HDTV Ratings: The best LCD and plasma TVs

We tested more than 60 HDTVs for our latest LCD TV Ratings and plasma TV Ratings (both online reports are available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers).  The good news: More HDTV models than ever before have very good or excellent picture quality. Such sets can do justice to the wide variety of high-def content now available to consumers.

We also just completed Ratings of high-def front projectors (also available to subscribers), which can deliver a truly theater-like experience in the home. (Check my other blog post, Ratings: The best lower-cost high-def front projectors, for a quick overview of the 14 front-projection HDTV sets we tested. And if you're a subscriber, you'll have access to our Recommended front projector HDTV models.)

In our latest review of flat-panel sets, among the top performers were models from brands such as LG Electronics, Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony. Some modestly priced sets—including TVs from several of those brands, as well as Vizio and Insignia (Best Buy's house brand)—earned Best Buy designations.

Most of the 40-inch and larger LCD TVs in our Ratings are 1080p "Full HD" models that can display all the detail in high-def images. More LCD sets have 120 Hz technology, which doubles the TV's frame rate to help reduce motion blur—a traditional LCD drawback—during fast-moving scenes.

We're also seeing some improvement in another LCD drawback: viewing angle, an attribute we're including in the Ratings for the first time. Sets with a very good or excellent viewing angle score will not experience the picture deterioration—such as washed-out or dim pictures—that has typically occurred when LCD screens are viewed from the side. A 37-inch Panasonic in this Ratings (model details available to subscribers) has one of the widest viewing angles we've seen.

If you're in the market for a smaller set, stay tuned for our next TV Ratings later this summer. In addition to the usual assortment of larger sets, our Ratings will include a number of 26-inch LCDs, which might be of interest if you are looking for a set for a smaller room.

On the plasma front, we're now seeing a good assortment of plasma TVs with 1080p resolution. They're selling at lower prices than the earlier generation of Full HD plasma models, with 50-inch sets in our Ratings starting at less than $2,500 and tested 42-inch 1080p models for $2,000 or less (you'll find some other 1080p plasmas on the market at even lower prices). New sizes are also arriving: We tested a 46-inch Panasonic set (details available to subscribers), the first plasma TV of this size we've seen.

Our Quick Recommendations in plasma TVs and Quick Recommendations in LCD TVs (both available to subscribers) now include a separate category for highly regarded older models that may be in limited availability, but which are still good choices—especially if you can find them at lower prices. We're identifying replacement models where applicable, some of which will be tested in subsequent CR Ratings.

—James K. Willcox

Comments

[everett whitney]

TO: Terry K.- 16 Aug " Very Bright, with Tall Windows..."

Just a wee bit of "info" - all current, new HDTVs are HD, regardless of which type .. LCD or Plasma ...

First & foremost, NO HDTV is intended to properly display "HD" in a bright, daytime environment ! Instead, the viewing room should definitely be decorated anew with very pretty but effective floor-to-ceiling draperies, faux wood blinds, etc..

IF that is Not an alternative, consider a different room for the TV.

If still "NO" - then a Plasma will be Not the way to go. These can not be operated at the extreme brightness, contrast levels of the large display, major brand LCDs ...

For that overly-bright viewing room, Any HDTV will need to be improperly set up the same as are the mass store displays ..... set on "vivid", @ max on brightness / contrast, etc., - in short, just the opposite of what a properly calibrated, home HDTV should be.

All - plasma or LCD - need a subdued environment to properly function.

[Terry Keskula]

Please advise what HDTV would be best for a very bright room. WE have a 2 story family room with floor to ceiling windows. I am interested in anything from 42" to 50". I'm not sure whether to go HD or Plazma. My price range is up to $2,600.00. Thank you for your assistance.

[everett whitney]

P.S. - to "DOUG" - { nine - 46" Sonys ? } -

Obviously, only (1) opinion - but - look at / watch / consider the
KDL-46S4100 - (2) rear HDMIs + (1) at side, 24 frames/minute + full HD - 1920 X 1080 - for BLU RAY HD, P.C. port, o.k. for Wall(vesa) mount, Picture-in-Picture, Sleep Timer & Energy Star if you are into that .. $1,565 - no tax except NY - free, guar del'y right onto your TV stand w/ (2) from Amazon(only, NO third parties)
-(30) days prepaid returns if any defects appear.
everett

[everett whitney]

TO: Doug - 24 July - " Which of (9) Sony's 46" .."

