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Westinghouse on
12 14th, 2009 |
5 responses 
The 26” W2613 LCD HDTV is a flexible multi-use LCD TV-great for gaming, HDTV viewing, surfing the Internet and watching DVDs (multiple HD inputs including HDMI). This amazing TV is also Energy Star complaint and packaged in a recyclable carton.
- Brand Name: Westinghouse
- Model: W2613
- Display Size: 26 inches
- Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- HDTV Compatible: Y
Price:$325.99
HDTV Price Comparisons
 | | Westinghouse | | Offer by: Buy.com USA and Buy.com CA | | Price: USD 16.99 |  | |
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I bought my new hdtv from a retailer and all that I can say is that I love this televison! The sound and picture quality are excellent and I love the fact that I can use it as a computer monitor as well! I was initally scared when I bought this tv, but now that I’m using it at full capacity I’m enjoying all of the many benefits that it has to offer. I would recommend this product to friends and family. It is a great buy!
Rating: 4 / 5
Purchased for $280 just after the holidays. Impressed by straight on image – very vivid and sharp image, even with contrast, sharpness, backlight all at mid-level.
Adjustable picture settings per input (HDMI, component, etc), so you can calibrate the image per input.
I did see a lot more noise in dark areas using Planet Earth HD DVD compared to my Panasonic plasma, but may not be a fair conclustion, as I haven’t calibrated the set using my DVD calibration disc. Will update after I do.
Only complaint is the image does change if viewed from side or higher/lower than direct – a problem you don’t encounter with plasma. To me, side to side isn’t terrible, but if you look at it from too far below (say you’re on a couch and TV is mounted above a fireplace), image darkens considerably.
For the money, it’s exactly what I need. Smaller HDTV for guest room, where viewing angle is limited anyway. As long as it lasts, it’ll be great. 26″ is an underrated size, IMO. 32″ would be nicer, sure, but lowest prices I’ve seen for off-brand 32″ is ~$400. For small-to-mid sized bedroom and about 2/3 of the price, I think 26″ is good enough for me.
Rating: 4 / 5
Overall, I would say this TV is a good value, if you can find it for under $300. I got two of them for [...] with their 90 return policy and 2 year extended warranty (which you gotta like) for my daughters’ rooms. I would agree with the other reviewer that the analog images are a bit grainy and I would say that the digital ones are also as compared to a new Visio 26″ LCD TV I have. The tuner seems to be pretty good. I have the TVs connected to both a std DirecTV tuner as well as an omnidirectional antenna in my attic for OTA SD/HD reception. The NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner in the Westinghouse seems to be pretty good. It found 25 analog and 29 digital channels (I live about 25 miles from most of the Wash DC TV transmitters) and even got two analog Baltimore channels (although a little fuzzy) with the transmitters over 50 miles away. The remote is kinda cheap feeling, but it seems to do the job. The biggest deficiency with this model is the limited inputs. There is only one HDMI, one composite, one SVHS, and one component input, as well as the analog/digital coax input to the tuner. As I said at the beginning, a good value and especially for kids’ rooms, dorms or other occasional use.
Rating: 4 / 5
I bought this set in a local store for about $300. It’s very easy to setup. The picture quality is excellent for digital signals. It’s a little grainy for analog channels (other brands have similar issue). One issue: the viewing angle is too narrow. If viewing from lower angle, the color changes drasticly. But for the price, that’s the best you can get.
Rating: 5 / 5
This brand new model from Westinghouse is a nice LCD and compares well to other mid-level brands. The full retail price is IMHO just a tiny bit high but happily you can save a lot just by using a different vendor or shopping locally. It has a very nice sharp HD picture once you dial it in, so far I’m just using the ATSC tuner. Be warned that from the factory it comes with the backlight jacked up to MAX(start at 5 and go from there), and Dynamic Contrast enabled by default(turn it off in Adv video options). I’d also drop the Contrast down a bit to start but that may depend on your service and input. Oh and make sure and use the screws that come with set to secure the set to the base.
SD quality is about average. I’ve seen better and I’ve certainly seen worse, so for the price I don’t see a major fault here. Sound quality is acceptable but honestly most of these sets with their emphasis on slim case design use really lame speakers. I haven’t used the other inputs yet but I’ll update my review when I have a chance to use the HDMI and VGA inputs. My one notable complaint is that it only has one 1 hdmi and 1 component input. On a brand new model made in 2008 only a single hdmi input is a big minus and realistically shouldn’t be happening anymore.
So overall I’m pleased and glad I gave Westinghouse a chance. But don’t just trust me, visit your local mega electronics store and check out this model for yourself. Just remember that the people in the store don’t necessarily do the best/any work setting up the sets on display. You may need to fiddle a tiny bit to really be able to set what this set can do.
Update
Now using with Component and an HD Cable box and the HD picture continues to be excellent and I’m also happy to say that I think the SD picture is actually pretty good as opposed to just average. If I had to make a critical comment on the picture it’s that when viewed from above you can see some graininess. This of course shouldn’t be a factor unless you put your tv on the floor and watch from a high couch. VGA input is sharp with one minor flaw(which is probably due to my mac). When set to 1360×766 or whatever native is, there is about 1/2 inch on either side of black space left over. Basically in my case VGA fills about 95% of the set.
After a month of use I can say with confidence that I’d definitely purchase this set again.
Rating: 4 / 5