Holiday Preview: HDTV Buying Guide
By David Elrich
October 30th, 2008
With prices on high-definition television sets at rock-bottom lows, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy great home entertainment for the holidays. Enter the hottest HDTVs around for hardcore gamers, movie buffs and people who can’t tear themselves away from Mad Men or the latest Giants game alike. Buy now, thank us later when (talk about a seasonal miracle) the entire clan’s willingly gathered quietly in the living room for a little quality time in front of Eight Crazy Nights or, better still, It’s a Wonderful Life.
Vizio VOJ320F 32-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $649
Proving the trickledown theory works just as well in the electronics biz, 1080p picture quality has quickly moved down the food chain to 32-inch sets. This is the first Vizio model with a bit of design flair, called Java, which, for all you computer nerds out there, refers to the cabinet color, not the applet. Happily, the set additionally features three HDMI inputs including a HD Game port on the side and SRS TruSurround XT audio for more realistic sound. (www.vizio.com)
Sharp LC-32GP3UB 32-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $1,199
Sure, you’re quick on the fingers with Dead Space, but there’s generally a slight lag between the time you press the controller and when you see resulting actions register on your TV screen. Say adios to that with Sharp’s new 32-inch LCD HDTV with a specific Vyper Drive game mode that helps eliminate the lag between your next-gen PS3 or Xbox 360 console and the set. There’s even a Game button on the remote to immediately jump to straight to the systems’ corresponding video input if you get sick of all those Christmas specials. (Check Price)
Sony KDL-46XBR8 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $5,000
It’s no secret that plasmas have better black levels than LCD HDTVs, and deep blacks make all colors pop off the screen. (Check out the Pioneer Kuro to see the blackest of them all.) But LCD manufacturers are now using a new LED backlighting system to get close to this and Sony’s new XBR8 series manages pretty darn close results, which is to say that picture quality is terrific. Of course, it’s 1080p with 120Hz frame and costs a small fortune, but hey – who are we to judge? (Check Price)
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, $2,499
When it comes to affordable high-quality plasmas, Panasonic is hard to beat. The manufacturers’ displays have excellent black levels and colors are spot on. The 800 series has a new THX mode that optimizes picture parameters so everything looks just right, and the new anti-reflective coating helps cut down on annoying glare. Better yet, it also sports 4 HDMI inputs and the SD slot on the front lets you quickly check out JPEGs and AVCHD videos. (Check Price)
Pioneer Kuro PDP-6020FD 1080p 60-inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, $5,500
There’s only one king of the jungle, and when it comes to outstanding flat panel HDTVs, the Kuro is it. Don’t believe us? Walk into a high-end dealer and look at the wall of flat-panel TVs, and we guarantee the Kuro will grab your eye – the colors are that luscious. Granted, these suckers are expensive, but hey: There’s a reason Bimmers cost more than Fords. We won’t bore you with the details—do yourself a favor and breeze by your local consumer electronics retailer to see why these puppies are primed to drop jaws yourself. (Check Price)
JVC Procision LT-42SL89 42-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $1,899
JVC’s new LT-42SL89 is practically supermodel thin, just 1.5” deep across most of the panel, but expanding to 3” at the center. In addition, a slender bezel surrounding the panel makes the HDTV seem even more svelte. File under did you know too: Units are lighter and consume less power than typical LCD sets, but still cranks out a solid 1080p image to boot. The bottom line? Good looks and cutting-edge fashion sense combine to make it one attractive proposition. (www.jvc.com)
Samsung LN55A950 55-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $4,199
Last year, Samsung shook up the LCD world with the first LED backlit model (81 Series). It’s a new day though, and Series 9 has arrived, also boasting the deep, rich blacks provided by LED backlighting, plus a 120Hz frame rate for handling fast motion. What’s more, Series 9 is even prettier, featuring Samsung’s Touch of Color bezel with a nice hint of charcoal gray. InfoLink options let you access RSS feeds as well, although seriously – why would you even bother when you can already lose yourself screening Blu-ray flicks or watching American Idol in high-def. (Check Price)
LG 42LGX 42-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $2,699
No need to mince words here: This is a pretty amazing set. At 1.8”, LGX models (42 and 46 inches) are the slimmest LCD HDTVs with built-in tuners available. Also cool is the Ferrari red back panel and invisible speaker design, tuned by audio superstar Mark Levinson. Models further tout 120Hz “TruMotion” circuitry to eliminate blur, and the Intelligent Sensor automatically adjusts brightness to match room conditions, helping save energy. (Check Price)
Toshiba REGZA Cinema Series 42XV545 42-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $1,799
High-def channels get all the hype, but there are still tons of great stations out there that broadcast in standard definition. Enter Toshiba’s Super Resolution Technology, which upconverts SD picture to near high-def. Found in new Cinema Series models, it does a good, if not great job, yet definitely remains worthwhile. Beyond this advancement, the 42XV545 also has an AutoView that adjusts the set’s brightness to room light, plus there’s a Gaming Mode to reduce controller delay. (Check Price)
Mitsubishi LT-46149 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV, $3,299
Sound bars are one of the best solutions for enjoying high-quality HDTV audio without filling your room with subwoofers and amps. To put it simply, a single array of speakers that fits neatly under the set pumps out 5.1-channel sound with nary a wire in sight. Mitsubishi had the brilliant idea of building one into a HDTV, an even simpler solution. The Integrated Sound Projector at the bottom of this model’s screen does a fine job and its 1080p picture capability with 120Hz frame rate is no slouch either. (Check Price)