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 Buyer's Guide: Flat Panels
| What to Buy: Flat Panel Display Midrange Picks |
Sony BRAVIA KDL-40V5100 LCD
$1,200
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Why We Like It:
The Sony came in a close second in our recent Flatpanel Face Off. Two members of the five-judge panel voted it first overall, and two rated it second. No one really disliked it. The Sony also won raves for its performance with the lights on - giving it versatility of viewing in your home. |
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Specs/Features:
40-inch LCD
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 120 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60 (displays at 120 Hz)
ATSC, QAM tuners
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Panasonic VIERA TC-P42G10 Plasma
$1,300
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Why We Like It:
The Panasonic nearly ran away with our recent Flatpanel Face Off. It grabbed nearly 10 percent more points than the second-place Sony. If you don't need the extra brightness that an LCD can provide and you do most of your serious viewing in a room with subdued lighting, this could be your new flat-panel set. |
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Specs/Features:
42-inch plasma
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (3)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 48 Hz or 60 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60
ATSC, QAM tuners
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Vizio VP505XVT Plasma
$1,500
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Why We Like It:
We're very impressed by the Vizio VP505XVT. Its detail is superb, its color is excellent despite what the measurements say, its shadow detail is great, and its blacks are as good as anything in its class. What more could you possibly want for $1,500? |
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Specs/Features:
50-inch plasma
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
OTA tuner
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Panasonic TC-P46G10 Plasma
$1,700
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Why We Like It:
Great flat-panel HDTVs are definitely getting more affordable. At the same time, they provide the same or better performance as earlier, more expensive designs. Panasonic is definitely in the forefront of that development. We enjoyed every minute we spent with the TC-P46G10 and recommend it highly. |
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Specs/Features:
46-inch plasma
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (3)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 48 or 60 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60
ATSC, NTSC, QAM tuners
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Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ85U Plasma
$2,200
(Replaced with TC-P50G10, $1,800)
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Why We Like It:
We can't think of another display at or below this price that impressed us as much as this one did. You're likely to pay $1,000 more for a 50-inch display that outperforms the TH-50PZ85U. But even then, it wouldn't be by much. This Panasonic belongs on your must-see list and clearly earns a strong Home Theater recommendation. |
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Specs/Features:
50-inch plasma
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (3)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 60 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60
ATSC, QAM tuners
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Toshiba REGZA 46SV670U LCD
$2,300
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Why We Like It:
If you're a video purist, you might be put off by the Toshiba's few technical shortcomings. But if you're looking for a great LCD set for a price that, while not cheap, is more affordable than most of the competition, this might just be a winner for you. It's one of the best-looking sets we've reviewed, and possibly the best ever from Toshiba. Highly recommended. |
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Specs/Features:
46-inch LCD
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24
Accepts 1080p/60
ATSC, QAM tuners
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Samsung UN55B7000 LCD
$3,800
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Why We Like It:
The Samsung UN55B7000 LCD does not have a lot of company when it comes to its combination of outstanding and accurate color, deep blacks, fine shadow detail, precise resolution, and exceptional video processing. If you're looking for a first-rate LCD set but can't quite stretch your budget to cover a local-dimming design, this set deserves a very close look. |
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Specs/Features:
55-inch LCD
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 120 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60 (converts to 24 Hz and displays at 120 Hz)
ATSC, NTSC, QAM tuners
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Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR8 LCD
$4,000
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Why We Like It:
We're entusiastic about LCD sets with LED local dimming. The KDL-46XBR8 offers the kind of black-level performance we never expected to see from an LCD design. While its $5,000 price tag is a hefty piece of change for a 46-inch set,it gets you bleeding-edge technology and state-of-the-art performance. If your budget allows, there are only three lines of flat-panel sets you need to consider today: the Pioneer KUROs, the Samsung 950s, and the Sony XBR8s. If your choice is the Sony, you won't get an argument from us. |
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Specs/Features:
46-inch LCD
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24
Accepts 1080p/60
120 Hz refresh rate
ATSC, QAM tuners
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| What to Buy: Flat Panel Display High End Picks |
Samsung LN55A950 LCD
$4,999
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Why We Like It:
The Samsung LN55A950 is an exceptional set, with superb color, fine resolution, and compelling black levels and shadow detail that competing LCDs can only dream of - at least until they get on the local dimming express. If you're in the market for a flat-panel LCD and your budget allows, don't choose another set until you have a chance to see this one. |
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Specs/Features:
55-inch LCD
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Auto Motion Plus 120Hz
LED backlighting and local dimming
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Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-111FD Plasma
$4,500
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Why We Like It:
Pioneer continues to impress with their next plasma, the PRO-111FD. Blacks to die for, precise color and excellent resolution puts this on our Top Picks list. It may be expensive (though more affordable than last year's models), but as they say in the movie biz, the money is all on the screen. |
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Specs/Features:
50-inch plasma
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 72 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60
ATSC, QAM tuners
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Panasonic Premiere TH-65VX100U Plasma
$9,995
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Why We Like It:
The TH-65VX100U isn't perfect, but with good program material, it offers a canny balance of strengths with no serious weaknesses. It's the type of set that draws you in. It's the type of set that keeps you up until 1:00 a.m. watching stuff that's been sitting on your DVR for weeks, waiting for you to find time to see. This is the type of set that turns well-made and great-looking program material into compelling entertainment. |
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Specs/Features:
64.8-inch plasma
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.2a inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 96 Hz)
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Pioneer KURO PDP-6020FD Plasma
$5,500
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Why We Like It:
We wish the PDP-6020FD had a more accurate color temperature, but it excels in deep-looking blacks. And we can't overstate the importance of rich blacks. Because this display does not allow you to correct color-temperature deviations, we can't recommend it as enthusiastically as we might have otherwise. But unless another manufacturer springs an unexpected surprise, Pioneer's ninth-generation plasmas will be the sets to beat this year. |
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Specs/Features:
60-inch plasma
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 72 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60
ATSC, NTSC, QAM tuners
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Sony BRAVIA KDL-55XBR8 LCD
$7,000
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Why We Like It:
In our recent flatpanel Face Off, the BRAVIA KDL-55XBR8 came in a close second with one judge ranking it first. All found its black level and detail impressive. If you're in the market for an LCD with a great black level, this Sony deserves a look. |
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Specs/Features:
55-inch LCD
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24
Accepts 1080p/60
ATSC, QAM tuners
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Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-141FD Plasma HD Monitor
$7,000
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Why We Like It:
The Pioneer KUROs may soon be gone, but videophiles - KURO owners or not - will not forget them. Hopefully Pioneer will license the KURO secret sauce to another company to live again in another guise. Until that time comes we recommend to pick up a KURO display before they disappear. |
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Specs/Features:
60-inch plasma monitor
1,920 by 1,080
HDMI 1.3 inputs (4)
Accepts 1080p/24 (displays at 72 Hz)
Accepts 1080p/60
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| What To Buy: Tips For Choosing |
| In spite of what the salesman at your local Big Box Store will tell you, not all flat screen TVs are built the same. Plasmas and LCDs are both sexy, but which is right for you and your room? HT's Editors find the perfect flat panel for you.
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| How to Buy: Shopping Tips & Strategies |
| Even if you know which technology is the best fit for you, the salesroom floor can be unforgiving terrain. We'll help you become a smart shopper.
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| How to Use: Connections & Calibration |
| Now that you've got that shiny new flat panel, how do you hook it up and get all the performance you've paid for? Want to know how to dial in your new HDTV for the best picture? Start Here.
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