Pre-set picture modes
WestinghouseThe LD-4655VX is capable of full 1080p native resolution through its 1920x1080 pixel array. While the TV will upconvert non-HD video signals to match this resolution, you will not see optimal quality this way. The unit has 2 HDMI inputs for HD signals, but no component video connection. If you depend on this connection type, Westinghouse offers an optional converter cable. Two HDMI inputs isn't generous, but if you use a home theater receiver or other sound solution, you probably won't need more than one.
In terms of picture and sound controls, the LD-4655VX is offers basic competencies and one or two frills, including a 120 Hz refresh rate to reduce motion blur. There are four screen fill modes that scale your video (or not) to the correct or optional size and shape. I prefer to make these selections at the source, where you end up with a better, less processed picture.
In addition to the standard video adjustments there are selections for color temperature, and preset modes for movies, games and sports. The "custom" setting is one you make on your own, and using it, I found that I could consistently get a better picture in just a few minutes than any of these presets.
The audio is also pretty basic on this set; two stereo speakers and an optional 3D sound effect. There's an optical digital audio output in case you want to route the sound from the TV into an external system. The remote control is nicely sized and pretty humane as these things go; small buttons but good layout.
At this price, I wasn't hoping for or expecting ISF-level performance from the LD-4655VX. What I was hoping for was picture quality that anyone with reasonable eyesight and discrimination could honestly call a "good" picture, and be happy with on a day to day basis. Which is, unfortunately, not something I usually expect in this price range. Many, if not most of the bargain-level LCD and LED sets I see in stores and at expos range from disappointing to outright insulting.
I found that if I took the time for a few settings, I could indeed coax a very nice picture out of the LD-4655VX. This TV is capable of a very bright display and thrives in a sunny or otherwise bright room. The viewing angle is wide and doesn't suffer much even when you're sitting well off to a side -- -- the company claims 176 degrees, which is almost completely off to the side.
The blacks on this picture are quite deep, which is not surprising for an LED TV but welcome at this price point. Uniformity isn't a strong suit here -- in a completely darkened room, on a black background, you're going to see slightly more brightness in some screen areas than others. When there's real program material running, you'll likely never notice these shortcomings.
I do use an external A/V processor in my setup, which granted, gives me a lot more picture options than just those offered on the Westinghouse. I was able to set separate brightness, contrast and color controls for each of my sources, and use little of the Westinghouse's picture processing at all. But many people who use an A/V receiver or disc player/sound system will have this same advantage, which I'd encourage you to use. If you will only be using the TV's picture controls, the LD-4655VX will remember settings for each of its inputs.
Impressions
For years, the TV industry had hailed $500 as a "magic price point" for a flat screen TV big enough to be used for home theater -- at that price, almost everyone could/would buy one. Now that it's here, the manufacturers probably regret it, but for the consumer, these are good times, if you know what to shop for.
At around $550, the Westinghouse LD-4655VX genuinely stands out from similarly budget-level offerings. Its response time is fast enough for sports and it had no trouble cleanly reproducing the NFC championship game with no discernible motion blur. This was particularly impressive because the game was played in dense fog and rain, both of which easily (and often) induce picture artifacts on a lesser performer.
As far as picture quality, between the Westinghouse and my other AV components I was able to make adjustments that resulted in a very satisfactory picture, even without the qualifier "for the money." Feed it good HD source material and the Westinghouse will give you images that are clean, detailed and well saturated with color. This set isn't going to give you the holy grail performance you'd expect from the best plasmas and LED sets. The contrast is a bit too coarse for that (despite its claimed 100,000 :1 contrast ratio) and as mentioned before, the light uniformity across the screen won't satisfy a persnickety videophile. There are small foibles too -- the built in clock doesn't keep time correctly, which is odd but easily ignored. Less easily ignored are the downward-firing front speakers, which I thought were shrill. I would definitely connect this TV to either a soundbar or other audio components.
As previously mentioned, today's market is glutted with TVs near this $500 price point. With the Westinghouse LD-4655VX, you'll get one that offers a bigger than average screen and a better than average picture, with up to date technology that's slim and energy efficient. If this is the budget you need to work with, you could find a lot worse than this set, and not many that are better.
