[tjones]

I just got March issue of Consumer reports on the Top TVs. After looking at the list and having some experience in installing just about every size and model of TV, I have to say they are correct about the TVs that are very good. So below is a list for Consumer Reports of the Best TVs to by and a little description of what TV application will work for you.

LCD TVs- Common size is 17 to 52 inches.
Pros: wider range of sizes and greater choice of 1080p sets then plasmas. Lighter weight. Brighter images. Most have no reflections from screen. No risk of burn-in. Use less power. Slim.
Cons: Most have limited viewing angle. Don't match plasmas for deepest blacks and smooth motion.

Plasma TVs- Common size is 42 to 60 inches.
Pros: Virtually unlimited viewing angle. Deeper Blacks and better contrast then on LCDs. No motion blur. More screen for the money. Slim.
Cons: Shiny Screens show reflections in bright rooms. Images may leave a temporary or permanent impression. Use more power. Fewer 1080p plasma sets then 1080p LCDs.

Rear-Projection TVs- Common size is 50 to 70 inches
Pros: Most screen for the money. Wide selection of 1080p sets.
Cons: Bigger that flat panels, mostly 12 to 20 inches deep. Narrow viewing angle than on plasmas. Must periodically replace bulb, which cost $200 to $300. Have been more repair-prone then flat panels

Ratings on Plasma TV's (order is from best to worst, also the first two number in the model number is the size of TV.)

58-inch and larger models

1- Panasonic TH-58PZ750U- 1080p- $5000
2- LG 60PY3D- 1080p- $5000
3- Pioneer PDP-6010FD- 1080p- $6500
4- Samsung FP-T5884- 1080p- $4000
5- Hitachi Director's Series P60X901- 1080p- $7000
6- Vizio Maximvs VM60P HDT-V10A- 720p- $2500
7- Maxent MX-58 HPT51- 720- $2200

50-inch models

1- Panasonic TH-50PZ700Y- 1080p- $3000
2- LG 50PY3D- 1080p- $3000
3- Panasonic TH50PZ75U-1080p- $3500
4- Panasonic TH-50PX75U- 720p- 2000
5- Samsung HP-T5064- 720p- $1600
6- Pineer PDP-5010FD- 1080p- $5000
7- Pioneer PDP-5080HD- 720p- $2500
8- LG 50PC5D- 720p- $1500
9- Vizio JV50P- 720p- $1600
10- Vizio P50HDTV- 720p- $1200
11- Norcent PT-5045HD- 720p- $1500
12- Hitachi UltraVision P50s601- 1080p- $2800
13- Samsung FP-T5084- 1080p- $2800
14- Hitachi P50H401- $2000
15- Sanyo DP50747- 720p- $1300

42-inch Models

1- Pioneer Elite Pro-950HD- 720p- $2700
2- Panasonic TH-42PX77U- 720p- $1300
3- Panasonic TH-42PZ700U-1080p- $ 1900
4-Samsung HP-T4254- 720p- $1400
5- LG 42PC5D- 720p- $1100
6- Hitachi UltraVision 42T501- $1100


LCD TVs- Ratings on LCD TV's (order is from best to worst, also the first two number in the model number is the size of TV.)

52-inch and larger model

1- Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4-1080p- $4000
2- Sharp Aquos LC-52D64U- 1080p- $3000
3- Samsung LN-T5281F- 1080p- $4500
4- Toshiba Regza 57LX177-1080p- $6500
5- Toshiba Regza 52LX177-1080p- $3500
6- LG 52LB55D- 1080p- $3300
7- Sharp Aquos LC-52D82U- 1080p- $3500
8- Vizio Gallevia GV52L- 1080p- $2300


46 to 47 inch Models

1- Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR5- 1080p- $3600
2- Samsung LN-T4661F- 1080p-$2200
3- Samsung LN-T4671F- 1080p- $3200
4- Sony Bravia KDL-46S3000- 720p- $1900
5- LG 47LB5D- 1080p- $2300
6- JVC LT-47X788-1080p- $2500
7- Olevia 747i- 1080p- $2100
8- Toshiba Regza 47HL167- 1080p- $2300
9- Vizio Gallevia GV47LF- 1080p- $1200
10- Westinghouse TX-47F430S- 1080p- $1500
11- Polaroid TLA-04641C-1080p- $1400


