Big Screens for Big Games

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

We'd never get off the couch if we had 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 $800? 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-degree) 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.