Post by Skaggs on Feb 23, 2005 13:35:23 GMT -5
LCD TVs[/size]
Once available only with small screens, the LCD TV has been something of a little brother to plasma television, the other flat-panel technology. But bigger screens and lower prices could give LCD sets a boost this year
While plasma TVs generally have screens 42 inches or larger, most LCD sets top out at a relatively small 32 inches. That’s changing. There are now more 37- to 46-inch screens, with even bigger sizes coming, making LCD TVs more competitive with plasma TVs.
The best of today’s LCD TVs—mostly high-definition (HD) models —have the very good picture quality you’d want in a big screen. Viewing angles have im proved, so many new models display a better image from off-center than older sets could—a must if a TV will be watched by several people at once.
Price could become less of an issue this year as well. The largest LCD screens have been very expensive—considerably more than comparably sized plasma sets— but prices could drop as much as 25 to 30 percent below last year’s, according to the market-research firm iSuppli. We’ve already seen a few HD LCD sets with 30- to 34-inch screens advertised for less than $2,000, a sharp drop from last year’s lows.
LCD sets still have some growing up to do, though. They don’t equal better picture-tube and plasma TVs at displaying deep black levels and fast motion, so they’re not the best choice if you watch mostly sports and action movies.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Here are some pointers to follow if you’ve decided to go with an LCD TV:
Don’t skimp and buy an ED set. An enhanced-definition (ED) TV may cost a bit less than an HD model, but the tradeoffs aren’t worth it with LCD sets. The picture quality probably won’t be as good, and the set is unlikely to be HD-capable. (Very few of the LCD EDTVs we’ve tested in the past could down-convert HD signals, unlike most plasma EDTVs.) We’d recommend an ED or standand-definition LCD TV only for uses such as casual viewing in the kitchen, where you wouldn’t want the cable or satellite box you generally need to receive HD signals.
Look for easy-to-use inputs. On many LCD televisions, the connections are on the side or rear of the panel and might be hand to reach. Some larger models have separate control units that connect to the LCD panel via cables. Devices such as a cable box or DVD player are connected to the control unit, so there are fewer cables running to the panel—a big plus for wall-mounting—and the inputs may be easier to access.
Consider a set that doubles as a computer display. If you need a computer display as well as a TV, check out the connectivity options. We recommend an HD set since it’s most suitable for computer use. A standard VGA connection will work with all computers; a Digital Visual Inter face (DVI) input would be compatible with newer mid-range computers.
Quick Recommendations[/size]
The best LCD TVs can display a very good picture from a high-quality source such as a satellite receiver or digital-cable box. On those models, picture quality was clear, crisp, and detailed, especially with HD programming and progressive-scan DVD signals. Still, none of the LCD models in the Ratings had picture quality equaling that of the best conventional TVs and plasma sets. But in bright lighting, an LCD TV’s antireflective surface helps it maintain better contrast than you’ll see with a plasma TV in that setting.
Two low-scoring models, the Gateway GTW-L26M103 and RCA LCDX3022W, had a lack of detail with HD programming. The RCA also had poor color accuracy (with a green cast).
All the tested sets are HD ready except the Sony Wega KDL-32XBR950 and three Sharp models (Aquos LC-26GD4U, Aquos LC-37GD4U, Aquos LC-32GD4U), which have built-in digital tuners. The Sharp sets are digital-cable-ready TVs that also accept CableCards.
Quick Picks highlights models that you might want to consider based on how they scored and on factors such as price.
QUICK PICKS
Best choices among bigger screens:
Soay Wega KLV-32M1 $2,695
Sony Wega KDL-32XBR950 $3,970
These two 32-inch Sony TVs had very good picture quality across the board. The higher price of the Sony Wega KDL-32XBR950 gets you an integrated digital tuner, a Memory Stick slot for viewing digital images, and two component-video inputs (its sibling has one) on a separate control unit.
Best choices for a smaller primary set:
Sony Wega KLV-26HG2 $1,990
Sharp Aquos LC-26GD4U $2,050
Philips 26PF9966 $1,560
The digital-cable-ready 26-inch Sharp 26PF9966 had very good picture quality with all types of signals and was easy to use. Both the 26-inch Sony KLV-26HG2 and Philips 26PF9966 were very good for HD. The Sony was better for regular TV, the Philips for DVDs. The Philips is a good value, but note that its remote control and onscreen menu were hander to use than most.
