HDTV Reviews

HDTV stands for High Definition Television. HDTV images contain significantly more detail than normal television. Many television stations and shows have already converted or will convert to HD broadcasting.

HDTV picture quality is far better than that of standard televisions. More scan lines of resolution can make the picture up to five times clearer than standard. Top HDTVs will usually display images at 1080i. In addition to better visuals, sound is also improved with Dolby Digital 5.1 as the broadcast HDTV video signal soundtrack.

Disadvantages of HDTV include picture not being up to its fullest potential. This is due to operators that do not follow HD specifications in an attempt to pack channels into limited bandwidth. Channels broadcasting in HD tend to occasionally freeze up or display unnecessary information. Also, televisions must be upgraded to HD format in order to view programs being broadcast in HD. Confusion also arises amongst consumers from the different resolution labels such as 1080i, 1080p, etc.

• PC Magazine: Pioneer PRO-940HD - (Price: $3,300.00)
  • "The Pioneer Elite PRO-940HD PureVision plasma television isn't cheap, but it delivers excellent picture quality and useful multimedia features."PC Magazine: Pioneer PRO-940HD
• CNET: Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD Plasma - (Price: $2,118.00 - $3,500.00)
  • "The Pioneer PDP-5080HD produces the deepest shade of black--and thus one of the best pictures--we've ever tested."CNET: Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD Plasma
• PC World: Dell W3207C - (Price: $1199)
  • "The Dell W3207C LCD TV offers a great combination of sleek industrial design, enticing picture quality, and a reasonable price."PC World: Vizio VX32LHDTV

• PC Magazine Editors' Top Picks:
  • Pioneer PRO-940HD
  • Vizio VP42 HDTV
  • Sharp LC-32D40U

• CNET Editors' Top HDTV Picks:
  • Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD Plasma
  • Sony KDL-46XBR4 LCD
  • Samsung HL-T5687S Rear Projection HDTV

• PC World Editors' Top 32-Inch LCD HDTVs:
  • Dell W3207C
  • Vizio VX32LHDTV

• PC World Editors' Top 37-Inch LCD HDTVs:
  • Vizio L37HDTV
  • ViewSonic N3760w

• PC World Editors' Top 40- and 42-inch HDTVs:
  • Samsung LN-T4061
  • Samsung HP-T4264

• Amazon.com Top Customer Reviewed HDTVs:
  • Samsung FPT5084 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV (Price: $2,199.99)
  • Sony Grand Wega KDS-60A2020 60" 1080p SXRD HDTV (Price: $1,541.61)
  • Panasonic 50" Digital Plasma HDTV - TH50PX600U (Price: $1,599.98)