• On TV.com: Sexy summer bodies photo gallery
advertisement

Super Bowl screens: Football-friendly HDTVs

David Katzmaier David Katzmaier, Senior Editor January 26, 2009

Just about every HDTV looks great displaying high-definition football, but there are a couple of key ingredients that separate "great" HDTVs from those that make you say "Boom!" No, we're not talking about motion resolution, 1080p, or even black levels this time: we're talking about sheer size coupled with the capability to reproduce an accurate color of green.

The human eye is more sensitive to green than to any other color, but an accurate green eludes many HDTVs. Manufacturers often pump up green, making it too yellowish, bluish, or even neon-looking to catch the eye during football and baseball games, and while that may look attractive on the showroom floor, it doesn't help at home when you stare at it for four hours on a Sunday afternoon. Below you'll find four HDTVs that are both big enough for the big game in high-definition, and accurate enough with green to make you feel like you're sitting on the 50-yard line.

More Resources
HDTV reviews home page,
CNET's HDTV World,
Best HDTVs overall,
Best HDTVs, 55 inches and larger
Product name
Price Check Prices $3,249.00 to $4,499.98 $1,559.95 to $2,207.29 $4,348.00 to $5,499.99 $2,899.00 to $3,799.95 Check Prices
CNET editors' rating
Average user rating
Review date May 23, 2008 September 30, 2008 April 29, 2008 October 16, 2008 September 23, 2008 July 18, 2008
The Bottom Line With the accuracy of its THX mode and great black-level performance, the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing HDTVs available. The Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD represents the pinnacle of flat-panel HDTV picture quality. If you don't mind its red frame, the Samsung LN52A650 LCD TV will reward you with a massive feature set and excellent picture quality. Although not quite the best HDTV we've tested so far, the wallet-busting, LED-powered Sony KDL-55XBR8 comes mighty close. Although its THX mode isn't as accurate as we'd like to see, the massive LG 60PG60 60-inch plasma TV still delivers a good picture. Samsung's HL61A750 61-inch rear-projection HDTV delivers excellent overall picture quality, and, compared to flat-panel options, it's a real bargain.
Similar Products Compare more products Compare more products Compare more products Compare more products Compare more products Compare more products
Features
Sound EffectsBBE
BBE ViVA HD3D
SRS WOW
TruBass
SRS Focus
SRS TruSurround
Info unavailableSRS TruSurround XT
SRS TruSurround XT
Input Video Formats480i
480p
720p
1080i
1080p
480i
480p
720p
1080i
1080p
480i
480p
576i
576p
720p
1080i
1080p
480i
720p
480/60p
1080/24p
1080/60i
1080/60p
720p
1080i
1080p
480i
480p
720p
1080i
1080p
Analog TV TunerNTSC
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
Weight99.2 lbs
88 lbs
76.7 lbs
72.8 lbs
114 lbs
70.1 lbs
Image Aspect Ratio16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
Digital TV TunerATSC
ATSC
ATSC
QAM
ATSC
QAM
ATSC
ATSC
Resolution1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Sound Output ModeStereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Speaker SystemWoofer
2 speakers
2 speakers
2 speakers
Info unavailable2 speakers
2 speakers
RadioNone
None
None
None
None
None
Environmental StandardsYes
Info unavailableYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
TV Tuner1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
DVDNone
None
None
None
None
None
Dimensions (WxDxH)50 in x 15.2 in x 33.3 in - With stand
56.7 in x 3.7 in x 28.5 in - With stand and speakers
50.2 in x 12.8 in x 34.1 in - With stand
58.7 in x 5.8 in x 31.6 in - Without stand
57.5 in x 3.3 in x 36.4 in - Without stand
54.7 in x 14.4 in x 37.8 in - Without stand
BatteryNone
None
None
None
None
None
Remote ControlRemote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
Universal remote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
TechnologyPlasma (PDP)
Plasma (PDP)
TFT active matrix
TFT active matrix
Plasma (PDP)
Projection - DLP
Diagonal Size50 in - Widescreen
50 in - Widescreen
52 in - Widescreen
55 in - Widescreen
60 in - Widescreen
61 in - Widescreen
Digital Television CertificationHDTV
HDTV
HDTV
HDTV
HDTV
HDTV
Progressive ScanProgressive scanning (line doubling)
Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Info unavailable
HDCP CompatibleInfo unavailableYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Additional FeaturesGame mode
X.v.Color
3D Color Management
Video noise reduction
Contrast auto tracking system (CATS)
V-Chip
Channel labeling
Parental control
Anti-glare filter
Video noise reduction
Anti-reflective filter
Room light sensor (RLS)
3:2 pull down compensation
3:3 pull down compensation
Color Transient Improvement (CTI)
Digital MPEG Noise Reduction Circuit
Wheel key
Infolink
Ultra clear panel
Sound leveler
DNIe
Triluminos three-color technology
PRO technology
Bravia Engine 2
Digital media extender
Digital media port
V-Chip
MP3 playback
On-screen menu
Channel labeling
Parental control
JPEG photo playback
XD Engine technology
Video noise reduction
3:2 pull down compensation
Digital MPEG Noise Reduction Circuit
3D HD ready
On-screen menu
Cinema Smooth Light Engine
DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine)
Display Format1080p (FullHD)
1080p (FullHD)
1080p (FullHD)
1080p (FullHD)
1080p (FullHD)
1080p (FullHD)
PC InterfaceVGA (HD-15)
VGA (HD-15)
VGA (HD-15)
VGA (HD-15)
VGA (HD-15)
VGA (HD-15)
Video InterfaceHDMI
S-Video
Component
Composite
HDMI
S-Video
Component
Composite
HDMI
S-Video
Component
Composite
HDMI
S-Video
Component
Composite
HDMI
S-Video
Component
Composite
HDMI
S-Video
Component
Composite
Product DescriptionPanasonic TH 50PZ800U - 50 in Plasma TV
Pioneer PRO 111FD - 50 in Plasma TV
Samsung LN52A650 - 52 in LCD TV
Sony KDL-55XBR8 - 55 in LCD TV
LG 60PG60 - 60 in Plasma TV
Samsung HL61A750 - 61 in Rear projection TV