LCD TV Reviews

Both types of flat-panel TVs -- plasma and LCD -- are thin and wall-mountable, but each has some different considerations. In general, plasma TVs can achieve deeper black levels. LCD televisions are usually brighter than plasma TVs, and many can double as a computer monitor or media-center display. While LCD TVs used to be restricted to sizes smaller than 32 inches, LCD TVs up to 52 inches are now common, and larger sizes are available. LCD TV reviews also indicate that black levels have improved (although they are still not quite up to the level of plasma). In the past, plasma TVs had been less expensive inch-for-inch than LCD TVs, but that gap has now largely disappeared. Also, because LCD TVs are available in such a wide size range, it's easier to find a television that matches your budget. See our companion report on plasma TVs for more flat-screen options. Rear-projection TVs also give you a large screen, but they aren't as thin, and are not wall-mountable.

In general, the most comprehensive source for LCD TV reviews is CNet.com. Its reports go into considerable depth and include lots of different models at different price points and sizes. Consumer Reports magazine regularly performs thorough, comparative testing of the picture and sound quality of LCD TVs. While the magazine offers testing results from a large sampling of 76 models for its latest LCD TV report, it falls short of CNet's reviews because performance is summarized in just a few short paragraphs; editors also fail to delve very deeply into some important areas such as black-level performance, color accuracy or video-processing quality.

Sound & Vision and Playback magazines also have good LCD TV reviews but don't cover nearly as many models as CNet.com or Consumer Reports. User reviews at Amazon.com and BestBuy.com, and discussions on user forums such as AVSForum.com, are valuable for discovering how happy buyers are after the purchase. For those looking for more background before making a decision, we found terrific buyer's guides from Sound & Vision magazine, CNet and Consumer Reports, all of which compare and contrast the various HDTV technologies.

Even so-called premium brands are starting to introduce lower-priced lines. Sony has had some success with its M-series of entry-level LCD TVs, even earning a Best Buy recommendation from one highly regarded reviewer. Others have had a tougher time gaining ground. Sharp used to be one of the top makers of LCD TVs, but many of its latest efforts have been panned by critics and users. One exception has been the company's entry-level offerings, but Sharp's latest effort in that part of the market, the new 44U series of LCD TVs, has now come under fire as well.

CNet.com, one of the first professional reviewers to rate these new Sharp LCD TVs, awards the 32-inch Sharp LC-32D44U (*est. $780) and 37-inch Sharp LC-37D44U (*est. $1,035) the lowest grades of any current LCD models. David Katzmaier directly compares the Sharp LCD TVs to another budget model, the 32-inch Insignia NS-LCD32-09 (*est. $600), which is available only at Best Buy, and says the Sharp TV falls short, primarily due to poor color accuracy. Performance with standard-definition programming is also sub par. Black levels, on the other hand, are better than some budget choices, but not by an overwhelming margin, and banding, which is an issue with Sharp's current top-of-the-line LCD TVs, isn't an issue with the cheaper models. Still, Katzmaier's bottom line assessment is that "there are better performers even in the entry-level space."  ... Continued

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Sony BRAVIA XBR4/XBR5 series LCD TVs, such as the 46-inch KDS-46XBR4, are wowing critics with their great color, uniformity and black levels which are said to approach those of plasma TV. Samsung 81F series TVs, including the 52-inch LN-T5281F, use an LED backlight and other technology to produce an image that critics say has become the new standard, though it has a high-gloss screen that makes it better for a home-theater setting than a well-lit living room. The Samsung Series 6 TVs also have a reflective screen, but strong black levels and especially accurate color reproduction have made those sets competitive with the best. Samsung's new Series 4 LCD TVs, including the 22-inch LN22A450 and 32-inch LN32A450, are getting great feedback as top performers among smaller screen LCD TVs. Among budget options, Vizio brand LCD TVs deliver performance that falls just short of the top options, but at a far lower price. Sharp LCD TVs continue to offer great black levels, but reports say that other picture issues puts them behind the top options, particularly among 1080p sets.