Zenith L13V36 13" 4:3 LCD Flat-Panel EDTV (Silver)

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Kitchen TV
Review: For a small kitchen TV, this is perfect. If you're going to use an LCD TV with non-HD signals (ie, regular cable, VCR, or broadcast via antenna) you need to be careful as not all LCD TVs are good in this area, even if they excel in HDTV. This was my intention so I did my research. The highest Consumer Reports rated any LCD TV in this area was "good" and only current Sony and Zenith models were rated as good. All other brands were rated fair to poor in this area. Then I went into J&R Music World and compared this Zenith to various 13" Sharp models, all receiving non-HD signals. The Zenith indeed looked better. So I bought it, even though it has a slightly larger footprint than some of the 13" Sharps.

The picture is sharp, clear, and bright. I have no problems seeing it from various viewing angles too. Other pros besides the picture? It has a stand. While it takes up more room than a model with an easel, it's good to keep the TV raised off of the counter if you place it near a sink, cooking or preparation area. The main unit is less likely to get splashed or dirty this way. Another benefit is that it doesn't use a power brick. Just a cord. All the Sharp 13" models I researched except one used power bricks.

One reviewer said the sound was tinny. It may not be audiophile quality or even the best out there for a 13" LCD set, but I find it perfectly acceptable for a small kitchen TV. BTW, Zenith is now owned by the LG company. I'm very satisfied with this TV.

Rating:
Summary: Great TV .. Lousy Sound
Review: SUMMARY .. If all you are looking for is a good little TV set, then this will work. But if you want great sound, or plan to use your Headphones .. look elsewhere. Overall I am unhappy with this set.

THE GOOD .. I purchased this set to use in my Home Office and it is placed near my Computer Desk. The picture is sharp and the color is great. The 13" size is ideal and is exactly what I had in mind. The Remote is very nice, comfortable in the hand, easy to read, understand and use. This set was easy to program. The menus are clear and simple. One nice feature is that it allows you to program in your five favorite channels that you can scan separately. Very nice.

THE BAD .. The speakers are along the bottom of the scream so you don't get a true split stereo sound. What sound I did get was very tinny. I decided to hook the audio up to my PC Surround and was both surprised and disappointed to discover the TV has NO Audio Out! I had to use my Headphone jack to hook it up to my Surround system.

Which brings me to another issue. Get this .. there is no Headphone jack in the front!! To use your Headphones you have to completely turn the TV around to access the back of it. Then you have to remove the cover for the jacks. Then you have to plug your Headphone jack UP into an awkward to get to slot. Repeat all of this to unplug your Headphones. YUCK! This would not be a problem if you never use your Headphones, but I am a night owl so I use mine a lot. Add to this, I lost my Headphone jack when I hooked the sound up to my Surround system.