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LCD TVs Reviews

Related Guides: 3D TVs, Blu Ray Players and Home Theater
The LCD TVs we researched are all entry-level models, and our top picks garner relatively positive appraisals in LCD TV reviews. Experts who rate LCD TVs look for excellent color accuracy as well as deep, rich black levels and sharp contrast between darks and lights. It's apparent from the LCD TV reviews we read, however, that black levels are a common weakness in lower-end models -- they're just too light, which adversely affects the amount of detail you see. Nonetheless, LCD TV reviews indicate that the top models on our list deliver decent picture quality and good color. They all feature a sufficient refresh rate and the highest resolution available. Slightly flawed, yes, but for a bargain price you still get a wide-screen, high-definition display that beats an old standard-definition tube TV any day.

LCD TV Picture Quality.

When you buy an entry-level LCD TV, it's important to keep your expectations about picture quality at realistic levels. Images will look sharp and rich on the best cheap models, say LCD TV reviews, but won't be comparable to what you'd see on a set costing at least several hundred dollars more. Still, we're convinced there's plenty of enjoyable viewing to be had.

We found several good small-screen budget LCD TVs. Our top choice is the bare-bones ViewSonic VT2730 (starting at $300, Amazon). LCD TV reviews on sites such as Tech Review Source applaud its accurate color reproduction, good image quality, and wide viewing angle that keeps colors and detail true even as you move away from "center." Although PC Mag's test found some background noise in the image and some "jaggies" when viewing standard-definition content, these disturbances are muted by the small display.

The 32-inch Sony NSX-32GT1 (starting at $498, Amazon) packs in loads of extras -- most notably, its integration with the Internet. The first high-definition "Google TV," it sparks enthusiastic commentary in consumers' LCD TV reviews on Amazon for its many Web features, but experts' LCD TV reviews deem its picture quality pallid compared to other budget models. CNET, for example, carps about uneven uniformity (variations in brightness), blacks that are too light, and glare from the glossy screen, and notes that color accuracy improves after tweaking the controls.

The 26-inch Westinghouse SK-26H640G (starting at $229, Amazon) has been around for a while and its age is showing. An LCD TV review in PC Mag grumbles about narrow viewing angles, a slight green tint in dark areas, and insufficient picture controls.

Among the larger cheap LCD TVs, three stand out. The 42-inch Vizio E3D420VX (starting at $560, Amazon, Walmart) is the star in this category. This model boasts 3D capability (with special glasses -- the kind you get at the movie theater) and is lauded in LCD TV reviews on expert sites such as Television Info for good picture quality. Reviewers cite realistic color and lots of detail owing to good contrast between lights and darks. The 3D image quality also pleases the experts; Tech Review Source says color accuracy surpasses what you see in 2D (where this review notes black levels are only mediocre) and the picture doesn't suffer from jaggies or artifacts.

The LG 42LK450 (starting at $579, Amazon), another 42-inch model, impresses Home Theater Review with its rich colors, solid black levels, and smooth on-screen motion. CNET takes a dimmer view, asserting that image quality is below par largely due to light black levels, although the matte screen keeps glare to a minimum.

Experts are disappointed with the 40-inch Philips 40PFL5706 (starting at $479, Amazon). Although picture uniformity is good, they point to shortcomings such as light black levels, inaccurate colors, and, when playing high-definition video, artifacts such as hitching motion.

You'd expect that the farther up the price scale you climb, the better the LCD TV picture quality would be. But that's not necessarily the case. The Sharp LC-40LE810UN (starting at $695, Amazon) is priced a rung above our budget cut-off, but LCD TV reviews by Television Info and Big Picture Big Sound complain about lackluster color performance. This model adds yellow to the usual pixel technology mix of red, green, and blue, without much benefit to the viewer, according to the reviews; the color palette is punchy enough, but blues look a bit green, and uniformity is uneven. Then there's the $2,700 Sony Bravia XBR-55HX929, which garners gushing raves in reviews from PC Mag for extremely sharp and detailed images, deep black levels, bright popping colors, and no distracting artifacts.

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Sharp LC-40LE810UN
Sony Bravia XBR-55HX929
Westinghouse SK-26H640G
Philips 40PFL5706
Sony NSX-32GT1
LG 42LK450
Vizio E3D420VX
ViewSonic VT2730

Sony Bravia EX500
Vizio E420VL
Sony Bravia EX400
LG LD450

 

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