Runner-Up LCD TVs

Other top-rated LCD TVs

Critics and Sony fans have been anxiously awaiting the debut of Sony's XBR TVs for 2008. Well, there now here, and the reaction is surprisingly muted thus far. That's not to say that those who've weighed in don't think the new Sonys are great LCD TVs -- they are -- but value is a big question mark. On the low end, initial reports say that Sony's XBR6 LCD TV family, which includes screen sizes that range from the 32-inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-32XBR6 (*Est. $900) to the 52-inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-52XBR6, deliver great blacks, but is not without its share of other, albeit minor, picture defects. That led CNet.com's David Katzmaier to say that while the 52-inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-52XBR6 (*Est. $2,530) is a very capable LCD TV, "to most buyers, it's not quite worth the stiff price over other high-quality 52-inch LCDs."

The Sony BRAVIA KDL-37XBR6 LCD TV (*Est. $1,225) scores a victory among six other 37-inch LCD TVs in a comparison review at HDTV Solutions. Interestingly enough, however, that's not on the strength of the picture quality, as Dick De Jong doesn't find much to choose from in that regard between the top finishers. Instead, he writes, the KDL-37XBR6 earns its triumph on the basis of superior built-in audio.

Sony's step-up XBR7 series of LCD TVs has been largely ignored by reviewers thus far. CNet.com says that styling and "supposedly improved video processing" are the biggest differences. Models include the 40-inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-40XBR7 (*Est. $2,700), the 52-inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-52XBR7 (*Est. $4,200), and the prodigiously sized and prodigiously priced 70-inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-70XBR7 (*Est. $20,000).

Speaking of expensive, Sony's XBR8 series of LED backlit LCD TVs is the company's answer to Samsung's Series 9 sets. As is often the case when it comes to LCD TV reviews, CNet.com is first out of the gate with a report on the 55-inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-55XBR8 (*Est. $7,000). Their reaction is "wow" -- to both the image quality and the price. That opinion is echoed in the small number of user reviews we've tracked down to date.

According to David Katzmaier, these sets are fantastic, edged out only very slightly by the very best plasma TVs -- which also have the advantage of costing less even in bigger screen sizes. He compares the XBR8 head-to-head to Samsung's LN46A950 LCD TV, and says simply, "the Sony XBR8 won." Black levels, off-angle viewing and more are among the advantages.

The big negative -- as in really big -- is the cost. Katzmaier calls the XBR8 "mind-bogglingly expensive," and adds that it's "the most-expensive flat-panel HDTV we've ever tested at CNET and possibly the worst deal per square inch since Sony's own XEL-1." The LCD TV is also available in a more modest 46-inch size as the Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR8 (*Est. $5,000).

We've seen mixed results on the latest generation of LCD HDTVs from LG. Most agree, however, that the LG60 series is good, but just how good is a matter of dispute among experts. For example, CNet.com gives the 47-inch LG 47LG60 (*Est. $1,500) a so-so review. David Katzmaier compliments the outstanding array of picture controls, including "best-in-class" calibration controls, and notes that the colors can be adjusted to be very accurate. Styling is also striking. This TV is part of LG's Scarlet series, which features a black bezel with red trim. The rear of the TV's case is also red, and you can find a red accent on the chrome-topped stand. Katzmaier says the TV "makes quite an impression when turned off."

His biggest issue with the LG 47LG60 is black levels, which Katzmaier says fall short of competing HDTVs. However, Robert Heron at PC Magazine has quite a different take. He, too, notes that other televisions produce deeper blacks but still feels that the 47LG60 "is the best LCD set we've seen," and names the TV an Editors' Choice. Positives include excellent color quality and great HD display. Except when viewed in the darkest of rooms, overall picture contrast is good. Standard-definition programming is also very good, though some artifacts (jagged edges) are spotted in a benchmark test. Sound & Vision also admires the 47LG60, tagging it with its Recommended and Certified award.

A very technical review at Ultimate AV stops short of rating or recommending the LG LCD TV, and notes some of the same shortfalls as other reviewers, but raves about the set's potential for perfect grayscale, which in turns makes perfect colors possible. Another strong point is that the TV is a great standard-definition performer. Like most LCD TVs, the series is available in a number of screen sizes, including 32 inches, 37 inches and 52 inches.