Audio Video News

HOME THEATER DISPLAY & VIDEO

Sony’s 4K flagship delivers an outstanding home theater experience, with excellent color reproduction and best-in-class contrast, plus the option of 3D playback and support of all major HDR formats (including a scheduled upgrade for Dolby Vision). Key to its stunning picture from Blu-ray and Ultra HD sources — even in a bright room — is Sony’s bespoke full-array LED local dimming technology — Backlight Master Drive. Motion processing and upscaling, driven by the company’s powerful X1 Extreme chipset, are excellent. The KD-65ZD9 is a premium home theater display with the performance power to match.

EISA LCD TV 2017-2018
LG 55SJ8500

LG’s mid-range 55-inch LED-lit LCD TV is a superior all-rounder, matching its excellent, user-friendly webOS 3.5 interface and Dolby Vision/HDR 10/HLG HDR playback to color-rich and bright picture performance. LG’s new Nano Cell 4K panel technology is employed to improve color finesse, which is maintained (as well as contrast) when viewing off-axis — from TV dramas and sports to Ultra HD Blu-ray movies, this TV shines. Audio from the Harman/Kardon-designed 2.2-channel speaker array is clean and punchy, the TV’s design is smart and discreet, and its multimedia talents are extensive. This is a fine addition to LG’s Super UHD TV lineup.

EISA SMART TV 2017-2018
Samsung QE55Q7F

Samsung continues to push the boundaries when it comes to TV design and user interaction — the QE55Q7F is smart in many ways. Inputs are housed on the external One Connect box, linked to the slim-framed TV via a single near-invisible cable that allows for a tidy installation. Elegant stand options and a sleek back panel underline the attractive design. Operating this TV is a pleasure. Voice control via Samsung’s remote is precise and reliable, while the two-tier smart user interface makes navigating its multimedia capabilities and huge number of content apps effortless. And with the TV’s 4K QLED display (based on Quantum Dot technology), exceptionally wide color range and peak brightness, the QE55Q7F is smart when it comes to image quality too…

EISA OLED TV 2017-2018
LG OLED65E7P

LG’s OLED technology gives viewers superb contrast with absolute blacks and bright highlights, plus vibrant colors that don’t diminish at wide viewing angles, yet the OLED65E7 boosts performance in key areas over previous models — near-black detailing has been improved, and peak luminance increased. The result is a screen suited to 4K HDR images from Blu-ray or streaming services, while standard dynamic range content can gain extra punch via LG’s HDR Effect upscaling. HDR format support is wide-ranging — Dolby Vision, HDR 10 and HLG are all catered for. The TV’s super-thin design, Dolby Atmos-compatible speaker system and slick user interface all contribute to making this our winner in the premium OLED category.

EISA BEST BUY TV 2017-2018
TCL U55C7006

TCL’s U55C7006 combines a 55-inch panel, wide-color processing, and HDR compatibility at an affordable price, and proves the perfect companion for everyday TV watching. 4K upscaling guarantees that lower-resolution signals (terrestrial broadcasts, DVDs, Blu-ray) are displayed with fine details on the TV’s UHD screen, while HDR sources are delivered with a good sense of realism — and compatibility with the HLG HDR standard means this model has one eye on the future. Meanwhile, the front-firing soundbar, developed in conjunction with audio specialist JBL, complements the visual experience with powerful and customizable sound. Smart features on this family-friendly TCL TV are delivered via Google’s Android TV platform.

EISA BEST BUY OLED TV 2017-2018
Philips 55POS9002

For its second-generation OLED TV, Philips introduces its brand-new P5 picture engine for more efficient processing, yet still targets an affordable price point that ensures it stands out in an expanding OLED market. Excellent picture quality from this 55-inch set excites not only through rich colors, fine details and deep blacks, but also with motion sharpness. Users are granted full access to the 55POS9002’s extensive picture controls, allowing adjustment to suit personal taste. The sense of immersion with any source is heightened via Philips’ unique Ambilight illumination technology. Boasting Android TV and a low-latency game mode, this is a well-featured 4K HDR flatscreen that can be the focal point of any setup.

EISA HOME THEATER PROJECTOR 2017-2018
Epson EH-TW9300W

This successor to the 2014/15 EISA-award winning EH-TW9200 builds upon that model’s superior setup flexibility while embracing new formats and features. Epson’s 4K Enhancement pixel-shifting technology upscales incoming sources for greater sharpness. Ultra HD Blu-ray content (with HDR) is supported via the projector’s HDCP 2.2-enabled HDMI input. Image quality showcases excellent detail and color vibrancy, aided by impressive brightness and black levels, leading to an immersive large-screen experience. A 2.1x motorized zoom/focus, wide-ranging lens shift options and wireless connection make the EH-TW9300W an easy model to install in a home theatre or living room.

COMBINED WITH HOME THEATER AUDIO EXPERT GROUP

OPPO’s first disc player since its BDP-103D was worth the wait. The UDP-203 adds Ultra HD Blu-ray and HDR to its universal ethos, making this a player that’s unrivalled when it comes to format support. Image quality (including from Dolby Vision titles) is peerless, matched to user control over bit-depth, chroma sampling, and HDR-to-SDR conversion. When it comes to audio, the UDP-203 partners its SACD/DVD-Audio talents with networked hi-res file compatibility, multichannel analog outputs, and a 32-bit AKM DAC. Music collections are in safe hands — this player sounds clean, crisp and precise. Class-leading build quality and streamlined menus sweeten the deal. A remarkable 4K debut.

EISA BEST BUY ULTRA HD BLU-RAY PLAYER 2017-2018
Panasonic DMP-UB300/UB400 Series

Panasonic has lowered the entry point for Ultra HD Blu-ray with its well-priced DMP-UB300 and DMP-UB400 series. Compact designs, these players can find space in any setup, but remain capable of crowd-pleasing visuals. Inside, Panasonic’s 4K High Precision Chroma Processor is employed to fine-tune imagery, while picture adjustments let users match the performance to the talents of their 4K TV. The DMP-UB300/UB400 Series double as network media players, too, supporting hi-res music playback (including DSD and 192kHz/24-bit FLAC), as well as video-on-demand via their app portals. These are an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable Ultra HD upgrade.