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CEFORUM 1992 GUIDE TO TELEVISION SETS
*************************************

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c) 1992 by Marc Wielage
All Rights Reserved
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All the consumer surveys seem to agree: when it comes to TV sets, people
want 'em big and cheap. The latest trends show that the best-selling TVs
on the mass-market are now 27" models, with the 32"-and-larger models
right on their heels. It seems that people want their entertainment as
big as possible, and they're willing to pay the extra premium (typically
about $30 an inch) to get the biggest screen their living room Q and
their wallets Q can manage. The top-selling 19" and 20" sets of
yesteryear are being relegated to bedrooms and small offices, and more
and more people are selecting 32" and 35" models for entertaining in
more spacious rooms.

As impressive as big sets can be, remember that size alone shouldn't be
the most important factor when buying a new set. Picture quality and
convenience features are also very important, and the difference of an
inch or two isn't significant enough to worry about. Indeed, the best-
performing consumer sets money can buy right now are 27", and the top-
notch multi-kilobuck monitors used in professional TV studios are
usually only 20" models. The reason? It's easier to make a good small
picture tube than it is a big one.

And let's not forget value. The quality of consumer electronics products
is recent years is going down, while prices are going up. Top-performing
sets are getting harder to find, and construction quality and
reliability are on the down-swing, all because of Old Man Inflation.
This made it harder than ever to select worthwhile products for this
year's Best Buys, though it's still possible to find good prices without
quality compromises if you shop wisely.




STANDARD TV/MONITOR FEATURES

All of today's TV sets have standard Electronic or Frequency-Synthesized
Tuning (also called Express Tuning), which eliminates having to fine-
tune channels by hand. All frequency-synthesized sets are also cable-
compatible in that they can receive many cable channels without the aid
of a decoder box, but this will only work for unscrambled channels. To
watch premium channels, or if you have a cable service that scrambles
all (or most) of its programming, you'll still need a cable descrambler
box. If there's any doubt, call your cable company first before buying a
new set.

Remember mono? You can forget about it now. Virtually all mid-priced and
deluxe sets now offer MTS (multichannel television sound) stereo, and we
think it's worth the extra money (generally about $50-$200 more than a
mono set, depending on speakers and cabinet). Some manufacturers are
offering their entire TV set lines in stereo. Most sets also allow
monitoring either the stereo soundtrack or a third SAP (separate audio
program) channel, usually reserved for a foreign language. Be warned
that some manufacturers are using non-standard MTS circuits in their
sets that only provide "quasi-stereo" compatibility, including a handful
of models from GE, Philips, and Thomson (RCA). Our test indicate these
low-priced alternates do not provide audio quality as good as the real
McCoy. Insist on true "dbx" stereo in any MTS set you buy.

Some stereo sets allow feeding their outputs to larger speakers for
fuller, richer sound. A few console models offer large, full-range
speakers, but we generally found that even the best sets sound mediocre
when compared to low cost add-on stereo speakers even in the $150/pair
price range. Cable TV viewers should check to make sure their service
carries programs in stereo, since only about half of our nation's cable
services are passing on the MTS signals at this time. Even if you can't
receive stereo broadcast programs, you can always enjoy stereo from pre-
recorded videotapes and laserdiscs, provided you have compatible VCRs or
disc players.

Remote Controls are mandatory on virtually all sets these days. A basic
remote will let you turn the set on and off, change the channel and
adjust the volume. Better remotes let you tweak contrast, color and
brightness, select video inputs, or even run optional video recorders,
and can add up to $100 to the cost of the set, depending on their
complexity. (You can duplicate most of these features with programmable
remotes from GE, JVC, Memorex, Radio Shack, Recoton, and Sony, at a cost
of about $50.)

On-Screen Displays are another high-tech item that are more than just a
gimmick for gadget nuts. Simple on-screen displays can show you the
channel number and the time, while others get downright intrusive, with
separate readouts and graphs for brightness, contrast, color intensity &
hue, clock time, volume and balance, and different video inputs. The
best displays give you the ability to give each channel a name; for
example, channel 2 could be "CBS," 40 could be "FOX," and 12 could be
"CNN" Q very handy for sorting out "what's what" on a multi-channel
cable system. As a general rule of thumb, on-screen displays will add
about $50 to a basic set.


