I've tested to date with its maximum light output rated at 2500 lumens including an equivalent level of color brightness. The BenQ HT1075 is a favorite value of mine that features a single-chip DLP light engine that can produce 2200 lumens of white light output, however, its color brightness measures about 37% less at 1390 lumens. For light-controlled rooms, the 3500's ample brightness will easily fill the largest screen sizes or a wall (ceiling-to-floor) with well-defined imagery.
Fan noise
Projector brightness and cooling fan noise go hand-in-hand. The projector's 250W UHE lamp operating in Eco mode kept fan noise to barely audible levels yet still provided ample brightness for a smaller 80" screen in a room with some ambient light. The much brighter Medium lamp setting increased fan noise into the audible (but very tolerable) range and made for a much improved viewing experience during daylight hours. I found the slight difference in light output between the Epson 3500's Medium and High lamp settings wasn't enough to justify the latter's increased fan noise.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Picture setup
Lens controls on the 3500 are all manual and include a 60% vertical and 24% horizontal lens shift adjustment - pricier projectors like the excellent Panasonic PT-AE8000 extend vertical lens shift to 100% of the screen height. Compared to projectors that provide only digital keystone correction (that the 3500 also has), lens shift allows for precise image placement without altering geometry or degrading fine picture detail. The 3500's 1.6x zoom lens gives it good throw range too. For example: filling a 100" screen, the 3500 can be positioned 9.6' to 15.6' away from from the screen surface. A 120" screen would increase the throw range to 11.6' to 18.8'.
The 3500's picture presets include a Dynamic mode that maxed out the brightness with a slightly green-hued picture and audible fan speed to keep things cool. A Living Room preset defaults to a medium lamp setting, reduced fan speed, and a cool (bluish) color temperature that proved ideal for general daytime use. For a calibrated picture setup, the projector's Natural picture mode preset produced a good RGB balance that was well-matched to the D65 white point used in HD video production.
Calibration
Prior to calibration and use, I confirmed the convergence of Epson 3500's 3-chip system using a convenient built-in test pattern and related adjustment controls. A convergence check is a must for any 3-chip projector as it improves picture brightness and detail with all displayed content.
Use of the 3500's RGB gain/offset controls enabled me to better optimize the Natural picture preset for my setup (above): reduced red slightly in the darker grays, reduced blue in the brighter grays, and smooth out the gamma response. The 3500's color management controls were unable to improve upon the projector's somewhat truncated primary color response that limited the saturation of secondary colors like cyan and magenta (below).
The above response is likely due to relatively 'loose' RGB filters being applied to the white light source enabling more light energy (luminous flux) to exit the system. I've measured superior coverage of the HD color palette with more costly projectors including the Sony VPL-HW40ES and Epson's 5030UB, but they're less suited for use in rooms with elevated levels of ambient light compared to the Epson 3500.
Audio quality
In addition to being the brightest consumer 1080p projector I've seen, the Epson 3500's built-in stereo speakers (2x10W) proved impressively loud and clear. These rear-firing speakers won't replace a decent soundbar or surround sound system, nor will they delivery room shaking bass, but its ample volume proved useful for impromptu use where audio options are limited.
Input options
Inputs are located on the rear of the Epson 3500 and include two HDMI ports (one MHL-enabled), component video input, VGA, and composite video. There is also a 12V trigger output and serial port for integration with an electric screen or home theater control system. The 3500's USB port enables easy display of JPG slideshows, but I found it more useful for powering a DVDO Air3C-Pro wireless HDMI receiver (read review). Epson also offers the similarly-speced Home Cinema 3600e that integrates WirelessHD technology and includes a 5-port HDMI transmitter hub.
A picture-in-picture function includes options for placement and resizing of the sub-screen. Epson claims this function will work with almost any combination of inputs, but I was unable to successfully enable it when feeding both of the Epson 3500's HDMI ports with HD source devices.
Remote design
The 3500's substantial baton-style remote is fully backlit and features large mashable buttons that are clearly labeled. The remote's dedicated shortcuts proved useful and included buttons for quickly selecting picture presets, detail enhancement levels, and lamp power levels.
