New LCD, plasma TV Ratings now available on CRO

In Consumer Reports' TV lab, Claudio Ciacci, a senior project leader for electronics, puts new TVs through a battery of tests designed to show any flaws. [ Photo: James Willcox ]

Looking for a ray of sunshine in this gloomy economic environment? Well, if you’re in the market for a new HDTV, you don’t have to settle for less than very good picture quality, even if you’re on a budget.

In fact, in our just-posted LCD and plasma TV Ratings (available to subscribers), all but three of the 60 models we tested delivered very good or excellent picture-quality performance on all types of programs. And nearly half of the sets we tested earned top marks for HD picture quality.

As in recent Ratings, we’re seeing more LCD sets that address traditional weaknesses, helping to boost overall performance. For example, many larger—and even a few smaller—sets have 120Hz refresh rates, which can help reduce motion blur in fast-moving scenes. We’re also seeing more “240Hz” sets—both those that actually quadruple the TV’s frame rate, as well as others that combine 120Hz technology with a scanning, or flashing, backlight to achieve a 240Hz effect.

LCD models with LED backlights, instead of fluorescent lamps, are also becoming more common. In our just-posted Ratings, you’ll find LCD TVs from Samsung and Sony that use “full-array” LED backlights, which can be locally dimmed, as well as other ultra-slim “edge-lit” models with LEDs placed around the perimeter of the set. We found some benefits and tradeoffs to each approach.

While we’ve seen many LCD improvements, a narrow viewing angle is still an issue with many sets, so the picture will deteriorate when you move away from the center of the screen. That’s why we advise that you check the viewing-angle scores in the LCD Ratings if you think the set will regularly be viewed off-angle to ensure you’ll get the picture quality we describe in our Ratings.

Although there are fewer manufacturers and brands, plasma TVs continue to do well in our Ratings, and are an excellent, well-priced choice in the larger screen sizes. Almost all the new plasma models now have a technology called "600Hz sub-field drive." This technology addresses an issue that, frankly, hasn’t been a real plasma problem: motion resolution, or blurring during fast-moving scenes. Using specially designed test patterns, plus a few movie scenes designed to show off this flaw, we found that this new technology can indeed minimize blurring. But the improvement was more evident in sets from some brands than others.

Both LCD and plasma sets are adding new features, such as the ability to directly access online content, including streaming movies from providers such as Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand, as well as Web-based services from companies such as YouTube and Flickr. Some sets incorporate onscreen “widgets,” developed by Yahoo, to provide easy access to these sites and services. A few companies now offer optional wireless access to home networks, so you don’t need an Ethernet jack near where your TV is situated.

As we mentioned when our previous TV Ratings were posted, we’ve increased the pace of our TV tests, so Ratings will be posted faster than they have been in the past. In fact, we’re already well under way in our tests of 15 new models, including LCD sets from LG, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Vizio, plus new plasmas from Insignia and LG, as well as Panasonic models in four different series. Keep checking back regularly for the latest TV Ratings. —James K. Willcox

Comments

[space]

Greetings:

Being a scientist, that rather not even watch Tv aside from news, I have not followed after this Tv stuff. However, realizing that when I do buy a new Tv it will need to be an LCD or Plasma, or what even is being offered.
Therefore, I have looked into this dumbing subject a few times to follow the history, and concluded LCDs are done, and LED must lead to 3D in reasonable time. LCDs are not very good beyond computer acceptance.

Plasmas are a better quality. Now, the 600hz thingy, actually I suspect plasma is playing the game allowing LCDs to improve a little and Plasma can come back way over the top. The math used to configure these systems (LCD, Plasma, LED) tells you 3D is just waiting, and that LCDs are no good. The 600hz and number of real and sub space vectors can go much higher at virtually no cost to manufact companies. For example: The 600hz as a sub space simply tells you that while a vector may be moving at 60hz the sub space is at 600hz. No need for refresh as in LCD. It means Plasmas are worlds above LCDs and this 600 hz thing can be considered an actual value. Call it color bits or saturation or anything, but the fact is; A point (or two) near zero in size has a sub space, and the sub space can be considered the action, and with no need to refresh WOW !

[everett whitney]

Charles --- SORRY ! - wrong tele #, obviously . . .

That's 1-866-216-1243 OR .. 866-216-2992 each w/ extended hours @ Amazon specifically - NEVER any of their "3rd Party Vendors" . . . always should contain statement ".. stocked & shipped from Amazon ...."

apologies!

everett

[everett whitney]

Charles ( again) . . .