DELUXE TV FEATURES

If the above standard features aren't enough for you, there's a plethora
of bells and whistles available from TV sets in the medium-to-high-
priced spread. The hottest trend in today's sets are newly refined Flat
Picture Tubes, which avoid the curved edges of older glass components.
These flat tubes are available mostly in costly ultra-deluxe sets like
Hitachi's "SuperSquare," Panasonic's "SuperFlat" and Sony's "XBR2"
series. Are they worth the extra money? Our evaluations showed that the
flatter tubes provide some improvement in picture quality, but aren't
always dramatically better than other deluxe sets.

One feature that's become de rigueur for videophiles is the Direct
Audio/Video Input, which transforms an ordinary TV set into a bona fide
Monitor/Receiver. Better monitor/receivers and virtually all projectors
offer not just one, but two or more inputs, for watching several
different video sources, like a VCR or a camcorder. These video inputs
make hookups a little easier, and will also visibly improve the picture
quality of the videotapes you watch. The so-called S-Video or Y/C jack
is a 4-pin socket designed to accept signals from Super VHS VCRs, Hi8
camcorders, and specially-equipped laser videodisc players. S-video
jacks claim to provide slightly better picture quality by keeping the
color and detail signals separate, avoiding extra processing by the TV
set's comb filter. In real life, the differences are extremely subtle.
Of greater importance is Video Adjustment Presets, which let you
optimize the picture for each input (including the tuner).

In addition to video inputs, some sets give you Dual RF Inputs, allowing
you to hook up both a cable feed and a scrambled Pay TV decoder. You can
also connect both a cable TV and an antenna feed, provided you have a
good roof antenna and a clear off-air picture. Some sets go so far as to
allow you to dedicate each channel to a specific antenna source.

A much-ballyhooed buzzword among big-ticket sets is Surround Sound,
which adds extra audio channels that enhance and add impact to the basic
stereo sound found in most TV programs and movies. Most of the surround
circuits found in these TV sets are basic, no-frills decoders that don't
provide the features or sound quality of the better add-on units, and in
general, we don't think they're worth the money. Other sets are now
providing enhanced stereo sound, like the Hughes SRS (Sonic Retrieval
System) found in some deluxe Sonys & RCAs, "Dynamic Acoustic" speakers
in some Sony sets, Carver's Sonic Holography system in a few Toshiba
sets, and high-tech Bose speakers in selected Zenith models. Do these
gimmicks work? Our feeling is that none of these fancy circuits or
miniature speakers are that impressive, and that larger, separate
speakers are a better solution Q provided you have the money and space.
A few super-deluxe sets are equipped with true Dolby Surround decoders,
but these require the use of additional speakers for best results. You
can always add this feature later on (as discussed elsewhere in our 1992
Stereo Buying Guide).

Timers and Channel-Lock Out are two features any family with children
will appreciate. The sleep timer allows you to watch TV from bed without
having to worry about turning it off. After a preset interval (usually
selectable increments of 30 minutes) the set shuts off all by itself.
Channel lock-out allows you to intentionally skip adult-type
programming, requiring a password to view it. Headphone Jacks are
another big plus for families and apartment-dwellers, allowing one or
more people to watch TV without disturbing others. Each of these
features adds less than $10-20 to the price of a deluxe set. Families
with hearing-impaired members may want to invest in a set equipped with
a Closed-Captioning decoder, which adds subtitles to most current movies
and TV shows. Federal law will soon require that all sets include
closed-captioning, but until that time, you can always add one to any
set for about $100-$150.

Digital Circuits have added a lot to both the performance and features
of recent sets. While most digital chips are internal and perhaps hard
to appreciate, they can also be used for special effects like PIP (short
for picture-in-picture), allowing you to watch two shows at the same
time on one screen. This feature is a must-have for sports buffs who
need to see multiple playoff games in a single afternoon. High-end sets
are now offering improved Comb Filters, special circuits designed to
separate color and detail signals going to the picture tube. Some
digital chips are touted as having Fuzzy Logic, which is a "smart"
circuit that has the ability to make intelligent choices in different
situations Q for example, turning on video noise reduction only during
dark, colorful scenes. Our tests of several of these circuits indicates
they aren't quite perfected just yet, but happily, all of them have an
"off" switch if you don't want to use them.


