mySimon TVs Shopping Picks

PC Magazine calls the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD 50" plasma TV "the best HDTV you can get," in part because the 1080p TV "delivers the best picture contrast of any HDTV available" and a "shoo-in" for their Editors' Choice award. CNET agrees, saying "Best-in-class black levels and excellent all-around performance places the Pioneer PDP-5020FD near the top of the picture quality heap." The TV has 4 HDMI inputs, 1 PC input, an antireflective screen, and lets you stream photos, music, and video over your home network. The MSRP is a staggering $4000, but you can get it for less than $2500 online. More Pioneer Kuro TVs.

Ever notice how manufacturers never show DVD players, cable boxes, and other electronic clutter next to their sleek, flat-screen TVs? Because all that stuff takes away from the minimalist look of the TVs. We're fantasizing about how much nicer our "entertainment center" would look with the 32" LG 32LG40 and its built-in, slot-loading DVD player on the side of the screen. The 720p TV also has an HD tuner, 3 HDMI inputs, a PC input, and comprehensive color temperature controls. More LG flat panel TVs.

Pop quiz! The best thing about the Vizio VP322 32" plasma TV is its:
a. 16 million colors and 30,000:1 contrast ratio
b. 3 HDMI connections and 1 component input
c. 178-degree viewing angle and wall-mountable design
d. MSRP of $650 (but Walmart has it for $528)
e. All of the above. But especially d.

Answer: e.

Imagine watching the Celtics beat the Lakers on this glorious 50" plasma HDTV from Panasonic. CNET calls it "one of the best-performing HDTVs available" because of its great black-level performance and stellar picture quality. The THX Display Certification feature "adds THX's rigorous standards for image performance and quality, ensuring a superb cinematic experience at home." Other highlights include a PC input and 3 HDMI inputs, an antireflective screen, and a built-in SD card slot. More Panasonic Viera TVs.

No that's not the latest iMac, it's the new Sony OLED flat panel TV. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) technology is "the next big thing in television technology" because it a) can make for a 3-millimeter thick TV, b) has a lightning-fast response time, c) produces absolute black levels and extraordinary contrast, and d) is energy-efficient. So what's the downside, you ask? Well, this 11" TV costs $2500 and doesn't offer HD resolution, but on a screen so small, you won't miss it (the resolution, that is, not your $2500).

The latest recipient of a CNET Editors' Choice award, the Samsung LN52A650 is a thing of beauty. This 52" LCD HDTV (1080p) stands out for its dark red frame, excellent black-level performance, and wealth of features. In addition to 4 HDMI inputs, 2 component video inputs, a PC input, multiple picture modes and controls, and a 120Hz refresh rate, the TV has an ethernet port, so it can display Internet news, local weather, and stock ticker info in the corner of whatever you're watching. More Samsung LCD TVs.

Is there any way we can legally write off the cost of a big-screen TV on next year's tax return? Because we're getting mighty tired of the 20" rear projection monsters we have at home. And we're fantasizing about watching The Wire box set later this year on this new 50" plasma TV from Samsung. Plasma still produces better images than LCDs, and this 1080p one has great color accuracy, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for deeper blacks and brighter whites, 3 HDMI inputs, and all kinds of picture controls and settings, including picture-in-picture. And without its stand, it's only 3.8" deep. More Samsung plasma TVs.

Looking for a 50" plasma HDTV with 1080p resolution? Consider the Samsung FP-T5084. CNET calls it "excellent," saying its "picture stands up well against some tough competition." Features of the TV include inputs galore, with 3 HDMI inputs (2 on the back and 1 on the side); a PC input so you can watch TV and work at the same time (and by "work" we mean send IMs); complete controls for color temperature; and anti-burn-in technology for a long screen life. More Samsung plasma TVs.

It's one thing when the kid at Best Buy tells you a certain plasma TV is the "best." But it's quite another when Consumer Reports calls a TV "the best flat-panel TV we've tested so far." The editors at the magazine (whose annual electronics issue hit newsstands yesterday) are talking about the 50" 1080p Panasonic TH-50PZ700U plasma HDTV, raving that "(p)icture quality is outstanding, raising the bar for the whole category." The TV also comes in a 42" version, which, according to CNET, "offers the best picture quality in its size class."