In Fact, their latest widely-acclaimed 54" G10 plasma set IS available now as well as already reduced to well under your HDTV budget ! No tax except NY + KY, free, guar'd, safe delivery by a crew of (2) right onto your Viewing Room stand, unpacked / carefully inspected & plugged in to assure it "lights up!" And, "if" there's any difficulty within those initial (30) days whatever, Amazon does provide free re-packaging / pick up at the same trip as they bring a new replacement set ! FAR better Customer Service than @ MOST local shops / outlets . . . here is their "link" for the 54G10 set - - - - or, tele -#800-866-1243 to speak w/ a real person! . . . .

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P54G10-54-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00267PY6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1248171510&sr=1-1

everett

[everett whitney]

TO: Charles - "Need another ~ 50" HDTV . . . ?"

For GOODNESS Sakes, Never consider that Vizio ! Their pricing in this size is NOT at a sufficient reduction when compared to the rest at all!

We, as well, have a wide variety of Sony LCDs - upstairs/downstairs situation - and have found each one to be very satisfactory.

BUT - there IS reason to exercise 'concern' for their limited side-viewing {a.k.a.= 'off-axis} . . . . since this latest set will be for that main viewing room, it sounds reasonable that there WILL be occasions during which guests & others will need to do so.

IN EVERY case, a plasma set IS much better for these side viewers, as the HD picture quality doesn't "fall off at all!"

Each one watching will experience the very same P.Q..

Also, there is NO need to 'worry or fret' any at all about these .. 120 Hz / 240 Hz / Motionflow .. attributes, as Plasma sets never have or exhibit the Fast Motion issues whatever.

As much as I would like to recommend another Sony {last Season's XBR6 were quite lovely & FAR better than their now XBR7's, IMO} . . . . I strongly suggest that consideration be allowed for a Panasonic 50"-G-10 . . . with it's internal THX Home Mode within the Menu settings, one MIGHT find that the colors, brightness, contrast, etc., to be quite manageable W/O the usual & otherwise necessary separate Calibration @ ~ ~ $300.

everett

[Charles Wright]

As a subscriber to Consumer Reports.org I need some help on my next High Definition television I will be purchasing. First: I purchased the Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR3 in 2007.Some months after the purchase Sony sent me a device,without charge,to download into my TV which would improve the Black backdrop on the screen when viewing programs. I now want to purchase a 50+ HD TV to put in my front living room and I already know angles and light shadow will be effects I will be dealing with in the room. In addition,how important is the Hz rating on my next HD set,ie.120Hz vs 200Hz,and what is the best rating I should be looking for. I don't want to pay more than $2,000 for this next set and I already visited Sam's Club and looked at a Sony BriviaKDL46VL16 and Visio SV70XUT1,both listing 120Hz only. I want a 1080P set with at least one HDMI output and two HDMI inputs,any suggestions.

[James K. Willcox]

Hi, John. Sorry if you're confused, but this came about as Panasonic and others started talking about "600Hz sub-field drive," largely as a result of LCD companies pushing 120Hz and 240Hz anti-blurring technologies. Plasma TVs have always done a great job handling fast-motion scenes, something that has traditionally challenged LCD models. But I think that the plasma brands have wanted to say something about the technology improving, even in areas where performance is already commendable. These newer 600Hz sets simply push plasma closer toward the "ideal TV" that has absolutely no motion blur at all. These sets are able to retain full 1080p resolution during even the most challenging scenes and test patterns. But as we've always said, plasmas already do a great job--even a basic plasma set handles motion better than a 120Hz LCD, and without some of the video-like smoothing we sometimes see on film-based sources. This latest technology simply bumps plasma motion performance up another degree or so, depending on the manufacturer. We don't consider motion blur to be an issue with plasma, period. The best news, really, is that almost every plasma set we're seeing now has 600Hz technology, so it's not being marketed as a step-up feature you have to pay extra to get.

[John MacLeod]

I am a subscriber to both the .com and paper. The ratings and explanations of TV's has become more and more confusing. I have read every CR report in recent times and have not heard the (Almost all the new plasma models now have a technology called "600Hz sub-field drive." This technology addresses an issue that, frankly, hasn’t been a real plasma problem: motion resolution, or blurring during fast-moving scenes)problem of motion blur. Could someone direct me to an article that discusses this problem with plasma? Every article I have read notes that if you want to watch fast motion then choose plasma, now it is a flaw.