Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD

While the 50-inch Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD falls a hair short of the revered Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD (*est. $5,000) in some ways, it delivers an image that's nearly as good for about half the price. Even those who find some flaws in technical perfection say that the TV's rich colors and deep blacks -- the deepest of any TV -- make them largely irrelevant in the face of what everyone says is a breathtaking image. Tons of features and one of the best anti-reflective screens for a plasma TV round out its advantages. For those with a smaller budget, the 50-inch Panasonic TH-50PZ800U (*est. $2,050) offers black levels that nearly match those of the PDP-5020FD, with the bonus of THX certification and a special mode that recreates the experience of watching a movie in a theater. If you aren't too picky, the 50-inch Samsung PN50A550 (*est. $1,450) is an excellent value, though it does have a glare-prone screen.

CNet.com is among the most prolific reviewers of plasma TVs and they weigh in with a report on the 50-inch Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD. PCMag.com, another top reviewer, also evaluates the TV in a good, though slightly less detailed, report. Home Theater magazine does not report on the Pioneer PDP-5020FD, but does have an excellent report on the 60-inch Pioneer Kuro PDP6020FD, which should perform similarly. ConsumerReports.org also tests the 60-inch version, but its report, while balanced and fair, is far less detailed. User reports can be found at Amazon.com and AVSForum.com.