Last updated: August 2006
Consumer Reports® - LCD TVs

Top-rated LCD televisions, once available only with small screens, LCD (liquid-crystal display) TVs now come with bigger screens suitable for a household’s primary set. The introduction of 37- to 50-inch sets has positioned LCD TVs as strong competition to flat-panel plasma sets. In fact, Sony has stopped offering plasma TVs for the consumer market, instead focusing its flat-panel effort on LCD sets. That illustrates the growing importance of this category.

LCD TVs cost more than comparably sized plasma sets, but the gap is gradually narrowing. Differences in picture quality are narrowing as well. Recent improvements in LCDs address earlier weaknesses at displaying deep black levels, accurate colors, and fast motion. The introduction of some LCD sets with 1080p resolution—the highest currently available—has also raised the bar for picture quality.

Regardless of screen size, LCD TVs are only a few inches thick, giving them a small footprint. They’re also relatively lightweight—30 pounds or less for midsized models, 60 pounds or so for big-screen sets—so they’re easily moved or wall-mounted. But LCD technology, like plasma technology, is fairly new, so long-term reliability of these TVs is still a question. However, preliminary data are encouraging.

Top-selling brands include Sony, Sharp, Samsung, Panasonic, Magnavox, and Westinghouse. Prices have been dropping steadily, thanks in part to the arrival of low-priced brands from computer makers such as Dell and store brands from major retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, and Target.

Most LCD TVs with screens larger than 20 inches or so are high-definition (HD) models. HDTVs can display the sharpest, most detailed images. On most high-def sets, the resolution is 1024x768 or1366x768. Recently, some 1080p HDTVs have been introduced. With a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, the highest so far, 1080p TVs are the first with the potential to display all 1,080 lines in the most common high-definition format, called 1080i. The improvement is most noticeable on large screens, say, 50 inches and up.

In smaller sizes—screens of 20 inches or less—enhanced-definition LCD TVs are also available. ED sets, which are digital, have picture quality that’s slightly better than standard definition but not as good as HD; these can accept 480p signals like those from a progressive-scan DVD player. Standard-definition TVs are analog models that can display only 480i signals like those used for most TV broadcasts. Analog TV broadcasts will cease on Feb. 17, 2009, when all broadcasters must switch to digital. An analog set you buy now will be able to receive digital programming when used with an external digital tuner, such as that in a cable or satellite box, or a set-top box and antenna.

Major-brand LCD HDTVs with 26-inch screens typically start at $1,000; $1,200 to $2,000 for a 32-inch set; and $2,000 to $2,500 for 37-inch set. In all size categories, you’ll see less-familiar brands selling for hundreds less. A growing number of LCD TVs have even larger screens—up to 50 inches or more—and prices go up along with size.

LCD TVs typically have all the usual features you expect on a TV. Other features are more specific to this type of set. The location of the speakers is one example. On some LCD models, the speakers are located on both sides of the screen; on others they’re below it. That affects the overall width of the set and could determine whether it will fit into a niche in an entertainment center, for example. On some LCD TVs, speakers are detachable. That can be a plus if you want to fit the TV into a particular space or simply position the speakers away from the screen. The ability of a panel to tilt and swivel also varies, so see whether a given model can be adjusted as much as you’d like.

Some LCD sets have a memory-card slot. This enables you to view still photos or videos from a digital camera. You can connect a camera or camcorder directly to the TV if it has a USB or IEEE 1394/Firewire input.

With more sources for video available all the time, it’s handy to have a feature that allows you to customize settings for each source, such as the cable box or the DVD player. If you watch many DVD movies with your DVD player in nonprogressive-scan mode, look for a film-mode feature on HD sets. This feature is also called 3:2 pull-down compensation, or brand-specific names like CineMotion and Film Mode. This can make moving images that were converted from film to video look less jerky and jagged. On 16:9 sets, stretch and zoom modes will expand or compress an image to fill the screen shape better. This helps to reduce the dark bands that can appear on the sides or top and bottom of images if you watch content that isn’t formatted for a wide screen. (The picture may be distorted or cut off a bit in the process of stretching or zooming.)

