E l e c t r on i c a l l y r ep r i n t ed f r om May/ June 2002 I s sue 42

VIDEO REVIEW ❘ Randy Tomlinson

Loewe Aconda: 38" HD-Ready Direct-View Television

For those of you unfamiliar with theLoewe (pronounced loo-vah)brand, I’ll give you a few back-ground notes. Loewe, a Germanmanufacturer, has been in the tele-

vision business since the very beginningof TV (1923). Several years ago, itgained attention in the US by introduc-ing what I believe was the firstwidescreen (16:9) digital progressive-scan television for the home market.Loewe’s styling is also distinctive, and,like B&O’s, has always appealed tothose unhappy with the look of con-ventional TVs. While by no meansinexpensive, the Aconda—Loewe’sflagship model—emphatically main-tains the company’s exceptional stan-dards of both performance and styling.

The Aconda is a fully digital pro-gressive-scan direct-view set with ahuge 38-inch picture tube. The chal-lenge of making a tube this big with anearly flat viewing surface is formida-ble. The glass has to be thick and strongto safely contain the internal vacuum.That’s the main reason this set weighs

220 pounds. Electrical challenges areeven more daunting and would havebeen impossible to overcome a fewyears ago, due to the difficulty of scan-ning perfectly focused and convergedelectron beams across such a wide, flatscreen without resorting to a tube (andchassis) of unreasonable depth.

It seems that RCA is using thissame picture tube with one of its pre-mium sets. The Loewe costs signifi-cantly more than the RCA, but restassured, the tube is all they have incommon. Several steps have beentaken in making this tube to ensure theblackest possible blacks. Loewe, how-ever, claims its advanced video circuit-ry is mostly responsible for producinga picture second to none. We’ll see.

You can be certain that a high-endset like this has all the expected bellsand whistles so I’ll just touch upon afew highlights: The Aconda has two-tuner PIP (picture-in-picture) thatallows you to watch two same-sizepictures side-by-side. A digital combfilter ensures best possible composite-

video performance, while digital videonoise reduction—switchable instages—dynamically suppresses un-wanted picture noise (snow). A 3:2pulldown feature is included with twoselectable levels. Digital line interpola-tion enhances picture quality whenimages are enlarged to fill the screen.Letterbox movie detection automati-cally selects the correct screen size forletterbox movies. The audio section ofthis TV (including the small internalspeakers) is outstanding and includesan S/PDIF digital audio output forconnection to an A/V receiver. Finally,an automatic volume control (selec-table) reduces the level of noisy com-mercials, as well as differences insound from channel to channel.

Connectivity and Setup

Loewe has provided a large num-ber of inputs, including four S-videoand four composite-video, as well ascomponent-video and VGA inputs.

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Each S-video input has a switch builtinto it that disables the composite-video input below it when an S-videoconnector is physically plugged in.The inclusion of only one multi-scancomponent-video input is a ratherserious oversight since many userswill want to connect both a DVDplayer and a high-definition set-topbox via component cables. However,using S-video for your DVD playermight not be a problem, as I’ll discusslater. There’s also a multi-scan VGAinput with the same 480i, 480p, 540p,960i, and 1080i capability—ideal forthe RCA DTC-100 set-top boxes.This input may be used with comput-ers in 640x480 resolution. Sourcescan also be connected to front panelS-video and composite-video inputs(handy for camcorders).

The initial on-screen setup proce-dure allows you to associate your vari-ous video sources with seventeen pre-selected names and screen resolutions,such as DVD Player/S-video, DVDPlayer/480i, DVD Player/480p, STB/480p, and so on. It’s unlikely that youown a product you couldn’t appropri-ately associate, and if you don’t like thenames Loewe has chosen, you canchange them. This is good, because—as an example—“VCR” can only beassociated with Input 2 so if you wantyour DVD player to go there, you’llhave to set it up as a VCR then changethe “VCR” name. Once associated,only these sources are shown in theinput selection.

I found this association proceduredifferent but very appealing. WhileLoewe sets have always worked thisway, this new model is far more flexi-ble and user-friendly than its earliersets. You’ll also have to remember toset up your sources in the VIDEO menu.Everything from color temperature tocontrast can be customized for eachsource. (Tint and sharpness are dis-abled with all progressive and high-definition sources.)

