Samsung PN58C7000

Though some reviewers have a few picture quibbles, everyone agrees that the 58-inch PN58C7000 is a great performer that's packed with most of the must-have features for this year's high-end TVs. The story starts with 3-D, but it certainly doesn't end there. In addition to being able to display 3D content, the PN58C7000 can also take regular 2D programs and transform them into 3D with reasonable -- though not perfect -- success. Like most 3D TVs, the required glasses are an extra-cost accessory, but Samsung often runs promotions in which you can get two free pairs with the purchase of a TV.

The PN58C7000 is also Internet-capable and offers one of the most complete and impressive lineups of content providers, including Hulu and Skype. Picture quality is generally well liked, but experts find a few technical gripes. Those include some color inaccuracy and black levels that, while good, aren't as dark as the very best TVs. The 3D feature is also more prone to crosstalk -- ghost images --- than some competing TVs. We also saw complaints about a Cinema Smooth feature that can't be turned off. It removes motion artifacts from movies, but also leaves them looking as if they were shot directly to video -- something that bothers a few owners quite a bit, but others not at all. The plasma TV is also available in other screen sizes -- the 50-inch Samsung PN50C7000 (*Est. $1,600) and the 63-inch Samsung PN63C7000 (*Est. $2,900) -- which should perform similarly.

While the PN58C7000 offers 3D, if that's not a must you can get competitive picture quality and better value with some other plasma TVs. One example is LG's PK950 series, which includes the 50-inch LG 50PK950 (Discontinued) and the 60-inch LG 60PK950 (*Est. $2,100). Experts like the picture quality, the feature lineup is impressive, and the TVs cost a little less.