Not the easiest task in this digital day - but - as you "study" the specs, either at the Sony web site by using their " compare" feature, or read through those literally 1000s of posts / replies @ the TV " FORUMS " , one can soon establish what has been omitted from the very least-priced version Vs what may well be very superfluous on the upper two or three .. i.e. - insufficient HDMIs on the least or only .. color trim panels plus a ' floating plastic edge ' , etc.. on the highest priced.

These many different " FORUMS " will more than save one the annual cost of subscription necessary for access. Usually, several hundred dollars on (1) HDTV, in fact.

Try a membership - it can be cancelled for a refund of the unused months.

[Richard Sherman]

There are three HD tech available on the market today. DLP technology is much more inexpensive yet CR treats it almost like it does not exist. Why?

When I walk into a Best Buy or other store and want to buy a HDTV I see Plasma, LCD and DLP and as such I want to see reviews and "head to head" comparisons.

It seems that CR has decided the we should not buy DLP sets and as such seems to try and "force" people into the choices that "they" want.... namely Plasma or LCD.

Now I'm not saying that DLP is the best but it clearly provides the largest picture for the least amount of money and this is something that I had thought CR took into account.

I also looked at all the reviews and I cannot seem to find the faults with Plasma or LCD and it's like both techs were perfect in CR's eyes. IN this was the case then we would only have one tech out there. In fact, all three HD techs have pluses and minuses but you will not learn about it in CR... well aside from DLP which CR seems to want to write off and not existing.

I also notice that in almost every account Plasma and LCD's all seem to have top ratings in PQ for both HD and SD????? Every Plasma and LCD on the market today has outstanding PQ?

In closing I'm not saying that a $1000 50" DLP should be as good as a $2000 50" LCD but does not that $1000 saving mean anything?

Since when did CR turn into a magazine that only cases about the "best of the best" and stopped caring about value?

Every other review in regard to HDTV tech does head to head reviews for "all" current techs and lists each formats strengths and weaknesses. CR's review is near worthless and nothing more than a "ra-ra" cheer leading section for two types of tech.

BTW... having people click on a video review of HD tech on your main page and taking them to a review from 2006 makes your credibility look even worse.

CR used to be "the bible" in regard to fair and unbiased reviews. If I have to start questioning their reviews and what good are they?

-RS, Chicago

[Dennis Ray]

Any ratings for small LCD TV's? 19" or so

[Shawn DeARmond]

I absolutely don't want the speakers. In my opinion, NO built-in speakers on ANY TV are worth the paper used in their cones. I only use NHT speakers.

There's a good thread regarding 32" 1080p HDTV sets here:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1032145536

So far, I'm interested in the Panasonic and the Samsung.

[Doug]

Regarding LCD HDTVs, Sony for one has 9 (!) 46 inch sets ranging from $3300 to $1900!!! Same for most other manufacturers. I realize you can't buy everything, but how can we judge which of those 9 sets is best when only one gets tested? Is there any way you can address this issue for us poor consumers? Even in retail stores, they don't have all the sets lined up so you can do a side by side comparison ....

Help!!

[Dave]

I am interested in the new Panasonic 58" plasma, which is part of Panasonic's 850 series. Supposedly, it passed the THX test for colors, one of the few sets to do so. It is due in the stores in August or Septmeber. When do you plan to review it?

[everett whitney]

Apologies - Shawn , NOT .. Sue .. just had replied to one of hers & can NOT 'edit" yours!

Very sorry ! everett

[everett whitney]

TO: SUE - 17 July - " Monitor for Laptop size ?"

Those - as well as 26"- are being offered late next month, per their "preview announcement."

But, to get any sort of sound out of these, do plan on buying a separate System, as these very tiny speakers / amps can not do very well at all !

We've done so on the {720p} Sony 32" -- includes the needed P.C. input cable & not found it to need .. 1080p.

[Shawn DeArmond]

I'm disappointed you didn't include any 1080p native 32" LCD HDTV sets. I plan on buying one of those in the next six months. It will double as a computer screen for my laptop, so the higher-resolution is very important.