(Jun 26, 2009)
David Katzmaier
Senior Editor
The first kind of flat-panel TV to hit the market more than ten years ago, plasma displays have come a long way since then. Most notably they're much more durable now, and the burn-in bugaboo is pretty much a thing of the past. Plasmas are not generally available in sizes under 42 inches, and their picture quality in the best models still out-performs the best LCDs--although the gap is closing. On the flipside, they're much less-efficient than LCD. Check out our plasma vs. LCD comparison for more.
Pioneer PRO-111FD
The Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD represents the pinnacle of flat-panel HDTV picture quality.
Price: $3,349.00 - $4,499.98 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 30, 2008
Outstanding
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Panasonic TC-PV10 series
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 PNB650 series
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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Panasonic TC-PG10 series
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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Panasonic TH-65VX100U
Panasonic's high-end Premiere plasmas put out professional-quality images for a correspondingly high price.
Price: Sorry, pricing not available
Review date: Feb 10, 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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Panasonic TC-PS1 series
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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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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