BIG-SCREEN TV

These days, big-screen TV sets fall into three basic types. The first is
the Direct-View Picture Tube, which is really just a TV monitor with a
bigger-than-average picture tube. The first manufacturer that managed to
perfect big TV tubes was Mitsubishi, whose 35" monitor started a
revolution about seven years ago. These sets were the first that were
both affordable and capable of producing decent color pictures. In the
last couple of years, many other major manufacturers have begun offering
their own direct-view sets with sizes all the way from 27" to 35".
Prices range from as little as $500 to well over $4000 for the most
sophisticated 35" screens. Our tests indicate that the 35" are the most
impressive for sheer dramatic impact, but the slightly-smaller 31" and
32" models generally offer less distortion and a sharper overall
picture.

Bigger still is the Rear-Screen Projector, typified by units from
Pioneer, RCA, Sony, and most of the major Japanese TV manufacturers.
Rear-screen consoles fold up all the optics, lenses and mirrors into a
compact package about the size of a small bookcase. Inside, three
special "guns," one for each of the primary red, green and blue colors,
shoot the image onto a translucent plastic screen from behind. Most
rear-screen projectors are designed vertically, with the screen on top
and stereo speakers on the bottom, and are available in a wide variety
of different cabinet styles and sizes Q anywhere from 40" all the way to
an enormous six-foot unit from Mitsubishi. Some new rear-projection sets
offer thinner cabinets designed to help you place them closer to the
wall, though some early reports indicate that this may be done with a
potential compromise in picture quality. Prices range from around $2500
for an average 40" rear-screen all the way to $4000 and up for the
biggest units.

The last big-screen is the Two-Piece Front Projector, typified by
systems from small "boutique" companies like Barco, JBL, Pulsar, and
Vidikron. Like the rear-screens, front projectors use three lens "guns,"
but housed in a separate console about the size of the coffee table in
your living room. The guns shine the image directly onto a reflective
screen, just like the local Bijou. Front projectors can use curved wall-
mounted screens, which are very bright when viewed head-on, or flat,
roll-up movie screens, which are less bright but more consistent when
viewed from several different angles. Front projectors generally produce
better pictures than rear-screen models, but they tend to be fussier
about adjustment and placement; prices range from about $5000 to $10,000
and up, depending on size and features.


SHOPPING FOR BIG SCREENS

When trying out a large-screen TV set for yourself, ask your salesperson
to tune it to a good-quality off-the-air channel or satellite
transponder, preferably a live event like a news show or a sports
telecast. Even better, bring along one or two videocassettes or
videodiscs with which you're very familiar, to help give you an idea of
what they look like when blown up to five or ten times their normal
size. Be especially careful with judging the quality of large screens.
They have a tendency to magnify and worsen any minor video flaws, making
marginal quality tapes, discs and broadcasts look much worse than they
ordinarily appear on a smaller set. This makes it important to weed out
every last vestige of ghosts, sparklies, noise and interference in your
signals before installing a big screen. Dark, moody scenes from feature
films are particularly tough to render well on TV sets and are a good
"torture test" to check.

Warranties are an important factor when buying any big-ticket
electronics product. Generally, we don't think the after-market extended
warranties hawked by discount chain-stores are anything more than a
profit-making enterprise by the store. Unless the store will throw the
warranty in for free or at an extremely low price (say, no more than 5%
of the total purchase price), we'd say the warranties just aren't worth
it. Most manufacturers are getting a little more competitive with
warranties on picture tubes and TV chassis, and a one-year parts & labor
guarantee is fast becoming the standard in the industry.

Projection TV calls for a number of special considerations. Look at the
screen carefully from as many angles as possible, and note how much the
picture darkens on the corners, and how much the overall brightness dims
when viewed from extreme left and right angles. Look at the screen from
a standing and a sitting position, to give you an idea of the size of
the "sweet spot" Q that is, the exact viewing area in which the screen
looks best. Many rear screens look great head-on, but look just awful
when you stand up or move from one side to the other, so this should be
a critical factor in your viewing evaluation.

Keep in mind that these viewing angles will tend to limit the size of
the audience that can watch any program, and will also dictate the
location of the set itself. You may need to rearrange your furniture to
take advantage of the set's best viewing position. Also, be sure to look
at the set with different amounts of ambient light in the room. Many
stores understand the need for careful lighting, and consciously avoid
letting any stray reflections wash out the picture on the projection
screen. If possible, have the salesperson open up a window curtain or
two to let you see how the image is affected by outside lighting, and be
prepared to change the lighting in your living room accordingly. While
nearly all TVs will look great in total darkness, experts generally
advise that it's a good idea to keep one or two lights on in the room to
avoid eyestrain. Adding a low-cost light dimmer or track-lighting is one
inexpensive way to solve this problem, allowing you to control the
amount of ambient light with a minimum of fuss.

