 |
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Savvy Consumer: How the new models of wide-panel TVs stack up
Wide-panel TVs might be coming down in price, but shopping for one is still a tough job.
 | ||
 | ||
| This 55-inch Sony set, recommended by The Good Housekeeping Research Institute, was the least expensive model tested in its size category. | ||
Engineers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested the newest models in three size categories and found the best in each.
Best sets
42-inch -- Our engineers flipped for the great picture quality of the flat-panel Vizio P42HDTV ($1,600). Bonus: This superior set was the least expensive of the models tested. vizioce.com; 888-849-4623
50-inch -- The LG 50PC3D ($3,000) was tops in its size category. This flat-panel TV displayed true-to-life colors in tests, and its excellent speakers made action scenes sound stellar. lge.com; 800-243-0000
The RCA Scenium M50WH187 came in a close second -- and at a much lower price ($2,000). rca.com; 877-794-7977
55-inch -- The Sony KDF-55E2000 ($2,300) had terrific overall picture quality and was especially good at capturing shades of black and white. Of the largest models tested, this was the easiest to set up. sonystyle.com; 877-865-7669
Understand the lingo
Don't know a DLP from an LCD? Read on.
Plasma -- This type of screen is usually larger and brighter than a flat-panel with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen. Because it has a flat panel, this type of set is wall-mountable. Plasma sets look good from any angle.
DLP -- This stands for Digital Light Processing, which means that light is projected up from the bottom of the screen. Though the average person might not notice a difference, DLP models look best when viewed head-on (as opposed to from the side). DLPs aren't wall-mountable.
LCD -- An LCD set uses a light panel and liquid crystals to give a bright, clear picture. These units typically have smaller screens, but they're long-lasting. Best when viewed straight on.
HDTV -- This stands for High-Definition Television, which means that the set will show high-definition television signals at a higher resolution than traditional formats. Note: Standard-definition video looks worse on a TV made for high-definition feeds than it does on a regular set.
Be a savvy shopper
Here are three more tips for big-screen shoppers:
Choose the right size. Keep a space of at least twice the diagonal size of the television between yourself and the screen. For example, if a screen is 50 inches, you need to sit 100 inches away.
Pony up for home delivery. Flat-panel TVs can be heavy and generally don't fit easily into car trunks, minivans or SUVs.
Have a flat-panel unit professionally hung. If you're not going to put the set on a stand, it's best to have the pros mount it to the wall.
My web site
My Yahoo!
Google
 Day in Pictures Falcons in Dubai and more |
 Holiday shopping 10 Gifts for Under $10 |
 Flirting with romance Bellevue writer's life on page and TV |
· Smart Homes: A pocket door can open possibilities
· Here's the big picture on buying a home theater system
· Would you wear the clothes you're donating?
· Get Organized: Sort out ways to save money
· Smart Homes: Devices keep the lights on while the power is out
· Home Calendar
more
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 1.7 million unique visitors
and 30 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
