(Nov 19, 2009)
David Katzmaier
Senior Editor
Welcome to the big time. HDTVs in this size range include 50-inch plasmas and 52-inch LCDs, which compete directly against one another for domination of your home theater. These are the kinds of televisions that demand high-def to look their best and reward great source material with large-scale, revealing pictures.
Panasonic TC-P50V10
The high-end Panasonic TC-PV10 series of plasmas delivers the overall best picture quality of any flat-panel HDTV we've tested so far this year.
Price: $1,893.00 - $2,099.98 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 8, 2009
Excellent
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Samsung PN50B860
With picture quality that matches its less expensive brother but not the best of the stiff competition, the main appeal of the Samsung PNB850/860 series is based on its sleek, ultrathin panel.
Price: $1,469.00 - $1,679.99 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 25, 2009
Excellent
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Samsung PN50B650
Samsung's PNB650 series can't quite match the best plasmas on the market, but it comes close enough to offer a viable alternative.
Price: $1,129.00 - $1,239.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 12, 2009
Excellent
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Samsung LN52B750
The Samsung LNB750 series can't beat the picture quality of the best plasmas and LED-based LCDs, but for a conventional LCD, it's one of the best we've tested.
Price: $1,499.95 - $2,099.99 (check prices)
Review date: May 14, 2009
Excellent
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Panasonic TC-P50G10
With excellent picture quality marred by only a couple of flaws, the Panasonic TC-PG10 series sits near the head of the class of 2009.
Price: $1,129.88 - $1,444.06 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 3, 2009
Excellent
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Sony KDL-52W5100
With a full suite of interactive features as well as solid picture quality, the Sony KDL-W5100 series might be worth the higher price to streaming video fans.
Price: $1,538.78 - $1,899.99 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 8, 2009
Very good
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Sony KDL-52XBR9
Sony's high-end KDL-XBR9 series of LCD TV offers a bundle of extras and solid picture quality, but the price will turn off most buyers.
Price: $1,828.00 - $2,899.99 (check prices)
Review date: May 7, 2009
Very good
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LG 50PS80
Despite image quality a notch or two below competing plasmas, the LG PS80 series will win over shoppers who prioritize built-in video streaming.
Price: $1,128.00 - $1,999.99 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 2, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic TC-P50S1
With deep black levels and generally excellent picture quality, the more eco-friendly Panasonic TC-PS1 series of plasma TVs strikes an appealing price/performance balance.
Price: $999.99 - $1,228.00 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 11, 2009
Very good
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Sony KDL-52VE5
Sony's KDL-VE5 series of eco-friendly LCD TVs brings an innovative new power-saving feature to the party, along with respectable picture quality.
Price: $1,509.27 - $1,689.99 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 9, 2009
Very good
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Sony KDL-52V5100
The commendable picture quality of Sony's entry-level 120Hz-equipped LCD makes it a very good value.
Price: $1,299.00 - $1,499.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 19, 2009
Very good
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Sharp LC-52LE700UN
The Sharp LC-LE700UN's LED backlighting doesn't elevate its picture quality beyond the LCD norm, but does help make it the most efficient TV we've ever tested.
Price: $1,599.00 - $2,499.98 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 16, 2009
Good
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Panasonic TC-P50X1
Although it requires more than a few picture quality trade-offs, the Panasonic TC-P50X1 delivers the best black-levels-to-dollars ratio of any HDTV we've tested.
Price: $736.00 - $999.95 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 22, 2009
Good
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