What lies ahead for the lowly boob tube? Manufacturers have been
promising High Definition TV (HDTV) for the last decade, but a lack of
standards and rising costs have delayed the project until 1994 at the
earliest. HDTV is claimed to produce pictures nearly as sharp and vivid
as those in a movie theater, with double the resolution and 25% wider
pictures than standard sets. But since HDTV is a completely new standard
created from scratch, it effectively obsoletes every existing VCR, TV
set, TV camera, and related gear, which means it could take 20 years for
the changeover to happen. Most experts agree that consumers shouldn't
put off buying a new standard set today on the vague hope that HDTV will
come out soon.

As a stopgap measure, a few manufacturers like JVC, RCA, and Toshiba
have shown Widescreen TV, a system that provides wide pictures but with
standard resolution. Widescreen sets require special software that
compresses the size of the picture during recording, then expands it
back out about 25% during playback to create a picture slightly wider
than today's normal picture tubes. You can also blow-up "letterboxed"
movies from laserdiscs and tapes, but with a visible sacrifice in
picture quality because of the extra digital processing. A couple of
RCA's forthcoming "CinemaScreen" models boast widescreen capability, and
can theoretically be updated to full High Definition status in the
future. But because of the lack of HDTV standards for the future, we
caution would-be buyers that not all widescreen sets are truly HDTV-
compatible.

# # # # # # # # # #




1992 BEST BUYS IN COLOR TELEVISION SETS
***************************************

PORTABLE MODELS (under-20" small screens)

[P] SONY KV-13EXR90 13-inch Trinitron Monitor/Receiver (List $ ; Best
Price $ ) If you want a top tiny stereo set, look no further. This
deluxe model is our pick as the best of any small-screen color model
currently available. The KV-13EXR90 features Sony's Mirrorblack picture
tube, wireless remote, built-in swivel base, stereo speakers, 181-
channel MTS stereo cable-compatible tuner, and comes in a beautifully-
styled charcoal-and-gray cabinet. The 13EXR90 is one of the sexiest sets
we've ever seen Q slick and new-wave enough to be right at home in an
episode of Melrose Place. [Also available in a white cabinet as the KV-
13EXR91 at the same price.]

[M] Panasonic 13-inch CTN-1361R Monitor/Receiver (List $320; Best Price
$275) This is a full-featured 13-inch set at an attractive price, and is
the best small set Panasonic makes. The 1361 features a 155-channel
cable-compatible mono tuner, audio/video inputs, on-screen displays,
sleep timer, and attractive, modern styling in a sleek black cabinet. A
good choice as a second set for the bedroom or kid's room, and great for
vacations since it has an AC/DC power supply. [Also available without
AC/DC capability as the CTN-1351R for $ ; similar models also available
under the Quasar brand-name.]

[E] RCA E13250BT 13-inch ColorTrak Portable TV (List $300; Best Price
$240) Widely available at a discount, this striking Euro-styled set has
a unique rounded cabinet and is an ideal set for the kitchen or small
bedroom. Boasts reasonably-good picture quality with RCA's HiCon 13"
picture tube, and features sleep timer, remote control, and 181-channel
digital mono-sound tuner. [Also available for about $50 more is the
E13254KW, which adds a built-in 6-preset FM radio with WeatherBand,
headphone jack and comes in a black cabinet.]


MID-SIZE MONITOR/RECEIVERS (19 & 20-inch screens)

[P] Sony KV-20EXR20 20-inch Monitor/Receiver (List $580; Best Price
$500) Sony still doesn't offer a 20" model in their renowned "XBR" line
of monitors, but the EXR series is nearly as good, and costs
substantially less. The 20EXR20 (a holdover from last year's Best Buys)
is their top 20" model and features two video inputs (including an S-
Video jack), surround sound, expanded on-screen displays for easier
operation, sleep timer, stereo speakers, full-function wireless remote
control, and a 139-channel MTS stereo cable-compatible tuner. Plus: that
unbeatable Sony picture quality. [Also available in a 27" size as the
KV-27EXR20.]

[M] JVC C20-WL3 20-inch Monitor/Receiver (List $ ; Best Price $ ) JVC's
excellent TV quality seems to be one of the best-kept secrets in
electronics these days. This mid-priced model is one of JVC's better
small-size sets, and has a wealth of features including an improved
full-square picture tube, comb filter, audio/video inputs, "Master
Command" remote control, 180-channel cable-compatible MTS stereo tuner,
and comes in an attractive ultra-modern white cabinet. [Also available
in a smaller 13" version as the C13WL3 for $ less.]

