Best 5 HDTVs
Pioneer PRO-111FD
Best overall picture quality:
The deepest blacks in the business and dead-on color make this expensive plasma the best HDTV we've ever reviewed.
Price: $3,795.00 - $4,999.99
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best plasma TVs
The good:
Produces the deepest black levels of any large-screen display we've tested; extremely accurate color points and color temperature; superb antireflective screen; 72Hz refresh mode works well with 1080p/24 sources; Pure picture mode delivers superior settings out of the box; extensive picture controls; excellent connectivity, including 4 HDMI and one PC input; styling that's all business.
The bad:
Extremely expensive; mediocre standard-definition processing.
The bottom line:
The Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD represents the pinnacle of flat-panel HDTV picture quality.
Specifications:
Product type: Plasma TV; Diagonal size: 50 in; Resolution: 1920 x 1080;
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U
Best picture for the money:
If you don't have the scratch for the Pioneer, the THX-certified Panasonic is a worthy substitute for half the price.
Price: $2,095.00 - $2,499.99
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best plasma TVs
The good:
Reproduces deep black levels and highly accurate color; excellent uniformity with little false contouring; THX mode obviates in-depth calibration; relatively effective antireflective screen; solid connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input; handsome styling with single-pane design.
The bad:
Expensive; blacks not quite as deep as the best plasmas; optional 24p mode introduces flicker; fewer picture controls than most HDTVs.
The bottom line:
With the accuracy of its THX mode and great black-level performance, the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing HDTVs available.
Specifications:
Product type: Plasma TV; Diagonal size: 50 in; Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8
Best flat-panel LCD:
It costs a mint, but this LED-powered LCD is the new champion of the superheavyweight flat-panel LCD division.
Price: $5,993.00 - $6,999.99
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best LCD TVs
The good:
Reproduces the deepest black levels of any LCD we've tested; highly accurate primary color points and grayscale tracking; best-in-class bright-room viewing characteristics; scads of video processing options including superior dejudder capabilities; numerous picture controls; comprehensive complement of inputs including four HDMI and one PC; optional different-colored speaker grilles; unique styling; energy efficient.
The bad:
Mind-bogglingly expensive; image quality fades when seen from off-angle; minor blooming in some high-contrast areas; some dejudder modes produce artifacts; nonremovable speakers protrude to either side.
The bottom line:
Although not quite the best HDTV we've tested so far, the wallet-busting, LED-powered Sony KDL-55XBR8 comes mighty close.
Specifications:
Product type: LCD TV; Diagonal size: 55 in; Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 1000000:1;
Samsung HL61A750
Best big-screen: The practical choice for those who want a huge screen and don't want to sacrifice the image quality.
Price: $1,295.00 - $1,899.99
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best rear projection HDTVs
The good:
Excellent screen size-to-price ratio compared to big-screen flat-panels; solid black-level performance; very accurate color, with minor tweaking; plenty of connectivity options.
The bad:
Somewhat expensive for a rear-projection set; as with all rear-projection sets, off-angle performance is poor.
The bottom line:
Samsung's HL61A750 61-inch rear-projection HDTV delivers excellent overall picture quality, and, compared to flat-panel options, it's a real bargain.
Specifications:
Product type: Rear projection TV; Diagonal size: 61 in; Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
Panasonic TH-42PX80U
Best flat-panel bang for the buck:
There's no reason to scrimp on performance when you can get a solid plasma for a price like this.
Price: $714.95 - $999.99
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best cheap LCD TVs
The good:
Relatively inexpensive; produces a deep shade of black; accurate initial color temperature; solid connectivity with three HDMI inputs; handsome, understated exterior.
The bad:
Color decoding accentuates red; inaccurate primary color of green; ineffective noise reduction.
The bottom line:
Panasonic's TH-42PX80U 42-inch plasma sets the picture quality-to-value standard for entry-level plasma TVs.
Specifications:
Product type: Plasma TV; Diagonal size: 42 in; Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 1000000:1
To view reviews, please go to: http://reviews.cnet.com/best-hdtvs/
Posted at 09:40PM Nov 26, 2008
by sambrena in General |