Viewing Exams
The Epson 3500's dynamic iris was adept at seamlessly reducing light output for dark scenes to enhance contrast perception, however, this projector is optimized for brightness and projectors like the Epson 5030UB and the Sony VPL-HW40ES produce darker black levels in a dimly-lit environment where light output isn't as critical. For dark room use, the Epson 3500's extra brightness would be useful for very large screen sizes or when trying to fill a wall floor-to-ceiling with imagery.
That extra brightness proved ideal for 3D viewing as the Epson 3500 delivered the best home 3D experience I've had to date. The slight tint of the excellent rechargeable RF glasses improved perceived contrast, and the projector’s 480Hz 3D mode exhibited very little crosstalk with the games, Blu-ray movies, and streaming sources that I examined.
The selection of Blu-ray movies experienced on the 3500 included Samsara, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and The Dark Knight. I was picking out details on the big screen that I hadn't noticed before. However, scenes with lots of dark detail reinforced the projector's suitability for brighter room environments where some ambient light is best countered with increased light output.
Motion resolution performance of the Epson 3500's 3LCD technology is similar to that of any other LCD that lacks video smoothing technology (motion compensation/estimation) or has the feature turned off: 300-350 lines on a 1080 line test pattern. Static resolution tests produced 600 lines with the Fast video processing setting enabled and 800-850 lines with the Fine setting enabled. The Fast/Fine setting also affected video lag measurements with a drop from 111ms to 47ms when switched to Fast.
An adjustable detail enhancement setting labeled Super Resolution improved the appearance of lower resolution content like DVDs and standard definition TV shows when enabled at moderate levels, but it also reduced the projector's ability to filter jagged edge artifacts and I left it disabled with most HD sources.
Bottom line: it's bright!
Video projectors deliver truly big screen viewing on a budget, and the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3500 brings this experience to more places with bright, detailed imagery at an attractive price. I've put several hundred hours on the 3500 in a room environment that almost always has some ambient light present, and its ability to push additional light output on demand has left my reference flat panel television feeling a bit neglected. I've also become accustomed to using wireless HDMI with this projector and would give greater consideration to the Epson 'e' models that integrates this feature.
Update: Vizio P-Series Ultra HD
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 4:44PM Originally posted on August 21, 2014
Updated on April 15, 2015: clarified specs and testing details (see Testing notes)
The wait is over! Retail listings for the new Vizio P-Series Ultra HD TVs have finally surfaced and its value appears strong.
2014 Vizio P-Series Setup Notes
Amazon is listing P-Series screen sizes of 50-inches, 55-inches, 60-inches, 65-inches, and 70-inches.
The critical specs of the P-Series include:
- 3840 x 2160p screen resolution
- Full-array local dimming LED backlight system
- ~64 active dimming zones
- 70-inch model has 72 zones
- ~64 active dimming zones
- 120Hz refresh rate with backlight scanning
- 50-inch model is 60Hz
- Quad-core GPU + Dual-core CPU
- 802.11ac WiFi
- HEVC H.265 codec
- HDMI 2.0 + HDCP 2.2
- HDMI 1, 2, and 5 are HDCP 2.2
- HDMI 5 is HDMI 2.0 (others are 1.4b)
- Smart TV features with UHD streaming options
Testing notes
Update 1/13/2015: Vizio has released a new P-Series firmware update (v1.1.14) that has mostly corrected the stuck sharpness algorithm noted below. This update also added new 4K video streaming options from Amazon, Toon Goggles, and UltraFlix. Testing the new firmware revealed no improvement for the observed clipping and loss of fine color (chroma) detail with component-encoded video sources. Vizio claims the new update also added new picture quality enhancements to the TV's full-array local dimming (FALD) backlight system and improved sharpness and motion controls for a wider range of video and film-based sources.
How to update
Internet connected Vizio televisions perform regular checks for software updates and should require no user interaction. However, if a P-Series owner wishes to check for software updates, follow this procedure:
Go to MENU > System > System Information > Service Check > press 'OK' > select 'Yes' to perform update check. Then turn TV off and wait at least 20 minutes for the update cycle to complete.
