What's the best 1080p LCD HDTV?

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David Katzmaier, Senior Editor April 1, 2009

After finally having the opportunity to compare the two top contenders screen-to-screen, we're giving the nod to the Sony by a nose. Or at least, by a spot on the couch. The company's KDL-46XBR4 handily outperformed the Samsung LN-T4681F in a couple of key areas, namely off-angle viewing and reflection-reduction (the latter was a gimme because of the Samsung's mirrorlike screen). Don't get us wrong, the new LED-powered Samsung performed extremely well in crucial areas of black-level performance and color accuracy, edging out the Sony slightly in both departments, but we preferred the Sony's overall--and less-expensive--package. We'll also throw in a few other highly rated 1080p LCDs, namely Samsung's own 120Hz model, the superb LN-T4671F; the cheaper, yet still excellent, Samsung LN-T4665F; Toshiba's smooth 120Hz 52LX155; and Sharp's less-than-uniform but otherwise commendable LC-52D64U. If you have your heart set on LCD, they're all worth a look.

More Resources: Best 5 HDTVs,; Top flat-panel LCD HDTVs,; Six things to know about 120Hz,; CNET's HDTV World

Features
Product name	Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR4	Samsung LN-T4681F	Samsung LN-T4671F	Samsung LN-T4665F	Toshiba Regza 52LX177	Sharp AQUOS LC-52D64U
Price	$1,699.00	$1,099.95	$1,049.95 to $2,299.00	$849.95 to $1,999.89	$1,249.95	$1,399.00
CNET editors' rating	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
Average user rating	3.5 stars	3.5 stars	4.0 stars	3.5 stars	3.5 stars	3.5 stars
Review date	September 27, 2007	November 01, 2007	November 13, 2007	May 07, 2007	August 28, 2007	September 11, 2007
The Bottom Line	Although not quite as impressive as the best plasmas, the 46-inch Sony KDL-46XBR4 outperforms any flat-panel LCD we've tested so far.	A breakthrough in LCD picture quality with some issues, the LED-powered Samsung LN-T4681F will nonetheless impress the staunchest videophiles.	While a few issues hamper its judder-busting video processing, the 120Hz Samsung LN-T4671F is still one of the best-performing LCD HDTVs available.	Despite a shiny, reflective screen, the picture quality of the Samsung LN-T4665F makes it a top choice overall.	Albeit expensive, the 52-inch Toshiba 52LX177 LCD HDTV is packed with cutting-edge technology and produces an impressive picture.	We loved the Sharp LC-52D64U's slim style and solid black-level performance, but we didn't like its less-than-uniform screen.
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Weight	79.4 lbs	76.9 lbs	72.3 lbs	61.7 lbs	Info unavailable	75 lbs
Image Aspect Ratio	16:9	16:9	16:9	16:9	16:9	16:9
Digital TV Tuner	QAM ATSC	QAM ATSC	QAM ATSC	Info unavailable	QAM ATSC	QAM ATSC
HDMI Ports Qty	3	3	3	Info unavailable	3	3
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
Enclosure Color	Piano black	Black	Black	Info unavailable	Gloss black	High-gloss black
DVD	None	None	None	None	None	None
Dimensions (WxDxH)	49.6 in x 12.7 in x 31.3 in - With stand	48.4 in x 12.6 in x 29.6 in - With stand	48 in x 12.6 in x 29.6 in - With stand	46.3 in x 4.1 in x 27.3 in	51.2 in x 5.7 in x 30.7 in - Without stand	48.8 in x 12.8 in x 32.9 in - With stand and speakers
Remote Control	Remote control - Infrared	Universal remote control - Infrared	Universal remote control - Infrared	Remote control - Infrared	Universal remote control - Infrared	Remote control - Infrared
VCR	None	None	None	None	None	None
Technology	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix ( S-PVA )	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix	TFT active matrix
Diagonal Size	46 in - Widescreen	46 in - Widescreen	46 in - Widescreen	46 in - Widescreen	52 in - Widescreen	52 in - Widescreen
Digital Television Certification	HDTV	HDTV	HDTV	High Definition TV	HDTV	HDTV
Additional Features	Live color creation technology Bravia engine EX	Local Dimming technology Auto Motion PlusLED	Auto-Motion Plus technology HDMI-CEC technology	Info unavailable	PixelPure3G DynaLight ColorBurst ClearFrame CE-Link xvYCC	Multi-pixel technology
Display Format	1080p	1080p	1080p	1080p	1080p	1080p
PC Interface	VGA (HD-15)	VGA (HD-15)	VGA (HD-15)	Info unavailable	VGA (HD-15)	VGA (HD-15)
Video Interface	HDMI S-Video Composite	HDMI S-Video Component Composite	HDMI S-Video Component Composite	Info unavailable	HDMI S-Video Component Composite	HDMI S-Video Component Composite
Product Description	Sony KDL-46XBR4 - 46 in LCD TV	Samsung LN-T4681F - 46 in LCD TV	Samsung LN-T4671F - 46 in LCD TV	Samsung LN-T4665F - 46 in LCD TV	Toshiba 52LX177 - 52 in LCD TV	Sharp LC 52D64U - 52 in LCD TV
Product Type	LCD TV	LCD TV	LCD TV	LCD TV	LCD TV	LCD TV
Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications
Buying choices	Amazon.com Marketplace $1,699.00 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store	Refurb Depot $1,099.95 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store	Refurb Depot $1,049.95 In stock: Yes PowersellerNYC $2,299.00 In stock: Yes Prices from 2 CNET Certified stores	Amazon.com Marketplace $1,999.89 In stock: Yes Refurb Depot $849.95 In stock: Yes Prices from 2 CNET Certified stores	Refurb Depot $1,249.95 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store	PowersellerNYC $1,399.00 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store