LCD TV: Reviews

Updated October 2011

3D or not 3D? That's among the questions addressed by ConsumerSearch in this in-depth look at flat-panel LCD TVs. Features like Internet streaming and LED backlights are also explained and evaluated on route to finding the best TVs for price-is-no-object home theaters, as well as for budget-conscious buyers looking for the best bang for their buck.

FONT
PRINT

Compare All

Best 55-inch 3D LED TV

Samsung UN55D8000

*Est. $2,600 Compare Prices

Experts say the Samsung UN55D8000 is a technological marvel, with great 3D performance (glasses cost extra), access to Internet content (with a built-in web browser) and a QWERTY keyboard on the remote. There's also an… expandapp store that includes content from third-party providers. If that's not enough, you can stream content from your PC, make Internet video calls via Skype (camera available separately) and connect to everything wirelessly. As far as picture performance, opinions are more mixed. Black levels are said to be great, and color performance is top shelf, but some reviewers complain about uniformity issues. Others say that uniformity is actually very good, leading one to think that it might depend on the specific TV. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Despite some reservations about picture quality -- particularly screen uniformity -- the Samsung UN55D8000 and other sets in the UND8000 series are the highest rated LCD TVs at CNET at the time of this update.

FlatpanelsHD.com: Sets in the Samsung UND8000 series, including the 55-inch UN55D8000, earn a Highly Recommended award at this Danish site.

The Perfect Vision: The Perfect Vision, hosted at AVGuide.com, gives the UN55D8000 its Recommended award.

HDGuru.com: HDGuru.com finds lots of strong points but can't get past the sub-par screen uniformity in the sample of the UN55D8000 it tests.

TelevisionInfo.com: TelevisionInfo.com tests the 60-inch version of this TV but says performance should be similar for the 55-inch UN55D8000.

Amazon.com: About 200 owners weigh in on the Samsung UN55D8000.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for Too low to display
BuyDig.com for $2,199.00	eBay for $2,084.99	Dell for $2,397.99

Best value 55-inch 3D TV

LG 55LW5600

*Est. $1,700 Compare Prices

Strong performance and a bevy of features make the 55-inch LG 55LW5600 a compelling choice and a good value. Black levels, while good, are not as good as on some other LED TVs. However color performance is excellent for… expandthe most part and screen uniformity is better than on most edge-lit LED TVs, though it's not perfect. LG uses lower-cost passive technology for the 3D feature in this set. However, whether the loss of apparent resolution that technology exacts is worth the plusses of passive 3D is in the eye of the beholder. The suite of Internet features is impressive, as is the included Wii-like second controller, which puts a cursor on the screen that's controlled by the user's hand motions. A 47-inch version of this TV is also offered and is similarly well regarded. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

TelevisionInfo.com: TelevisionInfo.com offers a detailed review.

HDGuru.com: HDGuru.com looks at the 55-inch LG 55LW5600 and comes away mostly impressed.

The Perfect Vision: David Birch-Jones says that while purists might debate the merits of passive 3D, for most viewers the value and overall effect delivered by the LG LW5600 is good enough to render the argument moot.

PCMag.com: Top-quality 2D and 3D images coupled with lots of features and a great price combine to earn the LG 47LW5600 an Editors' Choice here.

CNET: CNET bases its evaluation of the LG 55LW5600 on its hands-on test of the 47-inch set in this series.

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity: This site for those obsessed with home theater gives its typically thorough review treatment to the LG 55LW5600.

PC World: PC World says that the LG 47LW5600 "more than holds its own" when compared with other 3D sets.

AVSForum.com: ISF-certified calibrator "ChadB" gives his take on the 55-inch LG 55LW5600 here.

Amazon.com: More than 150 owners have weighed in thus far on the 55-inch LG 55LW5600.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for Too low to display
BuyDig.com for $2,498.00	Abe's Of Maine for $1,388.18	eBay for $1,499.00

Best 46-inch LED TV

Samsung UN46D6000

*Est. $1,100 Compare Prices

If you are among those that don't care that much about 3D, the 46-inch Samsung UN46D6000 offers a nearly unbeatable combination of performance, features and value. It doesn't have 3D, but most other must-have bells and… expandwhistles are packed in, including an LED backlight and an online streaming platform that's regarded as among the best. Picture quality can't quite compare to the very best, but it is close, and the UN46D6000 costs notably less. In addition, 32-inch, 40-inch and 55-inch versions of this set are available, and all should perform similarly. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

TelevisionInfo.com: The Samsung UN46D6000 is the highest rated LCD TV at this very tough review site.

Home Theater Magazine: The Samsung UN46D6000 earns a Top Pick award here.

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org covers the Samsung UN46D6000 as part of its coverage of HDTVs.

Walmart.com: More than 240 owners leave reviews and ratings here for the Samsung UN46D600.

