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(Jun 26, 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.
Pioneer PRO-111FD
The Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD represents the pinnacle of flat-panel HDTV picture quality.
Price: $3,249.00 - $4,499.98 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 30, 2008
Outstanding
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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: $1,899.99 - $2,199.98 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 8, 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: $1,337.00 - $1,799.99 (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: $2,027.00 - $2,899.99 (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 at the head of the class of 2009.
Price: $1,259.99 - $1,799.95 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 3, 2009
Excellent
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Pioneer PDP-5020FD
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.
Price: $2,599.00 - $3,999.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 18, 2008
Excellent
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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: $2,288.50 - $3,299.99 (check prices)
Review date: May 7, 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: $1,075.95 - $1,940.90 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 11, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic TH-50PF11UK
Although expensive and light on features compared with consumer sets, Panasonic's TH-50PF11UK 50-inch professional plasma monitor delivers pro-level picture quality.
Price: $2,059.99 - $2,399.95 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 25, 2008
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: $1,625.00 - $2,299.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 19, 2009
Very good
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Vizio VP505XVT
Vizio's best effort yet, the VP505XVT 50-inch plasma aces that delicate balance between picture quality and value.
Price: Sorry, pricing not available
Review date: Nov 20, 2008
Very good
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LG 50PG60
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.
Price: $1,899.00 - $2,499.95 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 12, 2008
Very 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: $817.99 - $1,193.52 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 22, 2009
Good
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Sharp LC-52D65U
Excellent energy savings and decent picture quality make the Sharp LC-52D65U a solid value among bigger-screen LCDs.
Price: $1,395.00 - $1,397.99 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 24, 2008
Good
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