LG 50PQ30

Reports indicate that the 50-inch LG 50PQ30 is a reasonable choice for those looking for a big screen on a small budget. Picture quality is good, aided in no small part by the TV's color accuracy. On the other hand, black levels are a disappointment compared to other budget choices, such as the 50-inch Panasonic TC-P50X1 (*Est. $750). A few other missteps crop up in reviews of the LG 50PQ30 -- a reflective screen and some false contouring in certain scenes, for example. At 720p, the resolution is typical of other plasma TVs in this price range, but falls short of higher-rated plasma TVs like the Panasonic Viera TC-P50G10 (*Est. $1,300), though that feature-laden set costs much more.

Reviews are hard to come by for the 50-inch LG 50PQ30. The best is at ConsumerReports.org, though access to the review is restricted to subscribers only. CleverReviews.com also provides a write-up, but the nature of the site doesn't inspire confidence in the opinions offered. A few user reviews can be found at Amazon.com and Newegg.com.