PC Magazine - 2009 04.pdf - Libertad Zero - Blog

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Samsung LN46A850 $2,599.99 list l l l l m Pros Excellent picture contrast. Network multimedia streaming. Thin cabinet design. Cons Poor picture uniformity compared with other Samsung models. Incorrect scaling on some test video files. Click here for more. PORTS INCLUDED CableCARD 0 Component 2 Composite 2 DVI 0 Ethernet 1 FireWire 0 HDMI 4 RF 1 RS-232C 0 S-Video 1 USB 1 VGA 1 16 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION APRIL 2009 first looks CoNsUMEr ElECtroNiCs SAmSUNg LN46A850 Slim and (Mostly) Sublime At a mere 1.9 inches, the 46-inch Samsung LN46A850 is the company’s thinnest HDTV yet. What’s more, the LN46A850’s colors are brilliantly accurate, its video black inky-dark, and its reproduction of standard- and high-definition sources admirably detailed. And the LN46A850 is loaded with useful extras, including support for network streaming of multimedia content. All in all, it’s a tempting—and competitively priced—slim-cabinet television. The stylish glossy black frame surrounding the LN46A850’s screen is enhanced with a subtle reddish-amber line along the outer edges (Samsung calls it a “Touch of Color”). The LN46A850’s swivel-action table stand is constructed from a rectangular-shaped sheet of tempered glass that nicely complements the TV’s frame. A good, stylish TV deserves a quality remote control, and the LN46A850 includes two—a standard model with backlit keys and a mini remote. An Ethernet port lets you stream video and audio from a DLNAcompliant server or Windows PC (via the included Samsung PC Share Manager software). I streamed DVD video files successfully, except that the aspect ratio of the video was incorrect. Using calibrated picture settings, I found that the LN46A850’s average picture contrast was an impressive 3,487:1. This result is one of the best I’ve seen among fluorescent-backlit LCDs, second only to the LN52A750’s contrast result of 3,725:1. A picturerelated issue I found with the LN46A850 unit I tested was poor bright and dark uniformity. But I wouldn’t say this issue is representative, necessarily, of the entire series; it’s likely a defect on the unit I received. The fast, 120-Hz refresh rate technology featured in the LN46A850 is configured by default to smooth out video motion to enhance picture detail. With the set’s film detection enabled, its ability to upconvert standard-definition video (480i) to the screen’s 1080p format was exceptional. HD satellite TV as well as Blu-ray movies and test material (a mix of 1080i and 1080p24) were as detailed as I’ve seen on any LCD television. Premium plasma and LCD flat-panel televisions will continue to push the limits of cabinet thinness, picture quality, and energy efficiency—and the LN46A850 sets the current benchmark for what you should expect from an affordable, ultrathin HDTV.—Robert Heron
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 $799.95 list l l l m m Pros uses new micro Four Thirds standard, which allows for a smaller body and lens than comparable entrylevel D-sLRs. solid image quality at iso 100- 800. Large, articulating 3-inch LcD. HDmi-out. Cons not much smaller than a D-sLR. no optical viewfinder. Excessive noise at higher isos. Longer shutter lag than traditional D-sLRs. no video-recording capability. Click here for more. Given the current state of the economy, not everyone has the budget to spring for a GPS device. Fortunately, the 265T, one of Garmin’s entry-level nüvis, offers an amazing amount of bang for the buck. The 265T measures 2.8 by 3.8 by 0.8 inches (HWD) and features a 3.5-inch, 320-by-240-pixel screen. For an additional $50, you can opt for the nüvi 265WT, which has a 4.3-inch, WQVGA 480-by- 272-pixel screen. Both the 265T and 265WT feature Garmin’s familiar “Where to” and “View Map” user interface and have the same destination input options as on the midrange and even the premium 800 series. Input options include: Address; Go Home; Points of Interest (16 categories); Recently Found; Favorites; Intersections; Extras; Cities; Browse Map, and Coordinates. The 200 series doesn’t have Garmin Locate, a feature that remembers your last-known location when you remove the device from the bracket. The series also lacks players for MP3s and audiobooks, as well as an FM transmitter to send voice prompts to your car’s FM radio. Still, the 265T and its siblings do have the “Where Am I” feature, a picture viewer, a world first looks consumer electronics Panasonic Lumix Dmc-G1 A Pioneer, but Not a Game Changer GaRmin nüvi 265T The Garmin Experience at a Bargain Price Dreaming of the day when you can have the performance of a D-SLR in the body of a compact camera? It may be closer than you think. The 12.1-megapixel DMC-G1 is the first camera to incorporate the Micro Four Thirds standard, which shrinks the lens diameter and forgoes the mirror box you’ll find in a traditional D-SLR, making it more compact. While the DMC-G1 delivers good image quality, the competitively priced Canon EOS Rebel XSi ($799.99 list) gives you sharper images with less noise for about the same price—and the G1 isn’t that much smaller. Panasonic says it didn’t shrink the body of the DMC-G1—at 13.6 ounces—as much as it could have, for fear of scaring off anyone shopping for an SLRquality camera. As a result, there’s a great deal of dead space inside. Still, the DMC-G1’s overall build is quite nice. It’s available in black or blue, but our test camera was a fiery red. It features ergonomic curves for a solid grip, and its dials have raised bumps for easy control. All of the camera’s controls are right at your fingertips, which allows for quick access to the many features. clock, a simple calculator, and a unit converter.A free upgrade called ecoRoute calculates your estimated fuel cost for each trip and provides you with fuel and mileage reports; it even adds a “Less Fuel” option to your Route Preference choices. Though it lacks some of the bells and whistles of Garmin’s top-shelf products, the 265T still delivers the Garmin navigation experience, with a complete set of maps, text-to-speech, free lifetime traffic, picture navigation, and ecoRoute to boot. And you just can’t beat the price.—Craig Ellison What D-SLR users will miss most on the DMC- G1—and other upcoming Micro Four Thirds cameras, for that matter—is a true optical viewfinder. Since the new standard loses the mirror box that reflects the image through the lens, it has to simulate one. The DMC-G1 achieves this with a tiny LCD where the viewfinder would normally be. It works okay for displaying photo information like ISO and shutter speed, but I found motion blur to be particularly distracting. Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-G1 is a solid first stab at a Micro Four Thirds camera, but you’ll probably want to wait for the second generation of products, or simply go with a traditional entry-level SLR like the Canon EOS Rebel XSi.—PJ Jacobowitz Garmin nüvi 265T $249.99 List l l l l m Pros includes maps for the u.s. and canada. Text-to-speech. Lifetime free traffic. ecoRoute feature can save you money on gasoline. Cons no multisegment routing or Lane assist. Bluetooth interface didn’t read contacts/call history. Click here for more. aPRiL 2009 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION 17
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