Readers have commented that while it is possible to check for a software update, a serial number system used by Vizio determines when a particular TV receives the updated software.
Hands-on
The P-Series has five HDMI ports that are compatible with 4K input: ports 1-4 accept 4K UHD video at up to 30Hz and HDMI 5 allows 4K input at 60Hz - confirmed with DVDO AVLab TPG (read review). HDMI ports 1, 2, and 5 are HDCP 2.2-enabled for use with copy protected 4K sources like the Sony FMP-X10 Media Player (read my review). However, the FMP-X10's 60Hz output would require the use of HDMI 5 for full output format compatibility. Also, HDMI 5 provides no video processing for common video formats like 480i, 720p, or 1080i resulting in reduced picture quality compared to the use of other HDMI inputs on the TV; the TV does warn the user to change inputs if an attempt is made to use this port with sub-4K video sources. For P-Series owners who prefer to feed the display though a single HDMI connection, use of HDMI 5 would require a capable AVR or external scaler to perform 4K upconversion. Otherwise, use of multiple HDMI inputs on the TV are needed to properly handle common SD/HD formats and 4K60 input.
IPS vs VA
Also, it has been reported and confirmed by Vizio that the P-series LCD panel technology varies with screen size. The 55 inch version features an IPS panel whereas the other screen sizes in the series feature VA panel technology that produces deeper black levels for improved picture contrast and apparent color saturation. For optimal picture performance with the P-series televisions, screen sizes of 60-inches, 65-inches, and 70-inches are the recommended options as they would provide a VA panel with a greater number of zones of local dimming.
"Photoshopped" picture quality
A test session with a 50-inch P-series TV confirmed that its original firmware suffered from mediocre 1080i video processing and a broken sharpness control that added harsh edge enhancements to the picture. This "stuck" sharpness filter added virtual detail not present in the original video signal, and it was clearly evident in all examined content including still images, Blu-ray movies, and 4K video.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Update 1/13/2015: Both images below show the Vizio P-Series running the updated v1.1.14 firmware with TV's sharpness setting at 0 (off). The ringing artifacts in image on the right appeared when feeding the P-Series a 4K UHD source and remained visible when switching to HD formats like 720p or 1080i on the same input. The ringing artifacts would vanish again if the sharpness setting was adjusted at all. Thankfully, use of TV's 4K UHD video streaming apps didn't trigger the reappearance of the sharpness artifacts, and only users who are switching between 4K UHD and HD video formats on the same HDMI input are likely to encounter this issue.
Update 2/26/2015
Vizio released another firmware update (v1.1.19) for the P-Series that is reported to fix the sharpness setting so that it doesn't reset under the conditions I found with firmware v1.1.14 (described above). This update is also reported to stabilize color with HDMI 5 when configured with certain picture presets.
Unresolved items
Another oddity noted during picture setup was that component-encoded video sources (YCbCr) like a Blu-ray player or the DVDO AVLab TPG (read my review) fed to the P-Series resulted in crushed dark detail below digital level 16 and clipped peak bright detail above level 235. Reducing the TV's color control revealed levels in the 242-243 range but resulted in an unacceptably desaturated picture. Full RGB input (0-254) appeared to be properly displayed.
Not so factory calibrated
The P-Series features two factory calibrated presets: Calibrated and Calibrated Dark. The latter of these otherwise similar presets defaults to a reduced backlight level and slightly increased gamma (2.1 vs 2.2) that's better suited for viewing in a dimly lit environment. Grayscale measurements revealed overly blue hues compared to the more neutral D65 standard used in film and video production. The P-Series adds an 11-point grayscale setup in addition to the 2-point tools that many TVs provide. These controls proved effective at taming the bluish grays.
Color management needed
The menu used for grayscale calibration also features 6-color controls for adjusting hue, saturation, and brightness. I've had the opportunity to spend more time with the P-Series color management setup, and fine tuning the display via careful calibration can greatly improve its color accuracy. However, some fully-saturated colors (blue in particular) were uncorrectably out of spec.