The initial setup procedure mustbe completed or the set will forget allof your settings and start up withdefaults in the “setup” mode each timeyou turn it off and back on. Thismeans you’ll have to let it do a chan-nel scan (whether you watch conven-tional TV or not) and you’ll have toset the clock. You can always addadditional video sources later. Channel

names can be given and you can con-struct a “favorite channel” list (selec-table from a button on the remote) ofas many as you like. Audio and videoadjustments can also be made from theremote without having to go throughseveral layers of menus.

The remote is simple and unclut-tered but has a decidedly different“feel” from most Japanese remotes.You’ll get used to it. It can also be pro-grammed (with codes) to operateVCRs, cable boxes, and satellitereceivers. If you find the TV notresponding to the remote, you’veprobably inadvertently pushed theMODE button and the remote is tryingto control a VCR or something elseother than the TV set.

Technical Performance

I spent six or seven hours testingand then calibrating the Aconda 38before ever watching a real picture.That turned out to be a smart move.First watching the high-definitionWinter Olympics, as displayed on thisset, would have made it very difficultto go back to test patterns. While I’llcover the basics here, you can find afar more detailed explanation of myISF calibration on the Internet versionof this review (where space isn’t a con-sideration). In it, I’ll tell you just howfar your ISF guy may be able to go tomake every input and scan rate text-book perfect, so you can switch toeach of your sources without ever hav-ing to touch up anything. In thisrespect, the Loewe has exceptionalcapabilities. That said, you probablywouldn’t be disappointed in its per-formance right out of the box.

I found color temperature, using thecomponent-video inputs (and anyscreen resolution), in the MEDIUM set-ting fairly close to ISF standards (6500º)measuring about 7000º at 100 IRE(brightest whites) and declining to justbelow 6000º as the image approachedblack. Grays were distinctly gray with-

out unwanted color casts, exceptthrough the S-video inputs where therewas a slight shift toward magenta asblack was approached. Few sets are fac-tory-calibrated this well. The HIGH set-ting was distinctly bluish (over 12Kº)and the LOW setting distinctly reddish.Clearly the MEDIUM setting is prefer-able, but the set will default back toHIGH if you unplug it.

Once calibrated, the Acondatracked the most perfect grayscale I’veever encountered, varying less than100 degrees at any light level in thecenter of the screen. No set is easier tocalibrate, but without an accuratecolor analyzer, you’ll never improveon factory calibration. As an experi-ment, I watched the 100 IRE windowand turned the CONTRAST control upfrom “20” (my calibration level) to itshighest setting (63). In the center ofthe screen, the color temperature stillheld 6500º! The uniformity of thiscolor temperature was another matterthat I’ll discuss later.

Black-level retention provedexceptional. When you switch from avery bright scene to a very dark one,blacks should remain just as you setthem with the BRIGHTNESS control. Inmy opinion, this is a very importantaspect of performance. Optimizemany sets for brighter scenes, and theyget washed out in dark scenes. TheLoewe is rock solid. There is, however,quite a bit of interaction between theBRIGHTNESS and CONTRAST controls,so if you change contrast, you’ll near-ly always have to touch up brightnessto match.

As with the Hitachi RPTV Ireviewed last issue, the Loewe’s 3-2pulldown circuit never locked in onthe Snell & Wilcox test pattern (inVideo Essentials), but it did lock inand work beautifully with the openingscenes of Star Trek Insurrection. Its 3-2 performance was better than that ofthe excellent (previously reviewed)Sony DVP-NS700P DVD player.Because of this, you’ll likely find a pro-gressive-scan DVD player no advan-

VIDEO REVIEW

The Olympics, in high-definition, werestunning, with the most beautiful and realistic colors I’ve ever seen on a TVregardless of type or price.

3 • THE PERFECT VISION • 42

tage with this set (unless you get areally expensive one), and you caneven use an interlaced player via S-video connection without a significantpenalty in picture quality. The set’s 3-2 pulldown works with all inputs.Loewe’s built-in de-interlacer is alsoexceptional, so artifacts via S-videowere minimal.

Some of my other measurementsweren’t quite as impressive. A needle-pulse pattern revealed a bending ofthe needle at CONTRAST settings above20. This was quite a low light level,and lower than virtually any ownerwill use. As contrast was increased tothe mid point, the needle bent butreached a limit and bent no furthereven when light level was greatlyincreased by going to max. Normallyoverload like this will cause whites tobloom (white crush), but I nevernoticed this even at much higher con-trast levels. For a tube with resolutionthis good, maximum useable lightoutput is surprisingly strong.

