LCD TV

While other publications conduct more detailed testing and sometimes have longer, more technical reports, CNET has an advantage in that it tests a larger number of televisions than others. That gives… editors a good basis for comparison. The same team of reviewers generally reviews LCD TVs, so there's a consistency in the testing and ratings process. No current LCD TV breaks enough from the pack to earn Editors' Choice status, but some standouts are identified. Samsung's UNB5500 sets, including the 55-inch UN55B8500 are expensive, but they deliver the best picture quality of any LCD TV the site has ever tested. LG's flagship LH90 series, including the 47-inch LG 47LH90, is also an impressive performer. Samsung's LNB750 sets, such as the 52-inch LN52B750, are tops among LCD TVs with conventional backlights.

expand

collapse

ConsumerReports.org reports on more LCD TVs than just about any other reviewer. Many find their ways to the ranks of the recommended, and this report isn't very critical. Although testing is comprehensive,… individual sets get only a few paragraphs of commentary, providing far less detail than most other review resources. Still, because the site updates its ratings on a regular basis, it remains a good source for LCD TV reviews and information. ConsumerReports.org is also one of the few professional reviewers reporting on screen sizes below 32 inches.

expand

collapse

Sound & Vision magazine tests LCD TVs in highly detailed single-set reports; however, the magazine evaluates far fewer TVs than the reviews we rate higher. Each review packs lots of important information,… and the results of a battery of bench tests are provided for those who are interested. The best-performing sets earn a Certified and Recommended award, but only one current LCD TV makes the grade. Al Griffin says that the LED-backlit Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 sets a new bar for other LCD TVs, despite the fact that it's expensive.

expand

collapse

Home Theater magazine conducts in-depth testing of LCD TVs and produces reports that are among the most detailed we've seen. Best sets are honored with a Top Pick designation. Among current TVs, the Samsung… UN55B7000 makes the grade on the strength of its good blacks and color, though some issues are uncovered in testing. Likewise the Toshiba Regza 46SV670U falls short of technical perfection, but looks terrific.

expand

collapse

UltimateAV.com's reviewers put all sorts of home theater equipment through the paces, including LCD TVs. The single-TV reports are detailed, with plenty of information for the technically inclined,… including bench-test results. While most reviews include helpful comparisons, LCD TVs are not rated or ranked, and a buyer's guide on the site is too dated to be of any value. Additionally, relatively few LCD TVs have been reviewed of late and some reports appear to be partially recycled from HomeTheater.com, which is a sister publication and website.

expand

collapse

BestBuy.com allows users to comment on products that they own. Navigation is similarly easy, with the overall rating and number of reviews right on the main navigation page, and only currently available TVs… are listed. One nice feature is a top-line summation of how many customers would recommend the reviewed LCD TV to a friend. LED-backlit LCD TVs get their own listing here. Among LCD TVs with lots of reviews (more than 25), many models score similarly well, however a few TVs -- such as the Insignia NS-L42X-10A --are noteworthy for earning recommendations from nearly every user that reports in.

expand

collapse

This site concentrates on news and views on HD home entertainment, but also reviews equipment on rare occasion, such as this in depth look at the Samsung UN46B8000 LED-backlit LCD display. The site takes… issue with the marketing of the TV, but concludes it is among the best LCD TVs it has tested to date. While testing is complete and well explained, this is the only current model LCD TV reviewed here.

expand

collapse

DigitalTrends.com reviews TVs in test-based reports that aren't very detailed, but get the essentials across without overloading readers that aren't particularly tech-savvy. Comparisons are not made, but… TVs are rated. The biggest negative is that only a handful of LCD TVs have been rated recently. The LG 55LH90 and Toshiba Regza 46SV670U share the highest rating among those, though neither rises to the level needed to earn the site's Editors' Choice award.

expand

collapse

Though few of the top-performing LCD TVs can be found here, Walmart.com is a good source for user reviews of more budget-friendly options. The overall rating is shown on the main navigation page, but you'll… need to click through to the individual product pages to see how many reviews a particular LCD TV has received. Reviewers are asked to leave ratings on picture quality, sound quality, value and more, and also provide a little information about themselves and how long they've used the TV. Some reviews include discussion, while others only leave ratings. Many of the LCD TVs have lots of feedback -- over 100 reviews and ratings in some cases -- but many more just get a handful of reviews.

expand

collapse