David Katzmaier,
Senior Editor
August 7, 2008
If you were itching for an excuse to buy a new HDTV right now, even against the advice of certain well-informed naysayers and in the midst of a slumping economy, the Olympics provides a golden opportunity. NBC is airing thousands of hours of Olympics coverage in high-def over six channels, from soccer to tennis to gymnastics to swimming. Explain it to any naysayers in your household like this: it's every American's patriotic duty to root for Michael Phelps on the biggest screen he or she can afford.
With that imperative in mind, we present five gigantic-screen HDTVs, each of which also happens to be a solid all-around performer. Because who wants to take home silver or bronze?
| Product name | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299.99 to $1,999.00 | $2,709.00 to $3,081.60 | $1,879.95 to $2,799.99 | $1,815.00 to $2,499.99 | $2,439.00 to $4,000.00 |
| CNET editors' rating |
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| Average user rating | |||||
| Review date | July 18, 2008 | August 30, 2007 | April 29, 2008 | May 23, 2008 | July 18, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | Samsung's HL61A750 61-inch rear-projection HDTV delivers excellent overall picture quality, and, compared to flat-panel options, it's a real bargain. | While it costs more than just about any rear-projection big-screen, the 58-inch Panasonic TH-58PZ700U plasma offers superb image 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. | With the accuracy of its THX mode and great black-level performance, the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing HDTVs available. | Best-in-class black levels and excellent all-around performance places the Pioneer PDP-5020FD near the top of the picture quality heap, but it will cost you. |
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| Features | |||||
| Sound Effects |
SRS TruSurround XT |
BBE ViVA HD3D |
Info unavailable |
BBE ViVA HD3D BBE |
SRS Focus SRS TruBass |
| Input Video Formats |
1080p 480p 480i 1080i 720p |
1080p 480p 1080i 720p |
Info unavailable |
1080p 480p 480i 1080i 720p |
1080p 480p 480i 1080i 720p |
| USB Port |
Yes |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Supported Flash Memory Cards | Info unavailable |
SD Memory Card |
Info unavailable |
SD Memory Card |
Info unavailable |
| Multi-channel Preview |
Picture-in-picture (PIP) (1 tuner) |
Info unavailable |
Picture-in-picture (PIP) |
Info unavailable |
Picture-in-picture (PIP) |
| Analog TV Tuner |
NTSC |
NTSC |
Info unavailable |
NTSC |
NTSC |
| Weight |
70.1 lbs |
165.3 lbs |
76.7 lbs |
99.2 lbs |
86 lbs |
| Image Aspect Ratio |
16:9 |
16:9 |
16:9 |
16:9 |
16:9 |
| Digital TV Tuner |
ATSC |
QAM ATSC |
Info unavailable |
ATSC |
|