If you're looking for a big, flat-screen TV with full 1080p resolution, consider the 46" Samsung LN-T4665F. You name it, it's got it: Built-in HDTV tuner, 3 HDMI inputs, a USB 2.0 port, a PC input, picture-in-picture, V-Chip parental controls, and even an auto volume leveler to prevent volume fluctuations (so the screaming used car dealer won't wake you up if you've dozed off on your couch). The only downside is the shiny screen (not an issue if your media room is always dark), but CNET still liked it enough to give it an "excellent" 8.3 (out of 10) review. More Samsung LCD TVs.

CNET says the overall picture quality of the 32" Sharp LC-32D43U HDTV is "among the best LCDs of its size," making it a good choice for people reluctant to shell out thousands of dollars for massive flat screen TVs. The TV has a built-in HDTV tuner, 2 HDMI inputs and a PC input, and two 10-watt speakers, plus V-Chip parental controls so you can keep your kids from being exposed to inappropriate programming (they get enough inappropriate content through their video games, right?). And the wide 176° horizontal and vertical viewing angles make every seat the best in the house. Prices start at $770. More Sharp LCD TVs.

Panasonic claims its TH-42PZ700U HDTV "is a contender for best 42" picture available." CNET takes it one step further than that, saying the TV "offers the best picture quality in its size class." What's so awesome about it? Panasonic touts its native resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (1080p), the highest resolution available today (and the only 42" plasma with 1080p), while CNET lauds its deep blacks with excellent shadow detail, clean image, and solid picture quality. There's also a 50" version.

This new 50" Samsung plasma HDTV's picture quality is as good as that of the highly-rated Panasonic TH-50PX77U. The Samsung HP-T5064 has built-in analog and digital tuners, 7 A/V inputs, a PC input, and a side USB port for digital photo and MP3 playback - basically everything but the ability to make "Stomp the Yard" a good movie. Watch it on the included swivel stand, or mount it on a wall (the TV itself is less than 4" thick).

Watch the rest of the NBA playoffs on this 50" Panasonic plasma TV. CNET gave it high marks for its stylish design, deep blacks, excellent shadow detail, and antiglare screen. The TV has a native resolution of 1,366 x 768 (enough for 720p HDTV), ATSC tuner (but no CableCard), and lots of inputs, including an SD card slot for viewing your photos on the big screen. But look elsewhere if you must have PC connectivity or picture-in-picture.

How much TV can you get for $900? A lot. Like this 37" LCD by Vizio. The Vizio VX37L HDTV delivers all the detail of 720p sources, with vivid colors, crisp images, decent black level performance, and wide (178°) viewing angles. It's got picture-in-picture, an HDTV tuner, 3 aspect-ratio modes, and lots of inputs - including a second HDMI input. It can also work as a computer monitor. More big screen TVs for big games.

You don't have to sacrifice deep, dark colors when you get a flat panel TV. With a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, this 46" Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV has the "best black-level performance of any non-CRT" that the CNET editors have tested - plasma, LCD, or rear-projection. The TV also has 1080p native resolution (the highest available), a built-in HD tuner, dual HDMI inputs, and bottom-mounted speakers. It even has a room-lighting sensor that automatically adjusts the picture based on ambient light. Also available in a 52" model.

With a built-in HD tuner, generous connectivity with two HDMI inputs, 16:9 aspect ratio, 1,024 x 768 native resolution, and SD card slot for displaying digital photos, this Panasonic TV "sets the standard for value among full-featured 42-inch plasmas," according to the CNET editors. It doesn't have picture-in-picture or any PC inputs, but the picture quality is good and the price tag is reasonable. Compare prices on the 50" version of this TV.

Hannspree, the Taiwan TV company that develops "fashionable products based on 360-degree design," just opened a flagship store in San Francisco full of these great novelty televisions. Our favorite is the firetruck TV, shown here, with a 9.6" LCD screen and a remote that looks like a fireman, but we also like the frog, sports, and the Buzz Lightyear versions. More great gifts for kids.