David Katzmaier,
Senior Editor
August 29, 2008
At CNET, we base our HDTV reviews on performance, features and design. For some of the HDTV buying populace, it can be argued that the picture quality of any HDTV looks spectacular when displaying a Blu-ray or other high-definition source, and that the only important feature on any HDTV is the ability to show that picture. To them, that leaves design as the only review criteria that really separates one high-def television from another.
If you find yourself befuddled by black levels and foggy on features, yet entirely sure that you don't want a pedestrian-looking flat panel hanging above your fireplace, then this list is for you. The two Samsungs bear the company's distinctive red coloring that will probably go great with a roaring blaze. The silvery Sony and the black Mitsubishi embody the appeal of minimalism, with razor-thin frames that devote as much real estate as possible to the picture. And the two LGs are polar opposites: the flashy 47LG60 "Scarlet" includes a prominent hole and a red backside, while the stately, understated 50PG60 is simply one of the best-looking flat-panel HDTVs we've ever seen. Whatever your fashion sense, today's HDTV makers will be happy to cater to it.
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| Product name | ||||||
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| Price | $1,199.95 | $1,559.95 to $2,207.29 | $1,699.99 | $1,178.95 to $1,399.00 | $2,239.00 | $1,899.00 to $2,499.95 |
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| Review date | August 27, 2008 | April 29, 2008 | August 08, 2008 | June 16, 2008 | May 07, 2008 | June 12, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | Although its black levels aren't the deepest, accurate color and a red frame still distinguish the Samsung PN50A650 from the pack. | 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. | Sony's well-featured, smartly styled KDL-46Z4100 performs well enough, but its picture doesn't match that of the best LCDs. | While finally deserving the "Smooth" descriptor, Mitsubishi's 120Hz LT-46148 LCD TV still leaves a few picture quality issues up in the air. | A unique design and best-in-class calibration controls cannot quite make up for the lighter black levels of the LG 47LG60 47-inch flat-panel LCD TV. | Although its THX mode isn't as accurate as we'd like to see, the LG 50PG60 50-inch plasma TV still delivers a good picture. |
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| Features | ||||||
| Input Video Formats | 480i 480p 720p 1080i 1080p | 480i 480p 576i 576p 720p 1080i 1080p | 480i 480p 720p 1080i 1080p | 480i 480p 720p 1080i 1080p | Info unavailable | 720p 1080i 1080p |
| Weight | 95.9 lbs | 76.7 lbs | 48.5 lbs | 61.6 lbs | Info unavailable | 87.5 lbs |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Sound Output Mode | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo |
| Speaker System | 2 speakers | 2 speakers | 2 speakers | 2 speakers | 2 speakers | 2 speakers |
| Radio | None | None | None | None | Info unavailable | None |
| TV Tuner | 1x analog 1x digital | 1x analog 1x digital | 1x analog/digital combo | 1x analog/digital combo | 1x analog 1x digital | 1x analog 1x digital |
| DVD | None | None | None | None | Info unavailable | None |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 48.8 in x 12.6 in x 32.8 in - With stand | 50.2 in x 12.8 in x 34.1 in - With stand | 42.5 in x 2.9 in x 27 in - Without stand | 42.1 in x 4.9 in x 26.4 in - Without stand | 1.8 in - Without stand | 48.8 in x 3.1 in x 31.2 in - Without stand |
| Battery | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Remote Control | Remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared |
| Technology | Plasma (PDP) | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix | Plasma (PDP) |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 1 year warranty | 1 year warranty | 1 year warranty | 1 year warranty | Info unavailable | 2 years warranty |
| Diagonal Size | 50 in - Widescreen | 52 in - Widescreen | 46 in - Widescreen | 46 in - Widescreen | 47 in - Widescreen | 50 in - Widescreen |
| Digital Television Certification | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV |
| Progressive Scan | Progressive scanning (line doubling) | Progressive scanning (line doubling) | Progressive scanning (line doubling) | Progressive scanning (line doubling) | Progressive scanning (line doubling) | Progressive scanning (line doubling) |
| Additional Features | FilterBright On-screen menu Anti-glare filter Touch of Color (ToC) Video noise reduction DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine) | Wheel key Infolink Ultra clear panel Sound leveler DNIe | V-Chip Game mode X.v.Color Deep Color Photo TV HD On-screen menu Channel labeling Parental control Contrast enhancer Live Colour Creation 3:2 pull down compensation Digital MPEG Noise Reduction Circuit | SimplayHD X.v.Color Deep Color Plush1080p PerfectColor Full Spectrum Color Tru1080p Processing NetCommand Home Network Control System | MP3 playback On-screen menu JPEG photo playback Ambient light sensor (ALS) | 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 |
| Display Format | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) |
| Video Interface | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI | HDMI S-Video Component Composite |
| Product Description | Samsung PN50A650 - 50 in Plasma TV | Samsung LN52A650 - 52 in LCD TV | Sony KDL-46Z4100 - 46 in LCD TV | Mitsubishi LT-46148 - 46 in LCD TV | LG 47LG60 - 47 in LCD TV | LG 50PG60 - 50 in Plasma TV |
| Product Type | Plasma TV | LCD TV | LCD TV | LCD TV | LCD TV | Plasma TV |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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