I found another anomaly from themoment the set was initially switchedon. With a pure white field on thescreen, there was a slight, puzzlingshift toward blue in the upper left cor-ner and a slight shift toward red, pri-marily on the left and right sides. Atfirst I thought it was some sort of clip-ping caused by excessive contrast (itdid get slightly worse at higher con-trast levels), but later I began investi-gating stray magnetism. The purity ofwhite definitely changed (and theaffected areas moved) as the set wasphysically turned. This was noticeablewith all the white ice and snow of theWinter Olympics, but well hiddenwith most program material. I did acold start for demagnetization (withthe manual power switch) then a man-ual demagnetization with a hand coil,but the slight lack of uniformity per-sisted. I even checked the room with acompass but found no unusual fields.Large CRTs are very sensitive to straymagnetic fields, including the earth’sown. Some manufacturers in the pasthave even included adjustable com-

pensation. While finishing up thisreview, I once again checked the whitefield and noticed a significant reduc-tion of this coloration (to an accept-able level) possibly due to numerousauto-demagnetizations at turn-on.

Other tests using the AVIA diskand the Sencore VP300 generatorincluded power supply regulation(judged fair), white field uniformityacross the screen (judged very good forlight output, but initially not so goodfor white temperature uniformity),overscan (good except on 1080i,where touchup was needed), centering(generally good, except with 480p),focus (excellent, declining to fair onthe extreme sides), and geometry (verygood for a large tube like this). Themulti-burst pattern indicated fewerthan 960 lines of resolution—not sur-prising considering the tube’s highlight-output capability. Convergence,after warm-up, was very good butwith slight red errors in a few places.Y/C delay errors were non-existent.The color decoder was excellent, andthere was no “red push.” And scanvelocity modulation can be defeatedby using the “NTSC Standard” menusetting (option). You’ll find moredetail online if you’re technicallyinclined. Overall, the immense diffi-culty of making a technically perfect38-inch direct view set has been han-dled quite well.

Your Viewing Pleasure

Regardless of any possible weak-nesses noted above, this set produces atruly beautiful picture. The Olympics,in high-definition, were stunning, withthe most beautiful and realistic colorsI’ve ever seen on a TV regardless oftype or price. Flesh tones wereextremely accurate. Although “20”was the maximum contrast setting(before or after calibration) withoutmeasurable artifacts, I nearly alwayswatched at “30” to “35” in a darkroom, and the picture was quite goodwith even higher contrast settings

(which you’ll need for brightly litrooms). While the Aconda didn’tknock me down with ultra-sharpdetail like the best HD plasma might,it blows them all away in dark scenes,revealing extraordinary shading,depth, and detail.

The Aconda, as you might haveguessed, was an incredible pleasure towatch, and it will now be very difficultfor me to go back to any RPTV. Sure,you have to get pretty close (5 to 8feet) to really appreciate the high-def,but at a greater distance, even stan-dard DTV and DVDs were very good,and ordinary broadcast TV thatlooked terrible on large projection setslooked fine on the Loewe. Smallerscreen, better de-interlacing, bettervideo circuitry, or maybe a combina-tion of all three are the likely reasons.To sum up, you can find technical nitsto pick, but you’ll have a hard timefinding a more beautiful, compellinghigh-definition picture anywhere.

Check it out.

VIDEO REVIEW

LOEWE OPTA, INC.

10 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 213

Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360

Price: $5500 (piano black or stratosmetallic);

$5000 (graphite)

MANUFACTURER INFORMATION

SPECIFICATIONS

Screen size: 38" tube

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Native resolution: 1080i

Number and type of inputs: Two multi-scan (YPbPr

and VGA-RGB), four S-video, four composite-video,

two RF

Dimensions: 41" x 24 5/8" x 24 5/8"

Weight: 220 lbs.

ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

Sencore VP-300 pattern generator (calibrated)

Progressive Labs CA-1 color analyzer (calibrated)

Toshiba DST-3000 HD set-top tuner

Sony DVP-S7700 and DVP-NS700P DVD players

Tara Labs RSC Component and S-Video cables

4 • THE PERFECT VISION • 42

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