Consider what level of picture quality you’re willing to pay for. The best LCD TVs are capable of excellent picture quality, although blacks may not be quite as deep as on a good plasma set. For a main TV or one you’ll watch often, we’d strongly recommend an HD set with resolution of at least 1024x768. On screens larger than 30 inches or so, 1366x768 has the potential to offer better quality, though native screen resolution in and of itself doesn’t guarantee a certain level of picture quality. Check our Ratings online to see which models make the most of their resolution. It’s probably not worth paying the premium for a 1080p set with 1920x1080 resolution for screens much smaller than 50 inches. The quality difference isn’t as noticeable below that size. We’d recommend an ED or standard-definition LCD TV only for small sets used for casual viewing in the kitchen, for example, where you wouldn’t want the cable or satellite box you generally need to receive HD signals. The picture quality almost certainly won’t be as good as what you’ll get with an HD set.

Check the viewing angle. Viewing angles have improved, so many new LCD TVs display a better image from off-center than older sets did—a must if the TV will be watched by several people at once. Some sets have wider viewing angles than others. Before buying one, see how the picture looks if you step off to the side or move up and down. With some, you’ll see a dimmer, somewhat washed-out image as your viewing position angles away, particularly in a vertical direction.

Look for easy-to-use inputs. On many LCD televisions, the connections are on the side or rear of the panel and might be hard to reach. Some larger models have a separate control unit to which you connect all your external audio/video devices, such as a DVD player or cable box. You then have only one cable going from the control box to the panel itself. That’s a plus for wall-mounting and can make the inputs easier to access. But it does give you another box to contend with.

Consider a set that doubles as a computer display. If you need a computer display as well as a TV, check connectivity options. An HD set with high native resolution is best for computer use. A standard VGA connection works with all computers; a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) input would be compatible with newer midrange computers.

Our preliminary survey data found no repair problems during the first year of use for LCD sets from Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba, but it’s too early to comment on other brands or on long-term reliability for any brand.

The Consumer Reports top-rated high-definition LCD TVs are:

Sharp Aquos LC-45GD7U
JVC LT-40FH96
Sony Bravia KDL-V32XBR1

These are the three models listed at the top of the most recent Consumer Reports Ratings of high-definition LCD TVs. Their price, type, features, and other attributes may--or may not--make them among the best choices for you. The full Ratings and recommendations for all categories of televisions, along with the latest information on thousands of other products and services, are available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers.

I think you broke the forum. I can't read 1/2 of what you wrote, it's cut off, and there's no scroll bar

[This message has been edited by ryan.hess (edited 11-09-2006).]

Damn, I'm the most forum-breaking dude I know!!!!!
Now i'm scared to go take a leak.
What else might break?!!!!

Works OK for me. Im a bit stumped though....Plasma screens are way higher than any LCDs Ive seen When I got my LCD last year, plasma the same size was $2,000 more for same size. So whos correct ??

The Plasmas up here are about equal to the LCD's.

Also,
An explanation of the "Clear Motion Drive" or "Clear Motiv" I've been seeing on some sets:

JVC today announced two new high definition flat panel LCD televisions with technology that delivers crisp fast action images, typically a weakness in LCD performance. The two new sets employ JVC’s new Clear Motion Drive, which produces images at 120 frames per second (120Hz), double the typical rate, and inserts an interpolated image. The result is a significant reduction in blurring or ghost images, often a problem with conventional LCD TVs. JVC introduced the world’s first 120Hz LCD TV last fall in Japan, where that set is now available.

JVC will offer Clear Motion Drive in the 37-inch LT-37X987, to be available in August, and the 32-inch LT-32X987, to be available in October. Both sets offer 1366 x 768p native resolution and JVC’s fifth generation D.I.S.T. (Digital Image Scaling Technology) Genessa 32-bit CPU video processing, which seamlessly upscales any video source to display at 768p.

JVC’s Clear Motion Drive uses a high-precision interpolation algorithm and a 120Hz refresh rate, as opposed to the 60Hz refresh rate used in most televisions. JVC uses this faster refresh rate to insert an interpolated image, displaying two frames – the original plus the new interpolated frame – in the time a 60Hz set displays a single frame. The result is less blurring of moving images. In addition, JVC’s Clear Motion Drive’s use of an interpolated frame minimizes flicker and delivers a brighter image. Both new sets also boast a fast liquid crystal response time of 6ms, which contributes to reduced image blur. But according to JVC, there are diminishing returns as response time gets faster.

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 11-09-2006).]

"Flat-panel LCD screen displays have a lifespan approaching 60,000 hours."

oh, no! that's only 6.85 years! maybe i should turn mine off when i'm asleep or at work. of course, in 6.85 years, a new one will probably cost $9.95.