Once available only with small screens, the LCD TV has been something of a little brother to plasma television, the other flat-panel technology. But bigger screens and lower prices could give LCD sets a boost this year
While plasma TVs generally have screens 42 inches or larger, most LCD sets top out at a relatively small 32 inches. That’s changing. There are now more 37- to 46-inch screens, with even bigger sizes coming, making LCD TVs more competitive with plasma TVs.
The best of today’s LCD TVs—mostly high-definition (HD) models —have the very good picture quality you’d want in a big screen. Viewing angles have im proved, so many new models display a better image from off-center than older sets could—a must if a TV will be watched by several people at once.
Price could become less of an issue this year as well. The largest LCD screens have been very expensive—considerably more than comparably sized plasma sets— but prices could drop as much as 25 to 30 percent below last year’s, according to the market-research firm iSuppli. We’ve already seen a few HD LCD sets with 30- to 34-inch screens advertised for less than $2,000, a sharp drop from last year’s lows.
LCD sets still have some growing up to do, though. They don’t equal better picture-tube and plasma TVs at displaying deep black levels and fast motion, so they’re not the best choice if you watch mostly sports and action movies.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Here are some pointers to follow if you’ve decided to go with an LCD TV:
Don’t skimp and buy an ED set. An enhanced-definition (ED) TV may cost a bit less than an HD model, but the tradeoffs aren’t worth it with LCD sets. The picture quality probably won’t be as good, and the set is unlikely to be HD-capable. (Very few of the LCD EDTVs we’ve tested in the past could down-convert HD signals, unlike most plasma EDTVs.) We’d recommend an ED or standand-definition LCD TV only for uses such as casual viewing in the kitchen, where you wouldn’t want the cable or satellite box you generally need to receive HD signals.
Look for easy-to-use inputs. On many LCD televisions, the connections are on the side or rear of the panel and might be hand to reach. Some larger models have separate control units that connect to the LCD panel via cables. Devices such as a cable box or DVD player are connected to the control unit, so there are fewer cables running to the panel—a big plus for wall-mounting—and the inputs may be easier to access.
Consider a set that doubles as a computer display. If you need a computer display as well as a TV, check out the connectivity options. We recommend an HD set since it’s most suitable for computer use. A standard VGA connection will work with all computers; a Digital Visual Inter face (DVI) input would be compatible with newer mid-range computers.
Quick Recommendations[/size]
The best LCD TVs can display a very good picture from a high-quality source such as a satellite receiver or digital-cable box. On those models, picture quality was clear, crisp, and detailed, especially with HD programming and progressive-scan DVD signals. Still, none of the LCD models in the Ratings had picture quality equaling that of the best conventional TVs and plasma sets. But in bright lighting, an LCD TV’s antireflective surface helps it maintain better contrast than you’ll see with a plasma TV in that setting.
Two low-scoring models, the Gateway GTW-L26M103 and RCA LCDX3022W, had a lack of detail with HD programming. The RCA also had poor color accuracy (with a green cast).
All the tested sets are HD ready except the Sony Wega KDL-32XBR950 and three Sharp models (Aquos LC-26GD4U, Aquos LC-37GD4U, Aquos LC-32GD4U), which have built-in digital tuners. The Sharp sets are digital-cable-ready TVs that also accept CableCards.
Quick Picks highlights models that you might want to consider based on how they scored and on factors such as price.
QUICK PICKS
Best choices among bigger screens:
Soay Wega KLV-32M1 $2,695
Sony Wega KDL-32XBR950 $3,970
These two 32-inch Sony TVs had very good picture quality across the board. The higher price of the Sony Wega KDL-32XBR950 gets you an integrated digital tuner, a Memory Stick slot for viewing digital images, and two component-video inputs (its sibling has one) on a separate control unit.
Best choices for a smaller primary set:
Sony Wega KLV-26HG2 $1,990
Sharp Aquos LC-26GD4U $2,050
Philips 26PF9966 $1,560
The digital-cable-ready 26-inch Sharp 26PF9966 had very good picture quality with all types of signals and was easy to use. Both the 26-inch Sony KLV-26HG2 and Philips 26PF9966 were very good for HD. The Sony was better for regular TV, the Philips for DVDs. The Philips is a good value, but note that its remote control and onscreen menu were hander to use than most.
I can't imagine paying close to $4,000 for a 32'' LCD. I paid around $3,000 for my 37'' Aquos three months ago, which has all the features of the Sony sans the OTA tuner, and is 5'' bigger to boot.