[E] RCA F20539DG 20-inch ColorTrak Receiver (List $360; Best Price $310)
This modestly-priced basic mono set features reasonably-good image
quality (courtesy of RCA's "HiCon" picture tube), a 147-channel digital
tuner, "Digital Control" TV/VCR remote, plus a sleep timer and on-screen
readouts. A good set for the cost-conscious buyer, with overall quality
that belies its low price. [Also available in several different cabinet
finishes at no extra charge.]


27" MONITOR/RECEIVERS

[P] Panasonic CTP-27XF30 27" SuperFlat Monitor/Receiver (List Price
$1300; Best Price n/a ) Probably the best set Panasonic has ever built,
their SuperFlat series delivers superb pictures Q though at a fairly
high price tag. Features Color PIP (with two tuners), "Dome" speaker
system, simulated surround-sound, dual RF inputs, 181 channel tuner
(with channel ID), closed-captioning decoder, and three video inputs
(including two dedicated for S-Video). Picture quality was judged
excellent, outperforming all the other "flat" screens in our survey
(though Sony's XBR2 were not available at press time). This all-black
Panasonic set's soft, rounded edges help it fit well in almost any
decor. [Available without dual-tuner PIP and a few convenience features
as the CTP-2784SF for $450 less. Also available: companion TY-2796 black
stand for $210. Similar models also sold as part of Quasar's "XS"
series.]

[P] Sony KV-27XBR25 27-inch Trinitron Monitor/Receiver (List $ ) Near
the top of Sony's vast array of fine-performing American-made sets is
this model, which boasts their world-renowned Trinitron picture tube.
Has all the top-of-the-line features you'd ever want Q digital color
picture-in-picture, 181-channel stereo MTS tuner, three video inputs
(one for S-Video), "Program Palette" adjustment presets, universal
remote control, SRS sound Q and Sony's unbeatable picture quality. An
ideal choice for the small home theater system. [Also available without
PIP as the KV-27XBR35 for $ less. Coming soon: KV-27XBR95S in Sony's
"XBR2" series featuring Sony's new flat Trinitron tube.]

[M] Sony 27" KV-27TS27 27-inch Monitor/Receiver (List Price: $830) A
carry-on from last year, Sony's lowest-priced big-screen model is still
a bargain at this price range. It features a 181-channel stereo MTS
tuner, a full-featured remote control, "AV Window" on-screen readouts,
and a flat-square tube design. Often carried as a "loss leader" from
some dealers, the 27TS27 is widely available at hefty discounts. [Also
available with an improved programmable remote and S-Video input as the
KV-27TS31 for $ more; optional stand is the SU-275 for approx. $150.]

[E] Mitsubishi 27" CS-27EX1 27-inch Monitor/Receiver (List Price: $800)
Though not as widely available as the other brands, Mitsubishi has some
very fine sets that compare favorably to the majors. The CX-27EX1 is one
of their most economical 27" models (updating our Best Buy of last year)
and offers very good picture quality and all the basic features,
including a stereo tuner, Mitsubishi's "Diamond Vision" fine-pitch
picture tube, and S-Video input connection. A good value from the same
people who make those billboard-sized screens at baseball parks and
sports arenas. [Also available with additional features like dual RF
inputs, improved comb filter, and stereo audio outputs as the CS-27MX1
for $100 more; optional MB-724 stand available for $ .]


LARGE-SCREEN MONITOR/RECEIVERS (30 to 35-inch screens)

[P] Sony KV-32XBR55 32-inch Trinitron Monitor/Receiver (List $ )
Currently the best of Sony's four 32" direct-view XBR models, this
superb set features the renowned "Microblack" picture tube for very good
overall color quality, excellent contrast, and snappy detail. Also
boasts a 181-channel MTS stereo tuner with "Advanced A/V Window" on-
screen readouts, advanced digital PIP, and a deluxe remote control.
Speakers can be positioned on the back, sides, or detached, helping the
set to fit in a variety of cabinets. Judged to be somewhat better
overall than all 35" sets in our survey. [Also available without PIP as
the KV-32XBR51 for about $ less; not available at press-time are the
XBR2 updates, the KV-XBR95S with PIP and the KV-XBR90S without PIP.]

[P] ProScan PS-35150 Monitor/Receiver (List $ ; Best Price n/a) RCA
has quietly been building a great reputation with their new high-end
"ProScan" division, boasting the best picture quality the company has
offered in decades. The model 35150 is a table-model 35" set featuring a
glare-free Invar picture tube, color PIP, 181-channel MTS tuner, built-
in surround sound, channel ID, and practically every other feature you
can imagine. The curved 35" picture tube takes some getting used to, and
our sample had minor problems with corner focusing, but this is a common
ailment of many 35" monitors. Nonetheless, this American-made ProScan is
a knockout QJarguably the best big picture tube monitor money can buy.
[Also available in a black cabinet as the PS-35651 for $ more, or in
an oak cabinet as the PS-35652 for $ more; optional base is the BA-3535
for approx. $200.]

[M] Mitsubishi CS-35FX1 35-inch Monitor/Receiver (List $3000; Best Price
) If you're looking for an affordable "really big shew" set, this modest
Mitsubishi should fit the bill nicely. The 35FX1 replaces our best-buy
35" pick of last year, but still requires a hefty table-top or an
optional stand to support it. It's the cheapest big-screen set with PIP
in our survey, boasting picture quality visibly superior to rear-
projection systems costing hundreds of dollars more. Features a Y/C S-
VHS input, remote control, two standard A/V inputs, two antenna inputs,
and an MTS stereo 181-channel tuner. [Also available in a wood cabinet
as the CS-35FX2 for $100 more; optional MB-521 base is approx. $180.]

[E] JVC AV-31BP3 31-inch Monitor/Receiver (List $1600; Best Price n/a )
Not widely available, this top set (from the inventors of the VHS
recorder) boasts superb picture quality and exceptional resolution for
this price range. An ideal set for the videophile on a tight budget, the
AV-31BP3 also boasts PIP, sleep timer, S-Video inputs, pre-programmed
universal remote, and an improved comb filter for better-than-ever edge
detail. We judged this JVC to be slightly better in overall sharpness
and corner focus than the 35" sets mentioned above. [Also available with
larger 35" direct-view picture tube as the AV-35BP3 for $800 more.]



PROJECTION TV SYSTEMS

[P] Pioneer Elite Pro-96 45" Rear-Projection TV Monitor/Receiver (List
$4500; Best Price $ ) Pioneer's best rear-screen console is a real
technological marvel, delivering an immensely large, high-quality
picture that can't be beat by anything in its price range. This update
of last year's Best Buy is about half a foot slimmer, and features
complete digital PIP (though with only one tuner), three sets of video
inputs, MTS stereo sound, and a 161-channel cable-compatible tuner. The
Pro-96 is housed in a knock-out black lacquer cabinet that should be at
home in almost any decor. With careful adjustment, this set produced the
best overall pictures of any rear-projector we've ever seen, for both
color and detail. [Also available in a non-Elite version with slightly
reduced picture quality, the SD-P4565, for about $1000 less.]

[M] Sony KPR-46EX35 46-inch Rear-Projection "Videoscope" TV
Monitor/Receiver (List $3400; Best Price $ ) A holdover from last year's
Best Buys, this big-screen Sony is one of their most advanced models,
featuring almost every conceivable bell-and-whistle, including "Advanced
Digital" PIP and two tuners (perfect for watching two ball games at one
time), 10-key remote control, MTS stereo sound, on-screen readouts for
virtually all functions, enhanced SRS sound, and a 181-channel cable-
compatible tuner, all in an attractive modern black wooden cabinet.
Judged a somewhat better value than the Pioneer above, the KPR-46EXR
holds its own with superb color fidelity. (Also available in a better
cabinet with improved speakers as the KPR-46XBR15 for $ more.)

[E] Mitsubishi VS-45VA2 45" Rear-Projection TV Monitor/Receiver (List
Price $3000; Best Price $ ) An excellent low-cost alternative to the
more expensive sets above, this modest-priced Diamond Vision set is
considerably slimmer than last year's models at only 21" deep. The 45VA2
has a wealth of features including a 181-channel MTS stereo cable-
compatible tuner, universal remote control, three video inputs
(including one for S-Video), and dual RF jacks for easy cable/antenna
hook-ups. Color quality and sharpness judged visibly lower than the
above models, but its overall brightness was the highest in its class.
(Also available in oak cabinet as the VS-45AV1 at the same price.)


# # # # # # # # # #


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portions of this article appear
in the November '92 issue of
Consumers Digest magazine.
------------------------------------------------------------------------




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