0310wv11 Thomson40TV

14/8/2003

4:13 pm

Page 55

THOMSON 40KW611S

Rear-projection TV

Specification

FEATURES 40in rear-projection TV; 100Hz processing, DVM 100Hz and progressive scan picture settings; multi-tuner; 40W total RMS Nicam stereo output; comb filter; three noise reduction modes; contrast booster; multiple aspect ratios; multiple picture presets; multiple audio presets with virtual surround option; graphic equaliser; zoom; PIP; programme guide; teletext; wake-up/sleep timer SOCKETS Front: S-video input; composite video input; stereo audio input; headphone minijack input Rear: three Scarts (two RGB); stereo audio output; subwoofer line output; RF input WEIGHT 46kg DIMENSIONS 970(w) x 1,110(h) x 564(d) mm

Mass appeal

Thomson brings bigscreen viewing to the masses with its remarkably priced 40KW611S rear-pro TV. Henry Rix puts the budget box through its paces
Thomsons 40KW611S is the first sub-1,000 40in TV. The price puts clear blue water between it and most other large TVs, plasmas included. But can the TVs performance outshine its pricier rivals? We recently marvelled over the opulent design afforded the giant 61in 61TW611S (reviewed July 2003), but unfortunately, the 40KW611 isnt cut from the same cloth. It isnt an eyesore, but the pleasant, greyish-plastic finish does little to compensate for the patchy build quality. The wheels the set sits on are a nice touch though. Theres nothing amazing about connections on the rear panel either, although two out of three Scarts are RGB capable, while a subwoofer line-out supplements stereo output. Around the front youll find a headphone minijack slot, S-video and AV inputs. The 40KW611Ss onscreen menus are sensibly structured and easy to use. The remote is a modified miniature version of the designer
handset dished out with most Thomson products, which is fine by us, because its a breeze to use. Thomson certainly hasnt skimped on features. There are three processing modes to choose from. Thomson says that DVM 100Hz is the best, claiming that it works twice as fast as standard 100Hz. You can also choose the more common straight 100Hz or progressive scan settings. Juicy extra tweaks include a comb filter, graphic equaliser and convergence alignment. Sadly, with the latter, the process is a little over-simplified.

PERFORMANCE

With little evidence of cost-led compromises so far, is it in the performance department that Thomson has made cutbacks? Thankfully not, although the 40KW611S exhibits the same picture weaknesses that have beset previous Thomson rear-pros. The most prominent of these is haloing (not as bad as on its predecessors, mind you), which is most prevalent with bright material like animation and where there are lots of contrasting edges on channels, such as Sky News and BBC News 24. Credit to Thomson for reducing its presence, but it is still there. Turning attention to more positive aspects of performance,
the set delivers good detail levels, impressive contrasts and vibrant colours, despite the reflective screen. But most pleasing is that there are no hotspots with colours layered generously across the whole screen. Movement is also natural, with no jerking, while theres hardly any smearing trailing moving objects. The 40KW611S doesnt disappoint on the audio front. The 40W stereo output is robust and clean enough to do movie soundtracks justice and is certainly more than capable of holding together TV audio. Somehow Thomson has managed to deliver a sub-1,000 rear-pro TV without impinging too much on the performance quality. The picture weaknesses displayed by the 40KW611S are also present on higher-end models. Aside from the basic connectivity and flimsy build quality, the problems are mostly inherent in the rear-pro nature of the set. Its amazing that the 40KW611S delivers large screen viewing for under 1,000 but Thomson needs to sort out those picture frailties before its rear-projection TVs can rule the roost s

CONTACT www.thomson-europe.com 920 TEST DATA Colour: very good with minimal bleed from hard edges Geometry: excellent Frequency response: good with decent levels of detail at 5.8MHz

What we think

WHATS GOOD Colours; progressive scan pictures; beefy audio performance; value WHATS BAD Haloing; viewing angle; edge definition PICTURE. SOUND. FEATURES. EASE OF USE VALUE.77777.77777.77777.77777.77777

Also consider.

TOSHIBA 42PW23P Only two inches larger but 700 more expensive and current holder of What Video Widescreen Entertainments rear-projection TV of the year Reviewed Feb 03 PANASONIC TX-42PT12 Another 42in model and also more expensive than the 40KW611S, but a solid picture performer Reviewed Feb 03

Verdict 77777

Big screen viewing at an amazing price
Thoughtfully laid out and pleasing on the eyes
October 2003 s WHAT VIDEO WIDESCREEN ENTERTAINMENT 55