Just when you thought there was nothing new to add to HDTV, JVC-TV comes along to surprise us. Today, the company debuted the 55-inch JLE55SP4000 Smart LED 3D HDTV.
As the first model in the company's "BlackSapphire" line of HDTVs, this 55-incher has a 1080p image (in 2D), a bezel that's less than 0.5-inch thick, and edge LED backlit technology.
However, the real standout feature doesn't have anything to do with the way it looks (although that is nice), but actually how the JLE55SP4000 sounds. Featuring the new Xinema Sound feature, this option includes two 15-watt speakers, a powered subwoofer with an additional 15-watt amp, and JVC's proprietary XinemaSound 3D acoustic and post processing technologies -- all built into the TV.
Editor Chris Boylan was on-hand at a press event in New York earlier today and found that the sound of the built-in speakers was actually pretty good, and could make an external soundbar optional for many consumers. Another feature Chris appreciated was the ability to turn off the backlight (turn off the screen) when listening to music from Pandora or from a connected Blu-ray player, iPod, iPhone or Android phone. A simple click on the remote wakes the screen back up when needed.
This is also a JVC XinemaView 3D TV, which means that it has passive 3D technology and comes packing four pairs of battery-free 3D glasses.
The set also has 120Hz CrystalMotion screen technology and built-in WiFi. The latter makes it easy for viewers to easily access some of the set's Internet Connected Experience (I.C.E.) with preloaded and downloadable ICE apps. The apps that come with the set include Netflix, YouTube, VUDU, and Pandora. It also is the first TV we've seen to include the SlingPlayer, so if you're rocking a SlingBox on your cable box or satellite receiver in another room or across the globe, you'll be able to tap into that from this TV without any additional components. This makes it an excellent choice for a second home. and when you need to set-up those accounts or search for content, you'll appreciate that the remote control comes with its own QWERTY keypad on the bottom.
Other features include one antenna input, component and composite video inputs, one VGA/RGB PC input, one 3.5mm music/PC sound input, one digital audio optical output and one stereo audio output. It even has two USB ports and four HDMI inputs, all of which are located on the side of the HDTV.
"The JLE55SP4000 delivers sound that is a cut above HDTVs at any price, let alone those at such an affordable price point," said Drew Pragliola, VP of sales and marketing at AmTran Video Corp., the company that JVC-Kenwood has licensed to manufacture and market the BlackSapphire line. "The typical HDTV's sonic output is weak, so we set out to change the landscape with this model. Looking ahead, our new BlackSapphire line will continue to bring consumers a superior level of audio performance, along with a brilliant 3D picture, and Internet connectivity at a price the average consumer will appreciate. It's a high performance HDTV selling for an everyday price."
Speaking of which, the set has been priced with an MSRP of $1299.99 (MSRP). JVC plans to start shipping the JLE55SP4000 this month.
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