JVC LT-42P300

Reviews say the 42-inch JVC LT-42P300's primary advantage is its foldout dock for iPhones and iPods – otherwise it's just a "decent" but generally undistinguished 42-inch LCD television. Other features are sparse, and you won't find an enhanced refresh rate (either 120 Hz or 240 Hz), Internet features, networking abilities, or even much in the way of picture controls. Picture quality is decent, with surprisingly deep black levels, but shadow details are frequently lost and color performance is below average. Integration with an iPod or iPhone is very good overall. Sound quality isn't bad for a TV in this price range, but isn't terrific either -- most people who care about music quality will want to use an external sound system. The consensus is that the LT-42P300 is a reasonable choice for those who value its iPod-centric features, and it's a good value at its current street price. However, it falls short compared to the best, such as the feature rich and highly rated 40-inch Samsung LN40B750.

We found an assortment of reviewer opinions about the 42-inch JVC LT-42P300. ConsumerReports.org conducts excellent testing, but discussion isn't very detailed and information is limited to subscribers. TelevisionInfo.com, on the other hand, shares so much technical data that some could be overwhelmed, plus the site is known for its very tough critiques. CNET provides a more balanced approach, but its review is based on an evaluation of a different screen size in the series. HDTVSolutions.com also reviews a different-sized LT-P300 LCD TV, but the comments are a worthwhile read.