: 4 HDMI ports and at least one USB port were the standard for a high-end unit.
: 2012 saw the debut of the first 55-inch OLED TVs from Samsung and LG, though they were prohibitively expensive and rare. This was also when "4K" first entered the consumer consciousness as a $25,000 luxury. The 3D and Smart TV "Gimmicks" buying guide for tv 2012
: Still widely considered the king of picture quality in 2012 due to "inky" blacks and superior motion handling. Key Model : The Panasonic VT50 : 4 HDMI ports and at least one
: Used lightweight, polarized glasses (like in cinemas). Popularized by LG (e.g., ) and Toshiba. The 3D and Smart TV "Gimmicks" : Still
The peak of LED technology for 2012, featuring a dual-core processor for Smart features and built-in cameras. Panasonic VT50 Series
: Used battery-powered shutter glasses to provide full 1080p resolution per eye. Standard in high-end Samsung and Panasonic models like the Samsung ES8000 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
: Even in 2012, experts from Wired and Best Buy noted that thin TVs had poor speakers, making a soundbar a near-mandatory accessory.