Picture Is Improving for Hand-Held Televisions

By DAVID COLKER

Sept. 27, 2001 12 AM PT

david.colker@latimes.com

In these days of fast-breaking news, some people don’t want to be far from a television. And because of hand-held TVs, they can carry one with them wherever they go.

These units, not much bigger than a Walkman, go back to the 1990s when they were a gadget gift that said: “I care that you care about having the latest gee-whiz product, even if it isn’t all that terrific.”

With their fuzzy screens and tinny sound, most of these early hand-helds ended up in drawers along with the Book Light and the Clapper.

But the technology has gotten much better. Hand-held TVs are now available with color, active-matrix display screens that are far brighter and sharper than their passive-matrix predecessors.

Active-matrix screens, also known as thin-film transistor panels, use one to four transistors per pixel, which is mind boggling considering that these little TVs can have more than 100,000 pixels per screen.

Even with all those bright pixels working away, however, you can’t expect a high-quality viewing experience from these hand-helds. After all, a 2.5- or 3-inch screen is still small, even if the colors are sharp. And in direct sunlight the picture on all three TVs we tested washed out to the point of being unwatchable.

The reception you get will depend on local geography and the proximity of broadcast transmitters--and, of course, will not compare with cable or satellite delivery. You probably will have to adjust the antenna on the hand-helds almost every time you switch channels and often still will have to live with a bit of picture static.

All of those tested switched channels via push-button-activated scans. This is slightly frustrating if you know the station you want and still have to scan up or down to get to it.

But for specialized purposes--watching a sporting event while sitting out on the back patio or perhaps catching the latest news while on a camping trip--these hand-held TVs are more than serviceable. And they are still cool. With the improved screens, the novelty factor is back.

Of the three reviewed here, two are from Casio (https://www.casio.com/portabletvs) and one from Sony (https://www.sonystyle.com/electronics). Each had its good and bad points--there was neither a clear overall favorite nor an outright dog. The prices range from about $140 to $190.

Sony Watchman FDL-252T

For pure picture quality, this model scored best. With 112,320 pixels crammed into a 2.5-inch screen (measured diagonally), the image is amazingly sharp and vibrant. The colors are deep, making for especially satisfying viewing.

Also, the Sony has the most innovative design. The screen folds down onto the speaker, clamshell style, when not in use. It’s an aesthetically pleasing arrangement although it makes the FDL-252T bulkier than either of the more standard-looking Casios. Even unfolded, the FDL-252T is too bulky to put in a pocket, unless you are wearing cargo pants.

This TV, unlike the Casios, comes with its own headphones and has an input for a digital video camera in case you want to show your home movies in the wilds. You also can hook a VCR into the input, according to the manual, although it’s hard to imagine a situation in which that would be practical.

The Sony unit does have drawbacks, beginning with its unwieldy strap antenna. The idea behind it is sound: The long, silver strap doubles as a lanyard with which to hang the TV around one’s neck. But the strap is more troublesome than useful. It’s hard to adjust for maximum reception, especially when strung around your neck. It also makes the unit less than tidy for packing away into a backpack or other carry bag.

Its speaker is tinny and faces up instead of projecting directly toward the viewer. The headphone outlet, however, provides better sound than either of the Casios.

One last quibble. The turquoise-colored, swivel-up sunscreen on this TV does almost nothing to make the image better in direct sunlight. But as a design feature, it’s neat.

The manufacturer’s price for the Sony FDL-252T is $169.99, but it can be found in local stores or online for about $150. For power, it needs three AA batteries, or an optional AC power supply can be purchased.

Casio EV-660

This is the big screen of the hand-held TV world, with a 3-inch display that is about a half-inch larger than most others in the field. And that half-inch certainly makes a difference--this model’s screen is easier on the eyes for extended viewing, and you don’t have to get quite so close to it.

Its pull-up metal rod antenna is easy to adjust and the speaker--the best sounding of those tested--is aimed right at the viewer. The no-frills design of the EV-660 is kind of dorky, and that’s not so bad. This little TV has the shape of something that might have been designed by a futurist in the 1950s, and that gives it character. Also, even with its bigger screen, this unit is slimmer and far easier to slip into a pocket than the Sony.

As for drawbacks, the image is not as sharp as that of the Sony. With fewer pixels (89,856) spread over a bigger area, the picture does not have as much depth.

One flaw in the design is a too-narrow pullout stand that does not provide ample stability, especially when changing stations or making adjustments in volume and brightness.

The TV comes with an earphone input but no earphones.

The unit does have an input for audio-video appliances such as a digital video camera.

The manufacturer’s price is $199.99; it can be found for about $190. It takes four AA batteries. Optional accessories include AC and car power adapters.

Casio EV-570

This is the smallest, lightest and cheapest (by only about $10) of the units tested.

Its 2.5-inch screen has far fewer pixels--61,380--than the Sony unit, so although the picture quality is serviceable it suffers by comparison. Also, its speaker sound is quite tinny, although a shade better than that of the Sony.

Like its big Casio brother, this unit has a speaker that faces the viewer. It also comes with an earphone input plus another for video equipment.

It also has a feature to save battery life--a switch that allows you to turn off the screen and use the unit for listening only.

This little unit is nifty and especially good for those who want the slimmest, most pocketable TV. But for only a few bucks more you can buy the Sony with far better picture quality.

Manufacturer price for the Casio EV-570 is $149.99; it can be found for about $140. Power comes from four AAA batteries. AC and car adapters are optional.

Times staff writer David Colker covers personal technology.

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The Skinny

Sony Watchman FDL-252T

Street price: $150

Screen size: 2.5 inches

Pixels: 112,320

Power: 3 AA batteries

The good: Sharp picture with deep colors

The bad: Unwieldy design

Bottom line: If picture quality is the deciding point, this one is for you

Casio EV-660