Almost there
The Vizio P-Series Ultra HD television isn't videophile-grade, but the latest update barely nudged it into a value 4K UHD recommendation. Calibration benefits any TV, and it's a must for the Vizio P-Series to fully realize its picture potential. Vizio has (mostly) corrected my biggest image quality complaint about the P-Series, and I look forward to seeing what other improvements can be achieved with future updates. Also, the P-Series' 4K file support includes H.265/HEVC but not 4K video files encoded into the H.264/AVC format like those produced by the new GoPro HERO4 Black. Vizio was hesitant to provide a firm answer as to if or when we can expect 4K H.264/AVC file support to be added to the P-Series. Stay tuned!
Review: Samsung H6400 Smart TV
Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 7:58AM 
The Samsung H6400 Series Smart TV impressed me right out of the box with accurate color and grayscale performance using its factory calibrated Movie picture preset. The H6400's well-contrasted imagery derived from its ample maximum light output (391 cd/m2) that's ideal for well-lit rooms and good black levels for optimized dark room viewing. Compared to the similarly styled H6350 series, the H6400 adds 3D, improved motion resolution, and the impressive RF-linked Smart Remote Control. If you don't need or want the H6400's extras, then the H6350 presents an even better value.
Size and style
I reviewed the 55-inch version (UN55H6400) and other available screen sizes include 48-inches, 50-inches, 60-inches, and 65-inches. The H6400's thin bezel design (0.56 inches along the top and sides) accentuated its 1080p 120Hz LCD panel. A swivel base stand proved useful, and the TV's chassis is compatible with standard wall mount hardware.
Processing prowess
Samsung's superior video processing gives the H6400 effective film-mode detection for maximum detail and deinterlacing that's free of unsightly jagged edges. I also appreciated the TV's Auto Motion Plus feature that reduced motion blur with video sources like sports programming without altering the filmic look of 24fps material (most movies and TV shows). Most LCDs cannot reduce motion blur without also also smoothing the on-screen motion of movies to the point they appear soap opera-like.
App goodness
The TV's quad core processor made for fast start up times and speedy app performance. The selection of apps on Samsung Smart TVs continues to be the most comprehensive among manufacturers, and I was please to see a recent update for Amazon Instant Video add support for the remote's precise cursor control - a first among third party apps and something Netflix should have added long ago. The H6400 flawlessly streamed 1080p video from popular services over its WiFi link, and a bandwidth speed test using its built-in web browser revealed no problem saturating a 60Mbps/6Mbps (down/up) connection. In a pinch, Bluetooth mouse and keyboard support effectively transform the H6400 in to a convenient Internet workstation.
Not quirkless
Similar to Samsung's otherwise awesome 4K UHD HU8550 television (read review), the H6400 overscaned 720p broadcast channels like ABC and Fox when using its built-in over-the-air (OTA) tuner - 720p input via the TV's four HDMI ports could be configured to not cut off the edges of the video picture. Also, navigating the H6400's channel guide was annoyingly sluggish.
The H6400's excellent color accuracy (note the CalMAN Color Checker result below) was tempered by benchmark tests that revealed a slight loss of fine color detail with component video (YCbCr) encoded sources (most HDMI video devices). RGB encoded HDMI input didn't exhibit this loss.
Audio quality from the H6400's down-firing stereo speakers was surprisingly weak sounding. Enabling the TV's DTS TruSurround sound mode did improve the listening experience, but I recommend adding a good soundbar/soundstand for a more immersive home theater experience!
Bottom line
Everyone appreciates a great deal on good technology, and the Samsung H6400 Series Smart TV is an above average HDTV with picture performance comparable to TVs that cost much more. In my time with the H6400, Samsung has pushed a couple of firmware update, and I'll update this article if any future updates address the few quirks noted above.
Read my complete review of the Samsung H6400 Series Smart TV at HD Guru.
Review: DVDO Air3C-Pro
Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 9:51PM 
In the box
The Air3C includes everything needed for most installation scenarios. The similarly sized transmitter and receiver are slightly larger than a deck of playing cards and weigh 107g (3.75oz) each. Also in the box are USB power adapters, USB cables, and a pair of HDMI cables (4 feet long each).
