LCD TVs Akai

LCD-KTV LMH 30 CJBS, 500:1, 16:9, 1280 x 768 Everyone with any sense is now going flatscreen – and LCD is where it’s at, with quality improving and prices dropping to the point where plasma just can’t keep up. Akai’s LM-H30CJSA is one of the most attractive propositions yet – a sensiblysized 30in 16:9 widescreen LCD TV set at just a touch under £800, far less than you could expect to pay for a similar product from some other manufacturers.
The Akai might not be stunning to look at – basically it’s a silver oblong with a fixed speaker on each side - but it certainly does
the business in terms of facilities and performance. Sockets include Scart, composite video, S-video, component video, D-Sub and stereo audio in, and there’s a headphone output socket.
Screen resolution is 1280x768 (WXGA), so the set can also function as a PC monitor using its D-Sub input. Although this resolution theoretically qualifies it as being high-definition compatible, the Akai lacks a digital video input so it can’t carry the HD-Ready badge.
It does, though, have a wide range of everyday functions, including picture-inpicture, PC-in-picture, component input with progressive scan, PAL/SECAM tuner, automatic programming, Teletext and a full
range of screen formats.
Built-in Nicam stereo sound is via a pair of 10W speakers, not earth-shattering but good enough for general TV viewing. The set can be rotated and tilted on its stand but also has a standard VESA grid
for wall-mounting.
The 16million-colour display has a typical contrast ratio of 500:1, and a viewing angle of over 170º horizontal and vertical. We found the picture to be bright, colourful and lively; not the sharpest we
have seen on a LCD display of this size, but generally watchable and not prone to any visible lag or smearing.
This isn’t the set for you if you require a digital input for high-definition display, a built-in Freeview tuner or the like; but if you
just want a flat screen that looks good without breaking the bank, look no further.