Samsung PN64D8000

It's not inexpensive, and some plasma TVs deliver blacks that are just a touch darker, but the 64-inch Samsung PN64D8000 delivers a huge screen, impressive overall picture quality and just about every feature that a TV enthusiast might want or need. If you demand the deepest blacks of all, a TV in Panasonic's even pricier TC-PVT30 series -- such as the 65-inch TC-P65VT30 (*Est. $3,800) or 55-inch TC-P55VT30 (*Est. $2,400) -- might prove more satisfying. But experts say that differences are subtle and that these Samsung plasma TVs can out-black just about any other TV currently available. In terms of color performance, there is no quibbling -- it's outstanding, with one top reviewer going so far as to say that these Samsung TVs will be their new benchmark when it comes to color accuracy.

When it comes to features, Samsung left very little on the shelf when it came to stuffing goodies into the PND8000. The company's Smart Hub Internet streaming platform leaves few stones unturned in terms of provider partners, and there's a third-party app store for smartphone-like apps as well. A built-in web browser is a tad buggy, but it is fine for light-duty surfing. Skype support is enabled via an accessory and extra-cost (*Est. $170) camera. You can also stream content from your computer. Getting and using all of that content is made easier by the inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi and a full QWERTY keypad on the flip side of the very functional remote. One complaint we saw voiced is that the interface used to get to all of this content could stand a little improvement. Internet reports have surfaced that say that the anti-reflective screen treatment can peel, but those also say that Samsung has fixed the issue in current runs of the plasma TV, and that any owners with affected sets can get them repaired under warranty.

Of course, the 64-inch PN64D8000 has 3D. The active shutter system works far better than last year's efforts, drawing praise even from the technology's harshest critics. But while annoying artifacts such as ghosting have been greatly reduced, some say that the overall 3D picture quality might be just a hair better in the Panasonic TC-PVT30 sets. Glasses cost extra, and the once commonplace offers for free ones have become hard to find, but basic models cost far less than last year (starting at *Est. $50). If you don't have quite enough room for a 64-inch screen, the 51-inch Samsung PN51D8000 (*Est. $1,800) and 59-inch Samsung PN59D8000 (*Est. $2,500) are also available.