LCD TVs 2012: Three new TVs in the test

The devices in the test


Many open questions?


First come first serve. This is also the opinion of the TV makers in the introduction of new models and everyone tries to be the fastest at the beginning of a new year. The three devices tested here are fresh from the factories.


Who is the first?


We have paid homage to the 2012 trends in our latest editions. 3D without glasses is on the brink of market introduction, OLED will be a topic at the earliest in autumn, and everyone is looking forward to a gesture and speech control or a TV with an apple logo.


Conclusion


The realists, however, are dealing with other topics, far from the expensive technology pioneers. What about 3D and Smart TV? And does image quality and ease of use remain with the wild feature delusion on the track? Where do the prices and picture sizes in the upper class develop?


These questions have long been answered. This is true of the product planners of the manufacturers, who have to think ahead two or more years, but whose plans are strictly confidential. Every year, it is exciting to see whether predictions about indispensable features and trends really come true.


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When a few years ago LEDs were discovered as a source of light or the ultraflates came, one could speak of a triumphal procession. 3D and Smart TV as innovations of the last two years are still controversial and want to be perfected. The chic, ultrasmal frame that Samsung has introduced is now being picked up and improved by panel rival LG. Toshiba joins similar models. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas it was seen that Panasonic has finally mastered an excellent design.


Otherwise it is diligently upgraded and taken away from each other. Once expensive top features will move towards the middle class. This means that satellite tuners, USB recording, CI decoding, smartphone control and integration into the multimedia home network are already a good thing, with the maturity of the implementation allowing a lot of room for excellent to crushing ratings Br>

In recent years, a struggle between polarization and shuttering technology - the opponents Samsung and LG were fast with testable 3D TVs at the start. Sony is also regularly viewed with pre-production patterns, long before the Asian business year ends in April and a final line is drawn under the old product line.


Panasonic has been known for years to be able to deliver Blu-ray players and systems two months before all competitors. Now the company is the first Japanese supplier to send us an LCD TV from 2012. The TX-L42ETW5 is Panasonics first TV set, which uses polarization technology to create three-dimensional image impressions. This is a political sensation with which the Group clearly expands strategies and addresses the needs of many potential customers.


American traditional manufacturer Loewe is not tied to the annual financial statements of Asia and presents devices when they are finished. And this is now the case with the new Loewe Connect 40 3D DR +: a TV whose first father successfully combined the TV world with interactive media. This started with Loewe with music and photos and now reaches over smart internet contents up to the multi-room enjoyment with the recordings of an integrated TV recorder


Completely surprisingly, the announcement of Xoro, a manufacturer more of set-top boxes and small TVs, hit us with the HTL 4770 3D a 47-inch 3D TV for officially under 800 euros to the market to bring. We could not miss the test of this new price miracle.


The devices of this test combine only one feature: they are brand new. Thanks to different image sizes and requirements, we have a maximum range of features and quality in front of us. If one looks at the concepts and qualities in a direct comparison - which we do not explicitly do because of the high price difference - one almost suffers a cultural shock, so wide is the actual spread of possibilities and results

It is easy to see that only a few manufacturers can build really good TVs and that this ability is based on many years of experience in the development of basic technologies.


Looking at the market with its declining profits, it is feared that fewer and fewer manufacturers will continue to enjoy TV development. I can only hope that the good endure and continue to put on top quality. In any case, the year 2012 will still bring many excellent TV sets, which we will test with pleasure. The first signs seem to be promising.


Download: Table


Loewe Connect 40 3D DR + (3.500 Euro), Panasonic TX-L42ETW5 (950 Euro), Xoro HTL 4770 (800 Euro)