Simple setup
Air3C setup is as simple as connecting the HDMI cables and adding USB power to the transmitter and receiver. After the units automatically make the initial connection (aka "mate"), they are able to reconnect within a few seconds after powering up.
Mounting options
The Air3C units have two holes for affixing them onto a flat surface with screws or similar fasteners. An included clip-on bracket and adhesive Velcro pads can be used to attach the receiver to the back of a TV. Ideally, the units will be positioned within line-of-sight, but the Air's 60GHz radios can bounce signals off of a wall or ceiling to maintain a connection with slightly obscured transmitter and receiver placement.
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Main features
In addition to the Air3C-Pro, DVDO offers a more budget-friendly non-pro version. Both models feature identical wireless technology and basic performance features that include:
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Up to 1080p60 HDMI video transmission
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3D video
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Up to 7.1 channels of HD audio
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USB powered
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Very low latency
-
CEC passthrough
What makes the Pro version unique is a software configuration tool that can confirm connection status, evaluate signal performance, and create custom device parings including whitelisting for restricting connections between specified units.
The software also features firmware update capabilities for both versions should the need arise.
Efficiency improvement
The biggest improvement of the Air3C compared to the original DVDO Air is that it can be freed from a wall outlet! The unit still requires a separate power source, but improvements in efficiency enable it to siphon juice from any nearby USB port that is rated for at least 5V/1A output.
In the lab, the Air's receiver was powered perfectly by the four USB-equipped TVs I tested it with. Adequate USB power was also obtained when connecting the Air's transmitter to a late-model Yamaha AV receiver and PlayStation 3 game console. However, when I tested the transmitter with power from a USB port on a Samsung Blu-ray player, a link was established with the receiver but it was unable to maintain the connection during video playback. A check of the player's USB port specification indicated that it maxed out at 5V/500mA - about half the required amperage. Switching the transmitter to a wall adapter quickly restored video output from the Blu-ray player.
Signal tests
The Air's 60GHz radio system was able to pass a usable 1080p signal through a wood framed wall at a total distance of about 11 feet, but the connection wasn't 100% reliable. The included documentation clearly discourages through-wall use, and it recommends keeping the transmitter and receiver within 10 meters of each other for best performance. With uninterrupted line-of-sight, I was able to nearly double that distance.
I found it best to mount the units high enough to minimize interference from people walking between the transmitter and receiver, but the Air's signaling proved robust enough to handle almost anything short of a completely covered unit.
Ultra low lag
Console gamers will be pleased to note that the Air3C added a miniscule 4ms of lag to a 1080p60 video stream as measured by the Leo Bodnar LagTester - a fraction of a frame of added delay with a 60Hz video source! Given the adequate USB power output of the PlayStation and its Bluetooth wireless controllers, the Air could regulate it to a nearby closet while retaining full functionality.
AV quality
For all intents and purposes, the Air's wireless video quality is identical to that of a wired HDMI connection with a maximum claimed throughput of 4Gbps. 1080p 24Hz and 60Hz signal tests from a DVDO AVLab TPG (read my review) and Blu-ray reference materials were delivered unaltered. RGB and YCbCr444 color spaces were supported although color depth beyond the common standard of 8 bits-per-pixel appeared unsupported.
Audio transport was similarly clean when listening to the Blu-ray album Sea Change from Beck that features a 24 bit/192kHz 6-channel PCM audio track with a sustained bitrate of 27.6Mbps. Obviously, the Air had no trouble handling the less data-intensive lossless soundtracks of Blu-ray movies.
Even better
I had nothing but praise for the original DVDO Air, and the Air3C-Pro adds impressive energy efficiency that enables it to be powered with a common USB port without degrading performance. The more affordable non-pro version of the Air costs about $100 less, but the pro version's software proved useful for determining optimal placement of the transmitter and receiver. No, nothing beats the reliability of a copper cable, but the DVDO Air3C-Pro is my recommended way of doing a 1080p HDMI link wirelessly.
