Samsung UN55B8500

Previously, experts and users who valued image quality pointed to plasma as the best choice because that technology could produce deep, cinematic blacks that even the best LCD TVs could only approach. In many ways, the 55-inch Samsung UN55B8500 is a game changer, as initial reports say that it delivers better blacks than any other current LCD or plasma TV, and ones that are almost as good as the legendary but discontinued Pioneer Kuro TVs. A couple of technical bobbles are spotted in the color department, but those are minor and don't really detract from what's a generally described as a terrific picture. Solid signal processing means standard-definition and high-def images both look great.

The UN55B8500 is also blessed with an abundance of features, including a 240 Hz refresh rate and effective de-judder circuitry. Internet features are also bundled in, and you can stream from a number of sources including YouTube and Amazon Video on Demand. Additional Internet content is available via Yahoo! Widgets. Energy efficiency is at the top of its class, and styling is attractive. A 46-inch version, the Samsung UN46B8500 (*Est. $3,240), is available and should perform more or less identically.

Some negatives do exist. The great blacks are largely the result of a full-matrix LED backlight with local dimming. The one downside of this type of backlight is some blooming (light seeping over to dark areas). However, while the UN55B8500 reduces this artifact compared to other TVs with the same type of artifact, it is not completely immune to it. We've also seen complaints that the screen is more reflective than usual for an LCD TV, and therefore a challenge to use in a brightly lit room. The shallow viewing angle means that the best picture quality can only be seen when seated directly in front. If you have a smaller budget, the 55-inch LG 55LH90 (*Est. $2,500) is worth considering. It also uses a full-matrix backlight with local dimming and blacks are nearly -- but not quite -- as deep. Colors are terrific and LG's LH90 series sets are the first LCD TVs to earn THX certification.