Editors' Top Televisions
updated June 14, 2006

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We review a lot of high-definition televisions here at CNET, but the list below represents the best of the best. It collects our current highest-recommended televisions arranged in order of overall score, regardless of TV type, technology, brand, or size. These cumulative ratings are the best indication of which HDTVs scored highest in each of the three major areas we rate: design, features, and performance. We don't expect this list to apply to everyone, however, so we've also created supplemental lists broken down by technology type, performance, and screen size. Choose from the lists below according to which criteria matter most to you.
-- David Katzmaier, senior editor

Editors' top televisions:

Best HDTVs overall

Best HDTVs overall

Televisions	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Sony KDS-R60XBR1 Released: 09/15/2005	8.0 Excellent	Email me when product is available	By today's standards, the Sony KDS-R60XBR1 is expensive, but its fabulous performance and feature set make it well worth the price for early adopters. Specs: Rear projection TV , 60 in, 1920 x 1080 , 16:9

HP MD6580n Released: 11/01/2005	8.3 Excellent	Email me when product is available	While it doesn't quite deliver the best picture among 1080p HDTVs, the HP MD6580n's innovative design and future-ready inputs may tip the scales in its favor anyway. Specs: Rear projection TV , 65 in, 12000:1 , 1920 x 1080 , 16:9

Pioneer PDP-5060HD Released: 09/30/2005	8.0 Excellent		The Pioneer PDP-5060HD offers excellent picture quality, great style, and superior features--its only real downside is that it's priced more than the competition. Specs: Plasma TV , 50 in, 1100 cd/m2, 4000:1 , 1280 x 768 , 16:9 , Black

Pioneer PDP-4360HD Released: 09/01/2005	8.0 Excellent		Pioneer's PDP-4360HD offers improved black-level performance and excellent overall picture quality, but it costs a bit more than the competition. Specs: Plasma TV , 43 in, 1100 cd/m2, 4000:1 , 1024 x 768 , 16:9

Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK Released: 10/01/2005	7.8 Very good	Email me when product is available	The 42-inch Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK is a great deal for the money, but only if you're comfortable adding inputs, you don't need a tuner, and you remember to buy a stand. Specs: Plasma panel , 42 in, 3000:1 , 1024 x 768 , 16:9

Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK Released: 09/01/2005	7.8 Very good	$2100	Although it's missing a couple of inputs, the Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK surpasses any 50-inch plasma we've reviewed in terms of image quality and overall value. Specs: Plasma panel , 50 in, 3000:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9 , Black

Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK Released: 09/01/2005	7.8 Very good	Email me when product is available	Despite limited features and connectivity, the Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK is one of the best small-screen plasmas on the market today in terms of picture quality. Specs: Plasma panel , 37 in, 3000:1 , 1024 x 720 , 16:9

JVC HD-61FH96 Released: 11/15/2005	7.7 Very good	Email me when product is available	With its competitive image quality and price, the JVC HD-61FH96 is a strong contender against the other 1080p big screens on the market. Specs: Rear projection TV , 60 in, 1920 x 1080 , 16:9 , Black

Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1 Released: 08/15/2005	7.7 Very good	Email me when product is available	While not quite as good for home theater as the best plasmas, the expensive Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1 puts on a pretty face and delivers an impressive picture. Specs: LCD TV , 40 in, 1366 x 768 , 16:9 , Black

Samsung HL-R6768W Released: 08/15/2005	7.6 Very good	Email me when product is available	The Samsung HL-R6768W is a strong contender for the best 1080p HDTV we've reviewed yet, but nondefeatable DNIe processing spoils its chances. Specs: Rear projection TV , 67 in, 10000:1 , 1920 x 1080 , 16:9