40 to 42 inch Models

1- Samsung LN-T4053H- 720p- $1500
2- Sony Bravia KDL-40v3000- 108p- $1900
3- Samsung LN-T4061F- 1080p- $1800
4- Mitsubishi LT-40134- 1080p- $1900
5- Sony Bravia KDL-40S3000- 720p- $1500
6- LG 42LB5D- 1080p- $1600
7- JVC LT-42X688- 1080p-$1800
8- Toshiba Regza 42HL67- 720p-$1150
9- Toshiba Regza 42HL67- 1080p-$1700
10- RCA L42WD22- 720p-$1000
11- Westinghouse TX-42F430S- 1080p-$1100
12- Vizio VU42LF- 1080p- $1200
13- Olevia 542i- 720p- $900
14- JVC LT-42E488- 720p- $1400
15- Sharp Aquos LC-42D43U- 720p- $1500
16- Sanyo DP42647- 720p- $1000


37 inch models

1- LG 37LB5D-$1300
2- Olevia 537H- 720p- $800
3- Insignia NS-LCD37- 720p- $750
4- Sharp Aquos LC-37D43U- 720p-$1100
5- Viewsonic N3735W- 720p- $1000
6- Vizio VW37LHDTV- 720p- $770
7- JVC LT-37E478- 720p- $1000
8- Sanyo DP37647- 720p- $800
9- Sylvania LC370SS8- 720p- $950


32 inch Models

1- Sony Bravia KDL-32XBR4- 720p- $1400
2- Sony Bravia KDL-32LX700- 720p- $1100
3- Panasonic TC-3242H- 720p- $950
4- Samsung LN-T3242H- 720p- $1000
5- Olevia 532H- 720p- $650
6- RCA L32WD22- 720p- $700
7- Vizio VW32LH DTV- 720p- $600
8- Polaroid 3211-TLXB- 720p- $680
9- JVC LT-32E478- 720p- $750


Rear-projection TVs- Ratings on Rear-projection TV's (order is from best to worst, also the first two number in the model number is the size of TV.)

60 inch and Larger Models

1- Sony KDS-R60XBR2- LCoS- $2700
2- Sony KDS-60A3000- LCoS- $2200
3- Samsung HL-T6189S- DLP- $3000
4- Samsung HL-65734- DLP- $2300
5- Mitsubishi WD-65734- DLP- $2100
6- Panasonic PT-61LCZ70- LCD- $2000


50 to 58 Inch Models

1- Samsung HL-T5687S- DLP- $2300
2- Sony KDS-55A3000- LCoS- $2000
3- Samsung Hl-S5687W- DLP- $1900
4- Mitsubishi WD-57733- DLP-$1700
5- Samsung HL-S5087W- DLP- $1300
6- JVC HD-58S998- LSoC- $3100
7- Panasonic PT-56LCZ70- LCD- $1800


37 inch model

1- Sony KDF-37H1000- LCD- $1000




Brand Repair History-The Percentage of TVs bought new between 2004 and 2007 that have been repaired or had a serious problem.

Rear-projection TVs (0% to 50 %, 0% being Fewer repairs to 50% being more repairs)

Samsung- 19%- DLP
Mitsubishi- 21%- DLP
Toshiba- 30%- DLP
RCA- 34%- DLP

Sony- 12%- LCDs
Panasonic- 16%- LCDs
Hitachi- 24 %- LCDs


LCD and Plasma TV (0% to 50 %, 0% being Fewer repairs to 50% being more repairs)

Panasonic- 2%- LCD
Sony- 3%- LCD
Sharp- 3%- LCD
Samsung- 3%- LCD
Toshiba- 3%- LCD
JVC-3%- LCD
Phillips- 4%- LCD
Hitachi- 9%- LCD
Dell- 11%- LCD

Panasonic- 2%- Plasma
Pioneer- 3%- Plasma
Samsung- 5%- Plasma
Phillips- 8%- Plasma