Amazon.com: Feedback here is not as plentiful, and not quite as positive as at Walmart.com, but most users are still plenty pleased as evidenced by the overall rating of 4.3 stars for the Samsung UN46D6000.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for $997.00
Crutchfield for $999.99	BuyDig.com for $999.99	eBay for $1,038.95

Budget 47-inch 3D LCD TV

Vizio E3D470VX

*Est. $800 Compare Prices

With its conventional backlight, the Vizio E3D470VX can't quite meet the picture quality of better -- and more expensive -- LED TVs. But what's seen on the screen is still pretty good, reports say, with blacks that are at… expandleast decent, and color performance that's much better than that. Features are exceptional given the price, and include a passive 3D feature that draws praise as well as robust Internet features that leave few bases uncovered. There's a built-in web browser and you can stream content through that or from your PC wirelessly via the built-in Wi-Fi. The Vizio E3D0VX series also includes 42-inch and 32-inch screen sizes. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

HomeTheaterReview.com: While Andrew Robinson finds some shortfalls, and clearly is not a fan of 3D either on the silver screen or the TV screen, he finds lots to like in the Vizio E3D470VX in this testing-based review.

TelevisionInfo.com: TelevisionInfo.com looks at the 42-inch screen size in this series but says its performance should be similar to that of the 47-inch E3D470VX. Video performance is called a step above other entry-level TVs and competitive with even high-end choices in many ways.

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org evaluates a different screen size in this series.

Walmart.com: User reviews for the 47-inch E3D470VX reveal an impressive record of satisfaction here, and the majority give the set a perfect rating (5 stars out of 5). Though some cite some issues -- including one individual who says he liked the picture quality but got two units that turned themselves off every 15 to 20 minutes -- more than 95 percent say that they would recommend the TV to a friend.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for $949.99
PCConnectio- n Express for $1,013.64	eBay for $1,099.99	Walmart for $748.00

Best value 40-inch LCD TV

Samsung LN40D550

*Est. $600 Compare Prices

If you are looking for a solid TV with solid performance from a top maker, the Samsung LN40D550 deserves consideration. With a conventional backlight, picture quality won't quite measure up to the very best out there, but… expandit is still very good. Highlights include strong color performance, good uniformity and surprisingly deep blacks, though some reviewers complain that those are pumped up by a dynamic dimming technology that can't be turned off. In terms of features, 3D is not included, and you can't stream content from the Internet. However, you can stream from your own PC and file support is generous. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

TelevisionInfo.com: TelevisionInfo.com looks at the largest screen size in the Samsung LND550 lineup but adds that its conclusions should indicate how other sets in the series should perform, including the 40-inch Samsung LN40D550.

ConsumerReports.org: The 32-inch Samsung LN32D550 is put to the test by ConsumerReports.org.

BestBuy.com: Only a few owners have weighed in here at the time of this update, but all are mostly to completely pleased.

Amazon.com: Like BestBuy.com, owner comments about the 40-inch Samsung LN40D550 at Amazon.com aren't especially abundant, but satisfaction seems high.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for Too low to display
HP Direct for $899.99	Vanns.com for $547.00	BuyDig.com for $589.00

Best value 32-inch LCD TV

Sony KDL-32BX420

*Est. $450 Compare Prices

If the best possible picture and a reasonable price tag are more important than the latest cutting-edge features, the Sony KDL-32BX420 should be on your short list. Black levels are great for any TV -- plasma TVs included… expand-- let alone a budget LCD offering with a conventional backlight. Color performance is nearly as good and uniformity could be better, but the set still outshines some sets costing much more. The trade-off for this level of picture performance and relatively small price tag is a dearth of in-demand features. Connectivity is also paltry. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

TelevisionInfo.com: TelevisionInfo.com looks at a 46-inch version of the set but adds that its testing-based conclusions should be valid for other TVs in the series, including the 32-inch KDL-32BX420.

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the 40 inch KDL-40BX420 in its latest ratings.

Walmart.com: User reviews for the 32-inch Sony KDL-32BX420 are beginning to accumulate here.

BestBuy.com: There's about the same amount of feedback here as at Walmart.com and nearly identical satisfaction.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for Too low to display
TigerDirect- .com for $448.96	BuyDig.com for $448.00	Vanns.com for $448.00

Best small LCD TV

Vizio E190VA

*Est. $190 Compare Prices

This small Vizio TV gets its Razor moniker from its slim profile (less than an inch thick, minus the stand). That styling is made possible by the edge-lit LED backlight. The resolution is only 720p, but most say that it's… expandmore than enough in a screen size this small. Other features include a picture-frame function that displays photos on an attached USB drive in a slide-show format. Picture quality is generally very good, reports say. Energy efficiency is superb, aided by a sensor that adjusts brightness depending on room lighting. SRS TruVolume helps even out sound levels from different programming and prevents you from being blasted out of bed, for example, from a too-loud commercial. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: More than 20 owners have left their impressions here about the Vizio E190VA and all seem pleased.

Walmart.com: There's a bit less feedback here than at Amazon.com, but most users seem happy.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from
Amazon

for $202.99

RCA 46LA45RQ *Est. $500

2 picks including: Walmart.com, BestBuy.com…

Sharp LC-70LE732U *Est. $2,700

2 picks including: AVSForum.com, BestBuy.com…

LG 47LW6500 *Est. $1,400

2 picks by top review sites.


	RCA 46LA45RQ 46" 1080p Full HD LCD TV In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Sharp LC-70LE732U In Stock. Average Customer Review: