Sony XBR-HX950 series (55, 65 inches)
Sony saved its 2012 "XBR" series until late in the year, but if you're a fan of full-array local dimming--the picture quality Holy Grail for LED/LCD TVs--it was worth it. The HX950 can get blacker than any of the TVs on this list, including the vaunted Sharp Elite, and for that you may be able to overlook its blooming and insanely high price.
The good: The Sony XBR-HX950 series produces deeper black levels than any current LCD or plasma TV, giving excellent overall picture quality. It evinces accurate color, offers plenty of video-processing options, and can properly handle 1080p/24 sources. It also has a beautiful, thin-profile exterior design with Gorilla Glass, and its Internet suite includes numerous streaming services and widgets as well as built-in Wi-Fi. Its 3D image shows minimal crosstalk.
The bad: The extremely expensive XBR-HX950 shows some blooming artifacts, and its picture deteriorates more noticeably than usual when seen from off-angle. Its menu and Internet service design is lackluster, and Sony does not include 3D glasses. When displaying 3D, the image flickers when dejudder is turned off, and it deteriorates rapidly when you tilt your head.
The bottom line: Although it's priced higher and performs worse than the best plasmas, the Sony XBR-HX950 is still one of the top-performing LED TVs ever.
October 31, 2012 9:46 PM PDT
Photo by: Sarah Tew/CBS Interactive
%20-%20Best%20TVs%20for%20picture%20quality%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-34250_7-10014159-6.html&x_breadcrumb=6011:7278:34229:34250&x_arw_bkts=MAD:first_impression){kind=small}