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Olympic-size HDTVs

David Katzmaier 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?

More Resources
Best HDTVs (55 inches and above),
Best HDTVs overall,
Why now's a bad time to buy a TV,
CNET's HDTV World
Product name
Price Check Prices $2,820.00 $1,559.95 to $2,207.29 Check Prices $2,599.00 to $3,999.99
CNET editors' rating
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 EffectsSRS TruSurround XT
BBE ViVA HD3D
SRS TruSurround
BBE
BBE ViVA HD3D
SRS Focus
SRS TruBass
Input Video Formats480i
480p
720p
1080i
1080p
480p
720p
1080i
1080p
480i
480p
576i
576p
720p
1080i
1080p
480i
480p
720p
1080i
1080p
480i
480p
720p
1080i
1080p
Analog TV TunerNTSC
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
NTSC
Weight70.1 lbs
165.3 lbs
76.7 lbs
99.2 lbs
86 lbs
Image Aspect Ratio16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9
Digital TV TunerATSC
QAM
ATSC
ATSC
ATSC
QAM
ATSC
Resolution1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Sound Output ModeStereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Speaker System2 speakers
Info unavailable2 speakers
Woofer
2 speakers
2 speakers
RadioNone
Info unavailableNone
None
None
TV Tuner1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
1x analog
1x digital
2x analog
1x digital
DVDNone
None
None
None
None
Dimensions (WxDxH)54.7 in x 14.4 in x 37.8 in - Without stand
57.5 in x 5.6 in x 36.1 in
50.2 in x 12.8 in x 34.1 in - With stand
50 in x 15.2 in x 33.3 in - With stand
48.4 in x 3.7 in x 31.6 in - With stand
BatteryNone
None
None
None
None
Remote ControlRemote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
Remote control - Infrared
TechnologyProjection - DLP
Plasma (PDP)
TFT active matrix
Plasma (PDP)
Plasma (PDP)
Diagonal Size61 in - Widescreen
58 in - Widescreen
52 in - Widescreen
50 in - Widescreen
50 in - Widescreen
Digital Television CertificationHDTV
HDTV
HDTV
HDTV
HDTV
Progressive ScanInfo unavailableProgressive scanning (line doubling)
Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Additional Features3D HD ready
On-screen menu
Cinema Smooth Light Engine
DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine)
JPEG photo playback
Video noise reduction
Wheel key
Infolink
Ultra clear panel
Sound leveler
DNIe
Game mode
X.v.Color
3D Color Management
Video noise reduction
Contrast auto tracking system (CATS)
Gamma correction
Black level expander
Video noise reduction
3:2 pull down compensation
3:3 pull down compensation
Color Transient Improvement (CTI)
Display Format1080p (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)
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
Product DescriptionSamsung HL61A750 - 61 in Rear projection TV
Panasonic TH 58PZ700U - 58 in Plasma TV
Samsung LN52A650 - 52 in LCD TV
Panasonic TH 50PZ800U - 50 in Plasma TV
Pioneer PDP 5020FD - 50 in Plasma TV
Product TypeRear projection TV
Plasma TV
LCD TV
Plasma TV
Plasma TV with Built-in network media player
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
Buying choices